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QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 01:29 PM) Rick Hahn on his strategy approaching Winter Meetings Dec. 11-14: "I would characterize our strategy as secretive." https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/936698337675431936 Well that surely is cryptically exciting beyond words. Makes me want it to be the 11th already!

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 10:50 PM) Dude is a total fraud IMO and got lucky on this one. My guess is he deletes the tweets where he can be proven wrong. Why do you think he's a "total fraud?"

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 09:22 PM) Hmmm, he's 30 and had a good year last year. We have him for 3 years. Should this give me hope we will keep Abreu? If Castillo is part of the plan, why not a similarly aged guy in Abreu, who had double his RBIs? I won't comment much on things I know little about and I don't know Castillo much. I'm assuming he's a nice addition cause his defense is pretty good from what I've read. But he's very old by today's standards. This gives me hope again that we might have some vets around for the WS contending years, which means Abreu and the still young Avi. I'm all for speeding up the winning process and Castillo's profile suggests winning now or soon. He's no spring chicken. Or ... this could mean we will merely trade him this winter for more pieces. Where you got the idea that the next WS contender will have no established veteran ayers is beyond me. So far it is your most masterful stroke of Gregging. By the way, trading Abreu has always been a long shot. Edit:

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 06:14 PM) Matt Adams I've been a supporter of his since he was in the minors

Yet another reason for me to dislike the Yankees

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 12:19 PM) But how does greg feel about this? It's only been a day since I've interacted with GreggyPoo and I miss em already.

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 12:12 PM) submitted a presentation to Otani earlier this week. I would allow people to rip off my toenails if I could see this presentation.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 12:49 PM) I think that was me lol but yeah that is speculation until Ohtani or his agents confirm that. Welp, there ya go - I didn't forget about ya.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 1, 2017 -> 12:29 PM) If it's true that Hahn needs to be "overwhelmed, in order to trade Abreu," Flaherty and Sierra is hardly "overwhelming". Yep... seriously SERIOUSLY doubt Abreu is traded.

At some point over the last week, I referenced how I had read that many feel he wants to sign with a team that hasn't had a Japanese star in the past. Someone asked for a link but at the time, I'd forgot where I saw it. MLBTR referenced this again today:

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 03:43 PM) Now. I'm surprised that question was even asked ?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 11:05 AM) http://meadowparty.com/blog/2017/11/30/klawchat-11-30-17/ Damn it Law, you dream crusher. I still will blindly believe ?

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 11:04 AM) Rodriguez Good call there too - without a doubt fits Heymen's description.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 10:44 AM) Jayson Stark‏Verified account @jaysonst 2h2 hours ago Jayson Stark Retweeted Sung Min Kim This home-to-first time for Ohtani is totally legit. Heard this from too many people who have seen him. He'd be one of the fastest players in baseball. Sung Min KimVerified account @sung_minkim Replying to @jaysonst 3.80 sec to 1st base on this one. Quite fast. 21 replies 69 retweets 215 likes Jeremy Frank @MLBRandomStats For context, assuming this timing is accurate: In 2016, only one player (Billy Burns) had a top (avg of top 5) home to first time of under 3.80. Billy Hamilton’s average of his top five runs was 3.82. Ohtani is fast. https://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/936123907135778816 … Wow. Regardless of where he signs, I can't wait to see this talent play.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 10:16 AM) So it sounds like we asked for Devers or Benintendi and the talks are off for the time being. Heyman Both arms and both legs. This has been what I've pointed to expecting Rick requiring for a trade to be consummated... and again, as such, it probably ain't happenin.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 08:38 AM) This explains my position pretty perfectly as it stands today. By trading Abreu and Avi, this thread is worthless. It means Hahn is pushing back the years of contention (in theory) as he waits for the kids to completely overhaul the everyday lineup and pitching rotation. Presumably add some vets through free agency to that 3-4 years down the road. I have a sneaky feeling they'll be bargain type veterans, taking a shot on some relievers who don't make a lot of cash. I'm assuming our payroll is going to be mighty low for some time to come. We shall see. Regarding the bolded text.... huh?!?!???? Regarding the italics... I think you're in for a surprise GreggyPoo

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 05:23 AM) Amid MLB's home run revolution, free-agent sluggers could come cheap http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2161090...gers-come-cheap Yea - we're not getting what abreu needs to be worth for us to trade him IMO

QUOTE (GermanSock @ Nov 30, 2017 -> 12:26 AM) I think it Comes down to the Price. if Hahn gets a haul abreu will be gone, no doubt about that. but if they only get a marginal package they might just as well Keep him around to make moncada and Robert happy. but if you get a really good package you Need to trade him, Team chemistry is important but most important is Talent. It's either trade or extend. There really is no other option. I could be content with both directions, really.

QUOTE (GermanSock @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 11:34 PM) I would love those but abreu is projected for about 4.5 WAR in two years of control which is worth roughly 40M on the open market. The thing that's really impossible to speculate or evaluate is the intangible value that Abreu brings, specifically to our club during those next two years. How much of an impact will he have on Moncada over these two years? What is the value of that? How much of an impact will Abreu have on Robert whenever they're together in the Spring or at other potential times in 2019? What does his leadership translate to that will last past his contract which can equate to some value? It's completely impossible to say but I'd wager that Abreu has the most "intangible value" on our team than any of the other 29 out there. Because of this... and this alone... I just don't see him being moved. If Hahn does pull the trigger, I won't be entirely shocked but the return is sure to be both arms and both legs if it goes down.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 10:22 PM) Again do some research on threads. I think that instead my time may just be prioritized to other endeavors but thanks for the invitation! QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 10:22 PM) I stand up for my favorite players for sure and I argue against some of the current vision of the front office, butI don't complain always. Ok, yea - complain isn't the right term... but it's hard to exactly put a name to what it is that you do, considering that I'm unable to say a certain 4 letter word on Soxtalk which both starts and ends with P... sandwiched between which are two Os. Perhaps we should just call it "gregging." You're constantly gregging, dude. QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 10:22 PM) Did you read my long reply on the future lineup/roster? I listed players at each position gave my takes. Nobody responds to my normal reaction posts. I read it and responded to it. Here's another aspect of "gregging." Presenting false information during an assertion. QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 10:22 PM) Some people get me; most don't. I'm a great Sox fan IMO. If I had a vagina it would be.... wait a minute... to graphic... against board policy. Must comply. Let's just say that I wub the gregging. Smooch smooch buttercup.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 06:42 PM) You can't admit this board is EXTREMELY happy with anything the front office does? This is a pro front office message board. Because we didn't execute it right. Sox have had miserable guys in Buddy Bell on the organizational level and Robin Ventura as manager. They've arguably made some of the most bonehead acquisitions ever in trying to bring in guys to win. The ONLY way to win is not trade everybody and rebuild. Some teams with cash have done just fine in adding guys to buy a pennant. I personally think our front office gets a free pass on almost everything on here. Seriously GreggiePoo, why are you still frequenting this site? I honestly can't recall a time when you've done anything other than complain.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 07:18 PM) Anyone else feel like this Jose Abreu trade talk is way at overrated? Maybe because of the extremely slow off-season and this was the only remotely interesting thing that anyone could latch on to? Absolutely. I bet our "interest" in JBJ and the Red Sox "talking actively" with us in actuality amounted to this: Hahn Calls DD... "let us know if you decide to field calls about Bradley." DD: "Ok. We're interested in Abreu." Hahn... "price is high... like super f***ing high." DD: "figured, thanks"

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 02:36 PM) What have they done since 2005 to earn patience from our fan base? Pretty much every year since then they've done basically what you advocate... and it hasn't worked... at all. So their failure has earned my patience in trying something new... sometimes hung new which has seen success for other teams.

I don't get the Chavis love... as a secondary piece for Abreu - hell yea... but not as the centerpiece... to me that would be too light. Can someone enlighten me please?

QUOTE (cjgalloway @ Nov 29, 2017 -> 09:24 AM) He better have really wanted him... I've yet to find someone who was super happy with that deal though (like the others) While it wasn't as much of a slam dunk as the other trades - I was and still am happy with it.