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Seriously, how long do we keep in Charlotte just so the logistics of getting him there aren't wasted? I know I was in the slow roll boat, but I didn't expect him to destroy Birmingham like this, so yeah I was wrong, and I'm honestly just sick of getting to 40% of our lineup and thinking it's a great time to do chores or read a book. Get him up here, have Madrigal and Vaughn soon behind him. Make Baseball Interesting Again!

This thread is an absolute blast with some legendary hot takes. I skimmed through pages 45 to 55 and here are some of my favorite posts. Good thing Tommy Longo isn’t around to read his “awesome” takes, although One Dog has seemed to take his spiritual place.

I know that some people will never enjoy Collins' style but that doesn't mean we should say dumb shit. Collins was a #1 draft pick and deserved to be a #1 draft pick. He's a 24-year-old who has big raw power and plus plate discipline. He also doesn't really have anything left to prove in the minors. 151 wRC+ in 2016 in A+, 166 wRC+ in AA in 2017 after posting a 130 wRC+ in A+. 128 wRC+ with a .363 wOBA in 2018 playing his home games in Birmingham. He had a .364 wOBA and 115 wRC+ with 9 homers in Charlotte prior to his promotion to the big leagues. Collins has never had a walk rate lower than 18% in the minor leagues. I understand not thinking the profile will work in the majors. I understand not liking the appearance of what is a 3 true outcome performer. What I'll never understand is this Yermin Mercedes thing. He can hit. He's 26, has a terrible body and isn't a catcher as well. When Yermin Mercedes goes to sleep at night, he doesn't even reach Zack Collins' defensive capabilities in his very best dreams. Mercedes is a fun player to have in the system because he hits massive dingers and dingers are fun. He's a DH at the most though and almost definitely just an org guy for the White Sox.

Not gonna lie I wanted Robert to get more RBI tonight than Madrigal had K's this year

Some serious prospect porn going on in this thread. The future is in good hands. Blow your wad on pitching this offseason Hahn, no excuses!

Pray for the league.

I'm just come in here and eat my crow now so it's not awkward when this guy comes up and makes Juan Soto look like late-stage Gordon Beckham.

Luis Robert slam!

Wow!!! A comment about Reed on a thread supposedly about Reed.

The city of Chicago has "AJ REED FEVER!" It's all you hear about anymore when you step outside or turn on local TV/Radio! The excitement is palpable and the anticipation is unbearable!

Are you turning into a full blown Greg now? What’s with the 3rd person talk?

Moncada doesnt get respect for what hes been doing this year. I think its unfair how everyone shit on him last year (when I say everyone, I mean nationally, not just here), but then ignore what a stud hes been. Kind of infuriating tbh

and probably a broken thumb.

1 run single. I saw the "in play, runs" and my jaw dropped. But alas.

He's hitting better than Madrigal did before he got promoted. Can't wait to see him in AA.

ANOTHER ROBERT BOMB

I go back and forth on this, but if we’re prepared to spend big in free agency then why the fuck not. My only rule is call him by August 1st or wait to mid April. Anything less than two months is simply not worth it.

Is that the Knights announcer? How does he not know...

Vaughn's hits make a pretty sound

Can confirm that Robert is in Charlotte.

Reed is not taking over for Abreu, Vaughn is. Reed is a flyer.

The way I look at Abreu, is first, I think he is a perfect mentor for the younger players on the team, chew notwithstanding. He is a professional hitter. Works every AB. He seems to be very professional in the way he carries himself and how he approaches his business. He is consistent and reliable. He seems to work hard. He hits. He hits good pitching. He is an XBH machine. But let's leave that aside. It doesn't matter for the analytics. The question that needs is does Jose Abreu make this a better team. I think the answer to that is clearly yes. With Anderson, Moncada and Eloy, Abreu is the best hitter on the team. The most dangerous hitter on the team. He is the anchor in the middle of the lineup. I think he clearly makes this team better. The second question, is does keeping him around make the team better? I think yes. Now, obviously there are some caveats here. First of all, the question becomes with whom would they replace him. There doesn't seem to be an in house option at the ready for next season, and maybe the season after. When you look at the list of FAs for next season, I don't think there is anyone close to as good as Jose at 1B. In terms of a DH, there could be JD, but he is really the only clearly superior option. Guys like Cruz and Encarnacion are there, but if people have am issue with Abreu's age, those guys are dinosaurs. I think the team would be better in 2020, with Jose Abreu. Especially if they plan on contending, which I think they can, it would be a huge risk to replace Jose with someone like Sheets. The FA list for 20/21 is equally uninspiring. For the most part the names there are older and worse than Jose. But, by 2021, maybe guys like Sheets and Vaughn are ready to contribute. The good news, is the Sox should have 2 spots in the lineup for Jose, 1B and DH. Now there could be other extenuating circumstances, but I think for the most part, this team looks better this year, next year, and the year after with Abreu in the lineup. He certainly fits for the next 2 years. And if the price of keeping him for 2 is signing him for 3, then I take that. If it is 4 years, I think that still makes sense. Abreu will decline with age. That is certain. But he doesn't look like he is going to Ryan Howard and completely fall off a cliff. But I see this as a better team with Jose than they are without him. Now and for the next couple of seasons.

Well done White Sox.

They started installation today. It probably will be all up by the next homestand.

You have a lot higher hopes for AJ Reed than most

https://deadspin.com/what-a-foul-ball-can-do-1835706809

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2019/6/18/18683945/white-sox-to-extend-protective-netting-at-guaranteed-rate-field-mlb-cubs-albert-almora-jr Absolute no-brainer. Now for the crying tough guys.

That, and the big declarations about players who have had 20 ABs, is very unlike Jack

Who is the Sox DH right now and next year? Why can you not reason that perhaps they want to resign Abreu but “the Houston guy” (Reed) could fit in at DH for next year if he performs well in the role in the second half of this season?

You watch your mouth! He’s a .1 WAR player!

Only a GM would have your insights.

It's better to have them and never need their use, than it is to not have them, and have someone suffer unnecessarily I think.

I think it depends on the status of the team and minor league system. They have a really top heavy system that should produce at least 5 or 6 MLB players to add to the team. This allowed them to draft a bunch of high school players which typically take longer to develop. As opposed to when they didn't have much talent in the system and needed players relatively quickly.

I see him in the bullpen when he initially comes back then in the rotation when Cease/Kopech hit their innings limits.

Jason...

Glad to hear it. This one is a no-brainer.

It's not a matter of being afraid or not. It's not even really a matter of paying attention. You are not a professional athlete and are unlikely to do something as basic as buying a beer when a baseball is flying at your head. Nets are essential. The end.

No it doesn't

I disagree. I think people are overthinking this. If McCann expects to be paid like an all star catcher then you don't extend, but he is likely not an idiot. he can guarantee extra years, get a bonus for next year, and sox can cement in place a veteran catcher his pitchers love and can mentor multiple young catchers in place. He's not going to get an extension of 3 years 60 million.

You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather!

He cut down his k's 6% and his walks 3%, so he's putting an extra 9% of his at bat's in play. That's a huge deal for someone who hits the ball as hard as anyone. The trade off on walks was a smart play.

This is funny. Did anyone else besides the old timers get why I said "Where's our Mike Trout?" For those that don't know, I'm going to go into the wayback machine and send you the link. @Chisoxfn Where in the hell is the "Where's our Liriano?" Thread???? How is that not in the SoxTalk classics section? C'mon, that was an all-timer.

If Cooper remains pitching coach, might need to get netting in front of the outfield bleachers as well

Sounds like a standard-issue Score caller.

I have always hated nets, but with the golf balls they use now coupled with the lack of attention in the stands whether its texting or taking selfies or whatever, it must be done.

You'll get over it.

Hate it

Can’t wait until they forget about it 15 seconds after sitting behind it, just like last time. Its not even worth the argument

Yeah, this makes sense. Too many people have been drilled by foul balls recently.