I just want to see how everyone is with the current status of the rebuild. It seems most were on board when it commenced. Anyone like me, seeing some huge issues?
it seems most assumed or hoped a rebuild would make the Sox like the Astros or Cubs. Probably the 2 best case scenarios of a total rebuild. But even those teams have made some mistakes. Houston released JD Matinez and passed on Kris Bryant. They also traded Hader to Milwaukee. The Cubs seemed locked into some bad contracts after winning once. They now seem to be taking on Father Time banking on Hamels and Lester at least for 2019.
But even with all those missteps, they will be right there again and again. This rebuild has a pitcher who would be have been an odds on favorite for TJ surgery in Vegas, wind up having to have the surgery, and the consensus is, it pushes the entire rebuild back a year. Moncada struggled which in and of itself probably isn’t shocking, but shouldn’t we be at a point where a guy either ranked 1 or 2 should be showing a bit more consistency? Tim Anderson improved in the field and walked several times in April, then no better, maybe even worse offensively than he has ever been. Shouldn’t the lack of progress be concerning? Gio didn’t exactly look like a top prospect on the mound. Lopez definitely had some really good moments, but he even admits to losing focus, and his peripherals have to be a concern. Alec Hansen was awful. Zack Collins was a guy Hostetler said he would have picked 1-1. While he appears he will be a big leaguer, he certainly doesn’t look like so,Rome you would pick first overall. The White Sox spent a lot of cash on Luis Robert. His next professional homer in the US will be his first. He seems to spend more time with trainers than on the field. I am not suggesting he is a bust. I know it is way too soon for that, but the performance has to be a bit concerning. Jake Burgers injuries aren’t the White Sox fault, but he is a guy that carries some extra weight and isn’t so athletic. The injures may make him a wasted pick. Burdi has some diminished velocity. If it’s permanent, he is probably not a guy any better than the crap they have been picking up on waivers. It is possible he was another wasted pick. Guys like Palka, and Delmonico are no reasons to get excited about a rebuild.
Cease looks great. Hopefully it will continue, although a past TJ so early scares me he will eventually need another. Eloy is Eloy, but he will have the weight of the White Sox fan base on his shoulders in 2019. Any kind of struggle, and a lot of the people who are loving the rebuild right now may change their mind. Dunning was really doing well, although that is another questionable elbow. Basabe had a far better 2018 than 2017.
There just doesn’t seem to be anyone except Eloy close to can’t miss. I would think with as many top 10 draft picks as they have had, as many prospects as they acquired for their good players, as many times as we read Hahn fleeced another team, there should be at least a couple more.
Other than perhaps winning a few more games, what has to happen in the next year to keep your faith in the rebuild, KW and RH, and Ricky and his coaches? If they win 70 games, what are the excuses you would buy to keep the faith the right guys are in place, and the White Sox are just a little bit away from dominating the AL Central?