Y2Jimmy0

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 03:11 PM) The circumstances that led to the tanking were well underway before the CBA. Neither team is poised to repeat the strategies that got them there. The fact that they nailed a couple draft picks over several years isn't evidence that tanking is a preferred strategy -- I'd argue the fact they have become good despite botching two drafts is actually evidence to the contrary. And that's because the speed of both teams' (and ESPECIALLY the Cubs) turnaround is as much or more due to shrewd trading and international signings (which are not benefits that are enabled by tanking) as it is due to high draft choices. It is though kind of. They spent a ton of money on the international market instead of spending it on the roster. They also signed a couple of free agents (Feldman, Hammel) with the intention of trading them. These are things that "rebuilding" teams do.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 07:46 AM) If Hahn and Friedman are actually friends like some posts here have hinted to, this leak makes so much more sense. Obviously, the Sox want an outfielder. By the Dodgers leaking that the Sox are involved in trade talks, perhaps that could make Fowler and his agent squirm and finally make a decision as to whether the Sox are the right landing spot for him. This is what Brian speculated days ago, FWIW.

This was posted in the Ethier thread too but it's interesting: http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-s...0204-story.html White Sox called the Dodgers to express interest in Puig and Los Angeles tried to give them Crawford/Ethier instead. The White Sox have always been interested in Puig so it's not surprising. No real talks between the teams for Ethier it seems.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 02:17 PM) I don't mind the upper deck at all anymore, I just wish we had a more modern outfield area. It's fine! It's good, but then you go to other parks and there aren't many worse. Anaheim probably the only one I'd say was more bare. Edit: the word I was looking for was concourse. You don't like the OF concourse? I think it's one of the best parts of the ballpark.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 11:30 AM) They still have to give up the pick even though they were the team that made the QO? No they don't. They are already giving up 2 picks. They give up a pick for Lackey and Heyward. If Fowler signs elsewhere, they lose their 1st rounder and comp pick. If Fowler goes back to them, they lose their 1st rounder and 2nd rounder which may have been what was implied.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 10:40 AM) I'm thinking the same as you guys. Fowler is probably using Melky's contract as a starting point. Coming into the offseason, Fowler wanted something along the lines of 4 years and $60-$70 million. Fowler will not be signing until he decides to accept a lot less than that.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 09:30 AM) I feel like Fowler really wants to go back to the Cubs. They don't have a spot for him though

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 09:19 AM) Yes, but we should hold our tongues before its official. Everyone we thought so far would sign for a discount did, but not near the level we anticipated. Howie Kendrick fot 2 years a $20 million. That's a bargain. Fowler is looking at 3/30 at this point and I have no idea what Desmond's market is.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 07:49 AM) 2? Ethier isn't a free agent. It's only one draft pick. My bad. I read it as Fowler and Desmond

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 07:08 PM) Where did the Braves come up with all this money to sign Zaitan and Lazarito? It's an interesting long-term play but won't help so much for the first years opening their new suburban stadium...nevertheless, it's a clear direction for the fans at least. They do get to open their stadium with a s*** load of young pitching, Freeman at 1B, Enciarte and Olivera in the OF, and Dansby Swanson and Albies in the middle infield. They also have a huge bonus pool in the draft and are going nuts in free agency. Braves fans should be really excited actually.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 10:10 PM) Jon morosi on mlb network said he doesn't see the Sox getting ethier. Said he was the Dodgers best hitter after all star break and they may want to see him going forward. Tho that seems to be his opinion. Also said sox are more heavily involved in the free agent market with fowler and Desmond. Phil Rogers and Merkin have both said they don't want to give up any draft picks. Others have mentioned that they are involved on Desmond and Fowler. Hahn basically said they might forfeit the pick. The White Sox are trying to get Desmond or Fowler to sign for cheap in my opinion. Those guys don't have many suitors and they are waiting for a bigger deal than is available. Fowler has to crack eventually. The QO really sapped the value from these guys. They both should have accepted.

QUOTE (CWSpalehoseCWS @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 04:54 PM) Sands is also out of options. Sometimes that carries a little merit when making decisions even though it shouldn't. I almost wonder if the Sox would carry both Shuck and Sands and drop Olt. Sands can play 1B if needed, and I am sure they will try to get Sanchez time at 3B to make him a super-sub. Might even allow for Melky and Avi to play some DH (although I have no clue Sands defensive ability). They can't keep Sanchez, C, Garcia, Sands, and Shuck. They keep 4 bench players and go with 12 pitchers.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 03:46 PM) I wonder what Jackson is even looking for in terms of a contract. I have barely heard anything about him. At the very least you know he will catch the ball and run into one occasionally. Boras is probably holding out for a pretty good deal.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 02:19 PM) Avi. RF is someone not currently on the roster (Ethier/Fowler/Jackson,etc.) If that RF is Ethier, then someone needs to face LHP for him as well. That's my point.

As Dave Cameron points out, there are really only like 4 teams rebuilding (tanking) right now anyway: Braves, Phillies, Reds, Brewers.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 01:50 PM) No. They have guys lined up for the J2 in which they are going over. They have to sign him the next signing period or punt on the guys they have lined up. Check that, the answer is obviously yes. Yeah. Maitan and a ton of other guys that they basically have agreements with. They have a shot if they can push Lazarito down to J2 but it sounds like he's signing before that.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 01:44 PM) I read before that he can sign Feb 10th, and that expectations were that it would be pretty quick after that. If he does sign next week, it won't be with the Braves.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 01:05 PM) Honestly, I think moving Eaton to RF would be a smart move. He has a lot of trouble reading liners in CF & I think that may be helped in RF. I know that I had a much easier time reading the ball period playing RF that I did play LF or CF. Just something about reading the ball off the bat. Eaton also has the speed & arm to play anywhere in the OF, so that's why it also makes sense. I think some people are really underrating how big of an impact Fowler could have if signed. It's almost a no-brainer to me. I thought Fowler was better vs RHP.

I'm not positive that Fowler is a better defender than Eaton is.

Can Rashan Gary punt?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 08:18 AM) Bulls Kings tonight has a Kings blowout written all over it. Cousins can drop 40 on our interior D. Bulls are better of with Kings winning. Need that draft pick.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 12:12 PM) Agreed. Unless Sands absolutely RAKES in Spring Training, I'd have to guess that he's AAA fodder for now. Fowler is just really appealing to me because he has a very good OBP and putting him behind Eaton and in front of Abreu could do wonders for the lineup as a whole. Ethier would have the same effect though.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 11:33 AM) Probably need to replace sands with Shuck. Shuck can backup cf. Garcia would either be traded or most likely optioned since he has one option left. Might be more of leury Garcia since he can play some outfield along with infield but that kinda makes weak bench Sands is really good vs LHP though. If Shuck is on that roster, who takes the place of LaRoche vs LHP? That's the problem.

Nobody has answered my question. Lets just pretend that we added Ethier to the team for a minor leaguer. vs RHP 1. Eaton CF 2. Ethier RF 3. Abreu 1B 4. Frazier 3B 5. Cabrera LF 6. Lawrie 2B 7. LaRoche DH 8. Avila C 9. Saladino SS vs LHP 1. Eaton CF 2. Cabrera DH 3. Abreu 1B 4. Frazier 3B 5. Lawrie 2B 6. Garcia RF 7. Navarro C 8. Sands LF 9. Saladino SS This team would have a bench of Sands, Catcher Spot, Sanchez, and Garcia. It doesn't work. One of Garcia or LaRoche has to magically go somewhere if they add Ethier and they'd need a RHH OF.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 3, 2016 -> 10:00 AM) Then the Sox are short a starting pitcher, needing both Johnson AND Turner to pitch well enough to compete. Danks isn't great, but he is going to give you 200 IP. That doesn't make any sense though because Shuck is also LH. Doesn't really help the situation at all. Who is the platoon partner for LaRoche? Who is the platoon partner for Ethier?