Saufley

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:54 AM) #whitesox free agent spending last offseason: $132 million. FA spending this offseason: $6.5 million, and still holding. https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/689111875548778497 Still same payroll as last year and supposedly had money to offer big contracts to either shark or tanaka. So where's that money at I keep saying, as many of you have also, that I was excited after the acquisitions of both Lawrie and Frazier. We have both of them for two years assuming the Sox don't ink them to extensions. We need that one more big bat and I will be disappointed if it doesn't happen. JR, if you don't want to put a winning team on the field just move on!!!

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 09:17 PM) That must be holdover from the Tanaka/Samardzija idea that the money was available (seemingly) for the right player...as Tanaka was in the $125+ range and Shark $90-100. In retrospect, it does seem a bit dubious to say they could have signed Shark last year for that amount but suddenly it's not there for a critical position player upgrade at possibly the same price. Oh Caulfield12, and I was just getting off the Cespedes bus and you had to bring this point into consideration.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 08:19 PM) I think some are under the impression the Sox are in on Cespedes more than they are at this point... raBBit has said a few times that the Sox have taken a big step back on him & are focused on other options. Supposedly they are in talks with Fowler right now & I don't think that's just pressure for Cespedes, I think they've all but moved on. Yea, I agree. Time to move on and make some moves to make this team stronger for 2016!

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 07:03 PM) Signs this week. Signing will be large. If he signs for large I assume you would agree not with us?

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 17, 2016 -> 08:47 AM) well all those comments can stem from the org history of not finishing the job or going all the way.... i also think, and this is my opinion, the fans are feed up with, the problem is as a die hard fan, there is no alternative to white sox baseball. so we have to deal with what is given. LDF, I believe many of us have that same opinion!

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 10:43 PM) In my opinion, Cespedes is a very low risk move for the Sox. Yes, it's a lot of money to commit to one player, but that's all he'd require. Sacrificing a draft pick/minor leaguers wouldn't be necessary to get him, and it's important for the Sox to build up their farm system. Furthermore, I believe that this is the Sox time to compete if they intend on doing so. It isn't every day that a team has multiple stars like Sale, Quintana, Abreu, Eaton, Rodon, and potentially Anderson and Fulmer all on EXTREMELY team friendly contacts for the next 4-5 years. As it stands now, the Sox have a solid team, but not a playoff worthy one in my opinion. Cespedes would change that. Like I said, it's an awful lot of money to give to one player, but I believe that Cespedes is worth it. It isn't a coincidence that just about every team Cespedes is on has been competitive for the most part and they fall apart once he leaves (i.e., the A's and Tigers). Cespedes is a game changer no matter how you put it and he would completely change the lineup and team that the Sox have as a whole. The argument could be made that the Sox would be in trouble if he busts, but if he does, so what? The Sox would be in a great position to have a major selloff in 2018 or 2019 if they aren't competitive anyway, and Cespedes could just be added to the trade list. If necessary, trading Sale, Quintana, Rodon, Abreu, Cespedes, etc could rebuild the farm system and rejuvenate the franchise in a blink of an eye. In other words, while the possibility exists that the could bust if they sign Cespedes (well, they could bust without him too), I 100% believe that it is worth whatever the Sox would have to pay him to bring him on board. The division is wide open and the Sox would have as good of a chance as anyone if they can land Cespedes. Detroit is a wreck and have no farm system, Kansas City has just about a 2 year window left before their stars go elsewhere, Cleveland is decent but who knows how they'll be in the future, and Minnesota has good young prospects but not enough pitching to do anything significant. This is the Sox chance to become relevant in Chicago again and I think they'd be foolish to pass up that chance just because of money. I like your post. I have said it before and will say it again. After acquiring Lawrie and Frazier, for the next two years, the future is now!

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 04:36 PM) Who cares about the Cubs, let's add Cespedes so our team is a legit playoff contender. Add Cespedes and we have just as good of a shot as any team in the division to win the Central. I don't care about the northside team! I hate the northside team!

QUOTE (soxfan85 @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 04:08 PM) Just sign the guy already and let's look forward to a playoff run. The White Sox couldn't have a better opportunity than now. Oh how I was wishing for the Sox to rain on that dog and pony show going on with the northside by signing Cespedes today. Back to reality.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 09:53 AM) Imagine the meltdown if Cespedes signs elsewhere and the Sox do not sign anyone. The torches will light up the Chicago skyline. The comments will be funny to read so there's that. Torches will only light up the Chicago skyline on the southside of the city.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 09:45 PM) If they get Fowler, it will be one of the biggest deals in club history. Fowler is not quite the "big bat" I was hoping that RH was going to sign! Biggest club deal or not!!

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 09:16 PM) Last thing you want is money tied up in Cespedes in three years when there are so many good players available via free agency I may be different from some of you out there but, in my Grandfather years I would like to see a strong team now! I don't want to wait three years!!

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 09:11 PM) I still worry about long term payroll flexibility. The 5th year would just hamper the team too much to maintain longterm competiveness with sale and company hittng FA at that time. I would rather spend the money on homegrown pitching. I would hope the Sox FO would be planning for a strong 2016 & 2017. As I have said before, the future is now. Let RH get creative in four years!

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 08:50 PM) Can they put Fowler in the middle of the lineup and expect 100 RBI's from him ? If the answer to that is no then the drop off from Cespedes to him is huge not only in run production but probably in season tickets, attendance and hopes to be in contention . and I thought after the Frazier acquisition the Sox FO was serious for another big bat. My bad.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 08:19 PM) They supposedly had it for Shark, something like $90-100 million. They bid at least $120-125 million on Tanaka. Technically, Upton fits the mold of being closer to his prime age-wise than Cespedes, but it's a clear case of need and fit coming together if ever there was... That's not overpaying him at the originally expected 6 years and $150 million, it's the 4-5 years (depending on opt-outs/buy-outs/options) and $75-105 million range where the benefits start to outweigh the costs. Basically, the same contract demands of Alex Gordon originally, but for a player who was 100% healthy last year and put up MVP numbers. Haven't we seen on this board about JR saying the money would be there for the right player? Is Fowler that right player???

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 01:40 PM) Some of Merkin's twitter replies make it seem like White Sox really don't want to give up comp pick. Just as the line in that all time great movie Dumb and Dumber, does Merkin's twit mean there's still a chance.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 10:30 AM) Some rumors that Cespedes might be close to going back to the Mets http://www.nysportsday.com/2016/01/13/excl...-with-the-mets/ Maybe he and Jose aren't that close of friends after all.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 06:51 PM) http://www.purplerow.com/2016/1/13/1076375...l-not-be-traded That should end this thread.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 04:14 PM) This seems like a really good hire and I'm looking forward to the games. He sounds like a pro and he is a Sox fan. Since I grew up on "Holy Cow" and "You Can Put it on the Board YES!!", I am kind of hoping he comes up with a catchy home run call. He sounds great and he is one of us. I love Hawk. I feel like I have been watching games with him. Mr. Benetti has big shoes to fill. Too bad there couldn't be a 3 man booth somehow or just move Hawk to color. It will seem weird having Jason only do half of the games. I want Farmer moved to color. Farmer is awesome, but I have one big criticism of his play by play style. If I am working in the garage or driving down the highway distracted, sometimes I miss calls. His voice doesn't change enough when something actually happens. I want an increase in volume or inflection in his voice that can get my attention. His big calls are fine LIGHT EM UP!, but sometimes I will find out that there are runners on 1st and 3rd and have no idea how they got there. I wonder how DJ would do as play by play. Congratulations Mr. Benetti. We need a nickname for him. Hawk can come up with something if Soxtalk doesn't. With Farmer and DJ I have a problem following the play of the game. They wander and ramble on so much with stories that sometimes I don't know what is happening in the game. Sorry guys, you need to go IMO.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 02:09 PM) Braves, Mets, Tigers, etc all having interest just shows me that there is a ton of interest for him but no one willing to meet his demands... Yet. It's only a matter of time before one of these teams (all with different set prices) finally reach a "selling point" & pull the trigger. I simply can't see that being the Sox at this point. Not to mention, they are at $120M after arb projections. Not sure I can see them pushing to $140M+ in 2016. You are probably right. Thanks for bringing me back to my senses.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 10:58 AM) From some light reading it seems a lot of Mets fans doubt they would go longer than 2 years. So Rotoworld is now reporting that the Braves have some interest. Mets still not wanting to go over 2-3 years. When are the Sox going to swoop in and sign Cespedes to the 4 year deal. I thought the Braves were rebuilding and why would they have interest?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 12:53 PM) Here ya go. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playe...32/carlos-gomez "Gomez is participating in a conditioning plan that is adjusted to consider his left intercostal strain that bothered him at the end of the year. No surgery was necessary following the injury and it appears Gomez is very close to being fully healthy. Barring further injury, Gomez will be the starting center fielder for Houston to begin 2016." Thanks!

QUOTE (Dunt @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 12:40 PM) Would also be okay with Gomez depending on price, always enjoyed his game and unlike many of the options discussed thus far, he still plays stellar defense in addition to being a force offensively Only played 115 games in 2015. Anyone know what his injury was? Had nice years in 2013 & 2014.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 11:30 AM) Hate the Cubs all you want but Kasper is solid. Now time to get a new radio pbp voice. Oh yea, with all the talk about the new TV guy I forgot about how bad the radio side is! Have Farmer and DJ been resigned or is a decision on the radio guys still in the works?

QUOTE (Rooftop Shots @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 08:54 AM) Thanks for the link. like it. If he sounds like that in the atmosphere of minor league ball, I imagine he;ll get even more jacked up and sound even better yet announcing for a home pro team on the big stage and in clutch situations. Plus his voice does not sound whiny either. Sounds real solid. Good stuff. Will see how things go when the season progresses, but as of now........Answered quite a few questions that I posted about earlier, and looks like he could be pretty solid. Apparently this guys does his homework and research as well. Thanks again Can't wait until I hear that first call of a Cespedes HR!