tray

Get an extension deal signed with Moncada and don't worry about Donaldson whose best years are behind him.

The White Sox have, from time to time made trades or moves that take a players interests into account at least to some degree, including trading them to a location that they prefer or where they might get a better shot. Nothing wrong with that, IMO.

Collins and McCann are both worth more to the Sox than they are in trade. ----------------------- Agree, but that wasn't my point.

How is he close to free agency?

Again, please consider this from Collins perspective. Becoming a maybe part time catcher or 1B or DH may not be what Collins wants at this point in his career.

If the Sox do not trade McCann, Collins, should not be on the 26 man roster for a couple of reasons. Look at it with Collins interests rather than the interests of the White Sox to keep him as a prospect or a seldom used back-up catcher treading on thin ice on a contending team. Collins agent and the White Sox would better serve Collins aspirations to become a starting catcher in the majors by seeking a trade with a team where he is not blocked by a catcher like Grandal making 17 Million a year over the next 4 years. If the Sox trade McCann and rely on Collins to start 40 games, that might not turn (out) as well as the Collins fans here might think it will. Or they will pine that playing in 40 games in 2020 was a small sample size and therefore, he should be allowed to start half the games or more in 2021 before the Sox give up on him. The guy is 25 years old in February and has no shot to start with the White Sox for several years. Signing Grandal should have made it clear that the Sox have no confidence (in Collins) as a a starting catcher. Trade the poor guy and let him have a decent shot somewhere else.

'stros new GM might look to make some trades to make the club his own. .They have loads of talent if he chooses to clean house a bit.

Crane fired the GM and Manager. Say is ain't so, 'stros.

Not to prolong the luxury tax tangent much further, but,,,,for those interested in gaining some added perspective here is a link to a short 2019 article which quantifies that tax penalty and in so doing, may help some of us to place it in perspective. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/explaining-mlbs-luxury-tax-and-why-it-shouldnt-be-having-a-major-impact-on-free-agency/

Respectfully Kyyle, that wasn't my point.

Oh, those poor Ricketts. The luxury tax is a good excuse for billionaire owners like the Ricketts to claim they have no more money to spend on player contracts while, at the same time, their net worth increases by hundreds of millions of dollars. Ricketts built Disneyland on Clark St. on the backs of Ameritrade day trade gamblers and is now set up to make increasing profits off Cub fans, all the while telling them he just can't spend any more on player contracts because of the rules. The luxury tax is basically a psuedo-salary cap that does not entirely preclude team owners from blowing past it and spending part of the profits they make off the fans from tickets, concessions and media. But they won't. In baseball, as in the U.S. economy, trickle down economics isn't all that it was cracked up to be.

I think the Cubs will sign Castellanos. Once the Bryant issue gets resolved they will start making some moves. The Bryant grievance really f-ed them up.

Yes, we think that ....but they haven't shown their hand yet. If they trade for Arenado this may all prove to be about positioning to win...at any cost, again. Ricketts has been spending like a drunken sailor since he purchased the franchise. They have all but gold plated the old confines into something that many older Cub fans no longer recognize.

If the Cubs allegedly threw a lot at Bryant ( as we suspect happened) and no agreement could be reached, then his trade value is diminished given the uncertainty that would confront any team considering a trade for him. This fiasco may prove to be pretty brutal for Cubs and their fans depending on how this all works out. Looking from the outside as a Sox fan, It seemed to me that the dynamic duo of Bryant/Rizzo was as important to the Cubs as Toews/Kane was to the Hawks over the years. I guess they can throw out all of their Kris Bryant jerseys now. So the Cubs don't want to throw big money at Kris Bryant but they may be willing to trade talent to get Arenado for $35 Million a year for seven years. This is not about loyalty to a franchise player that helped the Cubs finally win a WS and worse, it may look like bad blood and unfair dealing with Bryant. Or it is just about winning at any and all costs where money (to the Ricketts) is no object. Time to upgrade. Bye bye Kris Bryant.

The Cubs/Ricketts could resolve Chris Bryant's playing time manipulation case at any time by signing him to an extension. Instead the Ricketts have chosen to make an agreement with Bryant for the 2020 season in order to avoid arbitration while simultaneously proceeding with the Grievance. IMO, Ricketts will probably have to extend Bryant regardless of the outcome of the grievance case. Otherwise they are just kicking the can down the road. Was one extra year of contractual control of Bryant really worth all of this trouble and possibly alienating Bryant from wanting to play for the Cubs organization? The Cub/Bryant fiasco should be instructive for teams that find themselves playing the same game as the Cubs did. If a team believes in a player, then consider signing him up on a long term deal like the White Sox did with Eloy and Robert. In cases where a team is justifiably reticent to enter into a long term contract with a prospect (like Madrigal) that is fine, but then bring him up if /when he is ready instead of keeping him in the minors in order to play the service time game.

This is similar to the argument Lillian had made in another thread about keeping McCann rather than Collins,* if * it came to a choice about which one to trade. In short, if Grandal went on the DL for an extended time and Collins was relied on as a starting catcher for an extended period, that might not be acceptable.

That is the likely reason for considering Maybin. Engel is a better role player but he would be unacceptable as a full time outfielder if Robert, Mazara or Eloy had to go on the DL for an extended time. So , yes to Maybin if they can get him. There may not be enough room on the roster for Engel if the Sox sign Maybin and start the season with Mendick at second. Engel is borderline major league material so this should not be a major issue if it comes to that.

Not baffling Ray-Ray.. Religious and social issues are paramount in politics and always will be. Core beliefs are indoctrinated into young children before they are able to process data with any substantial life experience and learning. It's also why no one can tell us not to be White Sox fans. We weren't born this way, but most of us got indoctrinated shortly thereafter and our allegiance will never change.

Schools need to get money from somewhere. Tax revenue from marijuana sales to students....and teachers.

Stone has has had some hits and misses.

Cubs (and Epstein) were lucky to win one by the skin of their teeth in the 10th inning of Game 7 or they would still be looking for one and answering to the b1tchiest little fans in the game.

Cali" Do you think Cheslor Cuthbert is an option to hold down second base for a few weeks if the Sox decide to hold back Madrigal ?

Yes sir, let's serve it up one more time, By the way, McCann was on with a base hit so it was a two run jack.

I have always thought that the Cubs would sign Castellanos, The Rangers are probably giving the Rickettts a run for their (unlimited) money. If that is the case, Castellanos is going to get paid beyond what he is worth....maybe 20 Million/yr for 3- 5 years with an opt out. Cubs have been silent this off-season while the sound from the South side has been deafening, so that might pressure the Ricketts to make a big splash. They have money to burn and will not be overspent.

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Michael Kopech. link