From MLB.com today, under the heading of biggest surprises:

2. The White Sox swap for Luis Castillo

With six healthy starters and top pitching prospect Kade Anderson waiting in the wings, the Mariners were prime candidates to trade a starter. Surprisingly, they moved Luis Castillo, who was having a career-worst year with a 5.06 ERA and 78 ERA+, without having to eat a single cent of his contract ($24.2 million salary through next season, plus a $25 million vesting option for 2028).

Chicago offset some costs by sending back reliever Seranthony Domínguez ($10 million owed next year), but the White Sox are still taking on a massive financial risk. They gain a proven veteran leader, but one who hasn't pitched significantly above league average in years.

1 minute ago, Lip Man 1 said:

From MLB.com today, under the heading of biggest surprises:

2. The White Sox swap for Luis Castillo

With six healthy starters and top pitching prospect Kade Anderson waiting in the wings, the Mariners were prime candidates to trade a starter. Surprisingly, they moved Luis Castillo, who was having a career-worst year with a 5.06 ERA and 78 ERA+, without having to eat a single cent of his contract ($24.2 million salary through next season, plus a $25 million vesting option for 2028).

Chicago offset some costs by sending back reliever Seranthony Domínguez ($10 million owed next year), but the White Sox are still taking on a massive financial risk. They gain a proven veteran leader, but one who hasn't pitched significantly above league average in years.

I just don't think its that big of a financial risk. The Sox added $13.5M to their payroll (in both 26 & 27 combined) with the Castillo trade. That is literal mice nuts in the MLB terms.

56 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

I just don't think its that big of a financial risk. The Sox added $13.5M to their payroll (in both 26 & 27 combined) with the Castillo trade. That is literal mice nuts in the MLB terms.

I wonder what this brings the 2027 opening day payroll up to now.

36 minutes ago, JoeC said:

I wonder what this brings the 2027 opening day payroll up to now.

According to Spotrac it's $78,250,000 for just 6 guys though but they're not counting Brozaban, Doyle and Bart. Hays has an $8 mutual option so likely minus that . So it's likely with who's here at the end of the season and a lot of guys pre Arb , might be looking at close to $100M.

The 6 players are

Castillo

Murakami

Benintendi

Hicks

Hays

Kay

1 hour ago, Lip Man 1 said:

From MLB.com today, under the heading of biggest surprises:

2. The White Sox swap for Luis Castillo

With six healthy starters and top pitching prospect Kade Anderson waiting in the wings, the Mariners were prime candidates to trade a starter. Surprisingly, they moved Luis Castillo, who was having a career-worst year with a 5.06 ERA and 78 ERA+, without having to eat a single cent of his contract ($24.2 million salary through next season, plus a $25 million vesting option for 2028).

Chicago offset some costs by sending back reliever Seranthony Domínguez ($10 million owed next year), but the White Sox are still taking on a massive financial risk. They gain a proven veteran leader, but one who hasn't pitched significantly above league average in years.

Massive financial risk? GTFO. You're adding 26 million or so over two years. There isn't a chance his vesting option hits and in the world where he pitches 180+ innings it probably would be a tradeable deal.

For all we know the salary floor will be implemented and we need to add another 50 million for 2027.