ChiSox59

Again, counting IL days doesn't tell the whole story. The Sox have lost extremely meaningful players for long stretches. Their supporting cast has actually been pretty healthy outside of Mendick. The Twins, for example, IL day list is loaded with guys that wouldn't even be on the active roster. Sure, they've had injuiries to key players lately, but if you actually analyze the IL list and back out the guys that aren't anything but backend roster role players, it evens out a lot. The Sox have lost TA, Eloy, Moncada and Yaz for long stretches of time this season. All huge parts of the team. They've also lost Robert for longer than his IL days say because he's been hurt since mid August but hasn't hit the IL. AV and Pollock also have had IL stints. Then on the pitching side we lost Lynn for 2 months, we lost Giolito for several starts and he hasn't really been himself all season. Kopech has had IL stints. Bummer was lost for most the season. Crochet lost all season. Lost Liam for awhile. Sox players that are not actually good have been very healthy outside of Mendick. Counting IL days is one way to look at it. But its not the only way, and it assumes each IL day is the same no matter how good the player is. I know you love to give every other team the benefit of the doubt and give the Sox none, but the Sox have been crushed by injury this year. There is really no debate to that whether you care to agree or not.

I actually have been sort of impressed with Pollock in CF. He's at worst serviceable out there. But yes, we need an everyday OF that hits left handed. I will repeat it about 500 times until he signs elsewhere, but Nimmo needs to be that guy. He can play all 3 OF positions and is a perfect addition. Conforto would be a fine fallback option - he solves alot of issues offensively and will be cheaper - but isn't close to the defender Nimmo is.

One at a time. I will be watching til the bitter end. Will take meaningful September baseball over the alternative every.single.time.

People gotta stop factoring Sheets into this mix. He's got an option. Use it. Sheets should be nothing more than an insurance policy for 2023, and he has very little to no trade value so you just stash him in AAA until Eloy gets hurt. Its really just not that hard. AV is the 1B. Eloy is the DH. OF is Pollock-Robert-FA in April, and then Colas-Robert-FA thereafter with Pollock 4th OF. If the Sox rely on Sheets to be an everyday guy like they did in 22, they're going to be bad again. Abreu has to go though. Love him. Build him a statue. Retire the number. But you cannot resign him ---- unless ---- you get a trade offer you cannot refuse on AV. But I don't think that is happening.

Leury isn't going to get launched into the sun, though. Hopefully he's just the 26th man used for pinch running and 1 start a week around the diamond. He is fine in that role. If Tony is gone, he'll be used properly. Elvis is a dude. Love him. But there is no good reason for the Sox to invest $6-8M or whatever it will cost to sign him. We have several internal options at 2B. Sox need to be savvy around the edges this offseason because we don't have a ton of $ to spend, but do need an impact LH OF and a 5th starter. So spending money on a 2B and more relievers shouldn't be happening this offseason.

Which he definitely should be retained to do. Sheets will get plenty of at bats next season even if the Sox actually fill the roster logically which results in him either starting in AAA or being sent to AAA in May when Colas arrives. Our DH is still Eloy who has proven time and again he won’t play 150+ games.

Agreed on most all except using AV to dump a bad contract. That would be very bad. Also highly doubt Leury is gone but a new manager would hopefully use him properly. Cairo has. And Gio isn’t getting traded. The rest is spot on. edit - Sox aren’t signing Rodon. Time to move on from that one.

Yep. Take what you can get. Odds are still long. Sox probably have to go 12-3 at worst, including a sweep against Cleveland. Sox are gonna take this thing one at a time, as they should. Let's start with a W tomorrow what is easily the best matchup on paper for us.

AJ Pollock is going be on this roster next season. He should be nothing more than the 4th OF, and can play LF until Colas arrives in May. Thereafter, he's a legit a perfect platoon for him. Pollock's OPS against LHP is just under 1.000 this year. He absolutey rakes LHP.

This. Have to assume Colas is one of those guys. Just have to hope Nimmo is the other. Just offer him 4/$80M and get it over with. A Colas/Pollock platoon would actually be pretty solid. Pollock will still get a ton of PT as the 4th OF.

Not getting a run there or letting Aarrez bat is just brutal.

Sox have no SP depth in upper minors. If Davis is your 5th SP, who fills in for injuries like Davis has this year? I’ll sit back and wait for the answer.

Depends what happens today. If Cleveland wins, Sox are 4 GB. If Twins win, Sox are 3 GB.

I get the opinion, but as I just said to Balta, I am going to assume the payroll stays around $200M until it doesn't. We have a core that is getting more expensive and closer to FA (this should be some surprise to ownership_, and we're still in the midst of whatever is left of this window. Cutting payroll right now would be crazy, and just further support that JR isn't a serious owner. The Sox already have $170M or so committed to 2023 roster - they cannot both cut payroll and solve the roster issues. Let's hope extending the window takes precedent over slashing payroll like $10M.

Yes, I am assuming there is no salary cut until there is a salary cut. This team is still very much in its window of contention, and hopefully the anchor that is TLR is officially out of the way. Cutting payroll would be a massive disappointment. I suspect they'll be right around $200M. They cannot fix the problems on this roster if its not.

Yes. I don't understand trading Gio. Gio is a guy that has proven he is both very interested in maximizing earnings and is also a student of the game that cares deeply about his performance. That is not a guy I am betting against in his final season before reaching free agency. Trading him at legitimately his lowest value he's been at any point in his White Sox tenure doesn't make any sense.

Sox should have $25-30M to spend. Can maybe create another $5-$10M with a few non tenders of guys like Engel, Mendick and Ruiz. They should have enough $ to sign a legit LH OF and a 5th SP and stay within $5M or so of their 2022 payroll. I fully expect them to go internal at 2B.

The White Sox lost their starting 3B, SS, LF, CF, C, and #2, #3 starters, closer, and best two lefty relievers for long stretches. All well above average impact players. The Sox had really good players get hurt, and some get hurt seriously. I don’t see how the awful tigers losing their rotation is relevant. Twins have also been decimated by injuries yes; I’m well aware. I suspect Sox will be healthier in 2023. You don’t. That’s fine.

Hopefully Brandon Nimmo, Oscar Colas and a fresh season for Yoan turn that around in 2023.

Counting IL days doesn’t really tell the whole story though. Sox lost several key players for long stretches and have had guys return and be not close to themselves, play thru it, etc. Sox got smoked by injury this year. The only two key players who didn’t spend time on the IL were Jose and Cease and all the rest spent time on the shelf, and several significant. Every team dealt with an uptick in injuries this year that may be correlated the short ST. I don’t think Sox are going to suddenly become the healthiest team in the league, but would hope the injuries are less concentrated on the best players on the roster.

Yes, we also need a 5th SP, and hopefully better health. I don’t think there’s anyway we don’t get huge improvements from Moncada, and Grandal hopefully will be useful and healthier in a part time role. I’m confident Lucas will be much better in 23 heading into FA, and playing 3 real OFs in the OF all season will be a huge improvement. I think this team as currently constructed is much better than the 83 or whatever win team they’ll be; but as always health is huge and Sox didn’t have it this year. With those roster tweaks and a TLR out of the way, next years team is going to win a lot more than 85 games.

I actually think this roster can be fixed relatively easy. Will require a hard decision on Abreu and signing a legit LH OF, tho. Not sure ownership will allow either. This also assumes Tony is a goner as he’s been the biggest impediment for this roster other than injuries.

No. Sign a vet 5th starter and leave Martin as the 6th SP. He’ll still get 15-20 starts, but don’t rely on it.

I actually feel like - If the Sox can pull this out - they’ll win the first series against the Rays/Mariners. Big if tho.

This sounds pretty realistic. But what the hell, meaningful September baseball is want it’s all about. I’ll be pulling for them and on the edge of my seat until that elimination number hits 0. Sox would be 4 GB with 12 to play in that scenario.