steveno89

I don't know how much evidence exists that a strong finish to the season necessarily carries over to the next. Obviously seeing younger players do well is encouraging though. As for signing a premium free agent whale like Machado or Harper, I think we all need to temper expectations. 2019 is likely to be another rebuilding year as we begin to push prospects up the system and transition the first wave to the mlb level. I would expect veteran bridge type deals, with the potential to be opportunistic in free agency if the time comes. After 2019, ideally we are ready to be very aggressive in free agency to contend in 2020 onward.

Agreed. 3 WAR players are very valuable. Even producing 2 WAR players from your farm system is a tremendous value.

I think Cease is a candidate to be pushed up to AAA to start 2019. He dominated in 10 AA starts and has shown enough at that level to advance up the ladder.

1) Positional players are more likely to pan out and remain healthy long term than pitchers 2) Kopech spent all of 2018 in AAA, Eloy has been there for a couple months I would be shocked if Jimenez is called up prior to mid-late April 2019 at this point

Madrigal was never going to be a huge power guy. He brings speed, defense, batting average and glove to the table, while rarely striking out. It is not as if he has zero power either. Fangraphs is still really high on him

Seriously? Judging a recently drafted player who played a grueling college season and post season, and also coming off an injury right now is foolish. I'm confident everyone will be pleased with how Madrigal performs in full season ball in 2019.

https://theathletic.com/476215/2018/08/17/projecting-the-white-soxs-40-man-roster-decisions/ Fegan's article is pretty good on what we are looking at. We also need to try and keep at least 2-3 roster spots open so we can participate in the rule five draft and free agency. I get it's tough to nit pick on a 60 ish win ballclub, but we will have to leave guys we would rather protect exposed at the end of the day.

We probably need a new thread solely dedicated to the White Sox 40 man roster discussions this offseason, as there are numerous players worthy of protection and not enough roster spots.

They were not going to get a solid return for guys like Cedeno and Avilan in this environment. This seems largely about opening up the roster spot for younger players to pitch, and taking 40 man/rule five into consideration.

Tilson sucks, so not really a big loss to be frank. This likely is about 1) Saving money 2) Opening up a 40 man roster spot

Curious move as this seems pretty much like dumping Avilan for nothing but filler.

While Basabe could be a great fourth outfielder, he is still just 22 years old (on August 26th) and is already in AA. There is absolutely the potential to be a quality regular there, along the lines of a poor man's Lorenzo Cain. Gonzalez is a full year older, and really needs to be tested against AA to determine his future trajectory. Upside exists for him to play center field, or be a darn good fourth outfielder.

Nice write up. The bats just seem like a black hole for each of those prospects, outside of Perez possibly. While offense from a catcher is not necessarily essential, batting below the Mendoza line in A ball is frightening as pitchers in the upper minors would likely eat them alive. I'm hopeful for improvement as catching depth is essential.

35,000 would mean the stadium would have to be at 86% of max capacity (listed as 40,615). Maybe on a beautiful Friday or Saturday night with Kopech debuting, but I highly doubt on a potentially rainy Tuesday

I'd be shocked by mid 30's. 30,000 would be a nice crowd.

Prospects are trade currency as well as potential major leaguers. A .250 AVG / .330 OBP / .430 SLG center fielder with above average speed and defense is absolutely good enough to start on a contender. Guessing that would end up being a 2.0 - 3.5 WAR player.

Basabe could turn into a 5 tool player given his skillset: Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50 I don't think the hit ever gets to 50, but 40/45 might be doable. You are looking at a ceiling of a plus defense, .240 to .260 hitter with the chance for 20 home runs and 20 steals. Certainly a valuable player. Basabe is unlikely to crack the majors until 2020, and should start 2019 in AA, with the potential to be bumped up to AAA halfway or so through the season. Given time he could blossom into a starter.

Just bought tickets in the bleachers for tomorrow's game. Excited to see Kopech's debut live.

I doubt Mercedes would get selected and hang on a 25 man roster for an entire mlb season given his shaky defense. Big difference between high A pitching and the majors.

The plan with Cease is probably a nearly full season in AAA ball in 2019, with the potential for a late season callup. He has taken key developmental strides in 2018.

Pollock is great when healthy, but it would frighten me to sign him to big money and years given the injury history.

That Pittsburgh gave up all three already likely tells you something about their internal projections for each player though. If you feel they have a strong chance of reaching their ceiling's then you are unlikely to move them. Idk why, but they must have soured on Baz to include him as a third piece in this deal.

Peripherals are not all knowing, as some pitchers have a tendency to outperform them regularly. What I like to look at is the general trends though. The .207 BABIP is simply not going to last, as anything below a .270 is either 1) Elite or 2) not sustainable long term.

Not sure I would use the word "fleeced", as Meadows/Glasnow's stock are both down from where they were a year ago. Both still have good upside, but questions still remain about how likely either is to hit their ceiling. Baz is very far off sniffing the majors and is a risky prospect, Meadows needs to both perform and remain healthy, and Glasnow needs to display improved control over an extended period of time or he is nothing more than a bullpen arm.

Given Rodon's spotty medical history and pretty questionable peripherals (4.36 FIP, 4.93 xFIP, .207 BABIP in 2018), I doubt the Sox will be able to move him for a strong return. I hate to rain on the Rodon parade, but it very much looks like he will be due for a large helping of regression coming up.