Rafael Soriano and Mike Adams contracts got declined also. Not saying I'd sign either, but interesting bullpen pieces. Adams last 2 years, although hurt, did have 56% ground ball rate. Fits what Hahn is trying to do.

I don't mind LaRoche as a hitter, but I think I would shoot for something a little different. I think as a January or February addition, he'd make some sense, but initially that's a let down. I think the Sox should be looking to acquire younger, more athletic players.

 

---

 

My ideal offseason sees them landing two athletic (or relatively athletic or solid to good defensive outfielders) so Avisail can DH quite a bit while also allowing him the opportunity to play the outfield on occasion. Very generically beyond that, I'd have 11 hitters on the team to whom I'd feel completely comfortable giving 400 ABs. I'd have 7 guys going into the season I'd feel comfortable starting 15-20 games. I'd have 10 or so guys I'd feel comfortable giving me 40-50 games out of the bullpen.

 

I don't think the Sox are far off from that, and I think that's kind of been their philosophy to some extent (getting rid of crappy players, not necessarily acquiring just good players). There's still a lot of work to be done though.

 

I'd also kick the tires on Russell Martin too, but I'm not as gung-ho about him.

Could be interesting, but O's declined option on Nick Markakis

Could be interesting, but O's declined option on Nick Markakis

It wouldn't surprise me if we go after him.

don't lose a draft choice either, right?

It wouldn't surprise me if we go after him.

don't lose a draft choice either, right?

I really would hate to go after Markakis after reading the eerie similarities between him and De Aza on this board. I can see an outfield upgrade via trade.

I would add one caveat. You really have to identify 6 starters. Many ML teams started this season with at least 1 starter out with an injury. In the White Sox case, I assume that #5 is Carrol until Rodon arrives. Everyone has Rodon arriving next year, including me, but if he doesn't you better have one solid option among Danks Noesi and Carrol.

They could also think of Bassitt as a potential 6th starter based on his current performance. Carroll seems to be a good fit in the bullpen to me. But that's still iffy enough, depending on how soon they have Rodon coming up in their ideal situation, to consider bringing in someone on a short term deal (Masterson seems like a plausible fit in that role as a guy on a 1+ year deal looking to recover value from a terrible season).

I really would hate to go after Markakis after reading the eerie similarities between him and De Aza on this board. I can see an outfield upgrade via trade.

 

 

He would fit the Giants or Royals a lot better...especially if Morse can't play LF anymore.

 

Substitute Markakis for Aoki and bring in a more dangerous hitter for Butler (or effective platoon like the A's can put out there) and that's a much more potent line-up. (Do the Royals view Dyson as a part-time or full-time player, that's the question, going forward).

 

The Cardinals as well, now that their starting OF becomes Holliday/Jay/Grichuk with very little depth. Depends on how high they are on Grichuk as a long-term solution.

 

 

Those three teams will definitely be kicking the tires on Nelson Cruz, as well.

Edited October 30, 201411 yr by caulfield12

One of the better, and likely cheaper, free agent bullpen arms is Burke Badenhop. If the Sox aren't confident in Webb, I would imagine they would at least check in with his agent.

One of the better, and likely cheaper, free agent bullpen arms is Burke Badenhop. If the Sox aren't confident in Webb, I would imagine they would at least check in with his agent.

 

yessss I totally, totally agree with this.

 

any thoughts on Josh Johnson???

yessss I totally, totally agree with this.

 

any thoughts on Josh Johnson???

 

Too many injuries.

 

We already tried this with Tommie Hanson last year.

Too many injuries.

 

We already tried this with Tommie Hanson last year.

 

I agree, but a nice pitcher esp for his price, I gamble I would

love to take. its not like he is needed for 4 yrs.

If you could sign Josh Johnson to a non-guaranteed contract, I'd be OK with it, but nothing beyond that.

If you could sign Josh Johnson to a non-guaranteed contract, I'd be OK with it, but nothing beyond that.

 

I'd be okay if he is this year's Felipe Paulino.

 

That said, the fact that his $4m option was declined may be telling RE: his health

I'd be okay if he is this year's Felipe Paulino.

 

That said, the fact that his $4m option was declined may be telling RE: his health

 

I think he's had like 3 separate Tommy John surgeries. At some point, he's going to run out of ligaments and tendons. It just seems too risky to me at this point to put even think about it.

 

I would sign him to the Mitchell Boggs contract - $1.5 mill with an option, none of it guaranteed.

I'd be okay if he is this year's Felipe Paulino.

 

That said, the fact that his $4m option was declined may be telling RE: his health

I could see him having a Rich Harden-like renaissance at some point, but I wouldn't bet on it.

If you could sign Josh Johnson to a non-guaranteed contract, I'd be OK with it, but nothing beyond that.

 

 

White Sox were interested in Josh Johnson last year. I'd sign him to a 1 year deal for $3 million with an option for 2016 for innings pitched or something.

White Sox were interested in Josh Johnson last year. I'd sign him to a 1 year deal for $3 million with an option for 2016 for innings pitched or something.

I don't think I'd guarantee him that much money when the Padres wouldn't give him $4 mil.

I'd trade John Danks for Jose Conseco's shot off middle finger....

I'd trade John Danks for Jose Conseco's shot off middle finger....

 

..you have NO IDEA the places that finger's been....

..you have NO IDEA the places that finger's been....

 

psst. Madonna.

psst. Madonna.

 

should someone start a waiver possible pickup. or should everything

be posted here?

..you have NO IDEA the places that finger's been....

 

 

psst. Madonna.

Hmmm, makes you wonder if it was really an accident and why he didn't do it years ago...

 

 

Hmmm, makes you wonder if it was really an accident and why he didn't do it years ago...

 

 

oh how I wish I could write what I wanted too.

oh how I wish I could write what I wanted too.

I say go for it. After all, this is Canseco and Madonna were talking about.

 

Is it a reference to her playboy pics in the 80's?

Edited October 31, 201411 yr by StRoostifer

Back to baseball.

 

Chad Billingsly is now a free agent. Could be low risk, high reward type guy. Maybe try him even in the bullpen.