SoCalSox

Scott Merkin is actually addressing this via twitter now. Says it's not going to happen and would start with Quintana as the center piece.

Not enough funds.

Although there is no sabermetrics (which I love), I feel this is a more sense-able approach. In 2005 I was able to go in confidently to the season with simple projections such as this and concluded that the Sox had a playoff team (barring health). Pessimistic or optimistic, this team is greatly improved. By my projections, I have this team projected at about 90-92 wins and built for a playoff run due to their pitching. Defense has improved, offense has improved, starting pitching has improved and the relievers have greatly improved. With Robertson alone, this would have been close to a .500 team last year. Add in two more relievers and Samardzija and this is close to a 85 win team. Melky not only adds positives but takes out prior negatives like Tank's fielding the terrible production from the two slot. Something that seems to be lost on some is that not only did this team improve with additions, these additions helped players like Ramirez (out of the two hole) and Petricka and Putnam can slide into set up roles, where they fit much better. Overall, this team has added some big time players, while putting other players in much better roles to succeed.

I hope nothing happens tonight. I need sleep, lol.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 09:35 PM) Cordero, Jimenez, Canseco etc. Completely forgot about De'Angelo.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 08:59 PM) He's now the 3rd White Sox player who has been suspended for PEDs. Lol... Some don't even know that.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 07:26 PM) So we're at $115 million right now, give it take? About $114 and will be around $110 after Viciedo is traded/released.

I'm right there with him. I think they are done "spending" but I don't think there done adding.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 06:00 PM) Man the last few pages of this thread have been terrible. Go cry somewhere else. The White Sox upgraded in a big way. I'm going to choose to be excited about that. It'll be very nice to have players hitting where they should be, not Alexei in the 2 hole and Gillaspie in the 3 hole...

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 05:00 PM) Yea man I'm trying to figure out which pieces he'll use too. I'm sure he'll somehow get it done with say Hawkins & Zaleski. I could see Hawkins being a center piece, actually. I'm talking with an Astros writer right now and he's said they are looking at SS, 3B, OF, and SP. Possibly a Hawkins and mid level pitcher package for Castro gets it done? Not many OF prospects will have much of a chance within the next 3 seasons with the recent signings.

I feel like bringing this thread back to the top will help which ever mod in a few days when Hahn adds him. Any idea what type of package it would take to get Castro?

QUOTE (Springfield SoxFan @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 04:15 PM) I have the same gut feeling, great post. Any idea what it takes to get him? I know very little about the Astros' needs.

I really get the feeling Jason Castro will be a member of the Sox very soon. I think the Sox are done "spending" but I don't think they are done making moves.

I think we can all agree that Melky makes this a better team. Maybe 2-3 games better? Can't think of how many times Tank & De Aza cost this team games last year with their fielding out there in left...

"Did offseason moves convince Melky to join White Sox? @JonHeymanCBS says Melky had a 4-yr offer but took Sox's 3-yr pact instead." via Doug Padilla. I love hearing this.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) If he is capable of 165-175 innings, that should be more than fine. There were a total of 34 pitchers who threw 200 innings in 2014 . That's exactly what I was looking to hear. That's enough for me to say "trade him if you can".

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) No But it's not because I am fearful of what it would do to our team this year...my timeframe actually goes beyond 2015. It's because pitching Rodon before he is ready wastes his service time and is a poor use of an asset. Hypothetical: What happens if Rodon comes out and absolutely tears it up this spring? You still send him down?

I guess a big thing for me right now is trading him while/if there is still any interested. He's ultimately going to block Rodon either mid this year or next year, IMO. His salary goes up another $4M next year. That's a scary thought with how inconsistent he is.

When I say drop off, I am referring to Balta's concern. He should be a better option right out of the gate, but for how long? Is risking him wearing down, down the stretch a good option?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 01:45 PM) It would really be surprising if it went that far. I am pretty sure they knew they could trade him. $4 million isn't all that much, and despite what a lot want to think, this guy is still pretty young and has a lot of power. Would be a phenomenal slap in the face for the Mariners fans on twitter if we not only landed Melky but traded Viciedo that way, too. LOL.

Something that has been on my mind (and I assume more than just mine), is how much of a drop off, if any does going from Danks to Rodon, if we can unload Danks? I know Danks is expensive but it's also worth thinking about next year, too. He's due even more money next year and could really end up blocking Rodon, mainly because I doubt this team goes with 4 lefties in the rotation. IF Hahn can trade Danks and get a prospect or two for him, while offsetting the cost of what Melky costs (after trading Viciedo, which accounts for around $4M), would you do it and "risk" Rodon as the 5th starter this year?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 01:28 PM) A comp pick is far better than nothing. IIRC, that pick will be before the pick the Sox gave up for Robertson. How would the Sox get that high of a comp pick for him?

Maybe I'm being ignorant here but why tender Viciedo if they no intent on keeping him. Now there is talk about settling for a comp pick? Just seems dumb to me, I suppose. I would have rather had Ichiro vs another year of Viciedo.

QUOTE (MAX @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:50 PM) Its not by money but by motivation. Some systems of rules, like the law, and our justice system, take motivation for the rules being broken into account. They do this because the world is not black and white. I agree with this philosophy. Life is very complex. Its why hate crimes are considered worse than the same crimes committed intra-racialy. I guess my whole thing is, he's not hurting anyone by being a former cheater in a game. He's not a racist or a terrorist, he's a baseball player that took something to play better. That's just my take, though.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:42 PM) Isn't the entire point of watching professional sports that you have a personal connection to it? I watch because I happen to have a favorite team determined almost entirely by the random location in the country where I was born. It's certainly not logical in the least, I could absolutely find more rational and productive things to do with my time. It's almost entirely a silly, emotion-driven choice and I'm ok with that. My personal reactions and feelings are pretty much the only thing I care about with sports and the only motivation I'd have to watch them. So if my gut reaction is negative...that's a hard thing to deal with. My connection is the name on the front of the Jersey, not on the back. Don't get my wrong, I prefer certain players but don't follow them when they leave my favorite team or care what they did before they go here. If they help the Sox or Bears win, I don't care about anything else.