Tony

Which one is this?

I really don't think you have a firm grasp on the White Sox contractual realities: - Jose Abreu is a FA at the end of the year and is talking about possibly walking away - Grandal is an FA after the 2023 season, and will be 35 when he hits FA - Giolito is an FA after the 2023 season - Tim Anderson is a FA after the 2024 season Things can change quickly, but with no real minor leagues to speak of, I'm currently unsure where the Sox are filling those large holes in 2023 and 2024. This year and next year is "the window"

This is a very fair take and where I'm at. I'm real pissed at the Sox right now. As the days go on, picking up the option on Kimbrel so they could try and squeeze just a little bit of value out of the failed Madrigal-Kimbrel trade looks to be a mistake, which they then compounded by not giving the QO to Rodon, which still doesn't make any sense. Then they have spent 17 million (not even counting Graverman) this offseason on guys you would hope your minor league system could produce, and haven't addressed RF or SP in any significant way. I just don't understand the process here. I really, really hope it becomes clear in the coming days, but I'm losing faith.

Yep, I'd be very pleased with this deal.

I believe he averaged around a 1.0 WAR for them over 4 years. My guess is they would expect more out of Suzuki.

I have no idea what you are referring to then, and I don't think anyone else does.

Correct.

You said the moment they "started adding big leaguers" Dane Dunning was traded for an MLB vet. I would say that qualifies. I'm also not going to split hairs with you, but your comment was incorrect. Also, Grandal.

All the while paying NO attention to the farm system, and letting it once again become a wasteland devoid of any talent.

Lance Lynn would like to have a word.

Most teams have a lot of them. It's not just a condition of the White Sox. They still have a very good roster, which this FO is responsible for.

It shouldn't have been...but Madrigal for Kimbrel has seemingly been the point in time where things went sideways, and thus far they have let it spin out of control. There is still time to course-correct, but I just don't understand the decision-making the last 8 months....especially from a FO that actually put together a really impressive group of players.

They did that with Grandal, if we're being fair.

It’s the reason I liked the Kimbrel move at the time. It didn’t work, but I agreed with the thought process. I don’t agree with this process, at least at this point.

They were also 2-5 against Houston in the regular season. You can believe what you want to believe. I don't think the Sox were very competitive in the 2021 MLB Playoffs. Some of us believe their window to contend is limited based on financial realities set from ownership. Because of that, there is a sense of urgency from some to quote "go for the jugular" these next two seasons. Thus far, these moves haven't inspired a confidence that the Sox are truly interested in pushing themselves over the top. Time will tell.

The offseason is still young. I assume the Sox are still going to make some more moves. Having said that, I assumed you watched the playoffs in 2021. The Sox were not very competitive against the Astros. I also have serious questions on how they would have stacked up against the Dodgers/Braves/Rays. Thus far, they are seemingly a worse team in 2022 than they were in 2021. And they've already spent around 17 million on new players. That's why you are seeing the comments you are seeing.

3 million? Man, they better still make a big addition this offseason. Thus far, they've spent 17 million on Harrison, Kelly and Velasquez. They also have Kimbrel still on the roster making 16 million. If these salaries stop them from going after someone like Conforto...no bueno.

The “big move” didn’t need to be at 2b. I didn’t say that. But the Sox weren’t that close to Houston last season, and thus far are a worse team in 2022 than 2021. Josh Harrison and Joe Kelly aren’t pushing this team over the edge. That’s the point.

People will always get upset without knowing the big picture….with that said, it’s hard not feel like these are just the same old White Sox moves. The Sox were just ranked No. 2 in the MLB Power Rankings. Obviously that doesn’t matter in the least, but I bring it up as it at least shows the Sox are viewed by many as one of the best teams in the league. They are close….but history tells us they won’t put their best foot forward, but instead just “plug some holes” with guys like Josh Harrison, instead of bringing in a real difference maker. Time will tell, but I can understand the concern from folks. I’m just not ready to judge when there are still a ton of big bats on the market.

While I think the Rams got super lucky and not having a first-round pick in like 6 years basically never works out....the rest of your post I fully agree with. People don't have a great grasp on how "windows" work for most teams. And unless you just are way ahead of the game or willing to spend more than anyone (see LA Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays), the window just doesn't last that long. 5-6 years is basically it, you're right. And you're also right that the Sox really are in Year 3 of their window. Now is the time.

This is obviously the biggest point, because if fully healthy, I would agree with the rest. It comes down to giving the Sox the benefit of the doubt. Usually, I don't. But them not offering him a QO tells me they really didn't even want to risk him accepting, so there must be something there they know we don't. Or, you just think the Sox don't know what they are doing. Which I'm not going to fault you for thinking that. I get it. I just tend to believe there is something more there. We'll see.

And as others have said, that is a much more realistic and rational gripe, in my opinion. However, I still don't think it was an absolute slam dunk that Rodon turns down the QO, even after seeing what he just got. Which would seemingly tell me the Sox really had zero interest in bringing him back, and didn't want to take an $18 million dollar gamble. Now, their decision to pick up Kimbrell sort of contradicts that, but I want to see how the whole offseason plays out before making a true judgment. If the Sox rotation is worse on paper than last year, and they make zero upgrades, I'll have a bigger issue with it.

That won't stop some from pounding their feet on the floor until someone gives them the attention they want.

Fine, 3 pitches then. With the amount of bullpen pitchers now used in the game, it would shave off a decent amount of time.