Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 09:03 AM) He has already written off the rest of the decade. He's got a point. The Frazier & Lawrie moves will most likely hold us back for years to come. God forbid if they add Gordon or Upton, might have to reopen the contraction talks at that point.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 26, 2015 -> 07:08 PM) Then it also made no sense for them to acquire several guys who pencil in as a FA in 2 seasons. Because if they're going to acquire that guy, they need to win the division this year, and the FA market next year doesn't set them up to fill in any holes that develop. If they can't field a competitive team this year (and they can't), then that move again sets them up for continued long-term failure. Lol at Balta the grouch already writing off next season.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 25, 2015 -> 02:09 PM) If Gordon wants $100 million on a 5 year contract, I hope that the Sox are able to nudge KC to spend enough to get him to stay there, and Hahn moves on to someone else. We have all acknowledged that KC is going to be in a financial bind, with so many of their core players entering free agency. The Sox window appears to be 2 years. Obligating themselves to a 5 year deal at that kind of money, for a guy his age, doesn't seem consistent with the rest of their moves. Why is our window 2 years? Our three key starters, Abreu, & Eaton are all under contact for 4+ years.

Bad Santa.

Moving Robertson to add Gordon (or the others) is counter-productive. At this point, we can't address all our weaknesses nor do we need to. The key is upgrading one of the OF spots with a legit two-way player and hope Melky can bounce back enough with the bat to be a overall productive player in the other corner. If he's killing you defensively come June, then adjustments can be made to allow him to DH more. But for now, keep all your major league pieces and simply add that impact OF. That move alone should put us in the playoff mix.

The more I think about it, the more I want Gordon over Upton & Cespedes. He's a true baseball player and I strongly believe his skillset will age better than most players his age. Add in how his left-handed bat & on-base skills will add much needed balance to the lineup, he makes the most sense if you're looking to be serious contenders in 2016 & 2017. A 5th year may end up hurting, but we don't have a ton of financial commitments in 2020, so the overall risk is low. I think it's a win if we add any of these players, but if we have a choice, I'll take Gordon.

QUOTE (bschmaranz @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 01:32 PM) Still an upgrade over Avi. At the very least competition for a bench role.

Not looking good for the Royals. Spent years upon years getting to this point, only to see their reign on top quickly dissolve. Losing Gordon is the first domino and should really hurt. By 2018 they will have most likely lost a sizable chunk of their core. Caulfield must be in full-on panic mode right now.

Honestly, he might be a platoon option to pair with LaRoche. Small sample size, but he has put a 135 wRC+ against LHP over the span of several major league seasons.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 11:25 AM) That is actually a good point. I'd prefer to use L. Garcia as a bench player. He is also a switch hitter, and can play SS, 2ND and CF. As is the case with Avi, I would rather see Sanchez playing everyday at AAA, than sitting on the bench. After all, he is even younger than Avi. With Lawrie at 2ND, Carlos is not going to get very much playing time. Luery Garcia is a horrible offensive player and an overrated defender. I want him nowhere near the Sox next year. Sanchez is a perfect reserve infielder and that's what he's going to be in 2016 & long-term. I'm not sure why people think he can't play 3B & even SS occasionally. His arm may not be ideal, but it's good enough for a backup role. And he played both of these positions in the minors to some extent. In fact, he played a lot of 3B when he first came stateside. There's nothing more for him to accomplish in AAA, so he might as well start to adjusting to his likely major league role.

QUOTE (bschmaranz @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 09:51 AM) I don't think Frazier needs help at third.... No really though, Melky in right is scary. Dude was barely decent in left. So was Avi. If my options are Melky in RF & LaRoche at DH or Avi in RF & Melky at DH, I'm 100% picking the former because there is much offensive upside with the same amount of defensive liability. Avi Garcia is simply not a good baseball and can't be counted on for a regular role on a team serious about contending.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 08:14 AM) Hahn already tipped his intentions to rid the roster of La Roche. A willingness to eat 3/4 of his remaining contract is a pretty strong indication that they want him gone. It also appears that they are not ready to give up on Avi. If they can clear the DH spot for Melky, then it makes sense that they would acquire Gordon. He would take Melky's place in LF and Avi would stay in RF. It helps the lineup, as Melky is probably the best 2 hole hitter on the roster. But if he hits second, and La Roche is gone, they have no LH bats to break up the 3 through 7 hitters. Gordon provides that, and balances the line up. He also adds the OBP that Cespedes doesn't, and will require fewer years and less money than Upton, or Cespedes. I see the lineup vs. RHP like this: CF Eaton DH Melky 1B Abreu LF Gordon 3B Frazier 2B Lawrie RF Avi C Avila SS Saladino Like it, or not, I think that's what is coming. I can't see this team spending $20M per on Alex Gordon (on top of Frazier & Lawrie moves) only to trot Avi's useless ass out in RF on a daily basis. Maybe as a part of a platoon, but not as the everyday starter. Until you get that RF upgrade, you're better off with Melky in RF & an LaRoche/Avi platoon at DH. And if you add Gordon, he should definitely bat second where his on-base skills can be maximized. 1. Eaton, CF 2. Gordon, LF 3. Abreu, 1B 4. Frazier, 3B 5. Cabrera, 3B 6. Lawrie, 2B 7. LaRoche/Avi, DH 8. Saladino, SS 9. Avila/Navarro, C

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 12:59 PM) Not sure that's as egregious as some of the others, but still an unnecessary death. I'm not sure why that cop pulled his gun to begin with being in such close proximity to his partner. He created the fear that Aguilar will grab it during the tussle, which then "justifies" in his mind the need to shoot. The other side of this, of course, is why the hell is this guy resisting so much. At some point people need to learn that cops are going to get the benefit of the doubt in that situation, so why go there? You're not going to win, and the worst case scenario is you creating a situation where the cop feels justified in shooting you out of fear. Stupid all the way around IMO. While I agree with your second paragraph, that's clear cut murder right there.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 03:55 PM) Honestly, Gordon to the White Sox doesn't happen because we are never on the right side of the ledger in these deals where we add and subtract from a divisional foe... 2003 Kenny Rogers cheaply to the Twins, Sox have no fifth starter and fall short 2010 Thome to the Twins, Kotsay/A. Jones to the Sox Miguel Cabrera to Detroit because of better minor league talent in Maybin and Miller at time of trade 2011 Dunn to the White Sox, Victor Martinez to the Tigers That's three White Six playoff teams alone (2003/2010/2012) and the likelihood of even more with Miggy Cabrera in the fold that whole time. See below. You could make the same arguments even about last year...had the White Sox brought in Morales instead of LaRoche, C.Young/Madson/Volquez/Cueto instead of Shark, Robertson and Duke...Zobrist over Cabrera. Granted, the Royals were willing to sacrifice much of their farm in the process, as they didn't pick up any of the two month remaining salaries for Cue-to and Zobrist. I can't think of any time predating 2000 where we hurt a divisional foe and helped ourselves simultaneously. Guess it has to happen someday, right? Dude, you are really started to reach. It must really break your heart having imagine Gordon on the Sox.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 03:51 PM) That article estimates Gordon's contract to be 5 years at $108M, that feels way too high. That's not what the author expects him to get, it's an estimated "fair" contract based on expected production. His point is any contract below 5/$108M would provide surplus value based on his forecasts.

I asked before, but why can't Gordon play RF? I know he's been almost exclusively in LF, but is something that prevents him from playing RF? I hate the idea of Melky or Avi getting regular playing time there.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 08:30 AM) Phil Rogers on MLBN suggesting Sox trade Robertson to fit one of the major OFs. I would hate that, this team can't afford to give up Robertson IMO. If you makes Jones the closer, everyone is forced to move up a spot and the entire pen is weaker as a result. The Sox need to find a way to add one of the big OFs without hurting the major league roster.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 07:54 PM) Interesting in that the Sox have been eerily quiet. Gordon's LHB, defense and potential contract could be a fit with what the Sox are looking for. If Gordon's defensive skills diminish at some point, he could move to 1B or DH. I still have a difficult time believing the Sox are seriously in on Cespedes and Upton due to the money and length of contracts they are suspected to get. The rumor of making a push for Gordon has a certain White Sox feel to it. For now, I take it with a grain of salt until more stuff comes to light. Still interesting nonetheless. I'm sorry, but you don't go from being one best defensive OFs in baseball to a 1B/DH. There is so much room in between, it simply won't happen. And if for some reason you think it's a possibility, then don't sign the guy because he likely won't be a good 1B/DH if his defense (and athleticism) were to suddenly dissapear.

Dumb question, but what prevents Gordon from playing RF? Doesn't he have a great arm?

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 12:58 PM) Honestly, I would be content with this lineup Eaton (CF) Melky (LF) Abreu (1B) FA Acquisition (RF) Frazier (3B) Lawrie (2B) LaRoche/Garcia (DH) Navarro/Avila © Saladino (SS) with the bench being Shuck, LaRoche/Garcia, Avila/Navarro, and Sanchez. Who is the backup CF?

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 12:56 PM) I have a feeling the Sox dont sign any of these big three. I predict them to pretty much stay put where they are at in payroll right now (outside of signing a cheap SS option and other odds and ends) and see how the team plays with the option to rebuild come the middle of summer or add a big name at that time depending on how they are producing. Why do you think this? Recent Hahn interviews suggest they aren't done fixing the offense and that RF is an upgrade spot, and multiple baseball insiders have suggested the Sox are actively pursuing the high-end OFs. I would be shocked if they didn't add at least one more significant piece, with one of the big three OFs being the likely player.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 12:53 PM) And they shouldn't. A team with the Sox payroll can't add two more expensive outfielders when you already have the money invested in Melky (plus have Eaton). I personally think we are golden if we get one outfielder. Might like an upgrade in the rotation / pen, but the lineup would look nice. LaRoche/Avi can platoon at DH (with Melky ocassionally playing their as well)....plus you have Shuck who can bring some plus defense and solid offense off the bench. Sanchez as the super sub and either Saladino or Ramirez at SS. Shuck brings plus defense? I guess I didn't see that when watching him play (actually looked bad to me) and I don't believe advanced metrics liked his defense very much either. His bat is solid for a bench guy, but he might be the most overrated player on this site. Some posters have talked about giving him regular playing time, which would be beyond disastrous.

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 08:42 AM) .225, 4HR, 172B, 35RBI. I think he plays maybe 100-120 games at SS. Sanchez filling 40-60, and Sanchez filling in 20-40 at 2B, so essentially playing half the games somewhere. Sanchez line: .270, 4HR, 172B, 35rbi basically what I'm saying is Sanchez is better, will win some time at SS, but ultimately wont be as strong as a defender. I think he'll win week stretches when his bat is hot where he starts 6 of 7 games though. The only thing Sanchez does better than Saladino as a hitter in make more contact. Tyler will draw significantly more walks, has more power, and is a far better base-stealer. If each were given a full season of at-bats, I fully expect Saladino to put up the superior offensive season.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 20, 2015 -> 08:46 AM) The problem with these guys is none give the indication that they will be consistent for the duration or most of the duration of the contract. Gordon seems like he would be the best, but he's not the "slugger" for which Kenny Williams is on his eternal sojourn. (don't remind Kenny that to win the WS he dumped a slugger and shored-up OF defense). Dude, you are beyond delusional. The 2005 White Sox had solid power or better at almost all positions and hit 200 HRs. I'm not sure how comparing those teams or players are relevant at all.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 11:25 PM) No doubt they are low on cash but in their eyes they are close to being a WS team so I'm guessing they go for it. The Sox are currently at their speculated limit and coming off a down season with bad attendance, yet are rumored to be interested in Upton and Cespedes. When the Sox and cubs front offices say they are out of money or at their limits, I take it with a grain of salt. As for Schwarber. The cubs have said they are considering moving him back to catcher. Otherwise they leave him in LF, stick with their plan of Heyward in CF and move Solar for a pitcher and play Gordon in RF. The Cubs have the largest debt load in baseball and are owned by a group of trust fund babies. While they'll very likely have a larger payroll, they have much less flexibility than us. When they reach their budget, they pretty much have to stop. On the other hand, Reinsdorf's group is able to expand payroll if needed as they can go into the red if they like. Obviously none of us know either team's budget for 2016, but everything in the media (including Theo's interview today) suggests the Cubs are done with big ticket items.