ChiSox59 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) Instead of threads clamoring that the Sox should sell or rebuild, how about we talk about possible targets to bolster this club for the 2nd half. The trade deadline is less than a month away, and with the Sox now 3 games over .500 and only 2 GB in the Wild Card - let's be real, the Sox aren't selling barring an extremely rough couple weeks. Here are some guys that could be targets (some discussed at length here, others not). I will add to this list as other names are mentioned / become available. Bats Outfielders: Jay Bruce - $12.5M in 2016; $13M team option for 2017 w/ $1M buyout Ryan Braun - $20M per in 2016-18; $19M in 2019, $17M in 2020, $15M mutual option w/ $4M buyout in 2021 Carlos Gonzalez - $17M in 2016; $20M in 2017 Charlie Blackmon - $3.5M in 2016; arb eligible 2017-18 Alejando De Aza - $5.75M in 2016 Nick Markakis - $11M per in 2016-18 David Peralta - $530k in 2016; pre-arb in 2017; arb eligible 2018-2020 Catchers: Jonathon Lucroy - $4M in 2016; $5.25M team option for 2017 Derek Norris - $2.925M in 2016; arb eligible in 2017-18 Aj Pierzynksi - $3M in 2016 Wellington Castillo - $3.7M in 2016; arb eligible in 2017 Gary Sanchez - Pre-arb Utility / DH: Logan Morrison - $4.2M in 2016 Eduardo Nunez - $1.475M in 2016; arb eligible in 2017 Danny Valencia - $3.15M in 2016; final arb year in 2017 Steve Pearce - $4.75M in 2016 Relievers Arodys Vizcaino - $900k in 2016; arb eligible through 2019 Fernando Abad - $1.25M in 2016 Jeremy Jeffress - $520k in 2016; arb eligible through 2019 Huston Street - $8M in 2016; $9M in 2017; $10M in 2018 w/ $1M buyout Fernando Salas - $2.4M in 2016 Ryan Madson - $6.66M in 2016; $7.6M in 2017-18 Brad Ziegler - $5.5M in 2016 Tyler Clippard - $6.1M per in 2016-17 Neftali Feliz - $3.9M in 2016 Jake McGee - $4.8M in 2016; arb eligible in 2017 Starters Less likely here, but... Jeremy Hellickson - $7M in 2016 Jake Odorizzi - $520k in 2016; arb eligible 2017-2019 Ervin Santana - $13.5M in 2016; $13.5M 2017-2018; $14M team option w/ $1M buyout for 2019 Edited July 8, 2016 by ChiSox59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox59 Posted July 5, 2016 Author Share Posted July 5, 2016 Personally, I'd love to see the Sox add a legit bat (a Braun or Cargo type), but the one's out there aren't going to be cheap. It may make more sense to get a complementary piece for the OF. A LH bat would be preferred. A guy like Peralta does make a fair amount of sense to platoon with Jackson when he returns, and let Morneau have DH. An upgrade at catcher certainly wouldn't hurt, but I just don't see it happening. I do see the Sox adding a couple relievers in the next 30 days, perhaps one of the high leverage variety. Ziegler or Salas would be interesting rentals. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 I think the bat is going to depend on what Morneau looks like. A couple more relievers would be nice. Who knows, maybe Burdi and Fulmer can help out in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eminor3rd Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 The most meaningful get from that list is Lucroy. I don't how how teams feel about adding catchers midseason, though. Also, Fulmer is in any deal for Lucroy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogan873 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Provided Morneau is able to join the club after the all star break, the Sox will have a couple weeks to see if he'll contribute enough to worry less about adding an impact bat. I'm sure, however, they will be in talks with teams laying the groundwork for potential deals. Jay Bruce makes sense, especially if he stays healthy and continues hitting well. He probably wouldn't be outrageously expensive, either. I don't see a deal for Lucroy happening as that would require a trade of Fulmer. Otherwise, I'd like to see them add another bullpen piece or two. I'm still not sold that this team will compete. Adding a bat and some pitching will help, but that bad stretch through May and part of June was pretty telling. I just don't want to see this team trade away a good chunk of their prospects now that they are actually building a decent farm system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT35 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Vizcaino would be a great add too. A stud now and 3 more years of control. I think the price tag would be huge though. If Fulmer and Burdi are able to contribute out of the pen late this season, you add Vizcaino to Jones and Robertson...yikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetman Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 My hope: they do nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 12:41 PM) Provided Morneau is able to join the club after the all star break, the Sox will have a couple weeks to see if he'll contribute enough to worry less about adding an impact bat. I'm sure, however, they will be in talks with teams laying the groundwork for potential deals. Jay Bruce makes sense, especially if he stays healthy and continues hitting well. He probably wouldn't be outrageously expensive, either. I don't see a deal for Lucroy happening as that would require a trade of Fulmer. Otherwise, I'd like to see them add another bullpen piece or two. I'm still not sold that this team will compete. Adding a bat and some pitching will help, but that bad stretch through May and part of June was pretty telling. I just don't want to see this team trade away a good chunk of their prospects now that they are actually building a decent farm system. If you're in the GM seat and expecting anything whatsoever from Morneau when evaluating what you need to do at the trade deadline I think you're doing it wrong. Just too much of an unknown, even if he comes out and has a first good week when he comes back. What happens if you don't fill that hole and he slumps in August or another minor injury creeps up? If you're adding players you have to assume that he won't be effective until he proves you wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCCWS Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) I think they have to add a 4/5 SP. Gonzalez has been up and down and I think an injury to a SP is inevitable. If someone hits the DL for a few weeks, I don' think there is a viable short-term replacement at Charlotte. Maybe the age of our top 3 is a plus but so many pitchers are going down lately that I think we need a back-up or make Gonzo the 6th man. I think there are enough bullpen options so I would go for a SP first. Edited July 5, 2016 by SCCWS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT35 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 10:50 AM) My hope: they do nothing. I used to think this too for stability sake...but my hope is that they are in a position (either clear buyers or clear sellers) to do something. If they are in a position to buy, that means we've strung some good play together and are in the picture. If they are out of it, then that opens the door to oversell some of our vets to many teams who overpay at the deadline as they "go for broke." I hope the position is clear...unlike last year's trade deadline brain freeze when we were brutal all year, then strung together enough wins leading up to the deadline to paralyze our thinking to keep Shark--then were even more brutal in the 2nd half. Give me one way or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsoxhurt35 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Morneau buys us a little time. Reddick or Lucroy would tickle me to death. Then add a reliever or two. Plus we'll have options in the minors, so reinforcements are on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasttriptotulsa Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (SCCWS @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 11:54 AM) I think they have to add a 4/5 SP. Gonzalez has been up and down and I think an injury to a SP is inevitable. If someone hits the DL for a few weeks, I don' think there is a viable short-term replacement at Charlotte. Maybe the age of our top 3 is a plus but so many pitchers are going down lately that I think we need a back-up or make Gonzo the 6th man. I think there are enough bullpen options so I would go for a SP first. I don't think they will waste resources to pick up a 4th/5th type starter in case somebody gets hurt. If somebody goes down for a 15 day stint they will just call up one of Carroll/Volstad/Turner/Beck to make those couple starts. If Sale, Q, or Rodon go down for the season we aren't going anywhere anyways so there isn't any point in making the move. I think our resources will be better spent acquiring bullpen help and a impact bat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsoxhurt35 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 12:02 PM) Sox will not be trading for Ryan Braun. Thank god! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (FT35 @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 12:58 PM) I used to think this too for stability sake...but my hope is that they are in a position (either clear buyers or clear sellers) to do something. If they are in a position to buy, that means we've strung some good play together and are in the picture. If they are out of it, then that opens the door to oversell some of our vets to many teams who overpay at the deadline as they "go for broke." I hope the position is clear...unlike last year's trade deadline brain freeze when we were brutal all year, then strung together enough wins leading up to the deadline to paralyze our thinking to keep Shark--then were even more brutal in the 2nd half. Give me one way or another. Let's take the hypothetical that the Sox decide to do nothing. Is there anyone big they lose this offseason? I'm not seeing anyone major who is going to be a free agent any time soon. Last year they needed to do something with Samardzija and didn't, but they don't even have that this year. End of 2017 they have some huge decisions because they'll be losing Lawrie, Cabreroid, and Frazier, but this year if they were to stand pat then that still sets them up for one "last ditch effort" next year at trying to fill holes by trading for big name players like they do every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT35 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 11:05 AM) Let's take the hypothetical that the Sox decide to do nothing. Is there anyone big they lose this offseason? I'm not seeing anyone major who is going to be a free agent any time soon. Last year they needed to do something with Samardzija and didn't, but they don't even have that this year. End of 2017 they have some huge decisions because they'll be losing Lawrie, Cabreroid, and Frazier, but this year if they were to stand pat then that still sets them up for one "last ditch effort" next year at trying to fill holes by trading for big name players like they do every year. True. But they are "losing" trade value on guys like Robertson and maybe Melky if they are sellers and keep them for 2017. If we were out of it we could dangle Robertson for sure to a contender--almost all contenders need as many back-end arms as possible and overpay for them at the deadline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggins Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Add middle relief and hope the team continues to play reasonably well. Get that second wildcard and anything can happen. Finish with 78-82 wins though, and they might be looking at more rebuilding. No reason to commit one way or another right now. Wait til the offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunt Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 12:02 PM) Sox will not be trading for Ryan Braun. I wouldnt mind his bat in the lineup, but his price along with his injury history really makes it risky, especially for a team like the Sox. A reliever and a guy like Reddick would be my ultimate sweet spot for this team. Can either put Reddick in LF or RF and move Eaton to CF or Melky to DH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Bad outfield defense has been a killer for Arizona. Last year, Diamondbacks outfielders recorded a combined defensive runs saved of plus-37. This year it's minus-30, according to Baseball Info Solutions. That's a natural outcome when the team has given so much playing time to veteran discards (Michael Bourn and Rickie Weeks Jr.), a converted catcher (Pete O'Brien), a converted infielder (Chris Owings), a player whose best position is probably designated hitter (Tomas) and a prospect (Socrates Brito) who had to be rushed to the majors. In other words, Peralta's not going anywhere. "It's only natural to review the roster from the top down, which is fine, but you also have to view it from the bottom up," said an NL executive. "If you're weak in certain positions or innings or spots in your lineup, you cannot hide it over 162 games. It kills you. The top-heavy roster doesn't succeed." "You hate to use the term 'misfits toys,"' said an NL talent evaluator. "They have good players that other teams would like and want in most scenarios. But as a group, it wasn't a great roster construction, from my perspective." http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/16765660...er-winners-flop From an article about "offseason winners" who often flop in the regular season...thankfully they didn't include the 2014-15 White Sox on their list, although they certainly would have been well within their rights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eminor3rd Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 QUOTE (FT35 @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 11:10 AM) True. But they are "losing" trade value on guys like Robertson and maybe Melky if they are sellers and keep them for 2017. If we were out of it we could dangle Robertson for sure to a contender--almost all contenders need as many back-end arms as possible and overpay for them at the deadline. You're not worried about burning trade value if you're trying to compete. Balta's point is a good one -- unless we're in a position to make a serious run, we should probably try to shore up in the offseason and take another shot. If 2016 and 2017 both fail, I can definitely see a retool/rebuild in 2018. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Beltran and Bruce (because of their respective price tags) continue to make a lot more sense than Cargo, Braun and some of the other big names out there. Dodgers also have some decisions to make with their overload of outfielders (but complete uncertainty with Ethier's injury comeback/effectiveness, Thompson slumping but still coming up with big walks/HR's/RBI's, Pederson platooning, Puig, Van Slyke, Hernandez, Venable). One or two of them have to go. Once again, focus remains on expiring contracts or players who will become free agents after 2017 (another reason the Shields deal was questionable, he's going to be completely pointless on a rebuilding team in 2018). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chetkincaid Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 I wouldn't be mad if the White Sox were sellers at the deadline. We've all seen this movie before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dam8610 Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 Lucroy is the person to add, he'd be a definitive upgrade that wouldn't take up a spot in the OF or the DH spot. The question is whether the White Sox have the pieces to put a package together to get him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSoxJon Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 02:56 PM) I wouldn't be mad if the White Sox were sellers at the deadline. We've all seen this movie before. Depends on the next 2 weeks, I'm not totally against moving anyone not named Sale/Q/Rodon/Jones/Abreu/Anderson/Eaton on the ML roster, Frazier/Lawrie/Shields/Melky should all be shopped this offseason if this season ends below .500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 (edited) If you trade Frazier OR Melky, there's pretty much zero chance to compete next year. Stopping in the middle of rebuilding, then, would make no sense. Then you're going to still keep Robertson in that situation? Why? If some of the minor league starters make progress, you can live without Shields easily enough...and I'm not sure how trading Lawrie makes sense unless they think Saladino's going to put up the same or better numbers and you can actually get something better for him than what the Sox gave up for Lawrie. It's kind of MEH...half-measures, no clear direction again. Edited July 6, 2016 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sin city sox fan Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 I'd really like to see us make a play for Mike Trout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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