Eminor3rd

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 2, 2016 -> 10:42 PM) So has anyone been able to look at whether this is a guaranteed contract? If I'm not mistaken, they can release him before Spring Training ends (or something) and only end up paying him a fraction of the deal. I think.

While I wouldn't have any problem pouncing on the right return to sell him at what is most likely his peak value, I don't think it's wise to shop him. As mentioned before, five years of control make him every bit as useful to our next competitor as any of the 5+ year controllable brekaout prospects we're talking about targeting with Sale. Further, OF bats are one of the only things that actually ARE available in this year's free agent class (although many have been signed already), making it at least appear to not be an ideal trading market.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 29, 2016 -> 04:05 PM) If Sale wins ANYWHERE else, people are going to be bitter about it. Now I concede that the Cubs/White Sox nonsense would add some flavor to this that would simply not be present with other clubs, irregardless if they won with Sale. However, that being said, would that bitterness go away if you were watching a young, exciting club like the Cubs are actually winning again on the southside? If that could come sooner, rather than later, you wouldn't accept Sale being on the northside versus the Red Sox? Or in Houston? Again, if the Cubs were the best/only suitor, it changes things dramatically. But there are still four teams in the hunt with at least as much ammo to make a move, and another 5 that could put together a really nice package should the top of the market collapse. I don't think there's any scenario where a good deal with the Cubs gets the Sox theoretically closer to contention than a good deal with another top contender.

I don't know -- I get what you guys are saying (and it certainly never should have gotten out), but as a fan, Sale winning a WS with the Cubs would certainly make me feel bitter. And feelings of bitterness are bad for brands. Unless you think SOx fans wouldn't care at all, it's a defensible business move. I think it would be different if the Cubs were one of a few teams on the hunt for Sale. But with plenty of suitors out there, I think it makes some sense. But yeah, you absolutely keep it under wraps.

Lol I hope the MiLB portion isn't affected somehow, I really need to use the job fair for interns.

Sure, they CAN. But it would be because they got a bunch of unexpected breakout years, and they would almost certainly and justifiably still fall short of the playoffs, and we would consider it a promising development for 2018. I don't think there's any reasonable path to trading Sale whilst also "going for it" this offseason.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Nov 28, 2016 -> 10:37 AM) I can see the Rangers getting in on a Sale trade. Sale, Abreu, and Lawrie (if they want him) for Odor, Mazara, Mendez, Taveras, and maybe Gallo I just think that's too much MLB subtraction to make sense for them.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 28, 2016 -> 10:36 AM) It is worth mentioning that they have both great pitching, and they have some interesting really young guys out of Latin America and Cuba that would be guys who could be in the tail end of a deal. Indeed, and specifically Yadier Alvarez. I think the current FanGraphs prospect guy actually thinks he's the top prospect in the system. Super young, but ace-level stuff and projection.

Manny Machado is going to be the 2019 AL MVP... you heard it hear first.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Nov 28, 2016 -> 01:18 AM) You're banned.

QUOTE (Ro Da Don @ Nov 23, 2016 -> 01:04 PM) Yuck From what I've heard, Calhoun profiles as a near can't-miss stick. Rare combo of poop and excellent bat control. Buuuuuuuuuut he's a DH. I guess they have SOME hope that they might be able to let him stand at 2B and be passable if they shift enough. Sounds like a Kendrys Morales (pre-catastrophic leg injury) profile. EDIT: lol *pop. Not poop. Leaving it in for hi8is

QUOTE (Carpe Diem @ Nov 27, 2016 -> 07:23 PM) Anyone who carries political views into sports is a dumbf*** in my opinion. I'm part of the Angry Middle so take my word for what you want, but who the hell cares what side of the isle they are if they can help the team win.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 21, 2016 -> 06:29 PM) It's pretty messed up and disgraceful from "professionals" but these are teenagers and boys will be boys. No excuse. We were all teenagers too, and we didn't sexually abuse anyone.

Honestly, why is anyone upset about this? What else is Frazier going to say? I wouldn't want him to think anything else.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 21, 2016 -> 01:24 PM) Not having read all of these posts, in the various related threads, the question that keeps nagging me is; How long would it take, and with what probability, could this team build a contender, with both Sale and Quintana gone? This question is particularly relevant if the Sox focus upon position players, in their return of prospects. I think the answer is pretty much always 3 years. In today's game, what with more playoff teams than ever and more ways to infuse your team with amateur talent than ever, it's tough to argue that any team is ever more than 3 years away. Now, that doesn't mean they won't screw it up or get unlucky. But at any given time, I think you are three years of reasonable luck/decisions from contention.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Nov 21, 2016 -> 11:52 AM) Then the White Sox likely move on from the Braves Maitan, while a good looking player, is too risky for the Sox to have as a main piece coming back to them as he is years away from contributing...if ever I like Albies, but far more would have to be coming back to the Sox Yeah, I agree. I don't really see a fit.

I'd imagine that Atlanta feels it would be pointless to move Inciarte/Swanson in a Sale deal (since they are MLB pieces), so I'd think the highest assets available would be Maitan/Albies.

QUOTE (SpankyEaton @ Nov 18, 2016 -> 09:02 AM) So my understanding of all of the new stats is limited since I just don't get it (WAR is wins above replacement...the replacement being who they replaced, or is it the next best average ball player? Help me out here if you can.) A "replacement player" refers to the production of, essentially, a typically available AAA replacement.

The word on Maitan is very strong. He's super young, but I think people think of him as a front-end talent. But yeah, if neither him nor Swanson is on the table, there isn't anything to talk about.

If nothing else, it seems like the Astros are expecting to make a big trade at some point. Reed, Bregman, and Colin Moran all need places to play. Hard to believe they signed Gurriel without the intent to give him a job.

I'll be Cashman.

I don't understand the outrage on this one. This is, at most, a slight snub.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 17, 2016 -> 10:41 AM) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/...p;year=&t=b May was his bad month. Everything else, he was decent to pretty good Plus he was returning from a pretty serious injury, thus providing a pretty good excuse for a slow start.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Nov 17, 2016 -> 09:00 AM) Archer isn't as good as Sale No, but two extra years of control at no extra cost is substantial.