The Chicago White Sox '21-'22 offseason

[Mingo]

28 man rosters to start the season. No pull hitter shifts on defense (there will have to be 2 infielders on each side of 2nd base).

Based on my thrills and chills of last year - the no shift really works for helping the Sox:

1) TLR didn't use it anyway
2) Sox hitters will hit into fewer double plays - and some of those will become base hits.

On Kimbrel - Kimbrel fell off in the 2nd half of the season last year because he got tired. The media line is to blame it on using Kimbrel for 8th inning setups instead of 9th inning closing. He got arm weariness and lost spin rates and control. If Kimbrel has the same kind of start this year as he did last year - the Sox can use him while he's fresh and trade him while is value is high. On a 28 man roster he is an inning eater for the 1st half of the season.

None- the-less - picking up Kimbrel's option was a mistake. The only question is - do the Sox have a strategy to still harvest some value out of Kimbrel?

 

[Jiddy]

On Kimbrel - Kimbrel fell off in the 2nd half of the season last year because he got tired. The media line is to blame it on using Kimbrel for 8th inning setups instead of 9th inning closing. He got arm weariness and lost spin rates and control. If Kimbrel has the same kind of start this year as he did last year - the Sox can use him while he's fresh and trade him while is value is high. On a 28 man roster he is an inning eater for the 1st half of the season.

 

[Jiddy]

 

[podsox]

Sox have about 56 million of their team salary this yr going to their bullpen. It’s a huge advantage to have a great Bp but its The most inconsistent position in the sport

 

[ChiSoxFan]

Sox have about 56 million of their team salary this yr going to their bullpen. It’s a huge advantage to have a great Bp but its The most inconsistent position in the sport

 

[Mingo]

Meanwhile - Minnesota looks like it is taking a salary dump by trading Josh Donaldson to the Yanks - comes up with Carlos Correa for 3 years and $105 Million. Only - Correa gets to exercise and opt out after year 1 or year 2. I think there's a pretty good chance Correa will want out of the land of 10,000 mosquitoes

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Greetings from (just outside) the Magic Kingdom. It seems during my most recent absence that every team but the Sox have improved themselves. I mean, WTF.

 

[Mingo]

There are maybe 3 teams with playoff dreams who can use Kimbrel:

The Padres
The Phillies
And possibly the Bay Rays

I would think the White Sox dream of a 3 team trade that will land them Montas.

 

[ChiSoxFan]

There are maybe 3 teams with playoff dreams who can use Kimbrel:

The Padres
The Phillies
And possibly the Bay Rays

I would think the White Sox dream of a 3 team trade that will land them Montas.

Maybe they can find a way to dump Keuchel too while they’re at it.

 

[Mingo]

Maybe they can find a way to dump Keuchel too while they’re at it.

IMO - that would be the Phillies

 

[idseer]

keuchel looked fantastic in his first inning, then he looked terrible in his next. not encouraging.

 

[Mingo]

Eloy looked ready today. I can't wait to see him have a monster season and he is certainly a threat to do that.

I don't think Giolitto will sign an extension or a new contract with the White Sox - my suspicion is the Sox don't like guys who are player reps. So, guess who can't get a deal done without arbitration - and then the Sox walked away from a $50,000 difference in the negotiation force an arbitration ruling.

 

[ChiSoxFan]

Eloy looked ready today. I can't wait to see him have a monster season and he is certainly a threat to do that.

I don't think Giolitto will sign an extension or a new contract with the White Sox - my suspicion is the Sox don't like guys who are player reps. So, guess who can't get a deal done without arbitration - and then the Sox walked away from a $50,000 difference in the negotiation force an arbitration ruling.

I think the writing is on the wall for Giolito not being here long term. Sucks.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Eloy looked ready today. I can't wait to see him have a monster season and he is certainly a threat to do that.

I don't think Giolitto will sign an extension or a new contract with the White Sox - my suspicion is the Sox don't like guys who are player reps. So, guess who can't get a deal done without arbitration - and then the Sox walked away from a $50,000 difference in the negotiation force an arbitration ruling.

I think the writing is on the wall for Giolito not being here long term. Sucks.

I'm tending to agree. Obviously he thinks he'll get more on the open market. But then again, he'll have to show he's worth it. I think he will.

 

[ChiSoxFan]

I'm tending to agree. Obviously he thinks he'll get more on the open market. But then again, he'll have to show he's worth it. I think he will.

He's a FA in 2024, so I think we should all be ready for the Sox to trade him prior.

 

[Mingo]

One thing I like about Giolitto is he is a mad scientist for trying to be the best pitcher he can be. If he is properly stretched out, I think his bulking up will push his game up a notch - which is Cy Young contention. I would bet improved stats this season - back to being the staff ace again.

But @ChiSoxFan is correct - Giolitto will get traded rather than resigned. If he has a good season - his high value in the trade market may be next year this time.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

He's a FA in 2024, so I think we should all be ready for the Sox to trade him prior.

Good point, but it would be tough to do this if we're dominating and he's a major part of that. Otherwise tho, this makes sense.

 

[ChiSoxFan]

Good point, but it would be tough to do this if we're dominating and he's a major part of that. Otherwise tho, this makes sense.

With current ownership, I absolutely think he is traded regardless of team success, unfortunately. I’d love for my opinion to be proven wrong. I just don’t recall JR paying for top tier pitchers at top dollar/market.

 

[idseer]

keuchel 4+ shutout innings looked pretty good today. encouraging!

 

[podsox]