Chicago White Sox

When does this season start wearing on old ass Jerry?

Yes, 2025 is going to be super ugly. That being said, I think the rotation could still be fun to watch. Obviously Thorpe getting hurt would change that though.

It’s very clear based on Getz’s press conference yesterday that they don’t have any intention of competing next year.

Cease was coming off a fairly ordinary season, Crochet has pitched like a top 5 pitcher.

I think he’ll do well for Crochet since he’s a legit ace, but last I checked it was a pretty strong SP market so that could pose some risk.

What aspects do you disagree with?

No doubt KW & Hahn are a major part of this mess, but not sure why Getz gets a free pass for this season being historically bad. Our positional group has put up like -5 fWAR. Not his fault that Benintendi sucks, but the rest is squarely on him like signing Maldonado, playing Sheets in the OF, giving away a platoon UT guy in Romy to then trade for platoon OF in Julks, not having a replacement caliber option at 1B/DH at AAA, flopping on the Fletcher & DeLoach trades, etc. The bullpen also sucks and he did not a single RP he was able to flip in a market that was desperate for relievers (and let a good, controllable one go in Cronin). And a huge reason the organization is in trouble in because there has been no pipeline of talent to fill in holes and offset normal regression. And that’s 100% on him for sucking at his past job and still not being able to develop hitters in the minors (which he acknowledged yesterday). Now, he does deserve credit for bringing in Bannister and making meaningful change on the pitching side, but beyond that most of what he has done (so far) has looked suspect. That doesn’t mean things can’t get better, but I think people being unhappy and skeptical is a very reason take at this point.

Didn’t Colas get scratched yesterday? Get him up here and DFA Sheets. It probably doesn’t mean the needle much (if at all), but let’s get the 1B out of the OF for on e

Here is what I would do. Obviously a trade return for Crochet could potentially change things. I’m also assuming they hold Robert into next season as I don’t think offers will magically get better in the offseason for him. 1B: Vet FA or Trade 2B: Sosa SS: Baldwin* 3B: Vargas LF: Benintendi* CF: Robert RF: Fletcher* DH: Colas* (rotate in OF) CA: Quero# (May 1st) I would not waste a second more on Vaughn or Sheets.

Well technically his FIP was 4.2 during that stretch and his ERA was actually three runs better ? And I don’t necessarily disagree with anything you’re saying, but it seems a bit premature to say a guy with one elite pitch and Brian Bannister at his side can’t improve and/or add to his repertoire. I do disagree with the “two teams traded him” comment though. He was traded for Juan Soto and Dylan Cease…that context obviously matters and should support a value case more than deny it.

He also had an 18% hard hit rate during that stretch which is incredible. His FIP wasn’t going to be great due to the low K rate, but his xERA was still very good because he was inducing a lot of weak contact. I think the reality is he’s a bit of a unicorn and shouldn’t be judged based on like nine starts or whatever. His minor league track record is sparkling and while you may not value them most of the 3rd party prospect sites value him greatly.

Mena was a top 10 org prospect when we traded him. Santos is a controllable reliever who didn’t need to be moved right away. We basically have a 3rd round pick to show for them. They were both bad trades and raise serious questions about our ability to scout, which is concerning when you brought in a questionable dude to lead your scouting department.

That’s 100% what he said. They will obviously spend some money, and likely quite a bit given our limited payroll commitments, but it’s going to be a bunch of smaller scale and short-term signings.

Getz was a key part of the process per Merkin.

I don’t get the Thorpe hate at all. It’s one thing to have wanted a higher ceiling and/or positional headliner for Cease, but Thorpe was pitching very well before his injury as a rookie and was generating incredibly weak contact. Two bad starts, while likely injured, doesn’t really change the fact he looks like a sure fire major league starter. Whether that’s a #3 or a #4 remains to be seen, but I’m very optimistic he sticks and is a regular 2+ win player.

Better production out of RF? They’re like -1.5 fWAR through ~3/4 of the season vs. -2.2 last year. That’s more or less the same negative value production and an absolute embarrassment when we traded actual assets for Fletcher and DeLoach.

Most guys gain a couple ticks after TJ surgery

You also assured us that Thorpe was better than Cease and that Crochet would be moved for a haul this deadline.

I think zero protection is playing a much bigger role than people realize.

I didn’t even realize he was back until I saw the box score last night.

I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I just think the whole beef these two have is really dumb and both are unlikeable and not worth the time.

Speaking of Paddy, do you have any sense why they haven’t made a change there yet? It’s just shocking he’s survived so long with little to show in LatAm.

Bannister was a great hire. What’s the rest of the plan though? You can’t tell me he’s done a good job on the positional side of things so far, both at the major league level and in the minors.

I think we can all agree that Riordan and Schriffen both suck and that taking sides in this fight is pointless.

Yeah, it feels that way. My theory was they were waiting to fire him until after the streak ended to avoid putting that burden on the interim guy.