Chicago White Sox

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.

I also don’t see the logic in trading for relievers when the relief market should be suppressed this offseason.

They have like 12 guys under control for like $143M and then a bunch of pre-arb guys, so all-in they are probably in the $150Ms from what I can gather. Add in all the other things (player benefits, minor league contracts) and they should be ~$40M shy of the competitive balance tax threshold of $210M. That’s important to note as the Angels haven’t paid a luxury-type tax since 2004 and I seriously doubt they do so this year. Pitching is what they need though and they could squeeze a $30Mish AAV in there, but it would greatly their reduce ability to improve their bullpen or add to their bench. That would also reflect a payroll increase and all we know is Moreno said the payroll will not decrease next year. One other wild card is some past beef between Bauer and the Angels pitching coach from their Indians days. Doubt that is a deal breaker for the Angels, but Bauer’s personality could be a turnoff for some clubs.

Or that CLE would have the ability to take on Keuchel’s contract.

And it’s just a nonsensical trade proposal for so many reasons.

We know we pursued him heavily at the trade deadline and are likely still pursuing him right now, so it feels like an official thread is warranted. Also, I just came across a random Bleacher Report article speculating on potential prices for Lance. For the White Sox, this is the package they came up with: Jonathan Stiever Gavin Sheets Tyler Johnson To me that’s an absolute no-brainer for us. I really like Stiever, but he’s easily the most expandable prospect who might be able to headline a trade like this. And honestly, I’d much rather trade these pieces for Lance than give up Kopech or Vaughn for Snell. What do you guys think? Are you interested in Lynn? Would you do the proposed deal? https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2920427-yankees-and-the-top-landing-spots-trade-packages-for-rangers-sp-lance-lynn.amp.html

Of course it can be. The Cubs broke the curse and part of the allure is over for them. Given the shit-show that is Chicago sports right now and how likable our players are, the Sox have a chance to be the city’s team.

People who are saying he’s a top 2 catcher (and to be clear, I have not said this) are considering both his offense and defense. Some of you might not like his hitting profile, but he’s without question one of the best offensive catchers in the game. He’s also one of the best framers. Yes, there are parts of his defensive game that are below average, but I 100% believe people are overreacting to a handful of dumb plays when they make statements like this. I watched most games and shook my head a few times, but he’s not this butcher that people are making him out to be. And yes, I fully acknowledge that McCann probably calls a better game, but I don’t think that means all our pitchers despise throwing to him.

https://sabr.org/latest/lynch-pitch-framing-measures-added-to-baseball-reference-com/

The Reds are going to want legit pieces if they move Gray. I’d wager Cease, Heuer, plus another interesting piece is the least they’d consider.

I’m saying hypothetically...obviously Reinsdorf is the great equalizer and the reason I’m voicing my frustrations in the first place. It’s one thing to lose out on free agents to teams like the Yankees & Dodgers, whose revenue exceeds our own by hundreds of millions of dollars. It’s completely different when you’re talking about mid market franchises like the fucking Padres. We’re in the third biggest market, with a talented, likeable, cost-controlled core in place, whose geographic rival who has had a grip on the city for two plus decades is starting to go backwards. Now is the time to pounce, add those missing last few pieces via free agency, build yourself into a legit World Series contender, and potentially make this a White Sox city for years to come. Unfortunately for us, Jerry is a risk-adverse coward who refuses to invest in his product until he’s certain the revenue will be there to prevent any short-term losses.

Angels sure, but don’t buy the Yankees as serious pursuers. No reason we shouldn’t be able to play with the fucking Padres.