Opening Day 26-Man Roster

[Bob Sacamano]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:15 PM, 46DidIt said:

Sox have 23 pitchers on 40 man though. No 3rd catcher either. Seems like they need to cut pitchers but with all these mediocre vets evidently making the active roster looks like that leaves the B- prospects left to DFA. Is Berroa going on 60 day list? Don't see how carrying guys like Taylor and Justin Anderson helps this team long run while cutting Colas and someone like Carela or whoever they are going to have to sacrifice. Immediate OF depth is crap so don't see how they can cut Fletcher or Colas, or any position player on 40 man really. Couple OFers and catcher go on the 10 day IL then what? Going to have to start thinking about cutting guys like Nastrini 

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Berroa is going on the 60-day IL. He just hasn't been placed on it yet.

Carela is another guy they could transfer to the 60-day IL if they wanted to open up a spot but not sure they would since they optioned him.

[hogan873]

Things should shake out for the 26-man over the next few days.  With Colas apparently not breaking with the club, it will be interesting to see who makes it for the outfield.  Benintendi and Robert are certains.  RF may end up being a platoon with Tauchman and <insert random RH hitter here>.

[tray]

Colson just had too much swing and miss during ST. Some of that must have been in the backfields where we couldn't see it but it left enough of a bad impression on Sox management to knock him out of the OD roster.  For those who question the rationale behind having Meidroth in the line-up (and I would hope 2d base) check out the interview he did with Chuck G.

 

[WestEddy]

  On 3/20/2025 at 2:46 PM, WhiteSox2023 said:

I never said Colas will translate to the majors but I don’t see the point in wasting at bats on vets.  The Sox have a garbage lineup and are playing 34 year old vets in their outfield that won’t be here next season.  At some point, you should just see what you have with younger players.  Afterall, what did Slater do to deserve being a platoon starter in the outfield from the minute he was signed?  I don’t care about his numbers from 2+ years ago.  He’s not the same guy now.  He’s older and bad.  The tiny chance of a younger player panning out in the majors is worth more to the Sox than wasting at bats on a guy like Slater.

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Dude, you don't get to disallow all arguments for why a player deserves a spot on the roster. Slater has proven over 8 seasons that he's a reliable baseball player, who has put up average to much better than average offensive production in most of those seasons, while providing cromulent defense at all 3 OF positions. 

We know what we have in Oscar Colas. Colas has proven to be a bonehead in the field. Two glaring misplays happened in spring training, once in LF when he got hit in the face with a fly ball, and once in RF, charging a single with the thought of throwing out a guy halfway home already, and he let the ball get passed him to advance all runners. Colas has not distinguished himself with the bat, while playing in a bandbox of a ballpark. He also seems to be a clubhouse problem, or at least have attitudinal problems that likely make him uncoachable. I'd imagine that for 4 years, his coaches have been telling him that on a single to RF, make sure to pick up the ball, and understand you're not going to throw out a guy halfway home, already. 

We also pretty much know what we have in Fletcher, DeLoach, Julks and Cal Mitchell. I mean, you screamed for a solid year about what bums the first three were, how those trades were complete disasters, oh, and they're all old. So what is it you didn't see in 2024 you think you're going to see this year? 

And playing a 31-year-old veteran in baseball games isn't "wasting at bats". The games have to be played, and who better to play them than capable baseball players? Everybody here is screaming about "watchable" baseball. Why do you want to see players you've already dismissed as subhuman trash kick the ball around the outfield and pop out in the rare moments they get runners on base?

I mean, if losses don't matter, I look forward to never hearing about this 41-121 2024 record again. 

[46DidIt]

With Berroa opening a spot, I think I'd cut Owen White and one of Eisart, Ellard or Gilbert

[Bob Sacamano]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:35 PM, 46DidIt said:

With Berroa opening a spot, I think I'd cut Owen White and one of Eisart, Ellard or Gilbert

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Yeah probably Owen White. Depending on what they do at short, Amaya can be another.

[WestEddy]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:09 PM, vilehoopster said:

Also, if Meidroth, batting .133 or whatever, is playing in Chicago, and Colson was sent down to the minors two weeks ago, Colson is never going to forgive or forget that. I'm sure Colson will say all the right things, blah, blah blah. But he will see the combination of those two decisions as a big slight to him (he's been in the orgainzation much longer) and that is going to fester. Colson already feels he wasn't given a real shot due to an injury that he will feel is not his fault. 

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If Colson Montgomery is this much of a clubhouse cancer, then it's good to find out as soon as possible. 

Seriously, how are the Sox going to "pay" for "it"? Is Colson going to play badly when his opportunity arrives because he was dissed? And then he'll be demoted, then he'll cry? Just assume every player is going to switch their agency to Scott Boras in their 5th year and shoot for the moon in free agency. 

[Bob Sacamano]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:09 PM, vilehoopster said:

Managing a professional team means more than managing the talent, making lineups, scouting, skill development, and whatever else we associate with running a professional team. It also means managing players and their egos, usually big egos. You have to take into account those egos. 

So, let me say something that many on here will disagree with. I really don't think the Sox want to leave ST with Meidroth on the MLB roster. For one reason, I don't think his bat is ready. But here's the other. . . 

Also, if Meidroth, batting .133 or whatever, is playing in Chicago, and Colson was sent down to the minors two weeks ago, Colson is never going to forgive or forget that. I'm sure Colson will say all the right things, blah, blah blah. But he will see the combination of those two decisions as a big slight to him (he's been in the orgainzation much longer) and that is going to fester. Colson already feels he wasn't given a real shot due to an injury that he will feel is not his fault. 

Can I prove this? Of course not. but if you work with players and their egos, you have to know this is a reality. If Colson is at Charlotte and Meidroth is in Chicago, down the road, the Sox will pay for it. 

I've said this before: Send them all down to Charlotte, let them play together and win together; then after the big flip sale at the trading deadline, bring them and their winning attitutes and expectations up. 

 

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lol Colson was terrible last year and bad this spring. 

I kinda feel like they sent him down because they are going to give him early IL stint.

[46DidIt]

Guys like Slater and Taylor do us no good long term, that's the point. Whether there's a possibility he returns to being a decent hitter against lefties is irrelevant. Considering prospects most likely to be called up later aren"t on 40 man, Sox are going to have to sacrifice young players to keep them on the roster at some point, which is counter productive. We obviously need some vets but to me Tauchman, Drury, Rojas and Thaiss are more valuable at present time. Colas may be a bone head but he also has a 99th percentile arm. Slater has never been a good OFer so not sure there's even an advantage there. If Colas bounces a couple balls off his head it would be evened out by the number of bases that would be advanced by having Slater in the OF. Carrying a defensive specialist like Taylor and a guy whose only value is maybe being able to hit lefties makes no sense for a rebuilding team

[WhiteSox2023]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:33 PM, WestEddy said:

Dude, you don't get to disallow all arguments for why a player deserves a spot on the roster. Slater has proven over 8 seasons that he's a reliable baseball player, who has put up average to much better than average offensive production in most of those seasons, while providing cromulent defense at all 3 OF positions. 

We know what we have in Oscar Colas. Colas has proven to be a bonehead in the field. Two glaring misplays happened in spring training, once in LF when he got hit in the face with a fly ball, and once in RF, charging a single with the thought of throwing out a guy halfway home already, and he let the ball get passed him to advance all runners. Colas has not distinguished himself with the bat, while playing in a bandbox of a ballpark. He also seems to be a clubhouse problem, or at least have attitudinal problems that likely make him uncoachable. I'd imagine that for 4 years, his coaches have been telling him that on a single to RF, make sure to pick up the ball, and understand you're not going to throw out a guy halfway home, already. 

We also pretty much know what we have in Fletcher, DeLoach, Julks and Cal Mitchell. I mean, you screamed for a solid year about what bums the first three were, how those trades were complete disasters, oh, and they're all old. So what is it you didn't see in 2024 you think you're going to see this year? 

And playing a 31-year-old veteran in baseball games isn't "wasting at bats". The games have to be played, and who better to play them than capable baseball players? Everybody here is screaming about "watchable" baseball. Why do you want to see players you've already dismissed as subhuman trash kick the ball around the outfield and pop out in the rare moments they get runners on base?

I mean, if losses don't matter, I look forward to never hearing about this 41-121 2024 record again. 

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The record has already been set, haha.  Too late.  Once again, may as well see what younger guys can do at this point.  And it doesn’t have to be Colas.  There will probably be more interesting DFA’s to play than Slater.  Remember that both Victor Robles and Joey Bart were early season DFA’s last year.  Unfortunately, Getz passed on both guys.  Apparently, our outfield talent was just too good last year and Getz still had faith in Oldy Moldy.  🤣

Edited Thursday at 03:57 PM by WhiteSox2023

[Bob Sacamano]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:54 PM, 46DidIt said:

Guys like Slater and Taylor do us no good long term, that's the point. Whether there's a possibility he returns to being a decent hitter against lefties is irrelevant. Considering prospects most likely to be called up later aren"t on 40 man, Sox are going to have to sacrifice young players to keep them on the roster at some point, which is counter productive. We obviously need some vets but to me Tauchman, Drury, Rojas and Thaiss are more valuable at present time. Colas may be a bone head but he also has a 99th percentile arm. Slater has never been a good OFer so not sure there's even an advantage there. If Colas bounces a couple balls off his head it would be evened out by the number of bases that would be advanced by having Slater in the OF. Carrying a defensive specialist like Taylor and a guy whose only value is maybe being able to hit lefties makes no sense for a rebuilding team

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Yeah, to me Taylor could have just served the 4th OF, RHH role.

[vilehoopster]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:37 PM, WestEddy said:

If Colson Montgomery is this much of a clubhouse cancer, then it's good to find out as soon as possible. 

Seriously, how are the Sox going to "pay" for "it"? Is Colson going to play badly when his opportunity arrives because he was dissed? And then he'll be demoted, then he'll cry? Just assume every player is going to switch their agency to Scott Boras in their 5th year and shoot for the moon in free agency. 

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The Sox will pay for it by Colson not wanting to resign with the Sox, or a action like that is a big step to turning Colson into a Clubhouse cancer. 

I'm telling you; Colson is not gonna be happy about it. 

[WhiteSox2023]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:59 PM, vilehoopster said:

The Sox will pay for it by Colson not wanting to resign with the Sox, or a action like that is a big step to turning Colson into a Clubhouse cancer. 

I'm telling you; Colson is not gonna be happy about it. 

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I don’t even think we know yet if that will even matter in the long run.  He is far from a sure thing.

[46DidIt]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:59 PM, vilehoopster said:

The Sox will pay for it by Colson not wanting to resign with the Sox, or a action like that is a big step to turning Colson into a Clubhouse cancer. 

I'm telling you; Colson is not gonna be happy about it. 

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You think he's too stupid to see why a guy who put up OBPs around .440 at upper levels would get a crack at it before him?

[Quin]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:35 PM, 46DidIt said:

With Berroa opening a spot, I think I'd cut Owen White and one of Eisart, Ellard or Gilbert

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I know it's a wild year because I used to be able to ID everyone in spring training and I don't recognize anyone but Ellard in this post.

[WestEddy]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:54 PM, WhiteSox2023 said:

The record has already been set, haha.  Too late.  Once again, may as well see what younger guys can do at this point.  And it doesn’t have to be Colas.  There will probably be more interesting DFA’s to play than Slater.  Remember that both Victor Robles and Joey Bart were early season DFA’s last year.  Unfortunately, Getz passed on both guys.  Apparently, our outfield talent was just too good last year and Getz still had faith in Oldy Moldy.  🤣

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Joey Bart is a guy that Getz should have pursued. We don't know he didn't. Bart was traded to Pittsburgh for an 8th round bullpen arm who never threw a pitch for the Pirates. It's been well established here that you never let that kind of prospect gold leave the organization. Robles was a free agent who may have already been out of our price range. We don't know. Also, Robles is older than Fletcher, and I thought being 27 years old was a deal killer for you?

[WestEddy]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:54 PM, 46DidIt said:

Guys like Slater and Taylor do us no good long term, that's the point. Whether there's a possibility he returns to being a decent hitter against lefties is irrelevant. Considering prospects most likely to be called up later aren"t on 40 man, Sox are going to have to sacrifice young players to keep them on the roster at some point, which is counter productive. We obviously need some vets but to me Tauchman, Drury, Rojas and Thaiss are more valuable at present time. Colas may be a bone head but he also has a 99th percentile arm. Slater has never been a good OFer so not sure there's even an advantage there. If Colas bounces a couple balls off his head it would be evened out by the number of bases that would be advanced by having Slater in the OF. Carrying a defensive specialist like Taylor and a guy whose only value is maybe being able to hit lefties makes no sense for a rebuilding team

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Slater and Taylor don't have to "do us good in the long term". Baseball games need to be played, and a guys like Taylor and Slater give the younger guys a chance at learning how to win. 

And as far as trade returns, no, you're not going to get the #1 prospect in baseball for your platoon RF. But the crowd who wants the Sox to play failed OFs on the long shot chance they change and become All-Stars - suddenly lose that hope when it comes to that A-ball second baseman who can play SS and hits. 

I'm getting confused. Are we supposed to make players "earn" their spots on the roster, or are we just supposed to hand rookies starting slots because they're young? Taylor and Slater aren't blocking anyone worthwhile. 

[almagest]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:20 PM, WestEddy said:

Taylor and Slater aren't blocking anyone worthwhile. 

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That's all that really needs to be said, here. None of Colas, Fletcher or Deloach have shown anything while in the Sox org to indicate they'd be anything other than a disaster in full-time play, or even as a platoon. This is absolutely a scouting and player development issue they need to solve, but for now the Sox just need players who can approximate competency in right field.

[WhiteSox2023]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:14 PM, WestEddy said:

Joey Bart is a guy that Getz should have pursued. We don't know he didn't. Bart was traded to Pittsburgh for an 8th round bullpen arm who never threw a pitch for the Pirates. It's been well established here that you never let that kind of prospect gold leave the organization. Robles was a free agent who may have already been out of our price range. We don't know. Also, Robles is older than Fletcher, and I thought being 27 years old was a deal killer for you?

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I don’t think Robles was out of the Sox price range…

The Mariners signed Robles for $740K last year once he was DFA by the Nationals and cleared waivers.  The Mariners then extended him for the following:

2025:  $3.5 million

2026:  $4.5 million

2027:  $9 million club option or $500K buyout

That’s basically the equivalent of not signing a Michael A. Taylor or both Tauchman and Slater the next two years.  And you just know that Getz is going to waste around $5 million on some veteran bum(s) in 2026.

Edited Thursday at 04:32 PM by WhiteSox2023

[46DidIt]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:20 PM, WestEddy said:

Slater and Taylor don't have to "do us good in the long term". Baseball games need to be played, and a guys like Taylor and Slater give the younger guys a chance at learning how to win. 

And as far as trade returns, no, you're not going to get the #1 prospect in baseball for your platoon RF. But the crowd who wants the Sox to play failed OFs on the long shot chance they change and become All-Stars - suddenly lose that hope when it comes to that A-ball second baseman who can play SS and hits. 

I'm getting confused. Are we supposed to make players "earn" their spots on the roster, or are we just supposed to hand rookies starting slots because they're young? Taylor and Slater aren't blocking anyone worthwhile. 

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So we have to keep Benintendi, Robert, Tauchman, Taylor AND Slater on the roster to teach the subsequently nonexistent young outfielders how to win, meanwhile dfa-ing young players the Sox have under control for 5+ years when someone like Teel or Montgomery gets called up. Makes no sense for a team hoping to win 50 games

[WestEddy]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:26 PM, WhiteSox2023 said:

I don’t think Robles was out of the Sox price range…

The Mariners signed Robles for $740K last year once he was DFA by the Nationals and cleared waivers.  The Mariners then extended him for the following:

2025:  $3.5 million

2026:  $4.5 million

2027:  $9 million club option or $500K buyout

Thats basically the equivalent of not signing a Michael A. Taylor or Tauchman and Slater the next two years.

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Seeing as Robles was a free agent, he had the choice of signing with the first place Seattle Mariners for a guaranteed starting position, or the 15-46 White Sox, who were weathering an 11-game losing streak at that point. So, maybe money wasn't a problem, but one situation seemed much more attractive than the other. 

[46DidIt]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:26 PM, almagest said:

That's all that really needs to be said, here. None of Colas, Fletcher or Deloach have shown anything while in the Sox org to indicate they'd be anything other than a disaster in full-time play, or even as a platoon. This is absolutely a scouting and player development issue they need to solve, but for now the Sox just need players who can approximate competency in right field.

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That's what Tauchman and Rojas are for

[ChiSox59]

  On 3/20/2025 at 3:15 PM, 46DidIt said:

Sox have 23 pitchers on 40 man though. No 3rd catcher either. Seems like they need to cut pitchers but with all these mediocre vets evidently making the active roster looks like that leaves the B- prospects left to DFA. Is Berroa going on 60 day list? Don't see how carrying guys like Taylor and Justin Anderson helps this team long run while cutting Colas and someone like Carela or whoever they are going to have to sacrifice. Immediate OF depth is crap so don't see how they can cut Fletcher or Colas, or any position player on 40 man really. Couple OFers and catcher go on the 10 day IL then what? Going to have to start thinking about cutting guys like Nastrini 

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I completely agree with this.  We've signed so many scrap heap vets, that we're going to have to cut mildly interesting younger guys. None of these scrap heap guys are going to move the needle this year, be here long term, or are good enough to return anything noteworthy even if they have a really good first couple months of the season.  I really dislike the strategy. 

FWIW - Carela can be added to the active roster and 60 day ILd worst case scenario...he isn't getting DFA.  

[WhiteSox2023]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:35 PM, WestEddy said:

Seeing as Robles was a free agent, he had the choice of signing with the first place Seattle Mariners for a guaranteed starting position, or the 15-46 White Sox, who were weathering an 11-game losing streak at that point. So, maybe money wasn't a problem, but one situation seemed much more attractive than the other. 

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Yep, the same argument forever.  He would have had a guaranteed starting position here as well last year.  But please remember this argument when the Sox have had 4+ losing seasons in a row.  How many winning seasons will they need to have before free agents will finally want to sign here?  Because I assume the Sox will want to start targeting some free agents in a couple offseasons.  Or does money even matter at all?  Either way, even if the money the Sox are offering free agents is the same, why would players ever choose the Sox over inevitably better teams?

Edited Thursday at 04:42 PM by WhiteSox2023

[WestEddy]

  On 3/20/2025 at 4:35 PM, 46DidIt said:

So we have to keep Benintendi, Robert, Tauchman, Taylor AND Slater on the roster to teach the subsequently nonexistent young outfielders how to win, meanwhile dfa-ing young players the Sox have under control for 5+ years when someone like Teel or Montgomery gets called up. Makes no sense for a team hoping to win 50 games

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Who is being DFAed? 

I think they might try to sneak a couple guys through during the flurry of roster moves next week. If they pass through waivers, they get to assign them. I could see them trying to sneak Colas and Amaya through waivers. Neither would be a big loss if claimed. Amaya's probably a better fielder than Tristan Gray, but Gray hits some. They seem to be hanging onto Colas on the off chance he starts hitting, and that hasn't happened in a while. 

They're not going to cut Carella or Nastrini. 

Also, they're paying Benintendi, so you have to keep him. Robert will be traded at some point. Tauchman and Slater shore up a position they have no one of value to play. Taylor is CF insurance to have a competent CF to rest Robert, or he's traded. 

Edited Thursday at 04:40 PM by WestEddy