Besides Acuna I think the Sox have done a pretty good job so far with filling out the lineup due to injuries. The recent call ups for the bullpen have been getting it done.

On 5/18/2026 at 10:03 AM, The_scs787 said:

If Gonzalez keeps hitting like he is, I might consider trading Meidroth over Gonzalez. Like some one suggested in the minor league game thread, I think you call him up and just move him around in like a Ben Zobrist type toll......That's if they dont just move on from Benni which is probably ideal even after showing signs of life.

Meidroth is the heart and soul of this team, no way we can trade him

Edited May 20May 20 by Chicago White Sox

1 hour ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Sox really can't blow the Taylor situation. If he is going to be a reliever, they need to trade him this deadline and get an absolute haul for him. I still want him to start, but the more entrenched he gets in the bullpen the less likely that is.

He can net more than anyone that will be available this year and they need to capitalize on that market now.

After seeing his stuff last night, I don’t think I would trade him unless it was a great return being offered. That was the best he has looked.

3 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Sox really can't blow the Taylor situation. If he is going to be a reliever, they need to trade him this deadline and get an absolute haul for him. I still want him to start, but the more entrenched he gets in the bullpen the less likely that is.

He can net more than anyone that will be available this year and they need to capitalize on that market now.

Agreed

3 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Sox really can't blow the Taylor situation. If he is going to be a reliever, they need to trade him this deadline and get an absolute haul for him. I still want him to start, but the more entrenched he gets in the bullpen the less likely that is.

He can net more than anyone that will be available this year and they need to capitalize on that market now.

Just make him the closer and get it over with. They won't trade him his peak. Zero chance it happens.

10 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Just make him the closer and get it over with. They won't trade him his peak. Zero chance it happens.

What would the Cards get for Riley O'Brien right now?

Relievers are so volatile. He's going to have to go on a similar run, but the team would theoretically be right in the thick of the race...and to then go back to Dominguez would seem outright crazy.

Those trades usually happen as they hit arb years like Hader....or the MMiller trade, which was even ballsier and pretty much unprecedented during this decade of prospect hoarding.

Meanwhole, he can't get hurt again or his value would be cut by 50% overnight.

36 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Just make him the closer and get it over with. They won't trade him his peak. Zero chance it happens.

Make him the closer this year, no matter to me. If we enter next year and Grant Taylor is in the bullpen for the White Sox, they have failed.

Bullpen arms are like running backs. You don't have to spend assets to find an elite one, and most of their reigns are very short because of the volatility.

I'm with Ray on this one. Not sure Getz has the nuts to trade off what looks like a dominant high leverage arm for a haul though. Especially while in the midst of a competitive season (so far). If they still think starting is in the plan, hold.

Edited May 20May 20 by DirtySox

5 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Make him the closer this year, no matter to me. If we enter next year and Grant Taylor is in the bullpen for the White Sox, they have failed.

Bullpen arms are like running backs. You don't have to spend assets to find an elite one, and most of their reigns are very short because of the volatility.

I know we keep getting told different, but I really feel like that ship has sailed. We probably get up to what, 75 to 80 IP this year? Even with some luck, it would take about two full seasons to get him from that to the 150 ish range. We are in his arb years by that point, assuming he doesn't get reinjured like he always did in the minors as a starter.

4 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I know we keep getting told different, but I really feel like that ship has sailed. We probably get up to what, 75 to 80 IP this year? Even with some luck, it would take about two full seasons to get him from that to the 150 ish range. We are in his arb years by that point, assuming he doesn't get reinjured like he always did in the minors as a starter.

No reason he couldn't push 150 coming off an 80+ IP season. Schultz threw 73 innings last year, and I'd bet he gets pushed to the 140-150 range (I'd hope so!).

None of this has made sense to me though. They moved him to the pen because of "injury" concerns regarding his extension. If that's the case, they should trade him tomorrow since it's not as if the Pen is somehow safer (IMO) for a guy with arm concerns. If they think he can stay healthy, he should be pitching every 5th day. I think most of the predictive-arm injury science is quackery (like doctors telling you not to give your kids peanut butter, and then boom peanut allergies explode) since we've seen the results of "optimization" so I'd keep him and throw him in the rotation.

Edited May 20May 20 by Look at Ray Ray Run

9 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

No reason he couldn't push 150 coming off an 80+ IP season. Schultz threw 73 innings last year, and I'd bet he gets pushed to the 140-150 range (I'd hope so!).

None of this has made sense to me though. They moved him to the pen because of "injury" concerns regarding his extension. If that's the case, they should trade him tomorrow since it's not as if the Pen is somehow safer (IMO) for a guy with arm concerns. If they think he can stay healthy, he should be pitching every 5th day. I think most of the predictive-arm injury science is quackery (like doctors telling you not to give your kids peanut butter, and then boom peanut allergies explode) since we've seen the results of "optimization" so I'd keep him and throw him in the rotation.

The MOST obvious predictor of injury is previous injury, and Taylor has that in spades. I have no problem with getting a truckload for him, I just know Chris Getz won't.

I would also bet that Dutch ends up closer to 120 than 150 innings. I get the feeling he will get a shutdown or IL stint at some point.

A lot of factors go into the decision to make certain pitchers starters, middle relievers or Closers. I don't claim to know all of them and have just watched Grant Taylor pitch many times. My own opinion is that his 100 mph fastballs look like max effort. Maybe he can continue to shove 100 mph for 5-6 innings, game after game, but maybe not. I am suggesting that there is more to this than we know and any speculation about it is just that.

At the end of the day, the Sox need a lock -down Closer this year. Taylor looks like the best for that role, at least right now. Trade Dominguez, not Taylor.

Edited May 20May 20 by tray

I don’t see the allure of trading Taylor if we are actually good. Yes, you could get a haul, but ultimately waken a team competing. I also think the truly elite closers are far less vulnerable to volatility. To me, the second you trade Taylor, you will be looking for a similar backend reliever. At this point, just let him close and rack the W’s in close games.

5 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Sox really can't blow the Taylor situation. If he is going to be a reliever, they need to trade him this deadline and get an absolute haul for him. I still want him to start, but the more entrenched he gets in the bullpen the less likely that is.

He can net more than anyone that will be available this year and they need to capitalize on that market now.

Gross

34 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I don’t see the allure of trading Taylor if we are actually good. Yes, you could get a haul, but ultimately waken a team competing. I also think the truly elite closers are far less vulnerable to volatility. To me, the second you trade Taylor, you will be looking for a similar backend reliever. At this point, just let him close and rack the W’s in close games.

It's all about "value"

39 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

It's all about "value"

At some point, the focus needs to shift from maximizing asset value to trying to winning games. Elite relievers are always the paradox of this discussion and I just can’t in good faith say trading what should be a top 2 reliever in baseball and hopefully an automatic three out guy in high leverage scenarios will be worth what’s coming back over the next couple years while trying to compete. Again, we’ll be looking for the heir apparent the second we deal Taylor and it will cost a pretty penny most likely to land said player.

1 hour ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I don’t see the allure of trading Taylor if we are actually good. Yes, you could get a haul, but ultimately waken a team competing. I also think the truly elite closers are far less vulnerable to volatility. To me, the second you trade Taylor, you will be looking for a similar backend reliever. At this point, just let him close and rack the W’s in close games.

Sox aren't competing this year. They still don't have enough pitching to compete next year at a high level. That basically makes Taylor a luxury and not a necessity. They can move him for some young starting pitching and OF'ers. He's as valuable as a deadline player gets.

As I said, I prefer they keep him and start him but if he's in the bullpen, bye bye.

Edited May 20May 20 by Look at Ray Ray Run

46 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Sox aren't competing this year. They still don't have enough pitching to compete next year at a high level. That basically makes Taylor a luxury and not a necessity. They can move him for some young starting pitching and OF'ers. He's as valuable as a deadline player gets.

As I said, I prefer they keep him and start him but if he's in the bullpen, bye bye.

I fully disagree with you here. They are legit competing right now (whether it lasts is a TBD given health of pitching depth) and there are plenty of ways for the pitching staff to improve next year between our top two prospects, Sandlin, a rebound from S. Smith, the TJS guys coming back, and free agency. We have zero financial commitments beyond 2027…a veteran SP of impact is an obvious move next offseason and one I expect us to actually make.

Let me ask you this, is the following not enough SP depth to potentially compete next year with a positional group that should be even better:

1. Free agent

2. Martin

3. Schultz

4. Burke

5. S. Smith

6. McDougel

7. H. Smith

8. A. Kay

9. Sandlin

10. D. Thorpe

11. K. Bush

12. M. Adams

12 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I fully disagree with you here. They are legit competing right now (whether it lasts is a TBD given health of pitching depth) and there are plenty of ways for the pitching staff to improve next year between our top two prospects, Sandlin, a rebound from S. Smith, the TJS guys coming back, and free agency. We have zero financial commitments beyond 2027…a veteran SP of impact is an obvious move next offseason and one I expect us to actually make.

Let me ask you this, is the following not enough SP depth to potentially compete next year with a positional group that should be even better:

1. Free agent

2. Martin

3. Schultz

4. Burke

5. S. Smith

6. McDougel

7. H. Smith

8. A. Kay

9. Sandlin

10. D. Thorpe

11. K. Bush

12. M. Adams

No, that is absolutely not a collection of a title contending arms. Most of those guys completely stink. Anthony Kay has an xERA of 5.94, a FIP of 5.34 and 6.6K/4.27BB 9.

It's been fun having some things go this teams way for the first time in what feels like forever, but lets not mistaken that for things like Anthony Kay has a future on a contending team.

1 minute ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

No, that is absolutely not a collection of a title contending arms. Most of those guys completely stink. Anthony Kay has an xERA of 5.94, a FIP of 5.34 and 6.6K/4.27BB 9.

It's been fun having some things go this teams way for the first time in what feels like forever, but lets not mistaken that for things like Anthony Kay has a future on a contending team.

Lol…this an absolutely ridiculous take. That list includes a high-end free agent SP, a guy who is currently 4th in fWAR amongst SPs, the 15th overall prospect per BA’s current rankings, a guy on pace for a 3 win season, an All Star SP from last year who put up 2.2 fWAR as a rookie, a guy who is currently a top 70 prospect by BA, a guy who entered the year as top 100 prospect before injury, a guy who was a consensus top 100 prospect before TJS, a veteran from Japan who is still adapting to the majors and who has posted a 3.72 xERA in May, a current top 10 org prospect, and two former top 10 org prospects before TJS.

That’s a fuckton of pitching depth and while there are no guarantees with the group, it’s really not all that hard seeing a championship caliber rotation forming when paired with a high end offense and a truly elite closer.

5 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Lol…this an absolutely ridiculous take. That list includes a high-end free agent SP, a guy who is currently 4th in fWAR amongst SPs, the 15th overall prospect per BA’s current rankings, a guy on pace for a 3 win season, an All Star SP from last year who put up 2.2 fWAR as a rookie, a guy who is currently a top 70 prospect by BA, a guy who entered the year as top 100 prospect before injury, a guy who was a consensus top 100 prospect before TJS, a veteran from Japan who is still adapting to the majors and who has posted a 3.72 xERA in May, a current top 10 org prospect, and two former top 10 org prospects before TJS.

That’s a fuckton of pitching depth and while there are no guarantees with the group, it’s really not all that hard seeing a championship caliber rotation forming when paired with a high end offense and a truly elite closer.

Potential.

But relying too much on Hagen McDougal Thorpe etc., probably is a mistake too, or at least a bit presumptuous.

Do we really believe Davis Martin will finish the year as a Top Ten mlb fWAR pitcher?

1 hour ago, caulfield12 said:

Do we really believe Davis Martin will finish the year as a Top Ten mlb fWAR pitcher?

I have no reason to believe he won’t. He looks really good.

Davis “The Mutant” Martin is my vote for his nickname.

Wasn't sure where to post this but give him a shot?

1 hour ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Wasn't sure where to post this but give him a shot?

Dare I say

Bring'em out bring 'em out?

Edited May 21May 21 by chitownsportsfan