bmags

Sure I like semien. I don’t really understand these weird binaries people are setting up to win arguments. I just think Conforto is a good player that balances our lineup and plays good defense and sheets could play DH. If we want to sign an MVP type 2b that is also nice.

The Brewers could afford him in 2019 Because Yellich was making under $10 mill. It was a surprise they could add Yaz at the time. Arb salary growth is a thing. That they couldn’t sign him long term isn’t really interesting. The Brewers and Dodgers are smart orgs, it’s a wonder those idiots wanted this guy in the first place IMO

I don’t know, despite their below average speed and below average athleticism we may be missing something here

This was my hunch as well, that because it was a hamstring it may have made his 2021 RF numbers worse. But in general, I'm not really big on the stringer data relied on for DRS, and jonathan judge did an article showing FRAA to be the best outfield defensive metric, and that had him as basically neutral and historically positive in RF. I think at this age, neutral matches the eye test. I don't think he's great, but considering the ease of our corner situation, I think it's likely he'll be positive for us or at least neutral.

I can't believe the Ball tampering stuff still hasn't been resolved. I kinda feel like what will have happened is the league does not have the goods from their investigation, the circumstantial evidence is damning, so the league can't really figure out what the appropriate precedent is for just appearing to break the rules. And honestly I think "rich paul just has a big mouth, but obviously when ball liked our offer a trade was going to work out" is real.

I think this is possible. The players demands may boost the median mlb player at the expense of the star mlb player (like in the NBA). If things like team control are reduced and players hit free agency sooner, players like semien likely have less leverage than now. Interesting point.

Conforto Fielding Runs Above Average -0.2 Andrew Vaughn Fielding Runs Above Average -3.8

People really struggle with degrees on this board. Because Conforto is not a good fielder, he must be the same as our bad fielders. I was really impressed with Vaughn's outfield last year - because he was not the worst LF as I expected. In 218 chances, Conforto +1 Outs above Average last year In 179 chances between LF and RF, Vaughn was -5 in Outs above Average

Fun thing Kiley Mcdaniel just posted, unlike in other offseasons - this one has a deadline of sorts. Even though it doesn't end your offseason, we can see just how much imposing one can impact team decisionmaking. I'm looking forward to this, a nice test for some recent discussions around improving the offseason.

The injury history definitely seems like it should be a bigger drag but who knows. Hey let's hope Colson Montgomery hits because now we can see how freakin valuable a big, left-hand shortstop can be (and, you know, one that had an MVP type year). Yanks obviously had some similar tendencies as us, so they are gonna get the best the market has to offer.

It seems like we may have some real baseball movement to chew on before the lockout

Was thinking about the funny combo addition of Semien and Marte, who would make the white Sox more right handed, but dramatically improve their hitting vs RHP.

I'm saying the cost of Varsho's control will be more expensive than the impact of his talent. It makes trades like that too expensive for what you get back because you are "paying" for 5 years of cheap control. I'd rather have a mega package for 2 or so years of a very talented player than 5 years of a good player, especially when the sox have not yet hit spending limits.

I understand the interest, but those types of trades are my least favorite. I don't like where the cost for control starts to exceed the cost of talent.

I don't get it. Why do they get credit for setting the market there, I thought that phrase means they gave highest contract to the position.

who?

ah well maybe we can sneak by on some soft opponents. Who is playing next?

they aren't similar pitchers. Stroman has very good stuff.

I'll just say that I'm someone that easily gets excited at the talk of the sox targeting a high profile guy, but I just don't buy this at all. He would be a great piece though. We've talked a lot about balancing out our weaknesses. He is right-handed, but torched RHP last year and is still a career above average hitter vs. RHP. He hits fly balls, he only has a 30% ground ball rate. His contact isn't incredible but at just 20% it's a more competitive at bat. And his defense at 2b is fantastic, shoring up our defense. So it's not a shock sox would be interested, but I just don't see them going the extra mile for him. Like can't even do the dreaming thing.

Sheesh, you think he has time to catch up on the last 10 years of baseball?

I don't really think there is an easy answer, I don't think you can completely withdraw from parity measures. I don't think a full lottery should happen, but I think it could be fun to lottery comp picks. Meaning - still give some priority order to losing teams, but make some random adjustments to draft budget. So maybe 10 or so picks are randomly assigned at the end of round 2, giving ten random teams an additional million. It wouldn't eliminate tanking, because some team is going to still try and maximize their budget. But it may allow some of the borderline teams to be less worried about losing a draft pick (if that still happens) or going for a prayer run like the cards had at the expense of draft. They may make it back in the lotto

when the AL West starts reloading like this it makes a completely different market.

I just don't see him getting away from Toronto.

Man the East is SO much better this year

I sincerely love that every year a bunch of baseball writers convince their bosses to pay for them to go to a resort to cover the GM meetings where the GMs say nothing of substance so they al end up needing to writeup Scott Boras giving long winded analogies comparing the baseball market to the spice trade