caulfield12

As long as he doesn't pay attention to Sheehan, Gonsolin, May, Stone, Ryan, Yamamoto, Kershaw, Buehler, Glasnow getting injured, etc. I saw a post that Seattle has managed to keep their young pitchers basically or for the most part healthy. Then there's SD and Sasaki’s name being included already in the pending ownership/control person lawsuit. “ABSOLUTELY INSANE” “There are probably a handful of teams that have money and have budgeted and planned to be part of this process,” the executive familiar with the international market said. “They’re keeping a close eye on the favorites and their players. Now, they’re not going to scout them. They’re not going to watch those players. But they’re paying attention. And agents and trainers aren’t stupid, either. They’re aware that their commitments are very much in jeopardy with some of the reported teams that are on Sasaki’s list.” One way to add more international bonus pool money is through trade. A club can acquire 60 percent of its original pool, but can only make trades in increments of $250,000 ($250,000, $500,000, $750,000, etc.) unless it is trading away its entire pool. Teams can only make trades during the signing period to which the pool space applies, so no trades involving international cash can be made until Jan. 15. “We’re sitting quietly, waiting for teams to call us, because we have international money that we’d be happy to trade, but we value that money,” said another executive familiar with the international market who requested anonymity to speak freely. “If we’re trading it to you to get Sasaki, that should garner some sort of return that has legitimate value. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6056989/2025/01/13/roki-sasaki-international-market-chaos/

https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-scouting-report-on-christopher-polanco-the-top-international-prospect-linked-to-toronto-for-the-2025-signing-period Looks like Christopher Polanco profiles more at 2B than SS...so Getz can corner the freakin' market, lol. Should get at least $1.0-1.5 million. (Or just sign the former Twins'/Mariners' Polanco to flip.)

Monken.

DeVries at #90-100 was pretty much the only guy who was immediately noticed for overall MiLB rankings. Salas took a year. Sasaki will immediately start out at 5-10, no higher than 15 for sure. Since the Dodgers picked this guy and they actually know how to scout internationally...#14-16 in the Sox system doesn't seem that far off.

$2.2 billion was the very peak value of the team...which must have been around 2019-2021. That said, I'm pretty sure they were #8 highest valued at one point around 2006-2008, now they're all the way down to the #15-17 range. Great job, JR. Would be lucky to get $1.8-1.9 billion today.

You forgot the part where we trade for Dylan Cease (back from SD) and award him and Boras with a handsome extension.

The most the Padres and Jays can offer Sasaki is $6,261,600 while the Dodgers max out at $5,146,200 (updated number is $3.6 million) — although it’s worth noting teams can trade for additional funds. After that one-time payment, Sasaki would earn close to the league minimum for three years until he hits arbitration. What prospects from the Dodgers can we pilfer by trading the Dodgers the remainder of our 2025 international signing bonus allotment??? They already lost Diego Cartaya to the Twins. As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to offer Roki Sasaki a contract from their international bonus pool, the organization has put all other international amateur signings on hold. The Dodgers have suggested the incoming 2025 class instead sign the following year (2026 class), an indication the team hopes to land the Japanese phenom despite being among teams with the least amount of money in their international bonus pool. https://dodgersnation.com/dodgers-asking-2025-international-signees-to-wait-until-2026-as-roki-sasaki-nears-decision/2025/01/11/

The same can be said for De Vries. Playing this past summer for Single-A Lake Elsinore at the same age as most high school seniors, MLB Pipeline’s No. 28 overall prospect went on a tear over his final 36 games (10 homers, .989 OPS) before a right shoulder injury sustained on a diving defensive attempt ended his year early. He returned less than two months later and rewrote multiple Fall League records, including becoming the youngest player to homer on the circuit since Bryce Harper in 2010. No member of Padres brass got to see De Vries’ growth more prominently in 2024 than Lake Elsinore manager Lukas Ray, who said of the shortstop in June: “If you come to the games and you watch him in person, you know he's the best player on the field every night. And if you come to our pregame, you know how hard he works, how much he’s getting better." For all of the (much-deserved) hoopla about landing the No. 1 international prospect, the Padres have also efficiently scored with less-heralded members of their classes: right-hander Humberto Cruz, the club’s No. 5 prospect, was tabbed by MLB Pipeline as a potential breakout candidate in 2025 after signing for $750,000 out of Mexico last February. Twelve of the club’s current Top 30 prospects joined pro ball via the international market, with Salas, De Vries, Cruz and right-handers Henry Baez (No. 7) and Victor Lizarraga (No. 9) all landing in the top 10. Whether or not the club is able to land the No. 1 prospect for a third year running remains to be seen. But ultimately, that they’re even in the conversation again is a testament to the overwhelming amount of high-level work San Diego has done on the international market under vice president of amateur and international scouting Chris Kemp in the past decade. https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-aim-to-sign-third-top-international-prospect-in-a-row

Anderson Gomes flashbacks, lol... Well, they now have perhaps their most exciting outfield candidate, to go along with Braden Montgomery, Zavala and George Wolkow. Is Chris Getz a "genius" or he was simply in the right place at the right time (just like the Pirates with Morel) to strike a blow against the Evil Dodgers' Empire? Or they're so far out of the loop with these guys (due to scouting losses) is all they can do is research the signing class and simply throw money at Dodgers, Padres and Toronto (Christopher Polanco looms large, SS) 2025 potential signings???? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6056989/2025/01/13/roki-sasaki-international-market-chaos/

Dodgers at only $3.6 million available right now....not sure if that has been corrected to reflect Morel/Patino "losses." Things are changing/evolving in real-time by the hour, lol. How sweet it would be if the Dodgers lost all their prospects that they'd scouted so extensively AND Sasaki? MLB needs him to go to Toronto or SD for the "best interests of the game/sport." Haha.

Sunday, Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital reported that Dominican baseball trainers met to propose that MLB remove professionals like Sasaki from the budget for international amateur players so that their hiring does not affect the signing of prospects from the Dominican Republic and other Latin countries. As the trainers note, the Latin American amateur players have been banking (perhaps literally) on signing a life-changing contract on Jan. 15, 2025 for years. If de-committing is the only way to go to keep the promise of that paycheck in place, they will — even if it leaves the two finalists that don't sign Sasaki in the lurch. It's a classic case of two seemingly contradictory truths being applicable in the same instance. It's unlikely a player like Sasaki will ever arrive on the scene again. (Recall, however, that the same was said seven years ago about Ohtani.) It's also true that MLB and the MLB Players Association has a chance to close the loophole by amending the CBA's definition of an "international amateur." The trick there involves threading a careful needle. The definition of an international amateur must simultaneously exclude players like Sasaki or Ohtani without encouraging them financially to seek a bigger payday in MLB at an earlier age. Otherwise NPB, KBO, and other foreign professional leagues might become mere feeder leagues for the best league in the North America. Baseball fans in Japan and Korea (primarily those two countries) would be deprived of seeing many of their best players overnight. Nothing can be done to exclude Sasaki from the international signing bonus pools of the Dodgers, Padres or Blue Jays. Any rules change will be too late for him. Only one team can win the Sasaki sweepstakes, but there will be many losers. For now, this is a problem of uncertainty that affects a few dozen players and their families in Central and Latin America, plus the two teams that won't be able to sign Sasaki, as well as some or all of their anticipated 2025 international amateur class. Let's hope the next Collective Bargaining Agreement addresses this loophole so it never arises again. https://www.thebiglead.com/the-roki-sasaki-sweepstakes-will-crown-one-winner-many-potential-losers

Patiño is expected to sign for $570,000, an increase from the $400,000 he was in line to get from the Dodgers prior to Sasaki’s posting. Patiño is 6-foot-2, 203 pounds and extremely strong for his age with big righthanded power. There isn’t much physical projection left with Patiño, but he already drives the ball with impact in a swing geared to lift the ball. He’s a corner outfielder with a plus arm to fit in right field. Sasaki’s impending signing has caused ripple effects throughout the international market with the 2025 signing period set to open on Jan. 15. Teams that believe they are still in the mix have told the international players who had committed to sign with them that they still want to sign them. However, those signings would have to wait until after Jan. 15 and might ultimately fall through if the club does sign Sasaki. Many of those agreements are still in place, but it’s a situation that has created more tension in the market and caused trainers and players to consider offers from other teams. Several players committed to teams that have been in consideration for Sasaki have been receiving offers from other clubs and starting tryouts with other teams. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/white-sox-flip-international-prospect-as-roki-sasaki-decision-looms/ Not related to former Padre/Ray/White Sox pitcher Luis Patino, who's Colombian

The thing that REALLY got me was three separate ESPN/headline stories that he was CLOSE to signing with the White Sox. Until he wasn't. That was the ultimate fan tease, like Ohtani supposedly being on a jet to Toronto last year and then turning back (or maybe it never happened, according to those who track tail numbers). And the real kick in the pants was one of the main reasons for Machado sign (weather/stadium/commitment from Seidler to spend) was the presence of incoming phenom Fernando Tatis, Jr., on that roster. Ofc, if the White Sox HAD kept him, maybe we would have never traded Sale/Eaton/Q or certainly ended up with Moncada at 3B, but those are hypotheticals consigned to the dustbin of history.

This is the situation in Minnesota, where the Ishbia's are circling... “We’ve been pleased with the level of interest, not surprisingly,” the source said. “The goal is to pick a winner before Opening Day.” Once a deal is completed, the Twins would become only the sixth Major League Baseball club to be sold since 2012. The most recent team purchased was the Baltimore Orioles, sold last March to David Rubenstein for $1.725 billion. The New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and Miami Marlins all have been purchased since 2017. New York City-based capital market company Allen & Company is facilitating the sale of the Twins. Potential buyers have contacted the Twins over the past six weeks after signing non-disclosure agreements to gain access to the club’s confidential financial picture. MLB has already begun to vet potential owners and will take a deeper look at stronger candidates as the transaction nears a close. “There’s a lot of people within geographic striking distance, whether they’re from the Twin Cities or not,” the source said of the potential market. “It’s a solid ballclub that frankly can be purchased at a price that is less than astronomical.” Forbes estimated Ishbia, 47, has a net worth of $5.4 billion. He’s the founder and managing partner of Shore Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, and according to Forbes also has a 22 percent stake in United Wholesale Mortgage, for which his brother Mat serves as CEO and chairman. The Suns’ controlling partner after purchasing the NBA club in December 2022, Mat would act as a minority investor in his older brother’s bid to buy the Twins. The industry source briefed on their plans said the Ishbia brothers are very interested in purchasing the Twins and have held several meetings with local leaders. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6045579/2025/01/07/minnesota-twins-sale-update-opening-day/

Maybe Jerry can block the Ishbia brothers from selling their shares, lol...and lock them into taking over the White Sox instead of the Twins?

Philadelphia 76ers' downtown stadium plan recently fell apart as well. Calling this pretty much the worst/bleakest period in White Sox history. At least the mid to late 80's, the early 1970's...they had end points or fixes and turnarounds in sight. (Unless you want to go back to 1919 to the 1950's, lol). The late 80's had a massive core of incoming talent and a new stadium that was originally quite exciting until the reality of it dawned, juxtaposed with what the Orioles had achieved simultaneously with Camden Yards. Honestly, even the A's (because they will eventually have a home and new stadium) and Rays (Tampa/NYY minor league home) situations feel more optimistic from a fan standpoint. Maybe we're the Marlins, but even they have a much nicer/newer facility. The Rockies at least have a nice stadium and incredibly loyal fans who get to watch the Dodgers/Padres/DBacks at least, lol. Even the Pirates have the makings of a monster rotation to look forward, Skenes is already a superstar...the only question (not Livvy Dunne related) is whether he'll dare sign an extension to remain in that market for the first 7-8 years of his professional career.

Well, wasn't there a video or picture with Luis Robert wearing a Sox hat before he signed? Or maybe it was Machado wearing some type of Sox gear...probably personally delivered by his brother in law Yadier Alonso or perhaps Jon Jay meeting up with him down in Miami, lol? That was the all-time desperation Sox move, and also the biggest waste of money by Hahn....well, at least in the bottom quartile of his history of FA moves.

It's going to require an injury on another team and an actual HOT start out of Vaughn...in terms of doubles and HR's, RBI's obviously won't reflect his numbers with an offense as challenged as the White Sox will be out of the gate in 2025. And belief on the part of their scouting dept (acquiring team) that anything connected to the White Sox can probably be fixed by a change of scenery/coaching staff.

Without their #2 and #3 receivers to boot. In another sense, this year was all about the resurgence of RBs like Mixon Barkley and Jacobs to name just a few.

Gausman, Berrios, Francis, Bassitt, Yariel Rodriguez rotation in Toronto. Snell Ohtani Yamamoto Glasnow Gonsolin May Cease (FA), King (FA), Darvish, Vasquez, Waldron…Musgrove out for the year

“Padres officials have maintained from the start — and through the drama created by a lawsuit contesting control of the team’s ownership group — that they have a good chance to sign the 23-year-old right-hander. Many people around the league opined last week that questions about the team’s ownership would harm the Padres’ chances to land Sasaki. But chatter among MLB teams’ personnel people increasingly names the Padres as the favorite to land the pitcher who posted a 2.02 ERA in 414⅔ innings over four seasons in Japan. Sasaki can sign as soon as Wednesday, the first day of the new international free-agent signing period. He has to sign by Jan. 23, when his 45-day posting period expires.” https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/01/13/padres-appear-to-be-a-finalist-as-sasaki-suitors-fall/ Dodgers, Padres & Blue Jays Emerge As FinalistsThe finalists for Japanese star right-hander Roki Sasaki are the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, sources tell ESPN. Mariners out now, too, apparently. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43401000/yankees-rangers-added-clubs-sasaki-join Francys Romero is from mlb.com. https://www.truebluela.com/2025/1/6/24289870/roki-sasaki-endgame-january-23-deadline-to-sign BTW, that article reported that Roki has been photographed wearing Padres gear. For those putting off dental work, shopping, or bathroom breaks, Two More Days...

Somehow they're the co-favorites with Milwaukee...

And if Robert hits 3+ he's likely traded too...not sure anyone else even approaches 2.

None of the QBs drafted high will out produce even Nix unless Cam Ward goes to a team with some weapons like the NYG.

https://global.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43359363/mlb-offseason-2025-roki-sasaki-free-agency-team-beat-dodgers-padres-mets Seemingly nobody here has the Cubs in the mix. That seems like a mistake. Mariners feel like a dark horse but there's just no history of consistent winning or huge payrolls unless you go back two decades. SD has this new ownership fight between Seidler's brothers and ex wife that's a distraction at best...Sasaki is pretty the key to their entire off season at this point. Have already seen Kim Scott Profar into FA and Cease King Arraez Suarez not that far behind. I actually think Wolfe knows it's better for baseball in general were he to end up in Toronto Seattle SD Chicago...