JUSTgottaBELIEVE

There’s no way they win 81 games in 2026 if they continue shopping in the free agent dollar store.

Unless Bo Bichette bounces back this season, there isn’t a single free agent shortstop I’d give a multi year contract to next winter. And if he does bounce back, he’s probably out of the Sox budget anyways.

What’s the plan for SS for 2026 and beyond if evaluators are right about Colson? One year stop gaps like Paul Dejong every year until maybe someone like Bonemer is ready in 2028?

I don’t want to see Smith and Schultz on the Sox until late April 2026. They can get all the mlb experience they need in 2026 in what will be another 100 loss season. No need for them to see mlb this year.

I can’t argue that

I lose more and more interest each year with Jerry as owner. I have zero expectations for this franchise winning a pennant until he’s gone.

Yea, yikes. Elias even sounding like Hahn now too.

Cool story but neither franchise is winning anything of importance if they continue shopping in the bargain bin for free agents so who cares

Yep, which is why the Sox need to start shopping from the upper tier of free agents instead of the bargain bin. Orioles are pulling a white Sox and shopping from the bargain bin. It’s scary how reminiscent their rebuild path is following the most recent white Sox rebuild.

Here’s the problem. Adley might already be on the decline. He was brutal the second half of last season so we’ll see what 2025 brings. Holliday, Mayo, Kjerstad, and Cowser are largely unproven. Henderson is a stud but what happens if he gets hurt? They’ve made a bunch of Rick Hahn type signings this winter and are still, on paper, worse than they were in 2024 after losing Burnes. Their starting rotation is razor thin. Grayson has already had injury scares and could be one pitch away from TJS. The other problem? New York and Boston are improving over the past two seasons after a brief lull. Window is closing quickly.

They won’t be back. They’re walking with their tail between their legs after finishing the second half of the season 40-41 and getting swept at home by the lowly Royals in the first round of the playoffs.

That’s true. Defense matters as well. That’s why I’m not sure Meidroth should be a lock for the mlb roster on opening day. Reading his write up makes it sound like he still needs work at second base. Why not get that work in Charlotte instead of Chicago?

Sure but I wasn’t the one spouting off my team was a lock to be a perennial title contender for the next 5 seasons while maintaining a top 5 farm system because my GM is god.

They were talking about not blocking prospects in 2025 by signing guys like Rojas or Kim. I also added Schultz and Smith as examples of prospects that shouldn’t see mlb in 2025 in response to the Merkin article because I also think it’s ridiculous that the team is considering starting their clocks in 2025.

I know it’s 21 pages but I guess you haven’t read this entire thread…