Tony

They may finish with 7 wins and still have 3 losses on their record where they had an over 90% win percentage in the 2nd half of those games. I said in the offseason I expected this team to be right in the hunt or make the wild card round, as there is usually a “worst to first” team in the NFL each season…and that’s exactly what should have happened. So yes, the staff needs to change. I’m a fan of what Poles has done these last two years as a whole, but he missed on the HC.

Actually a little surprised at the response here. The Sox are going to be terrible this year, obviously. Signing Ohtani wouldn’t have changed that. We heard rumblings the last 4 years the pitching staff hated Grandal, there wasn’t trust, etc. As someone else mentioned, good chance Cease is moved for young pitching, some of which may see ML time in 2024. Additionally, a lack of any sort of leadership or preparation was cited by numerous players who departed the Sox organization over the last year. Maldonado seems incredibly well liked by teammates and is by all accounts is very well-prepared and can comfort a pitching staff. Hate sounding like a meatball, but those are traits not measured by FanGraphs and do hold value in MLB. If this was stopping another signing or blocking a key prospect who was ready, I’d light a pitchfork. But I don’t think this is a terrible use of resources from Getz, after understanding what has gone on the last few years.

By “still” you mean since 2009, right?

…

I agree

Wasn’t even about field position, there were like 3 seconds left.

This isn’t a defense of Fields, but I really do believe in the idea when they were trying to lose last year..that starts to impact players. You don’t learn what it means to play in those crunch time games. It’s on Fields, but I think it plays a role

That’s the silver lining of this game, this SHOULD seal it

Its Mark Sanchez, and he’s absolutely brutal

Where? I’ve been on this board before the 2005 season, and in all my time, I’ve seen next to no negative comments toward that team. Now, if discussing how that core group didn’t make the playoffs in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and it’s now evident it was simply a “right place, right time” kind of season, that is definitely discussed here, but I think that’s more factual evidence than negative. 2005 is why every single Sox fan on this site is still here. The hope we get to see another one of those seasons. It was an incredible ride. I will absolutely have those memories for the rest of my life. But in 2023, it’s far from blasphemous to say that team was a “one year wonder” more than some powerhouse the brain trust at 35th and Shields built. It was a very good team. The 2006 team was also very good. But as quick as they arrived, it was over. That’s not really a debate, just what happened

I'm starting to come around to trading Fields, and a lot has to do with resetting the clock. As many have noted, and this article only briefly touches on it, it's VERY difficult in todays NFL to win with a franchise QB on his second deal. He not only has to be "the guy" but even then, we're seeing it with Mahomes in KC right now, it's very difficult to build a team around a contract north of 50 mil or whatever the numbers are. They actually had the right idea with the team they built around Mitch, he just wasn't the right guy.

So the key figure in this is Jerry. In reading the article you posted, on the topic of how insanely bad not only the organization is, but specifically the minor league system and depth…Jerry decided the best man to run the entire organization was the teams minor league director the last 7 years. Jerry has also made the decision to continue to use TLR as an advisor for “baseball matters.” I think it’s perfectly reasonable for fans to call into question the individuals Jerry surrounds himself with, given their historically bad track record, no?

Alright Doc, tell me this. What historical evidence tells us we should assume the Sox are right? Why should we assume the best?

Yes, the benefit of the doubt should ALWAYS go to the Sox, no question. I mean, look at how successful Katz and this organization have been as of late. They’re gonna need a bigger trophy case soon.

I can absolutely get on board with drafting a QB at No. 1 overall. The Bears FO has to be convinced Maye or Williams can do things better than Fields can do at an NFL level, simple as that. I'm not taking a QB No. 1 overall and trading Fields simply to reset the clock. Even as a 5 win team right now, I think the locker room and the core they've built there will be fairly against moving on from Fields and bringing a rookie in there to lead the room. Not saying that's why you DON'T draft a QB (They're professionals, they'll move on quick if the new guy is legit) but I'm simply saying there are a lot of moving pieces to consider with the No. 1 pick. Luckily, they don't need to make the decision today. They've got 4 more games and while I don't know if those 4 games will tell us a ton about Fields (since we have 3 years of tape at this point) I do think they will be a decent indicator overall of what direction the franchise should take in the offseason. Like last year, it's going to be incredibly interesting to watch and Pace has done a great job of giving himself multiple options to pursue.

Say the Bears win 2 more games this season, which seems pretty possible. That’s 7 wins with two historic losses mixed into the season. Let’s say one of the wins is against the Packers last week of the season. There are going to be some decent vibes heading into the offseason. Is Poles going to fire the entire coaching staff, trade Fields, draft a rookie QB and then make the other additions via the draft and FA? That seems like a huge offseason that more feels like Madden then the NFL. Not saying it wouldn’t be the right move, just talking about odds

https://x.com/rapsheet/status/1734231793329471944?s=46&t=Nd9oJCYs4TMp8_32NrPiMA

Next year will be his 4th year, so they can (and would) use their 5th year option, so you don’t have to commit to him long term yet…however, they would need to make the decision on the 5th year option before the season starts next year, so there is a decision to be made. Very tricky situation. If the team continues to play like this to close the year, you absolutely have a core to work with moving forward. The defense needs to increase the pass rush but the 2nd and 3rd layers look good and you can tag JJ in the offseason. With or without Fields, they are ready to compete for a playoff spot. Do you put those hopes on Fields again, while using your draft capital to shore things up, or use your No. 1 on what you think is your next franchise QB, hoping to get some capital back for Fields, and still having pick 8-10 to use on an OL or DE

Yes, that’s the big negative with these wins. He can’t be back, with or without a new QB next year

This team should honestly be around 7-6 at this point. The Broncos game, the last Lions game, Chargers game…..8-9 wins is where I thought they would be this season and I think they’re starting to look like that, it’s just taken too long and they’ve blown some awful games

What does this even mean?

Bull.s%*#. Every year, teams consistently spend less and far out pace the White Sox, and in many cases it’s the same organizations consistently (Brewers, Twins, Indians, etc) Money/Payroll is far from the only issue with Jerry. It’s how he runs this organization.

No we didn’t. The Ricketts dispelled your theory about a decade ago as well

He also said he thought the Sox would be player for Aaron Judge in FA ?