Y2Jimmy0

They’re very worried about no playoff expansion. MLBPA has made it very clear that there will be no expanded playoffs unless they play 162. Urgency for the owners

Sir, this is a Wendy's!

Everyone I talked to yesterday had completely lost all optimism in regards to starting on time. Last nights news is interesting though. The owners have to have expanded playoffs. They already have a deal with a network for it supposedly. The owners were/are willing to miss some games because they’d recoup the money during expanded playoffs. MLBPA saying they won’t approve it without playing 162 is a nice move. This could finally get the owners to negotiate seriously.

Prep pitching is risky for sure and I agree completely. My issue right now is I'm not sure if there are any long-term starters in the college class. They all "look" like relievers and everyone is hurt.

They should absolutely give up a draft pick to sign MIchael Conforto. Not for a one year deal though. That's just poor asset allocation. Colas and Cespedes could be contributors in the future. Nobody should be penciling them in as answers on a world series contender though.

I mean I can confirm that the Sox have interest in Conforto. I wouldn’t have tweeted about it otherwise.

Here you go: https://www.futuresox.com/2022/02/15/futuresox-podcast-ft-ben-badler-of-baseball-america-2/

That sort of deal makes no sense. The White Sox won’t forfeit their 2nd rounder for one year of Conforto. Also, nobody should be counting on Cespedes or Colas for anything. Either guy would be a bonus.

It’s been Josh Norris for a few years. Mitchell took over this year.

This was a fun chat with Bill Mitchell. He did the White Sox top 30 at BA: https://www.futuresox.com/2022/02/11/futuresox-podcast-ft-bill-mitchell-of-baseball-america-white-sox-2022-preseason-top-30-prospect-list/

There won’t be an agreement with a lower luxury tax than it is now. The number will go up, not down.

I thought that the Colson Montgomery and Oscar Colas write-ups were very promising. In regards to Jared Kelley, the conditioning issues are on him. The Sox PD staff really messed him up though with too many changes. He's healthy and just needs to throw. Those prep arms were hurt a ton by the horrendous defense in Low-A. Everyone is too low on Vera. I've heard he'd like 6-6 205-210 right now and his stuff has ticked up big time.

Yeah I mean it’s all subjective. System could be in 20-25 range next year

Baseball America has printed their handbooks. They listed a top 30 and then gave 31-40 as well. It's the 30th ranked system but there are lots of 45-50 grades here and lots of super young dudes so they could jump quite a bit next year. They didn't include Colas or Hernandez. 1. Colson Montgomery SS 2. Yoelqui Cespedes OF 3. Norge Vera RHP 4. Wes Kath 3B 5. Jose Rodriguez SS 6. Andrew Dalquist RHP 7. Jake BUrger 3B 8. Jared Kelley RHP 9. Sean Burke RHP 10. Matthew Thompson RHP 11. Bryan Ramos 12. Jimmy Lambert RHP 13. Jonathan Stiever RHP 14. Jason Bilous RHP 15. Romy Gonzalez SS 16. Yolbert Sanchez SS 17. Lenyn Sosa SS 18. Micker Adolfo OF 19. Tanner McDougal RHP 20. Cristian Mena RHP 21. Blake Rutherford OF 22. Caleb Freeman RHP 23. Luis Mieses OF 24. Wilber Sanchez SS 25. Yoelvin Silven RHP 26. Bennett Sousa LHP 27. Brooks Gosswein LHP 28. Gil Luna Jr LHP 29. Wilfred Veras 3B 30. Adam Hackenberg C 31. Kade McClure RHP 32. Luke Shilling RHP 33. Theo Denlinger RHP 34. Johan Dominguez RHP 35. McKinley Moore RHP 36. Fraser Ellard LHP 37. Misael Gonzalez OF 38. Taylor Broadway RHP 39. Johnny Ray RHP 40. Davis Martin RHP

Does anyone have access to this?

It should be this week officially. They just take forever to do everything. Nothing to worry about. Just annoying.

Johnson might have 70 hit and 70 power

They also only have one DSL team and lots of players returning there next year.

I put them in a similar tier. Cespedes has a better arm and can play all outfield spots and run. Colas has big power but is definitely a corner guy.

I mean I'm not "sure" but I'm pretty confident they aren't just signing 3 players

Oscar Colas for $2.7 million, Erick Hernandez for $1 million and Angel Cruz for $400K. That leaves about $1 million in total funds left. I'm sure they have other signings.

I know this is just a tired joke at this point but they aren't allowed to trade money in this period.

RHP Angel Cruz bonus is reportedly $400K

It's still pretty significant. I reported on it this week on twitter. He's getting $2.7 million. If he comes to the U.S., he pays taxes in both countries and it'd be a minimum of $950K. That's a pretty big dent. Sounds like it might not matter though which is good for his career and good for the club.

I don’t know specifically. The Sox are giving him $2.7 million. He has residency in the DR but not the US. Since he’s signing in January, he’ll spend the year in the DR so he receives the majority of his bonus. If they brought him right over, he wouldn’t. Same thing happened with Vera, Yolbert, Robert, etc. I don’t have specifics as to why though. Anyone work in tax law?