[Early Trade Speculation]

CarGo, Reyes, and Gray for Danish, Guerrero, Lowry, and Engel.

 

Sox take on dead/bad money and an underperformer in Gray who still has upside. Rockies get some pitching prospects that all have a MLB floor and could end up as rotation pieces and a high upside guy and AFL MVP in Engel.

 

I think that package might work for CarGo and Reyes...not Jon Gray. They see him as their future ace and is a strikeout machine. I have thought the Sox and Rockies match up well for a trade since the beginning of last offseason. They just want a load for CarGo, which I don't think anyone is willing to do. Adding Reyes contract to the mix is interesting, though.

[Honeymoon advice]

I'm trying to plan a honeymoon for next March, but we're really struggling. We fear Aruba may be too hot (like way too hot) although we did find nonstop flights roundtrip plus a resort on the beach for a solid price. We thought about Grand Turk, St Kitts or Barbados but all of those are 2-stop flights and require hours of layovers. Then, we thought maybe a cruise which combines a lot of these islands, but it seems too casual. Hawaii is cool, but Honolulu is essentially Miami minus the extreme nightlife and Kauai is another layover filled trip.

 

Ideas?

 

We went to Maui and couldn't have had a better time. Plenty of options to be active or just relax on the beach.

[2016-2017 NFL Thread]

Whitehair is a great value pick. The problem is the log jam in the interior of the OL

 

Sounds like he could stick at LT. Great pick from everything I have read about him.

[2016-2017 NFL Thread]

If the Bears were really in love with the guy would they give enough reason to the guy or to the public so people walk away knowing the Bears want him? I would think they would lay really low in their love for whoever they want for so many reasons to ensure that they will be able to get the guy. It is just a smoke screen. The Bears love someone but its not Elliott.

 

Yeah but this isn't the Bears going public, it's Elliot. I think if he's there at 11 the Bears take him. I think he will be gone by then though.

[Automobile Thread]

How did you figure that out?

 

Copy and pasted it to my sister so she could run it for free for me and she said it wasn't registering. I called the guy and told him that and asked him to text me the VIN and a couple of the numbers/letters were different. Just a shady dude. I have a feeling he does this regularly with vehicles and eventually sells them to people that just don't check the vehicle history report.

[Automobile Thread]

So, I learned my lesson about trying to find a good value on craigslist. Went and checked out a 2013 Chrysler 200 with 33,000 miles. Guy was asking $10k. Would only take cash. Told him I'd sleep on it. Turns out he had a fake VIN listed on the posting and when I got the real VIN I found out it was a branded title, he was the 3rd owner, and had only owned it for 10 days when he told me he owned it for over a year...

 

Looking at new Honda's since my sister is a manager at a Honda dealership in Aurora. Any thoughts on the '16 Accord or Civic? I think the new Civics are pretty slick.

[4/15 Game thread: @ Tampa Bay, 6:10pm, CSN+/WLS]

Sox bats need to wake up. This is getting ridiculous.

[4/15 Game thread: @ Tampa Bay, 6:10pm, CSN+/WLS]

Ball fouled went through a triangle hole in screen hit in her in face

 

Oh my. That's terrible.

[4/15 Game thread: @ Tampa Bay, 6:10pm, CSN+/WLS]

Anyone else having issues streaming MLB.TV thru XBOX one, keeps escaping to menu / calendar view?

 

Had to stop streaming through my PS3. Kept cutting out then lost sound for some reason. What happened to this lady in the stands? Hit by a bat?

 

[Automobile Thread]

I was going to give a brief update on my hybrid Sonata I bought a few months ago and just say that I absolutely love it. Very quiet, drives smooth, love the tech inside (wish I would have gotten the full tech package which would have included the full radar system vs. just the side mirror...damn them for making me buy navy plus other stuff I didn't want to get it) and just as importantly now feel spoiled. Have only filled up 3 times (today being the 3rd time) since getting in mid January and have just under 2100 miles on the car....averaging in the mid 40's in MPG and getting roughly 700 miles per 15 gallon tank.

 

Man, sounds great. How much does the hybrid cost?

[Having a baby]

Sounds like my wife.

 

The pregnancy for her was amazing. She kept active - only gained 15lbs. Postpartum is something to be careful with... make sure you support her. I took my wife's attitude toward me at surface level and didn't realize she was dealing with some very serious thoughts until way too late. In the end, it all worked out, but just make sure you support her.

 

Also, don't make beer a thing. If it bothers her, then just don't drink. It's not the end of the world. Oh and obviously "trying" is awesome.

 

The adjustment the first few months after you have a baby ain't easy, but then it's a blast. Best thing you'll ever do. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice. So far, alcohol hasn't been much of an issue. I stopped buying beer so it's never at the house. I do have some whiskey on hand when there is a stressful day or whatever, but she hates whiskey so it's not something that she wishes she had.

 

I haven't even gotten to the point of thinking about postpartum yet, lol now you have me worried about that. I know there will be an adjustment period though and I will absolutely support her.

 

We just found out we are having a girl and my wife is terrified about it. She was raised with all boys as brothers and cousins so she thinks she will be a bad mom to a girl...

[Having a baby]

Hey, wanted to update this. We hit 12 weeks today. Going to be a dad

 

Congrats bmags! That's awesome!

[2016-2017 NFL Thread]

Oh yeah definitely. It would be a bold move by Pace but hell if they want to offer some 1st rd action he has to listen.

 

Would they want to go back down that road again though?

 

95% of Broncos fans absolutely dispise Cutler. No way are they trading for him.

[White Sox considering OFs Bruce, CarGo]

CarGo stuff is bull. Sox interest in Bruce isn't that high. They are working on something though.

 

I wish we had any idea what they are working on if it isn't either of those guys.

[2016-2017 NFL Thread]

I like Elliott, he looks like he is gonna be a good back. But if the Bears drafted him at 11 I would be really pissed off, running backs are plug n play in the NFL and the Bears seem to be set as it stands. Unless you think that Elliott is the next AP, you let him go.

 

And if he is the next AP, he isn't getting to 11

 

I read a quote from Urban Meyer recently saying that it's even more impressive what Elliot does when he doesn't have the ball, which I could see being very appealing to the Bears.

[2016-2017 NFL Thread]

I know it's not a huge position of need, but knowing how John Fox loves having multiple RB's and how our RB coach used to be OSU's RB coach, who apparently get's all the credit from Elliot for Elliot turning into the beast that he is; does anyone here think it's even a possibility that the Bears could draft Elliot in the 1st?

[Orioles DO NOT Sign Fowler]

Ethier?

 

I have thought Ethier is a pretty solid fit for most of the offseason. With how creative the gm's of both teams are I don't really understand why they can't strike a deal. One would think the Dodgers would want to move him before his no trade clause kicks in when the season starts.

[Dave Cameron - Grading the Offseason]

The Rays have been one of the more active teams to trade in baseball. They have had no trouble finding trade partners.

 

Since executive VP Andrew Friedman took over after the 2005 season, the Rays have not been shy about trading pitchers, shipping out 26 in various deals.

 

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/ra...itchers/2156084

 

I wasn't saying they won't make trades. Also the way I phrased that was just pointing out the obvious. All teams only make trades when they feel they have clearly wont he trade so just ignore that post. Not sure what I was trying to get at.

[Avisail Garcia will be...]

Your avatar just made me puke.

 

Hahaha I never even think about what my avatar is. Very good point. Need to get Shark out of there.

[Dave Cameron - Grading the Offseason]

Yeah, I think Dick Allen broke down each contract for the "big three" OFers that have signed so far and looked at why each of them probably had their own unique obstacles for the White Sox. And I think if I can believe that, and give Hahn the benefit of the doubt. But man, it's going to hurt if Fowler signs for 2/24 with Baltimore.

 

As far as trades go, I'm just struggling to find good candidates that are left. The Rays make the most sense, but I think trading with the Rays is hard. I was listening to a Dave Cameron podcast the other day, and he was saying how his friends in front offices told him that the Rays will basically ONLY make a trade if they feel like they've clearly won the deal. Which, there can obviously be differences in talent valuation that make it so the other team likes the deal, but he said it makes execs second guess themselves and wonder what they're missing when the Rays feel like they're ready to move. Beyond that, I feel like the Dodgers route has been played out; if there was a deal there, it would have been made. Who else has spare depth to move? I guess the Reds, though I'm not sure I believe in Jay Bruce at this point.

 

I agree that if Fowler signs for that contract then I will be annoyed, but I would hope it's because there is a backup plan that they like better.

 

That's a good point on how the Rays only make trades if they feel they've clearly won the trade. It seems that's how they have been for years. I have a feeling if we do acquire an OFer in a trade it will be someone that nobody is talking about.

[Dave Cameron - Grading the Offseason]

So if I was right, I didn't ignore anything, because I addressed it the very first post you quoted to begin this discussion. So what are you trying to say?

 

Anyways

 

I don't disagree with your argument conceptually -- like I said before, I believe Hahn has been wise in the past about walking away from valuable pieces when the price reaches a point that it erodes the value. Where I disagree is that the only option to replacing Avi was "a dumb contract." The reason I'm getting so worked up about RF specifically is because NONE of the contracts or trades that we've seen come to completion are "dumb." To the contrary they've all been "about right" at worst and "team-friendly" at best. The players that remain, according to rumor, are about to sign team-friendly deals as well.

 

I go back to the Jose Abreu signing in my head. Before that, the biggest free agent contract in team history was Albert Belle's 5/55 in the late 90's -- meaning there was essentially NO precedent for the White Sox to open up the books for Abreu, and so it was a little difficult to believe it would happen. But it just made SO much sense as a baseball move. The team was forced into a "rebuild" but wanted it to go quickly, the team had practically no big money on the books, and the team's franchise icon at first (Konerko) was on his way out. The fit was ideal; more ideal that it was for any other team, and so it made sense to break the bank. And they did.

 

That move made me confident that the front office was willing to buck its own "party line" when it made sense to do so, which is all anyone can really ask. I'm not going to re-list the reasons for the hundredth time, but buying a corner OF in this soft market made exactly the same kind of sense that the Abreu deal did. It's disappointing to me because the failure to make this move means either (1) I've overstated ownership's willingness to spend big money, even when it makes sense, (2) Hahn overplayed his negotiating hand, and simply dropped the ball at his favorite game, or (3) the White Sox still somehow believe in giving a large number of important ABs to Avisail Garcia, which, in my opinion, indicates a lack of understanding about their own ability to develop players that have tool but no semblance of baseball skills. I'd rather the explanation be #2, because if the dude just made a mistake, it's at least not indicative of a long-term issue.

 

But in any case, it's a failure -- and it's one that carries a relatively good chance of having a substantial negative impact on the 2016 season. If they get Fowler or Jackson, it's a moot point. If Avi breaks out, this will look shrewd somehow. But those things are more likely NOT to happen than they are to happen, at this point, and so it worries me.

 

I feel you. I think I took some of my frustration out on my replies to you because all I have heard for weeks is what a failure this offseason was and how Rick Hahn isn't even trying, etc. and you happened to be the one giving me responses. I respect your opinion on what you think Hahn should have done, I just don't think it's that simple. I think leaks from agents and other organizations made Sox fans feel like a deal might have been closer to materializing that it actually was for one of the big 3. Cespedes is the only one that I think we could have persuaded with enough money, but he wanted to stay with the Mets an they gave him enough to satisfy him. I still think a trade is the best route to us getting an OFer.

[Dave Cameron - Grading the Offseason]

All I will say is see Eminor's post on this issue.

 

If they literally were out of resources, or were nowhere near where they needed to be to sign any of these guys, they either drastically misunderstood the market, or they wanted to cocktease the entire fanbase.

 

I'm not saying that resources aren't tight, but I do believe they were willing to sign any of the three major FA outfielders at "their price," meaning, a price Rick Hahn was comfortable with.

 

Gordon was not leaving KC and Upton wouldn't even hear the Sox out. Why don't people understand this?

 

Hahn has no plan. He does not want to improve the team.

[Dave Cameron - Grading the Offseason]

I missed the part where you highlighted something I ignored. If you're referring to the part where you said you think they'll still upgrade before OD, then I'll point out that you ignored the latter half of my original post, where I addressed just that.

 

If Avi sucks like he always has, the team will be actively harmed until better options become available via trade, at which point they will be forced to give up a substantial amount of talent to acquire someone to improve the team for AT MOST half the season. Guys don't become available earlier than that. Since there are only about 4-6 true "sellers" at the deadline these days, prices will be high, as opposed to historically low like they are right now.

 

If you believe in Avi, then by all means make an argument for Avi. But it doesn't make strategic sense to sit out a soft market on a weakness, only to instead improve on the weakness later when the cost is higher and you've already suffered the weakness for half or more of the season.

 

 

 

There's no incentive to pretend you're in the race for big free agents all winter only to disappoint everyone by letting them sign with your division rivals for less than anyone expected. The bottom line is that there were several major upgrades that were affordable. Either Hahn massively overplayed his hand, or the White Sox are a PR disaster and caulfield is actually right that they'll never spend any money. I want to believe that they WILL spend when it makes sense to do so, and I can't remember a situation where it made more sense than to do so here.

 

I didn't realize I had to highlight what you ignored since you knew exactly what I was referring to, but anyways. I'm not an Avi supporter, but I do understand if the Sox can't find someone for their price then I think it makes sense to give Avi another go. He's a 24 year old with about 2 full season's worth of at bats, but has only played 1 full season in the majors. His defense sucks, but let's at least see if he can be a useful bat instead of jumping ship for a dumb contract.

[Avisail Garcia will be...]

Not that I see it happening, but with how much hate Avi has taken this offseason it would be hysterical to see him breakout with the bat early this season.

[Dave Cameron - Grading the Offseason]

I don't understand that line of thinking -- everyone agrees that this will be a hard fought division, and that if we win it, it's most likely going to come down to a few games. Playing a sub-replacement player for the first 4 months of the season could absolutely be the difference in a playoff spot. Further, if you don't HAVE to replace the RF at that point, you can instead work on shoring up a new problem that arose during the season.

 

I love how you read what you want to read and ignore other things that are stated. I think there is a very good chance an OFer is acquired before the season starts, like I stated...However, if things don't play out that way then they will be on the lookout for someone.

 

There are also people out there, obviously not you, who have hopes that Avi can still become more than he is. I understand not wanting a gaping hole in RF, but I don't think Avi will be given a long leash if they don't replace him before the season starts.