Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:09 PM) Despite his Samardzija-like ERA in 2015 Latos still had solid peripherals, he seems like a good buy-low candidate. He's a guy I'd be interested in, but I think he'll ultimately be too expensive for us assuming we land Gordon/Cespedes.

How the f*** can anyone think Jackie Brown is better than Pulp Fiction? I get we all have different tastes, but I can't even see an argument being made in this particular case.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 10:42 AM) If we end up signing one of the big outfielders, then Melky and Avi would combined both get the majority of AB's at DH imo (one guy in RF, one guy at dh). If we don't bring in one of the big outfielders, then Laroche it is. Just not sold on a rebound, and apparently no other MLB team is either since we can't move him WITH a truck full of cash attached. I'd much rather start the season with a LaRoche/Avi platoon at DH than automatically give Avi everyday at-bats. My view coming into the offseason was to address as many holes on the offense as reasonably possible and have multiple options at the remaining trouble spots. Assuming we add Cespedes or Gordon, we've already addressed four positions (LF/RF, 3B, 2B, & C). The two remaining question marks are DH & SS and I'd love to have some depth in place then rely on one guy. Sanchez at least provides a semi-intriguing option insurance plan at SS, with Anderson waiting in the wings in AAA. Without LaRoche, everything relies on Avi, because no one else really has everyday potential or can be the strong side of a DH platoon, which is scary considering the guy is coming off a 83 wRC+ season. Like it or not, we're better off giving LaRoche a chance to rebound than gambling on Avi's ability to suddenly learn plate discipline.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 10:39 AM) I'm going off this article. http://sportige.com/mlb-rumors-free-agency...is-davis-81445/ That article says the Orioles won't sign another big free agent if Davis leaves, so I'm not sure why you're assuming they'lo get Cespedes if he does.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 10:29 AM) If orioles don't sign Davis cespedes will sign there. Lol...I'm not sure why you're assuming that, but if you want to panick all the time, but all means do so.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 10:25 AM) Is chris davis holding up the market. That's my guess, but I'm not sure any of the baseball insiders have implied that yet.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 10:16 AM) I agree, sending Avi to AAA would be a waste. I think he's either on our roster or we've traded him to acquire some sort of pitching. To overstate the obvious, Robocop Laroche is really the clog in the drain. I still think it would be worth it to basically buy him out and facilitate a trade to any team who is willing to take him on for 3 to 5 million. The lineup flexibility is worth it imo. Who would you give his at-bats exactly? I don't see anyone on the roster or in AAA that has more potential upside that LaRoche does against RHP. He very well might suck again next year, but I'd rather give him a month or two to show me he isn't completely done yet before I give Shuck or Avi more at-bats. If not, we can always release him mid-season.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 10:03 AM) It is better. It might even be better for the White Sox, although that's less obvious. If you had not signed Zobrist to a five year deal, one would have missed out on 5.0 fWAR in his age 32 season, 5.5 in his age 33 campaign and 2.1 in his age 34 season. Yes, Zobrist had an injury and played in just 126 games and his WAR took a hit defensively. His bat, however, as we are well aware remained right in line with career (.276/.359/.450). If the Royals were locked into paying Ben for his age 35 season, would you be particularly concerned about getting bang for your buck? Personally, I would be feeling pretty good about it right now. I have no idea what your point is here, but how in the world is Gordon resigning with the Royals a good thing for the Sox?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 09:57 AM) By WAR, those are the five best catchers in all of baseball since 2010. When you have players who are really good at baseball, the teams are more likely to be winning. It's not just about intangibles there, it's talent. Thank you. No reason for me to respond now.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 09:22 AM) He makes up conclusions. He told us JR would exercise Alexei's option because of his stupid loyalty. He told us the White Sox didn't make the playoffs in 2012 because they signed Adam Dunn instead of Victor Martinez. Of course Dunn hit 41 homers in 2012 and Martinez missed that season with an injury. He now is on a catcher needs to be a leader kick because of what kansascity.com tells him about Sal Perez. I mention Avila has been a playoff team catcher, he tells us that was in the past, but mentions Matt Weiters as a leader type catcher, and mentions how they were in the playoffs in 2014. He obviously forgets to tell you Weiters was injured and played 26 games. He is a clear troll. I'll admit I get a kick out of the catcher leadership idea. Intangibles have some importance, but you're really reaching when you use them as a primary counter-point against a team's ability to compete. Go ahead and say these guys don't call good games and/or work well with their pitchers, but don't go with some high-level "leadership" bulls*** that has minimal direct impact on the game.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 09:12 AM) Yeah, when you consistently make the wrong choices, like we have seen. Saying the only possible plan going forward is the Big 3 no longer feels realistic...so adjustments have to be made, otherwise Hahn and Sox fans will get left holding the bag and feel they've been sold a false bill of goods. At some point, contingency plans have to be acted on. But we're nowhere there that point. As usual, you're jumping to conclusions based on nothing.

Our pitching depth may not be great, but I think it's good enough that you address the offense first and worry about adding another starter second. Right now, Turner & Beck are likely #6 & #7 on the depth chart. Not ideal by any means, but with Fulmer in AA, I'm not sure it's that much of a risk. I really think he could be that #6 guy by mid-season. You also have a wild card in Danish who could make the jump if he finally puts everything together. This team hasn't been afraid to call-up pitching prospects straight from AA in the past. Also, the problem with adding a vet is it means Johnson likely goes to AAA. The may be nice from a depth standpoint, but does it make us better in 2016 if everyone stays healthy and how does that impact Erik's development? Johnson is a guy we really should give a legit opportunity to this year. Him becoming a solid mid-rotation starter would give us another cost-controlled asset and the flexibility to move a starter down the road for a position player (once Fulmer/Adams are ready). So if we add a veteran starter, I'm thinking more of a veteran guy coming off injury that might be ready mid-season.

Don't underestimate the allure of Chicago for Cespedes. He's all about the money and could make a ton of cash on the side by being a star in a major market. Add in the Abreu factor & his familiarity with the AL Central and I think there are many reasons to be positive about landing him if we have one of the top offers.

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 04:08 PM) It seems like if they wanted to be here they would have been here by now but I could just be going crazy from the wait. I gotta disagree. I think the problem right now is Cespedes/Gordon/Upton are stuck in a buyers' market and they're holding their ground on their demands in hopes of something changing. My guess is that wildcard is Chris Davis. If he were to leave Baltimore, that potentially opens up another major suitor for Upton & Cespedes. Unfortunately for them, teams won't wait forever and there are plenty of options on the trade market for teams not willing to wait until the finish line on the big free agents. At some point they'll have to concede and take what the market is baring. I also think that a Gordon signing could speed things up significantly, since him potentially leaving the Royals eliminates a suitor for the other two guys (as K.C. is only an option for Alex) or makes teams more desperate with less options available. Once that first domino falls, everything else should move quickly IMO.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 04:02 PM) Hey, we got Carlos Boozer. You must be young, the correct answer is "Hey, we got Ron Mercer and Eddie Robinson in the same offseason".

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 01:11 PM) It's Merkin. He doesn't know, he's guessing. And he quickly had to acknowledge the Tanaka offer was $100M+ after getting called out, so I would certaintly take anthing he says with a huge grain of salt. Hell, he even said his assumption was pure speculation and had no insider info to base his claim on. There is no doubt in my mind the Sox would go over $100M for the right player.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 01:07 PM) This guy made it seem like it was a done deal. I just don't really trust him because I have no reason to/no past with him. Thanks for sharing as always.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 01:04 PM) This is from someone in a position to get info but I don't know if I can trust. The two numbers he threw out were 5/108 and 6/125. Take with whatever amount of salt you like. Scott Merkin told me the Sox won't go over 100 million. Did this someone mention how close we are on a potential deal?

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 12:34 PM) Its cheating, regardless. And many of those guys were never caught with anything, just talked about. Bagwell and Piazza specifically GMAB, the hall of fame is a popularity contest and it will never be right going forward, there will ALWAYS be cheaters somehow. People want to pick and choose what is ok to look past, and bottom line is none of it is ok to look past, but people have been looking past it forever, The steroid era happened, everyone is under suspicion in that era. I dont even care anymore, Bonds was a HOFer before and after he bulked up. Lol...people pick and choose what they want to look past based on the best info that's readily available info. The guys who were caught red-handed are the guys getting punished right now. Guys like Bagwell & Piazza who were never caught using PEDs shouldn't be excluded from the Hall because of some unconfirmed speculation. Sucks that some cheaters will certainly get in, but it's beyond ridiculous to suggest we let all PED users in so the writers don't have to pick and choose. Either don't cheat or don't get caught. There should be absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for guys who cheated for years on years.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 12:04 PM) should we go back and exclude hall of famers from prior to the steroid era that were using greenies and coke and amphetamines like it was going out of style? Guys that get caught cheating in a significant way should not be allowed into the HoF. Do criminals that were caught red-handed get let off because others got away with their crimes? And past injustices should not stop us from getting the system right going forward. Blame Bud Selig and whoever else was responsible for letting the game get to a point where cheating was running rampant, but how can anyone argue HoF voters should turn a blind eye as well. We can never take away what guys like Bonds & Sosa accomplished on the field, but we definitely shouldn't celebrate them by putting them into the Hall.

Dumb question on Cespedes, but can someone explain how his defense has graded out since coming here? He obviously had a terrific defensive season in 2015, but it appears he's always been very good in LF. Is it fair to say his overall defensive value over the years has been impacted by how much CF he's played and how well (or bad) he's played it? If so, assuming a drop in his offensive numbers (at least compared to 2015), what kind of player should we expect from a WAR standpoint?

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 11:11 PM) Him saying uneducated things doesn't make him wrong in terms of the signing. Some people who get info still don't know much about the game. Perhaps, but him deleting tweets related to tough questions is a red flag IMHO.

I could be mistaken, but it looks like that Patrick Howard guy deleted some of his sketchier tweets (Melky/LaRoche DH platoon, etc). Obviously he was a long-shot to begin with, but I'd say he's 100% full of s*** now. Edit: Looks like I was wrong and the Melky DH tweet is still there, but others do appear gone.

That guy is all over the place on the Melky stuff and corresponding implications for Avi. Pretty clear bulls*** IMO.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:18 PM) He also claims Melky will platoon with LaRoche at DH. Yeah, I'm not buying that part of it. Doubtful they add Cespedes only to start Avi everyday.