Lip Man 1

From the MLB.com web site: Feb. 14: Hendriks has multiple offers, could sign Thursday (report) According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, free-agent reliever Liam Hendriks has received multiple contract offers and will decide whether or not to sign with a team by Thursday. Hendriks is currently rehabbing after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Aug. 2. If Hendriks doesn't sign by his self-imposed deadline, Passan reports that the right-hander will continue his rehab and then throw for teams in late July with the hope of joining a club for the stretch run. Hendriks, 35, was one of baseball's best late-inning relievers from 2019-22, split between the A's and White Sox. He recorded a 2.26 ERA and 114 saves over that stretch. He saved 38 games for Chicago in 2021 and 37 more the following season. In December 2022, Hendriks was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But the right-hander was determined to get back on the mound and on May 29, five months after his diagnosis, Hendriks made his emotional return. He threw only five innings before being shut down by his elbow injury, but Hendriks still earned American League Comeback Player of the Year honors. After the season, the White Sox declined Hendriks' club option for 2024, making him a free agent. He told MLB.com in December that he is looking to make his season debut with a team before the Trade Deadline on July 30.

I still think if the Sox get off to another dreadful start (which is certainly possible) he's fired around Memorial Day.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/02/13/garrett-crochet-ecstatic-about-chance-to-be-white-sox-starter

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/02/13/white-sox-pedro-grifol-manager-spring-training-cactus-league ‘‘But there’s a reason I am where I am, right? You don’t just get handed these [manager] jobs, right? This is one of 30. So over time, you know, I’ve earned the right to be here." ?

The incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness never ends with this organization: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/02/13/white-sox-manager-pedro-grifol-wants-more-from-tony-la-russa

Let him open his books and prove it to an independent economist. Until then I don't believe a word of it.

For those who get the N.Y. Times since the Athletic comes with it: https://theathletic.com/5271294/2024/02/13/white-sox-chris-getz-general-manager/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=602876 "Make no mistake, this is another rebuild, albeit without the attendant buzz. So with no hope to sell, the onus will be on the Sox to be competitive most nights. Good luck."

Not sure if this should be considered a legit concern or not: https://www.southsidesox.com/2024/2/12/24067566/bikers-safety-concerns-mount-after-potential-new-chicago-white-sox-ballpark-images-are-released

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2024/02/12/top-priority-for-white-sox-gm-getz-make-south-side-a-better-place-to-pitch

I'm guessing in this case if they have leftover unspent money it is because JR has ordered it not to be spent. Have to slash the budget as much as possible to keep increasing the profit margin you understand. ?

Wouldn't surprise me if he somehow rebounded and played decently this year. I don't think it will happen but it would be so White Sox if it did.

Marlins acquire Gordon from Twins The Miami Marlins have acquired OF/INF Nick Gordon from the Minnesota Twins, Robert Murray reports. According to Jon Heyman, left-hander Steven Okert will go to the Twins in return. Gordon, 28, has filled a utility role for Minnesota across parts of three MLB seasons. Over that span, he's slashed .250/.293/.392 with 15 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 243 games. He's also seen time at short, second and third along with all three outfield positions. On the Minnesota side, Okert, 32, has a career ERA of 3.70 and a K/BB ratio of 2.75 over six seasons. He's worked exclusively as a reliever, albeit with a pair of "opener" starts last season for the Marlins.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/09/pritzker-staff-related-midwest/

Normally I'd agree but with his back and apparently no surgery (which granted is usually a last resort in backs) having been done, it can go out at any time.

I wonder what the over/under is on how many games he plays before he gets hurt again?

Because I don't know the in's and out's from a business, tax or construction standpoint in Chicago can you clarify where his points in those areas is wrong? I'd like a better understanding in these areas since I've also read other stories along the same lines including in the Sun-Times and Tribune where JR and the state are going to have a very difficult time justifying the expenses and those reporters are very skeptical he'll be able to do anything without a massive infusion of his own money.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-targeting-2025-for-new-streaming-option-that-would-include-in-market-games/

https://www.southsidesox.com/2024/2/10/24066564/wont-be-fun-to-watch-chicago-white-sox-this-year-but-the-lies-about-78-ballpark-should-be-amusing

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2024/2/10/24063454/spring-brakes-white-sox-enter-spring-training-with-contention-window-closed

When I did my very long historical piece on the relationship between the White Sox and the media in 2010 I quoted the figures from the Chicago Police Department that showed a significant more crime reports and issues around "Wrigleyville" than around the Comiskey Park/Bridgeport Area. But the social unrest of the 1960's gave rise to the perception that the area around Comiskey was a "dangerous place." Perception often becomes reality and the Sox have been fighting that, with mixed results, for decades now.

Fair point, I'll take more care in the future.

How many free agents are out there currently with a last name of Rodriguez? ?

TORONTO -- After agreeing to a deal in January, the Blue Jays announced on Friday they'd signed Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodríguez to a five-year, $32 million contract.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/08/white-sox-likely-would-have-to-change-state-law-to-get-taxpayer-funding-for-new-stadium/ Allen Sanderson, a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago who studies the economics of sports, said he’s skeptical any new sports venue, including a new downtown White Sox ballpark, can on its own generate billions in new investment. “Usually when you hear the figure someone gives you on a project’s economic impact, it’s best to take the decimal point and move it one spot to the left, so you end up at about 10% of the original estimate,” he said. “That’s probably what’s going to happen.” And if the White Sox want to fill a huge new ballpark, ownership will have to field a better team. “I hate to say this, but at the moment, all five of our pro teams suck. They’re just unwatchable,” Sanderson said

One impact player won't move the needle one bit for this team in the next two years at least.