Chicago White Sox

Yes, he went by the name Orlando and is still pretending to be an insider

We should hear something today or tomorrow at the latest. With New Years being a holiday, they will want a deal framework in place by tomorrow.

On the pitching side, I have three major takeaways: We could certainly use one more starter that has at least mid rotation upside more than just an innings eater. Last year we were dead last in innings from our SP group and it’s easy to over index on that, but Smith, Martin, & Burke all pitched around 146 innings last year (including AAA) and should be able to push towards 180 in 2026. Kay is coming off 155 in the NPB and should be able to do the same. Behind them you’ll have Cannon & Devitt as true inning eater types with options. We will also have several bulk-inning relievers in Vasil (101 IP last year), Newcomb (92.2 IP), & Paez (assuming he makes it) on top of Taylor and even Gonzalez depending on usage. Point is that Getz has done a decent job building a group that can absorb innings. For that last rotation spot, we should pursue some ceiling even if it comes with risk. I still think we’re short one high leverage arm. Right now, the only guys I have confidence in are Taylor and Leasure. Berroa might help at some point and maybe Gonzalez with time, but one arm that could knock everyone down a spot would be fantastic. Not sure what free agents are left, but I feel like this is a need that can’t be ignored and one that Getz will ultimately address. The LH reliever group is highly questionable outside of Newcomb and I don’t think he would profile well for high leverage use. One of Gilbert or Eisert is probably fine for a middle relief role, but I think having a high leverage arm from the left side would help the broader bullpen massively. Ky Bush never had big strikeout numbers, but I do wonder if his stuff would play up some in shorter stints. With a ton of other SP options, his quickest path the majors is likely a bullpen role and I could see him helping us at some point this year.

To be fair, if you or me said any material free agent signing wasn’t happening we’d be just as accurate as NBB has been. This one here is a good test because signing a high end Japanese pitcher to a multi year contract is probably the most anti Jerry thing possible. The only reason such a move is even theoretically possible is the Ishbia effect. The good news is we should have an answer on Imai soon enough. And FWIW, I’ve always been skeptical of NBB. His source would have to be Jerry based on the type of stuff he posts and I can’t believe that level of blatant leaking would be tolerated by Jerry or even the front office. Just don’t see what they have to gain by letting him share this stuff with the general public.

What has he predicted again? Not trying to dismiss him, but I can’t recall a single major prediction from him.

@fathom - What was he saying about Murakami prior to him signing with us?

What was the Cannon article about and was it good or bad?

Couple of immediate takeaways on the positional side: I don’t love having three catchers on the roster. I get the conceptual reason, but I don’t think it’s all that beneficial in reality. If Teel or Quero were to get injured mid game while catching and we had to sacrifice the DH for one game then so be it. As such, I do think there is a real chance one of the catchers is moved before OD. Lee is out of options and I think he’s the most likely one to be moved, but we also know that the Sox have been listening on Quero. I don’t see how this roster can justify keeping both Sosa & Mead as they are highly redundant players. Sosa obviously is further along with the bat, has shown an ability to hit both LH & RH pitching, and technically played SS in the minors (and theoretically could play there in a pinch). Neither has options and Sosa clearly has zero chance of making it through waivers. My guess is Mead ends up getting traded or DFAed ahead of OD, but if you believe in his talent the more prudent move would be to cash in on Sosa and hope Mead can develop into a similar player next season. I really think we need to add another outfielder and ideally a LH one. I don’t believe that Benintendi should be the primary LF due to his terrible defense, but right now there is no one on the roster capable of dethroning him. There aren’t a ton of options in free agency, but Tauchman would make a ton of sense for us at the right price. Have him and Baldwin in the corners with Pereira as a weak-side platoon for Brooks and I can see a passable OF start to form until Braden is ready for a shot. This shifts Benintendi to a reserve role and part time DH and forces Hill to Charlotte.

SoxMachine recently posted an article with Jim Margulus’ current projection of the opening day 26 man roster. Fangraphs’ Roster Resource page also has its own projection. As such, I thought it would be interesting to share both of these and see where people disagree and where we think future moves may take place. Lineup: 1B: Murakami (L) 2B: Meidroth (R) SS: C. Montgomery (L) 3B: Vargas (R) LF: Benintendi (L) CF: Robert (R) RF: Baldwin (S) DH: Quero (S) CA: Teel (L) Bench: BC: Lee (R) IF: Sosa (R) OF: Hill (R) IF: Mead (R) - SM | OF: Pereira (R) - FG Rotation: Shane Smith (R) Davis Martin (R) Anthony Kay (L) Sean Burke (R) Sean Newcomb (L) Bullpen: CL: Leasure (R) SU: Taylor (R) SU: Vasil (R) MR: Eisert (L) MR: Gilbert (L) MR: Gonzalez (R) MR: Hudson (L) - SM | Alberto (R) - FG LR: Jedixson Paez (R) DFA or Returned: OF: Pereira (R) - SM IF: Mead (R) - FG IF: Ramos (R) - SM & FG RP: Alberto (R) - SM RP: Hudson (L) - FG

Cincinnati Inquirer

Antonacci has walked more than Meidroth?

Reds still keeping conversations open with Sox on Robert despite recent outfield additions per Whittenmeyer.

Probably should. LF may be his eventual long-term home with how packed the infield situation is.

Honestly, I get the vibe the org is super high on Meidroth. Every interview I have heard recently from various members of our front office lists him as part of the core alongside Colson, Teel, & Quero, which I have found interesting. I like him a lot more than most people here as he has two elite traits that I think will lead him to above average offensive production, but I totally get why people are less high on him due to the lack of power. I also like Antonacci a ton and could easily see him stealing the 2B job from Chase eventually. It’s a good problem to have and one that can help solve itself with more positional versatility.

I believe Baseball America mentioned in their top 10 write-up that the org will try to get Antonacci some run out in LF at some point.

What in the world is pretty boy hitting?

If Moncada could play the OF, he could be a decent utility guy assuming he comes dirt cheap. That being said, I doubt the Sox have real interest in him.

Then we better sign a corner OF or bring back Tauchman.

I’m guessing the Reds weren’t offering two of those three pieces though or a deal would have likely happened.

It’s not a two month commitment if he’s hitting well and healthy

Because his actual results have been down and he hasn’t stayed healthy. Teams aren’t going to pay up until he shows his offensive struggles are behind him while also maintaining health leading up to the deadline.

Robert’s xwOBA last year was .033 points higher than his wOBA and above league average overall. And that’s despite a rough start to the season when he had little protection and was still working through stuff. If he can play even 2/3 of a season and hit like that he’s well worth his $20M salary. If he can get his wRC+ to say 115 and stay healthy, he provides a fuckton of surplus value. I can’t guarantee he will stay healthy, but I think there is a good chance he gets his wRC+ to that figure and erases the notion he is suddenly a bad hitter. Given we have nothing else of value to use the money on, I’m ok rolling the dice on Robert and seeing what happens.

He has another team option and could be QO’d after that if he mostly returns to form and stays healthy. If he produces and stays healthy (both ifs obviously), he is no longer a pure rental at the deadline and any return would reflect that.

I’m expecting more than 2 wins from Robert next year so his loss is bigger and harder to replace in my view. I also am a big context guy and think his value is greater than the sum of the individual parts. Him slotting into between Colson & Murakami is fascinating to me. Those guys all have contact issues, but if you put some high OBP guys in front of them pitchers are going to have a real hard time getting through the three of them without making a mistake. Again, I would trade Robert for a quality return but I don’t see the Mets paying the price needed because money doesn’t mean as much to them as it would the Reds or Pirates. And I get no joy lining Uncle Jerry’s pockets with money, so if all I can get is scraps and payroll relief, then let’s hold and make a fucking run at this thing.

At this point, I say keep Robert and make a run for the last playoff spot. It’s going to take some luck and a couple breakthrough performances on the pitching side, but I think the lineup can actually be pretty good next year if we hold onto Robert. Maybe bring back Tauchman on the cheap and add him to the OF / DH mix, but I think there is a very talented core in place and one that is setup well against both LH & RH pitching. Just not very excited about what I expect the Mets to offer and don’t see another obvious fit at this time. As such, let’s roll the dice and see if the baseball gods help us luck into the playoffs. Crazy s%*# has happened and I’m sick and tired of fucking losing.