Marty34 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Abreu Age 27 Semien Age 24 Davidson Age 23 Viciedo Age 25 Eaton Age 25 Garcia Age 23 Sale Age 25 Quintana Age 24 Johnson Age 24 Add the #3 pick to it, but is this core good enough that they won't have to deal anyone from it to get better? The only reinforcements otherwise will have to come via free agency because there isn't much in the minors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowand's rowdies Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Ceiling for that core IMO is the Oakland A's of the last 10-12 years. Might make some runs but no World Series. Lots needs to be done adding complementary pieces as well as a few stars and maybe another superstar to have a legitimate chance at greatness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShandyMan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:03 AM) Ceiling for that core IMO is the Oakland A's of the last 10-12 years. Might make some runs but no World Series. Lots needs to be done adding complementary pieces as well as a few stars and maybe another superstar to have a legitimate chance at greatness. Oakland never had a pitcher of Sales' Caliber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty34 Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:03 AM) Ceiling for that core IMO is the Oakland A's of the last 10-12 years. Might make some runs but no World Series. Lots needs to be done adding complementary pieces as well as a few stars and maybe another superstar to have a legitimate chance at greatness. The problem with the core is there is going to be a gap before they get any more help from the minors. Quintana is going to have to be sacrificed to supplement the holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 There is plenty of talent in that group. Of course, lots of questions too. Is it talented enough? Yes. Is it "good" enough? No way to know. Chances are you'll have to add to it, but we don't yet know which will need replaced or which peripheral positions will need supplementing. We also don't know what sorts of prospects will emerge and begin to look like part of that core. It's nice to know that if we give every current player arbitration, pick up every current player's options, and trade nobody before next season, we've only committed $77M in payroll. With a year's worth of information about the guys on this team, we'll be able to figure out how we want to spend what could quite possibly be a whole lot of money. On the other hand, I don't want us to spend money just so we're spending as much as we can. Payroll flexibility is such a luxury and you don't want to lose it just because you feel uncomfortable having it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (staxx @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:11 AM) Oakland never had a pitcher of Sales' Caliber. Mulder, Zito, Hudson, Haren, Harden, should I continue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quin Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Considering this core wasn't on the opening day roster last year aside from Sale, Quintana, and Viciedo, I'm not going to rule it out. What if the #3 pick becomes a star? What if Danish becomes an ace out of nowhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:17 AM) Considering this core wasn't on the opening day roster last year aside from Sale, Quintana, and Viciedo, I'm not going to rule it out. What if the #3 pick becomes a star? What if Danish becomes an ace out of nowhere? I like Beck breaking out this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 It's interesting how Santiago and Reed wouldn't have felt like core pieces, but the players we got back for them do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harfman77 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 09:59 AM) Abreu Age 27 Semien Age 24 Davidson Age 23 Viciedo Age 25 Eaton Age 25 Garcia Age 23 Sale Age 25 Quintana Age 24 Johnson Age 24 Add the #3 pick to it, but is this core good enough that they won't have to deal anyone from it to get better? The only reinforcements otherwise will have to come via free agency because there isn't much in the minors Thats pretty solid, it is really too early too tell how good that group can be because they are all relatively unknown with a lot of questions. Abreu - Is he the hitter that most think or will he struggle to adapt to MLB? Semien - Is he a utility player or a bona fide every day guy? Davidson - Can he hit enough to make his power play? Viciedo - Which guy are you getting? Two years ago his power was impressive, last season he struggled with power but hit righties better Eaton - Have the injuries derailed him? Is he a LH Aaron Rowand? Garcia - Can he develop his tools or will he be just a guy? Sale - Can he stay healthy? Quintana Can he remain consistent? Johnson Will his stuff play in the majors? Also Danks (28) - Can he get back to form after surgery? Sanchez - Can he rebound and put everything together? Some of these will be positive answers, some negative, the good thing is there is more in the minors than there has been in the last decade, so when there are holes, Hahn will have the resources to go out and trade for guys to fill the gaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harfman77 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:13 AM) The problem with the core is there is going to be a gap before they get any more help from the minors. Quintana is going to have to be sacrificed to supplement the holes. No, it will be the opposite, the help from the minors will be traded to supplement the big league roster and allow the core to remain intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasttriptotulsa Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) I think that core along with cheaper veteran free agent complimentary players could be enough to win starting in 2015 or 2016. We still need to address the catching situation, which is where stop gap type FAs can come in, but overall I think the Sox have put themselves in a good position for the next few years. Of course, this is based on whether the young players develop into what we think they will. It is possible that Eaton, Davidson, Garcia, Semien and Johnson all flop and then we really aren't any better off than we were last year. Edited February 4, 2014 by lasttriptotulsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I think the most important part of this is not the names but that they actually have pieces and maybe a bit of depth. This team lost 91 games. And then, with very much the same pieces, this team won the American League in 2006. It wasn't but a year later and the team looked drastically different. That is what can and does happen in baseball. It's important to keep everything in context. Frankly, the most important aspect in all of this is that they are bringing in a lot of talent. It's vital that they remain doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty34 Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 If this core shows they aren't good enough at what point does dealing Sale become an option? I say All Star break 2015 because this core was assembled in part because it is supposed to be major league ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:13 AM) The problem with the core is there is going to be a gap before they get any more help from the minors. Quintana is going to have to be sacrificed to supplement the holes. This sounds rather primitive and quite grotesque. Couldn't they just trade him? All kidding aside, I think you have to let it play out before making assumptions like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty34 Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:26 AM) I think that core along with cheaper veteran free agent complimentary players could be enough to win starting in 2015 or 2016. We still need to address the catching situation, which is where stop gap type FAs can come in, but overall I think the Sox have put themselves in a good position for the next few years. Of course, this is based on whether the young players develop into what we think they will. It is possible that Eaton, Davidson, Garcia, Semien and Johnson all flop and then we really aren't any better off than we were last year. I think it *could* too which is one reason they should sign a Santana or Jiminez this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:34 AM) I think it *could* too which is one reason they should sign a Santana or Jiminez this year. I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ultimate Champion Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 These guys are all going to need a year or two each before we know anything. That list does have some busts on it, don't know who though, and there will probably be another "surprise" from the farm coming through as well which will be part of this thing but is probably unidentifiable now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:17 AM) What if the #3 pick becomes a star? What if Danish becomes an ace out of nowhere? What if Laumann and the rest of the staff find a gem (or two) after the #3 pick in the '14 draft? What Q and myself are saying is, you just never know what will happen that can derail the FO's plans good (as in that, other or under the radar prospects shining, young players in the bigs living up to potential) or bad (serious injuries, prospects busting, young players taking years to develop, or struggle/never get it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (SoxAce @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:50 AM) What if Laumann and the rest of the staff find a gem (or two) after the #3 pick in the '14 draft? What Q and myself are saying is, you just never know what will happen that can derail the FO's plans good (as in that, other or under the radar prospects shining, young players in the bigs living up to potential) or bad (serious injuries, prospects busting, young players taking years to develop, or struggle/never get it) Right. Just keep the talent flowing in. At this stage of the process, young talent is ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 "Can" they? yes. Will they? Who knows. You have to bet on some busts, and some successes. Who those will be is what will directly effect the level of recovery we see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyDo Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Sometimes you can add talent to your core by trading non-free agents like, say, Addison Reed and Hector Santiago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 11:30 AM) If this core shows they aren't good enough at what point does dealing Sale become an option? I say All Star break 2015 because this core was assembled in part because it is supposed to be major league ready. 2018. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Sure, trade Sale if we can get the equivalent of Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee back for him. That trade only comes along once a generation, at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:53 AM) Right. Just keep the talent flowing in. At this stage of the process, young talent is ideal. The Mitchell ankle injury is a good example...we'll never know what he could have done had he not suffered such a big setback psychologically (responding to the idea of bad luck/injuries setting the franchise back). Floyd and Crain being injured. Dunn cratering. The Danks injury. Lots of things have gone terribly wrong and they kept the ship afloat until last year somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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