spiderman

Exactly, those guys are mop-up guys (at best) and emergency starters only after you run out of your expected starters. This one shouldn't really be much of a debate to a national writer.

I just don't see the White Sox protecting either Cease or Kopech by starting them in the minors. Is it possible that Kopech isn't ready and they want to build up his innings before putting him into the rotation? I would grant some possibility of the White Sox being cautious with him. Obviously, there's more competition now, and these guys should have to earn their spots, but there isn't any scenario where the White Sox believe that Detwiler should be making starts over a healthy Cease or Kopech. That doesn't make any sense.

There do seem a few solid OF's still out there, but not sure what market they have. Maybe it's something they let play out a bit.

TBD. Either of these guys, there could be an injury, they could creative with the rotation to not overuse Cease. It's good to have options though.

Agreed, I think they clearly wanted one of the more desired starters. Keuchel was more of a Plan B amongst that better group, but they did want to add an additional veteran type for insurance. A lot to sort out with this rotation as the season goes on, but they have enough arms to feel reasonably optimistic about.

I would also be surprised if they did a multi-year deal for a RF/DH type at this point. They have already traded for Mazara (like him or not) and have sort of a rotation of DH's amongst their catchers and Abreu. With Jimenez, Robert and Mazara already in the OF, I'm not sure they are going to spend big at this point, but more likely some veteran on a 1 year deal.

Did they really overpay? I thought the deal was pretty much in line with what I thought he'd get, but actually less years. I just assumed he'd get at least 4 years.

I just have a hard time thinking they are going to trade some of their top prospects for one year of Betts. I can't imagine they would move on him without having a new deal.

Given that Cleveland is trading off it's best players and should regress, KC/Detroit suck that leaves Minnesota and Chicago. Unless injuries or just unexpected under-performance, it's hard to not see them being in contention in this division.

Their top of the line starters - Giolito and Keuchel - need to pitch at that level. With the rest of the staff having youth and some ups/downs, these two need to anchor the staff. To win the division, of course, they need an overall rotation that's pretty solid from #1 to #5, but it all starts with our best being exactly that.

Really hope the White Sox are not trading for him.

I don't understand why any team, unless they are already stacked and pretty much a guaranteed 90 win team already, would trade for him and give up some of their best prospects. If he's not willing to sign a long-term deal, there's no way a team like the White Sox, trying to make a move up the standings now, but still dependent on the young prospects, should trade 2 or 3 of these pieces for 1 year.

Was there really a need to go beyond year to year? He's an older 1B and their typically isn't much of a market for aging hitters. At best, I don't mind guaranteeing the next season IF he performs at an agreed upon performance in the current season. I'm sure we'll hear about his intangibles, and his value to younger players, but this does seem unnecessary.

Still need to read through all of this, but I like this a lot if he's playing mostly at C, with DH still sort of being a flex spot, but likely a rotation with Abreu, Grandal, McCann and Collins (still very early to predict)

As much as I am excited about 2020, it could be another transition year. It boils down primarily to the starting rotation. I am confident that they will address the offense, but as long as the rotation is in question, so will the team's success. Next year, Giolito is likely to be the #1 in the rotation. There isn't a #2 or #3 on the current team. Lopez, Cease, Rodon (at some point), Kopech (probably right away), perhaps a backend starter option for insurance (Nova??) fill it out, but, even with upside, should be your #4 and #5 options until they grow into higher roles. I don't think they will sign Cole, but they will add some veteran to this mix..

They are probably not going to be outbid the high spending teams on an elite free agents. That's what it's tough to imagine them landing an ace in free agency (if there is one available). I can see them landing offensive talent, again not the best on the market, but the next level down. With offense though, it's a bit easier if you have a need at a position, in theory, there is less of a market vs. a starting pitcher where most teams who want to spend.....

If the White Sox are competing against the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Astros, they are not likely to land that player unless they go well beyond the expected offers and just make an offer that the player would not say no too. I don't think it's likely a player will take a similar offer with the White Sox to grow with the young core if other premier franchises are in the running. I could see them looking at trade options just so they can land a key player who can help next season. I don't know if they will land the top of the free agent class, but I do expect that they will be in the market for a RF/DH (maybe both, but doubtful). They will be looking at the bullpen, but I don't understand the logic that had them giving Herrera the deal (2 years, 18 M) he got when his numbers were declining.. Still, I expect to see another veteran added there. I do think they need a #1 or # 2 type starter, but will this come from free agency or trade? Not sure if it's free agency if the teams mentioned are in on Cole.

Yes, once Madden became available, they made the move, but that a very smart move - they saw a clear upgrade and jumped at it. I'm not so sure the White Sox (or other teams would do that especially if a managers value is being diminished).....For the White Sox, they appear to be happy with him (at least, that is my take). Is there somebody out there (or who could be out there) that they would pull a similar move for?

I'd be willing to sign him back on a 1 year deal. Giolito, Lopez and Cease will be part of the rotation (barring injury). Kopech will be in the rotation as well assuming he's ready to roll which he should be. They clearly need to add a veteran at the top of the rotation. At the moment, there is not a clear spot for Nova in the rotation, but they are going to have to give a veteran spot starts to not risk the health. Even assuming health of the top 4 in the rotation next season, Nova can probably get 15 starts, that's basically 3 starts a month.

Were these comments in response to why he likes giving away outs by bunting?

How did the Cubs hire this guy? Yes, he has a reputation for being good with young players, which was probably the overriding factor, but they are also known for favoring numbers/stats. As good as his reputation is with young players (or was when being interviewed with the Cubs), I find it shocking that a guy who seems as indifferent as he does to these number would get the manager job.

Probably better than you think given the young talent they have coming next year still, but not as good as others may be hoping for.

As much as the farm system can complement/supplement holes on a major league roster, I don't think a 70 win team is in as much a position to 'go for it' just yet. I want an ace, but, in all reality, they added highly regarded young prospects to be that. It would be great if they added one #2 type veteran starter to the rotation, but this is really all about 4 starters - Cease, Giolito, Kopech and Lopez developing (or not). Free agency is really the preference. They have $$$ to spend, but outside of a RF and #2 starter, everything comes back to the young talent. Offensively, the OF is soon to be Jimenez, Robert and ????? They don't have a DH either, but I don't care if that's a rotation spot. They could spend on an OF type in RF or a DH.

After the last off-season, when they clearly had a ceiling, I can't blame him. They did offer a ton of money up, but they were limited, ultimately had a ceiling and got outbid by another mid-market type team in SD. What's going to happen if NY, the Cubs or a team in LA decide they have interest in a player the White Sox like?

I'm really hoping they can add 1 front-line starter and maybe 2. It will be interesting to see how much they're willing to dip into their front-line prospects for one of these.