Just now, Chicago White Sox said:

Of course not, but a savvy front office would have leveraged their financial flexibility by pursuing the beat guys available fit be damned.

Well this is the White Sox we’re talking about, so that was never going to happen.

3 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

They’ll land him or Price.  I don’t think they’re infatuated with MadBum and Ryu’s durability probaly scares them.  Keuchel is in that sweet spot between good and not good enough that will allow the Sox to get him on a three year deal and Uncle Jerry will love that.

Especially the ubiquitous comparisons to Mark Buehrle and that they can constantly mention former Cy Young winner...like they do with Ron Coomer on the Cubs' broadcast the beginning (it's more hilarious because he was elected just once, when on the Twins).

Just now, HOFHurt35 said:

For what,  So we can hear Passan Tweet the "Sox put out a strong effort"?  I'm more tired of that crap than anything else.    

I get it man. I am too. Goes back to the GM/Kenny talking out their ass once again coming into the winter meetings saying they were ready to make moves and here we are holding Mazara and that’s it 

I can't stand Artie Moreno but I have to respect the Angels for at least trying. I hope they succeed and get Trout some help. I'd be glad to see them get Rendon, Ryu and Price.

6 minutes ago, bmags said:

People aren’t shocked or surprised. 

Yup, disappointed <> shocked or surprised.

2 minutes ago, TheTruth05 said:

Even worse,simply never tried

Yes this. 

Rendon never made sense. 

Why move a budding star who is a GG caliber 3B to spend a bunch of money to downgrade two positions defensively? 

It would be spending money just to say you did it. 

Edited December 12, 20196 yr by Jack Parkman

Just now, RTC said:

Dallas Kuechel is White Sox for "Carlos Boozer" 

Pretty much.  But beggars can’t be choosers.

1 minute ago, Jack Parkman said:

Rendon never made sense. 

Why move a budding star who is a GG caliber 3B to spend a bunch of money to downgrade two positions defensively? 

It would be spending money just to say you did it. 

Dude...

2 minutes ago, RTC said:

Dallas Kuechel is White Sox for "Carlos Boozer" 

Does Dallas put shoe polish on his head too?

2 minutes ago, TheTruth05 said:

I’d rather them trying to actually get elite talent than bowing out before FA even starts.

I truly rather not.   Do the Grandal thing and blow everyone out of the water from the start or don't get in it at all.   

5 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

The more than generous Abreu contract helps out with that, at least.

We "look" like we're at least sorta trying, to do something.

The Abreu contract, while absolutely horrible, actually decreased his salary in 2020.  

12 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I don’t disagree, but they put all their eggs into the Wheeler basket and had zero backup plan.  Now with our affordable 1 win RF and most SP options off the board, it’s going to be hard to sport an even respectable payroll.

What kind of backup plan were you hoping for?  Signing Rendon, Cole, or Strasburg cannot be considered a backup plan because if you were willing to go after them, you would have made plan Plan A...not a backup plan. 
 

(I’m not saying you think one of those big 3 should have been the backup plan...I’m just genuinely curious what would qualify as a good backup plan.)

Edited December 12, 20196 yr by SoxBlanco

Just now, bschmaranz said:

Does Dallas put shoe polish on his head too?

No, but he’s the mediocre fallback option in free agency when much better targets were available.

6 minutes ago, bmags said:

Christ nobody is fucking shocked they didn’t sign them. Him signing is the last big free agent off the board and they struck out on all of them.

Can’t strike out if you don’t even step up to the plate.

Just now, TheTruth05 said:

Dude...

Lol it’s hilarious. The idea that one of the best bats in baseball who is good defensively will make the team not significantly better.

Just now, HOFHurt35 said:

I truly rather not.   Do the Grandal thing and blow everyone out of the water from the start or don't get in it at all.   

As some have said on this board, this isn’t EBay “buy it now” purchases. This is how FA goes, Sox decided to not even play with all their payroll flexibility. Sad on top of sad

Just now, Chicago White Sox said:

Can’t strike out if you don’t even step up to the plate.

Yeah I typed that too fast. 

I think we're going to end up being outbid by the Twins on Keuchel...just have a feeling.

There's a lot of other teams out there on pitching still, the Braves, Rangers, Cardinals, Reds, Giants, Padres, etc.   Not to mention the Angels and Dodgers, of course.

Just now, Moan4Yoan said:

No, but he’s the mediocre fallback option in free agency when much better targets were available.

Oh pish posh and flim flam.

 

Honestly, I don't even think we get him either. 

Rendon going for 7 years - I guess that makes sense for why the Dodgers were likely out. Surprised to see the Rangers out with Sherman reporting nothing close to final but Angels are perceived front runner.

Just now, bmags said:

Lol it’s hilarious. The idea that one of the best bats in baseball who is good defensively will make the team not significantly better.

Just an insane form of thinking lol this is why the same teams are in the postseason and the Sox can’t even get to .500

 

definitely not attainable for a team with only an 86 million payroll 

5 minutes ago, Moan4Yoan said:

Your logic makes perfect sense but Keuchel’s agent still has me questioning the Sox getting him signed.

I think Hahn hyped up the two starter angle long enough that even he knows he needs to land one name guy.  That guy will likely be Keuchel and my guess is he will get around 3/$60M.

5 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

The Abreu contract, while absolutely horrible, actually decreased his salary in 2020.  

Sure, but that signing bonus just doesn't disappear.

They can say it's allocated to this budget year instead of 2020 all they want, but the odds are we're not even going to be close to a $130 million payroll the way things are currently going.