macsandz

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 23, 2013 -> 01:34 PM) A solid starting 5 right now for a team rebuilding would be Sale, Santiago/Quintana, Danks, Rienzo, and Johnson. At Charlotte next year we will have Bassitt and Snodgress, both of whom have major league arms even if they aren't heralded (and let's be honest, this is one team that gets the most out of their arms). On top of that, Chris Beck right now is actually ahead of where Erik Johnson was coming in to this season. He'll start at AA next year and there is a very good chance he's knocking on the door of the big leagues by the middle of next season. I would have no issue running those 5 starting pitchers out there including the 2 rookies on this team after the way they finished up last year, and frankly there's a good chance that's still an above average rotation. Yes it's a gamble to run 2 rookies out there, but if the team thinks Rienzo and Johnson are potential starting pitching options (and both look like they are) there is little to be gained by putting them in Charlotte or wasting a year in the bullpen with them next year. Put them out there and let them develop. Scouts like Myles Jaye as well.

QUOTE (GoGoSox2k2 @ Oct 23, 2013 -> 01:53 PM) oh boy bucket is breaking out some specifics.. what you think the likelihood we make a deal with the jays built around Quintana for Lawrie? Tough to call likelihood. It's been talked about.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Oct 23, 2013 -> 01:31 PM) It would take a ton to get me to trade Quintana if I'm Rick Hahn. We're talking about a 25 year left-handed starter who will be under team control for 5 more years coming off a 3.7 WAR season. I'd want a major league position player of similar value plus a top pitching propsect. I doubt anyone bites on that, but the point is I'd want to be overwhelmed to move him. Could be Quintana to Toronto for 3B Lawrie and RHP Aaron Sanchez.

QUOTE (NCsoxfan @ Oct 19, 2013 -> 04:13 PM) As a NC State grad and avid follower of their team - I'd be ecstatic if we landed either Rodon or Turner. Turner would be quite the catch. Speed, live bat, power, you name it. So much can happen between now and June, but I can tell you Rick really likes Trea Turner. I've heard this a few times. X-factor kid. Game IQ, + speed, + defense and quality approach at the plate.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Oct 18, 2013 -> 01:06 AM) I would be hesitant to put so much money in a catcher that would be expected to play a huge role in the offense. Catchers get banged up, fatigued, and get more days off than other position players. Does he eventually move to first with Abreu the future DH. I like him and would be happy if the Sox got him, but it's risky. I was told Rick really feels they undervalued the catcher position last season and regrets it. Yes if they can sign him, the idea is McCann and JDA can coexist nicely as LH/RH and ultimately protect Avi. I like McCann as a solid piece on a contending team, but he's not gonna stay a perennial All Star catcher like he was in ATL. He's a solid hitter, strong game-caller but his arm and overall defense is on the decline. IMO, he's gonna be overpaid pretty quickly into his next contract but that's the cost of business in baseball.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Oct 18, 2013 -> 01:01 AM) Bucket I know you don't like sharing over the board either but you got anything as far as future offseason plans? As I've said for weeks: Abreu target #1 McCann target #2 They're likely gonna deal for a young impact 3B or CF.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 11:25 PM) Hey guys, as of this moment I have about 50 PM's, ill try to get to them. Enjoy, Rock. I know the feeling, LOL.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Aug 26, 2013 -> 03:01 PM) From what I've been told, it sounds like they plan to pursue Abreu very aggressively. You never know what closes it, but it won't be for lack of trying. To his credit, Rick has always been on JDA even before his name went national news. KW's scouting likely sealed it, btw.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 07:50 PM) So add Abreu to the haul we got in those trades this year since that's the money. Good call. As it was well established in this thread, JDA was a bigtime Sox priority this offseason.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 07:46 PM) Oh we did? And how much was it? Hmmm. Someone called that months ago........... You're welcome. j/k

Was told Rick really likes Trea Turner. Sees him as a possible cornerstone pick. 4/5 tools are potential plus.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 04:39 PM) And by the end of the year his fielding numbers will wind up looking similar to those he's had almost every year of his career. Yes he doesn't take pitches, but "my shortstop isn't patient enough" is a really small complaint for a guy who is an above average fielder and who is actually getting better at running the bases. Again, on THIS team going forward he's contradicts the culture that Rick wants to create.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 12:30 PM) One thing worth adding to this conversation is that between Garcia's speed and inside out swing, there is precedent for him being able to sustain a BABIP substantially over .300. The guy who comes to my mind first with an inside out swing as a righty is Jeter, yeah it's not a perfect comparison but run with it for a moment. Jeter has over his career (12000 PA's) put up a .354 BABIP. Yeah it's not over .400 so it still has to come down, but Jeter is legendary for wearing pitchers out going the other way and we've seen some of that from Garcia so far. Add every caveat you want, needs to cut down on the K's, swing at better pitches, show more power, etc., but its definitely worth remembering that guys with speed who spray the ball all over the field are tough to defend and they get a lot of balls that just drop. +1

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 04:28 PM) And in the fangraphs world he was worth $8 million last season and $12 million this season with a month left. And that's at a premium position where people are paying $20 million for a lot worse. That's fine but he's a terrible fit on this team going forward, IMO. He has 21 errors this season more than a few of which are routine plays. In almost 600 plate appearances he leads the planet in fewest pitches seen.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 04:14 PM) I like his talent, but Lawrie is still a career .270/.328/.435 hitter and he's had 1053 plate appearances at the MLB level. It takes some guys longer to figure it out, but Lawrie hasn't moved. At this point, it's not a stretch to say he's a busted prospect. Meanwhile, Quintana keeps getting better and better and could end up with an fWAR near 4 by the end of the year. There is absolutely no way in hell I'd give up Quintana. I'd consider Santiago, but, really, I'd like more of a proven product or more in return. Lawrie is 23. He was seriously rushed.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 02:36 PM) I think there's a good chance they won't move him because they'll keep the asking price high, particularly given the year he's putting together this year. I don't think Hahn and co are going to go into next year with Semien at SS unless an offer good enough to force them to do so comes along. Again, just my guess though. You can keep asking high but there was almost zero interest in him this past trade deadline. There will be takers this offseason but for very little back. Alexei is everything wrong with this team in 2014 with his lack of focus in the field and his atrocious approach at the plate. He due to make almost $20M the next two years.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 11:13 AM) We're getting rid of Quintana and Alexei and only Lawrie is coming back to the major league roster? That would be pretty awful. Baseball Prospectus scout quote: "He plays at level 10 with an extra shot of espresso at all times, but he is still under control. He has impressive forearm strength that lets him snap the bat head through the zone, but he does a good job of staying back on balls and driving them the other way, whereas he was just looking to yank everything when he first came up. I think he is among the five best defenders at his position in the game, and he is only going to improve. He is very quick and has more than enough arm strength to make the toughest plays to his right. I am comfortable saying that he is going to be a superstar third baseman, and it's more likely to happen sooner than later."

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 11:13 AM) We're getting rid of Quintana and Alexei and only Lawrie is coming back to the major league roster? That would be pretty awful. Lawrie for Q is a reasonable deal with high upside at a premium position right now. There isnt much market for Alexei. He would be off-loading $ for the FAs.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 11:13 AM) If Pence is actually a target, Garcia needs to play every last game in CF. But yeah, I totally see us going all in on McCann. Agreed on both.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 08:23 AM) Leury? Imo, Keppinger is utility backup. Luery needs a hit tool.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2013 -> 08:24 AM) I don't know about Pence, but I think McCann is going to get a lot more than 4/$60. Yadi money? More? 5/$80?

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Sep 5, 2013 -> 10:56 PM) What about this is based off of whispers? McCann & Pence are both on the "big board" for impact offseason targets.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 5, 2013 -> 09:59 PM) Pretty bold stuff. Where does Alexei disappear to? He's top 10 in AL hits as a SS. Somebody will take him in an offseason deal.

Rick & co are not gonna punt the 2014 season. This is based on a couple whispers about potential targets if they can't land Abreu. Here is what I'd like to see: Rotation: Sale, Danks, Josh Johnson (FA), Santiago, Erik Johnson Bullpen: Reed, Jones, Lindstrom, Webb, Petricka, Leesman, Marinez LF: De Aza 2B: Beckham RF: Hunter Pence (FA) 3/$39 C: Brian McCann (FA) 4/$60 1B: Viciedo DH: Dunn CF: A. Garcia 3B: Brett Lawrie (Quintana trade) SS: Semien UT: Gillaspie IF: Keppinger OF: Danks C: Phegley

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 26, 2013 -> 04:17 PM) What you want is one idiot team bidding against themselves. Doubt the Cubs will pursue him.