hogan873

3.72 ERA, 204 innings, 230 Ks. Makes the All Star team.

.284/.301/.397 16 HRs, 25 SBs

I'm not a Cubs fan at all, but Chapman really has no reason (or right) to complain. He just got a World Series ring and landed a huge contract. If he had sustained an injury because of Maddon's "mishandling, that would be one thing, but he didn't. Stop complaining, say thanks to the Cubs for the opportunity, and move on.

The Sox truly hold all the cards here. He's under control long enough that they could choose to hold onto him and build around him. Obviously that would hurt the prospect of rebuilding, however. But there is no way Hahn is going to settle for a package. Some team will most likely step up and pay. If not now, someone at the deadline could be in dire need.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 10:01 AM) Sox fans won't actively root against the ball club, but the losses (and believe me, there will be plenty of them) won't sting as much knowing it leads to a higher draft slot The casual fans won't like the idea of losing. They may understand that the team is rebuilding and expect a losing season, but they won't see the big picture and understand that having one of the first few draft pics could be huge for the future. I would say standby for much hang-wringing and belly-aching over the team losing. Personally I get it, and I've seen the success of the Cubs and how they did it. I will be more than okay with losses provided I see some development of the guys of the future.

Solid mid-season finale of The Walking Dead last night. The entire season so far has been very good, and it looks like the second half is setting up to be action-packed.

It feels a little incomplete to me, but I wouldn't want them to rush into a trade if the asking price isn't met. I could see the Sox holding on to Quintana until the deadline if their asking price isn't met during the off season. I think his value will be the same then, and some teams may even be willing to pay more if they're in a dogfight in their division. I still expect them to make another trade or two and then add some free agents as filler.

Depending on how the rest of the off season goes, the Sox could be a team that will be a force in 2019 and beyond. If everything goes right with the guys they've already acquired, and they pick up some more great talent by trading Q, Robertson, etc., the thought of playing for the Sox could be quite exciting to some FAs. However, I would be shocked if the Sox even have a chance at Harper or Machado. Again if things go right, the holes the Sox might need to fill would be 3B, and outfielder or two, catcher, and some pitching. After Machado, the FA class for third baseman looks meh. The outfielder options are a little better with Blackmon, Martin, Pollock, and Tomas being possibilities. Pitching options look decent. I'm hoping for the best next year with the development of the new guys that could spell the beginnings of playoff contending teams as early as 2019. Maybe the direction of the team grabs the attention of some big name FAs. Let's hope, because the Sox will need some.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 08:21 AM) I mean, he's not going to prevent a playoff run so why not? True. I suppose they see something in him.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 08:18 AM) Yep Covey is an odd pick, then. Realistically any chance he sticks around?

Anyone picked during the MLB portion must be on the team's 25-man roster or he goes back to the original team, correct?

I realize the fire sale isn't over. Quintana could very well be traded, Robertson SHOULD be traded, maybe even Abreau and/or Frazier could go. As it stands now, the Sox are probably in need of an outfielder, a catcher, and a starting pitcher. They may eventually need some infield and relief pitching help. So, what do we see the Sox doing? Signing a few veterans to merely be stopgaps or signing some players that could build some value and be traded at the deadline? I imagine many of the free agents out there would like to play for a contender, but not all of them will be able to. For outfielders, I could see a guy like Coco Crisp, Drew Stubbs, or Jeff Francoeur being a stopgap. There aren't a lot of options at catcher, but on a rebuilding team who cares? Hanigan, Avila, Suzuki, Saltalamacchia, Soto...these guys are possibilities. And as far as starting pitching, we've heard Holland's name. I've also seen someone suggest Fister. What are your thoughts? Who could you see the Sox signing to be part of year one of our rebuild?

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 08:16 PM) No clue who this person is but: https://twitter.com/ShutdownInning/status/806676420177051651 "Hearing Quintana to the Astros is "all but done." Working out a couple of kinks in the last hour. No word on pkg to CWS. #Astros #WhiteSox" The same person also tweeted that the Sox were going to pay all of Quintana's salary. Then they backtracked on that. I have my doubts.

My first reaction was I didn't like it, mainly because of no position player coming back. But once I saw who the pitchers were...wow. That is a good trade.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 02:33 PM) Let's go over this again... "Heyward was signed as a 25 year old." "Eaton will be traded as a 28 year old." Established 25 year olds with plus tools have more value than established 28 year olds with limited tools. Poll 30 MLB GM's and ask them which player has more potential. I think you're going to get a pretty clear cut idea. I'm not sure Eaton has "limited tools". However, I see your argument, and I could agree...to a point. If you factor in the cost and recent performance, Eaton has more value. Heyward is owed $28 million next year. Easton is owed $28 million over the next FOUR years. Who has more potential? Heyward, probably. Who is more valuable? Eaton, especially to a team who might be looking to upgrade their outfield without spending a fortune.

Eaton is a guy I'd like to see stay with the Sox. However, if the rebuild is going to last for several years, I can completely agree with trading him now. He is incredibly valuable due to his play and cheap contract. And as far as the Eaton/Heyward comparison, Eaton is as good as Heyward. He was much better than him in 2016, and I would believe that even after some adjustment on both (Heyward isn't as bad as he was, and Eaton may not be as good as he was), they're probably very close in value. When you factor in the cost, Eaton is much more valuable.

I saw some clips of him pitching. His fastball is insane.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 08:14 AM) Man I really wanted to keep Quintana Depending on the planned length of the rebuild, I'd love to see him stay with the Sox. I think that it he's traded, the Sox are shooting for 2019 at the earliest to be contenders.

I can usually talk baseball with my wife and son, but both are blind to Quintana's value. Although they liked the return on the Sale trade (especially my son who, without my prompting, said it was nice to get the #1 prospect), both said Quintana isn't very good. I tried to explain that Quintana is nearly as valuable as Sale, but both referred to his record. I started to talk about run support, but I got mad and drank a beer instead.

I think KC potentially gets the better deal here. Soler is probably going to end up better than Garcia, so I don't agree with the comparison there. Davis is a one year rental while Soler is controlled through 2020. Both teams will most likely benefit, but KC gets the better long-term benefits.

If 2017 will be a true rebuild year, why not sign Suzuki or Hanigan as a stopgap? Even if the Sox were able to acquire a catching prospect in another trade, my guess is that they would still need a placeholder for 2017.

Step back and watch the other teams throw offer after offer at them.

I like the trade. Somewhat sad to see Sale go, but his antics of late got old. Excited to see what Moncada can do.

These four guys are a great add to a system whose #5 prospect was Charlie Tilson.

Anyone know how Red Sox fans are reacting?