Dick Allen

Mitch is still their guy. As #932 on the season ticket waiting list, my time is coming soon.

They play 25% of their schedule vs. horrible teams. If everything goes right and they get some more bullpen help they win well over 90. That probably won't happen. If the key guys remain healthy 85-88 wins isn't crazy.

I think his k rate will go down a bit. And his BABIP will too. Even if he dipped to the projection, which I doubt, it is still a pretty good year. If they do de juice the ball, some it will really change, some not so much. I think he is one it wouldn't matter very much. It will be interesting to see what happens when the Sox actually field a feared line up. Pitchers have had a lot of breaks when facing them in recent years. We may see more mistakes.

I could see where he wouldn't want to do it, but to be guaranteed with what he already banked, $100 million before you play your first MLB game would be very tempting.

She was with Rodman.

Collins has been training with Grandal since he was in high school.

I just don't see the motive. I will say IF they really wanted Puig as a back up, and stuck with McCann to catch 40 games, they better not be skimping out on pitching. There would be no excuse.

Puig's people could easily tell Hector that they are talking to the White Sox to get another team to hopefully up their offer. I don't know why Bob, Bruce and Steve would all say no way if it were true. The Sox don't have a need for Puig at all.

That's what I would think. If he plays part time, he is probably going to need another pillow next year.

Bruce and Nightengale have been pretty spot on with White Sox stuff this offseason. And Stone got a lot wrong around the league but had Kuechel to the Sox once MadBum's price went through the roof. Adding Puig makes little sense unless there is more more to the story like Mazara moving on. The Sox should spend that money on something they really need, not guys to be back ups who have never been back ups and are questionable at best in the clubhouse anyways.

If you're Puig, why the hell would you sign with the White Sox? For maybe 300 ABs? How is that going to build any value? Plus he is better vs. RHP than LHP. The Sox angle makes no sense unless someone is hurt or going to be traded or suspended. Bruce, Nightengale, and Stone all say no. They aren't playing games for a part timer.

As long as we are using 2019 splits, what about .313/.360/.482? That's Adam Engel vs. LHP in 2019.

JDM is not an option with EE in the fold.

Makes no sense unless there is an unreported injury or suspension happening. Puig is better vs. RHP. Use the money on pitchers.

The gap between Grandal and McCann is a lot bigger than the gap between McCann and Collins in my opinion. So if the Sox could weather losing Grandal with McCann around, they most likely could weather it if Collins or a dime a dozen catcher was acquired. if you believe in Steamer, Collins might be the better choice anyways.

One player can certainly make the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. Do you really think the 2019 version of James McCann is going to be the one seen in 2020? If not, just remember many praising him were so pissed off the White Sox signed him for $2.5 million last year. His BABIP was .356. Hard to imagine, given his history, that will remain that high. I think last year is peak McCann. I think they should sell. I would see if Cincinnati was interested. They may be willing to part with Inglesias, as he blew a lot of games last year. He and McCann make virtually the same in 2020 but then he is owed some dough. I do know he fell out of favor last year, whether that is something White Sox scouts think is a permanent downward trend, I have no idea. He still strikes out a lot of guys. But it's a thought, and it wouldn't be the first time they traded a catcher for a reliever. Plus, he's Cuban. The Sox could try to collect all the Cubans.

I wouldn't trade Collins, but I would trade someone who would be overpaid for the role he is playing and only around for one season anyway.

There is nothing wrong with depth, but it's a back up catcher. Would you rather have what is perceived to be the stronger of the back up catchers, although steamer has projected them virtually even, or the less of the back up catchers, but a stronger bullpen? Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, money does play a role, and McCann's salary hit can and should be used elsewhere.

I am saying his defense isn't as solid as you seem to make it. Admittedly, pitchers seem to like to throw to him. He seems to call a decent game but he is an awful framer. Whether Collins is a decent framer, there isn't enough evidence to show at the moment. But he should be capable of catching 40 or 45 games, and DHing or playing 1B vs. RHP. Somehow the Sox did win 5 of the 10 games he caught last year. What are you going to do after 2020 when McCann wants starting catcher money, assuming he doesn't regress to the point most projections have him regressing? There is no perfect team, not even teams with double the payroll the Sox can throw out there. Back up catcher with the DH position filled, is one place you can skimp a little. The one team I know of with a back up catcher you would think can be or should be a starter is the Cubs, and guess what? The rumor is they want to trade their #1 catcher. You don't have to have much to be league average at back up catcher.

McCann isn't exactly considered a gold glover.

Yes, but Ozzie was always going to be on the edge. RR is a different cat. He isn't going to say or do anything to get himself in trouble. If he wins the division, he will be here until he doesn't want to be here anymore. But I would rather have him with his meal ticket punched and the Sox win, than the Sox be terrible and it's 50/50 at best he gets replaced.

It's really not a choice of McCann or Collins. Its McCann or Collins plus another pitcher.

Again, if Grandal is hurt, the Sox are screwed anyways. The best back up catcher in the league with one of the top catchers in the league as the regular, is a lot like owning the largest and best house you could get in the worst neighborhood. For a team with limited resources, you re-allocate those funds so they can be better used. What if Eloy gets hurt again? Do the Sox need to sign Puig? What if Anderson gets hurt? Do they need to find a top of the line SS to sit on the bench until it happens? Worrying about Grandal being hurt is shortsided. McCann is a short term employee not matter what. He probably would appreciate RH finding him a place where he will play a bit more.

How come replay hasn't slowed it down? It isn't necessary if they are right or wrong most of the time anymore.

Trading Vaughn would be dumb. Trading Vaughn to the Indians would be dumber.