The What If Thread

[hi8is]

Say they don't rebuild and move on being sellers. Say they decide to "Go For It."

 

( vomit into a bag and then consider for s***s and giggles. )

 

The White Sox 2017 payroll commitments are currently: 74m

 

This year their at 115m.

 

If they just matched that number, you're looking at roughly 40m in salary you can take on for 2017. Whoopie.

 

The starting rotation would be set already:

Sale

Q

Shields

Rodon

Gonzo

 

The bullpen is lacking a few spots

Robertson

Jones

Putnam

Petricka

Jennings

 

The following spots are secured on the field

1B - Abreu

2B - Lawrie

SS - Anderson

3B - Fraizer

RF - Eaton

LF - Melky

 

That leaves us with a DH, CF, and C to find. You're also going to need at least two more bullpen peices - likely a long man and a lefty specialist. You've also gotta piece together your bench.

 

Here goes nothing...

 

Sign Encarnacion for DH. If you can't get him settle for Alverz or Morneau.

Sign Cespedes for CF. If you can't get him settle for Trumbo in Right moving Eaton back to CF.

Sign Ramos, Wieters, or Castro for C.

 

Bottom line just to this point... You're going to need to increase payroll.

 

For the bullpen, bring back Daniel Hudson in LR and slot Burdi in as well. Use Jones as your lefty specialist but just leave the f***er in for a couple more hitters since he can attack anyone. Give setup to Burdi unless Robertson sucks it up... Then flip em if appropriate.

 

Bench

Utl - Saladino

C - Anyone

OF - Jon Jay

OF / IF / PR - L. Garcia

 

Rotation: Sale, Quintana, Shields, Rodon, Gonzo

Bullpen: Robertson, Burdi, Jones, Jennings, Putnam, Petrika, Hudson

 

Lineup:

1.) Eaton - RF / CF

2.) Lawrie - 2B

3.) Cespedes / Trumbo - CF / RF

4.) Abreu - 1B

5.) Encarnacion / Alverz / Morneau- DH

6.) Melky - LF

7.) Fraizer - 3B

8.) Ramos / Weiters / Castro - C

9.) Anderson - SS

 

Bench: Anyone ( C ), Saladno, Jay, L. Garcia

 

Payroll would need to be around 140 to 150 IMO

 

Anything short of this and they should sell. It's either raise payroll and fill ALL THE HOLES with big time above average upgrades... Or pack it in. If you wanna compete JR - then grab your f***ing balls and do whatever it f***ing takes.

 

/hi8is drops mic

 

 

 

[Chicago White Sox]

The problem is if there ever was a time to raise the payroll significantly, it was during last year's free agency and ownership decided not to. Why would they decide to spend big now? And even if they do, it's hard to imagine them outbidding all other teams for the few impact free agents.

 

Unfortunately, I fully expect more half-assing, with one "big" move and then lots of dumpster diving.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

I would pencil Abreu in as DH and try to find a good 1B man.

[Bob Sacamano]

I just really don't see them spending on Encarnacion or Reddick or Desmond.

[hi8is]

Obviously this was an idiotic pie in the sky fantasy orgasm post just meant to spur conversation. That said, I do believe it illustrates on fundamental truth for next year: No in between bulls***. Either rip the f***er apart or pony up and do this s*** right. No f***ing holes - no f***ing expenses spared. Go for it or sell it all off.

[hi8is]

Why would they decide to spend big now?

Maybe JR sees that he should have gone the extra mile and is fed up with losing...

[soxforlife05]

Obviously this was an idiotic pie in the sky fantasy orgasm post just meant to spur conversation. That said, I do believe it illustrates on fundamental truth for next year: No in between bulls***. Either rip the f***er apart or pony up and do this s*** right. No f***ing holes - no f***ing expenses spared. Go for it or sell it all off.

 

Boston is going to be in big on Encarnacion. He's probably their #1 FA target with Ortiz retiring. I don't see us getting Encarnacion. I think the best we can hope for is two of the following: Cespedes, Trumbo, Reddick, Desmond, Ramos, Wieters. It wouldn't be like the front office at all to sign two expensive FA's though.

 

I'd be ok rolling with Morneau, Cespedes, and Ramos.

Edited August 7, 2016 by soxforlife05

[ChiSoxJon]

Boston is going to be in big on Encarnacion. He's probably their #1 FA target with Ortiz retiring. I don't see us getting Encarnacion. I think the best we can hope for is two of the following: Cespedes, Trumbo, Reddick, Desmond, Ramos, Wieters. It wouldn't be like the front office at all to sign two expensive FA's though.

 

I'd be ok rolling with Morneau, Cespedes, and Ramos.

Me too, but the question is if JR spend and who the manager is, Robin Ventura's managerial career should be read it's last rites

[Y2Jimmy0]

Going the cheaper route again, White Sox sign Carlos Gomez, Jason Castro, and Adam Lind

 

1. Eaton RF

2. Cabrera LF

3. Abreu 1B

4. Lind DH

5. Frazier 3B

6. Gomez CF

7. Lawrie 2B

8. Castro C

9. Anderson SS

 

Rotation

 

1. Sale

2. Quintana

3. Rodon

4. Shields

5. Gonzalez/Fulmer

 

 

[GreenSox]

Carlos Gomez is worse than Shuck. Castro hits like Flowers. The same kind of players we've had here ad nauseum. I guess that's the point...the fix is no fix.

 

Oh the Sox could give up a draft choice for Fowler (we'll show those cubbies!), make a trade for a mediocre starter and catcher.

the same kind of moves that look reasonable on paper and make people think that the Sox have a chance. And it will have the same results...significantly hurt the organization, similar to Rick Hahn's moves over the last 2+ years.

Edited August 7, 2016 by GreenSox

[ChiSox59]

Carlos Gomez is worse than Shuck. Castro hits like Flowers. The same kind of players we've had here ad nauseum. I guess that's the point...the fix is no fix.

 

Oh the Sox could give up a draft choice for Fowler (we'll show those cubbies!), make a trade for a mediocre starter and catcher.

the same kind of moves that look reasonable on paper and make people think that the Sox have a chance. And it will have the same results...significantly hurt the organization, similar to Rick Hahn's moves over the last 2+ years.

 

Carlos Gomez is a year removed from being an elite player. I actually think he'd be a great move on a one year deal with an option.

[GreenSox]

Carlos Gomez is a year removed from being an elite player. I actually think he'd be a great move on a one year deal with an option.

Two years removed. And a stark removal it has been. .600 OPS this season.

In 10 major league seasons, he's had 2 very good years (none elite) and 1 okay year. The other 7 he's done nothing.

 

He's the kind of guy to pickup in a stopgap year while rebuilding. If he has a good season, sell him in July.

 

And just to get Castro out of the way, he's had 1 good year in 6.

Edited August 7, 2016 by GreenSox

[Bob Sacamano]

Carlos Gomez is a year removed from being an elite player. I actually think he'd be a great move on a one year deal with an option.

 

Don't see why he'd want an option. I think he'd accept a one year deal in hopes of rebuilding value. Having said that, I think we sign him and also go the cheap route. The Gomez, Castro, Lind prediction is spot on I think.

[Hatchetman]

Gomez is another 140K 30BB guy. Just what we need.

[daggins]

White Sox sign JI JIM THOME to be new manager / DH / life coach

White Sox hire Alex Rodriguez from Yankees to to be new DH / life coach / hitting instructor

White Sox spring Lenny Dykstra from probation to be new GM / Treasurer / life coach

White Sox hire Jose Canseco to run social media / DH / life coach

[ChiSox1917]

White Sox sign JI JIM THOME to be new manager / DH / life coach

White Sox hire Alex Rodriguez from Yankees to to be new DH / life coach / hitting instructor

White Sox spring Lenny Dykstra from probation to be new GM / Treasurer / life coach

White Sox hire Jose Canseco to run social media / DH / life coach

 

Canseco should run our social media and be our teams weightlifting coach

[shipps]

The terrible part of this whole thing is that lets say they do throw a ton of money out there and grab three of the top FA's and maybe make a trade somewhere in there. Doesnt that just make them the Angels? Who are fundamentally flawed to being with as well so even that doesnt work.

[harfman77]

Word is that the Pirates may look at moving McCutcheon in a salary dump over the winter. The Sox don't have a lot in the tank as far as prospects go, but could move Burdi and Fulmer for him. Sign Castro and trade for Norris to catch.

 

 

RF Eaton

CF McCutcheon

1B Abreu

3B Frazier

DH Cabrera

LF Tilson

2B Lawrie

C Castro/Norris

SS Anderson

[bmags]

The terrible part of this whole thing is that lets say they do throw a ton of money out there and grab three of the top FA's and maybe make a trade somewhere in there. Doesnt that just make them the Angels? Who are fundamentally flawed to being with as well so even that doesnt work.

 

Yes, but OTOH if they went out and signed cespedes, encarnacion and whomever is the top catcher I'd appreciate them actually going for it even though it would certainly be fool hardy within 2 years.

 

My preference for selling is assuming they have hit a ceiling where being top bidders for players has been capped at 115 million - 120 million range

[Chicago White Sox]

Word is that the Pirates may look at moving McCutcheon in a salary dump over the winter. The Sox don't have a lot in the tank as far as prospects go, but could move Burdi and Fulmer for him. Sign Castro and trade for Norris to catch.

 

 

RF Eaton

CF McCutcheon

1B Abreu

3B Frazier

DH Cabrera

LF Tilson

2B Lawrie

C Castro/Norris

SS Anderson

You're not getting McCutcheon for that, but let's say you could, why the hell would you start Tilson as your LF? Would be such a stupid, half-ass White Sox type of move.

[bmags]

You're not getting McCutcheon for that, but let's say you could, why the hell would you start Tilson as your LF? Would be such a stupid, half-ass White Sox type of move.

[Ducksnort]

We can speculate all we want. And it is all fun and good to fantasize about especially since this season is ova. But, IMO here is the REAL issue: depth. And it has shown to be THE issue this year. A lot of our starting position players and bullpen arms have been hurt, and the backups have proven that they are not even adequate replacement pieces. We can sign good players, and that would be awesome, but what happens when a few of those players are injured again? I think the organization needs to go beyond just the starting pieces and look at how to obtain more depth for this team.

[BlackSox13]

Word is that the Pirates may look at moving McCutcheon in a salary dump over the winter. The Sox don't have a lot in the tank as far as prospects go, but could move Burdi and Fulmer for him. Sign Castro and trade for Norris to catch.

 

 

RF Eaton

CF McCutcheon

1B Abreu

3B Frazier

DH Cabrera

LF Tilson

2B Lawrie

C Castro/Norris

SS Anderson

Can't say I agree with giving up Burdi/Fulmer for a player coming off a down year and only under control through 2017. Would rather keep Burdi/Fulmer and roll the dice with Tilson in CF for 2017.

[jenksycat]

Put Abreu on a keto diet to drop 100lb so we can convert him to a speed CF'er to match the slappy singles hitter he is now

[Eminor3rd]

Carlos Gomez: