Chicago White Sox

Zero chance I’m moving Robert anywhere below 4th in the lineup when he has a career 130 wRC+ vs. LHP. He’s got to be a top 4 hitter against LHP. I could see a strong argument batting him second though. That being said, I kind of like the idea of keeping him in the 4 hole regardless of pitcher handedness and letting him focus primarily on impacting the baseball rather than getting on-base. I could be convinced on swapping Montgomery & Murakami for sure. Whomever ends up better against LHP should be in the 5th hole IMO.

Last year yes, but I don’t believe he’ll ever replicate a .287 ISO again (his career avg against LHP is .134) and his defense is god awful. Candidly I don’t want him on team as I think he’s got a 1 win ceiling at this point in his career and gun to head I’m taking the under on that for sure.

He was very bad against LHP last year as a righty. Maybe that changes at some point in time, but Pereira is a natural partner for him.

Against LHP: 2B - Meidroth (R) 3B - Vargas (R) DH - Sosa (R) CF - Robert (R) SS - Montgomery (L) CA - Quero (S) 1B - Murakami (L) RF - Pereira (R) LF - Hill (R) And to be clear, I don’t love the idea of Hill on this roster, but I’m using Fangraphs’ 26 man projection as my basis of available players. As such, against LHP, our best LF option is Hill by default due to plus defense and a career 115 wRC+ against lefties (SSS).

That’s my primary lineup against RH starters.

Always trust the Times of India over Bartolo’s butthole

Right now, I’m assuming Quero is the primary DH (and backup catcher). As bad as Baldwin was in the OF corners last year, I think he’s worth giving an extended look there to see if he can improve with more repetition. I think there is still room for Sosa on the 26 man roster, but they need to see if he can play some LF along with filling in at 2B, 1B, & DH. His ability to crush LHP is still super valuable.

Same here.

Jersey being ordered right now…thanks!

I’m not against trading Robert, but it’s got to be for a solid return and there has to be a plan for the OF. I actually kind of think Baldwin could handle CF and that idea is highly intriguing to me. Small sample sizes last year, but per Statcast he really struggled in the corner OF spots (primarily on lateral movement) and was overall solid in CF. He may be a guy who struggles with reading the angles in LF or RF due to limited experience there, but can get by in CF due to his sneaky speed and the easier reads of the position. But that would leave a massive hole in RF and force us to play Benintendi in LF without a decent addition.

s%*# work ethic?

As currently constructed, I think a high leverage reliever is our biggest need. Our expected W-L last year was 70-92, which is 10 games better than we actually finished. Finish stronger in close games, see continued growth from the kids, and get some of the TJS-impacted arms back and we could surprise a bit next year IMO.

And that’s totally fine. Would be a great problem to have a 2.5 win 3B in Vargas for three more years while Cholowski is pushing for the SS job and forcing Colson to 3B.

Yup, it becomes a potentially serious lineup when he’s up. And while I’m a huge Meidroth fan, if he can’t get further improve his OBP and ability to impact the baseball against RHP, then that opens the door for Antonacci to make a case for the 2B job. Outside of Benintendi, this positional group should super exciting.

100% agree. And Venable did say he expected multiple moves happening soon. I still think Fairbanks is a real possibility. That being said, I do think they go cheaper with whatever vet starter they sign, although would love to be surprised there.

100% agree. And I didn’t think his defense was bad there to start last season. Either way, the bat is better suited for 3B and this commits to that.

I think we need to start operating with the mindset that Ishbia is our long-term owner. Yes, Jerry will continue to control things until the deal goes through, but it’s clear that Ishbia has gained significant influence as he’s accumulated shares and an agreed upon future controlling interest in the team. And in two years, that influence will only grow as his takeover date becomes closer and closer. If all goes well with Murakami and he’s happy in Chicago, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re able to resign him.

He’s just too risky for a competitor that needs immediate production and safer 1B options exist. It’s definitely the right move for a team like us who desperately need LH power, have a 1B opening, and can take on the contact without much concern.

I lean 3/4/5 at the moment to give them a shot at more at-bats over the course of the season. But having a #9 hitter who can get on base at a semi-high clip would be fantastic alongside Meidroth & Teel. We are going to need guys on base all the time and just hope the Colson/Robert/Murakami trio runs into some non solo shots.

This should be the lineup to start the season. For a team with zero expectations of competing next year, this lineup could actually be pretty good. A LF upgrade would certainly help though as Benintendi isn’t going to crack 1 fWAR if we have to run him out in the field, but hopefully a Braden promotion eventually helps some that indirectly. Meidroth, SS Teel, CA* Montgomery, SS* Robert, CF Murakami, 1B* Vargas, 3B Benintendi, LF* Quero, DH# Baldwin, RF#

Yeah, he still has a role to play. But harder to roster him if they plan to split the DH between Benintendi and the two catchers.

Do we know how team control works? Normally you’d get six year regardless of the original contract, but believe they can sign that away. If so, do we have the ability to offer arbitration at least?

And there it is…never a fucking doubt

Murakami should be making his decision today. Sung-mun Song’s posting window was supposed to end today at 4pm CST and news of him agreeing to a deal with the Padres came out about 2 1/2 days beforehand. Given a deal has to be signed by 4pm tomorrow and there is always a lot of fine print that needs to be reviewed by legal teams, a deal needs to be agreed to in principle before the end of the day. As such, we’re officially in the end game. In just a few hours, we’re going to make up for past wrongs and land the Japanese Babe Ruth. Dude is going to be hitting bombs on the South Side for years to come. Get fucking amped bro’s.

His agent is located in NYC…let’s not overthink this