SCCWS

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 12, 2016 -> 10:51 AM) I forget who made the point originally, but reading the subsequent posts, taking advantage of the Red Sox catching depth is a must, and makes a ton of sense if the Sox are going to try for a hybrid rebuild. Not many teams can show depth behind the plate. The best of the White Sox depth is years away, and a guy like Collins might not make it to the bigs as a catcher. I had no idea the depth at catcher the Red Sox had, and would rather see the Sox go after a guy like this versus another pitcher or position player at the end of the deal. Do any other teams have this kind of availability? I don't see their catching depth. They gave up on Swihart because of his catching abiliities and converted him to a LF then he ended up on DL for most of season. I love Vazquez as a defensive catcher but they sent him back to AAA again because he couldn't hit ML pitching. They got lucky because Leon, a career sub .200 hitter batted .300 this year. Their ML backup Hanigan hit below .200 and Holoday who they picked up struggled as well. I think they will bring back Leon and Vazquez, release Hanigan who was the primary last season and put Holoday in AAA as insurance. I doubt they trade Vazquez because Leon is a risk. They will trade Swihart because Benintendi jumped ahead of him on their depth chart.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Oct 11, 2016 -> 11:26 PM) Frankly I think that option is best case scenario. I really don't know if Boston would consider moving Moncada. They say no in the public but who really knows. I know for sure, and I don't want to see it, that the Sox will not be getting Mookie Betts. Please make that stop... Moncada was rushed to the majors this year and he had a very poor showing. Benintendi was also rushed and played very well. In normal times, both would have gotten some time in AAA. Moncada will probably need a full year in AAA next year. I think the question for Boston is how far behind Moncada is Devers and which one is viewed as the next 3B. If it is Devers, they may move Moncada.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 11, 2016 -> 04:23 PM) Yeah, a team that came up short as it was doesn't pretty much stand pat and stay in house when it is losing it's biggest run producer. Even with a free agent, chances are their DH production is going down. They need to make up for it some way, and on the mound is the answer. I think they look at it differently. They got little production out of 3B and LF last season. Benintnedi is a major upgrade in LF and either Moncada, Holt or Panda will play 3rd. I think Moncada needs a year in AAA but I guess ST will determine that. Either way, they will probably get more production than they got from Shaw/Hill at 3rd. I see people on this site thinking Encarnicion is headed to Boston. See very little on that locally. Thought is they will want a lefty not a righty with their present roster.

FWIW: Boston/Providence paper and talk media are pretty consistent today. Red Sox priorities in order: 1. DH-Bullpen( esp.lefty) and 3B. Most figure bullpen via trade and DH and 3B in house 2. Alex Speier who is one of their prime reporters said they have 6 starters signed for next year. "This may be an offseason defined more by subtle changes rather than fundamental ones. In the rotation, the team retains control over its six primary starters this year – David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz, Steven Wright, and Clay Buchholz (whose $13.5 million option represents almost a no-brainer given its short term and the righthander’s solid performance down the stretch). Will the Red Sox explore the trade market to see if the White Sox are inclined to deal Chris Sale or Jose Quintana? Certainly, but in a thin market where the prospect cost of starters is likely to be exorbitant, the team may also stay the course. " https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2...fLwI/story.html

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 11, 2016 -> 08:24 AM) So I was in bed before 9 last night, but did Conor Gillaspie really hit a triple off Chapman? Unbelievable, especially with both of their LH splits. Was he spotted near Daniel Murphy's doctor last week? Why can't we get players like that..............

QUOTE (oldsox @ Oct 10, 2016 -> 10:33 PM) Disagree on value of Bradley. If Bosox trade him, they wouldn't miss a beat. They would just slide Benintendi in there. I have no doubt that they consider him much more valuable than Bradley. On another note, this right handed pitcher Kopech supposedly throws harder than Chapman. Has hit 104. Bradley is an elite CF and Benintendi is still a work in progress. From what I have seen, Benintendi seems to have a good arm but has been wild from left. Not sure how his arm is in center. Betts was a very good CF but Bradley ousted him from there. If they traded Bradley, which I doubt, Betts might be better than Benintendi.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 10, 2016 -> 09:28 AM) Really gonna use the Dodgers as an example of a team that develops 4th and 5th starters? Lmao, the same team that went out and traded for Hill, signed McCarthy and Blanton in the offseason, paid a crazy amount to Maeda when he posted. The exact acquisition model that puts you in a hissy fit and now they are great at developing 5th starters. Just wondering, if the team is intending to go for a full rebuild and trade Sale and Q, would you retain Cooper??? I would think Renteria would bring in a younger pitching coach to work w Rodon, Fulmer and young pitchers drafted and added via trades. Maybe this means Q and Sale are not being dealt.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Oct 10, 2016 -> 12:24 AM) They are the team to watch IMO. Unless Boston decides to nut up. They already have many studs in place, bullpen is pretty nasty, just need that ace. Boston's bullpen had numerous issues during the 2nd half. But their starting pitching was outstanding during the same stretch. Kimbrel has had control issues down the stretch.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Oct 9, 2016 -> 08:44 AM) Agree that Betts is unlikely. I thought I said so. But if another starter gets bombed and they're swept, you'll see panic in Boston this off-season. Also don't sleep on the Yankees but will have to give up Gary Sanchez. I don't think you will see panic in Boston. They are coming off 2 terrible seasons where they finished last in AL East. Down the stretch they owned their main rivals in O's and Jays. They made a boatload of money this year in both attendance and merchandise sale. They have 4 young players in starting lineup and more talent on the way. But making the playoffs for them is not a goal but more an expectation. So I think Dombowski will be busy. Many forget they lost their #3 starter and All-Star mid-year this year in Wright. Benintendi made a splash down the stretch. Moncada, however. was a flop. Both were rushed to the majors skipping AAA. Living in Red Sox country, my take. I hope to hell Sale does not end up in Boston. I think Dombrowski will make moves and trade one of Moncada or Benintendi. My guess, he will package the one w another prospect( Devers or Kopech), a SP ( Buchholtz or Pomerantz) and Shaw or Holt and add a 2-3 starter and a lefty reliever. keep an eye on Sonny Gray. He will not trade Betts or Bradley. Benintendi and Betts are a step down from Bradley defensively, the reason why both had to learn new positions. Hopefully they get swept tonight although the game may get rained out.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 8, 2016 -> 11:22 AM) Lol, Porcello will never make the Red Sox say "nah, don't need Sale" Ever ever ever I consider Sale top 3 in baseball as a starter. But if Red Sox bounce back against the Tribe they may not want to pay the Sale price in players/prospects. Price gets $30Mil for 7 years and Porcello gets $22 for 4. So they may not want to add Sale knowing he would come up before they expire. I hope Hahn doesn't trade Sale for just prospects. I would rather see 2 ML quality young players+ rather than 4 high prospects.

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Oct 7, 2016 -> 08:41 PM) There will be plenty of talk now, as Porcello and Price have both failed the Red Sox in this series. Hopefully Tribe can sweep and Red Sox exit with concerns on their starters. Don't want to see Porcello or Price get a 2nd shot at redemption.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Oct 6, 2016 -> 04:01 PM) man f*** cleveland Sorry live in Red Sox country for most of the year. Tough as a White Sox fan to watch their success this decade. I will root for Cubs against Red Sox.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 6, 2016 -> 01:42 PM) And Kluber is not exactly 100% either I don't think. I have a feeling about them though...they are incredibly well-balanced offensively and very tough to beat at home. But Boston is really good on the road. If Indians can win against Porcello in game 1 that will be huge. Francona vs his pupil. Should be a great series. Go Tribe

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Oct 6, 2016 -> 11:28 AM) I think you're probably right. I just hope Rick sticks to his guns on what he wants. No settling for Chris Sale. We need a g'damn ransom. But I assume you agree, few if any teams have and probably will give a ransom so Hahn should keep him if that is the case.

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Oct 5, 2016 -> 01:53 PM) I more or less agree with this. Porcello is pitching way above his career numbers this year, and Dombrowski has to know that he's better off with Sale in his rotation over the next few years. If the Red Sox do anything less than win it all this year, I foresee Dombrowski and Hahn having some serious discussions at the winter meetings. He is pitching above his average but he is also only 27. I think the question is has the Boston coaching staff changed something that has made him more effective. I can tell you the Boston media is having a love fest w this team. After 2 last place finishes, the Ortiz saga and the growth of their young players so quickly has them front and center. From a team standpoint, there is no talk about their starting pitching except who will pitch 3rd since they really have 2 #3 starters. It is all bullpen concerns. I would love to see Francona knock them out especially since they don't have home field. But it very well could be a Cubs/ Red Sox series on the horizon. That will have New England( maybe all of baseball) in a tizzy.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Oct 5, 2016 -> 11:59 AM) Non sense. Every team in baseball "wants" Chris Sale. Rick friggin Porcello doesn't change that. Now only a few teams have what it takes to get him, and maybe they aren't willing to match that price, but that doesn't mean they don't want him. I agree that every team would want Chris Sale. But I doubt the Red Sox are going to break up a divisional championship team and possibly a World Series championship team to acquire Sale. The price is too high. They backed off last time and now their starting pitching has improved dramatically during 2nd half. I thought they might go for Q but now I doubt that as well. I think they will go in to the offseason looking to fill their holes-C, bullpen and a 5th starter.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Oct 4, 2016 -> 08:54 PM) I really think they won't move Moncada because of the investment in him but who knows when it comes down to pulling the trigger on Sale or Quintana. I want to take our time with Collins. Let him start at AA next year and work his way through the system, especially if we rebuild. There's no longer a reason to push guys faster through the system if we're rebuilding. I do think Collins could be up next year at some point. Next year will be really fun for me if we rebuild and there's a ton of prospects to follow and watch debut. I'm just not sure if only moving Sale is good enough to push this team into the playoffs. This free agent market sucks, so there's not a ton of options to chose from to help fill some holes. If you only moved Sale and got Benintendi, Kopech, Devers, Rodriguez and Vazquez, is that enough to propel this team into contention moving forward for years to come? I'm not so sure because you're banking on prospects working out which most of the time they don't in these types of trades. I'm still trying to figure out if Hahn is trying to include JBJ in the deal as well and what that would do to the deal. I thought I read somewhere they wanted JBJ or Betts which isn't happening most likely let alone midseason. Boston will not want Sale now that Porcello has emerged to join Price at the top of the rotation. They will want a 3-4 starter and bullpen pieces. They will probably trade Holt, Young or Shaw w some 2nd tier prospects to fill the few holes they have. They did move Moncada to 3B and Devers is behind him so they could move one of them if needed.

QUOTE (captain54 @ Oct 4, 2016 -> 01:50 PM) Last I checked, Frazier leads MLB regular 3rd base guys in strikeouts, and lowest BA.. The original plan was to have Frazier as the guy in the lineup to protect Abreu.. it didn't happen.. as far an extension, I think it depends on how the rest of the lineup shakes down.. despite the power, I don't see how Frazier fits into the 1-5 hole.. too many lost offensive opportunities in 16' without enough bonafide hitters 1-5 Tonight the Jays and O's will play in the wildcard game. Check out Trumbo( 4th) for O's and Russel Martin(5th) for Jays. They strike out the same rate as Frazier.

QUOTE (professa @ Oct 4, 2016 -> 12:33 AM) I still think the Sox will still try to compete next year, but do so by acquiring young players that can make an impact right away. I'd like to note I'm in favor of a complete teardown, instead of this semi-rebuild which I am about to propose: Sox trade Quintana and Brett Lawrie for Yoan Moncada, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Blake Swihart Sox Sign Carlos Gomez 1 yr/8M deal with option Sox sign Chris Coghlan 1/5M deal Sox Sign Pedro Alvarez 2 yr/18M Sox Sign Geo Soto Eaton Anderson Abreu Frazier Alvarez Melky Gomez Moncada Swihart/Soto Coghlan Saladino Swihart/Soto Tilson Rotation 1. Sale 2. Rodon 3. Shields 4. Gonzalez 5. Rodriguez/Fulmer Pen CL. Robertson SU Jones SU Burdi MR Putnam MR Jennings MR Petricka MR Rodriguez/Fulmer Swihart was converted to a left fielder. He did not make the grade as a catcher on a Boston team that is pretty weak at the position.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 09:23 PM) For sure. Other than the ones we know about, supposedly he has been sent home other times as well. Abbatacola also mentioned earlier that his source said Sale's part of the reason Robin didn't really want to continue. Sale will be back. There is no way the Sox get what they will want for him especially w Boston probably out of the running. Maybe the Yankees or washington could put a package together but I think unless Hahn drops his demands , Sale will be back. Q I think is very tradeable.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 01:32 PM) Most definitely agree. I see posts that have Eaton moving back to center when acquiring another outfielder. That is just plain foolish. Adam Eaton is a gold glove caliber right fielder and a mediocre at best center fielder, you don't mess with that. I have no idea how they are going to acquire a legitimate major league center fielder, but if Adam Eaton is your starting center fielder next season I will be greatly disappointed. This probably would of been a disaster, but the times that they started Eaton in center and Avi in right the last couple of months, I think I would of rather that they switched and tried Avi in center and left Eaton in right. The worst that happened would of been a few more losses due to center field defense, but then we might have a protected draft pick. Who knows, the odds are small, but maybe something would of just "clicked" with Avi in center. Seeing the ball better or something. After all, some scout somewhere thought he could play center when we traded for him. I think Eaton is adequate in CF. It certainly makes sense to keep him in right but if you cannot get a legit CF you may have to move him back to improve the overall offensive balance of the outfield. For example, I don't think you pass on Reddick, if he is a target, because Eaton is in RF.

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 09:41 AM) i was and in some way very critical of the sox FO as anyone. but i still thought back then, getting Shields was a good gamble. who would have known that JS would have produce as he did. pls think back, many posters were not happy at the way the sox was going into the season, esp in the SP dept. i just hoped they, the owners learned from their mistake. now the BIG QUESTION is, are the sox going to be buyers or sellers???? Boston media wrote a week before the White Sox trade that the Red Sox backed off Shields because they thought he could not survive in a hitter's park and his fastball had lost 2-3 mph.

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 12:58 PM) Except that Frazier and Melky both hit free agency next winter, and the Sox cannot legitimately "go for it" without those two. So there is a compelling reason to either sh*t or get off the pot this year. But their value is higher this winter than it will be in July and the trade pool is larger in the winter than in July. So waiting till July is a big mistake unless the Sox are contenders next season.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 07:40 AM) Maddon also went after the Cub job when he had that window of time to make himself a FA. He wanted the Cub job. I doubt if there is another manager out there of his caliber who would want to get the White Sox job. Might not but situations change. Suppose Yankees decide to let Girardi go??

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 2, 2016 -> 09:00 PM) My belief is they trade him for Bradley Jr and Moncada and then try to add starting caliber players to go for it again I doubt Sale is traded. Boston's starting pitching was very good the 2nd half. Their bullpen is a major problem. I doubt they are interested in trading any core pieces ( Bradley) in a trade for any stating pitcher never mind Sale. They will be a favoirite to be in the World Series next year w the team they return. If Dombrowski could get Sale for Moncada and some ML backups like Holt, Shaw etc I could see him doing it. If that happens, Hahn should be a throw-in as part of the trade.