heirdog

I don't want Vaughn extended per se...I just think he would be considered part of the "core" had he signed his extension. I could be wrong as TLR didn't mention Robert (though he has played every day) but noted all the key regulars with several years in the bigs.

It's not like he's performing incredibly well. He will eventually given time and reps but let him figure it out in the minors... Giolito clearly wants full market rate and very well could get that soon. For the White Sox, why pay for it up front? If it's the Wheeler deal or close to it, fine but if its more than that, just ride it for 3 years and figure it out then. TA signed an extension and no word that he is unhappy and unwilling to sign another.

He wouldn't sign the extension as it stands today but my point is that they won't send him down if he does. They have said all the things (TLR quote), done all things (playing him sporadically), and his vs. other people's performances (Mercedes, Collins, Hamilton...eventually Engel) that make it easy for them to send him down and reclaim the year of service time.

Perhaps, if Vaughn does a 180 and signs his extension, he will magically be a part of the "core." The statement from LaRussa, coupled with Mercedes' hot start is enough to see that there is a good chance Vaughn is sent down in May. Engel will definitely play a lot when he returns so really will be no place for Vaughn. TLR isn't going to let him develop here, he needs to keep pace with the Mercedes or he's back to the minors.

93 wins and 1st place Giolito and Cease dominate...Bullpen is lights out as expected. Moncada finishes 3rd in MVP voting, Madrigal wins the batting title and Robert & Madrigal win Gold Gloves. Collins & Stiever are traded mid-season/deadline.

The burners are comparing Vaughn to Cease's negotiations...in 2019 Sox thought they had Cease "done" and he backed out. Then he tried to re-engage last year and Sox balked. So maybe third time was the lucky charm? These burners tend to be vague but drop little clues so I thought they might be doing it with Cease.

Dylan Cease?

It's a spring training game...soon after we had the Eloy injury...I'm not sure coming out of the game and not playing the next day were his choices. He's lucky he got to finish his at-bat and wasn't removed due to "an abundance of caution." We're lucky he wasn't pulled so we could witness the mammoth homer by the "soft" guy that hobbled around after fouling a ball off his shin.

I find it odd that people crap on Madrigal after 29 games. Madrigal is not a bust--he should have an incomplete grade since he has ~100 MLB at-bats and delivered 0.5 WAR in that short stint. At the moment, he is not prime Altuve either, who didn't break out until his age 24 season. Nick will be there this year so let's reserve judgment.

Great stuff as always, James. I'd like to know more about Bryan Ramos. He seems to be the name that a lot of outlets mention. Is he a next wave type guy or one that will contribute in the current window. If current, where do you think he ends up playing...3B, outfield, 2B or utility IF?

The Tatis / Preller presser probably brought this worn out topic back up. Yes, for every FTJ there is an Eloy but the Pads should know better than to gloat about a trade...see Rizzo, Trea Turner, etc.

Where do you guys think Crochet and Kelley will slot in our prospect rankings? Before / After Stiever & Dunning?

FWIW, the MLBintel guy did say Joc lost his arb hearing about 4 hours ago and that the trade would go through. Passan said Joc lost his case less than an hour ago. Passan didn’t add anything about the trade however.

MacKenzie Gore

Uncle Ray making it happen.

4 pm central

You are Tony Bernazard. Confirmed.

Eloy seems like a first career AB homer type of guy.

No, we were stealthily chasing Harper. We were so sophisticatedly stealth, we didn’t even make an offer. But KW and Bryce allegedly had a moment during the meeting in December and so KW will be following up in 2032.

This is promising...

Are these serious questions? Go read the thread with 890 pages for your answer.

A gushing Kenny: “Bryce thought I was cool.”

It’s been 10 days. But if you think you have a superior offer...be cheap about it and sink down to the “inferior” offer and seal the deal. What a bunch of fuk nuts.

No Cameron, no Konerko so clearly was the most valuable.