fathom

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:55 AM) And he's not for us?? No the Sox would then have to put Melky in RF. Tigers already set in CF and RF

QUOTE (soxfan85 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:52 AM) Valid points...however, he is not a perfect fit for any of the other interested teams. However, they will find a way to make it work, and they will spend the money. It looks as if we are not willing to do either. And it is just disappointing. The same old song and dance every offseason, unfortunately. Cespedes is a perfect fit for Tigers in LF

But none of the big three outfielders are/were perfect fits. They need a RF, and Upton is only one that plays that. Given everyone's concern about his energy on the field and the chance he wants nothing to do with Chicago, he was the least likely of the three. Cespedes has no ties to the Sox outside of Abreu while having way more ties to the Tigers and Mets

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:37 AM) You guys sure like to freak out about Twitter rumors. I expect Ian Desmond to the Sox rumors this week, as no one else needs a SS

I completely agree it would be a disappointment, but Hahn and company have never once mentioned an interest in Cespedes or Upton.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 05:00 AM) Hahn is too busy kicking rocks right now to worry about our division rival getting a really good OFer. Concern for me if the Tigers get Cespedes (or Upton) is that gives the AL Central two teams that have completely sold out for the next two seasons. Makes Hahn's job even tougher.

More to Tigers rumor https://mobile.twitter.com/TonyPaul1984/sta...931801323171840

QUOTE (Baron @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:00 AM) Hahn is too busy kicking rocks right now to worry about our division rival getting a really good OFer. If the Tigers want him they will easily outbid the Sox

Oh yay, this would easily be worst case https://mobile.twitter.com/JonHeyman/status...930590360518656

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 03:42 AM) That would make a ton of sense. I laughed yesterday when I read something about how the cubs said they might be done for the off season. I don't buy it and believe they are still looking for a younger cost-controlled SP. I think it's possible the reason AZ paid such an insane price for Miller was because at the time, the cubs were rumored to be offering Soler as the headliner in a package for Miller. Also would explain why Fowler doesn't seem to be in much of a hurry to do anything

The Sox have three prospects worth anything and no depth at the MLB level. Good luck acquiring an impact player with those resources.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:00 AM) I definitely agree with Heyward being too big for CF but there are a few things the cubs FO might be thinking. 1) Heyward can opt-out after three years and the cubs are thinking Heyward can hold up until them. 2) It might be easier for the big man to cover the short alleys in LC/RC than the long line in RF? 3) At this point, Heyward is probably their best bet in CF since the cubs lost Jackson and Fowler to FA. Anyway, back to the top ten. I would put Heyward further down the list only because he hasn't played much CF and Eaton should be at the bottom of the top ten. Which is why I have a feeling they trade Soler and a prospect for Odorizzi and then sign Fowler.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 03:17 AM) That must be holdover from the Tanaka/Samardzija idea that the money was available (seemingly) for the right player...as Tanaka was in the $125+ range and Shark $90-100. In retrospect, it does seem a bit dubious to say they could have signed Shark last year for that amount but suddenly it's not there for a critical position player upgrade at possibly the same price. I hate the Shark possible contract as proof they have money. The amount might be true, but there is no proof they wouldn't have had to move some salaries in order to make it fit. The Shark deal was also when they expected 2015 to be a success and likely strong 2016 ticket sales.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 02:49 AM) The budget would explain why Hahn has said numerous times that he would need to get creative and why the Sox were reportedly shopping LaRoche. Without being able to move salary, maybe Hahn's hands are tied and is forced to look at cheaper marginal upgrades such as Fowler and Jackson who should cost about half or less of what Cespedes seeks. Something so many disregard is Hahn saying they would have to get creative for upgrades, yet they expect 100 million dollar commitment to be an easy thing to sign off. Honestly even Desmond and Jackson is probably too expensive.

QUOTE (Saufley @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 03:41 AM) Yea, I agree. Time to move on and make some moves to make this team stronger for 2016! Give me Desmond and Austin Jackson. However doubt has started to creep into my mind that Avi might get the RF spot and the team is at its budget.

Seen some speculation they would then trade Springer for a pitcher like Carrasco

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 09:57 PM) I don't buy it. Now if Seinfeld comes out and says the Mets are signing Cespedes, that's a different story! One thing to note is King was at the Baseball Scouts dinner event last night. Makes you wonder if someone tipped him off after a few drinks.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 09:55 PM) If you want to trade for a cleanup hitter without "giving up much," you're going to be disappointed in who we would get. If you can get Dodgers to pay for half of Ethier's deal, I would rather have a platoon with him and Raburn than spending 100 mil on Cespedes

It's strange as the more I read about Cespedes, the more I want nothing to do with him from the Sox standpoint. Sox aren't going to outbid everyone else on a short deal and I agree with them that anything more than 3 is too much.

Larry King chimes in https://mobile.twitter.com/kingsthings/stat...817830842638338

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 08:09 PM) I really just can't see the Sox being able to come away with Cespedes at this point. 7-10 teams & somewhat long-term suitors don't bode well for them. I hope I'm wrong but this is just not playing out the way most were hoping, IMO. So far, no proof anyone would go past 3 years. No doubt in my mind teams just don't trust him to stay focused on a long-term deal.

Ten teams IMO: - White Sox - Yankees - Cardinals - Tigers - Astros - Mariners - Mets - Orioles - Angels - Dodgers

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 03:47 PM) Speaking of Mets, Ricketts family making lots of friends in NYC this weekend... http://nypost.com/2016/01/16/cubs-co-owner...ious-mets-fans/ Sound like a bunch of sore losers. No shock from that scumbag family.

Can't spend what you don't have. I'm sure 2016 season ticket sales look bleak right now. We aren't talking about an extra 5 million or so. 100-125 million is a huge amount for a team that might already be at their budget.

All cause Arizona tried that pass