2026 Spring Training Thread

[Jake]

Well at least there's some appreciation around here for how difficult it is to prove cause and effect. As far as Vargas goes, he had murdered AAA pitching to an extent that would have made you believe he would be competent in MLB. He was not-horrible in his first exposure to MLB pitching. Then he had an extended run of bad play with the Sox. Then he had an extended run of competent play with the Sox. I think part of the reason it's not crazy to think that the Sox changed something is because the change in his play from horrible to solid coincided with a change the Sox suggested to his swing/stance. Maybe that was coincidental or bound to happen regardless. The world is a complicated place.

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

Reality is going from an 2024 OPS+ of 98 to a 2025 of 100 is being "fixed", when he has a career average of.... wait for it... 100?  His actual OPS was .721 with a career average of.... .720.

Looks to me like they got exactly what they paid for to me, which is a good deal in recent years.

Guys - We have officially reached the point where people are so bitter about the org that they use data in an unfair way to spin a story to their needs.  Austin Slater was signed to be a short-side platoon bat.  As such, let’s lay out the facts here in terms of his production wRC+ against LHP:

• 2017-23: 131
• 2024: 66
• 2025: 137 w/ White Sox

Slater was an elite hitter against LHP through 2023.  He was legit terrible against them in 2024.  The White Sox proactively signed him in free agency for a cheap $1.5M, which SoxTalk mocked the org for claiming he was their “#1 target”.  After signing with us, he quickly returned to his previous form.  He was so good against LHP that despite being a rental and just a platoon guy, he was able to command a top 20 org prospect at the deadline.  The signing was a no doubt home run.

Anyone arguing we didn’t “fix” him is either being purposely dishonest or simply so uninformed about the player that they don’t understand his role to begin with.

[WestEddy]

45 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

When the Sox acquired Vargas, his 2025 Projected WAR was 1.2 and his projected OPS+ was 102.

He finished at 1.3 and 101. 

Just because some people like to overreact to 400 MLB at bats and decided that was who Miguel Vargas was for the rest of his career, doesn't mean that's actually what was expected of him. The Sox haven't gotten more out of Vargas, they got exactly what was expected out of him. Hardly a case of fixing a guy. 

When you're in a hole, Ray Ray, stop digging. 

Nobody sane actually believes that no work goes into developing top prospects and that no credit for getting guys back on track is due. But you seem to be arguing that Chris Getz made a masterful trade of Erick Fedde and Kopech to obtain one of the top prospects in the game, who has always been great, needed no coaching, and will continue to reach the lofty heights expected of him with no further effort. I think you're getting a bit out there RubRub. When you get back to Earth, we'll talk some baseball. 

[WhiteSox2023]

4 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Guys - We have officially reached the point where people are so bitter about the org that they use data in an unfair way to spin a story to their needs.  Austin Slater was signed to be a short-side platoon bat.  As such, let’s lay out the facts here in terms of his production wRC+ against LHP:

• 2017-23: 131
• 2024: 66
• 2025: 137 w/ White Sox

Slater was an elite hitter against LHP through 2023.  He was legit terrible against them in 2024.  The White Sox proactively signed him in free agency for a cheap $1.5M, which SoxTalk mocked the org for claiming he was their “#1 target”.  After signing with us, he quickly returned to his previous form.  He was so good against LHP that despite being a rental and just a platoon guy, he was able to command a top 20 org prospect at the deadline.  The signing was a no doubt home run.

Anyone arguing we didn’t “fix” him is either being purposely dishonest or simply so uninformed about the player that they don’t understand his role to begin with.

Regardless of how Slater performed, Getz deserved all the mocking he received for making that statement.  Let’s be honest.

[southsider2k5]

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Guys - We have officially reached the point where people are so bitter about the org that they use data in an unfair way to spin a story to their needs.  Austin Slater was signed to be a short-side platoon bat.  As such, let’s lay out the facts here in terms of his production wRC+ against LHP:

• 2017-23: 131
• 2024: 66
• 2025: 137 w/ White Sox

Slater was an elite hitter against LHP through 2023.  He was legit terrible against them in 2024.  The White Sox proactively signed him in free agency for a cheap $1.5M, which SoxTalk mocked the org for claiming he was their “#1 target”.  After signing with us, he quickly returned to his previous form.  He was so good against LHP that despite being a rental and just a platoon guy, he was able to command a top 20 org prospect at the deadline.  The signing was a no doubt home run.

Anyone arguing we didn’t “fix” him is either being purposely dishonest or simply so uninformed about the player that they don’t understand his role to begin with.

He put up almost the exact same season wide numbers.  How is that unfair when compared to slicing out pieces that do work?  We are looking at 79 ABs one season, 160 the next, which worked out almost identically overall, and you are mad we are not boiling it down even further to look only at one subset of his performance in which he put up 224/.290/.435/.726/, which is actually below his career line vs LHP  with his .267/.357/.430/.787, and yet I am being unfair.

This is turning into a cult.

[SoxBlanco]

1 hour ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Montgomery has only ever been in there system. They dont get credit for "fixing" something they created.

If we’re going to blame the Sox for not being able to develop prospects that we drafted or traded for when they don’t pan out, then they should certainly get credit for developing Colson, especially if you consider the struggles he had early last year. 

If we are strictly talking semantics here with the word “fix”, then so be it. But they should absolutely get credit for developing him. 

[chitownsportsfan]

Seeing Murakami in the sun hitting bombs has me hyped. Winter is ending, slowly, hopefully for Sox fans in more ways than one.

Edited 11 hours ago by chitownsportsfan

[Bob Sacamano]

4 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Seeing Murakami in the sun hitting bombs has me hyped. Winter is ending, slowly, hopefully for Sox fans in more ways than one.

We’re getting some warmer weather here in the Chicago area over the next couple weeks as well. Really sunny day and seeing the snow melt. It makes me want to go be productive and clean and organize the garage lol

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Fixing is getting something more out of player than expected.

Not getting the 50 median outcome of their statistical trajectory.

No idea which player you are referring to and what the basis of median projections would be in your mind, but let’s look at how some the players performed vs. 2025 ZiPs in terms of OPS last year (Actuals vs. Projection):

• Montgomery: .840 vs. .625 (+.215)
• Teel: .786 vs. .668 (+.118)
• Tauchman: .756 vs. .727 (+.029)
• Thaiss: .676 vs. .640 (+.036)
• Vargas: .717 vs. .723 (-.006)
• Slater: .859 vs. .734 (+.125)
• Sosa: .727 vs. .666 (+.061)
• Quero: .689 vs. .675 (+.014)
• Baldwin: .697 vs. .670 (+0.27)
• Meidroth: .649 vs. .701 (-.052)

There is a clear depiction of over performance here.  For those of who watched the actual games, it was clear that the addition of Fuller, improved coaching, better pro scouting, and a strategy of acquiring more disciplined hitters paid off.  At-bats were generally more competitive and led to better outcomes, moreso than ZiPS expected.

Now, if you were referring to Vargas, then yes he was basically on his projection.  I think that’s ignoring all context of his 2024 season and the headspace he was in at the time.  I would 100% give the Sox some credit for righting the ship and turning him to a league average hitter after accounting immense struggles the year before.

Regardless, it’s doesn’t change the broader narrative of our hitting successes last year.

[Dick Allen]

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

No idea which player you are referring to and what the basis of median projections would be in your mind, but let’s look at how some the players performed vs. 2025 ZiPs in terms of OPS last year (Actuals vs. Projection):

• Montgomery: .840 vs. .625 (+.215)
• Teel: .786 vs. .668 (+.118)
• Tauchman: .756 vs. .727 (+.029)
• Thaiss: .676 vs. .640 (+.036)
• Vargas: .717 vs. .723 (-.006)
• Slater: .859 vs. .734 (+.125)
• Sosa: .727 vs. .666 (+.061)
• Quero: .689 vs. .675 (+.014)
• Baldwin: .697 vs. .670 (+0.27)
• Meidroth: .649 vs. .701 (-.052)

There is a clear depiction of over performance here.  For those of who watched the actual games, it was clear that the addition of Fuller, improved coaching, better pro scouting, and a strategy of acquiring more disciplined hitters paid off.  At-bats were generally more competitive and led to better outcomes, moreso than ZiPS expected.

Now, if you were referring to Vargas, then yes he was basically on his projection.  I think that’s ignoring all context of his 2024 season and the headspace he was in at the time.  I would 100% give the Sox some credit for righting the ship and turning him to a league average hitter after accounting immense struggles the year before.

Regardless, it’s doesn’t change the broader narrative of our hitting successes last year.

And with all that, they still were a bottom 4 offense in all of baseball. 

[Chicago White Sox]

15 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

He put up almost the exact same season wide numbers.  How is that unfair when compared to slicing out pieces that do work?  We are looking at 79 ABs one season, 160 the next, which worked out almost identically overall, and you are mad we are not boiling it down even further to look only at one subset of his performance in which he put up 224/.290/.435/.726/, which is actually below his career line vs LHP  with his .267/.357/.430/.787, and yet I am being unfair.

This is turning into a cult.

I have never in my entire life met someone who is incapable of admitting they are wrong about something as much as you.  It’s actually comical at this point.  And then making bizarre “cult” accusations?  Like what in the f*** are we even doing here?  When are the other mods going to step in and stop this nonsense?

Read the damn post.  Very clearly stated what he we signed him up to do which is hit LHP.  Him being forced to play against RHP was a function of injury and lacking minor league depth.  There is a reason he cost us $600k over the league minimum in free agency and then commanded a top 20 org prospect at the deadline.  You can try to spin this all you want, but the facts don’t lie.  The Sox returned him to his previous form against LHP and were able to turn him a solid prospect.  But keep being purposefully dense in a Hail Mary swing at winning the internet for the day.

[Chicago White Sox]

7 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

And with all that, they still were a bottom 4 offense in all of baseball. 

What exactly are we arguing here?  Yes, they sucked in the first half when a lot of the young guys weren’t up (or struggling) and instead they played a bunch of AAAA guys.  Go look at where the offense performed in the second half as young guys further developed.  I’m not giving out credit because I’m some homer…the front office actually put together a competent offense together July forward.

[southsider2k5]

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I have never in my entire life met someone who is incapable of admitting they are wrong about something as much as you.  It’s actually comical at this point.  And then making bizarre “cult” accusations?  Like what in the f*** are we even doing here?  When are the other mods going to step in and stop this nonsense?

Read the damn post.  Very clearly stated what he we signed him up to do which is hit LHP.  Him being forced to play against RHP was a function of injury and lacking minor league depth.  There is a reason he cost us $600k over the league minimum in free agency and then commanded a top 20 org prospect at the deadline.  You can try to spin this all you want, but the facts don’t lie.  The Sox returned him to his previous form against LHP and were able to turn him a solid prospect.  But keep being purposefully dense in a Hail Mary swing at winning the internet for the day.

This is really what this victory lap is over?  Getting a guy back to his career norms?  Oh, ok.  I guess when I read "fixed" it meant better than he had been, not the same.  I guess that mean you "win"  congratulations.

And yes, it has become a cult.  Disagree and the insults start flying, which is exactly what happened here.  It turned from talking about a dudes stats to name-calling, and then you got mad when you got it back.

You really are only allowed to have one opinion here anymore.  Even sticking to stats it turned into this.

[Dick Allen]

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

What exactly are we arguing here?  Yes, they sucked in the first half when a lot of the young guys weren’t up (or struggling) and instead they played a bunch of AAAA guys.  Go look at where the offense performed in the second half as young guys further developed.  I’m not giving out credit because I’m some homer…the front office actually put together a competent offense together July forward.

What we are arguing is how much these hitting "geniuses" have to do with White Sox success. I think the numbers are pretty similar without them.

[southsider2k5]

2 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

What we are arguing is how much these hitting "geniuses" have to do with White Sox success. I think the numbers are pretty similar without them.

Which was the exact point.  Am I supposed to be impressed by a guy doing exactly what he is always done, except for one bad year?  Oh.  Ok.  Wow.  Amazing.  We are as good as everyone else.  We will be .500 in no time.

[WestEddy]

2 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Fixing is getting something more out of player than expected.

Not getting the 50 median outcome of their statistical trajectory.

Slow down, pal, you're gonna get the bends. Miriam-Webster:

Fix - 

1a - to make something whole or able to work properly again : repair, mend

Edited 10 hours ago by WestEddy

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

48 minutes ago, SoxBlanco said:

If we’re going to blame the Sox for not being able to develop prospects that we drafted or traded for when they don’t pan out, then they should certainly get credit for developing Colson, especially if you consider the struggles he had early last year. 

If we are strictly talking semantics here with the word “fix”, then so be it. But they should absolutely get credit for developing him. 

I agree there's credit for colson development. This discussion had been about scouting and bringing in/fixing players. Can't get credit for fixing your own guys. 

An actual fix opportunity at this point is curtis Mead. If he puts up a 110ish ops+ and 2 war then that's a fixed scenario. Beating all projections easily.

edit: I'll also add that I was one of the few here who never soured on Colson and never worried about the ups and downs --- only the back. Even a few of our resident optimists were lower on him than me by a good bit.

Edited 10 hours ago by Look at Ray Ray Run

[WestEddy]

21 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

This is really what this victory lap is over?  Getting a guy back to his career norms?  Oh, ok.  I guess when I read "fixed" it meant better than he had been, not the same.  I guess that mean you "win"  congratulations.

And yes, it has become a cult.  Disagree and the insults start flying, which is exactly what happened here.  It turned from talking about a dudes stats to name-calling, and then you got mad when you got it back.

You really are only allowed to have one opinion here anymore.  Even sticking to stats it turned into this.

Miriam-Webster tells us this about the word fix:

1a - to make something whole or able to work properly again : repair, mend

I don't find any definition of the word to mean, "to make better than anybody ever expected". We usually use the word "improved" for that. 

[WestEddy]

16 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

An actual fix opportunity at this point is curtis Mead. If he puts up a 110ish ops+ and 2 war then that's a fixed scenario. Beating all projections easily.

That's not what the word "fix" means. Do you live in Russia, by chance?

[Baron]

Was about to post something from Cannon but....

 

[Baron]

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

He put up almost the exact same season wide numbers.  How is that unfair when compared to slicing out pieces that do work?  We are looking at 79 ABs one season, 160 the next, which worked out almost identically overall, and you are mad we are not boiling it down even further to look only at one subset of his performance in which he put up 224/.290/.435/.726/, which is actually below his career line vs LHP  with his .267/.357/.430/.787, and yet I am being unfair.

This is turning into a cult.

I'd love to hear what your definition of a cult is. I have a feeling it's playing loose with the term. 

[Nardiwashere]

"I'm not paying for this!  You said you were going to fix my car!  All you did was make it work like it did previously!"

[southsider2k5]

4 minutes ago, Baron said:

I'd love to hear what your definition of a cult is. I have a feeling it's playing loose with the term. 

I am sure.  That seems to be the case with anyone who isn't falling in line.

[southsider2k5]

19 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Miriam-Webster tells us this about the word fix:

1a - to make something whole or able to work properly again : repair, mend

I don't find any definition of the word to mean, "to make better than anybody ever expected". We usually use the word "improved" for that. 

Which is exactly where the phrase "Coop will fix him" came from.  His ability to get guys to come out of no where and be just as good as they were.  No Russian's were consulted in this post.

[Nardiwashere]

3 minutes ago, Baron said:

I'd love to hear what your definition of a cult is. I have a feeling it's playing loose with the term. 

lol... I would love to meet a cult that talks about their cult leader like the supposed Soxtalk cultmembers talk about Getz.  

"I wasn't happy when Guru Steve took over the commune and some of what he did at first was kind of dumb but he's made some decent decisions lately.  I'll see what happens."