steveno89

McCann's second half splits were pretty brutal. It would be foolish to think he's anything more than a backup for a competitive team moving forward. If I could only make two free agent signing this offseason they would be a SP and Grandal all day

You can't non-tender McCann as you do not have any other viable catching option in house.

I think it's easier to solve our DH/RF woes via trade or potentially free agency than to find out who will lock down the catcher position for the next few years. Rolling into 2020 onward with only McCann would be a mistake if his 2019 was a fluke. SP is absolutely a priority. Sadly we will not likely be in on Cole, but any of the other top arms could potentially be in play. Strasburg is interesting if he opts out? Still working on my Socmachine offseason plan, but it will have a few wrinkles in it

Grandal should absolutely be priority 1A or 1B this offseason. No QO attached, he would be a rock solid starter for the next four seasons for us.

Will be an interesting offseason. Sox fans should temper expectations I feel though. Martinez may not opt out, the top pitching might be cost prohibitive (as much as it stings to say that), and the FA bats are fairly slim.

I doubt we deal Vaughn or Madrigal, but you never know

Sox are in an interesting position with regards to trades in that they do have a few potentially expendable high ends prospects should they choose to go down that road. Robert is not going anywhere, but Madrigal/Vaughn/Dunning/Stiever could be dealt in the right deal. The best pitching is likely to be snapped up quickly in free agency, so they better have a sound plan if they want to fish at the top of the market.

The QO certainly tends to depress free agent values outside of elite players. Forfeiting draft pick(s) for guy that will likely be solid starters but not stars is a tough pill to swallow for most clubs outside of true contenders.

I mean, almost anybody would be better than what we trotted out there at DH and RF this season. Castellanos' defense leaves a ton to be desired, but his bat would be a major improvement.

I doubt any one team will sign Wheeler and Odorizzi Ozuna is a candidate to get overpaid this offseason due to a shallow FA class overall. He's a solid 2.5-3 WAR starter, but any team that signs him expecting more than that will likely end up being disappointed. 2017 he had a .359 BABIP that inflated his stats big time.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-japanese-slugger-yoshitomo-tsutsugo-will-be-posted-for-mlb-teams-this-offseason/ Sox listed as a team that could potentially be interested in him

I see the Sox spending money this offseason, but not really being in on any of the elite free agents like Cole/Rendon/Stras/Bum

I worry a bit about a career NL pitcher with a ton of mileage on his arm moving over to the AL. I do not see him signing with the Sox.

Interesting idea, but trading Moncada would be a total non starter for the Sox. I like Lux, Verdugo and May, but the Sox would be taking a huge risk.

I'm inclined to pass on Nova as well. We can and should have higher expectations from our rotation than what he brings.

True and true, but it may become more of a factor than previously https://www.cbsnews.com/news/these-states-may-attract-athletes-after-tax-law-change/

I do wonder how the tax vote next year might impact us in free agency. Any decent agent would advise their clients that Illinois might be substantially increasing the state income tax, making it a less desirable place to sign? While perhaps not a primary concern, I'm sure this will come up if it passes.

Shame we couldn't find a way to flip Nova at the deadline for a useful piece

Key to this rebuild will be riding out inexpensive players like Madrigal/Vaughn/Robert/our young pitching while supplementing with more expensive veterans via free agency/trade. We have to imagine they plan on going after some combination of Cole/Bumgarner/Odorizzi/Wheeler/Keuchel/Strasburg/Ryu/Wood

That was my fear as well. The Tatis trade ends up costing us the rebuild. Only a world series would erase that.

"No stone will be left unturned" He basically said they will look to acquire starting pitching, whether via trade or free agency. He said it could be top tier or more along mid rotation lines.

Not necessarily. He addressed the Cole question by saying look at what other rebuilding organizations have done in the past to bolster contention, going out and getting top end starting pitching. Who knows if we would be serious suitors, but Sox absolutely should kick the tires on Gerrit Cole this offseason.

Cole is absolutely getting at least a 5 year, likely a six year deal in FA for big money. I doubt the Sox will do it, but a TOR starter is the most difficult thing to acquire. A player like him would be cost prohibitive to trade for considering we need our core prospects to fill out our MLB roster. Whether it's a Cole/Wheeler/Bumgarner/Odorizzi/Wood we absolutely have to make a starting pitching splash to move this club towards contention. Qualifying offers might damage several of these guys values though.

A guy like Zack Wheeler could be a really nice free agent addition. He's going to get a multi year deal for solid money, but it will be far less than Cole Dunning cannot be relied upon to hold down a rotation spot in 2020. Best case is he's available second half of the season. Cole is a pipedream that I just do not see happening. Spotrac's market value estimation for Cole is a 6yr/$167 million contract worth nearly $28 million per, a level I do not see the Sox going to.

That would be selling Madrigal short. I think he's easily a 2-3 WAR player annually for the White Sox, with the potential for even more. High floors are undervalued in my opinion relative to sexier 5 tool guys. Good organizations should hold onto guys that are pretty safe bets to be a quality regular.