ChiSox59

Because the White Sox appear positioned to be one of the best teams in the AL over the next decade. The only teams that appear to be positioned better at the Red Sox (who he hates - but I still think are a huge risk) and the Yankees (whom already have a young 3B entrenched). I am far from convinced MM will be on the White Sox, but I do think they'll take a run at him, and I don't think he'll need to be paid at $75M premium to sign with the Sox (which IMO is big time chicken little crazy talk).

BUT BUT BUT it fits his narrative. So there's that.

The only way it makes sense to keep Avi is if they plan to sign a true CF like Aj Pollock, which I highly doubt is in the plans.

Hadn't thought of it that way, but that makes some sense I guess

I see basically no upside in keeping Avi. Best case scenario he blows up and the Sox get some middling prospect for him next July. I'd rather non-tender him and use that $10M towards signing a better OF, that can either be used as a stopgap until the kids fill the OF, or used as trade currency if he performs well.

I don't give two shits about meaningless win totals. I want the #3 pick.

Yah, I mean...what's the worst that can happen? He hurts his arm? Its not like he's so good as a DH on the wrong side of the platoon that the Sox wouldn't be able to go on without him. Based on the Cooper's comments on Davidson pitching, and the fact that Davidson admitted having real pain/soreness after one of his outings, I really doubt this ever amounts to anything.

Gotcha gotcha

What is the purpose of an "opener"? It makes no sense to me unless you're working with expanded rosters and simply want to play matchups in the first few innings in a very important game.

What is HF?

Yah, I was in that camp. I still may be, but the Kopech injury definitely changes things. I was ready to try to put a team together that maybe, just maybe, if things went well had a chance to compete. Now, I don't see it happening unless the Sox go bananas in FA.

I'd rather try somebody else. I'd rather sign a guy Sabathia, Ryu, Harvey, Hellickson, Ross or Pomeranz. But Shields is definitely well liked and respected in the clubhouse, so I could definitely see a reunion on a 1 year deal in the $5-8M range. Let the 5th spot go to the winner of Covey (please just put in pen), Stephens, or Guerrero.

He doesn't pitch those days? I don't think he'll ever be bullpen regular, but a guy you can throw out there for a an inning in a blowout 10-15 times a year seems doable.

Go Indians!

Like? Delmonico and Leury are really the only guys on the current roster I can think of they've moved around. And that is because Delmonico was literally awful at 3B, a position he has yet to appear at in the big leagues. I don't really consider moving a guy like Yolmer, a middle infielder by trade, around the infield all that flexible. Cordell was an infielder by trade. No appearances in the IF. Palka is supposedly able to play 1B. Haven't done it. Haven't tried guys like Yolmer or Davidson in the OF. I get not moving around guys like Anderson and Moncada, but even going back to previous seasons, I can't think of the Sox tinkering around with fringy guys playing new positions much at all. We must just have different definitions of "quick to expand versatility".

I doubt they just dump him with an option left.

Nice, I like it. I've been a bit tuned out the last couple weeks. Good teams find a way to make log jams work. The Yankees and Cubs are recent examples. Sox have been very reluctant to move guys around. I hope that changes as spots on the roster become harder to come by.

Did I miss the Sox plan to have Rondon learn the OF news? If so, I dig it. Sox need to be more willing to try guys it other positions. That's how you make logjams works, and find nice values. I'd roll like this to start the year: LF - Delmonico CF - Engel (i'd play Leury a decent amount too) RF - FA DH - Palka / Davidson (Davidson plays some 3B and 1B as well) BN: Smith, Leury, Yolmer, Davidson DFA: LaMarre Non-tender: Avi Option: Cordell and Rondon Trade for a bag of balls: Castillo Option Delmonico whenever it is that Eloy comes up. Eloy plugs RF, FA moves to LF. I'd love to sign AJ Pollock and put him in CF, just don't see it happening.

I expect Gio to be much better. (7) I expect about the same from Rodon with more Ks. (8.5) I'd be thrilled with the same from Lopez, but I think a slight step back, but still a solid back end of the rotation guy. (5.5)

Delmonico has an option and I don't see any way he is on the roster next year once Eloy is around. Maybe he makes the OD roster and goes down when Eloy comes up, but there just isn't room for him.

Knowing the Pirates, there is no way he starts that game.

I'd be super duper surprised if LaMarre is in the organization when the 40 man needs be finalized before Rule 5 draft.

Palka is my full time DH (with occasional OF start) against RHP next season, and PH bat of the bench in late innings when a LHP starts. He's earned it. Not sure who the other side of the platoon would be though. Not sure there is room for both him and Davidson due to lack of defensive flexibility, though Davidson would be a good fit for the job if we had more roster spots.

Afford? Lol. They can afford to put a A ball team out there right now. Losing is more important than winning. Cordell hasn't been good in his limited chances, but I assume he has at least 1 option left so he'll be around for a bit still.

And water is wet.