GreenSox

Who knows what went down. These media-driven notions that the Nats offer of 5/100ish was "higher" are silly....The Mets' 3/75 with an opt out is a much better offer. The Sox FO just doesn't execute very well, however. Seem to lack a coherent strategy and the ability to pull the trigger.

Signing Desmond would be ridiculous. He's nothing special, costs a high draft choice and salary. He would be adding a veteran for the sake of a veteran. If the Sox won't give young players a chance - and there's really only 1 position left - they'll never get anywhere. They may not be able to avoid Fowler -they've come this far loading up with KW "proven veterans" - but, as a basically averageish ballplayer, he's not worth the price either. Jackson's the best choice.

If Lagares was on the Sox with his .667 OF OPS, people would want him gone yesterday. We traded an defensive fielder (who raked in his cup of coffee) who was universally termed a "fourth OF."

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 22, 2016 -> 03:36 PM) The main frustration is the two steps forward, one step back thing. A year or so ago, it looked like we were really going to make a concerted effort to become at least a consistent top 12-18 farm system, but our jumping up in the ratings temporarily was more about the accumulation of high first round picks. If they had gone over budget one year and loaded up on international signings, dipped into South Korea (Kang, for example was available but "blocked" by Gillaspie and Davidson) or Japan, it just feels like Groundhog Day where we keep repeating the same exact pattern but expecting a different set of results. I agree with you. The Sox FO simply lacks the patience to build the org. They tried for one year, improved the team 10 games, and then the Kenny Williams philosophy roars back in. Trade 4 young players for 1 year of Shark...who by the way gave the Sox the SAME WAR he generally puts up, but for the career year that the Sox, predictably, chased. And they did the same thing this year. Trade young players ("fourth outfielder" they tell us) for 2 years of Frazier; but this time the NL slugger will finally slug....we hope....... They better get Cespedes, or the hole will only get deeper. They aren't standing pat: it will be lose a high draft choice for the averageish Fowler or load up the prospects for someone in July.

Fowler is goofy, but would fit well as a #2 hitter (Melky there is silly). But the comp pick price is too high. Sox biggest need is to build the org, something they lack the patience to do.

For goodness sakes there's nothing wrong with depth in the pen. Don't have to immediately start trading and dumping when you may have 1 extra player. Sox may actually take it a little easier on the starters and need these guys. ERA particularly deceptive stat for relievers.

Infield D should be good with 2 improving young players plus 2 vets. I thin Sanchez will hit although I don't know where. Re signing Alexei would have been daft.

The Sox should consider claiming the OF the Rockies just waived.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 05:27 PM) In the end though, Cooper has just as much right to rip the fans as the fans do to rip the FO. As a fan, I am not in the least bit offended by Cooper's words. I see nothing wrong with people speaking their minds. It's bad management to rip your customers. especially considering the poor product Cooper et al have put on the field for the most part.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 03:58 PM) Funny read from an Astros writer POV. He makes some good points that won't be popular with folks that want the Sox to sign Cespedes. http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2016/1/18/107...igning-cespedes "Second, Cespedes isn't a great hitter. I'll pause while the over-reactors pontificate. Done yet? He's not a great hitter. He's a good hitter coming off of a magnificent walk year. And the most important thing to know is: never get involved in a land war in Asia. Only slightly less important is this: never overpay for a free agent after an awesome walk year that could be classified as an outlier." he's basically right, but what's the alternative? Give the few remaining prospects for Cargo, whose game is full of holes itself? And while Cespedes had a career year, at least the trend is upward. Given that they traded 3 solid (if not better) prospects for 2 years of Frazier, they've got to follow this up some way. (Now if it's Cargo, I'd hope they don't follow it up and just take the losses with Frazier). And note that the Sox would be better in the pen and in the OF had they not made the Frazier trade, so they've go to firm some stuff up. But they have to do something. Perhaps they could make a small trade for an upgrade; maybe Austin Jackson. But to do what they did for Frazier and not follow it up is the same practice that has repeatedly failed.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 12:26 PM) Per Olney the Reds are taking offers for him. The Sox have been long thought to have interest in this guy. I assume that the "offers" consist of how much of his salary teams are willing to accept.

Congrats to Alexei. Onward and upward for the Sox.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 04:37 PM) Colorado can keep CarGo and the 37M he's owed. Amen And of course the Sox sorely lack organizational depth.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 02:03 PM) They signed Heyward and were pretty clear their OF to start the year is going to be Schwarber, Heyward, and Soler. Heyward is an elite RF; CF remains to be seen. Soler and Schwarber defensively challenged. If they thought Fowler was a quality CF, he'd be back. He's not.

The Cubs have no CF. Why then are they not bringing this guy back? Sign Austin Jackson. Forget Fowler. At least Jackson has played most of his career in pitchers' park; Fowler the opposite. Jackson also plays much better D, which SHOULD matter to a team who had rancid outfield defense like the Sox. And of course he is cheaper, shorter duration and doesn't cost a draft choice.

QUOTE (Knackattack @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 12:58 PM) Wilmer Flores is a SS who hit 16 HR last year, is 24, arb eligible and trending upwards. You're not getting that for Avi Garcia + your garbage, the Mets open that conversation with some one like Spencer Adams. Please. They can open the conversation however they want, but he has an OBP under .300. he's a highly speculative player. Yes he improved, but from numbers that were terrible. nothing special defensively either. He's like Saladino in a slow improvement cycle, but with less D. You don't trade top prospects for Wilmer Flores.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 01:50 PM) a .772 OPS and 23 HR as a 23 year old in center field. If you think he's the guy he was last year, then EJ is an appropriate price offer. If you think he can develop and build on that 23 year old season, then you offer up a possible top rotation guy for him. That .772 OPS was also with high K and a low OBP. See nothing to suggest that he's the position player equivalent of top of the rotation.

.691 OPS, with high K and low OBP.....for a #1 starter. How about for E Johnson...maybe

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 8, 2016 -> 02:35 PM) Often injured and huge home and away splits his entire career. Last year he was .243/.294/.464 on the road. His road OPS for his career is over 200 points less than it is at home. If you don't like Cespedes' OBP, you aren't going to like GarGo's. No reason to give up top prospects for him when alternatives cost just money. If they want Anderson or Fulmer or Q, just hang up the phone. They are going nowhere anyway. Exactly (plus hang up the phone with Adams as well).

Trade the farm for him. Better than making JR go 5 years. The Sox are just a Cargo away.

If the Sox are going to wait as Merkin suggests, then I hope they go ahead and grab Jackson ASAP.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 03:42 PM) Good point, I take back my "hell no" and say "probably not" Doesn't the CBA expire after this season? Or maybe its 2017. Anyway, when it's done, the first change will be the end of the QO tie to free agency (although they could keep the "gain a draft pick" part; but they'll for sure end the "lose the draft pick" side).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 03:03 PM) Not a bad plan. Really struggled hitting with Seattle, but that isn't unique. He's 29. Have him play CF, move Eaton to RF. He's usually been close to a 3 WAR player. Might be able to sign him for a song. I would guess they are still in on Cespedes and Upton, but a guy like Jackson, while not the sexy move, could turn out to be a good one. Signing a beat up Jermaine Dye didn't excite the fanbase, but he earned his money and then some. Dick, I like your plan.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 11:58 AM) I think Cespedes is a bad fit for the Giants, and a quick look at their message boards/forums has their fans thinking the same thing, they all seem to prefer Fowler (though that obviously doesn't mean anything for the FO). I can see that. Look at their lineup - they have no holes, except for CF. On the other hand, I doubt their anxious to give up a draft choice. Their farm doesn't get much Keith Law love, but certainly churns out some high-end talent.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 11:47 AM) Hope they go for 2 modest OF upgrades, assuming neither YO or JU comes to town. Agree