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He’s not much more expensive than O’Hearn would have been with an incredible amount more of upside and flip potential. There is no downside to this deal, as let’s be honest, they’ve wasted 17 mil a year on 3 veteran signings most offseasons.

And there it is…never a fucking doubt

@Chicago White Sox

This is nothing but a huge positive for the Sox and their fans. I don't care to hear about anything negative related to this. This signing combined with getting the No1 pick has been more than welcome positive news and no fan base deserves this more than White Sox nation.

How does every thread turn into the same tired Chris Getz fight? We’re on the verge of signing the Japanese Babe Ruth and half the board can’t stop bickering with each other over a bunch of non-sense. Let’s get fucking amped and stop with all the damn in-fighting.

What does any of this have to do with free agency? Lol.

I want this to happen more for @Chicago White Sox than for the Chicago White Sox

They don’t have anywhere near enough pitching to compete if they kept Robert. None of this is about 2026.

Also worth noting that while the Sox are putting out 40m total for this signing, I bet a sizable chunk of this comes back to them in the form of Japanese ad sales. Wouldn't be surprised at all see Japanese ads in the park for opening day, plus some specialty media deals.

Now do Tucker.

All credit to @Chicago White Sox who shitposted this into existence

I have forgotten what it’s like to root for a team that actually signs players you can expect to be good.

Getz keeps hiring awesome people somehow.

I'd rather they waste $4.5 million than trade for guys like Booser with a 19 year old prospect.

Lmao

We can all stand to take a hint from Muni

According to whom?

You always say that first line and it’s dumber each time.

This should be fun. Low downside, medium upside is how I look at it. $34M is chump change and not going to affect anything long term even if Murakami goes full 2011 Adam Dunn. Of course, if he's great, he's going to take off before the Sox have a real team. But that's a trade chip for you. His manager in Japan was Shingo Takatsu, by the way. Maybe Mr. Zero put in a good word.

Wow, this is great! Glad to see Ish paying dividends.

My guess would be Roch and then preps in 2nd and 3rd. Thats always the most value.

Why is Pritzker a clown?

Its funny how news of a hire with universal approval still results in the usual suspects trying to shoehorn in criticisms of Getz for 6 pages.

The foundational changes he has made should not be understated. He basically wiped out the previous group of international scouts and has built a brand new team under David Keller. He has modernized what was a terribly broken Analytics department and has integrated it throughout all major functional areas of the org. He has built a new, beefed up Acquistions group under Matt Grabowski to bring a more data-centric element to player evaluation alongside traditional pro scouting under Gene Watson in new position in that area. He’s invested in key technologies like Hawk-Eye and iPitch machines to enhance both our biomechanics and player development functions. He’s added designated leaders to oversee pitching and hitting across the org. He’s greatly expanded the size of the front office by hiring three Assistant GMs with specific responsibilities and has added other new roles including a Director of Major League Strategy and Director of Leadship, Culture, & Education. I’m sure there are many other changes & hires I’m not outlining above, but his efforts have been substantial and should warrant some praise from fans.

This is a home run fucking hire. I’m actually shocked the Rays did not promote him to GM after Bendix left, but their loss is our gain. And candidly speaking, our front office size was still light compared to others prior to this addition. Glad that Getz didn’t rush to add muscle and instead waited for the right guy to come along.

Kind of confirms they are landing Murakami. You don’t add an Assistant GM with lots of international scouting experience unless you’re planning a whopper of an addition in that area.

You put Sosa in Cincy and he’s a 30 homer 2nd baseman

For comparison in how they performed in Japan: Shohei’s K rates in his age 20-22 seasons in Japan were 36%, 26%, and 27%. His career K rate in MLB is 25.5% with a low season of 22.2% and a high season of 29.6%. His BB% over the same ages were 7%, 14%, and 10%. His career BB% rate in MLB is 12.5% with a low season of 7.8% and a high season of 15.2%. Munetaka Murakami’s K rates in his age 20-22 seasons in Japan were 22%, 21%, and 21%. The last 3 seasons it was 28%, 29%, and 29%. His BB% over the same ages as Ohtani were 17%, 17%, and 19%.

BA's scouting report suggests fastballs aren't an issue and won't be once he acclimates. It's the spin and the offspeed stuff that is the bigger concern.

Jersey being ordered right now…thanks!

Official

What evidence is there to suggest that his work ethic is s%*#?

I'm not religious...but it sure seems like Pope Leo isn't hurting our fortunes right now

I am all for signing this guy (it's just Jerry's $) and admit I know next to nothing about him or really any NPB or KBO players. But after a quick glance at his NPB stats, I can't help but worry about his game translating to the bigs.

That's why Caleb Williams

Keep this garbage Bears effort out of this thread please!

Biggest issue with previous rebuild was they were all injury prone, and then shockingly lost their athletic ability

Wow it's like a greatest hits post.

Finally time for a standalone Murakami thread. Looks like Santa is coming early this year boys!

Jerry is running a 90's era payroll...

I lean more pessimistic myself and even I’ve gotten tired of it.

If you can’t see the positives around what Getz’ vision seems to be and the people around the league buying into it, then you are just continuing the narrative you want to have. He is selling himself to some pretty damn bright baseball minds.

Ooh. Am I allowed to let my optimism show?

How about shut up!

@Chicago White Sox's son on Christmas morning

To me he seems more like a defensive idiot instead of a “bad defender.” He does some dumb s%*# out there.