Chimpton

I do love the off season trade and FA rumours, I went to bed here in the UK to rumours the Sox were in for Verlander, and comments debating how good it would or wouldn't be, and then wake up to him re-signing for Houston and never wanted him comments and how he was expensive etc!

That would be the same players who posted the 27th worst fielding percentage and made the 26th most errors last season! I think a 2b talent like Semien would be very necessary to help that improve.

Does he have to 'log some innings' as a starter at MLB level now? I would be less worried if I thought Keuchel was going to be any good in 2022. It does of course beg the next question which is what to do with Crochet next season, does he spend another season in the pen at MLB level or would a year or a significant part of a year at MiLB as a starter be better for him.

Thank you but no need to address me as 'your honour' I am not a Lord or anything! ?

Just interested to know what people think about Kopech as a starter for next season, as it seems that with the non-QO to Rodon this is the way the FO is going. Is Kopech ready to be a MLB starter? He was good and bad out of the pen last season but will he be better starting? Is it now or never for him as a starter? Should he have another season out of the pen? Is that worth it, if he is ever going to be a starter? Should he be traded while his value is still high-ish? If he isn't suited to starting for the Sox is it best to trade him for someone who is more able to help immediately? In my opinion if he is ever going to make it as a starter then he needs to start next season, but my worry is that with Keuchal and Kopech would that leave the starting rotation too weak? All opinions gratefully accepted!

If the Sox were offering $18.5 million for a FA pitcher (not called Rodon) but with a similar profile would SoxTalk be excited at the prospect? It would be and is a big gamble, he had a career best season last year and there is the potential issue of fitness. Granted he will probably go somewhere else and win a Cy Young award just to annoy everyone on here. but even if he were to repeat last season (his best ever but still no use in October due to fatigue) would that be worth $18.5 million?

One thing that makes me puzzled is that the feeling on here when Rodon was picked up for $3 million for 2021 was largely one of indifference or outright puzzlement, less than a year later people are wanting $18.5 million to be offered to the same Rodon. The biggest issue with Rodon is not his ability but his ability to stay healthy, and an $18.5 million gamble is a big one especially as his arm fatigued at the end of the season and offseason when it was needed most.

Its official now White Sox have not picked up the option on Cesar.

Well its official now, Kimbrel option picked up but not Cesar.

But you know that any team trading for him will be hoping to get the pre-August Kimbrel at a knock down price.

Just a quick question from a position of ignorance! Does a potential work stoppage affect whether sides will sign free agents or do trades or delay it?

So does that make Collins surplus to requirements?

I assume Grandal stays catcher? And who would you have as his back up Collins, Zavala or an other.

You are kidding right? Any manager who was approached by the White Sox would have had that target.

So let's not bother trying because on paper we are not the best team in baseball? Let's not try to improve at the trade deadline as we 'were never going to win it'. It may have escaped your attention but just winning the division is an achievement by White Sox standards, and back to back play off appearances has never been achieved before, but let's not bother because the Astros are better than us.

You should try working as a demotivational speaker with that 'no can do' attitude!

Are those the same 'hard working' players who were happy to win a World Series by cheating?

Yes, but they did cheat, or was the whole sign stealing scandal my imagination?

Cheating helps.

Exactly, and it wasn't as if passed balls wasn't a problem/issue he had when the White Sox acquired him, but as an overall package as a catcher he is better than many recent ones at the Sox. And just as a point of comparison as some still mention him on here, James McCann had 8 passed balls this season whilst producing far less with the bat.

Just a point but of those White Sox passed balls in 2021 Seby Zavala was responsible for 8 in his 33 appearances, Grandal 7 in his 80 appearnaces as catcher. Not saying Grandal doesn't have an issue with passed balls as he has been as bad or worse in many recent seasons, 16 in 2017 (not with Sox). But not all the passed balls this season were his fault.

I'm not suggesting we do trade Abreu, I think keeping him in 2022 is a better option at the moment, but IF he was traded what would you get in return, and would that make the team stronger than with Abreu? For all the talk of Vaughan or others replacing him at 1b, at least with Abreu you know what you get, barring a drop-off due to age, but with all the in house possibles such as Vaughan, Sheets or even as some say Eloy, there is nor guarantee that they would actually match his output. Vaughan and Sheets are 2nd season players who could kick on or have a 2nd year slump and Eloy is returning after a less than stellar year in 2021 due to injury and loss of form. Added to that Abreu's undoubted clubhouse presence and I think his value to the Sox outweighs anything we would get back in a trade. As for beyond 2022 I am sure he would wait for the Sox to make him an offer once they see what his 2022 output is like, and if 2022 is a big dip in form then and only then will the decision to let him go be necessary.

An interesting read thanks for posting it. It confirmed much of what has been said on here about the holes at 2b and RF if only it offered a solution!

Let's face it we all know that won't happen. That would require Jerry to open the purse strings.

I think we all know the answer to that one but just don't want to admit it. ?