Chicago White Sox

Sounds like Burdi is completely heathy, still unsure where his stuff is at though. Hansen has been a ghost as of late. He had some sort of arm or shoulder soreness earlier in camp, but haven’t heard a lick since.

Again, you are arguing we plan on supporting a $50M payroll next year and that’s not happening. The Sox will add free agents next offseason. Will they add the under 30 guys we all desire? Probably not, but they will most definitely be active and sign at least one guys on the JDM, Goldschmidt, Bumgarner level. I fully expect multiple signings like that, because I won’t guarantee it.

They didn’t want him, Dunning, or Hansen in major league camp, so I’m guessing we won’t be seeing much of them.

No fucking way in hell Nova or Santana are around next year. Between Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Kopech, Cease, & Dunning we have six young starters in place. They will look to add a guy that can anchor the top of the rotation and not some over 30’s innings eater type. As for Alonso, the only chance he’s around in 2020 is if he suddenly regains his 2017 1H form. Otherwise, he will be long gone. And I will guarantee we add at least one free agent on the level of JD Martinez, Goldschmidt, or Bumgarner. Just because these clowns weren’t willing to go 10 years for Machado doesn’t mean we’ll rock a $50M payroll in 2020. And no idea what the third statement has anything to do with our ability or plans to add via free agency in 2020.

His argument was about retaining the core 9 & 10 years from now. Let’s not over-exaggerate here and pretend he said something that he didn’t.

Caulfield, your second statement is beyond laughable and the first one borderlines on it. Unless the Sox are even more incompetent than we ever imagined, Alonso will be platooned and will miss that 550 target. He’s only hit that threshold once in the last six years and that was last year when he cleared it by a robust 24 plate appearances.

Trust me, I’m in full agreement here, I was just trying to be a bit more civil after my initial remarks.

Even if all those things happen, they will need to spend some serious money on free agents or risk having a sub $50M payroll. Although I have no idea how Nova, Santana, & Alonso have any impact on our 2020 roster.

I think Guyer platoons with Palka in LF and Rondon DHs against LHP. Alonso must have a platoon partner for him to avoid his 2020 salary becoming guaranteed and I really don’t see another option on the roster.

I don’t disagree with your views and my entire idea is centered around Justin not showing any signs of regression next year. If he does, then I probably would explore other options, although there really aren’t a ton of good ones. Like I have a really bad feeling we end up overpaying for Bumgarner. To me, that’s much scarier than gambling on Verlander’s age 37/38 seasons.

Unfortunately even a velocity improvement can’t change the fact he’s a total headcase. I haven’t given up on the kid, but I am far less optimistic than you are and don’t see TOR upside.

Just depends on the price. I was all for it when I thought we were getting Machado but it makes less sense now without out him. That being said, if we have any plans on competing in 2020, we’ll need at least one stop solution in the OF. If I can get him for Fulmer & Bummer, I do that in a heartbeat but admittedly I think Carson is basically a bust at this point.

Is this just your speculation or do you have reason to beleive talks are on-going?

No, I think he gets optioned at the end of spring training. I expect Palka, Engel, & Jay from left to right against RHP. I’m assuming Guyer goes in for Palka against LHP. Leury will probably take some at-bats away from Engel against LHP, but not expecting a straight platoon there.

Except for Guyer I agree.

I mean, that’s what it will likely cost on a short-term deal, at least for us. Not many ~7 win pitchers out there and I’m assuming he’ll push to break Greinke’s AAV record. I’m sure a team like the Yankees would happily pay close to that amount and we’d have top them to have any chance. What our alternatives for addressing for the top of the rotation? I think there is no chance in hell we go 7/$200M+ on Cole or Sale. Doesn’t leave a lot of options IMO unless you’re prepared to empty your prospect coffers to acquire one.

That’s just one example though. And the Red Sox already had rushed him to the majors, so I’m not sure sending him back to AA would have made much sense. I do agree he should have spent more time in AAA, but I think that falls more on KW & Hahn trying to quickly sell the rebuild than anything. Again, under Chris Getz we have been fairly conservative with assignments and promotions.

I don’t follow, are you questioning the dollar amount?

The problem with Fulmer is we changed his mechanics and never allowed him to work through them & actually dominate a level before promoting him. If you look at his stats after High A, he either struggled with his command or he failed to generate enough swing & misses. He probably busts regardless, but you just never know had we not rushed him in hopes of filling a major league need.

Here’s what I’d like to see the Sox do next offseason: Sign J.D. Martinez to 4/$96M deal Sign Verlander to 2/$74M deal Sign Grandal to 4/$60M deal Make QO to Abreu (he’ll accept) Trade Yolmer Sanchez to Dodgers for Joc Peterson Lineup: Madrigal, 2B Moncada, 3B# Martinez, DH Jimenez, LF Pederson, RF* Abreu, 1B Grandal, C# Anderson, SS Basabe, CF# Bench: IF: Rondon OF: Engel UT: Garcia# BC: Zavala Rotation: Verlander Rodon* Lopez Kopech Cease Bullpen: CL: Herrera SU: Burdi SU: Fry* MR: Hamilton MR: Frare* MR: Burr LR: Banuelos* I’m guessing the payroll after all these additions would be around $140M, so theoretically this should work. I also think this team can legitimately win the AL Central in 2020.

Fulmer is the shining example of our poor player development.

Lineup: Jay, RF* Moncada, 3B# Abreu, 1B Alonso, DH* Castillo, C Palka, LF* Anderson, SS Sanchez, 2B# Engel, CF Bench: IF: Rondon OF: Guyer UT: Garcia# BC: McCann Rotation: Rodon* Lopez Nova Giolito Banuelos* Bullpen: CL: Colome SU: Herrera SU: Fry* MR: Jones MR: Frare* MR: Hamilton LR: Covey

I think you’re overlooking that epic KW-Bryce head knod mid meeting. Dude was all in on the Sox if he had the money.

You mean during spring training games?

And it won’t get any better when you have to watch Jon Jay & Yonder Alonso in the starting lineup most days.