14 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Of course once again we see a nothing the Sox ever do is good enough answers. I dont know what we got but I'm sure it isn't good enough.  I'm not happy whatever they did to unlock Colson and find Shane Smith  have 8 rookies perform at decent levels. Let's downplay how huge these things were in scouting and development and demand they spend $160M on computers , software and more people which ,by the way, wouldnt even come close to being $160M . So lazy and unimaginative. 

Compare what Colson did in his rookie year to Tatis, Jr.  Very very similar . Next year it could be Hagen Smith  Schultz, Bonemer ,Antonacci, Teel or Quero, Baldwin, Sosa, Vargas , Shane Smith or even Burke emerging as All Star caliber players .There's more development left. Let's make sure the upcoming draft is the has been well scouted and they stick with the the current strategy of getting non prima donna types who love baseball.

How bout this. Stick your nose back into the Japanese market and make a play for Munetaka Murakami. He's only 25 and has big power and a high walk rate. He plays 3rd and 1st base. The Cubs seem to be able to get Japanese players so the Sox can too. Need to start evolving things on the player acquistion side of things. 

The faster the team gets into acting like a big market team on the player acquistion side of things the better.  It's the easiest way to win the division most years.

You don't need overkill in an area that generally doesn't cost tens of millions of dollars . You just have to maintain and update yearly and get the things like Trajekt machines and modern tech into the affiliates.  The Sox are probably still behind the curve  but since JR went into estate planning mode Getz has managed put some money into modernizing and R & D . The new facility in the DR that was announced in August 2025 will cost $12M and be finished in the fall 2026 .I'm sure getting everything up to speed the 1st few years would be the most costly but just $10M annually would go pretty far .

OK fantasy play time is over but in a few years once the Ishbia's are the new owners this could be a reality .

I agree about getting back into Asia. However, I think Murakami could be a strikeout machine with middling production. I'd rather they establish themselves as revenue producers before adding tons of players who might be jettisoned in the middle of their deals. 

1 hour ago, fathom said:

Tucker is easy answer

The only free agent in this class I’d be interested in. Or one of the top of the market starting pitchers. Go big or go home!

3 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I am putting that money into everything BUT the on the field team. 

This is what I'd actually want them to do

 

2 hours ago, WestEddy said:

I'd sign Josh Naylor. Left-handed power, good hit tool, can steal you a base, and fiery presence. He's also been around long enough to check the veteran box. 

But this is the fun answer

54 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I agree about getting back into Asia. However, I think Murakami could be a strikeout machine with middling production. I'd rather they establish themselves as revenue producers before adding tons of players who might be jettisoned in the middle of their deals. 

Power hitter are K machines.No way of getting around it unless you're Judge . 

Plus the stipulation was $160M by the OP just for 2026. That likely leaves out Tucker. Might leave out Alonso too even though hes 31 so that's iffy. Schwarber is too old.  It's also extreme overkill for anything not player related.

It'll be interesting to see what Murakami  signs for. I picked him because it would signify a big change in White Sox philosophy . Would likely be their biggest contract ever, getting back in the Japanese market, his youth, power  lefthandedness ,and OBP are all areas the Sox should continue to emphasize. Stick him at 1st base and a 3-4 of him and Colson against RHP could be deadly for years.

If you want to play in the deep end of the pool you just have to dive in. Every player has things you worry about . That might also mean you get a  bargain on a very young FA. Does Alonso at 31 get a bigger contract than the 25 yr old Murakami ?

Edited October 10, 2025Oct 10 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

3 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I am putting that money into everything BUT the on the field team. 

International scouts, MiLB scouts, top coaching and development people, facilities, technology, etc.  Quit acting like we should be impressed by getting the stuff other teams got a decade ago.  Do whatever we can to get ahead of the curve.  Hell looking into AI analytics programming before it takes over baseball and we chase that a decade later.  Get ahead of teams instead of even.

Ok, so what are you doing with the other 158 million?

14 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Ok, so what are you doing with the other 158 million?

While it is endlessly amusing to trigger the ankle biters, I am very serious here. 

The Sox need to do things better than other teams.  Catching up isn't good enough.  This isn't going to be a franchise to spend over mistakes.   They have to do those little things better than the things they are chasing,  and for no other reason than it is the cheapest and most consistent way to keep a quality MLB from year to year.  Forget signing the next utility garbage and C tier free agents.  Figure out the next thing, not the last thing.

1 hour ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Im not the one crying about how pitiful the Sox are , that's on you. You don't need tissues when you're hopeful, you need them when you cry  poor me the Sox still suck with a multi-billionaire family owners on the horizon. 

I'm not crying.  The tissues are for you not accepting the guy running the show is neck deep why we suck.  Sure, Jerry is most at fault, but to hitch hopes to a guy that has failed miserably at his job seems silly.  And you really, REALLY need to squint to see the horizon 4 years down the road.

2 hours ago, almagest said:

Munetaka Murakami would be the #1 option for me. After him, it'd be signing younger players to 3-5 year deals at $5-$10 mil per year higher than they'd be getting elsewhere, or whatever it would take to get them to come here. This would both give the current team a much needed shot in the arm, and worst case you could trade them in 2-4 years for quality prospects if things don't go well. I likely wouldn't consider players much over 30 years old on anything except short term deals, with the intent to trade them in a year or two.

Younger players I'd consider:

• Kyle Tucker
• Josh Naylor
• Dylan Cease
• Ranger Suarez
• Zac Gallen
• Pete Alonso (He'll be 31 but his profile should age well. That said he'd come here and hit .220 with 18 HRs)
• Bo Bichette (not likely unless he's willing to move to third or second, or Colson moves to third) 

You've already blown your $160 million on Murakami, then...

Edited October 10, 2025Oct 10 by caulfield12

2 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

You'very already blown your $160 million on Murakami, then...

Yes. If he doesn't work out, I'd look at the young FAs on the market.

13 minutes ago, almagest said:

Yes. If he doesn't work out, I'd look at the young FAs on the market.

Realistically, someone like a Harrison Bader or Laureano (Padres likely exercise $6.5 million option) in the outfield.

Naylor would be fine at 1B/DH, along with the likes of a Gallen/Merrill Kelly type for the rotation.

Michael King would have gotten $160 million alone coming off 2024, but not all the injuries of 2025...so an incentives-based shorter term deal, but someone will probably beat that with guarantees.  Plus he's used to being on/around playoff teams.  Overall, his arm has a lot less mileage than other quality options.

 

Also like Murakami as part of a rebranding...but Dodgers/Red Sox/Yankees could all get involved there.

Bregman's moves will partially dictate, as Munetaka is second or third on the list for most teams.  Still think 1B/DH is eventually home over third base.

Edited October 10, 2025Oct 10 by caulfield12

Bellinger declared for free agency today by the way. 

7 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Bellinger declared for free agency today by the way. 

I don't see how he doesn't re-sign with the Yankees.

Be wary of buying too high on Trent Grisham...unless you somehow believe that offense can continue on another team and not just an outlier of a season like Santander in 2024.

38 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Be wary of buying too high on Trent Grisham...unless you somehow believe that offense can continue on another team and not just an outlier of a season like Santander in 2024.

Fluke year.  Wouldn’t go near him.  Regardless, he’s going to want to sign somewhere to play CF anyways.  Robert is getting his option picked up.

Edited October 10, 2025Oct 10 by WhiteSox2023

1 hour ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I don't see how he doesn't re-sign with the Yankees.

If they sign Tucker instead?

10 minutes ago, ptatc said:

If they sign Tucker instead?

Well I guess that’s a way lol but in the sense that I think Bellinger signs for less and can play CF as well though

33 minutes ago, ptatc said:

If they sign Tucker instead?

Given how Tucker cratered in the second half and was hurt I could see him resigning with the Cubs on a one year prove it deal for like 20-25 million.

11 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Given how Tucker cratered in the second half and was hurt I could see him resigning with the Cubs on a one year prove it deal for like 20-25 million.

Somewhere there's a middle ground between $500-600 million and 1/$20-25.

 

Since we are riding on 3 straight years of 100 losses, it’s definitely fair to say it’s not been good enough.  Not sure why that’s even debatable.  This exercise is interesting to us because we know it’s not gonna happen, as much as we would like for it to happen.  Personally I think a lot of the suggestions are well thought out, and many have taken the time to expand on those thoughts and you should continue to do so, whether they be positive or negative, just try and keep it on the team and not other posters.

Pete Alonso is an interesting bat that could give Colson a lot of protection if he can get those Ks down.  On the pitching side, this really isn’t a big free agent year for starters.  Cease looks to be the big name and I’m not sure I would want to spend a lot on him, the AI search I just went over showed Framber Valdez, he might be a good vet to stick in this rotation and eat innings plus show some of these younger pitchers how to do it.

R.Suarez, Giolito, Kelly, Bassitt, Quintana, Eflin and Mahle are all defined as mid tier.

Wipe out the three with obvious White Sox connections.

 

LHPers Ty.Anderson (LAA)/A.Heaney/Corbin/Cortes

need one veteran to work with Smith and Schultz   balance out rotation, Perez return 15-20% for lower guaranteed salary

 

Dustin May just on rebound/flip potential

 

Edited October 11, 2025Oct 11 by caulfield12

Please get me Josh Naylor I love this guy

Edited October 11, 2025Oct 11 by 2Deep

2 hours ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Given how Tucker cratered in the second half and was hurt I could see him resigning with the Cubs on a one year prove it deal for like 20-25 million.

Especially since the Cubs probably drop a QO on him. 

only in fantasy sports..........I can't think of one of those guys would want to play here. 

28 minutes ago, kitekrazy said:

only in fantasy sports..........I can't think of one of those guys would want to play here. 

Yes, It’s a fantasy scenario laid out by bmags

8 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

Yes, It’s a fantasy scenario laid out by bmags

"Fantasy" is doing what about half of baseball (18 teams?) does every single offseason...including the White Sox through the Benintendi deal.