South Side Hit Men

The Sox have had multiple reported incidents regarding injury management and lack of communication between players, coaches, the FO and medical staff the past three years. Liam had 32 or 30 days depending on which media report is accurate between his final chemotopy treatment and his first rehab assignment, and 24 days between starting his rehab and appearing for the White Sox on May 29. The length of this entire timeline between Chemo and MLB pitching was not much longer than Spring Training for Pitchers. Publicly Reported Liam Hendricks 14 month Timeline (June 7, 2022 - August 2, 2023): June 2022 - December 2022 Liam discovered lumps in his neck in June. A clean blood test discouraged Liam and doctors from believing it was cancer. Liam stated in May 2023, blood tests aren't readily discovered through blood tests. Some undisclosed time thereafter, Liam received a PET scan which revealed lymphomas were bigger in his hips. Liam stated on December 7, the White Sox' team doctor expressed belief that his lymphomas could be cancerous. Liam was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, which is the most dangerous stage of cancer. January 2023 - April 2023 Liam publicly announced his cancer diagnosis on January 8th. Liam underwent the first of four treatments on back-to-back days, starting with the first treatments conducted January 9-10. Liam concluded his fourth and final round of treatments on April 3 (MLB.com reported April 5). Liam publicly announced his cancer free status on April 20. Liam received a bone marrow test, and announced his treatment went well in those areas, and announced his remission. May - June 9, 2023 Liam discussed the above timeline during a May 3 Press Conference, and stated he and the White Sox have undisclosed timeline to return. Liam completes the first 2023 game pitching appearance in Charlotte on May 5, topping out at 93.2 MPH over 1 clean inning with 1 K. Liam completed his sixth and final Charlotte appearance on May 16, finishing his assignment with a 10.80 ERA over 5 innings. Liam returned to Chicago thereafter and threw bullpen sessions before being activated on May 29, consistent with speculation in Spring Training he would return by June based on Hahn's insistence to keep Liam on the 15 Day, not 60 Day IL. Liam pitched five one inning appearances between May 29 - June 9, before being shut down by the White Sox, with a 5.40 ERA. June 11 - August 2, 2023 On June 11, the White Sox placed Liam Hendriks on the 15 Day IL with Right Elbow Inflammation. On June 13, Liam disclosed he received a cortisone shot, would receive a plasma injection over the next few days. Liam stated there was no structural damage noted. Said he had pain since the start of his rehab assignment, which significantly became worse until he could not make a fist on the mound due to the severe pain, before finally being pulled by the White Sox. On June 25, Grifol announced he did not believe Liam (or Clevinger) would return before the July 11 ASG. During the ASB, Liam received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs. Link to his 7/12 speech. On August 2, Liam underwent successful Tommy John Surgery.

This. Most serious and nearly all professional athletes will play hurt, pump pain pills and do whatever they can to return to the field. Trained ethical medical staff and management need to prudently manage players. How many times did players linger unplayable on the active roster? You can add Yoan, Grandal and Robert to the list of players who had major injuries, clearly should have been on the IL if not having surgery, and yet continued to play on during meaningless games and seasons the past two years. Hendriks and all pitchers play through dead arm periods and pain at times, perhaps many times, during the 162 + season. However, it's just common sense to put the breaks on if your pitcher is well below his typical velocity, and isn't effective. Waiting a week or two to see him improve or perhaps shut down until he can begin to pitch effectively.

Every single person with a vested interest in this (Mayor, Jerry, CPS Teacher) benefits with the magic bullets theory. None of these same people benefit if what likely happened is confirmed.

It makes more sense to air all games on over the air free TV, like Phoenix, Vegas and a few other NBA/NHL teams did under similar circumstances (losing AT&T channel). They will get more fan revenue from the free daily promotion of their product than stream only broadcasts. Their cable TV ratings were 15,000 fans last season. Fans didn’t have to do anything special to find games beyond their current cable or satellite subscriptions. They are only going to convert a fraction of these people plus new non cable customers. Even if they converted 100% of those viewers, you’re talking $1.5M in revenue at $99 / year. Should be able to clear that easily, even on a station like The U in Chicago, with advertising less expenses over 162 games.

I agree on that front, but also feel if he is throwing with a significant drop in velocity during his rehabilitation assignment, and only has five competitive rehabilitation innings with a 10.80 ERA), a responsible team is not activating Liam until he is ready. Whereas the Sox (looking at Boyer and Hahn) seemed more interested in promoting his return from a marketing perspective than properly managing the rehabilitation process.

It is unclear whether these uniforms will differ from those worn in the regular season per the linked article below. The MLBPA is trying to rectify this s%*#, and of course the owners are trying to spin it, as they have for years when they kept fucking around with the baseballs. And now they have a $450 jersey that looks like a $29.99 WalMart model. https://theathletic.com/5276715/2024/02/15/nike-mlb-fanatics-jersey-issues/

It’s not Grifol who dumped a 21 year old pitching prospect for a 26 year old platoon reserve OF. If Pedro is not playing young guys on the active roster, it’s 100% on Getz in 2024 to rectify. The one caveat is if we learn Tony has any role in decision making. It completely disgusted me to see him yesterday, and I’d wager there are many players, coaches and FO personnel who feel the same. 2024 40 Man Roster Transactions In 1/5/24 C Martin Maldonado (37) 1/26/24 SP/RP John Brebbia (33) 2/3/24 RP Prelander Berroa (23) 2/3/24 RF Zach DeLoach (25) 2/3/24 CF Dominic Fletcher (26) Out 1/5/24 3B Zach Remillard (29) 1/26/24 3B Romy Gonzalez (27) 2/3/24 SP Cristian Mena (21) 2/3/24 3B Gregory Santos (24) 2/3/24 RP Lane Ramsey (27)

I don’t want anyone rushed, especially Ramos, Montgomery and Quero, but if anyone I listed are clearly ready to be promoted, they should be here and play 4-5 games a week. Too many prospects were brought in the past to watch games, or rushed because Hahn couldn’t do his job. Fletcher needs to play regardless, in part because they need to prove they didn’t screw up the Mena trade, and you may as well play him regularly to see what if anything you do have (at least everyday vs. RHP) the next year or two, and perhaps he will be more than a platoon reserve OF. Lopez is perhaps the next veteran with any value because of position flexibility, but the rest can be tossed like salad if anything younger and better comes along. That includes both veteran catchers, would DFA Maldonado over Stassi unless Stassi has health or durablity issues.

One of the few rules changes that makes sense the past four years.

Smart teams won’t. For Brooks Boyer, Liam was the lone player / story besides Robert fans could get excited for in 2023. They were tweeting Liam all season meeting with cancer patients. It was both medical and baseball malpractice to promote him to the roster after where he was at in the rehab process. They did this a lot under Hahn. It needs to change under Getz.

The two things useful about Moustakus is he can cover both 1B/3B, and he can finally relegate Sheets off the roster for good, and for that reason I’m in. That said, if scrappy old guys keep their regular and reserve spots over ready younger players because Pedro/Tony love them some veterans than FU White Sox. Getz needs to make sure all of these guys are fungible to bench or release. They can’t have the same BS as last year with Pedro trying to “win now”. Middle Infield, RF and non catcher bench: “Win Now”: Starters: Lopez (29), DeJong (30), Pillar (35) Reserves: 2B/SS Mendick (30); 1B/3B Moustakus (really old); OF Fletcher (26) “Develop Now” if/when ready for MLB - Play regularly if here: Starters (+ back up 3B/CF): Rodriguez (22); Sosa (24), Fletcher (26) Reserves: 2B/SS Shewmake (26); 2B/SS/3B Lopez (29); OF DeLoach (25) or Colas (25)

What really stood out to me, is just how skinny his arms and legs were relative to his height and body. I believe he was under 200 lbs when he first joined the NBA. I also remember Spud Webb, who was absolutely amazing. Manute and Spud Webb

Ha, thanks for identifying. Not quite the contrast as when Muggsy Bogues and Manute Bol walked past me when they were with the Bullets and I was an Andy Frain Usher postgame at the Chicago Stadium. That was crazy, looked like a dad and his small child, then again I and just about everyone else looked very small compared to Manute. he was so skinny, he was the most unique looking person I've seen in person.

Like a Boss.

“Boss, de plane, de plane!”

This may help the Astros and other teams which pushed to eliminate Low A MILB, but hurts the Sox and other "traditional clubs", and high school draftees who don't get the same Low A / Rookie league experience NCAA players enjoy. Seems as though MLB is more concerned with ASB off day MLB.TV programing than player development in terms of the draft schedule. Also takes away GM focus on MLB trade deadline efforts. Hurts all players trying to acclimate to 162 game seasons. How much can short season Low A teams cost? Draft First Monday in June Restore Low A Short Season Leagues Appalachian and Pioneer Leagues Optional for MLB Teams (late June - September (60-70 Games)) Arizona Rookie League Optional for MLB Teams (late September - early November 40 Games) + Current Arizona Fall League (late October - early December 30 Games)

None with the City, which has two USL franchises planned to move into the Coliseum in 2025. Fisher blocked them from moving in earlier. Forbes wrote an article as to why it would be better both for Fisher’s team and MLB to leave the Athletics name and branding in Oakland, and start fresh in Las Vegas or wherever they end up. https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2023/11/30/for-mlb-las-vegas-and-oakland-the-as-name-and-brand-should-stay-put/?sh=1022b283a5a1#:~:text=Importantly%2C it is the “A's,stay in the East Bay. The Athletics were the last team to relocate in 1967 when they left Kansas City and kept their name and branding. MLB Relocation History: Six teams changed their name and branding: 2004 Montreal Expos => 2005 Washington Nationals 1971 Washington Senators => 1972 Texas Rangers 1969 Seattle Pilots => 1970 Milwaukee Brewers 1960 Washington Senators => 1961 Minnesota Twins 1953 Saint Louis Browns => 1954 Baltimore Orioles 1901 Milwaukee Brewers => 1902 Saint Louis Browns Four teams kept their name and branding: 1957 New York => 1958 San Francisco 1957 Brooklyn => 1958 Los Angeles 1954 Philadelphia => 1955 Kansas City => 1968 Oakland 1952 Boston => 1953 Milwaukee => 1966 Atlanta

Oakland really, really wants the $70M annual payment from CSN Sports California to cover their entire payroll ($59.4M) and more. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/athletics-to-meet-with-government-officials-about-coliseum-lease-extension.html Make Fisher pay, and pay a lot Mayor Thao, and keep the Athletics name, colors, history, records, awards and archives as the City of Cleveland did in their settlement with the Cleveland Browns!

Jerry doesn't count the enormous income not included in "MLB Income" such as his Sox portion of CSN Chicago, MLB.com revenue, parking, upcoming sportsbook, bar lounge across the street and other outside stadium income, significant federal tax write-offs and capital gain deferrals, city and state tax subsidies, government ticket purchase subsidies for under 1.9M attendance, and the millions in "upkeep" provided by the ISFA. Jerry has spent on three occasions as owner the past 36 years (records I can find online from a single source): (2 Seasons 2022-2023) An effort to prove his guy, Tony La Russa, was the best manager and HOF person on Earth. (4 Seasons 1994-1997) Post 1993 Division Title + Albert Belle Hissy Fit reaction to owners rejecting his hardline stance. (8 Seasons 2006-2013) Post World Series and significant attendance bump. For the other 22 seasons there are online records, they have been mid to bottom tier payrolls, far below teams in similar markets. Even after the new stadium opened, he didn't bump payroll, and fielded bottom payrolls leading up to the new stadium, so that's likely what Sox fans have to look forward to the rest of the decade. Payroll information since 1988. Top 9 quadrants used pre-expansion to 30 teams in 1998. Source 1988-2023 Decade Averages: 1988-1989 $6.8M (26) Bottom MLB payroll both seasons 1990s $32.5M (14) 2000s $77.4M (13) 2010s $104.6M (16) 2020-2023 $134.4M (13) (11) Top Third Payroll Seasons 2022 $190.8M (7) 2013 $124.1M (9) 2011 $127.8M (5) 2010 $108.3M (7) 2008 $121.2M (5) 2007 $108.7M (5) 2006 $102.8M (4) 1997 $54.4M (3) 1996 $41.9M (5) 1995 $39.6M (5) 1994 $38.4M (8) (16) Middle Third Payroll Seasons 2023 $174.9M (12) 2021 $127.1M (15) 2020 $44.8M (17) 37% spent 2017 $109.6M (20) 2016 $116.0M (16) 2015 $110.7M (18) 2014 $91.2M (20) 2012 $97.0M (11) 2009 $96.1M (12) 2005 $75.2M (13) 2004 $65.2M (15) 2002 $57.1M (18) 2001 $65.6M (14) 1998 $36.8M (18) 1993 $34.6M (13) 1992 $28.4M (17) (9) Bottom Third Payroll Seasons 2019 $89.4M (26) 2018 $72.2M (29) 2003 $51.0M (22) 2000 $31.2M (26) 1999 $24.6M (24) 1991 $16.8M (23) 1990 $9.5M (26) 1989 $7.6M (26) 1988 $5.9M (26)

I have reason for optimism as well, thought want to clarify I don't believe most here, or anyone in fact, hate or even dislike Andrew Benintendi. They hate his terrible contract. Felt the same way for Grandal. Boston, Clevinger, Lynn, Kelly and Keuchel on the other hand..... FanGraphs ZIPS Depth Charts (accounting for projected playing time) has them at 14 more HRs than 2023. Eloy's projected games played seems like a stretch, but everything else appears reachable. Projected fWAR / Player / Projected HRs (Projected Games Played) 4.6 Luis Robert Jr. 33 (149) 2.2 Yoan Moncada 17 (143) 1.7 Andrew Vaughn 25 (146) 1.5 Eloy Jimenez 26 (141) 1.5 Andrew Benintendi 10 (138) 1.1 Max Stassi 8 (65) 0.8 Paul DeJong 13 (76) 0.7 Nicky Lopez 2 (91) 0.7 Colson Montgomery 6 (53) 0.5 Dominic Fletcher 9 (99) 0.3 Braden Shewmake 4 (34) 0.3 Lenyn Sosa 5 (36) 0.2 Danny Mendick 2 (26) 0.1 Korey Lee 3 (29) 0.1 Jose Rodriguez 3 (26) 0.0 Oscar Colas 2 (11) 0.0 Zach DeLoach 1 (8) -0.1 Gavin Sheets 9 (63) -0.6 Martin Maldonado 7 (68)

Which is prudent, there is still plenty of time. Just want them to start spending their pool wisely vs. trading/giving away significant balances each year. Hope Getz has a backbone on this front, for what amounts to a rounding error in the organization's annual budget. Their signing younger players in the draft and possibly the DR gives me hope there will be positive changes in approach on both fronts (domestic and international).

https://theathletic.com/5257706/2024/02/13/white-sox-2024-top-prospects-keith-law/?source=user_shared_article Colson Montgomery SS (22) Everyday SS / 3B with 4-5 WAR upside. Edgar Quero C (21) .350 OPS starting catcher. Bryan Ramos 3B (22) Might be 30 HR occasional All Star. Nick Nastrini RHP (24) SP4 + Noah Schultz LHP (20) Tons of risk, SP1 / Top RP Upside Jake Eder LHP (25) Starter potential, probability waning. Jacob Gonzalez SS (22) Never had so many pro scouts with a negative opinion on a 1st rounder. Tanner McDougal RHP (21) 2024 will provide better sense of potential. Jonathan Cannon RHP (23) Probably a RP, understand urge to start him. Grant Taylor RHP (22) I like the upside play here. Jordan Leasure RHP (25) Best pure stuff in system. Needs control. George Wolkow OF (18) Huge power, tons of swing and miss. Prelander Berroa RHP (24) Definitely a big leaguer. Seth Keener RHP (22) Doesn’t know if he can hold up over bigger workload. Jose Rodriguez INF (23) MLB Utility Infielder. Ronny Hernandez C (19) 3-4 years away, could be a valuable starter. Peyton Pallette RHP (23) Hoping for more, 2024 will tell the tale. Christian Oppor LHP (19) Raw, nice arm, assume reliever. Wilfred Veras OF (21) Has to tighten up swing decisions. Dominic Fletcher OF (26) Platoon reserve OF.

Ten D was the worst White Sox regular last season in terms of negative defensive fielding and position adjustment via f-WAR, though he (and Vaughn) were penalized for playing more than the rest by that metric. https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&team=4&qual=0&sortcol=20&sortdir=asc&pagenum=1 All five White Sox with the worst defensive fWAR fielding + position adjustment remain with the team. -14.4 Benintendi -14.3 Vaughn -12.7 Jimenez -9.2 Sheets -8.4 Colas -3.9 Burger

$42M over three seasons, or $14M AAV. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/giants-to-sign-jorge-soler.html

Has Tray outed himself in the Chicago Tribune with this published letter to the editor? https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/13/letters-illinois-should-not-pay-for-another-white-sox-stadium/ What are the odds that any other human being in 2024 still uses this term? The last time I said the word is when I worked at the track in Cicero in high school and college, well before Sportman's Park shuttered for good for their ill-fated auto track fiasco. Buggies - Gil Levine With The Call Flats - Phil Georgeff With The Call