Chicago White Sox

But have a bunch of LF/1B/DH depth is pointless if we have major holes elsewhere on our roster. Can’t expect to fill our needs in free agency, which means one or two of the corner guys will need to be moved.

Honestly, Vaughn for Gavin Lux makes a lot of sense for us if you go out and sign Conforto to be your RF. Then you go with a Sheets / Burger DH for 2022 with one of them being the heir apparent to 1B. No idea if the Dodgers would do that, but it’s an example of trading Vaughn to fill a need without forgoing the cost controlled benefit Andrew provides.

Thanks man! Not sure how anyone could consider this a worthless segment?! Seems like he revealed quite a bit and substantially more than I was anticipating.

What does that mean? Hints at what ceiling?

Citing payrolls before anything has happened means nothing. And the Sox finished with a $140M+ payroll last year I believe and that’s with COVID impacted gate revenue greatly reducing their opening day budget. Going up to $170M would be about a 20% increase and that’s off a deflated base. Zero doubt in my mind they don’t hit that figure. Honestly, I think $180M is a very realistic target, but gun to head I’m going with $170M.

They aren’t keeping Kimbrel, he will be moved.

I’m not suggesting Gausman or Scherzer will get $18M, they’ll likely get much closer to $30M. But the Sox may have much more confidence in them to deliver TOR production over the course of the 2022 season and be actual weapons come the playoffs. And paying for one of them may require concessions elsewhere…you’re right about that. It could still be worth it though, especially if your internal projections are low on Rodon next year.

There is zero chance that’s our offseason…none whatsoever. $180M is the threshold to have a top 10 payroll and that’s where Jerry generally plays when competing. If you want to be conservative, go with a $170M payroll then. Either way, you are taking Hahn’s lawyer speak way too seriously as he’s not going to come out and devalue his young players by saying “we desperate need to upgrade x position”.

Number two would reflect both his track record of health and performance and skepticism that can be repeat said 5 win performance. Number 1 was specific around the idea that they know for a fact his shoulder is fucked. Obviously there is a lot overlap between the two. But if you think he’s a 3.5 win pitcher next year if healthy and is a huge liability to help you come October, then yeah it’s very plausible there could be other guys they would prefer to allocate that $18.4M towards. And I’m not suggesting those other guys would be cheaper, but given there’s one rotation spot open at most to round out the roster you can’t QO Rodon and add another starter. It’s one or the other and maybe there is another free agent they really like. Harold seems to think they’ll make a run at Scherzer and I could see Gausman being a guy they’re all over. Both would be superior additions to Rodon if Jerry is willing to make the investment.

Should in theory be a good listen. Hopefully they get pretty pointed on whether this health driven or money driven, although is unlikely to reveal too much.

From my perspective, there are three options for why the Sox didn’t extend a QO to Rodon: The Sox are concerned about his medicals and ability to stay healthy next year The Sox have other pitching targets they like better and would rather invest in The budget is going to be limited and they need to spread that $18.4M around The first two would be very acceptable reasons to pass on a QO, whereas option three would be highly problematic for obvious reasons. Let me clear, if the Sox go into the season with Kopech & Keuchel as their #4 & #5 starters, then Jerry & the front office should be roasted for passing on the QO here. The Sox have to add another high-end starter to the mix, even if that means dumping Dallas at 50 cents on the dollar or forcing him into a long relief role to start the year. For now, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it’s some combo of options 1 & 2 that drove the decision here.

They literally just fired their Director of Strength & Conditioning and are going in a new direction.

Both Fegan & Nightengale believe the Sox are moving in another direction.

I can lol…let’s take him off the list then

Yeah that might be a little problematic…lol

If it’s a short-term deal for a guy who’s proven to be far more durable than most starters a decade younger than him, I don’t see why Jerry would be against it to be honest.

What did he say again?

Dude has been the most durable pitcher over the past decade. Why does his age matter if he’s still productive?

We literally offered Wheeler a 5/$125M contract. I don’t think we go beyond that year figure, but I could see us going a bit higher in total dollars. And that might get you in the ballpark for Gausman who has a connection with our pitching coach. Stroman would cost much less than that too and would make a ton of sense for us. And why is Scherzer off the table? He’s not getting more than three years and that’s something Jerry might do. I’m not banking on it, but it’s not totally impossible like Cole was last offseason. And I don’t get the Verlander hate when he’s been insanely good in recent years.

Man you’re starting to get worse than Parkman with all the unfettered pessimism.

Again, what if they simply prefer other free agent starters? This is a deep pitching class and most of them have far superior track records (health & performance) than Carlos.

What?

Why does this matter? Let’s just win a god damn World Series.

Josh Nelson already trying to make the connection on Twitter.

Yup! Although I’m glad most people aren’t blaming Kimbrel’s option for this.