Chicago White Sox

No, I'd have us adding an everyday LF as well, but I don't think that will happen until we clear some payroll first (with the Hendriks trade needing to happen first). My plan right now assumes a total cash payroll of ~$185M including buy-outs / dead money ($7.7M). Under that assumption, I'd be looking at adding Brantley (who I went with) or Gallo to play LF with Outman more as a AAA depth piece / insurance plan. If the buy-outs / dead money can be excluded, then I'd target Conforto for LF instead (who I expect to be in the $14M-16M range) and look at adding another cheap reliever. The other move I have is trading Jake Burger for additional depth, in this case to the MIL for Robert Gasser. Not the sexiest of off-season plans and I'd rather anchor off someone more impactful like Nimmo, but I don't see that happening based on what's been signaled. Ultimately, I like the SP depth considerably more under this plan with Pepiot & Gasser added on top of Martin & Burke. I think the OF defense is significantly better even with an aging Brantley in LF (he was slightly positive last year in terms of DRS). I think Duvall is a perfect 4th OF as he's actually strong defender at all three spots and can hit LHP well. Again, I'd rather have an impact player, but trying to balance my approach with what I assuming are the financial realities. Still hoping for Conforto for LF somehow. I have this as a 93 win team assuming normalized health and I don't think any of the these projections are all that ridiculous. I think the reality is our core guys should be much better next year and moving Vaughn & Eloy to 1B & DH respectively helps in many ways. The bullpen is the biggest risk, but at some point Crochet should be back, Pepiot has the arm to move to a higher leverage role, and you can always trade for reinforcements.

He’s a throw-in with Pepiot as the centerpiece ? But my plan would be to add a placeholder LF in either Brantley or Gallo or preferably Conforto if Jerry is feeling extra jolly this holiday season. That way Outman is more of a depth piece than being relied on immediately.

Dumb question, but what is the average age of a pitcher’s 2nd TJS? Is it possible that it simply typically coexists with an aging pitcher who was already losing effectiveness?

We have the 3rd highest wRC+ from the catcher spot over the last five years and that’s including Grandal’s horrible 2022 season. From 2018 to 2021 we actually rank #1 overall.

Here are my predictions: Free Agents: OF Adam Duvall = 1/$6M Trades: 3B Bryan Ramos, UT Romy Gonzalez, & RHP Matthew Thompson to TB for 2B Brandon Lowe CL Liam Hendriks & OF Luis Mieses to LAD for RHP Ryan Pepiot & OF James Outman Rule 5 Draft: No one selected in major league phase Draft Lottery: The White Sox snag the final spot and will get to draft 6th overall

Meetings start this Sunday and go through Wednesday. Typically, most trade activity happens Monday & Tuesday, but a couple of specific dates worth mentioning: Draft Lottery => Tuesday @ 7:30pm (MLB Network) Rule 5 Draft => Wednesday (time / viewing options unclear) Figured we should have a dedicated thread for predictions and miscellaneous rumors that aren’t standalone worthy. I’ll post my own predictions shortly.

Not that it matters, but I literally predicted he’d get a 1/$12M deal in my off-season. But again, who cares? We’re all a bunch of hardcore baseball fans with differing opinions, sometimes right and sometimes wrong. No one needs to go on bragging about how big their internet penis is by citing all the times they’ve been right. You’re a great poster, just stay true to yourself even if people don’t always agree with you. The place wouldn’t be fun if we all thought the same thing.

You think James Outman is a top 45 caliber prospect?

And he was a league average hitter in a 1,000+ PAs from 2019 to 2021. Why are we suddenly buying that he’s a 120+ wRC+ hitter? Do you really expect him to bat .300 again? I fully expect him to be a 2 win player moving forward and I’d rather not commit to that level of production.

Duncan wasn’t part of our analytics function. Regardless, I don’t think the problem is our analytics staff is bad at their job, but rather are too small and likely being under-utilized in our various decision-making processes.

Because he’s a two win player and the exact definition of average. Tell me how he’s above average exactly.

I’d rather not commit to multiple years of Benintendi. I think the worst you can do in free agency is commit multiple to average positional players. Either go get a Conforto or Bellinger on a one year deal or trade for someone more impactful.

I don’t believe so. I believe Hahn did come out and quell the notion a bit that we have the smallest analytics department by saying they contract out that work a ton. Not sure it meaningfully changed the narrative, but that’s about the only thing I’ve heard in recent about our analytics function.

Is Geoff Head actually part of the coaching staff?

We also have Hendriks, Gravemanx, Lopez, & Kelly. At some point we’ll also have Crochet. I gues I’m not following your logic here. Bullpen are volatile and we have multiple guys with high ceilings which gives us a better chance of having enough high leverage relievers.

Interesting comments on the bullpen Balta ?

This is the same org that cost us a year of Vaughn control for like 19 plate appearances.

Theoretically an all replacement level team would be worth 48 wins

I believe you can earn extra draft picks if you start a rookie on your OD roster and he finishes top 3 in RotY voting. Not sure that changes much, but still a new consideration.

Glad to see the clubhouse snitch is back. Hopefully that precious intel continues to make KW & Hahn excel at their jobs.

Good point. I still view that as a panic signing, but god damn was he awful after that first season.

Just to be clear, I’m no Hahn / front office defender, but the Sox were targeting quality pitchers prior to the fiasco that was last offseason. In addition to Lynn, they went hard after Wheeler & Burnes. Perhaps this is one area where our pro scouts are actually earning their paychecks.

You expected him to get more than 1/$12M?

If they’re adding an OF of significance, either we’re trading for one directly or will need to free up cash. If it’s the latter, I think one of our relievers will be gone.

Oh Bruce…???