Who will have a turnaround or a much better season next year?  I’m going to go with Dominic Fletcher.   Yes last year was TOTALLY brutal for him, however I really liked him at Arkansas, and i think he could turn it around next year.   He’s definitely a grinder.

Vargas

Zavala

Vargas. And not in a “he can’t possibly be worse” way. I think he’ll get a little comfortable and actually show something.

20 minutes ago, Snopek said:

Vargas. And not in a “he can’t possibly be worse” way. I think he’ll get a little comfortable and actually show something.

Vargas for sure. I also think this is the year Sosa clicks. 

I'll go with Lenyn Sosa.

@WestEddy ruined my hopes of being the only person to say Lenyn Sosa, so, uh, Bryan Ramos!

Am I allowed Davis Martin? Does he count?

36 minutes ago, Quin said:

@WestEddy ruined my hopes of being the only person to say Lenyn Sosa, so, uh, Bryan Ramos!

Sorry. I actually think he will rake and become our 20 HR 1st baseman for a couple of seasons. 

1 hour ago, Johno said:

Who will have a turnaround or a much better season next year?  I’m going to go with Dominic Fletcher.   Yes last year was TOTALLY brutal for him, however I really liked him at Arkansas, and i think he could turn it around next year.   He’s definitely a grinder.

I know you asked for a turnaround based on who did bad last season but I think I'll just go with some guys that John Ely was high on for the bullpen. Garrett Schonele and Addison Coffey who both could spend most of the year with the Sox based on Ely' s glowing praise of them last year from the recent ReKap podcast I started a thread about.

Edited December 21, 20241 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

13 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Sorry. I actually think he will rake and become our 20 HR 1st baseman for a couple of seasons. 

I'd like to see Elko get a real shot at it. Unfortunately we kept Vaughn. John Ely says Elko can really pick it at 1st and saved a lot of throwing errors.

3 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

I'd like to see Elko get a real shot at it. Unfortunately we kept Vaughn. John Ely says Elko can really pick it at 1st and saved a lot of throwing errors.

Elko just seems like a guy who will hit even though he takes that slow walk back to the dugout about a third of his ML PAs. 

Drew Thorpe for pitcher.  Brooks Baldwin for hitter.

9 hours ago, WestEddy said:

Elko just seems like a guy who will hit even though he takes that slow walk back to the dugout about a third of his ML PAs. 

As far as Sosa goes why not SS ? He tearing up the Domincan winter league and playing SS there I think or why not 2nd base ? I think it's too early to give up on him at SS, 2nd ,or even 3rd base.  The Sox need hitters and maybe Montgomery comes up to play SS or even starts the season there.

Let there be a Battle Royale between Montgomery, Elko, Baldwin, Vargas, Vaughn, Sosa for 3rd, SS,2nd and 1st. Rotate them all at DH too. Work on their D too and see if anyone can stand out.

Obviously Montgomery will be given preference and probably Vaughn too being the incumbent but every single one of them besides Elko needs the MLB ABs now.

Let some of these guys try to earn some extra money with pre arbitration WAR awards. Sox have only had Cease qualify for it in 3 years. I think the Tigers , Diamondbacks and Orioles have had 7 or more in the 3 years since the new CBA.

Edit : Wow I forgot about Meidroth . Lots of people think he can be the OD 2nd baseman.Lots of competition.

Edited December 21, 20241 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

14 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Drew Thorpe for pitcher.  Brooks Baldwin for hitter.

Their are a lot of harsh critics of Thorpe 'round these parts.

22 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

I'd like to see Elko get a real shot at it. Unfortunately we kept Vaughn. John Ely says Elko can really pick it at 1st and saved a lot of throwing errors.

Was an interview of Ely posted or linked somewhere?  I'd be interested in reading it.  Thanks

8 minutes ago, GreenSox said:

Was an interview of Ely posted or linked somewhere?  I'd be interested in reading it.  Thanks

It's in Pale Hose Talk right on the front page. I just posted it a couple hours ago.

I guess Noah Schultz growing 1.5 inches so he's now 6'10.5" was not the click bait I thought it was. 🤣

Edited December 21, 20241 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

I’ll take the two obvious candidates: Luis Robert. In the minors: Colson Montgomery.

Deeper pick: Eder, as a reliever.

Breakouts: Bonemer and Ronny Hernandez taps into his power this year to be a legit top 20 guy in the system.

After all these turnarounds...this team is going to be very good.

REALLY hot take- Benintendi hits something close to .270/.350/.410 and is tradeable (with some $ added) at the deadline for a decent prospect 

Nastrini

I don't think we have a candidate. Maybe Robert will blossom finally. I wonder if he's working out hard this winter or loafing. I'll say Robert. I don't think we have any good everyday players to be honest. Maybe a pitcher like the new overweight guy we just signed. We usually have one great pitcher and the rest mediocrities.

4 hours ago, greg775 said:

I don't think we have a candidate. Maybe Robert will blossom finally. I wonder if he's working out hard this winter or loafing. I'll say Robert. I don't think we have any good everyday players to be honest. Maybe a pitcher like the new overweight guy we just signed. We usually have one great pitcher and the rest mediocrities.