Who is your top 2019-20 free agent target

[JUSTgottaBELIEVE]

40 minutes ago, Balta1701 said:

If this offseason has taught us anything, it's that they'll blow through that money up to $75 million pretty quick without bringing in anyone of value. Arb for Colome, Sanchez, Rodon, maybe Leury and McCann, pick up the option on Jones, and blow some money keeping Abreu around and it's back over $60 million before they make a single move.

I mean they did bring in a bunch of MLB players this winter (not stars but actual MLB players) and are still under $100M. Even if they add a few more of those next winter, which should become more difficult to find a roster spot for marginal MLB talent if the prospects perform and start filling those spots, they will still be looking at a sub $100M payroll unless they add impact FA players.

[Balta1701]

2 minutes ago, JUSTgottaBELIEVE said:

I mean they did bring in a bunch of MLB players this winter (not stars but actual MLB players) and are still under $100M. Even if they add a few more of those next winter, which should become more difficult to find a roster spot for marginal MLB talent if the prospects perform and start filling those spots, they will still be looking at a sub $100M payroll unless they add impact FA players.

They certainly could afford to do it, but remember the rantings of Kenny Williams - if they spent the money and went over $100 million now, they believe that would leave them with insufficient resources to keep their core together.

[JUSTgottaBELIEVE]

1 minute ago, Balta1701 said:

They certainly could afford to do it, but remember the rantings of Kenny Williams - if they spent the money and went over $100 million now, they believe that would leave them with insufficient resources to keep their core together.

Where did he say a team payroll of $100M was some magical threshold for the organization? I don’t recall that.

[Balta1701]

3 minutes ago, JUSTgottaBELIEVE said:

Where did he say a team payroll of $100M was some magical threshold for the organization? I don’t recall that.

While he never gave a number, he loudly and angrily made the point that they have thought about payroll flexibility several years from now as a priority and a reason to limit their commitments. 

[JUSTgottaBELIEVE]

12 minutes ago, Balta1701 said:

While he never gave a number, he loudly and angrily made the point that they have thought about payroll flexibility several years from now as a priority and a reason to limit their commitments. 

Ok, I think a team payroll next year of $125M certainly still allows them the type of flexibility they desire in the future.

[Chicago White Sox]

2 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Alonso could easily get to 550 PA’s.  Renteria won’t screw him over if he’s playing well.

You can also practically guarantee if Nova or Santana pitch well in 2019 the extension money goes to them instead of a Verlander or Greinke from outside the organization.

Caulfield, your second statement is beyond laughable and the first one borderlines on it.  Unless the Sox are even more incompetent than we ever imagined, Alonso will be platooned and will miss that 550 target.  He’s only hit that threshold once in the last six years and that was last year when he cleared it by a robust 24 plate appearances.  

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, Balta1701 said:

While he never gave a number, he loudly and angrily made the point that they have thought about payroll flexibility several years from now as a priority and a reason to limit their commitments. 

His argument was about retaining the core 9 & 10 years from now.  Let’s not over-exaggerate here and pretend he said something that he didn’t.

[caulfield12]

4 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Caulfield, your second statement is beyond laughable and the first one borderlines on it.  Unless the Sox are even more incompetent than we ever imagined, Alonso will be platooned and will miss that 550 target.  He’s only hit that threshold once in the last six years and that was last year when he cleared it by a robust 24 plate appearances.  

I will save this post for posterity.  At least one of Alonso, Nova and Santana will still be around next year, if not two.  Santana didn’t dip from 93-94 until that finger injury last year, and Verlander’s proven to quite effective in his mid to late 30’s.

Just as importantly, if Dunning’s year is lost, who will we use next year, especially if Giolito flames out?  Kopech/Cease will have innings and pitch count limitations, Covey and Banuelos are the only internal options right now.  Lambert’s at least 1 1/2 years away, arguably, or Flores.

And we won’t spend the money for JDM, Goldschmidt or Bumgarner...as much as you might wish it.

Just watch when they send Palka down and Engel/Jay/Guyer are playing everyday.

Edited March 11, 2019 by caulfield12

[Chicago White Sox]

8 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

I will save this post for posterity.  At least one of Alonso, Nova and Santana will still be around next year, if not two.

And we won’t spend the money for JDM, Goldschmidt or Bumgarner...as much as you might wish it.

Just watch when they send Palka down and Engel/Jay/Guyer are playing everyday.

No fucking way in hell Nova or Santana are around next year.  Between Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Kopech, Cease, & Dunning we have six young starters in place.  They will look to add a guy that can anchor the top of the rotation and not some over 30’s innings eater type.

As for Alonso, the only chance he’s around in 2020 is if he suddenly regains his 2017 1H form.  Otherwise, he will be long gone.

And I will guarantee we add at least one free agent on the level of JD Martinez, Goldschmidt, or Bumgarner.  Just because these clowns weren’t willing to go 10 years for Machado doesn’t mean we’ll rock a $50M payroll in 2020.

And no idea what the third statement has anything to do with our ability or plans to add via free agency in 2020.

Edited March 11, 2019 by Chicago White Sox

[caulfield12]

6 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

No fucking way in hell Nova or Santana are around next year.  Between Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Kopech, Cease, & Dunning we have six young starters in place.  They will look to add a guy that can anchor the top of the rotation and not some over 30’s innings eater type.

As for Alonso, the only chance he’s around in 2020 is if he suddenly regains his 2017 1H form.  Otherwise, he will be long gone.

And I will guarantee we add at least one free agent on the level of JD Martinez, Goldschmidt, or Bumgarner.  Just because these clowns weren’t willing to go 10 years for Machado doesn’t mean we’ll rock a $50M payroll in 2020.

And no idea what the third statement has anything to do with our ability or plans to add via free agency in 2020.

It has to do with continued idiotic decisions that won’t contribute to our next playoff roster.

How many at-bats do you think Palka should get this year?  Should we already deem him a strictly platoon hitter?   I have a feeling he will get less than last year unless Jay and Guyer completely lose it.  Or Engel is so bad again offensively we have to play Jay or Leury in CF nearly every day.

[caulfield12]

9 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

No fucking way in hell Nova or Santana are around next year.  Between Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Kopech, Cease, & Dunning we have six young starters in place.  They will look to add a guy that can anchor the top of the rotation and not some over 30’s innings eater type.

As for Alonso, the only chance he’s around in 2020 is if he suddenly regains his 2017 1H form.  Otherwise, he will be long gone.

And I will guarantee we add at least one free agent on the level of JD Martinez, Goldschmidt, or Bumgarner.  Just because these clowns weren’t willing to go 10 years for Machado doesn’t mean we’ll rock a $50M payroll in 2020.

And no idea what the third statement has anything to do with our ability or plans to add via free agency in 2020.

That’s a bold statement considering the odds are 50/50 JDM is back with Boston, Goldschmidt extends in StL and Bumgarner sticks in San Fran as they pair him and Posey with someone like Bogaerts.  SF can’t afford to rebuild from scratch with their fanbase, they’re going to need to make a big splash.

Odds are still way higher that Santana, Nova or Alonso will still be around. 

Lopez is the only one most of us have any confidence in being ready to pitch 180-200 innings in 2020.   Giolito, Rodon and a Dunning are just as likely to be injured and/or ineffective.  

We still don’t even know about Kopech, as Burdi’s taken longer than most expected to get back to 100%, especially for a reliever.

[Soxbears2001]

This was the year. 2 26 year old all star caliber players. Getting a bunch of 29-35 year old players is of 0 interest to me. Rllwhen we are still rebuilding in 2024 people will start to realize we were shafted by this front office.

[OneDog847]

3 hours ago, thxfrthmmrs said:

If that's the case, 2019 and 2020 must have gone really wrong. The clock is ticking on the young guys already called up plus Anderson, if they show that they're part of the future core, we need to start acquiring other core pieces externally if we see guys who could help this team. You're always going to have prospects coming up in the pipeline (#3 pick this year, and another likely top 10 next year included), that's the sign of a healthy farm system.

2019 is another tank year for sure. Just take a look at the roster. Adam Engel is the starting center fielder and the back end of your rotation is guys like Giolito, Covey, and Banuelos. 100 losses is a very real possibility again this year. 

Things should start getting better in 2020 with full or half seasons from Cease, Kopech, Eloy, Basabe, Collins, Adolfo, Dunning, Burdi, Sheets, Madrigal, etc. Let the young kids play and take your lumps. Letting the young kids develop should be the theme for the next two seasons. Wins and losses won't really matter yet. 

After 2020 you can start to add free agents in areas of need. Again, the only caveat would be adding a TOR starter this Winter but I don't suspect the Sox will be serious players for any of those guys. 

[caulfield12]

Bogaerts, Cole, Ozuna, Puig, Castellanos...only five big-time free agents will be under 30 next year.

Rendon, Wheeler, DiDi G, Bumgarner and Scooter Gennett will be 30 exactly, with everyone else older.

Of course, our supposed strength is OF prospects, so that means either Bogaerts or Castellanos at 1B/DH.

[Chicago White Sox]

9 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

That’s a bold statement considering the odds are 50/50 JDM is back with Boston, Goldschmidt extends in StL and Bumgarner sticks in San Fran as they pair him and Posey with someone like Bogaerts.  SF can’t afford to rebuild from scratch with their fanbase, they’re going to need to make a big splash.

Odds are still way higher that Santana, Nova or Alonso will still be around. 

Lopez is the only one most of us have any confidence in being ready to pitch 180-200 innings in 2020.   Giolito, Rodon and a Dunning are just as likely to be injured and/or ineffective.  

We still don’t even know about Kopech, as Burdi’s taken longer than most expected to get back to 100%, especially for a reliever.

Again, you are arguing we plan on supporting a $50M payroll next year and that’s not happening.  The Sox will add free agents next offseason.  Will they add the under 30 guys we all desire?  Probably not, but they will most definitely be active and sign at least one guys on the JDM, Goldschmidt, Bumgarner level.  I fully expect multiple signings like that, because I won’t guarantee it.

[caulfield12]

3 minutes ago, OneDog847 said:

2019 is another tank year for sure. Just take a look at the roster. Adam Engel is the starting center fielder and the back end of your rotation is guys like Giolito, Covey, and Banuelos. 100 losses is a very real possibility again this year. 

Things should start getting better in 2020 with full or half seasons from Cease, Kopech, Eloy, Basabe, Collins, Adolfo, Dunning, Burdi, Sheets, Madrigal, etc. Let the young kids play and take your lumps. Letting the young kids develop should be the theme for the next two seasons. Wins and losses won't really matter yet. 

After 2020 you can start to add free agents in areas of need. Again, the only caveat would be adding a TOR starter this Winter but I don't suspect the Sox will be serious players for any of those guys. 

Sheets is about as close as Burger to being in anyone’s plans for 2020.  

It’s going to take Basabe until early/mid July to be in game form, so counting on him or Dunning or Adolfo seems foolhardly coming off their various injuries...in terms of MLB starters next year.

[Chicago White Sox]

1 minute ago, caulfield12 said:

Sheets is about as close as Burger to being in anyone’s plans for 2020.  

It’s going to take Basabe until early/mid July to be in game form, so counting on him or Dunning or Adolfo seems foolhardly coming off their various injuries...in terms of MLB starters next year.

Early to mid July for Basabe?  I thought he was out 8 to 12 weeks.

[caulfield12]

1 minute ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Again, you are arguing we plan on supporting a $50M payroll next year and that’s not happening.  The Sox will add free agents next offseason.  Will they add the under 30 guys we all desire?  Probably not, but they will most definitely be active and sign at least one guys on the JDM, Goldschmidt, Bumgarner level.  I fully expect multiple signings like that, because I won’t guarantee it.

Balta already made the point that Abreu, Alonso, Colome, Herrera, Rodon, Leury/Yolmer, Anderson, etc., gets you fairly close to $75 million before you even blink.  

[caulfield12]

3 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Early to mid July for Basabe?  I thought he was out 8 to 12 weeks.

Which puts his return to real game action mid to late June...and probably not really clicking until mid July due to the missed spring training time and (April/May also toast) in order to get his offensive rhythm back.

Robert never really found himself last year until the AFL for that very same reason.

Edited March 11, 2019 by caulfield12

[Chicago White Sox]

Just now, caulfield12 said:

Balta already made the point that Abreu, Alonso, Colome, Herrera, Rodon, Leury/Yolmer, Anderson, etc., gets you fairly close to $75 million before you even blink.  

Abreu & Alonso aren’t under contract for next year.  At least one of Colome & Herrera is likely to be traded.  Sanchez & Leury can both be moved easily.  You are really reaching here to create some narrative that doesn’t exist.

[thxfrthmmrs]

2 minutes ago, OneDog847 said:

2019 is another tank year for sure. Just take a look at the roster. Adam Engel is the starting center fielder and the back end of your rotation is guys like Giolito, Covey, and Banuelos. 100 losses is a very real possibility again this year. 

Things should start getting better in 2020 with full or half seasons from Cease, Kopech, Eloy, Basabe, Collins, Adolfo, Dunning, Burdi, Sheets, Madrigal, etc. Let the young kids play and take your lumps. Letting the young kids develop should be the theme for the next two seasons. Wins and losses won't really matter yet. 

After 2020 you can start to add free agents in areas of need. Again, the only caveat would be adding a TOR starter this Winter but I don't suspect the Sox will be serious players for any of those guys. 

The key isn't to focus on win/loss record this season. It's the player development we need to focus on. The core is and will be Eloy/Moncada/Cease/Anderson/Kopech/Rodon/ and one of Lopez/Giolito. If those guys take the next step forward you are much closer in 2020 with addition of key FA pieces. If they do not take the next step (or god more forbids they regressed) in the case of Moncada, Gio/Lopez/Anderson, you may consider replacing them because they've had their opportunities. However, if the core shows promise this year and you do not add key FA pieces to contend and instead wait for Robert/Adolfo/Sheets, etc then you are wasting another year of the service time of the aforementioned player and your window becomes much smaller. Worst case if you signed FA an one of the prospect is pushing the door, you could always trade for help in area of need.

[OneDog847]

1 minute ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Again, you are arguing we plan on supporting a $50M payroll next year and that’s not happening.  The Sox will add free agents next offseason.  Will they add the under 30 guys we all desire?  Probably not, but they will most definitely be active and sign at least one guys on the JDM, Goldschmidt, Bumgarner level.  I fully expect multiple signings like that, because I won’t guarantee it.

JR has still never handed out a contract over 100 million dollars and likely never will. The Machado saga was one big dog and pony show and JR finished second on purpose. There was a reason he inserted himself into the contract negotiations. 

JDM, Goldschmidt, and Bumgarner are all gonna be looking for 100 million plus so they can be crossed off the list. 

Guys like Puig, Ozuna, Matt Carpenter, Alex Wood, and Rick Porcello will be the ones the Sox go after. 

[Chicago White Sox]

1 minute ago, caulfield12 said:

Which puts his return to real game action mid to late June...and probably not really clicking until mid July due to the missed spring training time and then April/May also toast in order to get his rhythm back.

Robert never really found himself last year until the AFL for that very same reason.

He had surgery around February 20th which puts back on the map in late May.  He should fully up-to-speed by mid June if I had to guess.

[Balta1701]

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Abreu & Alonso aren’t under contract for next year.  At least one of Colome & Herrera is likely to be traded.  Sanchez & Leury can both be moved easily.  You are really reaching here to create some narrative that doesn’t exist.

And if they do that, it'll be justification for them to spend money on a reliever next offseason.

[caulfield12]

1 minute ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Abreu & Alonso aren’t under contract for next year.  At least one of Colome & Herrera is likely to be traded.  Sanchez & Leury can both be moved easily.  You are really reaching here to create some narrative that doesn’t exist.

Color most of us skeptical that we won’t end up wasting another $45 on riff raft that not one single ticket buyer is motivated to attend a game due to their ongoing presence.

It’s like we signed the equivalent of five Jeff Keppingers as far as the fanbase is concerned.