Rick Hahn on McNeil and Spiegel Show

[Y2Jimmy0]

Rick Hahn was on the McNeil and Spiegel Show this morning. I will try to paraphrase some of it.

 

He was reluctant to say the word "rebuild". However, he made it very clear that this will be a rebuilding situation. He noted that the toughest thing to find during a rebuild is starting pitching and the White Sox have it. He mentioned that his excess of money will be redistributed in the organization in the draft and on the international market. That is a big emphasis going forward. Mentioned that he could sign free agents "if it made sense". He basically said to pay attention to the moves that are made rather than hearing him make some giant proclamation about a rebuild. Made it sound like he wanted to make deals but was basically only offered deals in a salary dump like scenario. He said that twitter and other avenues are so crazy because he saw guys that he offered, were offered, or turned down that was just completely off base. He also said there is a very good chance that he will make waiver trades or deals in the offseason.

 

 

I loved hearing Rick Hahn this morning. They do still cater to the lowest denominator of the fanbase by not saying the word "rebuild". Smart fans can handle it. I love the direction though and I love the man who is in charge. He is a very smart, articulate guy and he has quite the mess in front of him. I am happy with the direction. I recommend all of you go and find the interview whenever it's posted on McNeil and Spiegel's website.

[flavum]

After hearing that, I feel a little better about the chances of August moves...Rios hopefully.

 

I think Garcia is up within two weeks.

 

 

Edited August 1, 2013 by flavum

[BFirebird]

Rick Hahn was on the McNeil and Spiegel Show this morning. I will try to paraphrase some of it.

 

He was reluctant to say the word "rebuild". However, he made it very clear that this will be a rebuilding situation. He noted that the toughest thing to find during a rebuild is starting pitching and the White Sox have it. He mentioned that his excess of money will be redistributed in the organization in the draft and on the international market. That is a big emphasis going forward. Mentioned that he could sign free agents "if it made sense". He basically said to pay attention to the moves that are made rather than hearing him make some giant proclamation about a rebuild. Made it sound like he wanted to make deals but was basically only offered deals in a salary dump like scenario. He said that twitter and other avenues are so crazy because he saw guys that he offered, were offered, or turned down that was just completely off base. He also said there is a very good chance that he will make waiver trades or deals in the offseason.

 

 

I loved hearing Rick Hahn this morning. They do still cater to the lowest denominator of the fanbase by not saying the word "rebuild". Smart fans can handle it. I love the direction though and I love the man who is in charge. He is a very smart, articulate guy and he has quite the mess in front of him. I am happy with the direction. I recommend all of you go and find the interview whenever it's posted on McNeil and Spiegel's website.

 

Thanks for the recap. I missed the middle portion but caught the end and Spiegel's analysis afterwards. I also am very happy to hear what I heard and your recap of what I missed.

 

I am glad that Hahn held onto his chips if it wasn't what he wanted. A guy like Rios can be moved in the waiver period, in the winter or next year's deadline. He might be more valuable if the team pays less...who knows.

 

The one thing that does concern me is how far away they are on offense. I agree that they do have half of the equation with a good starting staff and with more guys on the way, but they cannot hit or get on base and have now 1 guy in the system that can play next year on offense (Garcia). Beckham has shown some life and De Aza is a decent piece in LF, but neither are guys you can build around offensively. It will be a big year next year to see if guys like Beckham, Viciedo and even Garcia can be good offensive players because the Sox will not be able to replace everyone on the roster.

 

[CyAcosta41]

It's a must listen for the serious and knowledgeable fan.

 

I was very impressed by the way Rick handled this year's trade deadline, including the couldn't-be-more-obvious "testing" that he was getting from his fellow GMs. Maybe the overall results weren't exactly what some of us wanted, particularly with regard to some of the scenarios that weren't very likely in the first place. The overall results probably weren't what Rick wanted either. But you can't guarantee results. You guarantee a process -- having a sound plan, sticking-to-it when warranted, making sensible adjustments when warranted as well. In the long run, your chances of success -- no matter how measured -- will be maximized by hard-work and sound process.

 

And I was impressed by this interview -- very intelligent, great demeanor, clear understanding of BOTH the business of baseball and the game of baseball. Don't take my word for it. Find the interview on the Score and give it a listen.

 

I believe we have an excellent man for the job -- the right man -- in working through this time of transition (won't use the "r" word), righting the ship, and becoming an organization that will challenge each and every year (something that was actually lacking in the former regime, even if we were, in fact, generally "good").

 

 

[LittleHurt05]

So the Sox are gonna be the Cubs in 2014? Great, another baseball-less summer.

[TaylorStSox]

So the Sox are gonna be the Cubs in 2014? Great, another baseball-less summer.

Is that a surprise?

[Y2Jimmy0]

So the Sox are gonna be the Cubs in 2014? Great, another baseball-less summer.

 

 

That's not entirely true. They will hopefully be developing talent. Go to the ballpark for other reasons. Go to the park to see Avisail Garcia. Go check out Sale, Santiago, Quintana, Johnson, Rienzo starts. Follow the club's minor league system. There is a good chance that guys like Marcus Semien, Trayce Thompson and others make their ML debuts next season. You just have to change the way you view the team as a fan. The White Sox have always said that they want sustained long term success. Now they actually mean it instead of just giving it lip service.

[BFirebird]

That's not entirely true. They will hopefully be developing talent. Go to the ballpark for other reasons. Go to the park to see Avisail Garcia. Go check out Sale, Santiago, Quintana, Johnson, Rienzo starts. Follow the club's minor league system. There is a good chance that guys like Marcus Semien, Trayce Thompson and others make their ML debuts next season. You just have to change the way you view the team as a fan. The White Sox have always said that they want sustained long term success. Now they actually mean it instead of just giving it lip service.

Agreed. Well said. I just hope they don't rush guys and they have to learn how to play at the major league level. It seems like the Cubs are having kid gloves with some of their young guys but they would rather them be fully ready to play in the Majors. I don't think we let Beckham have enough minor league success and it stunted his growth.

[flavum]

Here's the interview...

 

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=h...mp;dcid=CBS.CHI

[LittleHurt05]

That's not entirely true. They will hopefully be developing talent. Go to the ballpark for other reasons. Go to the park to see Avisail Garcia. Go check out Sale, Santiago, Quintana, Johnson, Rienzo starts. Follow the club's minor league system. There is a good chance that guys like Marcus Semien, Trayce Thompson and others make their ML debuts next season. You just have to change the way you view the team as a fan. The White Sox have always said that they want sustained long term success. Now they actually mean it instead of just giving it lip service.

 

I don't need to watch bad baseball to follow those young players, that's what Soxtalk & Twitter are for.

 

If it's convenient I will go or watch, but if a team tells me winning doesn't matter this year, then I don't care to invest as much time in that team either.

[Wanne]

So the Sox are gonna be the Cubs in 2014? Great, another baseball-less summer.

 

I'm not so sure I'd agree with this either. Sometimes the addition by subtraction does wonders for a team...it's just the right combination. This team has needed an overhaul of it's stagnant parts for years...and now we'll finally start to get it. If a team like Oakland can win...seriously. I have no clue how they do it...

 

Thanks for posting that recap btw Y2!...

Edited August 1, 2013 by Wanne

[Dick Allen]

Here's some comments he made about Robin.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,6745078.story

[Big Hurtin]

At least he didn't say that he didn't make deals because these players would give them the best chance to compete. Deals weren't made because there weren't any of value to be made. It's disappointing, but what can you do.

 

I'm just going by the OP's writeup without hearing the interview.

[Y2Jimmy0]

I don't need to watch bad baseball to follow those young players, that's what Soxtalk & Twitter are for.

 

If it's convenient I will go or watch, but if a team tells me winning doesn't matter this year, then I don't care to invest as much time in that team either.

 

That's fine too if that is your preference. I am sure the White Sox would welcome you back with open arms as soon as they are ready to win again.

[GreenSox]

He just discussed how Ventura handles players. That part's probably fine. But his use of personnel and strategic decisions are not so fine.

Ventura is Williams' guy.

Hahn is supposed to be a more modern baseball guy - needs his manager and coaching staff sans legacies.

 

 

[Dick Allen]

He just discussed how Ventura handles players. That part's probably fine. But his use of personnel and strategic decisions are not so fine.

Ventura is Williams' guy.

Hahn is supposed to be a more modern baseball guy - needs his manager and coaching staff sans legacies.

If all this experience is a prerequisite, how would you have any idea what anyone is doing wrong? I take it you have zero experience in a major league dugout.

[Jake]

I did not get the message that we are trying to rebuild. As a matter of fact, I got the impression that that is the last thing he wants to happen. He isn't about to drop $50 million in free agency to make sure we compete, but he certainly wants to make this team good as quickly as possible. There is a reason he didn't mention the draft as part of our future, only mentioning that better drafting in the past couple years has already built up our system.

 

There won't be any all-in next year, but I'd expect to see a new veteran or two around and a team that expects to finish better than last. He's going to try to get maximum value for our players and if that means Rios turns into young but good prospects, he's okay with that. He's going for as much Avisail Garcia type guys as possible and even suggested that Avisail has already begun to shorten our rebuilding window. He said he is fully willing to hold on to our veterans if we don't get fair deals because we can always go out and win next year.

 

He also repeatedly talked about the pitching and how the rebuild is already partially done because of how good our pitching is. He's right about that.

[fathom]

I did not get the message that we are trying to rebuild. As a matter of fact, I got the impression that that is the last thing he wants to happen. He isn't about to drop $50 million in free agency to make sure we compete, but he certainly wants to make this team good as quickly as possible. There is a reason he didn't mention the draft as part of our future, only mentioning that better drafting in the past couple years has already built up our system.

 

There won't be any all-in next year, but I'd expect to see a new veteran or two around and a team that expects to finish better than last. He's going to try to get maximum value for our players and if that means Rios turns into young but good prospects, he's okay with that. He's going for as much Avisail Garcia type guys as possible and even suggested that Avisail has already begun to shorten our rebuilding window. He said he is fully willing to hold on to our veterans if we don't get fair deals because we can always go out and win next year.

 

He also repeatedly talked about the pitching and how the rebuild is already partially done because of how good our pitching is. He's right about that.

 

"It may well be 2014 is a season like this one where we got rid of Jake"....to me, that means it's absolutely a rebuild coming up.

[Y2Jimmy0]

I did not get the message that we are trying to rebuild. As a matter of fact, I got the impression that that is the last thing he wants to happen. He isn't about to drop $50 million in free agency to make sure we compete, but he certainly wants to make this team good as quickly as possible. There is a reason he didn't mention the draft as part of our future, only mentioning that better drafting in the past couple years has already built up our system.

 

There won't be any all-in next year, but I'd expect to see a new veteran or two around and a team that expects to finish better than last. He's going to try to get maximum value for our players and if that means Rios turns into young but good prospects, he's okay with that. He's going for as much Avisail Garcia type guys as possible and even suggested that Avisail has already begun to shorten our rebuilding window. He said he is fully willing to hold on to our veterans if we don't get fair deals because we can always go out and win next year.

 

He also repeatedly talked about the pitching and how the rebuild is already partially done because of how good our pitching is. He's right about that.

 

 

Read between the lines. He knows that it is fairly evident that they will not be in a position to win next year. They should be better but they will not have the talent to win a division. I thought he was pretty clear about that.

[Jake]

"It may well be 2014 is a season like this one where we got rid of Jake"....to me, that means it's absolutely a rebuild coming up.

 

I got the sense that he's just going to play the market as it comes to him. If the market dictates that we dump everyone for low-level guys, we do it and we probably aren't great. If it dictates that we get MLB-ready talent, we're ready to compete with a young club plus a vet or two. If the market sucks, we hold all the current vets and see what happens at the deadline.

[fathom]

Read between the lines. He knows that it is fairly evident that they will not be in a position to win next year. They should be better but they will not have the talent to win a division. I thought he was pretty clear about that.

 

Yep, and it's 100% the right call

[Harry Chappas]

Yep, and it's 100% the right call

 

They are way behind Detroit and will be for the next year or two.

 

The starting rotation is in place for the next three years at a cost controlled price. The pen can be built around Jones and Reed.

 

There are some positional players that could use some proper coaching.

 

The rebuild is in place and has begun.

 

 

[GreenSox]

If all this experience is a prerequisite, how would you have any idea what anyone is doing wrong? I take it you have zero experience in a major league dugout.

I never said I could manage. But it's not hard to identify, critique obvious mistakes. Yes it is easy to be a critic. That's why we don't paid.

It's very difficult to implement a lot of decisions, obvious as many are. That's why MLB managers get paid huge salaries. It's not an easy job.

 

[Balta1701]

They are way behind Detroit and will be for the next year or two.

 

The starting rotation is in place for the next three years at a cost controlled price. The pen can be built around Jones and Reed.

 

There are some positional players that could use some proper coaching.

 

The rebuild is in place and has begun.

With the pitching staff, this team could catch up a lot sooner than you guys are giving credit for...but they need things to go right on the field, instead of everything being a disaster again.

 

You're definitely right though...a whole lot of it is the need of coaching.

[GreenSox]

If all this experience is a prerequisite, how would you have any idea what anyone is doing wrong? I take it you have zero experience in a major league dugout.

I never said I could manage. But it's not hard to identify, critique obvious mistakes. Yes it is easy to be a critic. That's why we don't paid.

It's very difficult to implement a lot of decisions, obvious as many are. That's why MLB managers get paid huge salaries. It's not an easy job.