caulfield12

Then why the HELL did we spend so much time/effort chasing after Wheeler instead of honing on Keuchel/Ryu all along, like we did with Grandal? So that "extra information" didn't tell you that it would be a fruitless pursuit in the end...? The Boras excuse, yet again?

Can we hoist some type of flag up on one of the GRF flagpoles with this: "Most close-misses on conversions of any GM" But at least we tried. That has to keep the fanbase satisfied for another year, surely.

The funny thing is how much more efficiently the Brewers allocate their resources, better trades, better ROI on the pitching front, two consecutive playoff appearances, beating the Cubs, etc....meanwhile, we're spending our new t.v. contract dollars on first-class airfare and giving international bonus pool money away. Rewarding our execs for their excellence (well, Thome doesn't deserve any crap, I guess.) Referring to the idea of contract relief for other teams. What are the odds that David Price is the pitching equivalent of Alex Rios...? If we could get Rios' accumulated White Sox fWAR (obviously one season was a complete disaster, solid otherwise) out of Price, that would be a huge win. The problem is where he's on the shelf but not retired or kicking in the 70% insurance payouts. It's such a huge gamble. No team in baseball would just take on Price's contract, like we did with the Rios deal. Would almost prefer Eovaldi if they're going to choose that approach (which is still better than decimating the farm system or trading away Madrigal/Vaughn.)

Benintendi would play everyday in hopes of capturing his 4 fWAR peak...although he's a bit out of position in RF due to his arm being average. More or less, it would be similar to having Ozuna out there and maybe a notch or two above Castellanos. None of those three are really ideally suited for RF play, but the smaller nature of the outfield and not having to worry about the CF gap and playing balls off the ball and off the side should definitely help Benintendi to feel more relaxed, IMO. Plus he's a Midwest kid, so he would feel comfortable in Cleveland/Detroit and his family would be able to see him play more often. Mazara would be the LH side of a DH platoon...not sure who the other hitter is or whether it's more of a rotation of RH hitters that need rest. Could easily be Leury.

Price and Benintendi for Collins is the only way it makes sense... gambling on Price alone with money coming back isn't worth it. Mazara to platoon DH.

Yet. They are working on a Kluber trade and adding one of the remaining three big names as we speak.

Because if we got Benintendi and significant salary relief...you know Hahn’s giving up Madrigal or Vaughn to pull it off. We NEVER simply eat salary...not to this extent.

Why would the Red Sox get Betts to sign a $400 million extension then trade him when the whole point of dumping Price, Sale and Eeovaldi is to actually be able to afford to keep him long-term? Knowing the White Sox, we would just have him for one year and then lose him and prospects back to the Red Sox after 2020.

Less about teaching than institutional culture as long as KW and Cooper feel empowered to run things and set the tone. Ultimately, we are still more representative of Grady Fuson nearly 20 years ago in Moneyball than on the cutting edge side of things.

They kind of did things backwards...because we’re likely sacrificing Grandal’s best season in terms of hitting or pitch framing to a .500ish team. That said, he has one year to become familiar with the young pitchers and coaching staff. Of course, there are so few impact catchers out there this might have been the best play because next year’s market is so limited. Right now, it doesn’t seem like any team out of the Central will do anything beyond serving as a sacrificial lamb for the East and West. But that’s also the sad part, we can’t even up and seize the reigns against financially-limited organizations...or those who simply operate better in the margins such as the Rays, A’s, Twins and Indians.

Rodon?

You’re assuming they can actually close the deal with Boras in the face of loads of competition...

There are the Big 3 (Bum/Ryu/Keuchel) and Porcello and that’s pretty much it. Everything else is dumpster diving/hoping for rebounds.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-rumors-anthony-rendon-reportedly-204901666.html Rendon reportedly balked at use of deferrals in Nats’ offer Max Scherzer's contract had over $100 million in deferrals, and Strasburg's has about $80 million as well. Scott Boras talked Tuesday about how the deferrals leave room for the Nationals to sign 'Rendon and many players,' but it doesn't appear the Nationals have a great chance at bring Rendon back if they don't.

http://www.startribune.com/twins-making-a-pitch-for-ex-mvp-josh-donaldson/566117231/ Twins targeting top three pitchers + Porcello, Donaldson, Betances and dangling Eddie Rosario for a starting pitcher Rest of the AL Central? Crickets. Guess Indians’ fans have to be pissed they’re looking to deal Lindor, Kluber, etc. Looks like they have a package in mind to send Kluber to the Angels, one of the players would replace Kipnis. Tribe fans say the return is way too depressed...wait until ASB at least. https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2019/12/la-angels-talking-to-cleveland-indians-about-former-cy-young-winner-corey-kluber.html http://www.startribune.com/biggest-free-agent-signings-again-go-to-big-markets-commissioner-says-small-markets-can-still-compete/566113821/ Small/mid-market teams shut out of big free agent signings. Manfred suggests A’s, Rays and Twins all have figured out how to compete with limited resources.

See the Brewers in 2018, or Nats as the Wild Card team this year...Royals in 2014, White Sox in 2005, etc. You're right about the hottest team often just gets on a roll and rides it all the way, with the obvious problem being we haven't even had the opportunity to try for going on 12 years. Whether that's harder to take than the Twins losing 15 consecutive playoff games to the Yankees, I'm not altogether sure...but at least they got to enjoy six months of the regular season.

I'm 90% sure he's just playing along to amuse everyone...rather than bothering to argue or provide a more positive counterpoint.

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...