Alexei

[he gone.]

I'll start with this caveat. I think that this off-season may be full of a bunch of moves. I don't see us staying put like we did a few years back with Dunn, AJ, Peavy, etc. and hoping for different results. So a lot of this is hypothetical -- the first domino will have to fall first to see the direction we're headed. However my thoughts ...

 

Alexei since ASB? .301./.342/.473 -- 7 HR, 27RBI, 11 2B, 7 SB.

 

His range is starting to fall off a bit, but I do think he has value on this team. Even at a $10mm option. Replacing 20-25 SB, 30 2B, a good arm, and a smart, reliable player is not that easy.

 

Check out this stat of starting 3B since Crede for the Sox -- it reads like the Bears starting QB since Favre/Rodgers graphic they always show:

 

Gordon Beckham

Wilson Betemit

Emilio Bonaficio

Eduardo Escobar

Josh Fields

Leury Garcia

Conor Gillaspie

Orlando Hudson

Jeff Keppinger

Brent Lillibridge

Jose Lopez

Dallas McPherson

Brent Morel

Jayson Nix

Mike Ott

Ray Olmedo

Tyler Saladino

Marcus Semien

Mark Teahen

Dayan Viciedo

Omar Vizquel

Kevin Youkilis

 

Also look at the 3B free agents ... nothing much prettier than the above. (Chris Davis/Uribe is about it) So with that being said ... (and I'd still love some kind of blockbuster trade where we trade pitching for Arenado, though I know that is dreaming) why not explore Alexei as a stop-gap at 3B? Declining range, still very strong arm, is better IMO than any in house option and most FA. Get to keep the speed he brings to the team, the consistency of him starting 150-160 games, the doubles, etc.

 

This also allows the Sox to move Sanchez to SS, bring up the speed and bat of Micah (though the D comes with it). I do think he has an MLB bat though. It improves the overall team in my opinion. Also gives them a full year to determine who their starting 2B should be moving forward (Sanchez or Micah) when Anderson is finally up. I do think you have to bring in another Power Bat though to offset a weak infield/sunk coast of LaRoche.

 

Ideally Cespedes, shift Garcia to DH. But don't think Uncle Jerry is opening the pocket book on this mess of a team.

 

[pettie4sox]

I'll start with this caveat. I think that this off-season may be full of a bunch of moves. I don't see us staying put like we did a few years back with Dunn, AJ, Peavy, etc. and hoping for different results. So a lot of this is hypothetical -- the first domino will have to fall first to see the direction we're headed. However my thoughts ...

 

Alexei since ASB? .301./.342/.473 -- 7 HR, 27RBI, 11 2B, 7 SB.

 

His range is starting to fall off a bit, but I do think he has value on this team. Even at a $10mm option. Replacing 20-25 SB, 30 2B, a good arm, and a smart, reliable player is not that easy.

 

Check out this stat of starting 3B since Crede for the Sox -- it reads like the Bears starting QB since Favre/Rodgers graphic they always show:

 

Gordon Beckham

Wilson Betemit

Emilio Bonaficio

Eduardo Escobar

Josh Fields

Leury Garcia

Conor Gillaspie

Orlando Hudson

Jeff Keppinger

Brent Lillibridge

Jose Lopez

Dallas McPherson

Brent Morel

Jayson Nix

Mike Ott

Ray Olmedo

Tyler Saladino

Marcus Semien

Mark Teahen

Dayan Viciedo

Omar Vizquel

Kevin Youkilis

 

Also look at the 3B free agents ... nothing much prettier than the above. (Chris Davis/Uribe is about it) So with that being said ... (and I'd still love some kind of blockbuster trade where we trade pitching for Arenado, though I know that is dreaming) why not explore Alexei as a stop-gap at 3B? Declining range, still very strong arm, is better IMO than any in house option and most FA. Get to keep the speed he brings to the team, the consistency of him starting 150-160 games, the doubles, etc.

 

This also allows the Sox to move Sanchez to SS, bring up the speed and bat of Micah (though the D comes with it). I do think he has an MLB bat though. It improves the overall team in my opinion. Also gives them a full year to determine who their starting 2B should be moving forward (Sanchez or Micah) when Anderson is finally up. I do think you have to bring in another Power Bat though to offset a weak infield/sunk coast of LaRoche.

 

Ideally Cespedes, shift Garcia to DH. But don't think Uncle Jerry is opening the pocket book on this mess of a team.

 

I think I can get behind this.

[Buehrle>Wood]

I'm fine with it as long as we would also somehow improve upon both catcher and 1 outfielder as well.

[GGajewski18]

I'm fine with it as long as we would also somehow improve upon both catcher and 1 outfielder as well.

 

I think 3B is a bigger need than any of those imo. Get one of Longoria, Frazier, Arenado, Seager, and that can off set the OF and C position.

[Buehrle>Wood]

I think 3B is a bigger need than any of those imo. Get one of Longoria, Frazier, Arenado, Seager, and that can off set the OF and C position.

You'd have to empty the farm for any of those guys, except maybe Seager. Though not great themselves, we also have better in house options at 3rd (Saladino, Alexei, Sanchez) than what we have in the OF and particulary Catcher. On top of that, the free agent pool for 3Bs is terrible. It's pretty good for outdielders. For carchers there's not a lot either unless Wieters excites you.

[Lip Man 1]

I'll start with this caveat. I think that this off-season may be full of a bunch of moves. I don't see us staying put like we did a few years back with Dunn, AJ, Peavy, etc. and hoping for different results. So a lot of this is hypothetical -- the first domino will have to fall first to see the direction we're headed. However my thoughts ...

 

Alexei since ASB? .301./.342/.473 -- 7 HR, 27RBI, 11 2B, 7 SB.

 

His range is starting to fall off a bit, but I do think he has value on this team. Even at a $10mm option. Replacing 20-25 SB, 30 2B, a good arm, and a smart, reliable player is not that easy.

 

Check out this stat of starting 3B since Crede for the Sox -- it reads like the Bears starting QB since Favre/Rodgers graphic they always show:

 

Gordon Beckham

Wilson Betemit

Emilio Bonaficio

Eduardo Escobar

Josh Fields

Leury Garcia

Conor Gillaspie

Orlando Hudson

Jeff Keppinger

Brent Lillibridge

Jose Lopez

Dallas McPherson

Brent Morel

Jayson Nix

Mike Ott

Ray Olmedo

Tyler Saladino

Marcus Semien

Mark Teahen

Dayan Viciedo

Omar Vizquel

Kevin Youkilis

 

Also look at the 3B free agents ... nothing much prettier than the above. (Chris Davis/Uribe is about it) So with that being said ... (and I'd still love some kind of blockbuster trade where we trade pitching for Arenado, though I know that is dreaming) why not explore Alexei as a stop-gap at 3B? Declining range, still very strong arm, is better IMO than any in house option and most FA. Get to keep the speed he brings to the team, the consistency of him starting 150-160 games, the doubles, etc.

 

This also allows the Sox to move Sanchez to SS, bring up the speed and bat of Micah (though the D comes with it). I do think he has an MLB bat though. It improves the overall team in my opinion. Also gives them a full year to determine who their starting 2B should be moving forward (Sanchez or Micah) when Anderson is finally up. I do think you have to bring in another Power Bat though to offset a weak infield/sunk coast of LaRoche.

 

Ideally Cespedes, shift Garcia to DH. But don't think Uncle Jerry is opening the pocket book on this mess of a team.

 

These post all star game numbers are what is called in the trade a "salary drive" nothing more. Personally I don't think the Sox are going anywhere next year without massive changes to the front office / manager / coaching staff. That's not going to happen.

 

So...why waste 10 million on a player who is as inconsistent as they come, will be 34, can't hit in cold weather, is a mental midget and loses concentration at the drop of a hat?

 

Alexei showed much promise in 2008 but for the most part, like the entire team, organization has been a disappointment.

 

Mark

[lasttriptotulsa]

These post all star game numbers are what is called in the trade a "salary drive" nothing more. Personally I don't think the Sox are going anywhere next year without massive changes to the front office / manager / coaching staff. That's not going to happen.

 

So...why waste 10 million on a player who is as inconsistent as they come, will be 34, can't hit in cold weather, is a mental midget and loses concentration at the drop of a hat?

 

Alexei showed much promise in 2008 but for the most part, like the entire team, organization has been a disappointment.

 

Mark

 

From 2009 to 2014 Alexei put up fWARs of 2.0, 4.1, 4.1, 2.0, 3.2 and 3.2 which averages out to 3.1. I think it's a huge disrespect to Alexei to say he his career has been a disappointment.

[Y2Jimmy0]

I'm fine with it as long as we would also somehow improve upon both catcher and 1 outfielder as well.

 

 

I'd look to acquire some sort of 3B. I'd look into the possibility of getting Alex Guerrero from the Dodgers somehow. He has a contract clause though that would have to be taken care of. Cespedes makes sense because he wouldn't cost a draft pick. Ideally, they could upgrade catcher and keep Flowers as the backup. I also wouldn't be opposed to moving Danks and signing a guy like Doug Fister/Ian Kennedy for the rotation. The thing that I wouldn't do is trade Quintana. I'd roll with a rotation of Sale/Q/Rodon/Johnson/Free Agent/Fulmer at some point. Back end of the bullpen with Robertson/Jones/Montas. I'd be fine with Saladino at SS but not 3B.

[3GamesToLove]

From 2009 to 2014 Alexei put up fWARs of 2.0, 4.1, 4.1, 2.0, 3.2 and 3.2 which averages out to 3.1. I think it's a huge disrespect to Alexei to say he his career has been a disappointment.

 

Correct. Alexei Ramirez is in the top five shortstops in White Sox history and has been one of the best offensive shortstops in the American League since '09. Guy gets no respect from Sox fans for some reason, though.

[southsider2k5]

From 2009 to 2014 Alexei put up fWARs of 2.0, 4.1, 4.1, 2.0, 3.2 and 3.2 which averages out to 3.1. I think it's a huge disrespect to Alexei to say he his career has been a disappointment.

 

And considering the White Sox got him on a 4 year $5 million deal, he is one of the biggest steals if not of the Kenny Williams era, and maybe even of Sox history.

[shysocks]

I'll start by saying that Alexei is one of the last guys who comes to mind when I think of "smart" baseball players, but that's a discussion for another day. To the topic at hand:

 

A big reason Alexei was valuable in his best years is that he was a capable hitter at a position with few of them. Shift him to third base, and not only are you putting him in a spot on the field you aren't sure he can handle, you're also diminishing any offensive value he might provide for his position.

 

This for the purpose of shifting another guy, Sanchez, to a position he may not be as suited for.

 

This for the purpose of making room for Micah Johnson, which is a noble goal but one I'm not sure we need to move Alexei to third base to achieve. I guess I'm just uncomfortable with all these guys moving out of position. Sometimes it's that easy, but often it's not.

 

Putting Sanchez at short to add Micah to the lineup - there's a chance that makes the Sox better, and it has the benefit of evaluating them both for a year. Adding Micah makes Alexei's speed less essential, though, and the resulting infield is basically powerless. If we're talking stopgap third basemen, assuming the salaries are similar, I'd rather have David Freese, who has proven to be a decent hitter and plays the position already.

[GGajewski18]

You'd have to empty the farm for any of those guys, except maybe Seager. Though not great themselves, we also have better in house options at 3rd (Saladino, Alexei, Sanchez) than what we have in the OF and particulary Catcher. On top of that, the free agent pool for 3Bs is terrible. It's pretty good for outdielders. For carchers there's not a lot either unless Wieters excites you.

 

I think depending on the deal, I definitely would give up quite a bit for Arenado, Longoria, and Frazier. Seager would be cheaper because of his contract. However, all 4 of these guys would be difference makers defensively and offensively on this team.

 

I also wonder if the Nationals will make Rendon available.

 

I'd look to acquire some sort of 3B. I'd look into the possibility of getting Alex Guerrero from the Dodgers somehow. He has a contract clause though that would have to be taken care of. Cespedes makes sense because he wouldn't cost a draft pick. Ideally, they could upgrade catcher and keep Flowers as the backup. I also wouldn't be opposed to moving Danks and signing a guy like Doug Fister/Ian Kennedy for the rotation. The thing that I wouldn't do is trade Quintana. I'd roll with a rotation of Sale/Q/Rodon/Johnson/Free Agent/Fulmer at some point. Back end of the bullpen with Robertson/Jones/Montas. I'd be fine with Saladino at SS but not 3B.

 

I agree that Saladino would be fine at SS rather than 3B but, I think Sox will pick up Alexei's option and put Saladino in the utility role where I think he could excel at.

 

However, your Guerrero mention, no thanks on him. 5 walks in about 200 at bats. Has 11 HRs in 200 at bats, yet still has an OPS under 700 with a batting average of 228. Not to mention, going to be 29 starting next year. Give me a more proven guy that will cost a little bit more but has a track record of success.

[Lillian]

In addition to the $10 million cost, there is the issue of getting playing time for future potential players, who might be part of this team, going forward.

A double play combination of Sanchez at SS and Micah Johnson at 2ND, is simply not good enough. I would rather see if Saladino can play good enough defense to

hold down SS, until Anderson is ready. His bat is probably good enough for Short, but not the hot corner. Sanchez is my preference for 2ND. I've like him for a long time, and am pleased to see him making the adjustment to MLB pitching.

 

Micah Johnson must prove that he can play a position, in order to be promoted. It would be huge if Olt could finally show that he can hit Big League pitching. With his power at 3RD, the Sox should be able to solve the middle infield questions, as there are plenty of options.

[Balta1701]

The strongest argument I have for why "Alexei at 3b" does not work:

 

Average OPS of SS in major league baseball: .687

Average OPS of SS for Chicago White Sox: .625

 

Average OPS of 3b in major league baseball: .751

Average OPS of 3b for the Chicago White Sox: .624

 

Alexei at 3b basically just sets up the White Sox to continue to be far below average offensively at 3b. You can't just ignore his 1st half numbers and say "oh he'll repeat his 2nd half". He's put up a .677 OPS over the past 4 seasons, maybe you think "oh he'll just go back to doing that", but that's still well below average at 3b but closer to average at SS.

 

If Alexei can't play SS any more, then his bat is below average at 3b by a lot and he's no longer a big league starter except on teams with a huge hole at 3b and strong offense elsewhere on the roster.

[he gone.]

I'll start by saying that Alexei is one of the last guys who comes to mind when I think of "smart" baseball players, but that's a discussion for another day. To the topic at hand:

 

A big reason Alexei was valuable in his best years is that he was a capable hitter at a position with few of them. Shift him to third base, and not only are you putting him in a spot on the field you aren't sure he can handle, you're also diminishing any offensive value he might provide for his position.

 

This for the purpose of shifting another guy, Sanchez, to a position he may not be as suited for.

 

This for the purpose of making room for Micah Johnson, which is a noble goal but one I'm not sure we need to move Alexei to third base to achieve. I guess I'm just uncomfortable with all these guys moving out of position. Sometimes it's that easy, but often it's not.

 

Putting Sanchez at short to add Micah to the lineup - there's a chance that makes the Sox better, and it has the benefit of evaluating them both for a year. Adding Micah makes Alexei's speed less essential, though, and the resulting infield is basically powerless. If we're talking stopgap third basemen, assuming the salaries are similar, I'd rather have David Freese, who has proven to be a decent hitter and plays the position already.

 

Not saying it's ideal. But this team as currently constructed isn't ideal. So you play the hand dealt. There aren't really viable options out there in the FA market or in house. Sanchez has played more than a cup of coffee at SS. He basically split between SS and 2B from 2012-2014.

 

I've never really understood the value of a player at one position vs. another. Alexei's value is the same at SS as it is at 3B when there are no other options at 3B -- the other options are Davidson in house, Saladino in house, and poor FA class that are similar to the 20 3B we've been through in the past decade.

 

Just as a comparision here are 3 players:

 

Player A: .225BA, 10HR, 23 2B, 52RBI, 6 SB, 108SO, 52BB --- 572 AB

Player B: .245BA, 11HR, 20 2B, 45RBI, 1 SB, 84 SO, 26BB ----- 339AB

Player C: .253BA, 9HR, 26 2B, 54 RBI, 17SB, 58 SO, 23 BB ----- 498 AB

 

 

Player A are the Sox 3B combined this year, Player B is Freese, and Player C is Alexei (who I'm biased, but is having his worst year, but is still beating out the other options). I'll be honest, it was closer than I thought. But someone like Freese to me should not be the option ... he's just another guy on that long list. He's had 4 straight years of declining batting average, 4 straight years of declining OBP, 4 straight years of declining walks, 4 straight years of declining RBI .... I don't think you go out of house for that option.

[Balta1701]

Player A are the Sox 3B combined this year, Player B is Freese, and Player C is Alexei (who I'm biased, but is having his worst year, but is still beating out the other options). I'll be honest, it was closer than I thought. But someone like Freese to me should not be the option ... he's just another guy on that long list. He's had 4 straight years of declining batting average, 4 straight years of declining OBP, 4 straight years of declining walks, 4 straight years of declining RBI .... I don't think you go out of house for that option.

Freese has however put up a .712 OPS consistently over the last 3 seasons. He's basically as far below the average 3b offensively as Alexei has been this season below the average SS, to first approximation.

[cabiness42]

Not saying it's ideal. But this team as currently constructed isn't ideal. So you play the hand dealt. There aren't really viable options out there in the FA market or in house. Sanchez has played more than a cup of coffee at SS. He basically split between SS and 2B from 2012-2014.

 

I've never really understood the value of a player at one position vs. another. Alexei's value is the same at SS as it is at 3B when there are no other options at 3B -- the other options are Davidson in house, Saladino in house, and poor FA class that are similar to the 20 3B we've been through in the past decade.

 

Just as a comparision here are 3 players:

 

Player A: .225BA, 10HR, 23 2B, 52RBI, 6 SB, 108SO, 52BB --- 572 AB

Player B: .245BA, 11HR, 20 2B, 45RBI, 1 SB, 84 SO, 26BB ----- 339AB

Player C: .253BA, 9HR, 26 2B, 54 RBI, 17SB, 58 SO, 23 BB ----- 498 AB

 

 

Player A are the Sox 3B combined this year, Player B is Freese, and Player C is Alexei (who I'm biased, but is having his worst year, but is still beating out the other options). I'll be honest, it was closer than I thought. But someone like Freese to me should not be the option ... he's just another guy on that long list. He's had 4 straight years of declining batting average, 4 straight years of declining OBP, 4 straight years of declining walks, 4 straight years of declining RBI .... I don't think you go out of house for that option.

 

Yes, player C is better than player A, but not to the point of paying $10M for player C when player A makes league minimum. I'd rather give Uribe $8 for a year or $12M for 2 years than give Alexei $10M for a year.

[southsider2k5]

The strongest argument I have for why "Alexei at 3b" does not work:

 

Average OPS of SS in major league baseball: .687

Average OPS of SS for Chicago White Sox: .625

 

Average OPS of 3b in major league baseball: .751

Average OPS of 3b for the Chicago White Sox: .624

 

Alexei at 3b basically just sets up the White Sox to continue to be far below average offensively at 3b. You can't just ignore his 1st half numbers and say "oh he'll repeat his 2nd half". He's put up a .677 OPS over the past 4 seasons, maybe you think "oh he'll just go back to doing that", but that's still well below average at 3b but closer to average at SS.

 

If Alexei can't play SS any more, then his bat is below average at 3b by a lot and he's no longer a big league starter except on teams with a huge hole at 3b and strong offense elsewhere on the roster.

 

This operates under the assumption that we have league average players waiting around to play, and that we are not playing them because of Alexei. It isn't about what the league average is, it is about what the White Sox can put out there.

 

Do you believe that the combination of Sanchez or Saladino at SS, plus whatever we can field at 3B is better than what the poster is proposing, is the real question. If we had a league average 3B, we wouldn't need to have this discussion and could focus on who should play SS in 2016 exclusively.

[shysocks]

Not saying it's ideal. But this team as currently constructed isn't ideal. So you play the hand dealt. There aren't really viable options out there in the FA market or in house. Sanchez has played more than a cup of coffee at SS. He basically split between SS and 2B from 2012-2014.

 

I've never really understood the value of a player at one position vs. another. Alexei's value is the same at SS as it is at 3B when there are no other options at 3B -- the other options are Davidson in house, Saladino in house, and poor FA class that are similar to the 20 3B we've been through in the past decade.

 

Just as a comparision here are 3 players:

 

Player A: .225BA, 10HR, 23 2B, 52RBI, 6 SB, 108SO, 52BB --- 572 AB

Player B: .245BA, 11HR, 20 2B, 45RBI, 1 SB, 84 SO, 26BB ----- 339AB

Player C: .253BA, 9HR, 26 2B, 54 RBI, 17SB, 58 SO, 23 BB ----- 498 AB

 

 

Player A are the Sox 3B combined this year, Player B is Freese, and Player C is Alexei (who I'm biased, but is having his worst year, but is still beating out the other options). I'll be honest, it was closer than I thought. But someone like Freese to me should not be the option ... he's just another guy on that long list. He's had 4 straight years of declining batting average, 4 straight years of declining OBP, 4 straight years of declining walks, 4 straight years of declining RBI .... I don't think you go out of house for that option.

That's such an incomplete look at their offensive production. Look at the whole picture and there's really no comparison - Freese is having the better season. If you're worried his decline, I understand, but if Freese's decline is troubling, then what you've seen from Alexei this year is catastrophic.

 

Regarding differing positions, your average MLB team can withstand a poor hitter at SS because the position has mostly poor hitters league-wide. It's not the same with 3B, a much stronger offensive position where having a weak hitter hurts you more because you're further below the competition.

[Vance Law]

I'll start with this caveat. I think that this off-season may be full of a bunch of moves. I don't see us staying put like we did a few years back with Dunn, AJ, Peavy, etc. and hoping for different results. So a lot of this is hypothetical -- the first domino will have to fall first to see the direction we're headed. However my thoughts ...

 

Alexei since ASB? .301./.342/.473 -- 7 HR, 27RBI, 11 2B, 7 SB.

 

His range is starting to fall off a bit, but I do think he has value on this team. Even at a $10mm option. Replacing 20-25 SB, 30 2B, a good arm, and a smart, reliable player is not that easy.

 

Check out this stat of starting 3B since Crede for the Sox -- it reads like the Bears starting QB since Favre/Rodgers graphic they always show:

 

Gordon Beckham

Wilson Betemit

Emilio Bonaficio

Eduardo Escobar

Josh Fields

Leury Garcia

Conor Gillaspie

Orlando Hudson

Jeff Keppinger

Brent Lillibridge

Jose Lopez

Dallas McPherson

Brent Morel

Jayson Nix

Mike Ott

Ray Olmedo

Tyler Saladino

Marcus Semien

Mark Teahen

Dayan Viciedo

Omar Vizquel

Kevin Youkilis

 

Also look at the 3B free agents ... nothing much prettier than the above. (Chris Davis/Uribe is about it) So with that being said ... (and I'd still love some kind of blockbuster trade where we trade pitching for Arenado, though I know that is dreaming) why not explore Alexei as a stop-gap at 3B? Declining range, still very strong arm, is better IMO than any in house option and most FA. Get to keep the speed he brings to the team, the consistency of him starting 150-160 games, the doubles, etc.

 

This also allows the Sox to move Sanchez to SS, bring up the speed and bat of Micah (though the D comes with it). I do think he has an MLB bat though. It improves the overall team in my opinion. Also gives them a full year to determine who their starting 2B should be moving forward (Sanchez or Micah) when Anderson is finally up. I do think you have to bring in another Power Bat though to offset a weak infield/sunk coast of LaRoche.

 

Ideally Cespedes, shift Garcia to DH. But don't think Uncle Jerry is opening the pocket book on this mess of a team.

 

Not where I thought you were going with this. This won't happen. If Alexei is on the team he'll play shortstop. Sanchez will not be playing shortstop next year. Saladino would play shortstop over Sanchez and if they planned to go with Saladino at short, it would be so they could bring in a better hitting third baseman. Not to flop Saladino and Alexei's positions.

[Dick Allen]

Fool's gold. Hero worshipping...Frankly, I would not exercise the option but try to sign him to a lower figure. If someone wants to pay him $10 million or $9 million, thanks Alexei, despite some of your boneheadedness, you have been a really good player but it's time to move along.

[he gone.]

Exactly! There aren't many viable options out there, so barring a trade, what is the best for next year, along with looking towards the future? of what we hope is Anderson playing a viable roll at SS. I think as I proposed (unless Jerry is making a push next year) it allows us the best chance to compete while preparing for the future. (Determining Micah vs. Sanchez, who again we hope will fill our 2B roll for a long time too. Not ideal, but i'm looking at realistic options. I think Alexei either at $10mm or, $1mm buyout, 2 YR about $14mm deal makes sense.

 

 

Hey in a perfect world? I honestly would trade whatever the Rockies want for Arenado. I'm not sure we'd have the pieces they want. But they want Rodon? Fulmer? Q? I'd listen and explore. Yes those guys are difference makers and stars or hopefully future stars. However look at the FA market for pitching. It's generally more expensive, BUT also deeper. Let's say we traded Quintana (or Rodon or Fulmer) + others for Arenado. I think we'd agree signing someone like a Buerhle, Iwukama, Kennedy, etc. to replace Q along with having Arenado on the roster is more valuable than having Quintana/Saladino combo. We've proven to develop pitchers, we haven't come close to proving we can develop bats.

[Vance Law]

Fool's gold. Hero worshipping...Frankly, I would not exercise the option but try to sign him to a lower figure. If someone wants to pay him $10 million or $9 million, thanks Alexei, despite some of your boneheadedness, you have been a really good player but it's time to move along.

 

Precisely.

 

We don't need to pay him $10 million next year. We can pay him what he's worth, or pay $1 million to play somewhere else.

[Eminor3rd]

I'd pick up the option, but I'd be comfortable with letting him play himself into a bench role if Saladino happens to improve. But, that's a very "armchair GM" thing to say -- clearly MLB managers aren't as quick to bench the veteran.

 

I told you guys he looked like a positive regression candidate, and he was, but that doesn't mean he isn't getting older. He'll probably lose another step next year, but he's still a better hitter than Saladino/Sanchez. I just don't think that $10m can be spent elsewhere in a way that realistically helps the team more. If Hahn is planning on going balls out for Weiters or something and knows he's going to need every penny, then sure, that's a different story.

Edited September 8, 2015 by Eminor3rd

[Lip Man 1]

From 2009 to 2014 Alexei put up fWARs of 2.0, 4.1, 4.1, 2.0, 3.2 and 3.2 which averages out to 3.1. I think it's a huge disrespect to Alexei to say he his career has been a disappointment.

 

I am not a stat guy so I don't even know what the numbers you posted mean with all due respect.

 

I'll simply say I've watched Ramirez for years and stand by my statement. I will also tell you for what it's worth, that one of the Sox broadcasters said privately he's (quote) "the dumbest shortstop in baseball..."

 

I'll take their word and what I've seen with my own eyes over numbers that can be made to say anything you want them to. (Not saying you personally have twisted anything but as someone who worked in TV sports I know how ratings are twisted to mean anything a particular individual or station wants them to.)

 

The sooner Ramirez goes, the better in my opinion.

 

Mark

Edited September 9, 2015 by Lip Man 1