royoung

It's all speculation at this point. This isn't an American free agent who could potentially be surrounded by guys who could leak information. He is in Japan and has a tight inner circle that has no motivation or incentive to give "favorites" or "front runners." I am confident that Hahn submitted a competitive offer and I hope that the meeting was compelling. That's pretty much all you can ask for now.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 01:08 PM) The difference is if they played for the Sox, Buddy Bell would have had Baez and Soler start the season in AAA and Bryant would have been in AAA by the playoffs. They are good prospects, but none of them are on the level of a Sano or Buxton. I think Theo starts moving some of those guys for pitching this year before they move up much further and show their true colors. Almora and Bryant are legit, the rest have a lot of projection in them. Isn't that what frustrates us all about the Sox handling of their younger, raw prospects? I agree that Theo will be forced to move some of his hitting prospects for pitching if they miss on Tanaka and others.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 01:05 PM) I'll take our rotation and MLB talent over their farm EVERY day. Sale, Quintana, Johnson, Garcia, Semien, Abreu, Davidson, Eaton, Dayan, Jones, Webb >>> Rizzo, Castro, Baez, Soler, Bryant, Alcantara, Almora, and Olt. Remember when Josh Vitters was a can't miss? Or when Castro was the best thing ever? Or Soto? Rizzo is basically Viciedo on the North Side. My guess is two of Baez/Soler/Bryant/Almora either never make the majors or never amount to anything. I agree the Sox have a brighter future and Hahn has done a terrific job assembling/locking down talent. But to say that the Cubs future is a joke is not an accurate representation of the view of the industry. To say it's uncertain if they can contend for the long term is true, but the same could be said for the Sox.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 12:59 PM) There is a greater chance that they all bust, versus they all succeed. Trying to be completely unbiased, I think I would rather have Baez, Almora, Bryant and Soler than Eaton, Garcia, Davidson, Hawkins. They are prospects, so sure anything can happen, but it's easy to make a case for both is my point.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 12:29 PM) They're not in position to win. They're not in position to even contend. They're in position to offer a s***load of money, that's all. Maybe they can offer so much money that the deal is bad the second it's signed. If so and they sign him to that, good for them: that means they're doing everything wrong. The DBacks can offer $$$ too and are in a much better spot to win. I'd argue the Sox are too, even with their position prospects these guys are still prospects. Sox have lots of pitching already in the Majors. The Yankees and Dodgers are definitely much further along than the Cubs are too. And even if the Cubs want to offer a massive deal, if Tanaka wants an opt-out to test FA before 30 - and if he demands it especially - he is going to get it. And if that is what he wants then why in the hell would he want to spend 3 years with the Cubs for example when he could spend that time with a winner? We don't know what Tanaka is exactly looking for but all the Cubs can offer is money and a rough idea of what they believe their future is going to look like. With so many suitors, especially if flexibility is an issue, the Cubs offer doesn't look so good. I think the Yankees get him because they are probably given the ability to match or beat whatever the best deals are. The Yankees will go beyond the tax if they have to in order to get this guy. They'll give him years, money, and an opt-out if they have to. JMO. Dodgers next in line. I hate the Cubs as much as the next guy, but they aren't in as bad a shape as everyone makes them out to be. In 2015 they could easily field a monster lineup with Rizzo, Castro, Baez, Soler, Bryant, Alcantara, Almora, and Olt all in the mix. I know a lot of those guys aren't major league proven, but their top four prospects (Baez, Soler, Bryant, Almora) all have all-star potential. Their farm beats the hell out of ours so I am not convinced selling our future is as big an advantage as everyone makes it out to be. Just stating a probable unpopular opinion.

I loved the Dunn signing

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 11:59 AM) I really liked the first Swisher trade. Twas exciting at the time...

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 09:33 AM) I don't think so. I think they are going to their limits to land him. They have been in on guys like Soler even Fukudome they offered more money than the Cubs. 25 year old, potential ace, all it costs you is money is exactly what rebuilding teams with not a lot of future contract committments should be looking for. If, and it is a huge if this guy is as good as hoped, and say the Sox draft Hoffman #3. Rondon is compared to David Price, and I read 2 scouting reports that say Hoffman can get to that level of effectiveness. These are all ifs that couldn't be any bigger, but if they all remained healthy, you are looking at Sale, Tanaka, Hoffman, Quintana, Johnson or whomever else for a long stretch. That is 1990s-2000s Atlanta Braves. If any of the young offensive players reaches their potential, it would be a team that would be expected to make the playoffs year in and year out for quite a while. I am not disagreeing that they don't want him badly. I am speculating on why the Sox is the only team to confirm a meeting and why KW released that statement last night. It's not like them at all to make things public, but from a PR standpoint, it's a win-win if they make their pursuit known. Trust me, I am salivating over the possiblity of a Sale-Tanaka-Q-Johnson-2014 draft pick future rotation just as much as anybody.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 17, 2014 -> 08:43 AM) I'm with the can't believe KW is spilling the beans crowd. Even if the Sox offer isn't up to snuff, it has to be very significant. A lot more than they have ever offered anyone. It makes me suspicious that this is a race that the front office intents to "come up just short" on. I don't doubt that we will make an offer, but this reeks of being happy to have a dog in the fight. Hahn has talked a lot about being more "active" in the international market and reshaping the franchise. Tanaka is a perfect example of a guy we at least have to create some press releases about. Also, anyone notice how quickly this has killed all the Sale trade speculation? We went from discussing the pros and cons of effectively tanking for the foreseeable future to building a contender in 2014. Either way, it's a brilliant move by the front office and it will most likely will cost them nothing.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 16, 2014 -> 11:16 AM) That list is two weeks old. Sox are one of the only teams to have confirmed meeting with Tanaka. Not saying it's current, but would be funny if we signed him and we weren't even on the radar a couple weeks ago.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 16, 2014 -> 09:52 AM) The fact that White Sox have not been even mentioned in a single tweet recently makes me think the ball game is over. Enjoy the $150 million dollar man. The White Sox didn't even make Ben Badler's list of the top 10 candidates. http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/masa...e-japanese-ace/

As a Sox fan, I am conflicted on if the Yankees or Cubs signing Tanaka would disguise me the most. If not the Sox, I hope Arizona gets him.

How did this thread get to five pages?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 09:21 AM) You would think eventually the Dodgers have to start caring about money, but wouldn't it be awesome if JR was able to throw around money like that, and the Sox would be in on everyone all the time? I'd honestly rather have our payroll than the Yankees or Dodgers. Having too much cash is how you get the A-Rod's of the world on your team.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 12:35 PM) To me, Abreu will be overlooked in top 100 prospect lists and put somewhere in the 40's or 50's though he should be higher. Erik Johnson should land somewhere in the 50-75 range. Davison should be 85-100. Semien will be all over the place. Some lists will exclude him others will have him. I don't see Anderson making many lists. Abreu shouldn't be ranked IMO, but if he is, I don't see why he would be top 20. How many of those guys can be realistically expected to put up a .250/.350/.475 line in their first year? I agree with the others, though I bet Tim Anderson makes a couple lists. Scouts were quite high on him and his professional debut did nothing to temper expectations.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 12:00 PM) This quote pretty much says that Semien is not a top 100 prospect. It also suggests that Davidson may not make it either. I'll be interested in seeing where Wong ends up in these rankings now Badler made that comment. I don't think Manuel is as high as Badler on Semien, and I am assuming Manuel makes the ranks, so no surprise Semien isn't in there. Regardless of rank, gotta be excited for Semien going forward with his tools and plate discipline.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 09:32 AM) While I don't agree with his #2 ranking, I do think he's being underrated by a lot people. The kid absolutely dominated AA in an age-appropriate season, while demonstrating incredible plate discipline. Maybe I'm wrong, but prospects that can show that kind of plate discipline at the higher levels typically fair better against major league pitching. Also, in terms of comps, he was better offensively than other top 100 prospects like Joc Pederson & Arismendy Alcantara. Unfortunately, John Maneul said in his Sox chat that Semien won't be cracking this year's list. It really bothers me that Baseball America believes there are 100+ prospects out there that are better than a 22 year old middle infielder that posted a .903 OPS & 167 wRC+ in AA. Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler 6 Jan They're close. I have Semien ahead in my rankings. RT @bigcardsfanphil how much of a gap do you see between Wong and Semien? That's high praise considering that Wong is almost universally considered a top #100 prospect.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 12, 2014 -> 02:11 PM) The nice thing is that we can legitimately say "we have a number of other potential starters at the high levels of the organization right now" so there's a reason why Hawkins or Webb might be a little low. There's simply more above them right now. No doubt. The farm still has a ways to go, but it's exciting that we have a semi-legitimate top 10 and *gasp* some argument about guys missing it.

I am not counting Abreu because there is a zero percent chance he starts in the minors. 1. E. Johnson 2. Anderson 3. Davidson 4. Hawkins 5. Semien 6. M. Johnson 7. Chris Beck 8. Thompson 9. May 10. Webb I get dropping Hawkins a couple spots due to the tough season, but he had no business at that level as a 19 year old. I've seen him outside of the top 5 A LOT. Still really young and really athletic. Also was very impressed with the way Anderson and May handled their short seasons. I think Semien will be a very fine 2B. Webb is going to be a closer, surprised he's not on many prospects lists when Reed was routinely top 5 as he came up.

QUOTE (dayan024 @ Dec 19, 2013 -> 10:32 AM) Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi 15s Free agent reliever Scott Downs near agreement with Chicago White Sox, source tells @FOXSports1. Well I'll be damned. Good job kid! Nice move too, way to go Hahn!

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 19, 2013 -> 10:03 AM) Definitely an odd thing to make up but who knows. I won't believe random people on twitter until it's confirmed by a credible source. Who was that guy who kept "breaking" that Floyd was traded to the Jays? He kept it up for weeks

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 09:53 PM) Dunn has no value to us. Also, being that it's the final year of his deal, I'm not sure Reinsdorf would get in the way of anything Dunn-related due to his salary. Hahn has his numbers & I don't see why Jerry would step in to say anything other than "Please Ricky boy get this sorry sack of s*** out of here already." I'd say the Mariners who just traded for Logan Morrison would like Dunn a lot more than we do. Send Adam there, pay his salary, take back one of many busts or some halfway interesting prospect, and call it a day. If he hits well in the first couple months, he could net a nice prospect or two. Or if he hits well in the first couple months and we are contending, he's valuable to us. Dunn hit 34 homers last year, he can hit.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 09:53 PM) High praise from Nightengale: The #WhiteSox have improved more than anyone in #MLB the last 6 months with acquistions of 1B Abreu, RF Garcia, CF Eaton and 3B Davidson. Our offense was unbearable to witness last year. I love pitching depth but we had nothing offensively and not much coming up in the minors to help. Erik Johnson can replace Santiago's production in the rotation and same for Webb or Jones for Reed.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 10:58 AM) I disagree that Flowers is the starting catcher, I'm fairly sure they are more confident in Phegley. I think that as well, but the fact that Flowers is in the mix is proof enough that we shouldn't be above dumpster diving other team's catching prospects.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 10:36 AM) Also once of the Will Arrive in 2013 class: Trayce Thompson. Argh that one still stings (though i understand they purposely wanted to take him away from just his strengths this year) Still not done with Thompson. He's inconsistent, but can't give up on a guy who could easily put be a 20/20 player with plus defense in CF.