Early Trade Speculation

[Thad Bosley]

You'd destroy the rest of the roster and handicap your payroll to get him.

Nonsense. You always underestimate the Sox' financial capabilities. They could easily make it work, the very way they were willing to make it work when they pursued A-Rod before he signed with Texas, and when they tried to acquire Miguel Cabrera when he was Trout's age. Just because they don't flex their financial might as often as they should (see failure to sign Cespedes) doesn't mean that might doesn't exist.

[caulfield12]

Free agent signings are one thing, but when you start talking about trading Rodon or Quintana, Eaton, Fulmer and Anderson, then you're shooting yourself in the foot too much because we don't have the minor league depth remaining to cover for all the loss in talent.

 

A-Rod meant a loss draft pick, and actually saving money they would have had to spend on that selection.

 

With Miggy Cabrera at the time, it had little with the Sox payroll and everything to do with the fact that Miller and Maybin were both Top 35ish milb prospects AND the secondary fact that Detroit was willing to take back Dontrelle Willis' contract as well. We just didn't have a projected starter or outfielder who had the upside both those prospects did at that point in time.

 

We could afford Trout, but then you're talking 1/4th of your payroll at $33 million going to ONE player...start factoring in Sale, Abreu, Robertson, etc., and all of a sudden you're having problems keeping the payroll below $140-150 million in order to be competitive...otherwise, you're just like the White Sox the last two years with Abreu/Sale or the Angels with Trout. Out of the playoffs, no matter what numbers he puts up.

Edited May 8, 2016 by caulfield12

[southsider2k5]

Nonsense. You always underestimate the Sox' financial capabilities. They could easily make it work, the very way they were willing to make it work when they pursued A-Rod before he signed with Texas, and when they tried to acquire Miguel Cabrera when he was Trout's age. Just because they don't flex their financial might as often as they should (see failure to sign Cespedes) doesn't mean that might doesn't exist.

 

Who do you think the Angels will want for Mike Trout, and how do the White Sox replace them? Also realize that Mike Trouts salary in a couple of years is over $30 million per season. That is 25% of our payroll to one player.

[Leonard Zelig]

Where would he play?

[Thad Bosley]

Where would he play?

I'm sure Robin could find some sort of a platoon arrangement that would work well!

 

[Whisox05]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2...l?event=event25

 

Nick confardo talks about players and links the White Sox.

 

1. Jay Bruce, OF, Reds — Bruce has been rumored to be on the trading block, but the Reds haven’t received the right package yet. The White Sox have the money ($13 million saved from Adam LaRoche) to make it happen, and need a lefthanded bat. Other players the White Sox could target include Brett Gardner, Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, and Nick Markakis. Count the Angels in on those bats as well.

 

6. Josh Reddick, RF, Athletics — Reddick can become a free agent after the season. If the A’s can’t re-sign him, will Reddick be a major trade chip at the deadline? We mentioned the White Sox are looking for a lefthanded bat, and Reddick could become a prime target for teams seeking a hitter. Reddick and Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein have a history from the Red Sox.

Edited May 8, 2016 by WhiteSoxLifer

[wsiskel]

Sign me up for a Lucroy-Braun package to the White Sox. That'd require Tim Anderson and pitching prospects.

[GreenSox]

Free agent signings are one thing, but when you start talking about trading Rodon or Quintana, Eaton, Fulmer and Anderson, then you're shooting yourself in the foot too much because we don't have the minor league depth remaining to cover for all the loss in talent.

yes, what we should do is invest in the farm and sign FAs and make minor acquisitions or young player-for-young player for players we need.

No young players for past their prime veterans with bad-splits playing in band boxes.

Edited May 8, 2016 by GreenSox

[caulfield12]

That Manny Ramirez acquisition is still a head-scratcher nearly six years later.

 

KW always seems to pursue the "name" veterans.

 

 

As GreenSox is obviously pointing out that overpaying for CarGo would be a mistake, I guess all we can say at this moment is that it "depends on circumstances":

 

1) Tim Anderson's development or lack thereof

2) The rest of the division's positioning in the standings

3) How much not having a big lefty threat (other than Melky as a switch hitter) is hurting the line-up

[chitownsportsfan]

tangent: remember when it was a "good idea" to trade Q? Ha.

Edited May 9, 2016 by chitownsportsfan

[mmmmmbeeer]

It's not a great contract but would definitely help us over the next few seasons....do y'all think we could get Joey Votto from Cincy? Given the Cubs success and youth, I can't believe Cincy sees themselves as competitive any time in the near future. Maybe they look to unload that contract now. It's a lot of loot but if we are WS contenders for the next 3-5 years, it's worth making the move.

[chitownsportsfan]

It's not a great contract but would definitely help us over the next few seasons....do y'all think we could get Joey Votto from Cincy? Given the Cubs success and youth, I can't believe Cincy sees themselves as competitive any time in the near future. Maybe they look to unload that contract now. It's a lot of loot but if we are WS contenders for the next 3-5 years, it's worth making the move.

 

that would be a high upside high risk move imo. Votto isn't what he was, but he I think Adams as a starting point might pique their interest. I'd prolly do it if Cinci threw in some cash.

Edited May 9, 2016 by chitownsportsfan

[caulfield12]

Votto was the one they were building their future around, like Freeman in ATL to some extent.

 

Bruce and Phillips and maybe Homer Bailey (as soon as he returns and re-establishes value) are the three main trade priorities...

 

I can't imagine they're willing to give him up for the likes of Adams (based on how he's pitching now), that would be a huge psychological blow to the fanbase after losing their favorite in Frazier.

 

You know the Rockies wouldn't accept that offer for CarGo...and Colorado is in a better financial position than Cincy at the moment from all indications.

 

 

 

Adding Bailey with 25-33% financial subsidy from the Reds to cover the risk after TJ (he's just resumed throwing but not off a mound, and had some ulnar nerve irritation, so a slight setback) would be an interesting move that wouldn't cost us significant talent from the minors but would potentially shore up the rotation.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post/_/...p-in-cincinnati

Edited May 9, 2016 by caulfield12

[soxforlife05]

Sign me up for a Lucroy-Braun package to the White Sox. That'd require Tim Anderson and pitching prospects.

 

That would require Fulmer/Anderson/Adams and probably another player (May?). You might as well see if Trout is available before going for a deal like this.

Edited May 9, 2016 by soxforlife05

[kevtrem]

What about a guy like Rich Hill? He's probably one of the more interesting names on the market. With him putting it all together through 4 starts last year and success early on this year, I imagine his cost is lower than a controllable guy, but with him pitching like a #2-3 and approximately $3 Mil owed to him he's the kind of guy that any contender could be after. I think Hill would really stabilize the rotation, but I really have no concept of what the A's could command in return.

[caulfield12]

Navarro's obviously not going to keep hitting like this forever, and he's going to wear down...but Avila will be going on a rehab assignment soon and he'll inevitably have his hot and cold streaks too.

 

For now, they can continue to trawl that LH hitter market and simultaneously have the fact that Avi's at least temporarily holding his own to not force a desperation move or overpay there.

 

Focus for the time being has to be on the 5th spot in the rotation, first and foremost.

 

 

The name that's pretty interesting is Wil Myers...because he's not a "superstar" solution but he would give the White Sox the perfect mix of DH/OFers and bench.

 

He'll become more expensive from 2017-2019, so SD might find it easier to sacrifice him than finding a taker for Matt Kemp, for example.

 

Left-handed, can also play 1B. Would give them a lot more pop, especially from the left-hand side. His offensive numbers are being suppressed playing half his games at PetCo.

 

 

Having Cabrera, Jackson, Eaton, Myers and Garcia would give you three young players under team control through at least 2019, also.

 

Obviously, the White Sox have failed miserably with most of their OF prospects, so this is an obvious area of need.

Edited May 9, 2016 by caulfield12

[caulfield12]

What about a guy like Rich Hill? He's probably one of the more interesting names on the market. With him putting it all together through 4 starts last year and success early on this year, I imagine his cost is lower than a controllable guy, but with him pitching like a #2-3 and approximately $3 Mil owed to him he's the kind of guy that any contender could be after. I think Hill would really stabilize the rotation, but I really have no concept of what the A's could command in return.

 

We've never won a trade with Beane once, unless you want to count Bradford for Olivo because Olivo was partially turned into Freddy Garcia...?

 

As was made clear by the Lincecum showcase, there's another 15-20 teams all on the lookout for starting pitching. Beane puts Hill and/or Gray on the market, he's going to extra more value than those players would normally merit. And you always have to be careful about over-extrapolating pitchers' numbers in the NL and AL West with so many big stadiums/foul territory to deal with in SD, LA, SF, Seattle, Oakland, etc.

 

The A's got some really impressive results out of Scott Kazmir, for example...but he hasn't been as effective since leaving that big ballpark.

[GreenSox]

It's not a great contract but would definitely help us over the next few seasons....do y'all think we could get Joey Votto from Cincy? Given the Cubs success and youth, I can't believe Cincy sees themselves as competitive any time in the near future. Maybe they look to unload that contract now. It's a lot of loot but if we are WS contenders for the next 3-5 years, it's worth making the move.

If the Sox are world series contenders for the next 3-5 years, it certainly won't be with THIS team. The Sox lose 2 catchers, 2 starters, the SS and CF after this year. How do you propose to fill those holes by jettisoning young players for one 32 year old? Sure the Sox can sign some of them back, sure maybe another C or CF may be available on a 1 year deal for 2017...but maybe not. And all of these guys are old.

 

And then look at 2018, when we lose our LF, 2b and 3b.

 

And let's talk 32. How confident are you that someone who is now 32 and having a bad year, will produce to elite levels in 3-5 years?

 

Make no mistake....all of this drooling over Reds and Brewers players can only help, if it does help, THIS year. And it will HURT the chances to win in the next 2-5 years.

 

As for trading young pitchers, the Sox have drafted heavily in pitching and as of now have 3 dependable starters in their prime and ZERO in AAA. It certainly is true that the odds of any individual minor league pitcher making the majors as a solid starter is small. But some of these guys in A and AA WILL become ML starters and you need to leave them alone and let them develop.

 

And then, look at the track record of the "stars" the Sox trade for. Pretty ugly. Look at Carlos Gomez, another Brewer, with Houston.

Edited May 9, 2016 by GreenSox

[southsider2k5]

If the Sox are world series contenders for the next 3-5 years, it certainly won't be with THIS team. The Sox lose 2 catchers, 2 starters, the SS and CF after this year. How do you propose to fill those holes by jettisoning young players for one 32 year old? Sure the Sox can sign some of them back, sure maybe another C or CF may be available on a 1 year deal for 2017...but maybe not. And all of these guys are old.

 

And then look at 2018, when we lose our LF, 2b and 3b.

 

And let's talk 32. How confident are you that someone who is now 32 and having a bad year, will produce to elite levels in 3-5 years?

 

Make no mistake....all of this drooling over Reds and Brewers players can only help, if it does help, THIS year. And it will HURT the chances to win in the next 2-5 years.

 

As for trading young pitchers, the Sox have drafted heavily in pitching and as of now have 3 dependable starters in their prime and ZERO in AAA. It certainly is true that the odds of any individual minor league pitcher making the majors as a solid starter is small. But some of these guys WILL become starters and you need to leave them alone and let them develop.

 

And then, look at the track record of the "stars" the Sox trade for. Look at Carlos Gomez, everyone's favorite Brewer, with Houston.

 

YOu want to see an epic exit and meltdown of Sox fans? Let them be in contention this year, but not get to the playoffs while not adding any players at the deadline this year, after having LaRoche leave them an extra $13 million.

 

In other words, there is no chance the White Sox aren't adding veteran players this year. Zero. None. It will happen.

[YouCanPutItOnTheBoardYES!]

Navarro's obviously not going to keep hitting like this forever, and he's going to wear down...but Avila will be going on a rehab assignment soon and he'll inevitably have his hot and cold streaks too.

 

For now, they can continue to trawl that LH hitter market and simultaneously have the fact that Avi's at least temporarily holding his own to not force a desperation move or overpay there.

 

Focus for the time being has to be on the 5th spot in the rotation, first and foremost.

 

 

The name that's pretty interesting is Wil Myers...because he's not a "superstar" solution but he would give the White Sox the perfect mix of DH/OFers and bench.

 

He'll become more expensive from 2017-2019, so SD might find it easier to sacrifice him than finding a taker for Matt Kemp, for example.

 

Left-handed, can also play 1B. Would give them a lot more pop, especially from the left-hand side. His offensive numbers are being suppressed playing half his games at PetCo.

 

 

Having Cabrera, Jackson, Eaton, Myers and Garcia would give you three young players under team control through at least 2019, also.

 

Obviously, the White Sox have failed miserably with most of their OF prospects, so this is an obvious area of need.

Myers hits right handed, no?

 

[Kyyle23]

Myers hits right handed, no?

 

yes he does

[knightni]

At this point, I'd be reluctant to mess with the present chemistry and fiddle with the defense.

 

If they get a hitter, it's got to be a DH that can spell guys occasionally at multiple defensive positions.

 

If you want simplicity, you can get Kelly Johnson from the Braves.

 

Lefty bat, versatile on D, has some pop.

[caulfield12]

Oops...for some reason because he can play 1B and also hits righties better than lefties (from 2013-2015, about 50 OPS points higher), forgot Myers was RH.

 

Guess that wipes out that idea, although not 100%. Then again, you don't add Myers and give up talent to sit him on the bench, although he would be a cheaper/younger replacement for Cabrera by the end of 2017.

 

Cheaper, but not ultra-cheap, because he's going into his ARB years starting next season.

[caulfield12]

At this point, I'd be reluctant to mess with the present chemistry and fiddle with the defense.

 

If they get a hitter, it's got to be a DH that can spell guys occasionally at multiple defensive positions.

 

If you want simplicity, you can get Kelly Johnson from the Braves.

 

Lefty bat, versatile on D, has some pop.

 

 

Swapping him out for Sands makes sense, based on the ASSUMPTION that Avisail Garcia continues to hit.

 

Johnson's never been much of a defender, but he has quite a bit of versatility at least, especially on the infield. Aaron Hill, another name that always comes to mind, although he's started off terribly. Same with Logan Morrison.

 

But you definitely don't need Johnson, Sanchez, Saladino and Rollins on the same roster. Superfluous. The problem is that Saladino's so good at SS and Rollins needs the rest, so he has to stay. Sanchez would be the pretty clear odd man out, although it seems Robin really likes Carlos.

 

 

[knightni]

Johnson can play LF, 1B, 2B, 3B and has averaged 15+ HR a year in his past.