BlackSox13

I take it the Nat's see Taylor as a fourth outfielder?

This came out of nowhere. Wonder what the Yanks gave up.

Lol! " We found out again this year that White Sox ace Chris Sale is unhittable. We also found out, however, that he isn't unbreakable. You'd think there would be nothing that could stop this man from pitching on Opening Day. But here's what did: his truck. He was unloading it during spring training, neglected to stick the landing and broke a bone in his foot. Next time, he might want to hire a few Teamsters."

Hmmm, good to see ole Black Jack has an open mind.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 01:51 PM) Either Pootie Tang, or Tonto--or both--have hi-jacked this thread! Lmfao! Don't blame da Wang!

For those Sox fans that are bored, I know there's more than a few of us, this is an interesting take from an insider Olney article. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/asse...et-2015-16.html

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 01:37 PM) IMA SINE YOU PIDDY ON THE RUNNY KINE, HAHA, YEA I piddy da foo dat dudnnt sine toodae! Yoo heer me Gordon yoo foo! Sine already sucka mafa! Wy four him no sine? Him no likka wite socks! Mabee him preefer pink tootoo insted.

How. Me thinkin' Gordon no sine toodae, why him no sine yet? Him derty basterd!

Looks like a FB/SL combo. Throws about 91. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/pro...asp?P=josh-wall

Good grief some people are like kids that cannot wait to open gifts at XMas. Rumors are fun to discuss but should not be taken literally until something more concrete comes forth. Why not just enjoy the discussion while we wait to see what unfolds instead of whining? Hi8is, fwiw, you are cracking me up over here. Good job! Poop.

More mocks because, I'm bored I guess. This one has Rutherford to the Sox: http://www.fueledbysports.com/2016-mlb-mock-draft/ This one stayed the same with the Sox picking Okey: http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft

Depending on his asking price, I'd like to see the Sox pick up Beachy for some added depth and chance to compete for a spot in the rotation. Not sure what Beachy is looking for as far as money or if he's insisting on a major league contract or a starting rotation spot in the rotation. Would like to use him as a long reliever in '16 to build up his innings and give the Sox another arm to compete for the open spot when Danks goes to FA after '16.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 11:41 AM) Thanks, Einstein. Point is, they have time to make another move or two. The impatience here is almost comical. Agreed. Pitchers and catchers don't report for another two months. There's no reason to rush things.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 11:39 AM) Assuming he or Gray are not injured. Buzz kill! Lawrie is going to go yard off of Gray in Lawrie's first Sox at bat!

Well done NorthSideSox. What do you think of Jace Fry's future, is he destined to become a reliever?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 10:50 AM) No way on giving Parra 3 to 4 years with an AAV of $13M. That would be a terrible use of resources and would barely make our team better. Hell, Jacob May could probably get you better production in 2017 at the league minimum. If we're serious about competing next year, we need to add an impact OF and Parra clearly doesn't qualify. Investing 4-6 years and 100-150M$ could also be viewed as a terrible waste of resources. Depends on ones point of view. As for May, I'm high on the kid but he's not going to be a right fielder so there's no reason to use him in a comparison with Parra. May's arm is below average and is destined for LF, a position he could easily upgrade over Melky. After the '16 season, LaRoche will be gone and Melky can move to DH and open up LF for May, if May is ready to make the jump.

Just wanted to throw out an alternative idea to signing one of the big three since I'm not sold on he Sox making the commitment those three are seeking. Going by the assumption JR would raise the payroll 20-25M to sign one of Gordon/Upton/Cespedes. Signing one of them would mean a shift for Melky to RF or Avi in RF and Melky to DH. My alternative idea is this... LaRoche is a sunk cost and IMHO a bench bat/late inning defensive replacement at 1B. Leave Melky in LF since its the only position he can play, albeit not very well. Sign Parra to play RF, he is an upgrade over Avi and would bring a left handed bat with some speed to a lineup that can use it. Next, sign Alvarez to DH and supply left handed power to the middle of the lineup that needs it. Parra can probably get a Melky type contract. 3-4 years at likely 13-15M per year. Alvarez is likely looking for a one year deal in the 8-10M range to hopefully build his value to seek a long term contract next winter. Hitting at the Cell for a season could do just that and the Sox benefit from his potential power production and if he hits well, the Sox offer a QO to which he declines and the Sox get a comp pick for the '17 draft for one year of his services. Also, should the Sox not contend, he becomes potential trade bait at the deadline, if he is hitting of course. My thinking is that it might be a better idea to spend the money to upgrade two spots in the lineup instead of just one since there ae some holes still. Admittedly these are marginal upgrades compared to signing one of the big three but IMO signing Alvarez/Parra is less risky than a 4-6 year contract that will cost 100-150M. After the '16 season the Sox would have the contracts of Danks/LaRoche/Alvarez coming off the books and free up a ton of payroll space. Space that will be needed to account for pay raises to the likes of Eaon, Sale and Q plus its possible Abreu opts for arbitration and will surely get more money. The money left after that allows the Sox to sign or trade for a player that has a bigger salary. Just trying to think outside the teeny tiny box the media has many thinking in. Just because signing on of the big three makes sense does not mean it will happen or that's its the best move for the Sox.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 11:35 PM) I'm curious as to why you think this... I think they are right on the verge of having that ability right now but a 2-4 WAR type player would get them there. It's the unknowns that concern me and here's a short list. 1- Frazier's '15 second half collapse concerns me and moving to the AL and needing some time to adjust to new pitchers. His 19 errors last season are also a concern. These are the reasons I wasn't a big fan of the trade and in fact was against the idea before he was traded for. That said, I have accepted the fact he's the Sox 3B and will obviously be pulling for him. 2- the big three are all left Fielders. That means we see one of Melky or Avi in RF which is scary. I'm fine with Melky's bat but not feeling very confident in Avi's bat. 3- LaRoche. I think that speaks for itself. 4- Danks- not the worst #4 starter but would be better suited as a #5 in the rotation but even still we just don't know what to expect with him. One game he can come out and throw 7 shutout innings and the next get lit up for 7 runs in 3. Big question mark imo. 5- Erik Johnson- not sure what to expect from him. Last time he was given a shot he failed miserably and hopefully the mechanical changes he made last year translate to success in '16. He's pretty much an unknown gamble until we see what he can do. His BB is also a concern a well. 6- lack of starting pitching depth. If the Sox lose just one starter, they are in trouble and especially if it's one of Sale, Rodon or Q. Turner and Beck are the Sox depth and both had injuries in '15 so they will be trying to not only stay healthy but build their innings up in '16. 7- the '16 payroll limit. It's been assumed JR would raise it and yet nothing has been said by he FO so to get hopes up of signing a player that will add 20-25M to a payroll thats already at is limit is a foolish assumption. I'm not saying it won't happen, just that I'm not willing to assume it will. These are merely concerns I have and I absolutely hope I'm wrong with these concerns. I'm just trying to be realistic about the current roster. If you don't mind I would like to point out some potential positives I see. 1- Frazier- if he plays well in '15 and forms a good bond with his teammates and FO. I think he could be a good extension candidate that could be the Sox 3B for the foreseeable future and should his skills slip at 3B he should makes fine 1B. 2- Lawrie- I love that trade and am extatic to have him and his inense energy. I see him as a potential extension candidate much like Frazier and would love to see it happen at some point. 3- Saladino- love his defense and I think he will hit surprisingly better than we might expect. I don't expect him to hit for a high average but I think he will get a pretty good amount of extra base hits due to his short quick swing and his speed. I'm excited to see what he can do a the SS position. 4- Abreu- need I say more? 5- Sale, Q, Rodon s the front three. Again, need I say more? 6- Sox back end of the bullpen. I expect many doors to be shut by Robertson and Jones. IMHO, the Sox will undoubtedly be better in '16 but even with he addiionn of Upton or Cespedes or Gordon, I still don't think that's enough.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 10:21 PM) Why? The White Sox, as currently constructed, still aren't a playoff team in my opinion. Frazier and Lawrie are nice upgrades, but catcher, shortstop, right field, and left field are all still potential holes, not to mention the lack of decent pitching depth. You pretty much answered your own question to be honest. Cespedes or Upton or Gordon will not make the Sox a playoff team but they would likely eat up whatever funds JR might be willing to open up the payroll to. I'm keeping in mind that the payroll is currently (119M) at last year's already and its rumored that's all Hahn has to play with which is why he needs to get "creative". As you pointed out, the Sox still have other holes, will still be relying on a few unreliable players and nowhere has anyone from the front office said JR will actually raise the payroll. Not saying he won't, just not willing to assume he will and I'm not willing to assume the Sox sign one of the big three. As I said yesterday, I think spending 15-20% of the overall payroll on 1 player on a team of 25 players is just plain dumb. The Sox do not have the payroll ceiling that teams like the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yanks etc. Also, Gordon especially is not worth 20M+ plus per year and the Sox would be stupid to pay him that kind of money. I hope he re-signed with the Royals. Cespedes is 30 and looking for a 6 year deal, ya, no thanks! Upton, I wouldn't mind him so much but I fear his cost due to his age will keep his price kinda high. Too many Sox fans making too many assumptions. I'm just going to sit back and see how this plays out with no expectations on the Sox signing any of those three.

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 09:59 PM) Sorry, signing them to long term contracts like they are asking for is probably not the answer so Rick wants an out because we currently could use their services as they are an upgrade over our current options. Posting on this site is really miserable. Every post is followed by a jerkoff comment. So much for adding something to a stale conversation. FWIW, I am in the minority with you. Honestly, I hope the Sox don't sign any of the big three.

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 09:44 PM) Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Alex Gordon wants to stay in KC but realizes they won't pay up. He also mentions Upton's market is slow because teams are worried about his effort and lack of passion. At least with Cespedes you don't lose a draft pick, although he might get the most $ and years. I'm beginning to think that none of the big 3 are the answer for our White Sox. I think Rick knows that and is probably pushing for mutual opt out clauses after a few years if he is going to sign any of them. I've been thinking the same thing. Surely the Sox are doing due diligence and have likely talked to all three to some degree or another.The Sox payroll, inability to trade certain salaries to make room for a high priced FA signing and the numerous outfielders available right now gives me the feeling the Sox end up making another trade for outfield help. Just a feeling, I could certainly be wrong.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 12:29 PM) It's not just local media. It's national writers saying Sox are interested. Not sure I follow you. I never said the Sox weren't interested.

Meh, sounds more like hard-ball between KC and Gordon. Gordon wants to stay in KC but KC does not want to pay the FA market price so KC could be relying on Gordon's desire to stay in hopes he will eventually accept a "home town" discount. I really think the Sox level of interest has been over blown by the local media.

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 27, 2015 -> 10:37 AM) but here is the point, if some media group is claiming this, should any sport league should jump to a league wide crucifixion, where is the due process, where is the defense. No, the MLB is not going to jump to a league wide Crucifixion over allegations from Al-Jazeera. Let's not go overboard. The MLB will investigate the allegations but if there is no proof to any of this then the MLB will simply move on. The MLB already tests players from marijuana to HGH and everything in-between. Again, this is Al-Jazeera were talking about so at this point I take the allegations with a grain of salt and laugh it off.

Rodriguez says he analyzes Baseball so that said, does signing a 30 year old FA to a six year 150M deal sound like something the Sox would do? Not to take anything away from Rodriguez but there have been people on this board that have already raised that question so its easy to speculate and say the Sox do not have interest in Cespedes seeing as how Cespedes has been quoted as saying he seeks a 6 year deal. With all do respect to Rodriguez, he's pointing out the obvious.