here is BR break down on their top 5 at each position.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2228951...osition/page/11

Obviously I want Martin, but I acknowledge that he may end up too expensive.

 

I've always loved Aoki, even though it seems like no one got on his hype train until his power disappeared, strangely -- I guess being on a playoff team will do that. I'd take him on a two or three year deal at $6-7m AAV

 

I like the LaRoche idea at like 2/$24m or so.

From that list, Aoki, Markakis (depending on price), Nyjer Morgan (buy low), Endy Chavez (platoon with Viciedo, but likely to end up in NL), Rasmus and Denorfia are the most likely.

 

Victor Martinez and Yasmani Tomas are undoubtedly out of our price range/off the fa price tag insanity meter.

 

Liriano (unlikely after 2012) and Peavy as second tier pitchers.

 

Uehara, Romo (2 years, $10 million) and K-Rod (2 years, $16 million) for bullpen...Miller and Robertson too expensive.

 

And Morales, Delmon Young, Butler and LaRoche at DH (if he doesn't stick with Washington/declined option).

 

 

There's almost nobody to get excited about that's not going to be incredibly expensive. When Soto, AJ, Ross and Buck are the four catching options after Martin, you know you're in trouble.

 

I'd roll the dice on Rasmus before I would pay Markakis $13-16 million per season in his decline years. Markakis was never a $17.5 million player to begin with, and he certainly won't be in the future.

Edited October 15, 201411 yr by caulfield12

I see the white sox signing one of the top free agents, I think they have the money to spend also. I wonder if they will consult with abreu about the cuban outfielder. I really would like to get russel martin, we havent had a great catcher in an extremely long time. If they sign martinez to DH while he will be expensive you will be hurting a divisional opponent quite a bit.

 

I think they will go after one of the three of these players. If they feel they can sign one they might try to pick up mccarthy to pitch. If not they may try to take a run at lester or shields. Maybe its wishful thinking though.

Would love to sign Melky.

 

If the Sox stick with Flowers at catcher, I would kick the tires on bringing AJ back as a backup to give Nieto everyday at bats in the minors.

 

For some reason I doubt the Yanks let Headley go but if they do I wouldn't mind him depending on the contract he was looking for.

 

That's about it for me.

 

Edit: Interested in LaRoche as well.

Edited October 15, 201411 yr by StRoostifer

I don't see how Victor Martinez is out of our price range. We'll have a good $40M+ to work with and Martinez at $16M/per is easily doable and would leave plenty of money to fill other needs.

 

The question is he simply worth that price tag given his age and projected performance. If I had guess, I'd say 50% of this board would be willing to sign Martinez for 3/$48M, myself included. Tough call to make, but I think he's one of the few free agents worth spending big on, at least if the contract is limited to three years. And I'd easily prefer doing that deal than giving LaRoche 2/$24M.

Obviously I want Martin, but I acknowledge that he may end up too expensive.

 

 

Victor Martinez and Yasmani Tomas are undoubtedly out of our price range/off the fa price tag insanity meter.

 

 

I know history kind of shows otherwise (when was the last time the Sox had a payroll of ~50M though) but with the payroll where it is I have a feeling no one is gonna be "too expensive".

 

They won't spend just to spend but if the player makes sense I really think they'll go all out to get em.

 

I've been all about VMart, and if he tests the market I want the Sox to go all out. Even if he gets 20M a year that still doesn't cripple the Sox financially.

I think Russ Martin is probably not a priority. Get an able backup to Flowers to catch 2-3 times a week. Vogt or Jaso (terrible defense I know, and not FA) would be ideal.

 

I think Scherzer is out of the price range for sure. He is going to get a megadeal.

 

I don't see Martinez leaving Detroit but he makes a lot of sense and will only require ~3 years.

 

I would guess they sign a midrange position player, like Melky or Headley, and use a lot of cash to front load the bullpen

 

Sign some depth starters (Morrow I like, maybe R Hernandez, some other less impressive guys) and a bench piece or two.

 

I think if any top of the line players are acquired it will be thru trade.

If I'm being realistic I'd be happy with....

 

Rasmus- LH with pop who is still on the right side of 30. Would provide above average D in LF and can fill in CF when Eaton inevitably ends up on the 15 DL at least once (3/36M)

 

Romo- probably the best reasonably priced back end of the bullpen arm that isnt ancient. (2/15M)

 

And I'd say a vet RH like McCarthy, but its hard to say what we are doing with the rotation at this point.

 

 

 

 

Obviously I want Martin, but I acknowledge that he may end up too expensive.

 

I've always loved Aoki, even though it seems like no one got on his hype train until his power disappeared, strangely -- I guess being on a playoff team will do that. I'd take him on a two or three year deal at $6-7m AAV

 

I like the LaRoche idea at like 2/$24m or so.

 

I like LaRoche as a DH/fill-in for Abreu. I think a two year deal is all I would be willing to commit to. Who fills in for LaRoche against lefties though? I would say his career 89 WRC+ vs. LHP requires a platoon.

If I'm being realistic I'd be happy with....

 

Rasmus- LH with pop who is still on the right side of 30. Would provide above average D in LF and can fill in CF when Eaton inevitably ends up on the 15 DL at least once (3/36M)

 

Romo- probably the best reasonably priced back end of the bullpen arm that isnt ancient. (2/15M)

 

And I'd say a vet RH like McCarthy, but its hard to say what we are doing with the rotation at this point.

 

I wouldn't hate Rasmus, but I'd also like to see them sign Denorfia to a 1 year deal (would consider 2 years) to hit lefties and provide quality OF defense.

I think I'm down with Melky, which for some reason feels like a mistake but I can't shake it.

I really don't understand the obsession with Rasmus, dude is a train wreck

We could spend upwards of $40 to $50M on free agents and/or trades that involve more salary

 

 

Melky as the every day left fielder and #2 switch hitter.

 

Kendry Morales as a switch-hitting DH, another Cuban, who can play 1B as well.

 

A right hander SP priced in the price range of a Jason Hammel or Aaron Harang.

 

Two bullpen pieces, one a LH (Miller, Coke, Duke) , one a closer ( Frankie Rodriguez).

 

Trade Viciedo.

 

Move Bassitt to bullpen. Use Carroll in long relief.

From that list, Aoki, Markakis (depending on price), Nyjer Morgan (buy low), Endy Chavez (platoon with Viciedo, but likely to end up in NL), Rasmus and Denorfia are the most likely.

 

Victor Martinez and Yasmani Tomas are undoubtedly out of our price range/off the fa price tag insanity meter.

 

Liriano (unlikely after 2012) and Peavy as second tier pitchers.

 

Uehara, Romo (2 years, $10 million) and K-Rod (2 years, $16 million) for bullpen...Miller and Robertson too expensive.

 

And Morales, Delmon Young, Butler and LaRoche at DH (if he doesn't stick with Washington/declined option).

 

 

There's almost nobody to get excited about that's not going to be incredibly expensive. When Soto, AJ, Ross and Buck are the four catching options after Martin, you know you're in trouble.

 

I'd roll the dice on Rasmus before I would pay Markakis $13-16 million per season in his decline years. Markakis was never a $17.5 million player to begin with, and he certainly won't be in the future.

 

You really think Markakis is going to get 15M+. I don't. I think he'd be a great fit in the 2 hole in front of Jose. More along the lines of 4/48M.

 

We could spend upwards of $40 to $50M on free agents and/or trades that involve more salary

 

 

Melky as the every day left fielder and #2 switch hitter.

 

Kendry Morales as a switch-hitting DH, another Cuban, who can play 1B as well.

 

A right hander SP priced in the price range of a Jason Hammel or Aaron Harang.

 

Two bullpen pieces, one a LH (Miller, Coke, Duke) , one a closer ( Frankie Rodriguez).

 

Trade Viciedo.

 

Move Bassitt to bullpen. Use Carroll in long relief.

 

Love the Moralas idea.

 

1B Abreu

2B Johnson/Semien/Sanchez

SS Alexei

3B Gillaspie/Semien

LF Markakis or Cabrera or Rasmus

CF Eaton

RF Garcia

C Flowers

DH Moralas

 

Add a mid tier RH SP and a few bullpen pieces and BAM! That would be a much improved team with a payroll around 100M.

Edited October 15, 201411 yr by ChiSox59

I think Markakis will get Swisher money. He wouldn't be a bad choice.

Love the Moralas idea.

 

1B Abreu

2B Johnson/Semien/Sanchez

SS Alexei

3B Gillaspie/Semien

LF Markakis or Cabrera or Rasmus

CF Eaton

RF Garcia

C Flowers

DH Moralas

 

Add a mid tier RH SP and a few bullpen pieces and BAM! That would be a much improved team with a payroll around 100M.

 

I'd move Markakis to RF and Avi to LF and that defense would be much better

I just don't see Markakis leaving Baltimore. I see them declining the option and keeping him at a home town discount long term extension. He just seems like that type of guy.

 

And I still think Rasmus is a more sensible option over Melky. I like melky and think he's a good player, but I see him getting something like 3/42 if we have to outbid multiple suitors + lose our 2nd rounder. Just seems like a pretty steep price to pay for a LF who likely won't hit 20 home runs and isn't all that great in the field either.

Rasmus' D would be nice, but offensively he's basically been Viceido 3 of the last 4 years. If he comes rather cheap( I'm talkin 7-8N) I guess it wouldn't be the worst signing though.

 

 

I just don't see Markakis leaving Baltimore. I see them declining the option and keeping him at a home town discount long term extension. He just seems like that type of guy.

 

And I still think Rasmus is a more sensible option over Melky. I like melky and think he's a good player, but I see him getting something like 3/42 if we have to outbid multiple suitors + lose our 2nd rounder. Just seems like a pretty steep price to pay for a LF who likely won't hit 20 home runs and isn't all that great in the field either.

Actually, Melky had a .992 fielding % in LF the last two years. That's a huge upgrade over what the Sox have been getting. Rasmus has more power but cannot hit for average like Melky but Rasmus has more power. One thing to point out is Melky hits well against both left and right handed pitchers whereas Rusmus hit .196 against lefties in 2014. Melky is also a better contact hitter with less strike outs.

 

They both have their pros and con's so in suppose it comes down to preference. I have no problem giving up a pick for Melky.

The problem is the #1 priority of the offseason for TOR is probably bringing back Melky Cabrera somehow.

Actually, Melky had a .992 fielding % in LF the last two years. That's a huge upgrade over what the Sox have been getting. Rasmus has more power but cannot hit for average like Melky but Rasmus has more power. One thing to point out is Melky hits well against both left and right handed pitchers whereas Rusmus hit .196 against lefties in 2014. Melky is also a better contact hitter with less strike outs.

 

They both have their pros and con's so in suppose it comes down to preference. I have no problem giving up a pick for Melky.

 

Are you really trying to say that fielding % has any sort of relevance in deciding how good of a defender an outfielder is? Come on. I think we can just forget the Melky Cabrera talk anyways. Toronto wants to extend him and is going to make a qualifying offer. Melky has also stated he would like to stay in Toronto because they are the ones that gave him a chance after his PED suspension. It's just a matter of time before they sign him to an extension.

By fielding percentage, Royce Clayton is a god.

By fielding percentage, Royce Clayton is a god.

 

and 1 of the biggest pricks on the team worst than Belle.

 

in the 90's I was talking to a sox player and he was telling me of the 2 players.