spiderman

Their top of the line starters - Giolito and Keuchel - need to pitch at that level. With the rest of the staff having youth and some ups/downs, these two need to anchor the staff. To win the division, of course, they need an overall rotation that's pretty solid from #1 to #5, but it all starts with our best being exactly that.

Really hope the White Sox are not trading for him.

I don't understand why any team, unless they are already stacked and pretty much a guaranteed 90 win team already, would trade for him and give up some of their best prospects. If he's not willing to sign a long-term deal, there's no way a team like the White Sox, trying to make a move up the standings now, but still dependent on the young prospects, should trade 2 or 3 of these pieces for 1 year.

Was there really a need to go beyond year to year? He's an older 1B and their typically isn't much of a market for aging hitters. At best, I don't mind guaranteeing the next season IF he performs at an agreed upon performance in the current season. I'm sure we'll hear about his intangibles, and his value to younger players, but this does seem unnecessary.

Still need to read through all of this, but I like this a lot if he's playing mostly at C, with DH still sort of being a flex spot, but likely a rotation with Abreu, Grandal, McCann and Collins (still very early to predict)

As much as I am excited about 2020, it could be another transition year. It boils down primarily to the starting rotation. I am confident that they will address the offense, but as long as the rotation is in question, so will the team's success. Next year, Giolito is likely to be the #1 in the rotation. There isn't a #2 or #3 on the current team. Lopez, Cease, Rodon (at some point), Kopech (probably right away), perhaps a backend starter option for insurance (Nova??) fill it out, but, even with upside, should be your #4 and #5 options until they grow into higher roles. I don't think they will sign Cole, but they will add some veteran to this mix..

They are probably not going to be outbid the high spending teams on an elite free agents. That's what it's tough to imagine them landing an ace in free agency (if there is one available). I can see them landing offensive talent, again not the best on the market, but the next level down. With offense though, it's a bit easier if you have a need at a position, in theory, there is less of a market vs. a starting pitcher where most teams who want to spend.....

If the White Sox are competing against the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Astros, they are not likely to land that player unless they go well beyond the expected offers and just make an offer that the player would not say no too. I don't think it's likely a player will take a similar offer with the White Sox to grow with the young core if other premier franchises are in the running. I could see them looking at trade options just so they can land a key player who can help next season. I don't know if they will land the top of the free agent class, but I do expect that they will be in the market for a RF/DH (maybe both, but doubtful). They will be looking at the bullpen, but I don't understand the logic that had them giving Herrera the deal (2 years, 18 M) he got when his numbers were declining.. Still, I expect to see another veteran added there. I do think they need a #1 or # 2 type starter, but will this come from free agency or trade? Not sure if it's free agency if the teams mentioned are in on Cole.

Yes, once Madden became available, they made the move, but that a very smart move - they saw a clear upgrade and jumped at it. I'm not so sure the White Sox (or other teams would do that especially if a managers value is being diminished).....For the White Sox, they appear to be happy with him (at least, that is my take). Is there somebody out there (or who could be out there) that they would pull a similar move for?

I'd be willing to sign him back on a 1 year deal. Giolito, Lopez and Cease will be part of the rotation (barring injury). Kopech will be in the rotation as well assuming he's ready to roll which he should be. They clearly need to add a veteran at the top of the rotation. At the moment, there is not a clear spot for Nova in the rotation, but they are going to have to give a veteran spot starts to not risk the health. Even assuming health of the top 4 in the rotation next season, Nova can probably get 15 starts, that's basically 3 starts a month.

Were these comments in response to why he likes giving away outs by bunting?

How did the Cubs hire this guy? Yes, he has a reputation for being good with young players, which was probably the overriding factor, but they are also known for favoring numbers/stats. As good as his reputation is with young players (or was when being interviewed with the Cubs), I find it shocking that a guy who seems as indifferent as he does to these number would get the manager job.

Probably better than you think given the young talent they have coming next year still, but not as good as others may be hoping for.

As much as the farm system can complement/supplement holes on a major league roster, I don't think a 70 win team is in as much a position to 'go for it' just yet. I want an ace, but, in all reality, they added highly regarded young prospects to be that. It would be great if they added one #2 type veteran starter to the rotation, but this is really all about 4 starters - Cease, Giolito, Kopech and Lopez developing (or not). Free agency is really the preference. They have $$$ to spend, but outside of a RF and #2 starter, everything comes back to the young talent. Offensively, the OF is soon to be Jimenez, Robert and ????? They don't have a DH either, but I don't care if that's a rotation spot. They could spend on an OF type in RF or a DH.

After the last off-season, when they clearly had a ceiling, I can't blame him. They did offer a ton of money up, but they were limited, ultimately had a ceiling and got outbid by another mid-market type team in SD. What's going to happen if NY, the Cubs or a team in LA decide they have interest in a player the White Sox like?

I'm really hoping they can add 1 front-line starter and maybe 2. It will be interesting to see how much they're willing to dip into their front-line prospects for one of these.

No idea on the draft, but keep adding top talent and it'll work out.

At some point, you have to start winning. If they finish the year with 68 wins, but Moncada, Anderson, Giolito have breakout seasons along with Lopez rebounding in the 2nd half, it's a successful season. We saw enough from Jimenez to think he can he blow up next year as well. We're not far off from Robert being here early next year.... Realistically, a rotation this bad is not going to win consistently. They are going to lean on Cease and Kopech joining the rotation next year and have a solid group of 4 with ideally one strong top of the rotation option. If these guys can pitch, they will be good. I think it's going to be a close call though - Kopech and Cease are so young, Lopez was bad all year, and they don't have a good veteran starter. The lineup will improve. The rotation may hold them back.

I enjoy the word "catch" in these conversations.

Detroit and Baltimore are top two with KC (40W) and Miami (42W) behind them. That leaves Toronto (44W), Pittsburgh (47W), Seattle (47W) and the White Sox (46W). Worst case, the White Sox look like a top 8 pick. With a lot of losses, and some other luck, they could be 5-7.

I don't think they are targeting that. I just don't think they are going to pay a big price via trade for a starting pitcher right now. In the off-season, that could change. If they can find some controllable starter for next season without giving up much, they may be interested. If you look at the rotation, Giolioto, Lopez and Cease are going to be in the rotation. Kopech is likely too be assuming health. They do need a top of the line starter, but they also need insurance, maybe a 6th starter, veteran type who can come out of the bullpen who they can use from time to time to avoid overworking Kopech/Cease.

I have no doubt that the White Sox are looking to add controllable starting pitching, but we're talking more about guys like Nova than anything of substance, in my humble opinion.

If the White Sox trade Colome, they won't get much more than a middle of the road prospect. If they want prospects back, they could combine Colome/Bummer for a nicer return.

They aren't winning enough to be a winning team because of the rotation (primarily). Of course, winning matters, but do you really think this is sustaining and should we be celebrating .500?

With the back of the rotation being so iffy, while it is progress, what is the point of .500? It's probably not sustainable with the current rotation.