South Side Hit Men

Andrew Vaughn has not earned at bats. Hamilton and Leury have earned their at bats. Tony is a HOF Manager and Person. He is not to be questioned.

Kudos to the graphic arts guy, he tried.

“I‘ll give up Jake Lamb when you pry him from my cold, dead hands.” - Tony La Russa

Robert would have been higher than 7th if the analysis factored Garcia AND Lamb in the OF vs. Vaughn and Hamilton. Robert hasn't had a single day off, so if it's just a flu and he misses 1 or 2 games (good chance of a rain out at least one of the next two days), it's not the end of world. If it's longer, I hope Tony has the sense, or Hahn goes downstairs and demands Vaughn, not Jake 5 innings in OF ever Lamb, plays LF everyday during Robert's absence, at least until Engel returns.

Considering the fact he played 5 innings since little league in the outfield, and your star CFer is out, they should send Vaughn in as a defensive replacement to start the first. Too clever by half.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mookie-betts-stephen-strasburg-and-2021s-most-irreplaceable-players/ There was a good segment on Hit and Run, guest hosted by Chris Rongey with the person who invented ZIPS on Fangraphs, Jeff Szymborski, I can see an argument also for Tim Anderson, as the Sox went through their worst stretches to date the past two seasons with him on the IL, but Robert would be very tough to replace, especially defensively, if out for an extended period. The list was objective based on ZIP projections and replacement options within the roster (CF Engel/Hamilton). Jeff projected the White Sox would drop from a favorite for making the playoffs (69%) to basically a coin flip (46%) if the Sox lost Luis Robert. The six ahead of Robert are Trout, Cole, Acuna Jr., Bregman, DeGrom and Correa. The interview starts at the 35 minute mark of this clip: https://wscram.prd-radio-drupal.com/media/audio-channel/rongey-dan-szymborski-interview-hour-1

Need to see the budget and roster injuries and deficiencies to answer a question like this. I don’t expect a major acquisition, though I believe just like this offseason, Tony will be more persuasive with Jerry than Hahn to spend more than a Jarrod Dyson type acquisition. In terms of the options above, I’d be shocked if more than one or two of the poll options actually move. The Cubs NYY and Boston are at their limits. The Mets, Dodgers and possibly Anaheim or SD are the only likely teams willing to take on a big contracts between COVID and the CBA, even for a two month stretch. The days of trading top prospects for a rental are by and large gone.

Spanky Squires > Spanky LaValliere https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/white-sox/remember-guy-white-sox-first-baseman-mike-spanky-squires

Wonder how much Hawk's decades of crying about umpiring impacts our fan base vs. the average baseball fan. White Sox fans need to ask themselves whether having an electronic strike zone effective with the new CBA (the current umpire CBA already allows for MLB to transition to an electronic strike zone) is worth losing the team's touted competitive advantage after Hahn spent the most money in team history to acquire a player whose primary contribution is "tricking" a human umpire?

If you inspire a sandwich that sells out instantly, you might be considered great. https://www.instagram.com/p/CN45JrsDLbr/

A majority of starters do not reach 30 starts in a normal season. In 2021, it will be even more rare. All teams are facing this, nearly all will use seven + starters for multiple starts this year. White Sox starters have 14 combined total seasons with 30 + starts (includes A-AAA, majors and playoffs): (Latest season accomplished & Innings): Lynn Five times (2019 208 IP). Keuchel Four times (2018 205 IP). Lopez Three times (2019 184 IP) Giolito Two times (2018 173 IP). Rodon Never (2016 29 GS 169 IP). Cease Never (2019 29 GS 141 IP). Kopech Never (2017 25 GS 134 IP).

I'd really like to see the Sox consider a six starter rotation to help keep everyone fresh to close the year and allow Kopech to start in October. Perhaps start in June/July, manage Kopech tighter until then, consider an occasional Lopez/Lambert start if there is a short term injury to keep Kopech on target for his target with October factored in. Should help the other starters also manage their increased year over year innings.

Congratulations to Abreu for surpassing the 2,000 total bases threshold in his White Sox career.

Robert

I don't think anyone has an issue with Collins catching 1/2 games per week. Garcia will have more games and plate appearances than Vaughn after today. Tony will keep him on the team over Mendick (Mendick 166 OPS +. Garcia at 13 (never seen one that low before), and keep him in the lineup over Vaughn (OPS + 96) because he is a "veteran" who has "earned it". Hahn needs to Tony proof this roster and release Lamb and send Garcia down.

Of all the acquisitions the past two years, thought Mazara and Lynn made most sense in terms of payroll and risk/reward. Mazara didn't pan out as expected, but it between his health and small sample, hard to be too critical there. Gave Engel an opportunity he took advantage of in September. I was more concerned with the cultural aspect of Eaton returning, but as long as Tony doesn't replace Jake Lamb with Todd Frazier, things appear to be working out. It has been much better than expected performance wise to start the season. When Engle returns, I'd like to see a rotation (Robert 90%, 70% Eaton, Vaughn and Engle). Hamilton is likely to stay and see some time at Vaughn & Engle's expense. Hoping they keep Mendick over Garcia for infield reserve, with Collins being the last bench player and Lamb gone (pipedream at this point). Vaughn has started hitting well, hopefully they keep and play him regularly. 20 Games in, still too early to tell what is going to happen health or production wise, but Eaton checks a lot of boxes, good and bad (bunting), for Tony. Still wish they would try him in LF with Engel in the lineup, but doubt that would be considered in Tony's "veteran centric" school of thought.

Like to see Hahn make another move to limit Tony, whether he likes it or not, and put Lamb on waivers and call up a pitcher here. Jake can hang out in Schaumberg with Nick Williams, there is no use for him on this roster. With Tony's use of the bullpen, they need added depth if you don't want the pen in taters heading into September and October.

Love these types of games, good pitching everything counts. Wouldn't jump on Hendriks, he had 32 pitches yesterday in 1 2/3 yesterday, this isn't a playoff situation where you need to push it with back to back appearances after 30+ pitches. Same with pushing Rodon over 100 pitches again in Cleveland after the high no-no pitch count. The whole infield played well today, helped Keuchel leave scoreless after his best outing. Moncada had another great game, and Madrigal came up huge, Would have been ugly if they blew this one. A lot of their bullpen arms have been taxed the past two nights, may see Kopech get a 2-3 inning save tomorrow. Hope they can sweep. EDIT - Just saw Tony announced Kopech to start tomorrow, bumping Lucas after the disclosed Giolito finger cut. Would like to see them add a pitcher and cut Lamb and his wasted roster spot.

Abreu

I believe they stated on last night’s broadcast Len Kasper will be on TV the next two games. Really love his and DJ’s broadcasts this year, feel he is the best play by play man in the White Sox broadcast crew. Hope his radio stint isn’t short lived.

Hard to be more prescient than Eric Lodgenhagen of Fangraphs last April. https://www.fangraphs.com/

Not sure how you can say that. Even while he is “slumping” through the first three weeks, he is still on pace for a 30 HR 100 RBI season and will likely be .780 plus OPS when all is said and done.

Matt Chapman has two Top 7 MVP finishes the past three seasons, finishing with 7.6 and 7.9 bWAR. Frank Thomas' highest bWAR for a season is 7.3. Most Sox fans, and many MVP voters, would also be completely satisfied with 7+ bWAR seasons from Yoan Moncada. Does Yoan have it in him? Now that he is reaching his peak seasons, I believe Sox fans are hoping to see him reach full potential and exceed his 2019 finish of 5.1,

Vaughn's best angle for playing time this year is part of a four OFer rotation with Robert, Eaton and Engle. Not sure if the White Sox are going to slot Eloy back into LF, but his defense and health risks are more of a determinant than the "conundrum" players mentioned. Vaughn is a much better LFer with no experience, and can also be a solid 1B. Would love to see him get 1-2 months in AAA as an EVERYDAY LFer before being called up this Summer. Hahn needs to tell Tony he needs to play regularly, especially over waiver wire bait like Hamilton and Lamb, once he returns. I believe the Sox will resign Abreu for 1-2 years after his current deal, and as long as he is producing and wants to play, like Konerko he should not be denied until it is clear his days are at an end. That leaves Eloy vs. Yermin (beyond possible backup catcher duties). Eloy's age and potential gives him the advantage, but that doesn't mean the White Sox can't keep a solid player like Yermin around over the next few years. It's always good to have options.

Really cool indeed, thanks for sharing. Love sharing my baseball cards from the 70s-80s with my nephews. Think of Wilbur Wood and Ed Farmer anytime this song comes on.