OmarComing25

FWIW KC led baseball in "cluster luck" last year. https://thepowerrank.com/cluster-luck/ Their rotation is still awful, they've lost a couple key bullpen pieces, they have a black hole at 2B, and it's very likely we'll see regression from Cain, Morales, Hosmer, and Moustakas (him in particular because he's never come close to hitting that well before), and Escobar and Dyson can't hit. I do think the projections are harsh on them (I don't think WAR accurately represents relievers' value yet, and the defensive metrics for WAR are not particularly reliable either, especially for projections), but I agree with raBBit and the projections that Cleveland is currently the team to beat in the ALC.

Mets, Pirates, Blue Jays and Cardinals all projected at 84 wins, with the Red Sox at 92.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 10:11 AM) Just curious, where did they have us last year? I believe it was 78 wins.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 08:37 AM) Man was I wrong. Right before Gordon signed I was thinking it would take just one of the big three to sign and the rest would sign in rapid succession. Almost a week later and we still see names like Cespedes, Upton, Parra and Fowler still in FA limbo. Weird fricken market this year. I think it's because Gordon was never really a serious threat to leave KC. He wasn't holding up the market, so him signing didn't necessarily have a big impact.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 12, 2016 -> 07:49 AM) OSU was the best I saw all year by far. You should never bother trying to run a kick out of the end zone against OSU. Clemson is bad, but not too far from the norm. Yeah Alabama are the champions, but I still feel like tOSU was the best team this year.

Have to agree with DA on not understanding why the longer this goes, the lower the chances are of the Sox signing Cespedes/Upton. In the past week we've seen two competitors (Giants and Nats) take themselves out of the running, and what happens if two more go down this week (say Angels and Cardinals)? That would leave essentially three teams bidding for the two of them, and I don't see the price being lowered as a threat to the Sox either. If it means Upton will take a 1-year deal, then yeah that's a problem, but the price being lowered a bit will not cause a whole bunch of other teams to jump in. Who would those teams be? The Indians? The Diamondbacks? The Mets? Doubt it, it's not like the price is going to be lowered down to what Span signed for.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 09:21 PM) I honestly think Fowler + SS + Starting pitcher is better than just getting Cespedes. It'd be nice to get a big bat, but we have a decent amount of power as is. To get a guy who can hit you 15-20 homers, get on at .350-.375 clip, and play CF somewhat adequately would be huge. Getting a SS and another starter to sure up the rotation also makes your team much more well rounded. Fowler + SS + SP is going to cost a decent amount more than just Cespedes. If you think we can't afford him then we can't afford that either.

The clock operator might have cost Clemson 3 points there.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 03:13 PM) For those who see the Cubs games, how is Fowler as a CF. Would he be a significant upgrade on Eaton ( and can Eaton or Melky play RF)? I kind of like getting Fowler and a 5th starter for insurance at this point. To me, he doesn't pass the eye test, and the metrics don't like him much either. DRS hates him, and UZR usually hates him too but said he was OK in 2015.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 02:45 PM) Assuming you believe the rumors that we are only going 3 years on Cespedes or Upton. Parra was below replacement player level last year and could get 3 years out of a team. Same could be said for Span although he was better last year. OFers getting these years doesnt help lower the actual good players cost. It does if it means yet another team out of the running for their services. Depends on where Parra goes though.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 02:22 PM) If Detroit decides to go over luxury tax, then they'll be willing to pay more than the Sox...no doubt in my mind. Ehh I'm not sure about that. With the luxury tax penalty the exact same offer from the Sox and Detroit means Detroit is paying significantly more. Their payroll is already higher than its ever been, I don't see them willing to go THAT far into unprecedented territory. And it will only get worse in 2017 and 2018. I know Ilitch likes to spend but this would be unusual even for him.

I'm still not that afraid of the Tigers. Not just because of the luxury tax penalty, but an enormous contract for Cespedes means there's no chance of extending JD Martinez when the time comes. They're still probably our #1 competition, but I don't see them throwing out an offer that we can't beat.

http://www.purplerow.com/2016/1/10/1071374...7242.1436820968 Some possible reasons for why CarGo hasn't been traded yet. From that article I also found this other article that talks about the Coors Hangover effect, and how Rockies' hitters have to face a sharp adjustment whenever they go on the road, and their performance away from home suffers more than any other team. Pretty interesting article about how you can't just use road numbers for Rockies' hitters to judge them. http://www.purplerow.com/2014/5/15/5712224...mbers-are-lying

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 01:28 PM) Cespedes is apparently looking for $150 million. Nobody is giving him that at this point. http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2016/1/11/1074...ee-agent-rumors And it's highly unlikely that anyone will.

Best outcome for the Sox if the Angels get him, and the Rockies still trade CarGo to St. Louis. I'm worried that CarGo getting traded hinges on the Rockies getting Parra though.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 09:45 AM) Well, that's discouraging. Best case scenario is probably $75-84 million for three years, that's $27.5 million per season splitting the difference. What's the most they've ever paid a player for one season? Pretty sure $16-17 million in 2012 for Peavy or one of Dunn's years...the most Dunn made was $15 million his last two seasons. Ordonez made $14 million in 2004, that would be the highest adjusted for inflation. Buehrle made $14 million for four seasons. Konerko at $13.5 million. What's discouraging about it? There's no new information there, just one writer projecting Cespedes' future performance and throwing out a suggested number. It says nothing about teams actually offering that number.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Jan 11, 2016 -> 09:08 AM) http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/01/05/whats-he-...des-free-agency At this point there's no way Cespedes gets close to the $150 million that the article suggests teams should offer.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 10, 2016 -> 10:11 AM) http://m.mlb.com/news/article/161318068/op...utfielders-left Mystery teams would have to be Blue Jays now or Red Sox if they trade Castillo or Bradley, Jr. Marlins added in case they trade Ozuna. "White Sox: They've never committed more than $68 million (Jose Abreu's contract) to a free agent. They also have no interest in going beyond three years for Upton or Cespedes. Given these market conditions, you can understand the White Sox patience, though the three-year max was probably what kept them from swiping Gordon from a division rival. It would be a surprise if the Sox don't do something between now and Spring Training, because their win-now mindset gives them incentive to supplant Avisail Garcia in right field." After reading up on it more I don't consider the Blue Jays a threat anymore. They have 4 OF, and all indications are that they're at their budget limit already (projections have them at about $145 million).

FWIW, I read this comment from a Blue Jays fan on Reddit: "Can't see the Jays going after an outfielder (or another position player for that matter). They are pretty much set with Saunders, Pompey, Pillar and Bautista this year. For the years after 2016 you got Alford coming up, DJ Davis if he can get it together, and Vlady jr. of course."

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 9, 2016 -> 01:02 PM) Samardzija wasn't injured though, he under performed. I do agree with you though, injury is also part of the risk and a good point. That was my point. Samardzija greatly underperformed but still got a major payday. Compare that to Span, whose injury cost him a lot more money.

QUOTE (Big Hurtin @ Jan 9, 2016 -> 11:56 AM) I'm shocked Yeah the Sox should be offering him an enormous contract like all those other teams are. Oh wait...

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 9, 2016 -> 12:08 PM) I think it's a gamble with a double edged sword. On one side, if Upton performs as usual then he should hit paydirt next winter but if he under-performs he lowers his value. I'm probably in the minority on this but I don't have interest in Upton for a 1 year deal, he either accepts a 3/4 year deal or f*** him and move on to someone else. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see Upton in a Sox uni, just not for merely one season. There's just too many options available to give into his demands, he can either meet the Sox half way or he can piss off. The risk is more with injury than underperforming, just look at Samardzija.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 9, 2016 -> 11:13 AM) Article says Sox offered Upton a short-term deal http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14531913...-larry-reynolds I'm curious if lowball means number of years, AAV or both.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 9, 2016 -> 11:18 AM) I saw the other article yesterday and it was based on no facts or rumors and just where each would fit the best It also says we would lose our 2nd round pick instead of the comp pick, hard to take these opinion pieces seriously when they can't even get the facts straight.

Yeah I'm coming around to the idea of them being a threat. Watch them shock everyone and sign Davis. All the homeruns.