[Roy Halladay to retire as a Blue Jay]

Without a doubt a 1st ballot HFer. Going to miss watching his highlights but when its time, its time. Enjoy retirement Doc, you've earned it.

[Sox sign Felipe Paulino]

Is this an ode to our FO's use of sabermetrics or their love for power arms?

Power arms. I'm sure you remember Aardsma, MacDougal and co.

[Sox sign Felipe Paulino]

So 40 man is full now with Bellasario and Paulino, right?

I believe so but the way Hahn spoke over the weekend we will probably see a trade this week so it could very well drop back down again.

[Sox sign Felipe Paulino]

Just a guess but coming off TJ surgery and being 30, my guess is the Sox convert him to a reliever. Just a hunch.

 

Good to see more activity. I like this signing and Paulino's enthusiasm over it.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

Towers just said only untouchables are Goldschmidt and Corbin

Sounds like Hahn and Towers both have changed their tunes. Stay tuned, the rumors could become even more interesting.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

I agree, if anything it moves your timetable up so you are ready to contend in '15 and possibly as early as this season. Keeping Sale pushes your time frame back as you have to wait to develop players to fill the holes on the roster, and by the time they are all in place, your SP's are entering FA.

Exactly and were talking about developing players from a weak farm at that.

[White Sox looking to trade starter, would like it to be Danks]

Trading Danks now only makes sense if the Sox are clearing payroll to sign a FA or another trade for a player with a higher salary. Just not seeing it but I'm not at the meetings so what do I know.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

The DBacks have already said they aren't trading Bradley, so I guess we can just forget this. Of course, the Sox have said they aren't trading Sale, yet we're still talking about that too.

Right and AZ needs to understand that Bradley is in the trade trade talks or it " happy holidays", click.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

Unless we get 3 stud prospects not marginal ones back to start forget about It.

Agreed and talks would start with Bradley, Skaggs and Davidson. Or forget it.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

And historically when teams have gotten "major hauls", they usually do not become major hauls. Go back and look at ace trades.

 

Also I never have said that they have to trade Sale. I have always contended that unless they are getting back a star hitter, I am not trading Chris Sale.

This haul would be unprecedented so let's see what might actually be offered before we say yes or no. Past history is irrelevant without knowing what AZ would cough up. Again, its about being open minded and not a man crush.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

Did you ignore the part about how historically difficult it is for your scenario to actually happen for the team trading the ace? Historically the team trading the ace almost always loses.

And historically speaking there has never been an ace traded of Sale's current value. I've said throughout the other thread it would take a huge haul to trade him but its an idea I am open to. Never once have I said we HAVE to trade Sale, just be one to the idea. How many times must be stated?

 

People read what they want I suppose.

[Teams begging Sox for Chris Sale]

How would trading one pitcher off a roster of a team that lost 99 games possibly set that team back 5 years? Lets not get carried away. Sale pitches once every 5 days. I wouldn't trade him unless blown away, but all the rebuilders if they did trade him for prospects, would get their wish. The team would still be crappy, but the farm system probably goes to top 10.

Don't bother DA, I tried explaining this throughout "the value of Chris sale" thread. The idea was the POSSIBLE return and how a kings ransom could help this team more than one pitcher that pitches 33 games per year but some treated it like I kicked their puppy.

[If you were Brooks Boyer]

For me, put a genuine potential contender on the field or no matter what they do my money stays in my pocket regardless of advertising. Maybe that's just me though.

[Hahn says trade talks have heated up.]

Lol I don't think you understood what he meant

no I didn't, my bad.

[Your Realistic 2014 Lineup]

StRoostifer, yes I am. He was ready, but not for a full season, as was clearly proven the following year. Quinarvy, that's exactly my point. We were all high on Beckham and now everyone wants him traded.

I was high on Beckham so I'm in that group too. Better to take a slower approach with Semien.

[Hahn says trade talks have heated up.]

That's my guess too.

 

But if there's any player on the market that really fits our long term needs and has a good shot at actually coming close to earning his contract I'd peg Choo at maybe #1. Ellsbury and McCann (and Cano because of those years and dollars) seem like prime candidates not to. A disproportionate amount of Ellsbury's value comes from his speed which you can expect to evaporate over those last years. I think Choo will be a more valuable player over the next 7 years. Any catcher not named A.J. you can expect get dinged up and spend some time on the DL, which McCann is already no stranger to. And what were you going to do, give him a 6th year? Or more $$ than the Yankees?

 

He'll cost a ton but if there's any player I could see us making an under the radar push for, I can't think of anyone who makes more sense. If the Mariners can find $250 million.....

Found this over at MLBTR...

 

"Choo may receive a deal that's nearly as large as Ellsbury’s $153MM pact, some executives believe. The Rangers, Mariners, Tigers and Reds appear to be likely landing spots, though some officials tell Rosenthal that the Giants and Astros could also get involved"

 

That's going to be a hell of a contract.

[Hahn says trade talks have heated up.]

I would think that he meant now that we already have 3 of them.

 

I would put the odds of the Sox choosing to add a 4th at 0%. Adding low ceiling 1st baseman who's had 2 good years in his last 5 to a multi year deal is the least likely thing the Sox will do, as it should be.

Oh, I agree. As I said before Dunn would have to be moved before trying to sign Lonely. I still believe Loney could help this team more than Dunn.

 

[Your Realistic 2014 Lineup]

Jose, correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you're referring to how Beckhamn sped through the minors in less than 2 full seasons and then fans creamed their jeans thinking he was ready for the big league club but really wasn't ready. Not putting words in your mouth.

 

This really is similar in the sense that like Beckham in 09, it appears Semien in ready to make the jump but a look at his AAA stats after his promotion from AA dictate he should have more time so we don't have a repeat of what happened to Beckham. I think Semien will have a place on this team in the near future but let's not rush him since there's players to be moved first and its not like the Sox are expected to be all that competitive with the current roster at this time.

http://m.bbref.com/m?p=XXminorsXXplayer.cg...p;t=all_batting

[Hahn says trade talks have heated up.]

The worst position to sign somebody at is 1B

Abreu says hello.

[Hahn says trade talks have heated up.]

Loney hit .299/.348/.430 last year with the Rays in the AL East. He's a lefty bat, plays D at 1B, makes contact (77 K in 549 PA) and he's 30 next year. A 2-3 year stopgap who doesn't cost a draft pick? Nice bridge piece IMO.

 

I mean he adds balance at low cost, not a big name, no draft pick, no need to deal a prospect.... sounds really like the kind of player Hahn seems to be pursuing.

I have to admit I like the idea and agree with everything you say. Problem is Dunn. If he was moved it would work just fine. Super-sub Paulie can get his ab's giving Abreu and Lonely rest here and there and the plan would remain the same as it is with Dunn. Yes we take a hit on the HR's but gain in average, obp, better defense and less strikeouts, all of which is what this team needs from that position. Good call.

[Your Realistic 2014 Lineup]

The Sox have been patient, as they should be with some guys, I'm talking about the fans. For instance, Phegley hit 316/.360/.597 in the minors, and now that position is a "Black hole". I think if Franklin put up those numbers there would be some fans calling his spot a black hole.

Ahhh, I see what you're saying and have to agree. Fans need to remember its a huge jump to the mlb.

[Your Realistic 2014 Lineup]

If Franklin put up those numbers in Chicago we'd be calling to replace him already.

Even from a 22 yo? I think Sox fans have shown they have some patience, take Beckham for instance. Franklin only played in 102 games, that's not very many for his age. I will say his strike outs scare me.

[Your Realistic 2014 Lineup]

Semien played 32 games at AAA and 105 at AA last year. While liked what I had seen from him him from the sox, his numbers did drop when moved from AA to AAA indicating more time at AAA would benefit him no doubt. At AA he walked more than struck out but that flip-flopped when moved to AAA so he really should at least start at AAA in 14 and see how does from there.

 

Which bring us back to the idea of trading for Nick Franklin. Is he proven yet? No, but is more advanced than options we currently have and I love the fact he's a switch hitter.

[Your Realistic 2014 Lineup]

Well there is no good reason for Semien to end up at 3B other than we have a gaping hole there. He's a middle infielder and that's where his value lies. On top of that we have Sanchez in AAA, Johnson in AA, and potentially Anderson in A+ if he can't handle SS long-term. Point is that four of our best propsects should be able to play 2B (giving Johnson the benefit of the doubt here) if their bats continue to develop. There's absolutely no need to trade valuable assets to block some of our best propsects and fill what typically is one of the easiest positions to fill on a baseball field.

Again, Sanchez had a horrible 13 season so until he shows he can hit AAA he's not even a realistic option, Semien has already started games at 3b and Hahn has hinted at the possibility in 14, Anderson is a SS and most likely 2-3 years away and there's questions on his defense. The Sox have hinted at Johnson moving to CF due to a lack of defense at second along with utilizing his speed for CF. We don't have the immediate depth we think we have. Garcia is intruiging no doubt but everything I've read says supersub, not that he isn't worth a look but he is more of a slap hitter than anything.

 

I have no probable plugging Semien in at 2b but as long as the GM hints at the possibility of him playing 3b then it is what it is.

[Hahn says trade talks have heated up.]

What AL teams are left that have the opening at DH and are willing to take on part of or all of Dunn's contract? Can't think of any at the moment. Wouldn't complain if he was traded, in fact I'd be happy, just having a difficult time coming up with a fit.