Cespedes Re-signs with the Mets

[BlackSox13]

he's basically right, but what's the alternative?

Give the few remaining prospects for Cargo, whose game is full of holes itself? And while Cespedes had a career year, at least the trend is upward.

Given that they traded 3 solid (if not better) prospects for 2 years of Frazier, they've got to follow this up some way. (Now if it's Cargo, I'd hope they don't follow it up and just take the losses with Frazier).

And note that the Sox would be better in the pen and in the OF had they not made the Frazier trade, so they've go to firm some stuff up.

But they have to do something. Perhaps they could make a small trade for an upgrade; maybe Austin Jackson.

But to do what they did for Frazier and not follow it up is the same practice that has repeatedly failed.

I'm guessing Hahn is searching for the outfield equivalent of the Lawrie trade. A solid outfielder with maybe a few question marks but won't be too costly in terms of prospects.

 

 

[Chicago White Sox]

I'm guessing Hahn is searching for the outfield equivalent of the Lawrie trade. A solid outfielder with maybe a few question marks but won't be too costly in terms of prospects.

Why wouldn't we just sign Jackson if we're going to settle for a question mark?

[shipps]

Who reported we made a 3/$55M offer?

 

Levine was saying that is where the Sox are looking to sign him at but he didnt say it was an official offer.

[BlackSox13]

In this vein, it is interesting to note that Jackson's career numbers are not that far from Cespedes', in some respects:

 

A. Jackson .273 .333 .399 .732

Y. Cespedes .271 .319 .483 .805

 

If you look at his 5 year career in Detroit and compare it to Cespedes career, without that strong finish last year in N.Y., his numbers are actually better.

The question is; could Jackson's performance, after the trade to Seattle be an outlier? And, could Cespedes performance in N.Y. be one, as well?

My guess is yes to both. I believe Jackson will have better offensive and defensive numbers in a smaller park than Comerica/SafeCo. Cespedes, to me, looks like a classic example of a player having a career year just before FA and then regresses under the new contract that pays him based on that career year.

[BlackSox13]

I'm not going to meltdown if the Sox lose out on him.

 

I'll be disappointed, but I won't blow a gasket.

Atta boy!

[shipps]

Atta boy!

 

Oh he's going to meltdown.

[Chicago White Sox]

Levine was saying that is where the Sox are looking to sign him at but he didnt say it was an official offer.

Got to think that's once again posturing. No reason for our front office to leak what they're willing go up to.

[BlackSox13]

Why wouldn't we just sign Jackson if we're going to settle for a question mark?

Because Jackson is right handed and the Sox are looking for a left handed outfielder. Also, the equivalent OF of the Lawrie trade would be cheaper than a FA veteran.

[Chicago White Sox]

My guess is yes to both. I believe Jackson will have better offensive and defensive numbers in a smaller park than Comerica/SafeCo. Cespedes, to me, looks like a classic example of a player having a career year just before FA and then regresses under the new contract that pays him based on that career year.

You think Jackson will put better offensive numbers than Cespedes if both played in the Cell?

[Chicago White Sox]

Because Jackson is right handed and the Sox are looking for a left handed outfielder. Also, the equivalent OF of the Lawrie trade would be cheaper than a FA veteran.

I'm sorry, but didn't Dan Hayes simply say that's what he thought we might do? He's not cued into s***, so I would stop taking what he says as gospel. The Sox aren't going to limit themselves to left-handed OFs.

[Lillian]

I think we would all agree that Jackson will not match Cespedes' home run production, but he might well put up a better OBP.

[BlackSox13]

Oh he's going to meltdown.

Nah, Mike will be fine and I believe him when he says he'll be disappointed but won't blow a gasket. There are others that stand a much better chance of melting down, and they likely will.

[Chicago White Sox]

This "don't pay for an outlier season" s*** is nonsense when it comes to Cespedes. We're talking about paying 3 to 4 WAR money for a guy who put a 6.7 WAR last year. As long as you get 3 to 4 WAR production, which I feel confident about if we don't have to hurt his value by playing in CF, then it's a pretty fair deal. And if somehow he produces at 80% of his 2015 level (possible when you look at his road splits), then the contract becomes a steal.

 

I know Cespedes isn't a perfect player and definitely has some red flags, but we'd be insane to pass up the opportunity to sign this guy if his asking price ultimately falls into the 4/$80M range.

[BlackSox13]

You think Jackson will put better offensive numbers than Cespedes if both played in the Cell?

Nope and nowhere did I say that either.

 

I'm sorry, but didn't Dan Hayes simply say that's what he thought we might do? He's not cued into s***, so I would stop taking what he says as gospel. The Sox aren't going to limit themselves to left-handed OFs.

No one is taking what he says as gospel and I've been one to criticize Hayes on more than a few occasions. However, I think what Hayes said could have some truth considering the Sox have checked in on all three of Colorado's left handed outfielders, specifically CarGo for his left handed power. Anyone can look at the lineup and see the Sox power comes from the right side so looking for a LH outfielder with pop makes sense, not gospel.

[Chicago White Sox]

Nope and nowhere did I say that either.

 

 

No one is taking what he says as gospel and I've been one to criticize Hayes on more than a few occasions. However, I think what Hayes said could have some truth considering the Sox have checked in on all three of Colorado's left handed outfielders, specifically CarGo for his left handed power. Anyone can look at the lineup and see the Sox power comes from the right side so looking for a LH outfielder with pop makes sense, not gospel.

Misread your comment on Jackson, thought you were saying he'd outproduce Cespedes offensively in a smaller park.

 

As for this left-handed OF talk, we know the Sox had/have interest in Cepsedes, Upton, & Fowler. Those are all right-handed OFs. The Sox are simply looking for an improvement over Avi. Worst case scenario they probably want a left-handed bat to platoon with Avi. Either way, you're overstating their interest in a left-handed OF.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Chicago White Sox

[BlackSox13]

Misread your comment on Jackson, thought you were saying he'd outproduce Cespedes offensively in a smaller park.

 

As for this left-handed OF talk, we know the Sox had/have interest in Cepsedes, Upton, & Fowler. Those are all right-handed OFs. The Sox are simply looking for an improvement over Avi. Worst case scenario they probably want a left-handed bat to platoon with Avi. Either way, you're overstating their interest in a left-handed OF.

In all fairness Fowler is a switch hitter so he would provide some pop from the left side ( 13 HR as a LH in '15). Also, its been speculated all off season that the outfielder the Sox wanted most was Alex Gordon due to his LHB, OBP, great defense and would have been a good middle of the order bat or even #2 in the lineup. This, despite Gordon being the oldest FA OF at 32. There's no overstating the Sox desire for a LHB. If anything, the Sox spending big money on Cespedes/Upton is what's being overstated by the media. Even after last week when the Sox reportedly turned their attention away from Cespedes/Upton and began looking at Fowler/CarGo, some fans could not let go of the Cespedes idea.

[Baron]

Just for what it's worth Jim Bowden thinks that Cespedes signs by/on Friday.

 

 

[Baron]

I just spoke with Bowden. He said he doesnt want to see Fowler on the White Sox. Plus if we dont sign Cespedes or Upton your probably finishing last in the division.

[BlackSox13]

I just spoke with Bowden. He said he doesnt want to see Fowler on the White Sox. Plus if we dont sign Cespedes or Upton your probably finishing last in the division.

Ouch. I wonder where Bowden see's the Sox with Cespedes. 4th?

[Baron]

Better than 4th. But apparently he spoke to Adam Dunn and Magglio Ordonez about Garcia. Let's just say that he doesnt expect Garcia to get any better than he is now.

 

They were talking about Fowler for a bit on his contract. They think his contract demands drop pretty significantly(apparently it was at 60 million)

[Y2Jimmy0]

In all fairness Fowler is a switch hitter so he would provide some pop from the left side ( 13 HR as a LH in '15). Also, its been speculated all off season that the outfielder the Sox wanted most was Alex Gordon due to his LHB, OBP, great defense and would have been a good middle of the order bat or even #2 in the lineup. This, despite Gordon being the oldest FA OF at 32. There's no overstating the Sox desire for a LHB. If anything, the Sox spending big money on Cespedes/Upton is what's being overstated by the media. Even after last week when the Sox reportedly turned their attention away from Cespedes/Upton and began looking at Fowler/CarGo, some fans could not let go of the Cespedes idea.

 

 

Austin Jackson for less $$ and no comp pick attached is a better option than Fowler for more $$ and the loss of a top 30 draft pick. I'd prefer Cespedes. If I'm giving up a draft pick though it's for Upton.

[SoCalSox]

I just spoke with Bowden. He said he doesnt want to see Fowler on the White Sox. Plus if we dont sign Cespedes or Upton your probably finishing last in the division.

 

I'm confused by this. Why doesn't he want to see Fowler sign with the Sox? Also, what did he say about them & Cespedes?

[caulfield12]

A showcase workout for Cuban left-handed hitting outfielder Yadiel Hernandez will be held Feb. 23 in Mexico City. Hernandez, 28, batted .369 for Mazanzas in 2014, has a .324 lifetime batting average in Cuba, a team can sign him without being subject to the international signing bonus pool rules, according to his representatives.

www.chicagotribune.com

 

 

Here's another opportunity.

 

Anyone want to do some research?

 

 

[BlackSox13]

Better than 4th. But apparently he spoke to Adam Dunn and Magglio Ordonez about Garcia. Let's just say that he doesnt expect Garcia to get any better than he is now.

 

They were talking about Fowler for a bit on his contract. They think his contract demands drop pretty significantly(apparently it was at 60 million)

Thanks for passing that along, much appreciate it. Sounds as though Dunn and Maggs possibly see the flaws that we had seen on a daily basis from Avi. I can only imagine the Sox see it as well and is why the Sox are in the market for an outfielder.

 

Fowler. Man, am I on the fence with him. I like his speed, his pop and OBP but his defense leaves something to be desired and I'm not a fan of giving up a comp pick for him. He would be an outfield upgrade but not sure he would be worth the money or the comp pick.

 

Austin Jackson for less $$ and no comp pick attached is a better option than Fowler for more $$ and the loss of a top 30 draft pick. I'd prefer Cespedes. If I'm giving up a draft pick though it's for Upton.

I'm not really advocating one way or another really although if I had to choose it would be Jackson due to better defense, lower cost and no comp pick. I was just explaining the Sox interest in Fowler is partly due to him being a switch hitter and the Sox could use a lefty bat although preferably one with more power for the middle of the order but Fowler could be a nice #1 or #2 hitter. All that said, I still hope for an alternative to both.

[BlackSox13]

A showcase workout for Cuban left-handed hitting outfielder Yadiel Hernandez will be held Feb. 23 in Mexico City. Hernandez, 28, batted .369 for Mazanzas in 2014, has a .324 lifetime batting average in Cuba, a team can sign him without being subject to the international signing bonus pool rules, according to his representatives.

www.chicagotribune.com

 

 

Here's another opportunity.

 

Anyone want to do some research?

 

Found this from a BA article written last June.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/internation...north-carolina/

 

"At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Hernandez had started to play a larger role recently on the Cuban national team with so many outfielders leaving the country, including an appearance at the Caribbean Series in February in Puerto Rico. Playing for Matanzas in Serie Nacional this past season, which ended in April, Hernandez batted .369/.509/.535 with seven home runs, 77 walks (13 intentional) and 47 strikeouts in 369 plate appearances. He ranked second in batting average, OBP and walks, ranked fifth in slugging and tied for third in doubles (20)."