South Side Hit Men

After reading his twitter account for a few months, I place Stone in the same credibility column as Bob Nightengale, Chuck Garfien, Bruce Levine and the various food twitter accounts. Disingenuous, not worth the time trying to decipher if they are actually parroting something accurate or whether it's just a ploy for attention. Also, Steve Stone is a documented liar, not sincere in his comments or pledges as to what he will do. Par for the course with Jerry Reinsdorf and his Old Old Old Boy Network.

The thread is moot. GarPax was replaced with competent management by Michael earlier this year. RickWilled was replaced by LaRuse in February, announced publicly in October. No Mercy LaRussa Signed Cobra Kai!

Favorites = Ricky's Guys = 1. Abreu. 2. Robert, 3. Giolito, 4. Moncada 5. Anderson (Honorable Mention for Bakers Dozen Foster; Engel; Garcia; Jimenez; Lopez; Cordero; Bummer; Mendick). Least favorite = 1 Eaton, 2. Keuchel, 3. Grandal, 4. Madrigal; 5. Lynn.

May as well go all in and bring his BFF Adam Wainwright as well. Has been pitching well, regular and post season, Also gives insurance in case of injury. Stick Grandal with Keuchel and Lynn, Molina catches Giolito, Wainwright, Kopech, Cease and Lopez. The only problem is the same worry about losing the DH if one of the catchers get hurt. Can start the season with Collins, if playing with Vaughn's time or if he's not ready. Stats = OPS SP Splits: Optimal: Vs. RHP: SS Anderson .710 3B Moncada .806 1B Abreu .869 LF Jimenez .866 DH Grandal .801 CF Robert .616 RF Eaton .799 C. Molina .732 2B Madrigal .750 Vs. LHP: SS Anderson .845 CF Robert 1.072 1B Abreu .873 LF Jimenez .810 DH Grandal .763 C Molina .748 3B Moncada .721 2B Madrigal .725 RF Engel .667 Bench: OF Eaton/ Engel; IF Mendick .785 / .566; IF/OF L Garcia .650 / .658 DH A. Vaughn (starts when Grandal catches and other games for Abreu / Grandal days off). @Capital G - Yes I caught that and was editing before you hit your reply, looking at Engel's 2020 splits vs. career. That said, if Engel's OPS from last year is sustainable, he performed better in 2020 than Eaton's career splits against both LHP and RHP. The fear is Eaton will play 120-140 games under LaRussa, because he is a guy LaRussa knows and likely likes. Engel is the one with promise and should play the 120/140 games if he is performing at or better than Eaton, not vice versa. I also adjusted the lineups to improve the L/R bunching.

You're correct, thanks for the correction. Reds still need a starting catcher, they are not saving much by dumping his salary. He won the gold glove and works well with the staff, I don't see him available. The ones I mentioned are free agents. Not sure what the Cardinals are going to do if Molina doesn't return, or the Cubs if they salary dump Contreras. Then again, not sure if there are any teams beyond the White Sox and possibly Twins or Brewers attempting to win 80 plus games across both Central Divisions.

That's likely not going to happen, Barnhart is under contract for $7.5M, I called for Zunino, but Tampa signed him for $3M. Of those currently available, I still like a defense first option, Tony Wolters or Alex Avila would be good options for $2.5M-$4M. Matt Wieters would be a third OK option if the first two aren't available.

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. Just disappointed because the White Sox could have been legitimate World Series contenders over the next three years without mortgaging the future by acquiring Darvish, who cost little in prospects. Darvish, Giolito, Lynn, Kopech, Keuchel/Cease is a legitimate World Series Championship rotation. The first solid 1-5 rotation since 2005. The White Sox absolutely pissed away Darvish salary each of the past four seasons, when they tanking (still contend 2020 was more of a surprise with COVID / short season / shitty schedule). You can't piss away 15-20% of payroll when you are not even intending to compete. If money is so tight, it's inexcusable. High priced relievers while tanking? Seriously, WTF. 2020: $20.5M Parrot and Herrera (-0.4 bWAR) last year ($ before pro-rating for 60/162) 2019: $27.8M Herrera, Castillo, Alonso and Jay in 2019 - This was absolutely disgraceful 2018: $16.3M Soria & Castillo 2017: $18.0M Frazier & Holland 2016: Sale traded, tanking the new plan.

Ricketts also doesn't want Schwarber at $7M, doesn't want Bryant ($18.6M) and Contreras ($6.3M), and would love to dump anyone else over $2M if he could get rid of them. Nobody on Earth wanted the Statue of Apathy, Grandal (32 years old) @ $73M. Anyone else bid on $74M for another old guy, Mr. Teacher? He's 33 years old, by the way, and got hammered by the 16th in MLB run scoring A's in Game 2. Darvish is a legitimate 1 or 2, Keuchel is a 3 or 4, who is making $56M over the same 3 years remaining. Nobody in their right mind would trade Darvish for Keuchel. That's why Darvish has a $16.9M trade value (estimated earned value above and beyond his contract), whereas Keuchel and Grandal have negative trade values, at ($7.5M) & ($0.9M), respectively. Yu Darvish is far superior to Dallas Keuchel, for $1M per year more. Nice try though. https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trade-simulator/

Hope to be pleasantly surprised, but beyond Tony somehow convincing Jerry he "needs" a closer and more importantly, should spend money to get one, i don't see the White Sox topping their commitments to Lynn or Eaton (prorated $9M & $8M salaries), beyond extending Giolito. The Twins are the only AL Central team possibly attempting to win, and Jerry has always shown a firmer commitment to crushing the players and their union versus any desire to compete for a World Series. People mistake Jerry's commitment to keeping LaRussa employed, here if necessary, to a commitment to winning. Can see them signing 1-2 collusion depressed players from the list below in the late Spring or Summer leading up to July Spring Training. C Tyler Flowers ($2M-$3M) C Curt Casali ($2M-$3M) OF Kevin Pillar ($3M-$4M) SP Brian Anderson ($2M-$4M) SP Mike Leake ($3M-$5M SP Adam Wainwright ($5M-$7M) SP Homer Bailey ($3M-$5M) SP Chase Anderson ($3M-$5M) P Tyler Anderson ($1M-$2M) P Tyler Chatwood ($3M-$5M)

The Sox released him before the playoffs, he wasn't coming back. Ross was a much better option out of the pen vs. Rodon who should never have been brought up at the end of the season. Ross also could have thrown a few innings in Game 3. Then again, the Sox would have advanced if Keuchel wasn't complete garbage in Game 2.

Just be sure to quote the whole post accurately, not likely since you already distorted my posts in your reply. Mod edit: y’all need to stop needlessly bringing politics into this forum. In either event, I hope you, the White Sox and Padres have a successful and happy new year.

I typically only listen to the archived clips to avoid/skip over the 80% + of Score content that is Bears/NFL related (August through April). Spiegel deserves a show again, though would miss his weekend baseball shows if he dropped them (I believe he'll keep Saturday, not sure what happens to the Sunday show). Bernstein is less of a douchebag solo, though Rami will keep those tendencies in check. Have no use for the morning show, Rami or Parkins, hope these two move on for a better gig soon. The four letter network is garbage, will turn it on for the first time since 2005 for Sox games only.

Child, please. The White Sox, and any sane fan would want any of these three pitchers. The Darvish/Caratini trade would have filled two holes for little in prospect value. Snell required a higher prospect quality, but not their top guys. They are also under control for years. Every pitcher on the planet is a potential injury risk.

This, Charles Leerhsen’s thoroughly researched book presents a fair treatment of Ty Cobb. Al Stump was a complete hack, and his book and Tommy Lee Jones’ film was a complete farce. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22609487-ty-cobb SABR also debunked Al Stump’s lies, and exposed his fraud, including sales of fraudulent Ty Cobb memorabilia. http://haulsofshame.com/Final SABR Article - as published_6744.pdf

I see the Cubs operating more like the Pirates (just dump, no concern for return) than Tampa (maximize talent return), at least with the first two moves (dump Schwarber and Darvish/Carantini for little to nothing). The Cubs (or Sox) are not counting on many games or fans in 2021, and 2022 (perhaps beyond) is up in the air due with the CBA. Will the Padres now be referred to here as “the team which shall not be named”?

Numbers have lined up with the MLB Trade Rumors projections (column 2, prorated 2020 stats to 162 games). https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2021.html Signed (Projected P vs. Signing S) Engel $1.4M P vs. $1.37M S Fry $1.0M P vs. $0.86M S Marshall $1.9M P vs. $2.0M S Pending Giolito $5.3M P vs. ??? Lopez $2.2M P vs. ??? Hard Pass Mazara $5.9M P vs. Team / $ ??? Rodon $4.5M P vs. Team / $ ???

Thanks for posting. My two selections have a shot to bridge the gap. Would have added Schilling to my ballot after further reflection, including the rationale Jay Jaffe wrote he used to omit him. Whether you agree or disagree with Schillings politics or statements, it should have no bearing on your hall of fame vote. I’m truly agnostic when it comes to Rolen or Jones, would have to study it more if I had a ballot. I would likely keep it no, but wouldn’t be necessarily concerned if either made it. Can’t argue Jones out with all of the weak to horrendous CF inductees currently in (Averill, Carey, Combs, Duffy, Puckett, Roush, Waner, Wilson). Warner is worse than Baines. Nice to see Vizquel’s support dropping, not necessarily because he is a thug, but because he is did not have a hall of fame career. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_SS.shtml

I wouldn’t be surprised if owners drag this out and start Spring Training sometime after July 4th again. They can keep moving the goal posts, saying they need to start after fans can attend without restrictions in all 30 stadiums. The usual suspects here will side with Jerry and Manfred. Owners wish to destroy any cushion players could save prior to CBA discussions. Jerry didn’t give a rats ass that he destroyed 1994, was upset a Latina Judge b****slapped owners, before they could destroy 1995 and beyond. Jerry didn’t care that he had a championship caliber core before then, and he doesn’t give a rats ass that he may have one now.

Arizona knew him better, they quickly dumped his ass. Cleveland lived with his ass as long as they could, dumped his ass in a fire sale in exchange for a trade of colonoscopy cancerous polyps. Wore out his welcome in Cincinnati after 21 starts. Time will tell if anyone is desperate enough to think his toxic presence is worth it. His 1-4 postseason record indicates it hasn’t been during his first decade in the sport. I pity the team who signs this clown, especially the 25 other players who have to live and work with this creep. In the end, he’ll leave baseball without a ring, likely with multiple additional teams satisfied he is gone, regretful like his previous three teams they acquired him in the first place.

Linked, not liked. Arizona dumped Bauer very quickly. There are currently only 4 or 5 teams with the willingness and ability to pay Bauer for even one or two seasons this offseason, let alone the asinine amount and length he is asking for. Sure, “Four Good Prospects”. https://www.mlb.com/prospects/indians/ Moss and Allen are not in their top 20 prospects list, Nova is not ranked. They let Puig walk, leaving Reyes as the MLB player. His biggest value is being paid the minimum. 2.2 total bWAR / 2.7 fWAR total over his three seasons, would provide more value as a DH. Engel topped him in OPS last season, Engel slightly lower in bWAR (1.9) / fWAR (1.7) over the past three seasons. Cancer dump and salary dump.

Montero was linked, most everyone on the planet hates him. Most players keep their dirty laundry in house. The Indians were comfortable taking on the known cancer in Puig just to get Bauer’s Proud Boys ass out of there. Both teams were trying to get rid of their cancers. I don’t have to worry about him coming here because Jerry isn’t going to pay. Any team signing this clown will regret it.

Tell that to Reds and Indians. Cleveland felt Puig was a better clubhouse fit, players hated him for risking their World Series run playing with a frigging toy, and he went after / bashed team leader Joey Votto publicly on multiple occasions. Bauer was also an asshole who just wouldn't listen according to mild mannered Miguel Montero. https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/joey-votto-on-trevor-bauer-dugout-incident https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2020/10/06/trevor-bauer-vlog-reds-pitcher-reacts-joey-votto-not-scoring-vs-braves-13-th-inning-game-1-atlanta/3634036001/ Here is the asshole filming himself in the clubhouse, b****ing at Joey Votto during the playoffs (8:15 mark). They brought in two too many assholes already this off-season, and our team leader is on the fence with Mr. Teacher brought in last year.

That was the greatest celebrity roast in history. Norm, one of my Top 3 all time greats. Also was the best talk show guest appearance in television history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F6dXcW-_Fc

Nice piece in the Padres today. Wish the White Sox felt the same sense of urgency during their window of “multiple championships”. https://www.mlb.com/news/aj-preller-padres-go-all-in For all of Preller's aggression, his latest moves are anything but a short-term play. Snell and Darvish are under contract through 2023, and Kim is on board through ’24. A bulk of the team's Trade Deadline acquisitions were for players with multiple years of control, too -- including Clevinger. That's Preller's plan in action. As the Padres ascended to the top of MLB Pipeline's farm system rankings, they knew that some of those Minor League pieces would help them on the field. Paddack, Lamet and Fernando Tatis Jr. already are. Top prospects Gore, CJ Abrams and Luis Campusano will soon join them.