41 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Why are we even talking about these other hypotheticals when we already know Jerry wouldn’t approve spending the money that Naylor, or any of the other players you mentioned, will cost?

Trade and signing rumors are, in essence, hypotheticals. So my question is, why are you here reading about hypothetical signings? 

27 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

You would have to overpay to get Naylor here. I would do that. And after I did that I'm sure JR would fire me.

That's how we ended up with Benintendi as our clean-up hitting left-fielder for 5 years. Overpaying. 

30 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

You would have to overpay to get Naylor here. I would do that. And after I did that I'm sure JR would fire me.

Lol do you think you have secret access to the bank and you can just give out a contract without your superiors rubber stamping the expenditure?  Lmao

49 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

I would have a plan to go back to Murakami's agent and argue he could be the singular star in Michael Jordan's city...just like they half-heartedly attempted to do with Bryce Harper.

To build the team around him...rather than him being a complementary piece for other contenders.  He'd also be the immediate starter at any of three positions.

It would have to be more about marketing and the future...and having less initial pressure on his defense as well as swing and miss issues on a team that's far out of the limelight.

Just depends on his personality and how much he enjoys challenges ... versus joining a sure thing.

 

With Muncy resigned, his position on LA is blocked by both Freeman and Ohtani, so he goes to the Mariners if they can't keep Naylor in town.

So, do you think the White Sox are a few players away from being competitive, or would you be sales-lying to him?

4 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

So, do you think the White Sox are a few players away from being competitive, or would you be sales-lying to him?

2-3 hitters

at least one TOR starter and the bullpen is still a mess

everyone knows JR will never give out 4-6 year deals for pitcher any longer, so that pitcher has to be Hagen or Schultz since the 2026 first rounder 90% is a collegiate fast track hitter.

 

So with Murakami AND that draft pick at the top...it all comes down to pitching and the AL Central being a crapshoot once Skubal is gone

They're not competing THIS year though.

40 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Trade and signing rumors are, in essence, hypotheticals. So my question is, why are you here reading about hypothetical signings? 

Acquiring a lower tier and less desirable free agent 1B like Ryan O’Hearn is living in a White Sox offseason reality.  Meanwhile, talking about these guys is living in a White Sox offseason fantasy world…

Naylor

Alonso

Framber

Schwarber

Murakami

Let’s at least try to be realistic about a White Sox offseason in which the GM himself insinuated that he won’t be spending much money in free agency.

Edited November 13, 2025Nov 13 by WhiteSox2023

39 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

That's how we ended up with Benintendi as our clean-up hitting left-fielder for 5 years. Overpaying. 

Also from having a bad GM and poor scouting to think Benintendi was worth that type of contract.

When Benintendi was signed, he was supposed to be a complimentary player to the core of Abreu, TA, Robert, Jimenez, Moncada, Grandal, and Vaughn, not a cleanup hitter. Most of those had contracts with individual seasons at higher rates of pay of Benintendi. The idea he was signed to be a center piece of the Sox lineup is a rewriting of history. He was supposed to be a solid bat at the back of the lineup. Obviously, it didnt work out that way

O'Hearn is the kind of guy bad teams pursue. Reasonable money. We shoulda kept Vaughn. O'Hearn is just another guy.

WestEddy can rejoice.

Minus another Peter Seidler, Padres being sold off and likely torn down for spare parts.

https://global.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46954477/padres-explore-options-including-sale-franchise

Actually that franchise value is hovering in the same $1.7-1.9 billion range of the White Sox.

Some debt and really bad contracts on the books to clear.

Tatis Jr. and Machado would be the first to go...along with Jackson Merrill's 6 years and roughly $85 million.

 

Ofc the White Sox aren't about to trade for Merrill or take on another Benintendi level of financial commitment.

This leaves 12-13 "big spenders" among teams and 17-18 mid and small markets.

SF and AZ will be hard-pressed to challenge the Dodgers' dynasty any time soon.

 

Edited November 13, 2025Nov 13 by caulfield12

50 minutes ago, greg775 said:

O'Hearn is the kind of guy bad teams pursue. Reasonable money. We shoulda kept Vaughn. O'Hearn is just another guy.

He was really good the first half of 2025 in a platoon role but gets exposed against lhp'ears just like Sheets.

He basically is an older Gavin.. although he can play LF/RF marginally better.  But not by much.

2 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

He was really good the first half of 2025 in a platoon role but gets exposed against lhp'ears just like Sheets.

He basically is an older Gavin.. although he can play LF/RF marginally better.  But not by much.

His splits in 2025 were good though. 

17 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

WestEddy can rejoice.

Minus another Peter Seidler, Padres being sold off and likely torn down for spare parts.

https://global.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46954477/padres-explore-options-including-sale-franchise

Actually that franchise value is hovering in the same $1.7-1.9 billion range of the White Sox.

Some debt and really bad contracts on the books to clear.

Tatis Jr. and Machado would be the first to go...along with Jackson Merrill's 6 years and roughly $85 million.

 

Ofc the White Sox aren't about to trade for Merrill or take on another Benintendi level of financial commitment.

This leaves 12-13 "big spenders" among teams and 17-18 mid and small markets.

SF and AZ will be hard-pressed to challenge the Dodgers' dynasty any time soon.

 

Dang man, it’s over huh?  The Padres are now the Pirates and White Sox?

33 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

Dang man, it’s over huh?  The Padres are now the Pirates and White Sox?

Except a better stadium/entertainment district, nicer weather and proximity to more ICE staging points.

Unless Seidler's widow is somehow miraculously named the financial control person against all evidence to the contrary.

PE bros win out.

Edited November 13, 2025Nov 13 by caulfield12

Dr Caulfield lists time of death:

11/13/2025 5:10 PM central time

12 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

Dr Caulfield lists time of death:

11/13/2025 5:10 PM central time

It was a nice 7-8 year run, filled with lots of up and downs and mostly entertaining.

Thus, the death knell of the last small or mid market team like Icarus that flew too closely to the sun (and couldn't manage to overcome the mighty Dodgers, except for 2022).

They went down fighting and didn't trade any of their big four free agents...now they will reap the whirlwind.

Edited November 14, 2025Nov 14 by caulfield12

2 hours ago, 46DidIt said:

When Benintendi was signed, he was supposed to be a complimentary player to the core of Abreu, TA, Robert, Jimenez, Moncada, Grandal, and Vaughn, not a cleanup hitter. Most of those had contracts with individual seasons at higher rates of pay of Benintendi. The idea he was signed to be a center piece of the Sox lineup is a rewriting of history. He was supposed to be a solid bat at the back of the lineup. Obviously, it didnt work out that way

In an act of desperation to get a middling bat into the lineup, they overpaid Benintendi in both money and years. He outlasted everybody from that short-lived window, and now he the only "veteran" bat who can contribute league average offense. Had they paid him normal, 2025 would have been his walk year. 

What would we be adding Naylor to? 

 

1 hour ago, caulfield12 said:

WestEddy can rejoice.

My eyes opened this morning. That's about as much rejoicing as I can handle in a day. 

2 hours ago, Kyyle23 said:

Dr Caulfield lists time of death:

11/13/2025 5:10 PM central time

The Prediction Markets are open for what team he adopts to obsess over next. 

The LA Dodgers are at 75 cents currently. 

56 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

The Prediction Markets are open for what team he adopts to obsess over next. 

The LA Dodgers are at 75 cents currently. 

It would nice to be excited about Hot Stove League signings for the first time in years..

Yay we're not the Twins or Rockies...I guess.

What mid or small market team can challenge the big dogs?

Reds are talking about dealing Greene, Tigers Skubal, Pirates at least listening on Skenes, Brewers F.Peralta.

Plus nobody on Okinawa knows even a single White Sox player.

Another sad off season of misfit toys 

4 hours ago, WestEddy said:

My eyes opened this morning. That's about as much rejoicing as I can handle in a day. 

Open your eyes more.  Your buddy Getz ain’t signing s%*#.

15 hours ago, Kyyle23 said:

Lol do you think you have secret access to the bank and you can just give out a contract without your superiors rubber stamping the expenditure?  Lmao

He was speaking facetiously.

20 hours ago, chw42 said:

Another ex-Royal. At least he was decent last year. 

bobby witt jr could end up on this team and this board would still be like "sigh another royal"

46 minutes ago, nrockway said:

bobby witt jr could end up on this team and this board would still be like "sigh another royal"

Mostly because when we do he'd be 42 and having been released after a failed MiLB deal.