BlackSox13

Just using WAR for an example. Cespedes has a cumulative WAR of 15.8 during his four seasons in the MLB. Over the same time frame Davis has a 15.1 WAR. There could be some truth to the report that Cespedes is looking for as much or more than Davis and might back up suspicions about Cespedes waiting for Davis to sign. If this is the case, I'm glad the Sox FO have backed off Cespedes and are looking at other alternatives.

Take it for whatever it might be worth but I wouldn't make any assumptions until Baltimore confirms one way or another. https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/orioles-likely...-spot/161911556 "Orioles likely out of Cespedes chase, Mets in same spot"

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 10:04 AM) Avi is a 30/30 candidate. In fact he's 4 homers and about 15 steals away from those numbers in a Sox jersey!! The lil' Miggy that could. Just keep chuggin' away and you'll reach those career goals! It's 30/30 or bust! QUOTE (TheCut87 @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 10:07 AM) I would rather them stay put and give avi another season rather than sign fowler out of desperation and lose the draft pick. In my opinion fowler isn't worth it and won't put you any closer to serious contention this year and we would hurt ourselves for the future. Would rather sit and let things play out I think he's an upgrade over Avi in defense, base running speed, stolen bases, OBP and the Sox could use his pop from the left side. What I struggle with is Fowler enough of an upgrade to justify giving up the pick and signing him to a 3 or 4 year deal? I find myself on the fence. If the Sox sign him I'm fine with it but they don't, I'm fine with that too.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 09:54 AM) Fans will going to Sox fest to yell at the front office Lol, yes they will and I think we all know what the FO responses will be.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 09:41 AM) There's going to be quite the meltdown on here if he signs with the Tigers before Sox get Fowler, etc Imagine the meltdown if Cespedes signs elsewhere and the Sox do not sign anyone. The torches will light up the Chicago skyline. The comments will be funny to read so there's that.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 09:23 AM) Very doubtful it would seem That's what I'm thinking because they still need a pitcher to replace Chen but I don't want to assume they will pull the offer for Cespedes either.

So what's the deal with Baltimore's offer to Cespedes, is that offer still on the table? Googled it but cannot find anything that's says the offer has been taken off the table.

Should be interesting to see how Kennedy's stats translate to the AL with the DH. If he pitches well, the Royals gave him a good contract but if he doesn't the Royals are stuck like a pig. I guess that's the gamble though.

Well, congrats to Baltimore for out-bidding their self on Davis. Too funny! Should be interesting to see what happens with Cespedes, Upton, Fowler and Jackson.

Even though I feel it was time to move on, I'm going to miss Alexei. Hopefully he gets traded to a contender at the deadline and gets a shot at the post season.

Greg rubs the lotion on Greg's skin or else Greg gets the hose again! Yes precious Greg gets the hose.

I found the post to be creatively humorous.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 09:30 PM) I challenge you to go back and see all my predictions: a vast majority were correct. Somebody even gave me credit for that. Oh yeah? Well I triple dog dare ya!

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 09:01 PM) Oh crap. We're in trouble. Come on Ferro's! Time to reciprocate with those "Eggceptional" omelettes! I'm sure that will do the trick. I don't know man, its gonna be tough to compete with sea food. It's like bringing a bazooka to a gun fight. Might have to counter with a combo of Chicago style deep dish pizza and Chicago's best polish sausage.

It's f***ing on now! Baltimore is pulling out all the stops. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimo...-htmlstory.html "Jimmy's Famous Seafood has extended the same offer it did to Davis to new free-agent target Yoenis Cespedes: Sign with the Orioles, receive free steamed crabs for life."

I'm hoping we don't see Fulmer until September.

And that's a wrap!

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/doug...22-million.html "Right-hander Doug Fister and his agents at PSI Sports Management have been seeking a two-year contract worth a guaranteed total of about $22MM this offseason, a source tells ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick"

It's house betting time!

Screw Cespedes and use the money to extend Avi and Danks. A move like that would show some serious funkin bawlls' !

Watch the Marlins come outta nowhere and sign Cespedes and Davis!

If Hahn had any balls whatsoever, he would have signed Avi to long term extension instead of going the cheap route with this arbitration nonsense! No balls I tell ya, NONE!

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 09:26 AM) This is my feeling as well. It's very rare that a national writer will get a leak as detailed as the years and dollar amount. It accomplishes two things for the Orioles IF Davis is truly their focus... 1) The contract offer to Cespedes is a jab at Boras and Davis. It's effectively telling the Davis camp that the Orioles don't have to spend 7/154 to acquire a big bat and there are cheaper alternatives in this market. 2) It stirs up the Cespedes market which might prevent another team from focusing on Davis themselves. Signing Cespedes to a 5/75-90 contract would be feasible for a lot of teams that thought his price tag was 100+ and an attractive alternative to a team that was thinking of beating the Oriole's offer to Davis. A third purely speculative motivation is the Orioles might be more interested in Upton than Cespedes as an alternative to Davis and the offer is misdirection. Great points. To me, this is telling Boras/Davis to s*** or get off the pot. I know Baltimore needs a LHB for their lineup but they can only wait for so long and at some point will have no choice but to move on. Showalter's recent comments seem to echo the teams frustration with Boras/Davis. I think Baltimore's interest is genuine since they not only need a bat but need to replace the open rotation spot that Chen left. Imo, Baltimore would be stupid to sign Davis for 7/154M when they could conceivably sign Cespedes and Gallardo for close to the same money and fill two holes. I see what you mean with Upton too. This could be an indirect jab to show Upton what they are willing to pay for one of the two top tier remaining free agents. Making an offer to Cespedes could bring Upton out from under the rock he's been hiding under. At least Baltimore is doing something to try and shake things up while the rest of the teams and free agents sit around waiting for the other to blink first.

This article kind of makes it sound like Baltimore threw an offer at Cespedes in an attempt to get him on the cheap. Interesting take. http://www.camdenchat.com/2016/1/15/107742...yoenis-cespedes "Making sense of the Orioles interest in Yoenis Cespedes"

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 08:28 AM) I expect more stolen bases than that. Probably in the 20 to 25 range. He may not be the fastest guy around, but he's an incredibly smart base runner. I believe he was top 5 in time from first to second on stolen base attempts. Come to think of it I think Saladino was third behind Hamilton and someone else.