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Jake Burger is so fun to watch play this game of baseball.

The Cleveland broadcasters yesterday spend a bit opining about how bad of a signing our .800 OPS catcher is. Meanwhile, their FA catcher has 46 strikeouts in 85 ABs while also being the worst blocker in the league. Cleveland hasn't gotten a hit from a catcher since April 29.

Garfein and McGuffy released their latest podcast tonight. Just watched it on You Tube. The theme was “what will the next Sox rebuild look like?” They went over a lot of ground in 45 minutes but both guys thought at least SOME sort of rebuild is coming. They differed on how big of a rebuild though. McGuffy (who towards the end of the podcast really let everyone know how frustrated and tired he was of the Sox failure in the rebuild) felt it has to be torn down to the studs again BUT it had to start with the selling of the team. He said the organization “half assed” (direct quote) the rebuild because they wouldn’t go out and get the superstar, the game changer, the guy who could make other talented players want to come to the Sox. He blamed JR for handcuffing his front office. Garfein wouldn’t go that far but he did say something interesting in that he commented that “We don’t know who’ll be doing the next rebuild. Will it be Rick, Kenny and Chris Getz or someone else?” (Does he know something?) He figured 80 million will be paired from the payroll after trades this July and then when the season ended so he thought especially in this division a smart retooling could put things on the right course again. He also said at his age, JR is not interested in another complete rebuild. He said the money will be there if the organization wants to spend it from the purging of this year's team/payroll. He also talked about how he wants a team that will reflect the fan base. A team that plays the game hard, runs everything out, plays defense and can do the little things. (Sounds like he just got through watching The Last Comiskey documentary!) Both guys talked about getting real leaders into the clubhouse moving forward, guys who have enough respect that they can tell the other players what they are doing wrong and hold them accountable. McGuffy said those guys don’t necessarily have nine figure contracts either. (A lot of what they were talking about was told to me by sources in my State of the Sox story that was published in November. That the clubhouse is fractured, guys doing their own thing, not a lot of chemistry, guys got their money so they just don’t care et al) They also talked about how bad the farm system is with three of the top prospects Montgomery, Schultz and Ramos haven't played at all this year. Both thought TA would be shopped either at the deadline or next off season. Garfein hoped the Dodgers and Braves would get into a bidding war for him. Garfein hoped that the Sox could get something for Eloy and said he was “perfectly fine” with Burger being the DH moving forward. He also said pretty strongly that Moncada will only be on the club through the 24 season. Both thought Giolito is gone come July…maybe Lynn, Kelly and Clevinger. Cease’s name was brought up as well since he could offer a decent return. Robert could also be traded according to McGuffy because he’s the only guy that would really bring back a big haul. Garfein wants to keep him and rebuild (retool) around him. Both opened the podcast by talking about how unbelievable it was that they had to be talking about this in the first place after so much was promised. Pretty frank assessment in my opinion. I recommend listening to it. (or watching it on You Tube)

Apparently, Pedro has been working with Luis on working counts and taking pitches.

And that is case in point why you dont move Moncada to 2B and put Burger at 3B.

No way I trade Robert. You'd never get equivalent or higher value back. Build around him.

A reminder that @kwillis starting today's game thread. Anyone else does it and they have to write a 10-page single-spaced paper on why they love Rick Hahn.

Gavin fired up, and I don't blame him. Terrible "Lets just go home" call there for strike 3.

Yoan's defense sparks joy.

I'll continue to be glad we did it. Yaz was the top FA catcher on the market, and we paid for him.

"Yermin who???"

Never fear, Rick Hahn's wonderful depth department will easily cover for his absence. Oh wait...

Benny still batting 2nd when he clearly isn't one of the teams best hitters right now is puzzling to me.

So, heading into a supposed contending season with Davis Martin as the only viable minor league SP depth may not have been a good idea after all.

Thanks for posting and I did watch it. I loved their candid thoughts. The only point I disagree with was McGuffy wanting to trade Robert. Yes it might bring a big haul. However Robert is only 25 years old. There are not many talented 5-Tool players in baseball with the huge upside of Robert. Trading away Robert could possibly be one of those lifetime famous trades that become a nightmare. What Luis is doing in a lineup with TA .257 BA/.299 OBP and Benintendi .272 BA and 333 OBP is remarkable. You trade him away to some stronger team that has some dangerous on base hitters in front of him, along with more dangerous bats behind Luis and you will be looking at a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. Let's hope the Sox can get the talent in the lineup around Luis to get the full potential out of him. Of course that will take a different GM.

I'm not an unreasonable fan ... kudos to Sox when they win. Once again when Sox play 'modern baseball' they do better. HRs. Nice bombs tonight. Robert turning into a star before our eyes; same with Burger. And the guy i've hated on, joe kelly, is dealing. And apparently Lynn is better than a DFA candidate. So nice win. If you are going to have as bad a record as the Sox, at least try to stay 'in it' by dominating division foes. Verdict out on that; Sox still can't play on the same field as the Royals.

Clevinger (4.79 ERA) vs Battenfield ( 4.45 ERA) The Man in The Black Hat is here to stay on the South Side Who ya got going deep tonight- I'm thinking Moncada or Benintendi Positive Vibes Only Forum- Everybody Else Hit the Back Button! #GoodGuysWhereBlack LEGGO!

Might as well keep the bats sizzling. Nice win again. This is better than finding a way to lose every night. Burger mania.

That's my 3rd basemen ?

I tell ya what, Wimpy, this game has been downright enjoyable.

When these guys hit it covers up a lot of the problems this roster has

78 wins may win this division. 63-56 needed rest of the way including tonight. M = May; J = June; Y = July; A = August; S = September; O = October 1st. Games Remaining: Arizona Diamondbacks (3 Home S) Atlanta Baseball Team (3 Away Y) Baltimore Orioles (3 Away A) Boston Red Sox (3 Home J, 3 Away S) Chicago Cubs (2 Home Y, 2 Away A) Cleveland Guardians (6 Home M (2) Y (4), 6 Away M A) Colorado Rockies (3 Away A) Detroit Tigers (6 Home J S, 7 Away M (4) S (3)) Kansas City Royals (6 Home M S, 3 Away S) Los Angeles Angels (3 Home M, 4 Away J) Los Angeles Dodgers (3 Away J) Miami Marlins (3 Home J) Milwaukee Brewers (3 Home A) Minnesota Twins (4 Home S, 3 Away Y) New York Mets (3 Away Y) New York Yankees (3 Home A, 3 Away J) Oakland Athletics (4 Home A, 3 Away J (1) Y (2)) Saint Louis Cardinals (3 Home Y) San Diego Padres (3 Home S/O) Seattle Mariners (3 Home A, 3 Away J) Texas Rangers (3 Home J, 3 Away A) Toronto Blue Jays (3 Home Y) Washington Nationals (3 Away S)

Burger 9/18 in 76 at-bats. 1.021 OPS Career wise, .255, 18, 47 in just 282 at-bats. .837 OPS. No matter what happens the rest of the season, he has now become a core element of "rebuild/retool" and probably the best feel good story for the Sox since Carroll (QB from Purdue) pitching into lifetime MLB benefits and maybe Billy Hamilton two seasons ago. Robert leading the majors in XBH/3rd in homers and 95% of his former self in CF, too. Win tonight and only 8 games behind MIN before Memorial Day, lol.

Need Burger in the lineup. Eloy is the RF when healthy (assuming no injuries). Dude gets hurt regardless if he DH’s or not.

Worst offense in baseball is down 2 of their best hitters and Clevinger is still throwing BP.

they aren't moving Burger up because they don't wanna send a message that everytime you struggle you get buried at the bottom, they aren't gonna move Burger up or Vaughn down until Vaughn goes on some Ventura binge or Burger turns into Robert and I don't agree with that philosophy because they're too far back to be massaging egos but it is what it is

W-S already losing 2-0. Jackson Holliday with another triple. That is what a 1-1 pick is supposed to look like.

Just imagine this rotation the final months with Giolito and Lynn gone (and maybe Clevinger)

I'm normally not a lineup construction guy, but Burger batting 8th is ridiculous.

This should have happened October 1st.

I can think of him, Garret Crochet, and Dane Dunning off the top of my head of guys that it seemed obvious they were going to need Tommy John surgery but the White Sox pushed it back and tried to have them work through it and avoid surgery. Have the Sox had success with anyone actually avoiding TJ or do they just cost themselves several months worth of recovery time constantly?

It’s cute they think JR will spend the money he cuts from the payroll via deadline trades

No spring training. Off season program was altered.What chemo did to his body. It's going to be a bit. I'm amazed he is where he is.

How to jog around the bases with this one easy trick.

Robert is good at baseball.

I mean that's nice and all, but I once saw him grimace slightly after running the bases, so I'm pretty sure he's a bust.

Joe Kelly is fun to watch, when he isn't hurt.

Ha ha. You would trust Rick Hahn to trade Robert.

It’s because he cut his hair. It transformed him from golden god to superdork overnight

Not sure Liam is ready to return. ERA at Charlotte is now 10.80. One inning tonight and gave up another homer. Not to sure what to make of his struggles as it may be just trying to get his strength back and concentrate on getting the ball over the plate?

I was watching the hoops game after the first inning or so. Not that's I'm watching most innings anyways with this group. That said, from the box this was a nice win. Maybe keep it up for like 20 in 28 wins and I'll pay serious attention again.

It's tough being in the same league as Ohtani, Trout and Judge.

I remember when he first came up. Hitters were glaring at him because he was throwing high heaters at their heads. He wasn't head-hunting; the control wasn't there and there were stories of him in the minors of him being all over the place. Finally, the Sox were hyping him as the savior of the franchise before he threw one major league pitch. This has been a joke.

Katz or no Katz, the Kopech situation was botched from the start. Maybe he can develop, but he always had control problems. Still needs to learn to be a pitcher, and in reality, he hasn't pitched all that much.

You mean those two starts that he had 11 walks in? We have different definitions of "fine and looking better and better".

Still can’t believe it’s just May and Sox, Royals and A’s are already the three eliminated MLB teams for all intents and purposes. Starting to feel almost surreal. If not yet willing to surrender…this week should really put the nail in the coffin. Only 120 games remaining.

Frank on one leg in Toronto was better that most of these bums, that's for sure.

Come back and build that trade value.

The Sox fans are pulling for you Liam and probably most baseball fans!