Do they stay or do they go?

[Lip Man 1]

Will White Sox work to keep prospects who make it or sell them off?

With Jerry Reinsdorf about to begin his 46th season as team owner, the big question for loyal Sox fans is: Where is this all going long term?

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/03/10/white-sox-prospects-chris-getz-will-venable-jerry-reinsdorf-munetaka-murakami-justin-mat-ishbia

[WhiteSox2023]

Kind of a blah article with all the questions still in the air but this was interesting.  Sounds like the Sox offered Vargas a long-term deal with a hometown discount but he turned it down.

Quote

Or, as the young players start sorting themselves out, will the Sox sign them to projected under-market, long-term contracts and build a base of talent, as the A’s are doing now?

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Noteworthy on that list are Opening Day starter Shane Smith at $820,000 and third baseman Miguel Vargas, who said no to the Sox’ offer and recently was renewed at the same $820,000.

“No hard feelings at all,” Vargas said of his decision. “I let my agents handle that. I feel good here. I love it here. And everything’s good.”

Edited Wednesday at 04:43 AM by WhiteSox2023

[Chick Mercedes]

Is Jerry still running the team? It’s pretty clear they are selling if he’s still calling the shots. If Jerry is gone, we should become a normal team and then it depends 

Edited Wednesday at 04:48 AM by Chick Mercedes

[caulfield12]

3 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Kind of a blah article with all the questions still in the air but this was interesting.  Sounds like the Sox offered Vargas a long-term deal with a hometown discount but he turned it down.

Butler was a stretch, but look at the counting and WAR numbers guys like J.Wilson, Kurtz, Rooker, Langeliers, etc., put up (A's rebuild was used as the example).

Which Sox could/would even be extended right now?

Colson or Teel? S.Smith? 

Nobody has proved it for long enough yet. 

Vargas has yet to prove he's anything more than a complementary player...it's not like he came that close to 3 war due to his fielding and inconsistent overall season offensively.

Edited Wednesday at 08:40 AM by caulfield12

[southsider2k5]

10 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Kind of a blah article with all the questions still in the air but this was interesting.  Sounds like the Sox offered Vargas a long-term deal with a hometown discount but he turned it down.

The Rick Hahn treatment is still around apparently.

[tray]

7 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

 

Vargas has yet to prove he's anything more than a complementary player...it's not like he came that close to 3 war due to his fielding and inconsistent overall season offensively.

I watched a lot of games last season and saw Vargas make a lot of plays at the hot corner that were outstanding....plays that required cat quick reflexes and a strong throwing arm. I am not buying into the average defensive metrics when the eye test belies them. Historically there were a number of third basemen that had quick reflexes and a strong throwing arm (Frank Robinson, Pete Ward, Ron Santo). Vargas is not at that level yet, but he is a young player that appears to have the right skill set for 3B. 

[Lip Man 1]

26 minutes ago, tray said:

I watched a lot of games last season and saw Vargas make a lot of plays at the hot corner that were outstanding....plays that required cat quick reflexes and a strong throwing arm. I am not buying into the average defensive metrics when the eye test belies them. Historically there were a number of third basemen that had quick reflexes and a strong throwing arm (Frank Robinson, Pete Ward, Ron Santo). Vargas is not at that level yet, but he is a young player that appears to have the right skill set for 3B. 

Do you mean Brooks Robinson?

[Jake]

I like Vargas but I can't imagine the Sox offered him very much money at all. I'm not sure if it would have been even in the double digits of millions in guarantees. Probably just a gesture to buy out a year of arbitration or something. Hopefully he plays well enough to earn a more substantial offer. 

[tray]

4 hours ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Do you mean Brooks Robinson?

I did. "The vacuum cleaner" for the O's at 3B.

As far as the WBC having some value to promote MLB in other countries, OK but without teams having at least one home game  in their country, and having truly competitive rosters, maybe better to just have a few more regular season mlb games in other countries. The only reason that a team like Italy is competitive is with a roster comprised mainly of American born players. Otherwise, fielding an All Star line-up from mlb for team USA feels like watching the Globetrotters against the Generals.  Team Italy will have a lot more pressure on them without Teel. 

 

Edited Wednesday at 08:46 PM by tray

[caulfield12]

1 hour ago, tray said:

I did. "The vacuum cleaner" for the O's at 3B.

As far as the WBC having some value to promote MLB in other countries, OK but without teams having at least one home game  in their country, and having truly competitive rosters, maybe better to just have a few more regular season mlb games in other countries. The only reason that a team like Italy is competitive is with a roster comprised mainly of American born players. Otherwise, fielding an All Star line-up from mlb for team USA feels like watching the Globetrotters against the Generals.  Team Italy will have a lot more pressure on them without Teel. 

 

You just jinxed Mexico lol.

The backup catcher for Italy signed an milb contract this last week.

If they do have to use the 20 year old BULLPEN catcher in front of 45000 screaming Team Mexico fans, you might be right.