southsider2k5

I doubt we spend as much last year. Again, I think we target some spending on the high end, but ultimately fail as we typically do when it comes to the recruit of top level free agents. I hadn't really considered it in terms of payroll, but I would guess that the payroll will be low. I do think we will try hard to extend both Jimenez and Kopech, and we also will be back spending in Latin America this summer. That won't be enough to make up for the loss of the payroll for guys like Shields and Avi, but I am not to worried about it right now. There is actually a pretty solid case that spending too early might actually be more detrimental to the rebuild by pushing down the levels of draft picks they could get in 2020 and 2021. Yes we could win a few more game next year, but why? To go from 73 to 78 wins? Meh. I am more worried about the teams spending when the time is right.

You can also go back and look at Quintana and Sale for examples where it worked just fine.

In the pen where it happens!

The Sox don't really follow that rule. It is more touch and feel for them.

And seeing as they shut him down early this year, that tells me they weren't fully confident in being able to push him a little further this year. That is a red flag to me.

Which is why you attempt to stretch pitchers innings to be ready for 180 IP once they reach the majors.

We also have potential starters moving through the system in Zavala and Collins who would come with zero price.

I don't think Avi is back in 19. Davidson is a maybe. Delmonico is going to lose his job in April. The rest are placeholders until the Jimenez/Robert/Gonzalez/Micker crowd shows up.

And Crawford is not healthy. Still suffering the effects of a concussion

Sounds like you got his point, Bro.

I see them taking a shot at a couple of bigger guys and other than that, filling the roster. Maybe that changes if they can get a Machado or Arendo, but I think you are seeing what they will do for at least this off season, by looking at last season. Once they get through 2019 they look at the results from the White Sox down through the DSL and reevaluate. Put on the spot, I think this off season will feature a back end scrap heap starter, and some MiLB spring training invites to a few others. Remember last years biggest deal was a 2/15 deal for Castillo that the team already regrets in something like a 95 loss season. I think we take a shot at Machado and get outbid by someone looking to make up ground with the powers of MLB.

The guy I was really excited to hear about was Madrigal. Callis seems to think he could be a threat for a major league job by spring of 2020, and that his floor is that of a .280 hitter. He also said that he wouldn't be surprised if he won a batting title. Said he is going to be a 3 + tool guy.

Unless Crawford is healthy, it doesn't matter.

Let's be honest here. Adding 2nd and 3rd tier free agents to this team is putting a bass system into a 83 Chevette. At the end of the day, it is a piece of junk that isn't going anywhere. Wait until the Mercedes is in our driveway in a couple of years, and then see what options packages we can add to that.

Yeah no one was outtanking Baltimore this year. I will take the progress and a few picks lower.

With the rarity of quality catchers around MLB, guys like Narvaez and Smith have value. They are giving you statistically what Castillo was supposed to give us for the $15 million we signed him for you. You can't claim to want to sign value guys, and then just hand wave away the value guys we have in our own system who can't play because we have a free agent contract blocking them.

He is already blocking time for both Narvaez and Smith. The Sox are actually 9th in MLB in catcher fWAR, and have a 102 RC+ out of the catching position which is good for a 3rd place tie in all of baseball. One or both of these guys could be a great future trade asset when Zavala and/or Collins are ready. But we might never know because of Castillo blocking that spot.

Brilliant!