JUSTgottaBELIEVE

Says the guy that wanted to trade Kopech and Moncada for Torres

He’s a beast. That’s not knocking him out of the game.

Here’s the thing. Every one is so fixated on landing a stud 3b. Honestly, I just want the Sox to land a stud or two regardless of position. I see no need to force a Machado signing if a guy like Harper, Grandal, or Goldy next winter presents better value. This lineup has so many holes right now and, outside of Eloy, the position player talent is pretty barren in AA and AAA. They need help wherever they can get it. If they end up with a surplus at a particular position, I’m sure they will have a need at another position to where they can then trade from their depth. Sign a guy like Harper, for example, and then you’re in a position to package a few of your top outfield prospects for a stud 3b if needed.

I like Machado but tend to think he’s overrated. I have a feeling that he’s going to be a disappointment to whatever team signs him. If he’s the upper 700s OPS guy with above average defense that’s nice and all but not worth $350M imo. I’d rather grab a guy like Rendon next winter for half the cost and years with similar or better production and allocate the saved dollars to fill holes elsewhere within the roster.

Any concern about Machado’s second half numbers? They are in line with his numbers from last season. Question is, with a Machado signing are you getting first half 2018 Machado or 2017/second half 2018 Machado moving forward? The first one is worth $35M AAV. The second one is not.

I said it a week ago in the “16-16 since July 10” thread, the worst of the rebuild is certainly behind us. Let the fun begin ?

Oh yea and Gio was great again. 8 Of last 11 are quality starts. That’s a third of a season worth of starts. This rotation is really starting to come together. A terrific development heading into the offseason.

20-18

My point is that the other college infielders drafted immediately next to Madrigal are also really struggling at the plate. If this were to continue into next season I’d be concerned about these guys but until then I’m not. I’m just glad they didn’t draft Singer...

Meanwhile, the college infielders taken immediately before and after Madrigal are hitting below .200 in A ball

First of all, Albies turns 22 in January. You must be thinking it's 2017 still. Second, you were just ripping on Moncada for showing no improvement from last year and yet your guy Albies has a lower wRC+ than last season and is trending way down as this season progresses. I guess as long as he stays above a 100 wRC+ for the season you won't be concerned. That's fine, I will check in again in another month to see where he's at. Also, it's hard to take a guy serious that throws out a hypothetical trade proposal of Moncada + Kopech for Gleyber Torres earlier in this thread.

Yea, I don't get it. Only shortstops younger than TA with a higher fWAR this season are Lindor, Turner, and Pereza. TA's 2.0 fWAR ranks just a tick below the median value of all qualified shortstops this season. He's already an MLB average regular at shortstop but, with his age and rawness, the upside is a top 10 guy at the position within the next couple years.

I thought you were the guy that loved the long ball and didn't care about strikeout rate? e.g., Nolan Gorman By the way, your guy Albies is dropping like a rock since his hot start. Down to 107 wRC+ for the season and dropping FAST. 576 OPS in August. That must be concerning.

Still fun to think about

Think Kiley was impressed?

It’s nuts. White Sox are on track (knock on wood) to have the best 1-3 starters in MLB by 2020. Add a Chris Sale to the mix in the winter of 2019/2020 and good lord that staff could be absolutely bonkers. Like 90s Braves good...

I wonder if Cease, like Kopech, has an elite spin rate on his fastball? Could be looking at the top two strikeout leaders in MLB come 2020. Damn that’s sick.

Welp, there's the answer from an unbiased source! Biggest questions with Gorman were always the swing/miss and defense. Those questions are nowhere near answered.

and that my friends is called improvement...a 20-16 finish would be splendid and put them right at their 68 O/U Vegas pre-season win total!

About to improve to 18-17 (.514 winning percentage). That’s in stark contrast to the 30-61 start (.330). Pretty clear this team is heading in the right direction and the worst of the rebuild is behind us. Rodon and TA continue to perform and adding Big Mike to the mix further solidifies the starting rotation. Depending on what happens this offseason, this team could surprise a few people next year. Maybe not quite playoff ready but 80+ wins seems well within reach, especially in this division.

That's a great article. I need to check out more of that writer's work. I like his writing style and supporting it with GIFs. A 2020 starting rotation of Sale-Kopech-Rodon-Cease-Giolito/Lopez/Dunning/Hansen sounds like an opposing team's worst nightmare....2020 start of contention window re-opened!

I thought fathom was spin rate guy?

Fathom LOVES this https://mobile.twitter.com/_dadler/status/1032061357787631617?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

Gas!!!

I think Big Mike said it best, let’s go to war...