Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 10:45 AM) FWIW KC led baseball in "cluster luck" last year. https://thepowerrank.com/cluster-luck/ Their rotation is still awful, they've lost a couple key bullpen pieces, they have a black hole at 2B, and it's very likely we'll see regression from Cain, Morales, Hosmer, and Moustakas (him in particular because he's never come close to hitting that well before), and Escobar and Dyson can't hit. I do think the projections are harsh on them (I don't think WAR accurately represents relievers' value yet, and the defensive metrics for WAR are not particularly reliable either, especially for projections), but I agree with raBBit and the projections that Cleveland is currently the team to beat in the ALC. How do you measure cluster luck? And wouldn't a team that strikes out infrequently be more likely to string hits together frequently?

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 12:43 AM) Apparently Eaton really wants to be there, but they won't let him? Seems odd. Not speculating on anything suspicious happening, just figured most players do this because they have to, whereas Eaton seems he really wants to. Where are you seeing this?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 07:48 PM) Rich Coutinho ‏@coutinho9 4h4 hours ago To me if Cespedes options are dwindling (maybe Chisox Angels, poss O's if Davis does not sign there) Mets should pounce on it 2 years $30M (Mets ESPN beat reporter ^) Lol at this guy thinking 2/$30M would get it done. Maybe if he's desperate he'd take 2/$50M or a bit less, but that dude is off on Cespedes' likely AAV by 50% or more.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 05:19 PM) I have to say, that has to be awkward if you are Garcia to see your teammate actively speak of replacing you. Shows how bad Avi really is.

Parra has been bad the past two seasons and has far less of a track record than Span. No way do I see him getting more than Denard, let alone $14M to $16M per year. An AAV somewhere between $9M & $10M sounds about right to me.

Predictions on his contract? I'll say 3/$28M.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 12:13 PM) I will say, it's very weird to see the secondary market dropping into place before the top end settles. The Angels signing Parra would be good for the Sox's chances of landing an upgrade. Because Cespedes & Upton are both desperate for Baltimore to enter the mix to maximize their dollars. The second tier guys that are smart aren't going to wait for Davis to make up his mind or else they might be out of a multi-year job.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 12:02 PM) I keep saying it because it is still what I think makes the most sense, for all of the reasons which I articulated earlier. I wasn't trying to beat a dead horse, but rather simply stating that after all of the speculation, I haven't changed my mind. It's just my opinion. I can't really believe that this organization is going to let one year's "budget restraints" dictate their chance for being competitive this year, when they have already stated that they intend to contend, and have traded several promising prospects to acquire two guys with just 2 years left, before free agency. What was the point of that, if they aren't going to try to contend? I believe that they could figure out a way to make it work financially. What about all of this revenue that everyone keeps talking about? They know that the money for La Roche and Danks will be coming off of the books next year. That is a certainty, so there must be a way to work around that. If not, then they just have to accept that they are not only not going to be competitive, but that they will also be totally irrelevant in Chicago. The problem with the second tier guys is that not one of them can bat between Abreu and Frazier, and Frazier's .310 OBP won't cut it, at clean up. Too many of us are focused upon an acquisition to play right field. That is only half of the equation. they need a clean up hitter. Cespedes or Upton would fill that role nicely. You're missing my point. My guess is they'll already have to go above their budget to land one of these guys. Do you really think KW or Hahn will go Reinsdorf for even more money on top of the base cost just so they can front-load a deal to help "motivate" their biggest signing in franchise history? Reinsdorf would probably call off the deal on the spot.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 09:49 AM) After all of this time waiting, all of the talk and speculation, I still think the wisest move for the front office, in which he would be interested, is a 6 year deal, front loaded, with an opt out privilege for him after 2 or 3 years. How many of you share that view? You literally keep saying this every other day but continue to ignore the fact that we're up against a budget this year. It's incredibly unlikely that we'll be able to front-load a deal for either of these guys.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 09:25 PM) On the plus side, there's finally some type of movement or information out there on Upton...and you'd have to think that the Orioles would set a deadline on Chris Davis at some point so they don't miss out on both him AND the outfield market simultaneously. What movement has there been on the Uptpn front?

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 07:27 PM) I think Sox want to give Garcia one more chance this year. Danks and LaRoche deals will be off the books next winter, If Avi stumbles again Sox will get a new OF. Hahn has all but said they want to upgrade from Avi in the OF. Maybe they wanted to dump LaRoche to open up the DH spot for him, but the chances of him being are starting RF next year are slim to none. Rick will definitely get us another OF.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 10:35 AM) By all reports if he would take a one year, he'd be here. What reports are those? Haven't seen a single thing mention we've made any sort of offer to him.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 10:24 AM) Give me Alexei on a two year deal over Desmond on a one year. Figure out the situation with Anderson when it comes. Why would you want Alexei on a two year deal? I'm fairly certain he'd take a one year deal to come back here.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 07:24 AM) Because everyone who spent this off season spent on pitching. And Yankees were not involved with anyone. And a lot of teams close enough to luxury tax to point where they were not interested. Just a deep free agent class is what hurt these guys Not just the Yankees, but also the Dodgers & Red Sox. Those are the top three spenders in baseball and none of them are involved in the OF market this year. Most of the other big spenders with outfield needs are up against the luxury tax (Tigers, Angels) and/or went with cheaper options (Giants, Nationals). The Cubs already got their OF, which eliminates them. The Phillies are tanking, which takes them out of play. The Blue Jays and the Rangers aren't desperate for OFs. The Mets are a financial mess and aren't an option. It's really been a perfect storm for the Sox. Outside the Orioles (if Davis leaves) and maybe the Cardinals, there aren't any serious competitors that look motivated to pay one of these guys $20M+ a year.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 9, 2016 -> 01:57 PM) Boras pitching Davis as a regular Corner OF: https://t.co/AB8woKXQMU If there isn't a market for Cespedes & Upton, I'm not sure how Boras thinks he'll get more than $150M for Davis by selling him as an OF. We really got to hope Boras doesn't blow this and force Baltimore to sign one the big two OFs instead.

I agree, a one year deal with Upton should be a last resort. Puts us in the same spot next year, but without the benefit of a ton of OF options.

Who plays LF for the Jays now? This doesn't make them players in the Cespedes/Upton talks?

QUOTE (Saufley @ Jan 8, 2016 -> 07:44 PM) Hmmm, Not sure I like hearing that. Clearly a leak from Cespedes' side, no reason to worry IMO.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 8, 2016 -> 06:44 PM) Orioles waiting on Chris Davis. Nationals I think is more focusing on getting a CF. Cardinals best fit is the trade route, imo. Tigers are a scary team because YC has a past with them and the owner is willing to throw money all over the place. Ilitch hasn't shown a willingness to go above the luxury tax though. Can't rule them out, but I wouldn't them a serious threat at this point.

And how about Gary Sheffield, I'd say that was a successful transition.

I believe Jose Valentin played some OF towards the end of his career.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jan 8, 2016 -> 06:42 AM) I hope there is an announcement of Davis signing with the Orioles today. That would be about the best piece of news possible for the Sox. I do think the Span signing helps as well, as this is slowly becoming a game of musical chairs and these free agent OFs don't want to be the guy stuck without a team and be forced to take a pillow contract. I remain cautiously optimistic about the Sox's chances, but getting Baltimore out of the mix would increase my optimism significantly.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 09:11 PM) Cmon man this is pure toilet dick. It's an absolutely embarrassing post and confirms his need to be a Negative Nancy at all times.

I can accept losing out on Cespedes or Upton if it requires doing something dumb. But this not going over three years idea is beyond ridiculous. We have Chris Sale under control for four more seasons and our goal should be to maximize our ability to win during that window. The next two free agent classes are bad, so refusing to sign one of these guys will either hinder our chances to compete in the near future or cost us significant minor league talent. How is either option preferable to signing one of these guys to a 4 year deal? Honestly, I'm going to lose my s*** if we lose out on these guys because of this three year nonsense.

Not to be a dick, but I think The Dark Knight Rises is a bad Batman movie and easily the worst one in the new trilogy.