GreenSox

QUOTE (oldsox @ Feb 7, 2014 -> 06:04 PM) I hope he signs with either KC, Minny, Cleveland, or Detroit.

We do need more pitching. We can sign one of these guys, spend a lot of money and use a big % of the budget, give away a draft choice, and we'll still need more pitching.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 6, 2014 -> 04:08 PM) Kenny knew the Cards weren't going to trade Rasmus without getting EJax in the deal, so he held up the Jays with the demand of taking on Teahen's contract, and it worked. In that deal everyone won: Jays got the player they wanted without having to give up top pieces from the farm, Kenny dumped Teahen and picked up a quality (back then) prospect in Stewart plus Frasor who turned into Jaye & Webb, and the Cards of course won the World Series. Rarely do 3-ways benefit all 3 parties, but that one did. He "held up"....meaning what; we were going to trade E Jax for a declining prospect and a middle reliever we didn't need, if not for holding out for something of at least some semblance of value? That trade would have been an utter giveaway, if not for throwing in Teahen's salary. We should have traded for Rasmus ourselves, truth be told. We didn't have a decent CF. Stewart was already well into decline when we picked him up. We recouped well dumping Frasor for 2 prospects who look interesting. (one does, anyway). Hope we can dump more guys this summer for interesting prospects.

Gillaspie isn't a proven stiff yet, so no use selling low. If he has a good year, we'll have more currency. If not, then that will be that. Things are looking good for the new team so far, except at C and probably SP where we are thin (I hope we put some young guys in the pen, and they develop and can start in a year or 2). Not bad for 1 year into rebuilding. No use using assets for mediocre players at this point. Lobaton hit .249 with 7 homers. That sucks. Yes, not as much as Flowers, but it still sucks. You can't give talent for that. I will also note that the Nats are considering this guy...more reason why I believe Nieto will be on the ML roster, as making a trade will be difficult.

Asking prices are still high because they include a first round choice (2nd for us) and always will. Those choices are high currency. We do need probably 2 starters, but we aren't ready yet.

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 09:37 AM) Just read on rotoworld that Ervin Santanta's asking price has dropped "significantly", maybe even to 3 years. At worst he's a trade chip that could be very valuable, especially in year 2's trade deadline. My top offer if I'm RH to him probably still isn't enough, but maybe at this point it could get it done. I don't offer him any more guaranteed than 3/33, but at $11/year, or 10/11/12, at worst he's a bloated contract #3 guy who some team with lots of added TV revenue will look to add at any time of need. Arroyo is not an idea pitcher for the Sox and the Cell but a very ideal pitcher for what we need. A RH innings eater. He may even go to 2 years, but is most likely looking for 3 to get a deal done. He is older but durable. I wouldn't go more than 3/24, but at that price I would bite, again for a most likely solid trade chip this year or next with a stable RH option in the rotation. Thoughts and max offers you would give? We aren't in a position to give up draft choices for an inconsistent pitcher. Arroyo is a mediocre innings eater..don't need that. The Sox need to get into a position to compete for many years. Stockpile prospects and draft choices...don't give up draft choices or trade away every ready prospect who we have to keep in AAA to plug some hole with a mediocre/declining veteran.

The author said our farm system made no progress. That's a good display of ignorance.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 09:13 PM) Rumor out there that Rays are discussing a trade with the Nationals about Jose Lobaton. Sox were rumored to go and get him. Just figured I'd bump this and see what you guys think what will be the next move for Hahn. Not for a good prospect. For De Aza or someone like that I guess he'd be okay.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 31, 2014 -> 10:37 PM) Colby Rasmus is going to have a lot of suitors next offseason and they'll be the biggest spenders. The Sox aren't going to win the bidding for him. As far as signing a pitcher goes, I think that rotation is a problem that needs to be addressed. A mid-rotation contract for Jimenez or Santana would be a wise investment at this point given their future payroll comittments. Blue Jays gave stupid big contracts to Wells and Rios, so why not another stupid contract for Rasmus.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 30, 2014 -> 06:30 PM) Leury Garcia's mostly being blocked by Alexei Ramirez and possibly Beckham. He needs to be playing everyday in Chicago or Charlotte if he's EVER going to amount to a credible enough offensive force to play everyday, most likely Charlotte...which is probably why they're holding onto Ramirez and Beckham for another 3-4 months, to make sure L.Garcia/Semien/C.Sanchez have developed enough to be exposed to everyday play the big leagues. You could even make the same argument with Davidson, that they could hold him back 1-2-3-4 months and perhaps get something out of Keppinger/Gillaspie. That may also be while the claimed Elmore. Given the current structure of 2 DHs on the roster and likely 2 3b, they'll need a bench player who can play middle infield and OF. If they want to give L Garcia legitimate work at the plate in AAA, which I Hope they do, Elmore comes in as super sub.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 30, 2014 -> 02:19 PM) Leury/Elmore/Danks/? That goes to the "not worth a s***" part. Why would anyone waste time caring if Leury Garcia was on a major league roster? So we can win 79 games instead of 78 this year? Garcia is 21 years old, and a plus defender, plus runner, and can play multiple positions. He's hardly a "not worth a ...." player. Actually, keeping Dunn increases the likelihood that L Garcia sticks as we'll need defensive flexibility on the bench. But a year in AAA for L Garcia would be fine as well.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 30, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) You should have heard the guys I talked with in Kanny talk about Rondon. A scout, the team manager, their PR/radio guy and a coach all said things about his defense that were amazing. Tommy Thompson, the manager for Kanny last year (moves up to WS this year) said he had never seen a better defender in his time coaching and managing in the minors ever. I myself only saw one significant play, but he made a play most 2B's can't even attempt look like he could have done it in his sleep. Thanks for the insight. Sounds like Iglesias, except that .200 in A ball might translate to .100 in the majors if he can't develop the bat. Now if they do work out a trade for Nieto, they'll still have to keep him on the 40 man after the season so that he doesn't get Rule fived from them, right?

Law completely blew it on Sale...there's no debating that. He says Cooper taught him the slider after drafted...whatever. But everyone who evaluates makes some real howlers. Law is dogmatic, which makes him obnoxious; BP is dogmatic (although not nearly as bad as they used to be; Kevin Goldstein changed that to a large extent when he was on staff).

Butch Wynegar was an all star catcher right out of the box. Nieto has a much lower bar to stick, and I bet he does. * Phegley back to AAA. I'm bullish, or maybe just hopeful, on Mitchell. He was also very raw for a college player when we drafted him. Longer development time doesn't surprise me. Also interested in that SS we got in the Peavy trade. *Reasons: 1)It's not a huge stretch to think he'll hit as well as Flowers or Phegley 2)The Sox are system-thin at catcher and he has the most potential as best I can tell. 3)Nats front office is notoriously difficult to deal with, making a trade problematic and likely unequal.

If Maddox can wear no hat....

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 29, 2014 -> 01:37 PM) For what we would have to give to get Price, it makes zero sense for the Sox. It doesn't make sense for most teams. Price has only 2 years left. Rays are contenders. They need a haul to part with him but no non-contender is going to give anywhere near a haul for 2 years. There's just a big gap between what he's worth to the RAys and what he's worth to most teams.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 29, 2014 -> 01:14 PM) But oddly that was not the reason Law undervalued him. He thought he couldn't start because hehad an average breaking ball and wouldn't be able to repeat his delivery. Exactly. He completely missed on Sale's ability, beyond his fear of injury. But none of these prospect guru guys are close to perfect. Law is interesting to read.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 01:15 PM) I could go both ways on that. (Prefacing this: It's obviously still early and many things can and will change.) Unfortunately at this point in time, there is a clear top two tier of Rodon/Hoffman, then a drop off in talent level. There is no clear cut number 3 pick. You could make a feasible argument for MANY players at 3 right now. Kolek, Jackson, Turner, Gatewood, Gettys, Beede, Touissant, Holmes etc. If there is little distinction in who the Sox think the BPA is amongst the players available at 3, grab the cheaper guy and spread the savings on the premium tougher signs later. It helps stock the farm and creates depth for the apparent goal of having a more self sustained organization. The Royals did it last year by grabbing Hunter Dozier at 8, which enabled them the money to sign Sean Manaea later. The Astros did it in 2012, taking Carlos Correa 1st, allowing them to sign McCullers & Rio Ruiz with the savings. It's an interesting option, but if for whatever reason the Marlins don't take Hoffman the Sox better pounce on that. That's just giving away the number 3 pick, if you drop too low. Correa was a top 3 consensus pick....#3 on most boards, but top 3. And the #1 guy didn't get picked til #8 because everyone knew he wouldn't sign...and he didn't. So, yea, if the Sox are going to drop to #5 and do that, it's fine. But if they get a #10 talent, that's just giving away the #3 pick.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 21, 2013 -> 12:35 PM) First order of business in the next CBA should be the trading of draft picks. Only if for other draft picks.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jan 29, 2014 -> 10:43 AM) Isn't it possible that De Aza opens the season as the starting CF? The Sox could get Eaton warmed up in Charlotte while showcasing De Aza for a trade in June. It keeps Eaton's service time down and allows the Sox to market their assets in the outfield. Plus you get your young core of Semien, Eaton, Davidson, and Sanchez playing together everyday. If the Sox wanted to do that, they'd have traded for a CF prospect instead of a ML ready CF.

These players like Keppinger are going to have to be dressed up before they can trade them. If we're going to give him away for organizational minor leaguers, just DFA him and be done with it. So we put DAvidson in AAA and not rush every decent young player for a change. It will also give Gillaspie another year to see what he has going for him. We'll move De Aza, when teams get desperate, likely in July. Until then, have a good OF bench for a change - nice change from DeWayne Wise. If Dunn has good first half, he should be a relatiely easy flip in July, as he has an expiring contract. Keppinger will be more difficult, as we're on the hook for another year with him.

1. Eaton 2. De Aza* 3. A. Garcia 4. Abreu 5. Alexei* 6. Beckham 7. Dunn 8. Gillaspie 9. Nieto If Vic plays, he hits 5th and Alexei 2nd

Utter insanity to pay big money and a draft pick for inconsistent pitchers like Santana or Jiminez. We've made good progress. Keep doing it.

Just have to grow your own, as long as teams lose a high draft choice for signing one of these guys.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Jan 23, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) Garza went for less than expected so the timing makes a ton of sense to grab a guy like Santana right now. We would have to give up a comp pick (2nd round), but either A) you keep him and he makes a reasonable $14M-$15M per year. B) You flip him next year and get back a ton more than the 2nd round pick or C) he flops and Jerry can only go to the Bahamas twice this year . But seriously, with a seemingly down market and SP always held at a premium at the trade deadline I think it makes a ton of sense. Of course I'm realistic and realize there is a very slim chance of this actually happening. Both of the top guys are inconsistent as heck, and have a draft choice attached. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone signing them. And we're trying to get a farm system up to merely average levels, so no way do we give up a draft choice.