blackmooncreeping

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 10:55 AM) Source: #WhiteSox, Yoenis Cespedes Finalizing 4-Year Deal with 1 year option and opt-out after 2nd year. https://mobile.twitter.com/JakeBauer21/stat...852481816416256 please please please don't fall apart or be BS...

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 10:54 AM) The Nationals need a CF. I don't think Cespedes is a CF. Would they move Harper to CF? Would they want to do that? They could put Harper in CF for a year, then isn't Werth's contract up soon?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 10:44 AM) I feel like the Nationals are the biggest threat here. They probably have more money to spend than we do. Right on que...Nats supposedly pushing hard for Cespedes (from the same guy who said 3 finalists are Nets, Nats & Sox).

I like Jackson and that's my first choice for an outfielder if Yo falls through. I am starting to warm to Desmond and think he is potentially a good bounce back candidate...if I'm giving up a pick I'd rather it be for Desmond over Fowler. And of course, go get some pitching.

It's Sox or Mets imo. Nats aren't going to outspend anyone with a full outfield already. This is the sprint to the finish line. Sox need to be prepared to bury the Mets with a deal structure that overwhelms anything the Mets can do short term. Cmon Sox, so close now!

Desmond has a lot to offer as an alternative to Cespedes. More than Fowler in some regards. Bringing him in and grabbing Austin Jackson as well, would definitely add a few more wins.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 07:53 PM) Desmond baffles me. His defensive numbers are'nt that great and yet he's supposedly known for his defense so am I missing something here? His offensive regression concerns me too but he might be one of those " change of scenery" players and might benefit a move to the Sox? Like I said, I'm kind of baffled by him and find myself riding the fence like I do with Fowler. I see where you're coming from though. For the same money as Cespedes, the Sox could potentially upgrade two positions and two spots in the lineup for the price of one. If Jackson and Desmond could hit and defend like they used to those two combined could do more for the Sox than one Cespedes. Well, in theory that is. Uhg, I still have that disturbing image of Demi Moore in a bikini stuck in my head! If only I could erase that from my mind. Damn! Desmond had some crazy streak to start the season of 8 errors in the first 12 games. Settled down a bit after that.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 10:58 AM) If they lose out on Cespedes, give me Jackson and Pearce and call it an offseason. That's 3.3 fWAR you're adding, better D in CF, and a good platoon option with LaRoche and bat off the bench. This is a pretty good plan B if Cespedes doesn't come to the Sox. Pearce is an intriguing possibility, although what happens to Avi in this scenario.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 10:38 PM) Sarcasm aside. At least I think it is, as a little better than Sheldon at picking it up. They are better. Selling out now for a winner this year just puts them on the same path and position they are in today Cespedes is only $$ tho, in a non salary cap sport. With big dollars coming off the books next year. How is signing Cespedes a sellout? I could see a draft pick was involved, or we were trading prospects for an older player...but a straight purchase, as it were, doesn't define 'sellout' to me.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 10:35 PM) This is a good point and that's why its tough. However, the point still remains do you sell out because of your reasons and maybe win a world series but then only make the playoffs once in the decade after the world series. This is what the complaints are now. If they went ahead and did it posters 10 years from now would be saying the same things you are. Yes actually, I'll take a World Series win every 11 or 12 years, because the organization hasn't shown the ability to be able to put together a year-in, year-out playoff contender...ever. The idea of building from within for a sustained period of success is a great notion, but it doesn't fit the reality of what this front office has done over the past however many years.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:35 PM) I think they have an obvious direction. They are improving the team without damaging the future by signing deals too long or trading away the most important prospects. AN obvious direction that has led to the playoffs once since 2005? They are making incremental gains with that strategy, nothing more. It's a new game and you have to spend to compete consistently, it's not 1985 anymore. Can they open their eyes and see a big splash is needed? Apparently not, so far...

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:32 PM) So now the Sox HAVE to sign Cespedes. The optics otherwise will be a public relations disaster for this team, and an abject organizational embarrassment. No team during the past five, six weeks has been tied into being "in" on not one, not two, but all three of the so-called "top tier" free agent outfielders more so than the White Sox. We were "interested" in Gordon. We were "in" on Upton. We were "considering" Cespedes. Then the leak. The leak that we were only interested in making an offer to any of the three of them for "three years or LESS". Enter the small market intra-divisional Royals, who move in and lock up Gordon on a four year contract. Tonight, another AL Central rival, the Tigers, sign Upton to a six year deal. And this on the heals of our intra-city rival Cubs signing Heyward to an eight year contract. Welcome to market economics! If another team swoops in now and snags Cespedes on something resembling more what the market is bearing vs. this three year offer business the Sox are operating under, then it will be a colossal failure of Hahn, Williams, and Reinsdorf. It will call into question their credibility when they claim over and over and over again their strong desire to return to the postseason as quickly as possible, and thereby maximize the window of opportunity with the current core. I trust they realize this, and will soon be announcing the signing of Yoenis Cespedes to be our left fielder and clean-up hitter for the foreseeable future. If not, well, it'll be quite the black eye on this management team's reputation, and will seriously call into question the capabilities of the team's ownership and management. At this point, 1 playoff appearance since '05, they will have to sign Cespedes to make me NOT think that...

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 05:39 PM) Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 28m28 minutes ago Merkin: Even without further moves, '16 White Sox should be decidedly improved: http://atmlb.com/1SsDc8Q via @mlb STFU Merkin, go blow rainbows up somebody else's backside

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:25 PM) So the White Sox are now idiots because the Tigers signed Upton? I'd say their idiots if the 3 year thing is true. Makes zero sense considering the next 3-4 year window in MLB and with the Sox, etc.

QUOTE (soxfan85 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:24 PM) Our ownership is a joke...one of only 3 MLB teams NEVER to have given out a $70M or greater contract. Ridiculous. And if this 3-year thing is true given today's market, they are completely insane and should be ashamed of themselves. Sell the damn team to somebody who wants to win already. Taking everything into account, if the 3 year thing is true than Hahn should get whacked...unless he is being held back by JR.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:19 PM) The Indians improved? With their pitching staff we're currently not much better than the Tribe imo.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:54 PM) Cespedes should get less than Upton, but I think 5/$100M becomes a realistic target for him and I don't see the Sox going five years. Of course they won't, that would make perfect sense. This front office better get going on the outfield or they won't make it out of the hotel during SoxFest.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:36 PM) Well Tigers will be tougher the next two years but after that they're completely f***ed. Who cares about 3 years from now...this sucks, the entire division improving around us...more than us.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:35 PM) Does it have the word "regret" written all over it? Why would that be? Guy is only 28

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:39 PM) In this vein, it is interesting to note that Jackson's career numbers are not that far from Cespedes', in some respects: A. Jackson .273 .333 .399 .732 Y. Cespedes .271 .319 .483 .805 If you look at his 5 year career in Detroit and compare it to Cespedes career, without that strong finish last year in N.Y., his numbers are actually better. The question is; could Jackson's performance, after the trade to Seattle be an outlier? And, could Cespedes performance in N.Y. be one, as well? The gulf between their salaries is comparable to the gulf between them in all around talent and impact, imo. And Cespedes may/seems to be getting better, while the same can't necessarily be said of Jackson. Having said all that, I'll take Jackson as a back-up plan if we don't get Cespedes.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:35 PM) 227 pages of endless speculation. Here's one more: The Sox will go four years on Cespedes for a bit of a cut in salary. He signs for $70M total. The Sox hope that teaming him with Abreu brings out the best in Yoenis. excuse me: 228 pages and counting LOL NO way he signs a 4 year deal for under $20 million a year imo.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 04:29 PM) 47th in wRC+ (121) since he came into the league. That's not good enough to be considered "great". I personally have never once thought or said that Cespedes is 'great' hitter. But he's still a massive upgrade and an elite all-around talent that should be brought aboard if we can get him on 4 years for under $100 million.

Jackson

QUOTE (glangon @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 08:11 AM) Never believe what you read in the media. If the money is right, he'll come. What slugger wouldn't want to come to the Cell. The money would have to be right = either long term or massive AAV, something the Sox almost never do, especially a llayer that more than once has said no to the Sox as an option.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 09:10 AM) From all the reports that I have heard and including Levine this morning, the Sox arent offering their biggest contract ever. They are trying to get Cespedes at 3/50-55 so they arent going to go into Upton territory and even if they did he seems dead set on not coming here. So as far as I can tell we arent going to get either big name OF. If true, that's a pathetic offer, and why the Sox have been linked to either guy is beyond me...what a buzzkill if those figures are right. We couldve potentially signed Parra or Span or whatever OF and/or a starting pitcher by now. 3/55 doesn't even get you a place in the discussion with Cespedes or Upton imo.