4 minutes ago, tray said:

Whether or not Antonacci can become a good defensive OFer is yet to be determined.. At least there was some reticence by Management to start him in the OF on Opening day like they did with Acuna. Maybe Acuna can learn it on the fly but we shall see.

It would be hard to have a better debut at the position defensively judging by the highlights.

39 minutes ago, Chick Mercedes said:

It would be hard to have a better debut at the position defensively judging by the highlights.

Just asking, but do the highlights ever show when guys misplay a ball?

4 minutes ago, fathom said:

Just asking, but do the highlights ever show when guys misplay a ball?

That’s why I qualified “judging by the highlights”. Needs more investigation.

4 hours ago, fathom said:

Just asking, but do the highlights ever show when guys misplay a ball?

When I have watched him out there, I felt like he looks like a guy who is feeling things out. Not so much that he's making big blunders like we saw when e.g. Baldwin first got put out there, but a little more like what it looked like to watch Caglianone play out there this weekend. Frankly even the diving/sliding catch from Antonacci that was being shared everywhere had the look of a "Statcast says 95% catch probability" type of highlight. That said, for the White Sox, the bar is so low that I'm not giving it too much thought.

I just hope he hits. That covers a multitude of sins.

12 hours ago, fathom said:

Just asking, but do the highlights ever show when guys misplay a ball?

See beginning of Andrew Vaughn’s lf experiment

My own thoughts on the current and future outfield:

-Tanner Murray's 2 run HR was a big factor in the game 4 win at KC. Tanner's competent defense and plus arm as a back-up at SS, 3B and LF may enter into any decisions on roster moves for OFs. He looks like he might be a bit of a diamond in the rough, like Antonacci.

-Derek Hill has made some excellent catches on fly balls in RF. His ++ speed on the bases is valuable. Recall his base running and slide at home with the red mitt on to seal a walk-off victory for the Sox in the Home Opener. An experienced, speedy player that should remain on the roster.

-Tristan Peters- Like Hill, Peters contributed to the memorable home Opener walk-off win. He also has speed and can play all 3 outfield positions. He can bunt and has shown occasional but maybe a bit underwhelming power. IMO, he goes to the Minors when Everson comes up.

Austin Hays - A solid MLB outfielder. Not sure when he returns from the IL but he will be back on the 26 man once he finishes rehab.

Everson Periera - - Another solid mlb outfielder, currently in Charlotte for a short rehab. IMO, Everson Periera, Derek Hill, or Tristan Peters are all better options for CF than Acuna.

Braden Montgomery- The No 1 WSox prospect. Most are of the opinion that he needs to improve his contact rate. I think he should drop the switch hitting - an advanced skill that only adds complications for a young hitter trying to crack a MLB roster.

Sam Antonacci - He might be able to play LF but he hasn't proven that. However, unlike Vaughn, he has the quickness and speed to play in the OF. Sam is a gamer that would bring some added spark in the clubhouse and on the field, so maybe bring him up for that and for his quick bat, OBP (from getting HBP) and occasional HR power.

Andrew Benintendi - has always been a decent LH hitter but his lack of speed and arm strength relegate him as a DH only. I'd DFA him, but it isn't my money or decision to make.

Acuna Jr. - As a fan I want him to succeed, but between me and other opinionated posters at Sox Talk, I think he sucks.. It is possible that Getz is providing Acuna with a long leash in large measure in order to justify acquiring him as the center piece in the Luis Robert trade. Maybe because of that. he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Opinions will vary on all of that, but those are my takes a few weeks into the season.

Edited Monday at 11:16 AM1 day by tray

37 minutes ago, tray said:

My own thoughts on the current and future outfield:

-Tanner Murray's 2 run HR was a big factor in the game 4 win at KC. Tanner's competent defense and plus arm as a back-up at SS, 3B and LF may enter into any decisions on roster moves for OFs. He looks like he might be a bit of a diamond in the rough, like Antonacci.

-Derek Hill has made some excellent catches on fly balls in RF. His ++ speed on the bases is valuable. Recall his base running and slide at home with the red mitt on to seal a walk-off victory for the Sox in the Home Opener. An experienced, speedy player that should remain on the roster.

-Tristan Peters- Like Hill, Peters contributed to the memorable home Opener walk-off win. He also has speed and can play all 3 outfield positions. He can bunt and has shown occasional but maybe a bit underwhelming power. IMO, he goes to the Minors when Everson comes up.

Austin Hays - A solid MLB outfielder. Not sure when he returns from the IL but he will be back on the 26 man once he finishes rehab.

Everson Periera - - Another solid mlb outfielder, currently in Charlotte for a short rehab. IMO, Everson Periera, Derek Hill, or Tristan Peters are all better options for CF than Acuna.

Braden Montgomery- The No 1 WSox prospect. Most are of the opinion that he needs to improve his contact rate. I think he should drop the switch hitting - an advanced skill that only adds complications for a young hitter trying to crack a MLB roster.

Sam Antonacci - He might be able to play LF but he hasn't proven that. However, unlike Vaughn, he has the quickness and speed to play in the OF. Sam is a gamer that would bring some added spark in the clubhouse and on the field, so maybe bring him up for that and for his quick bat, OBP (from getting HBP) and occasional HR power.

Andrew Benintendi - has always been a decent LH hitter but his lack of speed and arm strength relegate him as a DH only. I'd DFA him, but it isn't my money or decision to make.

Acuna Jr. - As a fan I want him to succeed, but between me and other opinionated posters at Sox Talk, I think he sucks.. It is possible that Getz is providing Acuna with a long leash in large measure in order to justify acquiring him as the center piece in the Luis Robert trade. Maybe because of that. he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Opinions will vary on all of that, but those are my takes a few weeks into the season.

Tanner Murray had an OPS under 700 as an old guy in AAA. How is Murray a diamond in the rough or at all like antonacci. Murray will be out of baseball in 1 year.

Edited Monday at 11:44 AM1 day by Look at Ray Ray Run

Bonemer #1 prospect now

Peters Pereira Harris Hill Kelenic...Pereira the only one who MIGHT be around in two years.

Antonacci at second base.

I’ve seen enough of Vargas and Meidroth that I don’t think they should be factored into the future at this point. If Antonacci’s best position is IF just play him at 2B or 3B. Montgomery and Mune are the only 2 IF’s currently on the roster we should be worried about getting regular AB’s.

18 minutes ago, TheFutureIsNear said:

I’ve seen enough of Vargas and Meidroth that I don’t think they should be factored into the future at this point. If Antonacci’s best position is IF just play him at 2B or 3B. Montgomery and Mune are the only 2 IF’s currently on the roster we should be worried about getting regular AB’s.

In the most ideal future, I think you get Colson, Roch, Bonemer and Carlson competing for spots, with one of them ending up as trade bait/in the OF.

That's not even counting Antonacci (who I just assume is LF now), Bergolla, Mogollon or Perez.

One thing I'll credit Getz for is building out the org's shortstop depth like crazy.

24 minutes ago, Quin said:

In the most ideal future, I think you get Colson, Roch, Bonemer and Carlson competing for spots, with one of them ending up as trade bait/in the OF.

That's not even counting Antonacci (who I just assume is LF now), Bergolla, Mogollon or Perez.

One thing I'll credit Getz for is building out the org's shortstop depth like crazy.

During rain delay theater on the radio yesterday Jim, Jim Callis listed the future as...

Roch at 2B

Carlson at SS

Colson at 3B

Bonemer in LF

29 minutes ago, Quin said:

In the most ideal future, I think you get Colson, Roch, Bonemer and Carlson competing for spots, with one of them ending up as trade bait/in the OF.

That's not even counting Antonacci (who I just assume is LF now), Bergolla, Mogollon or Perez.

One thing I'll credit Getz for is building out the org's shortstop depth like crazy.

Fair enough, but we have some time on Bonemer and a lot of time for Carlson and Roch. I’m just saying if you are going to bring up Antonacci now it should be full time at a position he’s comfortable at. And mostly that I don’t care about Vargas or Meidroth. I don’t think either are starting MLB players and we shouldn’t be worried about the amount of AB’s they get.

There’s also no denying that there’s a void of talent in the OF on this team so I understand if that’s where Antonacci ends up playing.

The Sox have once again done the seemingly impossible: -.4 fWAR so far from position players, good enough for dead last. I can't even begin to say how dreadful that is coming off the prior two seasons. Not only have we made zero progress towards fielding a competitive team, you could argue that the team is in a worse position than it was entering 2024 -- even with the 1,1 luck. There's nothing to really trade, there's nothing in the farm that indicates we have the 30 WAR needed to get back to competitive and there's nothing indicating JR will cede control prior to 2029.

Oh, and there's probably a lockout incoming. Great vibes all around.

Not sure if anyone included Braden Montgomery in their comments.

Roch Cholowski is the best hitter with an aluminum bat against college pitching like Vaughn was. Maybe he will be better than Colson Montgomery, but we shall see.

Vargas has made some great plays defensively. He has made a few bad throws although Mune may have been partially at fault on a couple of them. Vargas is a big player with speed for his size. He has the quickness to snag balls hit to the hot corner. Chase is good young player that has a lot of talent and the will to win. Good mlb players come at a premium and not many teams can field All-Stars at every position.

I like the current infield and disregard stats and negative opinions when it isn't even the middle of April. Maybe give these players a chance, or not. So I guess some of you won't be at the game Tuesday but will be the first to b1tch and say I told you so if Noah's debut does not go well.

Ishbia? Lol. He is NEVER going to use one dime of his personal wealth to guarantee multi-million dollar player contracts. Private equity comes from banks, not from an investors bank accounts. I'm not confident that Ishbia can run an MLB team better than any of the other owners. That sounds like projection from fan expectations. Fans are never happy and quickly turn on an owner, like Red Sox fans did last week when they chanted "sell the team" when John Henry was in attendance.

I choose to live in the now so I support the current team , the current owner, management, and players. I want them all to succeed and win.

I assume the Sosa trade opens the door for an Antonacci call up

4 minutes ago, Squirmin' for Yermin said:

I assume the Sosa trade opens the door for an Antonacci call up

Yes, trade the player that led the team in HRs last season and who is hitting better than any of his teammates right now.

You can put me on record as opposing this Lenyn trade but in his limited ABs so far this season, he has been very much a part of the problem

6 minutes ago, tray said:

Not sure if anyone included Braden Montgomery in their comments.

Roch Cholowski is the best hitter with an aluminum bat against college pitching like Vaughn was. Maybe he will be better than Colson Montgomery, but we shall see.

Vargas has made some great plays defensively. He has made a few bad throws although Mune may have been partially at fault on a couple of them. Vargas is a big player with speed for his size. He has the quickness to snag balls hit to the hot corner. Chase is good young player that has a lot of talent and the will to win. Good mlb players come at a premium and not many teams can field All-Stars at every position.

I like the current infield and disregard stats and negative opinions when it isn't even the middle of April. Maybe give these players a chance, or not. So I guess some of you won't be at the game Tuesday but will be the first to b1tch and say I told you so if Noah's debut does not go well.

Ishbia? Lol. He is NEVER going to use one dime of his personal wealth to guarantee multi-million dollar player contracts. Private equity comes from banks, not from an investors bank accounts. I'm not confident that Ishbia can run an MLB team better than any of the other owners. That sounds like projection from fan expectations. Fans are never happy and quickly turn on an owner, like Red Sox fans did last week when they chanted "sell the team" when John Henry was in attendance.

I choose to live in the now so I support the current team , the current owner, management, and players. I want them all to succeed and win.

It is absolutely absurd that you can see what has happened in Phoenix with his families investment in the Suns, including a WILD spending spree, and already be attempting to speak in absolute certainty about something like this, especially since the whisper was that the Murakami signing was because of Ishbia's checkbook.

This whole argument is patently absurd when you look at the current 45 year long owner of the White Sox and realize that he LITERALLY used OPM to purchase the White Sox, has never been a majority owner of the White Sox, and it's never been HIS cash that did anything for this team in anything but a minority sense of the word. Jerry's wealth was built by pooling other people's money into real estate investments, including the CHICAGO WHITE SOX! Jerry is the definition of private equity. He came closer than any owner in the history of Chicago came to moving this franchise out of Chicago, and has literally stomped this original AL franchise into the lowest earning franchise IN ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. Ishbia doesn't have to be better than every other owner, he just has to be better than Jerry to seriously improve the status of this once proud franchise.

Literally every nutjob fear tactic you keep using to try to scare people about Ishbia, HAS ALREADY HAPPENED! If you want the team to succeed, you should recognize this.

It's like Roy Kohn is your ghostwriter using the old "accuse everyone else of whatever it is you are doing" tactic.

10 minutes ago, tray said:

Yes, trade the player that led the team in HRs last season and who is hitting better than any of his teammates right now.

He’s hitting .212/.212/.303, one of the worst marks on the team

26 minutes ago, Lukakke Appling said:

He’s hitting .212/.212/.303, one of the worst marks on the team

If you think that is bad I wouldn't look up the other guys

1 hour ago, Jake said:

You can put me on record as opposing this Lenyn trade but in his limited ABs so far this season, he has been very much a part of the problem

The entire lineup has been, and Getz builds the lineup.

1 hour ago, Lukakke Appling said:

He’s hitting .212/.212/.303, one of the worst marks on the team

3 game hitting streak.

8 minutes ago, oldsox said:

3 game hitting streak.

With respect...big friggin deal.

6 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

With respect...big friggin deal.

That’s an offensive explosion for a Sox hitter. 🤣