Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 07:19 AM) What? Who? I think he's referring to Ty Cobb. Regardless, being a scumbag off the field and cheating on the field are two completely different issues. IMO, outside of the most extreme cases, the Hall shouldn't concern themselves with character issues. Also, using steroids & HGH is a on a completely different level of cheating than using greenies. It's like comparing heroine to weed in terms of recreational drugs. And I'm not justifying the use of greenies either, but we can't go back in time and kick out everyone that ever used them (nor would we know). The HOF voters can try to right the ship now in terms of steroids when factual evidence is readily available. It's interesting to me that most of the people who are in favor of letting known PED users like Bonds & Clemens in grew up in the Steriod Era. If there was ever a time for GreenSox to call people hero-worshippers, now would be the time. And I say this as someone who also grew up in the era. These guys did some amazing stuff and nothing will ever be able to take that away from us, but to glorify known cheaters by electing them into the Hall is 100% wrong. Getting into the Hall of Fame is a big deal for these guys and those that were caught cheating in a significant way don't deserve that satisfaction.

Can I change my name to "John"?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 06:10 PM) Just to clarify, Melky signed a 3/42M contract that pays him 13M/14M/15M during those three years. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/...shtml#contracts If KC did actually offer Gordon 4/52M, that is a low-ball offer in that the annual value doesn't even meet Melky's. I'm not a fan of signing Gordon but he's definitely better and worth more than Melky. I think 4/72M is about what Gordon ends up with unless a team goes five years. Good catch. Still, it's an insulting offer to a guy who has been one of the best position players in baseball over the past few years. My guess is the Royals have come up from that number, but it's even remotely true, there should he a large gap between K.C. and other interested suitors. He's not going to take an 8 figure discount if the years are the same.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 06:04 PM) Worth noting how much you're doing the same thing I would be if I said how terrible he was in May - selectively including 1 month. OPS+ by month: Apr: 78 May: 48 June: 100 July: 185 Aug: 107 Sept: 88 On the whole season, his spectacular July balances out his terrible May, leaving him as an "average" hitter with a 100 OPS. That would be bad for a DH, it's weak for a corner OF, and if you throw in poor defense, well there you go. Lol...I saw this post coming a mile away. Unfortunately, you can't be objective with former roiders, so I'm not even going to waste my time. Regardless, I'm confident he will put numbers closer to his 2011 & 2014 seasons than his 2015 season next year. Guys have flukey months and if you watched him hit in May it wasn't the same Melky we've seen im recent years.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 05:25 PM) I think this is the key. How far over the KC offer are the sox willing to go? I have no doubt it will be more but how much? Well the rumor is the Royals offered around 4/$52M, so my guess is a lot more. The Sox just gave Melky $15M/per, don't see why they wouldn't be willing to give a much better player in Gordon close to $20M per over four seasons.

I was expecting something closer to his 2011 & 2014 seasons. The power numbers in particular were way down, especially when you consider his move to the Cell. As previous posters mentioned, his 2nd half is much closer to the player most of us were expecting.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 02:39 PM) Regarding Sanchez: http://www.liderendeportes.com/movil/detal...dNoticia=175700 " In fact, the absence of Sanchez in the semifinals is because the White Sox are very interested in the infielder is trained during the month of January as shortstop, and so it was told to La Guaira about two weeks ago. "We made ​​a proposal, both Carlos and to the White Sox, to at least partially train him throughout the month of January as shortstop, but Carlos preferred to follow a full-time program of preparation as a shortstop, " concluded Jose Antonio Herrera. " Pretty much confirms what we've heard about Sanchez and Saladino competing at SS in ST. And I'm a fan of that. We're better off having some competition than just handing Tyler the job.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 02:28 PM) since he was offered 200 million by other teams, he is taking less for a few years, in order to boost his value in 3 years to make more than the 200 guaranteed now. this will work out provide a) he continues to produce, b) he doesn't get hurt, c) there is a team willing to spend that much more on an older player. He is really betting on himself. I think I would have gone for the big money now, if the money is his only concern. He's not taking less now though. He's getting $78M over three years. Those other deals would have most likely been back loaded. He's making more now and later assuming no sudden drop off in performance over the next three years. If so, he loses roughly $16M or so in years 6 through 8 of his contract, which is significantly less than the potential payoff.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 02:23 PM) So, in other words, he signed this deal due to the opt outs not the most money in the deal. He signed it with the possibility of more money later not more money now. He's looking at $78M over three years ($26M AAV) then another $200M+ contract as a 29 year old free agent. If he gets hurt or his play suddenly falls off, he's guaranteed $184M over 8 years. He gave up roughly $16M in guaranteed money for the chance earn a ton more as a free agent in a few years. Like fathom said, he signed one of the most player friendly contracts of all time. Kudos to Theo for landing his guy, but Heyward took no discount.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 02:15 PM) Despite what the Chicago media likes to report, his contract is hardly a discount. He'll make way more money in the long run with the Cubs contract structure. Exactly. What's is AAV in the deal if he opts out after three years? And he'll most likely be looking at a $200M contract at that time from his next team. He didn't take a discount whatsoever, he simply took the over that maximized his potential earnings while also providing a nice security blanket if something went wrong for him.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 02:08 PM) So you're 100% confident Johnson and Saladino will keep their spots all season long then? Not at all, but I think Cespedes is significantly better than Parra and that Latos & Ramirez aren't sure things either. I'll happily take one impact player and two question marks than one mediocre played and two question marks with a bit more certainty.

QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:38 PM) Bridget Fonda was hotter than Uma Thurman. That's about it. This I can agree with.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:52 PM) Hasn't everyone said all along Desmond and Fowler were the two most likely candidates to go unsigned into the regular season due to the QO picks attached? Fine, just bring back Alexei Ramirez at that time. So in June, you'd have Ramirez, Latos and Parra or Cespedes. I'm also assuming at least one starting pitcher will miss time, so you avoid having to start Turner or Beck. I will 100% take Cespedes, E. Johnson, & Saladino over Parra, Latos, & Ramirez. Not even a debate for me.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:48 PM) I believe we end up with Gordon as well. I always thought the Cespedes stuff was to drive Gordon's price down. I don't think it has anything to do with driving down his price, but more of a way to say the Sox are not going to wait much longer. It should be pretty clear to everyone that Gordon wants to go back to K.C., but isn't willing to accept the garbage they're currently offering. My guess is he is sitting on several offers from the Sox/other teams and is most likely using them as leverage to get the Royals to increase their bid. I truly believe raBBit when he says the Sox prefer Gordon, but will be happy if they land any of the big 3. The worst case scenario is to waste too much time on Gordon and eventually miss out on Cespedes without something concrete in the works with the other two. Might as well throw some leaks out there about being close with Cespedes and see if that speeds up Gordon's decision-making process.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:15 PM) Sign Floyd to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training and Latos to a 1 year, $1.5 million deal with a crapload of incentives. There you go. Latos is going to get f***ton more guaranteed money than that. He put up a 3.72 FIP last year, someone will easily give him $8M+ on a one year deal.

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.