South Side Hit Men

See it more of a placate Tony move or move dictated by Tony, like the other two moves this off-season. Adding Wainright, Molina and or Pujols would only provide further confirmation. Lynn would have made more sense last year entering the playoffs. Hoping one of the two one year deals pans out better than Parrot/Mazara. I definitely do not want to extend Lynn unless they plan on significantly bumping payroll. They already have too much $ commited to mid 30s + players the next two years (Grandal, Keuchel), and the focus should be locking up Lucas and Tim.

Bought on the Sabra Shopping Network.

Perhaps Tony will speak to non White Sox paid/controlled media at least once before he retires. The White Sox announced in November Tony would be available after the Winter Meetings (like every other GM and Manager), once his latest criminal proceedings and convictions were adjudicated. That hasn't been the case now five weeks and counting, I expect MLB and the Chicago White Sox to continue to use that to their advantage, indefinitely/permanently if need be. I'd be perfectly fine with Tony continuing to collect managerial wins while staying at home in Arizona for a portion or even the entire season or his entire contract, as he did a decade ago collecting MLB wins while staying home with the shingles. Cairo can run the show, Renteria is also under contract, perhaps he can be recalled as needed. Boylen is also under contract, in times of "biblical losses" everything must be on the table. In times like these, we give, and give again. ^^^ This, assuming no additional significant deals are made. Hahn stated "our team is on the floor" during his latest press conference. Shooter hasn't spoken since his "I don't have a racist bone in my body" elite press conference performance. Payroll decreased year over before Sullivan's article. Surprised Paul didn't praise the 250% payroll increase year over year from the amount ($125M vs. $50M) Jerry actually paid to players in 2020. 2020 Opening Day Payroll $128.2M 1/23/21 White Sox Payroll $125.7M

The past few years, the Sox jumped in early on middling options (Parrot, Eaton / Mazara). Will have the same RF hole for the third straight year next year. We also need(ed) more pitching, though I believe internal options will improve / gain experience and do fine (Cease, Kopech) over the next few seasons. I disagree with the general consensus here the Sox should have pursued Machado, Springer, or God Forbid Bauer, unless the team was dedicated to permanently increasing payroll by $30M-$50M. You can't tie up 1/3-1/2 of payroll to 3-4 guys, and it's not required to win a WS. The Sox are already at risk in 2023 /2024 if Keuchel vests ($20M) + Grandal's $18M. I fear Tony will convince Jerry to extend Eaton and Lynn beyond this year, giving us four declining guys eating nearly half of payroll, and forgoing extensions to Anderson and or Giolito. Ricky Renteria wasn't responsible for having one legitimate starter last playoff. If the Sox followed their plan, and allowed him to manage one more year, Hahn would have more flexibility IMO. Based on conjecture, because that is all of us have at this point, it appears Tony is driving the off-season, picking up guys he is familiar with vs. considering a broader range of Free Agents and considering a time frame longer than 1-2 years.

Fair points, I’m in agreement. My take on the current state of the White Sox: Congratulations: Tanking trades Home of the Cuban Connection Locking in core Improvement / OK with: Scouting/drafting has improved past few seasons. Analytics is now a consideration, Sox have moved to the 21st century (hopefully Crony LaRussa hire of Dave Duncan’s son doesn’t upend that). Concerns / Regression: Consistently poor free agent signings. Jerry is all in on pushing FO aside to employ LaRussa after Renteria extended, Hahn has had zero say on any manager during his 8 years. No evidence through today JR is all in on winning with middle of the road payroll. Tony is now running the show, upending the process and structure which brought us to the very good season of last year.

I'm sure the Angels would eat some ca$h to allow LaRussa to reunite with his buddy Pujols. The Sox can also pencil in Jon Jay and Edwin Jackson for a second White Sox tour of duty, and also work a trade for Matt Carpenter. Opening Day Lineup: 2B Madrigal CF Eaton 3B Carpenter 1B Pujols C Molina LF Wong RF Jay DH Grandal SS Mendick SP Wainright Tony's getting the band back together. He's on a Mission from God! Tony with Albert at the "I Have A Scheme" Rally.

Sorry, but limiting acquisitions to La Russa's ex-players over a decade past. players he can still remember managing against, or players Tony pets dogs with is too limited of a player pool to have any expectations of "Multiple Championships".

Ladies and gentlemen, and those too young to have watched him play, Hank Aaron was and is an inner ring Hall of Famer. Still recall 714 as if it was yesterday. Rest in Peace Hammer.

There is no "dead money" currently on the books. When most people discuss player contracts, they are not counting health, pension, FICA contributions, Unemployment Tax, dental and vision benefits, etc. Cot's Contracts is the Gold Standard for publicly updated information. The 2021 White Sox 40 Man Roster payroll is: 26 Players: $125.7M Player benefits, unemployment tax, player insurance, and other payroll associated costs: $15.5M Salaries for the remaining 14 players in the Minor Leagues on the 40 Man Roster: $2.3M Most people do not include the later two when discussing team payroll. The remaining $23M is inaccurate in terms of cash outlays this season. For example, the White Sox are paying Hendricks $11.3M this season, but Wisebri's number is $18M based on the AAV. Moncada is being paid $6.8M, but Wiserbri is using $14M. It's not a good method to evaluate what the White Sox are paying in 2021. It's how Reinsdorf would spin it, overstating what the Sox are paying now, and hyping increases already factored in his spin number. Luxury tax considerations are irrelevant with the White Sox, as they will never come close to that number under JR, or sign players such as Bauer or Springer to get close enough. Soxtalk should consider one consensus source for payroll data for discussion purposes, similar to how fWAR is considered the consensus WAR projection / actual numbers here.

Matt Spiegel noted a rumored target date to allow partial fan attendance into Chicago stadiums is August 1, 2021. Im assuming Jerry will push for an July 23 or 30 MLB Opening Day and have the Sox open on the road, and an August 2 home opener if that is the case.

Finally, someone with integrity upholding their own guarantee and or ban bet. Welchers, take note.

Brantley is and will be far superior in LF than Eloy. Sox have the same DH overload issue. This is a good signing.

Joe Maddon was likely the deciding factor if he received bids from any other team. They had a good relationship. Q’s clubhouse ties with the White Sox are gone.

I'd trade Eaton for Quintana, straight up.

I was fine with Kenny flipping his draft picks back in the day, as most never panned out. With the current crop of prospects, I would prefer to keep players like Kopech, Vaughn and Crochet. Burnes is controllable for a few years and had a great short season last year against weak competition. He had a 3.1 HR/game rate the previous season. He is not worth the likely required prospect haul, IMO. The Sox need to hang on to as many quality low cost players as possible to have a legitimate shot at winning a World Series with a mid-level payroll.

@VAfan, you omitted the best part of Rick Hahn’s quote: Perhaps Rick Hahn pulled another Hoosiers quote during his interview of Tony. In terms of your question, I don’t believe they will spend “Eaton” money ($8M) on any individual player, but may spend $8M - $10M collectively, perhaps even a few million more total through the trade deadline, across 2-3 players (either guaranteed or part of Minor League ST invites) With the fact that MLB Collusion 6.0 is in full swing and 75% of MLB Free Agents remain unsigned, the Sox may be able to get a few more quality players at cheaper than reasonable / fair market prices. A legitimate backup catcher able to catch 60-80 games: Tyler Flowers. 1-2 Bullpen depth arms for depth (cheap or Minor League invites). Starting pitcher: Garrett Richards, Carlos Quintin, Adam Wainwright, Rich Hill. I believe they will replace Eaton with Cespedas in the Summer if/when Eaton sucks ass / gets injured / does stupid shit. As long as Eaton (and Madrigal) remain at the bottom of the order, and Eaton doesn’t crash into Robert or Abreu with his OF bullshit, whatever. I’d still give Engel the majority of starts in RF, he’s better circa 2021 in all aspects. That said, if cheap enough, they may bring in Rosario (I’d start him in LF and DH Eloy). Would really like if they brought on Bradley Jr., but he may be too expensive for JR, even with collusion pricing.

Where have we heard that before, twice?

I've been a Padres fan since October 1984. Loved the Chargers back then too, with Kellen Winslow, Dan Fouts and Charlie Joiner. Hope the Padres and White Sox win a World Series over the next few seasons. This trade helps the Mets as well, so happy on that front.

Mets are getting Lucchesi in the deal, a solid pick up. Padres get Musgrove and Pittsburgh is getting five players total. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Current 2021 Payroll Data (Includes Hendricks Signing) Chicago - Metro Population 9.5M Chicago Cubs Tanking = Current Payroll $133M (11th) Chicago White Sox "All In" = Current Payroll $126M (14th) San Diego - Metro Population 3.3M San Diego Padres = Current Payroll $159M (7th) Saint Louis - Metro Population 2.8M Saint Louis Cardinals = Current Payroll $128M (13th) And when the White Sox do pry the checkbook out of Jerry's cold still alive hands, there have been too many swing and misses. Hopefully the current deals pan out. All-time $6M + AAV Chicago White Sox Free Agent Signings $18.5M Dallas Keuchel 2.1 (2020) (2021 & 2022 - Hoping he fails to vest for 2023) $18.3M Yasmani Grandal 0.8 (2020) (2021-2023) $16.7M Jose Abreu 3.1 (2020) (2021-2022) $14.0M Adam Dunn -0.1 (2011-2014) $14.0M Melky Cabrera 1.6 (2015-2017) $13.5M Liam Hendriks (2021-2024) $12.5M Adam LaRoche -0.7 (2015 - Jerry's All Time Favorite Player for giving him $12.5M back for 2016). $12.1M Paul Konerko 2.0 (2006-2013) $12.0M Edwin Encarnacion -0.3 (2020) $11.5M David Robertson 0.5 (2015-2017 2 1/2 seasons before trade) $11.0M Albert Belle 4.3 (1997-1998) $9.0M Kelvin Herrera -0.3 (2019-2020) $8.0M Adam Eaton (2021) $7.5M Wellington Castillo 0.2 (2018-2019) $6.0M Derek Holland -1.6 (2017) $6.0M Steve Cishek -0.2 (2020)

Current payroll: $125.8M (14th in MLB). Affordable (Projected $8M or less) Free Agents with 1.0 + projected 2021 fWAR. 2.4 Tommy La Stella ($7M) 1.8 Chris Archer ($8M) 1.6 Jurickson Profar ($7.5M) 1.5 Garrett Richards ($8M) 1.5 Matt Shoemaker ($5M) 1.4 Eddie Rosario ($?) 1.3 Brett Anderson ($5M) 1.2 Adam Wainwright ($7M) 1.1 Kike Hernandez ($6M) 1.1 Carlos Rodon ($?) 1.1 Maikel Franco ($?) 1.0 Brett Gardner ($8M) 1.0 Mike Leake ($?) 1.0 Rich Hill ($8M) 1.0 Jason Castro ($?) 1.0 Tyler Flowers ($4M) Should be able to sign a hitter, backup catcher and perhaps a starter at $12M-$15M. Of the above options, I like Richards, Rodario and Flowers. Would also like Bradley Jr. if the Sox can work out a 1-2 year deal. Not convinced the Sox will sign anyone else, beyond perhaps a couple of $1M-$3M deals for a backup catcher, bullpen arm and or perhaps a lottery ticket pitcher or bullpen depth.

A few of the key pitchers injured while batting: Max Scherzer - Thumb Randy Johnson - Shoulder Strain Pedro Martinez - Neck Adam Wainwright - Achilles Tendon Josh Beckett - Back Losing tens of millions in pitcher salaries due to hitting / base running injuries. "Brilliant" We need more offense, let's keep .069 pitchers hitting in all National League Home Games, including the World Series. "Brilliant" RM: You trying to win the piece of metal this season Jerry? JR: Child, please. Want a carrot?

This is true, though by changing coaches it is ensured Cease, Lopez and others will have a fresh set of eyes. A new approach, a better attention to detail, flexibility. Something the White Sox hasn't gotten out of the pitching coach role in decades. It's a shame he wasn't here to perhaps salvage Rodon or Fulmer. Cooper is like Nagy, do it my way, whether it works or not.

No, second. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindssh01.shtml

I've been to 42 MLB stadiums, 15 which are gone and 27 current stadiums. Top Five Current Stadiums: 1. Fenway Park; 2. Wrigley Field; 3. Dodgers Stadium; 4. Pittsburgh; 5, San Francisco Top Five Gone But Not Forgotten: 1. Comiskey Park; 2. Tigers Stadium; 3. Yankee Stadium; 4. Milwaukee County Stadium; 5. Stade Olympique Worst Five I've Attended: 42. Metrodome *; 41. Tampa Bay; 40. Miami *; 39. Veterans Stadium *; 38. Arizona (* = Gone) Worst Five "New" Stadiums: 1. Tampa; 2. Arizona; 3, Toronto; 4. Houston; 5. Philadelphia. To Attend List: Atlanta, Miami and Texas. Unique Circumstances: Cleveland Opening Day played in Milwaukee due to bad snow / weather over several days in Cleveland. Miami home game vs. Montreal played at Comiskey Park II due to a hurricane. National Home Game @ RFK Stadium (while new stadium was being constructed) Final Home Games Ever Played : Comiskey Park; Milwaukee County Stadium; Riverfront Stadium; Tigers Stadium (and Final Steelers Game @ Three Rivers Stadium - Also the last NFL Game I attended or watched). Had tickets for the final game in Montreal but didn't make the trip (Montreal is my second favorite team). No Hitter - White Sox no hit but won 4-0 over Andy Hawkins on July 1, 1990. Nolan Ryan's 300th Win @ Milwaukee County Stadium