Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Tony @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 07:25 PM) Sources: The talks between the Orioles and Dexter Fowler are about a deal in the range of $12m-$13 million annually, for 2 or 3 years. Per Buster. Again, if Fowler signs for 2/25, the Sox front office deserves EVERYTHING they get. I'm ok if they can get Jackson for a song, but passing on Fowler at that price to go with Avi would be an epic fail.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 07:13 PM) So much awesomeness in this post. Shocking to think Ventura and possibly Hahn will let their job fall on the shoulders of Avi and LaRoche. Honestly, that's the only reason I'm confident that Hahn will still add another OF. How many GMs that are serious about competing would actually enter the season with both Avi & LaRoche in their lineup with basically no competition? I know I wouldn't risk my job on that scenario and it seems like the majority of SoxTalk agrees. Hahn simply can't be that stupid.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 06:46 PM) the assets are the opportunity cost. You're spending money and a roster spot and basically giving up on what could be an asset in the future -- Avi -- and for what? You're giving up flexibility that could be used on a much better upgrade later on. You guys that are pining for Jackson -- have you watched him play since he left Detroit? He's on the wrong side of 30 and put up a whopping 1.7 bWAR last year. Steamer projects him for 1.1 fWAR. He's no great shakes and you're asking him to play RF mostly, where he's played a total of 22 games in his career. The upgrade to go get is Fowler. That is a clear upgrade. Jackson is not worth the opportunity cost. Jackson put up a 2.3 fWAR last year, while Avi put up a -1.1. That's a 3.4 fWAR differential, which is beyond substantial. I also think the Safeco is a plus, as plenty of guys have turned around after leaving Seattle. As for Jackson's role on the team, he'd be our CF with Eaton moving to RF. That's a significantly better defensive alignment than Cabrera-Eaton-Garcia. And I get you're an Avi fanboy, but there is nothing to suggest Avi will get materially better at this point in time. 1,100 career PA's and he's been worth a combined -1.9 fWAR, with no signs of improvement. We're talking about a a guy who is a horrific defender & poor base runner that also has no plate discipline. The odds of him ever hitting enough to account for his other shortcomings is incredibly small. You certaintly don't risk a legit shot at a division title over it. And I'm not even advocating dumping Avi, I'd like to see him as LaRoche's platoon partner and overall insurance policy at DH & LF.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 06:13 PM) I don't think it's the budget. I think they want to spend $9 million on the draft. Then they should go out and add Jackson. I'm not ready to pull my pitchfork out just yet, but there is absolutely no excuse for not adding another OF. It would be a sign that the front office is still high on Avi as an OF, which is an incredibly risky gamble to take given how winnable this division is this year. Hahn should be held accountable if Avi is given a starting role and he ends up being one of the primary reasons we miss the playoffs this year.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 10:08 PM) Soxtalk needs a rumor!!!! Please! Someone make a fake twitter account and say you saw someone at the airport coming to Chicago for a physical. Yes! I know fake twitter accounts are for scumbags! But do it for the sake of Soxtalk. The ends justify the means. I was literally going to post something like this. Has definitely been an ugly couple months for Soxtalk.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 01:38 PM) Sox payroll rank in MLB over the last 10 years: 2015: 15th 2014: 20th 2013: 8th 2012: 11th 2011: 5th 2010: 7th 2009: 12th 2008: 5th 2007: 5th 2006: 4th So that's only 1 year in the bottom half which was a rebuilding year, 6 times in the top 10 and 4 times in the top 5. Not bad for a team that struggles with attendance as much as the Sox do. I will be upset if the Sox don't spend money for another upgrade or two before Opening Day, but this idea that the Sox are cheap is exaggerated. This is a good post. The Sox certainly haven't been cheap since the Series, but it also shows they cut back significantly in recent years because of our semi retooling/rebuilding. Once you consider the $25M in additional national TV money that kicked in a few years back, I think it's fair to say there is still some money left in the cupboard. And I fully expect them to add one more 8 figure salary before spring training. Earlier this offseason I predicted a payroll of around $135M and if we add Fowler or Desmond that should be the case.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 14, 2016 -> 11:41 PM) $120 million is a lot of f***ing money. It's a pretty average amount and one that we surpassed as far back as the 2008 & 2011 seasons.

While I don't believe Nightengale's comment for a second, the Sox being out of money would prove this front office is incompetent.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 04:53 PM) Desmond is a better player than Fowler though. If I'm giving up the draft pick, I'd rather have the better player. I agree with this.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 07:30 AM) I think that if the Sox are going to sign Desmond and give up the pick, they would likely try to get 3 years at a reasonable price. I think you're right that he could slide into another position, but he has said (according to reports anyway) that he'd be willing play in the outfield. So he could possibly be playing in the outfield right away while the Sox stick with Saladino at SS. Possibly a more realistic scenario is the he plays SS and teh Sox use Saladino or Sanchez as part of a package to get an outfielder. I definitely think he would start the season as our SS, but if he can play a solid LF, he provides us with a significant amount of flexibility for our roster. Allows Saladino (or Anderson at some point) to slide into SS if Desmond is needed in the OF. If we go the Fowler route, we are riding & dying with Saladino at SS. There wouldn't be much of a backup plan.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 07:01 AM) Agree. What do you think a contract will be? I expect any contract to include an opt out after this season. I actually think the Sox see Desmond as a guy who could slide to another position once Anderson is ready, so I'm thinking they target a three year deal. I could something like 3/$42M getting it done.

QUOTE (SoxSteve @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 12:56 AM) Agree 100%. I don't get he fascination with him. It seems the masses just want to sign anyone. 180 strikeouts a year with below average defense. So your infield and outfield defense is worse than last year on a team that already plays bad D. No thanks. He was the one guy out of all the possible free agents that i didn't want. That and the Austin Jackson talk. Stay away from both. . Fowler, trade for Markaikas or go big and get Puig. I'd take Fowler or Markaikas and sacrifice Power for OBP. Just sayin. The problem with your argument is Desmond is not a below average defensive player. He's been pretty much average and when combined with his bat it's made him a top 5 SS prior to last season. Unless you believe his one bad half in the last four seasons, which happened to occur last year, is predictive of the player you'd be getting, signing Desmond to a reasonable contract could be the streal of the offseason. And no offense, but the Markakis idea is terrible. He is a bad defender with no power, who is being paid a lot of money. Yes we need more OBP, but he's the absolutely wrong guy to get.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 09:11 PM) Brian Bilek ‏@BrianBilek_ 5m5 minutes ago Nightengale is posturing on #WhiteSox behalf. Rinse and repeat. That tweet actually makes me more inclined to believe a deal is close. Interesting. Brian is spot-on. This stinks of the Sox being close and not wanting another to come in last minute with a topping offer.

As much as I'd love the Sox to add an OF like Jackson if they signed Desmond (Fowler won't be happening in that scenario as we won't punt two picks), my guess is that will be pushing the budget a bit. A guy like Jennings makes more sense financially and could probably be had for a reliever and fringe prospect.

If we do in fact add Desmond, we still need to add another OF to at least challenge Avi.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 05:53 PM) Sounds stupid but the fact that Hayes is confirming it & Merkin confirmed interest in both he & Fowler last night tells me that something is close. Agree, if the local beat writers are confirming stuff then things are coming to a conclusion.

Based on these tweets, I'm very confident either Desmond or Fowler will be a member of the Sox by the end of the weekend. My guess is Desmond.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 01:59 AM) Here's my prediction. 2016: Hillary Rodham Clinton (decides to use full name) 2020: Hillary Rodham Clinton. 2024: Chelsea Clinton 2028: Chelsea Clinton 2032: I have no idea. The troll is strong in this one.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Feb 10, 2016 -> 09:20 PM) All the team needs is for the Cubs or anyone else to sign Fowler. You'd really rather have Avi as your starting RF than lose a late 1st round pick?

QUOTE (Dunt @ Feb 10, 2016 -> 06:13 PM) The market played out so well for a potential steal combo of Desmond and Jackson, I can't believe the Sox haven't already jumped at the opportunity. That lineup would be pretty sweet: Eaton RF Cabrera LF Abreu 1B Frazier 3B LaRoche DH Desmond SS Lawrie 2B Avila C Jackson CF That would be the ideal scenario IMO.

Still think the Sox are higher on Desmond than Fowler based on all sorts of comments from SoxFest.

QUOTE (Saufley @ Feb 10, 2016 -> 08:02 AM) If the Sox sign someone for two years then that is the end of their three year window, that they gave themselves. If they don't make the playoffs with the 2016 & 2017 teams then maybe that would be the time to reconsider the future and how to rebuild. But what happens if they make the playoffs in 2017? They're pretty much f***ed then for 2018, which is Sale's second to last year of control.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Feb 10, 2016 -> 05:54 AM) Maybe finally things start moving this morning: Buster OlneyVerified account ‏@Buster_ESPN Executives believe it'll be very difficult for Dexter Fowler to get more than the 2-year, $20 million deal that Howie Kendrick got from LAD. If I'm giving up the pick, I want three years of control. Plus with Frazier, Lawrie, & Melky all scheduled to hit free agency after the 2017 season, not sure another player with two years of control is a great idea. Assuming we don't resign any of them, it's going be tough to replace all these guys in one offseason given how the market looks and our lack of positional talent.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Feb 9, 2016 -> 01:43 PM) Do not confuse risk with price. Risk =/= Price. They're associated, but you also have to factor in the likelihood of different levels of performance. A lottery ticket - a literal, actual lottery ticket - is high risk/high reward because even though it only costs a dollar, there is an overwhelmingly high chance of losing. The potential gain is great. Latos is closer to a lottery ticket than, I dunno, keeping your money under the mattress (which is low risk/low reward). Didn't mean to derail the thread, but I think the chances of Latos being a dud are greater than people are admitting. But the point is he's being paid to be a dud. Like caulfield said, Latos can literally be John Danks from last year and provide a return 4x his cost, with an upside for an even greater return (even if the odds are relatively small).

Guy on the Score just guessed Latos was 28. Edit: Whoops I meant he guessed 34.