NWINFan

This is so well said. 16-13 isn't great, but it isn't awful and there is still plenty of time to make a run at the division. But everything else that goes with it doesn't provide a lot of hope. Of course the injuries are devastating, but it is hard to get the feeling that the team will know how to respond. Instead, there is the appearance that no one knows what they're doing. This is nothing new. There was the Hawk GM thing, the Terry Bevington thing, the Robin Ventura thing. It is one decision after another that doesn't make any sense. It all adds up to one World Series in 40 years and a rebuild that now seems to be in limbo. And you're right. We are stuck with it.

It is starting to sound and look badly familiar.

You are completely right about JR. I have always wondered and worried about JR as he aged and no one would be around to save him from himself. It's obvious that there was no sound reasoning behind the LaRussa hire. Too bad LaRussa won't make up some dumb excuse and resign. Too bad JR won't admit the mistake and have Hahn fire LaRussa.

You could be right about that. Regardless, the team looks rudderless right now. In 1997, the white flag was run up at the end of July. Now it seems to be happening at the start of May.

Didn't see the ending of the game, so I can't comment on that. Saw the early part and recognized what everybody has recognized: That Hamilton and Garcia are not major league players. This offense is already inconsistent enough without those two giving away outs. Hahn has stated that he doesn't want to make a deal that will derail the rebuilding process. If he continues to sit on his hands, we will get more of this. Tony LaRussa should never been hired in the first place. Not knowing rules, denying he is sleeping the dugout. This is a manager of a contending team? If this organization is serious about winning, it needs to look at this game as a signal that something has to be done. Rebuilding can no longer be used as a lame excuse.

In a National League park, it's giving three innings away.

I think there is if the FO expects fans to believe in this rebuild.

I don't think the team has to mortgage the future this year. At least try to get a competent outfielder and hope that the team is in striking distance when Eloy and Robert return. Doing nothing means you're giving up, and I don't think the club should do that in May.

Right now Rick is facing some huge decisions. Can this season be saved or not? His credibility is on the line right now. And does he have the freedom to make some big moves if he wants to go in that direction?

I don't think it's giving up; it's facing up to reality. A team can't lose two thirds of its starting outfield and expect to contend. Not to mention your third outfielder is hurting. Of course, a trade would help, but why should other teams go out of their way to help the White Sox? If any trade is made, the Sox are going to have to give up something substantial. Unless a team wants to dump a salary, why should it be satisfied with just prospects? And if a team wants to dump a salary, would the Sox being willing to take that salary on? I wouldn't think so. Some fans looked for a silver lining in the Eloy injury. There wasn't any. The Robert loss, in some ways, is even bigger. The Sox are going to find other ways to win. I don't know if they can do that.

I agree with this. Trading Eloy would be the dumbest thing the club could do. And while I can't exactly put my finger on it, I don't get good vibes from this team. The club just seems dead at times. Some of that is from the inconsistent offense. Some of it comes from plays like the Yoan-Tim miscommunication. Regardless, the White Sox don't look like a World Series contender right now. Maybe they can tread water until Robert and Eloy return, but something seems wrong. I don't know if a trade will help. Maybe firing Tony LaRussa would.

Being a White Sox fan, I don't expect a dynasty. More consistency would be a nice change. Right now I am worried about the club The LaRussa hiring made no sense to me. And now the team's brightest young players are hurt. I am waiting to see how the FO responds to these problems. But right now, I don't have the confidence in the rebuild as I once did.

I agree that expectations were high. Last year was exciting even with the last week melt down and disappointment in the playoffs. Regardless, fans were going to become more demanding as time went on. That's how rebuilds work. Fans are told to put up with losing for a three or four seasons with the promise of big success later. Now the team has had some injuries and other disappointments. You're right. If the club doesn't turn things around and at least get into the playoffs, the season will be considered a failure. I don't know if Hahn can do anything at this point. As I've said, trades are easier said than done. Regardless, rebuilding can't be used as an excuse.

That's what I thought. No, the move wasn't disappointing for fans, at least not to this fan. It just doesn't make sense.

Do we have to say sorry to Rick Hahn if this turns out to be another "developmental" year?

We all know what kind of talent Tim Anderson is, but he seems to be in the middle of dumb plays. Forget throwing the bat and all the macho stuff. Someone should sit down with TA and tell him to make the routine plays. The great plays will take care of themselves.

Yes, then he wants to argue with the umpire. He should swing the damn bat and shut up.

I know it is easy to talk about trades, but Hahn needs to do something with Robert now injured. Luery Garcia and Jake Lamb are not going to do anything for you. Billy Hamilton should never get a meaningful plate appearance again. Something needs to be or the losses are going to mount.

I have nothing against Rick Hahn, but I don't think I have to apologize to him. What am I, as a fan, have to be sorry for? Going on 13 years without a division title which is the second longest such stretch since divisional play began in 1969? The rebuild is shaping up, but the White Sox haven't won anything yet. We will see if this process truly works out and how serious this franchise is about winning.

This move made no sense. Lamb is not great, but at least he has some power. Hamilton came up with the bases loaded and hit a weak grounder to short. He shouldn't be in the game until the late innings if then. This game was not that close. He should have stayed on the bench until the ninth if coming into the game at all.

Kopech's command is exceptional. He looks like a seasoned pitcher, not just a hard thrower.

One thing is obvious: A team needs to beat their division rivals face-to-face if they are going to the playoffs. The Sox have not done that, and that is one reason why they have only three division titles in the last quarter of a century. It would be a good sign if they took this series.

The hits just keep coming.

There is no reason for any personal attacks. I've been a big Reinsdorf critic through the years. However, I have heard he can be a generous person on occasion. I truly don't like the way he runs the team, but for all I know he is a decent man. I don't want anything bad to happen to him. I just would prefer that he sell the team, unlikely as that is.

I don't know why LaRussa took this job. Just like I didn't understand why Ventura took the job. Just like I don't understand why the FO runs this team this way. How about interviewing someone with no past connection to the White Sox and interview someone who actually wants the job?