September was a terrible month for many of the White Sox's biggest international acquisitions of the past five years.
During the final weeks of the 2023 season, the Sox demoted Oscar Colás ($2.7 million, 2021) to Charlotte instead of carrying him on an expanded roster for the last few weeks, and also released Yolbert Sánchez ($2.5 million, 2019) after another punchless season at the plate. In between, Norge Vera ($1.5 million, 2021) finished his season with more walks than innings for his stateside career, while Yoelqui Céspedes ($2.05 million, 2021) merely wrapped up another unremarkable season spent mostly at Double-A.
Meanwhile, Chris Getz took over as GM at the start of the month and said the team would "assess its international, amateur and pro scouting." In the midst of all of the fizzling, I wondered whether Getz would shake up their international approach, because the attempt to find a developmental shortcut by signing older Cuban professionals backfired on the White Sox.
The early reports by Francys Romero suggests that we have an answer.
Romero says the White Sox are the favorites to sign Venezuelan third baseman Eduardo Herrera, along with Curaçaoan shortstop Jurdrick Profar. He estimates that Herrera will receive a bonus in the neighborhood of $1.6 million to $2 million, while Profar (Jurickson's brother) will sign for $700,000.
(Romero also said the White Sox were signing Dominican shortstop Fernando Cruz, but quickly issued a correction stating that Cruz was likely signing with the Cubs.)
The White Sox haven't given a deal that rounds up to $2 million for a 17-year-old in nearly 10 years. They went that route early in Marco Paddy's tenure with $1.6 million to Micker Adolfo in 2013 and $1.5 million to Franklin Reyes in 2015. Neither made it to the majors, although Adolfo reached the doorstep (Reyes suffered a back injury and didn't play after 2017). They've only awarded two seven-figure bonuses to 17-year-olds since.
Herrera ranks 11th on MLB.com's international prospect rankings. He's a well-rounded hitting prospect who recently slid from shortstop to third, and now it's a matter of seeing whether he can stick at third as he matures. As for Profar, it reminds me a little bit of the White Sox giving $400,000 to Elijah Tatis in hopes of erasing the damage from the Fernando Tatis Jr. trade. Wilfred Veras ($200,000 in 2019) is the only prospect with a prominent last name whose made progress in the White Sox farm system, so this is more about Herrera than anything else.
PERTINENT: White Sox's international approach in need of overhaul
Max Stassi for the min
When the White Sox traded for Max Stassi on Saturday, the press release said that the Braves were sending cash considerations, and Daryl Van Schouwen said the "bulk" was expected to be paid by Atlanta.
Indeed.
The Braves are sending $6.26 million, or Stassi's $7 million salary minus the league minimum. In return, the White Sox will send the Braves a player to be named later or $100,000.
This effectively provides an incredibly realistic simulation of the Braves designating Stassi for assignment, then releasing him, followed by the White Sox swooping in and signing him. The difference is that the Sox paid $100,000 to jump the line for Stassi's services.
Between Stassi for the minimum and Paul DeJong for $1.5 million, the White Sox have effectively reduced their payroll by nearly $30 million from 2023 to 2024 at shortstop and catcher alone. Given the performances of Yasmani Grandal and Tim Anderson last year, they sadly stand a much better chance of getting what they paid for.
PERTINENT: Max Stassi gives White Sox a veteran catcher without expectations
