JUSTgottaBELIEVE

749 in 2017. Split the difference and I'd be happy with 714 in 2019 (~100 points higher than Adam Engel...)

If used right in a limited reserve role, a slash line of 275/315/425 is completely realistic for L Garcia. Combined with passable defense at a number of positions makes him a nice piece to have when you are already carrying two 1B/DH in Abreu and Alonso. Palka is redundant. If they can hide him in AAA for much of 2019 and then reassess the 1B/DH role next winter when both Abreu and Alonso are potentially free agents, that would be the best course imo. Again, this is assuming the Sox acquire Pederson and Machado and need to clear space on the MLB roster.

I'd rather keep Garcia over Palka due to his versatility if the Sox acquire both Pederson and Machado. Send Palka to AAA when Eloy is promoted unless he's tearing the cover off the ball (and if he is you find a trade partner for Garcia or Rondon or DFA not a big deal either way). Nicky and Engel are definitely the odd men out in that scenario.

Either Jay or Moncada, a good “problem” to have. Both potential 350+ OBP guys.

I’d be fine with that as well. Move Moncada down in the lineup then.

My thought is that there is less pressure hitting in the #2 hole than leadoff as well (easier to let a pro like Jay take it now than a still very young Moncada). At least that’s how I felt when I played. I always much preferred the #2 hole.

It’s quite possible that Jay has a higher OBP than Moncada this season.

Jay (L) Moncada (S) Harper (L) Machado (R) Abreu (R) Jimenez (R) Alonso (L) Castillo (R) Anderson (R) Looks pretty solid, especially if Jay can recapture his 2017 form and 370+ OBP.

Which would still be a better offer than the Nationals reported previous offer, especially if multiple opt outs included.

Seems desperate I know but what's the harm in it from the WS perspective? At least gives their competitors something to think about and whether or not to call the agents' bluff.

So other bidders don't see the White Sox as a viable threat and keep their offers down? 7 years much easier to beat than 10+

Almost 6 years straight. But yea they had a hell of a run until the early 2000s when the bottom fell out. Since 2003, they’ve only broken 2MM total attendance 4 times (and in most cases just barely). Worse than the Sox even, who have 7 such occurrences over the same span. Quite the contrast from their prior 10 seasons after The Jake opened.

You want to talk about eroding fanbases, take a look at Cleveland over the past two decades. That’s an ugly picture. Averaged less than 20k in their World Series season, barely over 25k the following and back down to under 24k last year despite their third consecutive division title.

No need to consider that scenario. They’re signing Harper.

Well said and completely agree

I guess only time will tell! Personally I want nothing to do with the guy at the price he is expected to command from a team like the Sox. I can understand why others would be willing to give him ~$42MM AAV but not me.

Career high in HR, RBI, AVG, OBP, SLG and 146 OPS+ last year even after a bit of drop in production following the mid season trade. His previous OPS+ high of 132 was back in 2015. Not sure how last year wouldn’t be considered a career year.

I’m always skeptical of guys that have career years prior to FA. I’m also skeptical of guys that are expected to be leaders of a rebuild that have publicly admitted they don’t bust ass. Maybe I’m old school, but to me this guy has all the makings of a clubhouse cancer if he joins a team with a bunch of young guys still trying to figure out what it means to be big leaguers, losing 85+ games for a couple more years, and didn’t really want to be here in the first place (but decided the stupid money was too much to pass up).

Oh no, I’m not scared to spend some money on a big name player. I’m scared to spend big money on Manny Machado specifically, especially if he has no desire to be here. I don’t see that guy as a cornerstone and leader of this rebuild.

Again, if true, won’t matter if they sign Manny and/or Harper if all the prospects flop.

Well, another couple years of top 5 draft picks and a farm system ranked in the top 3 for several consecutive years will just have to overcome the ineptitude of the front office I suppose. Much like the Royals did a few years back. After awhile you accumulate so many highly regarded prospects and high draft picks that it doesn’t matter the front office isn’t run by Luhnow. Now whether they can sustain more than a 3 year run like the Royals did is a different question altogether. But again I’d be thrilled if this rebuild results in back to back World Series appearances and a World Series title within the next 6 or 7 years. That would be a major win.

3rd highest payroll in 2019? Espn might want to double check those numbers... And the Astros have won 84 or more games in 4 straight seasons (5 after the 2019 season) including a World Series win and another ALCS appearance. What is your definition of sustained success? Unless Jerry is willing to consistently spend with the top 5 teams in baseball, the best they’re going to do is a 5/6 year run like the Astros.

If this is true, then it won’t matter if they sign Manny and/or Harper.

The Astros have had sustained success without gigantic payrolls. Just sayin.

Or on guys that don’t charge a 25% tariff on an already record breaking deal to play for the Sox because their boyhood dream was to play for NYY...