Rios, $1M traded to Rangers

[greg775]

This "blow it all up talk" is beyond ridiculous. We have a young, cheap, championship-caliber rotation in place and for a long time. Big market teams don't go full-rebuild when they already have the hardest part of a team built. That's just f***ing stupid.

 

Obviously building an offense can't be done overnight, but it can be done over the course of 2 offseasons IMO. The key is developing Garcia, Semien, Viciedo, & Phegley next year. That should be the priority. Also, use 2014 to see if Beckham & De Aza can be part of the future core and either lock them up long-terk deals or move them at the deadline. And don't be afraid to make smart free agent signings, especially at positions of need in the organization. I really think Morales could solve our 1B problems on a 3 year deal until Barnum or another candidate is ready.

 

If 2014 goes well with the young guys, then you look to use our financial flexibility to add another key piece or two. There are actually some good 3B that will be free agents prior to the 2015 season. On top of that, guys like Thompson, Jacobs, & Sanchez may be ready to contribute. Point is we don't need to blow it up to rebuild our offense. We just need to be patient with the young hitters we already have, find creative ways to add talent (young non-tender guys with upside, prospects coming off bad years, etc), and be savy buyers in free agency. It won't be easy but it's definitely doable.

 

Hahn mentioned his current pitching staff is what he wants to build around. You better believe he recognizes he has some pitching and doesn't sound like a guy who will dump that pitching. He made it clear the pitching is a strength. I think Hahn will "blow up" the everyday lineup but won't touch that starting pitching. He didn't mention Reed or Nate, but I'd be shocked if he traded those guys as well. He mentioned some coaches' contracts running out. I do hope he dumps some of them. I hope Manto's runs out.

[Marty34]

Great post again.

 

 

I've always been one of JRs biggest defenders. So many over the years have called him cheap when he never actually was. But for all the reasons above I really think the plan is to drastically cut back our spendings. These moves don't make any sense otherwise. That is lowering the talent at the major league level significantly while only incrementally improving the minor league system. I hope I am wrong though. Right now it is just a waiting game until winter to see the plan.

 

It makes complete sense. If you don't have the players to compete the next best thing is to have money.

[CWSpalehoseCWS]

After thinking about it a little more, McCann might be the best fit going forward as opposed to Ellsbury or Choo. What teams will even be in the market for catching?

 

I wouldn't mind the Sox going after McCann at all. They could carry 3 catchers next year with DH being open for them to rest McCann when he needs it. Makes sense.

[Buehrle>Wood]

After thinking about it a little more, McCaholesght be the best fit going forward as opposed to Ellsbury or Choo. What teams will even be in the market for catching?

Yeah Ive been on this bandwagon for awhile now. I'd welcome Ellsbury or Choo of course, but neither are filling holes. McCann gives you a middle of the order hitter while filling a massive hole. I don't think he will be too expensive either.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Yes it does. It does us little good to get to mediocre in the next few years.

Huh ? Don't we have to get to mediocre before we get to good enough to compete ?

[2nd_city_saint787]

I want McCann and Hart. Hart should be looking for a 1-2 year contract coming off an injury so he won't really break the bank or tie them up for years to come. He replaces Pauley as RH thumper in the middle of the lineup. McCann fills the hole behind the plate (I've sadly given up on Phegs already) and he also allows them to better balance out the lineup as far as L/R goes. If Dunn doesn't continue what he's dunn the last 2 months then they could bat McCann 3rd or 4th while moving Dunn down to the 5th or 6th spot.

 

 

[beck72]

So, you're saying you want a smaller Korean Alex Rios for a higher price?

Choo would be a big upgrade over Rios on offense. Looking at both of their wOPA, Choo has been above avg. to great 3 of the last 4 years, Rios only above avg. 1 time. looking at wRC+, Choo again has Rios beat, being far above avg. 3 out of 4 years, and Rios above avg. 1 year. (Even factoring in that Choo was injured in 2011, and Rios' brain fart that same year.)

 

The sox need offensive upgrades at many different positions. Choo would qualify, especially if you are talking about similar money as Rios.

[southsider2k5]

i actually picture charlie brown more so

 

when trying to envision how we are in trade talks

 

So does that make Rizzo, Lucy?

[2nd_city_saint787]

Choo would be a big upgrade over Rios on offense. Looking at both of their wOPA, Choo has been above avg. to great 3 of the last 4 years, Rios only above avg. 1 time. looking at wRC+, Choo again has Rios beat, being far above avg. 3 out of 4 years, and Rios above avg. 1 year. (Even factoring in that Choo was injured in 2011, and Rios' brain fart that same year.)

 

The sox need offensive upgrades at many different positions. Choo would qualify, especially if you are talking about similar money as Rios.

 

 

 

Choo can't hit lefties, his .179 average vs lefties scares me, esp in the same lineup with Dunn. At least Rios hit both right and left handed pitching.

 

If they let PK go the Sox will have lost 2 of the 3 guys who hit lefties well. To replace one of them with Choo who has no HRs vs LHP this year and has had a sub .200 BA the last 2 years vs them the last 2 years is a mistake.

 

 

[Knackattack]

Choo can't hit lefties, his .179 average vs lefties scares me, esp in the same lineup with Dunn. At least Rios hit both right and left handed pitching.

 

If they let PK go the Sox will have lost 2 of the 3 guys who hit lefties well. To replace one of them with Choo who has no HRs vs LHP this year and has had a sub .200 BA the last 2 years vs them the last 2 years is a mistake.

He still has an OBP of .323 against them which is pretty much what Rios has put up on a consistent basis (overall), Choo's the kind of guy we should be looking at with that .400+ OBP

[Marty34]

Choo doesn't make the Sox a playoff team therefore they should not sign him to the big money deal he will command.

[beck72]

Choo can't hit lefties, his .179 average vs lefties scares me, esp in the same lineup with Dunn. At least Rios hit both right and left handed pitching.

 

If they let PK go the Sox will have lost 2 of the 3 guys who hit lefties well. To replace one of them with Choo who has no HRs vs LHP this year and has had a sub .200 BA the last 2 years vs them the last 2 years is a mistake.

Any guy the sox go after will have warts. But if he can have an OPS of 1.036 vs. RHP, and hit .329 for 2/3 of his total AB's, I'd take his subpar hitting vs. LHP-though it's been the last two years Choo has struggled vs. LHP.

 

Dunn has one more year. Any free agent will likely be signed for 2, 3 years, whether its McCann, Choo or someone else. Bottom line, Choo is the type of patient hitter the sox need more of.

[beck72]

Choo doesn't make the Sox a playoff team therefore they should not sign him to the big money deal he will command.

Not by himself. Or a guy like McCann. But it's a step in the right direction. Hahn believes the sox can be a playoff team next year, with the right moves to improve the offense. This would be one of them.

[Marty34]

Not by himself. Or a guy like McCann. But it's a step in the right direction. Hahn believes the sox can be a playoff team next year, with the right moves to improve the offense. This would be one of them.

 

I don't think it's a good idea to sign a top-shelf free agent until we know what holes we have to fill. I advocate nothing longer than a two-year deal this offseason.

[GreatScott82]

I don't think it's a good idea to sign a top-shelf free agent until we know what holes we have to fill. I advocate nothing longer than a two-year deal this offseason.

Well said... the White Sox simply need to wait one more year, see who develops and see who regresses. Then they can make an overall assessment of the roster while at the same time, obtain 2 high first round picks. (2014 and 2015). We all know the farm can use top 5 draft picks to boost it up. I am banking that the Sox will go for it all in 2015 and spend big that winter.

[Dick Allen]

Choo doesn't make the Sox a playoff team therefore they should not sign him to the big money deal he will command.

Yet you mentioned Andre Ethier.

[Marty34]

Well said... the White Sox simply need to wait one more year, see who develops and see who regresses. Then they can make an overall assessment of the roster while at the same time, obtain 2 high first round picks. (2014 and 2015). We all know the farm can use top 5 draft picks to boost it up. I am banking that the Sox will go for it all in 2015 and spend big that winter.

 

I'd love to see the Sox eat half of Dunn and Ramirez's contracts in order to get the payroll obligations down to ~$35M. With Hahn mentioning the possibility of taking on a bad contract for prospects it could open the door to an interesting winter.

[Marty34]

Yet you mentioned Andre Ethier.

 

Precisely the type of player the Sox should look at.

[GGajewski18]

Precisely the type of player the Sox should look at.

 

Not at all. At best anymore he is a platoon player. And is on the downside of 30

[GGajewski18]

Well said... the White Sox simply need to wait one more year, see who develops and see who regresses. Then they can make an overall assessment of the roster while at the same time, obtain 2 high first round picks. (2014 and 2015). We all know the farm can use top 5 draft picks to boost it up. I am banking that the Sox will go for it all in 2015 and spend big that winter.

 

What notable free agents where there will be in 2015?

[Marty34]

Not at all. At best anymore he is a platoon player. And is on the downside of 30

 

Dodgers will have to pay a good deal of money (half?) of that contract to have him taken off their hands. These are the kinds of players the Sox should be looking at.

[Balta1701]

Dodgers will have to pay a good deal of money (half?) of that contract to have him taken off their hands. These are the kinds of players the Sox should be looking at.

With guys like Garcia, Jacobs, De Aza, and Viciedo already in the Sox's system, a platoon only corner OF is worth far less than $8 million a year to this team.

 

The Dodgers are vastly more likely to just play Ethier and spend the money to clear Crawford out of the way than they are to keep Crawford unless you're trading someone really useful for this platoon only expensive OF, which would be insane.

[Balta1701]

I'd love to see the Sox eat half of Dunn and Ramirez's contracts in order to get the payroll obligations down to ~$35M. With Hahn mentioning the possibility of taking on a bad contract for prospects it could open the door to an interesting winter.

You know, if the Angels chipped in a bit I might consider Pujols...

[JohnCangelosi]

What notable free agents where there will be in 2015?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/02/2015...ree-agents.html

[Balta1701]

Catcher, DH/1B, and OF would be my priorities from a position perspective. You have guys that you could potentially get that are good players that can be above league average at their position and you sign whichever of those guys potentially sit out on the market and are willing to take shorter term deals. Kendry Morales as a 2 to 3 yr deal isn't bad. Curtis Granderson isn't bad at 2-3 years and if you want to splurge you splurge on McCann. Add those three bats and the offense is significantly better and you aren't really hindering the growth of any of your good prospects/young players. Semien, Beckham, Garcia, Vicied all are playing.

 

If you don't end up competing, those guys you signed didn't break the bank (except McCann) and can probably be moved to a contender. Now I just named a few guys above and I don't know who will sit out on FA and end up taking a shorter term deal but if I were the Sox I'd trade/sign 3 starting position players.

The way I see this offense...they're in a position where if somehow, "Everyone did what they're supposed to do" next year, including 3-4 young guys, they would be sitting there on one gaping hole and that's 1b. The OF bench is pretty bad too with D2 as the guy there, so Granderson does make some sense, but if everyone did what they're supposed to do, including Phegley, Viciedo, and Garcia, they could have a legit offense again next year if they fill the gaping hole at 1b.