GreenSox

The contrast between La Russa's letter in which he accepted special and specific responsibility (I missed his spoken comments) and Hahn's comments where he accepted no specific nor special responsibility ("we're all responsible"; "no one feels worse about this than I do") was stunning. LaRussa really fell on the sword for this FO.

He said that if he thought he couldn't do the job, then he wouldn't be here (as if his fate is his decision). Then, predictably, he alluded to the "executive of the year" commendations of 2 years ago.

Anyone have a link to the press conference? I'm watching some radio talk show with some loudmouth cubs fan calling in.

Pretty low bar for comparison. And Hostetler was worse than Lauman.

Joe Kelly's going to be even more expensive. And I guess I should ask what's the point of Harrison the last few games?

He's been with this org. for one season; we already do our share of Mr. Nice guy with friends and family.

What is the point of Payton?

Because I'd rather the Sox not lose the one person in the dugout (and possibly the one guy in the entire organization) who uses (or at least tries to use) state-of-the-art analytics. If they are really cleaning house, then that means we will load up with modern thinkers, so fine, he can go. But if it's the culling of a few scapegoats, then it's essential that he stays.

My fear is that they trade some of the younger guys, not to rebuild, but for more old guys, which is the basic FO instinct. A competent FO could retool this and give them a decent chance for next season. Had Hahn done his job, this could have been a 95 win team. His clowning turned it into an 88 win team and La Russa's clowning dropped it down to 82ish. Get the D squared away. Let Abreu go and sign an OF. If Grandal can play D, fine; if not, find a defensive catcher. Try to move some of the old bums out of the pen, even if you have to eat some salary. They could move Anderson; but no need, unless they get a big offer.

Let's say that's true. Fine - Hahn's just been an errand boy for the last decade. We can find another errand boy, so there's no risk in firing him. And the next errand boy might have some gumption to try to do more, like build a system, build a real pro-scouting department, build analytics, etc.

What?

Hey, we won a game! I think we'll get 1 or 2 in the fresh Pacific air.

And mostly because of the general manager.

Doesn't he have an option that has to pick up? Anyway, the FO doing that is the first step (and with these birds running the operation, that's no certainty). Anyway, after this season, I don't see how he can be traded, other than selling low. Decent chance he rebounds, with his FA season on tap.

This is just wretched.

Win a freaking game!

Well he did write that Hahn's job should be in serious jeopardy; that's something fresh from the media.

Rick Hahn put an inordinate amount of resources into the bullpen, before LaRussa. And then there's that #30 farm system...

Kenny Williams was a C GM. Hahn is a F GM. There's never been the positional talent on the Sox as there was from 2000-2005. He let a lot of it go prior to winning the ring. No playoffs until he got the pitching squared away in 2005. Most of his blustery trades were busts (although for the most part, the players he traded away didn't do much either). But he made some extremely helpful small trades, such as Uribe and Thornton. Oh, and despite what Michael Lewis says, trading Chad Bradford for Olivo was an excellent trade.

Dare I suggest that they give Vaughn reps at 1B in the last 8 games; maybe play Gonzales every day.

What kind of contender employs Vince Velasquez

The media won't mention him by name (and rarely point a finger at the FO) and the bloggers won't do it. It's beyond belief, really.

The org. let the option escalate. Haseley in his role as defensive replacement is better than Pollock and his .7 WAR in his role as starting outfielder. What - the Sox are limited to the stiffs they have on hand? No trades, signings, callups allowed? And we're stuck with all of Hahn's veteran clowns for at least another season. We absolutely lost the Kimbrel trade (both of them) and the Hernandez trade and the Diekman trade...

It's not like those are the only choices. Certainly would take Haseley at minimum salary to shag balls in late innings over Pollock at $8mill. The only thing he can do is hit LHP, and that would only work if Hahn can find a platoon partner (which he can't, as Hahn has never used platooning in his illustrious career). Even that is risky as the odds favor further decline from Pollock. If you are on the roster, you've go to hit, with a spot or 2 reserved for defensive whizzes. Pollock has been terrible this year; Hahn letting add to his option was just more of the same.

Perhaps, but that likely changed once they dispatched Avila. I doubt they're jealous of an operation run by Hahn.