28 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Starring Chris Getz as Jerry's snitch, ironically enough.

Took Cooper's spot.

Or Boston's.

The K-shaped economy lives in sports, too, and for the exact same reason: Money is flowing toward, and consolidating around, a few key teams, programs and individuals in each sport, leaving the others to fend for whatever scraps are left. There have always been haves and have-nots in the sporting universe: the Yankees and the White Sox, the Lakers and the Wizards, Ohio State and Rutgers. But we’re in a new, flush era now … great news for a few, bad news for most.

The infusion of broadcast revenue, franchise buy-in fees, billionaire owners, private-equity infusions, and willing-or-not fan spending — more on that last one in a bit — a tidal wave of wealth is unbalancing entire sports. We’re already seeing the effects on championship chases … and we’re seeing the cracks along the margins, too.

Never has the old cliché “The best team money can buy” been more true than in Chavez Ravine right now. The back-to-back world champion Los Angeles Dodgers had a 2025 payroll of $321.3 million — more than the entire payrolls of the White Sox, Rays, Marlins and Athletics combined. Yes, money alone can’t win you titles — the Mets had the highest payroll last year, and they were, well, the Mets — but money, and the total lack of a salary cap, sure makes life a lot easier. Hope those small-market teams enjoyed those titles when they had them; they’re likely not coming around again anytime soon.

https://sports.yahoo.com/sports-media/article/cash-rules-everything-around-sports-the-k-shaped-economy-widened-gaps-between-haves-have-nots-in-2025-141122272.html

Edited December 25, 2025Dec 25 by caulfield12

1 hour ago, caulfield12 said:

The K-shaped economy lives in sports, too, and for the exact same reason: Money is flowing toward, and consolidating around, a few key teams, programs and individuals in each sport, leaving the others to fend for whatever scraps are left. There have always been haves and have-nots in the sporting universe: the Yankees and the White Sox, the Lakers and the Wizards, Ohio State and Rutgers. But we’re in a new, flush era now … great news for a few, bad news for most.

The infusion of broadcast revenue, franchise buy-in fees, billionaire owners, private-equity infusions, and willing-or-not fan spending — more on that last one in a bit — a tidal wave of wealth is unbalancing entire sports. We’re already seeing the effects on championship chases … and we’re seeing the cracks along the margins, too.

Never has the old cliché “The best team money can buy” been more true than in Chavez Ravine right now. The back-to-back world champion Los Angeles Dodgers had a 2025 payroll of $321.3 million — more than the entire payrolls of the White Sox, Rays, Marlins and Athletics combined. Yes, money alone can’t win you titles — the Mets had the highest payroll last year, and they were, well, the Mets — but money, and the total lack of a salary cap, sure makes life a lot easier. Hope those small-market teams enjoyed those titles when they had them; they’re likely not coming around again anytime soon.

https://sports.yahoo.com/sports-media/article/cash-rules-everything-around-sports-the-k-shaped-economy-widened-gaps-between-haves-have-nots-in-2025-141122272.html

The white sox should not be considered small market. They are a team that plays in a large market that pretends to be a small market team. 

12 minutes ago, Ducksnort said:

The white sox should not be considered small market. They are a team that plays in a large market that pretends to be a small market team. 

I've seen articles that even said the White Sox were the worst team in baseball the last TWO seasons...

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/players-in-dfa-limbo.html

J.Noel and J.Wiemer dfa holiday "limbo"

19 years ago

"Another Rangers’ Trade that Completely Sucks Ass"

In retrospect, his arrival was a tad overrated. Christmas ’06: The Texas Rangers trade pitchers John Danks, Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Brandon McCarthy. Nice. Can’t find the exact quote, but I remember Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels saying at the time that McCarthy...

On 12/10/2025 at 9:57 PM, caulfield12 said:

Sure, why not?

So Fairbanks gets $20 million or higher...and let's split the difference between $15 and $20 million on Getz 2025-26 FA deals, no White Sox individual contracts totaling over $17.5 million in value before Opening Day.

1-1 tie, nothing happens I guess.

Feel very confident in winning at least one if not both.

 

O'Hearn had been with Baltimore during their resurgence and then SD.

He won't want to go back to KC/CHW AL Central purgatory unless it's with Detroit, which is highly unlikely based  on their roster and rising young hitting prospects.

Mods - @caulfield12 has lost both of the above bets and has agreed to sit out the rest of the offseason.  As such, please proceed with his temporary ban at your soonest convenience.  Thanks in advance and hope y’all have a Merry Christmas.

26 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Mods - @caulfield12 has lost both of the above bets and has agreed to sit out the rest of the offseason.  As such, please proceed with his temporary ban at your soonest convenience.  Thanks in advance and hope y’all have a Merry Christmas.

Fine, whatever, but you were still wrong on Fairbanks. Wrong wrong wrong. As long as you admit that along with everyone else who argued he would get less than $11 million.

You basicalmy argued he would struggle to get a deal of even $10 million.

He actually now has $14 million in hand (including the TB buyout) and will get $14.5 million if he's traded by the deadline.

You lost the battle but somehow won the war.

 

At any rate, I'm working out the details on a new project with White Sox Japan scout Satoshi Takahashi and Excel SM, so I will probably be busy anyway.

PS  If WestEddy gets bored, he like a genie can summon me back before February 20th or whatever date it is.

Also, I'm going to record anytime someone makes a bet starting with Feb 20th and make sure those bettors are all held accountable in similar fashion since you took it this far, despite being wrong in "spirit."

Edited December 25, 2025Dec 25 by caulfield12

13 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

The movies section has died and people are always looking for things to watch during the holidays.

Maybe in China but plenty of free movie content in the states Might not be the newest releases but there are inexpensive ways to get those if youre into using digital codes here in the good ol' USA. 

5 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Fine, whatever, but you were still wrong on Fairbanks. Wrong wrong wrong. As long as you admit that along with everyone else who argued he would get less than $11 million.

You basicalmy argued he would struggle to get a deal of even $10 million.

He actually now has $14 million in hand (including the TB buyout) and will get $14.5 million if he's traded by the deadline.

You lost the battle but somehow won the war.

 

At any rate, I'm working out the details on a new project with White Sox Japan scout Satoshi Takahashi and Excel SM, so I will probably be busy anyway.

PS  If WestEddy gets bored, he like a genie can summon me back before February 20th or whatever date it is.

Also, I'm going to record anytime someone makes a bet starting with Feb 20th and make sure those bettors are all held accountable in similar fashion since you took it this far, despite being wrong in "spirit."

I was 100% wrong on him exceeding the option…no doubt about that.  But at the end of the day, that wasn’t the bet my friend nor was it even the spirit of the bet.  You thought Fairbanks was going to easily clear $20M because of some ridiculous Spotrac forecast and that did not happen.  You also thought the Sox wouldn’t sign someone for more than $17.5M in total contract value and that did happen.

Ultimately, we must hold one another accountable for our words & actions.  A bet was agreed to and a ban must be issued accordingly now that the dust has settled.  I respect your courage to actually put some skin in the game and look forward to future interactions come Opening Day.  圣诞快乐，新年快乐！

@caulfield12 lost the ban bet.  The proof is in the pudding.  Fairbanks did not receive over $20 million.  He received $13 million.  Also, the Sox signed Murakami for $34 million, which is an individual free agent contract above $17.5 million prior to opening day.

Edited December 25, 2025Dec 25 by WhiteSox2023

2 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I was 100% wrong on him exceeding the option…no doubt about that.  But at the end of the day, that wasn’t the bet my friend nor was it even the spirit of the bet.  You thought Fairbanks was going to easily clear $20M because of some ridiculous Spotrac forecast and that did not happen.  You also thought the Sox wouldn’t sign someone for more than $17.5M in total contract value and that did happen.

Ultimately, we must hold one another accountable for our words & actions.  A bet was agreed to and a ban must be issued accordingly now that the dust has settled.  I respect your courage to actually put some skin in the game and look forward to future interactions come Opening Day.  圣诞快乐，新年快乐！

I don't think anybody should self-deport, but Caulfield was talking about 3/36, if I remember correctly. And a few of us got swatted down for suggesting somebody like Murakami could sign with the White Sox. NostraCaulfield mocked me for suggesting 3/45. 

 

 

34 minutes ago, DoUEvenShift said:

 

 

We all have more weight to pull, now that Caulfield's going to be wearing out that Padres' board. 

White Sox now have the smallest “largest contract ever” of the 30 franchises I believe. 

36 minutes ago, Lukakke Appling said:

White Sox now have the smallest “largest contract ever” of the 30 franchises I believe. 

Sad.

1 hour ago, Lukakke Appling said:

White Sox now have the smallest “largest contract ever” of the 30 franchises I believe. 

According to MLB Trade Rumors Sox do have the smallest largest.

3 hours ago, Lukakke Appling said:

White Sox now have the smallest “largest contract ever” of the 30 franchises I believe. 

Even on Christmas, it's the gift that keeps on not giving. 

2 hours ago, Timmy U said:

According to MLB Trade Rumors Sox do have the smallest largest.

And the A’s beat the Sox largest contract by $11 million at the minimum.

...Huh?

Getting my popcorn ready.

I don't believe it though.

Edited December 26, 2025Dec 26 by DirtySox

2 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

...Huh?

19 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

...Huh?

Francys has to be trolling us because there’s just no way that makes any sense.

1 minute ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

Francys has to be trolling us because there’s just no way that makes any sense.

Agreed.  No way I believe this.

20 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

...Huh?

Why? Although this would be a typical White Sox move wouldn't it?