Dexter Fowler as a secondary option

[Frank_Thomas]

It vanishes and everybody moves up a spot in the draft order. The Cubs then get a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd round. The Cubs are losing their first three draft picks because of the Heyward, Zobrist and Lackey signings. So they will lose their first round pick, the comp pick gained from Fowler signing somewhere and their second round pick. The will not pick until the third round.

 

 

Got it. Appreciate the info bud.

[Frank_Thomas]

You lose your earliest picks outside of the top ten in the first round. If the Sox signed two guys with QO's they would lose the comp pick from Samardzija and their second round pick. Their first round pick is protected.

 

 

So we would go from having three in the top 50 to having only one (our 1st round pick) no thank you.

[BlackSox13]

I know the Sox could use a LHB with pop but I would prefer Jackson over Fowler.

[lasttriptotulsa]

So we would go from having three in the top 50 to having only one (our 1st round pick) no thank you.

 

Exactly. I wouldn't mind giving up one of those picks to sign a guy like Gordon or Upton, but it's not worth losing it to sign Fowler or Desmond in my opinion. If Desmond were willing to sign a one year deal to try to rebuild his value I might be okay with it because we could then offer him a QO next year and get a pick in next year's draft or trade him at the deadline if we're out of it. That all assumes that he plays better than he did last year.

[dpd9189]

this will be interesting if it happens. Fowler had a pretty lousy first half for the Cubs last year but was then red hot the 2nd half of the year. He's a decent defender and does draw walks which is something the Sox need. Overall he'd be a nice addition, not great but nice. That being said I don't like a 3 year deal, would much prefer a 2 year deal or less.

[OmarComing25]

It vanishes and everybody moves up a spot in the draft order. The Cubs then get a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd round. The Cubs are losing their first three draft picks because of the Heyward, Zobrist and Lackey signings. So they will lose their first round pick, the comp pick gained from Fowler signing somewhere and their second round pick. The will not pick until the third round.

Zobrist didn't have a QO.

[Southwest Sider]

The only thing that intrigues me about Fowler is his LH bat, speed and OBP. The rest of his game leaves much to be desired... and it's not like we really need a leadoff hitter or grinder-type of player anyway. We need more legit power, in my opinion. And if you sign Fowler, your OF is pretty pathetic in terms of power. If you sign Fowler you're DEPENDING on Laroche turning back into a 25+ HR guy, and that is not something you can actually depend on. You can hope, you can argue that he will or won't... but you cannot depend on it. If you sign Cespedes then his power output will help offset Laroches if he has another terrible season. This team with Fowler just does not have enough power for a park like US Cellular.

 

If the Sox are going to depend on hopes, then I'd just as well rather see them throw Garcia out there full-time again and depend on the hope that he actually develops into a good player. Keep the money for a better player and keep the draft pick.

 

 

 

[YouCanPutItOnTheBoardYES!]

If the Sox give up a draft pick for Dexter Freaking Fowler, then I don't know what to say about this franchise.

Edited January 14, 2016 by ChiSoxFanMike

[BlackSox13]

If the Sox give up a pick for Dexter freaking Fowler, than I don't know what to say about this franchise.

If only we could take Fowlers bat and combine it with Jackson's glove...

[lasttriptotulsa]

Zobrist didn't have a QO.

 

My bad. Forgot he was traded.

[Dunt]

So how do you stack your batting order if Fowler is indeed the option?

 

Eaton L

Fowler S

Abreu R

Frazier R

Melky S

LaRoche L

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino R

 

Fowler S

Eaton L

Abreu R

Frazier R

LaRoche L

Melky S

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino R

 

Interesting to note the spots in the batting order where Melky has been best:

 

1st .287/.349/.404

2nd .284/.331/.412

3rd .338/.375/.513

4th .281/.339/.456

5th .269/.333/.346

6th .253/.303/.345

7th .273/.350/.401

8th .243/.301/.359

9th .297/.338/.408

 

How would you feel about this lineup?

 

Fowler S

Eaton L

Cabrera S

Abreu R

Frazier R

LaRoche L

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino/Anderson R

[SoCalSox]

Is Fowler the best option out there? No. Does he make a solid improvement to this team? Absolutely.

 

If he ends up being the guy, it is somewhat disappointing but lets not act like this isn't a sizable improvement.

 

Think of it this was, if you can't have the top 2, he's the next best option. That may end up being what the Sox are faced with, Fowler or nothing.

[YouCanPutItOnTheBoardYES!]

Is Fowler the best option out there? No. Does he make a solid improvement to this team? Absolutely.

 

If he ends up being the guy, it is somewhat disappointing but lets not act like this isn't a sizable improvement.

 

Think of it this was, if you can't have the top 2, he's the next best option. That may end up being what the Sox are faced with, Fowler or nothing.

Is Fowler the best option out there? No. Does he make a solid improvement to this team? Absolutely. Is it smart to forfeit the comp pick in order to get him? Hell no.

[blackmooncreeping]

Regarding losing a pick, what would be your preference if given these 2 choices:

 

Sign Desmond & Jackson, lose pick, gain approx. 30 hrs. Melky still in LF

Sign Fowler & Jackson, lose pick, gain approx. 20 hrs. Move Melky to dh

 

On a side note, I'd like to see the Sox kick the tires on Steve Pearce. Guy can rake LHP and could platoon between OF/DH.

[lasttriptotulsa]

I would be all for a Fowler signing if it weren't for that goddamn qualifying offer.

[blackmooncreeping]

So how do you stack your batting order if Fowler is indeed the option?

 

Eaton L

Fowler S

Abreu R

Frazier R

Melky S

LaRoche L

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino R

 

Fowler S

Eaton L

Abreu R

Frazier R

LaRoche L

Melky S

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino R

 

Interesting to note the spots in the batting order where Melky has been best:

 

1st .287/.349/.404

2nd .284/.331/.412

3rd .338/.375/.513

4th .281/.339/.456

5th .269/.333/.346

6th .253/.303/.345

7th .273/.350/.401

8th .243/.301/.359

9th .297/.338/.408

 

How would you feel about this lineup?

 

Fowler S

Eaton L

Cabrera S

Abreu R

Frazier R

LaRoche L

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino/Anderson R

Should have Abreu hitting 3rd, period, then fill the others in around him. Melky shouldn't get the 1st inning/extra AB over Jose imo.

[SoCalSox]

Is Fowler the best option out there? No. Does he make a solid improvement to this team? Absolutely. Is it smart to forfeit the comp pick in order to get him? Hell no.

 

They did it for Robertson & Melky last year.

 

They have the luxury of letting one go away with the shark pick. May not be the smartest but at the same time, is it really any less smart than dealing more prospects for a guy like CarGo, etc? I think the answer to that is no.

[shysocks]

So how do you stack your batting order if Fowler is indeed the option?

 

Eaton L

Fowler S

Abreu R

Frazier R

Melky S

LaRoche L

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino R

 

Fowler S

Eaton L

Abreu R

Frazier R

LaRoche L

Melky S

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino R

 

Interesting to note the spots in the batting order where Melky has been best:

 

1st .287/.349/.404

2nd .284/.331/.412

3rd .338/.375/.513

4th .281/.339/.456

5th .269/.333/.346

6th .253/.303/.345

7th .273/.350/.401

8th .243/.301/.359

9th .297/.338/.408

 

How would you feel about this lineup?

 

Fowler S

Eaton L

Cabrera S

Abreu R

Frazier R

LaRoche L

Lawrie R

Avila L

Saladino/Anderson R

I don't like batting order splits, samples are too small, too effected by hot/cold streaks. Most of Melky's plate appearances hitting 3rd came in his career year with the Giants. I'd still have Eaton leading off, Frazier 4th, and push either Fowler or Melky down below him.

[shysocks]

Is Fowler the best option out there? No. Does he make a solid improvement to this team? Absolutely.

 

If he ends up being the guy, it is somewhat disappointing but lets not act like this isn't a sizable improvement.

 

Think of it this was, if you can't have the top 2, he's the next best option. That may end up being what the Sox are faced with, Fowler or nothing.

I would rather have Fowler than Avi + the pick.

[SoCalSox]

I would rather have Fowler than Avi + the pick.

 

Exactly. Me too.

[lasttriptotulsa]

Should have Abreu hitting 3rd, period, then fill the others in around him. Melky shouldn't get the 1st inning/extra AB over Jose imo.

 

The difference between batting 3rd and 4th in the lineup comes out to about 1 plate appearance every 2 weeks over the course of the season. If for some reason Melky is more comfortable and performs that much better in the 3 spot it might be worth Abreu losing those 15 or so plate appearances.

[Dick Allen]

The difference between batting 3rd and 4th in the lineup comes out to about 1 plate appearance every 2 weeks over the course of the season. If for some reason Melky is more comfortable and performs that much better in the 3 spot it might be worth Abreu losing those 15 or so plate appearances.

The career numbers for specific places in the line up are a reach. The reason Melky was better in the 3 hole than 8 hole is he hit 3rd when he was really hitting well. He hit 8th when he was struggling as a youngster.

[Y2Jimmy0]

I would rather have Fowler than Avi + the pick.

 

 

Continually giving up draft picks for minor upgrades isn't the way this organization will sustain success. Fowler would improve the team. Hell, it may even be enough to put this team in contention. But giving up 3 draft picks in the last 2 years with a bad farm system isn't a good recipe. It sucks actually.

[Dick Allen]

Continually giving up draft picks for minor upgrades isn't the way this organization will sustain success. Fowler would improve the team. Hell, it may even be enough to put this team in contention. But giving up 3 draft picks in the last 2 years with a bad farm system isn't a good recipe. It sucks actually.

If the team is willing to pay a player over $10 million a year, his performance should be better than the typical late first round pick.

 

If Fowler put up three 2 WAR seasons, that is far more than could be expected from the selection they would be forfeiting. Of course, it could also turn out to be a huge mistake.

[shysocks]

Continually giving up draft picks for minor upgrades isn't the way this organization will sustain success. Fowler would improve the team. Hell, it may even be enough to put this team in contention. But giving up 3 draft picks in the last 2 years with a bad farm system isn't a good recipe. It sucks actually.

I can't really disagree. Fowler is not ideal. But the Sox started down a certain path when they acquired Lawrie and advanced further when they acquired Frazier. Going into the season with a role for Avi would be equivalent to turning back.