vilehoopster

Thank you. I agree. I wanted to throw Liam in there too, but didn’t want to sound overly optimistic. I think he will help a ton too. I expect Clevenger to be, at least, solid today, and that is all Sox need to get a win today.

I agree. And I halfway agree with Pedro: starters will get things figured out and be solid/ above average. Until Crochet gets back, don’t like that bullpen.

First you hold the easy score, but then you send Vaughn. What a dumbass !!!

“Maybe push the rest of the so-called stars to stay in the starting lineup as much as them“ I agree with this.

I am really excited about Oscar Colas and so glad he's going to be in RF for the Sox this year. But I am not so naive and overly optimistic to think he's not going to have his struggles, especially with striking out. After seeing how Robert was tearing it up and then hit that terrible slump after pitchers figured him out, I have to believe Colas will have similar struggles. So, what do we realistically hope for from Colas to finally solve that hole in RF and help the Sox win the division? One thing I completely expect is very strong defense, covering a big area and really making a difference with his arm. I'm sure he'll have some bad plays, but overall, I think we fans will be very happy with his D. On offense, again, I really worry about strikeouts and don't expect a high batting average; but I expect some real power too. With the expected help on defense, I expect and would be happy with a .230 average, 20 home runs, and 25 doubles. I think that is realistic and would go a looong way to helping the Sox to win the division.

I’m already past that BS. If he pitches really well and helps Sox make playoffs, I’ll nominate him for Sainthood.

“1B is a sieve though and the outfield potentially a disaster again.” I don’t think either one of these is true. I’ve never hear any concerns about Vaughn’s defense at 1st. I would think he’d, being younger, would be at least as good as Abreu on D. Are there concerns about Vaughn’s D at first? Outfield defense should be a team strength: gold glovers in left and center and Colas is athletic enough to be in center at times and he has the great arm in Right.

I completely agree with this. Was it a game last year or the year before, where the Sox had a game on National TV, and the announcers kept questioning, over and over, why TLR had him batting lead off. What an incredibly stupid misuse of a player. At some level, you know that had to be embarrassing for Leury. IMO, Tony, more than Leury, is responsible for fans disliking Leury.

I agree with the majority here: I think keeping Sheets is a total no-brainer. Not only does he has a good bat against RHP, he seems to have, far and away, one of the most consistent bats on the roster.

Well in 2022 it was .212/ .273 OBP/ .353 SlG/ .626 OPS: doesn’t seem like nonsense to me at all.

I don’t know about “off the bench” as opposed to in the lineup. What is that? Four HRs for Burger so far this spring, at least four; I think it’s five. Before you dismiss his results to just spring ball, remember he was leading Sox in HRs until hand injury and we were somehow subjected to Moncada’s bat the rest of the year.

Someone remind me or clear this up for me; but when Burger disappeared from or was remove from the Sox line up (I forget why? To make room for Moncada, or wasn’t it a hand injury?) But whatever reason, wasn’t he leading the Sox in homers at the time he when down? Again wasn’t it injury and while out they gave 3rd base to Moncada? What happened then and wasn’t he Sox HR leader at the time?

I agree with this guy 100%. That people are bitching about is move shows that no matter what is done, people are gonna turn it this way or that to b**** about management and Hahn. Over half the people complaining here are the ones who were complaining about lack of depth and what’s the fallback if the rookie 2nd basemen don’t work out. I come here for information and be among my fellow Sox fans, but really, sometimes this board is a total drag. Please God, let’s start playing baseball soon.

I agree with this guy: I’m completely excited about the upcoming season. I was bummed out on the Clevenger thing for a while but now over it. If he pitches or not, let’s start playing ball. I want to see TA and Benintendi get on base and Robert, Eloy, and Vaughn coming up to knock them in. I want to see Colas. I want to see it all.

Clevenger is dead to the Sox. There's a real possibility (I would say a very good probability) that the Sox won't be paying much of his salary due to MLB suspension. We were told over and over the money would be spent. We're in the window, NOW; I absolutely believe that now is the time. I don' t want any "sitting at the table" BS. Sign this guy. Here is an absolute need. The Sox can't really compete for anything with Martin or Banks as their 5th pitcher. I just read Wacha wants 30 million for two years, pay it Get this guy. Signing him would turn a terrible off-season into a very solid one. I was listening to the Chuck G. podcast and it was talked around, but it was brought up about how, due to fan anger and indifference, it was probably a good thing there was no Sox Fest this year. This would buy so much excitement and hope for the Sox fan base. It would really get a buzz going as spring training approaches. Come on, the money is there. You told us when the time came, you would spend the money. The time is here; it's now. SPEND THE MONEY!

You know what? I think this is a very good idea. part of this is I’m a big Jake Burger fan and want his home run power back in the line up.

I listen to the Chuck Garfien podcasts, and in a couple of his last few podcasts, he's mentioned that Crochet could really be a big addition to the bullpen when he returns. The problem is that, for me, I don't want him to return to the bullpen. When he gets back and recovered from surgery. I would really like the Sox to bite the bullet and invest the time in sending him to the minors and work on him becoming a starter. I guess my logic on this is that they spent such a high draft choice on him, it seems that he would be much more likely to justify that high selection as a starter than as a reliever. I see the problems with doing this. 1) That's a lot of time pitching in the minors stretching him out to be a starter. (I really don't know but I think I remember people here implying it's a year and a half in the minors). That's a year and a half he's not in the bullpen. 2) And that's the other problem, the only two lefties in the Sox pen are Bummer and Tanner Banks. So I can see why the Sox would want him in the bullpen as soon as possible. I think the Sox have to start thinking about the future of their starting rotation. Giolito will probably be gone after next year. How much longer for Lynn? And, again, I just think he would be more valuable to the Sox as a starter. I think I remember reading that Crochet wants to be a starter. Is that still true? Would he be willing to spend time in the minors to build up and become a starter. Please, there are many on here who know more on this topic than I do. Help me out. Is this a good idea? Would it or could it work?

I could not disagree with Balta's comments right above me more. I said this in another post much earlier and I'll say it again: I don't think you can overestimate the effect that LaRussa managing this team had on the players and the last two seasons. I think the first season, the Sox, as professionals, were able to stay on tasks and their pride could keep them at a good level to compete. But by the second year, with baseball being such a mental game, the players were worn down. If day after day, them kept coming in to wanting to play and win and to encounter an inarticulate clown (who seemed to have complete, unquestioned control to make any goofy-ass decision), that had to create such a mental burden that just pulled last's year's team into a miasma of stink. There has to be a point where, even with the most motivated and professional of players, where they had to start thinking WTF, why am I even trying. If we, the fans, were pulling our hair out with the lineups, in-game decisions, incomprehensible post-game comments, and ton of stuff we have no idea about, think about what that did to the players. I think a lot of those lingering injuries were LaRussaitis: Players figuring, "Why should I bother to work hard and get healthy just to return to that sh*t show? Even with Abreu and Hendricks gone, LaRussa being gone will mean, at least, a ten game improvement. Ten games at least. I don't think the Sox need an amazing year to win the division; they just need an okay year to win it. Last year their playing so badly was the amazing year. (Well, with LaRussa as manager, not amazing at all, but to be somewhat expected and understood). Even if injuries don't improve (but I think they will) I still expect the Sox to win the division. If they clearly improve on injuries, I expect the division will be over by September 10. Also, I don't buy for a minute that Cleveland is so damn good. Cleveland didn't win the division; the White Sox lost it. After LaRussa left, the Sox somewhat quickly started gaining on the Guardians (without TA and all the other problems). The margin that Cleveland won the division by is completely deceptive. I agree with Chisox59 100% I think they just ran out of gas. They had been playing pretty good ball since Tony had left the team. But they knew they needed to sweep that series, and after losing the first one in heartbreaking fashion, I think all the air in the balloon was simply gone. Sox went on to lose 8 in a row stretching the lead from 3.5 GB to 11, and making the race look much more lopsided than it really was. I expect no more than last year from Moncada or Grandal. But I expect TA and Giolito to be back to their regular form this year (TA because he is very motivated, and Giolito because with losing that bulk and being motivated by his contract year (and again: LaRussa is gone will help those two with all others). I don't know about Eloy avoiding injury any better this year, but i know our outfield defense will be much better. And I expect to see a lot more of and a lot better Luis Robert. Totally my opinion, if anyone suffered from LaRussaitis, it was Robert. All the difference in the world this year. I would be shocked if your pitching isn't better than last year. Will Clevenger be as good as Cueto? Maybe, but you can't say probably. But I expect Lynn, Giolito, and Cease to all be better, with Kopech remaining inconsistent. Even with Hendrick gone; I expect the bullpen to be, at least, as good. Again, a large part of that has to be with LaRussa gone to manage it. Also, let me restate, I can't believe Cleveland is that good. Everyone thought they are crap at the start of last year. The Sox pissed away the year (thanks Jerry or giving us LaRussa), and Cleveland steps in and accepts the gift. How is it they're suddenly so good? Not buying it.

I never realized how big Giolito is. Was listening to most recent Chuck G. & Ryan Mc podcast. They said that Gio is 6’ 7” and always been big, but then said that with the weight lifting bulk up he came in to spring training last year at 280. They said pretty early that it was clear that was a mistake, but once season starts, it’s really hard to make adjustments. Both were confident, with contract up and all factors this year, we’d see the return of good Giolito this year.

Okay, this just is not true at all, at all. Benintendi won a gold glove last year, in 2021. Luis Robert won a gold glove in 2020. To describe Benintendi's defense as "neutral" and Robert as "slightly above average" is ridiculous. Colas will be a huge improvement defensively over who the Sox have had in RF in a loooong time. If they stay injury free, outfield defense will be a real strength of this upcoming Sox team. I don't understand how some "fans" come on here just to complain and to justify their complaints with stuff that just is not true.

I agree with CaliSox guy. I think Andrus would be great for the Sox at 2nd base. I can't ignore how well he hit for the Sox in his 43 games. I know it's a small sample, but a very, very impressive sample. He brings great intangibles; great defense. He makes his teammates better; IMO the Sox really have a shortage of players who through intangibles make their teammates better. The young guys, if they have to play, they'll force the Sox to play them. Go with the Andrus for now.

Is Cueto gone? Can the Sox resign him? I thought he signed with another team or something that removed him as an option for the Sox?

Yes and no. Sort of my point. They are not the Astro or the Dodgers. But I think, with the improvement as I stated I expect to happen, I think they are the Phillies.

(Sorry this is in bold. I didn't mean to do that or do it for emphasis. I was a couple paragraphs in when I got called to help with Christmas dinner and so saved it to google docs. When I pasted it in and continued typing, I could not get rid of the bold.) I put my vote with yes. I still think there is a real chance for this Sox team to win a World Series. First, I never saw the "window" as a guarantee that the Sox would be so powerful that they would be in a couple World Series, no doubt. I saw the idea of a window as something where the Sox would be a strong team, make the playoffs every year for five or so years and if things came together, they could win the World Series. Well, in my definition of "the window", it's still very much open, and I think the Sox, if things go right, can absolutely make the Series and win it. Were the Phillies one of the best teams in the NL this year? I would say no. Was Washington, the year they won it all, a top-eight team in baseball that year? No, both teams made the playoffs and just got hot at the right time, and I think this Sox team is very capable of that. The main reason for my optimism is one simple thing that everyone seems to have forgotten. For all the complaining about needing this or that move in the off-season, everyone seems to have forgotten one HUGE area where the Sox will be much improved: La Russa is gone. I absolutely believe 100% that La Russa being gone will make the Sox, at least, ten games better, at least. The depth of Jerry's mistake in hiring La Russa cannot be understated, how it wasted two years of Sox talent. I don't think you can overestimate the drag mentally and emotionally having La Russa as a manager must have been on this team. The players are professionals and were able to deal with poor leadership (I'm being nice here) for a while; I'd say well into the first year. But the mental and emotional anchor of every day going out and playing for a manager who was completely unaware and a total goofus has to have taken it toll to the point where it affected the mental approach of the players, and baseball, as much as any sport, is hugely mental. I think this mental anchor showed itself in lingering injuries (why rehab hard or hurry back from injury for an insano manager with his not knowing the rules, stupid/ clueless lineups and in-games moves, and obsession with playing a total non-offensive threat every chance he got), and players not being mentally into games, either offensively with horrible at-bats and lunkhead base running and terrible defensive plays. Posters on this board keep talking about how it is unrealistic to think that so many players who underachieved last year can bounce back with good years this year. Well, to that, yes and no. Of course not all of them will have good years this year, and some injuries will happen. But I am stating that I believe many, a large percentage, of the players (everyday and pitchers) will show clear improvement over last year. And I think a large part of that will be because La Russa is gone. Like I said before; this emotional and mental anchor is taken away. Again, I think the window, with its chance to get back to the Series and win it is still open. I think the talent is there to get back in the playoffs, and from then, anything can happen, again, think of the Senators. Also, I think it's hard to overestimate what a stupid move it was for Jerry to hire La Russa and completely waste two years of talent. I think this year (I hope) will make that very evident.

I’d love White Sox to get Wacha. Is he available? But Jeez, how much would that cost? But really, it would probably be worth it.