Chicago White Sox

Fegan posted 40 minutes ago that the payroll will be closer to $180M. Cheap ass Jerry apparently wants to close the window even earlier than expected.

I must admit I enjoy watching you turn full heal on this organization after years & years of unwarranted optimism. That being said, I still don’t agree with your outlook. I think there is reason for hope even if a turnaround is far from certain.

I’m pretty sure we were closer to $196M give or take.

Why are we trading from an already weak system if we have $30M+ to spend on a handful of needs? Hopefully this is simple 4D chess that Rick is playing, but Trader Hahn trying to fix the roster is a scary proposition.

Where did we end up at? Pretty close to $200M when it was all said & done right?

Sosa was really good in AAA down the stretch. What makes you think he’s not ready for a shot?

I keep seeing this, but if Spanky could get 1/$8M from us after a rough season so could Pollock. Dude was legit good in 2021 and still crushed LHP last year.

Adam Maloney = ComiskeyFootlongDog confirmed

We wasted a year of potential service time with Vaughn for like 12 total plate appearances. I get a new manager will play the young guys more right out of the gate, but I’m not losing a year of control of Colas for what will be less than 15 games with days off. How many more games do the Sox win with Oscar starting over Pollock during this stretch?

Not sure I follow. My point is the starting OF for the first 15 games should be Pollock, Robert, & some free agent. If someone important gets injured, then Colas is an opening day starter by default.

I mean, the idea is you are trying to gain an extra year of control. That’s worth 15 games of Pollock as your LF. Should have done the same with Vaughn.

Payton

Yup, I think you start the season with Pollock as the “starter” in LF and then quickly pivot to Colas if/when things go off the rails. Definitely need to add a LH corner OF who is capable of playing RF in this hypothetical.

As bad as Rick Hahn is, I can’t see that happening, although the Royals angle does add some possibility to it.

I don’t want to keep Big Energy. My point is we should strive higher than Merrifield or just go with the young guys we already have.

Why not just keep Josh Harrison at that point? Either go young or do something big like Vaughn+ for Jazz.

I just know in my career that I’ve worked with smart / talented people who routinely need a push to give their best. Moncada comes off as that type of player and I think Sleepy Tony La Russa’s management style was the worst possible fit for someone like Yoan. IMO, hiring Grifor will help Moncada more than any player on the roster. He gets who Moncada is based on his “need to get him back to walking 80 times a year” comment. Yoan will never be a perfect player, but if we can turn him back into an OBP machine who provides plus defense at 3B he will be a 4 win player.

I think people feel Moncada will revert closer to form because he’ll be playing for a manager with a pulse who will actually push him to give his all everyday.

While there is some merit to each of these points, it’s not as dire of a situation as you’re presenting. Here’s what needs to happen this offseason to make the Sox a playoff team in 2023: Hire a manager who will demand a strong effort every day and who will not adhere to outdated, old-school baseball tendencies - COMPLETE Hire a hitting coach who will install a hitting philosophy centered around power & OBP and not just contact - COMPLETE Continue to modernize the training and strength & conditions staffs - SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE PLANS FOR THIS BASED ON WHAT HAHN WAS WHISPERING TO GRIFOL DURING PRESS CONFERENCE Develop & execute off-seasoning training plans for all players - CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN NOW WITHOUT LOCKOUT & WILL HAPPEN PER GRIFOL Stop playing 1B/DH types in the OF - HAHN CONFIRMED WILL HAPPEN Improve the lineup’s balance with LH hitters who can hit quality RHP - TBD Add a legit SP to the major rotation and find some pitching depth for AAA - TBD Of the seven off-season priorities, two are complete and three more appear to be happening. For the first time in forever, I actually feel like what’s needed to get the most out of this existing roster will be in place. The big questions are will Jerry spend the money to fill our remaining holes with quality options and is Hahn actually capable of identifying & procuring the right talent. Both of those remain to the he seen and are reasons for pessimism given their track records. But that being said, I think we’re going to see much better performance out of the guys we already have. The negative impact that Tony had on our team last year can not be understated.

Conforto + Senga would be my main adds. I’d look to deal Leury and see if I can find a player with little value who better fits the roster. Brad Miller would be risky, but would make more sense for our team if we decide to go young at 2B.

Yeah, that probably feels more realistic than what I suggested.

I doubt he gets more than one year deal with a player option and even that might be pushing it. Dude hasn’t put up a productive season in two years.

I’ve already accepted it’s time to move on from Jose but any team willing to give him that contract is legit insane.

I really liked what I heard yesterday. At a minimum, Grifol should be a massive improvement over Tony and will get a lot more production out of certain guys. Feels good to finally have hired a manger with modern tendencies.

Yeah, it’s highly problematic, but Paddy has made strides overall in LA. Just happens more of those guys are coming from Cuba & Venezuela. Going to need Popeye to break the barrier on the Dominic side.