You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
White Sox Offseason Chat
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Comiskey Pork
9:32
Where can the Sox cut payroll to invest in some impact players?  Who would you cut and who would you sign?
Tim Dierkes
9:33
I think you could ditch some of Grandal's contract, as I mentioned.  Might be able to find a taker for Graveman'
Mike Squires
9:33
Tell me the White Sox aren't seriously considering Ozzie Guillen again. That has disaster written all over it.
Tim Dierkes
9:33
Yes, yes it does.  Pass the popcorn
Mitch
9:33
Moncada for Flaherty/Dejong who says no? Sox get an arm they could plug right into the rotation and a bat with some pop that can 3 positions while shedding some payroll (some of which is offset by Dejong) and the birds get a bat they can plug into 2B that will at least give them great defense with offensive upside. Both teams get to move on from some players that need a change of scenery while bringing in players that fill needs in an offseason where both teams need to make some changes to their roster to move forward.
Tim Dierkes
9:34
Cards say no.  They've got better options at 2B and Moncada hasn't played there since 2018 (for a reason).
Southside Fan
9:34
I would like to see the White Sox do a little out of the box thinking.  How about signing one of the shortstops (preferably Turner) and move Anderson to second base?  I know money is a concern but they won't sign Abreu so that
Tim Dierkes
9:35
I actually think this idea has merit.  I just don't see the White Sox doing it.  They've never paid a player more than $73MM, I believe.
Prospect hopeful
9:35
Per your article, very little mention of help from down on the farm. A couple years away from relevance?
Tim Dierkes
9:36
For that post I'm mostly focused on 2023 impact.  Aside from Colas I don't think they have anyone expected to be all that great next year.
Concerned White Sox Fan
9:36
GM Rick Hahn recently stated that he would not be "throwing money at the problem" in order to fix it. While many fans may argue about whether the Sox have actually done that to a substantive degree, I do wonder about what that statement does actually mean. Is there a scenario where the White Sox would be willing to eat money on someone's contract (i.e. cutting Grandal or trading Pollock) just to free up roster flexibility (getting younger/more defensive at catcher, acquiring a left-handed corner outfielder).
Tim Dierkes
9:36
I recommend reading that quote in full context, because tweets might not do it justice: https://www.soxon35th.com/analyzing-rick-hahns-press-conference-commen...
9:37
I don't think parsing GM-speak is productive, though.  Hahn isn't actually telegraphing anything interesting.
Certainly finding ways to get Grandal and/or Pollock off the team optimally for '23 are in play.
Dave
9:37
Anecdotally, do you think these pre-free-agency contracts disincentivize productivity and incentivize (1) staying healthy/avoidant of major injury (increasing DL stints) and (2) producing in the a contract year, only? I ask because it appears those on the Sox who were underperforming were in the middle of their contracts, many of whom signed before being eligible for free agency. I’m all for players making money but I gotta think there’s a disconnect between what gets them paid and what fans are tuning in for, which is playoff baseball.
Tim Dierkes
9:38
I don't think that's a question that should be answered anecdotally.  A guess some kind of macro study on pre-arb extensions could be interesting, but there are so many variables as to why a player underperforms projections.
9:39
Whether a contract like Eloy's affects his motivation on an individual level, that's just unknowable.
Joey
9:39
this season showed that despite some promising pieces, this team has a lot of flaws. In addition to that, they appear poised to let their clubhouse leader and one of game’s top hitters of the last decade leave in free agency, not to mention the fact that it doesn’t seem like they intend to spend a lot of money this offseason due to an already high payroll (by their standards). Where should I be getting my optimism for next year?
Tim Dierkes
9:41
Everything you said is correct.  Optimism...Tony La Russa won't be the manager.  Andrew Vaughn won't be the RF.  Robert, Eloy, and Anderson almost have to play in more than 261 games in total.  Giolito's ERA will be below 4.90.  There will be at least one new veteran OF.  Grandal won't get 376 PA again if he's not hitting.  Colas will be up.
Good guys wear black
9:41
In this political climate, would Manager Ozzie Guillen be detrimental to the team, given his ... uh ... unfiltered way of speaking his mind? I mean, I love the guy, but there isn't a human alive more likely to say something incendiary off-the-cuff.
Tim Dierkes
9:42
I love the way you put that.  I agree, and I think it's pretty nuts that he even got an interview.
The Ghost of Bobby Thigpen
9:42
Brandon Nimmo is the ideal off-season target for Rick Hahn (LHB, OF, High OBP). Unfortunately, I don't think they'll be willing to pay the cost it will take (I'm probably on the high side, but I think he ends up signing for $110M/5).

Is it more probable that they are able to sign Michael Conforto on a 1-year "pillow contract"?
Tim Dierkes
9:42
Fair to say that Conforto is more probable than Nimmo.
Sox Need Help
9:42
The Sox need to change their philosophy from thumpers to speed and defense.  They have too many 1B/DH types and when they all play, there isn't much athleticism on the field.  I'd like to see the Sox not resign Abreu, move Eloy to full time DH, move Vaughn to full time 1B and trade Sheets.  I'd like to see Engel get more time in right field and then sign a defensive left fielder.
Tim Dierkes
9:43
I think Sheets will take on more of a reserve role.  I'm not sure Engel will even be tendered a contract; he's not a major part of the solution.  I think left to right it's New Guy-Robert-Colas.  Maybe they can move Pollock out for a more interesting fourth outfielder type.
Alec
9:43
Do you think it is more likely to bring back Rodon or Quintana on a 4 year deal? Or is a 2 year Verlander deal more likely?
Tim Dierkes
9:44
You wanna throw four years at Q, you've got him back for sure.  Or even 3.
I would be shocked if Rodon came back after the Sox thought so little of him that they didn't even issue a qualifying offer.  They read that one very wrong.
9:45
Verlander, I don't see it.  I think for a non-Astros team to get him, unless it's maybe the Dodgers or something, a team would have to go way over the top and give him an offer he can't refuse.  Don't see that from the Sox
Ryan
9:45
Agree or disagree: The Padres' offer to Manny Machado was better than the White Sox's offer from a pure financial standpoint.
Tim Dierkes
9:45
I'd have to go back and check the archives, but I think I remember the White Sox falling like $40 mil short or something.  So...agree
Tyler
9:46
How much more will it cost to sign Cueto this year than last year?
Tim Dierkes
9:46
I think we're landing around one year, 8 mil or so.  He didn't even get an MLB deal with the Sox.
MJ
9:46
Will the Sox sign a new catcher in case Grandal doesn’t “bounce back”?
Tim Dierkes
9:46
I can see them grabbing a Tucker Barnhart type.
Monny
9:47
What are your plans for the starting pitcher part this offseason?

What is the ultimate 2023 starting rotation for the White Sox?
Tim Dierkes
9:47
I think it's just Cease-Gio-Lynn-Kopech-Unimpressive New Guy-various rookies
9:48
If they decide they need to trade Gio, I guess it wouldn't shock me.  Not sure how they'd fill that
Ivan Calderon
9:48
Whoever ends up being the next manager, I just hope it's a selection actually made by Rick Hahn and not the dynamcic duo of Jerry and Kenny.
Tim Dierkes
9:48
I think Hahn's voice will be louder on this one given the way TLR went, but let's be honest, Jerry and Kenny have a lot of power here still.
Connecting…