Chicago White Sox

I don’t think any of the major free agents have been overpaid and I would have loved to sign Gausman or Ray for those contracts (both are super reasonable). When I made my comment, I said that under the assumption of a $200M payroll though. If we’re only at say $180M, then it’s going to be nearly impossible to add both without some serious payroll offloading. Regarding the comment you quoted, I’m just saying Sox fans who are afraid to overpay a free agent aren’t interested in lining Jerry’s pockets (Ray Ray’s accusation), but are afraid how that will impact when Jerry doesn’t bump up payroll to compensate. Personally, that wouldn’t stop me and I’d take on that risk to get impact talent.

I’m aligned with most of what you’re saying, but the rotation is a major concern IMO. The bottom two guys probably can’t go more than 300 innings next year and our depth beyond them is not good at all. Lopez is semi-interesting but was also a few bad weeks from being DFA lasted year. If Giolito or Lynn were to go down, we’re in pretty big trouble. Yes, we can go sign some Rich Hill type for $10M, but we should be striving for more if we’re really trying to win a championship.

I don’t know about that. I think they realize a bad contract can really hinder us given Jerry won’t spend more to compensate. Look at Dallas Keuchel as an example of what one bad deal can do to us and we will have a franchise record payroll this year. It doesn’t make it right, but rather the reality of the situation.

That says Semien ?

You continue not to get this. No one is arguing that Reinsdorf shouldn’t spend more (he should), we’re discussing what we’d like to see happen under realistic parameters. I get it sucks that Jerry owns the team, but your whining isn’t going to change a thing. I know this because I’ve bitched & moaned in the past like crazy and the dude still owns the team.

It’s possible, but I doubt Harold would be ripping them for that since he seemed confident Kimbrel could be moved. Maybe he’s implying they thought Scherzer or Semien would go for a lot less than what they got? The only other free agents we missed on were Gausman and Ray and those deals were super reasonable.

Who is giving them the benefit of the doubt? We should spend like a legit major market franchise and I’ve routinely called Jerry out for refusing to spend money to make money. I just speculating what’s likely given current ownership and the budget they’ve likely set.

Exactly, and Hahn basically said this at his end of season press conference. It seems painfully obvious to me the plan is Conforto, Kimbre for Segura & Marchan, and trade for Bassitt or A’s / Red’s pitcher. That can work financially.

Graveman is not a major signing in the context I’m speaking. I’m just saying we can probably only afford one Conforto sized deal and then have clear salary or sign lesser free agents to fill remaining holes.

Link?

The reality is Hahn said the upcoming CBA would not impact things for the Sox and it would be business as usual. My gut tells me the budget is probably closer to $180M and that means we only have room to one large signing unfortunately. Sucks if true, but I really don’t think Hahn would like about his ability to make moves right now.

There will literally be no one left to sign

That would be an absolutely horrible offseason.

For a day supposed to be filled with non-stop insanity, we’re off to a very ruggish start outside the Scherzer stuff that was basically wrapped up last night.

Or most likely, Conforto is our primary target for RF and they are working to wrap him up before the day is over. 2B and backup catcher would then be addressed by a Kimbrel trade (i.e. Segura & Marchan). Finally, SP would wait until after the CBA is resolved and would likely happen via trade with the A’s or Reds or a cheaper free agent. Not the sexiest offseason, but it would cover all of our holes. And yes, I’d rather us shoot for the moon in free agency than trade our few precious assets for pitching, but if Hahn is unable to move Keuchel and/or the budget it less than anticipated then perhaps we don’t have the financial flexibility to do so.

I don’t get what you’re trying to say in regard to Conforto & Sheets and why you’re basing everything off of 2021. Conforto has an elite track record against RHP, Sheets does not. Conforto can actually play a solid RF, Sheets can not. They are remotely comparable RF options.

Unfortunately Nostradumbass is full of shit

I agree. I also feel like a Kimbrel trade goes down.

His hard hit and exit velocity rates went from elite in 2019 to average the last two years. In 2019 every time he made contact it looked he was crushing the ball whereas it didn’t appear that way the last two years.

This is just stupid man. Arguably the most physically gifted player in baseball who is known for working his ass off actually makes substantial improvements in his second season and you assume it’s all SSS luck? How in the world do you live this way?

I think Robert & Eloy will both be star hitters when it’s all said and done, but need to keep them (especially Eloy) healthy. Still not sure what to make of Moncada yet, although I do think COVID sapped his strength some.

Lol…I had to google after this, now it’s clicking

Robert looked like the best player on the planet last year year and Eloy was amazing during 2020 (SSS). Your pessimism knows no bounds.

Isn’t this dude a fraud or am I mistaking him with someone else?

Yes unfortunately