Con te Giolito

They have Altuve, Correa and Springer. The rest really aren't that enthusing.

"Absolutely nothing"? Not the fact that comparable deal for an inferior pitcher was turned down by the Rays? Might want to reconsider your words because to me there is strong indication that the Astros are willing to include almost any combination of minor league talent. The issue is Hahn is probably still pestering them over Musgrove and Bregman, because he apparently hasn't gotten the message that those guys aren't on the move.

The leaked Tucker-Martes-Paulino + 2 prospects offer for Archer indicates that this kind of deal is probably possible. Perhaps the inclusion of Fisher and Reed would necessitate "lowering" Martes to Paulino or Perez (personally, I think both would be an improvement) but in any case, if the Sox wanted that deal I'm fairly certain they could get it.

I'd do that without thinking twice.

The idea that there needs to be ONE HEADLINER (a position player, ofc) that needs to make or break a deal is counter to the entire benefit of trading Quintana. The issue with the White Sox the past 3 years has not been star power at the top, but the complete lack of decent players to fill out the roster with. So, the thinking goes, the Sox deal from their wealth of high tier guys to bring a quantity of talent so no longer will there need to be Jimmy Rollins at SS, Austin Jackson in CF, *nothing* at catcher, the likes of James Shields manning the lower end of the rotation etc. So even if the Sox were to get Austin Meadows, and even if he were to be a good hitting (.280/.350/20 HR) player with at a decent CF, it wouldn't really do them that much good because they basically traded one 5 WAR-ish player for another 5 WAR-ish player without getting much else. This was kind of my problem with the Sale trade, it almost forces Moncada to hit his ceiling and even if he does there's still a chance he's not worth more than Sale. Hopefully Kopech and/or Basabe really hit or that Diaz lottery ticket works out, that would accomplish something. But to bring this around to Kyle Tucker, the whole point of him being a good headliner is that he isn't worth what Meadows or Torres (has not played above A+ ball either, by the way). Not only does Hahn know that, more importantly Luhnow knows it too. By acquiring Tucker the Sox leave themselves in play for literally any other combination of players from the Astros farm system, nobody would be untouchable even after acquiring Tucker. And if the Sox were to pass on Martes they probably set themselves up even more for a big depth haul. The org needs 5 or so more guys (I hate this scale but I'll use it because it makes my point) who are 45FV or better. If they really plan on rebuilding the org needs to be 20 deep with serious talent before the draft in June, right now the Sox are at about half that with not many players on the cusp of a breakthrough. That's what the Q trade should be about. Strengthening the foundation of the minor league system and setting the Sox up to have a pipeline of talent moving through the ranks.

This is kind of the point. Trade a major league asset for a littany of uncertain minor league assets in the hope that you fill 2 or 3 major league holes at the price of one.

Wait manufacturing in America is dead?

It wouldn't, but people are convinced that if the Sox dont get Mike Trout for Jose Quintana its a disaster.

I agree with this. All things being equal I'd like position players but getting the best posible talent is the #1 priority.

If you want to compete in 2019 they better be on the Sox and pitching well. Especially to cover and offense that will be pretty anemic.

Why? Kyle Tucker's trajectory right now is the moon. Low K's, high BB, big frame that can easily fill out for big power, athletic corner OF...what dont you like? The risk? The fact that he's not high enough ranked on lists? And why would he be the only position player? You think the Astros are like "OK you only get ONE position player prospect that's IT" I dont think so.

They will need 3 outfielders, 3rd baseman, 1st baseman, contingency plan for Collins at C and middle relief. A closer might be needed too we'll see with Burdi. That's just assuming Anderson and Moncada work out and the arms the Sox have already stockpiled fill out the rotation with little issue. It'll put the Sox right back where they were a couple months ago with a top heavy roster that lacks an adequate supporting cast. I thought the idea was to NOT have any more Jimmy Rollins' anymore? I guess that's changed.

What's wrong with Kyle Tucker?

My entire premise is his expectations are ridiculous and need to be lowered. Torres + Frazer + Rutherford is not happening, Musgrove + two top 50 prospects isn't happening, Bregman isn't happenng, Swanson isn't happening, Meadows + Bell isn't happening. It wont happen now, it wont happen in July, it wont happen unless Jose Quintana becomes Clayton Kershaw. Doesn't mean he cant still get a good deal. Right now the Sox have a bad major league roster and a good-not-great farm that probably isn't good enough to elevate the major league team to success. They are doing a soft reboot, not an all out rebuild.

I doubt the offers currently on the table lack game changers. And if Hahn cannot get a good deal in this market he shouldn't have his job.

Well it has to keep being repeated all the time.

They're probably not, which is why they are searching desperately for another pitcher. If Oakland weren't in their division I think Beane would've sold them Gray by now, but even Gray doesn't hep them that much and Beane is going to up the pricetag on a division rival.

Its not just the lack of movement on Quintana, its the lack of movement or rumors on ANYONE. Jettisoning Eaton and Sale will definitely make the White Sox bad but keeping Melky, Fraz, Abreu, Jones and Quintana will be enough to prevent them from being completely hopeless (keeping Robertson does offset this a little I guess) and almost surely out of the #1 overall pick and probably top 5. So anyone counting on a big time position player in the 2018 draft may want to reconsider and lower their expectation to college pitcher or flawed bat pretty soon. This is one of the many faults with holding everyone until the deadline.

When Rosenthal starts saying it I start to really worry.

I dont blame Colorado for not wanting to meet Hahn's enormous asking price on a pitcher who might turn into swiss cheese at Coors.

.260/.290/.450. He'll play in 75 games.

I cant imagine the Sox being behind the Pirates. They aren't much better off than the Sox with depth and I would take the Sox top 7 over Pittsburgh's.

If they trade Quintana and Frazier they could beat Detroit's loss mark.

Damn they are going to meter the release of this over 10 days and put it behind a paywall, could ESPN be any more out of touch?

It gets really confusing when you start thinking about eating MLB salaries as a way to get teams to give up some of their pool in a trade. Imagine the Sox paying some of Robertson remaining $24m so they could acquire some of a team's bonus pool. It's like buying a coupon book sort of, except the coupon book doesn't have any discounts it just lets you spend more of your money.