BlackSox13

Nice hitting by Yoan going with the pitch to RF. Sox are on the board.

Yeah Giolito just didn't have control of his pitches tonight. Bad outings happen.

I had the exact same surgery when I was 15. The pain was brutal.

And they need to let the players continue to develop to see who the core players are. That's why I expect 2019 to be another development year. I'm not saying the Sox will not sign players in free agency, just not expecting the Sox to sign second tier ( below Harper) free agent outfielders this winter. I think at most we see the Sox look to sign a veteran starting pitcher on a one year deal to replace Shields to buy time on Cease who we could see next August/September. Edit to add: I do expect the Sox to make offers to Machado and or Harper but I still doubt either will sign with the Sox.

These are great ideas. Give it time and I think both will happen.

Not relying on free agency at all. I think the Sox believe two of Robert, Basabe, Gonzalez, Rutherford, Adolfo will become the future CF and RF so the Sox allow them to continue to develop. I do believe they will make an offer to Harper but if he signs elsewhere I think the Sox stick with what they have for one more season and not sign any second tier players under Harper. Like I said, if the Sox see 2019 as a contending season they would have called up Eloy to start getting acclimated now instead of waiting until mid-April 2019. It hasn't changed a thing. They promoted Kopech because he wasn't going to build up enough innings in the minors without the promotion. Currently Rodon is at 99.2IP, Lopez 162.2IP, Giolito 151IP, Kopech 137.1IP ( includes minors and majors). None of them will be stretched out enough for October baseball in 2019. I think the Sox will surprise and be better than expected but won't be a playoff team. Then there's the very young bullpen they will have next year. Those pitchers will need time to develop as well. 2019 is too soon to expect them to contend. Rebuilding teams don't acquire this much talent to turn around and sign free agent players. The Sox need one more season to see what they truly have in the major and minor league levels. We'll have a much better idea by this time next year.

I still see 2019 as another development year and doubt the Sox sign any outfielders or pitchers this winter. Giolito, Kopech, Rodon and Lopez will continue to build up their innings and none of them will be ready for October baseball in 2019. And there are still hitters developing as well. I believe the Sox will make offers to Machado and/or Harper but still doubt either will sign with the Sox. Keeping Eloy down until mid-April also tells me the Sox see 2019 as a development year.

I agree Avi really is the odd man out. He's not a good outfielder, has one year left before FA, has had problems staying healthy despite his best efforts and there's no room for him as a DH. He's expendable to a rebuilding team. Shop him this winter for the best offer, if there is one, and if not then cut him loose. LF is for Eloy, CF for Engel and throw Cordell in RF with Leury as the OF super sub. One thing to keep in mind is regardless who's playing CF and RF they are place holders for one more season until we see younger talent begin to come up late 2019 and into the 2020 season.

I'd like to see more of Palka, Davidson and Delmonico next season but not sold on any of them yet. Between the three I think Palka has the best chance of sticking around long term. As for Abreu I don't know what to think. I'm not against trading him but how many teams will be looking for a first baseman that is destined to be a DH? I think trading Abreu is easier said than done. I do agree that trading him would make it easier to give more time to Palka, Davidson and Delmonico on a daily basis. Thing is, even with Abreu gone there's still not enough room for all three once Eloy comes up and takes over LF. Even more interesting to think about is what will the Sox do with Avi? I lean towards trading him if possible.

No doubt Eloy is frustrated but he's not Kris Bryant or represented by Scott Boras. Eloy wants to play in Chicago so once he's a part of a perennial contender and likely the leader of the team I think he will move on from this and not look back. This is a big deal now but I doubt it will be a few years down the road.

Exactly. Don't know why I worded it that way. ?

It will be awkward in terms of the excuses the Sox will try to come up with to justify sending Eloy back to Charlotte at the end of ST. They will most likely say they want to see Eloy work on his defense in Charlotte and then miraculously he will have drastically improved by the third or fourth week of April and call him up.

Good point, lol. I probably should have said remain on the 40.

Anyone else thinking this is an audition to be placed on the 40 man roster?

I have no problem with this. It really is the smart choice to make. See ya in mid-late April Eloy.

I like that idea of batting Moncada ahead of Eloy, good call. Slot Palka in at 6th behind Abreu and the middle of the order has some serious pop. I know Collins isn't setting the world on fire with his batting average but I do feel the best is yet to come from him. Maybe I'm reaching but I think Collins can be a .250 BA .350+ OBP 30+HR hitter in the majors some day. I'll take that from a catcher or first baseman, wherever he ends up.

Anything you say hoss.

You slander yourself when you propose ideas like this dude. Put the bath salts down and get some help.

Eloy and his agents aren't happy about possibly not being called up until mid-April next year and somehow you think they will be OK with the Sox jockeying him back and forth between Chicago and Charlotte? Seriously, you really think this is a good idea?

I'm kinda leaning that way myself due to his ability to draw walks ahead of Eloy. But if Collins turns into a HR masher I can see batting him behind Eloy too. Fun to think about.

Yeah it was. That slider he threw to Bradley Jr for the K was nasty.

If he can get his swing down he's going to be a monster in the middle of the White Sox lineup. Would you bat him ahead or behind Eloy in the lineup? I can't decide, lol.

I gotta say it was a good day! Fun game to watch and I enjoyed listening to Hawk and AJ.

Initially I was thinking the Sox rolled with one of Stephens, Guerrero, Covey next year but now thinking Shields wouldn't be a bad idea to eat some innings and buy more time for Cease to develop. I wouldn't opposed to buying him out and offering a ST invite to compete for the open spot in the rotation.

I would be opposed. Better to just leave him there until mid-April and call him for a permanent stay. Calling him up, sending him down and calling him up again would be like masturbation without the really cool explosion at the end... pointless.