The What If Thread

[dmbjeff]

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.

 

While I'd love them to compete in 2017, imagine them spending $50 million of 3 big FA's. What kinda contracts are they giving out to sign them, 4-5 year deals for guys in their 30's? I have a feeling I know how that works out in the end. Then in 2018, you have to figure out a way to replace your 3B, 2B and LF as they will all be free agents. Throw another $50 million at it? Throw AAAA talent at those spots and hope they work? Sign cheap over the hill vets? They need to sell. They need to move Sale and Q for huge hauls, and be ready to compete for 2018 and beyond.

[GreatScott82]

While I'd love them to compete in 2017, imagine them spending $50 million of 3 big FA's. What kinda contracts are they giving out to sign them, 4-5 year deals for guys in their 30's? I have a feeling I know how that works out in the end. Then in 2018, you have to figure out a way to replace your 3B, 2B and LF as they will all be free agents. Throw another $50 million at it? Throw AAAA talent at those spots and hope they work? Sign cheap over the hill vets? They need to sell. They need to move Sale and Q for huge hauls, and be ready to compete for 2018 and beyond.

You are 100% correct.They cannot keep patching up holes on this roster with overpriced free agents or shall we say-- bargain shop for B and C level free agents out to prove something. And can the White Sox afford to give up any more prospects via trade? This farm system is so thin it's scary.

[Dam8610]

How COULD they do it? Sign Cespedes, sign Ramos, resign Morneau, and desperately hope for a bounceback year from Shields. With Shields pitching like a 3, Gonzalez pitching like a 4 (which he has this year), and those additions to the offense, that's probably at least a WC team, even if Rodon doesn't take a step forward.

 

That said, there's about a 0% chance the Sox do that.

[Dam8610]

You are 100% correct.They cannot keep patching up holes on this roster with overpriced free agents or shall we say-- bargain shop for B and C level free agents out to prove something. And can the White Sox afford to give up any more prospects via trade? This farm system is so thin it's scary.

 

Have you seen the 2016 draft class? They should cure the ails in that department.

[soxforlife05]

How COULD they do it? Sign Cespedes, sign Ramos, resign Morneau, and desperately hope for a bounceback year from Shields. With Shields pitching like a 3, Gonzalez pitching like a 4 (which he has this year), and those additions to the offense, that's probably at least a WC team, even if Rodon doesn't take a step forward.

 

That said, there's about a 0% chance the Sox do that.

 

Rodon would be the guy who needs to pitch like a 3. Shields is more like a 5th starter at this point. And if the Sox don't spend this offseason they aren't contending. I don't care who they acquire, they will NOT contend unless some combination of 2 solid-elite players are acquired through FA and/or trade not including signing Morneau.

Edited August 11, 2016 by soxforlife05

[hi8is]

Rodon would be the guy who needs to pitch like a 3. Shields is more like a 5th starter at this point. And if the Sox don't spend this offseason they aren't contending. I don't care who they acquire, they will NOT contend unless some combination of 2 solid-elite players are acquired through FA and/or trade not including signing Morneau.

+1

[GreenSox]

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.

For one year of McCutheon who is having a bad year?

2 first round draft choices is not a "salary dump"

 

Edited August 12, 2016 by GreenSox

[Balta1701]

For one year of McCutheon who is having a bad year?

2 first round draft choices is not a "salary dump"

The Pirates might darn well think about moving him this offseason since they have another OF coming up soon, but even off an unprecedented down year they won't move him for less than that. You want Cutch you're paying MVP level prices, at least this offseason.

[caulfield12]

The Pirates might darn well think about moving him this offseason since they have another OF coming up soon, but even off an unprecedented down year they won't move him for less than that. You want Cutch you're paying MVP level prices, at least this offseason.

 

Pirates have Glasnow, Bell and Meadows all knocking on the door.

 

The question is how they fit them into the lineup together. Still would be shocked to see McCutcheon traded going into next year...if they were rebuilding, sure, itvwould a CarGo situation or Tulo 100%.

 

His leadership is still very important for that organization, and they're betting one final bounceback year.

[Balta1701]

Pirates have Glasnow, Bell and Meadows all knocking on the door.

 

The question is how they fit them into the lineup together. Still would be shocked to see McCutcheon traded going into next year...if they were rebuilding, sure, itvwould a CarGo situation or Tulo 100%.

 

His leadership is still very important for that organization, and they're betting one final bounceback year.

Jesus Christ, the discussion was about a center fielder and you just named a pitcher and a 1b.

 

"OMG how will we find a spot for Glasnow with Cutch in CF? Uh, how about Glasnow pitches and Cutch plays CF? NO!!!!"

 

Meadows is the interesting one. He just made AAA and the Pirates aren't like the White Sox where AAA arrival means they're 2 weeks from the big leagues. Meadows has had some injuries this year so he's not going to have a full year and he still seems to have some work to do at AAA. They could very well think about giving him a slot next April, but only if they have good reason to do so. They won't be desperate to move any of those OFs unless you pay a Sale-like price for them. They're all under control for years at reasonable costs.

 

If Meadows wound up blocked, then they could darn well move one of the current OFs next year at the deadline if they were to fall out of the race or, perhaps, Meadows is a trade headliner next year.

[caulfield12]

Jesus Christ, the discussion was about a center fielder and you just named a pitcher and a 1b.

 

"OMG how will we find a spot for Glasnow with Cutch in CF? Uh, how about Glasnow pitches and Cutch plays CF? NO!!!!"

 

Meadows is the interesting one. He just made AAA and the Pirates aren't like the White Sox where AAA arrival means they're 2 weeks from the big leagues. Meadows has had some injuries this year so he's not going to have a full year and he still seems to have some work to do at AAA. They could very well think about giving him a slot next April, but only if they have good reason to do so. They won't be desperate to move any of those OFs unless you pay a Sale-like price for them. They're all under control for years at reasonable costs.

 

If Meadows wound up blocked, then they could darn well move one of the current OFs next year at the deadline if they were to fall out of the race or, perhaps, Meadows is a trade headliner next year.

 

Because those are the three primary reasons they made the mysterious trades they did at the deadline...everything was for making a charge in 2017, not dumping former MVPs.

 

In the big picture, they're almost perfectly set up with another run when you can add 2-3 impact rookies per year to their youngish core, with the exception of Cutch.

Edited August 14, 2016 by caulfield12

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Guys I'd like the Sox to explore trading, Robertson, Frazier, Lawrie, Melky even Abreu and Quintana. Target some OBP types maybe Freddie Freeman, DJ LeMahieu, Josh Reddick, Dexter Fowler Starling Marte, Wilson Ramos, Ian Desmond. .Need some bullpen arms .

 

Guys I'd like to see get a chance next year, Matt Davidson and Burdi.

 

Ramos and LeMahieu are guys who took huge leaps this year . Wish Avi could make that kind of leap but there are signs he is improving his eye at the plate swinging at less junk than he did before.

 

Many times what separates contenders from pretenders is guys taking large leaps forward, rookies, int'l FA's or hitting the jackpot on semi dumpster diving. Guys like Desmond, Napoli, Jose Ramirez, Daniel Murphy,Tyler Naquin, Kang,Jake Lamb, Trevor Story, Ramos and LeMahieu .The Sox just haven't hit that lottery at all. Everyone they seem to acquire is a total disaster and haven't tried a veteran import in a while. Anderson and Morneau have been good but Morneau was too little too late and he arrived when all the injuries started piling up.