Chicago White Sox

No other team can offer the size of our metro market while having almost zero pressure to perform right away, outside of maybe the Angels. But it doesn’t matter because we are joke of an org and the dude won’t be signing with us.

I don’t disagree, but at the end of the day we’re a top 3 metro market, who can offer him a zero pressure environment where he can develop in the majors, and can provide him the opportunity of being the face of the franchise. We won’t get him because we have allowed ourselves to become a joke, but a competent owner and front office could at least squeak themselves into the mix here.

Crawford is an athlete right now who doesn’t run great routes and hits a lot of grounders, but also has great tools and held his own as a 20 year old in AA. He is still a work in progress, but I personally think the upside is worst the risk.

And yet Ohtani chose the Angels over the Dodgers in the same exact situation. I think the reality is this dude is passing over tens of millions of dollars by not waiting two years…his mindset is very different than the average MLBer. It’s really hard to predict what he will do, even if it’s incredibly unlikely he signs with us.

They would do it you’re saying? Would you do it though oldsox?

I’m probably bigger than most here on Crawford and it would be hard for me to say no. Doesn’t draw a ton of walks and is still a work in progress in CF, but has all the physical tools to be really good CF. Still only 20 years old and was fairly productive with the bat in AA. Abel is just a roll of the dice at this point, but could worth the gamble as project for Bannister.

I don’t think he’s a 50 FV guy at this point. Had a really rough 2024 season and would be more a buy low guy now.

Who here would do Crawford + Abel for Robert?

Who is the 50 FV guy in that deal?

God I hate Jerry so much. Can’t wait until we end up with a Stewart led ownership group somehow.

The difference is Robert has always been good prior to last season even when dealing with injuries. That’s not the case with Moncada, who also lost a lot of his power post COVID. They are very different situations to be honest.

Why is he a horrible fit for Wrigley?

I don’t think so. Robert is not a Soto / Tucker caliber hitter and is fundamentally lesser trade asset due to injuries and underperformance last year.

Paredes is a 3+ win player with three years of control…if they lose Tucker to free agency that alone will hurt. The prospects can probably be replaced to your point though.

Elias may be a prospect hugging b****, but pretending he isn’t one of the best GMs in baseball is pure insanity.

And Cubs better extend Tucker because that is a steep price

I’m not sure anyone has great intel on Roki’s thoughts yet except him or his agent.

Official per source

Tucker to the Cubs is done according to my buddy’s source in the Cubs front office.

Pitching depth is incredibly strong. Catching is a position of strength. Lots of 3B / 2B types now in the system. The OF group is very much lacking. SS & CF are both major weaknesses.

Mods - I thought trolling wasn’t allowed here

I will say this, if you can trade Robert to the Reds for a solid prospect package, you’re down to about $50M in payroll. That allows you to do some creative stuff via trade or free agency. I’d go use those saving and sign Jeff Hoffman. FG has him getting 3/$30M while MLBTR projects 4/$44M. I would split the difference and offer 3/$39M with an opt-out after year 2. However, the goal here would be to convert him back to a SP and hopefully turn him into a high-end trade asset. If that experience were to fail, then I’d put him into the closer role ahead of the deadline and still hope to cash in. It would be a small gamble, but I think one worth taking.

Robert does make a ton of sense for them. Plus for small market clubs like the Reds, you can’t really go out and buy potential stars. I could see a match here that works for both sides.

Coupe of interesting quotes from the Reds board: ”I’d be fine giving up one of Collier/Arroyo/Petty and one of Lewis/Stafura if that’s what it takes.” ”White Sox got an absolute haul for Crochet, I'm glad we didn't do anything at that price. Fortunately they didn't get a premier SS or SP, so the Arroyo/Petty offer should still be enticing for them.” ”After seeing the Crochet deal, I think the Reds would have to part with two of their top 10 prospects to get Roberts, Jr.” ”Id take Burns and Duno off the table. Pick any 2 prospects you want and I'll include Marte as a 3rd piece.” “Arroyo and Petty is a fair offer for Robert Jr IMO. One top 100 guy and another who will be there with a good start to 2025. Both are still really young at 21 and would fit the White Sox window when they are MLB ready in a year or two. If they expect more than that(like Lowder and Collier) they are going to be disappointed.”