Chicago White Sox

So does he report into Janish then? And aren’t amateur scouting and player development separate functions? I guess I’m guess I’m confused by his involvement in both unless he’s actually an Assistant GM.

You’re right on Batista. I had thought he spent more time in Winston Salem last year but my memory served me wrong. He’ll open up in High A for sure. Not sure who gets knocked out or if they go with a six man, but Gordon, Peppers, McDaniel, etc. are all behind the big four there and I’d prioritize McDougal over those guys as well due to his age and stuff.

Good bet and you will likely be rewarded!

Many of these guys will flame out, but they also need opportunities before doing so. The issue isn’t that we can’t acquire better SP prospects, it’s that acquiring a 45 FV and pushing someone like Batista to a minor league bullpen doesn’t move the needle much.

Not if he returns to 2023 form, which is very much possible

We have tons of cap space, a top 10 pick, and two good 2nd rounders. We should be able to materially improve both lines if Poles executes right. Not saying we will, but it should be doable.

I’ll be honest fathom, I wasn’t buying what you were selling on the payroll, but so far the dumpster diving is 100% in the bargain bin. I expected at least one signing for $5M to $7M for the bullpen, but so far that looks unlikely.

He said his fastball could grow two inches, not his height…part of the reason I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.

What in the world are you talking about?

Regardless, that is some serious minor league pitching depth and I’m not even showing everyone. Also, it shows why adding more SP prospects at this point is diminishing returns. Yes injuries will happen, but there are other guys who can easily claim those innings. From here on out, our focus should be on adding high ceiling bats.

I will admit I really struggled on that Kannapolis rotation. There are a ton of guys who could theoretically slot into spots and I don’t who they feel is ready to move from the ACL (or even DSL) and which college relievers they just drafted who they plan to convert to starting roles. I also have no idea what’s going on with Lecombre and if he could possibly factor into the mix.

So wanted to get people’s thoughts on what they think our rotations throughout the org will look like come Opening Day. Here are my best guesses at the moment: White Sox: Davis Martin Jonathan Cannon Drew Thorpe Sean Burke Bryse Wilson AAA: Jairo Iriarte Mason Adams Ky Bush* Nick Nastrini Wikelman Gonzalez AA: Noah Schultz* Juan Carela Riley Gowens Tyler Schweitzer* Aldrin Batista High A: Hagen Smith* Grant Taylor Seth Keener Tanner McDougal Lucas Gordon* Low A: Ricardo Brizuela Justin Sinibaldi* Mason Moore Luis Reyes Christian Oppor*

Booser or Fajardo?

With the Phillies signing Kepler and trading prospects for Luzardo, it feels like a Robert trade is probably Reds or bust IMO. I do think there are some different combinations that could work there. Otherwise, I feel like you probably have to hold him to July. I could see the Phillies coming back to the table then given how rough their offense looks right now. And obviously other teams will have OF or CF specific needs eventually.

Caba and Boyd going back to the Marlins.

I agree with everything but that last line. Not sure age matters all that much when it comes to Booser’s future trade value. If he can become a legit, high leverage LH setup man he will have plenty of value at the deadline and should return plenty. Maybe you won’t get full value on the remaining control, but you’d certainly get more than a Farjardo caliber prospect. The big question is can the Sox get more out of Booser and my biggest issue right now is the price to get that opportunity is far from a nothing.

Fajardo just missed Baseball America’s top 30 list for the White Sox. It’s going to be fascinating to hear Getz try to rationalize this one. Anytime a rebuilding club trades an 18 year old arm with good stuff who they just signed and who performed well will raise a lot of questions. Again, you have to be confident there’s something extra you can unlock in Booser and can spin him for much more at the deadline if you make this trade. Otherwise, it really does feel like you’re selling low on Fajardo as even the same level of success in complex ball would enhance his trade value. That being said, I do want a GM who will attempt to create value by thinking outside the box and Booser certainly fits that billing. Just nervous here given Getz’s atrocious trade record when he’s more or less buying a piece. The entire Bailey Horn sequence of moves remains bizarre to me as there was plenty of 40 man garbage to get rid of before selling Horn off for cash. It’s very clear they missed on their evaluation of him, which is strange since they should have known him well, but also a sign that Bannister isn’t going to be flawless. Unlike with the Fletcher trade, which I hated right from the get go, I will wait and see how everything shakes out with Booser before making too harsh of judgements. That being said, my early gut tells me never to trade legitimate prospects for relievers when rebuilding and instead target rebound candidates via the waiver wire and free agency.

He’s 19th on Pipeline’s current top 30 list for us…not sure if it’s actually up to date though.

I’ll be honest, I don’t know enough about Booser or Fajardo to have a strong opinion here. If Bannister likes this dude, then I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. That being said, this better not be another Bailey Horn situation where we end up dumping a guy for nothing a couple months into the season. You need to hit if you’re going to gamble on a 32 year old reliever.

?

I would have DFAed Shewmake first, but neither will make it to Opening Day so it doesn’t really matter

I’m almost certain it’s former Soxtalk poster Orlando.

This will be one of the younger teams in baseball next year.

It’s a controllable, left handed reliever who can be flipped at the deadline if he’s any good. Bannister must really like him for us to be targeting him. Honestly, it just comes down to the price. Age doesn’t really matter all that much given this dude’s circumstances.