Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 2h

 

Sox likely to be quiet in market after landing Abreu http://atmlb.com/1cqBooY via @whitesox

#STEALTHMODE

#STEALTHMODE

 

Kenny Williams to stand pat at deadline.

I hope not. They don't need to be.

Isn't this the same they say each year? Quiet does not cut it. This team needs more than abreu

That's what we'd say if we weren't and it's what we'd say if we were.

 

With that said, with the possible exception of McCann who will probably be too expensive and too much of a risk, there aren't a ton of great fits for us among the best free agents

Isn't this the same they say each year? Quiet does not cut it. This team needs more than abreu

 

Needs more than Abreu to do what? Compete this year? I don't think there's enough out there in FA to make that happen, and if next year's FA class is better, then wait for it.

You can still be active and trade some people too. Getting rid of DeAza should be priority #1

Needs more than Abreu to do what? Compete this year? I don't think there's enough out there in FA to make that happen, and if next year's FA class is better, then wait for it.

 

I like next years class much more than this year. If the Sox can somehow swing a trade for Brett Lawrie with the Jays, I would be extremely happy with the product they are putting on the field next year. There wasn't much in this free agent class I wanted besides Abreu though, I think McCann is a nice player, but grossly overhyped and will get grossly overpaid.

Well it sounds as if the Sox do plan on exploring trade possibilities first. . Which may be a good plan. I do see them making free agent splashes for 1 starting pitcher and a starting catcher.

I like next years class much more than this year. If the Sox can somehow swing a trade for Brett Lawrie with the Jays, I would be extremely happy with the product they are putting on the field next year. There wasn't much in this free agent class I wanted besides Abreu though, I think McCann is a nice player, but grossly overhyped and will get grossly overpaid.

Who do you like next year??

Unfortunately for us, we're not going to want to lose a high pick and a big chunk of bonus pool money when we're drafting 3rd overall. So all the big free agents are pretty much off-limits. I still think if a guy like Salty doesn't receive a QO they'll go after him aggressively. The issue here isn't money, Hahn just wants to hold onto all his draft-related assets, which is the right call IMO.

That's what we'd say if we weren't and it's what we'd say if we were.

 

With that said, with the possible exception of McCann who will probably be too expensive and too much of a risk, there aren't a ton of great fits for us among the best free agents

I think Ellsbury is a great fit. Great baserunner/stealer, solid defense , hits for a decent average. Just a heady pro for CF or even LF if the Sox pick up someone like Bourjos in a trade. Saves his legs which are his greatest asset if you stick him in a corner . I can always hope no matter what Merkin writes or Hahn says in public . You sign Ellsbury, trade for Kendrick and Bourjos then the lineup starts looking very solid with good speed and defense and probably with a payroll not any higher than last year if we can avoid giving Konerko any money. Pick up a cheap switch hitting catcher like Brayan Pena to add to the Cuban Connection or Dioner Navarro who would be a pretty reasonable free agent pickup .

Edited October 31, 201312 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

You can still be active and trade some people too. Getting rid of DeAza should be priority #1

 

Sounds about right. This team isn't likely to be competitive this coming season. No need to for any dumb/exorbitant contracts. Make some trades, build internally, sign some scrap-heap guys that can be flipped at the deadline and go after some free agents next year and beyond.

Sounds about right. This team isn't likely to be competitive this coming season. No need to for any dumb/exorbitant contracts. Make some trades, build internally, sign some scrap-heap guys that can be flipped at the deadline and go after some free agents next year and beyond.

What's the difference between signing a free agent this year or next year ? If we sign someone like Ellsbury this year will he not be on next years team ? Still have to plug the holes we have to compete eventually so if it's a good piece take care of it now.

 

Everyone talks about stockpiling draft picks but I hardly hear anything about when exactly the Sox should be able to compete and how the holes are going to be filled. All I hear is " no don't want him. too old, we won't compete next year , we're building for the future, don't want to give up the draft picks etc. Holes have to be filled somehow. Maybe we can pick up a Kendrick ,Bourjos or Lawrie in trades bringing us a lot closer to competing much sooner and Ellsbury might be the final piece to that puzzle. If we don't attempt to get any more free agents this year what happens if we try for some next year and we don't get them ?

 

Now I hear a lot of sign guys to 1 year deals to trade them for more minor leaguers at the deadline. That's all well and good but with our young quality starters how long can we actually do that and when do we decide to go for it again ?

Edited October 31, 201312 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

I think Ellsbury is a great fit. Great baserunner/stealer, solid defense , hits for a decent average. Just a heady pro for CF or even LF if the Sox pick up someone like Bourjos in a trade. Saves his legs which are his greatest asset if you stick him in a corner . I can always hope no matter what Merkin writes or Hahn says in public . You sign Ellsbury, trade for Kendrick and Bourjos then the lineup starts looking very solid with good speed and defense and probably with a payroll not any higher than last year if we can avoid giving Konerko any money. Pick up a cheap switch hitting catcher like Brayan Pena to add to the Cuban Connection or Dioner Navarro who would be a pretty reasonable free agent pickup .

 

I think he is going to be a ton more expensive and a good deal more risk, so I didn't mention him. He would obviously look nice on our team in the near term, or sure

What's the difference between signing a free agent this year or next year ? If we sign someone like Ellsbury this year will he not be on next years team ? Still have to plug the holes we have to compete eventually so if it's a good piece take care of it now.

 

Everyone talks about stockpiling draft picks but I hardly hear anything about when exactly the Sox should be able to compete and how the holes are going to be filled. All I hear is " no don't want him. too old, we won't compete next year , we're building for the future, don't want to give up the draft picks etc. Holes have to be filled somehow. Maybe we can pick up a Kendrick ,Boujros or Lawrie in trades bringing us a lot closer to competing much sooner and Ellsbury might be the final piece to that puzzle. If we don't attempt to get any more free agents this year what happens if we try for some next year and we don't get them ?

 

Now I hear a lot of sign guys to 1 year deals to trade them for more minor leaguers at the deadline. That's all well and good but with our young quality starters how long can we actually do that and when do we decide to go for it again ?

 

Acquiring Kendrick, Bourjos, and Ellsbury, would push this team further from a championship. Very little upside to those three.

Acquiring Kendrick, Bourjos, and Ellsbury, would push this team further from a championship. Very little upside to those three.

Furthur ? Furthur than last year ? All 3 play very good defense . You don't like defense ? Maybe last years defense suits you. Did the Sox have any position players last year come close to a 5 1/2 WAR , steal 50 bases or play even an adequate outfield ? Maybe 2 great outfielders with speed aren't as good as what we got from DeAza and Viciedo ? Maybe you prefer bad baserunning instead of some of the best baserunners in baseball. Maybe Ellsbury being 30 and Bourjos 27 is too old because De Aza is so much younger ? Maybe Kendrick is too old at 30 or his .290 lifetime batting average isn't as good as Beckham has been for the last 4 years ? Maybe our pitching staff would love to have our guys kicking the ball around the outfield again next year or being such great hitters that during our 10 game losing streak the starting pitchers collective ERA actually got better during it ?

Edited October 31, 201312 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

What's that supposed to mean?

Santiago for Arenado is a great starting point for a deal that just makes too much sense for both sides.

I would actually be completely content with this team not spending anything else on Free Agency this winter. We probably won't compete in 2014 unless we sign/trade for at least 2 or 3 more major pieces. I would like to see some trades however.

 

Move Alexei, De Aza, Beckham, and a pitcher somewhere for some nearly ML ready prospects and then gear up for a strong run in 2015.

Acquiring Kendrick, Bourjos, and Ellsbury, would push this team further from a championship. Very little upside to those three.

 

How is adding Jacoby Ellsbury, the 2011 MVP* and nearly 6 WAR player last year going to push this team further from a championship? How does he have little upside? That's just stupid.

Santiago for Arenado is a great starting point for a deal that just makes too much sense for both sides.

 

I just don't see the Rockies doing that. Yes they need pitching, but he played really well and even won himself a gold glove. He's their third basemen of the future

I just don't see the Rockies doing that. Yes they need pitching, but he played really well and even won himself a gold glove. He's their third basemen of the future

 

Yeah, I don't see them trading a 22-year-old 3B who put up a 2.7 WAR his rookie season for a 26 year old pitcher who may put up a sub-2 WAR next season if he improves.

 

Not that they may not be interested in Santiago, but it would take Santiago + to get that done.