Flash

I wouldn't bet against the Cibs making the playoffs in '23 nor would I bet they won't have a better record than the Sox. My guess is they have another big move or two to announce and their pitching staff is much better than most are giving them credit for.

Just to stir the pot...I'd focus on Dodgers and package Liam w/Gio in exchange for Busch and Outman...2 MLB ready LH hitters at positions of need (2B and OF). Both low-cost and controllable for years to come (CaliSox has sold me on Outman). Ideally you hold onto Gio and hope for a bounce back but its a good bet neither he or Liam return after this year (if theu even break camp w/Sox) so lets fill some needs and shape the roster (and at same time lower payroll to maybe afford Q?)

Giolito 4.33 over 147 starts

The rising tide theory in action. The price of mediocrity just went way up. This is the time real GMs earn their money.

Market for the elite

I'd lightly float him to see if a west coast team has interest and would consider packaging him along with just about any position player(s) other than Robert and Vaughn. I think a team like the Dodgers or Padres might be very willing trade partners.

I think the Dodgers would trade Busch before they traded Outman and Busch is ranked #45 on MLB Pipeline. But I'd go after Outman if the rankings don't catch up to his true value. His upside is clearly the highest as far as potential WAR. Love it and love Dodgers as trade partner. Might even go bigger for one or more of their ML ready arms.

Tea leaves....Cubs sign one of Correa or Swanson and move Nico Hoerner to 2nd. Wait for it...Madrigal returns to Southside as 2nd baseman for '23 and beyond.

Trot Grandal and Sevales out to start year and see how well Grandal holds up. He's likely to be better than anyone we can pick up in trade. If we move Gio, I'd look to a team like the Yankees and try to pry away Austin Wells. Maybe Gleybar and Wells for Gio?

Twins fans/bloggers are very down on Kepler. I think they would be ecstatic to swap him for Gio. Doubt that makes much sense for Sox though.

Ah yes. Checked video and looks as though he changed his delivery in 2018. Seems more pronounced now. Was hoping Katz might have a fix but appears as though what we see is what we get.

Giolito's fWAR was 1.8 in '22...down from > 5 in '19. He's just a different pitcher since changing to his short arm delivery. I don't know why he changed (maybe he's convinced it will preserve his arm health?) but I don't see him returning to 2019 form. I believe there is a greater chance he continues to regress. I also believe there are teams willing to take a chance on him and, given his California roots, the Dodgers and or Padres might pony up. I'd sure rather test his market now than risk his value continues to decline.

I'd consider that deal. Donaldson is just the kind of firebrand the Sox need to help create a more intense tone to the lethargy. If there are concerns about how he would relate to TA, send TA packing too. Dodgers could use him and have several young fireballers who appear MLB ready (not to mention Lux, Outman and Busch and others). This team needs to change its course beginning with adding guys with intensity and a sense of urgency and moving the walking soap operas.

I suppose one can call it a rebuild but, notwithstanding the reduction to payroll (depending on who you find to replace TA), I actually feel it would improve the team in '23 and beyond. Its a big trade for both sides and I'd be shocked if the Dodgers would move Miller let alone both he and Pages, not to mention Outman. That said, I'd move TA, Gio and Hendricks in a nano-sec for that package because if they are 'half their team' (I get the figure of speech), the Sox as a whole will be awful.

I like the Dodgers as a trade partner. They're gonna need a SS and Closer and probably another SP to replace Tyler Anderson. For the Sox, I feel its as much about improving team chemistry and culture as it is shaping the roster. Guys I would dangle to Dodgers include TA, Gio and Hendriks...all of whom have strong surplus value. Guys I would target from Dodgers are Lux and some combo of their major league-ready fireballers like Bobby Miller and/or Andy Pages plus maybe James Outman, a LH hitting OF'r who might be able to step into Sox OF immediately.

Sox have become a hard team to root for. Chicagoans are hearty fans and can tolerate many things but a lack of intensity, especially by an otherwise talented bunch, is a huge turn-off. I'm not saying its systemic or there aren't players who really care but there are a handful of guys, specifically position players, who jut seem apathetic and, unfortuately we have locked them into big contracts, for which they now seem content .

Couldn't agree more.

Is there hope? “It could happen, maybe there’s a 5% chance this front office could get it right. But first the front office has to admit they made mistakes. The catcher (Yamani Grandal), third baseman (Moncada) and shortstop (Tim Anderson) need to go. They need to get guys with a higher baseball acumen, the lack of urgency, the way they beat themselves this season was embarrassing. Anderson needs to go because the organization gave him the keys to the car and he drove it off the cliff. And he’s getting up in years (Author’s Note: Anderson will turn 30 this season), get something for him while you can, some talented young players. The organization also needs a major off season from the scouts, they have to find guys they can buy low on with a good upside and hope they produce.” Great article and my sentiments exactly. You can toss in Giolito as trade bait.

Sox have question marks at every position. The only way we can expect to compete for a ring is for everyone on the current roster to play to their full potential. We need career years out of Moncada, Robert, Jimenez, TA among others. For that to happen, we need a manager who can instill a winning culture and inspire 100% effort and performance (a Francona or Cora type). We also need leadership among the players to emerge (I like Abreu but am not convinced he is the a leader of men). As far as trades, I'd look to the Dodgers and see what it takes to get Lux...maybe in combo w/Bellinger and hope for a bounce back. I have no problems sending Giolito to the west coast as part of the package.

The White Sox misery circle...'Eloy (or fill in the name) sucks'... 'but its TLRs fault for sticking him in LF'...'but its Hahns fault for hiring the old fossil in the first place'...'but its JRs fault for hiring Hahn'. In the end, there is plenty of blame to go around and not much hope for change unless/until a smart baseball mind starts calling the shots (see Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, not to mention bigger market teams NYY, LAD, and rebuilders like the Nats and Red Sox). The difference is they have highly competent leadership who figure out how to get the job done within the framework of their markets and any limitations imposed by ownership. Here's an unpopular perspective...watch the Cubs for the playbook. My guess is they will develop into the better team for years to come.

I heard a recent John Mozeliak interview where he stated that the Cardinals never think in terms of a 'competitive window'. I doubt the Yankees, Dodgers, Rays or other well run organizations have that mentality. Mozeliak said the Cardinals approach every decision with a 'win-now' perspective and deliberately populate their roster with players who can be counted on to provide leadership in addition to on-field performance. Its no accident guys like Molina, Goldshmidt and Arenado dot the infield as well as provide mentorship and guidance to the Cardinals philosophy and culture. I'd love to remove the expression 'competitive window' from the lexicon of expressions describing WS fortunes. It implies we have no right to expect the sustained excellence as other well run organizations.

Would he have not achieved the same results were he still under his rookie contract?

There miight be reason for optimism if Lynn, Moncada and Kelly bounce back, which they are capable of, but I do believe Hahn got a bit carried away with the extensions, especially Eloy. I believe he would still be arb eligible.

Man this team is hard to root for

Its always fun for me to start my day by reading Soxtalk comments. I'm genuinely impressed by the well developed points of view and how articulately they are expressed.