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QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 8, 2017 -> 11:55 PM) If the recent Astros rumors are true that they offered the Sox the Archer package for Q then what Rumbunter says makes sense. The Astros may have raised the stakes with their recent offer. Interesting, where's the Astros rumor coming from? I saw that sportsmockery thing but I don't trust that guy haha. I know they're back heavily involved, just haven't seen sources on the package.

Looks like this rumbunter account has "broken" some minor stuff before, so could be legit. One of the follow up tweets indicatws Hahn contacted Huntington with offers from other teams, to see if they'll counter: https://twitter.com/rumbunter/status/818247503300665345 Would seem to indicate things are heating up. Also have to think dialogue on a weekend means something could happen soon.

The Cubs have made it known that they've been searching for cost-controlled starters for awhile. Arrieta is a likely goner next year, as well as Lackey. Plus Lester isn't getting any younger despite still being great. More importantly, they'll need to extend their core within the next few years or risk players becoming probitively expensive. That Heyward contract is a real bad anchor, and they've got a ton of money allocated to Lester as well. They don't NEED Q like the Astros do. But it greatly improves the outlook of their future roster. Plus, their top prospects are blocked for the foreseeable future. They don't need Happ and Jimenez (who probably has to shift off center), and two top 20 prospects that can hit is a great start on a package. Edit: and before anyone tells me the Cubs don't need money, look at the Yankees/Red Sox. Even huge market teams have to be conscious on contract planning.

Meadows isn't on the level of those players, though. Dude hasn't even had a good season at AAA yet. And Pittsburg hasn't been labeling him as untouchable like those teams did with the players listed. Having said that I think they'll be reluctant, and if he was currently being offered I think a deal would've already happened by now.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 04:16 PM) Merkin guessed at WSD's tweet that Tucker would not be involved. Just a guess tho. Still just going in circles throwing s*** as we pass each other. Really intrigued by the merkin comment. If no Tucker, the deal has to have either an absurd amount of prospects or guys we haven't really even thought about as available.

Saladino actually played pretty well last year. 1.2 WAR in 93 games puts him on pace for close to 2 WAR over a full season. He's 27 with tons of defensive versatility, a little bit of pop and the ability to steal bases. There's nothing wrong with playing him even in a rebuild. In fact, with 5 years of team control it's totally possible somebody gives up a pretty good prospect if he can hit like last year. At the very least he's an awesome utility guy on a good team.

Agreed, I've actually been a bit surprised by the lack of chatter around him. Only thing I can think of is teams might expect some regression after his career low HR/FB rate. Wonder if the Sox are looking to hold him to start the year, thinking if he can duplicate anywhere near last year he becomes really valuable.

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Dec 31, 2016 -> 01:51 PM) It seems to me that the longer this drags on, the more likely it becomes that the Cubs step in. As others have pointed out, the Cubs don't need a lot from their farmhands, and they have potential problems with their rotation and a payroll that could use Q's affordability. Agreed. I'm honestly shocked they haven't been in much chatter. Both Happ and Eloy Jimenez are effectively blocked for a long time (Zobrist + Baez at 2nd, and Schwarber/Heyward/Almora likely filling at least 2 OF slots). Heck, even Baez doesn't have a full time position right now. And Schwarber probably doesn't have one long-term. Some combination of Happ/Jimenez/Baez/Schwarber makes almost too much sense to not be a real consideration. Cubs are then protected from an Arrieta departure and have insurance for a Lackey decline. Plus Montgomery can then stay in the pen in that valuable swing role.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 27, 2016 -> 10:04 AM) Depends. I think so highly of Torres and Frazier that any deal that gets us both of those is better to me than Quintana and Robertson separately getting us a "better" deal elsewhere. Even though I think torres + frazier ain't happening, would I take a package of Robertson/Quintana/Cash for Torres/Rutherford++ or a deal with astros for Musgrove/Martes/Tucker. I'd take Torres/Rutherford, I just like them a lot more and the backend pieces yankees have to offer. I just don't think a rudimentary formula can always be applied for prospect value. Totally agreed. Plus the Yankees need Frazier in the near future to compete. Torres is a better prospect, but still pretty far away - and the same goes for Rutherford. Which is why I think they're probably more likely pieces.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 23, 2016 -> 11:35 AM) I'd be really happy if the return was Glasnow, Rutherford, Newman and Andujar. This ^. Two top 50 bats and Andujar softens the blow of no Bell/Meadows. Does this feel like a lot for Pitt though? In light of Cutch going too.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 23, 2016 -> 11:03 AM) I'm only following this thread now to see Dick Allen respond to WSD. I think most updated ranks have him at #6. He raked in his debut and is definitely a top 50 prospect now.

Did Heyman have any indication of how far along anything is?

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 22, 2016 -> 11:29 AM) Did he say that they have actually had contact or just his own speculation because they have the pieces it would take? Sorry for the late response - he wasn't exactly clear, but from what I recall he basically called them a team to watch. Definitely more speculative than anything if I had to guess. But he also said at least 6ish teams had been in contact with the Sox. Definitely said the Cardinals had actually been in contact, however. Once again not a great fit, but interesting.

Somebody may have already posted this but Phil Rodgers went on MLBN earlier today and said that: 1) The Cardinals have been in contact about Q 2) The Cubs are a dark horse to watch 3) The Sox are supposedly largely looking for bats in a Q trade

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 21, 2016 -> 04:04 PM) Not me, the last few years of our position players have me dreaming of the days where I thought Jose Valentin was a problem. I miss the swagger he brought to the white sox. He supplied more in person highlights for me than possibly any other sox player (I maybe saw 4 walk offs from him?) But I digress. Jose Valentin for HOF Insane how loaded our core was at one point with position players. Thomas, Magglio, Konerko, Carlos Lee, Ray Durham, Valentine...how was that team not better???

Rangers involved as well: https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/81166026057438003

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 21, 2016 -> 10:37 AM) I would probably be ok with that package depending on the last player. Would make sense for the Pirates too. They could flip Cutch to the Mets and get Dominic Smith and Justin Dunn back and basically replace Bell and Keller instantly. Could also be possible the Mets ship Conforto to the Pirates for Cutch...in which case Meadows is expendable. Second thought: would the pirates be interested in Abreu as well? His year to year contract works pretty well for them, especially if they get rid of Cutch's 14.5 or so Million.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 20, 2016 -> 11:45 AM) I don't see us getting both Torres and Frazier. I think pick one of them and go from there. I'd go Torres (SS), Rutherford (OF), Andujar (3B), and Fowler (OF) for Quintana Totally agreed, I think that's the most reasonable package. Allows the Yankees to keep their top guys that are near the majors. The Sox get two guys with serious helium, plus two other decent/good prospects.

JP Morosi just went on MLB network and said the Yankees interest is "definitely serious" and Q would be a future piece as well, which makes it less painful for the Yankees to unload top prospects.

Such an absurd comparison hahaha. Guys is clearly a troll or completely misunderstands how baseball works. You could put Sale in the 5th slot and it wouldn't matter, he's playing the same hitters and pitchers over the course of a year. Don't feed the trolls!!!

Yeah to be honest I think the Yankees are unlikely to deal the guys on the cusp of the majors, like Frazier/Judge/etc. Their OF is extremely old/mediocre and they're looking to compete in the near future (if not now) if they're trading major prospects for a guy like Q. I'm also skeptical about their willingness to trade Torres, after his monster AFL and a ton of prospect helium. But he's still unlikely to make an impact for a few years so I wouldn't rule it out. I think the Yankees come to the Sox with something along the lines of Mateo + Rutherford + a high ceiling arm or two. Not sure I'd take that but Rutherford has really shot up the rankings recently. If the Sox can net Torres and Rutherford ++ I'd be all over that.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 15, 2016 -> 11:18 AM) It's possible the Rockies could move an outfielder like Blackmon and then use some of the prospects they get for him in a Q trade. Totally agreed - can't forget Rick Hahn loves those 3-team trades as well. Someone like the Blue Jays, Mets, or even the Orioles could easily be interested in Blackmon. Could get a few good prospects from the team acquiring Blackmon, and Rodgers from Colorado. Potentially even put Abreu or Frazier into the package (obviously with a bigger return), or even Jones or Robertson. The Rockies bullpen is still pretty trash even with Dunn.

Guys, this is why you have to be careful with sample sizes and stats: - Reed had only 15 ABs all of last year against lefties in the majors. 1-15 is bad, but Alex Bregman started 1-32 OVERALL. - The guy had an 870 OPS against lefties in the minors last year. - He's 23 and sprinted through the minors. Still tons of time to develop. Way way too early to call him a platoon bat. Would love to see him in a Q deal as a buy low.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 12:13 PM) With two trades we already have a solid start to the rebuild. It is going to take many more moves to get where we need to be Sox fans just need to be patient Yep. Remember when Cubs fans and the general baseball public thought the Cubs had loaded up too much on position players, with no pitching talent? You have to get the best players period, and then you can leverage that talent to fill needs. Our insanely low payroll level will give the team a lot of flexibility come 2018/19. Plus we still have so many valuable assets left to flip, and will likely have a high draft pick for at least a year or two. Think Bryant and Schwarber for the Cubs.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 06:41 AM) It's way too early to assign a ceiling to guys like Call & Fisher. They may not have flashy tools, but other organizations have had great success drafting pure baseball guys like them and ending up with 3-4 WAR type players. We also have some very toolsy OF prospects in Adolfo, Rodriguez, & Schnurbusch. While they each have huge bust potential, all those guys have big ceilings. Right now, Basabe probably has the best mix of floor & ceiling of our OF prospects in the low minors, but let's not undersell the talent level of these guys. Having said that, none of these guys prevent us from adding more OF prospects, especially elite ones like Justin Tucker. Totally agreed. A lot of people think Fisher might have been the best pure hitter in the 2016 draft. Watch some video of his swing if you don't believe me. And Call is either a center fielder or plus fielding corner guy and was pretty dynamic with the bat in his debut.