1 hour ago, 46DidIt said:

Do you have a credible source for that

@southsider2k5 has posted it a couple times.  Hopefully he sees this thread and can find it and post it again.

"The Marlins are one of three teams, along with Houston and Colorado, that have never signed a Japanese player directly from NPB. This would be a hell of a time to make history in that regard, but based on their thrifty signing of Christopher Morel to reportedly handle first base, I’m not holding my breath."

1 hour ago, 46DidIt said:

Do you have a credible source for that

Jerry selling the team to Ishbia to pay off operations debt seems pretty obvious to me.

6 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

@southsider2k5 has posted it a couple times.  Hopefully he sees this thread and can find it and post it again.

Click the link below and click on the right arrow above the bar chart to view each year.  According to Forbes, the White Sox haven’t had a positive operating income since 2020.

https://www.forbes.com/teams/chicago-white-sox/

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by WhiteSox2023

1 hour ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Oh we so fucking back!

what does wetbutt33 have to say?

The White Sox situation has to be quite similar.

 

"Selling more than 20 percent of the franchise to three minority partnership groups at a $1.75 billion valuation, the Pohlad family is expected to announce this week they’ve finalized a transaction that helps a club $500 million in debt return to a sound financial footing while also requiring the addition of three seats to the team’s ownership advisory board, league sources told The Athletic."

Those investments have been finalized, and the new partners in the club are Glick Family Investments, George G. Hicks and Craig Leipold. Leipold is best known to Minnesotans as the owner of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.

"I don't want to get into how much of the team was sold and who is responsible for what,” Pohlad said. “I would say it was an amount that we were happy with and an amount that aimed to achieve our primary objective, which is to put this organization onto better financial footing, if you will. So with these proceeds, we're able to pay off a significant amount of debt, and that will allow us to reinvest in this team when the time is right."

https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-ownership-group-welcomes-new-limited-partners

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by caulfield12

10 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said:

what does wetbutt33 have to say?

That only KatyPerrysBootyHole knows the real truth.

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by WhiteSox2023

$500 million debt / $1.75 billion  28.6%

But the announcement in Minnesota was just a 20% minority share allotted/allocated across three groups.

 

White Sox

$150 million debt / $1.8-2.0 billion valuation

That would be just 7-8% of the team to Ishbias, plus whatever he was able to buy from minority shareholders at a $1.8 valuation.

 

Spitball guess...

Reinsdorf/sons (control shares, a surprising number reportedly sold to sons instead of Ishbias) 42%

Ishbias 48%

Remaining minority shareholders 10%?????

We also don't know if the remaining minority shareholders were asked to pay down any of the outstanding debt (or if 100% Ishbia).

OR

What they would be expected to contribute to a potential new stadium??

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by caulfield12

Quero not listed as a trade option if the Phillips aren't able to re-sign Realmuto.

"The Phils’ trade conversations may be due diligence for now. They still seem likelier than not to figure something out with Realmuto. If that doesn’t come together, speculative trade options include Pedro Pagés, J.C. Escarra, Connor Wong and Jose Trevino."

Boston feels like tentative favorites to sign the Japanese slugger as things stand. That doesn't mean other suitors won't submit their bids. It doesn't mean that a total dark horse, such as Pittsburgh, Miami or even the White Sox, can't swoop out of nowhere and spoil Boston's plans. Breslow is clearly taking the patient, risk-averse approach to this offseason. But, the stars are well aligned, and Murakami addresses Boston's primary needs as well as any free agent left on the market.

That eerie quiet around Murakami's name in the rumor mill could play right into Boston's hands. As Katie Manganelli of BoSox Injection points out, the primary argument against signing Alonso to the five-year, $155 million contract he ultimately received from Baltimore was simple: age. Murakami won't age out of his prime on his contract. In fact, he could improve over the course of it. Factor in the apparent lack of interest, and the Red Sox are in prime position to address their biggest need at a price tag even Craig Breslow can stomach.

 

https://fansided.com/mlb/munetaka-murakami-rumors-red-sox-favored-mariners-could-blow-japan-return

espn/Passan

In fact, the top five players on Kiley McDaniel's ranking of the top 50 free agents are still without a team. The ones who have signed are running about $140 million over his estimates, a difference comprised almost entirely by the three biggest deals: Dylan Cease for $210 million ($65 million over expectations), Pete Alonso for $155 million ($45 million) and Kyle Schwarber for $150 million ($22 million).

McDaniel's overall projection of $3.46 billion leaves plenty of money left to be spent throughout the rest of free agency. Considering the Boston Red Sox haven't signed a player, the New York Yankees have spent just $5 million on free agents and the bottom 20 teams have spent less combined ($207 million) than the top team (Toronto Blue Jays, $277 million), there will be deals aplenty coming soon.

 

 

One team that could make a last-minute jump for the player are the Padres. After re-signing veteran pitcher Michael King and South Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song, the Padres could be turning their attention to the Japanese slugger. 

On the December 19 edition of “Foul Territory,” Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes reported that San Diego have met with Murakami.

https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/san-diego-padres/munetaka-murakami-blue-jays-mets-news/

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by caulfield12

Can this thread be renamed to caulfield12 diary?  

Just now, DFAthewave69420 said:

Can this thread be renamed to caulfield12 diary?  

If you do that, you would have to change like half the threads to that title and then it would get really confusing.

O'Hearn/Okamoto/Ozuna/Murakami to Pirates?  one of four possibilities

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/pirates-hoping-to-add-proven-bat-following-lowe-trade.html

Justin Crawford and Gage Wood would be AWESOME. Get it done, Chris.

https://thatballsouttahere.com/most-expensive-trade-package-phillies-should-give-for-white-sox-luis-robert-jr

 

 

"The Chicago Cubs may not be fully sold on pursuing Japanese pitching star Tatsuya Imai, according to recent insider commentary. While the Cubs have been linked to Imai as they explore rotation upgrades, a team insider suggested there is hesitation about committing significant resources without clearer long-term certainty. Concerns reportedly center on the transition to MLB, workload management, and how Imai would fit within the club’s broader development timeline. Chicago remains active in the pitching market but appears determined to avoid overextending financially or blocking younger arms in the system. Imai’s power repertoire and success overseas continue to draw league-wide attention, yet the Cubs are believed to be weighing upside against risk. As the offseason unfolds, Chicago’s cautious approach highlights a front office focused on sustainability rather than splashy moves, even as fans push for aggressive additions." #TatsuyaImai #ChicagoCubs #MLB

https://www.tiktok.com/%40yahoosports/video/7576797770711895327&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiQkavr_s2RAxXAEEQIHW3GFyQQFnoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0IEO7nEofWGgd7FqTZ00i3

Tatsuya Imai : The Hero We Need

Add the Blue Jays to the list of potential suitors for free agent Alex Bregman. Toronto officials have been in contact with Scott Boras, the third baseman’s agent, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Red Sox, Cubs, and Diamondbacks have also been connected to Bregman.

10 hours ago, ChiliIrishHammock24 said:

Justin Crawford and Gage Wood would be AWESOME. Get it done, Chris.

https://thatballsouttahere.com/most-expensive-trade-package-phillies-should-give-for-white-sox-luis-robert-jr

 

 

The Phillies #3 and #4 prospects?  🤣. Matt Davis needs to lay off the pipe.

Quote

The Phillies realistically could offer their top outfield prospect and No. 3 MLB Pipeline prospect Justin Crawford along with their No. 4 prospect right-hander Gage Wood.

“Realistically”?  No, not at all.

Edited December 21, 2025Dec 21 by WhiteSox2023

White Sox released OF Zach DeLoach.

5 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

The Phillies #3 and #4 prospects?  🤣. Matt Davis needs to lay off the pipe.

“Realistically”?  No, not at all.

Even if we paired Robert with Quero we aren't getting that package.

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

White Sox released OF Zach DeLoach.

Should have just stayed in Rage Against The Machine. 

I’d like to see $ spent via an “eating a contract” trade that also nets prospects. Who’s a player that can actually start and be a useful piece while also getting prospect value back?

 

I don’t WANT him…but what kind of prospect(s) do you think we could get back from the Phillies if we took on Castellanos and his full $20M? Casty could easily hit 30 HR’s in our stadium and get traded again at the deadline too. 
 

Other names?

6 minutes ago, TheFutureIsNear said:

I’d like to see $ spent via an “eating a contract” trade that also nets prospects. Who’s a player that can actually start and be a useful piece while also getting prospect value back?

 

I don’t WANT him…but what kind of prospect(s) do you think we could get back from the Phillies if we took on Castellanos and his full $20M? Casty could easily hit 30 HR’s in our stadium and get traded again at the deadline too. 
 

Other names?

Nick has zero bwar over his last 1000 PA and had a wRC+ of 88 last year as a DH. He's a 33 year old expensive version of Andrew Vaughn. No thanks. Nobody wants him and we don't have any PA for him to try and build value.

If we want to use money to get better prospects IMO the obvious avenue is to pay Robert's freight.

14 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Nick has zero bwar over his last 1000 PA and had a wRC+ of 88 last year as a DH. He's a 33 year old expensive version of Andrew Vaughn. No thanks. Nobody wants him and we don't have any PA for him to try and build value.

If we want to use money to get better prospects IMO the obvious avenue is to pay Robert's freight.

Like I said I don’t want him…but depending on the prospect return it could be well worth it. It’s only a 1 year so the risk is pretty minimal. 

Castellanos has been at odds with Thompson/the Phillies for a couple of years. Who knows, maybe if you give him the RF job with no pressure he can turn back into the .250/.315/.470 hitter with 30+ HR power. No doubt he’s an awful RF that drags down his value, but 20 HR’s with a respectable WRC+ at the deadline could draw trade interest as a platoon/DH for a playoff team. 
 

Eisert for Casty, Jean Cabrera, and  Carson Demartini?