Chicago White Sox

So they did not protect McClure? Color me surprised there.

What in the fuck bro

Hey raBBit, when / what did the Sox offer Harper? Not challenging you, just curious what actually went down there.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with what he said, but it just reinforces why I rarely read his articles anymore since they’re all spin city and trying to say how awesome everything already is. It’s obviously part of his job but his takes always rile me up regardless. But agree, Conforto, Escobar, and trade for a SP would be a very nice offseason and set us up well for 2022.

Check that optimism. Merlin on the “Sox in the Basement” said we don’t necessarily need the big free agents, mentioned how successful the Braves were at the deadline with lesser guys, how our team should be much healthier this season, and that some of the younger guys should be better with another year of experience. That being said, it does seem like he thinks we pursue one impact free agent in free agency (he named Semien & Conforto as hypotheticals) and then address other needs by trade or with less free agents. Reading between the lines, I think Semien is a smokescreen and that Conforto is the priority. After that, could see Escobar at 2B and a trade for a SP on a short-term deal, so basically my option B.

Are you even trying to win? Seems like you’re more interested in being Jerry’s accountant than his GM.

@Balta1701 - I’m still waiting on your plan. This isn’t me trying to be a dick either, we just generally have different viewpoints on the Sox and I’d be curious to see how you’d go about things this offseason.

You seem to shoot down ideas left and right and never provide any of your own. If you had a $180M to $185M payroll to work with, what exactly would you do?

I’ll keep saying it, but our top two needs are a LH power bat and a TOR starter. The reality is our minor league system is pretty barren on the pitching side of things. After Lopez, you’ve got four arms in the upper minors who could potentially fill a rotation spot in the next two years in Stiever, Lambert, McClure, & Bilous. With Keuchel 100% an exit after the 2022 season (if not sooner), at least one spot will open up. As such, we’re going to need another starter and if we want to survive the onslaught of high-end offenses in the AL, this starter should be of the top of the rotation variety. I think Scherzer is highly unlikely because he basically costs the same as two impact players on an AAV basis, but hell if we have that much money to spend give me Conforto and one of Ray or Gausman over double dipping with Conforto & Semien.

Exactly, I’m not suggesting he has access to our offseason plans, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some general sense if the budget is going to be high, medium, or low. Let’s be honest, his crew and Merkin are both extensions of the PR arm and despite Jack’s theory leading on the customer is not a good business strategy. If he’s optimistic we’ll spend a lot this offseason, perhaps we should all be.

All good…I’m just glad we can agree now he’s not getting $200M. Also, I never realized how average Semien’s StatCast numbers were last year. He put up an xwOBA in the 53rd percentile and even 2019 was only in the 77th percentile. He usually beats out his xwOBA by 0.007 to 0.020 points, but last year he exceeded it by 0.037. He is normally a pull heavy hitter, but was even more so last year with almost all his HRs being hit to LF. Throw in a flukey K rate in 2019 and his average hitting prior to said season and there are definitely some red flags there. Don’t get me wrong, he’d be great to have, but I’d still prefer Conforto all things considered.

But wouldn’t it be easier to remain uninformed and have free reign to say whatever you want?

On White Sox Talk Podcast, Chuck is predicting the Sox sign both Semien & Conforto. I know that doesn’t mean much, but he usually isn’t this optimistic with his predictions.

I will bet my life’s savings Semien doesn’t get $200M.

How are these guys in the same category? Correa & Seager are getting $300M contracts and are in a completely different stratosphere.

Since 2019 Semien has a 129 wRC+ against RHP and a 127 wRC+ against LHP.

Name one person who suggested Seager & Correa?

You are really giving Parkman a run for his money with all this unfounded pessimism. Why would Jerry hold a grudge against a player used in a win now trade because that player suddenly developed into something really good? Like do you even think through what you’re saying anymore?

I totally agree, but losing Eloy & Robert really hurt in that regard.

So here’s how Steamer would directionally project our fWAR from the 2B, RF, & SP5 spots for each of these options: Option A = 7.5 wins Option B = 6.9 wins Option C = 8.2 wins I would have gone option B myself, but surprisingly it’s lowest for projected wins and requires the most prospect capital to execute.

How is Semien getting $200M?

I could easily see something like that being our offseason with a few relievers mixed in.

Alright guys, random hypothetical, but which of these scenarios would you prefer? Assume in all three scenarios that Kimbrel is moved and cheaper bullpen reinforcements are acquired. Option A: Marcus Semien: 6/$138M | $23M AAV Chris Taylor: 4/$64M | $16M AAV 5th starter = Dallas Keuchel Option B: Michael Conforto: 4/$76M | $19M AAV Eduardo Escobar: 2/$20M | $10M AAV Chris Bassitt ($9M) for Jake Burger, Jose Rodriguez, & Jason Bilous Option C:: Max Scherzer: 3/$120M | $40M AAV Tony Kemp ($2M AAV) for Micker Adolfo RF = mix of Vaughn & Engel

We need a rumor ASAP to save this thread!

Jack, please don’t take this the wrong way, but you’ve clearly never had a normal corporate job. No company in their right mind thinks leading on their customers in a good business strategy. Like I’d be fired at my job on the spot if I proposed something so dumb.