Chicago White Sox

Fletcher got 241 plate appearances and was terrible (41 wRC+). DeLoach didn’t get quite that long of an opportunity, but he also struggled in the majors. More importantly, neither of them was good in Charlotte. I don’t agree with handing major league opportunities to guys who can’t succeed in AAA. IMO, those two are just plain scouting misses.

Which prospects were blocked last year though? The reality is the org was so broken that there wasn’t much young talent pushing for playing time.

Zero reason to rush Pallette. He’ll be up at some point this year, but might as well give him half a season in AA or AAA before doing so. Has been McGough been optioned to minor league camp? Who else hasn’t received a fair shot?

To be honest, there are a ton of things that will be fun to watch this year. The bulk of the rotation is going to be young, controllable guys. Martin, Burke, Smith, Thorpe, & Cannon (and eventually others) will make most games worth watching to some extent. The infield and catching areas are loaded with youth that will arrive over the 1H. Even 1B & DH should have some interesting kids to follow in Vargas, Sosa, Ramos, etc. The OF is the only real area that lacks young talent and no doubt it will be ugly if they trade Robert, but if you get the right return you have to do it. I would need one high ceiling positional prospect (preferably an OF) to even consider a trade along with some other stuff. De Paula (despite lacking defensive value) and Hope would both qualify. There is a package there that could work for both sides, but I just don’t buy the Dodgers giving up one of those kids (plus more) for Robert right now. An end of camp trade usually requires a desperate buyer or seller and neither the Sox or Dodgers fit the mold at the moment.

Sure seems like Saquon’s did last year.

My point was more around needing to get De Paula or Hope vs. other potential headliners in their system, but I’d certainly push for more than just a single 55 FV prospect for Robert. Cease got us a prospect ranked in the 60’s at multiple publications (55 FV guy) plus two other org top 10 prospects (one who was cracking some top 100 lists) and people are already ridiculing that trade for being light. And yes, a positional prospect of that stature is worth more than Thorpe was at the time, but the point remains the same. Doing a one for one swap with a potential star is a bad practice and we should try to diversify some risk by getting second piece and possibly a lottery ticket.

You have to get De Paula or Hope full stop plus a decent second piece or two, even if those pieces are unlikely to be of the top 100 variety.

De Paula or Hope would need to be the centerpiece.

“Star in the making”…where is that quote from?

Why would the org give up on Thorpe 12 months after acquiring him?

Yeah, I get we’re working with small sample sizes, but it’s hard to imagine any scenario where keeping Gallo makes sense. Better things can be done with those at-bats.

The Twitter meltdown is quite amusing. I get there is theoretical draft compensation if he places top two in ROY or top three in MVP voting, but there is zero reason to expect that at the moment. He simply needs more time in AAA to show he’s even ready for a shot. Glad that Getz sent him down early to avoid any chance of this becoming a debate again towards the end of camp.

Wheeler & Harper instead of Keuchel, Leury, Pollack, setup men, etc…

Meidroth played a lot of SS last year. I don’t think it will be that unnatural for him, just more that he lacks the range to likely be a long-term option at SS.

Josh Nelson not thinking Sosa would make the OD roster until recently is quite the miss as well. At least Fegan & Margulas outlined why he should get a shot.

I guess what I’m saying is the best case outcome for us is a rotation of Martin, Cannon, Burke, Smith, & Thorpe with Perez, Wilson, & Gilbert in the bullpen. It’s very possible or even likely one of those first five guys struggles, but we won’t know until they’re given a chance. I’d much rather see the low ceiling vets get forced to the bullpen and make starts when needed vs. vice versa.

Meidroth hasn’t been impactful so far when making contact, but he is rocking a 23.8% BB rate and a .333 OBP despite a .154 BABIP. Feels like he’s got to be the hands-down favorite at the moment for the Opening Day SS job. I’d still love to see Baldwin get more time there, but so far that hasn’t been the case.

I hope the Sox would prioritize developing their controllable young talent over balancing handedness if the performance is even remotely equal. Which of those five RHPs would you demote if they all look ready?

I just hope that whenever Thorpe is ready to go, Davis, Cannon, Burke, & Smith make it very hard for Getz not to push Perez to the bullpen.

Love seeing Baldwin in the OF. I’d like to see Ramos get some reps in LF. There is going to be a major glut at 3B & 2B, so good to see if any of these infielders can fill a part or full time OF role. Baldwin can obviously handle LF, but being able to start occasionally in CF without killing you would be a huge plus.

Their take on Colson likely being the OD SS hasn’t aged well 😁

Also, the rotation is a lot more fun with Smith as the #5 starter vs. Wilson or Gilbert. I honestly thought they would keep in a relief role to start, but feels like he has a legimate shot to snag a rotation shot.

So Meidroth vs. Baldwin as the starting SS now? Even if Amaya makes the roster, I feel like it would be as a temporary backup IF.

Nasty Nick also optioned…no other surprises.