Chicago White Sox

Trump is such a fucking clown

It depends on the long-term budget. I would definitely take on Wheeler, but I’d want to make sure Jerry is willing to push this thing up to the $180M to $200M range if I’m taking on Harper as well.

Lol...good point!

No one was willing to pay Wheeler’s current contact last year except us and the Phillies, why are teams suddenly chomping at the bit to give up talent and absorb that contract in whole in the middle of an economic crisis?

I care about my team winning than carrying forward some petty grudge.

Except Darvish

That might be the worst trade in baseball history.

Agreed.

$24.1M per

That’s just a huge salary commitment that goes on for way too long. No doubt he’d be awesome for our window, but paying that contract in the second half of this decade could suck.

For the record, Wheeler has 4 years and $96.5M left on his deal, so effectively a $24.1M AAV. Given Harper’s no trade clause and McCutcheon being unreadable, Wheeler is without question the one piece they could move to quickly free up some payroll.

The best part is trading two free agents we signed just last offseason who both produced and helped lead us to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and then thinking that Realmuto is actually going to sign with us.

Yeah, I’m mostly in agreement there, and would definitely prioritize those top three guys assuming a lower acquisition cost.

Because he hates Grandal and every trade proposal must include his exit.

I see zero chance the Sox take on that contract which basically goes forever.

100% agree. In theory he shouldn’t be worth much more than what he’s getting paid short unless his performance profile has changed substantially (which I’d argue it hasn’t). To me, he’s the ideal target because his contract is just big enough where it’s hard for the Phillies to justify a blue chipper being included in return, unlike with Snell or Gray.

Who paid a price for it other than the GM, the manager, the bench coach, & Carlos Beltran?

I agree for the most part, but the Phillies seem to be crying poor and the article does speculate the return would be “measured”. If I can get him at a reasonable price, I’d be 100% all over this. If the Phillies are looking for premium young talent on top of his contract then I’d look elsewhere.

Very true and the Twitter “insiders” claim that Heuer was as good as gone at the deadline before some deal fell through. Whether true or not, I could definitely see the Sox dealing him or Foster as part of a package for a starter (would make sense in a Gray trade) and then replacing via free agency.

Because we need someone who “makes out from the left side” and who can play a capable RF at minimum?

Just to be clear, Bummer, Fry, Marshall, Heuer, & Foster are locks for the roster next year. If you assume an eight man bullpen that leaves three open spots for the likes of Cordero, Lopez, Johnson, Burdi, Lambert, and possibly Crochet. They will obviously add one proven reliever to be in the 8th inning or late mix, but I’m not sure they add two semi expensive relievers. I think it’s more likely they add a second starter who spends some time in the pen or pushes one of our young starters there.

To be clear, I’m only “ok” with this move if it means they were to invest heavily into pitching upgrades. For example, Bauer + Joc is a better use of limited funds than Springer + non Bauer free agent starter. Obviously I’m not expecting Jerry to do the right thing and sign Bauer, but from a theoretical perspective there is logic to a Joc move. That being said, if the Sox go cheap on pitching I’d hope / expect a serious pursuit of Springer and not just a token four year offer.

Great stuff. I’ve been on the Joc bandwagon for quite some time due to that 138 wRC+ against RHP across the 2018 & 2019 seasons. While it would be great to have a guy like Springer who can play everyday, there is real value in adding a guy like Joc on the cheap to serve as the strong side of a RF platoon. Do you have any sense of what it might take? For whatever reason 2/$20M is the figure I’ve got in my head.

Yeah, it seemed like Stiever had a ton of helium coming off the 2019 season and would probably be cracking top 100 lists right now if COVID-19 didn’t happen. Unfortunately I’m not sure his two start stint with the Sox did much to make up for a lack of proven production in the upper minors.

Seems like the Rangers need to adjust their expectations or they will be holding him to the deadline. I’m a huge Lance Lynn, but one year of him is not worth a top 50 or this case a top 20 prospect like Vaughn.