South Side Hit Men

The Dodgers could make a package work if the offer was Robert + bad contracts (Yoan + Benintendi). They can always DFA Benintendi if they have no use for him. Yankees might also be willing with their current holes. SD or the Mets could have completed this last year, but are retrenching this year.

Eloy has played at DH for over a full season and has not performed. 182 Games, .739 OPS There is nothing elite about that. He has nearly twice as many home runs as a left fielder (55 vs. 30) over 51 more games. He is not cut out to DH, does not want to play DH, and his poor attitude about the role is one of the things that need to change if he is going to last in the MLB into his 30s, because he cannot field and cannot stay healthy attempting to field.

What is scary is Oakland is projected to have a superior 2024 team even if the Sox kept Cease the entire season. Colorado is projected worse than both (15.6), and the Nationals (22.3) better than the Sox but worse than Oakland. Cease represents 36.4% of projected fWAR for the White Sox staff, with Soroka (1.2) the lone other pitcher projected over 0.7. Fangraphs 2024 Projections: Oakland 27.5 fWAR 15.3 (Batters) 10.2 (Pitchers) over Chicago 21.5 fWAR 14.1 (Batters) 7.4 (Pitchers) Bottom Ten 2023 fWAR Teams: 6.5 Colorado Rockies 59-103 8.4 Oakland Athletics 50-112 13.3 Chicago White Sox 61-101 15.0 Washington Nationals 71-91 18.9 Kansas City Royals 56-106 24.9 Detroit Tigers 78-84 25.0 Pittsburgh Pirates 76-86 27.4 Boston Red Sox 78-84 27.5 Los Angeles Angels 73-89 27.6 Miami Marlins 84-78

Chris Getz: "Hello may I speak to Dallas Keuchel please?" Dallas Keuchel's Mom: "What is this in regards to?" Chris Getz: "I would like to speak to Dallas about returning to the Chicago White Sox. We would be thrilled to have him back, and we have funds this offseason we would like to reinvest into pitching." Dallas Keuchel's Mom: "I told you people to put this number on your Do Not Call list." Click

I don’t believe it was leaked, though Rodriguez’ demand for a $20M for 1 year extension from the Dodgers to approve the trade was reported. Interesting that he wanted to lock in $20M for 2024. There is a risk of injury like all pitchers, but perhaps he felt he could perform well next year in Dodgers Stadium / the NL and lock in even a higher guaranteed amount next offseason.

If they move Eloy, I think they are keeping Sheets for his 10th life as their MLB minimum salary DH. As long as he is not playing RF, whatever, since 2024 appears to be another tanking year.

A neutral rating system rating the top 8 conference champions (Sagarin or another like the MWC is using) would work as well. The current system exists to maximize revenue for Power Conferences (lock in nearly all 12 playoff spots). In a sport like college football, a team shouldn't have to defeat the same team twice (regular season or conference champion + "wild card" playoff spot), which already happened when Alabama beat Louisiana State in 2011 after losing to them in the regular season. It's a possibility this year with the losing SEC Championship team making the playoffs. BCS / CFP Era National Championships by Conference (15) Southeastern 2022 Georgia 2021 Georgia 2020 Alabama 2019 Louisiana State 2017 Alabama 2015 Alabama 2012 Alabama 2011 Alabama 2010 Auburn 2009 Alabama 2008 Florida 2007 Louisiana State 2006 Florida 2003 Louisiana State 1998 Tennessee (4) Atlantic Coast 2018 Clemson 2016 Clemson 2013 Florida State 1999 Florida State (2) Big Ten 2014 The Ohio State University 2002 The Ohio State University (2) Big XII 2005 Texas 2000 Oklahoma (1) Big East 2001 University of Miami (0) Pacific Ten (2004)

$119.0M would rank 6th all time in White Sox history (2023, 2022, 2021, 2011, 2008, 2024).

Man Soo-Lee is in my Top Dozen people during my White Sox fandom. Players Alpha Order Jose Abreu Harold Baines Joe Crede Billy Hamilton Chet Lemon Wilbur Wood Non Players Alpha Order Harry Caray Ed Farmer * Nancy Faust Roland Hemond Man Soo-Lee Bill Veeck * - Also liked him as a player, though he earned his Top 12 spot as an announcer.

Who?

There have been twelve undefeated untied teams in MLB Postseason history, of which the Yankees have six. Four of the six were back to back (1927-1928 and 1938-1939). They also swept the 1998-1999 World Series. 19th Century: 1884 N. L. Providence Grays (84-28) over A. A. New York Metropolitans (75-32) 3-0 21-3 Pennant Era (All 4-0): 1932 New York A. L. (107-47) over Chicago N. L. (90-64) 37-19 1928 New York A. L. (101-53) over Saint Louis N. L. (95-59) 27-10 1938 New York A. L. (99-53) over Chicago N. L. (89-63) 22-9 1927 New York A. L. (110-44) over Pittsburgh (94-60) 23-10 1939 New York A. L. (106-45) over Cincinnati (97-57) 20-8 1954 New York N. L. (97-57) over Cleveland (111-43) 21-9 1966 Baltimore (97-63) over Los Angeles N. L. (95-67) 13-2 1914 Boston N. L. (94-59) over Philadelphia A. L. (99-53) 16-6 1963 Los Angeles N. L. (99-63) over New York A. L. (104-57) 12-4 1950 New York A. L. (98-56) over Philadelphia N. L. (91-63) 11-5 Division Era: 1976 Cincinnati (102-60) 7-0 over Philadelphia (101-61) 3-0 19-11 & New York A. L. (97-62) 4-0 22-8 Wildcard Powerball Era: None

Beyond Getz’s promotion and Tony La Russa’s return, is anyone new involved in terms of evaluating MLB and Minor League talent to help assess who they should acquire?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/tigers-to-sign-kenta-maeda.html It appears Detroit is the lone team in the division looking to compete in 2024. Nice they have a solid broadcaster to also keep the fans entertained. Sox will have five open rotation spots if they trade Dylan Cease. 2024 Free Agent Signings To Date - Pitchers $172.0M (7) Aaron Nota Philadelphia 4.2 Projected 2024 fWAR $30.0M (3) Reynaldo Lopez Atlanta 0.8 $26.0M (3) Joe Jimenez Atlanta 0.4 $24.0M (2) Kenta Maeda Detroit 2.0 $14.3M (2) Pierce Johnson Atlanta 0.7 $12.0M (1) Kyle Gibson Saint Louis 2.1 $11.0M (1) Lance Lynn Saint Louis 2.3 $4.5M (1) Colin Rae Milwaukee 1.4 $0.9M (1) Adam Kolarek Los Angeles A. L. 0.0 Top 30 Remaining Free Agent Pitchers Ranked by Projected 2024 fWAR 4.0 Shohei Ohtani $450M (`10) 3.2 Blake Snell $125M (5) 3.2 Jordan Montgomery $105M (5) 3.2 Sonny Gray $63M (3) 2.8 Eduardo Rodriguez $76M (4) 2.6 Marcus Stroman $66M (3) 2.6 Julio Urias No Projections 2.3 Lucas Giolito $30M (2) 2.3 James Paxton $8M (1) 2.2 Seth Lugo $26M (2) 2.2 Trevor Bauer No Projections 2.0 Sean Manaea $24M (2) 1.8 Clayton Kershaw $21M (1) 1.8 Hyun Jin Ryu $10M (1) 1.8 Frankie Montas $8M (1) 1.6 Michael Wacha $39M (3) 1.6 Jack Flaherty $20M (2) 1.5 Luis Severino $10M (1) 1.4 Mike Clevinger $24M (2) 1.3 Nick Martinez $18M (2) 1.3 Wade Miley $8M (1) 1.2 Mike Lorenzen $20M (2) 1.2 Domingo German No Projections 1.1 Carlos Carrasco No Projections 1.1 Jakob Junis No Projections 1,0 Martin Perez $8M (1) 1.0 Aroldis Chapman $7.5M (1) 1.0 Zach Greinke $7M (1) 1.0 Alex Wood $7M (1) 0.9 Josh Hader $72M (4)

The 2005 White Sox Intro Video is apropos since there haven't been many highlights over the past 18 seasons, and won't be for quite some time into the future. Can think of the no-hitters by Buehrle and Giolito, the former went on to have solid seasons in Toronto because Jerry be broke, and Jerry hated Giolito, dragged out the arbitration case to the bitter deadline over $50K, and was glad to get rid of the former union rep. You have the Field of Dreams walk-off and Jose's MVP season, but a large vocal minority on Soxtalk despises Tim Anderson (though most Sox fans enjoyed his time here). They were also happy happy Jose wasn't signed whereas he went on to play great in the playoffs, made the World Series which would never happen under Jerry/Hahn. Well at least the can claim the money was spent, though on a completely worthless Andrew Benintendi.

Would be cool if they held a tournament of Conference Champions, especially since this is the last year before the realignment debacle. Assuming all favorites / higher seeds won their Conference Championship Games. December 9 - Play In Games Game One: #9 Mid-American (Toledo 11-1) at #8 Sun Belt (Troy 10-2) Game Two: #10 Mountain West (Nevada Las Vegas 9-3) at #7 Conference USA (Liberty 12-0) December 16 - Quarterfinals Game Three: Game One Winner at #1 Southeastern (Georgia 12-0) Game Four: #5 Big XII (Texas 11-1) at #4 Atlantic Coast (Florida State 12-0) Game Five: Game Two Winner at #2 Big Ten (Michigan 12-0) Game Six: #6 American Athletic (Tulane 11-1) at #3 Pacific 12 (Washington 12-0) January 1 - Semifinals Bowl Game: Game Three Winner (#1 Georgia 12-0) vs. Game Four Winner (#4 Florida State 12-0) Bowl Game: Game Five Winner (#2 Michigan 12-0) vs. Game Six Winner (#3 Washington 12-0) January 8 - National Championship

Perhaps the Sox can claim 1-2 potential MLB Starting Pitchers or Swingmen. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/the-strength-of-the-2023-rule-5-draft-is-starting-pitching/ar-AA1keMsh Boston Angel Bastardo Boston Chih-Jung Liu Saint Louis Ian Bedell Seattle Taylor Dollard Tampa Bay Cole Wilcox

When is the deadline to drop players from your roster before the draft to enable participation? Per Scott Merkin’s article listing all prior selections, below is a list of prior selections who actually played for the Chicago White Sox. Hawk Harrelson’s selection of Bobby Bonilla represents the lone Rule 5 selection with a positive bWAR with the Sox. This was short lived, as Hawk returned him to Pittsburgh after the All Star Break for Jose DeLeon. Bobby earned 30.3 bWAR during his MLB career, and will continue to be paid by the Mets for another 12 years. Rule 5 Selections who played for the Chicago White Sox bWAR Player Sox Seasons 0.5 Bobby Bonilla 1986 0.0 Bill Moran 1974 -0.1 Angel Sanchez 2013 -0.3 Adrian Nieto 2014 -0.6 Jason Grilli 2004 -0.6 Bruce Kimm 1980 -2.9 Dylan Covey 2017 - 2019

I’d rather go with Nicky Lopez, and he’s not a legitimate starter, or a current White Sox prospect. Trade for legitimate A - AAA prospects (A AA Preferred), or keep Cease until they can get the best prospect return if current packages are not strong.

Jerry dumped the scouts three years ago, including their own 29 year veteran scout after Jerry lost trillions during his owner led 2020 lockout. Sadly Dave died in May. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/orlandosentinel/name/dave-yoakum-obituary?id=52267819 Jerry only has money for Brooks Boyer’s enormous ticket selling operation. People are done with his cheap ass Bulls operation as well. https://pippenainteasy.com/2023/11/21/bulls-poor-attendance-numbers-dramatic-changes/ Hope nobody buys another Sox or Bulls ticket until a Reinsdorf is no longer involved.

EMS personnel continue to apply the Jaws of Life to Jerry's wallet after he is on the hook for several million 2024 dollars via the Bummer trade..

Per usual, and in true Jerry Reinsdorf fashion, most of these players were all acquired at the end of their careers. Three of the seven active ballot players earned a negative bWAR with the Chicago White Sox over six collective seasons. Frank Thomas is the only inducted player acquired by Jerry Reinsdorf in his 20s. Current Ballot White Sox career bWAR / Player / Age & Years on the White Sox 48.9 Mark Buehrle 21-32 (2000-2011) 5.3 Bartolo Colon 30 & 36 (2003 & 2009) 1.9 Andruw Jones 33 (2010) 0.2 Manny Ramirez 38 (2010) -0.2 Omar Vizquel 43-44 (2010-2011) -0.3 James Shields 34-36 (2016-2018) -0.4 Jimmy Rollins 37 (2016) Inducted Players acquired by Jerry Reinsdorf (initial White Sox signing 1981-2018): bWAR post Jerry Reinsdorf acquisitions 68.3 Frank Thomas 22-37 (1990-2005) 28.9 Carlton Fisk 33-45 (1981-1993) 16.6 Tim Raines 31-35 (1991-1995) 12.1 Jim Thome 35-38 (2006-2009) 9.7 Tom Seaver 39-41 (1984-1986) 2.5 Harold Baines 37-38 & 41-42 (1996-1997 & 2000-2001) 0.7 Steve Carlton 41 (1986) 0.4 Ken Griffey Junior 38 (2008) -0.7 Roberto Alomar 35-36 (2003-2004)

There is only one option.

Saint Louis Baseball Cardinals. John Madden and Pat Summerall briefly discuss Pat's time with the Chicago Cardinals who played in Comiskey Park.