Chicago White Sox

Baez' power potential is unreal, the only thing that may hold him back is his ability to make contact against major league pitching. Don't get me wrong, he's obviously a top 10/20 prospect, but that's more based on his ceiling than floor. Guys that strike out in the 28 to 30% range in AA & AAA typically struggle in the pros. He's still so young that there's plenty of time to improve in that area, but he's far from a sure thing offensively and he doesn't have defense to fall back on either.

Cleto will have one dominant outing, we'll all get excited that he's actually been fixed, and then he'll proceed to walk 33% of the batters he faces.

Even if you gave Sierra the rest of August & September to start and he did well, would anyone here really want to bank on a two month sample and enter 2015 with him as one of our starting OFs? The way I see it, Eaton & Garcia are all but guaranteed two of the three OF spots. If we're serious about competing next year, we should be looking for an impact bat to fill that third spot, not a toolsy guy with unrealized upside. Sierra makes sense as a 4th OF and if someone were to go down with injury, that's his chance to prove himself in a greater role. I know I wouldn't want to be the GM that gave 600+ plate appearances to Sierra while trying to make the playoffs.

You always worry about the bullpen last. Yes, it needs to be addressed to some extent this offseason, but we also have bigger fish to fry if we want to be serious contenders.

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 09:29 PM) He'll be 26 in October. He's taking up space on the 40-man roster. time to buff up his resume and send him on his way. This is exactly it, if he doesn't show something in AAA, he's probably one of the first guys on the chopping block when roster spots are needed.

s***'s got real in this thread.

QUOTE (Pale Sox @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 08:35 PM) The Reed/Davidson trade was a good decision. Not every good decision becomes a good trade. That's baseball. Yup, people love ripping the trade in hindsight, but no one knew Conor Gillaspie would be this good. At the time getting a top 100 prospect that played 3B for an average at best closer was the right move. Our organization was preparing to retool with a small chance of winning in 2014 and had nothing in our system to help us anytime soon at the position. While I agree with Dick Allen that some posters hyped up his Reno stats way too much, he's still an incredibly talented prospect and had to the ability to be an above average contributor at a major position of need for us. The trade was a no-brainer regardless if Davidson develops or not.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) There's the man to fall on the sword after the disaster today. No corresponding move yet. What's sad is that there is not one logical callup candidate.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 05:01 PM) I'm waiting for Cooper to develop a pitcher again, as Q was the last person he helped develop into a starter. The Erik Johnson debacle was very disappointing. Something is clearly wrong with Johnson, can't really blame Cooper for that. The rest comes down to a lack of talent. This bullpen is filled with retreads, at least Petricka has developed nicely.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 04:53 PM) Since Coop came back the Sox have given up a ton of runs. Thiggy-time What's your beef with Cooper?

It really sucks that Beckham will be leading off the 8th and chances are very good that Abreu comes up bat with no one on base. I can't comprehend how Gordon is still our starting 2B let alone batting 2nd.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 04:40 PM) I can't believe people are trying to back up Dunn. And I can't believe people want him back next year. Who wants him back next year? Regardless, he is not the problem with our offense.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 04:09 PM) This bullpen plus Beckham and Dunn makes this team look horrible. Why we haven't replaced Beckham with just about anyone else is beyond me. Semien for Beckham Wilkins for Dunn Bullpen is pretty much unfixable at this point Semien for Beckham yes, Wilkins for Dunn no. Hopefully Linstrom helps the pen, although he wasn't very good before he got injured.

QUOTE (LDF @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 08:12 AM) then signing a honorary contract with cle, does he now work for them. Can't tell if serious...

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 10:12 PM) I know it's early but I so love that draft pick. Without a question a top 10 prospect and could be our top pitching prospect as soon as next year once Rodon graduates.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 02:18 PM) Eat something light now now to get your metabolism going, then go wild when you get there. All you can eat/drink made me engorge. Awesome. Do you know how early you can get there? Is it really 90 minutes before the first pitch?

Anyone been to the Scout Seats before? I'm going for the first time tonight and figured I'd see if there's anything important I should know in advance.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 10:13 AM) Hahn was on 670 this morning and said that it was for a long targeted player. He also said that it "could" be revisited in the offseason. I'm going with Yasmani Grandal. He was in the lineup and warming up and then was scratched for no reason. Sox have been interested in the past. Yup, I also think it was Grandal, with Viciedo likely the player we would have shipped out. Even if we had to include a decent prospect, that's a deal I make 10 out of 10 times.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 08:12 AM) Yelmison Peralta for AZL Sox: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 7 GO/0 FO Could be one to watch: Jay Hashop @sevenfuturehit · 10h B3: Yelmison Peralta takes over for Leesman, cranks consistent 95, freezes Day with a no-chance curve. Slinger. Quick worker. Fun to watch. $200k singing from 2012. It's really nice having the Latin American signings under Paddy finally make an impact stateside. I know most of these guys are huge long shots, but they offer infinitely more potential than the organizational types we've used in recent years to fill up large portions of our roster. The system is going to be a lot more fun to follow going forward.

From a rotation standpoint, I think we'll add one RH starter to slot before or after Quintana. As bad as Masterson has been, he seems like a guy who might take a short-term deal and hope for a rebound. That's the type of low risk move we should look into, assuming the more impactful free agent pitchers all command ridiculous contracts. I think an opening day 1-2-3-4 or Sale, Quintana, Masterson, & Danks is pretty decent. With any rebound from Justin, it's a rotation that can keep you afloat with a solid offense. As for the #5 spot, have Noesi compete with Johnson (hopefully an offseason fixes him) and see what you got. I think we should plan on Rodon assuming a rotation spot as soon as his service time needs are met so we get the extra half year out of him. Most likely he replaces Noesi/Johnson, but if one of those guys does well, then Danks is probably the odd man out. Regardless, once Rodon is up, the rotation has a chance to be very good next year, with guys like Montas & Danish likely at AA and only a year away.

Honestly, most of our "assets" will clear waivers or at least make it to a contender. Danks, Dunn, De Aza, & Beckham all should be movable in August if someone wants them. I think Viciedo is the one guy Hahn would consider moving that would likely get claimed by a non-contender. Doesn't seem like Hahn had any interest in moving Alexei.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 31, 2014 -> 09:36 PM) Why go old at the 4 and 5 spots in the lineup? Victor and Melky scare me moving forward. Melky will only be 30. Martinez is definitely old. What young guys would you reccomend?

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jul 31, 2014 -> 08:24 PM) I like all those moves but don't see how the tigers don't keep Martinez. Also I wonder If Grandals career can be resurrected , or was he just highly touted because of the ped? Any way you look at his number they are just awful lol Grandal is a tough one to figure out, but I'd be willing to gamble on him for a package of Davidson & Beck. Catcher is such a black hole for us and given that there won't be any quality free agents available, I think buying low on a guy like Grandal, who would have cost a king's ransom a year or two ago, is a smart play.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 31, 2014 -> 08:21 PM) Honestly I like that idea, but I have to wonder if he can be had that cheap. He's hitting like he did just before his PED bust and at only 30 you know some GM will offer him way more. He's actually hitting better away from his home band box in Toronto. I think most GMs will have some caution with Melky because of his prior PED bust, but you're right, it only takes one GM to do something stupid. Probably a bit unrealistic, but maybe he wants to hit free agency one more time at 33? Regardless, he's definitely the type of bat we should be looking to add.

1. Adam Eaton, CF 2. Marcus Semien, 2B 3. Jose Abreu, 1B 4. Victor Martinez, DH (2 years, $30M) 5. Melky Cabrera, LF (3 years, $39M) 6. Avisail Garcia, RF 7. Conor Gillaspie, 3B 8. Yasmani Grandal, C (acquired for Davidson & Beck) 9. Alexei Ramirez, SS