Paulstar

I think a trade with the Rays in inevitable. They have too many catchers, and the White Sox need one who isn't bad (not to say Phegley and Nieto aren't good, odds are they just aren't good MLB players yet. Flowers is bad though). Jose Lobaton is more than expandable for the Rays, and fits what the Sox need right now. He isn't a long term solution, but is definitely someone who provides an upgrade both behind the dish and at bat over all of the options the team currently has. Plus, he adds a left handed bat to the lineup. I'd also love to see the Sox acquire Ben Zobrist to play 2B this year and bat 3rd in the lineup, but the odds of that are highly unlikely as the Rays have no reason to get rid of him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 28, 2013 -> 09:00 AM) One other big difference between right now and the situation with guys like Teahen is that the White Sox have already traded for the replacements for De Aza and Davidson without having roster spots available for them. I can't remember them having done that before, put themselves in a position where a major-league ready guy legitimately has no roster spot at the time the guy is acquired. I think there is no doubt that Eaton will be the starting CF on opening day. As someone else said, Jordan Danks would get the boot, Viciedo would start in LF, and De Aza becomes your forth OF. However, that's obviously not that scenario the front office wants to see, but I think it is prepared for that in case they can't get back adequate value for one of Viciedo or De Aza, or unload Dunn. Also, it really isn't that crazy of an idea that the team wants Davidson in AAA to start the year, or at least doesn't want to hand him the job. Plus, not starting his clock right away is really probably the best decision because if Davidson becomes as good as everyone hopes, he's gonna wind up being pretty expensive one day.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 28, 2013 -> 08:53 AM) I don't think this staff is playoff-ready any more. At least not nearly where it was before Santiago was moved. Moving him was the right decision, but it creates a staff with an ace, a solid #2, 3 rookies and a couple guys coming off of injuries. That's exactly the staff this team should run out there coming off a 99 loss season, a staff with a lot of long-term potential but a lot of question marks for the immediate future. I don't think Santiago was ever the difference between a good or a great staff. I think having his name in the hat with Johnson, Rienzo, Paulino, and now Surkamp increased your odds of creating a great staff, but it was never a sure thing. I kind of think that while everyone's eyes are on Tanaka, the White Sox should make a move to sign Garza. I doubt it will happen, but if you can get him on a reasonable contract (maybe a little more than what Danks got, like 4 years 60 million with an option for a 5th), having him at the top of the rotation with Sale along with Quintana, Danks, and Johnson at the back end... that could be one of the best in the league. Obviously I would rather have Tanaka, but thats definitely not happening with his price tag.

I'd trade Hawkins 10 out of 10 times if the Sox got back Lucroy. Easily one of the most underrated players in the league.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 05:23 PM) When's the last time we went with a six man bullpen for an extended period of time? I honestly can't even remember. If they bring Konerko back, then I think they eat a big chunk of Keppinger's contract and straight up dump him. 2005 comes to mind when the Sox carried five bench players. However, that's neither here nor there. I think people are thinking Dunn AND Konerko when it will most likely come down to Dunn or Konerko. And quite frankly, if Konerko saying he wants to return means trading Dunn (I might be slightly biased), I'm all for it. But if anyone in the organization thinks having three 1B/DH only types on the roster is a good idea, then we are in worse shape than I thought.

Throwing ideas out there, would it seem like a possible scenario where instead of trading one of Santiago or Quintana for a young bat (an option that definitely seems like a possible situation this offseason), we could see Danks traded for a bat who is being overpaid? Two of the names that I can think of have already been thrown around in Ethier and Hamilton. I would definitely prefer to get a young, cost controlled bat on this team for the future, but I think if a situation occurs where you can trade Danks and add a bat who might not be that good anymore and overpriced (but still be an upgrade offensively for this team), you do it. Even if you have to eat more money in such a deal, Danks is such a huge question mark and I still don't think he will ever be the same pitcher he once was.

I don't think Garcia as an everyday CF was a serious consideration. I think it was just more of a spot to put him to give him AB's if they could not unload Rios, and as a potential backup option there in the future. I think the plan is to get a true center fielder out there who provides great defense. Would not be surprised at all to see a trade for Peter Bourjos in the offseason.

I think the writing is on the wall that he will be traded this offseason. I think the plan going into next year is to have some combination of Beckham and Seiman at SS and 2B, with L. Garcia being the backup at SS due to him supposedly being an excellent defender.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 3, 2013 -> 12:43 AM) What have you seen out of Hahn that makes you think he'd sign Granderson . I'd say it's a long shot at best. I still think KW still has a lot of influence in the organization and player acquisitions.

Here are the scenarios I see playing out with Viciedo (I should preface this by saying I don't see Viciedo every being a heart of the order, good offensive player) 1.) If the plan is to commit to an all out rebuild and dump veterans, play young guys, Viciedo at 1B is what it is. Not ideal, but might as well see. 2.) If the plan is to re-tool, spend a little money, and act like the Sox are going to compete, Viciedo as starting 1B is a terrible idea and odds are the Sox would remain under .500 unless Viciedo learned the art of hitting and/or big years from Dunn, Beckham, Garcia, Phegley, and others occur. 3.) If the plan is to re-tool, spend a decent amount of money, and try and compete, and have Viciedo as a situational and rotational player between 1B, DH, and LF (odds are in this situation those spots are filled by a lefty 1B via trade or FA, Dunn at DH, and De Aza in LF), thats not a bad situation. 4.) The plan is to re-tool or rebuild, Viciedo isn't in Hahn/Ventura's (I'm 90% confident Ventura will be back next season, only way he isn't is if HE steps down, White Sox would not fire him, at least not yet) picture and he is traded for another struggling/failed young player. Unfortunately I see option number 2 going. I also think Rios will undoubtedly be traded, and that extra money will be horribly misused by signing Granderson. I wouldn't mind Granderson if he would get a short, cheap contract, but odds are the White Sox would pay him handsomely, even though he is declining and on the wrong side of 30. He could be a good signing, but his bust factor is so high right now, and is exactly the type of FA the Sox should stay away from. Hope I am wrong, but right now I have no reason for hope in this organization actually making good decisions regarding the future.

Dunn, Rios, and $$$ to the Rangers needs to happen soon.

If your trading Reed, you better get a better prospect than Owings. Owings looks like a nice prospect and all but he is flawed (inflated numbers this season, poor K:BB, can he stick at SS?). I'm not understanding why everyone is infatuated with him

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 11:16 PM) With Yadier Molina likely going on the DL, maybe the Cards go after Alexei again to boost their offense? They should definitely trade for Flowers as well then.

At least the Sox got a Rondon

Also, I like to think you can add some potential FA signings as part of this deal (Just like in 05 Carlos Lee did not equal only Pods and Vizcaino, but also partially to Pierzynski/Dye/Iguchi). I don't think there was anyway the Sox would have eaten portions of Peavy's contract and also potentially Rios' and/or Ramirez's contracts while also signing an impact player in FA in the offseason.

Also, I might be crazy and he has looked a lot better the past couple days, but unless Viciedo just murders the ball for the rest of the season, I see him being traded in the offseason. Or at the very least, not a projected starter (maybe a platoon DH/1B/LF type).

Anyone still baffled how Detroit gave up Garcia AND a pitcher for just Iglesias?

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 10:34 PM) I'm curious to see this 240 lbs running around like a gazelle. Plus defense? Can that be mostly from arm strength? He has 20 base steal potential, so he definitely has some range out there.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 10:33 PM) If we can continue landing players of Garcia's caliber with our other guys we're going to be looking good for the future I know it will never happen, but I'm hoping somehow Rick works some magic and gets Matt Adams on the White Sox for Ramirez.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 10:25 PM) All his K rates are 20-25% and all his walk rates are 3-4%. The biggest reason he's not like Hawkins is because he hasn't shown any power. The guy is 22, has the tools to be an above average defensive RF (who knows, possibly better), and 20-20 potential. Even if he never develops great plate discipline or sees his average in that .300 range in the majors, he should still make for a solid RF for several years (a lot better than dealing with Rios out there). Plus, if there is no cash involved, I'm actually getting excited at what might happen tomorrow at the deadline. People here were expecting the moon for Peavy, and in all actuality, this is looking like a really solid deal for the White Sox.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 10:17 PM) Garcia is another physical specimen who doesn't know how to f***ing hit. Why can't we, just once, get someone that understands the strike zone? Overreaction much? Garcia is definitely the opposite of every other OF we have drafted over the past several years. He shows a really good feel for hitting, however he likes to hit to much and needs to work on being more patient. He's no Mitchell/Hawkins type who has all the raw talent in the world, but a lack of a feel for hitting and major flaws in their swings that cause a K rate up over 30%

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 10:15 PM) Garcia called a "future all-star" by Nightengale and viewed as highly by a lot of scouts. The fact that we took him away from Detroit just sweetens it. It's a good return for Peavy. I really hope 5 years from now Iglesias is no longer on the Tigers and Garcia is mashing as the 3 hitter for the White Sox.

I'm predicting Garcia, Middlebrooks, and a pitching prospect to the Sox.

There is no possible way this is a 1 for 1 for 1. The Tigers would be getting it worse than the Sox, and the Red Sox would be making out like bandits. Those are the three main pieces it appears, but definitely some other players involved to.

Best news about acquiring Asvail Garcia (not a huge fan of his, but fits the mold of the type of hitter this team needs) is that Rios will most likely be traded tomorrow.