ChiSox59

I would say - at least the most vocal group - whether or not that is a small minority is hard to say, have seemingly turned on the rebuild this year. I would even say that a decent chunk of the bloggers now just have a negative tone with anything to do with the White Sox. Obviously they're all big fans, but I do think there is a group here (which I mentioned the other day as well) and on Twitter that seem like they're rooting for this thing fail to say I told ya so. So I don't necessarily disagree with what Hahn said from the short snippet that was posted on twitter, but he probably should be keeping that to himself. That being said, it did appear to be a fairly informal podcast/interview, so its hard to skewer him for trying to be candid.

I haven't listened to the podcost - but what does that have to do with Cole?

Sounds kinda cool.

For the $1.25M or whatever paltry sum he’ll require, it’s really no biggie.

Yah, he's lost right now. Still confident that hit tool will come around. Hitting major league pitching is hard.

Eloy lost the batting gloves

At 1 fWAR, he's certainly been worth his contract. It wasn't pretty early, but you can do worse as a backend starter on a rebuilding team.

Goins is a ballplayer. Even when he gets out he puts together professional at bat after professional at bat. I am impressed.

Just curious - are you able to make a post without referencing the Red Sox or one of its players? Its gotta be over 80% of your posts. Yawn.

I'd be surprised if Calhoun had any interest leaguewide at $14M.

Yah, Calhoun is a decent fallback option as well. I would so much rather acquire a RF via trade or go with a cheaper option like Gordon/Calhoun than blowing a ton of our FA budget on Ozuna/Puig/Castellanos. Much prefer Cole and Grandal as primary big money targets, and go shorter term on RF if you can't find a good buylow option via trade. Those guys are all better suited for DH, and we should be able to find a 1B/DH type to pair with Grandal and Collins relatively cheaply - whether that is Abreu or someone like Justin Smoak on a cheap 1 year deal.

Do you prefer Calhoun to Gordon?

Just trying to be realistic for those that think $120M is a pipe dream. I don’t think “we have a problem” if it doesn’t get up to $150Mish, but frankly its what should be done. IMO, $120M+ should be a definite.

If we can't trade for a controllable LH RF, I've warmed to the idea of giving Alex Gordon a 1 year deal. He should be relatively cheap, knows the central really well (obviously), and at least plays really good D. Not a long term commitment and gives the OF prospects another year to see if someone emerges (still hopeful on Micker). I've made it no secret that I think the Sox should trade for a controllable LH RF, but obviously a little easier said that done. I wouldn't hate Gordon as a fallback option. Offseason: Sign Gerrit Cole - 6 years, $200M Sign Grandal - 3 years, $56M Sign Alex Wood - 1 year, $10M Sign Alex Gordon - 1 year, $8M Sign Jose Abreu - 1 year, $10M Line-up by mid-May: Robert CF, Moncada 3B, Eloy LF/RF, Grandal C/1B/DH, Abreu DH/1B, Alex Gordon RF/LF, Anderson SS, McCann / Collins C/DH/1B, Madrigal 2B BN: Leury, Goins, Collins/McCann Rotation: Cole, Giolito, Cease, Wood, Lopez (Kopech joins shortly thereafter; Rodon waiting in wings to save Kopech/Cease innings in July on) Pen could use some work. Could convince me to use the money I gave to Wood on some relievers and just let Kopech go from the start. Payroll would be in the $125-$130M range for 2020. Alot to add, but its not like the Sox haven't operated in that realm in the past.

At least Hector is easy to root for, even if he sucks.

Everyone else has him blocked.

Yolmer is good as gone. No chance they pay him $6.5-7M. Maybe they try to get him to sign a cheap one year deal before arb, but he's making $4.6M this year and isn't taking a paycut.

#teamgoins I like this guy. For $1M or whatever he'll cost to retain, I am all for it as the 25th man.

I don't give two fucks about the cubs, or half the shit you ramble on and on and on about on a White Sox message board that doesn't have a damn thing to do with the topic.

I feel like there are more people who post here frequently that are hoping for this organization to fail than there are people who generally want them to take the next step. Kind of sad.

Probably nothing, but one thing I found interesting is the Sox press release said that Castillo was the 26th man, and Santiago was a regular roster move. Is the "26th man" always available for both games of the DH? I always thought they were just available for the 2nd game of the doubleheader. Could also just be a typo from the Sox press release folks. Probably doesn't matter regardless, just thought it was interesting.

I would agree that Cole and Strasburg are a step above the other top end guys, with Cole obviously the best FA SP.

I guess depends on how you define front-end SP and "competing". To truly compete for the division, I think this team needs to add one of Cole, Strasburg, Wheeler, Ryu, or Bumgarner. I think this team could be over .500 and be pretty interesting adding a pitcher from the next tier - Keuchel, Wood, Odorizzi, Gibson, and Pineda. Personally, I'd like to see the Sox sign one of each and take it slow on Kopech. We'll see, but ultimately I think this team is much closer to competing than they currently appear. Staying healthy next season will be important, obviously.

I see no reason why this team can’t compete in 2020 IF (and perhaps a big IF), they add at least one front end SP, a RF, another solid bat to either play 1B/C/DH and a veteran pensman or two. Most will say that is a lot to ask, but I am looking at a team with a sub $50M payroll next season and I think that figure will be at a minimum doubled come Opening Day.

Nothing we didn’t already know. Banuelos transferred to 60 day to make room on 40 man.