shipps

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 12:56 PM) I also don't think we require "big" bounce back years to contend. A modest bounce back from LaRoche and Melky, and an ERA under 3 from Sale and we should at least be in the picture. Though I wouldn't feel comfortable with it, which is why we really need one of the Big 3. I feel you. It will make it more comfortable if we do land one of the big three for sure. I just don't want to fall into the trap to where I am thinking we have to sign everyone and trade for every possible option that may be an upgrade. That doesn't work out for teams when its all said and done. It sure as hell didn't work for the Sox and San Diego last year.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 12:41 PM) You trade 5 prospects for two players with two years of control. I'm under the logic that you don't do that & then expect bounce back years from players in order to truly compete. Why? Yours and many others logic is that they can only possibly go balls to the wall or just do nothing at all. There can be a middle ground to where you do what you can such as trade to fill two major holes on the defensive end and in your lineup and roll the dice with some of the other guys that under performed last year.

Just realized I created a thread that was pretty much the same as another thread, just worded differently. I am bored, sorry.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 12:05 PM) My opinion has been the same this entire time: If they can't land a middle of the order bat in the OF, the Frazier move was pretty much pointless. They don't have enough as is to truly compete without big bounce-back years from certain players. That's where I have a difficulty understanding why people don't consider this an option. Is it ideal? No, of course not. But every team has some spots to where they are going to roll the dice on some guys. What team doesnt have guys that they are counting on to have better seasons next year than the year before?

Considering money constraints and the possibility things just don't work out for the Sox to be able to land one of the big FA, what will your outlook on this team be? Is your opinion of this team for next year solely based on them landing one of the big name FA's outfielders? If they do sign one of the big guys what is the next player or position that they will have to fill for you to be satisfied with the team going into next year? I am sure there will still be another need they HAVE to address or it will make all their other moves useless unless they do that to.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 11:46 AM) EARTHQUAKE...damn that was a jolt. Take cover dude! Continue to post on soxtalk, however.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 10:13 AM) Anyone thinking this team will hover around .500 is delirious. Unless they blow it up, this team will still be a top 3 seed in the East when all is said and done. I dont know. Under the Thibs years I would have agreed with you every time but this year is different. It actually feels like it is on the verge of being an absolute full out disaster where they may be under .500. Not only is it the losses that they are taking but they look totally confused. They all have their own agendas out there on the court. Rose thinks he is someone he is not. Butler actually thinks he is the superstar which he is not. They dont play together. They dont play for each other. They dont buy into the new coach. They arent a happy team. They are all looking to the future when they are not a part of the Bulls other than Jimmy. Hoiberg is in over his head. This is a bad situation that I unfortunately only see it getting worse. This is Trestman 2.0 NBA version.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 10:33 AM) Which is why I said I don't know or more of the point don't think they do that. That's what I would like to see but know it's not going to happen. The Sox signing 3 of the most expensive FA outfielders in the market is not even worth the thought. It isnt just unlikely to happen it is for sure not going to happen and pretty ridiculous to ponder as a possibility. IMHO.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 10:22 AM) I feel like Hahn has made it pretty clear he's not very comfortable with either at this point... Question is, can they afford to upgrade at both positions? Would love to see Upton/Cespedes signed, LaRoche traded for some relief & Parra signed to fill the other corner & Melky to DH, I'm just not sure they do that. Question is, are they better off with Avi in RF & Melky at DH or Melky in LF & LaRoche at DH if they sign one of the big three? I feel like to fully be "contenders", they need to add that big bat, so assuming they find a way to do that, do they deal Avi for pen help or deal LaRoche for salary relief? Like you said, we should know relatively soon. I just hope they are smart about it. Cmon dude. You know that is not a possibility in any of the available dimensions that we live in, right?

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 04:53 PM) I had a random thought about Jose Valentin and how Hawk would always talk him up even when he had what seemed like statistically down years (advanced metrics weren't really out there). So I looked at what his WAR numbers were and it really did statistically back up the notion that he was a damn good ballplayer even when he had a .237 BA in 2003 where he posted a 4.0 WAR. In 2000 he was a 4.9 WAR player. For four years 2000-2003 he didnt post a WAR lower than 3.0. In essence I believe Frazier is going to at least produce comparable numbers to what Jose put up. That is pretty awesome to look forward to.

I had a random thought about Jose Valentin and how Hawk would always talk him up even when he had what seemed like statistically down years (advanced metrics weren't really out there). So I looked at what his WAR numbers were and it really did statistically back up the notion that he was a damn good ballplayer even when he had a .237 BA in 2003 where he posted a 4.0 WAR. In 2000 he was a 4.9 WAR player. For four years 2000-2003 he didnt post a WAR lower than 3.0.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 03:45 PM) Damn. I must have been more focused on last season. Had him in fantasy and he would miss games due to nagging injuries but not go on dl. But still the strikeouts fact still stands. I am going to check with Kalapse to make sure it does.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 03:33 PM) FRANK MOTHER f***ING THOMAS Yes even the big hurt technically frustrated me more time than not. My great grandmother was awesome. She was the biggest Sox fan I ever encountered and she always hated everybody on the team. It was just a matter of who she hated most (Ozzie Guillen). She was hilarious.

Every god damn position player that has ever played for the Sox in my lifetime has frustrated me more times than not.

QUOTE (elwood5892 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 01:53 PM) https://twitter.com/chuckgarfien/status/679384203990052864 Garfien thinks the Sox are working hard to give us a Christmas present. Interesting, it would be nice if they can get something done before the holiday.

First domino has fallen. Now the rest should sign shortly after this!

QUOTE (scs787 @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 01:10 PM) Are you suggesting they move on from Jay next year? Highly doubt that happens if Gase is still around. They're in a position to get a lot done if the cards fall right. Boat loads of cash and a draft pick that currently sits at 10. If there is a fit that allows them to do that, which is probably not likely. However they do have to address the QB position regardless. So if they have to draft someone that can be grooming while Jay is here for the next couple months then that will work but they have to do something to start planning for the future.

I have a feeling the Sox dont sign any of these big three. I predict them to pretty much stay put where they are at in payroll right now (outside of signing a cheap SS option and other odds and ends) and see how the team plays with the option to rebuild come the middle of summer or add a big name at that time depending on how they are producing.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 12:47 PM) So what is the bigger need for the Bears oline or impact defensive playmaker? I honestly don't know. I think I still lean for defensive playmaker but oline is a huge huge need. They have been absolutely brutal lately (and that is despite getting protected by an extremely conservative scheme). It isn't the sacks, albeit, Long's poor play specifically lead to a sack and a turnover each of the past two weeks (both when we had great field position and at extremely inopportune times) but the penalties have wiped numerous big plays and crushed momentum. Both should be top priority along with a QB its just depending on which they want to improve through draft, FA, or maybe even trade. But all three are absolutely number one priority and I cant place one over another at this point. I just cant. And that is what makes this such a difficult position for Pace and company. They are behind the eight ball that is behind a brick wall, so good luck to them on figuring this craziness out.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 11:58 AM) All I know is that I don't want Gordon anywhere close to a Sox uniform. Yeah, he's solid defensively, but he's also the oldest and worst hitter out of the elite outfielder group...not to mention that he has a QO attached too. I am not a huge Gordon fan but isnt defense a HUGE need for the Sox?

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 11, 2015 -> 01:08 PM) So guesses on where the outfielders go: Gordon: Cardinals Upton: Giants Davis (not an OF): Orioles Fowler: Mets Cespedes: Tigers I think I would be pretty shocked if the Sox didnt get one of those guys unless they make a trade for an OF. Hahn seems pretty intent on getting some more offense. If they had Frazier they may not get an OF as well.

So the Cubs are in balls to the wall mode now. Well it will be interesting to see if their moves are going to work. We know all too well that making the big splashes in the off season doesnt guarantee s***.

You are a good dude, Gage. Cheers to soxtalk.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 11, 2015 -> 09:58 AM) Avi performed just as I, eminor3rd and others expected him too. The guys who were saying we were "wrong" about Avi at the end of April, quickly disappeared by the end of May. I still think Avi is going to be a good ball player. I am in the minority here but I still feel he has all the tools and he has a great work ethic that became evident when he returned after the injury when it was the thought he would be done for the year. I am pulling for the guy.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 10, 2015 -> 05:07 PM) New mystery team involved. The agent always puts that out there as a wild card for all the teams that may or may not actually be involved.