Austin Jackson miniscus surgury, Webb TJ surgery, Petricka out for sea

[Jose Abreu]

But can he pick it and hit .220? Maybe

.220 is definitely much worse than Austin Jackson (regarding the OP)

[CB2.0]

When it rains it pours.

 

Now the Sox are going through injuries like Kansas City and Cleveland. We'll see if they have any kind of depth to alleviate things.

 

Mark

 

What other injuries are there?

[caulfield12]

Going through that same situation would require one of Sale/Q/Rodon/Robertson/Eaton/Frazier going down.

 

Petricka, Austin Jackson for 4-6 weeks, that's nothing in the overall scheme of things. The biggest concern is with Eaton moving back to CF and how that affects him, because he had grown so comfortable in RF.

 

His hitting has really been off for 3 weeks, though, which obviously has nothing to do with the position change (although he was already playing some CF when Jackson had the turf toe over the last 7-10 days.)

[thxfrthmmrs]

.220 is definitely much worse than Austin Jackson (regarding the OP)

 

Please. What's this? 2005 and we're still looking at batting average to tell how productive a player is? And while Engel might not hit much, he's at least a plus runner and fielder, and fwiw hit really well the last month or so.

 

I'd give him a shot to see how he handles split playing time with Avi, there is no harm in that compared to the replacement level value we've been getting from Ajax.

[Jose Abreu]

Please. What's this? 2005 and we're still looking at batting average to tell how productive a player is? And while Engel might not hit much, he's at least a plus runner and fielder, and fwiw hit really well the last month or so.

 

I'd give him a shot to see how he handles split playing time with Avi, there is no harm in that compared to the replacement level value we've been getting from Ajax.

I think that calling him up straight from AA, where his recent hot streak still gives him horrendous overall numbers, would not be wise.

[GreenSox]

Engel takes his walks which could portend well once he's ready. But a premature call up could turn him into MCKay Christianson. It's worth being a little more patient to see if Sox can get a real player. They can find a no-hit centerfielder for basically nothing.

[Bob Sacamano]

Engel takes his walks which could portend well once he's ready. But a premature call up could turn him into MCKay Christianson. It's worth being a little more patient to see if Sox can get a real player. They can find a no-hit centerfielder for basically nothing.

 

Don't think they're looking for a "no-hitter centerfielder."

[caulfield12]

It would be nice if they had the assets to go out and get Kiermaier, Ozuna, Saunders, W. Myers, Reddick or Calhoun, but they'll just have to make do and get through the next 4-6 weeks. That also gets them roughly to the same early to mid July period (ASB) when they'll have a much better idea what, if anything, can realistically be expected out of Justin Morneau.

 

Jackson was giving them a net WAR of 0.0, so it's not going to kill them one way or the other.

 

Maybe the biggest area where they make an improvement is the bench. Someone like Pearce of the Rays would be perfect, and he's 33, so the cost shouldn't be nearly as high, and he has lots of positional versatility, like Forsythe as well.

 

Anything that gets us closer to both Avi Garcia and JB Shuck off the active roster would probably be a good thing.

 

Bringing up May and/or Engel, just not options.

 

 

[oldsox]

Engel takes his walks which could portend well once he's ready. But a premature call up could turn him into MCKay Christianson. It's worth being a little more patient to see if Sox can get a real player. They can find a no-hit centerfielder for basically nothing.

How long did it take you to come up with that name for a comparison?

[hi8is]

How long did it take you to come up with that name for a comparison?

Is he related to Troy McClure?

[Bigsoxhurt35]

Engel really struggled at AA at first. They had to send him down to A for a regroup. It worked he's hitting better now, but if you think he'd come up to the bigs and hold his own you're crazy.

[caulfield12]

Hahn is 50% crazy just for mentioning May and Engel as possible options.

 

No opposing GM would take that seriously. Not like mentioning them will give him more leverage, since they're not close to ready for the big leagues.

[Chicago White Sox]

Engel really struggled at AA at first. They had to send him down to A for a regroup. It worked he's hitting better now, but if you think he'd come up to the bigs and hold his own you're crazy.

Engel is a guy that should stay at AA the rest of the season. Absolutely no reason to rush him.

[Chicago White Sox]

Hahn is 50% crazy just for mentioning May and Engel as possible options.

 

No opposing GM would take that seriously. Not like mentioning them will give him more leverage, since they're not close to ready for the big leagues.

When did Hahn mention them as possible options?

[Lillian]

The Sox entered the off season needing several players to fill some glaring holes. Unfortunately, their less than impressive acquisitions have not really improved the team very much. Jackson was not one of the coveted top tier choices for an outfielder, who could also provide offense. Now he is gone for a good portion of the remainder of the season. They still need a left handed, middle of the order bat, which they probably never had in La Roche, and when he left that removed any doubt.

They got two catchers, in an attempt to upgrade over Flowers and Soto, but that isn't proving to be a success either.

 

At this point, they have signed Morneau, who will have to DH. Therefore, Bruce is not a viable acquisiton target, because he would have to play the outfield, and that would severely weaken the defense. Next year, they will still need another outfielder, as Melky and Eaton would be the only proven outfielders on the roster.

 

The Brewers seem intent on trading Lucroy and are hoping that someone will take Braun and his salary, in the deal. That would fill two holes on this roster, and transform this pathetic offense into something pretty respectable. What would it take in young talent, if the Sox agreed to take on all of Braun's salary?

 

Line up for a second half post season run:

 

CF Eaton

DH Morneau

1B Abreu

LF Melky

RF Braun

C Lucroy

3B Frazier

2B Lawrie

SS Anderson

 

Regarding Braun's ability to play RF, this might be of interest:

 

http://www.brewcrewball.com/2016/2/15/1099...ryan-brauns-arm

 

The alternative would be to switch Melky and Braun, with Cabrera moving to RF. Neither option is very appealing defensively, but they both catch the ball, albeit with limited range.

 

[Balta1701]

I don't see how you get Lucroy without one of either Anderson or Fulmer + more.

[Lillian]

"Balta," would you give up Fulmer, and take on all of Braun's contract? I would. Next year, when Morneau leaves for free agency, Braun goes back to LF, Melky DH's and

the Sox sign a good defensive centerfielder, so that Eaton could go back to RF. With Braun and Lucroy added to the offense, they could go with an Austin Jackson type centerfielder, with not much offense.

[Balta1701]

"Balta," would you give up Fulmer, and take on all of Braun's contract? I would. Next year, when Morneau leaves for free agency, Braun goes back to LF, Melky DH's and

the Sox sign a good defensive centerfielder, so that Eaton could go back to RF. With Braun and Lucroy added to the offense, they could go with an Austin Jackson type centerfielder, with not much offense.

Would I as a White Sox fan or would I if I were in Rick Hahn's chair and desperately trying to save my job? Because the answers are fundamentally different.

 

And don't care one bit about Morneau either way. I'm convinced that the structure of his deal is set up to give the Sox the ability to release him when his rehab stint ends if they get someone better based on previous discussion. $650k or so have another option is a tiny risk.

[caulfield12]

Saving his job, he might, especially with the argument the new pitchers in the fold will compensate from the anticipated losses of Fulmer and Adams in that deal.

 

For the long-term future of the Sox and JR's perspective, no way he okays that deal. I think a lot of determinations on both Ventura and Hahn have to be made this season before they can figure out a plan for 2017 (all-in/rebuild) and beyond.

 

Adding Shields, Braun and Lucroy would force all-in, and I'm not sure JR's ready to commit to that much extra money.

 

Plus, you have the PED's issue with Braun. Lucroy makes sense, in that Collins could be ready in 2018 to replace him. Braun also makes sense, but ONLY if his performance this year is indicative of future performance and not an anomaly. Too risky, IMO.

[Lillian]

Saving his job, he might, especially with the argument the new pitchers in the fold will compensate from the anticipated losses of Fulmer and Adams in that deal.

 

For the long-term future of the Sox and JR's perspective, no way he okays that deal. I think a lot of determinations on both Ventura and Hahn have to be made this season before they can figure out a plan for 2017 (all-in/rebuild) and beyond.

 

Adding Shields, Braun and Lucroy would force all-in, and I'm not sure JR's ready to commit to that much extra money.

 

Plus, you have the PED's issue with Braun. Lucroy makes sense, in that Collins could be ready in 2018 to replace him. Braun also makes sense, but ONLY if his performance this year is indicative of future performance and not an anomaly. Too risky, IMO.

 

When was Braun's production ever not impressive? He has been one of the Major's most consistently good hitters, his entire career, with or without PEDS.

This team needs some offense, and the outfield is as good of a place to start, as any. There is no one in the organization who is expected to provide outfield offense, in the next couple of years. They will be looking for another free agent, in the off season, if they don't acquire someone now, and next year's free agent class doesn't offer much.

 

I'd just as soon have Braun, for the next 4 seasons. He is probably worth the $19 million per year and if he gets suspended over PEDS, they would not have to pay him.

It's obvious that this team has no intention of rebuilding, so if they are going to go for it, the next couple of seasons, they better acquire some offense. They are at least two solid bats away from having a respectable offense, and one of them needs to be left handed. Does anyone disagree with that?

Edited June 11, 2016 by Lillian

[Balta1701]

When was Braun's production ever not impressive? He has been one of the Major's most consistently good hitters, his entire career, with or without PEDS.

This team needs some offense, and the outfield is as good of a place to start, as any. There is no one in the organization who is expected to provide outfield offense, in the next couple of years. They will be looking for another free agent, in the off season, if they don't acquire someone now, and next year's free agent class doesn't offer much.

 

I'd just as soon have Braun, for the next 4 seasons. He is probably worth the $19 million per year and if he gets suspended over PEDS, they would not have to pay him.

It's obvious that this team has no intention of rebuilding, so if they are going to go for it, the next couple of seasons, they better acquire some offense. They are at least two solid bats away from having a respectable offense, and one of them needs to be left handed. Does anyone disagree with that?

Then a general question would be...where are they going to get the second one?

[Lillian]

Then a general question would be...where are they going to get the second one?

 

As I suggested in the post, Lucroy is the left handed bat, which the Brewers are willing to trade, preferably to a team that will take Braun's salary.

Lucroy would only be signed through next year, if the team exercised the very reasonable option. Hopefully, Collins could be ready to provide the left handed bat, by 2018, although it's very unlikely that he would be ready to catch.

[Jose Abreu]

Lucroy is a righty

[caulfield12]

Lucroy and Braun in one megatrade.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/...ing3/ryan-braun

886 OPS this year, 60+ points over his average from 2013-2015.

 

His strength is bashing lefties.

 

The problem is he will be 33 when next season begins...and we all know over the last decade how many sluggers (let alone ones with PED's in their background) have just completely lost it in their mid 30's.

 

You're buying Braun at a price where you're taking on his entire contract, whereas there have been times over the last 3 years where they would have dumped him and paid 25-40% of his salary, arguably. That's on top of the Shields commitment.

Edited June 12, 2016 by caulfield12

[Lillian]

Lucroy is a righty

 

I'm sorry. I was thinking that Lucroy batted left handed. I don't know how I missed that.

Thanks