South Side Hit Men

There was a solid article by Peter Gammons in The Athletic (started typing The National, showing my age - RIP Frank Deford). https://theathletic.com/2612663/2021/05/27/gammons-the-injury-epidemic-is-robbing-baseball-of-its-stars-and-its-causes-run-deep/ Hitters: Violent explosion in swing and extreme launch angles (Oblique) Pitchers: Forearm issues often stem from overexertion, the effort for velocity. Curveballs, changeups...they don't have the same strain. Mike Reinhold, injury consultant with the White Sox. All ballplayers: Year round baseball only activities athletically regressive and dangerous.

Thanks. Tony nnew Vaughn wouldn't be able to get to a ball a few innings later, allowing him to pull Rodon. 4D Chess.

Nice to see Engel attempting to steal, wouldn't if he wasn't 100%.

Would have been nice, but better for Rodon and team for him to get through seven and rest for the next one. Great day for Rodon, nice to see Collins develop such a bond with two of the Sox best three pitchers this season. Grandal's ST injury was a blessing in that regard,

Someone with the Sox trolling the Stone Pony. Someone also trolling Soxtalk. What happened to Goodwin?

This is why Vegas always wins in the long run.

Lived a mile West for close to a decade, had some character until they started corporatizing the rooftops, building 100 + seats per building, tour down yum yum, the jersey store and everything else around the park. Hated the massive scoreboard and enormous bleachers they built over the past few years. So many great options either gone (Augenblick; Guthries - Though the Village Tap will reopen it), or sold and not the same (Diner Grill). Places still worth hitting within a mile or so of the stadium: Bars/ Breweries: The Longroom (still temp closed for the Rona) ; Niesei Lounge; Dovetail; Finley Dunnes; The Green Lady. Other: Music Box Theatre; Paulina Meat Market

No. He should be here, valuable for flexibility. I’ve only questioned not pinch hitting for him late in games when a run is needed, or playing him nearly every day, even with the injuries. At this point with Madrigal also out, he’ll need to play more. He’s just more effective playing 2ish times a week, in terms of impact on the overall lineup.

My post wasn’t an argument for or against, just laying how things stand now, and in the past. I like most wanted Pederson this off-season over Eaton (including as reported Hahn until Pederson turned down Hahn’s offer). Eaton’s performance and health has been as I expected, but his attitude and impact on the clubhouse hasn’t been an issue, so pleased on that front. For the past two seasons, Brian Goodwin has been a very good value in terms of $s per fWAR, and if he performs at the level he has the past two seasons, will be a good value.

Projected 2021 fWAR 2.2 J. Pederson (Age 29) 1.5 A. Eaton (Age 32) 0.0 B. Goodwin (Age 30) Actual fWAR through yesterday. 2017: JP 0.6; BG 0.5; AE 0.5 2018: JP 2.7; AE 1.9; BG 0.6 2019: JP 3.0; AE 2.4; BG 1.8 2020: BG 0.0; JP -0.1; AE -0.5 2021: AE 0.6; JP 0.5; BG 0.0

Still more concerned with their bullpen. Playing time through Labour Day, when any or all of the three starters return, the Sox have enough hitters to stay or climb further above .500, assuming the rest of the core and SP stay mostly healthy. DH Mercedes 80% Grandal 10% Abreu 5% Lamb 5% C Grandal 60% Collins 40% (Gio/Rodon) 1B Abreu 90% Grandal 10% 2B Mendick 70% Garcia 30% SS Anderson 90% Mendick 10% 3B Moncada 90% Garcia 10% RF Eaton 40% Goodwin 40% Garcia 20% CF Engel 75% Hamilton 15% Garcia 10% LF Vaughn 80% Lamb 20% 95% Abreu. 90% Anderson; Moncada. 80% Grandal; Mendick; Mercedes; Vaughn. 75% Engel. 70% Garcia. 40% Collins; Eaton; Goodwin/OF. 25% Lamb. 15% Hamilton (project ASB return). Note: Goodwin = Goodwin or someone else on the 40 man, or a trade acquisition.

Taleb is a solid writer, enjoy his books. Had sound logic (questioning whether they should spread days off vs. all at once), but in a baseball season, teams ride hot streaks and defy logic at times). I'll just let it ride out and hopefully enjoy the ride. Hope Yermin's hit helps him start a turnaround, glad they sent Tim.

Jerry and family are destitute. When Steve Stone calls out Jerry's and other MLB/RSN owners, you know it's bad.

Yes.

Brian Goodwin to Yermin Mercedes, hold my beer! Baseball is crazy!!!!!!

Sal Perez is good against just about everyone.

Do you think Madrigal may/will have difficulties being healthy enough throughout the grind of a full MLB season to play 130+ games in any of given season during the remainder of his career?

The two questions I have are: 1. When you’re down to six regular major league capable everyday starters (ops over .700, can adequately field a position for 9 innings) why you sit three of the six (sitting Vaughn, Moncada and Engel) at the same time instead of rotating the days off (Moncada one day, Vaughn the next, Engel the third), or at most two of the six off in a game. 2, Why Leury Garcia plays nearly every single game when he literally sucks against any pitcher with at least one arm (.608 ops vs. RHP, .501 vs. LHP), or more importantly why he EVER holds a bat in a close game late (55 PA, .384 ops & OPS + of 13 in innings 7-9). Any small win expectation advantage he may have in the OF over the worst possible defender is overwhelmed by the decreased win advantage he has hitting, especially when there are runners on in a close game late.

Looks like Billy is healthy enough to dance, hopefully he can return soon. Is Jose still doing that thing with Tony's breast after a win?

For the love of God may Benetti not come up with a nickname he'll scream each time Mendick hits or fields a ball. Jason is Chris Berman's grandson.

Watch Bummer trying to kick the ball on the comeback, if he made contact it likely goes in the huge hole into RF, possibly gets him hurt as well.

Tony (perhaps Katz as well, not sure Katz' say or input) did well managing the bullpen tonight. Stretching Crochet 2 innings really helped, let him work out of a walk. For Hendriks, rain was the issue. If he felt / told Tony/Ethan he was OK after the delay, and pitched well in warmups, made sense to let him go. Glad Tony showed confidence with Bummer, letting him stay after the walk, not pulling him for Ruiz (who warmed up) when the righty Schoop was up.

Agreed. 1-2 relief pitchers should be the priority, than someone who can play RF (and or CF). 2B only if Madrigal is ruled out the season, and still the fourth priority. Grandal is getting healthy and can spell 1B for Abreu and DH if Yermin is scuffling. They should play Vaughn and Engel 4-5 games a week, play Mendick as primary 2B (has good numbers vs. RHP). Garcia and Eaton can muddle through in RF, would play Hamilton vs. LHPs when he returns.

Nice games by Bummer, Mendick and Engel. Lucas pitched well enough. Glad they pulled it out.