South Side Hit Men

I agree, and don't necessarily see a "dislike" or issue between the two, but Lucas was obviously more comfortable with McCann. However, the White Sox also used McCann over Grandal for nearly every rookie start, and Lopez could have benefited from additional starts with McCann as well. I believe the team chose McCann over Grandal in these games for his game management and pregame work and game plan, and it's clear they responded well. Dunning = McCann 5 games, Collins 1, Grandal 1 (Grandal's start the only game the Sox lost with Dunning starting). Stiever = McCann caught his "good game", Grandal his shellacking. Lopez = His best start, facing Cleveland on the road, was with McCann. Lucas didn't mention Grandal among the key 2020 acquisitions during his Score interview after the playoffs, though not necessarily reading anything into the omission. Stone said and tweeted on multiple occasions Grandal doesn't bring the same level of game preparation or attention to detail as McCann did. If true, hopefully he will commit to that aspect of the game with McCann gone.

My point is the White Sox already have too many 1B/DH types, Eloy is valuable for his bat, and delaying the inevitable is not a good solution. He tried, just doesn't have the capacity. Even a quantum leap would bring him to Kyle Schwarber level without the solid arm. Carlton Fisk was not a left fielder either, still valuable in his 30s, just not in LF. The Sox needed a RF last year and this year, and could use another corner to platoon in LF. If Reinsdorf won't fund that in the most salary depressed off-season ever, than be happy with his bag of carrots. Also agree it's much more valuable to have a player who can actually play positions, which is why the White Sox need to put more emphasis on drafting players to cover the other seven positions (excluding 1B/DH). Can either of their catching prospects catch at the major league level?

Time will tell if Lucas will want to work with Grandal, or start working in Spring Training with the presumptive number 2 and work with them through the season. Hopefully the Sox can pick up a solid defensive number 2 catcher, who can work with young pitchers. Don't care if they bat .150 like Perez in Cleveland, defense and game management far more important from a catcher, the bat is just an added bonus.

Agreed. People were worked up into a frenzy with Reinsdorf sending his yapping dogs the entire season (Stone/Ozzie) barking to set up his new hire. Renteria utilized McCann well. In terms of McCann, I am much more comfortable with Katz here, both in terms of supporting Giolitto and also developing game plans, and carrying the load McCann supplied on that end.

Yes, loved the interview, his approach and the fact that he has had numerous conversations with many of the key pitchers. He didn't want to give too much details on individual work, which would be premature, but loved his answers and think the White Sox can see significant improvements from at least a few pitchers. He did offer that he saw a few specifics with the video Lopez sent, and is working on things remotely with him in the DR. Offered his philosophy in terms of the physical (arm slotting / lower body) coupled with analytics. Very encouraging.

Regardless of who the White Sox sign or don't sign this offseason, the Sox need to stop signing DHs, and stop drafting DHs. They need to sign outfielders and move Eloy to DH ASAP. Eloy is far worse than Schwarber in LF, not a praise of Schwarber but rather an indictment of Eloy's abilities. Carlos Lee and Dave Kingman have better dWAR numbers. Not only does Eloy's defense costs you 2 games each full season, but it costs him significant lost games each year because he hurts himself trying to play the position. Hell, he hurts himself jumping up and down celebrating a no-hitter.

It’s by design, owners want a flooded free agent market and an excuse to not sign anyone. DH could be in place this second, but it’s not because owners want to screw over players, and they want another pathetic 16 team playoff.

I’ll try to post the exact time at 2PM, but it will likely be between 3-5PM.

Compared to the Reds' Mukbang, he is. The only fast food burger I eat these days are In n Out, have mixed feelings if it ever moved to Chicago, as I appreciate the rare west coast treat vs. it being always available.

I'm forever blowing ballgames, pretty ballgames in the air. I come from Chi, I hardly try, just go to bat and fade and die Fortune's coming my way, that's why I hardly care I'm forever blowing ballgames, and the gamblers treat us fair.

Perhaps a second thread with all the ridiculous fast food twitter account posts, and one more for people to debate which soxtalk ID owns which fast food twitter account(s).

“Words are words. I would look at actions." - Tony LaRussa 10/29/2020 Then again, "I accept full responsibility for my conduct (i.e. Guilty Conviction for Criminal DUI in the State of Florida), and assure everyone that I have learned a very valuable lesson and that this will never occur again" -Tony LaRussa 11/28/2007

It's by design, owners want to flood the unsigned player market to lower salaries, trying to get yet another garbage 16 team playoff for next year, perhaps even more teams. Wouldn't be surprised if owners will cancel 100 games out of the regular season yet again next season, just for spite and to set up the CBA negotiations. Would hope the players consider walking out in September if they owners pull that shit again, and they don't sign any agreement without the wiggle room to walk out before the playoffs, the only thing owners give a shit about.

I like the many prospects the White Sox have drafted the past 2-3 years, not sure why people are willing to dump them. If team ownership is willing to contend in 2021, 2022 (assuming there is a season), or 2023, they will couple key free agents signings with continued development of their existing players and prospects. Now that the White Sox finally have substantial prospect depth, it’s the time to develop and play over the next several seasons, not dump for older player lotto tickets.

Hoping MLB loses the Senne case and have to pay all of the minor league players they refused to pay even minimum wage to. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/62717/senne-v-mlb-could-bring-change-to-milb-players-from-past-present-and-future/ "Let those players go on food stamps, I need another billion before I croak."

WSCR reports the Cubs are not tendering Schwarber and Almora. Per DUI jail = Flu. @BNightengale The #Cubs are definitely tendering a contract to Kris Bryant, but barring a change of plans, will cut ties with outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora, as @MDGonzales predicted

All of you will rue the day you ever besmirched one Avery Weems.

Baseball Prospectus posted their Top 10 White Sox Prospect list, which I haven't seen posted here. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/63146/2021-prospects-chicago-white-sox-top-10-prospects/ Here are the Top 10 & (2020 rank), and their projection for each. Nick Madrigal (2) - 60 / More singles than a Beatles album Andrew Vaughn (4) - 60 / Occasional All-Star first baseman Garrett Crochet (-) - 60 / Front-line starter or elite closer Michael Kopech (3) - 60 / No. 2/3 starter or first-division closer Dane Dunning (6) - 60 / No. 3 starter Jared Kelley (-) - 55 / Mid-rotation starter or hard-throwing reliever Jonathan Stiever (5) - 55 / No. 3/4 starter Andrew Dalquist (-) - 50 / No. 4 starter Codi Heuer (-) - 50 / Late inning arm Avery Weems (-) - 50 / Late inning arm 2020 Graduate: Luis Robert (1) - 2020 Projection 70 / Elite two-way center fielder with speed and pop. 2020 Top Ten not in 2021 Top Ten: Luis Alexander Basabe (7); Zach Collins (8); Gavin Sheets (9); Lenyn Sosa (10).

I'm OK with Rosario, but not Ozuna, because the last thing the White Sox need is yet another DH. They already have Vaughn, Jimenez and Abreu as 1B/DH types, and Grandal should also DH/1B once a series for rest. Even if the Sox trade Vaughn, which they shouldn't, they should go after OFers and let Jimenez primarily play DH. He cannot field his position and is too much of an injury risk out there, whereas the extent he is valuable is his bat.

The first few weeks don’t matter as long as Vaughn is ready to go. I will be livid if they trade or sign another DH type. Over the past decade, Avisal Garcia (0.9) is the only White Sox primary DH with a positive bWAR during their White Sox career. Davidson and Garcia the only two without prohibitive contracts for AAA player production (Parrot, Alonso, LaRoche, Dunn).

Haven’t heard of any other major players put on waivers, surprised more teams haven’t done this. Looking forward to the announcements tomorrow across all of baseball.

I agree it’s likely Hahn and Giolito were responsible for Katz. However, when LaRussa and Jerry agreed last Spring or Summer Tony was coming back after Tony’s latest known DUI arrest, it’s likely Jerry would have also honored Tony’s offer to Duncan be honored if Dave accepted. Tony would have communicated the offer to Jerry. Jerry could have nixed it, but Hahn or Kenny had no say in any of this. Perhaps Dave told Tony no, but instead give my kid a job. Hahn couldn’t even stop Dave’s son from being hired, how could he have stopped Dave? This entire episode is about Jerry making Tony happy and keeping him employed, and “righting a wrong”. Kenny, Hahn, players, fans be damned. Poor Hawk, the one thing he did right as GM undone 34 years later. Mercy.

I hope fans don't forget the fact Dave Duncan rejected LaRussa's request that he join his staff as pitching coach. The White Sox wouldn't have Katz if Duncan didn't have enough sense to tell Tony he is too old for this shit.

So a drunk, a rapist and their friend's son walk into a dugout......

He already did that after his last DUI conviction. I have ZERO confidence in a single word LaRussa utters. He has never been SINCERE, and lifelong substance abusers who do not take the initiative to seek help regardless of how many times they are arrested have ZERO credibility. Tony has had his lifelong enabler Jerry Reinsdorf ensure a steady income in MLB throughout his adult life. There is no reason or pressure for Tony to do the right thing and actually hold himself even remotely accountable for his own actions. He is an entitled obnoxious criminal hypocritical spoiled brat.