Chicago White Sox

Wow, Kimbrel meltdown.

So you’re confusing what you think will happen with what you want to happen. And no idea how they’re done. They got another two years if they wanted to ride this out to the end.

What you’re proposing is basically a full rebuild.

Lol...your nuts bro if you actually believe that.

Cole (or any other pitcher) and Grandal aren’t mutually exclusive. We can easily afford both even if Cole is a long-shot.

What do you think it would take to get Joc and would your expectation be that we extend him?

Without question it’s what we should do and I’ll be pretty pissed if the Sox show no interest.

His luck has mostly regressed in the second half, but despite that Statcast would suggest he should be a league average hitter. Are you saying he can’t repeat that and if so why? He’s actually made mechanical adjustments this year that might be help driving these results.

100% agree. We need to aim higher with our bench. Yolmer is going to get 550 plate appearances and likely finish with two HRs. In the juiced ball era, that is simply unacceptable. And for those that like Statcast, Yolmer has some of the worse quality of contact I have ever seen. If it weren’t for his league average BB rate, he’d probably be the worst hitter in all of baseball. Also, people are really putting too much emphasis on his defense. How often are we taking Moncada, Anderson, or Madrigal out late in a game for him next year? If the answer is never, then his value is entirely tied to filling in on days off or as injuries pop up (as he certainly shouldn’t be used as a punch hitter). And when that happens, his bat is just as important as every other skill he brings to the table.

Cooper does have a point about internet folk feeling bold behind the shield of their keyboards, but dude should really STFU and take this shit in stride. These type of comments only antagonize the fanbase further and do no good.

Sure, if he wasn’t an absolutely terrible hitter. The problem is he’s the 5th worst qualified hitter in all of baseball. That negates much of his defensive value and makes him a fairly ordinary player.

Makes perfect sense when one guy is a terrible major league hitter making $4M and the other is cheap as fuck and still an unknown. Like I said, if Yolmer wants to be paid like a reasonable reserve IF, I’m happy to have him back. Otherwise, let’s put that money to better use and go with the cheaper player who has a non-zero chance of being ok with the bat.

And he almost cost his team a championship with his over-managing. Hell the fuck no.

I think what you’re not accounting for is the fact that we need some of these guys to serve as depth. If you try to outright guys on the 40 man roster that have options, there is a decent chance they get claimed. It’s simply not realistic to expect no filler. Zavala alone wouldn’t be a huge loss, but not having a AAA catcher that can be called up or down at will could be a problem. Unless they find an upgrade, the Sox will definitely start the 2020 season with Mendick and one of Goins or Sanchez filling the 2B & backup IF roles (until Madrigal is called up). One of those OFs will likely be back and on the major league roster until Robert is able to snag a spot and then go to AAA. And obviously we’re going to need a ton of pitchers and some of those will need to be lesser quality options who are able waste away in AAA until needed.

I messed up and do think Flores will be protected, but he’s certainly not a slam dunk caliber prospect.

I didn’t voice a personal opinion, just voiced what I thought the Sox would do. Who would you keep over him out of the guys I listed?

For me, I’m assuming they’ll want six free spots available for free agents and acquisitions. That would leave a total of nine open spots for the 19 guys on the bubble. I think they’ll keep one of the existing OFs, with Cordell being the favorite IMO. I think they keep one of Goins or Sanchez depending on what Yolmer is wiling to agree to. Zavala is probably close to a lock unless they add a decent veteran catcher to a minor league deal and feel protected there. And while I don’t consider Blake a lock, I think he’d have to crumble in the AFL in order not to get protected (which is very possible). So let’s call it four positional guys that will be protected in Cordell, Goins (I think Yolmer gets non-tendered), Zavala, & Rutherford. On the pitching side, I think Burdi, Frare, & Fulmer are the closest things to locks. I do expect Carson to be traded at some point given his lack of options, but for now he’s part of the 40 man. Right or wrong, I think those last two spots go to Covey & Ruiz. Both have options and can theoretically provide depth at AAA. I expect the rest of these guys to be out-righted to AAA and be Rule 5 eligible, but don’t see much risk there. Hansen is the only exception, but given how bad he’s been and his age, I don’t see a team (even a rebuilding one) thinking that’s a project worth tackling at the major league level.

With the season quickly approaching its conclusion and a big offseason ahead of us, I think it’s time to start looking at the 40 man roster. Below I will separate the current roster into three groups (guys that are locks, guys that will certainly be removed, and guys on the bubble). Additionally, I will have similar groupings for the minor leaguers that will be eligible for the rule 5 draft. I will flag anyone who will likely move to the 60 DL at the start of the season with an asterisk. One other important call-out is I’m assuming Abreu will be back and he’ll be included in the lock section. The goal is simple: pick the guys from the two bubble lists that should be on the 40 man prior to the Rule 5. Also, remember that we’ll need some open spots to add free agents, so thinking 40 guys will be on the roster would be a poor assumption. Goners: Existing (7): Castillo, Skole, Jay, Tilson, Nova, Detwiler, Santiago Prospects (7): Adams, Banks, Kubat, Turner, Foster, Thompson, Forbes Locks: 25 Total Spots Existing (23): Abreu, Anderson, Moncada, Jimenez, McCann, Collins, Mendick, Garcia, Basabe, Adolfo, Giolito, Lopez, Cease, Rodon*, Kopech, Colome, Bummer, Fry, Herrera, Cordero, Marshall, Hamilton, Burr* Prospects (2): Dunning, Lambert* Bubble: 19 Total Guys Existing (14): Engel, Cordell, Palka, Sanchez, Goins, Zavala, Banuelos, Covey, Frare, Fulmer, Medeiros, Osich, Ruiz, Vieira Prospects (5): Rutherford, Mercedes, Burdi, Hansen, Flores

While I still wish we landed Harper, you’re using one year of results and attendance impacts as proof that he’d be a slam dunk addition. My guess is five or so years from now that deal will be an albatross.

He’s willing to take like $2.5M then I’d probably bring him back. Otherwise, I need more Mendick in my life.

The Sox tried to sign Brantley this past offseason but apparently he wanted to go to a contender.

We literally have the worst DH production in the AL. Pretty sure the Mets’ pitchers have hit better than our DHs this year.

It’s absolutely incredible how much we strike out given how few walks we draw. I guess that’s simply a byproduct of having multiple terrible players in your everyday lineup.

I think the problem is they really don’t have a roster spot for Mercedes come October. As bad this 40 man roster is right now, we have to clear a ton of spots for minor leaguers and future free agents. And all the injuries don’t help as those guys require 40 man spots throughout the offseason.

Congrats Jack!