TheFutureIsNear

-Trade Montas and Avi fto Miami for Ozuna and Nick Wittgren- Ozuna is the young, cost controlled OF with pop we need. Wittgren is a former college closer out of Purdue who has continued his success as a closer into AAA this past year. Scouts don't love his stuff to stick at closer, but should still have a long future as a solid reliever. -Trade Micah Johnson to AZ for Jake Lamb. Arizona has 3 good, young OF's, Goldschmidt, Drury, and Lamb and nowhere to play the expensive Tomas. Moving 1 of these guys for middle infield help makes a lot of sense. -Trade LaRoche and $5M to Pittsburgh for a C level prospect -sign Dioner Navarro to platoon with flowers -Sign Steve Pearce as utility/dh -Resign Alexei for 2 years and 6 or 7 mil per (didn't want to do this but middle infield really is bare) Eaton CF Melky LF Ozuna RF Abreu 1B Pearce DH Lamb 3B Alexei SS Flowers/Navarro C Sanchez/Saladino 2B Navarro/Flowers, Sanchez/Saladino, Trayce, and Shuck on the bench Sale Q Rodon EJ Danks Beck Wittgren Jennings Petricka Duke Jones Robertson

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Nov 12, 2015 -> 03:28 PM) Last I checked saving a run defensively is equal to creating a run offensively. Defense definitely shouldn't be least of our worries, it's just as important as improving the offense. So let's build a team and try to win every game 3-1? Never going to work. If we played in the NL west, maybe, but If we don't put up at least 100 more runs than we did last year it doesn't matter if we have a gold glover at every position.

3rd least runs scored and 4th lowest team OPS in all of baseball. Obviously there needs to be a balance, but defense would be the least of my worries if I'm Hahn. We play in a hitter friendly park in the AL, if we put these proposed defensive minded lineups of Eaton and Trayce in the same OF every night we are going to keep putting up putrid offensive #'s and have no shot. Just at a glance I see teams like Houston, Pit, and Texas getting by just fine without doing very well on D...at least according to these #'s.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 12, 2015 -> 11:29 AM) Sox have never been afraid of moving an arm they want to get out in front of. McCarthy and Santiago both come to mind. Johnson was incredible in AAA though so maybe they can sell him off that. His stats look very good but they really don't do him he justice. He was the best pitcher on a rate basis as well as on a prolific basis. Knowing how Hahn operates, Johnson was getting scouted when he pitched in September. Given the spontaneity of pitchers (relative to hitters), I would prefer the Sox move pitching for young bats and sign lower tier SP(s) like Y2Jimmy0 suggested. The offensive landscape in FA lacks fits outside of the top guys who's price rules them out. It's interesting, the Sox have never really bought pitching ever. Obviously they excel in making pitching, but they've never even signed even a mid tier SP since who? Jamie Navarro? They've filled out the rotation with scrap heap guys like Paulino, Humber, old Freddy, old Colon and if you want to go back far enough Esteban Loaiza. Sox are probably looking at E. Johnson, Quintana, Montas and maybe Fulmer as the guys to potentially move to fix the offense. It seems like they want to move Johnson, and they've never been that outwardly confident about him, but past him, I think whoever they move is dependent on return more than the individual pitcher but I hear the Sox are considering anything and everything. There's an argument that all four guys could be at the height of their value too. Johnson was just best pitcher in AAA. Quintana is 9th in fWAR since 2012. Montas coming off the last season he'll have a Mid tier options: Fister Latos Rich Hill Brett Anderson Cliff Lee Scrap heap types: Beachy Cahill Bud Norris Unless he is a small piece in a bigger package what are we really getting for EJ though? Probably not much. And then you are talking about adding at least 8-12 mil to the payroll for a guy who will probably put up a very similar output to what EJ would have given us. Unless we can somehow get a talented MLB ready OF/3B under 26 for a package centered around EJ it just seems like an expensive, roundabout way to try and get better. IDK, maybe I'm just more confident than most in Johnson's ability to be a very good #4 starter next year and beyond. Montas, on the other hand, I can see trading. He doesn't have an immediate role and every year he pitches in the minors you risk injury or a drop in value somehow. A near MLB ready, heard throwing SP who was a top 60 overall prospect should have pretty good value imo. And obviously I've already stated my 2 cents on the necessity of trading a guy like Quintana if we want to seriously compete next year.

Frazier makes a lot of sense and I think that we can acquire him without giving up a ton. Montas and Micah would be a good start to the package for both teams imo

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Nov 12, 2015 -> 09:16 AM) I think it would be a terrible time to trade him. If he has any kind of reasonable success in 2016, his trade value would be 10X what it is now. Agreed. Makes 0 sense to trade EJ right now. Not only in terms of him not being at his highest value (which he's clearly not), but who the heck would be a right handed starter for us next year? Trade EJ for whatever middle of the road value he has and then sign a mediocre veteran for 10 million? Why?

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Nov 12, 2015 -> 08:24 AM) This is exactly how I feel about the Quintana situation. Tom Fornelli does an excellent job here: http://www.writesox.com/2015/11/jose-quint...ade-rumors.html I was against trading Q for a while, but I've come to grips with the fact that we aren't going to get the help we need without trading a significant piece. As of right now we have Eaton, Abreu and Melky as position players that are above average major league players. That's pretty depressing to think about. And who's coming to help in house any time soon besides (hopefully) Anderson? Do I want to see Q traded? Absolutely not, he's 1 of the better young lefties in the game. But I also REALLY don't want to see us to sign some overpaid, mediocre vets and suffer through another 80 win season. Maybe there is another way, but I think it will be really though and take at least 1, probably 2, rebuilding years.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Nov 11, 2015 -> 10:29 AM) Doesn't the home run derby tend to mess up guys? There's an argument to be made that it can affect a guys swing for a couple months afterwards, sure. But to think that there is any long term affect is stupid. Ortiz, Prince, Cano, Cespedes, Cespedes...the last 5 winners before Frazier. Would you pass on any of those guys?

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 11, 2015 -> 09:07 AM) 2nd half OPS around .650 Really stilted home/road splits 2 years of control No way should we trade 2 of our best prospects for that Why do people insist on using Frazier's bad 2nd 1/2 as some huge point not to acquire him? Like I'm supposed to disregard 4 1/2 years of .784 OPS hitting from a guy who is 29 just because he had a bad couple of months playing meaningless baseball for a crappy team? Just a really bad argument.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 10, 2015 -> 06:02 PM) Now that you mention it, I think I read something during the deadline that the Astros are very high on Reed so leaving him out was probably a smart move since they are likely not to include him in any trade. For me, Joe Musgrove is the arm I would want back in a trade with the Astros. Big, big man that knows how to get GB outs. Would love to get him somehow. JD Davis is interesting as well. Big arm for 3B and plenty of power,although he K's quite a bit too. Call me crazy but I'd take a chance on Singleton as a throw in from the Astros. After enduring Dunn and now LaRoche, why not, lol. Good call on Singleton, completely forgot about him. He'd definitely be worth a shot as a 3rd/4th piece in a package. And while we are the topic of forgotten prospects...is Jonathan Villar not worth a shot at SS? I know he has Game changing speed but not sure how well his bat would fare over a full season or what his glove is like.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 10, 2015 -> 05:00 PM) Good research on your part and I'm glad to see you mention Musgrove who fits the profile the sox would like in a pitcher.Only player you missed was AJ Reed, a big power hitting 1B that I'm sure the Sox would desire. Nice job. Thanks. I didn't list Reed because the Astros have no real 1st baseman and I figured they won't trade him. He's a monster though, I would gladly take him in a package lol. I tried to list the guys that make sense for them to try and move. Which is pretty impressive when none of those guys (including Reed) are in their top 4 prospects.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Nov 10, 2015 -> 04:43 PM) I bet the Cardinals could use Q now that Lynn is on the shelf for all of 2016. The package would have to start with Stephen Piscotty IMO. He's going to be a star. I just don't see the Cardinals giving up a big package of prospects for 1 player...just not their style. They'll just find another guy out of nowhere to do great for them. They seem to do it every year without making big splashes.

Moving on...Let's talk about the Astros and the abundance of talent that we could use. Some guys I could see them giving up that interest me.... OF- Preston Tucker- Probably never going to be an all-star but he was a very successful college player and has a .294/.363/.503 triple slash in the minors since '12 and hit 13 HR's and a .734 OPS in his 1st 320 PA's in the majors. 25 year old LH corner OF with a little experience at 1B as well LJ Hoes- Another guy that has some flaws and probably won't ever be great, but he's another 25 year old who was a fairly high pick who has extended success in the high minors....299/.388/.399 over 1300 PA's in AAA. Above average speed with 26 steals in AAA this year. Has played all 3 OF positions after being converted from a 2B earl in his career. Derek Fisher- Comp round pick in '14 after leading Virginia to the CWS. Has a very smooth left handed swing that should carry him, but also has + speed. Slashed .275/.364 /.483 with 22 home runs this year in his 1st full season of pro ball across A and A+ INF- Colin Moran(3B)- Former 6th overall pick that Miami curiously traded. His power still hasn't showed up but he keeps making good contact and getting on base. .306/.381/.459 at AA this year. JD Davis(3B)- 3rd round pick in '14 as a 2 way player out of Cal State Fulerton. Astros made him a hitter and he's settled in nicely as a 3B hitting .289/.370/.520 with 26 HR's in A+. Great athlete with a real nice swing that should have no problem translating at any level Pitchers- Michael Feliz- Failed a drug test coming out of the DR and the Astros scooped him up and he's been great ever since. Saw some inning in the majors this year after dominating in the minors. A 6'4 225 lb righty with a fastball in the mid 90's and a power slider. Joe Musgrove- Another big righty at 6'5 255 with a mid 90's fastball. 1.88 across 100 minor league innings this year ending in AA. So yeah, how do we get a package going from the Astros? They could definitely use Q after Kazmir walks....Tucker, Moran, Feliz, and fisher for Q? Maybe too much to ask for?

I was thinking Q to the Blue Jays if he does get traded with the package starting at Pompey. The Jays can't possibly move away from Pillar in CF and they already have Revere under control in LF for 2 more years so makes sense for them to use Pompey as a trade chip while they are in World Series mode. Not too sure about the rest of their farm system though. Pentecost is a nice C prospect from the 1st round a couple years ago, but missed the entire year with shoulder surgery.

Seeing these contract predictions makes my hope Hahn is ready and willing to deal this offseason. We have young MLB ready talent to deal in Micah, Avi, Montas, Beck...get creative with those guys to get some sort of impact 3B. I wouldn't hate Rasmus, Aoki or Parra in the OF, but it's coming pretty apparent to me that filling the infield is going to come from within or trade.

I'm genuinely shocked. Thought for sure the FO would make the wrong decision of picking up the option. Now please just let him walk all together unless he takes a 1 year $5M deal(which I doubt)

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Oct 31, 2015 -> 07:12 PM) Why is Frazier unrealistic? You really don't think we have the chips to land him? I think his second half and limited control will bring down to his cost to a somewhat reasonable (won't be cheap by any means though). I get the argument that Gordon is unrealistic, but not when you're saying you'd rather spend the money he'd get on multiple free agent targets for the same amount of money. The payroll may or may not be a problem, way too early to say with any certainty. Gordon and Frazier would make about $28M combined in my scenario, which we should be able to afford with a moderate payroll increase (to about $135M). If not, there are some guys we could move to clear some space. So again, I'll ask you what's so unrealistic about adding these guys. Go ahead and question if it's the best use of resources, but I don't see why it's a ridiculous proposal. Sure Frazier could happen if we really wanted to. Signing 1 Gordon, Upton, Heyward? Nope, I really don't give it much a percentage of happening. Maybe 5%, maybe. The chances of both happening? 0%. The payroll won't be 135, nor will any of the big 3 be interested in coming to the white sox with the other offers that will be available. If we are getting a big bat Hahn will have to be creative with a trade package, I truly believe that. And even then I don't see us getting much more than a Todd Frazier type of bat. We'll see what happens though. Trust me, I'll have no problem eating crow if Frazier and Gordon are wearing a sox uni next year

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Oct 31, 2015 -> 04:59 PM) I think Kendrick gets $10M+ easy and I'm not sure those other guys are really upgrades over what we have already (Trayce in RF, Saladino at 3B). IMO, signing B & C tier free agents is a dangerous game as they have much less room to regress and still be productive players. We saw this ourselves with Melky & LaRoche last year. Also, I'd rather have Upton over Gordon due to the age difference, but Alex is a tremendous all-around player with a great track record in the AL. He'd be a significant upgrade over Avi while taking some pressure off Abreu. Under no circumstance do I think Gordon alone makes us a playoff team, but add him or one of the other elite free agent OFs and trade for a good 3B (Frazier perhaps) and this team suddenly becomes very interesting, especially if you think some of the other position players can rebound/grow next year. I'm trying to list realistic options...you're shooting for the moon. Of course id love for us to get Gordon and Frazier too, but it's just not going to happen unfortunately.

Robertson, Jones, Duke, Petricka are fine. We need a strong 2nd lefty to use before the 8th and we also need to add 1 reliable vet righty. But really I'm not too worried about the pen overall. I'd like to see guys like Yona, Turner, Beck, and possibly even Montas compete for a spot in spring too

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Oct 31, 2015 -> 03:08 PM) Say Gordon gets $20M per year. Which two free agents would you rather sign for that money? Not sure that $20M goes as far as you think. Howie Kendrick to start at 2B for 8 or 9 mil per + Garrardo Parra, Austin Jackson, Ah-Seop Son, Jon Jaso, David Freese.... And depending on which guys you go with you might be able to get a good 2nd lefty for the pen too. I honestly do not see Alex Gordon as the bat this offense needs to get over the hump. If we were to sign him and no other major additions I still don't see us as a playoff team

I really wanted Adam Lind...that would be looking pretty good right now too

He's a nice piece to have on any team obviously but I'm not sure he's the big contract bat we need for this lineup. The $90+Mil he's likely to get is a break the budget move that may or may not even make us a playoff team in my opinion. I'd rather sign 2 starting position players for the $ Gordon will get

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Oct 31, 2015 -> 09:27 AM) You don't want to trade Micah but where are you going to play him???. He did "rake" when he was sent down but he went down because of his defense. His defense at Charlotte was not any better which is 2 seasons at AAA he has struggled defensively. I just think an organization that was decent at developing talent would have found a way to use Micah by now. If we aren't going to figure it out and use him then maybe we should trade him at this point....I just hope its not just for the sake of trading him because they don't know what to do with him or how to develop him.

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Oct 30, 2015 -> 05:27 PM) How valuable are our prospects? I've been reading everyone's "plans" for this offseason and almost every post includes shipping off 3-5 of our top 10 prospects for a superstar player (Frazier, Longoria, Arenadolol etc). The first time I read that we/people/whomever are skeptical that Anderson can stick at SS, I was like "Trade him now", but plenty of teams don't even need a SS, and the ones that do ALSO KNOW he might not stick at short. The Sox have as big of a hole as any team in baseball at 2B (and I like Sanchez), and the majority of White Sox Internet Nation are ready to give up on Micah... but then they package him up in pretend trades and expect actual value in return. I don't get it. I'd like to put a realistic, in-depth offseason plan together but I'm not sure I can just throw together "all of the prospects I don't need for this exercise" together and turn that into Todd Frazier.... thoughts? Considering the fact that it was his 1st season and he was hitting reasonably well when sent down...and then raked in AAA. I don't see how Micah's value is low by any means. A guy with an elite speed tool who has shown the ability to hit at every level is an asset. Obviously I'm not saying he's an elite prospect or trade chip by any means, but I think he's a pretty darn good 2nd piece in a deal. Personally, I don't really want to trade Micah unless it gets us an impact bat. Frankie Montas is a top 60 prospect in all of baseball as a starting pitcher with a plus fastball. That's a lot of value, and a Montas + Micah + 1 of our B level prospects is a good package in my opinion that would at least be a very good start to the conversation for a guy like Frazier imo. But of course no where near enough to get a guy like Arenado. Our B level prospects that I could see being traded that I think have some varying degrees of value: Jacob May, Tyler Danish, Chris Beck, Jacob Peters, Jordan Guerrero I also think there are teams that would have no problem taking on Avi. I've seen people talk about him like he's more or less worthless. He's still only 24, he's far from a lost cause and I'm sure there are gm's/scouts that still drool over his potential. I'm sure our track record for developing hitters is no secret and someone would take a shot at "fixing" him.

I want no parts of a big Wieters contract. He's got disaster written all over him. If he's not an everyday catcher he's a very average bat at a high cost and expecting him to be an everyday catcher into the 3rd and 4th years of a contract is unrealistic in my opinion.