Chicago White Sox

Let me change my projected lineup for next year. And yes, I think Robert is still going to be here. This cold stretch he’s been on has tanked his value and he’s now a hold for another half season unfortunately. I do think we need to sign one veteran to a short-term contract to help provide him some protection. Vargas, RF Baldwin, SS* Robert, CF Pederson, DH* (FA) Benintendi, LF* Ramos, 3B (May 1st) Quero, CA# (May 1st) TBD - AAAA Type, 1B Sosa, 2B We should have quite a bit of money to spend, but won’t spend it on any big long-term contracts. We also lack real 1B / DH options in the minors (sorry Tim Elko). As such, I’d be willing to overpay for Joc a bit on a one or two year deal to help solve the protection problem for Robert and take some pressure off the youngsters. Open to other ideas like this at 1B / DH as convincing Joc to come here could prove challenging, but it’s really slim pickings in free agency. Also, if we don’t acquire a 1B via trade in a Crochet deal, then I’d simply go out and acquire some AAAA type hitter and give him an opportunity. The thought of giving Andrew Vaughn any more time there is terrifying and I’d rather just roll the dice on a post hype type or an older guy raking in AAA but has never gotten a real chance than go with the guy proven to be bad. And while I’m very much a Elko skeptic, I’d be ok with him being the backup plan for a season.

Didn’t know where to put this, but since the 4th of July (80 PA sample) Bryan Ramos has been on fire: 133 wRC+ | 12.5% BB rate | 15.0% K rate | .258 ISO | .280 BABIP Kid doesn’t turn 23 until next March. This minor league season has been incredibly tough on the positional side, but it’s probably important to remind ourselves that him and Montgomery are super young for AAA and could in theory do another full season there and still reach the majors as fresh 24 year old’s.

Pretty sure Getz specifically ruled him out

A 0% BB rate and a sub .100 ISO isn’t going to look good when that BABIP normalizes.

What do you mean?

I don’t get why we’re still rolling Crochet out there.

Exactly. At this point, he’s easily the best option IMO.

I mean, he had a good game yesterday, he’s almost ready now.

There are 19 positional guys, 10 relievers, and 5 SPs who contributed negative fWAR this year (-12.2 total fWAR). Maybe start with finding replacement level talent for them instead of just assuming nothing could have been done.

Credit for the 1B / DH playing 1B / DH though.

I mean, the dude with elite discipline who was the centerpiece of your deadline would be.

Wow…which handle was his second account?

You’re honestly going to sit here and tell us there was nothing Getz could have done to build an ordinary 100 loss team?

When does this season start wearing on old ass Jerry?

Yes, 2025 is going to be super ugly. That being said, I think the rotation could still be fun to watch. Obviously Thorpe getting hurt would change that though.

It’s very clear based on Getz’s press conference yesterday that they don’t have any intention of competing next year.

Cease was coming off a fairly ordinary season, Crochet has pitched like a top 5 pitcher.

I think he’ll do well for Crochet since he’s a legit ace, but last I checked it was a pretty strong SP market so that could pose some risk.

What aspects do you disagree with?

No doubt KW & Hahn are a major part of this mess, but not sure why Getz gets a free pass for this season being historically bad. Our positional group has put up like -5 fWAR. Not his fault that Benintendi sucks, but the rest is squarely on him like signing Maldonado, playing Sheets in the OF, giving away a platoon UT guy in Romy to then trade for platoon OF in Julks, not having a replacement caliber option at 1B/DH at AAA, flopping on the Fletcher & DeLoach trades, etc. The bullpen also sucks and he did not a single RP he was able to flip in a market that was desperate for relievers (and let a good, controllable one go in Cronin). And a huge reason the organization is in trouble in because there has been no pipeline of talent to fill in holes and offset normal regression. And that’s 100% on him for sucking at his past job and still not being able to develop hitters in the minors (which he acknowledged yesterday). Now, he does deserve credit for bringing in Bannister and making meaningful change on the pitching side, but beyond that most of what he has done (so far) has looked suspect. That doesn’t mean things can’t get better, but I think people being unhappy and skeptical is a very reason take at this point.

Didn’t Colas get scratched yesterday? Get him up here and DFA Sheets. It probably doesn’t mean the needle much (if at all), but let’s get the 1B out of the OF for on e

Here is what I would do. Obviously a trade return for Crochet could potentially change things. I’m also assuming they hold Robert into next season as I don’t think offers will magically get better in the offseason for him. 1B: Vet FA or Trade 2B: Sosa SS: Baldwin* 3B: Vargas LF: Benintendi* CF: Robert RF: Fletcher* DH: Colas* (rotate in OF) CA: Quero# (May 1st) I would not waste a second more on Vaughn or Sheets.

Well technically his FIP was 4.2 during that stretch and his ERA was actually three runs better ? And I don’t necessarily disagree with anything you’re saying, but it seems a bit premature to say a guy with one elite pitch and Brian Bannister at his side can’t improve and/or add to his repertoire. I do disagree with the “two teams traded him” comment though. He was traded for Juan Soto and Dylan Cease…that context obviously matters and should support a value case more than deny it.

He also had an 18% hard hit rate during that stretch which is incredible. His FIP wasn’t going to be great due to the low K rate, but his xERA was still very good because he was inducing a lot of weak contact. I think the reality is he’s a bit of a unicorn and shouldn’t be judged based on like nine starts or whatever. His minor league track record is sparkling and while you may not value them most of the 3rd party prospect sites value him greatly.

Mena was a top 10 org prospect when we traded him. Santos is a controllable reliever who didn’t need to be moved right away. We basically have a 3rd round pick to show for them. They were both bad trades and raise serious questions about our ability to scout, which is concerning when you brought in a questionable dude to lead your scouting department.