Dick Allen

According to Levine, Fowler wanted an opt out after 1 year from Baltimore, they said no so he went to the Cubs. And this is a 1 year $13 million deal. It's $8 million this year and mutual $9 million next year with a $5 million buyout.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 11:59 AM) Really curious as to what happened because that's a scummy thing to do by Fowler. Orioles fans are rightfully really pissed off right now. I agree. If he agreed pending a physical, then what he did was bad. Maybe the reporters jumped the gun. OTOH, the Orioles can't complain because as they have shown time after time, a deal is not a deal until they say the physical went perfectly.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 11:57 AM) Unless they are giving up a lot of other value in addition to Soler that would be an outrageously bad deal for San Diego. Soler hasn't shown he can ever stay healthy and he was horrendous defensively last year while also being a below average hitter. His bat has a lot of potential but between the terrible D and injuries I wouldn't value him particularly highly. Yes. At this point, how much better is Soler than Avi? And he gets paid a little more as well.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 11:49 AM) Could easily be rotation between Soler, Fowler and Schwarber I see that, but why sign a 1 year deal (mutual option doesn't help him at all, they are just for show) if you aren't going to be playing every day?

This means they have to be trading Soler correct, or where would he play? Would Fowler come back to play part-time? That makes zero sense.

He was a really little guy, but always seemed very friendly. RIP.

QUOTE (gosoxgo2005 @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 09:56 AM) Long time lurker, first time poster. To the guy who said the Sox are the only team going to the playoffs in Chicago this year -- is that supposed to be a troll post? If it is, I like it, because I, like many of you, hate the Cubs and would love to see them not make the playoffs. With that said, that organization is in pristine condition right now and I would be willing to wager every single dollar to my name that they make the playoffs in 2015. No team ever swept in the league championship series has ever made the playoffs the following year. So we have that.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 09:22 AM) Yes, if Avi's slugging was 85 points higher we'd all be a lot happier with him. That doesn't make a .309 OBP good, it just means he has numerous other flaws. If he only had one flaw, the OBP, I'd be a big fan. What I think you're trying to say is that based on his build, hitting for more power is an easier path to improvement for Avi than taking more walks. This makes a little more sense because we know the power is in there, he just can't apply it. In contrast, the patience might just be a lost art to him. At least they are trying something different. A different stance made all the difference in the world to Nelson Cruz, a guy who had similar issues . The odds are against it, but you never know. The Sox are due for some things like this to go their way.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 08:19 AM) Is it me, or does Tom Ricketts look similar to Ted Cruz? I have mentioned on more than one occasion you never have seen both in the same room at the same time.

QUOTE (buhbuhburrrrlz @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 06:52 PM) Thank you. I have been looking for this.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 06:38 PM) And those young players KW gave up almost never amounted to anything at all. And I couldn't be less concerned about the prospects we gave up This summer. I'm not a mediocre young player lover like you. I have never understood the constant bashing of KW for trading prospects. Blasting him for inability to develop would make sense, but an All Star team of the prospects he traded away probably couldn't win 40 games in a season.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 06:31 PM) Colonel General Soreness? General Soreness supposedly has hamstring tendinitis.

DRose out tonight.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 03:14 PM) Sounds like they were definitely talking about Micah. I thought the same thing and went to Micah's write up. Not too flattering, but they said he could be good once he made the inevitable move to the OF. They didn't think much of Trayce either, but thought Montas' floor was elite reliever as long as he was healthy. And that's where it was weird again. The write up said Montas had a good body. As I wrote earlier, I get it every year, and it is IMO worth the read and the $15 Amazon charges, but they have to take a close look at this year's staff. There are some who should have participated in their last Prospectus.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 02:54 PM) BP has Anderson at #19 on their top prospect list, they're higher on him than anyone else. I know. It's very strange, but the write ups this year didn't match the PECOTAs. I get BP every year, and this year's White Sox section was about as weird as it gets. They spent a couple pages going over their efforts to replace Ray Durham. They even wrote one of the Sox biggest problems was sticking with their young players too long. Said Carlos Sanchez was not a good defensive 2B, but that he had a lot of speed, which he doesn't. Very amateurish.

QUOTE (LDF @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 01:37 PM) so the sox didn't offer market value. I have no idea what they offered, but Bernstein said Fowler wouldn't budge from his demands and signs for 3/$33 million when a couple of days ago the report said he wanted at least $45 million or 4 years. Seems like he budged.

So Levine was on the radio and said the Cubs would get the #28 pick, and possibly the #14 pick if the Gallardo deal falls through. How does he have the job he has and not have any idea about the rules?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 08:20 AM) Great points and going by Anderson's recent comments, picking Rollins' brain is exactly what he will do. Saladino will likely be doing the same. I'm hoping Rollins has two shadows following him everywhere he goes throughout ST. Anderson is a very bright kid and will benefit from spending time with Rollins this ST. I think the Sox deserve some credit for signing Rollins. There's a bigger picture than just signing Rollins to compete for the SS position. The additions of Frazier, Rollins, Lawrie should liven up the club house quite a bit. If you take BP seriously, they tell you Tim Anderson is never going to be a major league SS. The people doing the White Sox position player write ups this year were a bit cranky. They loved the pitchers, except not so much for Rodon. They did call Quintana perhaps the greatest 6 year minor league free agent signing of all time.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 11:03 AM) One thing I want to point out--Sox are already committed for 3+ years to Melky and Eaton. If you lock up another OF right now, you are out of the market for any OF available by trade or FA after the 2016 season. Maybe, once they didn't get Gordon/Cespedes, they decided they like what may be available in a year better than Fowler or Jackson. You can't sign Fowler for 3/$35 and then go and sign somebody else in a year. Not necessarily. There are always trades and the DH.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 09:55 AM) Dan Bernstein ‏@dan_bernstein Sources tell me the #WhiteSox made a "firm, serious offer" to Dexter Fowler, but he opted for more money, not budging from his demands. So 3/$33 million was not budging from his demands? Great source Bernstein.

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 07:15 PM) If you aren't looking to replace your worst position player with an absolute steal (3 for $33M!) I don't know what you're doing. It is hard to understand. I have been the one preaching different prices for different players, but if $11 million a year is too much for Dexter Fowler, I am coming to the realization that they really couldn't have been very serious about any of the others. at least they can still get an upgrade.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 01:33 PM) Way too early to say that. We'll know more in like April or May. Hostetler really lit up when someone asked him about Ray at Soxfest. Obviously the connection with him playing in their ACE program, but he couldn't hide the giddiness.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 07:05 PM) I don't understand why the Sox should have paid Fowler and given up a valuable pick just because he's better than what they currently have. It would have been humorous to see White Sox fans complaining about Fowler's deal next offseason though. That is where I disagree. The guy if he stays healthy is going to give you over a 2 WAR. He has consistently dome that. Plus it is an upgrade that may be the difference in the team's season. If he does what he has done, No one would be complaining if you owed him $23 million the next 2 seasons. Hopefully Hahn and KW and JR prove to be correct, and either they bring in a better deal, or Avi makes fools of the doubters. And they select a guy with the pick they save that eventually helps the team as well.

QUOTE (LDF @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 06:51 PM) excellent break down, for s***s and grins, what will you see has jackson in that same scenario but on the sox??? I don't think there is any question he is a better defender than Fowler, the question would be offense. He has struggled since being traded from Detroit, and wasn't so great his last couple of months there, but he is only 29 and could bounce back. I really like him ,but really wonder about the cost, and think he hits from the wrong side of the plate for the White Sox brass. They seem to wanted a lefty bat. But OBP is really not a strength. It would be great to have a legit gold glover everywhere, but you can get by with mediocre defense in the OF at USCF. There isn't much space. Small parks, you can get away with it. The Cubs won a lot of games with Schwarber, Fowler, and Soler. Their defensive prowess is questionable at best.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 06:36 PM) If they sign Jackson for peanuts I get it. If they trade for Ethier without giving any of our big prospects I get it. If Avi is still our primary RF come opening day then don't get it. Fowler wasn't perfect by any means, but he would have been a significant upgrade over Avi and that's all we really need to have a good shot at winning the division. Exactly how I feel. Not only that, but his strength offensively is OBP, something this team could really use. Let Wbreu hit with some runners on base, and someone behind him who can drive home runs, and see what happens. On the bright side, if the Orioles sign Gallardo as well, they forfeit #14 and #28 so the Sox 3rd pick moves up 2 spots. It will probably be the most scrutinized late 20s pick in White Sox history.