1 minute ago, caulfield12 said:

It's not those.

It's ones like Benintendi LaRoche M.Cabrera Rios Keuchel Danks Encarnacion Lynn...choosing the exactly wrong players for those mostly 2-3 year deals.  Then those numbers add up to block other moves, or the Moncada/Jimenez/Robert extensions.

Talent/character evaluation.

I am only advancing my opinion that we should have a payroll in the 175+ category.  We have baseball experts within the organization to figure out the best way to spend it.

50 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

They said last off-season that they weren't eliminating his future as a starter, and we're taking it year to year.... but they were clear he was going to be a bullpen guy this year? When did that happen before today?

You can spin this however you'd like. It's a large blow to this teams future with Taylor being destined for the bullpen long term. He was one of the few high level arms they had, and the other two are also facing significant challenges. 

Wait, when was it announced that Taylor is going to be in the bullpen for the rest of his White Sox tenure? You're not just making that up based on nothing, are you?

Rick Hahn working for MLB Network at the meetings.

16 minutes ago, poppysox said:

I am only advancing my opinion that we should have a payroll in the 175+ category.  We have baseball experts within the organization to figure out the best way to spend it.

$135-150 million or thereabouts is the very minimum for a playoff team, like MIL and Detroit last year.

23 minutes ago, poppysox said:

Disappointing but not terrible IMO.  Injuries do happen.  He got some big hits last year.  Vaughn was crap until he was great for Milwaukee.  I'm hoping the new coaches can unlock some of this talent.

He can’t field though

12 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

Rick Hahn working for MLB Network at the meetings.

He was at the trade deadline show too

5 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

$135-150 million or thereabouts is the very minimum for a playoff team, like MIL and Detroit last year.

We should be above that as a major market player IMO.

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

He can’t field though

Yes...he is rough around the edges,

1 minute ago, Bob Sacamano said:

He was at the trade deadline show too

Hes there to serve as an example of what not to do for other GM's.

Fairbanks is a great example.

There are 100-125 relievers on the market now.

Arguably not worth even $11 to a small are the team.

But the playoffs the last 2-3 years has only further demonstrated how critical their impact on the postseason.

Look at the Mason Miller deal last year.

Fairbanks suddenly becomes incredibly valuable on an affordable contract to contenders if he's both healthy and productive.  Same exact teams looking at 12-15ish reliable arms drives prices into the strotosphere.

8 minutes ago, TheBooneLoganEra said:

Hes there to serve as an example of what not to do for other GM's.

But put a Harvard Michigan Kellogg sheen to covering up the fact he doesn't really know anything about actually identifying/evaluation anything but extensions and risk mitigation.

We can hear that from investment advisors for free.

5 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

But we need to play & develop the young players before we will ever have a path to become competitive.  I’m not against adding cheap vets where we don’t have good options, but those spots are somewhat limited.

Where would you like to see us add and which players do you have in mind?

Almost forgot Austin Hays in my list of interesting players.  He would be very high on my wish list.

46 minutes ago, poppysox said:

Almost forgot Austin Hays in my list of interesting players.  He would be very high on my wish list.

Once again...unless you pay 15-20% premium over contenders, you're going to see players with better options heading elsewhere.

Who wants to wait until 2029?

Someone like Michael Conforto is who the Sox will unfortunately end up with.

Maybe the risk at this point is low enough for Getz to bite.

8 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Once again...unless you pay 15-20% premium over contenders, you're going to see players with better options heading elsewhere.

Who wants to wait until 2029?

Someone like Michael Conforto is who the Sox will unfortunately end up with.

Maybe the risk at this point is low enough for Getz to bite.

For some people, the city of Chicago would be a hugh plus while others wouldn't come here at any amount of pay.  I wouldn't work in New York for any amount of money, but Arizona might interest me.   

9 minutes ago, poppysox said:

For some people, the city of Chicago would be a hugh plus while others wouldn't come here at any amount of pay.  I wouldn't work in New York for any amount of money, but Arizona might interest me.   

I don't think you could handle the NY media. 

13 minutes ago, poppysox said:

For some people, the city of Chicago would be a hugh plus while others wouldn't come here at any amount of pay.  I wouldn't work in New York for any amount of money, but Arizona might interest me.   

That's why SD succeeded for a decade.

Weather and home stadium/surrounding environment.

Relative safety of the city is top notch as well.

Plus you're 3-4 hours closer for Pacific flights.

 

Flyover territory is not for everyone.

There's a reason 80% of mlb resources are allocated to the East and West coasts.

Chicago is a great city in the heart of the summer months...but the equivalent of London for nine months out of the year.  Growing up in Iowa, trips to see the Sox play were always so exciting as a young kid filled with wonder at all the skyscrapers riding the EL museums art galleries the lakefront shopping malls food fests Air Show etc. Heck, just the mystique of Michael Jordan was enough.

Edited December 9, 2025Dec 9 by caulfield12

1 minute ago, WestEddy said:

I don't think you could handle the NY media. 

No s***!

1 minute ago, WestEddy said:

I don't think you could handle the NY media. 

Or Boston. Or Philly.

West Coast is so much more relaxed/chill.

SoxMachine with day 1 notes:

White Sox open Winter Meetings with brighter days still out of view - Sox Machine

- Sox still looking to add starting pitching
- Tauchman described as "lost, for the time being" by Venable
- Getz not inclined to use Schultz, Hagen Smith or McDougal from bullpen

1 hour ago, poppysox said:

For some people, the city of Chicago would be a hugh plus while others wouldn't come here at any amount of pay.  I wouldn't work in New York for any amount of money, but Arizona might interest me.   

New York doesn't want you either.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/12/08/white-sox-taking-a-leap-hinges-on-development-of-young-players-not-outside-reinforcements

7 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/12/08/white-sox-taking-a-leap-hinges-on-development-of-young-players-not-outside-reinforcements

We know this doesn't work without bringing in a foundational piece from outside.

Cubs with Jon Lester, Royals with James Shields, etc.

It really comes down to developing Schultz/HSmith/McDougal/Oppor AND not ending up with the #4-7 pick next summer.

Braden and Antonacci are pretty much it in terms of position player reinforcements.

22 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/12/08/white-sox-taking-a-leap-hinges-on-development-of-young-players-not-outside-reinforcements

I feel like I’ve read this same article in each of the past three offseasons now.  And I am sure I will read it again a couple more offseason until Ishbia takes over.

Sox are interested in CF Jacob Meyers (per McTaggert) and RHP Dustin May (per Garfein)

13 minutes ago, GGajewski18 said:

Sox are interested in CF Jacob Meyers (per McTaggert) and RHP Dustin May (per Garfein)

Where did Garfein say that? I’d like that gamble a lot.