Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 09:11 AM) What makes people think this was available? Secondly, how long would you have been willing to wait out the Red Sox to try to get this? It essentially took from the trading deadline to the GM meetings to arrive at this deal. Based on what Hahn & DD have revealed, they didn't spend much time negotiating the pieces after Moncada & Kopech. The conversation basically went from Devers to Basabe & Diaz. That's a huge drop-off in asking price. DD didn't even have to ask the rest of his front office if they were ok with giving up Basabe & Diaz. To me, that suggests the Sox could have done a little better on the back-end of the deal if they pushed a bit harder. My guess is they didn't want to risk the Red Sox backing out on including Moncada and were much higher than on Basabe & Diaz than most national publications (which Hahn's commentary suggests).

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 08:19 AM) That bench is missing whoever isn't starting behind the dish that day (Soto/Narvaez). Also gotta factor in who may be DHing (could be Davidson). See my other post. My guess is we'll be using a rotating DH with guys like Abreu & Avi getting some time there, but with Davidson the primary guy the rest of the time. That leaves three bench spots on top of Soto.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 08:07 AM) I'd love to see Liriano win a spot over any of those guys. He was a top 100 prospect not too long ago and is still quite young. I think he has more potential than the rest of the options. He probably has the most potential, but I'd rather try and sneak him through to AAA if he's not going to get enough playing time. And right now, it seems like Tilson & Avi will have CF & RF locked up for the first couple months (if healthy). Given he is having a tough spring and is coming off some concussion issues, he'd probably benfit from some regular playing time down in Charlotte and potentially be a call up closer to June or July depending on how the OF is shaping out.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 06:34 AM) Actually, I think they'll likely keep one of Garcia/Sanchez instead of both so I'll put him on. Hahn did specifially mention more playing time for him, Saladino and Sanchez after the Lawrie release. Honestly, I think there is room for all three. Right now, it seems like our bench will likely be Sanchez, Bourjos, L. Garcia, & Davidson. I just don't see who could beat out these guys. Liriano & Asche are the only real threats IMO and I think they'd need to have huge spring trainings to overtake them. Hayes is the only other possibility, but he can start 2017 in AAA, so why not give Davidson an extended look in the majors being discarding him.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 06:18 AM) Agreed. He can very easily be beaten out this Spring. Who do you think beats him out?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 01:03 AM) Where does he play? QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Mar 8, 2017 -> 05:47 AM) I don't think that's true at all. He might have a decent shot of making the team but I don't think he's a lock by any means. DH, 3B, & 1B. Like it or not, he's probably making the team because he's out of options. The Sox will likely do whatever it takes to preserve depth, so guys like him, Sanchez, L. Garcia, Ynoa, etc. will get first cracks at spots, although I'd expect Davidson to get a very short leash. Delmonico is a similar player positionally (weaker at 3B though), but has a left-handed and projects as the better hitter in the the majors IMO. I'm not Davidson believer by any means, but I think we're better off giving him a two month addition and allowing Delmonico a bit more time in AAA. Of all the fringe, near major league ready prospects in the system, Delmonico is the one guy who I think has a real chance at developing into more than just a bench piece and I see no reason to rush him at the moment.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Mar 7, 2017 -> 11:08 AM) I'd rather have Moncada over Robles at this point. Moncada has shown he can handle AA pitching and solid power. Robles is further away in his development, but has yet to show much in the way of power I like both prospects, but given a choice I'll take Moncada There shouldn't even be a debate, Moncada is hands down the better prospect than Robles IMO. But Lopez & Dunning are significantly better prospects than Basabe & Diaz. I'd take the Red Sox deal simply because Moncada offers the best mix of ceiling and floor, but I definitely think an argument could be made for the Nationals package overall being better if you're really high on Robles.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 7, 2017 -> 11:02 AM) This is funny now. When a deal surrounding Robles/Giolito/Lopez was being discussed immediately preceding the trade, people were very against trading for a 19 year old who had not shown much power as the prime position player. What's funny now?

QUOTE (hi8is @ Mar 7, 2017 -> 11:01 AM) They may have also known Washington was willing to part with many of those prices for Eaton and didn't have anything better lined up for him. Definitely, they may have seen it as their way to maximize the overall return for Sale & Eaton.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Mar 7, 2017 -> 10:50 AM) Red Sox were not going to bid against themselves and include Devers for Sale fully knowing that a Moncada/Kopech headlined deal was not going to be beat Washington likely offered something along the lines of Robles + Giolito as a headlined deal plus Dunning. Sox preferred the Moncada/Kopech and then suggested Basabe and Diaz to round it out Sox then quickly flipped Eaton for Giolito + Lopez + Dunning for Eaton as the Nationals were only willing to part with Robles for Sale The Nationals supposedly offered all four of Robles, Giolito, Dunning, & Lopez for Sale. That's a huge package and one you could make an argument for being better overall the Red Sox's package. I think it's pretty obvious the Sox wanted Moncada and were willing to take lesser second & third pieces as long as they got a second stud in the deal.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 7, 2017 -> 09:24 AM) Nick Delmonico is having himself a nice spring. I'd start him at third in Triple-A and prepare him in the event that Frazier is dealt. Younger than Davidson and also a left-handed bat. Huge Delmonico fan, although I'd probably give him a look in LF. Not sure he can stick at 3B from what I read.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 6, 2017 -> 02:08 PM) just sitting here waiting while my Switch Zelda bundle sits in Gamestop online purchase purgatory :/ The Switch is awesome for what it's trying to be. If you're a gamer that needs PS4 Pro level graphics, you'll definitely be disappointed, but if you're looking for home console quality experiences on the go then you'll probably be thrilled. I highly recommend getting a Pro controller for at home play. As for Zelda, it really might be the best game in the series. I am absolutely shocked at just how good it really is. It's feels a lot more like the NES original than the LttP/Ocarina games though. And honestly, that's a good thing IMO. The series has always been great, but it was in desperation need of a re-image and damn did they deliver. Baring some major surprise (or Mario Oddessy just killing it), this should easily be 2017's GOTY.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Mar 5, 2017 -> 05:38 PM) He looked solid not blowing it by guys but worked ahead and not too much hard contact against a decent spring lineup for the diamond backs. Delmonico put s charge into one in the 9th, hit off the top of the wall in center for a triple. I still Delmonico is a major leaguer, just not sure where he fits on the field.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Mar 3, 2017 -> 02:14 PM) IMO depth is a bit overrated, I'd much rather have a top-heavy system than a deep one that is lacking at the top. This 100%.

#3 seems pretty fair to me.

And while it may be a small consideration, I'll add that this type of signing would create some positive PR for the rebuild. The Cubs signing Soler was a big deal to their fanbase and this type of move would be no different for us. Let me be clear here, Hahn should not be making moves simply to appease the fans, but if you're looking for reason why the Sox may not continue to operate in the same fashion it always has, this is just one small reason of many and ultimately all ties back to rebuilding. Operational norms must change during a rebuild because short-term goals are now radically different. We shouldn't expect the same old Sox anymore.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 08:06 PM) Hey Donald Trump could become President too, but I am not holding my breath for that moment either. FIFY. Honestly though, it's pretty clear the Sox have historically allocated more resources to their major league team than their minor league system. That's going to change under a rebuild, so I'm not sure why you're completely ruling it out. I mean the biggest contract in franchise is a Cuban free agent signing. I don't see money being an issue here. If it's about the penalties they'll incure, I think you're overrating those. Robert is a stud and would instantly add an elite positional talent to a system desperate for one.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 08:01 PM) Reported to be in on Cuban OFer Luis Robert, #WhiteSox international program is back in very good shape under LA director Marco Paddy. https://t.co/VVYzZRZsSl https://twitter.com/CSNHayes/status/837478719161692160 http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-so...ite-sox-rebuild Ugh, this quote hurts: While I don't believe his stock has risen that much, it really sucks that we gave up our best amateur signing under Paddy for James f***ing Shields. Pretty evident that SD had better scouting reports on him than we did.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 07:36 PM) Re: Luis Robert. @BaseballAmerica thinks #WhiteSox are in good position if he isn't eligible until July 2. But status is TBD by MLB. 1/2 https://twitter.com/CSNHayes/status/837475066052915200 Re: Luis Robert -- If it's current signing period, crapshoot & who knows where bids would go. But, key #WhiteSox staff haven't seen him yet. https://twitter.com/CSNHayes/status/837475398979985408 Either way, #WhiteSox international program is in much better shape now than 6 years ago bc of Marco Paddy. Have more on that up shortly. https://twitter.com/CSNHayes/status/837475728694235136 Not to be a wet blanket, but the program being in a better spot than six years ago really means nothing. We really need to start seeing some of these guys crack our top 10 list in the near future. Paddy's been given more than enough time to start seeing some results IMO.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 02:28 PM) Exactly. They could theoretically sign 10 players for 300K each and then trade 1.75 million in slot money for a prospect. Let me ask the board this. Would you guys rather have Robert, 20 guys signed for $300k each, plus whatever we could get for $3.5 in slot money or our last two signing classes? I'll take the former hands down even with the helium Tatis has right now. Robert is too special of a talent to pass on for a bunch of B/C tier 16 year old prospects.

IMO, the Sox have a better shot of signing him now than waiting until the next signing period. Unless I'm mistaken, under the new rules there are multiple teams that could theoretically end up with higher budgets than us and therefore could make bigger offers. I don't think we can really bank on an amateur free agent taking less money to play for us. Right now, however, there is no theoretical limit to what we can spend as long as we're willing to endure the penalties. And if the money is equal between us and another team, I think the Abreu/Moncada would likely result in a tie-breaker. With some of the biggest spenders in the game unable to sign him, it simply makes too much sense to do whatever it takes to land this kid, especially as a rebuilding team.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 10:46 AM) I'm not sure they Yankees will compromise their youth movement. Maybe not right now, but who knows come June or July if they're in the thick of the race. Anything that makes more teams competive and ultimately results in more buyers is good news for us.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 10:48 AM) Why is Benintendi untouchable all of a sudden? Sounds like he's been untouchable all offseason.

If you can sign a prospect of Robert's caliber right now, I think you got to do it. Sucks not being able to sign guys for above $300k for two periods, but it's not the end of the world IMO. And honestly, we can still trade any excess bonus allotments we might end up with for some more advanced, stateside prospects. Robert just seems too good to pass up IMO.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Mar 2, 2017 -> 10:18 AM) The loss of Price could possibly push the Yankees or Astros to move harder for Quintana though. That would be the best outcome. This 100%. This could be great news for us.