BlackSox13

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 08:42 PM) I'd really feel good about our offseason if we got Frazier, Lawrie and Cespedes and still have 3 top 50 picks. Absolutely. Nothing wrong with having the best of both worlds. Another benefit is the extra draft pool money that allows a bit more flexibility.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 06:15 PM) 100% agree with this on both Gordon and Cespedes, even if it means they end up missing out on either guy. Unless it means Upton, I'd rather use the resources on other options, that specifically don't require the loss of a draft pick. The draft pick is another thing I don't like about the idea of signing Gordon. 3 picks in the first 2 rounds would be a really nice boost to a farm that could use it. However, for a 28 year old Upton I wouldn't mind losing the Samardzija comp pick.. One of the things I like about Cespedes besides his power/fielding/arm is that there's no comp pick attached so if the Sox were to sign him, he's an immediate boost to the lineup and the Sox still pick 3 times in the first two rounds come June.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 06:00 PM) Would you rather have Cespedes in left and Melky in right? Or Cespedes in right (never played there, but clearly the more athletic of him/Melky) and Melky in left? Tough call imo, right field is typically harder to play but Cespedes might not be as comfortable there. Melky will play either corner below average so exactly how much harder is right field than left? What hurts you less in the long run? Melky clearly has the gun for either. I definitely don't like the idea of Melky in RF, shoot, I don't like the idea of Melky in LF! I see what you're saying though and if I had to choose it would be Cespedes in RF. However, let's just make this easier by signing Upton.

QUOTE (Saufley @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 05:45 PM) I'm in on Upton. Right on. I haven't liked the idea of signing Cespedes or Gordon due to the length of contracts and salaries they seek. To be honest, I'm not even a fan of signing Upton but given his age, power, speed and ability to play RF I would be fine with paying him the big bucks because I think he could actually live up to his long term deal. I've opened up to the idea of Upton, initially I wanted nothing to do with him either. If its true that the Sox aren't willing to go beyond three years for Gordon or Cespedes then I applaud them and feel they are doing the right thing. Since Cespedes is 30, a fourth year option wouldn't the worst thing in the world but I would definitely not go more than three years with Gordon.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 05:40 PM) I like this idea, whether it's Upton or Cespedes in theory that could work. The only thing about Cespedes is that he has never played RF in the majors. Not sure how that would play out to be honest. He definitely has the arm.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 04:57 PM) http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/whit...hree-years.html Did anyone else besides me notice that Upton is mentioned just briefly in this article? It makes me wonder if he's the guy the Sox really want. Yep, I noticed that too. I also noticed that Nightengale's tweet of only offering 3 years was specific to Cespedes/Gordon and not Upton. It could mean the Sox are willing to go longer with Upton and imo, they are.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 04:59 PM) That bench has no pop at all though. I'd rather start Saladino at SS and use that bench spot for someone who's got some pop if possible. I'd love to bring in Edwin Jackson, who has swingman ability as far as starting or long relief. Plus it would be sweet for him to have a good year for us while the Cubs were still paying him Definitely like the idea of Jackson. Also like the idea of Saladino starting at SS with a bench of Catcher, Sanchez, Shuck and Sands (provides some pop). Another idea could be, let's say the Sox signed Upton. Upton to RF, Avi to LF, Melky to DH and LaRoche on the bench with Sands to give the bench pop from both sides of the plate late in games. LaRoche also provides an option of late inning defensive replacement at 1B.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 04:46 PM) Wonder if the Sox are in better position now to go for Upton. Offer him a 5 year deal averaging say 23 million a year, with opt-outs after the 3rd/4th/5th years. Would fit the Sox 2-3 year window and allow Upton to re-enter free agency as early as age 31 I believe. I like the idea alot. Funny thing about this off season is that it's coming full circle. Going into the off season the Sox were said to be after Upton, then it was Gordon, then Cespedes and it would seem the Sox attention could or maybe even has turned back to Upton. If the Sox are to sign one of the three I would hope it's Upton. Given his age I think his health and performance could hold up better over the life of the contract.

IMHO. Stick with Saladino at SS, look to sign one of E.Jackson/G.Floyd/B.Beachy for depth and look into the numerous OF trade candidates that are available. Maybe with so many outfielders available the cost in prospects could be B level or lower depending on the player sought in the trade. I'm sure Hahn has plenty of ideas and discussions with other teams for fall-back options.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 04:27 PM) Upton with a similar opt-out to Heyward after 3-4 years makes some sense... At least he would be in his 20's and with less concern about declining production. That said, his market has been the most quietest of those three...kind of similar to Chris Davis, albeit with no offer from the Padres to legitimately keep him. I agree, the Upton opt-out idea makes sense and is much more of a possibility than with Gordon/Cespedes whom seem to be looking to get locked up for the long term financial security. I like the idea of Upton and an opt-out depending on the parameters. I have been googling the big three over the last four or five days and Upton is by and large the most quite as far as rumors and speculation goes. From the little bit I've been able find, it sounds like Upton might be sitting back waiting for Cespedes and/or Gordon to sign. Without Cespedes/Gordon for competition it could force a desperate team to be more willing to give into his demands.

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news/46897...es-justin-upton "Star first baseman Jose Abreu is trying to recruit Cespedes over to Chicago's South Side and might get his wish. If Chicago fails on both Cespedes and Gordon, the Sox could turn their attention to Justin Upton, which is not a bad consolation prize"

I don't pay much attention to projections so fellow Sox fans, please feel free to help me out with this. My question is, how reliable or accurate are projections and are they worth paying attention to? http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseba...t-worse-in-2016 "The 2016 projections think Yoenis Cespedes, Chris Davis will get worse"

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 03:32 PM) [quote name='BlackSox13' date='Jan 1, 2016 -> 03:13 PM' post='3282553' Relax Sox fans before you constipate yourselves. Too late! Can't poop! Oh s***! Time to call in " The Laxitive". Hi8is, where arrrrrre yoooooooouu? To the Lax-mobile!!!

Theres been so many years/ numbers/ teams rumored with the big three, I wouldn't get anxious over the latest rumor. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn't then I suspect Hahn has a few backup plans to fall back on either with second tier FA's or trades. Relax Sox fans before you constipate yourselves.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:30 PM) He strikes out a lot anyway. Open him up, change his swing plane and have him try to hit the ball 600 feet every AB. Maybe a different set up gets him a different look at pitches, and he could actually swing at something he could hit hard. Longshot I know, but staying the course isn't working. I see no reason not to try this. Avi hits too many balls on the ground for a guy with his strength and size. If need be, invite Sammy Sosa to ST to show Avi the art of the upper-cut and how to swing for the fences in every at bat.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 11:39 PM) Crazy that they would go after him. Don't see the need. They aren't competing anytime soon. Ya. Only thing I can think of is Colorado plans on trading CarGo for minor young pitching and sign Parra to replace him. In the next year or two as their young outfielders become MLB ready, they trade Blackmon and Dickerson to be out from under their increasing slaries and help replenish their minors a little. At that's how it looks.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 03:56 PM) When they say Saladino/Sanchez are going to battle it out for SS in ST, it's not much different than when they were saying "We have Mike Olt at third" prior to the Lawrie/Frazier trades. So are you thinking the Sox go with Saladino at SS and Sanchez as his backup or that the Sox could sign/trade for a SS?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 06:25 PM) Good catch. Still, it's an insulting offer to a guy who has been one of the best position players in baseball over the past few years. My guess is the Royals have come up from that number, but it's even remotely true, there should he a large gap between K.C. and other interested suitors. He's not going to take an 8 figure discount if the years are the same. I agree with ya. It really is an insulting offer considering Melky's annual salary, the fact Gordon is better than Melky and that Heyward's contract just raised the bar. To me, it sounds like KC is completely relying on a home town discount and the fact they just won a WS together. Also agree on there being a gap between KC's offer and the offers from potential suiters. Maybe this is KC's way of "letting him down easy". IOW, were interested for only so much money, otherwise we will find someone else (Parra) for cheaper. Then they can tell the fans " well we tried to make what we felt was a fair market value offer for Alex's services and we were there right up to the end until team X made an offer Alex could not refuse". Then announce the signing of Parra!

Jackson could very well be the guy the Sox end up with if. The cubs are still on the hook for paying Jackson 13M in '16 so with Jackson its more about getting a major league opportunity than it is money. He's definitely worth looking into. I like the Floyd idea as well.

Just to clarify, Melky signed a 3/42M contract that pays him 13M/14M/15M during those three years. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/...shtml#contracts If KC did actually offer Gordon 4/52M, that is a low-ball offer in that the annual value doesn't even meet Melky's. I'm not a fan of signing Gordon but he's definitely better and worth more than Melky. I think 4/72M is about what Gordon ends up with unless a team goes five years.

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 03:48 PM) I find this offensive. Bartolo is the ultimate physical specimen. For McDonald's, jenny Craig, weight watchers, atkins, biggest loser, golds gym, gnc and Dirk diggler.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 02:47 PM) And I'm a fan of that. We're better off having some competition than just handing Tyler the job. I agree and would rather go with one of these guys instead of Alexei or fricken Desmond. My only concern with Carlos is will his arm strength good enough for SS but we will find that out in ST. I really hope the Sox stick to this competition between Sanchez and Saladino.

Regarding Sanchez: http://www.liderendeportes.com/movil/detal...dNoticia=175700 " In fact, the absence of Sanchez in the semifinals is because the White Sox are very interested in the infielder is trained during the month of January as shortstop, and so it was told to La Guaira about two weeks ago. "We made ​​a proposal, both Carlos and to the White Sox, to at least partially train him throughout the month of January as shortstop, but Carlos preferred to follow a full-time program of preparation as a shortstop, " concluded Jose Antonio Herrera. " Pretty much confirms what we've heard about Sanchez and Saladino competing at SS in ST.

And what exactly does RV and pinch hitting have to do with market in-efficiency? May as well toss this thread into the scrap heap with the rest of the RV sucks threads thanks to the chronic whiners. Call the whaaaaaaambulance.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 09:40 AM) i remember yelling at the TV many times back in 2013/2014, in the 7th-9th inning's with a runner on 1st/2nd and Dunn being up. Opponent brings in a LOOGY, and Robin lets Dunn hit. (or last year with Laroche) As has already been pointed out, look at the options on the bench Robin has had to work with.