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They paid Josh Rojas for a reason too and we have hindsight to see that they were both wastes of money. Not the end of the world but my point is to say that 2026 Hays and 2025 Slater are not the same value and I'd be very surprised if a team parted with someone who's top 20 in their system. That would kinda be like trading Christian Oppor for, I dunno, Jarred Kelenic.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Guardians do a soft punt like they did in 2021. (just don't trade with them Getz).

Finally can break this one out.

Agreed. Plus with the weird year next year I can imagine cost controlled players and prospect asks will be a premium.

Today was crazy near Naperville

Yep, I get the impression they’re fine adding salary for this year but absolutely not for next year. I’m sure Jerry is one of the owners who doesn’t think they will play in 2027.

Jack Brickhouse told the story of Appling asking for a dozen baseballs so he could send to Georgia (where he was from) to be used in a charity auction and the Sox refused his request. Appling sent word to Sox G.M. Harry Grabiner that he needed to attend batting practice that day. Brickhouse said Appling fouled off a dozen or so balls in a row into the seats where fans were watching batting practice and Grabiner said, "OK Luke...you got the balls!" 😄

Levine said as much today

It was covered a lot and I've interviewed Hemond, Bahnsen and Andrews about the circumstances, neither had much good to say about him. Holcomb actually wasn't hired by John Allyn to help run the Sox, he was hired to run Allyn's professional soccer team the Mustangs. When that team went belly up, he was still under contract and Allyn didn't want to pay him to do nothing I guess, so he moved him over to the White Sox. About the only good thing Holcomb did was hire Nancy Faust. I had never heard of a team before or since deliberately releasing players outright when they refused a team's initial contract offer. Pure insanity.

Castillo could help us but that contract is bad. Not sure we'd even need to send Hicks.

Hicks has started getting more leverage. He's been lights out last 30 days. No way I move him.

I know you guys are up there but looking at some of the photos it looks like your about to get some pretty horrible weather right in the city soon

Although it's not really a valid excuse for someone who is doing journalism, another thing working against KW is that it seems like he was a real pompous ass. Type of guy I'm sure a lot of people didn't want to see be right about things. And Kenny probably looked at Law et al. in much the same way.

Hays has a career 123 wRC+ against LHP. That's why the Sox paid him what they did. I actually can see the vision Getz had and why he gave him 6 million: we need corner OF that can hit LHP. Someone will want him at the deadline, he's clearly an above replacement level strong side of a platoon.

I suggested this one a while back, so I'll give it another go. Hicks to Seattle for Luis Castillo. I'll amend it: Hicks + Jackson for Castillo +$ ($10-$20 mill depending on vesting clause). Hicks has been great for a month. But we don't use him in leverage; heck we use Richard in leverage. But not Hicks.

This might mean about the same if I just posted these sentences, but here we are...

I don't think many cost controlled guys get moved. I think most of the White Sox acquisitions will be rentals.

Reid Detmers is the best pitcher that seems to be available and realistic. He’s not an ace, but he’s certainly been a top 10-15 pitcher this season (Forget the overrated like Alcantra or Webb). It’s his first really good year; maybe working with renown pitching coach Mike Maddux has made a difference. I also don’t like the idea of doing business with Mozeliak. But there is still no way I’m trading Bonemer, Carlson or Fauske. I’m also hesitant in trading Wolkow, Davis or B. Smith. We didn’t get a prospect ranked as high as Bonemer or Carlson for Crochet. Who I want to trade are Thorpe and Bergolla. Sandlin or Adams or H. Smith. And then a 10-15 guy?

Peters has started every game since the ASB.

9. White Sox (previously: 9) Munetaka Murakami hit two of the White Sox’s five homers on Sunday, ending a home run drought that had lasted 13 games. A rough week for the club ended up generally manageable, with a 2 1/2-game lead over the Guardians and a 3 1/2-game lead over the Twins remaining intact. But seven games with the Yankees and Rays this week should be quite the test. mlb.com

Slater was actually hitting the ball. Also playing. Hays is OPSing .641 VsL, .548 VsR and hasn't played in the MLB since May 1. Sox are also paying him $6mil some reason. He's getting cut.

Cubs are moving on from Taillon without a ton of depth behind him, though perhaps that’s a moot point with the trade deadline now just a week away. Due to their injuries, it has been long suspected that the Cubs would add some starting pitching this summer. They already made the aforementioned Peterson and Civale deals but will presumably make some even more impactful acquisitions before the clock strikes 5pm Central on August 3. mlbtraderumors.com

Hard pass on astronomical asking price

Lip, regarding the Stu Holcomb conspiracy, was that covered in the Chicago Press? Not the fact he was fired, but his management style of getting rid of players the way he did? I never understood hiring a football coach to run a baseball franchise. Detroit tried it also, hiring Bo Schembechler as GM a few decades ago.

Will is playing the numbers batting Grich leadoff. He’s something like .360 career average against Fried in something nearing 30 at bats, if I recall correctly. I was looking at matchups last night and Grichuk’s numbers stuck out like they were in neon flashing lights. Edit: It’s a .313 average in 16 ABs.