spiderman

He's essentially a depth piece. Despite his success, I don' think teams would plan to use him in Game 1 or 2 of a series. Maybe Game 3 or 4 if he continues at this pace.

I agree - I don't think it changes much, teams weren't interested in him 3 months ago; they certainly aren't trading anything more than a chip. I think it's more about the health risk of something unexpected happens

I don't think it makes any sense to have Houser pitch today. At the same time, the media puts way too much stock into each start. If he throws 7 IP today and gives up 1 ER, I doubt the current value would change much. If he gives up 6 ER in 4 IP, I think this is just a reminder why he doesn't have tremendous value and why teams aren't going to give up more than a flyer.

I don't think it makes any sense to extend him. He's much more likely to revert back to his career norms than continue to be at/near his current performance. I would not start him again for the White Sox. At the same time, other teams know this. Package him with another piece and maybe they get a team's top 10-15 prospect.

I'm really hoping they value adding meaningful veterans to this lineup beginning this off-season. The young players will likely benefit from better hitters around them in the lineup. Teel/Querto (C/DH) Vargas (3B / 1B) Meidroth (2B/SS) Montgomery (SS/3B) Benintendi (LF) Robert (CF) ** (likely moving on) are all likely here next season in some form, but adding OF, exploring 3B/1B should be priorities. They shouldn't sign a 34 year hitter, I'm talking about someone who they expect to contribute for the next 4-5 seasons.

Is $20M considered to be overpaid for a light hitting, plus defensive player with upside potential (but also a constant injury risk who needs to be managed? What would Robert get on the open market?

Still don't believe the White Sox are going to pick up the option even if they have the $$$ to do so, but that's smart of them to see if they can get one of these teams to flinch and give up a player that the Sox want back. We'll see. I would still expect most reaction to be underwhelmed by the return, and I still think the Sox do move on. I'm one of those not opposed to keeping him either even if he's overpaid. CF is one of those spots where they don't have an option and I'd still rather have his defense for another season and maybe things continue to improve offensively. A lot can change, but the White Sox, if they keep Robert, will have the makings of a better offensive team next season with the young talent and they do need to complement that core with meaningful veteran talent. Robert hasn't been that person, but he's here and they can control that. Saying all that, I still think it's close to 100% that he's traded as early as tomorrow.

Robert HR

According to Bob Nightingale, Detroit "would love to" complete a trade for 3B Eduardo Suarez while Arizona is in town through Wednesday. Unsure if that means they are actively talking and close to a trade or more of a wishlist/speculation.

Are the White Sox not playing Teel and Quero at the same time because of a development philosophy like catching is difficult and they can learn by watching and keeping their bodies healthy? Do this team need 3 catchers if Teel is playing DH or 1B in the future? I forget how the rules work, but can a DH move to catcher? Is it better to have a more traditional backup if they do use both guys in the lineup most days?

For any free agent, you have to assume that it will take the most attractive offer. Most players don't take home town discounts or less to be part of a rebuild. Maybe you get a veteran who wants to join a powerhouse team, but that's still a guy normally at/near the end of their best years.

That's a great point. The White Sox won't be alone in that and it probably doesn't make a great deal of sense to be trying to sign players to long-term deals without knowing the landscape. Most teams will probably have that view so wouldn't hold that directly on the Sox, but plenty of other reasons to question their long-term commitment to spending.

I am confident that the White Sox will increase their payroll whether it's this off-season, next or more of a gradual increase. They are reaching the point where they have pretty solid pitching, and some young hitters, but they need proven veterans to complement. The larger question is whether they will spend on a difference making free agents or pay to keep their own talent. Based on history, they won't keep pitching on any upper end free agents and they won't spend on free agents beyond mid-level.

They probably need a 1B, I just have nightmares of them in the past with a roster of these 1B/DH types. I would think that Quero and Teel will both be in the lineup next season (probably more DH) and Vargas is also in the mix with occasional 1B. Do they just use a mix of those guys or Sosa? It does seem like an area they could make an obvious upgrade at.

Still have another 7 days or so before the deadline...wouldn't be surprised if some moves happen in the next few days, but almost all of the action will happen on the deadline day.

That's how he would likely be used down the stretch - against tough lefties, and later inning pinch hitter. Maybe there's a team that uses him a bit more but I think most of the top teams would use him in a specific role.

I really don't think we're going to get back much in terms of meaningful young talent. Maybe we combine a few and get a team's #15 prospect or something, but I'd be shocked if we got a top 5 guy in a teams system. Houser has been great, but he's still a guy they signed off the street. Teams are going to mortgage anything of significance. Tauchman is a platoon player, bat off the bench. Good hitter, and a depth piece. Robert is the most interesting, but teams aren't taking him on for much of anything. I'm honestly not opposed to keeping a few of these guys and trying to work on improving this club, but I think they will continue to trade veterans for anything they can acquire.

In reality, as long as the current ownership won't supplement their young core with elite free agents or keep their own players, it's hard for this to sustain more than a few seasons before another teardown would be needed. Currently, they are probably another full season away from being even competitive, much less winning. They are going to lose 100+ games for 3 straight seasons. Assuming they improve next season, what does that look like? 85-90 losses which is still around 70-75 wins. From there, you hope that the players you mentioned are legitimate MLB players who are improving, but it's hard to see that group alone being a formidable offense. It's probably missing 2-3 veteran difference makers. Pitching is in much better shape, but with injuries and depth needed, not to mention, regular turnover from their policy to not give pitchers long-term deals. It's exciting to have a nice pipeline of young pitching, and the White Sox are good at developing pitching, but it's also exhausting to look around the league at all of the star power that they have moved on from due to money.

It's such a stupid thing too. Most people probably hear him the way we do if you watch enough. To me, you don't need him to be ultra negative about everything, just don't attempt to spin everything as somehow positive when we're watching the same thing. Tone it down a notch or two.

Who are you referring to ? I think this guy tends to be over the top as well which just adds to how ridiculous he sounds.

The White Sox haven't historically included cash to move players. Is there any examples where they have? This would be a chance (if my memory is right). I think it's all but a guarantee that Robert is traded, just don't see much value coming back even if they include some cash. I feel like that would be about moving on saving some money than it is in prospect return.

Can Rosenthal's White Sox notes be summarized?

He's just a team mouthpiece. Tries way too hard to be overly optimistic about a team that is historically bad. It comes across as phony and some odd sell job of a team that still appears to be years away from being competitive.

Do you think the White Sox are going to be able to trade vets like Taylor, Slater or Capra for anything? Some team will want Tauchman, but he's a 5th OF, maybe depth for a contending team that needs one extra player off the bench. I don't think Beni is getting traded and if Robert does, it'll be for a very unsatisfying return. There just isn't much value here that other teams will want. Eventually this will get cleared out - by trades or releasing players, but it doesn't need to take another month + to do so. I also don't see Baldwin as a player who will be at one position so I don't mind if he plays all over. I think there's plenty of options to get him playing time 4-5x a week.

It's some sort of a desire to have a veteran presence on the roster. I'd like to also have a veteran presence on the roster - just ones are actual major league players with plus skills.