SoCalSox

This is the type of move we could very easily look back on & say "wow, that ended up being a difference maker" later in the season. Don't get me wrong, not a huge piece but could be just enough of a difference.

That's a really nice add for basically nothing. Wow. Very happy with this. Give this team another bat & let's see what they can do.

QUOTE (staxx @ Feb 6, 2016 -> 09:02 PM) Frustrating? Because we didnt acquire someone that no one ever thought we would? We acquired an All-star 3B and filled our 2B gap, i'd call that a productive offseason. No one thought the Sox would acquire one of the top 3 OF'ers? Really? With as much work as the Sox have had to do this offseason, I would say they've made moves but most would agree that on paper it's simply not enough. 1 more sizable move could make the difference.

Can the Sox seriously just make their move(s)? This entire offseason has been beyond frustrating.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 08:34 AM) Where would he play though? They aren't going to platoon Schwarber with someone. They aren't going to platoon Fowler after giving him $$ either. I think the Cubs are out on Fowler. The White Sox have a price that they'd pay for Fowler with the pick attached and Fowler obviously isn't ready to sign for that amount yet. Not to mention Baez, who is expected to split time in the OF & IF. They are full right now & unless they deal Soler, I can't see Fowler becoming a thing.

These guys are quickly running out of time. Some of them are either going to have to take a smaller pillow deal (Desmond/Jackson) or come down on price to get a somewhat longterm deal (Fowler). Everyone that I trust seems to think the Sox make a move for a bat. I'll trust that word until shown differently.

Ken Rosenthal on MLB Network reporting that the White Sox interest in Andre Ethier is "overstated". Also noted that they are "likely" to add a starting OF'er before the start of ST.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 11:25 AM) The problem is - the numbers in CF are completely unclear. Last year, Fowler was a better defender than Eaton in CF, Eaton was a poor defender and Fowler was close to average. However, in 2014, Eaton was close to average and Fowler was abjectly terrible, worse than Eaton was in 2015. So somehow Fowler went from godawful to ok and Eaton went from ok to poor. Adding in previous years for Fowler does not help - he bounced between poor and average in years before that also. If you can predict which one of them will be better next year go ahead. I have no idea. They could both be terrible, they could both be ok, one could be ok and the other terrible, and I find no way in the available stats to offer a prediction. Also have to take into account with Fowler that he was playing CF in Houston, which to me seems like an awful place to be at that field, especially with that mound thing.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 11:01 AM) Yep, I agree. I get where the article is coming from but the article also neglects to point out that despite Fowler's defense, he's still an upgrade over Avi so the defense does improve. Honestly, I think moving Eaton to RF would be a smart move. He has a lot of trouble reading liners in CF & I think that may be helped in RF. I know that I had a much easier time reading the ball period playing RF that I did play LF or CF. Just something about reading the ball off the bat. Eaton also has the speed & arm to play anywhere in the OF, so that's why it also makes sense. I think some people are really underrating how big of an impact Fowler could have if signed. It's almost a no-brainer to me.

From what they were saying on MLB Network, the more $ the Dodgers eat, the higher prospect the Sox would need to give up. Ethier's age is my main issue. Seems somewhat counterproductive to trade anything of worth for a guy like Ethier at 33.

Phil Rogers is really riding this Ethier thing. Was on the MLB Network earlier. Also named Fowler as an FA option & Desmond Jennings & Jay Bruce as top trade options.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 1, 2016 -> 02:14 PM) I'm sure Soler is still a Cub because they're asking the world for him and when other teams balk at that then they're not selling low on him. A lot of people still love the potential of his bat and The Cubs just aren't going to give him up. Not to mention they still have Baez, who will see some time in the OF as well. I think unless something drastic happens with the Cubs, there is very little chance of him going back. Was talking with Kap earlier & he said he would be surprised to see him back with the Cubs & that the Sox are serious. We shall see what happens.

I'll be completely honest & say I really want Fowler. I really think he could be the difference between the Sox getting a WC spot & not. Going off of history, he could very well be worth about 3 games from him to Avi. That could be big, especially in this division.

Interesting that Dan Hayes is now saying if the Sox add an OF that it doesn't mean Avi would be the odd man out. Just weird that he's went from all but ruling out a move to finding a place for Avi to get at bats.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 29, 2016 -> 01:57 PM) Well, that's where we disagree. For the potential price, the minor improvement likely won't be worth it. Going from 2-2.5 WAR a season over negative war is a minor improvement?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 29, 2016 -> 01:53 PM) Losing out on Fowler wouldn't hurt the Sox. It's another sizable improvement that would be gone, so yes, it would hurt them.

Julie DiCaro seems to think that Fowler is staying with the Cubs, which also echoes a few other things that have been put out lately. Would really hurt the Sox if they miss on another FA.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 29, 2016 -> 07:16 AM) Love me a Jennings for Petricka deal My whole thing is why couldn't they have got Dickerson for Petricka & a lower level guy or two? Would be frustrating if this is the move they made.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jan 28, 2016 -> 02:38 PM) THAT'LL SHOW EM'!! Did I say it would?

I've already made my mind up, if they don't make any more moves to improve this team before opening day, I won't pay for the MLB package. Not going to sit through another frustrating season that could have been prevented, or at least had a lot of a chance to be prevented.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 28, 2016 -> 01:44 PM) That says a lot about what the Sox FO is looking to do. Which is nothing with RF. BTW I am one of the few that likes Avi, mind you. Eh... They've been saying this all year. Not sure I would put any stock into it.

Fowler makes much more sense than most people think. Having him at the top of the order in front of guys like Abreu & Frazier could be a very nice thing. Sox really struggled to get on a base & ultimately score runs. They've added some power & now add a OBP guy like Fowler & that should equate for much more runs than some people think. Is he the missing piece? Maybe not, but he'll sure help.

I have no doubt the Cubs have interest in bringing Fowler back but at this point, they would need to deal Soler for that to happen, IMO.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Jan 27, 2016 -> 02:49 PM) Are the Sox really open to the idea Anderson opening the season at SS? Because that's what the tone of this thread implies. I've read a few different things stating there is an outside chance he could start the year with the team. I'm not too well versed w/ their farm system but from what I've heard, seems like he's still a bit away. Needs time in AAA. We'll see.

Just keep in mind that Trayce Thompson was going to get a chance to win the CF job in ST this year, too. Was traded shortly after. Things can change on a dime.