The Kids Can Play

Of course the Sox won't do this. It's not about whether they have the balls or not, they just aren't baseball smart enough to consider it and thinking outside the box. You would think though, a rookie manager with his future job on the line would consider it. There is no debate that with Burger in the lineup along with Moncada and Eloy you have your strongest lineup. If Grifol has any hope of getting close to .500, which I don't think they do and save his job...it would make sense to take some bold chances and at least give it a shot. It's not Grifol's fault this roster was poorly constructed. Burger had played well at third defensively this season and deserves a chance to say at third in the same lineup with Moncada. Moncada can play second. I don't care if it's not as good as he does at third, or makes a few errors. The offensive advantage should outweigh the defensive liability with him at second. The advantage of giving it shot, is this best case scenario: Moncada plays a decent 2B and continues to hit, then at the trade deadline his stock just shot up for his trade value.

The fact it hasn't even been lightly discussed is exactly why Grifol is a horrible manager and big mistake hire.

You are absolutely right its not a valid reason to hate this place. However TA is not your normal player with the proverbial "head screwed on right!" He told Chuck Garfien very sternly before the season that he didn't appreciate the Sox fans booing him or the team. He clearly told the fans and media...that we all need to be pulling on the same rope in the same direction.

Ok you win. You're right, those guys I mentioned are all a HUGE part of the cancer. Trade them all! lol!

Great observation and yet another sad illustration of the pathetic and embarrassing "Three Stooges" Jerry, Kenny and Rick!!!!

That's is a ridiculous statement. You don't know that! From everything I've read and seen Lucas is a class act.

1. Yes the Sox are better with Tim in the lineup, but my point is when he is in the lineup, its only a few games over 500. That type of W-L record will not get you to the World Series. 2. A 43-59 record without TA is such misleading and not a stat that is quantitative! Tim is not the only player on the roster contributing to that bad record. You seem to forget there are several key starters on this team the last two years always injured and not in the lineup. When these key starters are in the lineup they haven't been producing. That is the real reason the team is 43-59 and not because of TA missing. 3. Tim's production has fallen off significantly the last two years. As a result, if his production and lack of playing due to injuries is so bad, then why do we need this guy on our team...based on his horrible attitude, leadership and hustle. 4. In 2005, I was one of the people pissed that Frank Thomas was forced out. He was then and still is today my favorite Sox player of all time. I even posted some stats on Frank in another post earlier this season that showed he was not washed up after he left and had some strong power production after he left. 5. You seem to be missing another point, Tim will be a UFA in 2025. There is no way in hell Tim will sign with the Sox. In fact, with the club option this will Tim's last year with the Sox. So why wouldn't we trade him now? I seriously have no clue why you are defending TA?

I agree most of this organization is cancer. Jerry and his POS FO have created a cancerous and losing culture. However it's unfair to say Billy Hamilton is the only one on this team not part of the cancer. Forgetting production and only going on attitude and hustle, I would add Cease, Giolito, Hendricks, when back, Vaughn and Burger. There might be more, but for sure those listed imo, are not part of the cancer on this club.

Actually breaking it down more recently, the Sox W-L record in 2022 and 2023 with Tim playing is only 53-50. TA played in 79 games in '22 which is 48.7% of the games. This year in '23, he has played in 23 games which is 54.7% of the games. 2022-2023 AB's 428 Hits 125 Runs 63 2B 18 HR's 6 BB 20 BA .292 OBP .323 SLG .379 OP3 .710 Let's assume Tim didn't say he hated this team and it was the clock. It still doesn't matter...he needs to go! The fact still remains, his attitude, being kicked out of games, suspensions and constant injuries....while putting up these lesser TA type numbers...is just not worth it anymore. TA's numbers have fallen off significantly and don't warrant keeping him with his bad attitude, terrible leadership, lack of hustle and anemic hitting production. It's time to move on trade him for prospects. Let him try to straighten out his career at another winning team and culture...because the Sox do not have the front office, manager, coaches and veteran players to turn Tim around. TA used to be one of my favorite players, but times have changed. In baseball nobody cares what you did several years ago. It's all about what have you done for us lately.

The Dodgers are a great example. They have the minor league abundance of talent to afford to give up some good prospects. They also have the veteran players to keep him in line which we don't have. They have veteran manager and coaching staff. Most importantly, they also have one of the best front offices in baseball with the strong leadership and culture to get the best out of TA again.

Your best point is, "Anyone can lead when the ship's going in the right direction." I thought Tim was a better leader and obviously he showed us his true colors when the team was doing bad. It's very disappointing. As far as his peak value, yes he isn't that same Tim. However as I stated in another post, another owner and GM will see the immense talent Tim has. They will think, oh we can straighten him out. The only reason he isn't doing well, is because he is playing for that shitty White Sox club. We'll fix him! We should get good value for Tim IMO. However the only problem standing in our way is...Hahn will be making the trade.

There is no doubt Tim has changed for whatever mental issues he is dealing with. This is not the same Tim Anderson from a few years ago that: 1. The fans and his teammates and all of baseball America loved and respected. 2. They made a 6 part documentary about Tim due to his popularity 3. He was the face of this Sox franchise. "Change the Game!" and one of the more popular players in the game. 4. Was hitting well over .300 several years and hitting for some power and home runs His attitude and hustle is now a huge problem! He needs to be traded! I hope for Tim he can turn around his inner demons that seem to be bothering him and get back to being the fun TA, but for another team and not the Sox.

You are absolutely right the owner is a total POS and worst one in baseball. His lack of leadership doesn't help. However regardless if you're shitty owner or that your GM sucks, a player still has a responsibility to his teammates and fans to give his best effort, as well as being a positive non-selfish prima-donna player. Tim has lost all those traits. Plus it's one thing if TA was hitting like he did those seasons well over 300 maybe you could tolerate it more. I'm sorry though, the dude is hitting .260 with a .304 OBP as a leadoff hitter. Tim has zero home runs, with a .313 SLG% and .606 OPS. Who needs that crap along with a shitty attitude?

I agree they both need to be gone, but they are not the same person. TA is a sensitive big whining baby, who not only is having one of his worst years, now consistently seems to not care or wants to hustle. Whether Gio has struggled or pitched well, he has always given his best effort and always positive cheering his teammates in the dugout. I truly wish Lucas was pitching consistently good, because he is a fiery good guy that you want on on your team. TA has become a misguided drama king and now total cancer to this team. Hence why hardly anyone cheered for him in the clubhouse a few years ago when it was announced to his teammates he made the all-star team. I would trade him now and not wait. I don't think you'll get any less or more now versus the trade deadline. There is always a team that will feel with a different veteran manager and coaching staff, along with more veteran players around Tim, they will get him straightened out to his old great hitting style and attitude. When you have cancer you start removing it immediately!

Hard pass on that! We got a nice one year (2021) out of Tepera. Then the Angels signed him to a two year deal. Last year he did pretty well for them. This year in 10 relief appearances, he has 8.2 innings, 15 hits, 7 ER's, 7.27 ERA and 2.98 Whip. Every pitcher has their time when it's all over. For Tepera it's probably now at 35 yrs old. We can't keep sending over-the-hill pitchers to Charlotte like we did with Colome. Oh wait, I forgot...Rick Hahn is still GM here!

Even if Gio pitches well again, this damn team better start driving in more than 3 runs today, especially with 13 hits.

You're absolutely right! He has nothing to prove at Charlotte, but our POS GM is clueless on that. Hahn still thinks that when you DFA a loser pitcher like Colome, and he goes on waivers and all 29 teams take a hard pass...the best chess move is to waste a AAA roster spot on that aging over-the-hill reliever at Charlotte. Why in the world would Hahn understand the concept of bringing up the talented, but inexperienced Colas? Remember this our genius GM that has built one of the worst major league rosters, along with one of the worst minor league farm systems all at the same time.

I disagree. It depends how you are defining a C prospect. Is that your A or high A prospect that has tons of potential? We need those too! Kelly is not Adam Eaton and we don't need the type of Eaton return in a potential Kelly trade to grade it successful. Regardless of whatever you get for Kelly, you need to get rid of him this year and get something. Kelly is 34 years old and turning 35 in 3 weeks and he is not going to be around for the rebuild. I doesn't matter if the tradeable players on this team other than Robert and Cease are of lesser trade value as you claim...they need to be traded and get something. If Kelly continues to pitch like this and hopefully Grifol doesn't overuse him, I believe he could bring in a few young prospects. From 6 outings ago, Kelly was pitching horrible with a 9.82 ERA and everyone one here wanted him gone. In his last 5 outings, he has gone 5.2 innings 0 ER's with 10K's and lowered his ERA to 3.86 and pitching like the Kelly we signed. If he is pitching strong at the deadline, some contending team with a weakness in their middle to late bullpen, will be willing to give up something of value, even if it's a only couple of talented and highly regarded A, high A. or AA young future prospects. They don't have to be "ready now" prospects. They can help us in 2025-2027. We all need to keep in mind that the Sox farm system is one of the worst in baseball! It needs to be fixed and it's not going to happen in one or two quick years. Sadly much of what should happen ideally will probably be smothered because we still have the worst POS owner, who probably won't get rid of Hahn. Even when he does, he will wait too long.

As Forest Gump said, "Stupid is as Stupid does!"

You're absolutely right this will happen. It's horrible and not fair to the loyal Sox fans who have to suffer through Jerry's ignorant stubbornness for not making that FO change sooner. I am almost certain there is not one of the other 29 team owners who would tolerate this long of a horrible dysfunctional front office. Since the 2013 season including 2023, the Sox have had 8 of 11 seasons under .500, with only two playoff appearances and zero playoff wins. What other FO over 11 seasons gets to keep their job with that resume...other than a Reinsdorf owned team?

We can only pray and hope! Going 29-93 the rest of the way and the Sox will have them beat! ?

The days when a pitcher started in a four man rotation and not five like today. Billy Piece leading the league with 16 CG's wasn't even as impressive as some other years where a pitcher had over 20-30 CG's leading the league. We'll never see a pitcher get 16 complete games ever again. In 2022, the top four pitchers in MLB with complete games didn't even add up together to the total of 16.