2 days Ago By Paul Sullivan
GLENDALE, Ariz. — If the Chicago White Sox deal Luis Robert Jr. , whether it’s this spring or before the trade deadline, their 26-man payroll will be down to $47 million.
They’re currently at $66.4 million, according to Cot’s Contracts, which is barely above the $61.8 million Juan Soto is being paid by the New York Mets in 2025.
“For one, we had a handful of guys we didn’t pick up (options),” general manager Chris Getz said Monday at Camelback Ranch. “We didn’t pick up Eloy (Jiménez’s) option, or (Yoán) Moncada’s too. That’s significant.
And we made some small additions. “So much of this, it’s a roster that’s evolving. Younger players are going to get opportunities to see what they can do before we make a longer-term commitment that can perhaps hinder a younger player we feel can potentially be an impactful major league player.
” The Sox rank 29th in payroll, just ahead of the Miami Marlins’ $69.4 million. It’s a sad reminder of how far the Sox have fallen from 2021 when they cruised to an American League Central title and had the South Side in the palm of their hands.
Jiménez and Robert were handed long-term guaranteed contracts based on their potential and despite their upside. When Robert signed a six-year, $50 million deal in 2020 with two options through 2027 that potentially made it an $88 million contract, former general manager Rick Hahn said the Sox “put our money where our mouth is in terms of our level of excitement about this player.” No one complained since both looked like stars in the making.
But neither player lived up to his potential due to injuries and offensive struggles. Jiménez was dealt to Baltimore last summer and is now in Tampa Bay trying to make the team on a minor-league deal. Robert needs to show he’s healthy and improved this spring to increase his trade value.
Photos: An inside look at 2025 Chicago White Sox spring training Getz said the Sox’s philosophy of betting on players’ potential without seeing them perform in the majors has changed, at least for now. Potential stars like Noah Schultz, Kyle Teel and Hagen Smith will have to wait to get a big payday. “Right now, with the pool of players we have we’d like to see them perform at the major-league level,” Getz said.
“We’re still open-minded. But at this point, I think it’s wise to give these guys a little bit of a runway before we make a long-term commitment.” Getz said the payroll is not an impediment to winning, and that Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s “track record (shows) he’s been there to provide financial support that’s needed to take another step” when the rebuild turns a corner.
The Sox payroll was at $193 million in 2022, ranked seventh in the majors. “But first, we’ve got to worry about getting to that moment,” Getz said. Who will still be around when that happens is anyone’s guess.
Andrew Vaughn, who along with Robert is one of two remaining players from that ’21 team, figures to be the last man standing. Before Monday’s first full-squad workout at Camelback Ranch, Vaughn said he had only one goal in mind. “We want to bring winning baseball to Chicago,” he said.
“That’s my thought, and that should be the thought of the whole clubhouse. Go out and play exciting baseball every day.” Sign up for our White Sox Insider newsletter Vaughn is only 27 and entering his fifth major-league season.
But with so many departures, it’s going to be up to him to explain to the young players what it’s like to see Sox Park rocking, as it was in Game 3 of the 2021 AL Division Series against the Houston Astros. “I’ll never forget those playoff games in ’21,” Vaughn said. “Forty thousand people in the stands.
It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard. That’s something to look forward to.” Whether the Sox can look forward to those kinds of sellouts in 2025 is debatable.
Single-game tickets went on sale Feb. 13. They drew only 1.
38 million in 2024, leading to a decision last August to decrease season ticket prices by an average of 10 percent. Other than opening day on March 27, the Cubs series July 25-28, Mark Buehrle statue day July 11 and a few giveaways, they’ll be hard-pressed to fill up the lower bowl, much less the upper deck. But the Sox believe they have the kind of young talent that fans will believe in.
And once they show that on the field, the fans will respond. “We understand fans are frustrated and they want to see more wins on the field,” Getz said. “My job is to put together a club that can deliver more wins.
I feel like once the wins come, the fans will attend. I also know fans enjoy watching baseball, especially when it warms up. When it does I think there will be a turnout.
“But in the meantime, we’re just focused on putting together the best team we can.” If Getz is trying to put together the best team he can, keeping Robert would seem like a no-brainer. Despite last year’s struggles, he remains a player who can hit 30 home runs and play Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field.
Related Articles Chicago White Sox | Luis Robert Jr. not focused on trade speculation as the Chicago White Sox hold 1st full-squad workout Chicago White Sox | Cactus League report: Chicago Cubs and White Sox to face off in a spring training game this week Chicago White Sox | Chicago White Sox pitching prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith making most of 1st big-league camp Chicago White Sox | Column: Do players have to show Chicago White Sox fans they’re worth watching — assuming they can find them? Chicago White Sox | Bobby Jenks, the former Chicago White Sox All-Star closer, is undergoing treatment for stomach cancer But the Sox have to consider the risk. Robert possibly could suffer another injury during the season, in which case they might have blown their best shot to get a decent return.
They waited too long on Jiménez and only got minor-league left-hander Trey McGough in return. For his part, Robert appeared to be ready to be traded, after watching most of his teammates from that ’21 team either get dealt or have their options declined. “This is my team right now,” Robert said through a Sox interpreter.
“I’m just getting ready to fight for this team. If the moment comes when I have to move and play for another team, well, we’ll see. But right now, my focus is on doing my best for this team and trying to help this team win games.
” It would’ve been easier to just use the shrug emoji attached to his name. Either way, Getz said he’s received a lot of feedback this winter from “passionate” Sox fans who approve of the process and understand it’s going to take time. “At the end of the day they’re waiting to see a better baseball club,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sox marketing department probably should start focusing on the ballpark food, which remains their strongest attraction..
