Team Breakout Article

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

On 1/27/2026 at 10:41 AM, Kyyle23 said:

Living in reality doesn’t mean wallowing in self pity.  As it stands right now I don’t really see this team being appreciably better than it was last season.  I’m not wallowing in that, it’s just what I see. 

Guess it getting close to the time to predict our record next year and get it down in writing before opening day. What did you predict last year  ? Did you post in that thread last year before opening day ? I don't think I did.

What you see and calling it reality based is more like perspective based. Your perspective could be wallowing. Maybe it's not. Guess we'll see who can make projections better. It's hard with a young team coming off 102 loses but with a plucky attitude and go-getter coaching.

Your reality is based on how you view what's happening to build the foundation, the coaches, the young guys from last year progressing or regressing and anyone new to the 26 this year .

Or you can do in July after the All Star break like 1 guy did last season. Are you going to predict 100 loses ? You have a month still to decide. 

Edited 2 hours ago by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[Bob Sacamano]

I got them at over 66.5 just before the Robert deal. It's dropped 1 or 2 depending on the Sportsbook since the deal.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

On 1/27/2026 at 11:17 AM, poppysox said:

I didn't tell you anything.

He's Rage Posting. 

[Chicago White Sox]

10 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

His 100AB running wxOBA on the last day of the season was 314, which is right at league average. Not bad!

He was a negative defender who hasn't fared well in the outfield so far, as you pointed out.

When I joined the board, fans weren't arguing that players like Brooks Baldwin should be handed a job out of Spring Training. Big league jobs on competitive teams are earned, they're not handed to guys that have proven nothing. 200 Plate appearances? Come on man. I'm still analytical, which is why I'm scoffing at 200 PA's earning a guy a starting nod on a major league team. 

I never ever said to give up on him too. He should have a right to earn a spot on the team. You're handing him a MLB starting outfielders job with all the flaws you, yourself, point to above. This isn't some elite prospect with loud tools. he was the 25th! ranked prospect in the Sox system last year. I just don't agree with handing a player of that ilk a starting job without truly earning it.

Again, if you are evaluating rookies (or minor leaguers) only using full season stats then you are doing things wrong.  Candidly it’s just lazy and I’d be pissed if one of my analysts took such a simple approach to evaluation.  The reality is his AAA stats were elite, his major league production after returning from his demotion was really good, and he looked the part using the eye test if you actually watched him.  His physical tools are also much louder than most people realize (his 25th ranking last year missed the mark) and most scouts view him as a high makeup guy.  There are so many reasons to believe this guy is going to put up a +100 wRC+ next year and potentially blow it out of the water.  If you want to over-index on a player’s first 130 PA’s that’s on you, but I saw a player who was adjusting and getting better as the year progressed and all the underlying data backs that up.

I also got to chuckle at the idea that Baldwin shouldn’t be handed a spot after a strong 200 PA performance in real major league games, but should potentially lose out an opportunity to the likes of Jarred Kelenic over a tiny set of meaningful spring training at-bats.  Is that really your stance on this?

[Baron]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-late-january-zips-projected-standings-update/

 

69 wins in the latest fangraphs projections. 

[Chicago White Sox]

24 minutes ago, almagest said:

If he has a down season he's probably not moveable. I assume you mean something like he fails as a closer but is still a solid middle/late inning reliever. In that case I don't know if I want to trade him because those guys probably won't amount to much.

Then you keep him.  But yes, that’s what I’m getting at.

[southsider2k5]

4 minutes ago, Baron said:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-late-january-zips-projected-standings-update/

 

69 wins in the latest fangraphs projections. 

Nice.

[Baron]

Is it me or does 77 wins for Minnesota seem too high still 

[ptatc]

14 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I got them at over 66.5 just before the Robert deal. It's dropped 1 or 2 depending on the Sportsbook since the deal.

I got 65.5 after the trade.

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

7 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Again, if you are evaluating rookies (or minor leaguers) only using full season stats then you are doing things wrong.  Candidly it’s just lazy and I’d be pissed if one of my analysts took such a simple approach to evaluation.  The reality is his AAA stats were elite, his major league production after returning from his demotion was really good, and he looked the part using the eye test if you actually watched him.  His physical tools are also much louder than most people realize (his 25th ranking last year missed the mark) and most scouts view him as a high makeup guy.  There are so many reasons to believe this guy is going to put up a +100 wRC+ next year and potentially blow it out of the water.  If you want to over-index on a player’s first 130 PA’s that’s on you, but I saw a player who was adjusting and getting better as the year progressed and all the underlying data backs that up.

I also got to chuckle at the idea that Baldwin shouldn’t be handed a spot after a strong 200 PA performance in real major league games, but should potentially lose out an opportunity to the likes of Jarred Kelenic over a tiny set of meaningful spring training at-bats.  Is that really your stance on this?

My stance has been that neither Kelenic nor Brooks Baldwin should be handed an outfield job. The only outfielder deserving of that chance is Acuna.

I would obviously take Baldwin over Kelenic 100 times out of 100.

 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

On 1/28/2026 at 5:00 AM, Falstaff said:

I googled Justin Ishbia's net worth and it's at approximately $5.4 billion. I do not know how accurate that is but let's go with it. Reinsdork is going to muck up the works for 3 more years? Let's take a conservative outlook on Ishbia's net worth with growth at 4% annually for 3 years, he would be north of $6 billion when Reinsdork walks away.

 

 

 

And that's just Justin . The other brother and father are involved with the investment in the Sox too from everything I've seen. 

[fathom]

4 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

My stance has been that neither Kelenic nor Brooks Baldwin should be handed an outfield job. The only outfielder deserving of that chance is Acuna.

I would obviously take Baldwin over Kelenic 100 times out of 100.

 

If the roster stays as what it is, then give Kelenic and Baldwin the first chance.  No one is pushing them, as of now.

[almagest]

Hopefully out of Acuna, Kelenic, Baldwin and Pereira the Sox find a couple solid outfielders. I'd even be happy with one. I'd guess Baldwin has the best shot, followed by Pereira (just because I know the least about him of the four). I don't think Kelenic will be with the team for long unless we actually DO have some sort of hitting lab that can help players out. I think that's a long shot though. Acuna has pedigree and some MiLB results, but he's been bad for a while across MLB and AAA now. I also don't think he's likely to amount to much more than a backup.

[fathom]

2 minutes ago, almagest said:

Hopefully out of Acuna, Kelenic, Baldwin and Pereira the Sox find a couple solid outfielders. I'd even be happy with one. I'd guess Baldwin has the best shot, followed by Pereira (just because I know the least about him of the four). I don't think Kelenic will be with the team for long unless we actually DO have some sort of hitting lab that can help players out. I think that's a long shot though. Acuna has pedigree and some MiLB results, but he's been bad for a while across MLB and AAA now. I also don't think he's likely to amount to much more than a backup.

Yep finding one long term core player would be a win

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

On 1/27/2026 at 6:19 PM, Bob Sacamano said:

 

Shhhh not too loud. Don’t want to upset people for having higher standards!

 A lot of people's standards have changed between the recently deceased rebuild and the current one because people felt betrayed like your partner cheated on you so your protecting yourself by raising your standards in a time where you used to understand losing was a way to build up again. But now you feel like a beaten dog snarling at anyone offering you food because you don't trust them. Better days are ahead. It's a slower process than before because they started from a bigger hole and JR wont be responsible for anything but the bottom line because he's on the way out. 

Dont you get tired of crying over a broken heart and laughing at those who dont feel that pain as much ? 

[Kyyle23]

41 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Guess it getting close to the time to predict our record next year and get it down in writing before opening day. What did you predict last year  ? Did you post in that thread last year before opening day ? I don't think I did.

What you see and calling it reality based is more like perspective based. Your perspective could be wallowing. Maybe it's not. Guess we'll see who can make projections better. It's hard with a young team coming off 102 loses but with a plucky attitude and go-getter coaching.

Your reality is based on how you view what's happening to build the foundation, the coaches, the young guys from last year progressing or regressing and anyone new to the 26 this year .

Or you can do in July after the All Star break like 1 guy did last season. Are you going to predict 100 loses ? You have a month still to decide. 

I absolutely posted it and pointed out I was wrong when they got past my figure.  Thank you for your concern

[chitownsportsfan]

ZIPS has Baldwin at .8 projected fWAR and a 98 wRC+. We have "handed" starting jobs to worse players, worse older players, in "contending" years.  The dead wood in the OF that doesn't deserve to start is Beni, not Brooks. Brooks is young, has 4 years of control left and might be a decent regular.

Starting him 5 days out of the week in LF is fine.

[Kyyle23]

1 minute ago, chitownsportsfan said:

ZIPS has Baldwin at .8 projected fWAR and a 98 wRC+. We have "handed" starting jobs to worse players, worse older players, in "contending" years.  The dead wood in the OF that doesn't deserve to start is Beni, not Brooks. Brooks is young, has 4 years of control left and might be a decent regular.

Starting him 5 days out of the week in LF is fine.

*COUGH* Mazara* COUGH*

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

19 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

I absolutely posted it and pointed out I was wrong when they got past my figure.  Thank you for your concern

I didn't know .Didn't look it up to tell your reality was wrong last year. But I do remember your reality on Colson Montgomery was a bit askew when you didnt think he was ready to be called up when he was. I think it was you because I remember @Autumn Dreamin pointing to some positive signs that he could very well be ready and you responded  something like you hoped she was right. 

I acknowledge that assessing things negatively wrong twice doesnt mean youre necessarily wallowing . Maybe Im just remembering wrong. 

Edited 1 hour ago by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

34 minutes ago, fathom said:

If the roster stays as what it is, then give Kelenic and Baldwin the first chance.  No one is pushing them, as of now.

Agree with this well. But Kelenic would be last on my list of the guys who get a shot.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

12 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

ZIPS has Baldwin at .8 projected fWAR and a 98 wRC+. We have "handed" starting jobs to worse players, worse older players, in "contending" years.  The dead wood in the OF that doesn't deserve to start is Beni, not Brooks. Brooks is young, has 4 years of control left and might be a decent regular.

Starting him 5 days out of the week in LF is fine.

Brooks isnt a FA until 2031 so counting seasons 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 is 5 years of eligibility.

[WBWSF]

If everything works out I'm expecting 85 wins for the White Sox in 2026!!!!

[Kyyle23]

4 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

I didn't know .Didn't look it up to tell your reality was wrong last year. But I do remember your reality on Colson Montgomery was a bit askew when you didnt think he was ready to be called up when he was. I think it was you because I remember @Autumn Dreamin pointing to some positive signs that he could very well be ready and you responded  something like you hoped she was right. 

Actually I said I was concerned about his Ks and you laugh emoji like 3 posts in a row, and then you didn’t have s%*# to say when Colson had K issues.  Which has been the Cali experience for most everyone on this board.

Cali shows up, talks down to everyone, tells everyone how much better of a fan he is, then boasts about his fan positivity!

I love it, it’s great.  But again, I’m glad you are so concerned with what I think!

[WhiteSox2023]

2 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

If everything works out I'm expecting 85 wins for the White Sox in 2026!!!!

That’s only if you replace Getz as GM.

[fathom]

6 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

Actually I said I was concerned about his Ks and you laugh emoji like 3 posts in a row, and then you didn’t have s%*# to say when Colson had K issues.  Which has been the Cali experience for most everyone on this board.

Cali shows up, talks down to everyone, tells everyone how much better of a fan he is, then boasts about his fan positivity!

I love it, it’s great.  But again, I’m glad you are so concerned with what I think!

As someone that basically never gets into it with other posters, I’m so tired of every thread ending up with the same cast of characters bickering.  I’m not saying anyone is particularly wrong, but I speak for myself when I say I don’t even read what is posted by these posters when I see it’s become a personal argument.