What if things changed in 26

[Chisoxfn]

Lets suspend disbelief for a moment and just state that things fundamentally change in '26 from a financial perspective with JR knowing he has a transition plan in place and access to new capital - both to support the stadium as well as player payroll. As part of that initial mandate the new owner basically tells JR - lets add $100M per year in recurring payroll - basically get this payroll to being an avg payroll club (150M in payroll puts the team basically at 14/15th in the majors in annual payroll).  

In my simple exercise - lets assume Sox move on from Robert and Benitendi (even if it means paying half of Andrew's payroll) - so for simplicity lets just state that after those two moves and with arb etc, Sox are starting next year with $50M in payroll.  What would you do and how might we accelerate a competitive team (or use of 1yr deals or other options that leverage payroll) to fast track this rebuild.  

Said another way - you have $100M to spend between now and the '26 season - and big, long term contracts are on the docket (but for sake of this exercise - lets assume no funny business - so any deals aav is # of years divided by total $).  How would you do it?  Build your roster - can you build one that turns the club into a legitimate wild card contender with longer term upside??? Do they just spend 80% of it on Tucker and Alonso and hope addition of 2 stars at positions of need can be enough to jump star this franchise and form a core with younger players who will emerge over time???

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

I'd sign Woodruff and Valdez for the rotation. Figuring wood is going to be cheaper given the injury history. Framber expensive. Offensively I'd sign Tucker and Schwarber. 

Depending on price, I'd be looking at Bichette and Trent Grisham as well. 

 

That might be a little more than 100 million (all 6 certainly would be) but I think with deferred money it's very doable to get close to 100 million. Tucker's price the real wildcard. If no Tucker, give me everyone else I listed and I'll still have money to play.

[southsider2k5]

If it were me, I would probably sit on the cash until the team is a bit more filled in.  Whoever you bring in is still going to suffer through years of losing, and I am not sure you want that.

[Bob Sacamano]

35 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

If it were me, I would probably sit on the cash until the team is a bit more filled in.  Whoever you bring in is still going to suffer through years of losing, and I am not sure you want that.

Yeah and wait for after the lockout

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

2 hours ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Yeah and wait for after the lockout

If you want to take advantage of the deferred comp loop hole you better do it now.

[kitekrazy]

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

If it were me, I would probably sit on the cash until the team is a bit more filled in.  Whoever you bring in is still going to suffer through years of losing, and I am not sure you want that.

I would leave it right there.  I believe most veterans would not want to play for them unless you overpay.  Then they hope to get traded.

[Tnetennba]

If we are talking about a mere year into the future, I am pouring millions into turning White Sox operations into the developement envy of the league. Poach the best minds in scouting, developement, data, etc. Whatever it takes. I leave FA alone for the most part until there is a homegrown foundation in place.

Edited July 10 by Tnetennba

[southsider2k5]

1 hour ago, kitekrazy said:

I would leave it right there.  I believe most veterans would not want to play for them unless you overpay.  Then they hope to get traded.

Look, if the Yankees and White Sox offered you 50 million a year next year, where would you go?  I don't blame them.

[southsider2k5]

21 minutes ago, Tnetennba said:

If we are talking about a mere year into the future, I am pouring millions into turning White Sox operations into the developement envy of the league. Poach the best minds in scouting, developement, data, etc. Whatever it takes. I leave FA alone for the most part until there is a homegrown foundation is in place.

100% here.  See what Mike Rizzo wants for starters.

[Eminor3rd]

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.

[Lip Man 1]

I'd basically put everyone on notice since the franchise is about to have its third straight 100+ loss season.

You have next year to prove your worth, period. Full stop.

That goes for the baseball side of the operations, the marketing side, the broadcasting side, the medical, training and conditioning staffs.

Everyone from scouts to equipment people to everyone in between.

The incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness needs to stop. 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

46 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

I'd basically put everyone on notice since the franchise is about to have its third straight 100+ loss season.

You have next year to prove your worth, period. Full stop.

That goes for the baseball side of the operations, the marketing side, the broadcasting side, the medical, training and conditioning staffs.

Everyone from scouts to equipment people to everyone in between.

The incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness needs to stop. 

You're no longer close enough to the team if you ever were, to pass judgement on so many people. All Getz is doing is working what he was given  which is pretty much nothing and a lot of it was new hires , some last year and some this year. 
So maybe you better do some real journalism again and start constructing a time line starting with when Getz took over and investigating  who was hired for what roles and when, in every department along with timeslines for when the new Dominican Academy will be finished. Also depending on agreements already in place with the most promising youngsters, figure out what year to expect to start doing a better job in the international market . Have someone take you on a tour and show you the Sox pitching ,hitting, and R & D new equipment. Maybe you can learn the purpose of a Trajekt machine, see the motion capture biomechanics in action and things you've never had a chance to see before.

I think you have lost the objectivity necessary to do an honest assessment . It's a shame too because you use to do good historical work. But you're stuck in the past while the organization has been taking steps to move forward with some dusty money from the bottom of JR's change jar. 

Edited July 10 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[chitownsportsfan]

At best you spend 100 million for 4 years annually and guarnatee yourself nothing. Even if you sign 12 WAR that doesn't really get you anywhere and can hurt avenues otherwhere. Played this roster out too many times in OOTP. At this point just gotta keep powder dry and ID young prospects. I'll give Getz a C- so far. If he can continue the circulating at the deadline maybe he can get up to a B level. Then some spending comes into play once the foundation is in place.

Edited July 10 by chitownsportsfan

[ron883]

8 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

I'd sign Woodruff and Valdez for the rotation. Figuring wood is going to be cheaper given the injury history. Framber expensive. Offensively I'd sign Tucker and Schwarber. 

Depending on price, I'd be looking at Bichette and Trent Grisham as well. 

 

That might be a little more than 100 million (all 6 certainly would be) but I think with deferred money it's very doable to get close to 100 million. Tucker's price the real wildcard. If no Tucker, give me everyone else I listed and I'll still have money to play.

This is depressing yet leaves me slightly optimistic at the same time. Imagine having an owner that would spend big money on the team. It'd take one off-season to potentially become an AL central contender. 

Justin Ishbia would be the 5th richest owner. I'm not sure if his brother will be involved at all. If they'll both be owners like they are with the suns, their collective net worth would be close to Steve Cohen's. The Sox could go fucking wild. 

Edited July 10 by ron883

[Chisoxfn]

31 minutes ago, ron883 said:

This is depressing yet leaves me slightly optimistic at the same time. Imagine having an owner that would spend big money on the team. It'd take one off-season to potentially become an AL central contender. 

Justin Ishbia would be the 5th richest owner. I'm not sure if his brother will be involved at all. If they'll both be owners like they are with the suns, their collective net worth would be close to Steve Cohen's. The Sox could go fucking wild. 

This was my point - and this would just get us to a middle of the road payroll. From there over another year or two - maybe get into top 10 in payroll. Shoot - I wanted them to trade for Bellinger at a discount - would have worked out nice right now flipping him!

Now I agree - I would spend some of the money building a better front office and development staff - but it would have to be under Getz watch and I would splurge on some shorter term deals for guys to flip - but if they could swing big for a young star - you do it too. 

 

[Chimpton]

10 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

If it were me, I would probably sit on the cash until the team is a bit more filled in.  Whoever you bring in is still going to suffer through years of losing, and I am not sure you want that.

JR likes that attitude.

[Reyno45]

Obviously Alonso, Tucker, Bichette would be great but Jerry still owns the team.

Josh Naylor and Trent Grisham would be my choice because they’d be cheaper than the big $ guys but Jerry still owns the team. 

Add on there’s probably gonna be a lockout after next szn, I think it’s gonna be a lot similar offseason like last unfortunately. 

[T R U]

I go all out for Kyle Tucker. A nice offensive piece who is young enough to still be good into the team getting to contention. Same goes for Bo Bichette, slide Colson over to 3rd and Meidroth at 2nd.

If you believe in the current staff as well as Schultz and Smith, not sure I dip too heavily into FA starters it would depend on the price obviously.

[Chisoxfn]

21 minutes ago, T R U said:

I go all out for Kyle Tucker. A nice offensive piece who is young enough to still be good into the team getting to contention. Same goes for Bo Bichette, slide Colson over to 3rd and Meidroth at 2nd.

If you believe in the current staff as well as Schultz and Smith, not sure I dip too heavily into FA starters it would depend on the price obviously.

I wouldn't go long term on any starting pitcher - so I agree with you completely. I do think the Sox either go short term with some investments next year to be able to turn them into assets at next year's deadline while you wait for the new CBA...or you do a little bit of both - and potentially go after one or two younger impact guys in free agency to start to build a better core - and quite frankly - you got to find ways to start to turn things around and instill the right presence in terms of where the franchise is going.  Tucker & Bichette would be two pieces that should be around and high level for a while and fill major needs. Bichette is a bit up and down so would be curious where the market ultimately was with him - but a good piece nonetheless.  

[Tony]

15 hours ago, Tnetennba said:

If we are talking about a mere year into the future, I am pouring millions into turning White Sox operations into the developement envy of the league. Poach the best minds in scouting, developement, data, etc. Whatever it takes. I leave FA alone for the most part until there is a homegrown foundation is in place.

This is the correct answer

[Lip Man 1]

13 hours ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

You're no longer close enough to the team if you ever were, to pass judgement on so many people. All Getz is doing is working what he was given  which is pretty much nothing and a lot of it was new hires , some last year and some this year. 
So maybe you better do some real journalism again and start constructing a time line starting with when Getz took over and investigating  who was hired for what roles and when, in every department along with timeslines for when the new Dominican Academy will be finished. Also depending on agreements already in place with the most promising youngsters, figure out what year to expect to start doing a better job in the international market . Have someone take you on a tour and show you the Sox pitching ,hitting, and R & D new equipment. Maybe you can learn the purpose of a Trajekt machine, see the motion capture biomechanics in action and things you've never had a chance to see before.

I think you have lost the objectivity necessary to do an honest assessment . It's a shame too because you use to do good historical work. But you're stuck in the past while the organization has been taking steps to move forward with some dusty money from the bottom of JR's change jar. 

Cali: Fair enough.

We'll see in the next few years who proves to be more correct in their assessment.

Of course it all may not matter if something happens and ishbia gets control of the team sooner than expected. I would assume in that case much like what John Allyn did in September 1970, that he basically fires everyone on the baseball side and brings in his own people. 

Bottom line to me anyway is that the Sox are going to lose 100 games again next year, in 2027 the labor impasse is going to short circuit the season, at least to some extent, which will make an honest evaluation impossible. 

If Getz and company are still around when the 2028 season starts we'll see if all these "changes" (which admittedly the Sox desperately needed to make) prove to be of value or if the powers that be once again, chose the wrong people to be in charge and short circuited any real development. 

As an aside the Athletic has a story today in the daily newsletter that Manfred is pushing for a salary cap when directly talking to players and the MLBPA isn't buying it (along with said players).

Edited July 10 by Lip Man 1

[TheBooneLoganEra]

13 hours ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

So maybe you better do some real journalism again and start constructing a time line starting with when Getz took over and investigating  who was hired

When Getz took over as gm or as director of player development? 

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

17 hours ago, Tnetennba said:

If we are talking about a mere year into the future, I am pouring millions into turning White Sox operations into the developement envy of the league. Poach the best minds in scouting, developement, data, etc. Whatever it takes. I leave FA alone for the most part until there is a homegrown foundation in place.

I don't think people realize how cheap this is relative to the payroll.

The White Sox could merely pay market value (which would be well above the rest of baseball who pays under market and sells "experience"), establish a team of roughly 50-100 analysts, MLops and Data Engineers, scouts, specialists, etc at market rates and supply them with all the equipment and you're still only talking about 10-20 millionish dollars probably. I'd argue that's a high-side estimate though.

The Sox should do that regardless. This is what it costs to run a baseball team. 100 would probably be too many/overkill given that it's only a 2 billion dollar organization, but if you want to be the best.

So what are you doing with the other 80-90 million?

[southsider2k5]

21 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

I don't think people realize how cheap this is relative to the payroll.

The White Sox could merely pay market value (which would be well above the rest of baseball who pays under market and sells "experience"), establish a team of roughly 50-100 analysts, MLops and Data Engineers, scouts, specialists, etc at market rates and supply them with all the equipment and you're still only talking about 10-20 millionish dollars probably. I'd argue that's a high-side estimate though.

The Sox should do that regardless. This is what it costs to run a baseball team. 100 would probably be too many/overkill given that it's only a 2 billion dollar organization, but if you want to be the best.

So what are you doing with the other 80-90 million?

Yeah, these aren't major league salaries, especially for the day to day, non-management, crew.

[Lip Man 1]

41 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

I don't think people realize how cheap this is relative to the payroll.

The White Sox could merely pay market value (which would be well above the rest of baseball who pays under market and sells "experience"), establish a team of roughly 50-100 analysts, MLops and Data Engineers, scouts, specialists, etc at market rates and supply them with all the equipment and you're still only talking about 10-20 millionish dollars probably. I'd argue that's a high-side estimate though.

The Sox should do that regardless. This is what it costs to run a baseball team. 100 would probably be too many/overkill given that it's only a 2 billion dollar organization, but if you want to be the best.

So what are you doing with the other 80-90 million?

If I remember right the Sox have among the fewest full time scouts in MLB for one example.

You'd think this is something obvious especially if you are loath to dive into free agency and pay for superstar players which JR doesn't agree to do.

It is just bizarre how this franchise has operated particularly since 2007, they won't pay for free agents and they won't put the resources into acquiring, drafting and developing their own talent.

Maybe that's why they have had only five winning seasons since the start of 2007.