Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 10:07 AM) Yeah, hopefully the Pads insist on that huge return and we can slide under them as a more reasonable (but still good) option. That should exactly be the plan, especially if Baltimore puts Britton on the market.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 09:58 AM) There's also Hickman, but he's been playing 1b and DH so much in AZL I'm wondering if they are moving him off C. The BA podcast after the Q trade harped on this a bit. The catchers in their top 100 aren't even that good! Everyone is starved for it. 100% the part to be optimistic about with Collins is that he could stick and be good at plate discipline/have occassional pop. It may not be all star level, but catchers really are barren in majors on down. I kept Hickman off for that very reason. But you're right about Collins, if he can be even average defensively, I think he brings enough to the table offensively to be a solid everyday catcher. Having said that, I really expect his offensive numbers to take a big jump next season. I have a feeling the development team have kept his offensive adjustments at a minimum and with time his bat to ball skills will improve. If you follow his at-bats, the plate discipline is incredible, just needs to find a way to make more consistent contact.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 09:30 AM) There was a time (13 months ago) that Alfaro was our top C prospect Our catching depth is actually pretty exciting relative to where it's been in the past. Collins looks like he just might stick at catcher long-term and could be a star if his bat develops to original expectations. Zavala has played himself from just a fringe guy to someone who looks fairly likely to reach the majors in some capacity. I'm still not sure where the org feels Skoug ultimately ends up long-term, but his bat could offset any of his defensive short-comings if they try to get him to stick at catcher. And then you have the young/raw guys like Perez & Alfaro in rookie ball that have some decent upside. This is the best our catching situation has looked like since I can remember.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 09:26 AM) For those that don't venture into futuresox forum, Eloy also had a nice day yesterday, going 2-3 with 2 walks and a double. 3 RBI. Winston-Salem, which this year had been a dreadful offensive team, has had an infusion of players from Kanny and now this trade and is performing really well in second half. flete has also been hitting like crazy and was 2-4 yesterday. I'd really like to see Flete pushed to AA once Moncada is called up and there is room for Peter there. Given his age, Flete seems like a guy that should be challenged to see if there is actually anything there.

SSS I know, but I really like seeing three LatAm guys with double-digit walk rates in Nunez, Mercedes, & Alfaro. These three guys will shoot up the prospect rankings if their walk rates don't fall off too much.

QUOTE (Username @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 08:20 AM) I think the cash component is huge for them. Having Robertson for 2 years at cheap is a pretty substantial asset, especially given their desire to stay under the luxury tax. Hope we eat a lot to get a better prospect back. This type of deal fits way better for them than Q (though they need him more). They've got the excess 40 man guys and lots of 2nd tier specs that are blocked. I feel like Tyler Wade could be a good get as well. Highly versatile, only 22 and all he's done is hit. Unfortunately, I think Wade's versatility is more valuable to a contending team than a rebuilding team and I just don't see them giving him up. Andujar, on the other hand, is almost major league ready and they don't have an obvious spot for him. If Torres is the guy destined for 3B, then they'd be smart to convert Andujar into an asset that can either help the team now or one that doesn't require a 40 man spot. As for Mateo, his prospect status has taken a big hit and without an obvious landing spot and 40 man spots a precious commodity, they're probably better off moving him now as well. And Albert Abreu is a very interesting pitching prospect, but one that is multiple years away and will be clogging up a 40 man roster for years to come. I think he's a guy they pretty much have to move and a prospect that would fit nicely in our system.

I could see Robertson + cash for Andujar/Mateo + Abreu. That would clear two spots off their 40 man roster crunch and give them a high caliber setup man who has proven himself in the NY spotlight.

With more teams open to selling (including Baltimore) and the fact we don't have another great closing candidate, I'm leaning against moving Kahnle unless a team makes an overwhelming offer. Focus on moving Robertson & Swarzak now, then let Kahnle build up as value as closer through the end of the year and see what he's worth in the offseason. A key part of a rebuild is leveraging the closer spot and turning semi-valuable relievers into much desired commodities. Right now, Kahnle is the only guy for that spot.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Jul 16, 2017 -> 04:02 PM) A's got hosed. Way to lower the bar for relievers Oakland. The A's ate no money in the deal. I'm sure the return could have been better if they done so. Beane also goes against the grain when it comes to prospects/players. I'm still expecting a decent return for Robertson.

QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 05:45 PM) MLB.com slots him in at #30 for the White Sox. Before last year's draft, he would have been the #14 prospect in the system. Probably won't be on the list for long then!

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 03:03 PM) Another benefit of a low payroll is you have very little on the books in terms of long term contracts. Its easier to sell a team when you a team with a low payroll and no long term contracts on the books. When JR bought the team from Veeck in 1981 he walked into a situation with a low payroll and no long term contracts. Both of my sources tell me that JR will sell the White Sox within the next 2 years. There are at least 2 groups of people who want to buy the team. They will be buying a team with a low payroll and no long term contracts. Funny the Tribune Company did the exact opposite with the Cubs and it seems like it worked well for them.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 03:06 PM) Is it 250k now? QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 03:19 PM) 300k, not 250k But otherwise correct. Only so many 100-300k guys worth getting. My bad, thought it was $250k for some reason.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 02:48 PM) How do the new rules work? I always get confused. Would the Sox have even been able to use this money during this signing period? Theoretically yes, but only on guys $250k and under. So basically would have been impossible to spend it all.

Sounds like this kid has some tools, but almost no plate discipline. I'd send him to Kannapolis and let him start everyday at SS. Still very young, so there is still some hope for him.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 01:15 PM) Especially considering the one would be to Pelfrey. Exactly.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 01:09 PM) Probably to push Holland back to sunday due to Q gone. I did find it interesting Kahnle warmed up for the 7th instead of Swarzak last night Why would you make two changes to your rotation when you could just make one?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 01:01 PM) Hmmm QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 01:04 PM) #HUGWATCH What's fascinating is the Sox twitter account just casually drops the lineup for today with no mention of Holland being scratched. To me, that suggests there is some smoke here. And if so, I like the fact Hahn is moving fast and not sitting on all his chips days before the deadline.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 12:31 PM) Pelfrey starting https://mobile.twitter.com/whitesox/status/...273863721656324 What happened to Holland?

QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 12:36 PM) If Hahn could swing Kieboom + Luzardo, I'd be one happy man. Same here.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 10:37 AM) Charlotte game on Comcast Thanks for the heads-up!

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 12:05 PM) Honestly think these deals just take 24-72 hours for completion Yeah, Hahn & Theo agreed to the Quintana trade on Tuesday and it wasn't reported until Thursday. I think something more official leaks out today.

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 11:55 AM) This is not a rebuild. Its simply a salary dump. The main objective is to have the White Sox with the lowest payroll in MLB in 2018 and 2019. When you have income of over $260 million a year and a payroll less than $50 million, you're looking at some enormous profits for the owners. JR did the same thing in 1998+1999. The team barely drew 1.3 million in attendance each of those years but they were 2 of the teams most profitable years with the low payrolls. If the so call rebuild works out, fine. Either way JR and his investors will be making some serious money. I realize that the White Sox are a business. The objective of any business is too make money.Still, I would rather have the team making money with a winning team than what we're going to be subjected to the next few years. Lol...ok bud.

QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 11:54 AM) Yeah, if we were taking back Panda then I'd need it to be Dalbec/Chavis, Johnson and Lozada or something along those lines. If it was a sizable part of that contract, it would have to be Groome IMO.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 11:50 AM) There were a few rumors, but nothing by anyone who knows anything. Some people just made the leap because of the timing. If you believe raBBit, and who knows, anything could have happened since yesterday, but a return that isn't too exciting certainly wouldn't indicate that we were open to taking on Panda. SCCWS is from Boston so I wasn't sure if they were reporting/speculating locally. As much as I'd love to take on some of Panda's salary to increase the return, I just don't see it happening.

QUOTE (GermanSock @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 11:33 AM) I say send Robertson and 10 m to Washington for carter kieboom. Not a top100 yet but he is a shortstop, was drafted in the first round 2 years ago and really raked so far. He will be a top100 soon and the Sox really need middle infield prospects as that is still a weak spot of the system. BA didn't have him as one (yet), but BP said he just missed their recent top 50 update. I think he'd be a huge get and probably fills a bigger organizational need than Soto.