Chicago White Sox

I think it's very likely that we get a Johnson vs. Sanchez battle in spring training. And quite frankly, I think this is Johnson's job to lose. He has a chance to be a dynamic offensive player and offers plus range at 2B. He obviously has a ways to go on the defensive side of the ball, but the physical ability is there to be an above average defender and I think spending a year alongside Alexei could do him some good. I'd much rather roll the dice on Micah next year than give 600 plate appearances to Sanchez, who offers very limited upside with the bat. Carlos profiles much better as a reserve infielder and that's exactly how we should use him next year unless Johnson looks completely worthless in spring training.

No thanks on Carl Crawford, we don't need an over-paid, aging speedster. I'd much rather see a deal for Kemp, even if it costs us some prospects.

Him spending a full season in our bullpen is f***ing stupid. Dude needs to be building up innings, whether that's in AAA or the majors. Hopefully this is just some posturing as we attempt to move Danks.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 01:10 AM) I'm pretty surprised Bassitt and Beck have any value tbh. Bassitt is coming off a strong AFL, so we're selling him at peak value IMO.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 01:01 AM) Not really, Bassitt has more value than both Thompson and Beck I agree with this. I've lost all faith in Thompson and Bassitt has a much better chance of being an impact reliever or back of the rotation starter than Beck IMO.

QUOTE (kev211 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 01:00 AM) @susanslusser: A third player also likely to be in that deal for Samardzija, source tells the Chronicle. So Bassitt, Semien, third player to #Athletics. Come on Susan, what kind of source do you have that only gives up 2/3 of a deal? f***ing ridiculous.

QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:57 AM) @susanslusser: Big-league source tells Chronicle: #Athletics to get RHP Chris Bassitt from #WhiteSox as well as infielder Marcus Semien (as expected). Wow, I was really looking forward to Bassitt in the pen eventually, but if this is the entire deal then I love it!

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:46 AM) Could be waiting to tell the players. Obviously shark had a good idea he was going but good chance the other 3 are in bed with no idea. It's just strange because Nightengale implied the deal had basically been agreed to days ago. Seems like there should have been plenty of time to tell these guys a deal was going down. I'm still guessing Beane needs to clear a roster spot before the trade can be official.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:43 AM) Dan Hayes has gotten much better on TV. Spoke confidently and competently for a national viewing. Yeah, he had a rough start in the Sox booth, but he's pretty decent now.

Are they really not going to announce the details tonight?

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:37 AM) Keep in mind too, with Sale and Q locked in to awesome deals, it's easier to stomach higher priced FA deals... We also have some sizable salaries coming off the books in the next two years between Danks, Alexei, & LaRoche ($40M), plus the corpse of Jeff Keppinger should finally be gone after this season.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:32 AM) I really think they want it to be Micah Johnson. I hope they find a decent righty utility guy to platoon with Conor. I really think Saladino gets that role.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:28 AM) Just to put it into text... 1.) Sale 2.) Samardzija 3.) Quintana 4.) Danks 5.) Noesi CL - Robertson SU - Duke SU - Petricka MR - Putnam MR- Webb MR - Surkamp MR - Guerra Fixed this for you.

QUOTE (Jake @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:22 AM) I really don't like giving up the presumptive MLB starting 2B for the next X years for one year of Samardzija. It's well-known, I suppose, that I just don't think Samardzija is that great. I hope the Sox see something in him that hasn't really been there in his past production, which wouldn't merit this kind of return for a one-year rental It's one year of Shark plus a comp pick or mutliple years of Shark if he agrees to an extension. If he's a 4 WAR pitcher going forward, this deal is a steal and I absolutely love Semien.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:20 AM) I will be pleasantly surprised if Danish isn't in it Yeah, any two prospects outside of the top 7 and I'll be ecstatic.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:17 AM) Unfortunately the report with Thompson/Beck in it seems fake. God damnit! Would have been an amazing deal for us. Hopefully whoever these other pieces are aren't significant.

Honestly, I was going to throw out this exact trade a couple hours ago. Thompson has a lot of traits that would be attractive to Billy and his defense could be very valuable in their park. Beck is a nearly major league ready arm and could fill a spot in the back of the rotation or pen at some point this season. Having said that; both Thompson & Beck are expendable to us IMO. Beane must really value Semien, because these are some light secondary pieces. This is an absolutely fantastic trade and worth the rental risk.

QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:08 AM) Phil Rogers going to be interviewed next on MLB, just had nightengale on Fill us in!!

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:00 AM) 46 million? Ew.. but it's a need. Yup, but if they get Shark and acquire an impact OF on top of LaRoche & Duke, then a legit closer was necessary.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Dec 8, 2014 -> 11:50 PM) Shark deal pretty much done before today. Bucket, what's the plan for LF?

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 8, 2014 -> 11:44 PM) Bye bye 2nd round draft pick. Hopefully we say goodbye to that 3rd round pick soon and sign Melky.

Hahn not f***ing around, he's making some serious moves. Glad I stayed up for this. Hopefully Shark news soon too.

https://mobile.twitter.com/BNightengale/sta...191431519969281

Nightengale just tweeted this. $40M deal.

What is the A's 40 man roster at and when is the rule 5 draft? I could see them needing to clear a spot to complete this trade.