Chicago White Sox

You finding this trade simulator was always to be a problem.

First off, I was responding to HOF’s plan, where the only positional addition is an aging 4th OF and requires relying on a bunch of 1B/DH types in the OF. If that is the plan, then blow this thing the f*** up. This “kids can play” idea is sounds like Jerry’s dream for suppressing payroll. In regards to your plan, I don’t think banking on a bunch of athletic but fringe outfield prospects is going to move the needle. Other than Outman, who is the definition of high variance, I’m not all that excited about any of the names you mentioned. You keep going on & on about athleticism, but other than bigger bases I’m not sure what rule changes suddenly make these guys this hot commodity. Yes, defense is important and has been incredibly undervalued by Hahn but so is hitting the baseball. I’m not convinced any of these guys will be average major league hitters. If we were rebuilding, I’d be all over Outman, but trotting out a trio of unproven OFs doesn’t make sense if we’re going for it. We should be giving Colas a shot in RF and pairing him with a veteran. You claim the best years are behind Conforto, Bellinger, & Gallo, but at least these guys are still young and have hit major league pitching in the past. The chances of them being successful is considerably higher than the guys you are seeking.

So basically punt the 2023 season? If so, why not sell?

This guy spews out about hundred rumors a day across all MLB franchises. I’m assuming he’s full of s%*#, but there is some logic to the rumor.

Wasn’t Bellinger’s arb figure less than this?

Alright boys, probably good to have this debate come to an end. I think we can all agree that Boston shouldn’t be retained due to his on the field record alone.

Clevinger is definitely a wild card and I can see the clubhouse concerns. There are other SPs in this price tier I’d be fine with. Conforto I’m less concerned about simply because I haven’t heard anything bad about him specifically. Out of all the buy-low LH OFs, he’s probably the highest on my list. He’s a big risk no doubt, but I see an easier path to quality offensive production than I do with Bellinger or Gallo. As for Lux, I’m probably higher on him than most. I think he’s barely scratched the surface of his potential and that he has legit star 2B upside. Whether he hits that ceiling or not remains to be seen, but even if he never taps into his plus raw power he should be an above average hitter against RHP and provide quality defense at 2B.

This is absolutely ridiculous. Billy Hamilton is one of the worst hitters in recent memory. Bellinger in his current flawed state is leagues better. And there is still the hope a 27 year old former MVP can find his form, especially with a fresh start somewhere else. I’m not expecting a sudden return to form, but it’s much more likely than Stone Garrett or James Outman becoming stud OFs.

I wouldn’t have a problem putting a claim in on Garrett, but I think your expectations are way too high. Tons of athletic guys can’t hit major league pitching and his former team didn’t buy into his SSS of production. Doesn’t mean the DBacks couldn’t be wrong on him, but I wouldn’t banking on him playing an important role next year on a club trying to win a championship.

You’re losing me when you call Stone Garrett a young stud. And Outman is interesting, but seems to be a boom or bust type guy. The Dodgers won’t just give him away though, so you’ll also have to pay a decent price in talent to have the luxury of seeing what guy you ultimately get.

Zero chance.

Assistant hitting coach? If so, I really don’t mind. Seems like most players enjoyed their recovery stints last year after with Menechino.

Marco Gonzales put up a 5.05 FIP and struck out 5.07 per 9. The dude can give you innings, but they will likely be garbage a la Dallas Keuchel. Unless you are giving up someone like Leury for him, there is zero reason to consider him. Winker would be an interesting buy low candidate if we didn’t already have four or five 1B/DH to choose from. As such, I don’t see a fit and I am 100% opposed of having another shitty defender in the OF.

Gonzales is legit bad and Winker is another DH. I don’t understand how that trade would help us compete next year. Just move Hendricks for prospects if you’re looking to rebuild.

Yup, not sure his coaching resume warrants continued employment under a new manager.

Oh I know, I was just saying I agree with you based on my recent post.

Which is I why I included Sosa in my trade proposal with the Dodgers.

Front office needs their clubhouse snitch unfortunately

Dead god this organization sucks.

I took the average of what MLBTR and Fangraphs’ crowdsourcing came up with ($9M) and added a 25% premium. He wasn’t very good last year and has pitched over 126 innings once in his career. I think 1/$12M might get him.

BBTV’s valuations are fun to mess around with but ultimately meaningless. I don’t think the Dodgers would give up Lux for Hendricks straight up, but not because BBTV doesn’t feel it’s an even swap.

Thinking through this a bit, here is what I’d do this off-season assuming we have $20M to work with: Trades: CL Liam Hendriks & IF Lenyn Sosa to LAD for 2B Gavin Lux & RHP Andre Jackson 3B Jake Burger to the Brewers for LHP Robert Gasser Free Agents: OF Michael Conforto - 1/$15M SP Mike Clevinger - 1/$12M OF Adam Duvall - 1/$6M Roster: Anderson, SS Lux, 2B* Vaughn, 1B Jimenez, DH Conforto, LF* Robert, CF Moncada, 3B# Grandal, C# Colas, RF* IF: Gonzalez OF: Duvall UT: Garcia# BC: Zavala Cease Lynn Kopech Giolito Clevinger CL: Graveman SU: Bummer* SU: Lopez MR: Kelly MR: Lambert MR: Diekman* MR: Ruiz LR: Davis/Jackson/Gasser* Summary: The offense has a chance to be significantly better with the addition of two LH bats on top of Colas. Conforto was one of the best hitters against RHP in the majors prior to the 2021 season and Lux put up a 118 wRC+ against righties last year. The bench is versatile and should be able to help against tough LHP. The defense should actually be pretty good outside of catcher with massive improvements in the OF and a quality 2B added to replace Big Energy. For the rotation, I go for ceiling with Clevinger vs. a similarly priced floor option like Quintana. He is a guy that the organization previously wanted and I’d love to see what Katz can do with him as the rust from TJS wears off. Beyond just the #5 spot, adding some depth in AAA is also critical. As such, I also acquire a prospect whose stock is down in Jackson and then use Burger to get a young lefty in Gasser who can compete with Davis for the #6 spot and/or swing role. The bullpen is a wildcard. I hate giving up Liam, but I don’t see another way to bring back talent and free up salary space. The hope is that Graveman or Lopez can do a halfway decent of replacing him at closer. The rest of the pen definitely makes me a bit nervous, although Crochet will be at some point and hopefully provide an impact arm. This a spot we’ll likely need reinforcements by the deadline if still competitive, but not worth over-investing now.

The $180M number comes from James Fegan and that figure is consistent with Hahn’s tone since his end of season press conference. Look, I’m not trying to be a Parkman like pessimist here, but all signs point to a payroll cut. I really hope I’m wrong because I agree we really just two B tier free agents to put us in a decent spot.

I love your optimism, but it seems painfully clear that Reinsdorf is cutting the budget and we’ll have very little financial flexibility to work with. Your plan would make sense with any other owner, but Jerry will use the lack of playoff revenue to not fill holes the easy way via free agency. Hahn will have to be very creative to pull off a successful off-season and up until now Rick hasn’t proved to be overly effective in that regard.

They are basically assuming he will eventually get bumped up. They also have Colas as our starting RF.