Buehrlesque

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 09:04 AM) IMO, the biggest uncertainty/issue for me is that I still don't see a righty who can take at-bats away from LaRoche, and he's terrible against lefties. Dayan Viciedo

Suppose the Rays come at you with a take-it-or-leave-it proposal of: Anderson, Adams (PTBNL), Montas, Hawkins and Michalczewski for Longoria. Do you take it?

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 20, 2014 -> 03:08 PM) What recent trade has been better? Nobody is giving up a lot for single players anymore. That will absolutely net Longoria The Rays choosing Baez/Almora/Alcantara (all of whom have arrows slightly pointing down) over Anderson/Montas/Danish (arrows all pointing up) is no slam dunk. There's major upside in that Cubs package, and all those guys are super young, but there's some shine off the apple there. Again, the Cubs have the Russell and (especially) Bryant trump cards, but if they don't play them they're really not much better than the Sox. In terms of a recent trade that was better, I'd say the Cubs made out better in the Samardzija/Hammel trade. It's 2 players, but both were on shorter-term contracts than Longoria.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 20, 2014 -> 10:14 AM) I think the #4 prospect, #25 prospect, and #83 prospect in baseball going in to 2014 is a pretty damn good start. Meh, it's not bad, but it's not extraordinary. It's putting a lot of eggs in the Baez basket, and he didn't exactly tear up AAA last year. Almora is coming off a poor season too. And there is NO pitching at all in a package like that. Unless the Cubs are willing to part with Bryant (which it doesn't seem like they would), any Sox potential offer would be in the same ballpark as the Cubs. Anderson is a step down from Russell, but Montas/Danish/Adams are way better than any pitching the Cubs could offer. It'd be interesting.

QUOTE (South Sider @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 10:53 AM) Also, as much speculation as there is about TB wanting a kings ransom because of his fair contract, is it not possible that TB is looking to get out from under that contract? That contract to a large market team is great, but to a team like TB maybe the term is a little too much? Just food for thought, as it could potentially water down their return a little bit. Also keep in mind everyone said these same "king's ransom" type things about David Price, and the package they ultimately got for him was somewhat underwhelming. Different situations, obviously, but the point remains that sellers often get a lot less in trades like this than the public build up suggests.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 08:49 AM) If the Sox are going to burn prospects in a trade, why not make a bid for Myers? He is a stud controlled for 5 more seasons. It's a core piece you could only hope guys like Anderson and for that matter A. Garcia turn out to be. If we're emptying the farm, I'd do it for Longoria over Myers.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 07:12 AM) Anderson Garcia and montas is as far as they should go Quintana and Anderson would be the ask from Tampa I believe I'd at least call them and see what they think about Anderson, Montas, Danish and Hawkins. Even with Longo's crazy team-friendly contract, I doubt there's room for him in the Sox budget. But if Jerry could be convinced to stretch for Melky, the excitement and ticket sales around a Longoria acquisition would have to at least tempt him as well. The level of excitement around that would be just insane! Fun to think about, but a super long shot.

QUOTE (South Sider @ Dec 12, 2014 -> 09:04 AM) Would you guys go 4 years on Melky? It really seems like his best offer is 3 years right now... and honestly I think he is the best fit for this team now. He won't cost a load of prospects to acquire, and you can reasonably expect him to hit pretty well against lefties and righties alike. The more the offseason goes on, I really do hope we sign him. He's a proven hitter. He wants 5 years and teams seem to be balking at that a little. I would go 4 years for him or Chase Headley if their markets stall.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 11, 2014 -> 02:51 PM) John Danks, while not well liked around these parts, is a solid #4. Sure, he's paid like 2 or 3, but he is just fine as a #4. Danks and Noesi can hold down the 4/5 slots just fine, and we'll likely see Rodon with at least 10-15 starts. While I would obviously love to add another SP (I liked the idea of Masterson or E. Santana - those ships have sailed, and I doubt the Sox spend their assets on a SP). A decent reclamation project would be welcomed, however - say, Billingsly, Josh Johnson, Medlan, Beachy, Morrow or even Floyd. I do expect the Sox to bring someone like that, or maybe a slightly lesser name, into the fold. The main need is obviously LF. I still expect to see Melky, Rasmus or Aoki on this club, and if not, the LF will come via trade. I am fine going to battle with Gillaspie at 3B (sign Bonafacio, Rick..he's a perfect fit and platoon w/ Conor against LHP) and Flowers at C. I agree that Danks/Noesi and eventually Rodon make for a good enough 4 and 5 combo, especially if a reclamation veteran is added to the mix. As for LF, if a big fish/significant payroll addition is not in the cards, what about Aoki? He could be a cheaper version of Melky -- good OBP, #2 hitter -- and he'll be a heck of a lot cheaper.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Dec 10, 2014 -> 12:29 PM) Maybe? I would think Q would have to be included for them to do it. We know that a Q-Bruce swap was discussed earlier in the off-season so you know Hahn is at least open to that. I understand that value-wise, but I don't see why the Rays would want Quintana is they're trading Longoria. I would rather use minor leaguers, but if Quintana were the centerpiece I would think it would have to be a three-way somehow.

You're not going to convince the Rays to trade Longoria if they don't already want to. If, if for some reason they are considering dealing him (forget adding Myers) for strategic reasons, would a package of Anderson, Danish, Montas and Hawkins get you in the door at least? It would be a starter, but would probably need some sweetening. It would also wipe out the Sox farm system...

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:57 PM) So is there any chance we could still trade for this guy? Money's tight, but it's not impossible. CarGo's annual salaries for the next three years are $16 mil (2015), $17 mil (2016) and $20 mil (2017). The way the market's going, that's not that bad. If the Rockies kick in some cash, it's really not much more than a guy like Melky is going to get. Heck, depending on what the Rockies kick in, it could be less. It would certainly be less money and shorter term than Matt Kemp. One thing's for sure, Rick and KW didn't spend all this money improving the pitching staff to just punt on offense. An upgrade to LF or 3B is surely coming.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 10:36 AM) We still have to significantly upgrade the defense. If we are going to build our team around the strength of pitching, we can't continue to ignore defense. Our team defense is just as bad today as it was when we started the off-season. That has to be addressed. Hanh / Kenny have to make another move and at a minimum we need a quality outfielder. Ideal scenario you get a quality outfielder and 3B and at that point, I say you are even favorites or close to even favorites. However, I doubt we have resources do to that. Good point. I wonder if Headley is in consideration at all for 3B. Haven't heard his name much in connection to the Sox, and it seems like he'll get a pretty hefty deal. But he'd really shore up the D. A move of an OF is, or should be, a given.

Man, people are down on Danks. He's overpaid, I get it. But he's a serviceable number 4, and that is something the Sox need. The Sox are currently a starter short as it is. Unless trading him directly facilitates another move, like signing Scherzer (or trading for and extending Samardzija)or something big, I don't see the point of the Sox paying half of Danks' salary to pitch for someone else while still looking for starting pitching themselves. If you pay $7 mil to trade him and sign Masterson for about $9 mil, you are increasing your payroll by about $2 million in 2015 and not really improving the team all that much anyway. Is that really worth it?

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Dec 3, 2014 -> 09:59 AM) No, there is something seriously wrong with the wrc+ #'s for coors...or something just really weird in general is going on. Either way wrc+ isn't a good stat to use for Rockies players. Really interesting read about it below http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/...or-the-rockies/ With that "drug user" angle, that article suggests that a Rockies hitters are worse on the road than would be expected for a normal player due to the Coors hangover. So Coors giveth and Coors taketh away. Yes, I would guess the bump in production at home is greater than the decrease on the road, but it's likely a player like CarGo would see his road splits improve if he moves on to a different team. Thus I don't think you can just progress pure regression based on his Rockies road splits if he's traded.

I'm hoping it's CarGo.

Weren't the Sox rumored to be interested in Upton before, when they found out The DBacks were looking to trade him? My hunch is that the Sox are looking for something big, something to "dream on" for the remaining OF spot. They are aware of they don't have any impact minor league middle-of-the-order OFs down on the farm (minus Courtney Hawkins, who has a long way to go) and I think they'll work hard to either trade for Upton, Kemp or CarGo and/or try to sign Upton or Heyward if they make it to FA next year.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Nov 27, 2014 -> 02:28 PM) Why do people still want Alexei traded after we signed LaRoche, which is a clear "win now" move? How do plan to contend by creating a hole at SS? I'm curious how people could think that would work. I would guess the thinking goes the upgrade from Viciedo to Kemp is larger/more significant than the downgrade from Alexei to Semien/whomever.

QUOTE (bear_brian @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 11:38 AM) There is no way, IMO, that the Dodgers are going to trade Pederson or Seager without getting some salary relief in the form of one of the high-priced veteran outfielders, probably Ethier. So, if there is a "package", it would possibly be Etheir and Pederson or Seager. I would have been in favor of that. But too with LaRoche on board now, that ship has sailed.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 01:28 PM) The Cards will hold on to him until they either need to make a move to bolster the ML roster or get blown away with an offer, they aren't going to move anybody just because they don't have a clear path. Agreed. It's mostly wishful thinking!

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 12:46 PM) That's why I mentioned Q. Q for Piscotty and a few of the Cards young starters the Cards don't have room for makes more sense than say for example, Bassitt for Piscotty. What do the Cards need with Bassitt? To us Bassitt is a good young talent to have but to the Cards, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating trading Q and the above was just thrown out there as an example but I just don't see how the Sox could get a young talent like Piscotty from the Cards. Hopefully I'm under estimating Hahn's creativeness. A trade for Piscotty and the signing of Melky would make the Sox outfield look so much better defensively and offensively. I know, I'm dreaming. Maybe the Cards don't feel Piscotty has much of a future with them and would be willing to deal him for minor league depth elsewhere. They did just block his path to the majors again, and Holliday is signed through at least 2016. Overall though I agree, the Sox and Cards don't match up well for a trade.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 12:17 PM) But would it interest the Cards? What do the Sox have to offer that the Cards don't already have? I agree with Q being out of the question, I just don't see the Cards being interested in anything the Sox have outside of Q. I leave Sale and Abreu out for obvious reasons. The Cards are so deep, the Sox could make an offer and the Cards could match or beat the return with what they already have. I really respect the hell out of the Cards for their scouting, drafting and player development abilities. It would have to be somewhat-random minor leaguers, I guess. They are pretty stacked everywhere. Their infield is crowded as well, so Semien/Johnson/Sanchez probably wouldn't interest them. Hahn may have to get creative, and persuasive!

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 11:44 AM) Even though he's right handed, I would love to get Piscotty. Not sure what the Cards would want in return or if the Sox have what the Cards would want. Cards are so loaded with young talent, I don't see how the Sox could swing a trade with them unless Q's name became involved. Piscotty's a guy I have wanted all along as well. .288/.355/.406 last year in AAA. Not a ton of power (only 9 HRs), but a good overall hitter who was very young for his level (age 23). Q's out of the question, but something a notch down from that would interest me.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Nov 7, 2014 -> 06:44 AM) GreenSox, having lived in Denver for many years, I have seen a lot of Cargo. I am as aware of his danger signs and his contract as you are. But, he is not a poor defensive OF. Far from it. If you stick him in one outfield spot and leave him there, we're talking gold glove consideration for that position. I don't care what defensive metrics are out there on him. While on Cargo, there is an excellent article published a few days ago at purplerow.com. It gives 5 reasons for and against moving him. I cannot get the link, however. Maybe one of you guys can. Tks. Here's the Purple Row article: http://www.purplerow.com/2014/11/2/7062825...-rockies-rumors Interesting read. Writer suggests the Rox would look for pitching and infielders in any trade. The Beck/Sanchez/Hawkins proposal might be a little light, but it's on the right path.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 8, 2014 -> 11:53 AM) It also would greatly affect player stats, both season and career. Perhaps Joey Gallo, in 15 years, hits 400 home runs, but since they took a month off of the seasons, he really could've hit 440. Abreu would've finished this season around .310 with 96 RBIs... etc. Can't speak for all baseball fans, but I am OK with that. Stats have always varied with different eras. The schedule has been different lengths over the history of the sport. Plus factors like ballparks, expansion, PEDs, wars, work stoppages, juiced balls, mound height, expanded playoffs, and rules have always affected stat lines. As long as we can compare players of the same era, and all players are on an even playing field, it's all good. It's even easier these days to compare different eras via the normalized ERA+/OPS+ type stats. So obviously I've never liked the argument "you can't change the season length because it will throw off counting stats." Point is, the game is always evolving.