caulfield12

Hopefully all this crazy/free spending in the current off-season mitigates some of that risk. Of course, the other thing to worry about is pitch framing being being negated by robot umpires and Grandal getting "old" in 2021, just when we need him. That, also, would be so White Sox. And, of course, being at least one pitcher short in the starting rotation, the story of so many White Sox teams over the decades.

If we can't take advantage of those four big trades... top draft picks... unprecedented financial flexibility and the penurious AL Central, it seems almost like it will never happen. Not when you look at the spending this offseason and what will likely be a $180~185 million average for the eight playoff teams in 2020.

Waiting for a Hahn supporter to bring up the brilliant Abreu deal. 3, 2, 1

It's a tough call between Mariners and Marlins right now... Rays and A's because of their stadium issues, but at least extremely well~run franchises. Braves and Royals seem like they should be flip flopped.

Front office Christmas bonuses.

I think Iowa vs. OSU/PSU/UM/Wisconsin/Nebraska in recruiting is closer. The difference is turning 2~3 star recruits into Dallas Clark, Kittle, Hockenson and Fant. But there's just no way they could win an NCAA title in football or basketball. Whereas the White Sox have a puncher's chance at another WS if everything goes just right, like 2005 and 2008 the last two weeks.

They signed Gibson... following up 10.7 fWAR created from just Lynn and Minor. Two completely under the radar moves. They have a beautiful new facility.... their third in a quarter century, and as good a shot at Donaldson and Ryu/Bumgarner/Keuchel as anyone else.

He didn't (additionally) mention that they would be from the Korean and Japanese leagues...

Sure, but that signing bonus just doesn't disappear. They can say it's allocated to this budget year instead of 2020 all they want, but the odds are we're not even going to be close to a $130 million payroll the way things are currently going.

I think we're going to end up being outbid by the Twins on Keuchel...just have a feeling. There's a lot of other teams out there on pitching still, the Braves, Rangers, Cardinals, Reds, Giants, Padres, etc. Not to mention the Angels and Dodgers, of course.

Especially the ubiquitous comparisons to Mark Buehrle and that they can constantly mention former Cy Young winner...like they do with Ron Coomer on the Cubs' broadcast the beginning (it's more hilarious because he was elected just once, when on the Twins).

The more than generous Abreu contract helps out with that, at least. We "look" like we're at least sorta trying, to do something.

It's incredible they didn't do more "due diligence" on his family background...either Georgia or comfort level with the East Coast/NL East. It's not just the White Sox, as the Twins were willing to offer 5/$100, but both teams apparently got caught flat-footed, with Minnesota thinking they had the best offer and the White Sox definitely thinking that, from all reports. After all, their entire off-season last year was constructed around the Friends & Family Plan. You would think they would have at least figured out his best friend on the Mets (if it was someone other than de Grom or Thor) and acquired him. Matz, for example.

Nope. Zero %. Never even bothered to look at that thread until today when a signing seemed imminent. Thought he was bound for Texas.

If that was the case, we wouldn't have traded for Mazara with five outfielders piled up in our system from Winston-Salem through Charlotte.

That's a fool's errand, but good luck anyways.

If the goal was to maximize profit, they did a terrible job allocating money last year. Other than McCann and Nova's second half, it was one of the most ineffective "spending sprees" in MLB history. The chances of getting Keuchel/Bumgarner/Ryu shrinking by the minute.

Benintendi would be there in that scenario, as laid out...but then you're paying Adam Dunn money for Castellanos to be a DH. That's a huge assumption that he puts up the same numbers as his peak the last two years. Possible. But I don't think you can count on it, either. If we didn't sign Abreu for three years, you could put Castellanos at 1B and open up DH for more of a pure power hitter. It also depends on what kind of baseballs they use next year.

Look at his overall numbers and especially his health the last two or three years...as well as his declining fastball velocities compared to a decade earlier with the Rays.

Ironically, his real son with that same name wasn't a very good player...either one. Davis is a better comp size-wise, but he was always on the thin side and got his power from the whip in his wrists. Robert has a better throwing arm (definitely not THAT good, like a Clemente, Ichiro, Evans or Walker) and similar power. Clemente was much shorter and more of a doubles/triples hitter who could hit the ball in any direction and hit about as many bad pitches out of the zone as anyone in history other than Vladimir Guerrero, Sr. Overall, Clemente is/was simply much more of a pure hitter, period...and he didn't like to strike out. One of the most competitive players in the history of the game. Whether it's Devon White, Mike Cameron, Davis, Alex Rios with more speed and flair for the game...let's just hope he stays healthy and realizes his full potential with the White Sox.

You better be sure that Price is close to 100% OR that he's so hurt the White Sox can write off 70% of the contract for insurance purposes and get him to retire. Look at all the RFer's still in the market for nothing but FA money that are in that same 1.5-2.5 fWAR range. Of course, the conversation changes if he's actually that 4 player again, just like Ozuna at 6 instead of 3ish. But how likely are those peak outcomes? Not to mention the fact that doing so practically guarantees the Red Sox have a good shot to keep Betts in the fold...meaning you've eliminated one of the two best RF options in the next FA class by helping one of your league rivals for a World Series berth.

You haven't seen Donnie Darko, apparently.

Who's at 90% and above, lol?

https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2017/03/nick_madrigal_strives_for_grea.html No idea, but found a REALLY nice story about Madrigal and his competitive drive/work ethic from back in 2017. Also, didn't realize he had another injury at OSU. His left arm in a sling, Madrigal underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum he suffered when his left shoulder popped out of socket during a mid-May at-bat. He had the option to rehab the injury but chose surgery to ensure his return for the 2017 season. He spent the summer thinking of the snub that cost Oregon State a chance at the NCAA Tournament.

What is it with 2B and the Cubs...first Davey Martinez and Sandberg's wife? At least he was a good-looking dude back in the day, compared to Lester. Oh well, to each his own.