blackmooncreeping

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 06:45 AM) Sources: Industry belief is that the White Sox would prefer to sign an outfielder to a 4- or 5-year deal. May lessen chances for Upton. Chris Cotillo Them and every other potential suitor in the league. I don't think that really hurts their chances of landing one of them all that much, just typical posturing.

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 10:15 PM) That's a good point. Cespedes is the more dynamic player of the two but he's also another free swinger on a free swinging team that doesn't work the count and take walks. Gordon while not the power bat Cespedes is, draws walks and plays elite defense. I think the Sox prefer Cespedes but Gordon is probably more in their ballpark money and years wise. And if it's Gordon, we most likely have money left to entertain bringing in a starting RHP

QUOTE (mataipaepae @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 10:12 PM) Would it be possible to sign Cespedes then turn around and sign Parra? Would it be worth it? Obviously melky is the full time DH now. Parra gives us a decent left handed bat and a cannon in LF. Only if JR approves a $140 million payroll, or we can figure out a way to get rid of Laroche

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 08:57 PM) So after collecting some info on all of this, I think the guy got real info, put it out with a "soon" timeline & it got a lot more publicity than he thought & he tried to save face with tweets. I do think he knows someone & got some second hand info, that could end up being correct but essentially cracked under the pressure of twitter & people asking him every 5 minutes. I don't think he maliciously did it & I don't think he was particularly doing it for trolling attention. I think he got info from someone he trusted & he either jumped the gun or it was bad info. exactly my take as well

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 07:11 PM) Totally contradicts what he said was agreed upon yesterday. Are there people that will actually believe what he says? I don't see a reason to think this guy is being malicious or outright lying. He definitely seems guilty of jumping the gun, but that's not the same as misleading intentionally. It's plausible that his tweets just read like someone who is getting 2nd hand info from a source somewhat on the inside, and passing it along. I mean, did anyone really think he was going to be the ultimate insider and break the news? No, we're just all collectively hoping that he was onto something. If he was outright full of s*** I would expect him to drop an initial message with no follow up--like that fake jimslattery twitter douche.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 02:09 PM) I see Merkin and Hayes as crowd tamers at times. Temper people's expectations in regards to high profile moves. Maybe I'm wrong but seems like they do that because last off season they said similar things. "Sox won't spend big on a closer, Melky, etc." JR being the ultimate news changer of course.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 01:11 PM) It's Merkin. He doesn't know, he's guessing. That's my hope, he's just recycling old news to stay in the current mix. You don't even enter the Cespedes conversation without knowing it's going to end up north of 100 million imo.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 01:04 PM) This is from someone in a position to get info but I don't know if I can trust. The two numbers he threw out were 5/108 and 6/125. Take with whatever amount of salt you like. Scott Merkin told me the Sox won't go over 100 million. If the Sox truly aren't going over 100 million, then they stand a good chance of not getting anyone. I really think Gordon is going to stay in KC if the Royals come in anywhere near the top offer. And I don't see Cespedes/Upton signing for less than 100 million.

QUOTE (TheCut87 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 08:52 PM) The guy also just said we signed mat latos....I'll believe cespedes to the sox when someone legit comes out and says it https://mobile.twitter.com/rickslat123/stat...021160284852226 As will we all. In the meantime, action is undeniably picking up which is a good thing.

Gordon to Baltimore Cespedes to LAA Sox to now target Upton after missing on Cespedes/Gordon That's from one unsubstantiated guy earlier today on Twitter. Lots of rumors flying fast, who knows!

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:27 PM) It makes no sense. Alexei is a declining ballplayer who spent the last 3 year putting on a clownshow. I realize this org. has a thing about young players, but I would hope they could fit ONE young ballplayer onto the team. Cespedes is a veteran, and if he needs his hand held, I'd much rather a professional like Abreu leading the way. I could absolutely see the Sox do this and attempt to bring him back on a 2 yr. I agree his glove took a dive the last 2 season but he hit pretty well in the 2nd half. Keep Saladino as your reserve infielder, send Sanchez to AAA for playing time. Whether it's a viable move remains to be seen, but it wouldnt surprise me

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:21 PM) Yeah, I'm not buying that part of it. Doubtful they add Cespedes only to start Avi everyday. Platoon of Avi and Laroche makes obvious sense, not Melky/Laroche. Agreed

This was followed quickly at mlbtraderumors with a piece on Alexei still being in play. I know that info was spoken of earlier, but it makes sense if theyre indeed signing Cespedes. The obvious Cuban connection, etc. Tempered excitement for now...never a done deal until the ink is dry. Go Sox!

Cant believe that any team considering signing Alvarez to dh wouldnt take Laroche first. He can still play a solid 1b and is a vet with one poor season on his record. Id rather trade for Laroche, what's the thinking on that around the league i wonder. I guess right now nobody wants either guy, and that silence speaks volumes.

Cespedes. More dynamic, more power, and i dont want to lose a draft pick, much less to a division foe. Plus it sounds like Gordo doesn't really want to come here and just wants to stay in kc

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 03:20 PM) Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 3m3 minutes ago Chicago, IL The White Sox are looking for an outfield addition, regardless of whether it's Cespedes, Gordon, or Upton. If they miss on those 3, ... Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 2m2 minutes ago Chicago, IL ... I still think they pursue another outfielder to add to the mix. So either get really excited because we're about to land a top 3 prize...or get ready for the 'we tried but' consolation prize. I really hope that 2nd post isn't Merkin thinking we're about to whiff on the big guys...

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 02:27 PM) Why would the Sox pay Alexei $5 million or whatever it'd take to get him to then put him in a bench role? If he's coming back, it's as a starter IMO. without a doubt

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:52 PM) You can doubt it all you want. No ones going to claim to be right 100% of the time but in the day and age of the Internet, if you say something, you have a time stamp behind it. That's all that matters in hindsight. Word rabbit. Thanks for the info and keep it coming!

QUOTE (Pants Rowland @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:31 PM) Sounds frighteningly similar to the response Torii Hunter gave when all reports were he was about to sign with the Sox a few years back and then the Angels swooped in and got him. As a Sox fan, screw Torii Hunter for multiple reasons...

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:42 PM) Wonder if Cespedes could be had at 5 years and 90 million I doubt it. Someone will hit the 100 million mark if that's the ceiling on Cespedes.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:32 PM) raBBit notes that Cespedes is rumored to be looking for a 6/100M contract. If true it shows how much the prices have come down since Cespedes was rumored to be looking for 6/140-150M. The 6/100M could be why the Sox are in talks with Cespedes. For that price or close to it, I'll climb aboard the Cespedes train. I agree. 6/100 puts the Sox solidly in the mix for Cespedes. Nice to have more than the Gordon option out there if those #'s are true.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 12:45 PM) Melky would bat 2 if we get Cespedes. He would bat 5th if we get Gordon. IMO Sounds about right if we get Gordon. Might be Cabrera 6th with Frazier in the 5 hole, but either way...

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 12:39 PM) I'd be happy with either guy, but would prefer Gordon at this point. His OBP in the two-hole makes Abreu that much more valuable, plus he's just an all-around good baseball player (something this organzation desperately needs). Good point. Is Melky going to be the #2 hitter if we don't bring in Gordon (as opposed to Cespedes)? I'd rather have Melky down the lineup a bit into a run producing slot and have Gordon and his higher OBP hitting in front of Abreu. Melky out of the 2 hole extends the lineup by pushing Frazier, Melky and Laroche further down the order. Cespedes is a much sexier bat, but Gordon probably makes them a better team top to bottom.

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 09:05 AM) i agree big time on bruce. Would love to see the Royals downgrade to Bruce, no doubt. They must be readying for Gordo to bolt, whether it's the Sox or otherwise. I don't see a possible Jay Bruce acquisition impacting team Gordon in any way, in terms of making them sh*t or get off the pot.

At this point I think they'll be perfectly happy with whoever ends up coming aboard (assuming we land one of these guys, which is a big assumption until it's a reality). They may have Gordon rated slightly higher than Cespedes, re:defense, but with Cespedes' younger age and more impactful bat, you really can't go wrong either way.