Y2Jimmy0

I think we'll look back at the drafts as positive personally. Go back and look at the drafts from 2000-2010. The Tatis trade was horrible but that's what happens when your superiors choose to "go for it" when not prioritizing scouting and development and building a farm system. You end up trading guys like Tatis prematurely because the infrastructure created cannot handle a "go for it" mentality. I think it was his idea to get Jon Jay and Yonder Alonso. He really wanted Manny Machado and he thought that was his only option considering his owner wouldn't be the highest bidder in the end.

I am of the belief that Hahn/KW added Jay and Alonso because they knew their owner wouldn't be the highest bidder. They knew that the player wanted $300 million. They couldn't go there. And yes, Kenny is very involved. He's the Executive VP of the organization. Hahn has lots of autonomy and handles the day to day responsibilities of the club. If trades are made and free agents are signed though, you better believe Kenny is on board.

It was absolutely not his call to accelerate it. You honestly believe that it was Rick Hahn's idea to add during that 2014 off-season instead of continuing on a "rebuilding" path after the Abreu signing?

Rick Hahn hasn't maximized the available resources that have been afforded to him. This is a triumvirate though and it's tough to pin any singular move on Rick Hahn specifically. They don't spend in the international market but that's because the owner is risk averse in regards to forking over $$ to 16-years olds. The club's pro scouting operation is horrendous and they've wasted money in recent years, albeit in years they were attempting to lose on purpose, on players that didn't recoup much value. Last off-season is the perfect example. The Manny Machado miss is not Rick Hahn's fault. Hahn would have just paid Machado 10/310 but that's wasn't his call. On the other hand, he can absolutely be blamed for the Kelvin Herrera signing for example. The Sox are run like a mob family. Hahn handles the day to day and takes the arrows generally while KW still makes many of the decisions and Reinsdorf provides the budget but is never heard from. I think we'd all prefer a different front office but the owner is by far the biggest issue.

Which part of last off-season?

Palka is out of options. He'll be gone.

They don't act like one but they are in fact a large market team. Major League Baseball does not afford them the same perks afforded to small market clubs. They don't get extra international money and they don't receive competitive balance draft picks. The signing of QO free agents costs them a 2nd round pick. They are a large market team. They should start acting like it.

He wouldn't cost much in trade. Boston needs to cut the money and they'd only receive a pick after the 2nd round when he signs elsewhere.

Then they can just trade for him.

They didn't take Alek Thomas because Allen Thomas didn't want them to. The family had a deal worked out with Arizona.

I gotcha. I agree there. I'd take the under on $150 million but they only have $14.8 million committed to next year. I anticipate quite a bit of spending.

Theyrecently received $50 million from MLB advanced media and they're getting $1 million per game on NBC Sports Chicago. They have plenty of money.

They'll trade him if he doesn't opt-out though. Opting out at least lets him choose his destination.

Oh okay. Yeah I definitely didn't write that in the article. I think it means that in past years, the 11th pick would be a disappointment due to winning so many meaningless games. This year it's fine because of how they got those wins.

What is this in reference to? I think I must have someone blocked or something.

Didn't we learn anything last offseason? Signing Anthony Rendon isn't up to Rick Hahn. That's above his pay grade.

Boston is trying to cut salary and can't retain both he and Mookie Betts. Boston will just trade JDM if he opts-in. Boras probably knows exactly what he can get from the Sox and Rangers at this point.

I gotcha. I agree with that. He knew what the reaction would be initially. Samson is a pud. Nobody has disputed that. I just don't think it's appropriate to shoot the messenger in this case. Jerry Reinsdorf hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt.

Sounded fine to me. He has known Reinsdorf since he was a kid. He basically said it was an "anti-tanking" thing. He made it seem like Reinsdorf's plan was to finish 1st if possible but not worse than 2nd because it kept the fanbase hungry and thinking there was a chance for improvement. He said that Reinsdorf like most owners, wouldn't choose winning over making money or breaking even though. Reinsdorf has always wanted to win on his terms at his profit margins. Samson basically just confirmed that.

I'm pretty sure they are getting like $1 million per game

David Samson is a piece of crap but i wouldn't shoot the messenger in this case. There isn't a doubt in my mind that Reinsdorf told Samson that. He apparently told Jack McDowell the same thing. 670 talked about it this morning in the 5 at 5. They're trying to get Jack McDowell on. Reinsdorf didn't deny any of it either. I hope this blows up this week. The only reason Reinsdorf responded in the first place is because Scott Reifert received tons of e-mails from pissed off fans after the audio leaked. The PR machine is in total spin control right now.

1st round picks are off limits for compensation now. The White Sox pick 11th and won't have as large of a bonus pool. That's the only "issue" though. The 11th pick should carry a bonus pool of around $4.6 million. The White Sox total should be in the $8.5 million range for their entire class. They spent over $12 million on last year's draft. The 2nd round selection should be in the 54-56 range and carries a slot of like $1.2-$1.4 million. If they sign a QO free agent, they'll forfeit that selection and the bonus pool amount that comes with it.

Adam Engel improved a lot after going down to AAA and working with Frank Menechino. Every player that we talked to at Charlotte or that went through there raved about Menechino. He knows how to optimize swings and he preaches plate discipline. He was in Miami with Stanton, Ozuna and Yelich as well. I'd be totally fine if Menechino is the guy but I bet they employ two hitting coaches next year.

There absolutely is. The Sox coveted Andrew Benintendi in 2015. They would have drafted Jo Adell in 2017. It's imperative to get as high of a pick as possible.

I didn't write an article on JD Martinez to speculate FWIW. If he becomes a free agent, the White Sox will be interested.