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So the argument is that we didn’t know when the perfect moment to trade Robert was, but with the benefit of hindsight we do now? Robert finished the best season in his career at the end of the 2023 season. Getz was promoted to GM on August 2023. In his first offseason, he had already started his rebuild — he signed some mediocre free agents and traded Cease. Are you saying that at no point in time after the 2023 season ended and Getz took over as GM that Robert wasn’t worth more than Acuna and Pauley and that it didn’t make sense to trade Robert considering Getz had already started a rebuild?

There’s nothing here at all. A utility player that’s already out of options. The Sox will use him, but not to win games. From a baseball perspective, if this is the best return, you roll the dice on a deadline deal every time. Which unfortunately supports the idea that this was a financial decision. All that crap about getting Jerry onboard with the Murakami vision looks made up. Really it was that Getz got permission to reallocate the money to Murakami instead of straight up save it. 2026: White Sox OD payroll trending to just a hair over $60M

This sucks. I feel like the Sox were shaping up to be a relatively interesting offensive team. Robert had a smidge of protection for the first time in forever. I think this outcome is better than simply declining the option and paying Robert $2M to go away, but I would have just held Robert. If he had a good season, the Sox could have been watchable and interesting-ish. If he didn't, we don't have Acuna - who was likely to be DFA or dumped for nothing in 2 months anyway as he is out of options. There is not a single player available for $20M that has the upside of Luis Robert, or could make the White Sox a better team. All this did was lower the already brutally low payroll. I am pissed. Not at the return. Not that the Sox didn't time the market perfectly and trade him post-2023. But because it just feels like the Sox are a considerably worse team today than yesterday. And FFS, I am so ready to watch watchable baseball.

Robert contributed a win and a half each of the last two years. Trading him certainly doesn't create a hole in the lineup.

I feel seen. Looks like I've pretty much had every take, so which one is the turn? I argue against the "Getz always fails" narrative. Yes, as we look back in the comfort of retrospect, we can ascertain the perfect moment to make the perfect move. I wish they got more for Robert. Is anybody claiming that Getz turned down a demonstrably better package for Robert because he's just plain stupid, and fell in love with a pile of garbage instead of opting for the higher ceiling alternative? This is most probably what Robert has been worth for over a year, now. I'm relieved we're not on injury watch.

This was where they got the Murakami money.

https://soxmachine.com/2026/01/white-sox-trade-luis-robert-jr-to-mets-for-luisangel-acuna-truman-pauley

Tribune with a very nice follow up story on Wilbur speaking with Jim Kaat and Steve Stone: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/chicago-white-sox-wilbur-wood-steve-stone-jim-kaat/

Didn’t realize Lenyn played winter ball. Wish he would have grabbed an OF glove

I don't want to see either

Rather see him than Cannon

Starting pitching please. So I don't have to see Burke.

That’s impressive… Who knew there were so many ways to polish multiple turds?

Interesting turn...

Well, Getz pretty much has to say this. At this point, there is really no way for him to improve the outfield over Robert. Bellinger will be a Yankee soon and I doubt the Sox will be spending on Bader. What good free agent outfielders are even left at this point? https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/mlb-free-agents-2025-2026.html

Just another post that reinforces that fans just dont understand who JR is at this point in his life as lame duck owner unwilling to invest beyond the bare minimum to make the sale of the team as profitable as possible with perhaps a return to .500 if a lot of the youngsters step up. That's a big ask though. The Orioles are still waging a battle for consistency among their youth and with higher regarded position player prospects than the Sox have to work with. Sox high rated pitching prospects need to resurface this year along with some of the injured ones and McDougal/Oppor.

They had no intention of keeping Robert, that is obvious

Conforto to White Sox confirmed.

This is being happy you got scrap value for your wrecked Ferrari which you crashed driving drunk in an ice storm after you could have sold it for six figures previously. Sure it is value for NOW, but realistically, you blew it, and this was the short straw.

I listed to the Chris Getz little interview he wants to add offense and defense to the outfield. Surely he's not talking about Conforto I hope.

He has to go get the Big Reins his calzone.

Right and thats been pointed out by many people here but somehow the trade still sucks. Why ? I dont know what they were expecting for a guy who sucked for 2 years, had a boatload of injuries in his career and chances of him creating value with a strong and healthy April and May were considered slim. I had brought it up in late December in the Robert thread that it was possible JR only committed to the Murakami contract if Robert money could be moved. I was fascinated people still got their hopes up for JR actually spending like he's not selling the team and estate planning his eventual earthly departure. Basically it turns out picking up his option saved the Sox the $2M buyout and got them a couple of players . And they got Murakami for what might eventually turn into a Posting fee plus his prorated salary to dump him at the deadline which is basically the same as Robert's salary. So now instead of banking on a Robert return to form to create value theyre banking on Murakami proving the critics wrong and having enough OBP,LHH power and his extra year to get more prospects. Sorry folks it is what it is. Reindorf ,as has been the case since he got Ishbia involved, is still the worst version of himself . Robert was like a piece of property that Reinsdorf held until the market for him improved to the point that he could be flipped He was basically flipped for Acuna , 12th round pitcher, $2M buyout, Murakami and the hope that a Japanese LH power hitter, ala a young Schwarber, ends up more enticing than a 2yr declining, bulked up Billy Hamilton. Of course they could have waited and hoped both Robert and Murakami built value in the 1st half but if both failed JR is stuck with bulldozable worthless property. Not JR's style especially at this point in his life and ownership.

Wow. That is mad Bonemer respekt, which I endorse.