Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 08:56 PM) Well, if he's really 3/$40, and Cespedes is 5/$125, and we are unwilling to go more than 3 years, I really find it odd that we haven't signed Fowler yet. I don't believe for a second Cespedes will get 5/$125M. I think he'll be somewhere in the 5/$100M & 5/$110M range. As for Fowler, I think 3/$42M is his cap. On an AAV basis, you're talking about a $8M max difference. For that money, I'll easily take Cespedes. People are sleeping on his defense (playing CF has hurt his value) and the floor is provides. I feel confident we'd get a 3 WAR player with Cespedes with the upside for more. Guys like Fowler are dangerous because if they slip just a little (and as a poor defender, his value relies entirely on his bat), you're looking at a guy you no longer want to start but are stuck with because they make too much money (LaRoche is a perfect example).

QUOTE (Tony @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 08:15 PM) The Nightengale tweet should be very telling to anyone that has been following this situation closely. Please elaborate.

I'll just say this, if Cespedes signs a 4 year deal with another team and it's anyone but the Mets, this board will implode and Rick Hahn might get murdered at SoxFest. This late in the game, it's hard to believe this three year s*** is posturing.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 05:36 PM) DAMN YANKEES......................................... I think Steinbrenner is bluffing ?

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 06:49 PM) Game times came out today. 25 of the first 58 are day games. Good luck with that. Any idea how many day games there were in April & May last year? That seems like a ton and really, really sucks. I can't imagine the attendance is that much better for a weekday day game and the TV viewership has to totally suck.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 06:21 AM) Ratings is a percentage of households. Sox market is so huge, they are still pulling in more viewers than most teams. Yes, next deal won't be near what the Cubs get, but it will still be good. You're right about the amount of viewers we're pulling despite the low ratings. But my point is about potential, and if we're middle of the pack vs. dead last in ratings, we'll be pulling in significantly more viewers and geting significantly more value in our next TV deal. Therefore, the incentive to have an exciting, competitive team over the next few years should be clear as day for this ownership group and refusing to go into red for a few years to achieve that goal would be incredibly short-sighted an absolutely terrible business decision.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 09:44 PM) While what you say I mostly agree with, there is zero chance if the terms were s***ty that the White Sox would sign a long term deal, When I say s***ty, I simply mean not optimal. If we're still last in the league in local ratings, we're going to lose out on a lot of value in our next TV deal.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 09:40 PM) They "invested in the team" last year. How'd that work out? You really think they went into the red last year?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 03:24 PM) Outside of MLB money, it all ties together. Less fans equals less ballpark revenue, less parking revenue, less concessions revenue, less interest in advertising both in the ballpark and on television... the team also has the lowest TV ratings in the game for anyone that is widely available on TV. It is far more than just attendance. I know you're the "blame the customer" guy, but your point on ratings is exactly why the Sox need to invest in the team and go into the red if needed. Our current TV deal expires in 2019 and if ratings to continue to suck, we're going to get a s***ty long-term TV deal. Therefore, there is every incentive in the world for Reinsdorf to spend some money and build some excitement for this team. The potential payoff in the long-run would be tenfold the likely short-term costs.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 10:12 AM) Surprised so many still think Garcia is going to start again. I think at worst Jackson will be there. I agree. I think you could probably get Jackson for 2/$18M, which wouldn't be a bad gamble as a last resort.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 12:33 PM) I agree. The thing that is funny is that whenever there's a report about another team being out (Tigers and Angels Luxury Tax Issues) everyone thinks it's total nonsense and doesn't believe it. But when someone says that the White Sox are only willing o go 3 years and low money, everyone takes it as gospel. It really is quite absurd. Yes, the organization hates all of us. They are being stupid on purpose. This place is a dumpster fire right now. The problem is this organization has a history of bizarre self-policies. Are you going to tell not going over slot for years wasn't stupid? I agree for the most part with you, I think there is definitely posturing going on, but a small part of me thinks there is truth to this three year nonsense and it continues to grow with each and every tweet.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 10:30 PM) Is it Hahn's fault if they aren't allowed to spend though? If he wasn't allowed to spend, then he should have taken advantage of the insane pitching market and rebuilt the organization. And I doubt Reinsdorf is putting a 3 year cap on free agent signings one offseason after we signed Robertson to a four year deal. I still believe this has all been posturing, but I'm quickly losing my optimism here.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 10:35 PM) This is a good point and that's why its tough. However, the point still remains do you sell out because of your reasons and maybe win a world series but then only make the playoffs once in the decade after the world series. This is what the complaints are now. If they went ahead and did it posters 10 years from now would be saying the same things you are. I just want the front office to pick a clear direction and stick with it. The Frazier trade in a vacuum is a great deal IMO, but not if it's our only big move. It simply doesn't move the needle enough in a tough division. I said at the beginning of the season we needed to add two impact bats or we should go the rebuild route. Without adding Cespedes (or a player of similar ability), we're once again half-assing it and hoping for too many things to go right in order to compete.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 10:07 PM) I agree. People complain about not building a consistent winner but then want them to sign long term deals that willbe awful in 3-4 years. Pick a lane. I prefer the patient uild the team through prudent trades and drafts. Dude, we have Sale & Abreu under control for four more years. We can't be overly patient and wait for all these prospects to fill holes because we don't have them in our system. And most draft picks take years before they contribute. The absolute worse thing we can do right now is waste more cost-controlled of our key players.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 10:08 PM) Well, Upton was the guy I wanted all along. Hurts doubly that he's filling a significant hole on a division competitor. Hurts triply that the contract terms are reasonable. For the first time, I'm really believing that the "three year" bulls*** is real. And it really sucks. If we don't end up with a significant upgrade in RF somehow, this will be the first time since Hahn took over that I legitimately think he f***ed up. This x1,000,000.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:56 PM) You mean like they did when they signed Joey Belle to the richest contract at that time. I believe it was 5/55. It worked out well. Are you really using an example from 19 years ago? And while Albert underperformed in his first season, he put up 9 WAR over his two seasons with us. Not exactly the disaster you are painting.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:44 PM) 6-125 for Upton. Yeah Sox aren't touching that for Cespedes Cespedes should get less than Upton, but I think 5/$100M becomes a realistic target for him and I don't see the Sox going five years.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:39 PM) When did Frazier suddenly become something to sneeze at? When we literally had 80% of our position players with negative WAR last year? Frazier is awesome, but not nearly enough to get us where we need to be by himself, especially not in the AL Central where every other team has a chance.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:36 PM) Well Tigers will be tougher the next two years but after that they're completely f***ed. But hey, we got Todd Frazier & Brett Lawrie the next two years! We're more than good to go!

I think it will be Cespedes, but if not him then I'll go with Jackson.

Anyone play Rise of the Tomb Raider? Amazing how much it takes the best parts of Uncharted, but adds some open-world elements to the gameplay. One of the best games I've played in a while.

Fluff fluff fluff.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 05:52 PM) Nope and nowhere did I say that either. No one is taking what he says as gospel and I've been one to criticize Hayes on more than a few occasions. However, I think what Hayes said could have some truth considering the Sox have checked in on all three of Colorado's left handed outfielders, specifically CarGo for his left handed power. Anyone can look at the lineup and see the Sox power comes from the right side so looking for a LH outfielder with pop makes sense, not gospel. Misread your comment on Jackson, thought you were saying he'd outproduce Cespedes offensively in a smaller park. As for this left-handed OF talk, we know the Sox had/have interest in Cepsedes, Upton, & Fowler. Those are all right-handed OFs. The Sox are simply looking for an improvement over Avi. Worst case scenario they probably want a left-handed bat to platoon with Avi. Either way, you're overstating their interest in a left-handed OF.

This "don't pay for an outlier season" s*** is nonsense when it comes to Cespedes. We're talking about paying 3 to 4 WAR money for a guy who put a 6.7 WAR last year. As long as you get 3 to 4 WAR production, which I feel confident about if we don't have to hurt his value by playing in CF, then it's a pretty fair deal. And if somehow he produces at 80% of his 2015 level (possible when you look at his road splits), then the contract becomes a steal. I know Cespedes isn't a perfect player and definitely has some red flags, but we'd be insane to pass up the opportunity to sign this guy if his asking price ultimately falls into the 4/$80M range.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 05:34 PM) Because Jackson is right handed and the Sox are looking for a left handed outfielder. Also, the equivalent OF of the Lawrie trade would be cheaper than a FA veteran. I'm sorry, but didn't Dan Hayes simply say that's what he thought we might do? He's not cued into s***, so I would stop taking what he says as gospel. The Sox aren't going to limit themselves to left-handed OFs.