caulfield12

Viciedo with a late-season hot streak to put himself firmly into the 2015 conversation...or, at the very least, building up some helpful trade value.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 06:26 PM) Make him the BP pitcher, that should give the SOx a lot of confidence heading into the games. See Barry Zito or Tim Lincecum, although I have ZERO confidence Danks will throw a no-hitter at any point the rest of his career.

QUOTE (LDF @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 06:34 PM) 1. Tomas for sure. 2. Lester. all depending on the salary. wouldn't cost a pick. 3. Hanley Ramirez - I don't know why, but I like him. 4. mid level rp. Lester will cost you $150 million, maybe $175. Too pricey, and, as always noted these days, huge contracts for pitchers near 30 or over are almost always a recipe for disaster (see Justin Verlander or Tanaka). Hanley Ramirez can't play everyday SS. If he could, then you'd obviously trade Ramirez/Danks...giving you some more payroll flexibility. The problem is that Ramirez will never stay healthy playing SS everyday. He could perhaps share SS/3B and DH duties. But, once again, do you invest $100 million plus in a player at his age, with his recent injury history? Probably too big of a risk. And he's more of a 3B than a SS at this point in his career, although he can play both fairly adequately. We need a competent lefty setup guy and a better closer. Maybe out of Petricka/Webb/Guerra/Putnam/Bassit you get two useful pitchers in 2015, but there's just way too many question marks to not make big changes. You already know going into 2015 that Belisario and Lindstrom are out and so is Nate Jones...and that Petricka's not quite ready to be a closer, and might never be unless he can hone his offspeed stuff and get more movement and better command with his fastball, especially when he's behind in the count. As far as Tomas goes, if Rusney Castillo got $72.5 million, then you're talking that number or higher for Tomas, perhaps approaching $85-90 million. That's fine if Abreu/Ramirez/Viciedo give the go-ahead.

Crazy stat of the day. Mickey Lolich...54 ten or more strikeout games Justin Verlander...28, but none yet this year

QUOTE (Friend of Nordhagen @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 05:28 PM) While all the while, if he continues to struggle, we'll hear more and more how he was a Hendry guy. Funny how we didn't hear that when he was being hyped a month ago. In all fairness, they were giving Hendry a lot of credit at the time...almost going out of their way to do it with Castro and Baez. The Cubs' FO is lucky that Hendricks, Wada and Soler are doing well, or there would be a lot more attention focused on Javier's struggles and the fact that his OPS is currently well below "bad" Gordon Beckham territory despite all the power.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 05:23 PM) As long as he doesn't get paid like a frontline starter, that's fine, he doesn't need to be. At some point the rotation is going to feature Sale, Rodon, and Q. If Rodon is the beast we all hope he is they don't need Maeda to be a legit frontline starter. I've read a lot on Maeda and I like him as well. Reminds me of Iwakuma who quietly has been one of the better starters in the league since coming over. He's not gonna be as hyped as Darvish and Tanaka, so I don't think he's gonna be paid like an ace. I'm guessing he gets somewhere in the 12M range annually.....Which is probably around what a guy like Masterson gets as well. I also do tend to agree with SS2k5 though. Unless they trade Danks we probably role with the rotation he brought up.....If they do trade Danks somehow I'd be all about Maeda. Sale-Q-Maeda-Rodon-Noesi would be sexy. There's really a HUGE dropoff from the top three to the next tier. In the end, that's going to push up Maeda's asking price, since he's the biggest unknown and perhaps the pitcher most likely to make a big impact of all the remaining possibilities out there on the market...as the pitcher always has the advantage until batters can adjust.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 05:23 PM) As long as he doesn't get paid like a frontline starter, that's fine, he doesn't need to be. At some point the rotation is going to feature Sale, Rodon, and Q. If Rodon is the beast we all hope he is they don't need Maeda to be a legit frontline starter. I've read a lot on Maeda and I like him as well. Reminds me of Iwakuma who quietly has been one of the better starters in the league since coming over. He's not gonna be as hyped as Darvish and Tanaka, so I don't think he's gonna be paid like an ace. I'm guessing he gets somewhere in the 12M range annually.....Which is probably around what a guy like Masterson gets as well. Masterson's going to be lucky to get $10 million per year at this point...if it's a long-term deal. Too risky for both sides, probably. He'll be advised to sign a one year deal with some type of mutual option and try to rebuild his value, like Erwin Santana's attempting this year. (Backfired for Morales and Drew). As far as Shields goes, he's likely to end up between $85-125 million, so yeah, probably not in the plans...since signing him virtually precludes any improvements via free agency at C, LF, DH and with the bullpen.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 05:09 PM) I will say again, I don't see the Sox spending big dollars on a frontline pitcher unless someone gets dealt in a massive deal. I think they will be content to set up. Sale-Q-Rodon-Danks-Noesi Basically, the only way to pull that off is to clear the salaries of Danks and Ramirez. Maybe if they packaged them together and expected almost nothing in return, but the Sox are unlikely to make that move unless they're 100% sure Semien or Sanchez can play SS on an everyday basis.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 04:45 PM) Wasn't watching Beane's A's. Was playing with my cat, who has also won zero American League pennants. I fell asleep, woke up, and it was already over...listening to despondent A's radio guys. Started at 335 a.m. here. Wanted to stay up and listen but couldn't stay awake. Dodgers had 2 lead and blew it, Werth dropped a simple ball and almost gave the game back to the Dodgers...who didn't score with Gonzalez and Uribe up, bases loaded and two chances to walk off.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 04:44 PM) Give me Maeda depending on cost. Despite the Dice K and Tanaka situations? Hope they've done a lot of due diligence to make that move...and Maeda doesn't seem to move the meter (quite) to be that legitimate frontline starter that can come in and make an impact like Tanaka did with the Yankees before he went down. Agewise, he seems to fit the profile. Are they going to stick with the same posting system again or has it been changed another time? Or same as last year?

Seager and Corey Hart respond with back-to-back homers, A's just in an awful slump and closer now to the M's/Tigers/Royals and being out of the playoffs than the Angels, who they currently trail by 5. Just goes to show when you're on top of the world (seemingly) like Beane and the A's were six or eight weeks ago, completing the Samardzija/Hammel trade, that things never go quite as predicted in baseball. Never thought the M's (or the Royals, for that matter) had enough offense to make the playoffs, but here both are, on the cusp.

Did anyone believe Alcantara would have more homers than Baez? That's been a surprise, although overall his offensive numbers indicate more or less a slightly below average MLB CFer...and he's doing on the job training defensively. Of course, Soler's the new "golden child" of the moment and Baez has been kind of been forgotten about, but his season, were it not for September...is to the point where you'd have to consider sending him back down or shutting him down if that was an option. So he has no choice but to struggle and try to battle his way out of it, which the Cubs ultimately believe he'll be able to do.

QUOTE (chisoxfan310 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 03:55 PM) How about Markakis, Martin, Maeda? Way too much money. That's going to push the payroll back up to $100 million, at least. Then you STILL haven't done anything to address the bullpen issues, and you're praying for miracles if you think that current group of players is going to be at least average as a pen right now. Petricka and Putnam would have to repeat, and Webb's looking to be headed for more seasoning back in the minors. Maybe Guerra, but I'd hate to rely on Cleto coming into next year as a "reliable" part of the pen. Bassit seems like he could be a great long man, but then you're still short the two or three most important parts of your pen...and best lefty/righty setup guys and closer. Hawk's belaboring the point too much these days, but all those blown games do mount up and tend to demoralize the team after a point. The reverse, is, of course, true...like that 2005 and first half 2008 pens that were lockdown and the team felt like, just get a 1 run lead to the 7th and it's automatic, kind of like the Royals have right now.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015-free-agent-power-rankings You likely won’t find a reliever cracking the top 10, but closers David Robertson, Francisco Rodriguez, Casey Janssen and Rafael Soriano have been excellent, while Luke Gregerson and Andrew Miller have been lights out in a setup capacity. Erwin Santana, Hammel, Peavy, McCarthy, Masterson, Liriano, De La Rosa and Beckett all possible names for the 3-4 slot while waiting on the arrival of Rodon. Mike Morse, Asdrubal Cabrera (for SS), JJ Hardy (once again, if Alexei is traded) and Markakis are the other interesting names.

Does anyone honestly think they're going to pay Mike Stanton $200-250 million? C'mon...there's just no precedent for it, other than Albert Belle, and I think that was actually to make a point to other teams about the dangers of signing that kind of contract, which luckily had the escape clause.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 09:06 AM) Flowers isn't going to be replaced. I think he has earned himself another year or two. Even Hahn has said that himself that he's been happy with Flowers development and how he has been good defensively and how he has handled the pitchers this year. He's earned himself (probably) 2015. That's it. Not 2 or 1 1/2 years. And I'm sure Hahn would definitely listen if Russell Martin expressed an interest in coming to Chicago. Whether we consider Grandal, Jason Castro or Wilin Rosario top catchers right now, those are three who will probably be made available. Upgrades? Hard to say.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 09:00 AM) If the goal for Viciedo is to try to harness some of that talent, then having him get 300 at bats seems silly to me because that's not the setup where I think it would happen. If the goal for Viciedo is to win as many games as possible, you could probably get some benefit from getting him 300 PA's, but are you willing to pay him $5-6 million next year for the opportunity? a couple million this year isn't bad, but the raise next year makes that seem pricey. Also worth noting, he doesn't have strong platoon splits, he's been an equally weak hitter against both sides, so it makes little sense to use him in a platoon based on those numbers, and he's bad and getting worse on defense so it makes no sense to use him as a 4th OF since he's not going to ever play CF or replace anyone for defensive purposes. But the same arguments were made about DeAza and Beckham last offseason and both were tendered...with DeAza originally LOOKING like he would be the one on the outside looking in as the 4th. I also don't think they're going to cut him loose and use that money for Nate Jones to sit out another year with little or no baseball activity. If they do sign Victor Martinez, then he's either gone or you make him your starter for one last season in LF or RF. If you sign a James Shields, then Viciedo can play either RF/LF or split time at DH with Wilkins and in the OF. Nothing is ideal, but I don't think they planned on Garcia going down last year either...another way of looking at this type of decision, were the prospects we eventually got back for DeAza and Beckham worth the money we spent on those guys in a non-contending season? I doubt it. We shall see.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 09:02 AM) Viciedo would be a terrible bench player. He has no speed,and he can't play defense. All he can do is hit for occasional power. We have 4th OFs on the roster in guys like Danks or Mitchell. Listening to Hahn talk, we are going to look at players with big contracts, and might come here for a really cheap price in terms of a trade. Guys like Kemp and Hamilton come to mind. Yuck.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 09:00 AM) That first offer is solid. No way I trade Eaton. However, I only do that deal or any deal for that matter if Hahn can agree on an extension with Stanton before said trade. That first offer won't move the meter enough. Danish isn't throwing hard enough, and Montas was almost a throw-in (albeit quite talented and enigmatic) to the Peavy deal. Hawkins has way way too many question marks, and Anderson has the most upside but defensive issues as well. I'd want at least one, younger, cost-controlled but major league proven player before I'd move Stanton.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 08:55 AM) As of right now we're at about $60 million assuming a couple guys are offered arbitration, $65 million if Viciedo is included. At the very least, a few bullpen signings and a couple of low-level scrap heap buys like we saw this year will almost certainly push that up towards $75 million. How are you accounting for Abreu's salary? Are you pro-rating his signing bonus or did you allocate it 100% into this season? Basically, we could sign Victor Martinez for the going rate and that would be it. No replacement for Viciedo (Cabrera/Rasmus, etc.), for Flowers, and very little or nothing but more scrap heap bullpen help...perhaps ONE veteran guy the next tier down from the closers and guys like Miller, Gregerson....hopefully a better version of Belisario and Lindstrom. That wouldn't even give us the money for much of a starting pitcher, even off the top tier. Personally, I'd rather add James Shields for three years than Victor Martinez. Both are going to be huge rolls of the dice.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 08:47 AM) I think he goes this off season. I predicted both De Aza and Viciedo wouldn't be back next year. So far I am half right. Depends on what they're willing to spend in the offseason, and also whether they're willing to 1) trade Alexei Ramirez, or 2) trade Anderson/Hawkins/Montas/Danish. I still think that Viciedo's going to come into the season as the 4th outfielder/back-up plan/occasional DH and depending on what happens with players like a Garcia or Wilkins or whatever bat they get for DH, he could still end up with 400+ at-bats in one last ditch attempt to see if he can put it all together for the Sox.

AUG. 27, 4:51pm: The Astros are highly unlikely to be afforded any chance to sign Aiken, a source tells Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle. The source also expressed the belief that Selig must have been referring to Nix. Given the present state of confusion, it should be noted that Aiken could at least theoretically be seeking to receive some accommodation from the league that would not be directly tied to Houston’s own rights, obligations, and interests moving forward. That hypothetical possibility would potentially square reports that the club is not talking with the first overall choice with Selig’s comment that a “solution” of some kind is being pursued.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 08:44 AM) That's fine and dandy. He's also 2 years from reaching free agency and he's going to get a mega contract. Jose Quintana is under team control for another 4 or 5 seasons at a very cheap rate and he's putting up a 4.5 WAR season. Their value is similar. Then by that barometer, Adam Eaton's just as valuable as Mike Stanton, almost.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 08:39 AM) If that's true, than "star quality" doesn't correlate heavily with doing what it takes to win ballgames. Call him what you want, Quintana is a top 25 starting pitcher in MLB today whether most people recognize it or not. Lack of an elite tool doesn't change the fact that the total package is highly effective at preventing runs. If we said Top 25, then that makes him close to an ace or #1, since there are only 30 teams. Then you have the Mariners (Felix and Iwakuma), A's (Lester, Samardzija and Gray), Dodgers (Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu), Giants, Braves, Cardinals, Tigers (Scherzer and Price, not to mention Anibal Sanchez), etc., with at least three guys you'd put ahead of Quintana. I'm comfortable with 30-45ish, but still not an ace. He just doesn't miss enough bats, put up games where he allows 0-2 runs, record strikeouts, go deep into games or work around errors and limit damage with 2 outs.

It was also reported that, if he were to sign, Aiken would insist on a sign-and-trade deal. www.cbssportsline.com Dayn Perry