BlackSox13

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 09:07 AM) Hasn't Beachy had two TJ's already? At any rate, that's the idea....whoever, Porcello, Masterson, there has to be a pitcher out there who fits this scheme and would be an upgrade on Johnson. Only Medlen and Capuano have made it through to the other side of that double TJ...obviously, it will come down to what teams are willing to pay Fister and Latos. Yep, Beachy has had two TJ's and that's why he's a cheaper option but its like!y the Sox are looking for a cheap fall back option anyway because they seem willing to pencil EJ into the rotation which I get, he's earned another look.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 08:59 AM) Avi only playing one full season and still being 24, I'd rather see get everyday at bats in AAA in the event that they decide to release LaRoche in say June/July if he's terrible, making Cabrera the DH. I understand the thinking behind Avi getting everyday at bats at AAA but he has already shown he can hit AAA pitching so, IMHO, the best way for him to improve is to continue seeing MLB pitching, even if its in a platoon role. I'll be first to admit that when the Sox signed LaRoche I liked the signing but before that I was a big fan of the idea of keeping the DH spot open so it could be used as part of a rotation among the outfielders. I know its hindsight but boy the Sox sure could use that open spot now more than ever. We could see less of Avi and Melky in the outfield and yet still get them at bats.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 08:35 AM) Yeah he platooned Trayce at first, the 3B position last season and Konerko/Dunn in 14. I don't see how he isn't doing a good job of platooning. Ya, I don't get the knock on Ventura to be honest. The FO gives Ventura the players to make up the lineup card so Ventura is just doing his best to work with what he's given. As for adding starting pitching depth, I like the idea of adding Beachy. I think Latos and Fister will be a bit costly for what the Sox are looking for.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 08:41 AM) Cespedes* And I'm not sure what they will do. Maybe Jackson who I still want if there is money leftover to platoon with LaRoche. The Sox can use Avi as a platoon for LaRoche. Avi is also younger and less costly than Jackson although Jackson is a better outfielder.

Any other ideas for the Sox in the event they don't sign one of Upton/Heyward/Gordon? I'm still not willing to assume the Sox sign one of those three so I refuse to get my hopes up only to have them come crashing down. Sometimes s*** just happens. I'm up in the air on Parra. I like what he did while playing for the Brewers but his numbers pretty much sucked for the Orioles. Not sure what happened there. Fowler has nice pop in his bat but I don't like his defense or the comp pick attached to him. Jackson does absolutely nothing for me. After those three the only remaining option is to look into a trade. For whom and at what cost I do not know. I do know that there are plenty of options out there and it's a buyers market so the costs should be reasonable.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 08:37 PM) Chants "Kyyles gonna kill you..Kyyles gonna kill you....Kyyles gonna kill you" (As a wrestling fan Kyyle will get it) I ain't skeerd of no Kyle Broflovski! I have Beef Cake as my tag partner. BEEF CAKE, BEEF CAAAAAKE!!!!

As long as Kazmir stays healthy he should pitch well in those spacious NLW ballpark's with the possible exception of Coors. I think the opt-out plays into the Dodgers hands since potentially one year of Kazmir buys time for Urias or DeLeon to take Kazmir's place in '17. I think it's a smart move by the Dodgers.

Looking back at the last few pages, I realized something that had not been said and yet seemingly overdue. Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah blah blah blah, but, blah blah and blah to the blizzy blah blah! Edit: would like to dedicate a "POOP" to a certain someone.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 07:50 PM) I don't agree with the logic that upgrading two two positions is pointless. He made the team better without sacrificing the future. It looks like he is trying to add another piece at the right price. So far he hasn't hurt the team with any long term moves. Signing a free agent to a 5-6 year deal is something that could hurt the team in the long term by tying up a large salary number. If he does nothing else, he's made the team better at positions where the team has no prospects ready for a couple of years. Another thing to point out about those trades is it gives the Sox a shot at extending Lawrie and Frazier to shore up those positions for the long term if the team and players are interested.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 07:07 PM) @PatrickHoward50 "Hearing talks broke down because Yoenis Cespedes wants a 6-year deal, while White Sox only want to offer 5. Upton out of picture. (Pt. 1)." "White Sox still prefer Cespedes, may circle back to Alex Gordon if K.C. offer is low. White Sox willing to add 5th year to Gordon contract." ...So, I think that says all it does needs to about that whole saga in terms of his tweets last night. QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 07:32 PM) FWIW he said it was done, not close. Exact tweet: "Per source within the White Sox organization; team will ink Yoenis Cespedes to a 6-year deal. Dollar amount pegged at $125-135 million." Glad you pointed this out. Just a bit contradicting wouldn't you say? Like others have said, I'm happy to sit back and watch how this unfolds. I trust Hahn will make something happen to better the team in some fashion. Also want to point out. I think JR deserves some credit since he certainly appears willing to bump the payroll ceiling significantly in an attempt to put together a competitive team for '16. The man catches some s*** around here for being " cheap" and yet the Sox are in the thick of things trying to sign one of three top remaining FA outfielders.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 07:21 PM) Patrick Howard's baseball reporting as good as mine or yours. He's just a fan looking for attention. Exactly. Just a spitballer with a small cult following.

Take it FWIW... http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck...1229-story.html "Orioles aren't likely to spend $100 million to sign Yoenis Cespedes"

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 09:44 PM) Barry McCockiner – ‏@bonerpatrol69 Source: #WhiteSox agree to terms with Cespedes, Latos, Parra, Upton and all remaining free agents. To be officially announced within the next 3 month. 9:44 PM - 29 Dec 2015 Now that's good!

I'm divided three ways on that tweet. 1/3 believes, 1/3 bulls***, 1/3 whatever. Patrick doesn't come across as a young kid clamoring for attention so who knows, maybe he does know something. Guess we will find out...

QUOTE (Sockin @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 06:51 PM) Uhhhhhh this guy is saying we're signing Cespedes to a 6 year $125-135 mil deal, per his "source" within the Sox. @PatrickHoward50 Per source within the White Sox organization; team will ink Yoenis Cespedes to a 6-year deal. Dollar amount pegged at $125-135 million. https://twitter.com/PatrickHoward50/status/...998926887518209 Rabbit, bucket any info here? Well, the guy sure seems pretty sure of himself. Fun read but I'll take it with a grain of salt until more info comes out one way or another.

It's a Cespedes for therestofus!

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 05:18 PM) If only Hahn would've signed Cespedes on Christmas Day, then he would've really won me over. Then I would know that he's not messing around and has balls of steel. Yes, yes yes yes yes! Hahn could have been known as the GM with balls of steel by winning us over because it is, after all, about us! Instead, he has resorted to being KW's nutless boy wonder now dubbed, 'wonder-nuts' because he (Hahn) wonders where dey went! WHERE DEY!?!? QUOTE (MDWhiteSoxFan @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 05:18 PM) I think you forgot a hint of green in this post Shhhh, don't tell.

Ya know, I'm really disappointed in Hahn for this deal with Cespedes not being done yet and I don't think Hahn cares about what the Sox fans want. It's all about the team orientated bulls***. I mean, WTF Hahn, there's still two months left before pitchers and catchers report! What are you waiting for Hahn? No cajones I tell you, none. They probably turned blue, fell off and now reside in a squirrel's nest somewhere feeding their young. GAWD!

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 04:20 PM) Yeah, it sounds like there is very little doubt that he is staying in KC. He is just using other teams to drive up offers and get KCs best offer. Growing up in that area, KC is the easiest MLB place to get to. This sounds like a case where money really isn't the most important factor, unless it's a significanr difference. I think you're right. Gordon has said he wants to stay in KC which is much closer to where he grew up than Chicago. Now factor how the Sox have seemingly changed gears with focus on Cespedes and it starts to make a bit more sense. Maybe Gordon used the Sox in his negotiations with KC while the Sox used Gordon in negotiations with Cespedes? Just a wild guess.

QUOTE (Pants Rowland @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:31 PM) Sounds frighteningly similar to the response Torii Hunter gave when all reports were he was about to sign with the Sox a few years back and then the Angels swooped in and got him. Ya, I think Kenny's butt still stings from that one. There is so much posturing going on between KC/Sox/Gordon, I have no idea what to believe.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:36 PM) I'm down. Sign me up All aboard! QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:36 PM) I agree. 6/100 puts the Sox solidly in the mix for Cespedes. Nice to have more than the Gordon option out there if those #'s are true. The more options the better. It's definitely a buyers market with the surplus of outfield options available. QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:42 PM) Wonder if Cespedes could be had at 5 years and 90 million Not sure but I kinda doubt it if the Angels and Giants are seriously in on Cespedes. I'd guess if the Sox, Angels and Giants are competing with one another it could bring the price up to some degree.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:36 PM) That's not a report from me but a report from New York. Thanks for clarifying and passing that info along raBBit. The report makes sense.

raBBit notes that Cespedes is rumored to be looking for a 6/100M contract. If true it shows how much the prices have come down since Cespedes was rumored to be looking for 6/140-150M. The 6/100M could be why the Sox are in talks with Cespedes. For that price or close to it, I'll climb aboard the Cespedes train.

Lots of mis-direction and smoke/mirrors lately. Looks like alot of posturing is happening with teams and free agents. "No truth," Alex Gordon said in response to a recent story that he had no chance of signing a new contract with the Kansas City Royals." http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/kids...654e57b745.html

Well this thread just became a whole lot more interesting and its about time the rumor mill picked up again. I'm really curious about the level of interest in Cespedes from the Angels and Giants. Both teams are sitting at about 165M in payroll so they could afford Cespedes without being hit by the luxury tax as long as Cespedes AAV does not exceed 24M. The Sox could have serious competition from those teams for Cespedes. Oh to be a fly on the wall in these discussions.