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Imagine stealing signs from the 2017 White Sox.

This is nothing new really; this culture has been building and intensifying since Luhnow took over. I loved Stras calling them out in the World Series - he said he was "tipping" but in reality he was calling the Astros on what a lot of baseball feels. Stealing signs legally is fine and a part of the game - using home field electronics is trashy and cheating. Period.

I'm not at all a huge fan of Hahn & Co. and the drafting they've done, but at the end of the day they're 2nd round picks in baseball. How many teams actually make a killing drafting in the 2nd round? Here are a few examples of some teams that everyone considers to have exceptional scouting, especially compared to the Sox: Astros Last 10 2nd Rd Picks: 2012: Nolan Fotana 2013: Andrew Thurman 2014: A.J. Reed 2015: Tom Eshelman 2016: Ronnie Dawson 2017: Joe Perez/Corbin Martin/J.J. Matijevic 2018: Jayson Shroeder 2019: Grae Kessinger Rays Last 10 2nd Rd Picks: 2013: Riley Unroe 2014: Brent Honeywell Jr./Cameron Varga 2015: Chris Betts 2016: Jake Fraley /Ryan Boldt 2017: Michael Mercado 2018: Tanner Dodson/Tyler Frank 2019: John Doxakis Twins Last 10 2nd Rd Picks: 2012: J.T. Chargois/Mason Meoltakis 2013: Ryan Eades 2014: Nick Burdi 2015: Kyle Cody 2016: Akil Baddoo/Jose Miranda/Joe Rortvedt 2017: Landon Leach 2018: Ryan Jeffers 2019: Matt Canterino A's Last 10 2nd Rd Picks: 2012: Nolan Sanburn/Bruce Maxwell 2013: Chad Pinder/Dillon Overton 2014: Daniel Gossett 2015: Mikey White 2016: Logan Shore 2017: Greg Deichmann 2018: Jeremy Eierman/Jameson Hannah 2019: Tyler Baum Dodgers Last 10 2nd Rd Picks: 2011: Alex Santana 2012: Paco Rodriguez 2013: Tom Windle 2014: Alex Verdugo 2015: Josh Sborz/Mitchell Hansen 2016: Mitchell White 2017: Morgan Cooper 2018: Michael Grove 2019: Jimmy Lewis

“Bunt? Again? They must be on to us, no one can be this stupid”

I mean their OPS was worse at home than on the road, so while it's shitty, I don't think there's a need to go that scorched earth

There is nothing wrong with "stealing" signs from 2B or picking up something from the 3B coach. Having a CF camera focused on the opposing teams catcher, watching the feed in the tunnel and then relaying the signs is hilariously bad.

👀

That's wild. They should have to give us Alex Bregman now. It's only fair.

If you review that season and find consistent proof of this cheating both during the regular season and throughout the playoffs, their championship should be vacated, imo. If I'm a team with a strong roster and we can pick up 10-15 home wins by literally filming signs and relaying to hitters, and the only punishment is losing a few draft picks, sign me up!

Proud of them for not attacking the people who reported it this time at least.

Posted to Ken Rosenthal's twitter a half hour ago, the Astros released a statement that follows: "Regarding the story posted by The Athletic earlier today, the Houston Astros organization has begun an investigation in cooperation with Major League Baseball. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time." I can imagine the Astros will release a statement saying "We have investigated ourselves and determined that we have done nothing wrong."

One of the many reasons why I was rooting for the Nationals in that World Series. And yea Farquhar is a fucking gem. Outstanding job by the Sox bringing him back to the organization.

He's awesome. Really glad he was hired.

We know Nightengale can get chatter from agents and other teams too right? It all doesn't come from the White Sox.

I would also say using electronics to notice pitch tipping in game is cheating. I wouldn't be shocked if the Astros were doing this with all their access to technology.

Farquhar is a super smart dude, and the Astros are really outing themselves as an uber gross organization.

It depends on which of his two teams you are referring to. He gets an A for helping to build the Padres and a C- for his overall work with the White Sox.

Giolito lived up in the zone with his four seamer - as did Reylo. The Sox certainly are not sinker driven, lesser velocity, believers. That plan seemed to he individualized for Sale, and rightfully so as his arm hasnt held up since his full on drive towards maximizing velocity in boston.

Option 1.

How revealing is that? post of the year. edit: who are you? Stay a while.

I'm reaching out to peavy44 to see what he has heard this offseason

In the spirit of extreme optimism, let's address the issue of where to play Moncada, if the Sox can acquire Rendon. Some have vehemently resisted the idea of moving him to a new position, yet again. If it's true that Moncada has already stated his willingness to play the OF, I really don't see the problem. Not only would it make room for both Rendon at third and Madrigal at second, but it would fill the hole in RF. Yoan has the speed and athleticism to become an outstanding defensive right fielder. He also has a good enough arm for the position. I have heard some concerns about his past issues with hamstrings, but I'm not qualified to comment on that factor. If the Sox could acquire Rendon, that would only leave one more regular position to fill. Signing either Moose, or Grandal to rotate between first, DH and catcher, would fill the need for a left handed bat and complete the roster, for position players. Therefore, I don't agree with the suggestion of moving Moncada back to second. Madrigal will likely be a Gold Glove caliber defender, as soon as he joins the team and even if he were to start slowly, as a hitter, the Sox could easily hide his bat, with all of that thunder in the line up. That would leave the rotation, as the only remaining need for at least one more addition.

I will not fall into the trap again and be disappointed when the team falls woefully short. Rendon won't be a White Sox.

Perhaps you’re not familiar with the word “seemingly”?

I would rather pay a great player like Rendon than get cute and force someone like Castellenos or someone else as a DH. I hate moving Moncada but reality is I want more elite players and Rendon is that.

Look who's back.

Castellanos old?

You are that gullible? The White Sox sank last year. They've never had any significant free agent move like the ones we hope for. Their offseason last year was one of the worst offseasons I've ever seen from a franchise in baseball. They'll sign some people this year, it'll likely be something like Castellanos (Old and unbelievably bad at defense), Keuchel (not great and probably on downturn), and some middle pieces that will be overpaid for (i.e. nova, jay, alonso).

I'm under the impression that they will do absolutely anything to win baseball games and it's basically a certainty that they are cheating in many other ways.

If it's like other sports, the loser does not become the winner when the winner vacates. There just isn't a winner.

That is a big concern of mine. His market will be at least 5-10 teams deep looking for affordable rotation help. The more I look at it, the more I think he gets at least 5/100 million A good question to pose to fans on this thread, how much would you be willing to offer Wheeler to sign? How many guaranteed years and dollars? Beyond 5/100 I'm not sure he's worth it

This is damning stuff. Wonder what MLB is going to do about it. Likely, nothing .

The Astros are the MLB version of the Patriots.

94.8 is pretty much 95 Jack. I wouldn't expect much velocity change next year.

It's not just the pick they also lose the slot money. Last year the 11th pick in the 2nd round had a slot value of $1,403,200. That's money that could be used to overslot a 1st round pick that fell or a guy they like in the later rounds (DJ Gladney, Bryce Bush). If they give up that 2nd rounder it has to be for a difference maker. Zack Wheeler is a difference maker but Jake Odorizzi is not.

Fact of the matter is it's hard to actually expect much at all when you get outside of the top 6 or 7 picks. There's almost 0 reason to not give up picks for a good pro.

Yolmer will be resigned simply to be the court jester for big name FAs. He will come out on a unicycle while juggling bowling pins and put on a show for Rendon and others.

Someone's pants are about to catch fire.

Crazy Uncle Bruce may be right on this one 🤦‍♂️

Thank you for clarifying the intent of my comment. Of course, non of us has first hand information about these players, but Machado's numerous antics did not portray him in a very favorable light. By contrast, Rendon enjoys the reputation of being a very likeable player, as well as a good teammate. I never warmed up to Machado, as the potential "face of the franchise". I'm a little old fashioned, but I enjoy rooting for players, whom I "like," as people. Even though I don't personally know any of them, I can relate positively to their public personas. A personable young man, such as Eloy, is an easy player to root for. Manny Machado.....not so much. Perhaps a better test, is how one feels about them, when they are struggling. I feel much more empathy for a slumping player, if I like him, than I would for a guy, for whom I really don't care much. I understand that some fans really don't care and consider all of the players merely fungible pieces of the team. I've been a fan for a long time, going back to the mid 50's. Players tended to stay with the same team for much longer, back in the "reserve clause" era, before free agency. I grew up with an emotional attachment to guys like Jim Rivera, Nellie Fox and Louis Aparicio. It's a very subjective thing, but for me, it makes following the Sox more enjoyable. When you have to endure so many losing seasons, it helps when you like the players, as people. I'm the kind of fan, who would say to the prospect of the Bears acquiring Antonio Brown; "I don't care how good he is, I don't want that creep on my team". That's just me.

Wake me up when it’s April

I like Getz. I actually like all the minor league managers as well.

If we are willing to spend that much money on one player, spend it on Cole.

Does he want to play 2B? Otherwise it’s a non starter for me, and likely the Sox. They aren’t going to jerk Moncada around again. Moncada is an elite defensive 3B. Leave him alone.

sounds like an agent is using the white sox available money to boost the value of offers to his client

This is my hope as well. They were clearly upset about it, but the question is... upset enough to change your ways? Or upset that they couldn't convince others to conform to their ways.

But they cant spend too much future money cause they have to lock up current player at some point lol