South Side Hit Men

Twenty-four of the fifty-nine elected players which played for a single team did so under the Free Agency era, only three retiring before 1981 (Gibson, Oliva and Robinson). This despite the much shorter playing window (1871-1974 for pre-Free Agency vs. 1975-2018 for current eligible inductees). Free Agency (1975 Season): In Jeff Bagwell (Houston 1991-2005) Johnny Bench (Cincinnati 1967-1983) Craig Biggio (Houston 1988-2007) George Brett (Kansas City 1973-1993) Bob Gibson (Saint Louis 1959-1975) Tony Gwynn (San Diego 1982-2001) Todd Helton (Colorado 1997-2013) Derek Jeter (New York A. L. 1995-2014) Chipper Jones (Atlanta 1993-2012) Barry Larkin (Cincinnati 1986-2004) Edgar Martinez (Seattle 1987-2004) Joe Mauer (Minnesota 2004-2018) Tony Oliva (Minnesota 1962-1976) Jim Palmer (Baltimore 1965-1984) Kirby Puckett (Minnesota 1984-1995) Jim Rice (Boston 1974-1989) Cal Ripken Junior (Baltimore 1981-2001) Brooks Robinson (Baltimore 1955-1977) Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia 1972-1989) Willie Stargell (Pittsburgh 1962-1982) Mariano Rivera (New York A. L. 1995-2013) Alan Trammell (Detroit 1977-1996) Carl Yastrzemski (Boston 1961-1983) Robin Yount (Milwaukee 1974-1993) Solid Chance Jose Altuve (Houston 2011 - Current) Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles N. L. 2008 - Current) Mike Trout (Los Angeles A. L. 2011 - Current) Potential Buster Posey (San Francisco 2009-2021) Joey Votto (Cincinnati 2007-2023) - Needs to not return to MLB for Toronto or another team. Lou Whitaker (Detroit 1977-1995) Teams without one or more single team Hall of Famers who have played since 1975: Original 16 MLB Teams (1901 - Current) - Philadelphia / Kansas City / Oakland Athletics (None) (1948 - Current) - San Francisco Giants (Mel Ott 1926-1947) (1951 - Current) - Chicago White Sox (Luke Appling 1930-1950) (1959 - Current) - Cleveland Guardians (Bob Lemon 1946-1958) (1970 - Current) - Los Angeles Dodgers (Don Drysdale 1956-1969) (1972 - Current) - Chicago Cubs (Ernie Banks 1953-1971) Expansion Teams (1961 - Current) - Washington Senators II & Texas Rangers (1961 - Current) - Los Angeles Angels (1962 - Current) - New York Mets (1969 - Current) - Montreal Expos & Washington Nationals (1977 - Current) - Toronto Blue Jays (1993 - Current) - Miami Marlins (1998 - Current) - Arizona Diamondbacks (1998 - Current) - Tampa Bay Rays PS - Red Faber was the third life long White Sox inducted into the HOF, joining Luke Appling and Ted Lyons.

To me, the absolute floor I'd insist on if I was a MLB owner is the $105M + annually each team receives just for the national TV contracts plus MLB.com. This is guaranteed before a single ticket is sold, car is parked, TV/Radio dollar is collected,, local sponsorship is sold. Before the tens of millions in revenue sharing for most of the bottom dozen teams (White Sox one of the few exceptions). Getz will need to gather several more solid roster players for 2026-2027, field a few winning teams and hope fans come out so Jerry will get back to at least a decent payroll once these tanking years are over. It's really a shame the Sox made the lottery last year, would have a solid shot at a Top 3 2025 draft pick with a much better draft class. Now they are 10 + guaranteed with the ridiculous MLB owner imposed draft rules.

Sox drop to 20th in payroll at $125.0M with this move, before a potential Lorenzen signing and or the millions due if they convert Moustakas and or Pillar for the OD Roster. Jerry has to be pleased to avoid an eight figure final Cease payment, in addition to Yoan and likely Eloy and Nicky Lopez dropping off the payroll to get them under $100M barring unexpected additions. Under $130M payrolls - At 3/11/24 + Net Cease / Wilson trade East Central West 18. Washington Nationals $129.6M 19. Minnesota Twins $129.3M 20. Chicago White Sox $125.0M 21. Kansas City Royals $118.2M 22. Milwaukee Brewers $107.6M 23. Detroit Tigers $103.4M 24. Tampa Bay Rays $98.3M 25. Cleveland Guardians $98.0M 26. Baltimore Orioles $96.3M 27. Miami Marlins $96.2M 28. Cincinnati Reds $89.8M 29. Pittsburgh Pirates $83.6M 30. Oakland Athletics $60.9M

54, hoping to live for at least a few more decades. Luke Appling (retired 1950) the last White Sox for life Hall of Famer elected, before all of our time. Ted Lyons and Red Faber were the only other two White Sox. Frank Thomas should have been the fourth on this list. Agreed. Can always nitpick, but without knowing all the offers/counteroffers among the three - four rumored teams the past few days, I'm happy with the haul. Patience turned into far more than what the Orioles gave up in the Burnes trade, and definitely most certainly more than what Hahn would have acquired. Now start working on the hitting additions the next two years to supplement Montgomery, Ramos, Quero, hopefully Gonzalez and others.

#1-#3 SPs are what the Sox absolutely not going to sign with the White Sox, so even though TINSTAAPP, if one or both pan out, it's a fair return, plus Zavala is a solid addition. Do agree they should keep Robert, can't endlessly dump your best players, and hopefully their will be new ownership before his contract expires. Would love to cheer for one solid White Sox for life HOF player before I die.

5th, 8th and 9th MLB ranked Padres Prospects if true. https://www.mlb.com/prospects/padres/ 3rd, 4th and unranked (Head - though at 19 obviously not an imminent MLB player) on FanGraphs https://blogs.fangraphs.com/prospect-report-san-diego-padres-2024-imminent-big-leaguers/

Be careful what you wish for.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/prospect-report-san-diego-padres-2024-imminent-big-leaguers/

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/prospect-report-san-diego-padres-2024-imminent-big-leaguers/ Drew Thorpe, SP Drafted: 2nd Round, 2022 from Cal Poly (NYY) Age 22.3 Height 6′ 4″ Weight 205 Bat / Thr L / R FV 50 Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Curveball Changeup Cutter Command Sits/Tops 35/35 45/50 40/45 70/70 40/55 60/70 88-92 / 95 Thorpe came to the Padres in the Juan Soto trade and is poised to make an impact on their 2024 rotation. Pitchers with changeups as good as Thorpe’s and who throw as many strikes as he does tend to be high-floor propositions who pitch forever. His low-80s changeup, which he locates at will, has a ton of tail, and his ultra-short arm stroke helps trick hitters into seeing fastball out of his hand. The effectiveness of Thorpe’s slider (more average in terms of raw stuff) and fastball (below-average at just 90–92 mph) is enabled by his precise feel for location. He can sink his fastball down and to his arm side, or run a four-seam version of it past hitters at the letters. The Yankees coaxed a little more heat out of Thorpe (who sat 88–91 in college) during his time in their org, but not enough to give him impact velocity. He will throw the occasional cutter or curveball in an obvious fastball count to keep hitters guessing, but those pitches don’t currently have any more utility than that, though I think the cutter eventually will. This is a very polished 23-year-old who, given San Diego’s tendency to push prospects quickly, is likely to grab hold of a big league rotation spot in the upcoming season. We’re talking about plus command of a plus-plus changeup here; Jeremy Hellickson and Marco Estrada are fair recent comps.

Caulfield should pay a proxy to play the Powerball for him tonight.

Padres Prospects Primer - January 8, 2024 https://blogs.fangraphs.com/prospect-report-san-diego-padres-2024-imminent-big-leaguers/

Morosi for the win..... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/padres-finalizing-deal-for-dylan-cease.html

?

Glad they are playing him at third, as he has only played 2B / SS during his collegiate and professional career to date. Would be really nice if Shewmake and DeLoach can start the season, or spend significant time during the season if productive as reserves in a solid rotation for playing time.

If the team allows younger players the chance to play regularly to assess future value, 2024 can be successful. If we see what we have the past three seasons with over the hill veterans given priority in playing time over young players on the active roster, the Sox will waste another year. I rather have Lee as a third active catcher than Sheets or Moustakas. Let Lee back up first base a game a week, catch 2-3 games a week. Release one or both veteran catchers if they can no longer play at even a minimal MLB level.

How? Bobby Riggs was 55, beat the world's number one player Margaret Court 6-1, 6-2 before the Billy Jean King match, that I believe included he had to defend the doubles lines out, and the allegations that the match was rigged, pun somewhat intended. https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9695268/outside-lines-story-causes-some-view-battle-sexes-match-differently-not-all Then you have the more recent example of Serena Williams getting destroyed after issuing her challenge. https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-the-williams-sisters-vs-karsten-braasch-the-world-no-203-destroyed-serena-williams-venus-williams-battle-sexes

Don't see Jerry spending until the early to mid 2030s, after a new stadium, a move, or perhaps a short extension at the current stadium. Tony returning to manage again to catch 3,000 wins over a 2-3 year stretch would be the one exception. New ownership may spend, have to hope for the best on that front when the time comes.

Nottingham Forest is the EPL team I think of when trying to slot the Sox. One of the oldest teams, had a solid stretch a long time ago. One of the bottom teams in the league, likely to stay there for quite some time or be relegated.

Good news on the Giolito front. A brace procedure would result in a chance to pitch the entire 2025 season. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/lucas-giolito-to-undergo-elbow-surgery.html

JR Kiddy Table Ohtani. LMAO "I mean, this kid we signed for $16M over two years can do everything. Can hit with power, a good fielder. And unlike Ohtani, he can pitch this season."

If this ends with a Lee Elia type rant, this one year plus will have been worth it. Profanity - Viewer discretion is advised.

The Sox need a backup outfielder who can also cover CF. Time will tell if Fletcher can cover RF on a regular basis, but they need a solid reserve who can spell Robert Jr., who was already overtaxed last year with no suitable defensive substitutes after Engel was gone. Fletcher is not likely to be able to cover CF, even part time. If Zach DeLoach has the arm to cover RF, I would prefer him over Pillar if only to see what the Sox have, especially since Colas won't be here to start the season. Have the same interest keeping Sosa over Moustakas. Colas was working on covering first to spell Vaughn, but they should have been working Eloy over there to see if he can cover 20-30 games a season and give the team and Eloy future value down the road. With Colas in AAA, it is looking more and more like Pillar (all three OF positions), Sheets (RF/1B) or Moustakas (1B/3B), and Mendick (2B,SS,3B, Emergency OF) are your three reserves plus Stassi on Opening Day. Hoping they are willing to toss any of these guys once Colas, Sosa and others are ready for promotion.

He will also replace Gavin Sheets as starting Right Fielder when he isn't pitching. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lorenmi01.shtml A poor owner's Ohtani, if you will/

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/white-sox-showing-interest-in-michael-lorenzen.html Assessment of Michael Lorenzen Assessment of current White Sox Rotation

Thome also cost them over $14M plus another $30M the following two years, not to mention Gio Gonzalez and Aaron Rowand. All Frank cost was $3.1M and Kenny swallowing a little of his pride and arrogance, but anyone familiar with the White Sox know pride and arrogance is the hallmark of the past 43 years.