Y2Jimmy0

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 10:26 AM) Cubs currently have 150M committed to 18 players. Add five league minimum players and that total comes to 152.5M for 23 players. That leaves the cubs with 26.5M to sign Arrieta and Fowler while staying under the luxury tax threshold. The cubs and Arrieta aren't going to take the chance of actually going to arbitration because one side is going to get screwed. They will meet each other half way and make a deal, probably 10-11M. That leaves 15-16M to sign Fowler. The cubs have the money to sign Fowler and I'm guessing they do once they come to an agreement with Arrieta. Fow!er re-signing with the Cubs for a one year deal has its merits for both sides. The cubs can afford a little extra splurge this year knowing they will have Edwin Jackson's salary off the books after '16. Where would he play though? They aren't going to platoon Schwarber with someone. They aren't going to platoon Fowler after giving him $$ either. I think the Cubs are out on Fowler. The White Sox have a price that they'd pay for Fowler with the pick attached and Fowler obviously isn't ready to sign for that amount yet.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 09:37 AM) I don't believe that the rest of MLB should have to subsidize teams who are intentionally bad. What about teams that are awful but aren't necessarily trying to be? They should be subsidized still even though they make terrible decisions? I get what you are saying. I just think a team's only objective is to put your team in the best possible situation to win a World Series. Sometimes that entails being really bad for a couple of years. I'd much rather win 63 games than 77-78 games if I'm one of these bad teams.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 09:36 AM) Soler isn't the guy the cubs need to trade, its Coghlan. We all know that Soler is horrible in RF so a Fowler signing gives the cubs a switch hitter in CF, Heyward's LHB in RF and Soler's RHB platooing LF with Schwarber's LHB. Coghlan and his LHB should be the odd man out. Now, finding a trade for Cophlan is another story. Imo, the cubs are waiting to see what happens with Arrieta and hoping Fowler will sign a one year deal while advocating to him the benefits of re-entering FA next year in a thinner talent pool of outfielders. Just a guess on my part. I'd actually really like to have Coghlan on the Sox. Petricka for Coghlan. Done.

QUOTE (knightni @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 08:59 AM) This all goes back to the Cubs holding back Bryant last season for that one week to guarantee the extra year of contract status. It does? Most teams do that. The Sox did it with Rodon. The Pirates and Astros have both done it. The Braves didn't do it with Heyward and because of that, he was a free agent this offseason.

QUOTE (bear_brian @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 09:08 AM) My belief is that Fowler is waiting for the Cubs to settle Arrieta's arbitration case. After that is done, the Cubs will either have the available cash for Fowler or not, and things will then proceed accordingly. I doubt it. They don't have a spot unless they move Soler and they'd almost be selling low. I also think that they'd like to draft in the 2nd round, which losing Fowler allows them to do.

Yep. If Fowler was looking for 4/60, and the draft pick attached is around $10 million on the open market, that knocks his value down. A 3 year deal for something around $36-$38 million is probably what the White Sox are willing to do.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 08:45 AM) I kind of get the problem with this in MLB. It isn't necessarily the action of intentionally losing, the problem is when the rest of major league baseball is forced to subsidize an intentionally substandard product. If they could figure out a way to take away revenue sharing in some amount from teams who were tanking, I'd be OK with that. I just hate the word tanking. There are 4 teams "rebuilding". People act like it's half the league or something. Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Philly, and Atlanta. They are doing what they need to do though. The only way that Cincy and Milwaukee can compete with Cubs, Cards, Pirates is if they bottom out and trade veterans for prospects, spend internationally, and draft well. The same goes for Philadelphia and Atlanta. San Diego and Colorado should be taking the same approach.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Jan 31, 2016 -> 10:14 AM) Dream Early 2016 Mock: 1.10. Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Arizona C.28. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville 2.49. Chris Okey, C, Clemson Not a fan of Dalbec but I could see them going college pitcher at 27 or 28 if they still have that pick.

HS SS Nolan Jones could be an option for White Sox at #10. Multi-sport athletic type that they like. Mickey Moniak is another HS OF that could be an option around #10. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/draft...rt-nolan-jones/ http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/confi...-mickey-moniak/

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Feb 4, 2016 -> 03:32 PM) I am surprised at the final 3. Cara and Jamie I could see making a final from the beginning but not the other two. Rooting for Cory and Mitch though, for whatever reason I like Cory Cory is like 23. He literally could be doing finals for the next 10 years.

QUOTE (knightni @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 08:13 AM) His last tweet was in December, RIP - ing Scott Weiland after his suicide. Scott Weiland wasn't a suicide. Drug Overdose

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.