ChiSox59

I highly doubt we'll see Cease next season, but if the Sox find themselves in contention (or at least around .500 mid summer), in need of a 5th starter and Cease is mowing down AAA, I don' think the Sox will show any hesitation to bring him up. They didn't call up Eloy and Kopech this year for a few reasons. 1) Kopech wasn't very good early on and Eloy was hurt. Both needed reps in the minors through at least July. 2) By the time they actually proved to be ML ready, it was mid July (at least in Eloy's case, Kopech more recently IMO) and the team was well on its way to a top 3 pick. Blowing a year of service at that point (for only 6-8 weeks on play) is different. I have zero doubts in my mind Kopech and Eloy are in the bigs right now if the Sox were actually trying to win major league baseball games.

Kopech will not be on the OD roster if he isn't called up this season. I think the Sox will want to move on from Shields. Stephens should get a few spot starts in September, and I think they'll give him a shot at the 5th starter role next season. Way as well see what you've got with him at some point.

That's pretty impressive. Especially in only about 300 at bats. He'll be back in Chicago in a few weeks.

Patrick Corbin was pretty meh until this season. I think whoever signs him is going to regret it. I agree the Sox will probably need to sign or trade for a legit veteran SP at some point, but I don't think this offseason is that time, and Patrick Corbin probably isn't the guy you want to be betting on.

Assuming the Sox don't sign a FA SP, who would you start in the rotation in his spot knowing that Kopech won't be that guy until late April? Its either Covey, or someone who isn't currently in the org. I highly doubt the Sox would go with someone like Guerrero or Adams to start 2019, but I suppose its possible.

It's pretty obviously Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Covey and Stephens for the first month. After April 20, Kopech joins and one of Covey/Stephens to the pen. I could see the Sox signing a veteran to a 1 year deal as well and just putting Covey in the pen (where he belongs) from the get go.

Say Rick Hahn is the worst GM in MLB history is correct? Lolz.

Collins may not stick behind the plate, but I think the Sox will certainly give him the opportunity. I sure as shit am glad you're not in charge so we don't trade Cease, Madrigal and Hansen for 2 years of Realmuto (or Realmeto as you say). I think we all want the Sox to go after Machado and/or Arenado, but I think that is pretty tough to assume when projecting lineups. And I don't see why Moncada at third base is a "disaster waiting to happen". But not surprised to see you have a negative take on it.

Completely ignoring free agency to fill in any gaps and whoever our 2019 draft pick is, a 2021 lineup like the below seems reasonable: 2B: Madrigal 3B: Moncada CF: Robert LF: Eloy Catcher: Collins 1B: Burger/Sheets RF: Best of Rutherford/Adolfo/Basabe/Gonzalez/Walker DH: Best of Rutherford/Adolfo/Basabe/Gonzalez/Burger/Sheets/Walker SS: Anderson

Seems like a solid return for Rodney. A's 3rd rounder in 2015. Hasn't pitched a ton in pro ball, but 137 Ks in 121 innings is impressive. Looks like he walks everyone he doesn't K. Definition of a lottery ticket, but for 6 weeks of Rodney, seems decent.

Sure. But really only 2 of those guys are on the farm. Collins is still a fine pick IMO. He's got time still, and despite his shortcomings has still been a well above average bat in AA. If he can stick at C, we've got something very valuable. Rodon has been a clear win. Burger's injury is a huge drag, but the jury is still definitely out on that one. Never loved the pick, but he's definitely going to be big leaguer. Only terrible pick to this point is Fulmer. Fulmer seems to have been completely pushed to the side in the minds of most Sox fans. Which makes sense at this point. But he is still just in his 3rd full season of pro ball. His MLB performance (and AAA for that matter) leaves a pretty terrible taste in everyone's mouth, but it is totally conceivable that he wouldn't have sniffed the majors with most other organizations. I think Fulmer still has a chance to be a solid weapon for the Sox out of the pen, which means that pick isn't a total loss. Plenty of guys taken 8th overall never amount to anything.

Anderson is the least of the Sox concerns. Could be be better and improve? Hell ya. But he's not a utility player. If Anderson is what he is, the Sox will do just fine with him at SS and batting 9th for the rest of his contract. Obviously it'd be great to see him develop a bit more in all aspects, but if he doesn't, he's still a very useful player on a winning team.

Yah, I know. I misspoke. Besides Rodon, who has been pretty good to this point. Guys like Burger and Fulmer and Collins were not top 3-5 picks and its harder to find elite talent there.

Why do they still run Tomshaw out there? Dude must be terrible.

The Sox haven't had a top 3 pick (Bryant - 2 and Correa - 1), so its a little tougher to find stars in the 8-12 range. Rodon was the highest pick, and I'd say he's turned out pretty well and the only thing holding him back to this point has been injuries. Madrigal and our pick next summer will be a better test.

I really do like Yolmer, and he's a great guy to have around that can play a ton of positions and fill in full time for a few weeks if a guy goes on the DL. But I will be fairly disapointed if the Sox plan on Yolmer being the everyday 3B or 2B in 2019 or 2020.

The White Sox cause you so much angst. Try having a positive outlook - you'll probably enjoy what should be a hobby quite a bit more.

Moncada, Anderson, Lopez, and Giolito are really the only guys on the 25 man that are critical to the future of the organization. Don't necessarily need any of them to be stars.

the guy responding to him has been just as bad recently, IMO.

They *may* be interested in Avi. But you sure as shit aren't getting Welker for 1 year of avi.

Me thinks Rockies would be more interested in our OF prospects than 1 year of Avi if the return Welker.

Exactly. The Sox have a ton of depth in the OF. I like Rutherford, and I don't want to get rid of him. But if we can turn him into a legit 3B prospect, I don't see why you wouldn't do it.

Didn't fit his narrative.

Lol, I didn't say that at all. I said 7 of the top 15 Sox prospects are OF, AND the Sox have a ton of fringe OF guys. I would be comfortable trading Rutherford for a similarly regarded prospect at a position of need (3B), because I feel between Eloy, Robert, Basabe, Adolfo, Gonzalez, Walker and a potential FA add, our future outfield will be fine without Rutherford. Depending on the return, Rutherford may be better use to the organization by flipping him for a guy like Hayes, India, Mountcastle or Welker.

I am a big Moncada fan and I do think he'll be fine eventually. But only a small portion of that post was cherry picked. The following is not, and its still really bad. What concerns me is that it has just gone ridiculously south on him. Moncada is 9/74 with 33 K since the ASB. That is absolutely putrid. It isn't just 18 games. In May he hit .197 In June he hit .205 July was .231 .107 through a week in August. His April props up his entire season, in which he hit .273. Since May 1 he's below Mendoza. Roughly half of a season. Also, He hit .188 in July and August last year. Evidence is mounting he's either nowhere near ready or completely overmatched at the MLB level. His wRC+ is down to 89 for the season.