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I think Kelenic's immature, maybe on the spectrum, a bit, for the way he just doesn't know the perfect amount of athlete-speak. He's certainly not Milton Bradley. Kelenic entering his 4th organization may be a wake up call for him, if it hasn't been explicitly laid out in that way for him, to pull his s%*# together and have a career. AJ rubbed guys the wrong way. In an interview way back, AJ once piped up about Aaron Rowand, mentioning that he likes to get drunk and aggressive when out on the town, and that's just not something anybody needs to be talking about in the media. The clip that got played here of Kelenic talking about how his teammate's child passed, that's just a thing where if you don't know how to address that with the utmost of respect, don't mention it. I believe he doesn't have that filter. That, and he's a hot head who hurts himself throwing a tantrum, or he sulks.

AJ also put a season 200 OPS points higher than Jarred before the Sox signed each, respectively.

DRINK!

AJ comes to mind.

Oh? A swing adjustment? Do tell.

Getz pursuit of players like Kellenic and Conforto make me wonder if the Sox feel that Braden Montgomery will not be major league ready for longer than anticipated. Also, Baldwin had some issues with tracking and catching fly balls so he might not be an acceptable 4th or 5th outfielder. If only Braden could be ready to go on Opening day, the plan for the outfield, at least at the corners, might be a lot more clear. The Sox need a defensive outfielder with a strong throwing arm to replace Benintendi in late innings plus a RFer if Braden doesn't make it up.

It seems like Getz may have targeted him, if Fuller perhaps saw something he could fix and recommended him.

In his defense, it’s really tough to get playing time on the Dodgers. Could immediately get at-bats in LF or RF here.

If Ward was a bit younger, he’d be a nice target. Solid minor league numbers but the dude is turning 28 next month and hasn’t made the majors.

Because he works with coaching staff when his career is on the ropes?

“All my old friends passed away…”

Either of these guys could be interesting for the Sox.

I think this excerpt from Merkin’s article tells a lot. I don’t think he’s your average NRI.

LaMond Pope got the memo, too. In today's Trib: Chicago White Sox: Offseason additions — and areas to address Kelenic leads off an "off season additions" piece. Nothing interesting, just recapping the off-season for people who don't follow the off-season. Build new friendships, to replace the old friendships...hmmm I wonder why he needs new friends?

Definitely seems that way. You would think that article was written by Merkin if you didn’t look at the link first. And then I saw on the Sox website that he already wrote a puff piece as well. 🤣 https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/jarred-kelenic-deal-with-white-sox It feels like he’s already been promised a roster spot.

January 17, 2002 - After one injury plagued, controversial season with the Sox, pitcher David Wells signed a contract with the Yankees. Wells won only five games in 2001 for the team with 16 starts. Naturally he then turned around and won 61 games over the next four years with New York, San Diego and Boston. The White Sox did get some revenge against him in the 2005 A.L.D.S. as they beat him in game #2 of that series 5-4 when he was pitching for the Red Sox. The big blow was a three-run home run by Tadahito Iguchi.

Personally I'm more concerned with how much the Bears will pay for defensive help this off season. 😆

I first became aware of Jayson Stark when he was on the staff of the annual Bill Mazeroski Baseball Prevue magazine, in the 80's. That publication kept me in stitches, and pulled me through every team preview with witty writing. But like every artist who suddenly becomes "aware" of themselves and tries to turn in an album or movie that taps into all of their own quirks, Stark really started leaning on the quirky. Most home runs for a guy with a Z in his name. Entire columns of that sort of filler felt clownish. Maybe I just grew up. Stark's still a good writer, but I really don't seek him out anymore. That said, he just wrote an article in The Athletic explaining his ballot. He voted for 9, and left Buehrle off his ballot. He explains: My 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot — change is coming to Cooperstown - The Athletic I guess it's reassuring that he does give great thought to his ballot and can explain every vote and omission. But for his refusal to pick Buehrle...clown.

Holy s%*# he is going to be an all star. Swing improvements let’s go!!!!

Like three days ago

Yesterday's Rosenthal column at the Athletic floats that the Rays are still looking for catching. What I’m hearing about the Orioles’ interest in Justin Verlander, and more MLB notes - The Athletic Didn't that three team trade for Lux happen about a month ago?

The amount of fluff pieces on Kelenic in the local media tells me he might be a bigger part of the Sox' plans than we anticipate. White Sox' Jarred Kelenic ready to show swing improvements at spring training - Chicago Sun-Times Give him an honest shot to make the team. Please don't hold him up as some exemplar of experience in growth.

Lockout happening for sure now. 😏

SWINGCHANGE, EVERYONE DRINK!