GreenSox

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 09:09 AM) Frazier and Lawrie aren't bad defenders though. Not as good as Sanchez and Saladino but I'll take the slightly worse defense for way better offense. The bad defense isn't why the White Sox were horrible last year. It was having an all time bad offense. That's true. But the idea is not to be "not bad" but to be good. And the failure to upgrade the OF defense (and actually downgraded it as they had a good defender there for a month) could prevent to the Sox from being good. And that's why I like the idea of Jackson. He will improve the OF defense and I think that if they use him appropriately they could get enough out of him offensively.

Bruce is a marginal upgrade from AVI IF both repeat their last 2 seasons. Bruce hasn't had an OBP over .300 in the last 2 years. How much more of that kind of hitting do the Sox need? Bruce is worth a middle reliever, I guess. But that's about it. People constantly want to sell low and buy high, which is what dumping Avi would be. Much rather the Saunders side of that deal anyway, if he were healthy.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 05:55 PM) Everyone would have us as the favorite with Upton in the outfield. That said, we were the big winners last year at this point, too. More than likely, the 2014-15 offseason and the repercussions of carrying Danks, Cabrera and LaRoche has forced the front office into a more "year by year," risk-averse position. I guess, but Danks and Laroche are off the books after this year, and Melky after next year. In the realm of leverage risks, that's pretty darn light.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 08:46 AM) The few players who fit that description likely aren't available. The closest/easiest thing you'll find to that is JB Shuck. Shuck is a 4th/5th OF, defensive replacement, once a week starter type. He just doesn't hit well enough against either side pitching to use as a platooner. It wouldn't surprise me to see Avi get to the .730 OPS range this season. He still has a pretty good walk rate (esp for this organization) and that might help him stabilize this year some. Still don't know why he gets beat on so badly (esp considering the $42 mill "professional hitter" was almost as bad).

QUOTE (LDF @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 02:17 AM) i don't mean to jump in here, but for me, the signing is to reinforce the idea of making a trade in the future with a pen pitchers being included in a pkg or maybe insurance for the pen. Of course you can jump in - it's a message board. The thing about a trade is that you can't trade until you're sure you have the replacement "fixed". And even then, you won't know they are fixed for sure until they see, say a month of pitching in the regular season. And the Sox have no one in the pen particularly valuable who is tradeable. What would, say, Jennings bring if we had a replacement for him? I don't buy the trade thing...Sox just don't think that far ahead and rarely have the guts to pull the trigger on dumping a starter on the major league roster.

Rollins had a .2 WAR last year. Saladino had a .2 WAR last year. But suddenly the SS hole is filled. But by all means, let's go with the 37 year old, instead of the 2nd year player. He's "proven".

Kenny Williams loves his declining and washed up veterans and the org is scared to high heaven of playing young position players.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Feb 21, 2016 -> 10:53 AM) Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 15m15 minutes ago Scottsdale, AZ Davidson on Frazier deal: "I totally get it. I’ve struggled really bad. I haven’t been happy with my performance at all.", Okay But what does Mike Olt think about it?

Jackson can play all 3 outfield spots. he also gives the Sox the ability to hide Laroche from left handed pitching. I guess they want to see what they have with Sands and a couple of others.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 12:23 PM) A potential fit is Coghlan if the Cubs end up bringing back Fowler. And thus another reason why the Cubs aren't bringing back Fowler. They don't need him. Cubs got really fortunate on that Coghlan reclamation project. Sox could use one of those..maybe an internal reclamation from Avi or someone.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 07:21 PM) In both cases, you traded away potential but unproven 2017-2019 guys for more 2016-2017, more likely to succeed help. Not saying I agree with either choice, just that's what I think they were going for. I understand that. There is just no room in the pen for them right now. So they are likely depth, which is helpful. After they made the moves they still signed Albers. I supposed one of the incumbents could be traded, but none are the lock-down type who is likely to net much (outside of Robertson who won't be traded).

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 11:21 AM) The Rays and Astros appear to make the best trade partners for the Sox. Not sure what Houston still needs but the Rays were rumored to be seeking a bullpen arm Like that idea.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 03:22 PM) I'm going to get myself in trouble for this I'm sure, but what starting pitching depth? Outside of the top guys, it's pretty weak in terms of pitching. Most of the pitchers in the top 30 project as relievers IMO. Sox lost some depth in the offseason. They cleared out a 2 pitchers for Lawrie; then they traded Myles Jahe and Almonte for 2 relief pitchers; not sure what the idea behind the Jahe and Almonte trades were, unless they just needed room for fresher prospects. Neither bullpen acquisition figures to make the 25.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 09:29 AM) Over the last two seasons: Player A: .261/.358/.401/.759 Player B: .266/.348/.393/.741 Player A is Dexter Fowler, Player B is Brandon Guyer. Rays have Morrison/Pearce/Pena/Dickerson/Kiermaier/Jennings/Mahtook/Souza Jr./Jennings/Guyer for DH, 1B and the three outfield spots. That's ten guys for five spots. They have to move a few guys. Guyer gives the Sox a pre-arb outfielder who can play good defense at all positions. He's a luxury as a 4th outfielder and a strong insurance option for Avi. He's a grinder too, hah. Guyer looks like an interesting idea. He's yet another late bloomer (didn't do a thing until 28) for throngs who say it rarely happens.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Feb 19, 2016 -> 09:20 AM) BA ranked the Sox farm at #23 and the Arizona farm at #22. The Diamondbacks have developed some good players recently but their farm was definitely not deep enough or strong enough to trade away Swanson and Blair without hurting their future. Again I clearly said that the trade was a woeful overpay. Interesting you mention the comparative farm system rankings. In 2015, Law ranked Arizona 14, and now they are 24. In 2015, Law ranked Sox 12, and now they are 22. (yes, #1 prospect promoted; but Arizona made other stupid movies beyond the Miller trade, like giving away #4 prospect to braves in mid-season)

Neither Cargo nor Ethier help a wretched OF defense and both would be ridiculous in CF, so hopefully that will save the Sox from pursuit of those 2.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 19, 2016 -> 07:43 AM) They gave up the number one overall pick of last years draft. I mean, that in itself is just awful, and absolutely hurts their future. They didnt even have the guy in their system for a season I could only imagine what you would be saying if the Sox did somethign similar with Fulmer and whatever would be the equivalent of Inciarte. You would have blown a blood vessel and named it hero I clearly said that they didn't get anywhere near the value for the prospects they traded. But it could also be true (it has been in the past ) that their farm is a heck of a lot stronger than the Sox farm, which gives them the ability to trade their good prospects without hurting future). The Red Sox also woefully overpaid for relief pitcher. They didnt hurt their future. I long for the day when making such trade wouldn't hurt the Sox future

I will repeat my periodic observation that Melky "professional hitter" Cabrera also had a negative war, and he is paid a substantial contract. He was also not in his first full season of play. They both need to get better. It may be that they keep 2 reserve outfielders; this may be necessary to platoon with Laroche at DH and to get better OF defense in late innings. That will put a lot of pressure on the reserve infielder; and Sanchez play 3rd, or do we have to go the L Garcia route and completely give up any thought of offense from that position. The biggest offensive question on a macro level is who hits second? At some point they can use some of the second-tier prospects to get an outfielder if needed. And that leaves them with those three early pics to invigorate the farm with three pieces of top talent. In the meantime, 2+ war out of melky and 1+ WAR out of Avi and this team contends.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 06:52 PM) My friends that are D-Backs fans talked about how they didn't hurt their future. My response was that they did and even if they didn't think that, the package they gave up for Miller could have netted a lot better pitchers. Arizona's farm is always turned out a lot of talent so it may be true that they didn't hurt their future. But it's also true that they could've improved by a lot more than Shelby Miller, while not hurting it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 01:02 PM) The 40 man roster is finally full, which means if they want to bring in another major leaguer, they would have to cut an additional player if they made a claim like this. Plenty of AAAA candidates on the 40 man right now.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 10:52 AM) Leyer at 8th is ridiculous in my view. He's got a very nice fastball, runs mid to upper 90's with some movement and he can locate it. But this supposedly good change-up, according to every report I've seen might maybe flash average or a little better, but is inconsistent at best. His slider is mushy, and the change is just not there. Despite all his innings. I think 20's is even a stretch. Fun fact also - he loves the radar gun. One of the affiliate contacts I work with said he was worried Robin would strain his neck because he always whipped around to see his speed so fast after delivering a pitch. That said, Law seems to always throw in some weird flier on this list. Andrew Mitchell was his guy last year, and he's disappeared entirely. Didn't the Sox leave Leyer unprotected in Rule 5? 10 seems a real stretch. I have always liked him a bit, though.

Signing Desmond is hard to understand considering SS is at least covered defensively (and Desmond may be a downgrade defensively) while the corner OF positions are not covered defensively. Some justification might be a)They think he can play quality OF as well as SS; b)They plan on signing Jackson as well, which would cover 2 positions for price of 1 draft choice; or c)They still think Avisail can hit (and I do think it's at least a year too early to proclaim he can't). d)Desmond is more amenable to a short term deal to fit this (imo contrived and bogus) 2 year window.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Feb 10, 2016 -> 02:09 PM) I thought this was funny: dbet: Could Justin Turner and Ryu get Chris Sale? 12:55 Dave Cameron: Yes. You could have one be the driver and the other be the kidnapper, and combined, they could put him in a van and bring him to Glendale. I think the White Sox would call the police, though. That's a silly trade. But just a comment on Turner - talk about a late bloomer. He's dogmeat for years, gets traded at age 29 and explodes with the Dodgers. Yes, Law likes Hahn.

He said the Angels have easily the worst farm system he's seen in all of his years of ranking systems.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 10, 2016 -> 09:48 AM) Lineup should include Anderson, May, Coats, some combo of Ishikawa/Davidson/Hayes/Delmonico/Olt (all of which should mash in AAA) on the corners, and Smith/Brantly at catcher. That's a lineup that should hit AAA pitching pretty effectively, even though many are not solid prospect-wise. May had a pretty rough round at Birmingham last year. I guess the AA-AAA move isn't as huge as the movement up the lower levels (considering the number of AAAA players in AAA).