steveno89

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:59 AM) During games, I root for the Bears to lose. It's easy. They're bad, there aren't that many games, and football is my third or fourth favorite sport. With the Sox it's more complicated for me. The Cubs turned losing into Bryant, Baez, etc. They may rip off 3 ringz in 5 years, and it happened with losing, smart drafting and THEN free agent signings. But to mimic it, we have to be very bad for at least a few years. To jump right back in in 2018 is taking half measures (but not like the usual Sox 'half measure', granted) Now, the Sox have been cutting guys that those bad Cubs teams had at the forefront (i.e. Mike Olt) so it may be very difficult for us to be THAT bad. Even after a total firesale, we probably still have quality contributors like rodon/anderson/saladino - and then other guys like melky, lawrie and shields who are still veterans and capable of creating wins. So a couple questions: how bad can we be, and can you root for badness, or is it not in your makeup to do so? Sox fans won't actively root against the ball club, but the losses (and believe me, there will be plenty of them) won't sting as much knowing it leads to a higher draft slot

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:59 AM) I like it. I have always been a fan of Holland. He was fun to watch pitch a few years back. Don't love that he is such a flyball pitcher, but its a solid move for the backend of the rotation. I hate to say it because I know I will get crucified - but the Sox are currently constructed could still play .500 ball. Could is the key word. I expect further moves, but right now the lineup and rotation isn't awful. Add a decent DH like Alvarez or Morneau and the team could be interesting without further subtractions. How are we built to play .500 baseball? We will be lucky to win 65 or 70 games in 2017

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:57 AM) I tend to think he's toast, but worth a shot I suppose. His average fastball velocity went from 93/94 to 90 over the past 3 or 4 seasons so Coop is really gonna teach him how to pitch or it's going to more of the same. Again, worth a shot, just not the reclamation project I personally would have chosen. Not very many decent options out there for reclamation Tyson Ross likely wants to go to a contender Doug Fister possibly to eat innings? Holland could rebuild some value with a solid season?

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:49 AM) I don't think they are counting on him breaking camp with that guy as a starter. You can't really guarantee a guy who's never pitched above AA any spot You bring him to Spring Training and see if he can stick. But yes, Quintana will probably be next. But this signing I wouldn't say makes it definitive. Covey is an option at starting pitcher, but more likely he ends up in the pen Hate to say it, but who really even cares? After dealing Robertson, Frazier (possibly), Quintana, etc. we are on track to win 60 games at best in 2017...which I am totally ok with as it sets us up for a top 3 draft pick

QUOTE (FT35 @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:48 AM) He! This is true! I do think they are approaching it as if to acquire all the best talent--regardless of position. It's early and they are simply looking to acquire assets of value. It's kind of like you do in fantasy baseball--take the best player available and then if you end up with a surplus at the end of the draft, you flip something you have for something you need of equal value. Personally I'd like to see the rebuild center around position players then buy any needed SP when you're ready to contend. I like the idea of these guys playing together as early as possible--turning double plays, learning relay throws...all things defensively benefit by having a good core of 8 players on the field. Then, just add water (pitcher). We all would like to see some bats added to the farm, but I strongly believe in going for the best prospects available in a trade We have needs all over the place, and you truly never can have too much pitching.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:33 AM) If Gammons quote is accurate and the Sox were willing to trade for a Tucker/Martes/Musgrove package, you have to think eventually something will get done with Houston. They are 100% analytics, so Q, who probably is the Ben Zobrist of pitching sabermetrically, is one of the best pitchers in baseball to them, signed cheaply for 4 years with a couple of outs in case something horrible happens. I think there will be a 4 or 5 prospect trade for him myself. All of the other dancing IMO is just for show. I am open to a 4 or 5 prospect deal, so long as the depth in the package is quality Our farm system is very top heavy right now and needs quality depth. A quintana package does need to net them premium talent though

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 09:41 AM) I am not positive here, but the link title and article title say they have a deal, but the article doesn't mention it. White Sox Wire ‏@whitesoxpress 6m6 minutes ago #WhiteSox: Source: White Sox strike deal with Holland http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/cws/white-sox-derek-holland-close-in-on-contract?ymd=20161214&content_id=211135908&vkey=news_cws …://http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/cws...vkey=news_cws …://http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/cws...vkey=news_cws … http://playerpress.com Decent low risk signing on a 1 year deal I'm sure We need bodies to eat innings, and if he does well we could deal him at the deadline

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 08:56 AM) Or even 2-3 WAR. Other than 1 more bat, that was what was lacking the last few years. The Sox just weren't solid around the diamond and on the mound. Some 2-3 War volume, instead of 1-neg 1 WAR volume, who have made the difference. Now they needed a lot of that volume. As for Q, I think the Astros will come back to the table. The Sox negotiated down from Devers to 2 other players; similarly, they wanted Musgrove and Martes; just take one and 2 lesser players, plus Tucker (who should be a must). I also wonder about Seattle...they sure could use Q. Sox should not reduce the price for Quintana as he is pretty much the only quality pitching option on the market right now. With Houston not offering Bregman, a deal with them lacks a true elite prospect (like Moncada). Martes/Tucker is a starting point, but I don't feel that a deal is close without significantly more coming to the Sox Reed/Stubbs/Perez/Laureano/Whitley/Hernandez are all players of interest that could potentially round out a trade

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 14, 2016 -> 12:06 AM) Its only been 2 years. He might not make it (I personally don't believe he will) but an arm/talent like that? You make the move everytime. Eh, he's fallen off the map I think we can get better prospects than Kolek for Robertson

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 05:08 PM) A low 1st round pick and Kolek could entice me. Kolek has had injuries and has not performed well since being drafted Far too soon to write him off, but he is far from the top prospect he was a few years ago

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 04:28 PM) Just saw the draft order for the competitive balance portion of the draft was released. Marlins can always throw in their pick to a deal. I don't really like the Marlins system very much as a match for the Sox

QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 12, 2016 -> 07:11 PM) If only Those proposals are insane haha

QUOTE (bighurt574 @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 04:00 PM) The teams that would be interested in Robertson (e.g., Washington) aren't going to really care about the $$$ on his deal to give up a bigger return if the Sox eat some of it. The free agency cost of closers has skyrocketed, Robertson's deal does not seem as huge anymore 2 years/ $24 million is not awful for a decent closer

QUOTE (y2chae @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 03:51 PM) Given what the market is right now for reliable closers, I think Robertson could get a top 50 prospect return, especially if the Sox eat some of that contract. Robertson is a more valuable trade chip than he was a week ago. He is a decent closer on a "reasonable" contract, especially if the Sox eat a little bit of it

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 02:06 PM) I agree. I never quite got the idea why we weren't trying to see if he could be an effective reliever. The whole notion of him as a starter was awful, imo. While too soon to give up on him being a starter, I see Carson Fulmer having the potential to be a very good reliever in time. If he can just focus for an inning or two and harness his raw stuff he could be an overpowering setup man or closer

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 01:58 PM) Yes, but just getting his feet wet. Make it full time in Spring Training, and when he goes to AAA. He was awful so he wasn't getting consistent work. I don't think he will pull an Andrew Miller, but I think he could still have a decent career. Andrew Miller's turnaround is one of the more interesting cases that I have seen of a player going from a bust to elite level Don't think we will see anything like that again soon. He immediately started to get better after being converted to a full time reliever, but it is amazing how he was able to drastically cut his walk rate in the span of a few seasons

QUOTE (SoxBrah @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 01:42 PM) Closer market is hot right now. Get it done and get some position players. Miami makes a lot of sense. We could deal Robertson now and let Jones close If Jones does well he will be a hot name come the deadline It all depends on the return

QUOTE (cornball @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 01:38 PM) Personally, I think the Pirates are a great match for Q. They have several high rated players blocked and could easily come up with a package. The pirates finished 25 games behind the Cubs in 2016, I don't see them being willing to sell the farm for Quintana when they are likely better off letting their own prospects develop

QUOTE (NCsoxfan @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 11:10 AM) I will go further, a contender would have to be insane to rely on Robertson to close out games based on how he looked last year. A contender could be very interested in Nate Jones though. He is not a proven closer, but he has the stuff to close out games

QUOTE (Buehrlesque @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 11:47 AM) Absolute best case scenario. I'd be thrilled if that came to pass. Moving Dahl would run counter to them contending this season, I don't see that happening If they really want Quintana they would offer up Rodgers as a centerpiece + some combination of Tapia/Hoffman/Pint/Marquez/Freeland/Murphy/ETC

QUOTE (Ro Da Don @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 10:15 AM) http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/12/...spects-for-2017 John Sickels' take on the Astros farm for those interested. This analysis makes me feel like taking Musgrove out of the deal and adding Reed + F Perez would be a prudent ask

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 10:17 AM) So the question becomes, would it be worth blowing your entire years signing allotment to bring Otani over? Probably, yes

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 10:14 AM) When it comes to Reed, you have to trust your scouts and baseball people. They will be able to tell you if the debut was a fluke, or if there is fire there. Plenty of people flop in their MLB debuts only to come back and have big careers. Heck, Robin Ventura was 0-41 during his debut. Martes/Tucker/Reed is an interesting package. Sox needs to start getting some position players in the pipeline I'd love to see one more player like Perez thrown in to sweeten the deal. Martes/Tucker/Reed/Perez is a great package

QUOTE (Con te Giolito @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 09:58 AM) With Reed there is the Anthony Rizzo comp that gives you enough hope to be excited about the guy even if you dont believe in him that much. His value has really tanked now too, he's basically a throw in to these deals. He's probably 3rd on depth chart at 1b for them behind Gurriel and Marwin Gonzalez, and this is a team that still seemed pretty hot in their pursuit of EE until something happened at 11th hour that really turned them off. Perhaps a failed medical who knows. Reed needs to get in better shape and take care of his body We could use his power potential at 1B or DH Anthony Rizzo would be a big ceiling for AJ Reed to achieve. I'd park him in AAA for awhile and bring him along when he's ready.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 09:46 AM) I think I just like the potential upside of a catcher plus a guy like Reed who raked in the minors and maybe just needs a bit more exposure at the major league level. Might blow up too though. I try not to get overworked at a sample size as small as AFL, especially because a guy could be there to work on a specific matter, which can have a direct impact on his stats. That said, it is always hard to look at some of the offensive minor league numbers of the Astros A/AA/AAA guys because those leagues are such hitters havens. I pretty much disregard any hitting numbers from Houston's class A Lancaster...that place is a jet stream for homers and hitting While Tucker is a good prospect, the power is projection at this point (understandable for a soon to be 20 year old) His brother, Preston, tore up the minors but has struggled since getting called up to the bigs