OD 26 Man Roster Projection

[Chicago White Sox]

17 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

Regarding the outfield, I think Hays is the best option. I’m in agreement that I don’t want to pay Bader off a career year. I liked Tauchman last year, but he is starting to fall off durability wise and isn’t getting any younger. Conforto just sucks now and I don’t think they would get much of anything for him at the deadline even if he bounced back to an extent.

That leaves Hays. He has connections to Fuller from Baltimore, had a fairly good season last year, has some pop, and mashed lefties. He also has experience in both corners and would add a much needed righty bat to this lineup. Shouldn’t be that expensive either. I think he’s the guy on a 1 year deal.

Hayes can’t hit RHP though…his value is entirely against LHP.  If we add another OF, do you really want a short side platoon bat?  What do you envisioning the OF playing time mix looking like if we add Hayes?

Edited yesterday at 04:21 PM by Chicago White Sox

[Bob Sacamano]

4 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Hayes can’t hit LHP though…his value is entirely against RHP.  If we add another OF, do you really want a short side platoon bat?  What do you envisioning the OF playing time mix looking like if we add Hayes?

Ah. I just assumed he was better against LHP.

Edit: actually, he had a .949 OPs against lefties last year. .941 on 2024. .786 in 2023 but it was close to what it was against RHP

Edited yesterday at 04:20 PM by Bob Sacamano

[ChiSoxFanMike]

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Hayes can’t hit LHP though…his value is entirely against RHP.  If we add another OF, do you really want a short side platoon bat?  What do you envisioning the OF playing time mix looking like if we add Hayes?

Hays hit .319 with a .949 OPS against LHP last year, granted it was a fairly small sample. Nobody knows what the outfield will look like on Opening Day, but it’s hard to imagine there not being a good number of at-bats for a guy like him. 

[WhiteSox2023]

3 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Ah. I just assumed he was better against LHP.

Edit: actually, he had a .949 OPs against lefties last year. .941 on 2024

He is, and has been in his career.

[Chicago White Sox]

4 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Ah. I just assumed he was better against LHP.

Edit: actually, he had a .949 OPs against lefties last year. .941 on 2024. .786 in 2023 but it was close to what it was against RHP

Sorry, I made my post backwards.  His value is against LHP.

[Chicago White Sox]

3 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

Hays hit .319 with a .949 OPS against LHP last year, granted it was a fairly small sample. Nobody knows what the outfield will look like on Opening Day, but it’s hard to imagine there not being a good number of at-bats for a guy like him. 

Sorry, massive typo.  Yes, Hayes has always been good against LHP.  The problem he is bad to well below average aging RHP now or at least the last two years.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

I see Hays as a better version of Austin Slater, who I thought did pretty well and served a purpose last year.

[Bob Sacamano]

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Sorry, massive typo.  Yes, Hayes has always been good against LHP.  The problem he is bad to well below average aging RHP now or at least the last two years.

Regardless, he’ll probably be more in their price range. Like I said, if guys like Baldwin hit and Montgomery comes up, he’s likely shifting to the bench anyway. And regardless if Acuna or Baldwin hit or not, they should still be in.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Sorry, massive typo.  Yes, Hayes has always been good against LHP.  The problem he is bad to well below average aging RHP now or at least the last two years.

I’m guessing Benintendi and Baldwin will get most of the at-bats against RHP’s anyway. Not sure about RF, maybe Kelenic if he makes the team. Either way, Hays feels like a natural fit for this roster especially against LHP.

[WhiteSox2023]

6 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Regardless, he’ll probably be more in their price range. Like I said, if guys like Baldwin hit and Montgomery comes up, he’s likely shifting to the bench anyway. And regardless if Acuna or Baldwin hit or not, they should still be in.

I wonder how much Hays will even get at this point.  It’s getting close to ST and so many guys haven’t signed yet and don’t seem to have much leverage.  I could see Tauchman having to take a minor league deal at this point.

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

I see Hays as a better version of Austin Slater, who I thought did pretty well and served a purpose last year.

I guess my question is what you expect the OF alignment to be and whether a RH or LH makes more sense.

IMO, with Baldwin & Acuna locks for the roster, we can probably get by with just one infielder on the bench (Sosa or Mead).  That allows us to carry two dedicated OFs on our bench if we so choose.  I also think they plan to give Benintendi heavy use at DH and much less time off it in LF.  Theoretically that means there could be up to six players in the OF mix.

My belief is Acuna is going to get serious run in CF.  He will likely sit against tough RHP, but don’t believe they will platoon him.  Baldwin fills in CF when Acuna needs a day off (or if he’s in the IF).  Otherwise, he’s going to be in a corner on most days against RHP while likely filling in the IF from time to time.  I think Pereira starts off as a weak side platoon partner in one of the OF corners with gradual exposure to some RHP.  Benintendi should be a part-time player in LF, primarily against RHP.  I believe those four combined can more or less cover 2/3 of the OF plus a chunk of DH plate appearances and some fill-in time in the IF.

That leaves two roster spots to address the other corner OF spot and fill in other bench type roles like late-inning defense and pinch-running.  IMO, Hill can possibly fill three distinct roles by helping against LHP (115 career wRC+), providing elite late inning defense, and being a pinch runner when needed.  He’d have to be paired with a LH bat though and I really don’t think Kelenic should be counted on to be that guy.  I’d much rather take a shot on Tauchman again (if healthy) and run him out there until he either breaks down, until someone pushes for his playing time (maybe even Kelenic if he does well in AAA), or Braden proved himself ready.

Now, if they are committed to making Kelenic a thing and doing so from the get go, then I’d be willing to go the Hayes route and use him as a hedge.  However, I do worry his price tag will be too rich for us, especially for such a role.  Either way, I’d rather invest bigger dollars into a SP than a very ordinary OF like Hayes.

[WhiteSox2023]

8 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I guess my question is what you expect the OF alignment to be and whether a RH or LH makes more sense.

IMO, with Baldwin & Acuna locks for the roster, we can probably get by with just one infielder on the bench (Sosa or Mead).  That allows us to carry two dedicated OFs on our bench if we so choose.  I also think they plan to give Benintendi heavy use at DH and much less time off it in LF.  Theoretically that means there could be up to six players in the OF mix.

My belief is Acuna is going to get serious run in CF.  He will likely sit against tough RHP, but don’t believe they will platoon him.  Baldwin fills in CF when Acuna needs a day off (or if he’s in the IF).  Otherwise, he’s going to be in a corner on most days against RHP while likely filling in the IF from time to time.  I think Pereira starts off as a weak side platoon partner in one of the OF corners with gradual exposure to some RHP.  Benintendi should be a part-time player in LF, primarily against RHP.  I believe those four combined can more or less cover 2/3 of the OF plus a chunk of DH plate appearances and some fill-in time in the IF.

That leaves two roster spots to address the other corner OF spot and fill in other bench type roles like late-inning defense and pinch-running.  IMO, Hill can possibly fill three distinct roles by helping against LHP (115 career wRC+), providing elite late inning defense, and being a pinch runner when needed.  He’d have to be paired with a LH bat though and I really don’t think Kelenic should be counted on to be that guy.  I’d much rather take a shot on Tauchman again (if healthy) and run him out there until he either breaks down, until someone pushes for his playing time (maybe even Kelenic if he does well in AAA), or Braden proved himself ready.

Now, if they are committed to making Kelenic a thing and doing so from the get go, then I’d be willing to go the Hayes route and use him as a hedge.  However, I do worry his price tag will be too rich for us, especially for such a role.  Either way, I’d rather invest bigger dollars into a SP than a very ordinary OF like Hayes.

Can Kelenic play CF or is he terrible defensively?  I don’t know much about him other than looking at his Baseball Reference page which shows he played 159 games at CF with 147 starts in his career.  The thought of Hill staying at Charlotte is nice if they have 4 outfielders that could potentially play CF at any moment in Acuna, Pereira, Baldwin, and Kelenic.

Edited yesterday at 06:17 PM by WhiteSox2023

[Bob Sacamano]

6 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Can Kelenic play CF or is he terrible defensively?  The thought of Hill staying at Charlotte is nice if they have 4 outfielders that could potentially play CF at any moment in Acuna, Pereira, Baldwin, and Kelenic.

He’s bad defensively 

[Chicago White Sox]

2 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Can Kelenic play CF or is he terrible defensively?  The thought of Hill staying at Charlotte is nice if they have 4 outfielders that could potentially play CF at any moment in Acuna, Pereira, Baldwin, and Kelenic.

Kelenic can not play CF IMO.

[WhiteSox2023]

1 minute ago, Bob Sacamano said:

He’s bad defensively 

1 minute ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Kelenic can not play CF IMO.

Eh, too bad.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

2 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I guess my question is what you expect the OF alignment to be and whether a RH or LH makes more sense.

IMO, with Baldwin & Acuna locks for the roster, we can probably get by with just one infielder on the bench (Sosa or Mead).  That allows us to carry two dedicated OFs on our bench if we so choose.  I also think they plan to give Benintendi heavy use at DH and much less time off it in LF.  Theoretically that means there could be up to six players in the OF mix.

My belief is Acuna is going to get serious run in CF.  He will likely sit against tough RHP, but don’t believe they will platoon him.  Baldwin fills in CF when Acuna needs a day off (or if he’s in the IF).  Otherwise, he’s going to be in a corner on most days against RHP while likely filling in the IF from time to time.  I think Pereira starts off as a weak side platoon partner in one of the OF corners with gradual exposure to some RHP.  Benintendi should be a part-time player in LF, primarily against RHP.  I believe those four combined can more or less cover 2/3 of the OF plus a chunk of DH plate appearances and some fill-in time in the IF.

That leaves two roster spots to address the other corner OF spot and fill in other bench type roles like late-inning defense and pinch-running.  IMO, Hill can possibly fill three distinct roles by helping against LHP (115 career wRC+), providing elite late inning defense, and being a pinch runner when needed.  He’d have to be paired with a LH bat though and I really don’t think Kelenic should be counted on to be that guy.  I’d much rather take a shot on Tauchman again (if healthy) and run him out there until he either breaks down, until someone pushes for his playing time (maybe even Kelenic if he does well in AAA), or Braden proved himself ready.

Now, if they are committed to making Kelenic a thing and doing so from the get go, then I’d be willing to go the Hayes route and use him as a hedge.  However, I do worry his price tag will be too rich for us, especially for such a role.  Either way, I’d rather invest bigger dollars into a SP than a very ordinary OF like Hayes.

Baldwin has been better against RHP so far in MLB, while Acuna and Pereira have been better against LHP (all small samples). Benintendi was actually better against LHP than RHP last year, but historically has been the opposite.

vs RHP

LF: Benintendi

CF: Acuna

RF: Baldwin

 

vs LHP

LF: Hays

CF: Acuna 

RF: Pereira

There are a ton of moving parts here, but bringing in Hays could give Venable more options to pick and choose matchups.

[46DidIt]

Benintendi and Baldwin in the corners together sounds like a bad time.

[Chicago White Sox]

7 minutes ago, 46DidIt said:

Benintendi and Baldwin in the corners together sounds like a bad time.

Sounds like Benintendi is going to be used a lot more in the DH slot to keep him healthy and hopefully improve his defense when he has to play LF.  For Baldwin, I think people are way over-reacting to bad defense that is the result of being new to the position.  Way too early to say he can’t get decent in OF with more reps.

[WhiteSox2023]

42 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

Baldwin has been better against RHP so far in MLB, while Acuna and Pereira have been better against LHP (all small samples). Benintendi was actually better against LHP than RHP last year, but historically has been the opposite.

vs RHP

LF: Benintendi

CF: Acuna

RF: Baldwin

 

vs LHP

LF: Hays

CF: Acuna 

RF: Pereira

There are a ton of moving parts here, but bringing in Hays could give Venable more options to pick and choose matchups.

One thing I noticed about Hays is that his defense must have declined a lot the past couple years.  Even with his good offensive production, his WAR was pretty low last year.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

1 hour ago, 46DidIt said:

Benintendi and Baldwin in the corners together sounds like a bad time.

I’m not ready at all to give up on Baldwin defensively in the outfield. I’m hoping they give him consistent playing time at one position so he can master it. Benintendi is what he is, just have to deal with him for a little while longer.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

One thing I noticed about Hays is that his defense must have declined a lot the past couple years.  Even with his good offensive production, his WAR was pretty low last year.

Yeah I certainly wouldn’t want to give him a contract longer than a year. If he’s willing to take a 1 year deal, bring him in.

[GGajewski18]

Current roster as is:

C Teel/Quero
1B: Murakami/Mead
2B Meidroth
3B Vargas
SS Montgomery
LF Kelenic (I think he makes the team)
CF Acuna
RF Pereira/Brooksie
DH Benintendi/Sosa

SP: Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon
RP: Tyler Gilbert, Alexander Alberto, Jedixson Paez, Matt Vasil, Sean Newcomb, Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, Seranthony Domínguez

You got Berrora (who was very good at the end of 2024) and Thorpe coming back.  And the pen isn't even including Eisert, Murphy, and Davitt. I'd trade Sosa and a depth pen guy for a prospect or two.

Definitely need SP, just not sure who to sign.  German Marquez? Zack Littel? Nick Martinez? Jon Gray? Walker Buehler?

[WestEddy]

3 hours ago, GGajewski18 said:

Current roster as is:

C Teel/Quero
1B: Murakami/Mead
2B Meidroth
3B Vargas
SS Montgomery
LF Kelenic (I think he makes the team)
CF Acuna
RF Pereira/Brooksie
DH Benintendi/Sosa

SP: Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon
RP: Tyler Gilbert, Alexander Alberto, Jedixson Paez, Matt Vasil, Sean Newcomb, Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, Seranthony Domínguez

You got Berrora (who was very good at the end of 2024) and Thorpe coming back.  And the pen isn't even including Eisert, Murphy, and Davitt. I'd trade Sosa and a depth pen guy for a prospect or two.

Definitely need SP, just not sure who to sign.  German Marquez? Zack Littel? Nick Martinez? Jon Gray? Walker Buehler?

If that's the lineup, I think that Pereira platoons with Kelenic. Vs. LHP, Pereira's the RF, Acuña's CF, Baldwin's in LF. VS. RHP, Kelenic in LF, Acuña in CF, Baldwin in RF. Maybe... if somebody like Tristan Peters plays out of his head in ST, he can spell Acuña against some righties. 

I also think that Newcomb's going to be given every chance to start, which means Cannon doesn't make the team and Chris Murphy/Bryan Hudson/Ryan Borucki/Eisert battle to be the 2nd pen lefty. 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

16 hours ago, GGajewski18 said:

Current roster as is:

C Teel/Quero
1B: Murakami/Mead
2B Meidroth
3B Vargas
SS Montgomery
LF Kelenic (I think he makes the team)
CF Acuna
RF Pereira/Brooksie
DH Benintendi/Sosa

SP: Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon
RP: Tyler Gilbert, Alexander Alberto, Jedixson Paez, Matt Vasil, Sean Newcomb, Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, Seranthony Domínguez

You got Berrora (who was very good at the end of 2024) and Thorpe coming back.  And the pen isn't even including Eisert, Murphy, and Davitt. I'd trade Sosa and a depth pen guy for a prospect or two.

Definitely need SP, just not sure who to sign.  German Marquez? Zack Littel? Nick Martinez? Jon Gray? Walker Buehler?

Wikelman Gonzalez ? 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

On 1/24/2026 at 8:16 AM, Chicago White Sox said:

Hayes can’t hit RHP though…his value is entirely against LHP.  If we add another OF, do you really want a short side platoon bat?  What do you envisioning the OF playing time mix looking like if we add Hayes?

If Baldwin shows a big improvement in the OF since he's a switchhitter keep him in the OF as much as possible. 

l know plenty of guys need a lot of looks in ST but I'd be playing Baldwin every day out there. Getting off to a good start is pretty crucial this year and I'd like some of these young guys to know where they stand and hit the ground running, especially Acuna and Baldwin. 

Edited 4 hours ago by CaliSoxFanViaSWside