ChiSox59

What do you know you would win? That the Sox think of Banuelos as a bullpen piece and not a depth rotation piece? Isn't that fairly ambiguous and have a lot to do with how the season goes? Seems like a terrible bet. Obviously I hope the Sox set their sights higher than using Banuelos as a starter in the bigs, but I also think he's at best 4th in line as LH reliever, so don't see a fit there really unless one of Fry, Frare or Bummer gets hut.

I don't make bets with frauds.

I am thinking a depth rotation piece. The Sox are pretty loaded with young MLB lefthanded relievers in Fry, Bummer and Frare, so I'd be surprised if they're looking at Banuelos as a bullpen piece.

Yah, I am not going to fret over a 2nd round pick if the Sox sign Harper or Pollock.

Can we get the list of things you aren’t skeptical about with regards to the White Sox? I imagine it’s a short list so would help clear up a lot of things for us.

Yah, because no other organizations ever see back end top 10 picks fizzle out. I would be surprised.

I clearly said "a full season of Rodon" is a step in the right direction. Big difference. I don't really care to continue this discussion with you. Everything White Sox related will always be awful and everybody will always suck in your mind. Its tiring.

KW always gets his guy.

I think thats a totally fair opinion to have. I've never suggested the Sox trade legitimate prospects to get better next season (other than prospect for prospect trades). I don't want the Sox signing meh veterans to long term deals that will hamstring them later either. But I also think the young guys on this team need to start to experience what it is like to win a little bit. I don't think trotting basically the same roster as last year out there is going to be much of a benefit. And, for the record, I didn't assume every player on the roster takes a step forward. I mentioned Giolito, Timmy, and Moncada, and Lopez. That is 16% of the roster. Not the whole roster. I think each of those SHOULD be expected to take a step forward next season - it'd be hard for Giolito and Moncada not to.

Stop before you dig the hole deeper, brah.

Not throwing James Shields out there every 5th day is a step in the right direction. Improving on an offensive black hole in 3B and CF is a step in the right direction. A full season of Rodon and step forward from Giolito and Lopez is step in the right direction. I project improvement from Moncada and Timmy. The bullpen is young and inexperienced, but the Sox have an organization loaded with high potential back end of the bullpen arms. I think the bullpen will be much better, and will improve as the season wears on. So no, adding Eloy doesn't fix everything. But I also don't expect the rest of the team to look the same. If they trot out basically the same team as last year like you seemingly want, and no one improves, yah, they're going to suck again. Like I said earlier - I am setting my sights a tad higher and hoping the Sox share those sights. I'd prefer not to get behind the "Sox are the worst organization ever and there is nothing they will ever do to improve this team" narrative you often push.

The White Sox don't need to be the Red Sox in order to play winning baseball.

I like Avi. I've always rooted for him. Seems like a great guy, and love that he plays hard everyday. But he's a career .740 OPS corner outfielder that is below average defensively that has struggled to stay healthy, can't take a walk and is only controlled for 1 more season. I am not going to mad if the Sox tender Avi, but I don't see much of any upside in doing so. Best case scenario is he somehow replicates his 2017 season and the Sox trade him for a middling prospect. Not very exciting.

I did answer the question. I think there is a path that allows for a competitive team if things go right. That path does not include a 37 year old James Shields who has absolutely zero upside. Do I think there is a realistic way to turn this rotation into well above average playoff caliber rotation heading into next season? No. But I do think its possible to at least create a rotation that if the young guys take a step forward, it has a chance to produce a team capable of playing winning baseball.

I think a rotation of Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Gray (Jon or Sonny, preferably prefer Jon) and Ryu looks hell of a lot of better anything with Shields in it. IMO, any resigning of Shields is going to indicate to me that the Sox are not going to attempt to field a team that has a shot of being competitive. Which may be the direction they go, I am just setting my sights a bit higher for now.

I'd prefer to try not to suck. Just my opinion. Gray, sure. Hard no thanks on Shields from me, but wouldn't be shocked to see a reunion.

I still like Ryu, depending on price.

Someone would pay him him at least $5-7M on a one year deal, worst case, IMO. But whatever - I'm not at all advocating for the Sox to go out and acquire Fowler and pay him $25M+ over the next three seasons. Mainly just spitballing off someone else's idea.

So you think if Fowler was a FA, he'd be looking at minor league deal? I don't. I think if the Cards are serious about signing Harper / Machado, they'd probably be pretty happy to shed $25M+ in payroll, even if it meant giving up a legit prospect.

Oh lord have mercy on the Sox.

Right. But in the previous 2 seasons he accumulated 5.7 WAR with an .850 OPS. If the Cards want to eat half or more of that deal and send a nice prospect along, I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world. I don't think he's nearly as bad as he was in 2018, but he is probably not a fit at the end of the day,

Fowler is an interesting one. Coming off a terrible season, but typically he's been a nice OBP guy. How's his defense in center these days? Are the Cards really going to with an Ozuna/Bader/ONeill outfield? Now if the Cards go out and get Harper, I could see them wanting to dump Fowler ASAP.

Now get the hell off my lawn!!! Honestly tho, if the Sox wait another 2-3 seasons to add FAs, they're going to be in this cycle forever. The beginning of the "rebuild core" in Timmy, Moncada, Gio, and Lopez will be approaching FA by that time. Obviously the Kopech news kicked everyone in the nuts and set up back at least a season, but if the Sox aren't serious about contending by 2020, this thing is never going to work. Adding a player like Machado (or Harper) to the mix and even some stopgap players that are flippable next summer to further add to the farm is what the Sox should be doing. Not sitting on their hands for another season of .400 baseball, and say oh well, we'll see where we are next year.

A ton of interest. But he is going to cost way too much. The Sox won't be in the running.

POTW!