The White Sox have long been connected to both free agents and trade targets that can help the club in the corner outfield, and Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago/670 The Score writes that the Sox aren’t done searching for upgrades. The Sox could turn their focus to Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez and Reds right fielder Jay Bruce, per Levine, though his report makes no indication that there have been trade discussions about either player. One rival general manager told Levine that the Rockies asked for his top two minor leaguers, plus a big league player and absorption of most of the remaining $37MM on Gonzalez’s contract. Of course, that’s a highly subjective statement; for instance, the top two minor leaguers for a club like the Angels — a team that has been linked to outfield trade targets — would be considerably less valuable than the top two minor leaguers for a club like the Rays or Cardinals, each of which was linked to outfield trade targets this winter as well. What’s clear from the anonymous GM quoted by Levine is that the Rockies’ asking price would be steep, and the team seemingly doesn’t have much interest in eating salary on the deal.
A bit more on Chicago’s two clubs…
- The Cubs finalized contracts with all of their pre-arbitration players today, the club announced, and the Sun-Times’ Gordon Wittenmyer notes that the pre-arb agreements should take the Cubs’ payroll north of $150MM for the first time. While the team presently sits just shy of that mark at $149.232MM, awarding the final roster spot to a player like Rex Brothers or Shane Victorino, who have base salaries of $1.42MM and $1MM, respectively, would push the Cubs beyond that milestone. Somewhat notably, Wittenmyer points out that reigning Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant was renewed for a healthy $652K — a considerably larger sum than most pre-arbitration players (especially players with less than a year of service) would receive.
- While Bryant and his pre-arb peers were forced to take whatever the Cubs decided to give them, others have reportedly chosen to come to Chicago despite receiving similar or greater offers elsewhere. Jesse Sanchez of ESPNChicago.com says that held true of Dexter Fowler, who rejected offers from multiple other clubs “for multiple years and more money.” While the magnitude of the contract discounts in some Cubs’ free agent contracts seem to have been somewhat overplayed — indeed, in some cases, factors such as length and the presence of opt-outs in alternative offers make it unclear whether there was a true discount at all — this report certainly suggests that Fowler had plenty of opportunities to earn a good bit more elsewhere. “You create the right culture,” said manager Joe Maddon, “you would get guys wanting to stay with you longer, irrespective of money.”
seamaholic 2
Cargo’s gonna have a monster year. Someone will be wise to go outside their comfort zone to put together a package for him.
dro03
That’s really hard to believe and not based on his talent or potential but the fact that he’s only topped 140 games twice in his career. You can’t really count on him at this point especialy with those leg/knee issues, but I hope your right he’s one of my favorite players. That is the main reason a team won’t put together a strong package for him at this point, we’ll see what happens at the deadline though.
Cobra39
The Cubs will certainly win the World Series this year. I say 115 wins!
iamhector24
There has been exactly two teams with that many wins ever. So you’re so confident in them that you’re ready to crown them the greatest team of all time?
justinept
I wouldn’t say the Cubs are going to win 115 games… but I will make a couple claims that might shock people.
1 – I think the Cubs win 105 games
2 – I think at least two NL teams win 100 games or more
3 – I think as many as 5 teams could win 95+ games in the NL
The reasoning behind these claims are that no league has ever been as top heavy as the NL this year. There are four teams openly rebuilding (Braves, Phillies, Reds, Brewers). There are two other teams in Colorado and San Diego that are severely flawed teams, as well as a 7th team in Miami, who while the best of the aforementioned teams, would still consider a .500 record a successful season.
Between the Cubs, Cards, Pirates, Mets, Nats, Giants, DBacks and Dodgers – those teams each have at least 70 games on their schedule against teams that could are legitimate candidates to lose 100+ games.
So here’s the last claim. If the Cubs were to win 117 games this year, that wouldn’t automatically qualify them as the best team ever because there has never, in the history of divisional play, been a wider talent gap between the top 4 teams in a league and the bottom 4 teams.
Dock_Elvis
The Cubs are a solid prediction at 100 wins. I’ll take that a certain % of games are a crap shoot…so basically anything from 95-105 is virtually the same. I’ll add that they do have some games with the Pirates and Cardinals and the Pirates outfield…IF it stays healthy is monumental. It’s going to be tough….basically because the game has to actually move off paper to the actual field where injuries occur, etc. There is a serious about of top/bottom heaviness to the NL…but every season a team out plays projection or underplays it.
I think win projections are actually a little silly…especially when they are made with any precision. I just don’t see much difference between 95-100….I suppose 105 means you’re very dominant or also maybe a bit lucky…perhaps force some closers to blow leads…etc
iamhector24
There’s been two teams in the history of baseball with that many wins and neither won the championship. So you’re so confident that you’re ready to crown them the best team of all time? Sllllooowww down the hype machine.
Cobra39
Check my Username.
themed
The cubs are the most overrated team in history. It’s been so much fun watching them collapse year after year and century after century. This year will be no different!
seamaholic 2
Says the fan of the team with two major league hitters, maybe three if you want to be kind. Because even though apparently guys who hit 40 HR’s a year and play gold glove level defense are cheap and easy to acquire, the Braves just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
jb226
If you want to complain about peoples’ logic, don’t make statements like “CarGo’s not worth the asking price, regardless of what the asking price is.”
Declining or no, he is still a solid major-league contributor and of course there is a price where he is worth acquiring.
thecoffinnail
Markàkis, Freeman, Aybar, Inciarte and Pierzinsky can all be considered solid Major league hitters for their respective positions. Plus, if Swisher can actually get healthy he is a good bounce back candidate.
Aaron Sapoznik
We don’t know the GM and team in question, but you can be rest assured the the White Sox will not be offering their top two prospects, shortstop Tim Anderson and pitcher Carson Fulmer plus a MLB player plus ‘absorbing most of Carlos Gonzalez’ contract anytime soon in potential trade discussions for the Rockies right fielder.
As is common practice these days, the more money a team is willing to “eat” on their veteran player’s contract, the better the return package from the trading partner. If the White Sox were forced or willing to absorb a substantial portion of ‘Cargo’s” deal, their best offer would be more along the lines of one decent prospect (no Anderson or Fulmer) plus a MLB player like Avisail Garcia who could immediately replace Gonzalez in RF. The more money the Rockie’s would be willing to eat, the better the prospect return might be from the White Sox.
sophiethegreatdane
You are quite right. Teams are loathe to pay twice for a player when trading. They will either give up prospects while expecting the offering team to contribute a large portion of the players salary, or take on the entire contract and offer lesser prospects.
take on the
tycobb016
sox cant stop now. gonzalez or bruce would fit right in on a team trying to win now. lets stop kidding ourselves and give them the prospects.
mikecws91
Glad you’re not the GM. If the asking price is too high, they have to wait for a better deal.
thebare
Except Fullmer and Anderson
Dock_Elvis
Been waiting on a CarGo for Kevin Gausman deal seemingly forever.
stymeedone
Orioles cant afford that salary. Colorado doesn’t seem willing to eat a huge portion. Not a good match.
Dock_Elvis
Love the match, but no…not likely to happen…not without major roster restructuring, and honestly neither player is worth that.
dewssox79
The cubs are built well top to bottom. They lack a rotation. Is Arrieta going to continue to be what he was? Lester isnt the same pitcher, Lackey is a wild card. With that said in that division with 2 teams doing a tear down they should win the division. Crowning any team is pure stupidity. Might as well not play the season I guess because the cubs already have it locked up. :rolleyes:
chesteraarthur
Where do you see the cubs being crowned? People who respond like this….pure stupidity. :rolleyes:
Aaron Sapoznik
The Cubs lack a rotation? Every site I have seen lists their rotation a top-10 one, at the very least. Even if their rotation members fall shy of their 2015 numbers, what team in MLB has more ammo to acquire another quality starter by the summer trade deadline without significantly diminishing their lineup or active roster than the Cubs? Their quality depth at both the MLB level and minors combined is second to none.
How many teams can boast of young MLB ready talent like Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler or Javier Baez on their bench for the start of most games in 2016. The first two are likely platoon partners in LF while the latter is slated to be a super utility player this season. If push comes to shove, the Cubs would have those players potentially available as trade bait for a significant addition to their rotation, to say nothing of also having 6 prospects among MLB’s top-100.
cosmo1
The idea that the Cubs “lack a rotation” is flat out false. Arrieta is a legitimate ace, Lester a legit #2, Lackey may not repeat last year, but should be comfortably counted on as the #3, Hendricks the #4 and between Hammel/Warren/Cahill/Wood they have plenty to round out the rotation and for depth. Really, the rotation is every bit as well built as the rest of the team.
Cobra39
Palmer Cuellar Dobson
Cobra39
Palmer Cuellar Dobson McNally indeed! 116 wins!
ChiSoxCity
More flawed logic from Cubs fans. Of course Arrieta is an ace, no one disputes that. However, considering the amount of innings he pitched last year, and his poor playoff performances after the wild card game, it is not reasonable to assume he’ll put up the same numbers/innings in 2016. Lester is just average at this point, Lackey will be 37 years old, and the backend of your rotation is just so much inconsistent dogmeat. The Cubs do not have a championship caliber rotation, and they will not win the NL Central if Arrieta comes back to earth in 2016.
ChiSoxCity
Cubs fans are pinning all of their hopes on Arrieta repeating his 2015 Cy Young performance. Considering the amount of innings he threw, his insane second half stats, and his predictable dropoff during the playoffs after the wild card game, it is reasonable to assume Arrieta will come back to earth in 2016.
An injury to Arrieta would be devastating to that rotation. Lester is no longer an ace and diminishing rapidly. Lackey will be 37 years old, and the back end of that rotation is just so much dogmeat. Had the Cubs pulled the trigger on a trade for another ace last year, they might have won the WS. As it stands now, they have a very average rotation, which gets them 95 wins and a possible wildcard spot. As their ERA during the PLAYOFFS clearly shows, the pitching is not good enough or deep enough to get them to the WS. The Mets, Cardinals, Nats and Giants are better.
Nola Di Bari 67
You forgot Clayton Richard!!
Strauss
Short of Fulmer , the sox should give the Rockies any players they want for Cargo! Outside of a few pitchers, they haven’t developed a position player in many years.
Aaron Sapoznik
Despite their lack of developing position players over the last decade, the White Sox will be reluctant to part with shortstop Tim Anderson. Even if he needs to be moved to a position like 2B or CF down the line. His elite speed and plus hit tool are too good to include in a deal for a two year “rental” like Carlos Gonzalez. I don’t see Anderson being moved unless the White Sox acquire another young MLB ready player for SS, perhaps a player like Javier Baez.
Besides, Colorado will be primarily looking for pitching in return for “Cargo”, something the White Sox system has developed over the years. The Rockies also have four potential shortstop prospects listed among their top-30, including #1 prospect Brendan Rodgers who was the top high school player drafted last June. Despite his age, he is already rated ahead of Anderson among the top SS prospects in MLB.