Lip Man 1

In his own way Ricketts is almost as bad as JR.

😆🤡 We will see...talk is cheap remember. Hope they do but I won't hold my breath waiting.

Exactly. Let's dumpster dive and find as many cheap options as possible because really good talent either costs to much for JR's liking or they won't even consider playing for this organization.

I'm sure it will be. As history shows though it will be spent mostly of retreads, has-been's, injury-prone guys and stiffs on their last legs. JR doesn't believe in paying for game changing, superstar talent.

Depends on your definition of getting better. In theory they should but this is still a team that is going to lose a ton of games in 2026. Going 70-92 in 2026 is progress based on numbers but still no where close to "contending" is it? And then of course comes the lockout in 2027.

The franchise is in a very bad spot. Some of it was because of factors beyond their control but the vast majority of it was because of their own incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness.

The point of dumping him was to get whatever you could and roll the dice that it could turn out to be a player you can use in the future. The Sox aren't going anywhere with him in 2025, they aren't going anywhere with him in 2026 and it remains to be seen if baseball will be played at all in 2027 with the labor impasse.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/07/31/white-sox-luis-robert-trade-adrian-houser General manager Chris Getz had commanded a steep return for the soon-to-be 28-year-old outfielder in recent days, and talks with National League contenders including the Mets and Padres collapsed in the final hours, sources said.

The wild card of course is the upcoming labor impasse and the probability the owners will lock out the players as soon as the 2026 season ends. That could seriously impact the 2027 season. JR as history shows rarely, very rarely takes risks and this absolutely is going to play into any decision he makes.

Good point.

Same here although like Caulfield pointed out we'd have to see what happens then as he remembered the Kimbrel/Pollock debacle.

Then that begs the question because of his salary will the Sox have to actually kick in money to move him? And if he gets hurt or slumps the final two months what then?

The only way that happens is if the Sox pick up the 20 million dollar option. If not he's free to go to whomever he wants and the Sox get nothing.

You are making a major assumption here sir. I guess we will see come October. Part of me would like to see it since that would mean JR had a serious change of heart and could portend some unexpected off season moves. But frankly, based on history, I can't see JR doing so. In which case this would be an incredible gaff by Getz and the organization. Like I said time will tell.

JR says, "See you the day after the season ends...my friend!" 😉

What are the odds of JR agreeing to that though? That's the key question.

To me that's not the point, the O's got SOMETHING which is better than nothing (unless JR has a dramatic change of heart. Do you honestly think that likely?)

A lot of Minnesota players seem to be in demand aren't they?

Better than guys leaving for free agency or not having an option picked up and getting zero in return.

Don't ever put anything past this organization. Do so at your own peril. Time is ticking.

Plus Scott Boras is his agent.

But that's the question...will JR allow that type of payout for him, plus the risk of him having another dismal season or injury. Given that, trading him for garbage may be better than getting absolutely nothing in return if the Sox decline his contract come October.

I've been saying this for years given the Sox injury history.

Correct. Assuming JR is still with us. If he isn't all bets are off.

Good, that keeps him away from the Cubs.