Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Why? Don’t they have arb years of control or is his deal different?
I get that for a guy with some ML track record (the Cards did it with DeJong) but as impressive as Robert was last year across 3 levels, I question doing this before he’s had meaningful PAs in MLBBecause they can keep the price of his arby years and the first two FA years lower by guaranteeing him both somewhat higher pre-arb years as well as a bucket of money and stability he might not otherwise have. Rays did it with Longoria after just a few games in MLB and it led to their best era in franchise history. It’s a huge win if you invest in the right player for it.
I get that for a guy with some ML track record (the Cards did it with DeJong) but as impressive as Robert was last year across 3 levels, I question doing this before he’s had meaningful PAs in MLB
Why? Don’t they have arb years of control or is his deal different?
HJ, if Robert turns out to be Randal Grichuk, Willy’s dreams will come true.I get it. Robert fairly raked as a 21-year old in AAA. The power is real. His K rate at AAA was 25%, which is pretty good for a young kid. But that walk rate < 5%...
You just don't want him to end up as an out machine (.300 OBP) with occasional power who can play a premium position well. That's basically Randal Grichuk, who's a serviceable guy, but not someone whose arb years you buy out.
HJ, if Robert turns out to be Randal Grichuk, Willy’s dreams will come true.
As long as his team maintains popularity at the gate, Willy will always be on cloud 9.
I was fairly convinced Javier Baez lacked enough contact skill to survive in the bigs. He makes a lot of hard contact to be a very valuable player.HJ, if Robert turns out to be Randal Grichuk, Willy’s dreams will come true.
Just hope the Morlocks don't get himAnd yet the will hold onto Eloy longer.
Edwin Encarncion to White Sox on one-year $12M deal with a club option for 2021. Seems like a low risk even if he is a fossil. Merry Christmas Rick Hahn.
The best incarnation of a DH for the Sox since Thome.
All teams do it.
I get it. Robert fairly raked as a 21-year old in AAA. The power is real. His K rate at AAA was 25%, which is pretty good for a young kid. But that walk rate < 5%...
You just don't want him to end up as an out machine (.300 OBP) with occasional power who can play a premium position well. That's basically Randal Grichuk, who's a serviceable guy, but not someone whose arb years you buy out.
I am not so sure we should expect a Division champion next season. Sox still a year or two away. Kopech and Cease are critical in my view. Just don’t think they will be there next year. Eloy, Moncada, and Robert could be the top young trio in the Bigs in 2021.I spoke with the Sox director of pro scouting about this a few months back. I watched about 1/2 of Robert's games throughout the 2019 season. When I do this, I don't really look for results as much as I look for processes. He was so much more physically advanced than just about anyone he played against, but his process/approach wasn't always great.
For instance, he'd pull balls on the outer half of the plate out of the park. Not many people can do that, but he won't get away with that often against big league pitching. I said this on Twitter and Sox fans crucified me for it. I asked the scout if I was crazy or not and he said no, that he'll get exposed against big league pitching for a while. He has a hard time laying off the out/off the plate breaking shit. Think Eloy early last year, it was all he saw and he was wayyyy more polished than Robert at this stage.
To me, Robert's approach is the exact opposite of Moncada. Moncada was WAY too patient. Took everything. I knew he'd be a star because it's exceptionally easier to teach a young hitter to be more aggressive than to be more patient. Low and behold, Moncada swung more last year and was a stud across the board.
I think there are going to be a lot of growing pains with Robert initially, but he possesses more "loud" tools than anyone in the organization, Moncada included. Just need him to take his lumps and learn to adjust, then it'll be off to the races. I think he'll be a perennial 30/30 guy with OPS >.900. Just going to take a minute to get there
Took you off ignore so I could say "the White Sox extended Eloy prior to him playing a single MLB game so they could avoid the Cubs/KB situation"
Took you off ignore so I could say "the White Sox extended Eloy prior to him playing a single MLB game so they could avoid the Cubs/KB situation"
The Cubs screwed the pooch by being cheap on this one. If KB is traded it will point back to their decision to screw KB out of a year of free agency.Took you off ignore so I could say "the White Sox extended Eloy prior to him playing a single MLB game so they could avoid the Cubs/KB situation"
Liked your initial comment so much I quoted it 3 times.The Cubs screwed the pooch by being cheap on this one. If KB is traded it will point back to their decision to screw KB out of a year of free agency.
I am not so sure we should expect a Division champion next season. Sox still a year or two away. Kopech and Cease are critical in my view. Just don’t think they will be there next year. Eloy, Moncada, and Robert could be the top young trio in the Bigs in 2021.
I am not so sure we should expect a Division champion next season. Sox still a year or two away. Kopech and Cease are critical in my view. Just don’t think they will be there next year. Eloy, Moncada, and Robert could be the top young trio in the Bigs in 2021.
The Cubs screwed the pooch by being cheap on this one. If KB is traded it will point back to their decision to screw KB out of a year of free agency.
I think we will see a competitive Sox team next year. I think TJ pitchers will be away for awhile - no Rondon , Kopech, Dunning. If Gig repeats, then I expect kuelch and Lopez will help anchor. Some flashes from Cease and Gio will impress.
I also think we have plenty of relief in the minors and if Herrera does anything, then the pen will be fine and probably the mid season trade upgrade.
Like csf, I don’t think Roberts will emerge and dominate next year - too soon. So lead off or three hole - no. And I’m not convinced Maddy will come up and rake either.
So I see a lineup usually of TA, Moncada, Abreu, Edwin, Eloy, Roberts (someone behind him to protect), Grand, RF platoon, Maddy or Leury or some stop gap.
In 2021, that lineup boasts power and speed up and down w strong OBP and OPS. Solve RF and DH and the Yankakees can go screw for years, Cubs who? Don’t they play AAA?
Spot to regular starts for TJ and RP pitchers throughout. At least of the OF prospects not named LuBob to emerge. And very little Collins - maybe traded for RP at the deadline.
Assuming the TJ guys make it back (big assumption), I would like to see Sox draft hard on high ceiling as they should be ok for awhile. Maybe trade some of Collins, Burger, even Vaughn - to load up even more in the minors and add international money.
Now, can they hire a few guys that develop talent once in the system please?!?!
24, the scuttlebutt still is linking the Sox potentially to Puig or Castellanos. Is this possible, platoon in RF? Does this make sense with McCann lined up for some AB’s at DH?I'm not expecting them to make up 28 games or whatever it was on the Twins, but the Twins rotation STINKS. Berrios, Odorizzi, a suspended Pineda, three miles of shit and more shit after that.
Cease will improve big time. Kopech will be a star. I'm not really too worried about the starting rotation for the Sox right now. 85 wins will about be their O/U, with the Twins around 90-92. Tribe somewhere in between.
If I'm wrong about Robert (I really hope I am) then they could ride their offense to a good amount of early wins before Kopech/Rodon return
24, the scuttlebutt still is linking the Sox potentially to Puig or Castellanos. Is this possible, platoon in RF? Does this make sense with McCann lined up for some AB’s at DH?
Swing and a miss
24, the scuttlebutt still is linking the Sox potentially to Puig or Castellanos. Is this possible, platoon in RF? Does this make sense with McCann lined up for some AB’s at DH?
If Michael Kopech spends 6 weeks in AAA, does that push back his free agency by a year, or has that clock already irrevocably started?
Don’t see Mazara in triple A. He’s already been in the Bigs 4 seasons.HUGE revelation... Mazara still has three (3!!!) options left. So it's FAR from a given that he makes the opening day roster. With that said, he offers massive flexibility and the trade is/was already a massive win IMO. It allows them to assess him over spring training and if he dominates, he makes the team. If not, he has two options. I was also told today that the Puig stuff is all a "smoke screen" so take that for what it's worth
HUGE revelation... Mazara still has three (3!!!) options left. So it's FAR from a given that he makes the opening day roster. With that said, he offers massive flexibility and the trade is/was already a massive win IMO. It allows them to assess him over spring training and if he dominates, he makes the team. If not, he has two options. I was also told today that the Puig stuff is all a "smoke screen" so take that for what it's worth
I imagine the Sox would have a grievance on their hands if he didn’t make the big league roster, assuming he was healthy and didn’t totally bomb in the spring. And even then...
I would prefer to keep Vaughn. DH and eventual 1B replacement for Jose. Vaughn looks like a Potential Joey Votto type.
I think the two rookies will be fine, it will take awhile, but long term good starters. Robert should be a Star in a couple of years. I am higher on Madrigal than 24 is. I think he fits this power line by giving them someone that can get on base and rarely whiffs.
The bullpen is a mess. Colome, Bunmer and Marshall ( is still on the team) are the only guys that should be back. Need 3 RP’s now, especially with the starters coming back from Injury. Can’t see those buns they ran out there last year or they will need to score double digits most games.
I imagine the Sox would have a grievance on their hands if he didn’t make the big league roster, assuming he was healthy and didn’t totally bomb in the spring. And even then...
I don't totally know how it works, but I assumed he had zero. I would imagine it provides them a ton of flexibility though if they do choose to pursue an upgrade over him. That said, was told the Puig stuff is all fake news, so it looks like they're rolling with him anyways.
I don't mind it as much as I did when they first made the trade. They think they can tap into his potential and if they do, look out. He could be another 30+ HR guy