29 minutes ago, CWSpalehoseCWS said:

This certainly is fun. I do wish they took more of a gamble and went with a little longer deal, because it's going to be hard to retain him if he ends up as good as some people think. Should be fun to watch him regardless. Nice to see the Sox break the mold and beat the rest of the league.

At least we are trying to somewhat compete which is good to see. 

12 minutes ago, DoUEvenShift said:

Will wear #5

Jersey being ordered right now…thanks!

Venable hinted at a bunch of moves. Rumors are nonexistent. They still need a SP, veteran OF, trade Robert, a back-of-the-bullpen arm, and then the group of extraneous bullpen fodder. I can't imagine that Murakami was holding up any market. 

1 minute ago, WestEddy said:

Venable hinted at a bunch of moves. Rumors are nonexistent. They still need a SP, veteran OF, trade Robert, a back-of-the-bullpen arm, and then the group of extraneous bullpen fodder. I can't imagine that Murakami was holding up any market. 

I hope Getz doesn’t waste money on fluky bullpen arms and save it for the rest of your list.

Win-Win. I understand folks wanting more than 2 years.

 

If he comes here and tears it up, there is reason to believe Ishbia will see the value in keeping him around. The cultural impact alone can move merch.

 

If he comes here, and struggles to establish himself, well...its 2 years.

Totally get the guy being disappointed with the offers and wanting a prove it deal to become a free agent at 27 again. At least he doesn’t cost a draft pick like other guys who have gone this route.

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Same.  Dudes market COLLAPSED.  But the good news is this is the type of lottery ticket that could pay huge.  If he turns out near his ceiling,  even if the Sox still suck, he could bring a haul.

Also worth noting that while the Sox are putting out 40m total for this signing,  I bet a sizable chunk of this comes back to them in the form of Japanese ad sales.  Wouldn't be surprised at all see Japanese ads in the park for opening day, plus some specialty media deals.

The other good news is if he is what we all hope, his contract is up 2 years from the end of the Reinsdorf regime of terror, and Ishbias voice should be even louder. Hopefully White Sox fans being conditioned to believe we can't have nice things is coming to an end. Even though they would deny it, it's hard to believe Ishbia had nothing to do with this.

This graphic (@yakyucosmo) has definitely been in the back of my mind.

Devers had a Contact% of 71 in 2025, Z-Contact% of 73.8, Whiff% of 31.6, and the Whiff% on breaking balls at 31. Similar profiles, I understand.

Still, against better competition, Devers has been much better… https://t.co/MBpIjY56cJ pic.twitter.com/w08NSnYnr4

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) December 21, 2025

10 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Devers or Olson sounds just fine to me

36 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Also worth noting that while the Sox are putting out 40m total for this signing,  I bet a sizable chunk of this comes back to them in the form of Japanese ad sales.  Wouldn't be surprised at all see Japanese ads in the park for opening day, plus some specialty media deals.

I think this is more like they are gonna cut payroll, and it will start in CF.

1 minute ago, The CashMan said:

I think this is more like they are gonna cut payroll, and it will start in CF.

I mean I know this is the white Sox but if they were afraid of Robert's 20 million they both wouldn't have picked up the option or signed Murakami. If they trade Robert it will because the trade improves the team after 2026.

29 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Does anyone have more details or an article on how he was horrible against fastballs at 93+ MPH?

8 minutes ago, The CashMan said:

I think this is more like they are gonna cut payroll, and it will start in CF.

Oh I am certain of what I said.

5 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Does anyone have more details or an article on how he was horrible against fastballs at 93+ MPH?

That was false

9 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Does anyone have more details or an article on how he was horrible against fastballs at 93+ MPH?

It was based on some random small sample size of incomplete data 

 

52 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Also worth noting that while the Sox are putting out 40m total for this signing,  I bet a sizable chunk of this comes back to them in the form of Japanese ad sales.  Wouldn't be surprised at all see Japanese ads in the park for opening day, plus some specialty media deals.

This is true. But just generally, this will add up to a few million bucks. Not nothing, but also not even close to offsetting the investment.

Unfortunately, the league currently retains the right to sell the international broadcasts to nhk

44 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I understand why everyone wants to do these extremely low sample comps, but in reality they are pretty much useless in terms of projecting anything. There’s always bound to be just as much different about any two players as there can be that’s the same, in terms of how they actually get to their results.

I think the big factor here is age. Many really good hitters from NPB have failed to make the transition to the MLB stuff/velo profile when they’ve come in their late 20s or 30s. I presume a connection between waning athleticism and the ability to make huge adjustments. Murakami at age 25/26 is promising, but we have to remember that numerical age is just a proxy for biological/athletic age, and guys with this body type do tend to peak athletically sooner.

I’ll say I don’t think there’s any doubt that age 22-24 Murakami could make the necessary adjustments, evidenced both by his WBC arc and the way the NPB kept redefining how to get him out, the big question will be if age 26-27 Murakami retains that adaptability.

Btw separately, Tyler is a really great source if anyone wants to consume any NPB content. He really puts a ton of time into watching and analyzing everything from top team NPB to college prospects. 

1 hour ago, WestEddy said:

Venable hinted at a bunch of moves. Rumors are nonexistent. They still need a SP, veteran OF, trade Robert, a back-of-the-bullpen arm, and then the group of extraneous bullpen fodder. I can't imagine that Murakami was holding up any market. 

I think Robert is as good as gone, and Sosa wouldn't surprise me either.

56 minutes ago, almagest said:

Devers or Olson sounds just fine to me

Even the median outcome guys would be mostly good if we’re looking at age 26,27 seasons. 

I still feel like Robert to the Pirates makes so much sense for both sides. I’d take Thomas Harrington tbh

On 12/20/2025 at 11:13 AM, Snopek said:

Side note: The Sox Sunday home uniforms should be the pope outfit. Just go all in.

It's hard to run in sandals, but I'm okay with it.

17 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said:

I still feel like Robert to the Pirates makes so much sense for both sides. I’d take Thomas Harrington tbh

Throw in king Sosa and it should be enough for Griffin. 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

 

 

Amazing