South Side Hit Men

https://www.tsn.ca/boynton-investigators-probing-alleged-abuse-of-former-blackhawks-players-ask-who-knew-1.1674971

Billy Hamilton, still awesome!

Would really like to see Hahn come back tomorrow with Kimbrel for nothing major, per the Athletic Boston seems to be the one team in the running. Not sure why the Dodgers wouldn't be interested. https://theathletic.com/2738577/2021/07/29/rosenthals-mlb-trade-deadline-news-latest-from-major-league-sources-on-craig-kimbrel-kris-bryant-max-scherzer-more/

Honest question: Who is on the hook for Tepera's incentives, the Cubs or Sox? Want the answer more so for Dallas Keuchel or other future acquisitions/trades. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/cubs-trade-ryan-tepera-white-sox.html Already earned $1.1M this season. He will get $50K more after spending his 120th day on the active roster. He will get $100K more after two more games (reaching game #45). He will get $150K after reaching games 50 (7 more games) and 55 (12 more games). He will get $200k if he reaches 60 games (17 more games).

It took brass balls to open the game thread with that lineup.

White Sox perspective https://theathletic.com/2739085/2021/07/29/white-sox-acquire-cesar-hernandez-from-cleveland-to-fill-second-base-need-as-al-central-race-peters-out/?source=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Cleveland perspective Miller is getting the first shot, Gimenez will not come up at least until after the Toronto series, since he is applying for permanent US residency, and cannot leave the country during the process.

Hoping to see Lopez (4-5) Heuer (6), Crochet (7) and Ruiz (8) today.

They could use a 1-2 more relievers (7-8 inning guys), transition Kopech to long relief / starting. Happy with the deal, glad they didn't send Lopez.

I'd keep Jake Lamb over Goodwin, Tony won't play Lamb in CF.

Yes, but the Sox needs him to pitch the 8th with a four run lead. Win today, Kopech can start when/if Tony ever leaves.

Nobody looks good against Minor, Keller and Bubic.

Vaughn may be pitching the 8th today.

Well, it may get ugly early today. Wouldn't mind seeing Carlos have a 4 inning outing, save his arm.

Carlos starting at the 92-93 MPH 4 seem range, hope it rises early with the heat. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=7/29/2021&gamePk=633141&chartType=pitch&legendType=pitchName&playerType=pitcher&inning=&count=&pitchHand=&batSide=&descFilter=&ptFilter=&resultFilter=&hf=pitchVelocity#633141

Vaughn keeps striking the ball well, results will follow.

He's at least 100 Baseball IQ points higher.

Well Leury wants to get the hell out of KC, let's see if players make this a 2:30 game to hit the AC.

Tony said pregame Eloy is still being evaluated. Eloy Jimenez (groin) is not in the White Sox starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Royals. No surprise after he made an early exit on Wednesday due to groin tightness. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said in his pregame chat with the media on Thursday that Jimenez was still being evaluated. Look for another update later.

Why isn’t Vaughn playing 3B and Leary 2B? Really hope Vaughn isn’t hurt covering a DP or SB attempt. Would rather see Tony or Miguel Cairo play 2B, don’t care if either gets hurt out there.

Solid pickup, the type I posted yesterday I thought Hahn would ultimately acquire. I’m just hoping Rain Man actually uses Hernandez, and also doesn’t feel the need to continue to play Leury every single day (2B, RF, CF, plus spelling Tim and Yoan) as the missing puzzle piece to his RLRLRLRL lineup obsession. Leury should be playing twice a week, at most, after this acquisition.

What I liked this season was the improvement in his defense and playing within himself. He was trying too hard last year and to start the season, ended up making bad fielding and baserunning plays, including the one that injured his shoulder (running through the third base coach's stop sign, getting out and hurt all on one play). If he can find a way to stay healthy, he should be OK. That said, I want an upgrade in infield depth from Mendick/Garcia, someone you'd feel comfortable with filling in the middle infield, possibly also 3rd base, for a few weeks and not fret about either side of the equation. The Sox should be fine in the OF, but need more depth in the infield across the organization. They made a good step with this year's draft, but it will take time for these players to work their way through the system. The one true "need" for the post-season, or to survive the stretch to get there, are relievers Tony is going to use. You are already postponing Kopech and Crochet's development for yet another year out of desperation because you weren't willing to spend to bring in a few solid set-up men this off-season.

Kopech is the best pitcher in the bullpen. He needs to work on being the best pitcher in the rotation. Don't see that happening until there is a change in manager.

Well, at least the players Rick acquired this month have taken the sting out of this one. [Narrator: Rich Hahn acquired Deivy Grullon a few weeks earlier]