SCCWS

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 06:09 PM) Honestly, it feels like they didn't do anything at the trade deadline because neither Williams nor Hahn will man up and take responsibility for the failure of the last two offseasons. Probably both were scrambling around to stake out the opposite position of the other, and neither wanted to go to JR, so pretty much nothing got done. Surprise!!! It doesn't make any sense not to have gotten together a MONTH AGO and started trading assets like Robertson, Cabrera and Frazier. If this front office could only for ONCE get on the same freaking page and go to JR collectively and tell him they screwed up and the only way out of it is to do XYZ, then there would at least be a glimmer of hope. Then JR can decide whether to keep both of them or fire both of them. Instead, it's like Ozzie vs. KW where it feels like they're positioning for one to survive the other and have total control. In the offseason, we can get Betts or Bradley, Jr., or Bogaerts for Sale. Great. The team is in exactly the same position it was...unless Rodon or Fulmer decide to impersonate Cy Young contenders. We needed to make the kind of move that would bring in 2-3 potential starters offensively...or 2-3 future starting pitchers, like the proposed trade with the Dodgers. This was the PERFECT time to strike like the Yankees did and load up on prospects who will be coming up in 2017-18 and no later than 2019. Even the Pirates sold off, because they know they have the core in place (other than McCutcheon) for the next 3-4 years and won't gamble it all for another wild card game. Brewers, Padres, everyone ended up looking better than us. But excellent, we have another outfield version of Carlos Sanchez or Micah Johnson to entertain us for the next couple of months in Tilson. And we get to see how Dan Jennings does in high leverage situations. Oh, boy. A couple of thoughts: 1. We are not getting Bradley or Bogaerts for Sale. They are All-Stars playing prime positions. Betts + some prospect package is very doable. 2. Kudos to the Yankees for getting a bunch of prospects but that does not mean their coming up will improve them. Prospects are still a crap shoot. But the yankees gave up relief pitching which is often a crap shoot in itself. 3. I think the FO screwd up not getting something for Robertson, Shields or Gonzo since there seemed to be a market for pitching.

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 12:03 PM) The Cubs have been the most popular team in Chicago since the mid-80s. Win or lose, they have fans. Same goes for the Red Sox in the Northeast. Their fan base hasn't changed much since 2004. Wrong. The Red Sox have become a corporate boom since the late 90's. With corporations buying up blocks of box and grandstand sections, the average fan is forced to compete for the non-season ticket seats. That has driven up demand and price and was the reason they got creative adding seats instead of building a new stadium.

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 12:59 PM) Definitely a showcase by Boston for Sale. Not at all. They have a hole in LF due to injuries. I posted yesterday that several Boston media people said several sources indicated Sale was never really on the market because of JR. That would concur w DD saying he had no contact since Friday w Hahn. Now if Moncada ends up in LF instead of 3B and Ben. has his struggles, then maybe for Q next winter.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 08:41 AM) Yea our organization doesn't know a thing about absurd rush jobs right? No it is a rush. He has no time at AAA, 200+ AB in AA and he has to play a left field that has challenges. But ironically he passed Rusney Castillo who was at AAA.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 10:36 AM) Just because they have Kimbrel coming back soon, doesn't mean they wouldn't be interested in another back-end reliever. Robertson would still be a weapon for them. And where did you see anything about Benintendi coming up? He has 258 plate appearances in AA, that would be an absurd rush job. Benintendi being recalled.

FWIW---Boston had a Trade Deadline Show w Jerry Remy and 2 Boston Beat Writers. They indicated multiple sources said the Dodgers were the only team who thought they could make a deal for Sale. Texas and Boston were not giving up what Hahn wanted and moved on. Dodgers finally switched their attention to Hill mid-day. There was some discussion that JR was not trading Sale regardless of the package. They don't think Sale will "really" be available in the winter either. Maybe tomorrow we will hear some more rumors. However, we saw how wrong most of the pre-deadline rumors turned out so many of these post deadline rumors are just as wrong

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 06:49 PM) Me too! Would be comical if Yankees pass them in standings. Actually heard an interesting discussion from a couple of Boston beat writers on their Trade Deadline Show. Tigers may be hurt by the Yankee fire sale. Boston has a lot of games w New York and the depleted Yankee roster will help Boston especially losing Chapman and Miller. Detroit may be the competition for the wildcard w the 2nd and 3rd eastern teams.

In fairness,I think Hahn just ran out of time trying to move the "other pieces". Supposedly he and KW spent the whole weekend sewing throwback jerseys.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 03:37 PM) I don't think you move Melky and Frazier, 2 of your 3 best offensive pieces, if you keep Sale and Q. Same could be said for Robertson. So you are all in for 2016???..........................

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 03:12 PM) If Hahn wants a mix of prospects and ML talent in a package for Sale, including Melky might help. Boston might want Melky

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 03:05 PM) This is further evidence why you need to get a ton of top talent to justify trading people like Sale / Q. They are going to be here for 3 / 4 years and we are able to get that value over that span (knowing they are already the best at their respective positions in the game (i.e., top 10-15). It is why this "surplus" value of minor league talent is so absurdly overrated. I agree that prospects are a gamble. But Sale/Q have already been here for 3/4 (healthy) years and what do we have to show for it??? So maybe we need to move one or both next winter for established ML players and see if that works.

QUOTE (heirdog @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 02:35 PM) We suck because we won't budge on 2 of the top assets in all of baseball?!? Or because we won't settle for less when we have 2 cost controlled elite pitchers in a seller's market where the top contenders could use pitching?!? Dombrowski, Friedman and Daniels should be the ones sweating right now, not Hahn. Why??? Their teams are all in good position to make the playoffs. If they are not willing to pay out what Hahn is asking, they are still in good shape. They not only have their team in the playoff hunt, they all have several outstanding prospects in their farm system as well. That is the job of a GM. Success in the majors and talent in the minors. We have neither right now.

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 02:26 PM) They have some, not my favorite though. I bet KW has his eye on A-Rod for our pennant run. That could be the piece that puts us over the top.......................

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 12:19 AM) If DD really doesn't want to give up Moncada, I'd throw in Melky and ask for Bradley, Benintendi, and one of their top two pitching prospects. Huh???t. Boston is short a LF right now w Young out and Holt still recovering. Why would they trade their LF heir apparent and their CF and replace w Melky when they are in the pennant chase. Now they have no CF. As I posted before, Bradley is an untouchable. Betts maybe in the offseason but he will require a lot in return removing a lot of prospects from a Sale or Q haul.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 09:01 PM) You kind of leave out that whole part where he'd also walk into the Winter Meetings with baseballs two biggest trade chips, still. Again, we have to assume he survives if the Sox have another sub .500 seasonsimiliar to last season. But if Hahn is asking more than teams are willing to pay , they are not really trade chips now or next winter. The seller needs a buyer . There probably are a very limited number of teams that can provide a "haul" for a Chris Sale. So if say Bsoton does not make the playoffs this year, they very well could offer a roster player ( Betts?) or two that they won't now in a pennant race. But if Boston makes the playoffs, they may be less willing to unload a "haul " next winter as opposed to trading for a SP that will not require multiple high prospects. Hopefully tomorrow some contender offers a pakage that Hahn accepts. I agree he should not fold for a poor deal. Maybe Sale is just not tradeable and a package for Q makes more sense. But doing nothing may be a tough pill for Sox fans to swallow as Cubsmania explodes in the media.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 07:39 PM) Well, you know me, I'm as critical of Sox mgmt as anyone around. But I'm thinking they are playing this one out exactly as they should. They don't HAVE to move either Sale or Quintana, as we all know, and appear to only be willing to do so for a king's ransom, as they should. The leverage is 100% with the Sox, and they are using it to the hilt. The closer we get to that deadline tomorrow, the better the deal(s) will be for the Sox, if they make one or any at all. Not sure if that is true. Many speculate that there is no accountability in the White Sox FO. After a winter of moves which should have improved the team, on July 31st the White Sox are 3 games below .500. The exact same level they were a year ago on 7/31. So Hahn has all the leverage as long as JR is content where they stand today. But if there is any discontent on management's part with the present situation, then I am not sure Hahn has all the leverage. Cashman can walk away from the table since he has improved their farm system this weekend. Dombrowski can walk away since his team is still in contention for a WC and his farm system is loaded w talent. But if Hahn walks away from the table with a team that is stumbling after the All Star break, had an embarassing situation w his star player this week, the crosstown rivals are headed to the post-season and all he has to show is a 4th outfielder for his efforts at the deadline, he may be feeling the heat.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 07:54 PM) No thanks. Coats is not a major leaguer. Not Coats, I said play Tilson the rest of this season. I think Melky's value is as high as it ever will. See if some team could use a .300 hitter( both a veteran and a lefty) for the stretch run.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 06:13 PM) I will say this, if Hahn doesn't move Melky between now and tomorrow, it strongly supports the idea they'll be going for it in 2017. Agree. As I said yesterday, I am afraid Hahn is still going for it in 2016. Not sure Melky's value will ever be higher than today and they just added a 4th outfielder who can be slotted in for the rest of the season.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 10:36 AM) Just because they have Kimbrel coming back soon, doesn't mean they wouldn't be interested in another back-end reliever. Robertson would still be a weapon for them. And where did you see anything about Benintendi coming up? He has 258 plate appearances in AA, that would be an absurd rush job. I live part of year in New England. One of beat writers wrote he is on fast track due to Holt injury and Bentz struggling. Bentz stuck out twice last night w bases loaded which has really fueled the rumors this morning w Boston media.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 09:35 AM) I wouldn't. You'd still need top end pitching talent. This is what I would do. Sale and Robertson to the Red Sox for Moncada, Benintendi, Swihart, Devers, Kopech, and Basabe. (Drive up price because Yankees now have the pieces to get a Sale trade done). Quintana to the Dodgers for Urias, De Leon, Holmes, and Calhoun. Farm system rebuilt. As I posted yesterday, Kimbrall was making a rehab start last night. According to Boston Globe, he will be reactivated on Monday. So they will not want Robertson. Maybe Duke would attract their interest. Also it appears Benintendi may be recalled to play LF for their stretch run after their road trip. He may now be off the trade board as Boston continues to add young players with last names beginning w B.

QUOTE (daggins @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 09:09 AM) Miller is better than DRob but the difference isn't as pronounced as ERA says it is. Control and money are similar. Get it done, Rick. Money is $9 mil more for D Rob but teams do throw money around when the need is there.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 30, 2016 -> 08:08 PM) Benintendi, Devers, Kopech, Vazquez, Swihart, and Travis for Q and Robertson NO. The Red Sox will not want Robertson. Not sure why you would want 2 converted left-fielders. Travis has a torn ACL, Vazquez had Tommy John, struggled on his return and got sent back to the minors and Swihart is on 60 day DL. Getting 3 guys w recent injury problems is really rolling the dice.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Jul 30, 2016 -> 07:26 PM) If I were Hahn I'd be trying like hell to package Sale and Robertson to Boston. Sale and Robertson For Moncada, Benintendi, Travis Shaw, Kopech, Eduardo Rodriguez I think getting Robertson could sway them over the top in trading both Moncada and Benintendi. Would be hard to say they wouldn't be the World Series favorite if Boston got an ace and another dominant set up man. I really doubt Boston wants Robertson. Kimbrall started tonight in AAA and is being reactivated Monday. Sale has to bring at least 1 ML "stud" not just prospects. Maybe this type of deal in offseason w Betts in and Benintendi out.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jul 30, 2016 -> 05:45 PM) oh and Alex Speier ‏@alexspeier 4s4 seconds ago White Sox evaluators aren't just scouting Red Sox' system. Source says Chicago looking at catchers, incl Christian Vazquez and Gary Sanchez. https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/759505031401844736 Would love Vazquez but he may not be an ML bat. But is an ML catcher. Not a great fit on a team looking for some offense. But a long range solution behind the plate.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 30, 2016 -> 04:17 PM) Boston and Texas desperately need some bullpen help. I think Boston would be more interested in Dukes than Robertson. Their closer Kimbrall will be back on Monday and Joe Kelly has been throwing 100+ in relied appearances since he joined the pen last week. But they may need a lefty.