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I see no realistic scenario where all four are in the organization at once. For example, if we don't trade Sale, why do we trade Quintana to wait a few years for Cease to get here and break out, with Sale and Rodon on a big contract?

Cry more. b****

Because...you were wrong. On top of it, you also criticized greg for HIS honest opinions, listing out each bullpen pitcher and why they don't "blow" (Spoiler alert, they did, in fact, blow) This is coming from the same person who will move the goal posts when anyone calls you out and say "Resorting to personal attacks just lessens your argument" then two posts later will call someone an idiot. Look in the mirror, take the L and stop arguing with anyone who has a negative opinion on the team. Given the Sox track record, they're probably right.

Can a foodie make up a rumor or something for the love of god.

I never said Taylor could be flipped for a haul. I said that I thought there were better fliers to take a chance on than some of the players Getz acquired last offseason. I also wanted Getz to go after Joey Bart and Victor Robles during the season when they were made available via DFA, but he passed. However, I do remember when @greg775, yes @greg775, owned you last Spring Training. See the screenshot evidence below. Game, set, match, old chap… 😘

I mean in this context you very much should. Greg gave his honest opinion and you criticized him for it and every one of your points backfired spectacularly. You were a jerk to him and he was 100 percent right

So Harold’s game plan for the Sox this offseason is: Rush Colson Montgomery to the majors Trade Robert + prospects for Lux Trade Crochet + Benintendi for crap Definitely seems like a foolproof plan!

So do I, but rewarding mediocrity for the sake of a lack of options is a really bad precedent to set for a supposed "revamp" of the system. Let the kid prove he belongs.

Crochet had a 32/2 strikeout to walk ratio over his final 17 innings. Not sure how you do that having run out of steam

No. Baseball Savant is struggling to load right now so I can't copy graphs, but while his velocity stayed high, he was genuinely hit harder in the 2nd half. Just as an example, total exit velocity month by month: April: 87.6 May: 86.1 June: 88.8 July: 86.7 August: 91.0 September: 89.7 Expected wOBA: April: .252 May: .218 June: .257 July: .265 August: .377 September: .261 All of the months other than August that expected wOBA would be a performance in the top 10% of big league pitchers. His drop-off in August was real, not just luck as that would be factored out by xwOBA, as was the mostly-recovery in September.

If Baltimore WANTS to win a deal, I don't think anyone in baseball can beat them. They have had multiple opportunties to do so, but have refused to so far. If that changes, I will be thrilled. But I just don't see it.

Not to mention we would have had to extend Sale at market rate AND we would have suffered through a lot of pretty big injury years, and during the meantime we would have had to give a market rate extension to Carlos Rodon, while still trading Jose Quintana at his peak value and performance (while on his cheap extension) and still managed to be in the position to draft Garrett Crochet. It might be a fun thought exercise, but too many wild variables for it to be a realistic one.

SkyWayMacDonalds said we are signing Jose Abreu for veteran leadership. Oh wait, that isn't better.

Yeah, the Hahn era never looked so good.

Hmmm. The Sox already do a good job of preventing runs. Oh wait, preventing runs by the OTHER team. That makes more sense.

When they have a clearly ranked #1 system and it collapses like this...yeah. Figuring out how to get through to a guy who is his "own worst enemy" is part of that coaching thing.

Exactly!

Colson Montgomery put up an 88 wRC+ in AAA while playing half his games in an absolute bandbox. To think he’s ready for the majors is wild to me and to think he’d have any chance of winning ROY next year is even crazier. I’m glad he had a nice AFL stint but it was 42 plate appearances. He needs to have an extended stretch of success in AAA before we consider calling him up. There is zero benefit of burning a year of service while he hoping he’ll complete critical development in the majors. Baldwin can and should start for a month or two or however long it takes for Colson to legit be ready for a shot.

Actually if Bruce understood analogies, we NEED a Tatis Jr trade here where we come out of it with a superstar in the future after trading our veteran. But C for Effort there Bruce.

This feels like the part of the season we get all excited by these potential trade ideas only to get kicked in the balls, but someone's #4 prospect, #8 prospect and a 2/3 year experienced and overpaid utility player.

That at least is a bit more realistic, but I get it.

I was way off on crochet. Still didn't like what they did during the season. However, I've had a chance to talk to some people about what they did last off season with him. They convinced me that what they did was right. They had the advantage of having a full off season to get him ready for being a starter. They didn't need to worry about recovery from the previous season as he was out rehabbing from surgery. They new plan they came up with was unique to these circumstances. I really think they came up with a great plan for it. Now we just need to see how it works going into this next season. I'm far more optimistic now then during the season based on talking with the people involved.

I think he means signing Fedde as the “deal”, not the trading away of Fedde

Seriously. Just take the L and move on.

Isn't rewarding mediocrity how Getzy got his current gig?

First intern assignment: shovel snow at JR's house

My interpretation of that post is that Montgomery had a similar profile to Merrill through 2023 and Merrill managed to get to the majors the next year so it isn't out of the realm of possibilities that Montgomery could grab the starting SS next year, especially with a potentially more competent MLB coaching staff next year. It's very unlikely but not completely impossible. Also, I don't really understand all the pessimism surrounding Montgomery, we all knew that he was going to be a raw project with tantalizing physical tools and up until last season he's exceeded all expectations. Even last season he struggled at AAA as 22 year-old still learning the game, but reading the sentiment about him on here and you'd think he was a 28 year-old journeyman.

This. And if you’re afraid of him winning the award just call him up in like June or July.

Kopech had all types of red flags on and off the field. The odds were very much stacked against him of ever becoming an actual superstar.

The 2017 list appears to have been released on December 8, 2016. The trade to Boston appears to have been announced on December 6, 2016. So, while it is correct that he was not the number 16 prospect on the MLB.com list on the day of the trade, he was #16 two days later.

The issues were always there, even in the minor leagues. TJS and then deciding to sit out the Covid year certainly didn’t help his development.

Players with high ceilings haven't worked out with this ballclub, so I understand people being attracted to what looks like a solid player in Abreu who already has some success. However he does need to be a piece and not the piece. Boston has a lot of really nice young players that fit what is needed. If Abreu is put together with Campbell or maybe Mayer, Braden Montgomery, and maybe a 4th lottery ticket that's a deal I like a lot. There's mixing and matching you can do with Boston.

I thought we were talking at the time of the trade? Regardless, I don’t consider Noah Schultz a “superstar”, do you?

They were 100% clear that they held him down to limit his innings. They even got him on board with this right at the start of his career. Note the contrast between "open communication with your player about your plans for them" and "what do you mean the player says he doesn't want to pitch in the postseason I thought we had a good working relationship?". https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41443457/paul-skenes-says-pirates-made-right-call-bringing-slowly

Who pegged Kopech as a super star? Seriously. Sure, we HOPED he could eventually emerge as a front of rotation starter but there were plenty of red flags and you’re talking about him like he was Paul Skenes lol.

If you're working for Jerry, it's not just snow that you'll be asked to shovel.

Jackson Merrill's .782 OPS was lower than Colson Montgomery's .710 OPS?

He's a mid ceiling guy who has already used up some of his cheapest years. We need to do better than that. Way better than that. Kopech was a super star front line pitcher ceiling. Do you not see the difference?

oh that's hilarious! "hey internet, how much should we pay Severino?"

I’m fine with it but he absolutely can’t be the main piece. That would be awful.

It was a “Player Development Affiliate Intern” job posting on FanGraphs… https://blogs.fangraphs.com/instagraphs/job-posting-chicago-white-sox-player-development-affiliate-intern-3/

Abreu as a second piece > second piece from Sale trade (Kopech)

Ok Boston, remember you need a follow up hit.

If he wasn't good enough to get a September call up with literally the worst team in MLB history, he'd better hit like .500 in spring if he is going to be the opening day SS.

I'm good with Baldwin holding down the fort for a few weeks at SS to get that extra year of control personally.

I saw this the other day and was going to post it here, but obviously not even remotely realistic. Mayo would be an awesome addition despite his corner profile. And I do like Beavers as a secondary piece. But no way they do Mayo & Basallo in the same deal.

Unless my information is wrong, teams teams are required to place certain Rule-5 eligible players on their 40-man rosters in order to prevent other teams from prying them away in December's Rule 5 Draft. With the unofficial signing of outfielder Austin Slater to a major league deal, the White Sox will have 37 players on their 40-man roster. There's certainly enough chaff in that roster (Chuckie Robinson, Corey Julks, Jesse Scholtens and Justin Anderson to name a few) that could be removed, so by all means, the Sox could find a way to protect more than three players from Rule 5 selection. Below is who I believe are the twelve options (in order) the team could most consider for this roster protection. 1, Colson Montgomery (22) -- SS (Charlotte). Montgomery is the one no-brainer. Yes, he struggled for most of 2024 (.214/.329/.381), but still managed to produce 42 extra-base hits and 69 walks, Surprisingly, he fared better against southpaws (.248/.327/.376) than righties (.201/.329/.384). He likely put too much pressure on himself to produce numbers, but he was still playing against pitchers five years older than he on average. In September he slashed a more respectable .264/.357/.458 with 4 homers. Just as importantly, he lit up the scoreboard for the Glendale Desert Dogs in 45 at-bats by slugging .313/.511/.656 with three homers, four stolen bases and 10 walks while fanning just six times. Things may be starting to click for the 6'3" youngster, and with a hot spring, he just may be able to crack the Opening Day roster. In the meantime, he ranks 3rd among Sox prospects according to MLB Pipeline and is a borderline Top-100 overall prospect. 2. Wilfred Veras (22) -- OF (Birmingham). Like Montgomery, Veras' numbers slumped when compared to an outstanding 2023. Also like Montgomery, his numbers improved late in the year as well. With Birmingham, he slashed .267/.319/.424 in a tough ballpark to hit with 44 extra-base hits (16 homers), 34 walks (as opposed to 140 strikeouts) and 25 stolen bases. Not considered by many scouts to be a speed demon, he's been highly productive on the bases with 49 stolen bases in 2023. His plate discipline vastly improved in the season's last two months as he produced 18 walks as opposed to 37 punchouts (as opposed to 16 walks and 103 strikeouts the previous four months). This improvement resulted in a combined .297/.376/.465 slash line. He currently ranks 25th among Sox prospects per MLB Pipeline, and should begin next year in Charlotte. He could be the long-term answer in right field if he continues his recent improvements. 3, Juan Carela (22) -- RHSP (Birmingham). Falling just below Veras' MLB Sox prospect ranking at 26th, Carela produced nearly identical results with Winston-Salem and Birmingham. For the year, he produced a respectable 3.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 23 starts (106.2 innings), as he surrendered just 87 hits and 45 walks while fanning 114. Like Veras, I expect Carela to begin next year with Charlotte. He's pitched splendidly for the Sox since they acquired him in 2023's trade deadline from the Yankees for reliever Keynan Middleton. Righties hit just .205 versus his offerings last year, as opposed to a .253 average by lefties. If he can improve his change-up against lefties, he could become a solid rotation piece in 2026 for the Sox. 4. Trey McGough (26) LHRP (Charlotte). Acquired in last year's tradeline from Baltimore in the Eloy Jimenez deal, he produced an outstanding 1.98 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 81.2 innings by surrendering just 54 hits (.188 OBA) and 29 walks while striking out 88. What's more, his ERA has never finished above 3.86 in his five-year minor league career. His numbers versus lefties and righties were nearly identical, Certainly, the Sox were aware of his pending Rule 5 status for this year when making the Jimenez deal, so it seems likely that McGough will be the fourth option for Rule-5 protection. 5. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa (24) -- RHRP (Charlotte). This is where things start becoming less clear regarding who'll be protected. At the time the White Sox acquired him from the Rangers in the May 8 trade for outfielder Robbie Grossman, the native Hawaiian had a 0.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 10 relief outings. He did post a respectable 3.24 ERA and 1.08 WHIP for Birmingham in 25 outings. However, in Hoopii-Tuionetoa's nine appearances with Charlotte, he got lit up with a 13.50 ERA and 1.85 WHIP. He could have been fatigued toward the season, r the small ballpark in Charlotte could've caused problems. Hopefully, this is just an aberration as he's expected to be a member on the Sox Opening Day roster with a solid Spring Training. 6. Garrett Schoenle (26) -- LHRP (Birmingham). Schoenle followed up his worst professional season in 2023 (6.22 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) with his best one in 2024 (1.67 ERA/0.94 WHIP). While last year was primarily spent in the rotation, this year was spent mostly in the bullpen. In 70 innings, he allowed just 43 hits (.171 OBA) and 23 walks while fanning 88. Schoenle was Mr. Consistency, as no monthly ERA was above 2.25; also lefties hit .170 versus his offerings while righties hit .171 against him. Also, his numbers in the bullpen and his spot-starter roles were nearly identical. It would be easy to understand if the Sox selected Schoenle over Hoopii-Tuionetoa based upon those impressive results. 7. Adisyn Coffey (24) -- RHRP (Charlotte). Coffey was considered simply an under-slot 3rd Round selection from Wabash Valley Community College in the 2020 Draft, as his selection enabled the team to spend over-slot money on prep star Jared Kelley. However, Coffey has proven thus far to be the better of the two pitchers, as he combined with Birmingham and Charlotte for a 2.04 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 35 relief appearances, In that span totaling over 52 innings, he allowed just 37 hits and 22 walks while striking out 55. Lefties hit just .160 against his offerings, and like Schoenle, surrendered just one homer for all of 2024. He's certainly in the mix with Hoopii-Tuionetoa and Schoenle for Rule 5 protection. 8. Caleb Freeman (26) -- RHRP (Birmingham). Selected in 2019's 15th round from Texas Tech, Freeman had the reputation of wildness which he hasn't totally shaken. He did post a respectable 3.92 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for Birmingham in 2024, as he allowed 33 hits (.208 OBA) and 26 walks while striking out 56. He also surrendered 5 homers in his 43 2/3 innings, which is similar to his career average. Mostly, his inconsistency is what brings him below the relievers already mentioned. His monthly ERA numbers were 3.00, 6.48, 0.00, 9.82, 1.04 and 4.91. Of course, ERA stats don't tell the whole picture, but in Freeman's case, it could explain why he hasn't received the promotion to Charlotte yet. 9. Jerold Rosado (22) -- RHRP (Winston-Salem). Rosada was acquired in last year's trade deadline from the Royals for infielder Paul DeJong, and he continued to pitch quite well. He combined with the Royal and Sox systems for an outstanding 2.11 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 55 1/3 innings, as he allowed just 42 hits (.214 OBA), 15 walks and 68 strikeouts. Lefties hit .224 against him, while righties fared marginally worse at .207. I'd have Rosado higher on this list, but since he's only had 10 appearances beyond Low-A ball, the odds of him being selected in the Rule 5 Draft won't be that high. 10. Adam Hackenberg (25) -- C (Charlotte). Hackenberg's offensive numbers (.210/.315/.253) in 2024 were a significant drop-off from his 2023 numbers with Birmingham and Charlotte, but he's here due to the scarcity of the catcher position which is usually in demand (along with pitching) in Rule 5 drafts. He's considered an asset behind the plate, so despite his numbers, it won't be a shock to see him selected. 11. Andrew Dalquist (24) -- RHRP (Birmingham). The former 3rd-round selection has had a disappointing minor league career to date, although he resurrected it significantly after a conversion from the rotation to begin this year's campaign. He posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 47 innings for Birmingham, as he surrendered just 36 hits (.217 OBA) while fanning a solid 52. However, he got himself in trouble walking 27. In the past, he's given up lots of long balls; however, he surrendered just two in the friendly environs of Birmingham. His stock will escalate further if he can throw strikes, while still limiting the long ball, in the much more perilous Charlotte atmosphere. 12. DJ Gladney (23) -- OF (Birmingham). I nearly went with fellow Baron outfielder Terrell Tatum here, but since Gladney participated in this year's AFL, he deserves a shoutout here. He enjoyed his best minor league campaign with Winston-Salem and Birmingham in 2024 by slashing .246/.303/.450 -with 20 doubles and 16 homers spanning 353 at-bats. He also stole eight bases without getting caught. His strikeout rate has vastly improved since his 2023 effort when he struck out 173 times in 464 at-bats. I'll be fun to see how this local product builds upon his success in Charlotte next year, but in the meantime, the odds of Gladney's being selected in the Rule 5 draft is fairly small despite his overall improvements.

The WSox could have a decent rotation with current staff including Crochet, Canon, Thorpe et. al.. Add possible future starters Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith and that rotation (and the entire team) takes another step toward competing with the best teams. Yes, WSox need some hitters/position players so add them through FA ...but don't rob from Peter to pay Paul so to speak. Spend some damn money on FA instead of trying to go on the cheap by trying to outsmart other teams with trades and "developing" prospects while we watch another painful rebuild. Fvk that.