The '20-'21 White Sox offseason

[Jiddy]

Mazara and Rodon got the hand.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Add two more names to the possible OF acquisition list:

*David Dahl
*Adam Duvall

Kyle Schwarber and 4 other new free agents Sox could target

The free-agent market got even bigger Wednesday, with dozens of players non-tendered across the league. Here are five brand new free agents that might interest the White Sox.

www.nbcsports.com

Those names are mentioned in the group of 5 from this article (Kyle Schwarber is included, but there's no way he could play RF and would strictly be a DH). Rosario is obviously already on my list, altho the early word there is the Red Sox may be gunning for his services. And even tho he's not on this list, I'm still also a Michael Brantley guy, but like Rosario, he's not a natural RF, yet brings that nice lefty bat with him.

Sounds like the young LH hitting Dahl, when healthy, can swing a good stick and can play all three OF positions. But that's the trouble, him staying healthy. He'd probably come cheap.
Duvall is a RH hitting LF/1B, which to me always translates realistically to being a DH, altho in a pinch, could probably handle RF. Like Brantley, he's no spring chicken, but he can bop and he'd likely come in a lot cheaper.

 

[Mingo]

Add two more names to the possible OF acquisition list:

*David Dahl
*Adam Duvall

Kyle Schwarber and 4 other new free agents Sox could target

The free-agent market got even bigger Wednesday, with dozens of players non-tendered across the league. Here are five brand new free agents that might interest the White Sox.

www.nbcsports.com

Those names are mentioned in the group of 5 from this article (Kyle Schwarber is included, but there's no way he could play RF and would strictly be a DH). Rosario is obviously already on my list, altho the early word there is the Red Sox may be gunning for his services. And even tho he's not on this list, I'm still also a Michael Brantley guy, but like Rosario, he's not a natural RF, yet brings that nice lefty bat with him.

Sounds like the young LH hitting Dahl, when healthy, can swing a good stick and can play all three OF positions. But that's the trouble, him staying healthy. He'd probably come cheap.
Duvall is a RH hitting LF/1B, which to me always translates realistically to being a DH, altho in a pinch, could probably handle RF. Like Brantley, he's no spring chicken, but he can bop and he'd likely come in a lot cheaper.

Schwarber can play RF - though I wouldn't trust him with the regular job - so DH - RF - 1b etc.

Basically - the non-tenders added two or three options for the Sox underneath Springer and Bradley.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Even a Cubs announcer knows which direction the wind is blowing in the Windy City:

Len Kasper Is Leaving Cubs To Do White Sox Radio Play-By-Play

The MLB off-season is still dragging along even after the non-tender deadline, but a big move was just made in Chicago that has nothing to do with the players. Long-time Chicago Cubs television play-by-play man Len Kasper has left the North Side and will take over play-by-play duties for the...

www.sportsmockery.com

 

[Mingo]

Even a Cubs announcer knows which direction the wind is blowing in the Windy City:

Len Kasper Is Leaving Cubs To Do White Sox Radio Play-By-Play

The MLB off-season is still dragging along even after the non-tender deadline, but a big move was just made in Chicago that has nothing to do with the players. Long-time Chicago Cubs television play-by-play man Len Kasper has left the North Side and will take over play-by-play duties for the...

www.sportsmockery.com

He's ghosting the Cubs.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Rumors rumors rumors:

MLB rumors: Making sense of the report that Phillies are open to trading Zack Wheeler

According to a report Sunday, the Phillies are listening to offers for one of their top performers from last season. By Corey Seidman

sports.yahoo.com

Fascinating that the team who signed away from the Sox the very pitcher we were chasing, and inked him for less money, yet are now possibly shopping him, even if this is not really likely. As the article indicates, by attempting to trade Wheeler, the Phillies for all intents and purposes would be waving the white flag, maybe rightfully so. Two of their key pieces from the past couple of years, JT Realmuto and Didi Gregorius, are free agents and perhaps the Phillies feel they're unlikely to re-sign them. And some of their other one-time stars are fading from relevancy. Then throw in the fact that the Braves are at this moment clearly the most talented team in the NL East, while the Mets are determined to be major players this offseason. And let's not forget that it was the Marlins who were in the playoffs last season. Maybe there's a grain of truth to the rumor.

The problem is what it would take in trade capital to complete the deal. My guess is the talks would probably begin with Philly demanding both Andrew Vaughn and Michael Kopech, then proceed from there. We're talking about a frontline, ace-caliber starter with 4 more years locked under contract, altho that's one mega-expensive locking. Let's face it, a trade like this wouldn't come cheaply, either in players or financial cost to the club.

 

[idseer]

Rumors rumors rumors:

MLB rumors: Making sense of the report that Phillies are open to trading Zack Wheeler

According to a report Sunday, the Phillies are listening to offers for one of their top performers from last season. By Corey Seidman

sports.yahoo.com

Fascinating that the team who signed away from the Sox the very pitcher we were chasing, and inked him for less money, yet are now possibly shopping him, even if this is not really likely. As the article indicates, by attempting to trade Wheeler, the Phillies for all intents and purposes would be waving the white flag, maybe rightfully so. Two of their key pieces from the past couple of years, JT Realmuto and Didi Gregorius, are free agents and perhaps the Phillies feel they're unlikely to re-sign them. And some of their other one-time stars are fading from relevancy. Then throw in the fact that the Braves are at this moment clearly the most talented team in the NL East, while the Mets are determined to be major players this offseason. And let's not forget that it was the Marlins who were in the playoffs last season. Maybe there's a grain of truth to the rumor.

The problem is what it would take in trade capital to complete the deal. My guess is the talks would probably begin with Philly demanding both Andrew Vaughn and Michael Kopech, then proceed from there. We're talking about a frontline, ace-caliber starter with 4 more years locked under contract, altho that's one mega-expensive locking. Let's face it, a trade like this wouldn't come cheaply, either in players or financial cost to the club.

for wheeler? oh HELLS no! he's not THAT good and he'd be starting on the downside of his career in his 30's! maybe POSSIBLY i'd be ok with taking on his remaining salary at $100M but to also give up vaughn and kopech? omg! what are you thinking here to even consider this?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

for wheeler? oh HELLS no! he's not THAT good and he'd be starting on the downside of his career in his 30's! maybe POSSIBLY i'd be ok with taking on his remaining salary at $100M but to also give up vaughn and kopech? omg! what are you thinking here to even consider this?

Who said I was considering it? I simply pointed out what it would likely take to get him. Where in any of my post did you see me WANTING such a trade? Read iddy, read.

 

[idseer]

Who said I was considering it? I simply pointed out what it would likely take to get him. Where in any of my post did you see me WANTING such a trade? Read iddy, read.

i DID read. when you bring up possible transactions it tells me you think they're worth considering. otherwise why would you bring them up?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

when you bring up possible transactions it tells me you think it's worth considering. otherwise why would you bring them up?

For the sake of discussion - nothing more, nothing less. I've said it numerous times already that this part of the offseason is very slow and little newsworthy, so when I spot interesting tidbits in the news, I like to post them and bring them up for discussion, or if not worthy of discussion, then just for reading's sake. Altho I don't necessarily buy into the rumor, I nonetheless found it fascinating that the Eagles, who went out of their way to sign Wheeler to a monstrous contract, might suddenly be dangling him as trade bait.

 

[idseer]

For the sake of discussion - nothing more, nothing less. I've said it numerous times already that this part of the offseason is very slow and little newsworthy, so when I spot interesting tidbits in the news, I like to post them and bring them up for discussion, or if not worthy of discussion, then just for reading's sake. Altho I don't necessarily buy into the rumor, I nonetheless found it fascinating that the Eagles, who went out of their way to sign Wheeler to a monstrous contract, might suddenly be dangling him as trade bait.

stupid eagles! what do they need with a pitcher anyway?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

stupid eagles! what do they need with a pitcher anyway?

LOL- I had to re-read my post to see why you said that!! I'm currently watching the Eagles-Packers game so I'll call that a Freudian slip!

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Here's my updated preference list so there's no mistake who I want, and it's in order of importance. One key caveat before kicking out the list - I'm not going to include either Trevor Bauer or George Springer, even tho their names would normally be 1 & 2 in my letter to Santa. Which is not all that striking because they'd be 1-2 on just about every Sox fan's list. But I'm not including them because I don't see the Sox throwing huge gobs of money on what will undoubtedly be multi-year contracts for both. So my list is based on more realistic possibilities. They're numbered in order of importance to our team's needs and are as follows:

1a. Trade for Lance Lynn - RH starter, he's only a rental, but he shouldn't cost too much in terms players/prospects and he's consistent af. OR........
1b. Trade for Blake Snell - LH starter, he's not as consistent year in/year out as Lynn, but when he's on, which is often, he's truly in the elite class. He's a lefty, which helps balance out the rotation, and he's under contract for 3 more years, but he'd also cost more in terms of players/prospects, possibly a lot more. OR.........
1c. Take your FA pick: Masahiro Tanaka, Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, Jose Quintana, Garrett Richards, etc - whichever one is available and after we've exhausted our primary choices. I'd probably go with Tanaka.

2a. Sign Eddie Rosario - A lefty bat, he'll give us the most bang for the buck and we wouldn't have to be tied down to a long term contract, maybe a 1+1. He's not a great outfielder, but he can play RF in a pinch, altho I'm taking him primarily to be our DH. OR..........
2b. Sign Michael Brantley - See Eddie Rosario, pretty much the same scenario, but unlike Eddie, the older Brantley will probably require a minimum of 3 years and likely at a higher price per year to boot. He's a better all around stick than Rosario, but doesn't have his power or RBI-inducing abilities. Their gloves are about the same, neither will ever win a GG, so he's another primarily DH candidate. When it's all added up, Rosario gets the nod, but if he's gone, Brantley will suffice. OR.......
2c. Sign Joc Pederson - Another lefty bat, he's the only one in this group who can probably play a decent RF without embarrassing himself and would platoon with Engel. When he's not playing there, he can DH against RH pitching, because his numbers absolutely suck against lefties. OR..........
2d. Sign Kyle Schwarber - The 4th of our lefty bats, he has more power than the others, but his avg has been going steadily south. He's also a terrible fielder and unlike even Rosario or Brantley, has never played RF, so he'd be strictly a DH. Anything beyond a one year contract would be a no-no for me without even blinking.

3a. Sign Liam Hendricks - RH closer, has probably been the best since '19. This of course is going on two assumptions: 1. We don't re-sign Colome and 2. We'd prefer to keep Bummer as our top set up guy. OR.......
3b. Sign Brad Hand - LH closer, just a shade less than Hendricks, but might be balanced out due to him being a lefty. Same assumptions. OR........
3c. Sign Archie Bradley - RH set up/closer, he bounced around last year with different teams primarily as a set up, but in '19 he did save 18 games for the Snakes. If we opt for Bummer to close, he'd fill in nicely setting up.

4a. Sign Curt Casali - RH C, decent career numbers with both the bat and glove. But this is making another assumption in that Zack Collins either returns to the minors for more seasoning or is included in some type of trade. If Zack is still on the roster, than signing a FA backup catcher is not as much of a need, as we can also promote either Yermin Mercedes or Seby Zavala as a #3. OR.........
4b. Sign Tyler Flowers - RH C, he'd be returning to his original home. He's always been a pretty good glove man and while his career hitting hasn't been all that, he'd be the perfect backup to Grandal. Same assumption applies.

If you don't see another big name FA or rumored trade candidate here, then I don't think they're worth the cost or effort at acquiring their services.

 

[idseer]

i'll go with 1C (assuming no bauer) preferrally quintana
i'll pass entirely on 2
i'll pass on 3 and concentrate on keeping colome. if that can't happen i'd stay in house {hendricks maybe but we'd not get him anyway ... YANKEES!)
i'll also pass entirely on 4

sans getting the right players i'd mostly stay with what we have available to us instead of groping around. we need A starter. if we can't get the best available then get a good innings eater who can win half (or more) of their games. i am relatively confident our own players can fill the needs, at a more acceptable cost, better than the chaff you listed.

 

[Mingo]

I'd have to rank the acquisition of Snell over Lynn - simply because you get 3 years of control for Snell. I do think Lynn would be an easy contract extension if acquired. Admittedly - Snell would be more costly to acquire.

I would easily take Liam Hendricks over Colome.

I think I would prefer Brantley over Rosario.

Great post and run down by @Lake Shore Drive

 

[Mingo]

White Sox keys to contention: Anthony Santander and Trevor Bauer - South Side Sox

Nice case made for the Sox to acquire Santander from the Orioles.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

White Sox keys to contention: Anthony Santander and Trevor Bauer - South Side Sox

Nice case made for the Sox to acquire Santander from the Orioles.

Couldn't agree more about Santander, he'd fit the bill quite nicely. But I'd be more than mildly surprised that the O's are willing to trade him. I thought he was one of their keystone rebuild pieces. But hey, if we could land him at a reasonable trading price, I'd be all in. Good find Mingo!

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

i'll go with 1C (assuming no bauer) preferrally quintana
i'll pass entirely on 2
i'll pass on 3 and concentrate on keeping colome. if that can't happen i'd stay in house {hendricks maybe but we'd not get him anyway ... YANKEES!)
i'll also pass entirely on 4

sans getting the right players i'd mostly stay with what we have available to us instead of groping around. we need A starter. if we can't get the best available then get a good innings eater who can win half (or more) of their games. i am relatively confident our own players can fill the needs, at a more acceptable cost, better than the chaff you listed.

Everything that I brought up and all you'd want out of it is Quintana???????? You have zero imagination iddy, zero.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I'd have to rank the acquisition of Snell over Lynn - simply because you get 3 years of control for Snell. I do think Lynn would be an easy contract extension if acquired. Admittedly - Snell would be more costly to acquire.

I would easily take Liam Hendricks over Colome.

I think I would prefer Brantley over Rosario.

Great post and run down by @Lake Shore Drive

Those are reasonable choices, especially Snell over Lynn. I'm just concerned at the cost of obtaining his services. Brantley over Rosario is a toughie, but I think I'm gonna stick with Rosario. I like his bat, his power, and his glove is no worse than Brantley's and might even be a smidge better. Let's just say I'd be happy with either tho.

 

[idseer]

Everything that I brought up and all you'd want out of it is Quintana???????? You have zero imagination iddy, zero.

yeah, you did bring up lotsa stuff. and yes, if we can't acquire a bauer quintana would be an adequate starter until we either develop one or 2 (or3). i see no need for any of the others unless we do lose colome.

imagination is fine but can also ruin a team. i don't see this as a time for imagination.