Lillian

Being able to gauge Machado's values and preferences, regarding for what city and team, he would like to play, would certainly help here. If the suggestion that he really wants to play for the Yankees has any validity, this whole strategy is folly. In the absence of some suggestion that he would be open to playing on the South Side, giving up anyone, who is considered part of the organization's future, for a one year rental, would be foolish.

I'm just wondering how many on this board really want to pay him $35 million per year, through his age 36 season. Personally, that notion doesn't sound very appealing to me, even if it isn't my money. But seriously, is it really necessary? Remember, if they signed him, they could still need to shell out another big contract, for a middle of the order, left handed bat. You all know that I want Moncada as a dynamic lead off hitter. That means that the organization will still lack the balance, provided by a potent left handed bat. Unless you have confidence that Collins will be that guy, who is going to fill that role? I guess that I might be a little more enthused, if Machado hit left handed, but not much more. Paying $35 million per year, to one guy on a 25 man roster, is just something that is awfully hard for me to get used to. I know that he started very young, but it's also hard to justify paying $350 million, for that lifetime .329 OBP. He is not the kind of hitter that Miguel Cabrera has been, or that Joey Votto still is.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Dec 15, 2017 -> 12:29 AM) Can Baltimore put something in the trade language that says if he's traded to the Yankees, the White Sox then have to forfeit another pre-agreed upon player? Obviously players can sign contracts saying they can't be traded to another team, but can teams do the same type of arrangement? This relevant quote, from an article on MLBTraderumors.com, may provide some insight: "The Sox are apparently willing to address Angelos’ concerns, as Nightengale writes that “if the Orioles even wanted it in writing that they’d keep him around until at least mid-summer,” Chicago would be fine with that assurance. This would be quite an unusual type of trade provisio, of course, and one that Angelos may still not be fine with if he wants to eliminate any chance of Machado wearing Yankee pinstripes in 2018."

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Dec 14, 2017 -> 08:54 PM) Well, I don't think I've ever said this on a message board: but it's not my money. Getting Machado wrapped up for 300 million ($30m x 10, boom done) with this young core (minus Gio granted) would have be over the moon excited. Machado is a proven 5 war player. Yea there is some risk in signing him but it's one some team is going to take and if it's the Sox, well f*** me I love it. I wasn't being critical of the suggested acquisition. My comment was only meant to clarify what it would actually entail.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Dec 14, 2017 -> 08:40 PM) says "likely" which seems kinda a silly hedge to me if you're tweeting about it. Pick a side. I'd offer Gio. JR has blessed this move, and he wouldn't bless it if he didn't think they had a shot to resign him. Gio is worth a shot IMO. (You turned Adam Eaton into Lopez, Machado and Dunning!) And getting Machado is going to put some butts in the seats and eyes on the TVs. More accurately; "You turned Adam Eaton and $300 + Million into Lopez, Machado and Dunning"

If Machado were acquired and then extended, rather than signed as a free agent, after having been offered a "qualifying offer," by his 2018 team, doesn't that eliminate the loss of a Draft pick, for the team which signs him? If so, isn't that a consideration?

There is such a wide disparity about expectations for Avi, going forward. Wouldn't it be interesting to conduct a poll, in which everyone could offer their own projections, regarding what kind of year they expect Avi to have? Irrespective of whether, or not, he's traded, I'd just love to see how close some of us might end up being. Maybe more interesting; how far off some of us might be.

Just curious: How much do you think JBJ would cost, if he were a free agent? Same question for Abreu.

Aren't the Red Sox more desperate for a bat, such as Abreu's, now that their chief rival has acquired Stanton?

Castillo will almost certainly get most of the playing time, behind the plate. They are not going to limit his use just against LHP, as well they shouldn't. His split stats are not that one sided. At this point, we should assume that Narvaez is the backup.

If it's true that Hahn needs to be "overwhelmed, in order to trade Abreu," Flaherty and Sierra is hardly "overwhelming".

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 11:07 AM) Which deal would be a disappointment? Flaherty and Sierra.

That deal would really be a disappointment, for me. Very underwhelming. I'll bet that doesn't get it done.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 10:21 AM) I’d give Abreu something like 4/$80M with a 5th year team option and call it a day. He can anchor the middle of the lineup for a big chunk of our window, serve as mentor for Moncada, Robert, & other young LatAm players, improve our sales pitch to free agents next offseason, & further establish our status as the team to sign with for future Cuban amateurs (which becomes important with capped spending). All those factors combined make him worth more to us than other teams IMO. That would be fantastic for management, but what would the benefit be to Abreu? That represents $20M per year, which is not much more than he will get through arbitration, for the last 2 years of his pre-eligibility for free agency. I would guess that it would take at least $25M per year, starting this next season and covering 5 seasons total. That would not be a bad deal for the Sox. It avoids a huge long term commitment, and only obligates them through his age 35 season. Do you think that management could live with that? I wouldn't discount the possibility that all of this trade talk is posturing, in an effort to motivate Jose to sign such an extension.

I'm sorry, but I misspoke. I was thinking that the Sox would control both Avi and Abreu until after the 2020 season. I now realize that they are only under control until the end of 2019. That does change my perspective. However, I would prefer to see them both extended, if it can be accomplished at a reasonable price, without too long of a commitment.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 11:53 AM) If we trade both of these guys, it is pretty well sealed that we are looking at 2020 or 2021 to make the playoffs. You are probably right about that, and I think that would be a mistake. This team should be ready by 2019.

We shouldn't minimize the prospect of having both Avi and Abreu through 2020. Two of the next 3 years could well be seasons, in which the Sox make it to the Post Season. I've said it before but, a lineup featuring Moncada, Avi, Eloy, Abreu and one solid left handed bat, sandwiched in between the 3 right handed hitters, could be a very potent offense, irrespective of what the other half of the lineup includes, which should be pretty decent, given all of the young talent. I think that the first option should be to explore the cost of extending both of them. If they want too much money, keep them until they reach free agency and access the team's needs, at that time.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 10:12 AM) Well, they will both be FAs in 2020, so the Sox will likely have to do something. But Abreu will also be 33 in 2020, so it may be best to tread lightly right now. As for Avi, I would point to Delmonico. They had similar numbers last year (Avi somewhat better), albeit Avi over an entire season and Delmonico over 1/4 season. But Delmonico also had a very modest BAPIP and walks a lot...and he has taken pitches throughout his minor league career as well. All considered, he may be as sure (or unsure) bet to continue his success as Avi. Yes, I like Delmonico and the fact that he hits left handed is another plus. I don't agree with the assessment of his being as sure of a bet as Avi. After all, he only had a third of a season.

If the Sox trade both Avi and Abreu, who exactly is going to comprise the middle of the order? In a year or two, you can pencil in Eloy. Beyond that, I don't see a big run producing heart of the order. You might add Moncada, but i'd prefer he be that Ricky Henderson type dynamo, at the top of the order. So, please reassure me that the Sox can assemble an offense in time, and at an affordable cost, for the targeted 2019 year of contention. The team chemistry seems to be coming together very nicely and there is certainly enough payroll flexibility, to extend at least Abreu. If they don't do so, management will almost certainly have to sign a big free agent. I just don't get the point.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 12:20 PM) I agree that it's valuable. I just don't think you can question ones dedication simply by how swole they are. Not quite sure how, or why, I'm engaging in such an "argument," but just to clarify, I never stated anything about how "swole" Kopech is. Frankly, this is the first time that I have ever even heard the term. Moreover, I'm not that impressed with Kopech's muscularity. What is impressive and apparent to me, is how hard he is training and how determined he is to become a star. I'd suggest that we wrap up this little discussion. If you agree, fine. If you disagree, feel free to argue all you want. I don't see the point and am moving on.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 09:56 AM) If only that bum Mark Buehrle worked out in the off-season, he could have been something. Different strokes for different folks. Just because Chris Sale is skinny doesn't mean he's not dedicated. The hate is strong. What Mark Buehrle did, or did not do, to strengthen his core and lower body, does not diminish the value of such training. I think you would agree with that, wouldn't you? Kopech appears to take his training very seriously, and he should reap big benefits from it.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 09:56 AM) If only that bum Mark Buehrle worked out in the off-season, he could have been something. Different strokes for different folks. Just because Chris Sale is skinny doesn't mean he's not dedicated. The hate is strong. Sorry if my post left the impression that I "hate" Sale. Not at all, but I do admire the dedicated athlete. Regarding the advisability of pitchers doing strength training. While upper body work may be debatable, there isn't much question that a strong core and strong legs are a tremendous asset to a pitcher. Most of you have probably seen this old article and video: https://www.topvelocity.net/why-chris-sales...ten-his-career/

I'll bet the guy, whom the Sox traded for Kopech, never trained like that. What was his name again? Oh yes; Chris Sale. I love to see an athlete take his health and fitness seriously. With all of the money at stake, you have to wonder why they don't all dedicate themselves, as Kopech appears to be doing.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 6, 2017 -> 07:22 PM) Oh, I thought you meant Addy with the Reed and assumed he was a FA. Anywho, I don't want a utility outfielder. Throw Engel and Leury out in CF and see if one of them can hold the job, and Tilson's shattered body, Polo, May, and Willy Garcia give enough depth there that I don't see why we need the extra warm body, at least for 2018. Don't forget Cordell, who may be near the top of the list of internal candidates.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 9, 2017 -> 09:06 AM) I don't think BPA is that obvious especially at #4. And I think it's likely sox will be tied to Kelenic a little bit until pre draft just because we have clearly seen him so much and overcash has been on the record praising his maturity, approach and bat speed. But we may also end up with a guy at #4 who people thought could go 1-1 or 1-2 and things change. I just want a fairly high ceiling, and though less exciting I think Singer has TOR potential obviously. We just lack good athletes with any sort of approach in our middle of the field positions past Robert. Moncada?