Chicago White Sox

Dan Johnson non-tendered per the Score.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:41 AM) If Tyler Flowers is the starting catcher, the Sox just have to find a LH hitting backup, I don't care how they do it. I agree with you 100%. I just don't know what's out there at the moment.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:13 AM) Depends on who your other bench guys are. Assuming you carry Johnson and a backup C, with a 4 man bench, you have two guys to cover the OF and skill IF positions. If one of them is a guy like Lillibridge, then all you reall need is a CF backup and you're set. We already signed Wise for next year, so bringing back Johnson would only leave a reserve infielder and backup catcher left to find if we go with a 4 man bench. And quite frankly, in a perfect world our reserve infielder and backup catcher should be left-handed. That probably doesn't happen, but if it did, we'd have an all left-handed bench which is certainly not ideal. Regardless, Johnson just doesn't seem flexible enough to be part of a 4 man bench IMO.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 06:36 AM) This isn't really news. Floyd getting moved is not news, but potentially signing another starter is. I guess my question is what does this mean for the rest of the rotation? Let's say we sign Hochever to be our #5 starter, does Santiago start in AAA or go to our bullpen? Or maybe Hahn just wants to bring in another starter to add some general competition this spring, but it seems Axelrod would be perfectly capable of that. Needing to have 6 starters could also be a sign that Danks isn't progressing as quickly as expected or that Hahn has concerns that Quintana will regress next year.

While I'd like to keep Johnson for his left-handed bat, we obviously can't if we go with a four man bench like we typically have under KW in recent years. And personally I don't think a 5 man bench is needed in the AL. It will be interesting to see how Hahn handles the bench and if he possibly goes with five guys. Honestly, I never thought KW did a great job putting together a bench outside of a few specific years. Maybe Hahn will give it more thought and look for players with specific skillsets that complement the rest of the team.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 05:47 PM) This is definitely one of the more "WTF?" posts I've read in a while. What will it take for people to realize Greg is a troll. I mean he just recently ripped signing Dwayne Wise to be our 4th OF even though Wise was a favorite of his as recently as last year and overall he did fairly well. I'll give Greg some credit though, he's one committed troll and definitely puts a lot of time into this character he's created.

Beckham and Sanchez are natural 2B and should not be considered options at 3B. Unless some GM is willing to overpay for him, Beckham should get one last shot as our 2B. He'll be relatively affordable this year and at least provides great defense. I don't think he'll ever put it together offensively, but if he does he quickly becomes one of the best all-around 2B in Major League Baseball. That potential alone is worth one last shot. As for Sanchez, give him at least half a seasonat AAA and see what you got. Maybe he does well and pushes Beckham for the starting job. No matter what, he provides us with some IF insurance for 2013 while also allowing him more developmental time. I really see no reason to rush him, especially by playing him at a position he doesn't project well offensively at.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 08:07 AM) The problem with signing Youkilis to a 2 year deal is that the team still has a big money DH for the next 2 years, and thus Youk can't be moved there if he gets beaten up at 3rd...and if he does get beaten up, trading him basically = buying out whatever contract he has left. One of them could play first if Paulie isn't brought back.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 12:19 PM) It would make sense considering you aren't going to get what some think you can get for him. I'd dump him in a hearbeat. I would have felt similar about his value two days ago, but given that BJ Upton just got $15 million in free agency, Rios definitely has some value on the trade market. Nothing crazy but he should be at least worth a B-level prospect IMO.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 07:37 AM) That said, I think they'll go cheap at 3b, and possibly sign AJ. I think A.J. is as good as gone. I think he'll be a very effective player for another year or two, but given our payroll concerns, I'd rather allocate my resources elsewhere. Plus Flowers is a solid in-house replacement. 3B is the real concern and going cheap there shouldn't be an option. We really have no in-house candidates there, short of moving one of our 2B like Beckham or Sanchez, which doesn't make much sense IMO. Therefore, we should try to find a long-term solution for 3B and spend the young talent necessary to do so. If such a player is not available, then overpay Youkilis on a short-term deal. I jusr don't see how this team can compete without a legit 3B.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 06:57 AM) That sounds like the type of move I'm sort of expecting. My assumption is that this well liked player makes money and the move is meant to free up some payroll, but also provide a younger player in return. I do think Gavin Floyd is a player to be moved,but I'm not sure he's a well liked one :-) Exactly, I can't think of anyone else that's well liked who makes a lot of money. I guess Ramirez makes sense, but there is no obvious replacement, unless Hahn thinks Beckham can play SS.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 05:56 AM) Mostly. But I'm almost positive a trade of a well liked player will happen for what is going to be considered on here to be small returns. And then we'll wish it was quiet. You got a specific player in mind? Honestly, it almost sounds like you're referring to Paulie.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 28, 2012 -> 08:18 PM) The real question is once things start to heat up, are you going to be happy with the moves that happen? What are you implying?

Catchers also seem to take longer to develop with the bat, probably because they spend so much time working on their game calling and defensive responsibilities in the minors. Look at how much progress Flowers has made in those areas. I think given regular playing time, he will at least become an average offensive catcher and I think he has the potential to become much more. The real concern with him has always been and will always be contact, but as a catcher he can get away with a lower average if he can draw just enough walks and hit enough homers.

If the market really shrinks on Hamilton due to injury/health concerns, then I could see the White Sox making a play. Hamilton is the exact type of hitter we need and it's not like our system is abundent with left-handed hitting prospects. I seriously doubt it happens, but if $100 million/4 years would get a deal done, then I'd definitely do it. We can always move Rios and some combination of Floyd/Thornton/Crain for salary relief to make the financials work. Plus Konerko's contract is off the books after this season, so long-term this is less of an issue. Having said this, I'd be 100% against against a deal longer than 4 years and even $25 million/year is pushing it in terms of value. I just don't see how we fill our need for an impact left-handed bat without trading the farm and a Hamilton deal would be a risky, yet interesting alternative.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 21, 2012 -> 07:42 PM) As long as they have Mario, Zelda, metroid in their back pocket, Nintendo will continue to play as long as they want. People keep predicting flops, they keep on selling product. The exact reason I got one on launch day. I'd have to buy one eventually to play those 1st party games, so I figured I'd get one now. I do think there is a pretty big base of Nintendo gamers that will always support the company, but Nintendo is not flop proof IMO. The GamePad is pretty cool, but I want to see some truly unique experiences with it and that's going to have to come from Nintendo. 3rd parties are just going to port the s*** out of the system by adding touch screen gimmicks. Nintendo needs a Mario/Zelda/Metroid that does something incredible by next Christmas or the system is going to lose steam fast, especially with new consoles from Microsoft & Sony around the corner. What really scares me though is that it took Nintendo basically the life of the Wii system to create a game that could really showcase the potential of motion gaming (Skyward Sword), so god only knows how long before we see that killer app for the Wii U. Also, without a Wii Sports like title that caters to casual gamers, which Nintendoland won't do well enough IMO, Nintendo will lose a big chunk of their current market share.

How would a Dwayne Wise/Reed Johnson platoon in CF compare to De Aza's overall production? Obviously it's not ideal, but if De Aza can be used to get a young, cost-controlled 3B, then it's something worth considering IMO. I just think that Hahn is going to have to get creative to fill the black hole that is 3B and trading De Aza now would be doing so at his highest value. As for the Wise move itself, I don't see how anyone could complain. He's great 4th OF if used correctly and he came relatively cheap. Solid move by Hahn.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2012 -> 03:30 PM) Its reality. The core of the Tigers is way better than ours. They are a bigger payroll team, playing in a full ballpark, with an owner who doesn't care about profits. Sure the Sox could win next year, but the reality is that as it stands now, the Tigers are the huge favorites. As it stands, without a legitimate 3B, yes I definitely agree they're the clear favorites. As I said though, we have no idea what Hahn is planning and what he'll be able to accomplish this offseason. A couple big moves could sway things IMO. Also, I don't think Hunter & Martinez are automatic diffrence makers next year and the Tigers pitching staff could feel the effects of an extended playoff run. And let's never forgot how bad the Tigers' defense is. That won't be changing anytime soon and was the biggest reason for our team being able to compete with them last year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2012 -> 03:11 PM) Yeah, how'd that work out? We remained in first place until the final few weeks of the season, while you told us for nearly a year we had no chance to win the division. Just because we didn't ultimately win the division, doesn't mean we couldn't have. We were right there the entire season and my point still stands. The off-season has barely started and people can't wait to rule us out for next year already. Welcome to Soxtalk I guess! Why don't we wait and see what Hahn does before we hand the Tigers the 2013 AL Central Champions trophy. The Tigers have added a 37 year old OF and will get back a 34 year old DH coming off a nasty knee injury. IMO, Hunter & Martinez could help them or hurt them. It wouldn't be the first time baseball players have suddenly fallen off a cliff at those ages.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2012 -> 02:27 PM) No matter what they say, they aren't going to compete next year. Just like we had no chance of competing this year.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Nov 17, 2012 -> 12:10 PM) The Jays still have some talented prospects hanging around. Toronto needs another starting pitcher and relief depth. I wonder if they would do a deal centered around Floyd + Reed for Escobar + Sierra + pitching prospect(s). Picking up Yunel would give the Sox a lot of options. It would 1) help them move Alexei's contract if they could find a taker, 2) it would give them a 3B option just in case other ideas don't work out, and 3) it would give them another trade piece. Sierra would give the Sox more OF depth and would slot in somewhere this year either as a starter or backup depending on how the offseason goes. Unless something has changed, Yunel Escobar won't be on the Blue Jays much longer.

Honestly, I want to see Hector as the #5 starter and Flowers as our regular catcher. Use Floyd or Quintana to help fill the need at 3B or get a left-handed bat (ideally both). If Santiago falters so be it, we'd at least have Axelrod as insurance, but I really think Santiago has legitimate #3 starter potential. And I have no problem letting A.J. walk, as Flowers is already the superior defensive catcher and I think his bat will greatly improve with regular playing time, while A.J.'s is due for some serious regression. I actually think Flowers could be a more valuable player next year, before even accounting for salary.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Nov 15, 2012 -> 02:24 PM) I think if it were to happen it would have already...its been 6 or 7 years since he failed a drug test. The guy was only 20 years old experiencing extended time away from his family for the first time. First, Hamilton has a full-fledged babysitter with him at all times during the season. I'm guessing that's prevented some relapses over the past few years and it's going to be interesting to see what becomes of him when major league baseball no longer has a need for him. As for your second point, how was his situation that much different than most college freshmen (minus the $)? Maybe he was babied/restricted by his parents more than other kids growing up, but that doesn't excuse stupid decision-making that led to drug addiction. The onus falls on him and him alone.

Moving De Aza makes perfect sense IMO if you can use him to fill the need at 3B. His value is at an all-time high given his expected production vs his expected salary over the next three years. Four of our top 10 prospects are CFs plus we have Danks & Takate as plan Cs. If we move De Aza, we only need a stop-gap for a year, maybe two at the most. Sounds like CF is a need we could posibbly fill in free agency and at least much easier in the trade market than 3B. While I think De Aza is a very solid player, GMs overvalue leadoff hitters IMO and I think we'd get a great return on him, especially if that player can fill the gaping hole that is 3B.

I know I'm late to the party, but this is a fantastic move. A 1-2-3 of Sale, Peavy, & Danks, if healthy, can be one of the best in baseball over the next two or three seasons. I don't see how anyone could complain about the years or annual amount, as Peavy would have gotten way more in free agency and replacing him would have been a complete nightmare. With picking up Floyd's option, we actually have some SP depth for 2013 and could afford to trade an arm if the right deal came along. If I were GM, I'm out there shopping Quintana for a young, cost-controlled 3B. My guess is there won't be a match out there, but I'd have no problem having Santiago as our #5 starter next year if need be. Regardless, our SP is a great spot at this point.