Sarava

I don't want any player who admits he doesn't play hard.

Swap Castellanos in for Ozuna and I'm with you.

I would be fine with Pederson. My problem is, I think people around here are out to lunch with what they think could land him. I'm seeing garbage like Fulmer. The guy hit 37 HR's with less than 500 at bats. They aren't giving him away, even in his walk year. They're going to want Dunning or Stiever at least.

Eh, I think it's in the ballpark for a headliner. A few years back Sale got 2 stud prospects. But he's better than Thor, had one more year of control and a great contract. But either way, Thor or whoever, that's my point ...we need a pitcher in the #1 or #2 slot. I don't care where he comes from. If you dangle out a huge prospect, teams will listen.

Yeah and I don't take the denial to Bruce as much of anything. After thinking they had Machado and/or Wheeler in the bag, I wouldn't blame the Sox for being tight-lipped until it's signed, sealed and delivered. And if this is true, as someone else said - it will be funny seeing how stupid Bruce looks once again.

I would of strongly preferred Castellanos. But if it's Marcell - ok. It could be a lot worse. He did look dangerous in the playoffs when I saw him. Hopefully some of his Miami form returns - if he is indeed signing here.

I don't think we should ever expect anything from Rodon. He will be coming up on free agency by the time he is nearing 100%. Personally I don't look at this as something to hold us over. I look at it that the Sox need to augment their really nice young pitching with a stud to go near the top of the rotation. Obviously that's not looking good via this year's free agency, because they probably won't pay for Cole or Strasburg (boo!), they lost out on Wheeler, and the rest of the guys seem to have more questions than answers. So do you punt on this year, so to speak, or go to 'Plan B' (hey the thread title!) and try to find a #1 or #2 some other way? I think punting on this year would be stupid. The window is opening and the clock is ticking, whether the Sox do something big this winter or not. Moncada and Gio are down to 4 years of control. We need to move on this thing. If the Sox can find a #1 or #2 for the longterm SP (4+ years), I'd dangle Andrew Vaughn for him. I know everyone around here views him as untouchable. I just don't agree with that. It doesn't mean I don't think he has star potential or potential awesomeness. I just view a #1 or #2 SP in the Sox rotation as more important than anything he would likely ever bring...given the Sox payroll constraints, their roster and prospect makeup at this time and needs moving forward to becoming a World Series contender. Andrew Vaughn would be enticing to a lot of teams. You could call up the Mets and inquire about Thor or DeGrom? Obviously you dont move Vaughn unless an extension is worked out in Thor's case. But there's a lot of ways to skin a cat. So we probably can't go the route of not giving up assets for a TOR starter...that sucks, but that's where we're at now.

I don't see how Dallas Keuchel helps the White Sox's chances of winning a World Series. All I see is a guy who will be overpaid and tie up precious dollars (which are limited due to our current owner).

Definitely want them to trade for a starter. I'm not picking that option, because I don't support bargain store hunting. I'm not sure why those were lumped together.

I think with Wheeler, the Sox would of had a solid chance of competing to win the division. And if you win the division, anything can happen in the playoffs. While the Sox should be better in 2021 than in 2020, the division looks particularly weak and winnable right now. A year later, who knows where things will stand. The Royals and Tigers might be starting to emerge out of the dark days of their rebuilds? Or maybe not? But if I'm the Sox, I do everything I can to put the best team together for 2020, with the future in mind and not sacrificed of course. At this point, I don't see a free agent pitcher worth acquiring, at least one that would be a #1 or #2. I think the Sox should explore trading for a young pitcher, and spend the available dollars heavily on RF, the bullpen and maybe a spot #5 starter on a one year deal.

I wonder why Yankee fans thought they were getting him? Cole to the Angels was the biggest slam dunk destination for any player in free agency. It would be shocking to me if he didn't go back home to Anaheim. Now assuming this is happening and happening this early, that's going to lead to a feeding frenzy for Strasburg.

She followed it up saying nice things about the Sox.

Wow, that does sound like she's taking a shot at the Sox. I guess we know Rodon won't be re-signing here.

As opposed to Atlanta paying 18 mil for a washed up #4 starter?

It's not about Hahn's resume. Show highlight packages of all the young stars. This team is flippin' loaded for the future, especially if they augment it with players like Wheeler. It shouldn't be that hard to sell.

I wonder how pitchers feel about the Astros now that their cheating has been made public. I could see a pitcher wanting nothing to do with them.

I don't think him and Tim would have any issues. Tim isn't hitting homers off him. Mad is just a sore loser. I don't want him on the Sox either.

I'm going to go with the idea that this reported interest in Joc is a ploy to get Boras and Castellanos to agree to terms. He might not have a lot of suitors, and if the Sox trade for Joc, then one of his biggest suitors is out. Basically I'm speculating that the Sox are telling Boras/Castellanos to shit or get off the pot.

This isn't good news, but also not a big surprise. The Phillies have already gone all-in with their chips, and their chances of landing Cole or Strasburg are probably not all that great.

The Phillies are the team on there that scare me. They've already spent a ton (on Harper and others), and probably feel a need to spend more to make it all come together. If any team goes to 6 years with Wheeler, they would probably be the one.

Actually scratch that. If it goes that high, I'd want them to pivot to Strasburg.

Eh, I'd probably say do it. The rebuild depends on bringing in a good arm. But hopefully it doesn't go that far.

8 teams last year were 168+ mil payrolls. If the Sox don't reach there, that likely means Moncada and/or Giolito walk or get traded at some point. For now I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, since they have in the past skirted with a top 5 payroll. We'll see if they do that again.

Oh I think Wheeler will sign long before the Boras big guns. I was just pointing out a reason why he probably doesn't want to wait for Cole and Strasburg to sign. Wheeler has interest coming from every direction right now. He should strike while the iron is hot - wherever that is. Hopefully the Sox for our sake.

The problem there is that he might have to wait until March+ if he waits out the 2 Boras pitchers.