Y2Jimmy0

I'm not positive that they would have an inability to develop high school position players. They just haven't even really drafted many.

Yes the draft pick thing is a problem. The following players were drafted after Zack Collins in 2016: Alex Kiriloff, Forrest Whitley. These guys were taken after Burdi: Carter Kieboom, Taylor Trammell, Bo Bichette and Jesus Luzardo. There is a common trend among all of these guys. These guys were all taken after Jake Burger: Shane Baz, Heliot Ramos, DL Hall, Drew Waters, JB Bukauskus, Nate Pearson. The biggest problem with that year though was that Keston Hiura and Jo Adell were the two picks before Burger. They just weren't bad enough. The Sox refusal to choose HS players in the early rounds is unfortunate and lowers the ceiling on the rebuild a bit however.

Probably not for only two years of control on Pederson. I'd do something like the rumored asking price of Bummer/Bush though for sure.

Luis Robert is their CF of the future. Luis Alexander Basabe might play some there as well in late 2019 and 2020. I'd rather have Jon Jay and Joc Pederson in CF than Adam Engel though over the next 2 years and that's the real question here. Adam Engel is the best defender. He's also unplayable from an offensive standpoint. Joc Pederson is the more valuable player regardless of how fast he is or isn't. The Sox have also shown that they don't give a shit about defense with some of their personnel choices in the past.

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/46653/2019-prospects-the-top-101/ 4. Eloy Jimenez 15. Nick Madrigal 24. Michael Kopech 26. Dylan Cease 45. Luis Robert 76. Dane Dunning

No. He bought his followers.

You should post more often!

We don't need Palka to play vs righties. They have Alonso, Jay and would theoretically have Pederson to do that. They do need someone to hit vs LHP though.

No worries.

I saw something on twitter about Manny's 305 guys that he works out with. Alonso and Jay are already here. Gio Gonzalez and Danny Valencia are others. Gonzalez is still an option IMO. I actually think Danny Valencia makes some sense as well. He should play somewhere vs LHP. 132 wRC+, .365 wOBA, .202 ISO.

Because I think you meant to quote Brian. I literally had no idea what you were talking about. I'm just over here trying to construct appropriate platoons.

Actually, I think I've found my solution. The Sox should add Danny Valencia to play vs lefties. He's also another of Machado's friends.

WTF are you talking about?

It's going to be interesting to see what they do with the roster. Pederson and Jay shouldn't play vs LHP in most cases and they don't really have a RH counterpart for those plate appearances.

Pederson has a 140 wRC+ vs RHP and likely comes recommended from the new hitting coach.

Absolutely they did. That same team now has bullpen problems though and maybe the worst OF in the AL.

Their rotation isn't very good. The Sox have the best bullpen in the division though and would have a significantly better offense with those additions. I wouldn't think they'd be a definite playoff contender but they'd play 35 games against the Tigers and Royals. The AL is very mediocre outside of the top 4 teams.

Good work here from Steve Paradzinski on the Joc Pederson pursuit: https://theloopsports.com/2019/01/21/white-sox-lets-talk-about-joc-baby/

You don't think they compete over the next two years if they trade for Pederson and sign Machado? I would disagree. The AL is trash.

This isn't true. He made it clear to teams that he would sign. Most scouting directors didn't see him in person because he played in Michigan. Multiple area scouts loved him and wanted him but couldn't get blessing to use over-slot resources due to lack of live looks at him. It's all in the interview I did with him.

Not that it matters necessarily but Pederson reworked his swing last off-season with Matt Lisle FWIW.

Joc Pederson is good. He posted a 125 wRC+ last year with 25 homers. He's bad vs LHP but put up a 139 wRC+ vs RHP with a wOBA of .374. About a 3 WAR player. If they can get it done for Bummer/Fulmer, it'd be fantastic. I hope that Rich Hill is involved personally and taking on that $$ lessens the prospect load. I don't think Bryce Bush would be involved but we really shouldn't freak out regardless about acquiring 3 WAR outfielders for lottery tickets. I interviewed Bush last year and wrote a profile on him. He's a great kid. He wasn't a top 75 draft prospect. He was about a 5th-6th round talent that the Sox fortunately got with a 33rd rounder. He can hit but I'm not sold that he'll stay on the infield long-term. I'd rather keep him but this isn't a Fernando Tatis situation. Tatis never even played affiliated ball for the Sox.

Well looks like I have a new poster to block. My lord.

I like Morant but he shoots 30% from 3. I think Bulls pick higher than that in the end.

I think the Yankees are still under the luxury threshold actually