spiderman

It all comes down to his innings. What is he at right now and what is the target for the season?

Agreed. At some point, it's time to compete else you're always rebuilding. They should dangle him out there, but the offer has to be crazy. Next year, aren't the White Sox supposedly interested in being a contender in the AL Central? If so, trading a very good closer doesn't seem to make a lot of sense and replacing him isn't as easy.

I think there are more storms in the forecast for tomorrow evening/night.

How old is he? What's the point of signing a closer to a 90 loss type team to a multi-year deal?

Yep, that's my position as well. They can't trade him any longer and/or sell him a a potential top line starter. Get him healthy, and let's see if he can be a contributor.

Let's imagine that everything goes as well as could possibly go with his rehab. Assuming that he begins rehab starts and needs 4-5 starts to get his pitch count up to around 80 pitches and he makes his major league debut in August, he likely wouldn't throw more than 50 innings (and probably less assuming he's on a pitch count/innings restriction) in 2020. Even if his velocity returns and he pitches well in the limited time in the majors, I still can't imagine other teams are going to give up much for a pitcher who hasn't shown the ability to lead a rotation, is still coming off of yet another arm injury and is starting to approach free agency (I think that is 2021?). That's why I think, for good or bad, the White Sox are better off just getting whatever they can from him, but in a lesser role when he returns. I don't think there is any scenario where they can depend on him to start the season in 2021 as a #1 or #2 starter. If he's a #3 starter, the White Sox are probably in major trouble still. He's likely a #4 type of starter on a contending team, but that will come with major risk.

How long has Adolfo been in the minors for? It seems like at least 6 years. I know they signed him very young.

Of course he was part of the rebuild. He just hasn't worked out.

Rodon can't be seen as anything more than a 4th starter going forward, probably a 5 if they need to protect him. At this point though, it's hard to see optimism having him in the rotation at all going forward. Just have to hope that Lopez and Giolito have the type of seasons that leave the White Sox with a couple #2 or #3 type of starters, a guy like Cease comes up (and stays healthy) around mid-season and Kopech is ready to go next year. That's again a best case scenario though. Ideally, there is some veteran starter who they can add who is more than just a 1 year rental type.

Doubtful. I would assume that he'd be on some inning restriction/tighter pitch count if he comes back in July next year. What contender is likely to depend on that? At this point, he's probably more useful to the White Sox.

Is this the end of the Nate Jones era in Chicago? Always a good pitcher, when healthy, but crazy that he pitched in more than 70 games just once in the last 6 seasons. Rodon just can't be trusted. I'm sure we will read how great he is doing around this time next year and how he can be the needed boost for the White Sox rotation should they somehow be in contention next season. Very difficult times for White Sox fans. The rebuild has shown some hope this season with Anderson and Machado, but the injuries are just taking down the chance of any sustained rebuild.

It's a rebuild of a smaller-market team. Clearly, they offered a LOT of money to Machado, but it wasn't enough. They then claimed a large reason they couldn't offer more was because they need to be able to resign their younger players several years (at least 5, if not longer) year from now. Obviously, that's not exactly operating as a large market club if they are pretending that they are going to be handicapped in 2025 or 2026. If Carlos Roden is able to stay healthy and pitch at a high level, I'm very curious what they are going to do with him. He's a Boras agent, with 3 more years (I think) under control. When (and IF) the time comes, will the White Sox pay him or trade him?

If anything, I'd like to cut Jay now that Machado isn't here. I don't see a point of adding veterans.

Any increase over last season's 62 would be progress, in theory, however, we will ultimately judge this season based on the progress of the younger prospects, many mentioned here. Speaking of Harper (or other elite free agents), teams like the White Sox do need to balance the short-term (say 5 years) vs. the long-term (10 years) of a long-term deal that could cripple a franchise if the deal doesn't produce the expected results. A team like the Yankees or Dodgers can easily absorb a very bad contract, but if I'm a fan of the Padres, I don't want to be told that in 5 years, he's the reason that they can't keep adding. Once you make a move like that, you're going to have a player in free agency.

I don't think the White Sox were ever in a position to force Machado to make a decision. His team always believed patience would be needed. A new team (SD) entered and offered the best deal. The White Sox were operating within a pre-defined window. As much as it's very pathetic that the White Sox got outbid by the Padres, especially when they have almost no payroll to speak of, there's probably a better than 50% chance (probably 60%+) that SD will regret that deal.

Agreed. I don't see much reason to spend on free agency at this point. Make the season about the youth. If they develops, they are on their way towards contention.

There's no reason to think they will pay more to sign Harper, is there?

I haven't heard the contract details (if they are even out there yet), but this should simply not happen if the White Sox are serious about becoming a serious player.

Given that this is a "depressed" market and teams like the Yankees, Cubs and Dodgers are not actively involved in these free agents, it would very disapointing if they get outbid by the Padres (in particular). The Phillies are a big market club. They are probably not going to be outbid, but to be outdone by SD would make many question (assuming the offer is close to what is being rumored) the Sox committment to landing a big fish. They may still make a few moves as a reaction to not getting one of these two that will make the team better, but let's be honest. Here's the perception - IF they don't land one of these, the Sox are not major players for premium free agent talent and are even more dependent on the rebuild working within the 2-3 window before it becomes too expensive for them.

This is where I am at. Unless the young talent takes a big step forward at the major league level, this team is likely to show improvement, but still be a below .500 team, perhaps well below.

My gut says this is very reliable. White Sox just need to figure out their lineup now.

Bowden will eventually be right, just like others who have had several reports throughout the winter about the premium free agents.

If the current roster doesn't change, does he change because of minor league talent coming vs. current talent at the major league level? Of course, the big elephant in the room is that he won't have a position 2 years from now he doesn't start performing.

Is it sad that I just don't care anymore if the White sox sign Machado (or Harper, although he seems to be connected to other teams moreso)? Yes, I'd be happy if the Sox sign Machado, but I've stopped checking in like I was in January, and now it's pretty much....just make a decision .

The NBA is so unique that a superstar player or player(s) with the super-teams now popular change a team's fortunes because of their dominance. In baseball, how many great hitters single handily get their teams to the playoffs, even if they do put up massive numbers? I understand the value of pitching in a short series - we've seen an ace go 2-3 times in a 7 game series to win a series. Even in football, the elite QB's, while needed to a championship, do not guarantee a playoff spot with injuries and other weaknesses on a team. The NBA is a league built on dynasties and individual play and the NFL (see the Patriots) are capable of that with an all-time great QB/coach. Baseball has been there with the Yankees, etc.