Chicago White Sox

You know how much Hahn wants to say he checked that “$100M free agent box”. He tried last year with Wheeler and was the high bidder, but lost out for personal reasons. I still think there is at least enough ammo for one piece in the Springer price range, just got to hope Jerry is willing to risk a little short term pain from COVID for the long term gain. Logic dictates that Jerry doesn’t bring on La Russa without being prepared to spend some cash but obviously you never know with this guy.

Springer still plays a solid CF and would likely be fantastic in RF. That also allows Robert to cheat even further over to LF and greatly reduces the ground Eloy needs to cover. Outside of SP, where else do we need to use our financial resources? And if Reinsdorf says no to Bauer, what better way is there to spend this money?

100% agree. And 5/$125M (or less) would be an absolute steal for a free agent of his caliber. While Anthony Rendon is a better player, he got 7/$245M or a $35M AAV just last year. Yes, he’s 15 months younger but does he really warrant an AAV 40% higher than George? Honestly, in a normal environment I would be shocked to see Springer get at least 6/$165M and possibly more. Add in the cheating baggage with the Astros and we have an opportunity here where a legit star is available at a below market rate. Teams like the White Sox who are traditionally risk adverse to super long deals (especially with pitchers) need to take advantage of situations like this when they arise. RF is our last positional hole and we have a perfect free agent waiting to be scooped up. I really hope Hahn, KW, & Jerry find a way to get this done.

What’s not to like? Other than not being a lefty, which doesn’t matter when he’s elite against RHP, he marks off every box.

Springer?

I’ll be honest, some of these posts seem like an echo chamber to what we’re posting on here. In this case, the White Sox having an edge over the Blue Jays is something several of literally just posted. That being said, I do think the Mets prioritize Realmuto & pitching and go with a lesser CF option.

The Ricketts literally had to sell off equity stakes a few years back because of short-term cash flow concerns as they’re relying on the operating income from the team to pay off its massive debt load. In all honesty the Ricketts shouldn’t own a team because the vast majority of their wealth is from a trust fund. They also recently spent a millions buying out / building out Wrigleyville and that has been a huge cash suck for them due to the pandemic. They aren’t going under or anything, but the reality is their financial situation isn’t as rosy as you think it is and they are going to cut back on payroll this year accordingly.

I agree. Relievers are volatile, but I’d rather not give up Foster at this point in time unless part of a package for a controllable starting pitcher.

Exactly. Unknown location for 2021, currency volatility, and the fact that in outer years you’ll be playing in a foreign country all make it a less desirable destination than Chicago.

Let me ask you this James, do you believe our current offer is 4/$94M? If true, that doesn’t seem like that aggressive of an offer to me. Also, congrats on the birth of your son! Love the name as my second son happens to be named Bennett Jack. Hope you wife is doing well.

I disagree. It really depends on what the Mets decide to do. I think we can match Toronto from a financial standpoint and I’d argue we are a far more attractive destination outside of the wild card that is La Russa.

Kris Bryant’s wRC+ & fWAR by year: 2015: 136 / 6.1 2016: 148 / 7.9 2017: 147 / 6.7 2018: 125 / 2.3 2019: 135 / 4.8 2020: 76 / 0.5 Clearly 2020 is a huge outlier and a return to even his 2019 form would be worth well above his projected salary next year. The challenge is you just never know with injuries. I will also say the defensive metrics in RF don’t look too hot (SSS and possibly injury driven to some extent), which is something I had overlooked previously. Regardless, whoever trades for / signs Bryant could end up with the steal of the offseason.

Just curious if there is more context there.

Where is the original report from?

The Nats may have the worst farm system in all of baseball.

If you want to sign a stud free agent it will always be a year too long.

He’d never agree to a short-term extension.

I generally agree, but the Ricketts have real cash flow problems though because they are so over-levered.

That too.

I fully expect Springer to get at least 5/$110M and potentially up to 5/$125M. If these numbers are real, then either the Sox aren’t being nearly as aggressive as these “insiders” have implied or the Sox are once again going the cheap route a la Machado.

If they were to take on Heyward’s salary (which a I doubt), they wouldn’t cut him and then go sign Springer. You’re talking about $60M+ in salary to address SP2 & WR, which at that point why not just sign Bauer & Springer?

I’m sorry, but this entire concept is ridiculous:

Better than letting him walk for nothing though. I mean, they should fire Jed Hoyer on the spot if he ends up non-tendering Bryant when the Sox were willing to give up something.