Anthony Swarzak to Brewers; Sox receive Ryan Cordell

[KnightsOnMintSt]

Hoping that we now see Reynaldo Lopez called up at some point today.

[Bob Sacamano]

Hoping that we now see Reynaldo Lopez called up at some point today.

 

Offered free tickets for the game tomorrow. Would make me excited to go if he is called up to start.

[iamshack]

Sounds like Cordell still has a few more weeks on the shelf.

[LittleHurt05]

Tom‏ @Haudricourt 16m16 minutes ago

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Stearns said Cordell has lower back injury and is expected to be on DL couple more weeks but after that be OK. Medicals were examined.

[iamshack]

Sox reinstate Petricka from DL.

[flavum]

Sox reinstate Petricka from DL.

 

Cool. Still hope they drop Minaya tomorrow for Lopez.

[Bob Sacamano]

Sox reinstate Petricka from DL.

 

So how long until he goes back on the DL? We should start a pool.

[OmarComing25]

Cool. Still hope they drop Minaya tomorrow for Lopez.

I'd rather see Minaya than any of the other stiffs in the pen at this point, he actually has decent numbers this year.

[bmags]

I'd rather see Minaya than any of the other stiffs in the pen at this point, he actually has decent numbers this year.

 

And seems to have a rubber arm.

[flavum]

I'd rather see Minaya than any of the other stiffs in the pen at this point, he actually has decent numbers this year.

 

Infante then. Just want to see Lopez in the rotation.

[iamshack]

And seems to have a rubber arm.

HBD

[Jake]

Cordell seems to be surprisingly talented for a "low ceiling" guy. He hit 19 homers in 107 games last year and 18 HR in 125 games the year before. He has 10 this year in 68 games. He's a 20+ HR/year bat who doesn't have major strikeout problems, is a good runner, and a solid defender in all 3 OF spots. His production in AAA this year tells us there really isn't much risk in terms of whether he's going to be a MLB player, though obviously there's never a guarantee about whether he will be a regular...it's the hardest thing to know for any prospect, of course.

 

 

[Dick Allen]

Cordell seems to be surprisingly talented for a "low ceiling" guy. He hit 19 homers in 107 games last year and 18 HR in 125 games the year before. He has 10 this year in 68 games. He's a 20+ HR/year bat who doesn't have major strikeout problems, is a good runner, and a solid defender in all 3 OF spots. His production in AAA this year tells us there really isn't much risk in terms of whether he's going to be a MLB player, though obviously there's never a guarantee about whether he will be a regular...it's the hardest thing to know for any prospect, of course.

He was old for his level last year and in Colorado Springs this year. But it's possible.

 

 

Does anyone have any idea when he will be able to play again?

[Bob Sacamano]

He was old for his level last year and in Colorado Springs this year. But it's possible.

 

 

Does anyone have any idea when he will be able to play again?

 

Couple weeks apparently.

[iamshack]

I dont like that the scout Hayes quoted compared him to Engel. This guy is nowhere near the defender or speedster that Engel is. Engel is nowhere near as polished or well rounded on the offensive side. Engel, if you're going to play him, should be in CF. Cordell could play there, the corners and perhaps some infield although the reports aren't all that positive there.

 

This Cordell guy is really unique. If he can be a guy who can play all three outfielder positions, 1B/3B and even SS in a pinch we have a very interesting bench piece. Still, defensive reports in infield are poor. To me, his ceiling is Ian Desmond with less infield ability. How likely he is to hit that ceiling I have my doubts. He has overall very decent numbers but there's caveats along the way. He was too old when he murdered A ball and he's a bit old now when he's been productive at one the best parks to hit in all of baseball.

 

All things considered, this is guy who was top 20 in a top 5/10 system. He was ranked above guys I would have been legitimately excited to have acquired for Swarzak. We gave up a rental who came here on a minor league deal. This is a win. These are the types of moves that need to be made during rebuild years. Identify, utilize and ship off. Limited liability and considerable upside.

 

Throw guys like Davidson, Leury, Engel, Cordell, etc. out there to get full time ops and they can either make a spot for themselves for the future or become a trade piece. His flexibility is nice too.

While I still don't agree, I appreciate the insights Brian!

[iamshack]

Ha, Shack I saw you had some strong opinions on this one. If I told you in March we traded Swarzak for this kid you would have had to be ecstatic, no?

 

Swarzak's been great but would have lost all of his value a week from today. He has no track record and if you want him for next year trading him now doesn't preclude that from happening. Getting a T20 guy from a top system is a big win even if Cordell is flawed.

I admit I know nothing about this guy, and so hopefully he changes my mind.

 

That said, I would have preferred to get something like what the Red Sox gave the Giants for Nunez. A younger kid with some upside that may pay off much more down the road.

 

I think this is an interesting discussion to have...but I think the GMs that are buying are really pulling the wool over the eyes of the selling GMs right now in terms of reliever value. Teams are basically able to land some quality relievers, which are becoming more and more integral in the postseason than ever, for almost nothing.

 

What is the point of even spending much money on the bullpen at this point? Why take the risk of signing a reliever to a 3/15 contract when I can just wait and see if I'm in contention, and then drop my 20th rated prospect for a rental that makes nothing?

 

The market has shifted so ridiculously towards prospects that it's going to continue to eat into the salaries paid to average veterans and cause labor issues.

 

 

[Soxbadger]

Shack,

 

The reason you cant ignore your bullpen and then hope to buy later is because 1) if you lose to much to start you may never contend, 2) middle reliever market is too volatile and no way of predicting what theyd cost in prospects and 3) the prospect you give up could turn out to be worth more than the mr you traded for.

 

Im guessing a lot of teams would rather pay $5mil per year and keep their prospects.

[Bob Sacamano]

I admit I know nothing about this guy, and so hopefully he changes my mind.

 

That said, I would have preferred to get something like what the Red Sox gave the Giants for Nunez. A younger kid with some upside that may pay off much more down the road.

 

I think this is an interesting discussion to have...but I think the GMs that are buying are really pulling the wool over the eyes of the selling GMs right now in terms of reliever value. Teams are basically able to land some quality relievers, which are becoming more and more integral in the postseason than ever, for almost nothing.

 

What is the point of even spending much money on the bullpen at this point? Why take the risk of signing a reliever to a 3/15 contract when I can just wait and see if I'm in contention, and then drop my 20th rated prospect for a rental that makes nothing?

 

The market has shifted so ridiculously towards prospects that it's going to continue to eat into the salaries paid to average veterans and cause labor issues.

 

It's a buyer's market with a ton of relievers still to be moved. That's why this is happening.

Edited July 26, 2017 by soxfan2014

[greg775]

Sounds like Cordell still has a few more weeks on the shelf.

I know and he's got the built in excuse if he stinks the rest of this year -- bad back. I liked the numbers I saw from this guy even though he's old, or at least was intrigued by the numbers so I am moderately excited for him, but it'd probably be better he not get his call up until next season when he's healthy. Let Engel continue to have his day this year.

[Bob Sacamano]

I know and he's got the built in excuse if he stinks the rest of this year -- bad back. I liked the numbers I saw from this guy even though he's old, or at least was intrigued by the numbers so I am moderately excited for him, but it'd probably be better he not get his call up until next season when he's healthy. Let Engel continue to have his day this year.

 

He can play LF once Melky is moved.

[witesoxfan]

I know and he's got the built in excuse if he stinks the rest of this year -- bad back. I liked the numbers I saw from this guy even though he's old, or at least was intrigued by the numbers so I am moderately excited for him, but it'd probably be better he not get his call up until next season when he's healthy. Let Engel continue to have his day this year.

 

Or, you know, first exposure to major league pitching. In Mike Trout's first 135 plate appearances, he put up a .220/.281/.390 line. Didn't even have a back excuse.

[iamshack]

As you know, the market is always changing. A lot of teams went into this year with the intention of sucking. They're all trying to flip their relievers. Everyone knows how fungible and sporadic relievers can be. To me it's interesting to see how unwilling teams are to take on money this year.

 

In the past I feel teams were willing to take on cash if it made their team better. Our cheap ass owner paid 4M for a month of a washed up Manny Ramirez. Now teams won't give up anything for a professional SH bat who's been consistent as can be in Melky with a 6M price tag.

 

Regardless, it's a buyers market. You sign relievers in the offseason so you can have them the whole year. You can't be in contention in July with no bullpen unless you have the Nats lineup and rotation and play in the NL East/Central.

 

There Brewers have a deep system so a "20th prospect" is relative. If Brewers lose 7/10 and the Cubs pitching holds up the Brewers just wasted an asset for nothing. I think there is a very high probability the Brewers lose this trade and the White Sox have no chance of losing other than in the way of opportunity cost if there was anotehr interesting piece out there.

Yeah, I hear you, but I guess we need to see how the next 5 days go.

 

I don't think this is nearly the buyer's market as it's been made out to be.

[Bob Sacamano]

Yeah, I hear you, but I guess we need to see how the next 5 days go.

 

I don't think this is nearly the buyer's market as it's been made out to be.

 

Well the price relievers have gone for so far and the fact there are a lot still out there would make it seem differently. Not really sure why you think otherwise. Seems the only one with wool over their eyes is you.

Edited July 26, 2017 by soxfan2014

[iamshack]

Well the price relievers have gone for so far and the fact there are a lot still out there would make it seem differently.

You mean the price Hahn has accepted for relievers?

 

Billy Beane's deal with Washington is starting to look better and better.

[Bob Sacamano]

You mean the price Hahn has accepted for relievers?

 

Billy Beane's deal with Washington is starting to look better and better.

 

No one really gave any praise to Beane in that deal if I recall.