ChiSox59

A few things. The Abreu extension was and remains bad. It’s not like the Sox can’t work around it, but it was completely unnecessary. That said, clearly Jose provides intangibles to the club that the org loves, and they wanted to keep him around and take care of their guy. So long as he doesn’t fall off a cliff and so long as his $50M over the next 3 years doesn’t stop the Sox from adding other impact players as needed, it’s whatever. That remains to be seen, but in year 1 it doesn’t appear it made much of a difference. Nomar Mazara has been just a guy. But he’s incredibly talented, and has battled hand injuries the past 2 seasons. I didn’t love the move at the time, but based on how the lineup looks, I have no issues whatsoever rolling the dice on him for the 2020 season. He’s going to be an above average bat against RHP, and he’s going to be a slightly below average RF. There is a chance things click for him and we have a monster everyone thought he would be 4 years ago. No matter how much Backdoor tries to will Nick Castellanos into existence, it’s just not going to happen. The Sox clearly have their eye on better fits for the long term roster in RF next offseason and they also want to give Mazara a shot in the meantime. It’s time to let it go, bud. Castellanos isn’t even that good and his OF defense is comically bad. We don’t need 2/3 of our OF for the next several seasons to be DHs. Don’t understand why you’ve been so unwieldy to accept that that isn’t a positive for this org.

Meant to quote Southwallace: I don't disagree here at all, which is why I have Brad Miller so high on my list. He makes a lot of sense. Sox are pretty thin on the left side of the IF if there is an injury. Sure Mendick and Leury could fill in in a pinch there, but I don't think the Sox are super excited about him being option 2 at both 3B and SS.

I was counting Kopech already. Giolito, Keuchel, Lopez, Cease, Gonzalez, Kopech.....Rodon sometime mid summer, and Dunning, Lambert, Flores and even Steiever as mentioned also should be 2nd half options if need be.

I am not against McHugh by any means, but Dunning, Lambert, Flores and even Steiever could all take starts in the 2nd half if the need arose.

1. Ben Zobrist 2. Brock Holt 3. Brad Miller 4. Kevin Pillar 5. Steven Souza 6. Hunter Pence 7. Scotter Gennett 8. Derek Dietrich 9. Yolmer Sanchez 10. Brian Dozier

Exactly. Leury with a little Engel sprinkled is a perfect weak side platoon mate for Mazara. We're talking about one season here. Plus, the FA market isn't exactly teaming with guys that rake lefties, can play an acceptable RF and can be had on a reasonable contract.

Agreed

Sounds like a guy that knows this roster still needs a finishing piece and RF next free agency is the way to do it.

I support Holt as well.

You also have the worst defensive OF in the game with a young developing pitching staff, and you’re going to be forced into sitting a really good stick at all times. The second part I guess is a good problem to have, but it’s pretty extraneous. Like I said, I won’t complain about Castellanos on a 1 year deal. I don’t see it as all that likely, but I guess him signing a 1 year deal feels more likely now than it did pre Ozuna signing. Anything over a year would be a such a shortsighted move, and it’d be really hard to convince me otherwise. But I suppose if he’s cheap enough you can always dump him for nothing but salary relief down the road if he doesn’t fall apart. I just really want the Sox to play good defense. NC just makes that very difficult. Can live with it for a year for a great value deal, but it’s not a wise longer term decision.

Definitely wouldn't be opposed to that.

Mazara isn't going to "bomb out". At worst he's who he always has been, which is a slightly above replacement level player that hits RHP very well. Leury will get starts against LHP in RF.

What was this in response to? He could just be insinuating that the early season White Sox won't be the finished product. Which is true becuase Kopech, Madrigal and few pen arms that will contribute will likely all start in AAA.

Best of luck to you, Dylan.

Iglesias is already signed.

Its like $70M prearb, not $90M.

Just ran through it and it should be right around $100M including all arb plauyers with generous arb 1 raises for Moncada, Giolito, Lopez, Bummer and Fry. This also assumes EE, Herrera and Gio Gonzalez are gone, Mazara is non-tendered and Rodon tendered for $7.5M.

I don't think Betts is "realistic", but I think Sox should have better than 1/10 shot. Assuming they don't sign NC to a 3 year deal in the next couple weeks, the White Sox will be one of a handful of teams that will definitely be in the bidding for Betts. Will they land him? Chances are they won't, but its a lot easier to drop that kind of cash on 1 player when you don't have a bunch of other holes to fill. 2021 payroll should be right around $100M after arb, so its not like they don't have room and RF and perhaps a pen arm or two are (hopefully) going to be the only big holes to fill next offseason. Punting any ability to play in the RF FA market next offseason just so we can run a DH out in RF for the next 3 seasons that is only a slightly above average hitter against RHP is so so so so so shortsighted unless it is a 1 year deal.

BA released their top 100 today. Anyone with access care to share?

A little surprised a tanking team didn't put in a claim.

Mazara is a slightly below average OF. Castellanos is legitimately one of the very worst defensive OF in the game. Big difference.

He was previously Outrighted? Don’t recall that.

I believe that is wrong. When has Covey been previously Outrighted? edit: sounds like maybe he was in 2018, don’t recall that.

Cleared waivers. Outrighted to Charlotte.

Meh, just such a desperate move. Honestly, I wouldn’t complain. But we could still really use a legit stud bat and signing Castellanos removes all doubt. His defensive shortcomings are too much to ignore. Still just hate the fit. 1/$20M and it’s hard to argue as you’re basically just choosing NC over Mazara. 2/$40M you’re committing to two terrible OF for 2 years and you’re robbing yourself of any ability to play in the RF FA market next winter. I get why some Sox fans love the idea, but it’s just such a classic white Sox move and this offseason starts to look just way too much like the same old bs. Obviously he young studs we have are what makes it different, but just show some patience.