GreenSox

I would say that 2/QO would be closer to a market deal.

Congrats to Yolmer. Man if he could only hit a little....750 OPS isn't asking for that much.

He was demoted to AAA for 2/3+ of the season; he had a .750 OPS until the last 5 games of the season. Nope - no top dollar for 5 games. He also has extreme splits; teams can work with that, but I'm not sure that this team is that deft. I suggested Fry for Happ this time last year; maybe Bummer for Happ this time, but I'm not sure I'd do it.

I've never been a Moustakas guy because of his low OBP for this organization that has long been OBP deficient. Still he does have a good bit of versatility

Sign players as 1 year placeholders if need be. Trading for them is 2014-16 all over again: sheer madness.

I like the Wheeler idea. It gives us the opportunity to be first to the market and wrap him up, while others are after Cole and Strasburg. And yes they are better but if we couldn't beat the Padres and Phillies, doubtful that we outbid the Cole/Strasburg suitors.

The Astros' other key was the ability to constantly regenerate talent out of the farm system. Sox haven't come close to showing they have those skills.

Low OBP ballplayer, who plays into their weaknesses - not surprised the Sox are interested, but 7/$160 is ridiculous.

Also thumbs up to signing Wheeler (should be a priority - he's realistic) and Grandal (in which case I would see what teams would offer for McCann). Smith is really good too; but I think I'd leave Colome as closer and use Smith and his stuff to get out of jams.

Sure he'll spend. He spent $40 million last year....on Colome (Yea), Herrera, Nova, Jay, and Alonso. On other topics: JBJ. Full Season WAR: 1.4; Adam Engel 1/2 season WAR: .8 37 year old Cano and his .736 OPS, with a 4 year commitment? (not to mention what the Sox will have to send to reduce that $96 million payroll liability). What? The Sox have scant little pitching. Stiever needs to be treated like the top prospect he is; not some trade fodder for average players.

Bad trades have been a major issue...so bad that after the trades we found out that the talent identification wasn't so bad (development may be another story, but that takes time anyway). I didn't think the Cole trade was that bad. Was Cole going to take himself up 2 levels with the Pirates like he did with the Astros? He only had 2 years left on his deal. Joe Musgrove is a solid pitcher (Pirates will probably peddle him this offseason; a situation in which Hahn might take a bite). Trading for Archer was atrocious - on the level of Hahn trading for Samardzija and Shields. All were indefensible even if the players given up hadn't turned out to be stars.

I readily accept that the Sox won't spend Yankee/Dodger money. What I find find so frustrating is that they refuse to put themselves in the best position possible, or even in a reasonable position, given those constraints.

I said that this makes Hahn's work more indefensible than it already is. Avoid blaming Hahn? Good lord, I've been beating on his incompetence and laziness incessantly since they day he took the job.

If this is true, then it makes Hahn's performance as GM even more indefensible. He should have been all over analytics from the start and never part with young players with potential for 2 years of veteran salve. He should be all over the July trade deadline. He should have surrounded himself with talent evaluators and prioritized development. Instead, he just joined the JR friends and family party.

Mercedes needs to be protected. This guy raked across 2 levels, including in dreaded Birmingham. There' no reason not to to see what you have, especially with all of the players that have done nothing (like Madeiros) as the alternatives.

From what I've read, Fulmer has a top notch spin rate. The Sox haven't been able to do a thing with it. But a team that actually uses analytics would probably love to get their hands on him. There really several other pitchers who should be out the door before him.

That's good to know. Mercedes also had an excellent year across 2 levels, including Birmingham where he ranked while others wilted.

Steverson came from outside the organization; that's the one "mistake" that they'll probably make sure that they don't make twice. On a macro level, the White Sox hitting was wanting. But some individual players improved. Adam Engel improved a lot. I'm just not sure how much they can really expect out of Yolmer, Leury, et al, regardless of coach.

Top $ for a career year. Pass. Hard. Sox have no business trading any pitching anyway.

I agree he has - wish they'd have played him more. Another player who has earned a return engagement albeit stealthily: Engel. It may be just luck or whatever, but his offensive numbers have seriously improved this season. .9 WAR in 1/2 a season of work. Want to keep improving players. Yolmer and Leury can go. They spent $30 mil last year on Nova, Alonso, Herrera and Jay. They could spend $70 million this year and get 3 starters and 2 good hitters and thus be respectable across the diamond with several positions a lot better than respectable.

We have one. Trading scarce prospects for these pitchers is how you clown it up like 2014-16. You end up with a team with no depth and everything has to go right and you have a 2 year window and then need to rebuild again.

For a hard-used, injured pitcher who just hit 30 and has a gargantuan contract? And trade 2 pitchers (including their best low-minors pitching prospect) when they are woefully short of pitchers. No thanks.

I'm sure there are. These are the fans that think once he gets into the Sox happy clubhouse, that he'll sign an extension for below market. These are the fans that believe that the Sox were legitimate contenders in June 2016; and that a 10 game winning streak was right around the corner.

If these 3 aren't on the 40 man, the FO needs their heads examined.