South Side Hit Men

Kasper said Grandal will get his first start tomorrow, nice to see Robert return and healthy today. Madrigal the remaining health open question at this point.

He gave up five in 3 1/3. The two unearned runs were the result of allowing three hits allowed in the first inning before the error. if he is able to go 5-6 innings, he saves the bullpen for Game 3. Also, for other responses, I'm commenting on offering a four year term, and the likely decline most players in the mid 30s experience. There were no reports of any other team offering anything close to 4 years at $18M-$20M to either Grandal or Keuchel. Perhaps the Sox felt they had to overpay to get anyone here in 2020. More often than not, teams regret the final seasons of a lengthy contract to mid 30s and older players. It will take the full term of the deal and whether the Sox have any postseason success before allowing for a final judgement, good or bad. Adding an extension to Lynn ($70M for 3 pitchers and a catcher) binds the team even further. The reason Lynn was attractive is that the term is only one year, that they are not committed to another lengthy contract to an older player. There should be no rush to extend him or any other veteran at this point.

Dodgers going with a Sunday lineup today, though a beast on the mound to start the game.

Matt Spiegel's Baseball Show (Sunday 9-noon) returns this weekend. Usually has a few interviews and goes in depth on both teams. Definitely worth a listen, it's a solid local show. They historically have podcasts saved on their website if you can't listen live, or want to sift through to hit Sox only segments. https://www.radio.com/670thescore/podcasts/hit-run-with-matt-spiegel-59

Starters: 7 Anderson; 10 Moncada; 79 Abreu; 74 Jimenez; 24 Grandal; 88 Robert; 12 Eaton; 99 Vaughn; 1 Madrigal Reserves: 15 Engel; 21 Collins; 23 Lucroy; 28 Garcia Starters: 27 Giolito; 33 Lynn; 60 Keuchel; 84 Cease; 55 Rodon Relievers: 31 Hendriks; 39 Bummer; 43 Marshall; 34 Kopech; 45 Crochet; 65 Heuer; 63 Foster; 40 Lopez Final Four Cuts: 20 Mendick; 40 Lopez; 66 Ruiz; 73 Mercedes IR: 57 Fry Suspended: 50 Cordero (Lopez is sent down to allow Cordero on the active roster).

Burdi was the only semi-surprise on the list, but based on his early performance in ST, the work may do him well before a possible return later this season.

Not sure why you're calling out Ricky, he couldn't unilaterally bench his boss' $20M major hitting acquisitions 30-40 games into a season. When the games mattered, Parrot and Mazara were on the bench. I would agree with the assessment that Ricky and Rick should have given Collins plenty of at bats in 2019. Hahn being Hahn, he traded for Yonder Alonso ($8M) as the primary DH and was in year two of two Wellington Castillo deal, which sucked up half the catching starts. Had to give Texas valuable International Bonus money to save crumbs for Jerry. Collins catching 40-60 games and playing DH another 40-60 games in 2019 would have answered a lot of questions. Prospects should have been developing and assessed, not setting behind ridiculous veteran acquisitions during year three of tanking.

Nobody is saying completely avoid veterans. Saying you need to commit money to better free agents and the core. One or two complimentary veterans is one thing, committing half of payroll to four guys approaching mid 30s if you extend Lynn is another. You can't expect guys in their mid 30s to produce what they did several years ago and commit half of your payroll to declining old guys. Also, there is no guarantee JR's tightwad ass will spend a single dollar more than the past two seasons. And Keuchel won't be facing this horseshit slate of Central Division only opponents in the future. Keuchel skipped starts at the end of last year and then got shelled in the meaningful game he pitched. Oh yeah, I forgot, it was Ricky's fault. Already declining with three years on his pact if he manages to vest, still hasn't pitched this Spring. Speaking of which Grandal still hasn't squatted behind home this Spring, despite all his Stans crowing how he is a lock to catch 120 games.

Well, the same could and has been said for Grandal's and Keuchel's deals. Hahn's burner accounts don't acknowledge the dollars committed there, and the subsequent restrictions that lead to horseshit signings, be it Parrot and Mazara last year, or Eaton this year. They money "has been spent", Grandal can't catch, and Keuchel sucked ass his last appearance. That's my point, extend the core, don't commit all of your money to these old guys in decline because you or Tony get a chubby watching guys good several years ago.

Time will tell what they will be doing the next three seasons, older players decline by and large, some slowly, some drastically. As far as "shit stank garbage" is concerned, Heyward outperformed the legendary Adam Eaton by an average of 1.35 bWAR every season since 2016 (1.9, 0.9, 0.4, 2.2). Team needs to extend the core, replace the old players as their contracts expire and not commit new money to old players.

Not even sure I’d go one with him for $20M, and two years is absurd with their other commitments unless they are planning to permanently raise payroll by the same amount. $125M Payroll, over half (57%) with that deal to four players in their 30s the next two seasons with the discussed Lynn deal in this thread: Keuchel $20M Lynn $20M Grandal $18.3M Hendricks $13M The Sox have two great rotation options their frittering away in the bullpen. It will be worse than the Cubs being stuck with Lester, Hayward, Kimbrel last year. No other significant signings or trades can be made.

I thought the same thing when Merkin twice referred to "I don't think they'll bring more than 8 relievers", so I looked up the rules, and MLB lifted the 13 max pitcher restriction enacted in 2020 for 2021. https://www.mlb.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-mlb-in-2021

The trade was a salary dump, cause Jerry is broke. I’d blame Hendriks for giving up a bomb to some guy named Pat Wisdom if I were to get worked up over a Spring Training game. Or Eaton’s dumb caught stealing at 3rd. I was happy with Cease’s performance, Eloy looked good at the plate. Wondering if Madrigal will make OD, or whether Grandal will be able to catch to start the season.

It's really hard for a team to repeat, human nature to not be in the same mindset after winning it all the year before. Add coming off the extra month of work for the heavily used playoff staff, and it wasn't realistic to expect another playoff run. I'd say the 1993/1994 rotations were much stronger 1-3 vs. 2021, though the advantage would be offset in part, the corresponding 2021 bullpen advantage if most perform to expectations. If the Sox have Giolito, Kopech, Crochet and Cease/FA 1-4 in 2023, it could be formidable in the playoffs if they develop to their potential. Add two more years of experience for Vaughn and Robert, Madrigal if he can play well and this could be a year the Sox are actually a top 2-3 World Series favorite. This will be a solid year, but the youth and need to build up arm strength (Kopech, Crochet, Cease,) and player experience (Vaughn, Roberts, Madrigal) makes this more of a developmental season than a playoff favorite, IMO. If they come close to matching last year's winning percentage (95 win season), it will be a big success, regardless of their playoff results, which are largely a crap shoot. It's why there have only been one repeat World Series Champions (Yankees 1998-2000) in the 26 years of wild card playoffs. In the previous 26 seasons, Toronto (1992-1993), New York (1977-78); Cincinnati (1975-76) and Oakland (1972-1974) were able to do it. Winning three rounds much harder than winning two. Owners want to make it four for $$$ max profits, rendering the season largely irrelevant beyond weeding out under .500 teams.

It's a solid club, and I while I do believe the club has a more realistic chance of peaking in 2022 or 2023, when Kopech and possibly Crochet are in the rotation, Robert and Vaughn have more experience plus other additions/callups, it has a chance to finish high among the best if the pitching comes together. I would still rank the 1994 team the best in my close to a half century of watching, though with smart moves the next few years this core has a shot of eclipsing. Prorated bWAR for the strike shortened 1994 season / (1993 full season bWAR) - a comparable team: LF T. Raines 2.6 (3.8) 2B J. Cora 1.0 (1.7) 1B F Thomas 9.2 (6.2) DH J. Franco 4.3 (George Bell -2.5 102 Games WTF?!) 3B R. Ventura 4.3 (5.3) RF D. Jackson 3.9 (Ellis Burks 2.9) CF L. Johnson 2.4 (6.1) C R. Karkovice 1.6 (3.2) SS O. Guillen 1.1 (1.8) Starting Pitching: 1. J. McDowell 5.4 (4.4); 2. W. Alvarez 5.3 (4.9); 3. A. Fernandez 4.3 (5.4); 4. J. Bere 4.0 (2.6); 5. S. Sanderson 0.6 (Tim Belcher 0.5).

Looks like the Sox are playing 2 men short handed when Nick and Eaton are rumored to be out there simultaneously. People probably think it's a new Manfred gimmick to increase offense.

Few words need quotes more than "humor" in your question. It's about as funny as the Robert running in front of Eloy to catch straight away fly ball gag, or as clever as Sox Math which needs to be relegated with Thunderstruck to the trash bin. I'm hoping Kasper isn't pulled for TV after Stone's contract ends (2022/23?) and/or Jason leaves, as radio is my primary. I enjoyed the two broadcasts I've heard in Spring with Kasper and DJ. I listened to Kasper and Stone yesterday, and enjoyed what I heard as well.

Nice rope by Moncada, Sox bats looking good. Patient versus the first two Angels pitchers. Nice to see.

Don't want to see Grandal at the top of the lineup when games count.

Jerry Reinsdorf's preferred New York Mets ownership group are dunzo. No word on Jessica Mandoza's whereabouts after the jump.

Interesting follow up conversations today on the Score. I recommend the Stone interview to all, the Bernstein segment for those with an open mind, but not to those opposed to allowing Cooper to speak publicly or those who hate Bernstein unless they want to get upset on purpose (like Howard Stern listeners who hated him but tuned in longer than fans to hear something to upset them). Bernstein and Rahimi discussed the interview and negative White Sox fan reactions. Steve Stone had a solid segment which touched on Cooper for five minutes (6 minute mark) but also covered several other White Sox topics, Stone said Cooper was great, any issues were "Ricky's fault." (brought up Cordero usage), and stated Don Cooper is a Hall of Fame Pitching Coach along with Dave Duncan. Enjoyed the discussion regarding the acceptance of current roles for Kopech and Crochet, the bullpen as a whole and Carlos Rodon's chances of success.

Yep, like most people in Jerry’s orbit he can’t fully control. No competent person were going to stay with the two Jerrys mess anyway. https://www.liquisearch.com/jerry_krause/the_chicago_bulls/the_last_dance After contentious negotiations, Jackson was signed for the 1997–98 season only. Krause announced the signing by emphasizing that Jackson would not be rehired even if the Bulls won the 1997–98 title. Jackson then told Krause that he seemed to be rooting for the other side, to which Krause responded, "I don't care if it's 82-and-0 this year, you're fucking gone."

Beyond an Eaton ability to return to his 2016 and prior ability, Engel may be the better OFer period at this point. He’s definitely better in the field, is a better option against LHP, and Engel may have turned the corner, albeit in a small sample, with his ,837 OPS vs. RHP last year. The best case scenario at this point is Eaton is able to stay healthy for a good portion of the season, doesn’t injure (crash into) Robert, and can bat well enough vs. RHP to play 100 games. Not sure why Hahn couldn’t guarantee RF to Joc for 1-2 years with Joc’s concerns over being a primary DH, the reported sticking point last offseason. The Sox already have too many DHs and only one spot. I’m just grateful it’s a one year deal for Eaton, after the three four year deals given to older players the past two offseasons.

Not sure why Chicago media didn't discuss Hahn's involvement with the Game 3 plan (and whether Kenny chimed in). Hahn skates as always (actually gets an award followed by everyone feeling sorry for him after the La Russa hire) while everyone else pays the consequences. Keuchel's short and poor performance prevent the Sox winning in 2, Sox had to burn up 4 2/3 bullpen innings (scoreless would have made the difference in Game 3), but too big of a hole for the offense to climb out of after 5 (3 ER) in 3 1/3 innings. Cooper was as candid as one could be, and more candid than those in the FO. Everyone's time has come, and after 32 years it's gotta be a bitter pill to swallow, regardless of outsiders perspective. He faced up to painful questions, even after 5 months have passed. I feel more compassion for him as a person, and appreciation for what he meant to the club when he was truly making a positive contribution for at least a decade as pitching coach, and the time before that. I was harsh the past few years with what I believe are valid criticisms, but who knows what decisions were made over his head. I appreciate his thoughts on Ricky Renteria as well, and I hope both are able to find peace and be able to contribute, be it Cooper's work with the High School team and Ricky returns to MLB after his fully paid year long vacation.

I'm not concerned with what I have seen, but rather players we have not. Legitimate concerns at this point include the fact that three important players have not made an appearance with less than three weeks to Opening Day: Dallas Keuchel and Dylan Cease have yet to make an appearance / start. Will they be stretched out to start the season with at least a 5 inning outing with 3 weeks before Opening Day? Yasmani Grandal has also not made an appearance, though he should need less lead time as pitchers do building up arm strength. How serious is his injury, or is he ready to play, getting work in and just resting / allowing more playing time to sort out the backup catcher(s)?