beck72

I do like Baez' versatility [2b, SS and 3b], defense and power. Provided the cost isn't too much in terms of prospects [with Baez' down year the cost should be less than Adam Frazier but more than Escobar]. The Cubs should be trading him before Bryant and Rizzo as Baez would be likely to accept the one year Qualifying Offer for close to $20 mill. Baez would be good insurance in case TA or Moncada got hurt and could give them days off in the 2nd half to keep them fresh. An injury to TA or Moncada would mean having Mendick or Burger playing full time which won't cut it for a playoff team. If the sox players would be OK with Baez, and not affect the clubhouse, Baez playing for a long term contract for a few months might make sense.

I think the Sox also have to think about not messing up the chemistry with who they bring in. I think the best deals (and cost in terms of Sox prospects) the Sox could make would be for bullpen arms (LH and RH). Lesser deals such as Escobar for the IF and an versatile OF, LH bat would round out the deals. The august deadline could be used if Eloy and Robert have setbacks.

No. We have to ride out the year with Rodon. Even if he slips a bit, replacing him now with someone besides Kopech is going to hurt the team. I think the Sox have a decent chance to resign Rodon. Not a bunch of teams will trust that he’s completely healthy and invest a long term deal on him. if the Sox go deep in the playoffs, it will tax the rotation for 2022. Someone is bound to get hurt or be ineffective next year due to the workload.

TA has a ton more range than Story and a stronger arm. Unless Story showed while he was here that he was far better than TA, he’d play 2b. Good insurance for an injury to TA as well. Buy low candidate with a huge upside.

I think adding to the bullpen should be the first order of business. Take pressure off the rotation and lock down games. Mendick and Leury should be passable at 2nd. I would like to add an OFer like Goodwin (who played well in the past but the Sox need someone doing well this year) who could give the offense a boost and play multiple spots. For now, the Sox should give Engel a chance to take charge of CF and see if one of Robert or Eloy will be able to come back.

The video with Katz working with “Lopey” as he called him, said they were working on the curveball, his second best pitch that he had with Nats.

From the sounds of it, Kopech will definitely be in the bullpen. It makes a ton of sense, especially if you look at the emotional health side of things. Michael seems to have had immaturity issues that he admittted and worked on with the time off. Good for him in the long term and the team has seemed to support him He needs to have some major league success rather than working in Charlotte. Being around and learning from solid role models both on and off the field. The veteran pitchers he can also learn from while building up innings should help him long and short term. Having him in the bullpen with a slow build up of innings makes it more likely he can contribute in Sept. and October. White Sox Podcast

I think the Sox wait to trade any young players until next off season-especially to help the rotation. Their position player depth is uncertain and so too are the young pitchers (Cease is the best bet to be a set rotation piece, but Kopech, Crochet, Steiver, Lopez-probably a bullpen arm are question marks). We will know more after a year of minor league ball who is close to the show. It's not my money, but Bauer won't affect any long term pieces.

Agree.

Iglesias is the Reds closer not the IFer

Collins is more likely to be moved and has more value than McCann for a bullpen arm. Iglesias could be a useful arm in return. The Reds might see him being expendable for a long term C like Collins.

Having vets like Keuchel and Gonzalez to help the young staff learn to pitch and harness their talent is another source of optimism. The mentoring and sharing of knowledge from the veteran pitchers and now Grandal can only help

I do like the Sox starting pitching depth when Rodon, Dunning etc get healthy. It’s going to force guys to focus and step up. Lopez is a guy who may benefit from the pressure-he either steps up in the rotation or goes to the pen. It was like he coasted too much last year, knowing he had a long leash. Adding two vets or solid arms in the pen before spring should be a focus.

Edwin Diaz would be a great bounce back addition for the Sox, having only one off year after 3 stellar ones in Seattle. New York has to get solid value in return that helps their big league club. I could see a 3 team with the Pirates where the mets get Marte. But the cost would be more than most around here would want to give up.

I could see a free agent signing and a trade to add 2 bullpen arms.

A versatile OFer who can play above average defense in all 3 spots, and hit between .250-.275

Collins probably starts in AAA to get regular PT and AB's. Hopefully he continues to hit like he did in the 2nd half so the sox will have some debate on keeping him for 2021 or as a solid prospect with increased trade value to fill any holes the sox have. There isn't a rush to trade him now, when his value isn't at its highest.

I think this is a great signing. Another professional hitter who can hit pitcher's pitches as well as mistakes. He also seems like a guy like Abreu who can mentor the young guys.

I can see the interest if Castellanos’ price and years have come down and the Sox can get him at reasonable terms. Right now, the Sox have to depend on Moncada, and Anderson to repeat their career years. Realistically, those two and Abreu are likely to regress. Grandal is a big bat and reliable. While the talent is there, in Eloy, Robert, Madrigal, getting another reliable bat in Castellanos lessens the pressure on the young guys to perform. I did like his positive attitude on the Cubs-he was like a little kid enjoying himself and giving it his all. Not a bad role model for the young guys.

I agree. Seeing how the Sox have McCann as the back up C for 2020, and Grandal for 4 years, Collins really doesn't have a spot for this year or next. I can see McCann's numbers reverting back to career norms and being the Sox backup in 2021

The Sox could use EE's professional at bats, and power, getting into 100+ games. If the sox sign him, I could see Collins being dealt for pitching help. That the talk/ interest is there, means they aren't sold on Collins being able to handle DH duties. Which in all fairness, Collins could hook on as a C in another organization and has a little value now. He will have little if the Sox have him rotate at DH with Grandal, McCann and Abreu.

The rebuild has been fast tracked by Giolito’s, Moncada’s, Anderson’s and Eloys big jumps. The Sox still need a ton to go right to win the division. They aren’t one or two guys away just yet. Maybe at the deadline, after we see how well everyone is doing. Rebuilding, retooling isn’t and shouldn’t be happening now. As frustrating as it is, getting that elite starting pitcher right now probably won’t happen.

The Sox haven't had a prospect like Madrigal in like forever and shouldn't be going anywhere.

I said Boston would want Vaughn included. I wouldn't want that. It's hard to say what Boston would want if they included Benintendi.

If Boston was attaching Benintendi, and adding a ton of salary with Price, they'd want Vaughn and Collins. I think Vaughn should be used for a SP other than Price.