TheFutureIsNear

You guys are all kidding yourselves if you think Turner is going to be in a package.... My guess is that Giolito and Robles are agreed upon but Hahn and Co. are trying to get as many of Lopez, Fedde, Joe Ross, Stevenson, Kieboom, Severino as possible and the Nats are balking at which 1's and how many go with the 2 headliners. All the while the Hahn is still checking his phone every 5 seconds waiting for a better offer to come in. Presumably waiting for Boston to come off of 1 of Moncada/Benentendi + Devers + 1 of Kopesch/Groome or Houston to let go of Bregman + Tucker + Musgrove/Paulino. I'd be surprised if anyone else is seriously in the mix.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 6, 2016 -> 06:25 AM) Unless you can get Swanson or Bregman. The trade's easier to sell if the fans can see one key piece making an immediate contribution, particularly an everyday player at a key position on the field. Well looking at Sox attendance the causal fan that would be worried about name recognition back doesn't show up to the park anyway so who cares? The attendance was low with Sale, Abreu, Q, Eaton, Frazier, Melky, etc. You think people will show up if 1/2 of those guys are gone just because we got Trae Turner? Highly doubt it. Get the best package that helps the future the most, Turner by himself doesn't do much for this team and we aren't getting Turner + a whole lot else. The franchise is going to have to take its lumps for at least a couple of years but if a young, exciting, winning team is built people will show back up to fill the stadium.

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Dec 5, 2016 -> 09:44 PM) Were? So what happened, legit question I dont follow minor leagues that much. Giolito #4- Giolito’s stuff remains exceptional, earning him a big league callup, but scouts worry about his command. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/mids...IWCp4Qcush1o.99 Robles #13- One of the most dynamic prospects in the game, Robles has the potential to be a true five-tool player. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/mids...IWCp4Qcush1o.99 http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/8/13/1...posite-rankings (#4)it's way too soon to worry about a guy with two 80-grade pitches in his holster and imposing size to match. (#15)Robles is a scout's dream, a projectable center-field specimen with an advanced approach that should allow him to fully develop his five-tool potential. http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016 #3-Giolito has the highest ceiling among Minor League pitchers, boasting an elite fastball that sits mid-to-upper-90s and a 12-to-6 curveball that he throws with power and hard, downer action. His changeup has steadily improved in the past two seasons and his confidence along with it, giving him a legitimate weapon against left-handed hitters. The sky is the limit for Giolito, who has the stuff, physicality and command to develop into an ace. #10-Robles is a potentially special talent who showcases all five tools along with elite athleticism on a daily basis. He shows the makings of a plus hit tool, thanks to his compact but explosive swing and feel for using the whole field, and scouts rave about his advanced approach and strike-zone judgment. A plus-plus runner, Robles' speed enables him impact games on the bases as well as in center field, where he has range for days in all directions and arm strength that's among the best in the Minors at the position. Beyond the athleticism and physical tools, the Nats love Robles' makeup and overall baseball aptitude, both of which make him a leader in the clubhouse. He might still be a few years away from reaching the Major Leagues, but there is reason to be excited about the kind of player he could become.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Dec 5, 2016 -> 09:41 PM) JJ Cooper ‏@jjcoop36 2m2 minutes ago Arlington, VA If White Sox do trade Sale to Nats, not as slam dunk as you might think whether the ask should be Giolito over Reynaldo Lopez. Asking for both would seem to solve that problem....the 3rd piece after Giolito and Robles has to be 1 of Lopez/Ross/Fedde or the deal isn't good enough in my eyes.

Robles, Giolito, Lopez(or)Ross, ?, ?....the 1st 3 seem to be fairly obvious I think? What the last 1, 2 or 3 are should be interesting though.

Give it up man, it's over. There's not enough talent in the entire organization to seriously compete. If you can't recognize the void of talent watching the games then I don't know what to tell you. It's not like we've been close and we just need 1 thing to get over the hump. No, we need about 5 things. And the payroll has never been 150M+ and it's not going to be just because you want it to. It is what it is, and it's time to rebuild.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 5, 2016 -> 06:13 PM) Meh. If you can't get what you want for Sale, may as well try to win while you got him. I am not suggesting we go out and sign EE and Wieters, but Wellington Castillo and Carlos Gomez would work if we can't get a marquee return for Sale. That said, would be curious to hear Hahn's interview today. Will have to wait until I get home as I can't get on twitter at work. I literally can't think of a worse scenario than not trading Sale and trying to plug holes with 1/2 assed free agents again. That's like signing up for a painful 77 win season while also devaluing Sale's contract. The longer he is under contract and healthy the higher his value is.

Up until today I was thinking that Robertson's 2/25M left on his contract would be a detriment, but after seeing what Melancon got I'm not so sure anymore. Nats could have serious interest as a way to cut costs on the open market. Sale and Robertson for Lucas Giolito, Victor Robles, Joe Ross, Erick Fedde, Andrew Stevenson, Drew Ward, and Michael Taylor

I think best case scenario for the Nats is a 3 team deal where they unload Gio Gonzalez to another team for a hitting prospect or 2 that we get in return. Not sure what the value of Gio is nowadays tho... Nats Receive- Chris Sale Nats Trade- Robles, Giolito, Andrew Stevenson, Lopez, and Gio Gonzalez (hypothetical)Yankees Receive- Gio Yankees Trade- Miguel Andujar and Dustin Fowler White Sox Receive- Robles, Giolito, Lopez, Stevenson, Andujar, and Fowler White Sox Trade- Chris Sale

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 5, 2016 -> 08:49 AM) I'm actually coming around to a pitching based package from Washington. They can always trade the pitching later. According to mlb.com Giolito is the #3 prospect in baseball and Robles is #10. Reynaldo Lopez is #37 and Eric Fedde is #75. Give me all of them at 3B Carter Kieboom and I probably do it. I'm still high on Giolito though. He's the best pitching project in baseball. Legit 80 fastball and 70 Curveball with 55 command. He's an ace. Also have CF Andrew Stevenson and RHP Joe Ross. They can get it done. I think Joe Ross would definitely be on the table. If they were to get Sale they would have a rotation of Sale, Scherzer, Strausburg, Roark, and Gio(not too shabby). AJ Cole is another guy. Probably more of a back of the rotation starter but he's 24 and has had a good bit of success in the minors. Struggled in 8 starts this past year but was still able to K a batter per IP. Wilmer Difo has a ton of speed and is supposed to be a wizard with the glove. If he can hold his own at the plate he could be a starting quality 2B quickly. And then Michael Taylor is still only 25. He could be an interesting change of scenery guy. Obviously Cole, Difo, and Taylor and end of the package type guys, but I think there is definitely a deal to be made with Wash if they are willing to give us both Giolito and Robles. After those 2 it could be 1 of Ross/Lopez as the 3rd piece and the 4th and 5th wouldn't have to be any of their top 5 prospects for me. I think a deal is very possible, just hinges on us getting BOTH Giolito and Robles + Lopez or Ross.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 3, 2016 -> 06:25 PM) They signed Weiters too? No that was just me rambling about what I think they should do lol. Will be interesting to see what they do with their roster though. Basically what I was getting at was Bregman might not be so available unless the Astros like the Aoki/Gattis combo more than they should.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Dec 3, 2016 -> 02:02 PM) I'm just curious as to why anybody thinks gurriels bat would stick at first? He didn't exactly light the world up. You aren't winning with that bat at first and with that pitching. If they have Altuve, Correra and Bregman to his right I'm sure his bat would be just fine...add in Springer's power from CF and anybody's bat can play at 1st. I think right now their biggest question could be LF. Are they content with an Aoki/Gattis split there? Beltran can't play LF much anymore and Gattis hasn't really played 1B much in his career. I honestly think signing a true C would be their best bet. C- Weiters/McCann/Gattis 1B- Mcann/Gurriell 2B- Altuve SS- Correra 3B- Bregman/Gurriell LF- Gurriell/Aoki/Gattis CF- Springer RF- Reddick DH- Beltran/Gattis Wouldn't want to face that lineup...if I'm their GM I'm moving AJ Reed, Paulino, and Martes for the best SP I could get and not messing with those hitters.

Sale to Boston for a Moncada headlined package. Some package involving 4 of Rodriguez, Groome, Kopesch, Dubon, Swihart, Travis, and Basabe come with him. That's it...a lot of chatter but FA chips will have to fall before Melky, Frazier, or Robertson markets heat up I think. And I don't suspect the FO will do anything drastic like trade Q, Eaton or Abreu yet (even tho I think they should).

QUOTE (Ro Da Don @ Dec 2, 2016 -> 09:11 PM) Lmao Coats. Lmao, could you imagine if he had a sub .700 ops and was a detriment in the field? That would be hilarious...

What's the definition of insanity again? Out with the old and in with the new. Liriano and Coats should get Avi's ab's, we at least haven't seen them fail over and over already. Hell, throw Engel out there. Just not Avi.

Sale to Boston for Moncada, Rodriguez, Groome, Dubon, Dalbec, and Swihart

Eaton should definitely be considered, as should everyone on the team. Because of his control, production, and consistency I wouldn't move him unless it was a really good package of players obviously. Basically, if someone wants to pay the price like Eaton is 5-6 WAR player that he was last year I'd do it just because I'm not sure he's going to be that guy by the time we are ready to seriously compete.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Nov 29, 2016 -> 05:11 PM) Saw Dave Cameron wrote an article about the Mets should try to move Michael Conforto now (they have a huge glut of OFs). What about something like OF Michael Conforto + SS Gavin Cecchini for Nate Jones? Conforto was the #80 ranked prospect before his 1st major league season. He has now played a full season worth of games in the majors, and despite a low average (.238), he has a fine walk rate of 10%, and an average K% of 23%, to go along with 21 HR, above average defense, 109 wRC+ and a 3.4 WAR. Gavin Cecchini is a SS likely to end up at 2B, and I would guess would come in around the top 50 in prospect lists. Was ranked #87 last year before hitting .325 in 117 AAA games this season, walking 10% of the time and only striking out a fantastic 11%. He also hits 8 HR, should play above average defense at 2B and has a strong arm. Conforto will turn 24 before the year starts, Cecchini turns 23 in a month. Both are obviously major league ready, and both former 1st RD picks (10th and 12th respectively). It's a good idea, but I'm seeing rumors that the Mets are shopping Jay Bruce already...probably want to shed some payroll? They do still have Brandon Nimmo who is interesting along with Wilmer Flores. Both don't seem to have starting spots right now for the Mets. Although a lot older than you'd like (28) TJ Rivera is also intriguing. He has video game like #'s throughout the minors (seriously, take a peek) and hit well in his 1st limited shot in the majors this past year. Robert Gsellman is another good looking MLB ready player that doesn't seem to have a starting spot in their rotation. So if we could get any 2 of Conforto, Nimmo, Flores, Rivera, Gsellman I'd be pretty happy. Maybe get a low level lottery ticket guy depending on which 2 of the above as well ...

I'm not from Chicago at all, but some of these view points are mind boggling to me.... - People don't pay to watch crappy baseball. Plain and simple. If the Sox are competing with a young and exciting team fans will watch and show up. That's common sense for the whole sports world. The team hasn't won a playoff series for 12 years and the product on the field has been dreadful for 3/4 years now. Why would people show up? - Who care about the Cubs? If you're running a sports franchise and making roster decisions based on public opinion or what another team is doing you're already doomed. If the Cubs offer us the best deal it shouldn't even be a question. And I wouldn't give a damn if Sale won 3 championships in a row with them, if we got better in the long run that's all that matters. Idk, maybe being from the north east gives me a different perspective, but the 1 and only thing I'm concerned with is the Sox getting younger and more talented to give us hope for the future. Don't care who has to go or where they go in the process, because right now there is no hope for the WHite Sox.

So his annual salary is roughly a 1/4, maybe a 1/5 if we're lucky, of our annual payroll? And people really think this team is going to compete by signing free agents? Not a chance in hell, blow the whole thing up now. Laughable that people keep pointing to the Machado/Donaldson free agent class like it matters too, those guys are going to be getting $35M/year it looks like. Only chance this franchise has at competing is acquiring as many young, cheap assets as possible.

No, not nearly enough talent in the organization still. Not even really close. Long way to go before we do and Sale would only put a small dent in fixing the damage that has been done the past 4+ years.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 25, 2016 -> 04:01 PM) i dont think Abreu is gonna get a huge raise, I just think Napoli isnt gonna be getting a big contract. Teams get sketchy when guys cross that 35 year threshold, and Napoli isnt exactly a sure thing nor is he a guy who you can put out on the field very much(if at all anymore) And trading for Abreu doesnt tell me that you are saving a lot of money over signing Napoli if that is the Astros goal. I think Napoli gets same contract as Morales, 3/$33M....maybe the 3rd year isn't guaranteed and it's a vesting option or something along those lines. So it could be 3/33 for Napoli or 3/42(ish) for Abreu. There's a pretty massive value difference between those 2 players at similar contracts so the inclusion of Abreu (or even Frazier) should be pretty damn appealing to the Astros. So no $ saved but a better player at not much of a different rate. Abreu + Sale might actually be a bit ambitious in terms of what the Astros are willing to give up. Frazier makes a whole lot of sense for them to me tho, 1 year deal with QO possibility after the season and shouldn't cost them too much more in terms of prospects.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 25, 2016 -> 02:29 PM) Yea with Abreu opting into arbitration, there is no telling how much he will make next year and if the Astros would be saving money or not How much money do you think Napoli is going to make? The guy is about to turn 35 and had his best year in the past 5 seasons, is pretty much a DH only, I dont think anyone is going to be breaking the bank to sign him http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/10/jose...y-whitesox.html Abreu won't get nearly the raise you're thinking of. Wouldn't surprise me if Napoli secured a fairly similar free agent contract to what Abreu will get the next 3 years after arbitration.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 25, 2016 -> 10:00 AM) It's fine if he ultimately ends up as a reliever, but we're going to need starters from somewhere and he's still our best hope of becoming one at the moment. Let's give him every opportunity to become one in 2017. Next year should be a lost season, so having a compentant bullpen should be the least of our problems. We'll agree to disagree. I haven't thought Fulmer was a SP since the draft. Everything about him from his stuff, delivery, and even demeanor scream reliever to me. Hopefully he proves me wrong though.... I also believe that there is a point of no return for a pitcher. If you throw him out there and have him beat up as a starter there could be repercussions as far as confidence. Obviously guys have become good relievers after failing as starters, I just don't want to mess around with a guy that was such a high pick. Figure out the best role for him and stick with it. It would be a mistake if there are questions about him being a starter but he gets kept there just to try and maximize his value in my opinion.

Yeah nothing wrong with "just" being a reliever nowadays. He can be very valuable to the team as either the closer or a multi inning reliever. Obviously the pitching coaches and scouts would know best, but just seems like a square peg in round hole trying to make him a starter to me.