2 minutes ago, Squirmin' for Yermin said:

I mean I’d take prime gallo with a better BA/OBP. Certainly a risk, but we have no payroll to worry about

Prime Gallo with a better BA/OBP is an MVP.

I too would take that.

22 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I've read that every Japanese hitter has issues hitting velo once the come to America. They're professional hitters. They adjust. The strikeouts concern me. I don't think they need Murakami as a core piece. 

Not all of them are guaranteed to do well in MLB either.  It's easy to remember the successful but there are plenty of failures.

9 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

It’s a gamble for sure, and one I would probably take if his market and projected deal aren’t there.

The other day, I guessed a 3-year deal with a player opt-out. That's probably not feasible. I'd love for the Sox to sign him, just for the marketing opportunity.

4 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

The other day, I guessed a 3-year deal with a player opt-out. That's probably not feasible. I'd love for the Sox to sign him, just for the marketing opportunity.

He isn't good enough to command an opt out not with the posting fee on top. Three years with a vesting option makes sense to me. I'd offer 3/65 with a 500 PA 30 million option for 2029.

If he's just a 1 WAR player bench him and move on. Little downside risk here given the context imo so get it done.

It would certainly generate a little excitement that we sorely need. Outside of the draft next year, we need some hope and reason to watch.

Every player a club signs comes with risk.  This should be a relatively easy decision.  Getting fans into 2026 should be a motive enough.

We can’t draft higher than 10th in 2027. Might as well make the 2026 season as watchable as possible.

And you guys thought I was joking with finding "Murakami is coming" in Venable's quote

18 minutes ago, almagest said:

And you guys thought I was joking with finding "Murakami is coming" in Venable's quote

Personally, I think it’s going to be Okamoto based on his K% and BB%. Feels more like the kind of guy they would target based on what they are trying to do here (OBP, patience at the plate, good walk rate, good K rate, defense, and of course, cheaper).

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by Bob Sacamano

1 minute ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Personally, I think it’s going to be Okamoto based on his K% and BB%. Feels more like the kind of guy they would target based on what they are trying to do here.

I'd be happy with either

If the offers are bad enough that the Sox are in, why wouldn't he just go back to Japan and try again next year?

7 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

If the offers are bad enough that the Sox are in, why wouldn't he just go back to Japan and try again next year?

He’s already proven he can mash in Japan. How would another year of raking there change anything?
 

1 minute ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

He’s already proven he can mash in Japan. How would another year of raking there change anything?
 

Labor certainty?

3 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

He’s already proven he can mash in Japan. How would another year of raking there change anything?
 

Drop his K rate and he hits the powerball.

I don’t know what to think here. Getting colder feet that he probably sucks, and then I’d feel bad I wanted someone who wasn’t good. 
 

But I’m also starving for something more interesting that trading for 40 man fodder from other teams.

Tough call. I’d probably fail the Oreo test.

3 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Drop his K rate and he hits the powerball.

Maybe but it still wouldn’t change the questions about his ability to hit MLB pitching. He might as well sign with a MLB team now.

https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/favorable-market-emerging-white-sox-180752958.html
 

👀

2 hours ago, Bob Sacamano said:

@Y2Jimmy0!

No idea. Still haven’t seen anything reputable. 

59 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Personally, I think it’s going to be Okamoto based on his K% and BB%. Feels more like the kind of guy they would target based on what they are trying to do here (OBP, patience at the plate, good walk rate, good K rate, defense, and of course, cheaper).

Okamoto hits righty. Looking at their roster, they already have at least 3 R/R 1b/3b. Murakami fits what they said they were looking for much better.

1 hour ago, chitownsportsfan said:

He isn't good enough to command an opt out not with the posting fee on top. Three years with a vesting option makes sense to me. I'd offer 3/65 with a 500 PA 30 million option for 2029.

If he's just a 1 WAR player bench him and move on. Little downside risk here given the context imo so get it done.

He's not going more than 2-3 years if he doesn't get 5-8 years as originally targeted.

8/$180 was the mlbtr projection.

A non contender/guaranteed playing time situation away from the major media markets makes some sense.

But a deal for just two years or maybe three doesn't help the Sox as much as teams like the Pirates Red Sox Reds Mariners and Padres that are in win now mode and have (quite) relatively limited budgets.

Then he crushes the ball and is off to the Dodgers to replace Muncy/Freeman.

 

 

8 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

Okamoto hits righty. Looking at their roster, they already have at least 3 R/R 1b/3b. Murakami fits what they said they were looking for much better.

And he's too old for a team at least two years away...Murakami has age and growth/potential in his favor.

Two years from prime for him.

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by caulfield12

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

If the offers are bad enough that the Sox are in, why wouldn't he just go back to Japan and try again next year?

Not enough elite velo to prove anything.

Imai one of the few remaining in starting rotations that throw upper 90s, and he'll get somewhere in Cease/Valdez territory.

 

Murakami will stay in the US even if it's just a 1-2 year prove it deal according to all reports.

He believes he can get a huge contract after that at just age 26-27.

Remember how rare FA's in that age range are...

This would excite me. Maybe he doesn’t pan out but I love the idea of the move. 

They aren"t getting Bichette Bregman Tucker Bellinger.

What exciting hitter remains???

Especially LHed?

 

Plus nobody even knows what to expect from Colson this year.

Cholowsky RHed as well.

Perfect balance with Teel and Braden.

Gallo or Schwarber Lite at 25-27?

Massive variance there.