South Side Hit Men

This makes no sense. His primary worth on offense is standing like a statute and drawing walks, secondary is for the times he does swing he connects enough times to hit home runs. He is third on the team in OBP, and fourth in OPS. Second makes most sense, to allow others to knock him in. If he bats 5th or 6th, his walks don't score nearly enough. Proposed lineup / Career OPS (R) Anderson .751 (L) Grandal .793 (R) Abreu .870 (R) Jimenez .848 (L) Moncada .783 (R) Robert .738 TBD RF/DH TBD RF/DH (R) Madrigal .745

I never cared when Kenny traded prospects, because most of them never panned out. Now that the team has a very good young core, I hope the FO is able to stick with the plan and selectively add to cover remaining holes via FA, versus trading away key pieces for a possible short term bump at the expense of long term success.

Not sure why the voter poll listed the MLBPA as having any role in nixxing 102 games last year. Players were willing to play a full schedule, the pathetic owners are the ones who cancelled most of the season last year, and will cancel as many games as possible this year. If it were up to Jerry, he'd have a 20 game 2021 regular season if restrictions are lifted, ten games vs. Cubs at home, ten vs. Cubs at Wrigley, followed by four months of playoffs.

A terrible loss, was an All Time White Sox great. I'm stricter than most when it comes to the HOF, but definitely more worthy than Harold Baines and most non BBWAA inductees. His OF dWAR really hurt him, but he is 8th all time in oWAR among 3rd baseman, the most underrepresented position in the BBHOF. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/white-sox/ct-chicago-white-sox-dick-allen-died-20201207-zyhngctlgjdq5mzhuq37wnrpmq-story.html https://deadspin.com/baseball-is-still-finding-ways-to-screw-over-dick-allen-1845825861

Jerry will throw in both Tony LaRussa games if you pay $99 for the Deluxe Model.

Can we close this thread based on the owner's statement? https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-owner-john-middleton-on-zack-wheeler-trade-rumors “If they offered me Babe Ruth, I wouldn’t trade him,” Middleton told ESPN Sunday afternoon in a telephone interview. Middleton said he would not trade Wheeler for Ted Williams or Mike Schmidt, either. “I have authorized no one to have a conversation about trading him,” Middleton said about Wheeler. Did he mean Babe Ruth's corpse, Ted William's frozen head or these players in their prime?

Chuck Garfein is bad, but he is not Bob Nightengale (DUI Jail sentence is the same as missing a game due to the flu) or Bruce Levine (aka The Human Colonoscopy) bad.

Yep, so did Molina, Wainwright and Pujols. Hopefully we won't be seeing any of them next year in a White Sox uniform. Lance Lynn Similar Pitchers through 33 Jake Arrieta (974.9) 2019 33 PHI NL 8 8 .500 4.64 24 24 0 0 0 0 135.2 149 76 70 21 51 3 110 7 0 7 594 96 4.89 1.474 9.9 1.4 3.4 7.3 2.16 2020 34 PHI NL 4 4 .500 5.08 9 9 0 0 0 0 44.1 51 25 25 6 16 0 32 1 0 4 190 90 4.66 1.511 10.4 1.2 3.2 6.5 2.00

And it's going to end real badly. Hard pass, unless the Sox are getting $30M-$50M back, and giving up nothing, which isn't going to happen. I'll say it again, either the Sox will spend in Free Agency and be competitive over the next few years, or they will be cheap and no trade(s) will result in a legitimate shot at competing for a World Series. They don't need major contracts (Springer/Bauer etc.), they need flexibility to fill holes with quality players during the off-season, and at the July trade deadlines.

While I do agree catchers have the widest range of input/calculation among current defensive position WAR calculations, people keep posting Baseball Reference dWAR doesn't include framing on Soxtalk, but it isn't true. https://www.baseball-reference.com/about/war_explained_position.shtml Fielding Runs: Defensive Runs Saved Catcher handling of the pitching staff via things like pitch framing and pitch calling

I'm sure the liver is the priority at this juncture.

Using the tool in the article illustrates the Sox lack of on-field success since the Black Sox scandal. The White Sox' best finish is the #219th ranked team, with only the expansion Tampa, Arizona and Colorado lower. Absolutely pathetic. 19 of the other 29 teams have at least one Top 50 finish. There is a strong correlation between the top teams and success within the next several seasons. Top Prospect WAR rankings by team: AL East: Toronto (#11 1990 WS 1992 1993); Boston (#12 1972 AL 1975); New York (#33 1995 WS 1996 1998 1999 2000 AL 2001 2003); Baltimore (#46 1965 WS 1966 1970 AL 1969 1971); Tampa (#273 2008 AL 2008). AL Central: Cleveland (#4 1992 AL 1995 1997); Detroit (#27 1977 WS 1984); Minnesota (#62 1998); Kansas City (#68 1973 AL 1980); Chicago (#219 1990 ?? 1994). AL West: Texas (#1 1989); Houston (#15 1991); Kansas City Athletics (#18 1967 WS 1972 1972 1974); Seattle (#22 1995); Los Angeles (#131 2005). NL East: New York (#2 1967 WS 1969 & NL 1973); Atlanta (#16 1994 WS 1995 & NL 1996 1999); Philadelphia (#28 1964); Montreal (#56 1988 ?? 1994); Florida (#164 2000 WS 2003). NL Central: Saint Louis (#6 1941 WS 1942 1944 1946 & NL 1943); Chicago (#17 1986); Pittsburgh (#54 1967 WS 1971); Cincinnati (#82 2008); Milwaukee (#109 2006). NL West: Los Angeles (#3 1969 NL 1974 1977 1978); San Francisco (#45 1971); San Diego (#88 1986); Arizona (#230 2007); Colorado (#354 2007). https://www.thebaseballgauge.com/history.php?first=min&last=max&tab=prospects&pos=All&lgID=All&division=All&bats=All&throws=All&results=500&sort=tot_a&page=1#metric Top Five prospect WAR teams in White Sox History All Time Rank / Year / General Manager / WAR / Top Three Players (D = Draft; T = Trade; FA = Free Agent) #219 1990 Larry Himes (Fired after season) 197.6 (Frank Thomas 73.9 (1989 D); Robin Ventura 56.1 (1988 D); Wilson Alvarez 24.8 (1989 T)). #302 & #327 1995 & 1994 Ron Schueler 182.7 & 177.2 (Mike Cameron 46.7 (1991 D); Magglio Ordonez 38.7 (1991 FA); Ray Durham 33.8 (1990 D)). #414 1972 Stuart Holcomb 161.6 (Brian Downing 51.5 (1969 FA); Rich Gossage 41.2 (1970 D); Terry Forster 20.4 (1970 D)). #458 1999 Ron Schueler 156.0 (Mark Buehrle 59.2 (1998 D); Carlos Lee 28.3 (1994 FA); Jon Garland 22.4 (1998 T)).

Silly Cubsession. Here's a few Cubs who later played well for the White Sox. Eloy Jimenez Oscar Gamble Dennis Lamp Steve Stone Jon Garland

That's such a great song. thanks for posting. I'd pay to see that band, I'd pay even more to be able to see this year, really miss being out and about. Spiegel is one of the few I like on the Score, Laurence Holmes the other. I like his Sunday in season show better than the Saturday show, 1. Because it doesn't compete against WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback and 2. There is no Bruce Levine. The more I learn about Len, the more I like. Since I am radio only during the game, I am really looking forward to the broadcasts next season. Nothing against Andy, who did a good job under doubly trying circumstances (COVID Broadcasts with road games broadcast off of a monitor and following Ed Farmer), but this is a significant upgrade. Jason Benetti joined Len Kasper on the Score interview at five (linked below): https://www.radio.com/670thescore/podcasts/parkins-show-63/parkins-spiegel-len-kasper-jason-benetti-interviews-hour-4-351559748

Eloy's below market deal remains a bargain if he is DH only if his bat lives up to potential. His defense actually detracts from his value. He's only playing LF because the White Sox have Vaughn and Abreu (and had Parrot), and they do not have an everyday RF or LF. Most here concede Eloy will likely play DH or 1B in the next 2-3 years, depending on any extension to Abreu. I agree with you in terms of tempered Vaughn expectations, if the White Sox sign a DH type for 1 year, we have to assume based on what they have seen in 2020 they prefer Vaughn spend a significant portion, if not the entire season, in the minors for development before a promotion. No need to rush him if he is not ready, he is still very young to be expected to produce consistently at the MLB level. Eloy's Contract: 19:$1M, 20:$1.5M, 21:$3.5M, 22:$6.5M, 23:$9.5M, 24:$13M, 25:$16.5M club option ($3M buyout), 26:$18.5M club option ($3M buyout)

While I definitely don't agree with the post you were responding to, Al and Jerry both won three Super Bowls. Al was a great evaluator of talent before he became creepy Al at the end, Jerry being fortunate to hire Jimmy Johnson (third with Switzer). I'd would love a second World Series title before I die. I'd say the McCaskey family is a better example of inept ownership who refuse to hire qualified professionals to operate their organization.

Are we sure this is official? I don't see A. J. Hinch's signature on the press release picture.

Yes, over 40 years Jason Benetti was the first professional PBP on television for a quarter century, and Kasper is the first on radio since Rooney left, though Farmer grew into his role and I have generally always liked the radio broadcasts. For Len's replacement, it's crystal clear the job is Kayleigh McEnany's for the taking, a perfect fit for the Marquee Network, Sinclair Broadcasting, the Ricketts Family and Cubs Baseball. She may be available next month. July 31, 2021 broadcast: "Kris Bryant is one of the all time great Cubs, an MVP, a World Series winner, a great man, husband, teammate and baseball player." "Kayleigh, this just in, Kris Bryant has been traded to the Washington Nationals. This is Kris' final game with the Chicago Cubs." "Kris Bryant was the most overrated player in Cubs history, a bad teammate, a wife beater, good riddance. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out."

No, same with Kopich. However listing his max previous innings for frame of reference. I don't agree with your assessment the White Sox need to acquire two more SP at this point. I would try to get one quality starter, see how the first four months go with Katz and any development from Cease, Lopez and others, and if there is still a need in July, seek a trade at that point for a second starter. If you get quality innings out of the six mentioned in my post, you cover most innings, but always prudent to cover for injuries or regression. If Jerry is only allowing one free agent(s): #3/#4 SP RF 8th/9th RP LF (Eloy to DH) SP (Lottery ticket like a Garrett Richards) Outside of perhaps one or two KMart blue light specials, I don't expect Jerry to spend this off season.

Reading between the lines, Stone's contract signed last season is likely his last, Kasper can transition into the television booth to cover for either his or Jason's departure, just as Stone started on the Score with Farmer after Rooney left until he could transition into the TV booth.

A month after the trade, I had the pleasure to watch in person the worst loss in Yankees history, 22-0 vs. Cleveland on an East Coast baseball road trip. Future White Sox starter, and perennial Kenny Williams obsession Javier Vazquez started, Loaiza ended it. It was awesome. They went on to choke away a 3-0 series lead against Boston several weeks later. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200408310.shtml https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/01/sports/baseball/yankees-slide-to-a-newlow-against-indians-220.html

Hopefully the trades referenced above lead to a World Series like these four: 1. Mariners: Freddy Garcia for Olivio, Reed and Morse. 2. Yankees: Jose Contreras for Loaiza. 3. Cubs: Garland for Karchner. 4. Brewers: Podsednik and Vizcaino for Carlos Lee.

It’s like Kermit the Frog. Hopefully I can get used to it. Madeline Kenney @madkenney Jan 18 Yikes. Fans booing owner Tom Ricketts about Marquee network wasn’t a great start to #CubsCon https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/01/17/cubs-convention-kris-byrant/ It was bad, but got used to it. Will get used to this as well. Any “celebration” is in reality just taunting “taking” someone from the Cubs. Oh fans without cable like me. Watch the video on MLB after the game, works out. Baseball on radio is the only sport that works. Still like the radio announcers vs. television.

Not to mention Grandal is 1 1/2 years older, with age a significant factor for catchers versus other positions. My problems with the signing remain: The Sox had much more pressing needs than upgrading the catcher position, needs that remain (RF and SP). It was unlikely any out-performance by Grandal (assuming it occurs) over McCann was worth more than double the contract money the Sox are paying Grandal ($18.25M / year) over McCann's reported deal. McCann's work with the pitching staff was as, if not more valuable than any upgrade in pitch framing Grandal offered. McCann worked during the off-season to improve his pitch framing, and it paid off, one of the reasons his WAR was higher. Time will tell, but I don't think Grandal will age well or be able to catch 120 + games a year over the final few years (age 32-34 years) of his contract, and will suffer a drop-off in production due to age/attrition. He will need to play DH/1B more with each year, negating his offensive value from the catcher spot and taking playing time from the backlog the Sox already have at those two positions (Abreu, Vaughn, Jimenez and other prospects). Keuchel was the only signing I liked last off-season, because the contract was good and it fit a need. Money spent on Parrot and Grandal was better spent on more SP and a RF. The Sox were running on fumes and couldn't find a viable third playoff starter 60 games into the year.

Assuming health and a full season, innings based on previous maximums and age: No restrictions: Giolito, Keuchel & Lopez - No inning restrictions, 30-32 starts 160-200 Innings - Perhaps a few scheduled skipped starts: Cease (144 IP Max in 2019); Dunning (144 in 2017 minors); and Kopech (141 in 2018 AAA/CWS) Kopech is the wild card based on health, would expect the strictest limit on him among the three with possible restrictions. They will likely be very conservative with Crochet, perhaps a 100-120 max if he has a starter/relief mix, much less if relief only. I don't think Stiever will pitch for the White Sox in 2021 beyond a similar emergency situation.