ChiSox59

If anyone finds a link to this video, please post.

Oh no. I also am very bullish AV. But not as an everyday RF with Eloy in LF. Cmon now.

Surprised by Jimmy and to a lesser extent Fry. Marshall and Goodwin were givens. I really like Jimmy. Bummed a tad about that one.

The sox are only picking up Kimbrel's option if they know there are multiple teams interested, or they're OK paying him $16M to be in the bullpen. They aren't relying on the fucking Rays to acquire him and if they don't all their plans are fucked. Teams don't operate this way.

We knew it was coming, but relieved to see it. With the 2B market, Cesar isn't that far down the list even though I hate his guts. Can probably get him for quite a bit less than $6M tho.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be that surprised. He sure fits the bill of a guy the Sox have traditionally liked. But I hope they’re smarter than that - he’s an awful fit. That all said, if they signed him I’d certainly love the guy and get behind the team. But I know it’s not an optimal move by any stretch.

Yeah. I think he was simply admitting it didn’t work.

It’s been stated in multiple occasions that TLR, Hahn and Kw had a consensus weeks before deadline that Kimbrel was the guy they wanted.

He seemed largely uninterested. That’s what bugged me the most. Don’t hate many guys that play for the Sox, but he joined that elite company.

Its not strange at all. The Sox have one of the best rosters in the game, and will for some time.

Hahn never did have an end of season presser, did he?

Not really sure why Pirates would do that. I like Vaughn a lot, but he only has 1 year more control than Reynolds. Would think Pirates would prefer multiple prospects (that we don't have) as opposed to a Vaughn for Reynolds straight up deal. Even knowing the Pirates probably don't do that deal, I'd still not love it. I admit it helps solve problems, but fuckina I think AV is going to be an elite bat and he is plenty serviceable in LF.

Schwarber does nothing to make this team more athletic and versatile.

I don't want Cesar as much as the next guy, but there really aren't many better fits on the FA market once you get past the elite guys the Sox won't be signing. I like Conforto plus trade route for 2B personally. But point is, Conforto is the guy you need that solves lots of problems. With him in hand, 2B becomes less critical offensively. Just get a reliable defender that isn't a black hole in the 9 spot.

Conforto remains the no-brainer. With him you can live with a Cesar type at 2B.

TONY STINKS! But he is our stinker, unfortuantely. I don't like the guy and would quite literally prefer just about anyone else. But this man is 2nd all time in MLB wins - he knows a thing or two about managing the game. I am hopeful that he will improve drastically next season and much of the rust we saw this year is gone. I think the Sox big lead caused some issues that maybe a more competitive division next season will help solve. The Sox simply got complacent, and just we're able to snap out of it when it mattered. Some of that is on Tony, and certainly some of that is on the players. Its obvious the guys like him -- and its also obvious TLR at least was one of the greatest managers ever -- he can certainly lead this this team to championship, even if I wish it was anybody else.

Cease vs. Mahle. The fuse is lit. Sox are back.

LOLZ

Been looking into La Stella more. Think Giants may want to give Dubon a chance at an everyday role. He was really good in AAA this year and his been up and down for 3 years now. He's 27 now, so not getting any younger. Proposed this deal in @Kyyle23's "cannot respond" thread, but to piggyback off @Chicago White Sox idea, I love the Keuchel for La Stella framework, but think Sox need to add something decently valuable in there to shed Keuchel's whole deal. Keuchel + Burger could work --- thoughts? Giants have an aging Longoria and really nothing of note at 1B. I think this deal makes some sense as a framework. Obviously La Stella has injury concerns, but he's a great fit on paper for the lineup. Would definitely make re-signing Leury a priority, even though it probably already is.

Not exactly sure what you're trying to get at - I didn't say anything to the contrary. They'll get a some live arm and salary relief for him. If they do better, great - I sincerely hope they do. I do believe he is tradable for something, but it was and remains a god awful and short-sighted trade to move a cost-controlled Madrigal (not to mention Heuer who was actually more effective than Kimbrel ROS (which I called) for an overpaid reliever. IDGAF if Madrigal rubbed the coaching staff the wrong way with his cocky attitude and strange demeanor. There is absolutely nothing that will make that trade a passable one. If you want to move Madrigal - fine - at least get something that helps the team in the short and long term. Kimbrel did neither. Massive failure.

I’m well aware of the option. Kimbrel is highly unlikely to be on the Sox in 22 and that was always going to be the case. No way they’re paying 2 relievers ~$32M.

Payroll is at $165M including Kimbrel and assuming Cesar's option is declined. If they can move Kimbrel, they should have around $30-35M to spend. If they can move Keuchel, add another $15M. Leury, Hamilton and Tepera will cost around $12M combined. So in a scenario where they don't trade off Kimbrel and/or Keuchel, the latter of which seems much more likely to a White Sox than the former, I could actually see the Sox only having around $20M to spend. So this isn't that crazy of a scenerio if that were to play out. But woof - I don't see the Sox literally just running back the 2021 roster and seeing if it shakes out differently. edit: sorry @Kyyle23, I have failed you. I took the bait. Never again.

I've asked this multiple times from those "in the know" that have insinuated as such. No actual stories I have seen other than him just being kind of a strange dude. Which I would agree. There were some videos of him interacting with TA and other teammates during ST that were just sort of...awkward. But IMO, that certainly wasn't enough to trade him for 2 months of a closer on a team that didn't need one. Water under the bridge tho, Sox can recover from that deal if they stop making dumb shortsighted trades.

I agree there were not better options. He was still overused, even if was unavoidable. Leury was mostly great in 21.

I think Leury really likes being with the White Sox. There was that story prior to 2020 season that Hahn went to tell Leury he was going to non-tender him, and he begged for another chance and convinced Hahn. I think Leury is comfortable with his role (even if he was overused in 21), and I think all things being equal he'd rather stay with the Sox. That being said, someone offers him significantly more $ than the Sox, well then, tip your cap and wish him well.