Eminor3rd

Yes, definitely bigger than Seiya. Murakami’s home run chase was the biggest sports narrative of the year in Japan. Seiya was the golden child for Carp fans, but the Carp are an intense but very localized fanbase. Murakami plays in Tokyo, and even though the Swallows live under the shadow of Yomiuri, it’s a much bigger and more nationally relevant stage.

I think you’re right, but I’ll also point out that this archetype is classic for a high-peak and early decline. On paper, being the team that trades him may be the wiser move than being the team to reward his breakout. As fan, I’ll be able to get behind either outcome, but it’ll be incredibly instructive to see how this leadership corp plays the hand.

Ok so obviously I love this. This is a very high risk, high reward move — but the upside is limited by the two year term. If he crushes, we’re more than likely going to see him traded in year two. Which is a bummer, but also good strategy all the same. If he busts, who cares. I’ve been following this guy his entire career. First base is absolutely where he belongs. He’s sneaky athletic for his size, but it does seem to be the type of thing where he hurts himself doing athletic things. The swing and miss is legitimately concerning, enough to sink him by itself — but both the power and plate discipline are legitimately double plus. He has at least a couple holes in his swing (sometimes up and in, sometimes up and out, sometimes middle in, sometimes low and away) but has proven his ability to make year-to-year adjustments to move them around. I’m not surprised at the low contract; this is a true feast or famine situation, and doing a prove-it deal could be best for both the player and the league. The ceiling here is Schwarber, the more realistic hope is Brent Rooker, but there are many more outcomes that look like Russel Branyan, Jack Cust, or like. You know. Dallas McPherson? Still. My god, FINALLY a reason to watch this season.

Alright guys, I’m back.

I'd invest every penny in modernizing the scouting and player development system. Consulting, equipment, personnel, etc. Unprecedented scope of reporting, purging, and generally turning a gigantic ship around despite all collateral damage.

Actually I think they literally both did

Rest in peace brother

Every team gets them every three years. EDIT: or at least that’s the plan. There have been some audibles for some high profiles flops like the first dodgers release.

I think it’s more likely because they’re only going to keep one of the veteran types, and they want to figure out which. I don’t think it’s a reflection of a desire to get them all prepared for OD. But then again, White Sox, who knows.

Vargas to LF, Ramos to 3B?

Eno Sarris is shoving him a bit too on the fantasy side of things.

I just don’t understand the strategy behind these veteran signings. He SHOULD be making signings LIKE these, but they should be with guys that have a chance to provide some actual value. The upside with Clevinger and most of the rest is that if they bounce back and play well, they’ll waste innings/ABs for the prospects, and still return nothing of consequence at the deadline. Like adding one win if everything goes perfectly is simply not worth the opportunity cost for this team right now.

I don’t think anyone is buying into it except WestEddy

Every player the White Sox have signed this offseason were candidates for the Atlantic League

The thing about Drury is that if he bounces back at all (admittedly, I have no idea why he was so bad last year; maybe there's a good reason), he may be the best hitter on the team aside from Robert. And yet, even if he does so, he still won't return more than a live arm at the deadline.

Yes, the problem is you can’t get to 30 with 0.9 WAR players, no matter what you pay them.

It's an important point. When every player's final form is some fraction of their current form, you need to begin with a tremendous amount of upside to end up with a prayer at a contender. The White Sox an get an elite draft pick, signing, or acquisition to the MLB, but when was the last time they "developed" a guy where whole seemed greater than the parts? Even randomness should have produced a few by now.

Maybe Law is harsh here -- time will tell -- but it's not like it doesn't sound like more of the same thing we've experienced as fans for the last 20 years with this team. The Sox simply cannot develop players. The failure rate is remarkably predictable and the narrative remarkably consistent. The ones that get through are largely able to do it through sheer raw talent, and even still frequently improve when they leave via trade or free agency despite advancing age. They take good prospects from other systems and just consistently waste them; these guys get to the highest levels with all of the same flaws they had all along, and without significant growth in their strengths beyond what can be gained from simple reps. Until this changes, there is no hope for this franchise. Forget about JR and his self-immolating free agency policy, his refusal to do whatever it takes to build a credible player development system is his true curse on the White Sox.

1Q84 is pretty wild, I second the rec

lol no

I fear you are going to be really disappointed in Munetaka Murakami

Really gonna enjoy this next lockout

That looks like a mound that early image AI would come up with if some prompted with "young white sox fan posing in front of baseball field in Cuba"

Andrew Vaughn’s midseason replacement? Who am I kidding — this is our RFer

Solid move, was gonna be tough to block all the infield prospects without an addition of some kind.