BlackSox13

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 01:31 PM) Trying to fit Buerhle's salary in gets much tougher when a realistic salary threshold for the team next year is used. We are sitting at $46 million before any of the arb guys have been signed. Realistically, if Viciedo is brought back, and Bellisario isn't, I'd say somewhere around $60 million is a realistic floor if you assume normal arb numbers for the rest of the guys (Viciedo $5 million, Flowers $2 million, Jones and Noesi $1 mil each) along with $500k holding slots for the rest of the roster (12ish open spots = $6 million). We spent $90 million last year, and all revenue streams probably fell again last year, which is offset and then some by the extra $25 million from the new TV deal. Realistically, I would bet on the $90-95 million range, which means we have more like $30 to $35 million to spend, not 40 to 50. That is a huge difference. You really think Viciedo and Belisario will be back? Were just looking at from different perspectives. Include their salaries and the space is where you say it is but if the Sox trade or kick them to the curb them the space is where I'm saying and I'm really not counting on either being with the team which is why I threw the numbers out that I did. Back to the original idea of Buehrle + 4M coming from Toronto. The Sox don't have the space for Buehrle and the proposed 15M but yet names like Victor Martinez, James Shields and Max Scherzer, all of which will make more, are tossed around? Makes no sense. I'm not saying we should go after Buehrle but if the Sox want to upgrade the rotation and Toronto is willing to send money with Buehrle, the Sox should explore since they insist they can contend in 2015. Who knows. Take Buehrle and cash from Toronto and maybe the Sox can intern deal Danks and cash elsewhere. Then you're looking at a 2015 rotation of Sale, Q, Buehrle, Noesi, Rodon. Bassitt plays long man/spot starter out of the pen and Buehrle buys a year for possibly one of Beck, Montas or Danish to be ready in 2016. If not, maybe the Sox look at a one year deal with Buehrle for 2016.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 10:51 AM) There is no potential for them to spend that much either. What is your point? Care to discuss the possibility of Buehrle by any chance?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 10:38 AM) I wouldn't put it past GMs, but I'd be stunned if McCarthy got a $45-$60 million deal. I'd be willing to bet BMac get 2 years with an option determined by his innings pitched over the two years prior to the option year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 10:33 AM) The Sox are not spending $50 million this off season. I never said they were....

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 10:12 AM) I'd give up very little for that. That would fill a rotation spot for 1 year at a high price that would eat up a large portion of the White Sox's money to spend on free agents this year while still leaving them major holes at DH, OF, and bullpen. If you're looking to fill a rotation slot there's a good chance you could get comparable performance on the free agent market for similar money without having to give up any minor leaguers for him. Throw them something comparable to one of the relievers we got back in the deals we made this year. I know 15M is a nice chunck of money but its not a large option of the potentential 40-50M the Sox have to spend. Scherzer and Shields will be much more costly in terms of annual salary and contract years. BMac could very well likely cost in that 15M range annually on a 3-4 year deal and brings health concerns with his contract. Masterson is a reclamation project. If the Sox really plan on contending, Buehrle could help the rotation and bridge the gap to Rodon. One of the things I like most about the Buehrle idea is that its only for one year and then Buehrle's salary is off the books. If a pitcher becomes injured or Danks gets traded then Rodon gets called up.

Let say Toronto throws is 4M and knocks Buehrle's 2015 salary down to 15M which I believe he is worth. What can Toronto expect in return from the Sox?

Anderson went 0/4 with 1R, 1K, 2BB

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 27, 2014 -> 03:33 PM) Isn't it $19 million? Yup, 19M.

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 11:18 PM) Yes. And Guthrie vs Hudson on Wednesday, if necessary. Thanks flavum.

Any guesses on the pitching matchup Tuesday? Ventura vs. Peavy?

What's more important, the hand a starter throws with or getting hitters out? Buehrle put up a 3.39 ERA in a tough ALE division last season but hey, f*** that idea, better to sign Peavy or Masterson because they are right handed... I would gladly take Buerhle back depending on the cost and I can give a toss if the Sox ended up with four or even five lefties as long as they can get outs.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 04:48 PM) Zimmerman is supposedly only going to physically be able to play 1B. Thus the speculation. They may not want to risk picking up the option because another team may not want to pay him that much, let alone give up something worthwhile while taking on the money. I do think he would be someone for Hahn to consider if he is turned loose Oh ok, thanks Dick, makes much more sense now. If LaRoche is cut loose I really hope the Sox make a serious run at trying to sign him, unless a better option presents itself. LaRoche hitting at the Cell behind Abreu is tantalizing.

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 01:22 PM) about Cespedes, I just don't know if a max contract is the motivating factor. (it is a gut feeling) LaRoche is my favorite for the sox, only if the nats do not pick up his option. Cespedes- I'm thinking maxing out is the plan as it makes the most sense. He will be a 30 year old FA, the FA market pays better now than when he signed and his best chance at a lucrative long term deal. In FA, multiple teams bidding for his services will drive up his price as well. LaRoche- good call on his option. I missed that part. His option is for 15M in 2015, I see no reason why the Nat's wouldn't pick it up. He could be trade bait but I get the feeling the Nat's keep him around. 15M for his bat is pretty damn good value. So, now who do we talk about?

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 10:55 AM) here is the problem I am having with all these ideas. 1. the was not able to trade Danks and his 15 mil a yr, at the last yr trade deadline. so who to trade him too? 2. DV, same as Danks. who will take him and his lousy batting stats let alone his "D". 3. there will be other teams making the same pitch to probably the same reason. 4. there are options on those players that the sox may be interested. 5. there is a lot of "what if" and over estimations on players making a rebound. as much as I want to sox to go great. what is killing me is the waiting for the WS to end. so the domino chips to fall. 1- I think its likely Danks opens the season with the Sox. If he pitches well and the Sox are contenders, fans just might be glad the Sox have him. 2- I think DV's 20+ HR power will make some team take a chance although the return won't be out of this world. I really don't think it will be difficult to move DV. 3/4/5- Agreed. Peavy and Masterson in the same rotation scares me. Peavy's numbers in the AL were on par with Danks and Noesi actually out performed both Peavy and Masterson so dare I say a rotation with Peavy and Masterson is worse than Noesi and Danks... Peavy is regressing and likely signs with an NL team ( calling it now, SDP) and Masterson is a gamble. If the Sox insist on having two right handers in the rotation, I'd rather they took a chance with Noesi and Bassitt over Peavy and Masterson. Cespedes- I'd say no. He likely wants to hit FA and maximize his contract. Rather take a chance on LaRoche but there's no way I'd want Cespedes playing LF for the Sox. Cespedes just isn't a fit for the Sox.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Oct 25, 2014 -> 12:17 PM) When does Bassitt start getting more love around here? Dude has been legit this year. 84.1 innings stretched across the minors, majors, and AFL 2.57 ERA 87/33 K/BB just 2 HRs(none in 29 ML innings). Couple that with an impressive 2013 season and I believe he was equally impressive when he converted to the rotation in 2012. I'm curious as to why he's not even in some peoples top 10 (and really I'm beginning to question my own 7 or 8 rating). Is it merely because of talk that he prefers relieving? I hope they let him start before he proves he can't, because so far as a starter, he's been legit. I was really hoping for Bassitt as a starter with what he has to offer given a low to mid 90's FB with movement, a tight slider and a CB that reminds me a alot of Wade Davis' curve, nasty. But if the Sox feel he's better suited as a reliever or don't have the room in the rotation, I'm fine with Bassitt as a reliever but surely prefer him as a starter.

Anderson went 0/4, K Bassitt- 1.2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 4K. Kicking some ass so far! Snoddy- well, he pitched, looked like s*** and that's all I'm going to say. Kevan Smith went 1/4, K

QUOTE (scs787 @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 11:18 AM) Am I the only one who thinks the whole "He's pitched 1300 innings and is only 26" thing is a tad bit overrated in reference to Kenta? Would you guys not wanna sign Clayton Kershaw because he has 83 more innings than Kenta at the same age? Madison Bumgarner is on pace to have more, would you not sign him? King Felix had 1600 at age 26. I could probably find more, but you get my point.....Now I know the point consists of comparing Kenta Maeda to some of the games elite, but I'm not comparing their stuff or them as pitchers. Merely saying that I think the whole the fact he pitched so many innings at a young age is largely overrated. Sign me up for Maeda if he posts. From what I've read he reminds me of his old teammate Hisashi Iwakuma, who has been pretty impressive since coming over. Its the innings, age combined with being 5'11" and 154 lbs which does not scream durability. Then add in that his body would have to adjust to pitching every fifth game. IMO, a long term deal to pitcher like this is asking for disaster. I remember how people were so disappointed the Sox missed out on Tanaka and how people breathed a sigh of relief that the Sox didn't sign him after he'd become injured.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Sep 30, 2014 -> 11:32 PM) Won't happen without his Nippon approving first and with the new posting system not being nearly as lucrative for the posting team as it used to be so its highly doubtful Nippon would agree. Nippon would only get 20M compared to the 51M they got for Darvish thanks to the new posting system. Don't get me wrong, I would be all for it but Nippon would probably lose more money than they would gain from posting the kid. QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Oct 1, 2014 -> 12:09 AM) Holy cow! I just looked Ohtani up and he just turned 20 on July 5th! The kid is just getting ready to finish his 2nd season. He's not going anywhere for probably another 5 years. Nippon did not post Darvish and Tanaka til they had played for 7 seasons first. One month later, simply rinse and repeat. QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 10:43 AM) I always thought that to be the case, however several other articles about him has given the little snippet. he wants to be posted and not wait for the normal yrs or waiting. What it comes down to is the Nippon Ham-Fighters team owns this kids and so does the so does the NPB so that kid is going nowhere. His only chance was when he came out of HS as a FA but instead he chose to sign in Japan so Japan is where he will stay for likely the next 5 years.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 09:40 PM) http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/...re-low-so-what/ World Series ratings are low again, SO WHAT? Great find Caulfield, I absolutely agree with the writer. Ratings mean absolutely nothing to me, if I desire to watch its because I'm interested and not because everyone else is. Game 3 is going to be a good matchup. In the first two games it was easy to see which team had the edge based on the pitching matchups but game 3 is a much closer matchup, IMO. I think the Giants may have a slight edge in game 3, slight. Should end up being the best game of the series so far.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 08:49 PM) With Danks' contract still on the books, they're not going to take on another bad contract in BJ Upton. Their operating style has always been to trade away prospects instead of eating the costs on the accounts payable line. Normally I would agree but since the Sox have so much room in the payroll it is a possibility although not a very likely one. The Sox could, if they so desired, take on BJ's contract if it meant getting Justin and Heyward. In the end, I admit, its just a daydream is all. A more realistic idea might BJ and one of Heyward/ JU for Danks, Montas and.... not sure what else really.lol. No matter, this is just for conversations sake.

Anderson went 2/4, R, K Olacio went 1IP, 1H, 0R

QUOTE (raBBit @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 04:04 PM) Heyward worth over 5 WAR. I did not think it was that high. If his bat comes back around to compliment his defense, holy s*** would he carry some value. Yikes! QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 04:11 PM) Both players are FA after 2015 season. I think the Braves would try harder to resign Heyward than Upton, given how great Heyward appears to be defensively, and he's younger. My bad, I was looking at the wrong Upton. OK, I'm greedy but can't we just have both Justin and Heyward, provided they both agreed to extensions? A lineup of Abreu, Heyward, J.Upton as 3,4,5 hitters sounds good. I would gladly try to build a package around Q and Avi for that haul. Not sure the Sox have enough to fill out the rest or not but its interesting to think about. I know I would not want to Anderson in the deal. Maybe the Sox agree to take BJ's contract to help balance things out. Justin in LF, Eaton in CF, Heyward in RF with BJ being the rotating 4th OF is a solid defense. OK, dream is over and I'm awake.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 12:26 PM) I wonder if Peavy might be good in the bullpen. Not sure anyone would be willing to try it with him at this point, but there are some flags there that tell me it may be a good fit in the latter stages of his career. I think the more important question is, would Peavy be willing to try working out of the bullpen? I'd bet the answer would be a resounding no. Some NL team will be more than happy to sign Peavy as a starter. Who knows, maybe even SD would be interested if the price was right. Its where Jake got his start and where he reluctantly left in the first place, an extremely pitcher friendly ballpark and Jake probably still has ties to the FO in some way.

If I were to guess which of Upton/ Heyward Atlanta would trade, it would be Heyward. Upton is still under contract through the 2017 season. Heyward is a free agent after 2015 plus I think the Atlanta still has a sour taste from last winters negotiations when they tried to get Heyward signed long term and ended up settling for two years which was his last two years of arbitration. Just a guess on my part. I'm curious what Heyward's value is considering he going into his last year under contract, a down 2014 season and seemingly reluctant to sign long term to get paid on the FA market after 2015. I think other teams have more to offer Atlanta so it really does not matter, tho its fun to dream about.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 11:15 AM) That's probably many dozen kegs and couple thousand cheeseburgers ago. He was definitely north of 300 last I saw him pitch. Interestly enough, MiLB and BR both list Montas as 6'2, 185. Borderline Chris Sale territory. Yeah, I'd bet closer to 285 than 185.