BlackSox13

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 01:12 PM) He's betting on his own skill, like many free agents out there. He is, I don't deny that. Given the limited amount teams (very, very few) in need of a starting SS, the Sox probably give him the best chance at being a starter IF he can outplay Saladino. Hahn even said Rollins could be used in other roles so by no means is Rollins guaranteed anything outside of being given a chance to compete, nothing more.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 01:09 PM) Yes. I think he picked the White Sox because he thought he had a better shot at starting. Probably with the other teams, he was going to be a utility guy. Maybe that is what he is here, or maybe he doesn't make the team. All I know is that if he is starting, he outplayed Saladino, so he should be starting. This is exactly how I see it DA. The ML contract, ST invite and incentives based on him making the team tells me Rollins has to earn the starting job and is not guaranteed anything.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 12:50 PM) It's not about filling every hole, it's about filling as many as you can while hedging your risk at the remaining trouble spots. Right now, Avi & LaRoche are uncontested starters at two of those spots. In a market flush with OFs, not at the very least adding a guy who could push these two for playing time is an absolute failure. I'm willing to give Hahn until opening day to add another OF, but right now, the offseason grade should be incomplete because he's completely ignored one of the easiest and most obvious areas to improve this roster. I agree it's about filling as many of the holes as apossible but most teams have holes and the Sox are no different. I disagree that Hahn ignored the OF hole and in fact Hahn has publically said numerous times this winter that he is trying to add to the OF. I also disagree that the OF hole was the " easiest " to upgrade, if it was so " easy " we wouldn't be having this discussion.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 12:50 PM) I don't agree. He turned down more money to be here. That tells me that he believes is going to be the starter with a non-terrible spring. Then why didn't Rollins get a guaranteed MLB contract if the Sox are that confident in Rollins being the starting SS? Nothing in Hahn's comments indicate Rollins is a sure thing to start at SS.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 12:27 PM) I believe if all things are equal in spring training, Rollins wins the job. I would imagine in order to turn down a higher guarantee elsewhere he had to get some level of assurance from Rick that he had a real high chance at the job. I really don't see it. The minor league contract with a ST invite doesn't sound much assurance that Rollins' has a high chance at the job. To me, it says that if Rollins can out-perform Saladino, then he will be the starter but he has to beat Saladino in ST in order to do so. I think fans are looking way too deep into this. At this point, Rollins is signed to compete for SS and as a potential depth piece, nothing more.

I'm with you Kevo and I've said a few times that I'm extatic about the what has been accomplished this winter and am looking forward to seeing a better brand of baseball on the field. Sure, the Sox could use an upgrade in the OF and I'm sure Hahn is still working on it but 3B, 2B and C were the biggest holes which have been filled. Anyone that seriously thought the Sox would be able to fill every hole (3B/2B/C/SS/RF/DH) this winter was delusional.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 12:11 PM) Anyone b****ing about this move is solely looking to b****. ^ best post in this thread so far! ^

QUOTE (Dunt @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 12:05 PM) That fully sounds like your starting SS barring abysmal ST results How so? I see nothing is Hahn's comments that indicate Rollins WILL be the starting SS. Rollins is signed to a minor league contract with a ST invite. The Sox didn't sign Rollins to be the starting SS, they signed him to compete for the SS job and as a precautionary measure to injury or failure on Saladino's part. Really nothing worth reading into, it is, actually, what it is.

http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/165...r-jimmy-rollins

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 11:38 AM) At some point Alex Rodriguez will be wearing a Sox uni In the case of ARod, it would be JR finally got his man. Sadly, I would take ARod's bat over LaRoche's for DH. Yeah, I have high standards.

Nothing wrong with giving Saladino some competition but I seriously doubt Rollins can beat Saladino for the SS job. Rollins' defense took a big hit last season and didn't hit any better than Saladino. Still like the signing since there's really no risk.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 08:46 AM) The few players who fit that description likely aren't available. The closest/easiest thing you'll find to that is JB Shuck. I agree that there are very few available but for some reason I keep coming back to Houston's Andrew Aplin who isn't expected to make the team regardless of what he does in ST due to so many outfielders being ahead of him on the Astros roster. Springer, Gomez, Rasmus, Tucker and Marisnick are ahead of Aplin so he should be available at some point. Not the sexiest player but he's a player that won't cost the Sox a top prospect and still give the Sox the LHB, high OBP potential, plus defense and 6 years of team control. That's the kind of player I think Hahn ends up trading for.

Man, Jackson and Boras are really playing the waiting game. I wonder if they are waiting to see what Fowler signs for? Players are reporting to ST and there's still no viable rumors on Jackson, just speculation on teams that could be a fit. I think DA was right when he said Jackson's price might still be considered too high. Imo, an average bat with plus OF defense and no comp pick attachment should have been signed by now.

I'm guessing Avi will be a platoon partner for LaRoche and serve as the 4th outfielder. I still think Hahn brings in a LHB for the OF, one with defense that can play all three OF positions.

I wouldn't read too much into Latos' knee until more is known. It may hold up, it may not. I'm patient enough to wait and see how his knee responds after some ST starts. If Latos didn't have some issues he wouldn't have signed for 3M.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 12:23 PM) A potential fit is Coghlan if the Cubs end up bringing back Fowler. I like Coghlan's LHB, pop and corner OF defense. If the cubs were smart, they would let Fowler sign elsewhere, get the pick and re-sign Jackson. Problem with that idea is if they brought Jackson back, they are probably might prefer to move Solar instead of Coghlan to keep a better balance of LH/RH OF bats.

http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/rays-rost...-and-trade-talk

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 05:19 PM) The situation for White Sox and Orioles fans is quite distinct. They can afford $150 million payrolls and contracts that are almost double the biggest in Sox history. How are the fan experiences and expectations similar when they're clearly all-in and willing to sacrifice the future for the present? I'm also quite sure there are not 400+ pages dedicated to Yoenis Cespedes on their boards even though they made a bigger offer. As far as compensation picks go, we've run that topic into the ground for weeks. There's not anything particularly new or insightful to add that hasn't already been covered at length. I don't say this to be mean but by the time I finished reading this post, I heard Ozzie's voice with Randy Rhoads' guitar licks wailing in the background. Moving along. If speculated contract terms are coming out on Fowler, it sounds like Fowler is heading to Baltimore. Where there's smoke...

This is cheaper than I would have guessed. The comp pick really hurt Gallardo, IMHO.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 12:30 PM) Minus the fact they have the best cumulative record in the AL over the last four seasons. Although I'm sure they are a bit concerned with too many all or nothing types when you add Trumbo and the uncertainty of a Korean hitter into the mix. Still can't believe Davis' deal is almost $100 million more than Abreu and Jose's much closer to his prime. What does any of this have to do with 2nd tier free agents, the contracts they seek and the comp picks attached to those free agents?

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles...0220-story.html I like what Duquette says in this article. Provides a bit of insight into what negotiations are like with players such as Desmond, Fowler and Gallardo that aren't to tier but have comp picks attached to them. Doesn't sound like Fowler to the Orioles is a done deal either. Sounds like Baltimore fans are going through what we Sox fans have already been through with the Fowler rumors.

It's not the end of the world but a bit of a bummer. The Sox have a good medical/training staff so hopefully they can help.

The Rays and Astros appear to make the best trade partners for the Sox. Not sure what Houston still needs but the Rays were rumored to be seeking a bullpen arm so the Sox and Rays could match up well for a trade. I like the Guyer idea but I wouldn't be surprised if Tampa pushes to trade Jennings.

Levine is a buffoon but what he says here has been the rumor since the Parra signing. The Rockies probably will trade CarGo at the deadline or next winter which does not line up with the Sox timetable so Levine is right about that. That said, there was really no point in Levine bringing up CarGo outside of his stating the obvious as usual.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 19, 2016 -> 03:57 PM) Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman 1m1 minute ago Chisox seem to be considering adding OF. May prefer one than can play some CF. A-jax perhaps, and if they'll spend, fowler Sure Heyman, whatever you say. I take anything he and others say with a grain of salt. In other news, the earth is actually round and not flat!