beck72

I know the Sox have been linked with Kubel, but the sox could use a guy like AJ Pollock. Even though he's a RH bat, the sox need a young hitter like him. He may not start 2013. But could be ready if anyone went down. But if the sox got more LH bats, then a young, RH hitting OF who could play all 3 spots would be an ideal get.

Kubel could be had for maybe a bullpen arm. It won't take much. Axelrod plus a lower level prospect. But I view that as the beginning point of deals, certainly not the end. With a supposed decent market for Gavin, this is the year he's traded. I could see the Sox going for Markakis around a package of Floyd and Viciedo. That would mean two OFer's going in deals. Probably Rios if they could land Nick. They could sell high on Rios with a consistent bat like Markakis in order to get near major league ready talent, something the sox are sorely lacking, esp. position players. The sox get an injury or two in a few keys spots-SS esp., and they have few options to go to. The same question will come up, why trade Dayan? I think it's all about getting consistent, steady production, getting on base, and diversifying a RH heavy lineup. Right now, SS, 2b and C are not consistent spots, with low avg. and OBP. 3b is a question as well. LF with Dayan also. Yet he could also bring back the greatest return. The sox aren't in a position where they can just stand still. Rios and Dunn could easily fall back and the Sox would be in a huge hole. Standing pat won't be enough to overtake let alone be competitive with the Tigers. They need to take some calculated risks to get some proven talent in, along with acquiring some new talent that is near ready for the bigs.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 13, 2012 -> 01:23 AM) I wouldn't call Flowers low OBP and I wouldn't call Rios low average, but I agree that our offense is too right-handed and needs more high contact and/or high OBP hitters. If Hahn really wants to improve the offense he's got to move one of our right-handed hitters, I just don't think Viciedo is the guy to move. He has the potential to become a solid contact hitter with plus power and is under team control for five more seasons. Unless you can use him in a package for a left-handed middle of the order hitter, I don't see a reason to move him. It is weird that no media reports have talked about Rios moving, or being on the trade block, with De Aza or Dayan mentioned. You'd think he'd be a nice get if someone was looking for an OFer. Esp. with how up and down Rios has been over the years. That's why the idea of selling high on Dayan, if the Sox think he might not improve a lot, isn't completely crazy.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 12, 2012 -> 11:54 AM) I just don't get the hate Viciedo gets on this board. The kid is going to turn 24 next March and only has one full major league season under his belt, yet so many people are ready to write him off already. What in god's name makes you think he may have already peaked? Also, I bolded the part of your post that bothers me the most. The kid is going to hit a lot better than .255 and I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes close to a .300 hitter in his prime. And while he'll never have a great OBP, he's going to walk a lot more as he matures as a hitter and naturally becomes more selective. He showed great improvement in this area in his last season in AAA and even showed some signs for us last year. And let's not forget that this kid hit 25 home-runs as a rookie. The power is his best tool and I'm not sure why so many people are eager to get rid of it given the age of our current 3, 4, & 5 hitters. There's no hate at all. It's just the sox entire team makeup can't be low OBP, low AVG guys who all hit RH. Alexei, Gordon, Flowers and Rios reverting back to his career norms all project to be similar type hitters as Dayan. The Sox supposedly put his name out there. If they are willing to dangle him, they may be worried other teams may be able to solve him. With his very respectable 2012, you'd think he'd be a cornerstone. Hahn may be thinking differently. And if teams offer up enough talent to fill multiple holes, I could see where a trade would make sense.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Dec 9, 2012 -> 06:20 PM) So far Hahn has resigned Peavy, signed Keppinger to a 3 year contract and picked up Angel Sanchez in the Rule V. Keeping Peavy gives the Sox depth in the rotation and strength for possible trades . Keppinger and Sanchez fill holes the Sox had at 3rd and utility infielder and both are high contact type hitters. Is there a clear indication of which direction Hahn wants to take the team ? It seem like he wants a LH impact bat and higher OBP types. Is it possible for Hahn to make multiple moves, trade starters ,shed salary, get more prospects and have a competitive team in the next few months ? Besides Floyd and Thornton what Sox are most likely to get traded ? Viciedo comes to mind as a guy likely to be traded. Hahn should be looking at higher OBP guys. In the short term a guy like Jason Kubel could play LF, as the sox need consistent production. Viciedo could bring back some talent for the long term-LH bat, someone who could hit for avg, get on base. Think a guy in AA, AAA, maybe ready by end of next year but for 2014. Dayan prob. Won't hit for avg. and won't walk at all. the sox run the risk of him pulling a Gordon, peaking in his first year.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Dec 11, 2012 -> 05:59 AM) But seriously, let's buy low on Mat Gamel. There were those rumors about him coming over for a Matt Thornton trade last year or 2 years ago. He is coming off an injury year, a year after he hit .310 with 28 HR, 96 RBI and only 84 K with a .912 OPS in 130 games in AAA. The guy has hella power, hits for average, doesn't strike out a lot for a power guy, and he plays 3B (although, not that well I've heard). Gamel can't play 3b. He can barely move out there. He makes Ryan Braun look like Brooks Robinson.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 12:28 AM) His defense has slipped as well. I think the Yankees are moving him to LF. Getting the lefty bat should come about via trade. He gets on base, the powers there. I guess it depends on whether the sox could move Rios in a different deal. I didn't check on how many yrs he's got left on his deal..

Has Granderson's name been mentioned anywhere around here? I could see him come in and Rios go out. Sell high, buy semi low. Curtis's avg. was horrible though...

O's reporter stating they're interested in Floyd. Makes sense that a team like the O's may pay top dollar for a guy like Floyd. The O's need dependable arms. Only had 1 guy make 30 starts. Gavin had made 30 four years in a row prior to last when he made 29. And he's from the Maryland area. If the O's would pull the trigger, now's the time with them actually being decent, contending and should afford a salary like Floyd's. https://twitter.com/masnRoch/statuses/275728077949128706

Whether this pans out or not, I'm thinking more that the sox are intent on moving Alex Rios. De Aza's fine, and so is Viciedo.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Nov 10, 2012 -> 03:54 PM) According to CSNChicago.com White Sox Insider Dan Hayes, Viciedo is one of several White Sox youngsters who may be available. As evidence, Hayes cited “four rival executives” who believe that Hahn is “open” to trading the young left fielder. Make no mistake about it; Viciedo’s days in a White Sox uniform could be numbered because of his contract status. Hayes pointed out in his article that “Viciedo’s contract stipulates he must earn 80 percent of the $3.5 million he pulled in last season, which equates to $2.8 million.” Factor in the $1 million pro-rated share of his $4 million signing bonus and Viciedo stands to get, at minimum, a $300,000 raise in 2013. At $3.8 million, he may be a bit out of Hahn’s price range. Now, if Viciedo’s price tag does necessitate a move, what is Hahn’s best option? A three-team trade, of course, and Hahn is already thinking the same thing. Hahn was quoted in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday saying that the conversations he’s had at the general managers meetings in California “may lead to some three-way deals in the coming weeks." One potential trade scenario would involve the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres. -The Padres receive Asher Wojciechowski (2-2 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts at Double-A Corpus Christi) from the Astros and Gavin Floyd from the White Sox -The Astros acquire Viciedo and Double-A pitcher Nestor Molina from the White Sox -The White Sox get third baseman Chase Headley and a prospect (anyone will do) from the Padres. As important as the players involved are, a three-team trade does something that may be even more so. See, by combining Floyd’s $9.5 million salary with Viciedo’s, Hahn would shave a potential total of $13.3 million from the White Sox' payroll. Hahn could then use that money to lock up Alejandro De Aza into a long-term contract and sign Headley to an extension with money to spare. Outside-the-box thinking, to be sure, but this is an example of what adding Viciedo in a trade could do. In all fairness, this column is not advocating for a trade. In fact, an argument can be made that Viciedo is someone to build the future around. He is young, talented and full of potential. If Viciedo’s worth is put into this context, however, trading him could be a great idea. I'd much rather trade Rios than Viciedo. Dayan showed solid LF skills and he won't be that expensive.

Shin-soo Choo is a guy I could definitely see the sox trying to get via a 3-way: good OBP; solid Lefty bat who could hit for avg. and power; coming off 2 sub-par years [though 2012 was decent, but his fielding UZR was way down-did battle a hamstring injury at beginning of year]. With him only a year away from Free agency, he wouldn't cost the world in terms of talent. I did see that the Red Sox seemed interested in him and Masterson. Could the sox sell high on Rios with the Red sox taking him and get Choo...? For as much as Rios did last year, it's still a big risk and salary for the next two years.

Not sure if this was posted. After 2010 said the Castro was the best power arm in the Pads system. http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/10...scouting-report

Interesting that in John Sickels top minor league prospects heading into 2011, Sale was 6, Zach Stewart was 33, and Simon Castro was 35. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/10/5/2...-they-performed I don't have a problem with this trade. Both Castro and Hernandez have had some success in the upper minors and are close to big league ready. Stock up on the arms and some should pan out. Quentin wasn't going to net much.

Tendering Frasor made sense. He's a very reliable bullpen arm. If not for the Sox. Then via trade. Teams are always looking for late inning help, esp. healthy guys with proven track records. If Frasor is still with the sox, by the trading deadline, he'd likely be well sought after. My guess is both the Yanks and Red Sox would like to have an arm that's had success pitching in the AL east. If the Sox wanted to move him now, they'd likely have a decent prospect in return for him

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 26, 2011 -> 06:27 PM) John Danks prior to 2008: Minor league innings 435.1 Major League innings: 139 Zach Stewart prior to 2012: Minor league innings: 375 Major League innigns: 67 (50 with the Sox last year). See the difference? Stewart is basically right where Danks was starting 07, maybe even behind him because of the amount of time spent as a reliever. Those numbers don't include Stewart's 3 years of college numbers. Danks came right out of high school. I'm not saying he's the answer at the 5th spot. But he should be in the picture. Stewart does remind me a bit of Floyd. When he doesn't hit his spots, or the occasional rolling breaking ball, he gets hit hard. Whether that's correctable for Coop remains to be seen.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 26, 2011 -> 05:26 PM) I can't say this any more clearly. Zach Stewart is not ready to be a starting pitcher in the big leagues in 2012. If you put him there, it might be ok for his development, but it is not a path to a winning record. I think the sox can find a 5th starter out of what they have now in one of Stewart, Axelrod, Molina, or a few non-roster invitees ala Humber last year. If the Sox can get a few impact players with trading Floyd and Quentin, they still can compete in the AL Central in 2012 [ie, having a .500 record]. Ultimately, the sox are probably looking at 2013 for a winning record. The Sox should be under no allusions that they're ready to win a World Series in 2012. So having a few guys struggle, that ultimately have them set up for a very strong 2013, might be best long term for the sox. This is with or without Floyd in the rotation.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Dec 25, 2011 -> 12:37 AM) The Sox are all in for 2012. Gavin and Danks and Peavy and Humber and and a fight for #5. Reed and Crain and Thornton and Frasor in the pen. CQ in right. Mark my words. We are counting on a turnaround from some non-performers Trading Gavin for younger players wouldn't mean the sox are "out" for 2012. Depending on the deal, the sox could have players who could contribute now. And the other SP's--Peavy, Sale, Humber, Danks, Stewart/ Axelrod, et al--could pick up the slack left by Gavin. And I can't see Quentin on the Sox this year. Even if it's for A ball prospects. The Sox need to have Dayan in RF everyday.

Gavin will be a very valuable trading chip. Esp to the AL teams that need a SP. The only AL team that improved their rotation so far via trade or Free agency was the Angels with the CJ Wilson signing. The Red Sox, Yanks, Rangers need a SP. Not to mention how the NL teams that didn't improve their rotations must compete with those teams that did-the Marlins, Nats, Cincy. The sox are sitting nicely with Gavin as two cost controlled years of him should be worth a few very good prospects.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 22, 2011 -> 03:45 PM) Molina will be nowhere near the bullpen. They did not acquire him to be a reliever, they seem him as a mid-rotation or better starter. Zero chance he is in the pen, unless he fails at starting for multiple years. Stewart though, does seem to profile better as a reliever, so I agree there. Axelrod, I am probably in the minority, but I actually believe he can be a solid major league starter. Probably no better than a 3/4 if that, but still, that has a LOT more value than a middle reliever. So I'd rather he be at the head of the rotation in Charlotte, ready to jump in as a starter if needed. I agree with Molina. And he'll get his shot in the rotation in AAA prob. Yet there are reports he could be a dominating reliever. He still needs to watch his innings, as he just started last year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Sox bullpen later in the year, as they could keep his innings down. I'm just saying having a bunch of 4, 5 SP types in the Stewart/ Axelrod/ Humber mold, the sox can have competition for the final spots. And use the other to round out the bullpen. Having converted SP's can only help the bullpen. They can throw multiple innings and have more than 2 pitches.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 22, 2011 -> 02:37 PM) Yes, let's put another long-term-starter in the bullpen. See how many more pitchers we can set up where they hit a 120 inning limit when they move to being a starter. It's a matter of having competition for the 5 man rotation, and having other arms make up the pen. And Axelrod and Stewart aren't exactly #1's or #2's. Molina should be kept in the AAA rotation, as he has a higher ceiling. Yet many guys have started in the bullpen breaking into the bigs, then moved into the rotation.

Signing Danks strengthens both the rotation and bullpen. It's likely one of Stewart, Axelrod or Molina can be in the sox bullpen, where they could be more effective than in the rotation. Molina will prob. be a SP in the minors. Yet could slide into the pen if the sox need him. I don't see Gavin around. The sox should get a decent return for him that allows the sox to compete next year but also builds for the future.

It remains to be seen. It's pretty clear the sox lack top of the order hitters. DeAza is the sox only leadoff guy or #2 type hitter. And he's very unproven. The sox need to add guys who can get on base at a decent clip. With no real options in the minors, taking a flyer on a guy like Aoki wouldn't have been the worst move, IMO. The sox do seem to recognize this, with the drafting of Mitchell and Walker. But a lot more needs to be done, as far as adding position player prospects who can hit for high avg. and take a walk.

Aoki's posting fee only cost $2.5 mill. Far less than most thought it would be. I still think it would make sense for the sox to have had interest. Besides DeAza, the sox have few other options for leadoff. They don't even have a #2 hitter. Ichiro lite isn't bad. Esp. if the sox aren't in complete rebuild mode. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/yaku...chika-aoki.html

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Dec 6, 2011 -> 10:15 PM) Well if you are going to move Danks now is the time. He will have more value at this point with a year left. With a month and a half left in the season, we are getting crap on a stick for him. We had a 79 win team. If the Royals get a few pitchers that puts 3 teams ahead of the sox. This team as constructed is not going to win the AL Central. So saying f*** it, and going all in again is another guarantee of a large payroll and another 79 to 82 win season. Just fire Kenny if thats the case. I was just going by what KW said, that he would probably hang onto his pitchers-though you should take everything he says w/ a grain of salt. Kenny was probably just getting GM's to come in with offers for Danks.