Lip Man 1

So much for Hahn's comment about wanting someone from a winning organization.

Very true and with the WBC this year again a number of players are going to have a shortened off season.

Probably both.

True, he's now in the Tampa organization.

Based on what I've seen these guys aren't the smartest baseball players around, and I mean that from a purely baseball standpoint.

I have no definitive information on this yet anyway but I'm guessing while the ISFA has a say in things the Sox have the deciding opinion since they are the only client who uses the facility. I do know for example that when the Cubs were thinking about a complete renovation about the time the concrete started falling it was speculated that they could play their games in the Sox facility during the remodel. JR said no stopping that idea before it started so obviously he has a lot of say, maybe the only say in these type matters.

I understand the angst, but I also understand Jose is in his mid 30's and only hit 15 home runs this year. To my mind that's to much of a gamble.

I've been told details on this situation and am trying to get more confirmation. What I can say is that the Sox have an "option" on Jason for the 2023 and 2024 seasons but as of right now there is no signed contract. His deal with Fox is causing some issues with some members of the front office because of the number of days he needs to be "off" working for them instead of doing Sox games. Jason tried to avoid this situation by wanting to work out his White Sox deal first but was told to go ahead and get his other deals done, then get back to the Sox and they'd work out something. It sounds like Jason isn't at fault here if what I'm being told is accurate. And the individuals I've spoken with (and will speak with more this coming week) really don't know what Stone's status will be either since his deal is up.

For what it's worth I had a 45 minute discussion yesterday afternoon with a source and one of the questions/issues I asked about was this season and the "leadership" issue. Here was the response: “The problem with this team is there was no real leadership, nobody to hold guys accountable. No red-asses like the Sox had in the past... Early Wynn, Jim Landis, Carlton Fisk, Jack McDowell, A.J. Pierzynski. Paul Konerko was a quiet guy but when we weren’t doing well he’d get really pissed. Andrus tried to supply some leadership when he came and Lynn and Giolito tried.” “I’d come into the locker room after a game and you couldn’t tell if they won or lost, just nothing.” “You’d go in the locker room and all the Latino guys would be in one place, the whites in another and the African-Americans someplace else.”

Brooks Boyer is in the White Sox front office, he's just not on the baseball side of the operations. I'm not saying by the way this situation has anything to do with him one way or the other. It should also be noted that at least in the past JR has been involved in this area, that's the reason Dave Wills left and took the Tampa Bay job. People in the front office wanted him to start doing the Sox games but JR never gave his approval for some reason. Dave got tired of waiting which I certainly understand.

It's very possible but remember for 40+ seasons JR has always been involved in the major decisions. That's a hard habit to break. My guess he stays out of it but when the rubber meets the road he'll be the guy to say yes or no on the final candidate.

History in MLB is full of young teams that won more games than expected but instead of continuing to move up in the win column took a step or two back before figuring things out. Perfect example the 1990-1993 White Sox.

Allowing one run in 24 innings of work is damn impressive.

Fair point but from what I'm being told the broadcasters are negotiating with Sox front office staff members (was given very specific names) and not the respective individual radio or TV stations. In a few weeks when I come out with the story I'll give a specific example involving Jason who's contract has expired although the club (I was specifically told "the club") has the option on him for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

One example I was told was that JR wasn't given all the needed information on the Guaranteed Rate stadium deal from a financial standpoint. Wintrust actually made a better offer. Was told there are certain members of the front office that are angling for the presidency of the franchise. Also given specifics of issues with broadcasters being told certain things were agreed to in contracts then later those agreements were changed. Resulted in things like Ed Farmer getting into a screaming match with Sox front office people at the stadium. Got to the point where broadcasters were going to JR to explain what was happening and he said he doesn't want to hear/deal with this anymore. I'm continuing to speak with people next week trying to sort out truth from fiction.

Haven't read the original story but I can tell you from people I've been speaking with for an upcoming story that there does appear to be a lot of counter productive things going on involving the Sox front office, the broadcasters et al. It really isn't a good situation in what is a very important off season.

Given its the Sox, who knows how hurt he was or even what exactly was wrong. Hendriks did say publicly to the mainstream media that's he's been pitching with a forearm issue for years and its not making an impact. He said (paraphrasing) 'The nerve hasn't moved, the elbow is fine... some guys can't pitch through it, some can. It hasn't bothered me.'

Harrison is a free agent. Do you mean Garcia instead?

Actually no he left on good terms because he had an opportunity. However things got messy after the Sox fired Gene Lamont, Leyland's bench coach and friend. Leyland recommended him to the Sox. After he was fired in May 1995, JR personally contacted Leyland to see if he might be interested in returning at some point since the Pirates were collapsing after losing Bonds, Bonilla and Drabek. Leyland said no, he was pissed about how the Sox treated his friend.

Have been speaking with people in and out of the Sox organization, speaking with members of the media for a story to try to find out what is going on with this organization in this most important off season. What are the internal problems and issues, related items like a new TV network, broadcasters futures etc. Honest to God I have been shocked at what I'm being told. I thought things were bad in the front office...its actually worse with back stabbing, lying (including to JR), people hired who don't know baseball. I couldn't believe it. Regarding Rick I'm consistently being told a few things: 1. He's not quitting. If he didn't when TLR was hired he isn't now. (And I've been told he went to JR and tried to talk him out of that hiring but was unsuccessful. A source told me, "JR signs his checks, what can you do?" 2. He actually has control of the team (which surprised me). Kenny has input and JR, of course, has the final say but Hahn can basically do what he thinks best. 3. The issue with Rick is he’s got all these guys around him like Jeremy Haber, friends from Michigan or someplace and they aren’t baseball guys. They didn’t play the game and have no real idea of what it takes. Darrin Jackson and others have said the same thing.

Just to be fair the Sox have no direct say according to the story I read, in actual salary/benefits/ That's up to the concession company and the Sox have no say in that. However, the Sox do have a say in who gets the stadium contract and they can always go to a company that treats its employees better.

DeLuca is one of the editors for sports at the Sun-Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2022/10/7/23393066/in-misguided-chicago-white-sox-world-its-all-about-jerrys-kids-rick-hahn-ken-williams-larussa

It does. By the way as of today the Sun-Times announced that they would no longer be having any paywalls for digital readers. The Sun-Times is now considered a non-profit newsroom. You should be able to read any story you wish. This link provides more details on the change: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/10/6/23389729/paywall-sun-times-dropping-news-journalism-nykia-wright-jennifer-kho-celeste-lecompte

He nails all the points: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2022/10/6/23391152/white-sox-year-in-review-it-wasnt-pretty

A few months ago I saw where someone had done this at another site. They had every transaction that Hahn did since he took over. I'm sorry I can't find it now but as you would expect the vast majority, overwhelmingly when the player came to the Sox they put up a negative WAR for their time here. That of course also reflects the poor scouting and opinions that he gets from others in the organization.