Chicago White Sox

MLBTraderumors had Castellanos getting a 5/$115M deal, so this came in light than their expectations. Regardless, I think Conforto gets less Nick given their radically different 2021 seasons.

Wasn’t he projected to get the bigger contract this offseason?

Unrelated to the Cubs, but didn’t the Rays offer Glasnow for Kimbrel last year?

100% agree.

You aren’t the manager though. I think you might be giving Tony too much credit here…he starts Leury against RHP because he’s a “switch hitter”. If we sign Conforto, there is a real possibility that Sheets gets the majority of the DH at-bats. Tony is as old school as it gets.

Josh one time poised a really dumb question on Twitter about our minor league system and I called him out for it in a very respectful way. Instead of just saying “good point”, he responds “I wasn’t asking you…I was asking Jim Callis”. Knew he was total tool at that very moment. That and when he brags about “three beer Josh”…truly cringe worthy stuff.

Sorry, him, Merk, & Getz are prepping for the Michigan game tomorrow.

This fan base cracks me up. Kyle Schwarber is somehow the greatest hitter ever and despite his shitty platoon splits that are worse than Conforto’s no one seems to care if he cost ~$20M per year. It’s so fucking clear that many Sox fans are incapable of evaluating a player beyond just looking at their 2021 results. Hopefully Rick Hahn isn’t as narrow-minded.

That’s entirely weighted down by his first two years as a pro and his poor 2021 season. He put up a 109 wRC+ against LHP from 2017 to 2020. This “he’s abysmal against lefties” argument is people just looking for a reason to hate.

Are we talking about the same player? He averaged 29 HRs from 2017 to 2019 (including one season he only played 109 games). In 2020 he was on pace for 23 HRs. His batting average during this same period was .265, his OBP was .369, his OPS was .864, and his wRC+ was 133. In terms of splits, his wRC+ against RHP was 143 and against LHP 109. He may not be great against lefties, but he’s not a true platoon guy. Basically none of what you said is true and is probably based entirely on his injured riddled 2021 season. Comparing him to Dunn is just lazy and stupid. And I’d wager significant money that Conforto more overall value than you’d get out of a Sheets / Vaughn combo in RF unless you close your eyes and pretend defense doesn’t matter.

It’s definitely a possibility but a lot of GMs wolf demand a discount due to his bad 2021.

I enjoy seeing NSC’s “rumors”, but he steals half of his ideas from SoxTalk and from other insiders. I wouldn’t worry too much about what he is saying. At this point we just have to wait and see where Conforto lands.

I’m assuming there are no changes in draft compensation / penalty and it’s the removal of the QO in general that will go into effect next offseason. I could totally be wrong, everyone is saying it was a huge mistake not to offer Rodon a QO because of the loss of a pick, so I’m going to assume it works both ways and penalty is still in effect. Also, most of the quality free agents are QO guys, which makes sense if they will cost a pick to sign.

The problem with projection systems is they lack subjectivity and don’t know how to account for his poor 2021 season. Before that he was ~4 win player on average. Unless you believe his 2021 was the start of a downhill trend and not the result of his hamstring injury and/or COVID, then I’d wager he’s going to be the guy he always was, at least to start off the contract. And that guy is a steal at 4/$80M or even 5/$100M.

Can’t give him an opt-out after one year given he will cost a pick. At a minimum you got to get two years of control and preferably three.

I don’t get this take at all. The Conforto from 2017 to 2020 is probably getting $150M+ contract. He is one of the best hitters in baseball against RHP and can play a solid RF. What is it you don’t like about him exactly?

Yup, it’s really unfortunate we didn’t go all in on Harper when Machado turned us down. Not only would address RF perfectly, but would have given the Sox one of the biggest stars in baseball to help rebuild their brand. And it seems Harper would have joined us over the Phillies if the money was equally. But alas, Jerry, KW, & Hahn were too worried about what would happen nine or ten years from a possible signing.

I really struggle with the notion you don’t sign Conforto because he blocks our young players. Even if Colas puts himself on the radar this year, you can always open up a spot for him by trading someone. And there is still a chance (even if small) that Abreu leaves or retires. Worry about that once Oscar or someone presses the issue. For now, let’s focus on improving the current roster like most of our competitors are concerned about.

Voit doesn’t make the Padres better? Castellanos doesn’t make the Phillies better?

Good teams getting better…

Just to be honest here, if we add a RF it’s very possible Tony heavily platoons Vaughn early on.

The problem with Cease is signed on with Scott Boras, so just feels like it will be a long shot to get him extended (I hope I’m wrong). For me, Kopech is the guy I’d be targeting. The ceiling is insane and he’s dealt with so many issues in his past (both health & personal) that he might be willing to lock in a fat payday and simply focus on being the best pitcher possible.

I just want Kimbrel dealt so I never have to argue on his behalf again, which is not an enjoyable debate given what we gave up and how shitty he was with us. Although I fully agree with @ChiSox59 that we better get something useful for him or use the salary relief towards a SP or RF. Getting rid of him to simply line Jerry’s pockets makes no sense.

Again, Montas was a well regarded prospect when we dealt him to the Dodgers. If anyone deserves credit for developing him it’s the Sox as they got him as a low level secondary piece in the Jake Peavy trade. We never traded him to the A’s.

The premise is simple…out of the three options who would you like to see extended. For reference, Vaughn is under control for five more years and Kopech & Cease are under control for four more years. Lucas Giolito has been excluded as he’d be the runway answer otherwise.