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Gotta say I much prefer a living manager to a corpse.

Tony would demand people buy HIM lunch.

Gotta make room for Aaron Judge

Unless his approach is straight bunting he’s already a better hire than what we’ve had here in the past

I'd be very surprised if Jose Abreu is on the White Sox in 2023

I fear the bigger bases will only give Eloy more bag to trip over.

Although he wasn’t the full hitting coach, the overall Royals launch angle the last 2 years has been 12.8 degrees; very consistent year to year and in the middle of the pack. The White Sox have had one of the lowest launch angles in baseball consistently over the entire statcast era and across two hitting coaches, so this is a statistic I hope to see change.

Leury Garcia

I am sure Balta will tell you his numbers are better, but I have it more like $168.8M at the moment, not including signing bonuses spread across multiple years, a differed $1M due to Abreu, etc. True salary is $168.8M. I also believe Sox final 2022 payroll was $197M. Guaranteed Lynn - $18.5M Grandal - $18.25M Moncada - $17M Hendriks - $14M Pollock - $13M (player option with $5M buyout) Anderson - $12.5M (team option) Jimenez - $9.5M Robert - $9.5M Kelly - $9M Graveman - $8M Garcia - $5.5M Bummer - $3.75M Diekman - $3.5M *This assumes White Sox turn down Harrison's $5.5M team option* *Other impending FA's include Abreu, Cueto, Valasquez, and Andrus* TOTAL GUARANTEED = $142M Arbitration Eligible *updated based on MLBTR projections* Cease (arb 1) - $5.3M Kopech (arb 1) - $2.2M Mendick (arb 1) - $1M Giolito (arb 3) - $10.8M Lopez (arb 3) - $3.3M Engel (arb 3) - NON TENDER (MLBTR projection of $2.3M) Ruiz (arb 1) - NON TENDER (MLBTR projection of $1M) Crochet (pre-arb) - $700k Gonzalez (pre-arb) - $700k Lambert (pre-arb) - $700k Sheets (pre-arb) - $700k Vaughn (pre-arb) - $700k Zavala (pre-arb) - $700k TOTAL ARB = $26.8M; TOTAL PAYROLL = $168.8M The White Sox 2022 payroll was ~$197M, so this gives the Sox around $30M to spend to match 2022 payroll

Rule 5 is November 15. Lotta guys about to get released.

It really is wild that we are grabbing a hitting coach from the royals to modernize our offensive approach and it's...true and good.

Maybe bringing up Oscar Colas?

I loved that Eloy/Pedro conversation. This guy is a keeper.

Only thing you could do is try to unload Grandal (which requires eating cash or taking on ...probably a trash pitcher I'd guess) That really opens up the C position for Omar Narvaez! Now a good defensive catcher, his offense has fallen off. It looks like he may have hit a real wall as he ages into year 30, making him attractive to Hahn.

Between the Gio video and the FaceTime with Pedro and Eloy, things will be different next season that much you can count on.

It’s great, but what do the analytics say about playing big lumbering outfielders, and signing mediocre utility guys to long term deals in lieu of real position players? This team has to answer to basic common sense first way before analytics. I have confidence and hope they will now. Well, mostly hope. I would get a ton more satisfaction if Hahn was as sharp as Pedro, and would indicate so. Pedro needs tools to employ. Newsflash to the Sox FO. YOU ARE NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP SQUAD. Get that delusional crap outta here and get to work building.

They've got 4 minimum salary guys they can play at 2b. All are reasonably well regarded in the minors. Plenty of good teams let young players play even if they struggle some. The Astros do it, the Phillies do it, and the Sox...sign Josh Harrison to get that proven production. 2B is really down on the list of trouble spots (catcher, OF, SP, e.g.)

Plus they didn't develop him. They're relying on his innate talent to sink or swim. This org does a horseshit job at working with players to help them grow.

Trading the 24 year old cost controlled future franchise cornerstone who's value is depressed due to playing out of position, and turning around and investing $15M+ for 2023 into a comparable 36 year old bat on the decline is.......very bad business. I lose Jose Abreu. Build him a statue. But this is not the route forward unless Miami wants to hand us Jazz Chisholm for AV, AND Jose will take a nice discount. Signing Jose also means we aren't getting an OF. Its just terrible asset allocation.

*Obligatory "better than taking shots WITH Tony!" joke*

About fucking time

For the last several weeks I've been working on a story trying to find out what is going on with this organization in an extremely crucial off season. It may be the last chance they have to get the rebuild/contention window right. The Sox of course are being very tight lipped as per usual, Sox Fest has been cancelled, no chance for anyone to ask the brass any questions... so I went to a half dozen sources who know the organization to try to get a handle on what may be happening. If you read the story I describe those sources in general terms but not specifically because I wanted honest answers. I believe what they've told me on a number of issues. I've been a Sox Fan for 62 seasons NO ONE wants this rebuild/contention window to succeed more than I do, but I've got to tell you, based of what I've been told, I think the chances are very slim. This organization simply is "mired in mediocrity" for wont of a better word and in my opinion until new ownership and a new front office is brought in I suspect it will be more of "one step forward, two steps back..." But we'll see. Here is the link to the story: https://www.wsiforumstoo.com/74118-the-state-of-the-sox

Savagery is on the way!

Seems a very power heavy approach. Also of note seems he worked as an offseason hitting coach while he was a scout with the Dodgers.

20k X 6 is 120k, not 1.2m

I am sure that whole call was staged.

Unfortunately I don’t think this roster construction is a World Series caliber team.

Man they are really pushing the PR with this guy, trying to distract everyone that they cancelled Soxfest!!

That's HALL OF FAME corpse to you.

Conforto is going to get more than anticipated, which means the typical seat at the table line.

Pedro kissing Eloy's ass right out of the gate. Eloy looked pretty tentative in the Facetime compared to his usual gregarious demeanor. Anything he needs? Yes. He will let Grifo know...

Quality.

I like the idea of Conforto on a 1 year.

Just glancing over the 40 man, they could easily make room for 8-10 guys that need to be protected.

Wouldn’t that be something if managing caused him to basically be a drunk in the dugout. Would certainly explain his decisions.

This dude is making me a believer again. Listening to this guy is hard to root against him

wow. Give me those Conforto numbers over either of tose other OF any day of the week.

As a long time Vaughn supporter… I’d rather resign Jose and trade Vaughn for a young left fielder or starting pitcher.

One has nothing to do with the other. definition of "gamer" a person known for consistently making a strong effort. "he's a gamer, always ready to go that extra mile" it has nothing to do with how fast you are.

Eloy’s only problem has been crashing into objects and people.

They got .256/.317/.370 with 7 HR's and 27 RBI's out of Harrison through 119 games. If they can't get that level of production our of some combo of Mendick/Sosa/Gonzalez - I'd be shocked. Especially if they are going to use a more analytical approach, realistically they should be able to match that production with those guys out of the bottom of the order.

Grifol was just on the Blackhawks broadcast in the 3rd period. Sounded good. Had a busy day today met some people , checked out his new office and got the lay of the land.

I believe the White Sox are signaling that they plan on investing in ways to make their current guys better rather than investing in new guys to replace their current guys. Very likely too little too late, but that's what I'm guessing.

Just finally got a chance to listen to this interview. I was down on Lucas so much this past season, but it’s hard not to love him when you hear an interview like this.

Yes we have seen enough to know they are not outfielders.

you got it dude!

I prefer it with one less word.

the Hahn apologists are delusional and i have no idea why they continue to defend Hahn as if hes some sort of prisoner in our org

I bet this “teammate” ’is the actual douche

At the very least, I don't want him fired yet. This represents a substantial upgrade over the last one of these.