Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Con te Giolito @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 09:16 PM) The only reason Hahn hasn't been burned by refusing to back off what are surely ridiculous demands is because there are no other options out there. Trust me, if Houston or Pittsburgh could find a good lefty elsewhere they would've done that by now. They know they need to shore up their rotations if they want to seriously compete this year and they need to go after Q unless they are willing to deal with an even more ridiculously stubborn Rays front office. It was fine that Hahn started with a really high ask for Quintana but now its time to back off a little and meet these teams halfway. I dont understand the enthusiasm for waiting. That above dynamic that has bailed Hahn out will be gone soon, I really dont know what else to say to those who refuse to believe that. How long have you guys followed baseball? Have you ever seen a pitching market as barren as this one? It wont last, and if you think it will you are letting stubborness cloud your judgment. 100% agree with this.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 02:47 PM) With Kopech nipping at Fulmer's heels. I agree that offer is at least very intriguing. I doubt its been offered though. Rumor is the Astros offered Martes, Tucker, Paulino, & two other pieces for Archer. Paulino is probably more valuable than Reed at the moment, so I think the first three pieces are very doable. It's the fourth piece that could make or break it for Houston.

I'm going to keep saying it, but give me Martes, Tucker, Reed, plus one other piece. How much fun would this rotation be to follow in 2018? 1. Rodon 2. Giolito 3. Martes 4. Lopez 5. Fulmer

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 01:03 PM) His attitude wouldn't be a problem if he had a clean record. He was suspended for 50 games for a PED in 2015 and then missed time last year when he broke his hand on the face of a teammate. His off the field attitude is directly impacting his on the field performance as a pitcher. Seems like the fight wasn't his fault based on all publically available information.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/213682650/ri...-quintana-deal/ Nothing really new here, but between this article and Merkin's interview last night on WSCR, I gather that Hahn's demands have been ridiculously high and he now needs to determine what's really enough to move forward with a deal. Call it caving or whatever, but at some point you have to acknowledge that your current offers are likely close to market value and consider accepting one of them. That doesn't necessarily have to be now, but at some point the only thing that's going to get a team to budge (if they even will) is another team closing in on a deal like the Nationals with Sale. I do think with SoxFest 1 1/2 weeks away, we'll see some action very soon or else it indicates they plan on holding Q until the deadline.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 10:17 AM) https://twitter.com/coatesktbb/status/821389680507752448 Check the gun. Is this a dumb thing to do? https://twitter.com/BrandonOSports/status/821389615135358976 Seems pretty dumb to me, about the same level of stupidity as doing a back flip on live TV after being drafted but before signing a contract.

To me this is all very simple. Hahn is most likely demanding an "untouchable" from each team right now. So Bregman for Houston, Swanson for Altanta, Torres for New York, & Meadows for Pittsburgh. While I truly believe the Sox want to get a Quintana deal before spring training and will eventually accept a package without one of the untouchables mentioned above, they also know that they control the market and can take their sweet ass time in hopes of one of these teams getting desperate. That obviously hasn't happened yet and I think they're realizing they now need to move forward if the Levine leak is any indication. The Astros' leak IMO pretty clearly tells sellers (both the Sox & Rays) that Bregman is off limits, so either s*** or get off the pot. I really think we're approaching the finish line here. The Astros & Sox both want this deal to get done and I think the standoff is about to end with concessions on both sides.

QUOTE (Sleepy Harold @ Jan 16, 2017 -> 12:01 PM) Although not Q news, it is related. Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal now Sources: The #Astros, as they continue their search for a starting pitcher, have remained in contact with the #Athletics on Sonny Gray link I read this as the Astros wanting the Sox to know Bregman is off the table and they will move onto other options if they have to.

I don't know much about Acuna, but nothing I've read suggests his tools are anywhere close to Robles'. That's not to say he's a bad prospect, I just can't see the argument for him being headliner material. If a deal gets done with the Braves, it will definitely be Albies at the top of it.

Sounds like Bautista might be heading back to Toronto.

I think Quintana ultimately ends up on the Astros and I'm ok with that. I think Martes & Tucker as headliners is arguably as good as we're going to do if Torres/Frazier & Meadows are off limits. The other plus is the Astros have an incredibly deep system filled with interesting pitching & positional prospects that aren't too far off. Given that neither Martes or Tucker is close in value to Moncada, I think you can get two more quality pieces from them. One guy that should be expendable and makes a ton of sense for us is Reed. He's a perfect buy low candidate IMO, especially for a rebuilding team. After that, there are plenty of options to round out a deal. Such a trade might not have that blue chipper at the top, but it would provide a nice mix of quantity and quality.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 15, 2017 -> 07:31 PM) I really get the feeling that his ends before Soxfest. I agree...seems like something will go down in the next 7 to 10 days.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 15, 2017 -> 07:03 PM) That's the beauty of having a guy like Saladino is his versatility. He can man second until Moncada is ready. Not like Saladino will inhibit Moncada's eventual call up. That's what I would do. Give him two months at 2B and then reevaluate. Frazier should not be on this team come August, so worst case scenario you rotate Saladino around the field for 1 or 2 months until 3B opens up.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 15, 2017 -> 05:43 PM) If he hits 11 HR in 2/3 of a season that's one impressive power surge for him. He hit 8 HRs in about 1/2 a season last year, so I'm not sure why 11 in 2/3 of a season would be much of a power surge.

QUOTE (Con te Giolito @ Jan 15, 2017 -> 03:22 PM) I have really developed a love of the Braves position player prospects and the idea of getting two, perhaps even three, of them is something that (I hope) will take at least the inclusion of Meadows from the Pirates or Torres from the Yankees to beat. Which prospects are you referring to? I'm assuming Albies & Acura, but who else?

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 11:20 PM) The Switch looks like a complete joke. It's basically an Nvidia tablet for $100 more, with worse controllers and a non-replaceable battery. I have a feeling this might be the final nail in Nintendo's coffin. Totally disagree with you on the technology. Everything I've read is that this is a pretty sophisticated piece of equipment. I'm actually super excited about the hardware itself based on the initial impressions this week. It's everything else that Nintendo typically does that could cause this system to flop.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 11:48 AM) .000/.000/.000 I was leaning the non-tender way too, but with Coats gone I just don't know. Right now, Melky & Tilson (if healthy) are the only guarantees. Engel & May probably need more time in AAA regardless of how they look in spring training. Willy Garcia sucks so I'd be shocked if he made the team. That leaves two available spots between Liriano, Asche, & Avi Garcia. My guess is that Liriano & Avi win those spots. I can't think of anyone else that I'm missing. Leury Garcia could be in the OF mix as well, but I think he only makes the team as a super-sub type (and theoretical 5th OF). At this point, I think it's more and more likely that Avi Garcia is on our 25 man roster come opending day.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 04:57 PM) Other than Fisher/Call most likely being fourth OFers on a playoff roster, we're looking pretty good. Obviously, we've got the draft, more trades, FA's, international players, etc., to address those holes, too. Jones, Frazier, Jennings and Robertson all have varying degrees of value and can hopefully put up solid numbers in the first half. How old would Donaldson be again upon signing a multi-year deal? Donaldson would be 33 I believe, so obviously older than you'd ideally like. But he's so damn good right now that I'd expect him to remain a very good player throughout his mid 30s. And I think it's way too early to write off Fisher or Call as 4th OFs. Fisher's bat could very much play in LF and it remains to be seen if Call is given a chance to stick in CF. 2017 will be a big year for both of them as they'll finally start facing some more advanced pitching.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 04:36 PM) Besides Arrietta and maybe Duffy, who are the top of the rotation free agent starters available next year? Looks like a bunch of junk to me. I know Tanaka & Cueto can opt out of their contracts and they would be foolish not to if they have strong seasons next year.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 12:40 PM) That is the package I have been touting for awhile as making sense for each team. Astros get to keep Musgrove and only move prospects If you believe Reed is a legit bounce-back candidate, this trade sets up our lineup nicely. 1B: Reed 2B: Moncada SS: Anderson 3B: Donaldson (more realistic than Machado) LF: Fisher/Call CF: Basabe/Call RF: Tucker DH: Abreu C: Collins Even with the addition of a guy like Donaldson, we'd still have plenty of money to work with to plug other holes, most likely in the OF or at DH. And we'd add two more promising young starters to an organization that already includes Rodon, Giolito, Lopez, Fulmer, Kopech, Adams, Stephens, Hansen, & Dunning. Throw in Burdi and that's a f***ton of pitching talent.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 09:29 AM) This game just looks incredible Zelda and Mario both look incredible and appear to be catering to the hardcore fans. I wouldn't be surprised if these games end up being the best entries in their respective series. Little worried about the launch window lineup though. Zelda is a legit killer app and should consume a ton of time, but there isn't really much after that. I'm not sure what to make of 1, 2 Switch...would have made a lot more sense as a free pack in. Just doesn't seem like a game people will go out and buy on their own, not with a $50 price tag. And after that, you basically have Mario Kart Deluxe & Arms in April & May most likely. I'm guessing they have more games planned for summer, fall, & holiday, but those first few months will be pretty weak IMO.

I still think the Astros eventually bite. Martes, Tucker, Reed, & Perez would be a nice haul IMO.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 12, 2017 -> 09:18 PM) There isn't going to be be a better market for Quintana. You can't get better than being literally the only TOR pitcher available. The market may be scarce again someday, but Quintana will have less control then, and he can't realistically pitch better than he has been pitching. It's certainly possible for someone to pay more later, but it's not likely. That doesn't mean take a BS offer, but there is definitely real motivation to get the deal done this offseason if at all possible. 100% agree with this.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 12, 2017 -> 08:57 PM) 8 PM Pacific time is some bulls*** Bad time but should be worth it.

The Switch event tonight could be epic if some of the rumors are true.