Flash

If Harper to Cubs (or anyone other than Sox) is a foregone conclusion, why not try to improve by adding a couple of pitchers who might be rotation pieces for a couple of years plus add a strong middle IF to the ranks. Cubs need relief help and a seasoned catcher to backup Contreres. Then, Sox can sign Grandal. They would be much stronger going into 2019 and beyond.

White Sox might want to capitulate Harper to the Cubs and be opportunistic in helping them clear space. What about Chatwood, Montgomery and Nico Hoerner to Sox for Castillo and Nate Jones?

Within the Central, the Sox are poised to be looking up at the Indians for the forseeable future. For all the hoopla surrounding our prospects, the Indians can boast of a steller crop of prospects themselves and are actually considering moving Kluber or Bauer to add to their largesse. Forward progress on rebuild was stunted by disappointing returns on our trade capital, namely Moncada and Giolito. If either/both performed to expectations, the world might look a bit differently.

Maybe this was touched on but if Yankees prevail with Machado, would it make sense to offer Alonso to them? Guessing he might bring a decent return, especially if Manny makes a case for him.

Sorry - I posted this on wrong board.

Twins just added Nelson Cruz. Along with additions of Schoop and Cron, they aren't just sitting around ceding the Central to Cleveland.

SH catcher and elite pitch framer who will help our young pitchers immensely. Huge upgrade over Castillo, who I would try to move if we get Grandal.

Yes the WS are rich in minor league OFs but only one of whom will see GRF in '19 and quite possibly '20. I am not a Heyward fan but if the Cubs paid down his K to fair value (i.e $12M at @1.5 WAR) plus threw in Montgomery a LH who could be a fit, we are considerably better, despite your sarcasm. Then, asuming no Harper, add $30-40M to the payroll and bring in a couple of difference makers, a la Grandal. Alternatively, wait until those 7 OF prospects are ready for prime time in '20/21 and complain about JR/RH/KW.

Guessing Theo would say no. That said, Heyward might be polarizing but at an avg. of $12M a yr., he's worth it. Sox would get a major upgrade at 3 positions plus a back-end starter with upside. Better bang for the buck than Harper without the risk.

Sox send Nate Jones and Blake Rutherford to the Cubs in exchange for Heyward, Montgomery and $50 million (bringing Heywards salary to @$12M/yr.). Sox then sign Grandal (3/$45) and Jed Lowrie (3/$30) adding two SHrs. Lowrie can play 3rd or 2nd (push Moncada to 3rd). Good balance of LH/RH hitters. Net/net add of @$40M in annual payroll or little more than Harper alone would cost. Let the Cubs sign Harper. This team can compete now: 3B Moncada (SH) Rodon (LH) 2B Lowrie (SH) Lopez (RH) LF Jimenez Nova (RH) 1B (vs. LH) Abreu Giolito (RH) 1B (vs. RH) Alonso Montgomery (LH) C Grandal (SH)/Castillo (vs. LH) DH vs. RH Pelka/Alonso DH vs. LH Abreu/Castillo RF Heyward CF Engle SS Anderson

Was probably already mentioned but unless I am missing something (alwys a good possibility), what in the world were the Reds thinking? This seems like the dumbest trade ever. Sending talented prospects for the right to take on Kemps contract and the Puig soap opera? Almost seems like collusion somehow.

Dominik - thanks for your response. I understand players might end up playing a different position as they progress through the ranks. What I am trying to understand, maybe from someone who is close to the Cal/Pac 10 baseball scene, is whether the reason he is at 1B is due to him being inadequate at 3B or, as was the case with Madrigal, there is a better fielder who Cal wants in the lineup. Could be he is at 1B because Cal values his glove there to save IF throwing errors. Just wondering.

Not sure how the math would work but would consider Heyward, Montgomery and Bote + $$$.

Generally agree except the part about Moncada and Giolito being quality MLB players. As the two highest profile rebuilding additions, they have both disappointed and, despite the sentiments of many on this board, neither inspire reason to be optimistic.

The question was if anyone knew of a specific reason why he is playing 1B. Given his middle IF and pitching experience and the fact he's 6'1" R/R , just seems as though he might profile better at 3rd, unless of course Cal has a better 3rd baseman. Wondering if any Pac 10 fans had some perspective. Either way, the guy looks like Trout at the plate.

Strikes me as odd that Vaughn plays 1B for Cal. He was a HS SS and even pitched a bit at Cal so you'd think he had the skills to play 3B. He is said to be excellent with the leather at 1B but imagine his stock if he played 3rd. Do any Pac 10 fans know? Is it because Cal has some other stud 3rd baseman?

Crawling around Pinstripe Alley and came across this analysis ranking Yankee OPS by position. It struck me as a good way to underscore FA and trade priorities. Sorry for laziness but don't have time this morning to locate the data for WS but would be obliged if someone was able to. 2018 OPS C 706 3rd (even with Gary’s down year!) 1B 762 6th thanks to Voit mostly 2B 741 5th (consider Gleyber all year at 788 is second! Good times next year and I think he can do even better) 3B 812 4th (andujars is 843) SS 832 4th LF 731 which is 9th!! (inflated even still by Stantons 850 in 150 at bats, Gardners is 688 good enough for 14th or as bad as Detroit and Baltimore!! YUCK!!!) CF 808 3rd (again dragged down by Gardners slightly better than left 725 but still bad to Hicks 839 that would make the Yankees second without Gardner) RF 814 4th (dragged down by the fact weirdly Stanton underperformed when playing RF and also Shane Robinson) DH 853 2nd (Stantons 942 ops helped here)

If Sox land MM would you trade Anderson to Yankees for Andujar? Yankees might need to sweeten things a bit but value seems close.

Rodon and Fulmer to Yankees for Andujar, Gray and a sweetener i.e. Kahnle?

Was perusing the NYY board Pinstripe Alley for chatter on Yankees pursuit of MM and found this take, FWIW..... Bryce Harper and Manny Machado would have dubious GM's/Owners pay them $400M over 10 years. Let me repeat that for emphasis, $40M per year for 10 years. Let's just say, for the sake of the GM whose view is the glass is more than full, that each gets 600 plate appearances for every one of those 10 years (ain't going to happen, by the way). In that unrealistic, beyond optimistic, view point, every time they step to the plate they earn $66,667. At this point it might be relevant to remind readers that neither one of these gold miners has every won a WS ring. For the sake of the GM who gets duped into signing one of these two for his asking price, let's hope they don't swing at too many 1st pitches during plate appearances. In fact, I would propose to the dubious GM's considering making such an offer that the contract language prohibit them from swinging at 1st or 2nd pitches. If signing them is for the purpose of filling the seats (since neither will probably catapult his team to a WS ring having handicapped management from surrounding him with complimentary teammates), then making sure the fans get to see these guys for their 600 plate appearances (or at least the ones at the home ball park) should be the highest priority. I applaud Cashman for not pursuing Harper in the first place, and putting a lower cap on the team's interest in Machado. Well done.

I would tend to favor Gorman due to his power and LH bat but agree Bush has been very impressive thus far. Sox sprang over $50M to acquire Robert and I tend to believe Fowler can bounce back. Plus he's a switch hitter who can leadoff if he gets his mojo back.

Wonder if Cardinals would package Gorman if we pay full freight for Fowler. Fowler needs out of St. Louis and despite a horrible year (negative WAR) could be a serviceable place holder at any OF position. Maybe Carson Fulmer goes their way.

PG has him #2 among college players (behind Rutschman). I never knew he existed until I read a piece on him in FG. Once I checked out his numbers, I thought they had made a mistake. No one puts up the metrics he did last year. You can go back to when he was in HS and he has always been a freakish hitter. Even his peers are deferential toward him. I'm praying he is available and we draft him.

Would there be interest among this board to deal for Russell? He'll be serving suspension until May but there appears to be a reasonable chance he in non-tendered. Notwithstanding the blowback on his domestic actions, he is just 24 years old and not far removed from serious production. Defensively I like him over TA as SS but guessing he would also profile at 3rd.