ChiSox59

I don't think anyone paying attention was expecting anything that dramatic from the Sox this offseason. We have a loaded team pretty from top to bottom and we're at the highest opening day payroll in club history and approaching the (current) luxury tax line without additional signings. There really isn't room for the dramatic. I hoped and expected them to sign Conforto. Still do. But not sure I call that dramatic. As much as I love the fit - much like I loved the Yaz fit - he's not a super star by any means. Now, if the 2022 season gets shortened, or (god forbid) doesn't happen - now that is happening at the worst time, because the Sox might have the best overall roster in the AL.

There is basically no scenario short of acquiring a top 5 3B in the league that will make moving Moncada to 2B anything but message board fodder. He's a great defensive 3B. He was not a great defensive 2B. Why are we downgrading 2 positions? Continues to make zero sense everytime someone suggests this. As the roster sits today, the best 2B options are Leury and Romy. Even if the Sox go cheap at 2B, they're certain to at least add a veteran utility player that can platoon with Leury. Depending on who we get for RF, Leury also isn't likely to just lose his OF glove either.

TBF, you wouldn't trade any younger player for any older player, so your position on this is kind of obvious. Ehhh. We have a roster absolutely loaded with young super stars and future all stars. Hard to do both that, and have a good farm. Most of the Sox elite prospects have all either hit, or at least not flopped, and they're all at the big league level.

Hard pass on Vaughn + Montgomery + “2 or 3 other pieces” for Marte.

The sentiment is shared.

When is Colas expected to be official?

Yep. Just like he was told Scherzer would be a Sox!

Mmmk.

Considering it was fairly well reported that Crochet was available in the Kimbrel deal (Cubs chose Madrigal instead), I think he’s very much available for the right return. I am with you on Vaughn - hope the Sox are too!

We've got at least a month before Opening Day is in jeopardy IMO. A shortened spring training by a couple weeks isn't going to impact OD.

Sheets is useful to have around because we need lefty bats, but we don't need another DH and he sucks at 1B and in the OF. I'd keep him in AAA for insurance because he will certainly be needed at at tines. If we can get something more useful than that - I would have no issue whatsoever trading Sheets while he has some semblance of value - but I have a hard time seeing that come to fruition.

And the luxury tax line is certainly going to increase at least a little.

People freaking out about Burger taking reps at 2B in personal offseason workouts when his natural position is very much blocked are comical. Relax people. He’s just doing what he can to get himself big league reps. Chances he’s ever anything but an emergency 2B are remote.

Sox can go cheap on 2B if they want. Just sign Conforto.

Would have been an interesting flyer at 2B.

Off White Sox great Juan Minaya too!

I'd certainly rather lose Ramos and/or Rodriguez than Crochet and/or Vaughn.

I think the Sox do this in a second, which means is probably not enough.

THIS! Get Conforto. Keep Crochet and Vaughn. See where the chips fall on 2B thereafter. Grab Villar or Owings off the scrap head as utility player to work with Leury at 2B. It's really that simple.

Who exactly are these valuable long term pieces? There isn't a prospect in Sox top 10, besides maybe Montgomery, I wouldn't trade in a heartbeat to improve this team. Subtracting from the MLB team - ie: Vaughn and to a lesser extent Crochet, and all the other obvious names (Kopech, Eloy, etc.), are a different story. I want to expand this window as much as possible as well. But we're past prospect hoarding days. We barely have any of note to begin with - no prospect should be off limits to improve the club as much as someone like McNeil would. This excludes the names in the 2nd paragraph, but I probably would part with Crochet for McNeil, but would certainly try to get him without including Crochet first. Just don't really see a realistic fit.

Got to give to get. McNeil is a much better player than you're giving credit for. No one is jumping up and down to move Crochet, but they aren't going to just hand over McNeil for a pile of trash.

I would agree that I don't see McNeil happening without us giving up Crochet.

Crochet. But hopefully they'd bite on something like Cespedes/Burger, Thompson/Dalquist and Rodriguez/Ramos. Doubtful, but a guy can dream.

Well that's not getting you Jeff McNeil. I personally DGAF about the perceived attitude issues coming out of NY. Lack of recent success is BS. Dude is a 26% above average hitter across 1500 PA and fills a multitude of team needs. He's a 4 WAR player per 162 across his career, including his down 21. He's a very good player. A 26 YO corner IF with injury and body concerns isn't getting it done. I'd rather spend Jerry's money in FA than use the few bullets we have via trade, but if trade route is necessary, McNeil is a wonderful fit.

Probably only have about 6 weeks to figure this out before a shortened spring training becomes a reality and Opening Day becomes jeopardized.