Chicago White Sox

That’s your Reinsdorf going “all in” on a budget move right there. Might not be enough for the Pirates to hire but it’s at least an interesting way for us to fill a couple of holes with cost controlled players.

White Sox get: Joe Musgrove Bryan Reynolds Pirates get: Jared Kelley Jonathan Stiever Micker Adolfo James Beard

It’s absolute insanity that the Padres are involved and we wouldn’t be. Not doubting them after the Machado fiasco, but it truly is pathetic for Jerry to be this cheap.

Fully agree.

If Bauer is only getting something like 4/$140M we should be all over that. I know it’s a huge AAV ($10M than we offered Wheeler), but you erase most of the downside risk of paying top dollar for clear declining years. Honestly, if you told me right now I could have that and Joc on a 2/$20M deal but nothing else, I’d be more than 100% ok with that as our entire offseason. Bauer is a legit perfect free agent for us and it will be a shame if / when he goes elsewhere.

All of us would, the problem is Uncle Jerry probably doesn’t agree.

Agree with this. I’d happily sign guys like Paxton, Richards, & Kluber to one year deals, but not overly eager to sign Tanaka or Ororizzi to a multi-year deal.

But if Bauer is a no go, who do you sign?

I mean, he did pitch in spring training this year and all signs were positive. Maybe there is still some risk, but the vast majority of guys who get TJS come back stronger velocity wise and have minimal side effects. The fact he’s passed the velocity test should be considered promising.

Reading up on his injury history and really have no idea what he’d be worth. I knew he hadn’t pitched in some time, but that is a brutal stretch of injuries and there really aren’t any good comps. With no options left maybe they would be willing to throw him. Just crazy how he went from a Kopech type prospect to potentially nothing in a blink of an eye.

Good point.

Why is he more of a risk post TJS? He’s already shown his velocity is back.

Seems real light for the Rays if they’re throwing Honeywell in there.

That’s where Cheesy stole it from? Do you know what Bowden specifically said on the Podcast?

It’s an interesting idea to say the least. And while none of these guys are Vaughn caliber prospects, we do have four potential long-term 1B/DH guys on the 40 man roster in Collins, Mercedes, Burger, & Sheets that could potentially backfill the spot once Cruz is gone.

Warning - This is likely bullshit but for the sake of conversation:

This is a really good point.

Wow, I hope those guys aren’t really saying that.

Higher WAR based on what? Grandal put up more fWAR in 2019 than McCann did in 2019 & 2020 combined. If you’re looking at bWAR, then you’re completely ignoring framing which is a big piece of what Grandal brings to the table. And let’s not ignore the massive track record Yasmani has with the bat whereas James has only recently shown signs of being more than a platoon bat. It’s possible that McCann suddenly is a star hitter, but I’d wager lots of money he is line for some serious regression if used as a starting catcher.

Exactly. We know he calls a good game and handles the staff well, but he has some flaws defensively and the bat is still a huge question mark. I was a hater turned supporter, but some people here act like he’s a proven super-star

This is a laughable comparison.

What’s funny is there is some truth to this? Part of being a Cubs fan was the desire to be there when they finally ended the drought? Now that losing may not be so lovable and with a highly likable / competing Sox club (ignoring TLR), the sides could really shift in Chicago if the Ricketts aren’t careful.

That’s a fucking surprise

I’d think he’d be quite expense even when considering his age. I’d rather trade for a starter than burn prospect capital on a RF.

Lol...I’m the weirdo for misreading a post, whereas you have a perverse hatred of Nick Madrigal because he’s short.