Lip Man 1

Let me have what he's drinking...I want to get loaded too!

As I wrote until he actually gets out there and performs we don't know what will happen will we? I've listed pitchers in the organization who recently had this issue and then had to be shut down and have surgery. Is past prologue? Not necessarily but it can be a real indication of what may come. Which is why I wrote that the Sox getting what they did given the uncertainties was a pleasant surprise to me.

This is true, they went to Selig and wanted the trade rescinded. Selig ruled the Sox acted in good faith and the onus was on Toronto. The whole deal was dubbed "Shouldergate." In fact Kenny Williams said that he warned Toronto about the injury and even offered (ironically) Jim Parque instead but they wanted Sirotka, (Ironic in the sense that Parque basically never pitched again either because of his injury suffered the same 2000 season)

Then why keep him? The team will be awful with him or without him, what's the difference between winning 60 games or 70 in the grand scheme of things? At least if you deal him you may (notice I said may) get some guys who could help you to go from 70 wins to 85 and then to 90 in time.

Toronto supposedly checked the medicals on Mike Sirotka as well back in 2001. How did that turn out? Doctors aren't infallible and neither are agents trying to make sure their clients get paid. Bottom line until Santos goes out there and shows he can pitch and for longer then a week or two, you simply don't know anything other than he was shut down in September for the dreaded "forearm soreness" which has shut down and led to TJS in countless pitchers including Rodon, Dunning and Martin for the White Sox in recent years. He may be perfectly OK...he may not. Again we simply don't know until he proves it do we? Which is why given his uncertain status I'm surprised the Sox got what they did for him (and I'm pleased they did.)

Given that Santos may not even be pitching this year I'm pleasantly surprised the Sox got what they did for him.

The world may never know. ?

And given his "forearm soreness" that shut him down in September he could also be heading for TJS.

Hey Nicky Lopez says it was a great signing! (LOL ?) Lopez also is keeping a list of all the "negative" comments and predictions for the team this year to use as "motivation" in the clubhouse.

https://awfulannouncing.com/sinclair/diamond-sports-group-reaches-deal-with-rangers-guardians-twins-to-air-games-this-season.html

The other side writes: https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2024/2/3/24057114/white-sox-the-78-guaranteed-rate-bridgeport-urban-planning-35th-street-lee-bey-architecture

https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-santana-contract-with-twins

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2024/2/2/24057664/white-sox-dylan-cease-understands-the-business-that-has-him-in-limbo

You are assuming of course the Sox lost money during this time period. We'll never know for sure of course since they won't open the books and let an independent economic auditor examine them. Color me very skeptical they lost money at all.

And both were due to extraordinary circumstances and Ken Rosenthal's latest story in The Athletic (I've seen parts of it posted) casts serious doubts over what the A's are trying to do. They may not wind up moving at all.

And there was talk of them moving to Toronto, Denver, New Orleans et al. Art Allyn had a handshake agreement with Bud Selig who was going to buy the club and move them to Milwaukee. Bottom line though is that nothing happened in any of these scenarios. And JR himself has said the threat to move to Florida was simply to gain leverage over the city/state legislators. That he had no intention to move. As has been pointed out franchises in MLB simply don't pack up and leave without extraordinary circumstances. I don't think the Sox are in that category and would have a hard time convincing the power brokers in baseball they are. Don't lose any sleep over this possibility would be my advice.

Yep and I'd be surprised if the Sox did anything to change that in the next two weeks but we'll see.

I think this belief has run its course myself. Just FYI, the print edition of Sports Illustrated has a big story by Tom Verducci on Dave Stewart and his efforts to get the expansion Nashville franchise. He's put together a very impressive list of contributors on the ownership side and Manfred and he have already met to discuss what the front office would look like. Bottom line the Sox aren't moving to Nashville, full stop.

As is certainly your right. I have no desire to fly somewhere, spend a lot of money on what figures to be another season where they lose anywhere from 90-100 games. I've got better things to do with my time.

The good news is that by Memorial Day we will probably be able to close the book on the season and not have to concern ourselves with the team. Also maybe Grifol will be fired by then.

Didn't realize Ozzie was managing one of the teams and led them to their regular season championship: https://www.mlb.com/news/2024-caribbean-series-teams-and-preview "Guillén also joined Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda and Terry Francona as managers who have captured winter league titles and at least one World Series championship."

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/1/31/24057341/new-white-sox-stadium-meeting-state-democratic-leaders-the-78-related-midwest

Questions remain in their rotation and outfield, but the Padres have spent the past two months fortifying their bullpen in a big way. They continued to do so on Wednesday, when they agreed to a four-year contract with lefty reliever Wandy Peralta, sources told MLB.com. The club has not yet confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical. The contract contains opt-outs for Peralta after each season. The 32-year-old Peralta is coming off the best season of his eight-year career, having posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.4 WAR with 51 strikeouts across 54 innings for the Yankees.

The franchise will not be sold in its entirety right away. According to Ourand, the Rubenstein group will initially acquire roughly 40% of the ownership stake. The remainder of the Angelos’ family share will be transferred once longtime owner Peter Angelos, now 94, passes away. Previous reports have indicated the family would incur significant capital gains taxes if they sell the franchise in its entirety before Peter Angelos’ death. Which is exactly why JR has made it clear he is not selling while he is still alive.

Normally I'd say you are right, I mean it makes sense logically but I remember seeing a book that came out basically examining the premise that these new sports stadiums increase business, bring in millions of dollars in income, visitors et al. The book basically said that notion was a farce and usually doesn't happen...so I don't know what to think along the lines you comment on.