steveno89

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 03:20 PM) How exactly does that revert from rebuilding? It doesn't give up any of the precious assets they've acquired. The pitching additions are needed. I suspect the Sox sign at least 1 reliever to a MLB deal. Rondon would fit the bill. I would assume there would be mutual interest between the Sox and Swarzak if his price tag doesn't get too high. The bullpen needs a lot of work. The Sox are going to need another rotation option with Rodon on the shelf until at least June and Kopech not quite ready. Perhaps they go for more of the scrapheap type over more middle of the road MLB starters like Garcia or Cashner, but its not like those guys are going to break the bank. The positional players are more of a stretch. But we know KW has always liked CarGo. Maybe they decide to go with Gillaspie or a rotating DH, which I am not against, but its not like there isn't room in the lineup for a veteran bat to plug in at DH on a 1 year deal. CF is a disaster. I personally think they'll let Leury have the job and put Delmonico in LF (which again I am fine with), but adding a real CF, and shifting Leury to LF and Delmonico into a LF/DH/1B/3B utility role wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Again...just spitballing. Signing 5-6 guys would have 40 man roster implications as well. I just don't see the need for the Sox to spend any significant money in free agency on a 90+ loss 2018 team. Rule five draft, under the radar one year deals and giving younger players an opportunity is in the cards for us

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 03:02 PM) I think I made it pretty clear that I was just spitballing. And I disagree heavily that the Sox wouldn't improve over 2017 with that roster. Good enough to compete with the Indians? Probably not. But who the hell thought the Twins were this past season? They don't give up any of the future by doing this. Payroll would still be below $100M. If the Sox operate with like a $60-65M payroll next season, I am far from convinced that the $40-50M saved over their average payroll of the past decade is going to just be "saved" for the next few seasons. As for Brantley, I forgot the Indians picked up his option...go ahead and put Carlos Gomez in there instead (though I'd prefer Brantley if he were available). Sox tried the "catch lightning in a bottle with a patchwork team" strategy for years and got nowhere, I don't think they revert from rebuilding yet. Even if we were to get lucky and slip into the wild card, that bullpen is not getting us out of the first round of the playoffs.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 02:50 PM) I don't in anyway expect the Sox to do it, but it'd be a fun to see them drop some $$ on short term deals and try to be decent. Carlos Gonzalez - 1 Year - $10M Michael Brantley - 2 Years - $17M Andrew Cashner or Jaimie Garcia - 2 Year - $18M Hector Rondon - 2 Year - $11M Anthony Swarzak - 2 years - $10M Howie Kendrick - 1 year - $7M Lineup: Michael Brantley CF Yolmer Sanchez 3B Yoan Moncada 2B Jose Abreu 1B Carlos Gonzalez DH Avi Garcia RF Leury Garcia LF Welington Castillo C Tim Anderson SS BN: Kendrick, Delmonico, Narvaez, Engel Rotation: Giolito, Lopez, Cashner/Garcia, Fulmer, Shields (Rodon over Shields when healthy, Fulmer to pen when Kopech is ready) BP: Rondon, Swarzak, Jones, Farquhar, Minaya, Infante, Vieria, Bummer That could be a pretty decent team, doesn't hamstring them at all for the future, and if things don't go well, can still trade Avi and Abreu, in addition to the new arrivals. Again, this isn't really a prediction as I doubt the Sox go this directio, but I wouldn't be against seeing something like this. Why would the Sox do any of that? Also Brantly is not a free agent. Even with those moves we still will not be a much better team in 2018 than in 2017. Cleveland has a stanglehold on the division, and I don't see that roster being capable of 85+ wins to get a wildcard. We want payroll flexibility going into next offseason with the best free agent class in a decade.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 10:58 AM) TBH, I don't worry about a skill set like Abreu's as much as I do one who is built on defense and/or speed. Guys who profile like Abreu are better bets to keep on hitting. I put him more into the JD Martinez/Melky camp. The possibility of extension is our leverage in trade negotiations, as we could keep Abreu unless we get a good return. That does not mean we necessarily have to extend him, just that we have a year to make that choice.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 10:46 AM) I think if we put a decent 3 to 5 year deal in front of him, he would sign it. Everything you hear is how much he likes it here, and how much he is liked here. Even if his bat fades at the end of a deal, his money wouldn't cripple the team where they would be in the rebuild and overall salary structure. Plus even if he does fade, he is still like having another coach on the bench and the kids seem to love him. I think the front office is smart enough to realize paying retail for a mid 30's first baseman is not a great idea.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 10:18 AM) Then the only question I have left to ask is...what are you going to do to make sure Abreu doesn't walk after 2019? I shop him hard this offseason (and Avi), but would be prepared to not trade him if the right deal does not present itself. Ideal situation is that we find a trade fit for both of them soon. If trades do not happen we revisit trying to deal each of them at the deadline or next offseason.

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Dec 6, 2017 -> 10:32 AM) I'd rather not lose the 2nd round pick. I'd rather have the second round pick as well. Moustakas isn't that good.

QUOTE (GenericUserName @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 11:50 PM) From a fangraphs chat: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/fangraphs-a...ark-chat-12517/ How would you guys feel about that deal? I am not a fan of that deal, or Red Sox prospects in general right now. Chavis' numbers really came back to earth after he got promoted to AA. If that is the best deal on the table I think we keep Abreu.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 05:47 PM) Craig Mish‏Verified account @CraigMish 4h4 hours ago SourceS : Full trade offer from SF to Miami for Giancarlo Stanton. Tyler Beede Heliot Ramos (1st noted by @JoeFrisaro ) Chris Shaw Christian Arroyo @jonmorosi had 250 mil 1st @clarkspencer had some combo of this deal also. Four prospects and picking up $250 million in remaining contract seems steep for San Francisco. Their farm is already pretty bad, but this will easily give them the worst in the mlb. Giants will get Stanton, and Arroyo's inclusion is disputed. If Stanton rakes he can opt out in 2020, if he sucks then the Giants choke on his contract for the next decade.

QUOTE (cjgalloway @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 05:20 PM) No matter what kind of good stuff we are smoking there is no way you get that package for Abreu. Why? Flaherty's numbers are a little misleading, as his 2.74 ERA in 15 AAA starts looks more pedestrian with a 4.10 FIP and 4.06 xFIP. His cup of coffee at the mlb level did not go very well either. He's still a quality prospect, but I see mid rotation ceiling for him. Piscotty I don't see us trading for as he was signed long term and is coming off a bad season. Bader is overrated in my book, as he really does not have any standout tools. He seems to be a guy that ends up being a good fourth outfielder on a contender, but I don't think he has the bat to be a corner OF regular on a championship team. I'm not trying to tear these guys down, but who out of these guys do you feel is too much for the Cardinals to sacrifice for an impact bat?

QUOTE (Quin @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 04:10 PM) Yeah, Kelly would necessitate trading one of Omar or Smith, if not both. I'd focus on Flaherty, Perez and an OF http://www.stltoday.com/sports/if-not-stan...cbe99163c8.html This article seems to suggest something in the realm of Flaherty + Piscotty + Bader might be just short of what it would take from the Cardinals fan perspective. Personally I would want more in order to deal Abreu. If I am St. Louis I would be very interested in acquiring Abreu if the cost was only prospects. They have a glut of outfielders and Flaherty is expendable.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 03:44 PM) You're welcome to disagree, man, but there are two or three pages with reams of researched reasons supporting the opposite side of the argument, and you're just popping in essentially saying "nuh-uh" without any evidence to support it. It's hard to take your stance seriously if you don't make a case. I'm not saying you're wrong, but you gotta defend it. Me too. The current free agent class for outfielders is not great with JD Martinez, Cain, Bruce and Gomez the top available guys. Garcia could be an attractive trade target under control for two more seasons?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 11:12 AM) If they don't deal Sale and Eaton, they probably would have been close to moving on from Avisail too, if not at least platooning him. Now they're either looking at a decent player moving forward or a guy that they can trade for a small package too. The Sox are among the teams best positioned to make noise moving forward. 2018 will be fun watching the kids, and 2019 could be a really great year, especially if they're able to bring in one of the top free agents. Best case scenario? Yes, 2018 we show progress and 2019 take that step forward. I'm still a bit skeptical as young players often need time to adjust to the mlb level. I see our bullpen being a big question mark in 2018 as we really do not have anything reliable in that regard right now. Sure we can supplement the pen with a free agent or two, but we still need to develop 3-5 quality arms ourselves for relief.

QUOTE (GenericUserName @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 01:45 PM) I think this is where I differ with a lot of people. I love Kelly and O'Neil and both are kinda blocked at the ML level and are probably ready to take the jump. If St. Louis makes Kelly available that could be interesting. O'Neill it depends on what you think of his hit tool playing at the mlb level? https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2017/9/17/1631...offseason-trade St. Louis has an outfield logjam and should be motivated to deal some of that

QUOTE (GenericUserName @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 01:19 PM) Yeah, from what I heard before he was a SS with a chance to hit and hit for power and could profile at third if he slowed down too much. Now its a 3B who might have to move to 1B and hasn't hit or had the power they thought he would have so he doesn't profile well at either spot. But considering how bad the Angels farm is, its worth the risk. For the Angels and their crappy system? Absolutely worth the risk. Maitan could still develop into a great player, but after struggling in rookie ball he is no longer viewed as a player that could fast track to the majors. Small sample size and still very young, but a sub .600 OPS means he has a long way to go developmentally.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 01:28 PM) I’d do a trade built around Reyes, but Flaherty doesn’t do enough for me. We got enough guys with similar or higher ceilings that will need to be given opportunities in the next year or so. Flaherty has the look of a guy who could develop into a mid rotation starter eventually, but I would certainly need more to ship Abreu off. I don't love the Cardinals position player prospect crop right now to say what other pieces I would need.

QUOTE (GenericUserName @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 01:04 PM) Maitan signing reported to be for $2.2mil, which means thats from next year because I believe they only have like $1.3mil for Ohtani. I've been reading that Maitan's stock is down considerably, enough for him to likely fall out of the top 100 prospects due to questions about some bad weight gain? He's far too young to give up on, but he also seems to be viewed as much riskier than before.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 4, 2017 -> 10:14 AM) Hopefully Stanton picks the Giants this week and then the Cardinals turn their attention towards Abreu. All just in time for the Winter Meetings next week. Abreu should remain in demand because he won't require teams to hand out 3+ year deals to players like Santana and Hosmer. The Sox know this and will keep his asking price very high until they know they are getting the most value possible.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 09:59 AM) Avi seems to me to be a guy who will really slow up running as he approaches 30. It seems it happens to the bigger guys who can run a bit earlier. But trading either guy all depends on the return. If other teams aren't going to pay for last year's production, there is no need to give them away, and Hahn won't. If Avi had put up back to back similar seasons to 2017 then his trade value would be through the roof right now, but I still think we can find a team willing to take a two year chance that he keeps it up. We have some players who can fill in the outfield until Jimenez is ready.

QUOTE (GermanSock @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 07:00 AM) New mlb.com list http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262831302/ml...prospects-list/ Surprised they have it so pitching heavy, they don't seem to love the hitters of the class. I don't think that 4 out of the top5 go pitching though, even if the hitters are not super exciting. Especially surprised no college Bat in top10. I get it is not a super exciting class for college bats but while they may have less upside the bust risk is also much lower than high school hitters or pitchers. I'm sure some teams in the top10 will consider that and prefer lower risk (and faster ETA) bumping up some of the college bats who have a good year late. Doesn’t seem to be a ton of separation in this draft, but looks like we will end up adding another top 100 overall prospect to our system at #4 overall right away. High school talent is ranked higher than college tallest for now. These lists always dramatically change by draft day. Casey Mize is a player I have read up on and like. Players that can dominate in the SEC (best conference in NCAA) have a solid track record of success. The only thing holding him back are a few injury issues.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 09:05 AM) Top 4 right now: Ethan Hankins Nander De Sedas Nolan Gorman Brice Turang I haven't watched much of Liberatore yet, but from the little I watched yesterday, he looks like a pretty nice prospect as well. He might bump someone off this list for me. Madrigal seems to be underrated due to his size, but the guy can hit.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 4, 2017 -> 06:54 PM) This is my tweet so I'll elaborate: Rangers: Have $3.53 million. They can acquire roughly $1.5 million more. Total: $5 million. Mariners: Have $1.57 million. They can acquire $2-$2.5 million more. Total: $3.5-$4 million Angels: Have $1.315 million. They can acquire $2 million. Total: $3-$3.5 million. I’ll gladly deal away more bonus pool money in exchange for prospects

QUOTE (Quin @ Dec 5, 2017 -> 12:48 AM) And more importantly, the assets were elite and controlled. Just sucks we couldn’t build a winner around what assets we had. The tigers and royals farm systems will take a few years to restock and neither possess the top end talent ours currently does.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 4, 2017 -> 04:53 PM) I mean, I'd rather give out the 10-year deals to guys in their mid-20s than the 10-year deals towards the 30/31 year olds (Pujols, Cano for example). Unless he bounces back, the Cabrera contract is the total disaster. He's set to get paid $184 million guaranteed over the next 6 seasons, which is a ton obviously. Signing a 33 year old to an eight year contract just screams bad idea, and I think the Tigers will suffer as a result. Of course it is easier to hand a 8+ year deal to a player in their mid 20's, but the downside is very real. The Harper/Machado free agency figures very well could reach insane levels that I am not sure the White Sox should be messing with (+$400 million deals).

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 4, 2017 -> 04:59 PM) Guerrero? Seems like he’s been pretty succeful every year except 2016. His ERA from last year is very misleading if you followed him start to start. My only guess is that the White Sox did not think all that highly of his stuff playing at the mlb level (although as a young lefty I am not sure why he wasn't given the chance in 2018 to earn a bullpen or rotation spot?).