Lillian

Thank you for clarifying the intent of my comment. Of course, non of us has first hand information about these players, but Machado's numerous antics did not portray him in a very favorable light. By contrast, Rendon enjoys the reputation of being a very likeable player, as well as a good teammate. I never warmed up to Machado, as the potential "face of the franchise". I'm a little old fashioned, but I enjoy rooting for players, whom I "like," as people. Even though I don't personally know any of them, I can relate positively to their public personas. A personable young man, such as Eloy, is an easy player to root for. Manny Machado.....not so much. Perhaps a better test, is how one feels about them, when they are struggling. I feel much more empathy for a slumping player, if I like him, than I would for a guy, for whom I really don't care much. I understand that some fans really don't care and consider all of the players merely fungible pieces of the team. I've been a fan for a long time, going back to the mid 50's. Players tended to stay with the same team for much longer, back in the "reserve clause" era, before free agency. I grew up with an emotional attachment to guys like Jim Rivera, Nellie Fox and Louis Aparicio. It's a very subjective thing, but for me, it makes following the Sox more enjoyable. When you have to endure so many losing seasons, it helps when you like the players, as people. I'm the kind of fan, who would say to the prospect of the Bears acquiring Antonio Brown; "I don't care how good he is, I don't want that creep on my team". That's just me.

The fact that Rendon seems more interested in a shorter contract, could be a significant advantage here. We often talk about player opt outs, and how they can actually be advantageous, for management, as well as the player. Offering Rendon 5 years $200 million, is comparable to giving a player a longer contract, with an opt out, after 5 years. Such contracts are usually front end loaded, and $40 Million per year, is a number that would be commensurate with such a contract, for a Super Star. It might actually be better to pay him $200 Million for 5 years, than to give him a bigger and longer deal, with an opt out after 5 years. Such a contract would provide cost certainty and avoid the potential for having to pay for years of declining production. $200 Million seems preferable to the $300 Million given to Machado.

If the Sox can get Rendon, I'll consider it a blessing that Machado went to San Diego. Rendon is a better player and seemingly, a better person.

Of course, but we all know that anything can happen in the post season. I'm more confident is stating that such a roster would top the Division.

Rendon for 5 years, at $200 Million should be more appealing to the Sox, than the 8 year, $250 Million, which they offered Machado. If he would take that, one would hope that the Sox would make the offer. I understand that Moncada already offered to play the OF. Put him in RF, Madrigal at second and sign a left handed bat, such as Moose, or Grandal and the offense would be ready to contend. Then, sign Rendon's teammate, Strasburg and a reliever, to complete the division winning roster.

I would not even consider a trade of Lopez for Mazara.

Do you guys think that Mitch played well enough to buy some more time for his tenure as the Bears' QB? There aren't really any other options, so barring a trade, it would have to be Daniel. However, it seems that given the short leash that Trubisky likely has, I'm hoping that he shows enough to give us some hope that he could still be the guy, going forward.

Why put the only 2 LH hitters, back to back? Why not switch Grandal and Eloy, in order to space them a little bit apart? You might even move another RH hitter after Eloy, before inserting Grandal. That OF defense troubles me, with both corners filled with weak defenders. Robert has the speed to patrol a lot of ground, but having to cover for both corners is a challenge.

That list is fine, but I'd replace Calhoun with a reliever. With the addition of Grandal and Moustakas, they could get by with almost anyone in RF, who could at least provide solid defence. As I stated in another thread, they don't need a good hitter at every spot in the lineup. I'd be ok with Leury, or even Engel, in RF, batting 9TH.

However they arrange the order, it would look very good, providing Robert and Madrigal hit the ground running. It was that uncertainty that prompted me to drop Robert further down in the order, as a rookie. Once he is established and, if he is as good as we hope, he'll obviously bat much higher in the order.

There are 4 serious problems with Mazara; 1) He is terrible against LH pitching, and would therefore have to be platooned. 2) He is not a good defensive right fielder 3) Obtaining him would require giving up a prospect. If it weren't anyone significant, that might be acceptable. 4) Ideally, the Sox should have a legitimate middle of the order LH bat and Mazara would better fit in the bottom 1/3 of the order, of the Sox lineup. Guys such as Moose, or Grandal would qualify, but not Mazara. Unfortunately, neither of those two are right fielders. Now, if they want to put Moustakas at 3RD and move Moncada to RF, or at first and find another right fielder, that would be doable. We all know that Grandal could also fill several roles, on this roster. The right field hole could be filled with a lesser player, provided the Sox find their middle of the order, LH bat, somewhere else. They don't need a good hitter at every single spot in the order. For example, if they had both Grandal and Moustakas, the lineup could look like this, versus RH pitching, by the All Star break: 2B Madrigal SS T. A. 3B Moncada (Switch Hitter) LF Eloy 1B Moustakas LH DH Abreu C Grandal (Switch Hitter) CF Robert RF ????? Leury, Engel A lineup construction, such as that, can easily hide a weak bat at #9. The key to that offense being really good would depend more upon how good Robert and Madrigal are, which is yet undetermined. In 2021, when Vaughn arrives, they could decide whether, or not, to resign McCann and what to do with Collins, although he wouldn't get much of an opportunity to demonstrate his progress, with that roster. If Vaughn were the real deal, they could let Vaughn play first, Grandal catch and Moustakas becomes the DH. That could mark the end of the Abreu era. He is almost 2 years older than Moose, who offers more flexibility, given his ability to play 3RD, 2ND and first. At any rate, having that depth is always advantages, and they could also trade Moose, depending upon his contract. Moreover, by then, one of the OF prospects might emerge as a realistic candidate for RF. We can hope.

This is a very valid argument. All one has to do is look at the untenable position, in which some of the big spending teams have placed themselves, to appreciate this perspective. We just spent several pages, discussing how desperate Boston is to shed huge contracts, owed to older and injured players. They aren't the only ones. The contracts for players such as Pujols, Cano and Miggy should serve as warning signs to Hahn. Perhaps just exercising a little more patience, to see how things progress this season, will better determine what this team will need for their real window of contention, in 2021. It's quite conceivable that Madrigal, Robert and Vaughn will fill 3 holes, and that one of the several OF prospects will fill the hole in RF. The starting staff may have enough depth with Gio, Kopech, Cease, Lopez, Dunning, even without the soon to become Free agent, Rodon. It's not easy to have the patience, but in this case, it may be a real virtue. It wouldn't be unreasonable to just fill a couple of holes, with shorter term contracts, and maintain the financial flexibility.

Don't you guys think that all of these WAR valuations might be somewhat mitigated by Boston's desperation to shed salary? How much money do you suppose they would have to include, if a team offered to simply take Price and his contract, off their hands? I'm not suggesting that would be a wise thing for Hahn to do, but rather, i'm merely trying to assess the degree of desperation that Boston's GM might be feeling.

I haven't finished reading all of the posts, in this thread, but I would not give up Bummer and Steeper, in that deal. That's a lot of payroll to take on, while giving up a young, cost controlled potential closer.

There is a line of reasoning out there, which suggests that the White Sox might be able to acquire him, for virtually nothing, if they would take on one of Boston's albatross contracts i.e.; David Price. That contract ($32 Million per year, for 3 years) represents a lot of money, but if Price can return to something close to his performance level, of recent years, it might be worth considering. He's getting pretty old, but if healthy, would still be a decent addition to the rotation. What is the expectation for Price, for 2020? Boston might include a little cash, to help pay for that contract, if they're really desperate for some salary relief. The other intriguing possibility is to somehow include Benintendi, in a deal. All just food for thought.

There is some speculation that the two Sox could make a deal, based upon their financial circumstances. The Palehose have plenty of payroll flexibility and the ROX have serious payroll constraints. Some of the potential deals have already been discussed here, but it would be nice to have a thread exclusively dedicated to this topic. What are your thoughts? This article is a good starting place: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/white-sox/jd-martinez-mookie-betts-andrew-benintendi-could-white-sox-seek-big-splash-trade-red-sox-mlb-trade-rumors-free-agency-hot-stove-offseason This podcast discusses the topic: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/podcast

Precisely what I thought. Playing in Guaranteed Rate Park, I would expect more homers and fewer doubles, which would be fine. His home run production spiked, when he was traded to the Cubs, although he also continued to hit doubles.

I don't understand. I thought that Comerica Park's spacious outfield, would be ideal for gap hitters. While it's not conducive to homers, it's fine for doubles.

I was thinking that I'd rather flip Abreu and Eloy. Putting the 2 LH hitters; Moncada and Grandal together, is not the optimum lineup.

Works for me. Sold!!!!

Castellanos is fine, as an overall hitter, but he has only been average vs. RH pitching, until last year. If they sign him, they still will need to find a LH bat. If he can really hold his own, in RF, then I'd like Grandal as the LH bat, at first base and DH, rotating with Abreu and splitting the catching with McCann, which has often been suggested here. Then go get some pitching.

No legitimate right fielder, no LH bat and no real stud starter. If that's the off season, pretty pathetic.

If he is really that good, I'm all onboard. I haven't really seen him pitch, and my judgement was influenced by the stats. Do you honestly think that he has a realistic chance of being a #1 or 2?

Do you remember any more details, regarding his rationale and how the other analysts reacted?

Do you have a link?