BlackSox13

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 10:43 PM) The huge advantage for the White Sox is that same Hardball Times article has a pick in the 25-30 range at somewhere around $11-13 million....or about half the cost to the Rays, who are obviously even more financially-limited than the Sox. Losing a high-first round draft pick is just not something the Rays are in the business of doing. Good point. There really isn't much of a market for Desmond. I know the Sox need an outfield upgrade but maybe taking a chance on signing Desmond to play SS ain't such a bad thing. The lineup could use his combo of speed and power potential. The Sox could still search for a left handed team controlled OF bat through a trade somehow.

http://dynastydigest.sportsblog.com/posts/...e-springer.html Good stuff right there. Curious to see which outfielder they end up trading, excluding Springer of course.

QUOTE (Tony @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 09:30 PM) He should and will, but it won't be that much more. For a 3 year deal and the Sox trying to "go for it", the one draft pick shouldn't be much of a concern to be honest. If they were in full rebuild, it wouldn't make any sense. But then they shouldn't have traded for Frazier and signed the two catchers if that was the case. Sign him. I could be wrong but I think Fowler and his agent will use Melky's contract as a base starting point. I believe Melky's contract is for 13M in '15, 14M in '16, 15M in '17 totaling 42M.

http://showmestatesportsreport.sportsblog....n-desmond-.html http://www.draysbay.com/2016/1/25/10821340...ors-ian-desmond Some pretty interesting things said about Desmond in the Rays' link and there's a few videos as well.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/162810252/de...-in-free-agency If Fowler was willing to sign a contract along the lines of what Span got, I just might be able to get on board with the idea. For some reason I think Fowler will get more than Span but I've been wrong many times before.

QUOTE (BigFinn @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 11:21 PM) Here's a partial list of the veteran outfielders who may be available through trade: Atlanta Braves: Michael Bourn CF, Nick Markakis RF Cincinnati Reds: Jay Bruce RF Col Rockies: Corey Dickerson LF, Charlie Blackmon CF, Carlos Gonzalez RF LA Dodgers: Carl Crawford LF, Andre Ethier RF Miami Marlins: Marcell Ozuna CF Milwaukee: Khris Davis LF, Ryan Braun RF New York Mets: Juan Lagares CF, Curtis Granderson RF Oakland A's: Coco Crisp LF-CF Philadelphia: Peter Bourjos CF San Diego: Matt Kemp RF At this point, I'm more intrigued by Yadiel Hernandez, the free agent out of Cuba. He bats lefty, and he has played both LF and RF (although I have no clue as to how well he plays defense.) QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 06:01 PM) Help us out. Who are some difference makers? I think BigFinn's post does a great job of summarizing some players that are available. The Astros can be added to the list since they have so many outfielders like Gomez, Tucker, Marisnick, Springer, Rasmus and Applin. Would love to get one of Tucker, Marisnick or Applin from Houston. One thing I keep reminding myself is that Avi has set the bar so low that any upgrade could be a difference maker when compared to Avi. That's why I'm open to the idea of players I normally wouldn't want much to do with, like Markakis and Gardner.

QUOTE (chisox802 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 05:23 PM) While I think that is a possibility, I think a trade would be more likely. The team is in rebuild, they have to be looking to trade one of these guys for prospects/pitching. While CarGo may have recognition with the fans, I think if they get what they are looking for he is gone. Although I might like Blackmon or Dickerson more....... Also, regarding Markakis..... No thank you. At first I thought the Rockies signed Parra to replace CarGo once he's traded but the Rockies GM has said they aren't trading CarGo before the season starts. Since there are so many outfielders on the market right now I'm guessing they wait until the trade deadline to maximise CarGo's value by taking advantage of a desperate contender. Trading cost and team controlled players like Blackmon and Dickerson doesn't make any sense for a rebuilding team so I think the above scenario is very much possible.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/projecting-...-rymer-liriano/ Despite the high K-rate it sounds like there's still potential for serious upside in Liriano.

QUOTE (SoxSteve @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 05:04 PM) Ok all good points But forget about all the WAR stats and just look at his consistency last year. He batted between 290-305 all year. Never below that and with no pop in that lineup at all. He would be a upgrade over Melky and Garcia in the outfield hands down. Who wouldn't be. Il take the 290 batting average and the 370 OBP right now in the 2 hole. Not even a question. I agree about the power but why is everyone enamored with the power like Levine? KC and SF has proved it's vastly overrated seeing the last 2 years KC has only 95 And 135 homers. I agree 3 homers is weak but him and Eaton would be a great one two punch. And who cares about the money? We are in win now mode so adding a extra 11 million a year to the payroll is irrelevant. Just feel he would fit well with us seeing OBP will be a issue this year IMO. I'm with you on this and agree with all the points you make. Markakis would be a great fit at #2 in the lineup. I have read that his defense and arm strength has regressed so a move to LF is probably inevitable but I would still be fine with that. I did read something over the weekend about how Atlanta doesn't want to trade Markakis but I have no idea how much truth there is to that.

QUOTE (chisox802 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 04:25 PM) Hi everyone, first time poster here. I have been following the board for a long time, never posted though. I think the FO is going to look to make another trade before they sign one of the remaining free agents. I live out in Colorado and the consensus out here is that the Rockies are definitely going to try and move one of their outfielders... While this is nothing new, I think this is the best avenue for our sox. I personally don't want anything to do with any of the remaining free agents (for so many reasons). If we could somehow can swing a deal without giving up Anderson or Fulmer, go for it. I know all of this has been mentioned before, but I think one of the Rockies OFers would be a good fit. I know I am going to get killed with the "split stats" debate..... http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/colorad...e-rumors-012516 Welcome to the board and thanks for posting the link. I've been kind of perplexed by the Parra signing as well. Is it possible the Rockies use Dickerson in a platoon with Reynolds at 1B? Playing 1B could alleviate the plantar fasciitis symptoms Dickerson goes through. Maybe this is what the Rockies have in mind? Heck if I know, lol.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 01:49 PM) no offense on latos... i never thought of a possible injury, i am thinking along the line of his rep... is he really a clubhouse cancer or not. maybe a 1 yr with a mutual option..... he will need to rebuild his image and the sox will be a win - win situation. I googled Latos and the only thing I could find negative said about Latos was from Bailey. Seems the problem Latos had with the Reds was more to do with Latos feeling like the training staff rushed him after surgery. Here's a Q & A Rosenthal did with Latos last year after he was traded to Miami. Latos doesn't come off as an asshole at all to me. Perhaps the person to ask about Latos would be Todd Frazier- which I'd imagine the Sox already have if the Sox are interested in Latos. http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-ou...ati-reds-022215

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 01:32 PM) Wow, maybe im just too conservative but how do you pass up that deal for 3/75? I realize its more AAVand there is the opt out but 110 guaranteed. He must have really liked the Mets or his agent convinced him he can do better with next year's FA class. His agent could be banking on big spenders like the Yanks and Dodgers getting into the mix as well. I tknow the Yanks have salary coming off the books after '16 and if the Dodgers can move salaries like Ethier and/or Crawford, they could be in there as well. Maybe even Boston after Papi retires or if they can move one of Panda or Ramirez. The Angels will have CJ Wilson's 20M salary coming off the books after '16 as well. That's four teams known to be big spenders that weren't in the mix for Cespedes. Next year should be a much different story.

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 01:28 PM) I partially agree with that but I also think he was expecting a deal around $150 mil and no team was coming close to that. If he has another great season in NY, he might be able to opt out and snatch a 5 yr/$125 mil deal somewhere which in the long run would give him his 6/150 asking price. Good points. Cespedes gets the best of both worlds in that if mashes again he can get his big payday next winter but if he regresses he has the financial security of two more years with the Mets by not opting out after '16. Win win scenario for Cespedes.

Swing at all the pitches! Seriously. I don't know what to think of Avi anymore. Seems hopeless or helpless.

I think the Nat's offer shows how badly Cespedes wanted to be back with the Mets. $35M left on the table.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 11:15 AM) If Erik Johnson is enough, I think it would be a good deal. What he's owed over the next couple years would probably be close to what Dexter Fowler would cost. However, I'm not sure the Yankees would think Johnson would be enough. QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 11:19 AM) dang, it is not going to be enuf, even if the yanks are doing a salary dump. i would hope to give offer EJ, Beck and Davidson.... power hitter in the yanks park, that might be enticing. I agree guys, not sure EJ would be enough on his own but maybe adding a reliever could do it. One potential problem I see is that by trading EJ the Sox would have to sign a guy like Latos to replace him. Nothing against Latos but his health is a concern. I wonder if the Yanks would do EJ + Duke for Gardner? I still prefer looking into a trade with the Dodgers for Ethier because I think he can be had for less if the Sox are willing to take on a majority of the money he's owed. This way the Sox shouldn't have to give up as much in a trade.

http://riveraveblues.com/2016/01/recent-fr...gardner-132721/ Article mentions White Sox and if Erik Johnson would be enough for Gardner.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 08:17 AM) You guys are right about the herniated disc being a deal killer. In recent years, two well known players had surgery for this, Todd Helton and Rafael Furcal, but they were never the same, and they had a ton of therapy. Seems like there was a third player, can't remember his name. Can't give up anything of value. Has Braun had the surgery? Yes he did, last October Ryan had the surgery.

http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/162...ly-friendly-fun Woohoo, Frazier and Eaton will be there. Pretty cool to see those three youngsters will be there too.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2...rgery/76374326/ I wish Braun the best but there's no chance I would trade for him. Huge risk with that disk and contract.

Here's the thing with Braun. I was on board with the idea a few weeks back when the idea first came up. Recently, I found out he had surgery on a herniated disc last October. Back injuries never go away, they just linger and eventually get worse. I doubt I would take that contract (5/105M) in a salary dump and there's no chance I would give up any prospects for him. Herniated disks are bad bad news for for anyone and especially athletes. Just say no to Ryan Braun. Remember what back problems did to Joe Crede? Granted, he had two herniated disks but still, one is one too many.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 12:27 PM) I didn't expect the Sox to sign any of them because well its the Sox. But when you start hearing the Sox connected to all 3 of them at some point you start to want to believe . You want to gladly eat your own doom and gloominess. Hey maybe the Sox will surprise me for once. Even the national guys like Rosenthal held onto the belief that the Sox would get one of the 3 for a long time. Then at the end he ( Margalus) takes a jab at the Sox inability to find position talent by saying "hey if we hear the Sox didn't like them then that makes me like them." And it is a well deserved jab. The fans have to keep their expectation low because we know the Sox don't operate like a big city team but a small market team ? That's cool but have fun getting anyone into the ballpark then. Guess I just really never did buy into the hype of the Sox landing one of those top four, though I did have some hope and discussing the possibilities helped to pass the time this off season. There were a number of factors working against the idea of the Sox signing one of them. 1) last years spending spree 2) low '15 attendance 3) a few un-tradable contracts 4) the variables like player contract demands, escalated salary and for a few their desire to stay with their former team. IMHO, the stars just didn't line up like they did last winter. Still yet, the off season isn't over so I'll reserve judgment and pessimism until we see what the FO comes up with between now and ST. If the Sox end up not making another move it will be bitter/sweet for me in that I'll be very happy with the upgrades at 3B, 2B and C but I will be most unhappy nothing was done to upgrade the outfield in some fashion. With so many outfield upgrades available via trade and the 2nd tier FA market there's really no excuse for not finding SOME kind of an upgrade over Avi. I haven't lost all hope, yet.

QUOTE (coco1997 @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 11:40 AM) How's Ethier's defense these days? According to fangraphs his UZR, Arm and Range still rate around average or above. A smaller park like US Cellular would probably benefit an aging player like Ethier. I'm open to the idea depending on the Dodgers expectations in a trade.

http://inningseaters.sportsblog.com/posts/...dre-ethier.html Suck it up Dodgers and eat that money. Sox could use an OF left handed bat with pop.

http://basesareloaded.sportsblog.com/posts...ls-target-.html Don't see the Angels being very interested in Fowler to be honest. I wonder if the Angels would make a play for Ethier to hit in front of Trout. To me, that would make more sense for the Angels.