Winter Meetings Dec. Trades FA Signings Thread

[fathom]

2 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

You’re not wrong, but this is the perfect time for them to take a risk. The payroll is basically non-existent. If he doesn’t translate, then it’s unfortunate but at least they tried. But there is also the possibility that he is a monster. And he fits in perfectly from an age/skillset standpoint. 

They’re not going to spend like you think they should, end of story

[ChiSoxFanMike]

I’d take Okamoto or O’Hearn as alternatives, but I just don’t think those guys have the same ceiling of Murakami. Take a big swing for once.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

2 minutes ago, fathom said:

They’re not going to spend like you think they should, end of story

I’m not expecting them to spend until after the lockout issues are resolved. It would be nice to see them try to improve though.

[fathom]

2 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

I’m not expecting them to spend until after the lockout issues are resolved. It would be nice to see them try to improve though.

Of course, but Jerry sucks 

[caulfield12]

5 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

I’d take Okamoto or O’Hearn as alternatives, but I just don’t think those guys have the same ceiling of Murakami. Take a big swing for once.

Tier B is where the White Sox have committed almost all of their big FA mistakes.

[WhiteSox2023]

11 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

You’re not wrong, but this is the perfect time for them to take a risk. The payroll is basically non-existent. If he doesn’t translate, then it’s unfortunate but at least they tried. But there is also the possibility that he is a monster. And he fits in perfectly from an age/skillset standpoint. 

I doubt they want to risk adding another potential bloated contract if they aren’t sure about the guy to begin with.  They already have to sell Robert and his $20 million plus his $2 million buyout on some team and have no hopes of dumping Benintendi’s remaining 2-years and $31 million.  That’s already $53 million dollars the Sox don’t want on their payroll over the next two seasons.

Edited Saturday at 01:07 AM by WhiteSox2023

[caulfield12]

5 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

I doubt they want to risk adding another potential bloated contract if they aren’t sure about the guy to begin with.  They already have to sell Robert and his $20 million on some team and have no hopes of dumping Benintendi’s remaining 2-years and $31 million.

The problem is can anyone be sure about Tucker for $300-425 million?

Those sure things like a Tyler Glasnow or Dylan Cease have even more risk attached at peak FA rates.

Same with Valdez and Imai, for that matter.

 

Would anyone be really excited about Bellinger, for that matter?

Enough to go out and buy a new jersey?

 

You need the type of players little kids dream about being (see PCA).  That's also part of the inherent responsibility of owners in the entertainment business.

Edited Saturday at 01:09 AM by caulfield12

[Bob Sacamano]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/pirates-designate-marco-luciano-tsung-che-cheng-for-assignment.html

Now you’re speaking Jerry’s Chenguage

Edited Saturday at 01:18 AM by Bob Sacamano

[almagest]

Clearly, we should all 100% believe this Twitter rando. 

[Bob Sacamano]

Just now, almagest said:

Clearly, we should all 100% believe this Twitter rando. 

I won’t hold my breath

[WhiteSox2023]

10 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

The problem is can anyone be sure about Tucker for $300-425 million?

Those sure things like a Tyler Glasnow or Dylan Cease have even more risk attached at peak FA rates.

Same with Valdez and Imai, for that matter.

 

Would anyone be really excited about Bellinger, for that matter?

Enough to go out and buy a new jersey?

 

You need the type of players little kids dream about being (see PCA).  That's also part of the inherent responsibility of owners in the entertainment business.

The truth is that Jerry isn’t approving any real spending outside of cheap low tier free agents until he sells the team.  It’s been funny reading this site and posters still having hope that Getz will sign some decent free agents.  Guys like O’Hearn and Fairbanks are more than likely out of the range of what Getz can even spend.  Jhonkensy Noel for 1B is right up Getz’s alley, just like Everson Pereira was for RF/CF.

Edited Saturday at 01:20 AM by WhiteSox2023

[ChiSoxFanMike]

24 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

I doubt they want to risk adding another potential bloated contract if they aren’t sure about the guy to begin with.  They already have to sell Robert and his $20 million plus his $2 million buyout on some team and have no hopes of dumping Benintendi’s remaining 2-years and $31 million.  That’s already $53 million dollars the Sox don’t want on their payroll over the next two seasons.

I’m guessing Robert will be traded at some point, so it’s basically Benintendi, Kay (who will probably be traded too if he’s any good), and then a bunch of guys making league minimum in 2027. It’s basically as clean of a slate as you’ll get from a payroll standpoint.

[WhiteSox2023]

1 minute ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

I’m guessing Robert will be traded at some point, so it’s basically Benintendi, Kay (who will probably be traded too if he’s any good), and then a bunch of guys making league minimum in 2027. It’s basically as clean of a slate as you’ll get from a payroll standpoint.

The Sox have been losing money year after year according to SS2K5.  An easy way to soften those losses is to slash payroll.  Especially right before you are planning to sell the team in 2029.  And I am not buying that Ishbia is going to fund any Sox offseason until he actually owns the team.

[caulfield12]

34 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

The Sox have been losing money year after year according to SS2K5.  An easy way to soften those losses is to slash payroll.  Especially right before you are planning to sell the team in 2029.  And I am not buying that Ishbia is going to fund any Sox offseason until he actually owns the team.

"San Diego Padres explore sale of team two years after owner Seidler's death. LAS VEGAS — The San Diego Padres, who are about $300 million in debt, are exploring the possibility of selling the franchise, the team announced Thursday at the end of the GM Meetings."

 

Go look at the Forbes team valuations in 2006 and compare to 2025.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2006/04/21/The-Back-Of-The-Book/Forbes-Releases-MLB-Franchise-Valuations-Yankees-Top-$1B/

The franchise values have BOTH increased to roughly $1.8 billion...but SD has been one of the most entertaining teams since 2019 and a constant Top 5 attendance presence.  4/6 playoffs made, etc.  Four playoff series victories.  Knocked off Dodgers in 2022.

SD is just over luxury tax threshold 2025. $4-5 million in luxury tax.

Also just added almost $90 million in new contracts this week.

Darvish Bogaerts Cronenworth Merrill Musgrove Tatis Machado all over $100 million...Tatis/Machado $330ish.

Added Pivetta $55 million last off season.  King @ $75 million.

 

Two very distinct ways to run a team, but ending up in the same franchise valuations despite one being decidedly small market.

The only difference is $150 million in debt.  But still $200 million less debt than the Twins.

Edited Saturday at 02:06 AM by caulfield12

[46DidIt]

17 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

The Sox have been losing money year after year according to SS2K5.  An easy way to soften those losses is to slash payroll.  

Do you have a credible source for that

[maxjusttyped]

31 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

The Sox have been losing money year after year according to SS2K5.  An easy way to soften those losses is to slash payroll.  Especially right before you are planning to sell the team in 2029.  And I am not buying that Ishbia is going to fund any Sox offseason until he actually owns the team.

I cannot imagine how anyone could see how Reinsdorf teams have operated for ~40+ years and think he'd be willing to operate at a loss for 1 year let alone several. 

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, Y2Jimmy0 said:

I've heard they're not in. Not a big surprise. He's just not the type of player that this front office is interested in. 

 

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, almagest said:

Clearly, we should all 100% believe this Twitter rando. 

Oh we so fucking back!

[caulfield12]

"There’s obvious risk in this profile. Miguel Sano jumps to mind as a faux third baseman with 80 power who could never make enough contact to stick even as a first baseman. On the flip side of the coin, there are scenarios where Murakami is effectively a lite version of Kyle Schwarber’s skill set — but eight years younger with more defensive value as a competent first baseman. The range of outcomes is all over the place on Murakami, but the upside here is tantalizing enough that we’re predicting a huge investment — likely one with opt-outs along the way.

There will be a sizable cost on top of the contract guaranteed to Murakami himself. The signing club would owe a posting fee to the Swallows that is proportional to the size of the contract: 20% of the deal’s first $25MM, 17.5% of the next $25MM, and 15% of spending thereafter. A $180MM contract would come with a posting fee just shy of $29MM.  It’s worth noting that the posting fee is not part of a team’s competitive balance tax calculation."

8/$180 million + $29 million posting fee

Sure, why not a $209 million investment???

[caulfield12]

GuerreroEnjoyer

@aidan54186539

 

Toronto sports enjoyer

Toronto, Ontario

Joined May 2020

1,734 Following

651 Followers

[caulfield12]

Someone in Toronto must want to fake out another fanbase after what has happened with Ohtani and Sasaki, lol.

[caulfield12]

"Consider the hypothetical scenario: Murakami takes something like a two-year guarantee, demonstrates 40 home-run type power, plays passable defense at third or first base, leverages an ability to speak English into stardom and re-enters the free-agent market at 28 years old. Then, he might be in line for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Of course, that is merely one favorable script in a wide range of possible outcomes. The posting fee attached to Murakami complicates the idea of a shorter deal. A club might not want to tack on an additional fee to a short-term contract on a young player. More money, more risk.

From the clubs’ perspective, though, a long-term deal might present even more of a challenging bet. Generally speaking, teams are more comfortable developing and predicting performances for Japanese pitchers than position players. Murakami is not a perfect fit for the models clubs use and depend on to make decisions in free agency."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6898364/2025/12/18/mlb-munetaka-murakami-free-agency-update/

 

Short term deals pretty much kill the White Sox chances here.

This is where scouting and backgrounding his character/work ethic on the ground is critical.

Edited Saturday at 02:50 AM by caulfield12

[Chicago White Sox]

21 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

GuerreroEnjoyer

@aidan54186539

 

Toronto sports enjoyer

Toronto, Ontario

Joined May 2020

1,734 Following

651 Followers

?

[caulfield12]

21 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

?

Source for Murakami to Sox in 24-48 hours rumor lol.

This practically guarantees it will be the Padres on a 2-3 year deal.

They're the only small market team the last 6-7 years embarrassing everyone else at the bottom into spending.

There's also the token signings by teams like Oak Pitt Miami to create necessary illusions that they're attempting to compete.  Seemingly posturing by owners before labor negotiations..."at least we tried."

Sort of.

Chicago White Sox

Adding Murakami would be a fun way to inject some much-needed excitement on the South Side and would offer Murakami a lower-stakes setting to adjust to major-league pitching, but it would also be a sizable risk that this front office (and ownership group) is probably uninterested in taking at this stage of its rebuild.

yahoosports

Edited Saturday at 03:15 AM by caulfield12

[caulfield12]

"But if San Diego is able to unload some salary in a trade or two — and if it can conjure up a creative contract offer that limits the upfront financial burden for the club — Murakami’s fit on this roster is as clean as any across the league, given the Padres’ glaring holes at DH and first base crying out for an influx of upside (with all due respect to Gavin Sheets’ modest late-career breakout).

The Padres have a particular need for over-the-fence power, having ranked 28th in home runs in 2025, and general manager A.J. Preller has been chasing star power his entire career. Even factoring in the risks, Murakami could represent a unique opportunity to extend this team’s contention window with another impact talent potentially entering his prime and flip the narrative that this winter is all about downsizing for San Diego."

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/mlb-free-agency-why-every-team-will-or-wont-sign-munetaka-murakami-203809390.html#chicago-white-sox