South Side Hit Men

Madrigal 4,000 Career Hits?

The incessant media whining about length of game gives the lazy sports navel gazing media something to write about, since they don't really want to be at the games / doing their job. The length of games hasn't significantly increased beyond the initial introduction of television, and then the expansion of commercial time from 2 minutes to 3 (thank you Jerry Reinsdorf/Eddie Einhorn) until a few years ago, and the increase in pitching changes (thank you TLDW Tony La Russa). (Too Long, Did Not Watch) https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/misc.shtml Pre television (1954): (2:07-2:26) Television Era - Pre-Reinsdorf-Einhorn / Tony La Russa (1955-1979): 2:30 games (range from 2:26 - 2:34) Reinsdorf-Einhorn / Tony La Russa Era (1980-2018): 3:00 games Commercials per game increased to 2:30 (30 seconds X 18 = 9 minutes); Pitching Changes increased to 8.7 per game (8.6 from 4.6 = 8 extra minutes). They fixed the commercial length for regular season games, they need to do the same for national games (Postseason games have 50 more seconds per frame, or 15 minutes more commercials per game). Charge more per ad or go for scrolling ads like football (soccer) to make up the difference. The two on field changes they should implement enforcing the pitch clock and implement the automated strike zone. Pitchers are resting up in between pitches to throw max velocity pitches (95-100 MPH). When 2-3 pitchers finished a game before the La Russa era, pitchers didn't, they were in for 6-7 + innings, and relievers 1-2. An automated strike zone will allow pitchers to be more aggressive and attack the strike zone, knowing strikes will be called strikes. Batters will be more aggressive as a result and swing at more pitches. Most hitters were more aggressive with close pitches until recently, didn't automatically take 1-2 + pitches every at bat. These are the two primary differences between the game today and back in the day.

Many will eventually come to that conclusion, slowly but surely. If MLB goes automated strike zone with the the new CBA, his value really takes a hit.

Look at his production before and after, 2014 was his one solid year after age 31, the only season with a bWAR above 1.8, He was a consistent above 3 bWAR before then with a 6.2 / 7.2 highlight seasons. The action on your knees gets to you after so many games. Molina got $60M his last deal before this year, averaged 1.3 bWAR. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml People here were crowing Grandal catching 120 easy, and I don't see him catching much beyond 100 ever again, despite what he was able to do in his 20s. His bat will likely drop off as well, just gravity and time at work. Same with Perez, same with Mauer and Posey and just about anyone else who played the game at a high level in their 20s.

Yes, it was really disappointing when Engel went down, hope he recovers quickly and gets a chance to play more when producing.

Agreed, 1 1/2 younger than Grandal but deal ends at the same age. Carlton Fisk is the only over 30 year old catcher I can recall continuing great production after 30, primarily because his extreme dedication to keeping in shape. Of course the Sox repaid him by cutting him on the road, and cutting off clubhouse access so he had to say goodbye from the left field seats because Jerry "Family" atmosphere. Cues Sly and the Family Stone

Got it. I argued here they should have kept Detwelier when he was cut and used him more, didn't agree with Ricky not using him. I also got into a blow up argument here the day they brought up Rodon, Even if he was throwing well, it wasn't a good time to experiment with a lifetime starter to get outs out of a bullpen in crucial games. They were out of good starting options at that point, but I believe Detweiler was the better bullpen option for the playoffs. Didn't agree with the Bullpen game, but it was a joint Ricky/Rick decision.

What's a manager going to say? "Well, we spent $20M on a DH and RFer who aren't worth shit. We spent another $18M on a catcher when my current option is better with the staff and defensively, and this year as good offensively. I desperately need starting pitching, but I only have two playoff options and one is dealing with back spasms. Our lone trade deadline pick up was a worthless fifth outfielder. I didn't see Rodon pitch in Schaumburg, but going off reports they say Rodon looks good, and I am literally out of pitchers after 50 games. I'd rather not use him out of the bullpen in crucial games, because he's never done that before. We scraped the bottom of the low minors barrel for pitching throughout the year, I guess we'll try one more time with Rodon."

Collins and Engel are playing well, and I hope they get opportunities early in the season to prove they can be regular contributors throughout the season.

Nice to see Cease battle back to keep the inning scoreless. What a terrible at bat by Robert, swinging at absolute garbage all three pitches.

Hello, exactly. But you should explain this to the one I replied to, who believed Detwiler was "pretty darn good", yet "He Who "Must Be" Blamed For Anything/Everything" wouldn't use him. The lack of understanding of the extent of a front office's involvement in overall playing decisions by certain posters (not you) is baffling.

Engel turned over a new leaf last season, I fear he'll sit 5-6 times a week because of La Russa's love of Eaton. Engel was strong against overall and righties (.837 OPS / .811 overall) last season. Small sample, but he looked comfortable at the plate, and with regular at bats could continue to do well. I hope he keeps lighting it up this Spring. Moncada is healthy, I have no concerns with him. Abreu should be solid since he appears recovered from COVID. TA continues to improve each year. The primary concern I have is regression, age / injuries to the four high priced veterans, and the ability for the dozen or so rookies to survive and thrive during their first full season in the MLBs. Can Robert, Vaughn, Madrigal and Eloy get acclimated to a full season and keep production up to potential? Can the first three adjust to the adjustments made against them as the league takes note of their tendancies? Can the relatively young bullpen guys pitch well and stay healthy over their first full seasons (Foster, Heuer, Marshall, Bummer), and will Hendriks regress? The White Sox have thin depth at nearly every position with any injuries. I think 2022 is more logical in terms of legitimate contention, based on the inevitable growing pains many rookies will experience during their first full season. They really need Kopech to be able to start next season, and Crochet to start half a season. If they are banished to the bullpen because Jerry and Tony don't have much more time above ground, than the "Multiple Championship Window" becomes a fast sprint, with no starting depth beyond fickle high priced old free agents.

Still waiting for your first meaningful post, troll. Not holding my breath. Cordero pitched 3 2/3 scoreless over two games in the playoffs.

Would like to see Vaughn play a couple games at third, since I read discussions he was considered a possible backup this season.

Hahn cut Detwiler before the playoffs in favor of calling up Rodon, a lifelong starter, for to pitch out of bullpen when the games meant the most. Cordero was the second best Sox pitcher during the playoffs, only topped by Giolito.

Solid baseball books, and books in general. Really liked Bernard Malamud's The Natural we were assigned in High School (two years after the film of the same name was released). The book was far more interesting, many similarities with the 1919 White Sox and ownership. The Boys of Summer and Moneyball were also great books, as was the recent book "Ty Cobb - A Terrible Beauty" correcting the record on Al Stump's trashy inaccurate take on Ty Cobb. So glad the libraries reopened.

Was Kopech TJ Ricky's fault as well? The biggest competition this Spring is not who will win the final roster spots. but rather who will serve as scapegoat for this season and beyond. Certainly can't be La Russa or Hahn, they are among the GOATs of MLB, if not HOF human beings. Guess Kenny Williams will resume his role from Hahn's first four seasons, when the Sox were "trying", and by golly they almost finished .500 that one year but fell only six games short. Oh, I forgot, Ricky was the bench coach in 2016, definitely his fault.

Sox Math: Andrew Vaughn HR Highlight Jersey number + Andrew Vaughn Jersey number reflected in a mirror = Vaughn 99 / Sox Math

Apparently sharper than any of Dallas' pitches his past two appearances.

Well at least he's engaged for 2 years, 3 if he vests.

If Eaton is producing I don't give a rats ass if Eaton gets "plenty" of starts at the 2 hole as long as Engel gets most starts against LHP and opportunities against RHPs (.767 OPS last season, .837 vs. LHP and .811 overall). Not sure if "traditional" Tony will allow Engel to take over as primary RFer over his guy, even if he is outproducing Eaton at the same clip as last season (Engel's .811 vs. Eaton's .669). There are times where Anderson should bat lower against some of the RHPs he's had trouble with to maximize the lineup, but I understand La Russa's take on not fucking around with Tim or Jose, and Tim has shown consistent improvement the past few years and is comfortable batting leadoff. I also prefer Jimenez batting cleanup over Moncada (article has Moncada cleanup vs. all pitching), preferring Eloy's superior production over fretting about righty / lefty. Who is playing is more important than where they are hitting, though I'd prefer the primary core (Anderson, Abreu, Moncada, Eloy, and when they prove themselves Robert and Vaughn) to be in the first six slots to maximize the number of their at bats over the course of the season. RHP: 1. Anderson (.709); 2. Eaton ^ (.801); 3. Abreu (.853); 4. Jimenez (.864); 5. Moncada # (.813); 6. Grandal # (.797) 7. Robert (.718); 8. Vaughn; 9. Madrigal (.821) LHP: 1. Anderson (.869); 2. Grandal # (.781); 3. Abreu (.927); 4. Jimenez (.801); 5. Moncada # (.702); 6. Robert (.807); 7. Vaughn; 8. Engel (.689); 9. Madrigal (.455)

This is the most recent Baseball Books thread. Ran into a baseball related book by happenstance at the library last week while picking up a few holds, and really enjoyed it, devoured it in a few days. The name of the Book is The End of Baseball, written in 2010 by Peter Schilling Jr, his first novel. It was a fictional account of Bill Veeck purchasing the 1944 Philadelphia Stars (Negro League Team) and Athletics, signing an all star team under the radar of Negro League players for the Phillies, and covered the entire season. Lots of twists involving the team, Commissioner Landis, and others throughout. If you have knowledge of the Stars and or former Negro League Players, and or are interested in historical baseball, this is a great novel to pick up. Any other recent Baseball Books (Fiction or Non-Fiction) enjoyed in the Soxtalk Universe, or is everyone engrossed in fast food Sox rumor twitter feeds ? Made it a goal to read more books and less interwebs this year, more enjoyable at least on my end.

A few possible additions at the trade deadline (all are FA after 2021): CF, LF, DH Sterling Marte (Prorated $12.5M). Miami likely out of it by July. Solid defender in CF or LF, would be a good acquisition if something happened to either Robert or Eloy, or if Vaughn has issues adjusting in his rookie year. Shift Eloy to DH. Good speed, glove and OBP at the top. Util Infield Yolmer Sanchez (Prorated - 1/3 bag of peanuts).. Yeah I said it. Could prove valuable if Mendick not working out, good flexible backup. SP James Paxton - (Prorated $8.5M). Seattle is a lock to be traders at the deadline, could fill in if someone is down and or Rodon or Cease aren’t holding up. Don’t see Kopech or Crochet shifting out of the bullpen to fill a need until next year based on the plan. RP Mychal Givens (Prorated $4.5M). Solid bullpen arm, pitched well on Baltimore, stats took a hit in short season/Coors last year. If the Sox ate the prorated shares of the salary, they wouldn’t need to send much over in return as these clubs (Seattle, Miami, Colorado, Baltimore) will be happy to dump salary by that point. Likely the hardest part of the deal, getting Reinsdorf to pay ?. Per Steve Stone last. August on The Score, acquiring Dyson at not much over the minimum was a “major commitment by the team”.

Win or lose, I like how the team is battling back late. Ricky’s boys didn’t quit. Hope La Russa’s boys continue the tradition!

Ruiz gone after 37 pitches and bases loaded. Had to search who #54 is (Sadzeck). Pitched well in limited time with the Rangers and Mariners. My half way to Saint Patrick’s Day Joe Crede shirt isn’t bringing luck today. Thankfully the beer is cold at my local bar, and it’s not green AALs.