SCCWS

QUOTE (Wanne @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 09:28 PM) I'm glad Hahn is standing firm in demanding a haul. Abreu still puts up MVP type numbers...so settling for a Cardinals decent prospect and a couple of leftover outfielders ain't cuttin' it in my book. If somebody wants JA...they'll have to cough it up. I think Hahn will keep him. I saw a piece this weekend in Boston with a beat-writer talking about Abreu for JBJ. He said there are a bunch of IB/DH guys availableand the market will restrict their value. So Hahn is better Keeping Jose since he certainly seems to thrive in Chicago.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 04:21 PM) Soon enough hopefully And I’m a huge fan of Demonico, have considered him a potential core piece since early last year. I will say this, I feel confident we have enough guys in the system to fill our corner spots long-term, but CF is potentially a question mark if Robert can’t stick there. So I’m more than ok with adding an OF if we find one that’s a legit CF, but I wouldn’t move a guy as important/valuable as Abreu for a corner guy. I hope your right but I am doubtful. Next year is a big year for him. He was a career .260--ish hitter in the minors with limited power. Certainly he has a chance to get PA with the limited roster. He looks to me to be a utility player/4th outfielder who can play a few spots and will be a .250 hitter. But he is still 25 so maybe he has a solid spring and wins starting position.

QUOTE (GenericUserName @ Dec 3, 2017 -> 08:52 PM) I understand that the teams are the ones announcing when they are out, but how are the Cubs still in and the White Sox out? Neither are on the West coast Cubs are a bigger market when he wants small market He didn't want a team that was already established He could get DH at bats with the Sox but would have to play the field with the Cubs We have Don freaking Cooper I knew we were a long shot, but seeing the Cubs still in it gets me mad maybe the criteria was not correct or changed during the process.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 02:54 PM) Machado isn't getting 500mil. That is absurd. 400 mil is even a bit high. He didn't exactly light it up last season. I predict something like 10 year 35 mil. Would you rather have avi + abreu or Machado+ more touted prospects? I know what makes sense. The sox will have NO payroll. I don't see why it's hard to imagine the sox making a play for Machado. It makes almost too much sense. What's the different between signing 2-4 free agents vs signing machado? Obviously the length will be different, but they will have LOTS of payroll freed up. I don't know what you have against Jerry or if you are stereotyping, but he will spend if he sees it as a wide investment. I don't think it will be when Machado is on the market. I think 10-- $375-400.

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 06:27 PM) I don't know when Hahn said the team wouldn't be contending until 2020. But if he actually said that and meant that I just want it to be known that statement actually depresses me. That just confirms my thoughts that this team is going to be crummy for the next few seasons. And it will be a team with a very low payroll. Always remember, low payroll = more moola for JR and his investors. JR will be 84 that year. He may be following the team from the community room of Shady Acres Home for Franchise Owners in AZ.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 09:33 AM) Murphy was virtually handed the catching job in ST and he got hurt, came back and was overwhelmed offensively. I saw him. He got one hit, and they sent him down. If Rockies re-sign Lacroy, Murphy is baggage to them. A 27 year old rookie, so, yeah, I have written him off as a trade target for Abreu. You don't trade a stud hitter like Abreu for guys like Murphy. Keep laughing. If RH is serious about finding a trade partner for Abreu, and I hope he is not, the Rox are great candidates. They love Abreu, and they would give up a lot for him. Of course, they would probably want us to take Desmond off their hands. No thanks. Rox don't really need Tapia or McMahon (if they had Abreu), so they would be offered. Then there remains Rodgers and Pint. I don't have an opinion on Murphy but catchers tend to develop later than positional players. So 27 is not unrealistic for a catcher. Swihart of Boston will be 26 next spring training and there has been talk of him on this board as well.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 01:38 PM) $30M may be a little light, but I can’t see Machado getting anywhere near $40M in AAV. What teams will actually be in need of a 3B come 2019? Below is a list of all the teams I think could afford to have $30M AAV type player on their books and what their 3B situations currently look like. LAD - Turner (2020) NYY - Key prospects in Torres & Andujar BOS - Devers DET - Candelario (plus rebuilding) TOR - Key prospect in Vlad Guerrero Jr TEX - Gallo SFG - Arroyo CHC - Bryant WAS - Rendon (2019) LAA - Valbuena (option) NYM - Wright (2020) STL - Gyorko (2020) SEA - Seager HOU - Bregman PHI - Franco (for now) IMO, most teams look pretty much set at 3B. The Yankees are without question the biggest spender who might have a hole at 3B, but they also have a top 5 prospect in Torres plus another interesting option in Andujar. After them, I’d say the biggest threats for him are the Phillies & the Angels, and LAA already has $104M committed to five players in 2019. Also, this list doesn’t include the potential impact Moustakas & Donaldson may have on the 3B market as well. Honestly, I really think the market is being set up for a battle between us & the Phillies for Machado and I ultimately think we’d be the preferred destination if the money is equal. Just saw a Boston writer last week speculate they will eventually move Devers to 1st when Hanley goes and bring up or acquire a 3B. So Machado could be a destination if they don't go Stanton.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 18, 2017 -> 04:49 PM) Do you think Machado gets more years or a higher AAV or some combo of both? I believe Miguel Cabrera was the highest paid positional guy this last season and he only made $28M. Obviously salaries are going up, but I really can’t see him getting much more than a $30M AAV if he goes for a 10 year deal with an opt-out clause. Harper for sure will get more but I think he will also have more of the traditional big spenders involved. Trout gets $34 MIL est and he is better than machado just for his value in CF. But in 2 years you have to think Salaries will see the continual ( and crazy) escalation. So I think Machado in 2 years will get a 10 year $375-425 deal w the opt=out that seems to be growing in popularity.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 18, 2017 -> 11:07 AM) Free Agents: Manny Machado - 10/$300M (w/ opt-out) Daniel Murphy - 2/$32M Tyler Flowers - 2/$24M Andrew Miller - 4/$64M Trades: Avi Garcia to OAK for SS/OF Jorge Mateo & RHP Daulton Jefferies Roster: 1. L. Garcia, CF ($4M) 2. Moncada, 2B ($0.6M) 3. Machado, 3B ($30M) 4. Abreu, DH ($20M) 5. Jimenez, RF ($0.6M) 6. Murphy, 1B ($16M) 7. Anderson, SS ($1.0M) 8. Delmonico, LF ($0.6M) 9. Flowers, C ($12M) Sub-total = $84.6M IF: Sanchez ($4M) OF: Polo ($0.6M) UT: Cordell ($0.6M BC: Narvaez* ($0.6M) Sub-total = $5.8M #1: Kopech ($0.6M) #2: Rodon ($7M) #3: Giolito ($0.6M) #4: Lopez ($0.6M) #5: Hansen ($0.6M) Sub-total = $9.4M CL: Burdi ($0.6M) SU: Jones ($0.6M) SU: Miller ($16M) MR: Vieira ($0.6M) MR: Fulmer ($0.6M) MR: Guerrero ($0.6M) LR: Stephens ($0.6M) Sub-total = $19.6M Grand-total = $119.4M *Note: Collins would replace Narvaez by the end of June Great job/analysis. I will tell you though, this is 2017 and by 2019 Machado I think he will be in the $400 Mil group. The $300 group of David Price types is not his group. He will be w Stanton, Trout, Kershaw etc especially because of age. I wonder if Orioles will pass on him and trade him for a semi-bundle next summer if they are out of it.

In the World Series, Smoltz talked about the stress factor in pitching. He said pitching in stressful situations( runners on, big games. relief) forces pitchers to exert more effort. So pitchers who allow more baserunners are pitching with more stress and probably using more pitches. I wonder what the impact, if any , does pitching from the stretch have in comparison to pitching w a full windup?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 8, 2017 -> 02:07 PM) Yeah 25-30 innings is a pretty normal jump season over season. Agree but with some reservations. I assume both will be in majors opening day. Going 175- 200 would be pretty normal for a ML pitcher. But I would think the stress of pitching in the majors is higher than at AAA. So maybe the normal jump is not the same between AAA and Majors.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Nov 7, 2017 -> 07:53 AM) The Sox will spend but not this offseason. It is expected by anyone who understands the rebuild that they will pursue some big FAs next offseason. But you know this and still want to complain about this rebuild you don't seem to get. If this happens, I hope this decision is based on availability and not timing. I am sure the front office is looking at an organization depth chart and knows what positions are weak. If there is a FA that would fill an organizational weakness, it would be crazy to not sign them this offseason. Our obvious trade chips( Abreu and Avi) might also be a way to fill a void but it could also expose a new one. Getting a FA to fill a major weakness this offseason is still part of a rebuild. I don't see a negative getting a FA this year if there is a guy you really like and fills an organizational weakness. It also gives you a year to get him acclimated to the team and depending on the player may have a positive influence on the young players as they come up.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Nov 4, 2017 -> 10:38 PM) For as long as it sometimes takes young hitters to figure out big league pitching, it might be nice to have a guy in his prime who can hit .330 and loves being here. I mean in 2019-2020, are we really expecting all the young guys to be awesome. I'm guilty of thinking that quite often. Eloy might be a special case hopefully. No. I think if 60-70% of your top prospects make it and are solid players, that would be great.

QUOTE (daggins @ Oct 28, 2017 -> 10:56 AM) From what i've read, the problem with Girardi to Nats is mostly the cost. The Lerners have a tendency to be penny-wise but pound-foolish. Girardi might have to take a year off like Tito, but he'll find the right opening pretty soon. If the Red Sox took Alex Cora should the Yankees take Joey Cora??? Girardi to Philly..........................

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Oct 27, 2017 -> 11:23 PM) The Nat's would be a good fit for Girardi and , IMHO, would be an upgrade over Dusty or at least bring something different to the clubhouse in DC. I know the Nat's just interviewed Farrell but now that Girardi is available, I would think he'll interview soon. Not sure why but I think Farrell would be a good fit for a young team like the Phillies. I had a few thoughts on this: 1. It seems the main issues that have surfaced w Girardi is his intensity and communication issues( which may be connected). But whatever reason Cashman had, it outweighed success on the field. 2. Farrell was 1st Red Sox manager since divisonal play to win back to back divisional titles. Some of the rumors were communication issues caused his downfall. Again, success on the field did not help him 3. I think we are in the era where the FO( and their personalities) have stronger feelings on how the team should play on a daily basis. I think the myriad of statistics available is causing more FO opinions on what should be happening on the field. Managers who disregard the direction they are urged to go become unpopular with the GM and his stat geeks. 4. As a fan watching games in Boston, almost every game the cameras pan to Bob Kraft, Danny Ainge or Dombrowski. Years ago owners and GM's were always in the background eexcept when changes occurred. I know the Boston media constantly criticized Farrell for postgame remarks. The same media that is pis*** because Belichick regularly gives them nothing in postgame interviews. In Boston, Theo was always in the news and I assume the same is happening in Chicago. 5. I think managers will continue to move around in the era where the FO wants to play manager every day.

QUOTE (Donaldo @ Oct 24, 2017 -> 08:13 PM) Wonder if he'll hire his brother as a coach? I saw where he is one possibility as a bench coach. But I would guess that job should go to an experienced manager type.

I looked but didn't see this posted. Red Sox named Alex Cora manager last weekend.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Oct 24, 2017 -> 07:22 AM) I’d go Anderson, Moncada, Delmonico. Rodon, Abreu and Avi

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 14, 2017 -> 12:14 AM) It seems to me we've acquired all the prospects we need.I may disagree with the rebuild but what's done is done. We have a projected team to win it all at some point. Trading is DONE. 3B - Burger/Davidson. SS-TA. 2B-Moncada. 1B-Abreu I hope or maybe Gillaspie or somebody. RF-Rutherford. CF-Robert. LF-Eloy C-Collins. Pitchers: We know the names. Get em ready and acquire some vets when it's time to win as well and get some arms for the pen and one veteran stud starter. Is my position that odd? Actually Greg, it is not odd. I think Kenny Williams had a similar theory once the Sox won a World Series. Have a solid ML roster and the minor league is an afterthought. Then there is the Theo theory that you are always stock-piling prospects for roster or trade upgrades. Both ways can work but I feel Hahn is trying to emulate Theo. The % of young players who make a major impact is a factor.Of the group you list, some %( 25-50%) won't stick. Unless the White Sox have improved their minor instructional group, that is more of a concern in a system that has struggled to develop positional players.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Oct 12, 2017 -> 12:22 AM) Buy low FA candidates: C Chris Iannetta (Looking for a good pitch framer to boost our young pitcher's confidence) C Rene Rivera (same) P Clay Buchholz (He was awful and hurt in 2017. I think he's the type of guy who should WANT to go to the Sox to try to reclaim his career. Was great as recently as 2015) P Tyler Chatwood (Needs someone to rework his mechanics to fix those control issues) P Jamie Garcia (Another guy with control issues, however, used to be a very good command guy. Needs help finding that release point again) P Tyson Ross (Went from All-star level in 2015, to trash the following two years. Buying very low here. Do it) As far as relievers go, there are a bunch of options. Neftali Feliz, Drew Storen, and others. Or just go after some RPs that are good 2nd tier guys that can be flipped after a few months in the closer role. Jake McGee or Mike Minor. He was also hurt in 2015 which limited his innings.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 11, 2017 -> 03:49 PM) I feel like Betts and Bogaerts fell off a bit this year, and trading Shaw, who could have eased the loss of Ortiz, really hurt them. Porcello obviously returned to earth, and while that probably surprised very few people here, his dropoff and Price's injury were just a lot to overcome. Offensively, their overall lineup did not have the home-run production with 40 less than in 16. Ortiz hit 38 in 16 but Benetendi and Devers combined for 30 to help offset that. My guess is they go get a 1B with power or they trade Bradley and add an outfielder w pop. They also have to get a solid 2-4 starter. But the new manager comes in with a pretty solid team but w a very fragile clubhouse. there will be a bunch of names surfacing but so far Cora, Ausmus and Gardenshire are a few being tossed around . I would think Ozzie is also available................................

I will always root against Sale because I am a White Sox fan living in Boston. I enjoy watching him pitch but I will be rooting against him. I can see some White Sox fans thinking the same about Q since they resent Cub success.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 10, 2017 -> 09:55 AM) Boston won the AL east last year. They got swept by the Indians. You are right. Farrell has finished 1-5-5-1 and now 1. But the media today is calling for him to go.

QUOTE (JPR @ Oct 10, 2017 -> 02:36 AM) Sale left a lot to be desired. I've never seen a guy get a standing ovation with such an uninspiring performance. We won that trade. If Sale was not on Red Sox, I doubt they win the AL East. Boston finished in last place in 2016 so Sale as their ace was a major factor. But winning a trade will take years to determine. I would say the Red Sox got their ace and the White Sox got what they wanted, top prospects.

QUOTE (zisk @ Oct 7, 2017 -> 07:39 AM) The Sox might not have to spend on a pitcher like the Cubs did. They have 2-3 guys in the system who are potentially as good or better than Lester. Kopech and Hansen could turn out to be true Aces. If that happens there won't be a need for a 155 million dollar free agent pitcher. Each rebuild is different. Agree. But most 'aces" take a few years to going from good to an "ace". So the Sox may have to trade if they want to be a viable contender in 2020. Even Sale may not be an ace yet after 6 years due to durability.