macsandz

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 11:05 PM) Are you kidding? The hottest free agent OF available? I would bet 95% of Sox fans have no idea who he is. Not kidding. And in a few weeks there are gonna be 40-50 million reasons why.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 10:51 PM) Most people probably don't know who Cespedes is. More Sox fans probably know about Juan Pierre than him. ?? -The guy is a constant story on ESPN, MLB.com and the MLB Network. Anyone following baseball this offseason knows all about him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 09:11 PM) Cespedes is an attendance move? A guy who probably starts the year at Charlotte? Are there that many Cuban expats in Chicago to buy tickets? Other than the 2 already on our roster? Signing Cespedes, the hottest free agent OF available, complete with the international hype machine surrounding him would certainly extend attendance interest beyond local Cubans.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 05:25 PM) What I don't understand if the Sox have 30M-40M to sign this guy, why can't get we take that money and spend it on more establish players this off season Kenny loves Cespedes and wants to make an attendance-splash move.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 09:10 AM) http://baseballinstinct.com/2012/01/11/pro...cago-white-sox/ Castro's ceiling is a long reliever, IMO.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 04:11 PM) I figured our door to Venezuala closed when Ozzie parted. It's opened. The Sox distancing from Ozzie is a good thing. Ozzie's influence in L.A. is overstated and if anything, he's considered a clown.

QUOTE (PolishPrince34 @ Jan 7, 2012 -> 03:46 PM) I completely agree with you that Sox should be going after Soler. Soler is 2-3 years away from making an impact and probably has a higher ceiling than Cesepedes. Also, Soler will fall into $12-15 million dollar range and won't count on the international cap for next year. Soler (soul-air NOT solar) is a potential 5-tool talent and is four years younger and more talented than Leonys Martin, another Cuban outfielder who signed a $15.6 million major league contract with the Rangers in April. Once Soler is cleared to sign with a major league team, he’s expected to top Martin’s deal. The new CBA provides for a $2.9 million international cap for each team for the 2012-13 signing period, which doesn’t start until July 2. As long as Soler signs before then, he won’t be subject to the cap. And even if he were, he’s talented enough and the penalties for busting the cap are so light (a 100-percent tax on the overage and a prohibition on signing any international player for more than $250,000 in the next signing period) that I bet several clubs would be willing to exceed the $2.9 million. Kenny loves Cespedes, but it may make more sense to move on Soler, call him our top prospect and let him develop for a couple years ala Viciedo..

The players will know minutes before the world does these days.

Don't be suprised if a Jays package contains Adonis Cardona.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 4, 2012 -> 04:34 PM) Ugh, so risky Gonna a monster market for him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 4, 2012 -> 04:32 PM) I think that's 2x as much as I'd be willing to even consider for a guy from the Cuban leagues. Not saying I'd do it. He's one of those "Kenny's guy"s he's gonna make a huge play for. I'd probably go 3/24 myself.

5/55. KW is all about Cespedes these days.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jan 3, 2012 -> 07:33 AM) If we get Cespedes - it'll mean an outfield of Cespedes - Rios - Tank They'd say adios to DeAza if they signed Cespedes. DeAza is going nowhere even if they sign Cespedes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 3, 2012 -> 09:21 AM) So can teams conduct negotiations with Cespedes ahead of his free agency? I believe so and KW is intent on landing this guy. That's been his MO for several weeks now. Whether he can is another story.

How coud he have his confidence back? Has he been facing MLB pitching this offseason?

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Dec 22, 2011 -> 03:52 PM) So an outfield of Viciedo in right, Cespedes in center, and DeAza in left? Sounds very interesting... Cespedes is not a MLB CF. He's a corner.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Dec 22, 2011 -> 03:49 PM) I think it would depend how he looked in ST They say the Cuban leagues are like AA so I'd imagine he started in AAA if he was in the minors at all He would start off in AAA and the Cuban leagues are Independant league level, low A at best.

QUOTE (Pale Sox @ Dec 18, 2011 -> 04:27 AM) I'm just as bored as anybody. I've been waiting for something big to happen, but nothing has really happened. But to criticize KW for waiting out the market is ridiculous. It's still a sellers market, and it appears that will only strengthen as the offseason progresses. The return San Diego got for Latos only improves our bargaining power. Coming into this offseason I felt like patience was the key to success in our position, but I had no faith in KW exercising patience. Yet, so far he has, and I commend him for it. I dont see this. Latos', Gio's, Jurrjens' controlled status only reduces Danks' value. Danks is a rental and that's a huge problem in terms of return.

Does everyone that makes these lists need reminding that the organization also includes a former Baseball America #4 & #5 ranked player from the Marlins? Martinez and especially Marinez are at least in the Sox top 10.

QUOTE (pktmotion @ Dec 13, 2011 -> 01:51 AM) Any interest in the non-tendered? Will Rhymes Cole Garner Peter Moylan are some of the more intriguing non-tenders to me. Yes on Garner. Invite him to ST.

The irony of Ozzie saving Kenny from himself...

Loux had shoulder issues but that seems to be behind him. I've heard he's a 4 or 5 or a bullpen guy. Even heard a Massett comp, lol. Sheppers was a top #50 for a couple years but his stock has fallen quite a bit. Both are upside arms with some risk.

FWIW, KW is talking to TEX about Sheppers and Loux.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 03:09 PM) Doubt it. Word is the A's want kings ransom for Gio. The Jays are aggressive these days and they have a ton to offer in return. I can see this happening.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 07:54 AM) So in other words, if it happens, we're getting Betances. The Sox would lucky to land Betances for Danks. His value is not what most here think it is. After the recent deals, he's definately going to test the market after next season so he's a rental.