[Jason Heyward to Cubs (8 yrs 184M)]

How does a neighborhood bring money in for the team? It's he other way around. I dont think people go to the cubby bear and decide hey guess what there is a baseball park next door lets go. Even if they did that is a small percentage of the group. Fans go there for the game but hang around before or after.

 

So what your saying about free agency is that if you arent one of the top spenders it doesn't matter.

 

If pe ople want to see post seasons only, explain the attendance of the cubs and boston before 2004. Fans still went there.

 

Im not denying that the attendance would go up if they made the playoffs. I just dont think it would consistently stay there like it does for many other teams who havent been to the post season regularly.

 

I think absolutely nowadays the attractions around the park bring in a lot of money. There are so many entertainment options out there. Other than people like us who sit around talking baseball 365 days a year? We go to the game to WATCH it. I'd say 80% of the people who go are casual fans who wouldn't know Erik Johnson's first name or the story behind him. They'll know the Abreu's of the world. But still think that AJ was the best catcher ever!!!!

I guess what I'm trying to say is A TON of people go to the game for things other than the game. Yes winning is cool. But so is the smells of the park, the ability to go to the fundamentals deck. The ability to take business folks out to a bar to get food beforehand. The ability to walk around a vibrant neighborhood, etc.

 

Just saying flip flop the parks, and we'd get 26-30,000 a game even with a 78 win team.

[The LaRoche article dug up from 2015]

 

Well this should be great for the bench flexibility. This is like the Konerko farewell tour, except we have LaRoche there ...... Add in if we were somehow able to switch Melky to DH and then acquire an OF and keep Garcia as our 4OF?

That's one ugly bench. LaRoche, Avila, Garcia ........ none have flexibility, and all are pretty awful. Yay!

[Plans for rest of the Off Season]

Yowzers. That' a ton for Frazier. He batted .234 in 2013 with 19 homers. Sorry, but I'm not giving up that much for 2 years of him. Also I really don't even want him

 

All I want is:

 

Move Melky to DH, Make Garcia a 4OF, and free up LaRoche off this team.

 

With that we have flexibility. I'm not a huge believer in Trayce, but think he has a spot in CF where he can bat .240 with 15HR and good tools. Move Eaton to LF. And acquire a RF with offense and the capability to not look like Garcia out there.

 

With this? I am happy.

 

I also would like to sign a pitcher .. a lower end one. Petit would have been one I liked. Or Chris Young. Basically a dependable 5/6 guy. If we do perform and win this year I just don't want to rely on Erik Johnson and Danks all year. Plus injuries do happen.

 

 

 

 

[White Sox acquire Brett Lawrie]

I like the deal no matter who of those people is being thrown around. I'd rather it not be Trayce, but if so? Whatever. He was and still is a fringe prospect who can play a bit of D.

In some sense, I'd like to keep him though and play him in Center. Move Eaton to LF. Lawrie at 3B. All of a sudden with a Saladino at SS the defense is so greatly improved compared to last year. With Sanchez at 2b, move Melky to DH and then add an impact bat in RF and we're set. Not the best team. But you have defense around the diamond, you have some speed, and if you get that impact bat (Upton/Gordon/Cespedes) then I think you actually can trick me into believing we can compete for a WS next year...

 

 

Around the diamond from 1B

 

Abreu, Sanchez, Saladino, Lawrie

Cespedes, Thompson, Eaton

Avila

Melky

 

Lineup:

Eaton, Melky, Abreu, Cespedes, Lawrie, Thompson, Avila, Sanchez, Saladino.

The bottom? Meh. I've seen worse. Not going to scare anyone, but can flash the glove.

 

 

With our pitching? I think you can fit this team into the 3 year window category Hahn talked about.

[Bacon Going Home]

I am super appreciative that when I bought his jersey after his rookie year, that I did so on the 1959 throwback's with no name on it. Now I can say that is an Iguchi jersey for the beginning of the season and then hopefully by June I can say I was the first one to grab the Carson Fulmer jersey ... and THAT is how you do that.

[Article on Hanley Ramirez]

The more I think about it, the more I believe it would be a nice swap for both teams. It gives salary relief to BoSox. We get rid of LaRoche (plus doesn't he just have a Boston feel to him -- the good teammate, beard, Johnny Gomes type of guy, ha), I'd maybe stick him at 3B for 60-75 games, DH the rest. You can platoon someone else at 3rd. Slide Garcia into a 4th OF/DH role as well for a bit of the year which improves our OF defense. I think it makes sense.

 

 

Look at his stats, I was surprised, or somewhat. I've owned him in fantasy before. But other than being fragile ... 92, 157, 93, 64, 86, 128, 105 games played over the past few years...

 

His home runs are through the roof. I mean.. 20 homers in 86 games? 19 in 105 last year. I think healthy (and that never happens) he is a 30 HR guy at the Cell. He can play an adequate 3B. And be a good DH at that. He's a career .296 hitter.. .367OBP ... and had 35 doubles just a year ago.

 

I don't know, I just think if we were able to get rid of LaRoche, BoSox take half of his salary and all we have to throw in there is some mid level pitching prospect? You do it. He is only 31 years old.

[Article on Hanley Ramirez]

Apologize if this point has already been brought up, just read the last two pages of the thread. But what if we did some kind of deal where we trade LaRoche (he could fill in at 1B/DH - where Hanley was supposed to be) and another player..

Not sure who that other player should be -- I don't even know if that is a prospect level? Or BoSox just don't want him? But if as the MLBTraderumors article said -- they are willing to eat half of the salary ... then I'd take Hanley on at say.. $13-14mm a year for 3 years while getting rid of LaRoche and his $13mm for this year.

 

Essentially that would be adding 2 years of contract.

 

Problem? It doesn't solve getting Melky and/or Garcia out of our OF via the DH position.

[White Sox decline option on Alexei Ramirez]

Do you think they'll give Beckham a Qualifying Offer?

[White Sox decline option on Alexei Ramirez]

Not sure if this is new or not, but Baseball Reference has added a "Projection" for him in 2016. This is their projections.

 

.261, 10HR, 56RBI. .297OBP, .376SLG, 17SB.

 

To me this looks most like the 2012 Alexei performance. (minus the RBI drop off)

 

Do they have a Tyler Saladino one?

Just saying unless they have something up their sleeve I just don't see how Alexei doesn't win us more games next year than Tyler.

People discount those stats above. 17SB is nothing to sneeze about. His 33 doubles are nothing to sneeze about. He was tied for 23rd in the AL for doubles.

People above him in those top 23? Kipnis, Brantley, Donaldson, Altuve, Ortiz, Zobrist, Kinsler, Longoria, Abreu, Cano, Dozier, Cain, Moustakas ... you might have heard of those guys... ALL-STARS.

 

His stolen bases? Tied for 17th.

 

Cain, Altuve, Dyson, Andrus, Ellsbury, Gardner, Machado ... again .... very strong!

 

Someone else noted his BABIP being so below his career average. Bound to bounce back.

Someone else noted that his bounce back second half doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with falling off the map in one year.

 

Sorry, but Alexei is a strong player. When my team has Flowers, Sanchez, pick a awful 3rd baseman from a hat, Garcia, LaRoche etc. batting -- and probably with spots in the lineup next year? Spare me with the talk Ramirez doesn't have a spot for $9mm dollars. This team paid Emilio $4mm to sit at home, $4mm to Teahen to sit at home, Scott Linebrink $5mm to pitch awful, Jeff Keppinger $4mm to sit at home. So tell me where $9mm doesnt make sense? Even just from a marketing stand-point being one of the few long time Sox has value.

 

I'll have fun watching him bat .275, 10HR, 20SB and 302B next year for another team while Garcia strikes out again.

[White Sox decline option on Alexei Ramirez]

Interesting. I don't know what the Sox are thinking ... does this signal a rebuild??

Does this signal trying to get him back on a lesser deal?

What is Alexei's market? If you look over the past few years there haven't been a ton of FA SS to analyze. I'd be willing to think that someone will offer him 2 years ... maybe 2yr, 14-16mm or 1 year and option/buyout?

 

I personally think this isn't the smartest move. I'd rather see him somewhere in the infield. Alexei started as a 2B, maybe shift him there. Does have more value there with decreased range, but still with the ability to have a strong arm and turn double plays? Does Sanchez fit better at SS, just flip flopping them? How about at 3B? Not many FA out there. Still has the arm, less range, might be a good spot there? Or maybe just at SS. I just don't see many BETTER options out there. I see others that are good, but why create another hole?

 

I think you'll see him signed by another team 2 years, 16mm, but I do think the Sox offer him 1yr, 7mm, option for second year, and another $1mm buyout.

 

[State of the White Sox Address a Position]

Starting pitching! Woo, one of the bright spots.

I mean so much of this response is based on what the Sox believe they are. As frustrating as this team was, I think if you look around baseball a lot of the teams that made the playoffs this year were rebound teams. Sure, they were young, talented teams (Mets, Cubs) -- but you also had the Astros and Rangers make it too. Based on that and managements inabiltiy to judge the team, I feel like we will push to win now again and stay on the 3 year plan. Because of that? I am making my plan based on this. For me personally? I'd trade one of our top 3 for some proven AAA/MLB bats.

 

Sale, Q, Rodon - pencil them all in. Each will be great. Rodon did beyond what I expected and believe he will do that again barring injury.

Danks - people give him a lot of gruff. And I'm in that boat. Or at least was. Take away our past expectations and the salary next to his name? And what you have a is a very solid 5, borderline 4. I think he had something like a quality start or gave us a chance in like 20 of his 30 games. (I had the actual stat in a post months ago, but it was surprising if you go through his game log. Basically he had an awful July or June and everyhting else was decent. Problem is when he blows up? He blows up. 7 runs over 3 innings Johnny Danks comes out and gives us no chance.

 

5th spot - Again, this is in the "win now" GM mode. Not necessarily what I agree with. I think you bring in veteran 5th starter. I.e. Justin Masterson of last year. You try someone out like that and hope they bounce back and have a season like Gallardo had with the Rangers. it works? You look like a genius and really solidfy your rotation. You have Johnson waiting in the wings for any DL starts. It doesn't work? You cut bait, and move Johnson into the rotation.

 

I think having a rotation that can go 5 deep AND having Johnson ready to go? That's money in the bank.

 

For those saying get Buehrle? I say no. I love the guy to death. But hes a contact pitcher. Our defense is not made for that. They're made for watching Sale strike out 15 a game. Buehrle would have so many singles get through the infield, or line drives fall in front of Melky and Garcia. It'd be horrific.

[Adam Eaton Trade Speculation]

If they're gonna sign Heyward, they should move the outfield walls back to the old dimensions so we actually get more benefit from his defensive ability.

 

Odds of it actually happening?

 

One in 250-300.

 

 

I've brought this up too! Good to hear I'm not the only one with this crazy idea. Sure when we had Thomas, Mags, Carlos Lee, Valentine, etc. and all we did was mash, moving the wall in made sense. I don't know the politics of moving the wall. Not sure if there is a whole approval process or you can do it at will, but if it's the latter it'd be smart to play to our strengths. With Sale, Q and Rodon? Pitching is our strength. We have no real power to speak of. So push back the wall a few feet. (Maybe it doesnt make sense with Garcia and Melky as our OF -- but with a Trayce, Eaton, Heyward, Fowler, Cespedes, etc.??

[Hawk only doing road games]

I want him to manage the Sox. He's the no-nonsense type of guy, a catcher (which seems to work out the best as they have to have a lot of knowledge), and a guy who'd demand respect of the players. Only problem I see is if the players undermine him and loses the clubhouse. Then could be a huge disaster...

[White Sox peripherally make news for Cub Hating]

Sure, let's just cheer for the Cubs .... NOT!

 

If the Blackhawks are out of it I should just cheer for the Red Wings to win since they are the closest team, and hey, it's the Midwest! Got to support the Midwest.

If Michigan State can't win, I'll cheer for Michigan, because, hey, same state!

If the Packers can't win, I should cheer for the Bears because I am from Chicago and hey, support Chicago!

 

Screw that. I am a fan of my teams. And I hate the rivals. Sports are entertainment to get away from real life problems. My entertainment value is cheering against teams I hate if I don't have my team in it.

 

If the Sox were still in it, I wouldn't care less how the Cubs do.

 

Go Cardinals. And to be honest, after that? Maybe the Mets in the NL. No Chicago. No LA.

 

 

Also, yes, to answer future posts. Those are my teams. And I stick by them.

[White Sox peripherally make news for Cub Hating]

Sure, let's just cheer for the Cubs .... NOT!

 

If the Blackhawks are out of it I should just cheer for the Red Wings to win since they are the closest team, and hey, it's the Midwest! Got to support the Midwest.

If Michigan State can't win, I'll cheer for Michigan, because, hey, same state!

If the Packers can't win, I should cheer for the Bears because I am from Chicago and hey, support Chicago!

 

Screw that. I am a fan of my teams. And I hate the rivals. Sports are entertainment to get away from real life problems. My entertainment value is cheering against teams I hate if I don't have my team in it.

 

If the Sox were still in it, I wouldn't care less how the Cubs do.

 

Go Cardinals. And to be honest, after that? Maybe the Mets in the NL. No Chicago. No LA.

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

Don't you think that it's a little too soon to give up on Garcia? Why not let Thompson and Garcia compete for an outfield spot?

That middle of the order doesn't look like it would score a lot of runs. I hope the front office can do better than that.

 

 

It may be a little early. And who knows? He may be the next JD Martinez. He has the physical tools. However, I'd rather trade him to a team while he still has the perceived value. I think he is Viciedo 2.0 and would rather get something out of him before we can't get anything out of him.

 

Depends -- that's not the sexiest middle of the lineup. It's a lot of people who can hit a dozen home runs. Eaton, Melky, Trayce, Uribe, Heyward, Alexei...

Check out the KC Royals lineup. It's not that sexy either.

 

I'm just saying I'd rather go the pitching defense route than the Mash Ball we've been accustomed to over the past 10 years. I've seen too many years back when like we had AJ, Dye, Konerko and Thome all single and all we had to show for it was 1-0 and bases loaded. And then someone would hit into a DP. I'd rather see a single, a stolen base, a bunt, and a sac fly to get to my 1-0.

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

In your plan, what happens to Garcia? More importantly, who bats cleanup? Who are your first 6 hitters in the lineup, after spending all of that money, to acquire Heyward?

 

I'd trade Garcia for a bullpen arm, or lower prospect. I don't think he is very good in my opinion. Or at least not a part of a winning successful team.

First 6 hitters?

 

Eaton, Melky, Abreu, Heyward, Trayce, Uribe?

 

I mean, in my plan I'm not necessarily going for power. I am going for speed and defense. I think that outfield could straight out chase down balls. With a good pitching staff I think that's really important.

 

 

Just another thought would maybe be someone like a Josh Harrison for 3B/multi UTIL man. He is signed through 2018 and Kang came on strong.

In that case I'd go Eaton, Harrison, Abreu, Melky, Heyward, Trayce.

 

And here is another crazy thought.. its the offseason, so why not throw out crazy ideas? If we aren't going to be a power team, and we are a better pitching team, maybe push the OF wall back again.. can push that thing 5-10 feet in most areas still I believe. Play to our team. Not sure of the process to get that approved league wise. I think we've adapted to this mentality that since our field is small we must build a team that is all power. Almost the last 20 years have been predicated on an all or nothing approach. I'd like to get away from that.

 

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

The real question is - what do you think the off-season budget allows? Does Uncle Jerry have an open checkbook? For instance, if he for some reason is buying into this three year plan, does he say, "Well, we have LaRoche at $13mm and Danks at $15mm coming off the books next year, so let's push the plan forward a year and basically sign a Cespedes or a Heyward??" Also, not saying it would, but could the Cubs advancing to the World Series or winning a WS, or just in general being ahead of their schedule affect the Sox plans? Meaning, if they own the city, maybe it's a good time to trade assets, and rebuild while the focus is off the Sox in a way?

 

My opinion still stands that the best way to "quick fix" this team is to somehow keep the pitching together, while acquiring defense and speed. I believe if we can keep our 4 pitchers together for this upcoming year (Sale, Q, Rodon, Danks -- throw in Johnson as insurance) and then sign a FA on 1-2 year deal (Bartolo Colon, Iwukama, Kennedy ... though the latter two probably cost more $$ and years), keep the bullpen, and add defense? I think that makes us a contender.

 

I would honestly throw the $200mm+ at Heyward. Which sounds crazy. But I would. (Look at his WAR) I think with him and Trayce in the OF that takes us to one of the top OF in the league. Melky to DH. LaRoche to back up bum who plays 60 games. 30 at 1B, 30 at DH. 3B you sign Uribe. I'm not the biggest fan of Uribe, nor do I think he fixes a problem, but can be a band-aid that supplies defense and is a known clubhouse presence. I take or leave Alexei at this point. I'd rather take him, but if for budgetary reasons you can't? I leave him.

 

OF: Heyward, Trayce, Eaton (Melky)

IF: Abreu, Sanchez, Alexei, Uribe (Saladino, LaRoche)

C: ??? Someone

DH: Melky

 

You have Eaton and Trayce as your CF if one needs a day off. You slide in Melky as your 4th OF. Can play both corners and get 40-50 games out there.

LaRoche gets the 40-50 DH games when Melky is in the OF and gets 15-20 games at 1B

Saladino can back up the whole IF.

 

Doesn't cost a WHOLE ton. Maybe about $40mm to the payroll, but knowing the expectation that $28mm comes off the following year. Improves the defense tremendously, still have some flexibility on the bench, and keep pitching staff in tact.

 

[Hahn Confirms: Ventura back for 2016]

It's amazing reading some of the ideas and comments on here sometimes because I have to stop and say ---- these are the fans that watch the most games. These are the fans posting in the offseason, after the Sox finished another woeful year. Which leads me to believe that we are the fans most attentive to the game. But then I hear these crazy ideas like Avi at 3B or Shuck to DH while keeping Avi in the OF. It baffles my mind. It is also why it's so hard to deal with actual casual baseball fans. Because it's like even 5 steps below this level.

 

That is all. Just had to get that off my chest.

[Mark Buehrle to retire?]

Buehrle would be awful with the White Sox ... and that's coming from a big Buehrle fan. He pitches to contact and relies on strong defense behind him to get the job done. He's not a strikeout guy. Unless the Sox overhaul their team and put a formidable defense behind him it would get ugly quick...

 

Oh look a lazy line fly to RF. Oh, and Garcia takes a bad angle.

A chopper, two hopper to SS. Oh and Alexei loses concentration and throws it away

 

Look at this team this year. Our pitching was actually pretty darn good. Even with bad defense. Throw a Royals defense, etc. behind them and our team would have been contending for a WC spot even with the poor offense we had.

[Hawk only doing road games]

Maybe Rongey? No real game experience, and they didn't give him a try this year, but his contract is up with the Score, so could be an option?

 

Who knows. I will say with the MLB package I listened to a lot of games with other broadcasters and as much as we hate Hawk at times, I will say when he is excited I get pretty excited. Some of the other broadcasts is kind of like listening to Farmer. Feels more like a golf game than baseball.

 

I have a feeling Stoney is gone. So it'll be interesting how it pans out. Maybe someone like an AJ would be good if he doesn't play next year?

[Mark Buehrle to retire?]

Must be an injury??!

How does a 15 game winner not have a spot somewhere on a postseason roster??

[1/2 way to St Pats Flat Cap or Alexei Bobblehead]

For the bobble head probably just a different one. For the flat cap, im totally open for ideas. What do you have?

 

I'd give you paper money for it?

[Wild Card Watch 2015]

Who is everybody rooting for?

 

I personally am rooting for the Twins or Astros. I live in Houston right now, pretty quiet down here. Although the stadium has been more full, no real buzz around town. All my hatred for the Twins from the early 00's has gone away. Then I had it for the Tigers ... now, well, we don't win, so I don't care. So go AL Central!

[At Least We Have New Video Boards!]

When the best news of the month is video boards so that they can play more ads and generate more revenue? owejifaowejfoawiejfoawjfoiwejfoiwjfoiwejwoefi is how I feel. We can't generate revenue through winning and butts in seats though, so you have to do it someway.