Giving a young, outstanding defender with a solid bat 20M would cripple this franchise? Heyward is entering his best years and you assume he will take a step back in the AL why? The past 3 years he has about an average 9% BB to 16%K, has posted OPS over .700 the past 5 years and can steal a nice amount of bases. If anything a left handed hitter coming to our park that doesn't suck ass and K every other at bat has a good chance to hit 20+ homers.

 

This is the type of player we should have been prioritizing and searching out instead of the Dunn's, LaRoche's and Avisail's of the world

 

I agree quite a bit with everything you've said. This isn't a guy the White Sox have typically prioritized and look where its got them. This is the type of player that should be getting this type of contract from the Sox. Even if he had an OPS below .735 (happened once, in a shortened season), his dWAR is good enough to basically fulfill his AAV if his contract is around $20 MM. People can say they dont want to spend the money on a player like him, but what free agents or prospects are going to be available to boost this team? He is one of the only blue chippers between this season and next. If this team is seriously in their "window", they have to put their chips in on players like Heyward.

Edited August 27, 201510 yr by Dunt

Ok but let's jump to dreamland for a minute. Avi goes over to COL in the Arenado deal to cover their loss of CarGo. Our OF then becomes Trayce, Heyward & Eaton and suddenly 180s to one of the premeir defensive outfields. Melky slides into DH and rotates to the OF to gove rest when needed.

 

Eaton

Heyward

Abreu

Cabrera

Arenado

Thompson

Saladino

Flowers

Sanchez

 

This is a premeir defensive unit in theory. Can it hit enough? Dunno.

 

What happens to LaRoche?

What happens to LaRoche?

I know I know, Bat boy!

Edited August 27, 201510 yr by BlackSox13

Not a bunch...a whole bunch.

lol we seem to have a few holes I'm sure we could spare, but honestly he's 1 of a few I'd be willing to give a whole bunch for.

Edited August 27, 201510 yr by AlSoxfan

If the Rockies aren't getting Rodon, I see no reason for them to trade Arenado to the White Sox. There has also been absolutely no rumors they are looking to trade him, as he's going to be the face of the franchise.

I keep seeing the names of Upton and Heyward, but Cespedes is a better option IMO. He wouldn't require losing a draft pick, and he's proven he can hit in the NL.

I keep seeing the names of Upton and Heyward, but Cespedes is a better option IMO. He wouldn't require losing a draft pick, and he's proven he can hit in the NL.

Sounded like he's already decided to go back to Detroit

If the Rockies aren't getting Rodon, I see no reason for them to trade Arenado to the White Sox. There has also been absolutely no rumors they are looking to trade him, as he's going to be the face of the franchise.

It's pure speculation man. That's why it's fun to discuss and throw crazy ideas out there.

Sounded like he's already decided to go back to Detroit

 

I heard someone on the radio last week say that he has a tendency to say things to get fans on his side

It's pure speculation man. That's why it's fun to discuss and throw crazy ideas out there.

 

Speculate away, I'm a fan of that, but I'm not sure you'd even get Lemahieu in some of these proposed deals.

I'd be all for Cespedes

I'd be all for Cespedes

Would Cespedes be willing to play RF? Cespedes would be a more logical option for the Sox, imo.

What happens to LaRoche?

That's the best part! He backs up Abreu. Bench Trayce against tough righties (if nec.) and move Melky back to the OF. Finally get the rotating DH to spell OF legs and play matchups. Yes I know he's a $12M bench player, but f*** him.

Of course Danks is the guy you want to move. Now which bad contract are you willing to take on to do it?

Simple. Eat his contract. Something the sox are loath to do.

How much would Cespedes cost? I know it seems like we blew all our money last offseason, but it sounds like we were intending to sign Samardzija long-term, so the money we were planning to give to him can go elsewhere. I hate giving a lot of money to 30 year olds, but Heyward is young enough that I think he might be worth it.

How much would Cespedes cost? I know it seems like we blew all our money last offseason, but it sounds like we were intending to sign Samardzija long-term, so the money we were planning to give to him can go elsewhere. I hate giving a lot of money to 30 year olds, but Heyward is young enough that I think he might be worth it.

Enough to pay him. If we tried to sign Jeff long term then we have enough.

I'll take it!

I keep seeing the names of Upton and Heyward, but Cespedes is a better option IMO. He wouldn't require losing a draft pick, and he's proven he can hit in the NL.

Cespedes is pretty much the perfect player for the Sox to go after, but he will probably get a 6-7 year deal, same as Heyward, and the last 2 years do you trust a 36/37 year old Cespedes in right field or a 32/33 year old Heyward?

Cespedes is pretty much the perfect player for the Sox to go after, but he will probably get a 6-7 year deal, same as Heyward, and the last 2 years do you trust a 36/37 year old Cespedes in right field or a 32/33 year old Heyward?

 

Low OBP, bad defense, ton of mental mistakes? Ya, it does sound like a match made in heaven

Low OBP, bad defense, ton of mental mistakes? Ya, it does sound like a match made in heaven

Cespedes has been one of the premier defensive LF (according to uzr) every year but 2012. The OBP is low but he has hit 20+ homers and doubles every year since he entered the league. I think he profiles as a .275/.320/.480 guy in the Cell with 25 homers/doubles and 10+ steals. I think he has a rep as a bad defender for some reason but stats prove he is a very good outfielder.

Low OBP, bad defense, ton of mental mistakes? Ya, it does sound like a match made in heaven

I kinda agree. Without trying to be snide, are we bargain shopping? It always seems after we buy we wanna trade it for something else. I understand spending $25m a yr is steep for a club like the Sox, but if you want the best you gotta spend the money. I think if you were ready to spend $20-22M on Shark ( and I hope they're still not thinking about)then a couple $M more for a top of the line player is well spent. We need offence AND defense.

Jose Quintana (after yesterday's win): "I'm so excited. … It’s really fun when you get runs."

 

That's sort of backhanded. Makes me think about whether Quintana will be traded in the offseason.

Edited September 7, 201510 yr by Jose Abreu

Jose Quintana: "I'm so excited. … It’s really fun when you get runs."

 

That's sort of backhanded. Makes me think about whether Quintana will be traded in the offseason.

Jose Quintana could absolutely say worse and he would be 100% justified in saying that and the rest of the roster would absolutely deserve it. He's had the patience of a saint.

Jose Quintana could absolutely say worse and he would be 100% justified in saying that and the rest of the roster would absolutely deserve it. He's had the patience of a saint.

 

+1

For those unwilling to give up draft picks, how do you plan on improving this offense? Trading for established bats is going to cost a lot more than a 2nd round draft pick.

 

And if you say internal options, then you might as well dump everyone and rebuild, because outside of Anderson & maybe Micah we don't have a lot of offensive prospects that are likely to help in the near future.

 

Zobrist and Cespedes are two who will not require giving up a draft pick. If they can get Upton or Heyward or Gordon (I assume he stays with Royals) it's worth giving up a draft pick especially considering they'll get one for giving Shark the QO.