Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 26, 2016 -> 07:58 AM) I'm surprised and disappointed at the absolute lack of rumors tying the Sox to any of the remaining players on the market by national writers. With SoxFest right around the corner, I would expect something to happen soon or not at all.

The Cubs have a very nice rotation, especially for the NL, but it's definitely high risk IMO. Arrieta had a 90 innings increase last year, which screams trouble. Lackey is 37 and his ERA was a good 0.8 runs lower than his FIP. Even Lester is due for some regression in the very near future. Even if their big 3 maintain their production for the most part, I have hard time arguing the Cubs have a better rotation than the Mets.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 11:36 PM) I'd be fine with Desmond and Austin Jackson. This is exactly what I'm hoping for at this point.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 07:50 PM) Was it? Jeez, the guy hit .370ish in two separate AAA stints. I'm sure the shoulder injury had long term effect. We'll see. Is batting average the only stat you care about? And I'm not sure an unsustainable AAA batting average really means much when said player has no plate discipline, is a horrible defender, & a dumb base runner.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 02:12 PM) I still think he's going to be out there day 1 starting with no real competition. As asinine as it is I think the Front Office still has quite a bit of hope that he's going to be a pretty good player. There's just too many issues in his game and almost no bright spots other than his age. I'm getting this same feeling and it's making me sick to my stomach. If he starts 2016 as our RF, then I want Rick Hahn to be accountable if/when he fails. You don't tell your fanbase you're serious about competing and then trot out one of the worst players in baseball last year at a position where numerous upgrades were available. Until Avi learns how to field & run, the chances of him becoming a productive OF are slim to none. And quite frankly, it's nearly impossible to coach up a lack of instincts & stupidity.

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 10:06 AM) Tim Anderson & Adam LaRoche for Carlos Gonzalez. Not to be a dick, but f*** no.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 09:54 AM) I don't think that's realistic either. Can't see them spending that much. What do you think these guys get? I think we could get Jackson for something like 2/$17M. Not sure how many years Desmond will want or get, but I don't see him getting more than a $15M AAV. If we structured right, both could be had for around $20M or so. Can't believe that's much more (if at all) than they were offering Cespedes.

I will say this, add Desmond & Jackson, and this offseason suddenly has shades of 2005 in terms of upgrading a ton of positions, many with value plays.

QUOTE (CyAcosta41 @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 09:17 AM) All true. But once they backed themselves into this corner, committed to a plan, you finish it. Too bad. All got crazy for the so-called Big Three. Fine. Take a pass. Don't be insane. But finish the job elsewhere. To me, this means Jackson/Desmond. Yep, lose a pick. One stinkin pick (out of the three important picks). Chances of getting value out of the J/D combo are a lot better than value from that second pick. Besides, finish this year's plan since we've already committed! 100% agree with this.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 22, 2016 -> 09:20 PM) Very comprehensive piece. Love how you pointed out how the defensive values are so weird and drawing too many conclusions about them is subjective. You didn't just pick a side you took the time to point out every angle. Very well written also . Must have proof read it thoroughly. Agree 100%. Excellent analysis.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 08:29 AM) Bruce Levine said this morning that the White Sox were in it until the $$ got crazy. He said they were never making Cespedes one of the highest paid OF's in the game. He said that expects something else because they need to finish the job. He's speculating about Colorado but that doesn't really make sense either. You can't be mad at them for missing out on Cespedes given the Mets offer. Having said that, I'll sure as s*** be pissed if they stand pat and enter 2016 with Avi in RF. At a bare minimum, we should add Jackson. I'm open to a trade if a better option exists, but the price has to be right. None of the three Colorado OFs make sense IMO, as they're all overrated or way too expensive. Plus Colorado seems unrealistic in their demands based on media reports. I also think after missing on the big 3 OFs, you got to use those resources to fill two holes. I don't care if that is a SP like Latos or Fister or going after Desmond for SS, our goal should be to reduce the number high-risk spots on the roster. And as much as I despise Avi right now, I do like him as an insurance policy for LaRoche at DH, which adding a legit starting OF allows us to (whether Avi is in AAA or on the bench).

The Sox should just offer 5/$110M with no deferred money and an opt-out after year 2. I really think he would accept that right now.

I haven't had a chance to post all day, but if we can't go 5/$110M for Cespedes, then our ownership group and/or front office should be completely embarrassed. That's a very fair deal for a player of his talent in today's free agent environment.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 21, 2016 -> 08:16 AM) Yes, but that's perhaps the only thing on the marketing department's side right now...claiming the Royals were lucky two seasons in a row is getting to be a more difficult sell. Are you literally insane? How many times have you suggested a marketing department could use advanced metrics as part of a sales pitch? I think you're up to five this offseason alone and every time you look more ridiculous when you say this s***.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 21, 2016 -> 06:59 AM) Altar... http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/01/20/forbes...-valuable-team/ Bulls worth $2.3 billion, third most valuable franchise in NBA. If you add up all the NFL teams, with the Rams now doubling in value and third highest after Cowboys and Pats...NFL is worth $64.85 billion. NBA at $37.65 billion. Last year, MLB was $36 billion and that will be updated by Forbes this spring so they will be ahead of the NBA but should jump to mid $40's in March. White Sox were 16th at $975 million. Combined White Sox and Bulls, would be one of the top six in the world along with Yankees, Man U, Real Madrid, Cowboys, Patriots...ahead of Knicks and Lakers. WTF dude, WTF...

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 10:49 PM) Our two catchers will remind nobody of Johnny Bench, that is for sure. Lol...well if your standard is Johnny Bench, then I'd argue 29 teams have black holes at catcher.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 10:45 PM) There's no way in hell, I repeat, Cespedes is going to take a 3 year deal in an offseason when all the "stars" are getting five minimum. No fricking way. We do need him, though. Only way ss and catcher can remain black holes in the lineup is if we add another monster bat (on paper). Plus Melky and LaRoche need to bounce back and Eaton needs to hit better from Day One and not wait 2 months, but that's another topic. Catcher is a black hole? You still can't comprehend how little catchers hit can you.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 08:56 PM) Well, if he's really 3/$40, and Cespedes is 5/$125, and we are unwilling to go more than 3 years, I really find it odd that we haven't signed Fowler yet. I don't believe for a second Cespedes will get 5/$125M. I think he'll be somewhere in the 5/$100M & 5/$110M range. As for Fowler, I think 3/$42M is his cap. On an AAV basis, you're talking about a $8M max difference. For that money, I'll easily take Cespedes. People are sleeping on his defense (playing CF has hurt his value) and the floor is provides. I feel confident we'd get a 3 WAR player with Cespedes with the upside for more. Guys like Fowler are dangerous because if they slip just a little (and as a poor defender, his value relies entirely on his bat), you're looking at a guy you no longer want to start but are stuck with because they make too much money (LaRoche is a perfect example).

QUOTE (Tony @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 08:15 PM) The Nightengale tweet should be very telling to anyone that has been following this situation closely. Please elaborate.

I'll just say this, if Cespedes signs a 4 year deal with another team and it's anyone but the Mets, this board will implode and Rick Hahn might get murdered at SoxFest. This late in the game, it's hard to believe this three year s*** is posturing.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 05:36 PM) DAMN YANKEES......................................... I think Steinbrenner is bluffing ?

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 06:49 PM) Game times came out today. 25 of the first 58 are day games. Good luck with that. Any idea how many day games there were in April & May last year? That seems like a ton and really, really sucks. I can't imagine the attendance is that much better for a weekday day game and the TV viewership has to totally suck.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 06:21 AM) Ratings is a percentage of households. Sox market is so huge, they are still pulling in more viewers than most teams. Yes, next deal won't be near what the Cubs get, but it will still be good. You're right about the amount of viewers we're pulling despite the low ratings. But my point is about potential, and if we're middle of the pack vs. dead last in ratings, we'll be pulling in significantly more viewers and geting significantly more value in our next TV deal. Therefore, the incentive to have an exciting, competitive team over the next few years should be clear as day for this ownership group and refusing to go into red for a few years to achieve that goal would be incredibly short-sighted an absolutely terrible business decision.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 09:44 PM) While what you say I mostly agree with, there is zero chance if the terms were s***ty that the White Sox would sign a long term deal, When I say s***ty, I simply mean not optimal. If we're still last in the league in local ratings, we're going to lose out on a lot of value in our next TV deal.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 09:40 PM) They "invested in the team" last year. How'd that work out? You really think they went into the red last year?