2015 Offseason

[BlackSox13]

YES! Then we will trade for Urias and have the ultimate rotation of Sale, Rodon, Q, Clarkin, Urias! The world will no longer be dominated by righties!

 

In all seriousness. I would love to snag Clarkin in a trade with the Yanks but they seem pretty high him so I'm not sure he would be realistic as part of a return for Alexei. I just love Clarkin's curve ball!

Edited September 29, 2014 by StRoostifer

[greg775]

In regards to the Leyland comment, if he's given up smoking he's probably still young enough to manage the Sox five years or so, right? He'd be perfect for the South Side if Robin decides he's had enough.

 

Q: If Ozzie signed a document saying he would pay a $1 million fine if he opens his mouth about any issue besides baseball would you accept him back on a one-year deal, to be renegotiated after each season he's with the Sox?

[max power]

I'd prefer Leyland, but only if he gives up smoking over Ozzie, but 1 million dollar fine every time he decides to be ozzie.

[Chicago White Sox]

Q: If Ozzie signed a document saying he would pay a $1 million fine if he opens his mouth about any issue besides baseball would you accept him back on a one-year deal, to be renegotiated after each season he's with the Sox?

f*** no.

[BlackSox13]

I would take Ozzie back on the condition of him keeping his comments strictly about baseball, keeping his and KW's love spats out of the media and leave the Guillen kids out of the mix as well. I liked how Ozzie managed, I just didn't like the roadside circus attraction.

[Boopa1219]

If we could pick up all those players, I'd give Hahn a B+ for the offseason.

 

He'd still have to fire Ventura to give us a shot to win and earn an A.

 

 

I think Ventura is a rather good manager and someone that has what it takes to bring the Sox to contention and I think that he is a good manager to have around for the rebuild, I also think that he is pretty good as well when it comes to developing young talent. Everyone here couldn't stop drinking his koolaid back in 2012 when they were contending for the division.

 

People have to remember that the team is rebuilding, so all of your expectations need to be tempered down. It is ridiculous to think that the team should 90 games while they're rebuilding and the FO has come out and said such, it doesn't work like that. Ventura is not going anywhere and he shouldn't be.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

By position, the players that I wonder if the Sox will go after via FA or trade:

 

C- Grandal, Castro

1B/DH- Butler, VMart, Alvarez

OF- Ackley, Saunders, N. Cruz, Crawford/Ethier, Bruce, C. Dickerson

SP- Samardzija, Gallardo, Latos, Leake

RP- Robertson, Soria, Maurer, A. Miller, Justin Wilson, Rex Brothers

RP - Duke, Gorzelanny, Gregerson, Robertson

SP- McCarthy

[Boopa1219]

 

 

The Sox and Yankees are actually great matches if they wanted to pursue a deal.

 

If I'm Rick Hahn and dealing with the Yankees, I would want back Gary Sanchez and two of the international prospects that they just signed, preferably Juan de Leon and Antiono Arias.

[daggins]

From most realistic to pie-in-the-sky:

 

OF -

Ackley

Markakis

Corey Dickerson

J Heyward

 

C -

Grandal

Gary Sanchez

Susac

 

DH-

Dom Brown

Kendrys

V Mart

 

SP-

Morrow

Masterson

Gee

Latos

Shields

 

[BlackSox13]

If I'm Rick Hahn and dealing with the Yankees, I would want back Gary Sanchez and two of the international prospects that they just signed, preferably Juan de Leon and Antiono Arias.

That's asking for a bit much don't you think? Were talking about a 33 year old SS and signed through 2015 with an option for 2016. He won't be viewed as a long term solution in the eyes of the Yanks so how much can the Sox realistically expect back?

 

Just a few days ago you were telling me not to over value the Sox talent. If you really believe the Sox could get that haul you will be disappointed if or when Alexei is traded.

 

Put it this way, if the Sox were trying to acquire Ramirez, I would not want to give up that kind of talent for him. Its just not realistic.

[Boopa1219]

I'm not over valuing him, I'm sending you a proven, all star shortstop in return for one of the better prospects in their system and two kids who statisitics say that there is a good chance they'll not even sniff the majors and won't get past the DSL.

 

I'm overvaluing how?

[BlackSox13]

I'm not over valuing him, I'm sending you a proven, all star shortstop in return for one of the better prospects in their system and two kids who statisitics say that there is a good chance they'll not even sniff the majors and won't get past the DSL.

 

I'm overvaluing how?

I went over that in my post. To add to that post let's keep in mind the Yanks just might be reluctant to give up their 2nd best prospect considering their system is so weak, outside of a few guys of course.

 

Another thing is if you don't think those two low level prospects will sniff the majors, what's the point?

[beautox]

From most realistic to pie-in-the-sky:

 

OF -

Ackley

Markakis

Corey Dickerson

J Heyward

 

C -

Grandal

Gary Sanchez

Susac

 

DH-

Dom Brown

Kendrys

V Mart

 

SP-

Morrow

Masterson

Gee

Latos

Shields

 

Nice list

 

Personally I would like to think some of these names are available and as other posters have done rate them from realistic to best case.

 

OF:

Colby Rasmus - Free Agent, down year, minimal commitment; could likely sign him cheaply and with options.

 

Carlos Gonzalez - Down year with injury still owed a lot of money 2015: $16M, 2016: $17M, 2017: $20M + $1M if he is traded will be 29 at the start of the season seems like a candidate Hahn spoke of when bringing on Salary.

 

Corey Dickerson - Break out year took over for CarGO we would be buying high on him and I imagine it would cost a lot

 

J Heyward - It would cost the farm he is coming off a 5 win season and will be a FA after next year; I doubt his agent lets him sign being so close to free agency, the sox will have the money to go after him in free agency if they choose though.

 

C:

Grandal - I wouldn't be opposed to swapping Flowers with Grandal. He had a nice second half .242/.356/.440 - .795 now that A.J. Preller is behind the wheel it wouldn't surprise me to see him clear out his predecessors work I don't think the opportunity cost would be overwhelming to go after him and i think a change of scenery would help.

 

JR Murphy - With McCann, Sanchez and Luis Torrens ahead of him as well as his disappointing demotion to triple A he might be able to be had relatively cheaply if we make trade with the yankees.

 

Gary Sanchez - I think he is alright but has stagnated in the yankees system and at AA he is still only "ok" defensively and he hasn't shown much development with the bat, he is still young and learning the hardest position so I won't chalk this up to yankee prospects being over hyped, yet.

 

Andrew Susac - I don't see how we match up with them with regards to areas where we have surplus value in order to get him from them, especially after his successful cup of coffee with the giants.

 

DH:

Kendrys - After holding out he never got it going in season and i think would be a great buy low candidate for the sox

 

Martinez - Buying high on him and going 3/4 years would be a terrible idea he doesn't fit with our perspective window at all.

 

SP:

Maeda - Appears he is going to be posted and looks to be a #3 type of starter. Will be 27 to start the season and fits nicely in our budget and rotation and won't cost a pick

 

Latos - last year before he is a FA a down year for him this past season will be 27 when the season starts, i think it'll cost a fair amount to trade for him.

 

Cueto - last year before he is a FA as well great year from him will be 29 when the season starts, i think it'll stretch our farm thin to acquire him.

 

 

[Quin]

I'd definitely kick the tires on CarGo, Ackley (Mariners take Dayan), Grandal or Dominic Brown.

 

Grandal would likely serve as backup to Flowers unless he won the spot. Brown would be a primary DH due to his defense.

 

I'm also really interested in Maeda for the right price.

[Boopa1219]

I went over that in my post. To add to that post let's keep in mind the Yanks just might be reluctant to give up their 2nd best prospect considering their system is so weak, outside of a few guys of course.

 

Another thing is if you don't think those two low level prospects will sniff the majors, what's the point?

 

The Yankees are deep at Catcher, they can survive trading Sanchez. In regards to the two international signings, there is a chance that most prospects will not make it to the bigs. INTL kids are lottery tickets and those are two kids that I would glady bet on.

[caulfield12]

If they trade Ramirez, they better get a major league average or above player for 6 seasons at an important position.

[Dick Allen]

I really don't understand why some want the Sox to get Ackley. He blows. And then Rasmus? Did you read some of his stuff the last couple of weeks? The man needs some help. Seriously. He seems like he is nowhere near mentally healthy now.

[witesoxfan]

In regards to the Leyland comment, if he's given up smoking he's probably still young enough to manage the Sox five years or so, right? He'd be perfect for the South Side if Robin decides he's had enough.

 

Q: If Ozzie signed a document saying he would pay a $1 million fine if he opens his mouth about any issue besides baseball would you accept him back on a one-year deal, to be renegotiated after each season he's with the Sox?

 

This post feels like a boyfriend trying to rekindle a relationship with an ex after she's moved on and been with a different guy (and absolutely trashed that relationship too).

 

Deep down greg, you know it's over. Remember what you two had together, think of the good moments fondly, remember why she left, and move on. You're a better person without her.

[southsider2k5]

This post feels like a boyfriend trying to rekindle a relationship with an ex after she's moved on and been with a different guy (and absolutely trashed that relationship too).

 

Deep down greg, you know it's over. Remember what you two had together, think of the good moments fondly, remember why she left, and move on. You're a better person without her.

 

[puts on Boyz2Men]

 

It's so hard, to say good-bye, to 2005...

[witesoxfan]

He seems so right until you look at his stats away from Coors Field.

 

Good hitters will hit no matter what though, and players historically hit better at home than on the road. I'd mentioned him before and he's a guy I'd love the Sox to acquire, but the big thing with him, for me, is his injury history. You'd hope maybe getting him with a new trainer would work - because Tulowitzki's been injury prone too - but who really knows for sure.

[witesoxfan]

It's a big difference if your home park is Coors Field. Gonzalez has some of the most ridiculous splits in all of baseball.

 

Home:.329/.387 /601/.988

Away:.258 /314/.437/.750

 

There is a difference of .238 between his home/away OPS. If you could find me a player who A.) doesn't play in Coors Field and B.) has a difference of > .238 in home/away OPS (minimum of a 1000 PAs), I will drive to North Dakota and buy you drinks until you keel over.

 

How far can I go back? I'm guessing some of the guys from the Blake Street Bombers era were in that general area.

 

Matt Holliday also had pretty disparate splits between home and away when he was in Colorado. Not sure it was quite that extreme, but I recall it being a major concern for people on his move to Oakland and then St. Louis. He ended up OK.

 

Overall, I do worry more about his health than his ability to hit. Having had some time to think about it, that's probably what would drive me away from CarGo.

[LittleHurt05]

How far can I go back? I'm guessing some of the guys from the Blake Street Bombers era were in that general area.

 

Matt Holliday also had pretty disparate splits between home and away when he was in Colorado. Not sure it was quite that extreme, but I recall it being a major concern for people on his move to Oakland and then St. Louis. He ended up OK.

 

Overall, I do worry more about his health than his ability to hit. Having had some time to think about it, that's probably what would drive me away from CarGo.

 

Is it possible at all something in the air in Colorado makes players more susceptible to injury? It sounds ridiculous, but both CarGo and Tulo just can't stay healthy. Maybe it's just a coincidence their two best players are so injury-prone, I don't know?

[Balta1701]

How far can I go back? I'm guessing some of the guys from the Blake Street Bombers era were in that general area.

 

Matt Holliday also had pretty disparate splits between home and away when he was in Colorado. Not sure it was quite that extreme, but I recall it being a major concern for people on his move to Oakland and then St. Louis. He ended up OK.

 

Overall, I do worry more about his health than his ability to hit. Having had some time to think about it, that's probably what would drive me away from CarGo.

Matt Holliday is actually a guy who really doesn't help you here as his season in Oakland went really bad for him. The .831 OPS he put up that year was the worst of his career before this season. The 4 seasons before and the 4 seasons after in St. Louis are all very much better than what he did in Oakland.

[Dick Allen]

It's a big difference if your home park is Coors Field. Gonzalez has some of the most ridiculous splits in all of baseball.

 

Home:.329/.387 /601/.988

Away:.258 /314/.437/.750

 

There is a difference of .238 between his home/away OPS. If you could find me a player who A.) doesn't play in Coors Field and B.) has a difference of > .238 in home/away OPS (minimum of a 1000 PAs), I will drive to North Dakota and buy you drinks until you keel over.

Ian Kinsler had about a .160 point difference in home/away splits for his career. When he went to the Tigers, he hit pretty close to his lifetime away splits. Far closer than his lifetime home splits.It does happens both ways,where the split doesn't come into play. But I am with you, on a split that large, you have to be leery.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Dick Allen

[beautox]

I agree with everyone's points with regards to CarGO; but thats why the price to acquire him shouldn't be overwhelming 54M remaining on the contract, if the sox can get the Rockies to cover 10M over three years at installments of 3.33M the that leaves only 44M remaining on the contract. The going rate of 1WAR is going to climb to 6-7M a year, for cargo to be worth the remainder of his contract we should be looking at 6.5WAR over the remaining three years so 2.2WAR a year. Throw out this year and reduce his '13 year numbers by .75WAR a year(thats being really aggressive btw) and ideally CarGO comes out looking like this: 15 - 4WAR, 16 - 3.25WAR & 17 - 2.5WAR over his contract he should be able to produce nearly 10WAR so we should have a surplus value of 3.5WAR roughly or 24.5M. The Rockies get nearly 15M a year to apply to their major league roster and don't have to worry about finding a place for blackmon and dickerson.

 

Another player I wouldn't mind the sox checking in on is Dexter Fowler he'll be 29 at the start of the season and is a FA after '15. a switch hitter moving from CF to LF/RF would help his defense a fair amount, would be a great top of the order hitter to put in front of Abreu.