BlackSox13

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) Not that it's relevant to the Sox, but why did the Astros make this trade? They gave up 2 decent prospects for a player they don't seem to need. I'd guess that the Astros want to add depth at catcher since Castro regressed last season. Just giving the team an alternative option to possibly fall back on.

Dick is right. I know this was discussed a month or two ago but CarGo comes with injury history concerns, questionable splits away from Coors Field and a huge salary. 16M in 2015 17M in 2016 20M in 2017 Anyone willing to take on that salary needs their head examined and subjected to random drug testing, or at least share with the rest of us.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 06:13 PM) I am confused why people were so inspired by Andy Wilkins that they are penciling him into the 2015 roster. Hmmm, wish I had an answer for you but I'm equally confused. Wilkins showed nothing during September so I really don't get it. Just realized I drifted off topic in my last few posts so I'll keep any further comments about VMart.

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 05:39 PM) stat wise, I was looking at them side by side. well I will the other post their thoughts on it. look at flowers, the last 3 months. and then at castro. I would like to see your response. Good call LDF. I just looked at them size by side comparing their 1st half/ 2nd half stats. Castro had the better first half but Flowers had the better 2nd half. Overall, Tyler improved while Castro took a turn for the worse. Not only will I take Tyler over Castro, but I will gladly keep the prospects it would take to acquire Castro. IMO, the grass is not greener in the case of Flowers vs Castro.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 05:41 PM) Rasmus cannot carry Cargo's jockstrap. I am blown away by your amazing insight. Thank you for your contribution... QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 05:49 PM) this is a perfect example on how posters can chg their opinions. last week and before there would have been me say no freaking way for Rasmus playing for the sox. now, as some posters are saying, the sox need an upgrade so to speak. Rasmus does provide that bat, speed and in some ways Defense. he can be a good catch. but I sure hell hate his freaking baggage. I agree. I like Rasmus power, LH bat and also think he could play a solid LF, at least better than what we've had anyway. He's not the best option but not the worst and like I said, he won't cost the Sox anything but salary and that salary will be cheaper than CarGo's contract. I don't think some folks realize CarGo's splits, injury history and horrible salary.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 02:46 PM) At an extremely high salary and for 3 of our top 10 prospects as you posit it. And his bat wasn't elite last year; he was also injured. Agreed. I cannot believe I'm going to say this but I'd rather have Rasmus since the production is similar and Rasmus can be had for a cheaper salary and will not require the Sox to trade any young talent. IMO, the proposed offer for CarGo is a huge over pay.

I think Conger was brought in to give Castro some competition after Castro's numbers took a big hit in 2014. I don't think the Astros deal Castro and if they do I hope its not the Sox. As others have said, if Castro is an upgrade its a very slight upgrade and that's before taking into account how Flowers knows the Sox pitching or the fact that Flowers hitting progressed in 2014 while Castro regressed. Astro fans can keep their precious Castro, the Sox do not need him.

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 09:28 AM) i would even settle for comp picks or slot and money. Yes, good call. I especially like the comp pick idea.

Considering DV has 20+ HR power, I bet there's a few teams that would be interested. The key is for Hahn not to expect too much in return. With payrolls opening up over the winter as they always do, now is the best time to find a trade partner for DV and not before the deadline when most teams budgets are just about tapped. Dunn did net the Sox Nolan Sanburn so I think there's hope for DV.

I just looked at the poll and its dead even at 27. I'm kinda surprised.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 4, 2014 -> 11:02 PM) I think it's very possible because chances like this do not come along very often and the goal is to win is it not ? Trying to stay below $100M payroll and expecting to compete doesn't work out very often so take full advantage of that protected pick and go for it. Also lets not forget that TV money of $25M every yr through 2021, . It all won't go for player payroll of course but there is plenty of money available. We definitely agree on going for it. The Sox have said they plan on contending in 2015, well its going to cost. If they want to boost sales next year, they will have to spend money this off season and show fans they really do plan on contending. Hopefully JR realizes this.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 4, 2014 -> 10:31 PM) That strategy provides you an opening day rotation of Sale, Quintana, Noesi, Bassitt and Carroll/Beck. Its definitely not ideal but at some point the Sox will be relying on a young pitcher or two anyway. I would imagine the rotation would be Sale, Q, Noesi, Rodon and Bassitt which I would be fine with.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 4, 2014 -> 08:59 PM) I don't think anyone responded to this and if makes a whole lot of sense. Only sign as many free agents as you can afford that fit your team not just hitters. Let's say the Sox sign VMart and 2 other guys who were given a qualifying offer . Then we give up what ,a 2nd, 3rd and 4th rd pick in one draft class. Beats the hell out of losing #1 's in separate years. You could sign VMart , Melky or Headley and a few 2nd tier relievers (those who don't cost $9M+) or a SP . Is this possible ? Are there rules against beating the system in this way ? Sure its possible, just ask the Yanks. If it were up to me, this is how I would go about making the Sox a contender in 2015. Headley and VMart would be great additions and if Toronto signs Melky then the Sox could try for Rasmus. If not Rasmus, the Sox could look into an exchange of bad contracts like Danks for Andre Ethier. Essentially Ethier would add 3.75M to the current payroll which should allow plenty of space for Headley, VMart and a bullpen arm or maybe even two. IMO, this would would be the best way to fill in some holes while not trading away any prized prospects that the Sox have so few of in the first place. Since the Sox have so much room in payroll and a protected first rounder, it makes sense to hit the FA market. Problem is, will JR spend on multiple free agents. History says no but one can hope right?

Thanks for posting the link. That slider is becoming a nasty pitch and if he can continue to develop the change up, oh is he going to be fun to watch as a starter. If not, the fastball and slider are plenty good enough to be a set up or closer. Hopefully he sticks as a starter though.

If the Sox are somehow able to move Danks this winter, you can bet on Bassitt being in the rotation next year. I would not count him out as a starter just yet.

Yeah, no thank you to Santana. Would much rather use that money on a hitter and give Bassitt a shot as a full time starter. Santana's numbers would not translate over to the AL and especially at US Cellular. Didn't we talk enough last winter about Santana? Good grief was that idea beaten to death! Anyway. Anyone think maybe the Rangers jump in on Lester?

Boston has plenty of money to offer and has history with Lester, I'm guessing he ends up back in Boston. I understand its fun to discuss and all, just not a realistic possibility for the White Sox.

Good grief. If Noesi continues doing what he's doing or continues to improve, what a bargain! I'd wave goodbye to Belly and get whatever I can from Tank and move on. Lots of payroll flexibility, wow!

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 4, 2014 -> 02:38 PM) i finally looked at the video. here is my thoughts. as he was climbing over the wall on his right side. his left foot appears to hit him. this was not the case. from the angle it made it look as such. it was the right foot, the trailing foot that got caught in the man shirt just above the stomach. when he tried to pull that foot, the right foot over, it was caught in the shirt. moving the shirt and making it appear as he kick him with his left. Thus temporarily exposing the kind mans beer belly. Lol. The fan was certainly not bothered by it one bit.

Two things that would make much more sense,IMO. 1- signing another FA hitter or two to go with the VMart signing. If the Sox are going to lose a pick, may as well use this year to sign FA's since the number one is protected regardless so at least the Sox keep that no matter what. Sign one or two other guys first and show VMart the Sox are committed to winning in 2015. Another advantage to this would be if the Sox sign a another player or two that cost picks, the Tigers end up with the Sox 3rd or 4th round pick as compensation instead of the 2nd. 2- as a poster has already mentioned., try a front loaded contract with VMart. Something like 18M in 2015, 16M in 2016, 14M in 2017 and offer a mutual option for 14M in 2018. I'd guess he could get a better deal from another team but might be worth a shot. I would still rather see the Sox go a different direction but IMO, VMart makes much more sense if the Sox are signing another FA hitter or two to go with VMart. Or even taking on a productive player with a high salary like Ethier, Crawford etc.

IMO, that was not at all on purpose. Shuck was trying to hurry up and get back over the wall to get the ball back into the infield because there was a runner on 1st base. Heck of a catch. I like his on base potential and seems to play a pretty good LF.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Nov 4, 2014 -> 08:38 AM) They were also a few timely outs away from being just another forgettable wild card team, though I understand your point about their advancement through the playoffs motivating spending. My gut is just that they aren't going to be buying any of the premium free agents. Not to mention that the org has often pointed out how the team is built around defense - allocating 20% or more of their annual payroll on a DH is contrary to that. I am not arguing he wouldn't be a good pickup for them though. That's cool, we just see it differently is all. I guess we will find out soon enough. QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 4, 2014 -> 10:03 AM) Because the Royals are substantially better than the White Sox and are very obviously ready to contend next year. Exactly. The Sox need to make up 16 games in the win column to get on par with KC. That's a lot of ground to make up in one off season. Not that it can't be done, just not something I'm counting on.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 3, 2014 -> 09:14 PM) Yeah, someone has to go for sure, and you'd assume it ISN'T Dickerson or Stubbs because he's the only one that can really play CF. CarGo? Morneau? Maybe the surplus of OF players in CO. is too obvious and the Sox are looking at Morneau? Morneau batting behind Abreu is intruiging and it opens up a spot for Cuddyer at 1B for the Rockies. From a Sox perspective, one would think its a LH bat the Sox would be interested in.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 3, 2014 -> 08:39 PM) But if history is any indication, no one is going to give him that with the draft pick attached. I agree with what you're saying, I really don't get it either. He's not worth the 15.3M QO or losing a draft pick over. If he accepts the QO he will be untradeable without the Rockies sending money with him. I'm stumped like everyone else to be honest. Maybe they plan on trading Morneau and playing Cuddyer at 1B? Heck if I know...

Anderson went 1/5 with an RBI and a K. Snoddy pitched one scoreless inning. No Bassitt today either. Glendale somehow managed to give up 12 runs in the 7th, Yikes!!!