White Sox add LaRoche, Duke.... and now maybe, The Shark?

[jokin]

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that one blockbuster deal wasn't enough for Billy Beane.  "That said, sources confirmed the Sox are in discussions involving Samardzija, with one speculating they are past the “just talking” stage.  “I believe serious talks are going on (with the White Sox),” an AL source told Sun Times reporter, Daryl Van Shouwen.

 

http://chicagosuntimes.com/sports/white-sox-talking-with-as-about-jeff-samardzija/

 

 

A starting rotation featuring Sale, Shark, Quintana and Rodon (would this deal involve Rodon?) would be a major shot across the bow in the AL Central.  Both the Sox VP and GM have recently made some pretty bold statements about making a move, now they appear to be backing up those words. A little more muscular offseason thus far than in Minnesota.

 

 

“We want to win, we want to win again quickly and we want to win again repeatedly in the coming years,” Hahn told reporters at the recent GM meetings.

 

“I don’t want to hear any more talk about rebuilding and certainly don’t want to take it on the chin any longer,” Williams said. “We’ve got to start making progress with more wins, and we’re going to have to do what we’ve got to do to get there.”

 

[nicksaviking]

“We want to win, we want to win again quickly and we want to win again repeatedly in the coming years,”

 

Hmmm, someone should probably tell Hahn now that Samardzija is only under contract for one more year.

 

As far as the standings go, the Twins and White Sox are nearly the same distance away from being competitive, but man, a team that has stud young pitchers in the MLB rotation and is willing to use all avenues including, trade, free agency, and Cuba sure seems like they are closer to contention.

[jokin]

“We want to win, we want to win again quickly and we want to win again repeatedly in the coming years,”

 

Hmmm, someone should probably tell Hahn now that Samardzija is only under contract for one more year.

 

As far as the standings go, the Twins and White Sox are nearly the same distance away from being competitive, but man, a team that has stud young pitchers in the MLB rotation and is willing to use all avenues including, trade, free agency, and Cuba sure seems like they are closer to contention.

 

 

Samardzjia is from closeby Hammond, IN, which is on the IL/IN border and is traditional White Sox country  He grew up a Sox fan.  I would think that the Shark would prefer playing in Chicago if the Sox make a competitive extension offer.  Plus, he has a point to make with the Cubs.

 

The Sox officially "lapped" the Twins last year, and now it's apparently up to the Twins prospects to start producing as hoped for to improve from their current last-place status in the Central.

[nicksaviking]

Samardzjia is from closeby Hammond, IN, which is on the IL/IN border and is traditional White Sox country  He grew up a Sox fan.  I would think that the Shark would prefer playing in Chicago if the Sox make a competitive extension offer.  Plus, he has a point to make with the Cubs.

 

The Sox officially "lapped" the Twins last year, and now it's apparently up to the Twins prospects to start producing as hoped for to improve from their current last-place status in the Central.

Let's hope. However even if they get that prospect part right, I have doubts they'd ever sign an elite Cuban or trade for top end pitching.

[beckmt]

Without anywhere near the Twins farm system, White Sox certainly need to take another line to be competitive.  This deal will cost the White Sox most of their upper end farm system, so only time will tell which team took the correct approach.

[Seth Stohs]

 

A starting rotation featuring Sale, Shark, Quintana and Rodon (would this deal involve Rodon?) 

 

Rodon couldn't be part of the trade. They just drafted him in June. 

 

The White Sox don't really have the pieces to get Samardzija, unless they get some veterans like Alexei Ramirez and deal them in a three-team deal for talent. 

[jokin]

Rodon couldn't be part of the trade. They just drafted him in June. 

 

The White Sox don't really have the pieces to get Samardzija, unless they get some veterans like Alexei Ramirez and deal them in a three-team deal for talent. 

 

Yeah, I wasn't sure of the PTBNL rules in such a case as Rodon.  As you suspected in the case of Ramirez, here's what just came in on MLB Traderumors for some likely suspects:

 

 

Undoubtedly, Oakland would like to add an important piece of the future with any Samardzija trade. Recent rumors link the A’s to White Sox infielders Alexei Ramirez, Marcus Semien, and Tim Anderson. If Samardzija is willing to negotiate an extension as part of a deal (unlikely but not impossible), it could increase his trade value.

 

Beane likes getting guys with under-appreciated upside, pitchers Erik Johnson and Daniel Webb might fill the bill for the A's.

 

I would have to think that Micah Johnson would also have caught Beane's eye.  He's the #2-ranked 2nd base prospect in all of baseball, and assuming that Johnson is fully recovering from his 2014 hamstring injury, he could possibly be the Sox starter at 2nd in 2015, and the A's might even see him in the same role in Oakland.  RHP Frankie Montas has electric stuff and appears to have turned the corner on his control, but he would be a year away from the majors. Tyler Danish is another pitcher who is moving up fast.  And the son of NBA legend, Michael Thompson, 6' 4" freak athlete OFer Trayvee Thompson is someone that might appeal to Beane.

[jokin]

Heyman, Rosenthal and Nightengale are all reporting that the White Sox will make it official tomorrow that they have won the Shark sweepstakes.  And one source says that Marcus Semien is part of the deal as a possible SS for the A's in 2015.  The A's reported that there was no greenlight to pre-negotiate and extension to Shark with the acquiring team, so presumably his trade value is lower, but I'd have to think there's at least one top Sox prospect and some quality filler (ala the Donaldson trade) as part of the final package. 

 

Assuming this deal is happening tomorrow, the Sox have now taken a shot across the bow of the AL Central, and maybe will go further and sign another top FA?

[cmb0252]

And now they sign Robertson.... Oh the life of a Twins fan!

[jokin]

And now they sign Robertson.... Oh the life of a Twins fan!

 

Unreal,  I can't type fast enough, and they make my prediction come true. Not that I believed they would pull this one off.  Wow.  Beat out the Cubs and Yankees on two top pitchers.  Robertson was the top FA reliever and ranked 13th overall- and it sounds like it might have been a small discount.  And it's just the first day of the WM.  Let's see if this forces the other AL Central teams to react more aggressively.

[jokin]

Mike Berardino @MikeBerardino  ·  14m 14 minutes ago

#MNTwins past 2 seasons vs. ALC foes:

 

21-17 vs. CWS

18-20 vs. DET

12-26 vs. KC

14-24 vs. CLE

 

 

 

 

Robertson/Shark/LaRoche/Duke. Uh-oh.

 

 

 

 

[jokin]

Shark deal is official-

 

 

 

White Sox To Acquire Jeff Samardzija

By Charlie Wilmoth [December 9, 2014 at 12:17am CST]

The White Sox and Athletics had been close to a trade involving Jeff Samardzija, and now the deal is complete, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets. Previous reporting from Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports had indicated that the deal would include Marcus Semien and prospects, but the Athletics’ exact haul isn’t yet known.

 

[biggentleben]

As the offseason has played out, that LaRoche contract is looking better and better as well.

[kab21]

The White Sox show how to rebuild by using money in addition to prospects (typically discarded prospects). 

[Willihammer]

Sounds like its official.

 

Took a 6th rounder and a 16th rounder to get it done.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/white-sox-to-acquire-jeff-samardzija.html

[TheLeviathan]

They add Melky today, which will leave them with an interesting OF situation going into next season.

[Seth Stohs]

3 years and somewhere between $42 and 45 million. So, here's a quick look at their roster:

 

C: Tyler Flowers

1B: Adam LaRoche

2B: ?

3B: Conor Gillaspie

SS: Alexei Ramirez

LF: Melky Cabrera

CF: Adam Eaton

RF: Avisail Garcia

DH: Jose Abreu

 

SP: Chris Sale

SP: Jeff Samardzija

SP: Jose Quintana

SP: John Danks

SP: Hector Noesi/Erik Johnson

 

CL: David Robertson

RH RP: Jake Petricka

LH RP: Zack Duke

RH RP: Javy Guerra

RH RP: Zach Putnam

[Linus]

Pretty decent lineup and quite a one year turnaround.  Really built to win now as there is some age in there and Sam with a one year deal. 

[kab21]

Pretty decent lineup and quite a one year turnaround.  Really built to win now as there is some age in there and Sam with a one year deal. 

The Sox and the Tigers always look old and in win now mode.  They have chosen an alternative path to rebuilding and retooling than the complete tear it down, stink for 5 years and build through the farm.

[JB_Iowa]

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale  · 38m38 minutes ago 
The #Whitesox have spent $128 million on free agents and acquired Jeff Samardzija in the last 3 weeks. Happy holidays.

[jokin]

3 years and somewhere between $42 and 45 million. So, here's a quick look at their roster:

 

C: Tyler Flowers

1B: Adam LaRoche

2B: ?

3B: Conor Gillaspie

SS: Alexei Ramirez

LF: Melky Cabrera

CF: Adam Eaton

RF: Avisail Garcia

DH: Jose Abreu

 

SP: Chris Sale

SP: Jeff Samardzija

SP: Jose Quintana

SP: John Danks

SP: Hector Noesi/Erik Johnson

 

CL: David Robertson

RH RP: Jake Petricka

LH RP: Zack Duke

RH RP: Javy Guerra

RH RP: Zach Putnam

 

Add quality LHRP Dan Jennings to the bullpen, just acquired from Miami.  Also, the addition of Jennings makes it more likely that the Sox might add LHSP Carlos Rodon to the rotation.  Look for Michah Johnson to battle with Carlos Sanchez for 2nd base.

 

Food for thought, from one year ago. in December 2013-

 

 

White Sox could get Chase Headley, if they pay up                                                                                                      

The White Sox have had long-standing interest in San Diego Padres’ third baseman Chase Headley and have the parts to acquire him.

Ever since Kenny Williams was the general manager, the White Sox have inquired into the availability of the switch-hitting Headley, a National League All Star and Gold Glove winner in 2012.

Though a Sun-Times report indicated Sunday that Headley likely isn’t available and the Padres probably wouldn’t trade him until July, the two clubs could have already worked out a deal — the White Sox just didn’t want to match the Padres’ price

     

[jokin]

Pretty decent lineup and quite a one year turnaround.  Really built to win now as there is some age in there and Sam with a one year deal. 

 

Not that much age in this lineup, all things considered.  They have a good chance to extend Shark, plus, they have a Top 100 SS coming up soon to replace Ramirez, plus a good young 2nd baseman.

 

I'm wondering, even after all of these moves, if the Twins average age is still higher than the Sox?

[Dman]

Gotta say I like what the Sox have done.  I quibble with paying so much for Robertson but with their rotation and adding some better offense I think they are set to be a force for several years now.  Only thing that messes this up is injuries.  

 

They have the toughest thing to find and that is very good starting pitching. They lost a lot of games late last year so improving the bullpen is big for them.  Upgrading Viciedo should help.  I really like their chances the next three years or so.  At the very least I am jealous of the moves.  

 

I am excited about the Twins young players but 2015 looks like a long year considering the competition in our division.  Once we get some young star players up and working the Twins better pay players to stay as a five to six year rebuilding plan really sucks.  Still I tip my cap to the Whities.  I think they will be much better next year.

[jokin]

Hahn reflection on the week that was (Sox added elite RHSP, dominant Closer, LF premier bat, LHRP, back-up Catcher):

 

 

 

Unfinished business: Hahn isn't finished with the bullpen and will explore the possibility of upgrading his bench. As Hahn said, the moves will have to be creative whether they be through trade or free agency.                                

Team's bottom line: "We're pleased with this week. It was a good week. We picked up three of our targets, addressed three different needs," Hahn said. "We'll take that any old week. I don't know if we're necessarily going to be able to replicate it next week, but we're certainly going to try. We are going to head back to Chicago, regroup and try to knock off a few more targets on our list. In our opinion, we are not done yet."

 

This is what commitment to winning looks like.

[jokin]

This is what can be done with only ~$25M increase in team payroll:

 

 

As a result, their payroll seems likely to go from $90 million on Opening Day a year ago to about $115 million. The overhaul has White Sox fans buzzing, and it seems certain to end an eight-year attendance slide at U.S. Cellular Field.

[jokin]

They add Melky today, which will leave them with an interesting OF situation going into next season.

 

The addition looks to be greater than the sum of the parts, offensively, anyway.  Pencil Cabrera into the #2 spot in the lineup directly in front of Abreu and LaRoche. Cabrea's OBP was .351 last year.  His OBP is also .351 over the last four years.   By comparison, the Sox OBP in the #2 spot was only .279 in 2014. Add Eaton and his 2014 .362 OBP in the leadoff spot, and those are two OFers who are going to do serious damage at the top of the order batting in front of the big boppers.

 

Abreu had 107 RBIs last year, good for 4th best, even though he was ranked 36th in PAs w/RISP, look for him to have the chance to actually improve on his 2014 overall numbers. 

 

Avisail Garcia in RF is predicted by Steamer to have a big uptick in production in 2015 (as is Oswaldo Arcia, and they're both about the same age, at 23).  

 

There are multiple reports that Viciedo is already on the trading block.

[Brock Beauchamp]

While I applaud the Sox front office for going big this offseason, it is literally their only option if they want to field a competitive team. That's in stark contrast to the Twins, who have 5-6 top 100 prospects. Those prospects need roster space in the near future. Different strategies for different teams in different situations.

[The Wise One]

Steamer predicts that Garcia, Eaton and Cabrera will be defensive liabilities. 

 

 I thought winter was the time to be overly optimistic about your club and pessimistic about the moves of the competitor's club. Here is praise for the White Sox despite the defensive shortcomings and on other threads Hunter is ripped for defense. Steamer likes Hunter's defense almost as much as Garcia's and a lot more than Melky's. .

[kab21]

While I applaud the Sox front office for going big this offseason, it is literally their only option if they want to field a competitive team. That's in stark contrast to the Twins, who have 5-6 top 100 prospects. Those prospects need roster space in the near future. Different strategies for different teams in different situations.

You're right the Cubs are a better comparable.

[jokin]

Steamer predicts that Garcia, Eaton and Cabrera will be defensive liabilities. 

 

 I thought winter was the time to be overly optimistic about your club and pessimistic about the moves of the competitor's club. Here is praise for the White Sox despite the defensive shortcomings and on other threads Hunter is ripped for defense. Steamer likes Hunter's defense almost as much as Garcia's and a lot more than Melky's. .

 

Uhh, it's almost universally acknowledged that the Sox are one of the most improved teams in the offseason, many say the most improved.  With their core group of mid-20s talent, they've now added key pieces that have upgraded major holes.  You talk about the Sox defensive shortcomings in the OF- but they actually improved their lot by putting the Melkman in LF.  Melky's 30, Hunter will soon be 40.  The Twins still don't know who the CF will be, and by all accounts, Arcia will be a disaster in LF.

 

We need to face it, the Twins FO has all but admitted that they are playing the patient/punt approach on 2015, they only added one decent SP- giving them two, but it seems to be positioning for 2016, not 2015.  The Sox already had two very good SPs, now they got a 3rd.   And unlike the Sox, the Twins have added no help in the bullpen, and only one incremental improvement from one bat- in contrast, the Sox have added a major offensive upgrade in LF, and a significant upgrade at 1B/DH.  These moves have positioned the top 5 in the order in a way that could be very productive in 2015, on paper it looks like Eaton/Melky/Abreu/LaRoche/Garcia would be a more productive than say, one Twins potential lineup of Santana/Dozier/Mauer/Hunter/Arcia.