Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 06:50 PM) Other than that, I'd rather see Sanchez traded than Semien 100% agree. Sanchez is a nice little prospect, but his upside is incredibly limited. Semien has a ton of potential with the bat, but I think his lack of loud tools causes some posters to sleep on him a bit. That and him being forced onto the major league roster last year before he was ready and struggling as a result. The kid outhit super prospect Joc Pederson in the Southern League in 2013 on his way to winning league MVP. Last year he was incredibly productive at AAA, which carried over into his second stint with the Sox last September. Marcus has pretty much dominated the upper level of the minors and deserves a legit shot at a starting job with the Sox. Giving Sanchez a starting job over Semien would be a huge mistake IMO.

QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 11:37 AM) Samardzija WAR by year: 0.5 -0.4 -0.5 0.6 2.8 2.6 4.1 This would be like trading for Gavin Floyd in 2010/11, except Floyd was better Come on dude, I think Shark is overrated to some extent, but including anything but his last three seasons is ridiculous. All those seasons prior to 2012 he was a reliever or they were partial seasons. He only has three seasons as a starter, two I'd consider good, one I'd consider great. If you trade for Shark the question is are you getting the 2014 version or not.

QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 11:37 AM) Samardzija WAR by year: 0.5 -0.4 -0.5 0.6 2.8 2.6 4.1 This would be like trading for Gavin Floyd in 2010/11, except Floyd was better Come on dude, I think Shark is overrated to some extent, but including anything but his last three seasons is ridiculous. All those seasons prior to 2012 he was a reliever or they were partial seasons. He only has three seasons as a starter, two I'd consider good, one I'd consider great. If you trade for Shark the question is are you getting the 2014 version or not.

If we're getting Shark & Upton, then we're giving up a f***ton more than just Anderson. And why would we empty half of our system to acquire two rentals? At least Shark is from the Chicagoland area and grew up a Sox fan. There's some chance he'd agree to extension here, the same can't be said for Upton. For better or worse, I think this Shark deal is really happening. But if more pieces are included it will be a guy like Reddick, not Upton.

If Anderson is involved, there better more pieces involved than just Shark.

QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 10:10 AM) Semien is at least an adequate defender around the infield and has the best offensive chops of any of our minor league infielders. The first rule of baseball is not to freak out over small MLB samples. I also have no clue where you get the idea that he's had BABIP-fueled MiLB stats. He's generally had fairly low BABIP numbers. He's a middle infielder with solid defensive skills, a great batting eye, production at high levels, and back-to-back 20 HR seasons between MiLB and MLB. That's a big deal. Yup, thank you for posting this. Agree completely. It's amazing how some people on this site overreact to Semien's numbers during his first with the Sox last year. Had Beckham been healthy to start the season, Marcus would have been in AAA where he belonged. Jumping to conclusions based on those numbers is incredibly short-sighted.

QUOTE (MDWhiteSoxFan @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 07:36 AM) You are aware that Chavez is 31 already? I don't think I want Smardjza, 1. I can't even spell his name without looking it up 2 He will likely cost to much in prospects 3. He'd cost to much to keep I like the player don't get me wrong, but not the price it will cost. This is how I feel too, but it really depends on the price and what a possible extension looks like. I'm 100% going the rental route unless it's for spare parts like Sanchez & Beck, which is not going to happen. Compensation picks are nice to have, but are multiple years away from being useful assets. And even if he's willing to agree to an extension, it's got to be something that makes sense for us. I'm talking something like 5/$80M, which I don't seem him accepting. Going above that in terms of years or AAV doesn't make a lot of sense for us. At that point, we might as well go after starters in free agency, because we're starting to approach their price range and they wouldn't cost the talent Shark will to acquire.

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 07:23 AM) If it happens, hoping for 3 way deal, otherwise we'd probably have to give up Micah Or Anderson, right? I think Semien is the guy they'd want. Major-league ready, high OBP/solid power, can play 2B or SS. Seems like a perfect Beane type player.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 12:34 AM) He'd be a trade candidate with the Sox too if he decides to test FA or draft pick if Sox offered him a QO upon keeping him the whole year. A rental pitcher isn't a terrible idea since Rodon and others are moving up. Shark isn't going to come cheap. I could see Beane considering a package built around Montas & Semien, but that's a hefty price to pay for a rental. Hell, I'm not sure I'd want to give up that much even if he'd agree to extension given how much money it will cost us. I'd rather pay more and get a cost-controlled asset, even if they come with less of a track record than Shark.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 06:47 AM) I'd much rather have McCarthy. I'm guessing McCarthy ends up getting a deal around 3/$39M, while Masterston gets something like 2/$20M. At those prices, I'll take Masterson in a heartbeat due to durability, age, and being a better fit for our ballpark.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 10:58 PM) Saladino isn't as good of a hitter but seems to have a much better ability to play SS. I like Semien shifting between 3b, DH, 2b, and a couple other spots next year, but we'll see. I like Semien being the starting 2B. Who do prefer over him in that role?

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 10:03 PM) I def think he got tired. It happens to a lot of guys. Conor is a nice option at 3B against RHP and he's cheap so unless he goes out in a trade that brings back more than a 2 WAR short stop or 3B that's also cheap doesn't make any sense to move him and or not play him. 3B is like 6th or 7th on the list of needs imo. I'd rank pen, starting, lf, 2b, and c ahead. Conor needs a platoon partner that man is Semian. I hope they bigger things planned for Semien than being the weak half of a 3B platoon. Give that role to Saladino.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 06:00 AM) Everyone has a price....even Chris Sale. The package would need to be in the range of Swihart, Bogarts, Ceccini, Betts, Owens and Ranaudo. And that just gets me to start thinking. I'd probably force Danks on them as well. If we trade Sale, then we're punting the 2015 & 2016 seasons. If that's the case, why would you care about John Danks' salary being on our books?

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 08:27 PM) Perhaps you're right, but we don't know that much about Diaz yet, nor the intentions of the front office. Moreover, the Sox probably need Semien to platoon with Gillaspie at 3RD. Honestly, I think Saldino will be Gillaspie's platoon partner. I think the Sox have much bigger plans for Semien than being the weak half of a 3B platoon.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 07:59 PM) I'm just curious. Have you read the all of the recent posts in this thread? Sanchez is far better suited for 2ND, and the Sox will likely need him there, as Micah Johnson is not a Major League defensive second baseman. Semien is not an acceptable MLB defensive SS. And Diaz is not an acceptable major leaguer starter. Defense is obviously important from the SS position, but not at the complete expense of offense. Don't let some PCL stats fool you, there's a reason Diaz was a minor league free agent and not on a team's 40 man roster. Also, where Carlos Sanchez is better suited doesn't matter if the alternative is Diaz being our starting SS. And I'm not yet convinced that Semien can't be a passable major league SS defensively. He only played three games there for us last year, but it's still his natural position. The Sox played him at 3B & 2B a lot last year because they wanted a way to get his bat into the lineup. Yes, he struggled last year at those less familiar positions, but that's not unusual for a young player who is still learning but also trying to make an impression. IMO, it seems like certain posters are overreacting to his high error totals and automatically assuming he's a bad defensive player. I think it's way too early to jump to that conclusion.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 07:54 PM) If Diaz is the starting shortstop at any point next season something went horribly wrong lol 100% agree. Maybe an infielder or two gets injured next year and Diaz becomes a reserve for us, but giving him a starting job!?! Wow is all I have to say.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 06:45 PM) I like Semien's bat potential but there's plenty left to prove yet. He had 10 errors in 33 games at third and 4 errors in 26 games at second for the Sox last year and as I said in an earlier post, Semien's track record as a SS in the minors show he's no SS either which explains why the Sox have tried to convert him to a second or third baseman. Semien is tolerable at second and I'm sure he would improve but if he cannot win the starting second baseman job in ST, the only options are to be a super sub for the Sox or go back to Charlotte. IMO, I think Semien ends up the odd man out and is traded before ST. Just a guess but second base comes down to a Sanchez/Johnson duel and short stop Saladino/ Diaz and likely Leury gets a look as well since he's so versatile defensively. I know this is not what Semien fans want to hear ( myself included) but this is how its starting to take shape. Semien is becoming a bat without a home on the field and if the Sox are going to be legit contenders they must improve defensively. Saladino vs. Diaz for the starting SS job?? Dude, it's not shaping up that way at all. Diaz was added for AAA depth, nothing more. Saladino projects as a useful utility guy once healthy. I seriously doubt Hahn considers either guy a starting caliber player. And I'd be completely shocked if Hahn preferred either guy as a temporary SS fill-in over Semien or Sanchez. In fact, if he's willing to deal Alexei after signing LaRoche, then I'm guessing he's confident one of Semien & Sanchez can handle the SS job. He's not going to give a AAAA player or a fringe prospect 600 plate appearances if they're trying to compete. And what track record are you referring to when you mention Semien's minor league SS defense?

The King of Sabes strikes again!

I hope to god Leury Garcia is not the regular SS if Alexei is moved. I don't care how good some of you think he is or might be defensively, he is absolutely dreadful with the bat. He should be in AAA next year getting consistent at-bats. Semien & Sanchez both provide superior short-term solutions at SS.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 03:18 PM) This move of acquiring Juan Diaz only increases the likelihood that there is something brewing with a Ramirez trade. The Sox have plenty of middle infielders, so this doesn't seem like an organizational roster fill in kind of move. The only thing that I can find about his defensive ability is that he has a strong arm, which is not surprising for a 6'4" SS. He could be the answer to the question; "Who fills the stop gap SS role until Tim Anderson is ready?" To reiterate; If he can play defense, and Kemp would be coming to the Sox in a trade centered around Alexei, I'd be thrilled. He wouldn't have to hit much with that lineup. Remember, this speculated move would not require the loss of a Draft pick. Moreover, if Diaz were to be the SS, his salary is inconsequential. I'm not sure why you're completely ignoring Semien, Sanchez, & Saladino. All three guys would get a crack at the SS job before Juan Diaz. Whether the Sox are trading Alexei or not, adding Diaz is purely a depth move for AAA. He will not be our everyday SS, it's almost as outlandish as thinking Rondon would be given the SS over three prospects that are major league ready.

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) I will say I'm just somewhat disappointed in that it seemed like this would be beginning of a new team strategy for using our position players. For first time since forever, the possibility that our DH could be switched among 11/12 position players could have happened rather than just having two 1B. In all likelihood finding a LH non 1b for this would have been extremely expensive. But, just feeling a bit of "more of this then, eh?" LaRoche was a top 35 hitter last year. I'd much rather use him as our primary DH than rotate a bunch below average hitters there. The rotating DH concept is nice in theory, but you really have to have the right guys in place for it to be effective.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 09:40 AM) I have advocated for Yasmani Grandal for a long time. He's available. The White Sox should trade for him. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/..._Mike_Petriello 100% agree. Grandal makes do much sense for us. No idea what he would cost though.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 07:59 AM) I think he was top 7 in the NL in HR, RBI and BB. Also, LaRoche's BB % of 14.0 ranked fourth in all of baseball last year, just ahead of Adam Dunn. However, LaRoche's K % was 18.4%, while Dunn's was 31.1%. Considering they had matching ISOs, despite Dunn having a massive home field edge, LaRoche is a clear and significant upgrade IMO.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Nov 22, 2014 -> 10:18 PM) I count approx $80 million if you include Viciedo. With 4 roster spots open- presumably an OF, SP, RP, and (backup) C. $75.6 if you don't include Viciedo. So assuming a $100M payroll and Viciedo is traded, we're right back at the $25M in available payroll that I mentioned earlier

Balta, I don't know what you're suggesting, but there is zero chance our payroll is below $90M this year.