AJ'S Cousin

Here's my take, why Trade?? We need assets for the trader deadline in case of Covid, Injuries, A key player becomes available. There are more than enough stop gap 4th and 5th starters as free agents available. BAUER!!!!! Q, Ordorizzi, Kluber to name a few. We need to see what Kopech can do. He has Chris Sale potential, IF HE GETS HIS HEAD ON STRAIGHT. A BIG ASK, I KNOW. I Think we need the new pitching coach to judge Kopech, Cease, Lopez before we rush to trade assets. These assets could be used to get Benetendi also. Covid is going to play a BIG part this season. It would be nice to have a Kopech, Cease, Lopez ready to step up if one of the Big 3 or 4 gets sick or injured. I don't know if you've read other platforms, but they say one the reasons we got Hendriks is because of the fans lobbying Hendriks and the Sox begging for him to come here. Liam acknowledged that White Sox Fans Tweeting him and the Sox saying he's guy!!! We should start doing the same with Bauer before he signs!!!! Leave no stone unturned. Tweet, text, call and write the White Sox. Tweet, call and email Tony La Russa, JR, RH, KW. Whatever it takes. We are so deep in now with the Big 3 starters and an unbelievable bullpen. One more UPPER END starter and #1 like Bauer would clinch a date with destiny and the Dodgers to AVENGE THE 1959 LOSS IN THE ws. LOL. Social Media helped to get Hendriks, lets use it again to get another starter!!!!

Musgrove? Only if he’s cheaper than Q. 4.5 million? Ok. Leaves 10.5. Go get the best defensive left fielder you get for 10 million or the best DH for 10 million. Nelson Cruz? I know everyone going to point to the Encarncion deal last year, but Cruz is a better hitter, power and average for 1 year with an option for a second year. I don’t think we need La Stella. Not crazy about any ex Cubs. Before you say it, Q don’t count. Mendick can do the job for 10th of the price. We have plenty of power. Mendick did a great job, stick wise and defensively when Nick went down.

This is my last post on this subject because we have to move on. Liam officially is signed sealed and delivered. As a term used in football “ shut down corners”. We’ve now built a true lily shutdown bullpen. With our offense Liam will not get burned out because we could have some big leads going into the 8th and 9th ???? We can stay in every game when a starter faulted early. With this bullpen and our offense that can comeback at will, Tony will not let a game get out of hand. Cordero and Lopez in long relief, if Lopez can’t develop into a #5 starter will give the offense time. And as I’ve read, Tony may use Liam in a crucial 6th or 7th inning to shut down a rally with guys like Bummer and Heuer to help out later on. Don’t know if we’ll get another starter or outfielder/DH. I can live with our current options and let Vaughn bat 7th, 8th and grow with occasionally playing 1st to spell Abreu and let him DH in the hot summer days and nights. I can live with Collins as a backup catcher and occasional DH. We Adam Eaton in Right so Robert won’t have to run over like he does left. Worst case senerio Eloy DH and Engel plays left who is no slouching defense infield defense is solid, Abreu’s defense greatly improved, Madrigal if healthy is a good second basemen and a great contact hitter, nothing needs to be said about SS AND 3rd, ???. looking for the next move, trade or signing!!!! waiting for the next interesting topic or trade or signing!!!!

Of all the early teams, one of my favorites was the Southside Hit Men, 1977. Soderholm, Zisk, Gamble, a lot of fun that year but they ran out of gas. Stone was part of that team also, Wilbur Wood, Kessinger, Alan Bannister, tough clutch hitter. Still had 90 wins, which today gets you into the playoffs. A lot of washed up pitchers that tried hard but faded. Still have the T-shirt.

I stand corrected. Had a brain cramp in my old age. But I believe the rest of what I said is correct. GREAT catch. Loved Tony B. If Jerry Dybszinski’s base running error doesn’t happen in game 4, the Sox win in 9 and don’t go into extra innings and then there would have been a game 5. if anybody remembers Greg Luzinski also had a terrible playoff and was not clutch. Loved that team. Lamar Hoyt fell apart after he left to go to San Diego, Britt Burns bad legs finally gave out, Juice Cruz turned out to a piece of shit after about a season or 2. Floyd Bannister, Richard Dotson, Baines, Kittle, Hairston ( great pinch hitter) Rudy Law. Tom Paciorek!!!

The 4th year of the Hendriks deal is similar to 2 deals that us older fans will remember. The Bobby Bonilla deal that was with the Mets, he’s getting paid until 2035, and Julio “Juice” Cruz, he got paid until 2009. 5.64 million spread out over 15 years starting in 1994, ending in 2009. Nice pensions!!! So Hendriks 4th year, if they buy him out is nothing new to the White Sox. If you remember the Julio Cruz deal was met a lot of resentment. We traded away a very popular Jorge Orta in 1983. The Sox did it at the trade deadline to WAKE UP the team and prove that nobody is untouchable. The Sox went on to win the Division in 1983 only to lose to the Orioles. Juice Cruz score the winning run in the Clinching game in September. just a bit of boring history for you youngsters. LOL. I was there for the clinching game and game 4 in the playoffs the Britt Burns pitched his heart out on 1 leg. I’d be interested to see if anyone remembers these events. i believe Hendriks will have 2 GREAT YEARS!! Why? Because we are so deep and we may not need a closer every night because hopefully we’ll up in the 8th and 9th in non save situations, HOPEFULLY.

No way would I trade Heuer. He’s a backup fire baller that could step in an emergency as a closer if Liam works 2 or 3 straight games and needs a night off. Too many decent FA starters still available like Ordizzi as an example or Q for one year if Kopech, Cease or Lopez don’t pan out. I doubt all 3 will fail. Lopez may become a Cordero. Out of Cease and Kopech one or both will develop. i think LF is more important to get Eloy to DH I’m a no on trading any bullpen arms, I’d rather trade Lopez or Cordero if I have to make trade

Well they overpaid, gave him the 4 year deal I was opposed to. Shocked the hell out of and never thought JR had the balls to do it. BUT I WILL SLEEP GOOD TONIGHT KNOWING BUMMER STILL PITCHES THE 8th AND ALL THOSE GREAT YOUNG ARMS ARE THER TO PITCH THE 6th and 7th innings. We are the odds on favorite to not only win the Central but win the AL. Still see the Dodgers now as the obstacle to win it all. Are the Sox done?? Hopefully not. Still would like Brantley or Ozuna and a 4th Starter and let Cease and Kopech battle it out for #5. Crochet can now develop as either a starter or Hendricks eventual replacement. I could even live now with the Vaughn experiment as a DH/1st Base rotation with Abreu.

I’ll take any of the three. Colome, Hand or Hendricks. Then another starter, then a DH. Colome or Hand would be cheaper and leave some room for another player. Ozuna, Brantley or another bat. Preferably someone who could actually play left and make Eloy the DH. Vaughn needs at least a year in AA Ball Abreu has 2 years left on his contract. He could fill in a DH for a year and Vaughn play first in a couple of years

Saw this this morning on YardBarker also. Went to MLB Trade Rumors but no mention. Not sure if a relationship with La Russa is enough to get him over to us but who knows, stranger things have happened. If this DOES HAPPEN, it would be great, then the only MAJOR HOLE I see is who's our #4 or #5 starters. Cease, Kopech and Lopez are currently our choices. Don't believe Crochet would be stretched out enough until maybe after the ALL STAR break, if ne exists this year. Kopech has to get his head straightened out after what happened in his marriage, Cease may just need more time and who knows which Lopez shows up. Q or Ordorizzi or Musgrove wouln't hurt. DH can be filled by Collins or Vaughn or by some miracle Brantley or even Schwarber LOL.

don't worry, you'll see the Met's or some other idiot team pony up 100 million. There's a sucker born every minute. The Met's new owner wants to make a BIG splash. Dodgers, Padres, Yanks and Red Sox and maybe even the Angels will spend that much. Look at how stupid the Cubs were bidding against themselves for Heyward. Hendricks is a bargain at 2 years 40 million in todays climate. Nobody has pulled the big trigger because nobody knows if fans will be in the stands to buy those $9/$10 beers and $8 hotdogs. As soon as we are vaccinated and can spend money, then you'll see the contracts get doled out. Maybe what would be a $100 million contract becomes 50 million because of no fans. Or a prorated contract for this year and then escalates for 2022 and forward. Think of it this way, 2021 15 million, 2022 30 million and so on. 15 million with no fans is like paying out 25 or 30 with fans. By the beginning of Spring Training we'll know more

I'd love to have Hendricks, 2 years 25 million, yes, 2 years 30 million, yes. 4 years 100 million, no!!! Very few closers lately have stayed at the top of there game for 4 years. I believe that our goal is to win in either 2021/2022. The Sox have the money, Colome will take 2 years, Hendricks will not. Now, if thats what it takes to wim and give Hendricks 100 million, than do it. Just don't complain in that 3rd or 4th Year that we overpaid and now have 50 million on the books and can't sign a superstar because of this weight around the payroll. If we win in 2021 vand or 2022 and have to eat he extra 50 million of year 3 and 4 of Hendricks contract so be it. To wfor 2 yearsin it again before the Cubs can win again is worth every penny JR is willing to spend. We beat them to win first in 2005, now we cqn do it again. Colome? Hendricks? either one would be good for 2 years. Is Hendricks better?? Absolutely. We still need an insurance policy-- a 4th decent starter in case Kopech or Cease or Lopez are not ready. Collins should be the backup catcher or trade him and go with one of the 2 senior citizens we have in the minors. Ordizzi for 2 years or Q for 1 year as an insurance policy won't hurt. Schwaber would probably hit 40 home runs, but then we have 2 shitty defensive left fielders. Brantley is a little better defensively, but not much better. The only other DH i could see would be Ozuna, but he;s going to command way to much. We need a closer, and a starter 1st. then go get the outfielder/DH. Remeber, Vaughn has not player above A Ball. Is he a future superstar and Abreu's successor??? ABSOLUTLEY!!!! Can't wait to see him after a year in Birmingham!!

A Hard Salary Cap might, and only mean might even things and create more parity. There is a luxury tax that doesn't seem to stop The Met's, Boston, Dodger, Angels etc. Hockey and the NBA are the toughest. Exceptions to sign your own free agents is a good thing to give more years and money. The White Sox will not go into the luxury tax until this Covid is over and fans can return. Even when there was no covid we don't draw 3 million like we need to do to have JR open his wallet. Hendricks/Colome and Bauer along with Brantley should still be targets. A Brantley/Colome combo may be more realistic. We can afford that pair. Bauer may want to go home to California(Angels) or the Mets will make a Godfather offer. Hendricks i believe will get a 4 year 55 to 60 Million offer from someone. No Closer today is woth that much. Would i spend Jerry's money and give it to him?? Hell yeah because its not my money and i want to win!!! This is a Hendricks forum so he needs to get his props. Colome at 20 milllion for 2 years with Brantley/Ozuna or another good starter would be a nice conselation prize. A Happy and HealthyNew Year to everyone!!!! We will be in the playoffs just standing pat. But i want to it all!! We need a few more pieces to complete the puzzle, almost there though.

Just get me a closer and A DH and starter and the Pope can run the team for all i care.

Well Southside Hit Men, we agree to disagree. I think Hawk was a terrible GM and who knows what more damage would have been done. But as they "everyone is entitled to there opinion. That's what makes this fun.

I will not forgive JR/KW/RH if we go into this season without a legit closer. Whether it be Hendricks or bringing back Colome. We are 92-1 with a lead in the 8th. That's because we had Bummer in the 8th and Colome in the 9th. Andrew Vaughn is not the answer at the DH positon and we need a lgit 4th or 5th starter. Either sign one or trade for one. Kopech, Cease or Lopez are no guarantees, Cease is young and Kopech and Lopez are head cases. With Kpech we have a shot of him turning things around. Lopez is to inconsistant and Stiever still need time. Bring Quintana and Odorizzi as a stop gap. Brantley to play Left and DH Eloy. Then i will forgive them for Adam Dunn, Laroach, trading for Price and giving them Tatis and the hirng as Hawk as GM for 1 year that set the team back for 10 years. Remember, it was Hawk who fired La Russa who went on to win 3 or 4 World Series and countless division titles. I may never forgive Hawk for that move.

Thank you but i've been here for a whille and even started 3 discussion. Been around and replied many times. Looking forward to an exciting season and a couple of more big signings hopefully or even trades. Take care and GO SOX and hopefully we'll get a DH and a closer. I'd hate to have to use Bummer in the 9th instead of the 8th.

I assume your talking about me. Does spelling really matter that much?? The thought and conversation and having fun until the season starts and having these discussions among fans that love the team and are excited about the upcoming 2021 season, isn't that what counts??? Hopefully we can attend games and watch the ball fly out of the park!!!

Rumor has it that the Angels and Yankees are offering 4 or 5 year deals at around 180 to 200 million. He is not signing for 1 year anymore, especiaaly in this enviroment, and don't forget the Mets or Dodgers. JR won't spend 200 million on a pitcher. 30 to 40 for 1 year to go for it, YES. I'd love to have a combo of Bauer and Hendricks, I'd run down and get season tickets immediately. I'm showing my age by this next statement but thats what i did when we signed Fisk, the next day i was a season ticket holder until the last year of old Comiskey Park. Hell, they've made a bunch of great trades and moves to get to this point and have a shot at winning it in the next couple of years with or without Bauer or Hendricks. Crochet, Steiver, Huer, Gio, Kuechel, Lynne, Foster, Fry , Marshall, Cease , Kopech and Bummer is not a bad start and what if a miracle happens and Lopez developes (LOL) Need to extend Gio and Lynne for a foundation. if you have a BIG 3 you're competitive every year. Kopech may or may not be the key. Then you'd have 4 and the 5th could be anyone. Big Dreams but fun to dream. Either way they will be must see TV for sure this year. Collins will probably at this time be the backup catcher and Vaughan may be the DH with no major league experience.

Forget theTwins, Forget the Yankees and Angels. Forget about Bauer, hopefully he ends up in the NL. Hendricks, if he is the only signing is NOT the answer. If we put all our eggs in one basket and spend let's say 30 to 40 million on Hendricks we are not a complete team. we still need a DH/Outfielder, another starter in case Kopech/Lopez /Cease don't workout and a backup catcher. We have 2 catchers in the minors that are 27 years old and Collins who might be a bust. Odorizzi, Quintana, Morton, Tanaka just to name few and others are still out there. A Brantley/Colome combo and a starter would be better than just Hendricks. Would i love a Brantley/Hendricks combo instead?? Of course. With Brantley in left, you can DH Eloy and solve 2 problems. Bullpen by comittee may be the alternative. Keep an eye out for a slleeper. Stiever. he may emerge by the All Star Break.

yes, Sox always fly under the radar but there isn't even a whisper about signing anyone this week, Hey, hopefully I'm and we get a great Xmas present of either Hendricks, Brantley or BOTH!!!

i don't want to be a debbie downer and love Hendricks. Robertson deal might make them gun shy. I think RH is good and done a great job so far but 3 or 4 years for any closer is probably not going to happen 2 years 25 million is more the WSOX speed, whether it be Colome or Hendricks. Prefer Hendricks but Colome didn't disappoint last year and can have another good year or 2. If the Sox have lets say 30 to 50 million left to spend and i know a 20 million is a large spread, but i think if Brantley is still out there and a good number 3 or 4 starter, i'd go that route and use Bummer, Heur and Crochet to Close. Would i give Hendricks 3 for 39?? Yes. Could probably get Colome for 2 for 25, sign Brantley and look for another starter

My wish list is Brantley and either Colome or Hendricks, prefer Hendricks. Vaughn needs a year or at least until the trade deadline with the Barons. He's not hit above Class A ball to my knowledge. Another starter (innings eater preferred). Collins in my opinion, unless we can see him full time may become a bust. Sevy or Yermin could handle a backup spot UNLESS they use Collins like we used McCann, so we don't burn out Grandal with catching 140 to 150 games and we don't sign a legit DH. Vaughn is definitely seen as the air apparent to Abreu. Remember Sevy and Yermin are 27!!! no spring chickens and with the state and need for catching, nobody needs them or inquired about them. I had high hopes for Collins, he's 25 and this is a make or break year for him. Engel could play Left or Right and Eloy could DH also if we can't get Brantley.

Enough with the Trump Quote, Make the Sox Great Again, YES, Trump is Done as of today, we should not associate the Sox with someone who's officially done as of today.

Eaton is not the beat all end all as they say, BUT in my opinion he is an upgrade from Mazara, not a big upgrade but an upgrade. If this deal nets us Brantley and Hendricks, its a great move if money was an issue and by signing Adam, gives Hahn the extra cash to go get Brantley and Hendricks great. Do or did I want Springer and Bauer?? Of course I did or even still do. But you JR, he's not going to pay $150 to $200 million for either of them. Adding Lynn gives us the Starter we needed last year to pitch game 3. Oh well, we had a shitty manager who didn't know how to manage pitching or a bullpen. Now, even though he's old and he like his cocktails, and not my 1st choice for a manager, he does know how to manage a game and a bullpen and starters. If we get Hendricks or bring back Colome, along with Bummer, and the rest of the young studs, Huer, Fry, Marshall, Crochet, Marshall, and Cordero. we have a bullpen that a lot teams would want to go to war with. If Kopech, Cease or by some miracle Lopez can emerge as decent 4's or 5's and we get one more innings eater as a #4 we can live with Eaton. We still have Engel as defensive replacement for Eloy in left or this team is even deep enough, if and this is a big IF Eaton is 2016/2017 Eaton, we will be fine. Backup catcher could become a problem. McCann won't be back. We have 2 guys that we may need to count on as the backup. Zack, Yermin or Seby need to step up if a veteran at good price can't be obtained. Who knows who gets cut in Spring Training. There are some #4's and #5's still out there that also could be a bargain. We may not win it this, or we will. I believe we a definitely playoff bound and even win the Central. Too much talent not to, especially if we get 2019 Moncada and Grandal.