Saufley

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 01:39 PM) Well said. However, if the Sox can't get Cespedes or Upton, I will be very disappointed. Yes. That's the point of the next big bat is needed for 2016!

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 01:48 PM) As long as Abreu doesn't bat second anymore, I'm good Who's idea was it to bat him second? RV?

QUOTE (Sockin @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 01:17 PM) You don't trade for an All Star third baseman to be a stopgap. Yes!! The next big bat is needed for 2016.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 10:44 AM) Sox have no ammo left for another big trade. They got nothing left in the minors close to ML ready and the high upside guys left down there are guys the Sox want to keep. They would create another hole trading from the 25 man roster. They have to keep Anderson because he is the heir apparent at SS. Have to keep Fulmer because Danks probably goes bye -bye after this year. Have to keep Quintana unless they get the " small army" they've been looking for and there's no depth with Montas gone. I thought creative with a trade BUT yes, you're probably right.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 10:34 AM) You waste another year of all the team friendly stars. I'm not freaking out yet and individually I like all the moves we've made but playing the middle this year would be rather annoying. Agree. With the acquisitions of Frazier and Lawrie the Sox have to get that big bat via FA signing or via trade IMO. If not, why Frazier and Lawrie for two years? As said previously, maybe RH will get creative. I hope so!

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 10:20 AM) I think whoever ends up with Cespedes might end up with the most productive player out of any of the big three and you can include Heywards in that. I think Cespedes just started to figure it out last season with the Mets. Add that to playing with a fellow countrymen and friend in Abreu and hitting in your 1st hitter friendly field in his career. I think your getting a guy at the cusp of stardom and just starting his prime along with Abreu and Frazier. I also think he becomes a better OF defensively by calling the Cell home. He had a lot of OF grass to cover in most of the fields he played in with the first few teams. And then had to deal with the Green Monster. I just really hope we get him. It would just shock me if we did. I still can't quite grasp the thought we will spend that much money or can I see us landing a huge FA. I just get that feeling it'll fall through and we'll have to watch him rake and ask what could have been... Exactly my sentiments and feelings!

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 12:40 AM) FWIW this Royal Clubhouse guy says the Gordon contract will be no where near $80 million... I think that would only help us but who knows. As o said earlier I'm starting to significantly doubt we end up with any of the three. I just think we are waiting too long for the market to come to us instead of setting the market by getting creative and aggressive with one of the three. We shall see in the next week or two. Or maybe starting tomorrow if KC clubhouse is right and KC signs Gordon tomorrow. I was thinking the same thing this morning. I just have that bad feeling that bad news is coming. I sure hope I am wrong, also,

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 4, 2016 -> 09:51 PM) Updates from Rabbit: Yup. Not sure they get their "first choice" but they're happy w/ the way "their" market has developed to this point. @georgyjj09 @HHS1DPU teams are leaving the players out to dry because there are no aggressors forcing their hand. Market will move in tim @georgyjj09 @HHS1DPU basically supply and demand but when once an OF signs teams will start to show their hands. Until then, they wait eorgyjj09 @HHS1DPU I've heard they've moved hardest after Gordon. That's all things considered: $, compensation, fit, years, profile, etc. 7:40 PM - 4 Jan 2016 @HHS1DPU he's trying to get the best deal for himself. KC has been active with other outfielders though. Thanks!!

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jan 4, 2016 -> 06:44 PM) If LaRoche isn't comeback player of the year - then his season was a failure. One can hope.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 3, 2016 -> 10:35 PM) It's been so boring I decided to make a thread about it, so shoot me. And Sox fans think they have it bad with LaRoche. Yep, things could be worse. Thankfully the Sox only have one horrible contract for one more year.. http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/16041...n-braves-future "Though Swisher and Bourn are positioned to serve as backup options for the projected starting outfielders (Olivera, Inciarte and Markakis), the Braves are trying to trade at least one of them with the understanding the team would have to eat a significant portion of the salary." It sure would be nice to see LaRoche have a good spring training and follow that up throughout the year. What a plus that would be for our 2016 season. One can hope.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 3, 2016 -> 09:18 PM) Definitely think things will be picked up this week. RaBBit, Are you hearing anything???

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 3, 2016 -> 11:28 AM) I doubt it too. That was a sarcastic post, if you read the post above it Sarcastic or not I believe we all wish, as do you, that it would happen today.

QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Jan 3, 2016 -> 08:13 AM) You can always tell a fake Heyman account from its use of capital letters. Fake Heyman account. Huh??

QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Jan 3, 2016 -> 07:29 AM) heyman from cbs on open market, should attract suitors but nothing close yet My source tells me the Sox are interested but only on a three year deal.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 2, 2016 -> 11:00 AM) http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/jon-heyman...cbs-sports.html I wonder if this will affect anything for the possible free agency info. Don't worry the pipeline to Bruce Levine will still be open.

QUOTE (soxfan85 @ Jan 2, 2016 -> 10:09 AM) I am trying to be as optimistic as I can This whole process is not over yet. However, I just get fed up with their whole "Holier than thou" attitude. They act like they are kings of the baseball world with this type of attitude, and that they can get anybody they want on their terms. However, what have we proven? We hardly ever win anything, and the biggest contract we have ever given out was Abreu at $68M. The behavior of the FO is just bizarre. I'm not arguing or disagreeing with you. I truly hope the Sox step up and get one of these guys. As has been posted on here before, I feel like I have been on a roller coaster ride the last few weeks.

QUOTE (soxfan85 @ Jan 2, 2016 -> 09:58 AM) If this whole 3-year firm offer is true, the White Sox just look ridiculous at this point, especially in regards to Cespedes. If this is the case, and they are ignorant enough to announce it to the world, they should have never gotten involved anyway. And especially shouldn't have been so public with their desire to sign one of the big 3. Why would any FA ever want to sign here? It is really embarrassing. This is exactly how I felt yesterday BUT, I am really wanting the Sox to get one of the three so I will remain optimistic until the situation plays out.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 2, 2016 -> 09:51 AM) Given my new appreciation for the "opt out" contract; Why not offer Cespedes the 6 years, which he is seeking, with an opt out, any year after 2 years? Give him $25 Million per year for 2 years, then a declining scale, something like this: 3RD year $20 Million 4TH year $15 Million 5TH year $10 Million 6TH year $10 Million That is a total of $105 Million for 6 years, with a huge motivation for him to leave, if his first 2 years are outstanding. To me, that is a deal that is fair for both sides, and should be attractive to the Sox' ownership, putting aside Caulfield's concern over going over budget, and possibly in the "red" in 2016. Nice thought IMO, as those first two years would fit in nicely and be years two & three with our 3 year plan. But what do I know?

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 2, 2016 -> 09:37 AM) Nightengale says: $20 to $22 Million per year is the range he forsees for these guys. Short term deal should pay more, as the player is not requiring the longer term guarantee. Sox "3 yr. deal" offer looks very firm. 1 or 2 years is more attractive to players, as the 3RD year will see a strong F.A. market again. His opinion on New contracts with opt outs: He thinks that it totally favors the players, not the teams. Team stuck if guy performs poorly, and if he does well, he leaves. Also gives players a chance to see how he likes playing for that particular organization and in that city. IMO, he doesn't get it. He never mentioned the front office's motivation, nor did he discuss how such deals can keep a player motivated. He provided less insight and worthwhile analysis than we fans are offering, on this forum. You guys are great, and such interviews only reinforce the fact. Thanks for all the terrific analysis. So, do we believe anything Nightengale says?? Just wondering if there is anyone else out there we can believe in at this point?

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 2, 2016 -> 09:36 AM) No really they asked like three questions and moved to the Cubs Not surprising. That station has become irrelevant, to me at least.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 09:10 PM) Max Wildstein is a buddy of mine & just told me that he spoke w/ a source that told him Nightengale's tweet was pure posturing on the White Sox's part. Take it FWIW but he went out of his way to tell me about it. Starting off the day better today. Looking forward to a one of the big three signing!! I would really be happy with RH and the FO!! That lineup would be looking good and then a few more tweaks and we're ready to compete!

QUOTE (Special K @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 05:31 PM) I think we'll find out if I'm wrong soon enough. I hope I am wrong, but I don't see how you can be so certain given last years performance. At least Dunn's appendix burst, which was some type of excuse. I don't see anything to explain LaRoche other than some vague hand injury, which still doesn't explain the terrible OBP. I believe Dunn's OBP numbers were still there that one bad year. Out of curiosity, how long would you let LaRoche play out before pulling the plug (assuming he was still putting up atrocious numbers)? For me it is how he looks during spring training

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 04:59 PM) I like the idea alot. Funny thing about this off season is that it's coming full circle. Going into the off season the Sox were said to be after Upton, then it was Gordon, then Cespedes and it would seem the Sox attention could or maybe even has turned back to Upton. If the Sox are to sign one of the three I would hope it's Upton. Given his age I think his health and performance could hold up better over the life of the contract. I'm in on Upton.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 04:27 PM) Upton with a similar opt-out to Heyward after 3-4 years makes some sense... At least he would be in his 20's and with less concern about declining production. That said, his market has been the most quietest of those three...kind of similar to Chris Davis, albeit with no offer from the Padres to legitimately keep him. Upton will turn 29 in August

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 03:38 PM) Yes, but not worth getting all world up until the chips have fallen. Go Sox!