SJB23

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jan 22, 2015 -> 12:09 AM) Sign James Shields if his price tag does indeed fall to around 4 years 75 million and it means being able to trade John Danks? HELL YES!!!!

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Jan 21, 2015 -> 03:05 PM) The Avi thing has completely changed now. This is a below average fielder based on metrics (awful routes to balls....hideous-to-awful, roughly), and he's not an on-base guy. The positives are only the power potential and that ability to take the second base w/ his speed. This was all absolutely great to plug into RF before the recent acquisitions. But we're now win-now. What is frightening is that this goes from being a positive situation (we know how mercurial this board can be)........to becoming a scapegoat thing if next year falls short of expectations. 2015 expectations will be high, no matter what we tell ourselves. Conor or Avi are prime candidates for becoming the soxtalk whipping boy if things aren't going wonderfully. The hope you hold onto with Avi is that he's been young at each stage of the MLB/MiLB development. Sadly last year was really important. Something salvaged at the end. But to have our win-now track means expectations for AG are sky high now. Pressure is up and that's what the gig is, of course. But it's twofold now. Agreed!

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 23, 2015 -> 10:39 AM) Definitely the "spaghetti against the wall" strategy this year. But, you can't have EVERYTHING you want, right? Chicago White Sox announce the signings of Ron Karkovice, Joel Skinner, Jim Essian, and Ed Herrman to minor league deals.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 23, 2015 -> 10:00 AM) Ohhhh nice. I didn't notice that in the Splits section. That's way easier. Thanks Looks like the Sox have cornered the market on bad Catchers! Should be signing Lavernway any day now.

Am I the only one who's not completely sold on Avi? Please reassure me.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 21, 2015 -> 01:12 PM) Welcome to the board, Stev-o. This is flawed logic. 1. Just because the Sox haven't traded anyone significant lately doesn't mean prospects always bust. Look at all of the young superstars in the game right now. 2. By looking only at the prospects that the Sox have traded, you're limiting yourself ONLY to the ones they were willing to give up. For example, do you think they ever considered Chris Sale to be trade bait? 3. Gio Gonzalez IS an example of what these guys can turn into. My point is..."prospects", more often than not, remain nothing more than prospects. IMO, if you can trade them for proven commodities that can help you win NOW, you do it. As some wise dude once said, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.".

Hello...I've been reading this site for quite awhile, and I finally decided to "dip my toe in the water". I don't understand the posters' infatuation with prospects...other than Gio Gonzalez, when was the last time, over the last 10 seasons, that the Sox traded away a prospect who amounted to anything?