BlackSox13

Almost 2k replies in a thread about a player we haven't signed. It is kind of humorous.

Sources confirm that Cespedes only eats D.C. pan pizza served by Harper in a mini skirt wearing an under-sized Nat's jersey. Sox are screwed!

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 09:05 PM) If they're not going more than 3 years then they're not getting Cespedes. I believe Nightengale's report and while some fans may be po'd at the Sox stance, I get it. Cespedes is good but he's not Bryce Harper. At this point it might be worth Colorado and seeing what it will take to get CarGo. Colorado is rumored to have asked for Q. If true, the Sox did the right thing.

I'll say this for Fields, going by the videos Chilli posted, Fields can cover alot of ground in no time. Those were some nice catches.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 08:49 PM) NASCAR Talk about short track racing at Bristol.

If the Rockies are really trying to sign Parra, I wonder if that means they are close to trading CarGo. Makes me rather curious.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 07:29 PM) Cespedes barely speaks English. I doubt he is looking for huge marketing opportunities, and frankly very few baseball players have them, but never mind that,. The White Sox are hopeless. Agreed and let us forget the allure of hitting at the Cell in a lineup with Frazier and fellow Cuban Jose Abreu.

Oh for f***s sake...

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 06:37 PM) I still don't see the Tigers as a huge threat given they have no history of willing to go over the tax limit, and any big deal with Cespedes puts them way over for several seasons in a row, with the penalty going up every year. I think we could outbid them if it came down to it. Yep, you got it. IMO, Detroit is a minor threat that ends up signing one of the 2nd tier free agents, if they sign anyone at all. Another point to keep in mind is if they push to close to the luxury tax threshold it could limit their financial flexibility for mid-season trades.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 06:16 PM) Taylor is starting in CF in the same way Avi is in RF for the Sox. Forget the hype and read the stats sheet. Not a pretty picture. So you pretty confirmed what I said in that the Nat's are looking for a CF and likely not interested in Cespedes. They have been linked to Parra in more ways than one which only reaffirms their interest in upgrading CF. Parra hits RHP, Taylor hits LHP.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 06:07 PM) With Harper and Werth at the corners and taylor in CF the Nats have bigger issues than the OF. I don't think they are real serious contenders here. I really think the hold up is that it's really the O's and Sox being the big competitors. The O's are waiting on Davis, a fan favorite. The sox are staying with the 3 year offer and no players wants that yet. No one is offering the big deal right now. Good points. I think the Nat's are looking for a CF so they can use Taylor in a 4th outfielder role. I'm not sold on the Angels either due to their high payroll but I included them anyway since, IIRC, they have gone over the luxury tax threshold in the past. If indeed it's down to the Sox and Orioles, that could explain the the SOX media related rumors. No reason to flinch when then nothing to flinch about.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 05:57 PM) Why would Garfine possess an insider's ear in the Cespedes camp? That begs belief. Don't know but maybe his insiders ear is not from Cespedes camp, could be the Sox for all we know. Stepping back and looking at the situation as a whole, I think what Chick said makes sense.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jan 7, 2016 -> 05:52 PM) STL doesn't worry me one bit. They are not a team to spend a lot of money in FA and already signed Leake to a big contract (to their standards) and have a lot of young OFs they want to give a chance. I'm not worried about STL either. All indications say they are sticking with what they have which allows them money to add players during the season if needed. This could be PR bulls*** but for some reason I believe it. So I think we're looking at the Sox, Nat's, O's and possibly the Angels competing for Cespedes and Upton.

I see the Sox are still posturing, lol. Let's keep in mind that Cespedes was seeking 6 years, so the Sox low ball him at three years due to less than a handful of teams interested in Cespedes and a market full of outfielders. Garfien, whether one chooses to believe him or not, last week said Cespedes has not received more than a three year offer and I believe Chuck on this one. So what is left to do? Well, Cespedes is 30 and in my opinion going 6 years would be fricken stupid. I still believe the Sox are willing to go 4 years contrary to the PR bulls***. So in the nutshell we have the Sox likely willing to go 4 years for a player that seeks 6 years. If both sides are genuinely interested then the smart thing to do would be to meet half way which would be 4 years + 1 mutual option w/buyout. I don't like the idea of going more than four years but a mutual option doesn't sound so bad if the buyout isn't too much. If another team wants to offer more than 4+1 option then I hope the Sox do the smart thing and look elsewhere for an OF upgrade.

Super sweet! We have a new version of DeWise-a!

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 09:33 PM) Are you saying you think Austin Jackson is going to make more $$ than Markakis this season? Ya, Jackson is a bit of a stretch. He really shouldn't make more, my bad. Good call! Edit: Jackson made 7.7M last in '15 so he won't be too far off from Markakis' salary of 11M.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 08:37 PM) Markakis would be cheap if we picked up the whole tab and have to imagine ATL is motivated to move him. Wouldn't be my first choice, but he'd definitely be an upgrade. That's exactly how I feel about the Markakis idea. I can't see him costing too much in terms of prospects and is likely cheaper than signing one of Parra, Jackson or Fowler. Markakis has always played RF so that helps too. Imo, the prospects used to get a player like Markakis will be replaced in June's draft.

Matt Kemp Michael Bourn and its rumored Atlanta would listen to offers for Enciarte though the price would be steep. One of Houston's outfielders Gomez, Marisnick or possibly though not likely Tucker are rumored available. Jay Bruce The Dodgers Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, Alex Guerrero Hanley Ramirez Dustin Ackley is rumored available Of those players, the only ones I would have an interest in are Kemp, Ethier, Guerrero, one of Houston's outfielders and Bruce if the Reds eat some money. These guys along with Gardner and Markakis. Determining their trade value, that's another story because all we can really do is throw out our best guesses.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 08:05 PM) but that is like finding a needle in a hay stack. no offense. but i am looking at other org and known team willingness to trade their players for prospect.... to continue to build. but this is depending on what the cost will be...... which we as fans really do not know. That's when we will find out who is really interested in trading their outfielders. There are more potential sellers than there are buyers. Players like Gomez, Markakis and Gardner are not worth top prospects and yet are reasonably cost effective compared to the going rate of current free agents. There are so many outfielders out there available for trade as well as FA its crazy and a good time for the Sox to be a buyers. This is the year to do something because next year there won't be a big FA market for outfielders and therefore trade values for outfielders will go up. I wouldn't want to be a buyer next year, that's for sure.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 07:40 PM) Because if Johnson fails in the big leagues this time around, and his stuff isn't there...then basically he has sunk or diminished whatever trade value he had remaining to below Micah Johnson level. Not to mention it forces us to use Turner/Beck as the 5th starter or into an overpay situation via trade or possibly a free agent pitcher that's still dangling unsigned for whatever reason. The last thing they can afford to do is rush Fulmer or Danish up to the big leagues and throw them to the wolves when they're in an all-in/competitive environment and the microscope will be on those guys to perform every time out, as opposed to "development" years like the Cubs, Astros, Pirates, Royals, Mets, Rays, Twins, A's, etc., have had building back up to competitive teams. Bronson Arroyo! Who's with me?!?!?

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 07:19 PM) i really hate to be so pessimistic, but i do hope the owners will pony up for this yr. i really don't see any help in next yr fa's list, unless a team will need a nice sp. there are a nice trade route to look for.... but that price has now been establish from past trades in the last several weeks, so unless the rtn is a nice one, trading one of the sox's top 4-8 prospects is a cost that may need to be look at. It depends really. If we're talking about trading for the likes of Inciarte or Tucker, then yes the price is going to be steep. Now if we're talking about Markakis', Gardner or Gomez I think the Sox can get by without giving up Anderson or Fulmer. I would love to see the Sox get after Inciarte or Tucker, even if it cost any prospect not named Fulmer or Anderson but I seriously doubt Inciarte or Tucker could be had without including one of Fulmer/Anderson. I know this won't be a popular suggestion but if all else fails, I would see what Atlanta would want for Markakis. I think that's the kind of player were going to end up with. He'd cost 11M per year over the next three years, LHB, hits for AVE, OBP, low K-rate, upgrade in RF and would slot nicely at #2 in the lineup. This would put Melky in the middle of the order where he seems to hit better anyway and move LaRoche/Avi further down where they belong. Eaton Markakis Abreu Frazier Melky Lawrie LaRoche/Avi Navarro/Avila Saladino Don't get me wrong, there are certainly other outfielders I would rather have but I think the Sox are looking for a player that isn't too costly in terms of money or prospects. That's if they don't sign a free agent outfielder, which I still think there is some hope for.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 07:09 PM) How would signing Fowler to a 3 year $42 Million deal, and trading for Ethier look? Line up vs RHP: Projected OBP CF Eaton .355 LF Fowler .360 1B Abreu .360 RF Ethier .365 At his age, he could sit against a few lefties, just to rest him 3B Frazier .310 DH Melky .335 2B Lawrie .315 C A. Avila .340 His career OBP is very good vs RHP & he platoons with Navarro SS Saladino ? @ $14 Million per year for Fowler & $17.5 and 18 Million per year for the next 2 years for Ethier And what to do about La Roche? Bench player, back up first baseman, LH pinch hitter, or whatever. Rest of the bench: Shuck, Navarro, L. Garcia Avi and Sanchez to Charlotte Could the Sox really add $32Million per year in salaries, for the next 2 years? What would LA want for Ethier? Or, could they pay part of his contract in exchange for a piece the Sox could afford to give up? I'm obviously bored, and impatient, like everyone else here. The question really is, would JR add 32M to a payroll already sitting at 119M? I think it's more reasonable to think the Sox look at outfielders like Markakis, Gardner, Gomez types that won't add a ton in salary or cost a ton in prospects. I like the Ethier idea but his salary would bump the Sox up to around 137M, that might be stretching it but still possible. Not sure what Ethier would cost or if the Sox and Dodgers match up in a trade.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 06:31 PM) Come on. That's really the fun of this board. It's like watching NASCAR or preschool dance recitals. They are mostly boring but you just wait for the crashes. Good one! At least Sox fans know how to make right turns so we are a step above NASCAR. Right?

QUOTE (Saufley @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 05:52 PM) At this point I'm not sure what they are going to do. Need to do more with the acquisitions of Frazier and Lawrie, though!! What will JR let RH do?? Not sure how high JR is willing to go, if he is. He has shown in the past he is willing to raise the budget but I'm not willing to take for granted that he will do it this time around. I just don't want to get my hopes up is all. I think it's possible JR bumps back to around 130M range but 140-150M, I doubt it which is why I've had low expectations with the SOX signing one of the big three and while I had some hope they would, I didn't expect it either. I still think there are outfielders available through trades that would not cost the Sox Fulmer or Anderson. Those outfielders won't be the caliper of Cespedes or Upton but still upgrades over Avi. The market is flooded with outfielders so I do feel pretty good about the Sox making some kind of an upgrade.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 05:06 PM) Ya I could see the Sox not getting anyone and Hahn going well just didnt find anyone to fit in so looks like the is it for the rest of the offseason. I think the Sox will either sign or trade for somebody, just might not be the high caliper player some might be expecting. There is definitely some high hopes and unrealistic expectations for a team that's already at its budget ceiling. Not saying JR will not raise it some, but I'm not going to assume he will til said or proven otherwise.