Dunt

Birmingham and Kannapolis are some real ass teams. They will be a lot of fun to follow this season.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 09:12 AM) Would that be enough (the offseason so far) to get you to buy season tickets again if you'd cancelled after 2011, or at any point in the last three years? I wonder how many Sox fans felt confident enough to buy a smaller/split 2016 package as a Christmas gift? You care a lot about attendance for someone that lives half around the world and never goes to games

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 07:56 AM) That's all fine and good in the NL. Everyone in the Central has a chance. You have Houston, Texas, LAA and the Mariners have spent a lot in recent years...so the A's are the only team we can eliminate. In the East, who doesn't have a shot at the playoffs? The Red Sox will be better, that's for sure. You have the Jays and Yankees. The Orioles have lots of money left to spend. So TB then? Two teams we can eliminate...that's it. Thirteen teams could make the playoffs, not the greatest odds with our current team...just like at the end of July last year. Similar logjam. Sorry, what was your point again?

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 10:21 PM) Why? The White Sox, as currently constructed, still aren't a playoff team in my opinion. Frazier and Lawrie are nice upgrades, but catcher, shortstop, right field, and left field are all still potential holes, not to mention the lack of decent pitching depth. I think they are competing for a wild card as currently constructed. If you add one of the outfielders, it's a definite playoff team.

If you needed any more proof that Caufield is a Royals fan, you needn't look any further than this thread.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 01:22 PM) May has a below average arm so I wouldn't count on him for RF. May reminds me alot of Juan Pierre, not that it's a bad thing. Interested to hear how bad it is from any of the FutureSox guys. MLB.com says he could be a plus defender if he improves his routes to balls. I would take a plus defender with a mediocre arm.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 12:56 PM) My only quibble is that it doesn't make sense to move a star fielder to a different position (RF). So then we have Melky in RF I guess. eeeeeeEEEEHHH.... I think you live with the pain of Melky in RF this year then hope that Jacob May can handle RF next season

Just some light reading for those worried about signing Gordon: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/alex-gordon...in-free-agency/

Just going to go ahead and say I would totally be in for Gordon. Having him in LF along with Saladino at SS and Frazier at 3B would lock down the left side of the field. If you can upgrade RF defensively, that team looks real nasty.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 10:56 AM) Sources: #WhiteSox showing interest in Alex Gordon, among others. Gordon appeals for several reasons: Knows division, LHH, defense, makeup. https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/679344296647131140 Question is whether #WhiteSox could pay Gordon enough to pry him from #Royals. Team would be left with Melky, LaRoche, Garcia at RF/DH. https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/679344301374087169 #WhiteSox could trade one of those players - preferably LaRoche, who will earn $13M in ’16. Wouldn’t be easy with Alvarez, Carter among FAs. https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/679344306247876608 Caufield is officially placed on suicide watch.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 09:34 AM) The thread title definitely needs to be changed since there's almost nothing concrete linking Gordon and the White Sox... Certainly shouldn't be contributing to anyone getting their hopes up when there's almost no smoke at all. Making you angsty he might actually leave your boys?

Im fully assuming that the Sox will land one of the big 3 at this point, so this thread is predicated on that. How does everyone here want the OF to line up in 2016? All of the big 3 FAs play above average LF defense and Upton has experience playing right, but his arm doesnt grade out well. Cespedes is athletic enough that the Mets tried using him in CF to disasterous results, but he might be playable in RF. If you play them in LF, will Melky atleast be serviceable for next year in RF? He has a strong arm, but his range already grades out poorly in LF which is largely considered the easiest OF spot.

Personally, I think Gordon would be absolutely awesome on this team. Plus defender in LF, solid OBP to slot in at the 2 hole, some power, good base runner, only downside is potentially his age. Even with a 4 yr contract though, you only have him til 36.

@ClubhouseConvo: I believe Alex Gordon will be a #Royal by mid week. #WhiteSox would seem to be only other serious contender.

Robertson was a top 10 reliever last season. He put up a 1.8 fWAR. He isn't going anywhere.

Hopefully his proclivity for the long ball last season wont carry over to this season

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 11:03 PM) Isn't Melky the worse fielder? Also, I suppose Cespedes could play RF and take your pick between Melky and Avi in LF. Also, LaRoche goes to the bench or Charlotte in this scenario. Am I crazy for thinking trying Avi in LF might be serviceable? It's the only position where he has a positive DRS, UZR, and UZR/150. I think you try grooming him a little in AAA for LF.

The team has improved a lot already this offseason, but there is still more work to be done. I think the Sox will acquire a stud corner OF in the next few weeks (and that should be the #1 priority at this point), but I am a little concerned about the backup situation. Shuck had a nice season last year and came up with some big hits, but I think I'm more interested in having a plus defender as my 4th OFer. Not sure he will be ready to make the jump any time soon, but Jacob May could be an interesting name to follow there. Otherwise, I would still like to see a bullpen move. I'm confident in Robertson having a better season this year, but am not sure the setup tandem of Jones and Duke are going to get it done. Both looked incredibly hittable last season. Any good values left in the RP market?

Don't think defense can ever be overvalued, it's way too important. What I learned from last season is that K% is overblown. The Cubs had one of the best rosters in baseball, but set a record for K%. It didn't matter b/c they had a bunch of guys that could also walk.

I'm good with Upton or Gordon honestly, I think they both got well with this team. Scary thought to put Melky in RF, but atleast LF could get upgraded D with either player.

I should know better than to read these threads, nothing but unfounded negativity. I am absolutely fired up about this trade and there is more on the horizon. The Sox are gonna be nasty this season.

I really don't see Freese as a match for them at this point. Might as well just role with Lawrie for half the price and keep Sanchez at 2B. Atleast the defense will be solid.

Might be dumb, but it's something to think about nonetheless: Sox are always slow out of the gate and Justin Upton seems to always put up solid numbers in April and May: April .277/.357/.529 May .279/.366/.490 June .269/.366/.409 July .273/.340/.479 August .280/.356/.500 Sept/Oct .250/.322/.434

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Dec 14, 2015 -> 04:49 PM) http://southsideshowdown.com/2015/12/14/co...-the-white-sox/ Breaks down this season and future ones. Adds in what would happen for sox getting Frazier and upton. Nice write up. You put a lot of work into that.

QUOTE (daggins @ Dec 14, 2015 -> 04:07 PM) The Cards did win 100 games, though they had really remarkable luck. They're still a match for the Cubs and probably better than the Pirates with what they have. The O's won't pony up for Upton, Angelos makes JR look like a spendthrift. I think its basically Angels, White Sox, Tigers, maybe Rangers, Nationals and maybe the Royals (if they get real crazy) as the OF market competition. I really dont see the Rangers spending on OF help. They have Choo and Hamilton out there now, need a spot for Gallo, have Brinson and Mazara in the minors...they just have too much to see them spending on OF.