A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[Bellhorn04]

Why is Jerry Downs in huge font?

 

That struck me too LOL He was in the Punto trade.

[mvp 78]

That struck me too LOL He was in the Punto trade.

 

Had totally forgotten about him.

[notin]

That struck me too LOL He was in the Punto trade.

 

Jerry Sands was in the Punto trade. Jerry Downs was a 15th round pick of the Sox in 2015...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Jerry Sands was in the Punto trade. Jerry Downs was a 15th round pick of the Sox in 2015...

 

... and Jerry Mathers, as the Beaver (or as Jerry Seinfeld would say, our current farm is about nothing).

 

How could they rank us 25th when we added Nick Yorke, the 1,089th-ranked prospect with the 17th overall pick, plus Blaze (don't call me BJ) Jordan?

[mvp 78]

Jerry Sands was in the Punto trade. Jerry Downs was a 15th round pick of the Sox in 2015...

 

Can't believe Bell lied to me.

[Bellhorn04]

Jerry Sands was in the Punto trade. Jerry Downs was a 15th round pick of the Sox in 2015...

 

Can't believe Bell lied to me.

 

Was it actually supposed to be Jeter Downs?

[mvp 78]

Was it actually supposed to be Jeter Downs?

 

Moon's post? No, Jeter Downs is not a a rule V guy this offseason. Jerry Downs is.

 

Jeter Downs won't be rule V eligible until 12/31/21.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I had hoped with the trades made, we'd be a little higher, but this shows just how hard it is to build a strong farm while winning so much and spending over the limits.

 

Winning so much for so many years is really the point, and the blame -- rich teams can't just spend anymore, and smart teams have to have some amount of luck in draft picks and player development.

 

Here's a contrast of the AL's two Sox teams: Red and White broke long franchise curses in '04 and '05. Since then, Boston has won three more rings but come in last four times (including 2020). Chicago, meanwhile, has great young talent right now... but to get here it had to suffer through 10 losing seasons of the past 14.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

Jackie Bradley Jr. says that while Red Sox have suggested to media an interest in keeping him beyond his eligibility for free agency this winter, that hasn’t been communicated to him. He says he is looking forward to seeing what the market offers.

[Donnie Sadler was short]

@alexspeier

Jackie Bradley Jr. says that while Red Sox have suggested to media an interest in keeping him beyond his eligibility for free agency this winter, that hasn’t been communicated to him. He says he is looking forward to seeing what the market offers.

 

Id like to re-sign JBJ for 2 yrs/12 mill TOTAL. He may not even get that on the open mkt.

[notin]

Can't believe Bell lied to me.

 

It’s like my grandmother used to say - never trust a Canadian.

 

Of course, she also said a lot of stuff about little green Martian men stealing her false teeth, so take that into account...

[notin]

Winning so much for so many years is really the point, and the blame -- rich teams can't just spend anymore, and smart teams have to have some amount of luck in draft picks and player development.

 

Here's a contrast of the AL's two Sox teams: Red and White broke long franchise curses in '04 and '05. Since then, Boston has won three more rings but come in last four times (including 2020). Chicago, meanwhile, has great young talent right now... but to get here it had to suffer through 10 losing seasons of the past 14.

 

Except for the fact that the only members of that team actually drafted by the White Sox are Tim Anderson, Aaron Bummer, Jace Fry, Adam Engel, Danny Mendick, and Carlis Rodon. And technically Gio Gonzalez was, but they traded him twice before he ever played for them...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Except for the fact that the only members of that team actually drafted by the White Sox are Tim Anderson, Aaron Bummer, Jace Fry, Adam Engel, Danny Mendick, and Carlis Rodon. And technically Gio Gonzalez was, but they traded him twice before he ever played for them...

 

But they traded homegrowns for a lot of talented prospects... except when they dealt Tatis for Big Game James Shields.

[notin]

But they traded homegrowns for a lot of talented prospects... except when they dealt Tatis for Big Game James Shields.

 

I believe Sale was the only homegrown player dealt for prospects

[moonslav59]

Id like to re-sign JBJ for 2 yrs/12 mill TOTAL. He may not even get that on the open mkt.

 

He's my favorite Sox player and has been for years, but his defense has slipped.

 

I would not offer him that much.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I believe Sale was the only homegrown player dealt for prospects

 

Quintana for Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease could turn out to be an all-timer. Another is Adam Eaton (not a draftee, but a White Sox regular since he was 25) for three pitchers, including Giolitto, that are all contributing on the current first-place staff.

[moonslav59]

Here is a list of some of the best, probable FAs available this winter:

 

SP Trevor Bauer

OF George Springer

SP Marcus Stroman

OF Marcell Ozuna

CL Kirby Yates

2B DJ LeMahieu

SS Marcus Semien

C JT Realmuto

LF Michael Brantley

3B Justing Turner

DH Nelson Cruz

 

I'm sure I missed some names.

 

 

[oldtimer]

He's my favorite Sox player and has been for years, but his defense has slipped.

 

I would not offer him that much.

 

Every time I see him he looks outstanding defensively. Somehow the stats don't lineup and maybe I don't see enough games. The streaky hitting is what hurts his value.

[oldtimer]

Here is a list of some of the best, probable FAs available this winter:

 

SP Trevor Bauer

OF George Springer

SP Marcus Stroman

OF Marcell Ozuna

CL Kirby Yates

2B DJ LeMahieu

SS Marcus Semien

C JT Realmuto

LF Michael Brantley

3B Justing Turner

DH Nelson Cruz

 

I'm sure I missed some names.

 

 

 

We have big time pitching needs. The auditions going on nightly may identify a couple of relievers but right now we have to hope we can bring up a starter, get E-rod back, Get some value out of Eovaldi as a starter and find a starter in the FA market along with a number of quality relievers and possibly a closer. Lot to hope for in a single year. The draft won't help the team in 2021.

 

We also have problems with position players. We have RF, SS, DH, 3rd(ist?) and C covered. Can't count on CF as he is a FA and will probably test the market. LF is a question mark as are 1st and 2nd base. I assume we will get rid of some of the duplicate players by parting with the weakest or maybe all of the very weak players. Funny that we are not auditioning Durran as he may wind up playing center out of need.

 

Pitching signings should be where we spend our money in 2021.

[moonslav59]

Every time I see him he looks outstanding defensively. Somehow the stats don't lineup and maybe I don't see enough games. The streaky hitting is what hurts his value.

 

It's hard to notice a lost step. He never was fast to begin with.

 

He still looks fluid and solid, but two years of numbers in decline are hard to ignore.

 

There are a lot of great defensive CF'ers who can't hit well out there.

[moonslav59]

We have big time pitching needs. The auditions going on nightly may identify a couple of relievers but right now we have to hope we can bring up a starter, get E-rod back, Get some value out of Eovaldi as a starter and find a starter in the FA market along with a number of quality relievers and possibly a closer. Lot to hope for in a single year. The draft won't help the team in 2021.

 

We also have problems with position players. We have RF, SS, DH, 3rd(ist?) and C covered. Can't count on CF as he is a FA and will probably test the market. LF is a question mark as are 1st and 2nd base. I assume we will get rid of some of the duplicate players by parting with the weakest or maybe all of the very weak players. Funny that we are not auditioning Durran as he may wind up playing center out of need.

 

Pitching signings should be where we spend our money in 2021.

 

Agreed.

 

I say it every year, but this is the worst Sox staff I've seen in decades.

 

Injuries are part of that point, but even a healthy ERod, Sale & Eovaldi still leaves our staff seriously lacking.

[harmony]

Here is a list of some of the best, probable FAs available this winter:

 

SP Trevor Bauer

OF George Springer

SP Marcus Stroman

OF Marcell Ozuna

CL Kirby Yates

2B DJ LeMahieu

SS Marcus Semien

C JT Realmuto

LF Michael Brantley

3B Justing Turner

DH Nelson Cruz

 

I'm sure I missed some names.

What? No love for Dee Gordon? Or do you expect the Mariners to choose the $14 million option for 2021 instead of the $1 million buyout?

 

I still like 28-year-old righthander Taijuan Walker, a pending free agent who I hope returns to Seattle.

[notin]

Quintana for Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease could turn out to be an all-timer. Another is Adam Eaton (not a draftee, but a White Sox regular since he was 25) for three pitchers, including Giolitto, that are all contributing on the current first-place staff.

 

Yes those were very key deals for the White Sox. But neither Quintana (free agent after being released by the Yankees) nor Eaton (acquired in trade with Diamondbacks) would qualify as homegrown players for the White Sox.

 

One theory has it that Sale’s tantrums over the Adam LaRoche situation prompted all three trades. (Eaton was very vocal as well.)

[notin]

Here is a list of some of the best, probable FAs available this winter:

 

SP Trevor Bauer

OF George Springer

SP Marcus Stroman

OF Marcell Ozuna

CL Kirby Yates

2B DJ LeMahieu

SS Marcus Semien

C JT Realmuto

LF Michael Brantley

3B Justing Turner

DH Nelson Cruz

 

I'm sure I missed some names.

 

 

 

Relief pitchers.

 

Keone Kela, Liam Hendricks, Chris Devenski, Alex Colome, Brad Peacock, Tyler Clippatd, and Dellin Betances. And those are just the righties!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Yes those were very key deals for the White Sox. But neither Quintana (free agent after being released by the Yankees) nor Eaton (acquired in trade with Diamondbacks) would qualify as homegrown players for the White Sox.

 

One theory has it that Sale’s tantrums over the Adam LaRoche situation prompted all three trades. (Eaton was very vocal as well.)

 

I have to say I liked Sale cutting up Chicago's sailor shirts, but also wondered if he'd become a disruption in Boston. Turns out he is a great teammate -- rallying the troops in the World Series -- and good guy with the media and the public; at least when my son and I met him (he even took our phone and set the camera up for me to take a pic). I'm rooting for his comeback, but don't expect the Sox to let him do much in a '21 season that probably won't be worth risking a full recovery.

[notin]

What? No love for Dee Gordon? Or do you expect the Mariners to choose the $14 million option for 2021 instead of the $1 million buyout?

 

I still like 28-year-old righthander Taijuan Walker, a pending free agent who I hope returns to Seattle.

 

The Red Sox should sign Taijuan Walker. He should be injured by the time Sale returns, creating an opening in the rotation...

[Kimmi]

I have to say I liked Sale cutting up Chicago's sailor shirts, but also wondered if he'd become a disruption in Boston. Turns out he is a great teammate -- rallying the troops in the World Series -- and good guy with the media and the public; at least when my son and I met him (he even took our phone and set the camera up for me to take a pic). I'm rooting for his comeback, but don't expect the Sox to let him do much in a '21 season that probably won't be worth risking a full recovery.

 

Sale will be our midseason acquisition who will put the team over the top.

[mvp 78]

Sale will be our midseason acquisition who will put the team over the top.

 

Bulk innings guy?

[harmony]

The Red Sox should sign Taijuan Walker. He should be injured by the time Sale returns, creating an opening in the rotation...

The Red Sox may have no shortage of openings in the starting rotation.

[notin]

The Red Sox may have no shortage of openings in the starting rotation.

 

Something Tai Walker will not solve for a full season...