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QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 19, 2014 -> 04:06 PM) I think Tyler Beede, at least in Kiley McDaniel's list, is being overlooked to an extent. I'd appreciate any ESPN insiders who could say where Beede ranked on Law's list. Rabbit, Keith Law put the first round draft prospects into tiers today. I'll copy and paste the first three tiers. Some players of interest...He doesn't appear to be as high on Trea Turner as others, and Gatewood in tier 2 was the highest I've seen him. Tier 1 Carlos Rodon, LHP | NC State You know you're a boss when you have your own tier. Rodon is far and away the best available player in this draft class, with a 70-grade fastball (on the 20-80 scouting scale) and at least a 70 slider, a track record of missing bats, and a pretty good swing too. The Astros aren't guaranteed to take him first overall, but they did buy four season tickets down in Raleigh, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say he's in their mix. Tier 2 Jeff Hoffman, RHP | East Carolina Tyler Kolek, RHP | Shepherd (Texas) HS Jacob Gatewood, SS | Clovis (Calif.) HS Alex Jackson, C/3B | Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego) Right now, this looks like the decision set for teams drafting second or third -- with the obvious, enormous, I-can't-emphasize-this-enough caveat that it's February and teams won't even think about limiting themselves to just a few names until we get to mid-May. Hoffman has one of the best fastballs among college starters and will show the necessary secondary stuff, but until the Cape Cod League last summer he didn't have any real history of success. Kolek is already massive at 6-foot-5 and roughly 250 pounds, but hit 100 mph last week with a better slider and curveball than he'd shown last summer; the Marlins pick second, and scouting director Stan Meek is a big fan of physical power arms like this. Gatewood is ahead of Jackson in the early going among prep bats; Gatewood has the power, but is now showing he can use the whole field instead of just trying to pull everything 500 feet, while Jackson appears to want to move off catcher, meaning his hit tool will have to carry him to stay in the top-five selections. Tier 3 Tyler Beede, RHP | Vanderbilt Sean Newcomb, LHP | Hartford Erick Fedde, RHP | UNLV Max Pentecost, C | Kennesaw State Trea Turner, SS | NC State Derek Fisher, OF | Virginia Brady Aiken, LHP | Cathedral Catholic HS (San Diego) Grant Holmes, RHP | Conway (S.C.) HS Justus Sheffield, LHP | Tullahoma (Tenn.) HS The six college players in this tier could all move up a tier with strong springs in which they address specific questions about their skill sets. Beede shows the stuff to be in the second tier but not the command, as does Newcomb, whereas Fedde has flashed that kind of stuff but needs to show it more consistently. Pentecost -- no relation to Karsten Whitsun or Michael Mas -- looks like the best college position player in the draft, a true catcher with ability at the plate, standing out in a class with little catching at either the college or high school levels. He's a better bet for me than Turner, an 80 runner with no power and an unorthodox swing; or Fisher, the toolsiest college position player in the class who has to show better ability to hit. Turner may still be the highest drafted of the three, however, with the bankable run tool and the fact that he'll be seen extensively while playing behind Rodon every Friday night. After Kolek, Holmes, Aiken and Sheffield are the cream of the rich high school pitching crop for now, but I don't think any leaps up into the top eight overall picks barring a velocity spike. Sheffield is the biggest variable among the three, whereas Aiken is the most polished and Holmes offers the least projection because he's already physically mature.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 19, 2014 -> 12:39 PM) I'll take Rodon. Would love for Hoffman, Rodon or Turner. Not sold on Kolek

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 17, 2014 -> 05:29 PM) 1 down, 1 to go. Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo 8m #Orioles are closing in on a deal with Ubaldo Jimenez, according to @masnRoch. Appears to be a 4-year, $48MM deal. 48 million over 4 years isn't much less than what was predicted for him at the beginning of free agency. It's actual almost exactly what Garza got with no draft pick compensation.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 17, 2014 -> 01:44 PM) I think the Sox see Surkamp as a starter, so I just don't see it with him. That really only leaves Veal and Leesman in the mix. I would have figured it was Leesman, since he was solid vs LHH in Charlotte last year and has the added benefit of being a long man when needed. However, two things got in the way. First, just this morning, Scot Gregor as a guest writer on Baseball America said that Leesman is being kept a starter to compete for the 5th slot - which was a bit of a surprise. And the other factor here is, Veal is out of options. So it looks like Downs and Veal for the lefty pen slots. Veal has the stuff and had effective stretches as a LOOGY. Considering we DFA'ed Leesman last year I have a hard time believing we have big plans for him unless he really impresses in ST.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 17, 2014 -> 02:29 PM) You wouldn't do that from the White Sox perspective? Are you kidding? Bogaerts is going to be a MONSTER. He's a consensus top 1-2 prospect in baseball. That's not nearly enough for him. The only reason I wouldn't make that deal is because the only way it would be on the table is if Bogaerts either severaly injured himself or was about to go to jail for 20 years. It reminds me of the deadline when some on Soxtalk thought the Rangers would trade us Profar. Uh no.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 17, 2014 -> 02:31 PM) I saw somewhere that Rodon got hammered. Anyone see the line? Carlos Rodon 6.0 IP, 4 H's, 3 R's, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K's. Not exactly getting hammered.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Feb 12, 2014 -> 10:01 AM) While I'm all for keeping Dunn, people seem to overlook he was a negative WAR player last year. Part of the problem is that he sucked offensively when DHing and sucked defensively when playing 1B. I think last year may be a bit of an outlier, but even in 2012 he was clearly better hitter when playing 1B. There really isn't a great solution here as Abreu should be playing 1B most of the time. Honestly, the only reason I want to keep him is I think platooning him will increase his overall value and make him a positive value player in 2014. Wow good catch. In 2013 Dunn started 70 games at 1B and hit .262/.376/.512 and in the 74 games he DH'ed he hit .184/.269/.386. That's crazy. It's not just 2013, his career splits are nearly as dramatic. I know he's not a defensive wizard as 1B, but he when he plays in the field he turns into a legitimate hitter. TAKE NOTICE NATIONAL LEAGUE TEAMS

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 11, 2014 -> 08:49 PM) BTW anyone think that when we DFA Dunn it'll be on fireworks night? It might actually be worth hanging onto him for a few games just to do it that way. Sox fans in attendance will get the news immediately after the game & then as the news spreads and fans begin to rejoice the fireworks show will begin. I understand the disappointment in Dunn but don't understand the hatred. He's not a team cancer, never a PED suspect, and overall seems like a pretty decent guy.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Feb 11, 2014 -> 12:35 PM) I suppose I should have seen this coming...it's well known that Keith Law loves the White Sox. But apparently not Gordon Beckham...fringe defense at 2B at best? Non-tender? Ouch Keith.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Feb 11, 2014 -> 11:41 AM) Which three? 4. Erik Johnson, RHP | Chicago White Sox Maybe more a workhorse than a future ace, Johnson has made a ton of progress since the White Sox drafted him two years ago out of Cal, and he has a couple of potential out pitches in his arsenal, along with the build for 200-plus innings a year. He could easily be Chicago's third-most valuable starting pitcher in 2014. 10. Matt Davidson, 3B | Chicago White Sox Davidson has some competition for the regular third-base job, both in March or if he should scuffle in April/May, but he's the best option on their 40-man roster and a good bet to hit .250/.330/.425 or so if he gets regular playing time, with average or just below-average defense. 13. Marcus Semien, IF | Chicago White Sox Semien could play any of three spots for Chicago -- short, second, or third -- or he could just play a lot of each of them as a true "super-utility" player, getting 400-450 at bats while spelling all three starters. Second baseman Gordon Beckham hasn't sniffed a .330 OBP or a .400 SLG since his rookie year, and he's a fringe defender at best. Semien could end up taking over that job by midseason and forcing a trade or non-tender of Beckham before 2015.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/post?id=1809 Three White Sox in the top 20 impact prospects for 2014.

Adam Eaton and Erik Johnson. Abreu will struggle in the first half of the season but finish strong.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 10, 2014 -> 01:54 PM) Yeah I have too much confidence in Jones' ability as a closer to trade him now. Let him rack up saves for a season and then shop him over the offseason. Ideally, Jones racks up saves this year, posts nice peripherals, gets a team-friendly contract, then shortly after is traded for a high-quality position player or SP prospect, with Webb taking over and another young guy stepping into Webb's former role. Rinse & repeat. On a team that is ready to compete, you would like established high leverage relievers. But on a rebuilding team there is no real point to have a pitcher for the sake of having an closer. Hopefully Nate Jones and Webb pitch in the post season for us.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Feb 7, 2014 -> 02:17 PM) Hold your horses, hot shot. Bragging rights would totally depend on the price anyway. ESPECIALLY since an unnamed someone would have been fine with 4/$44M. If we get Santana for 2/$16M or something ridiculous like that, that person definitely doesn't get bragging rights. He's certainly running out of suitors with Arroyo going to the D'Backs. Hilarious he was asking for 100 million when free agency began.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 6, 2014 -> 03:22 PM) I wrote a little piece looking at some of the recent (2011-present) Latin American signings in the Sox system, and who to watch for to "pop" this season. Give it a read and discuss. Thanks for the article Matt. These young international guys go dark (understandably) after their signing announcement so it's good to hear a little something about them. Thanks for the reminder we made some investments in Latin American, hope one of them comes to fruition!

I am just going to put this in here because I can't find the original we signed Abreu thread. Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 7m Mentioned on Hot Stove teams believed to have bid over $60M on Jose Abreu were winning #Whitesox plus #Redsox #Brewers #Astros Surprising that the Rockies aren't mentioned as there were reports they were finalists as well.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 6, 2014 -> 10:41 AM) How much do quality corner IF options and LH sticks get on the open market? They get paid nicely as bench guys. Gillaspie is an athletic player who can do a few things, and yes, that is valuable. A lot more valuable than Dunn. Don't count your Davidsons before they hatch. He's still a minor league player and for all we know your starting 3B of your 2015 Chicago White Sox may be one Connor Gillaspie, with Davidson in Charlotte floundering. You DFA Dunn & you gain a 4-5 year piece potentially in Gillaspie, along with a more verstatile bench and a useful player. This s*** is hilarious. I bet if Gillaspie were on another team & Hahn traded Dunn for him while eating a s***load of cash that this board would accept it. But because he's here he sucks. Why is that? Gillaspie had a nice April but was absolutely awful after that. He hit .241/.297/.400 after the All-Star break and had a .245/.305/.390 slash line over the whole year. He provides average defense at 3B, so no huge value there. His minor league numbers and his opportunities in SF/CHI has shown that he isn't capable of providing league average production at 3B. I don't mind him being on the bench and providing depth, but if Gillaspie is our 2015 3B this team is in serious trouble.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 6, 2014 -> 09:42 AM) This isn't a quote but pretty close to what Hahn said, "Right now five of the top six guys are pitchers so I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with one." Then he went on to talk about if the Sox sign someone underslot in the 1st it gives them loads of flexibility for the rest of the draft due to the top heavy bonus structure. I'm just throwing this out there, but if they like a guy like Kolek, but he has a setback or a poor season and falls to like the 8-10 spots and they sign him under slot we have a chance to take a 1st round talent in the 2nd or throw a bunch of money at a high school kid in the top ten rounds. I don't necessarily agree or disagree with this strategy because it's all about the players. Everyone points to what the Royals did with Hunter Dozier at #8 last year. Dozier had a great season is performing up to par with his slot. I think that worked out wonderfully so far but obviously it all hinges on the success they have with Manaea. A lot of people on the board really didn't like that pick on draft day. It was called nepotism because I believe he's Carlos May's grandnephew or something? Nowadays, that pick gets a lot of love from a handful of writers. He's been mentioned as a big dark horse in our system a couple times by mainstream outlets. That's unsettling to me, as I'd always want BAP, especially that high in the draft. What I could see them doing is going way under slot for a college player, who is further along and more major league ready, then roll the dice on over slot, high upside high schoolers the rest of the way. We do have the 43rd overall and 78th overall picks for elite high school guys. I just get the feeling the Sox really don't want to "miss" at #3 overall.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 6, 2014 -> 08:46 AM) But it's part of the fun of being a baseball fan, I suppose. Nobody in a million years would have named Jose Abreu as our Opening Day 2014 starting 1B at those contract dollars a year ago, either. As soon as it was rumored he was going to be available I was actually very confident the Sox would sign him. It was a perfect fit in my mind; increased commitment to signing internationally+huge need for long term solution at 1B+Cuban connection+more salary flexibility.

I know a lot can change in the next four months, but my concern is Rodon and Hoffman will distance themselves as the top two guys. According to Dan Hayes, at Soxfest it was seemed the Sox were interested in adding college pitching. At least now, it seems pretty thin after Rodon and Hoffman, unless Beede or Nola interests you. I hope that a few other guys break out and make a solid top 5 at least.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 5, 2014 -> 01:06 PM) I don't know what to tell you if you don't think the Sox are competing with the Cubs. The best way to "compete" with the Cubs is to build a successful and sustainable franchise by making shrewd baseball moves. Hahn has already reshaped our lineup with a younger core and he tried as hard as he could with Tanaka. Let the man work

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 5, 2014 -> 01:02 PM) No way. Highest I would go is Snodgrass or Nester Molina. Gillaspie doesn't have a future on this team with Davidson in the organization. Even if Davidson doesn't pan out, a slashline of .245/.305/.390 isn't going to cut it at 3B in the AL.

QUOTE (Kevtrem @ Feb 5, 2014 -> 12:54 PM) Its so disappointing that I am excited about the possibility of Jose Lobaton. We might as well see if Gillaspie can catch. I feel like Lobaton's ceiling is rather "Gillaspian". But it's Gillaspie type production at the black hole of offensive efficiency we know as a "White Sox catcher."

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 03:22 PM) Not that how he performs changes this argument in hindsight, I hope Dunn goes .250/.350/.520 next year. +1

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 03:07 PM) Ok I see now. Well then in this context Dunn would be the 8th washing machine & it's constantly regurgitating detergent back onto the customers. Of course, this defective 8th washing machine might be quite a big hit at a rave party where the idea *is* to be bombarded with soapiness and bubbles, so maybe you send both this 8th washing machine and Dunn to said nightclub and the machine can pump out bubbles while Dunn's donkey ass can hand out bracelets at the door. He was 1st on our team in homers, RBI's, SLG, BB%, and wOBA. He led most of those categories by a very large margin. I am not arguing he is worth his contract or even good for this team but he was not "defective."