Leaderboard

This season is going to be a lot of learning what people look like.

This part's a lot funnier if we don’t take it as rhetorical, and pretend he's genuinely asking.

The only one I recognize is Kopech. He looks pretty jacked. Hopefully he's also worked on pitching in the off season.

The dumb thing about having awful managers and teams since Ozzie left is the Ozzie revisionism. Ozzie was part and parcel of the #grinder #TWTW bullshit that infected the franchise after 2005 and remains to this day.

Yes Pedro, there is a reason why you're here. It has little to do with your managerial acumen and more to do with who your boss is. Your boss's boss that is. There is also a reason why you are *still* here, and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether you ever earned a job in the first place. It's because your boss's predecessors fucked up this 40 man roster so royally that even the best manager in the game couldn't win with the train wreck left behind. You are still here only as a placeholder, and very likely as the scapegoat to appease angry fans when your utter incompetence shows out again and your team still looks like a clown show. You weren't fired after the 101 loss abomination you helmed in 2023 simply so your firing in 2024 can be sold as a righting of the ship next offseason.

And I try to be an eternal optimist. But after JR and Getz have been going on about doing things the "right way," Maldonado is just sign that — unless he's going to the Bonds School of Career Resurgence — we're going to continue to commit money (that cumulatively adds up) to s%*# players that they'll continue to sell us as difference makers for one reason or another.

This is one of those where the actual correct response, the one that doesn't sound terrible, is to acknowledge there's a problem and vow to fix it. He could easily have doubled back on the other things he said in this interview. "Pedro, some fans want to know why you haven't been fired yet, how do you respond to that"? "Well, honestly I understand their frustration, we lost 101 games last year, our defense was poor, we had a lot of things to fix. The fans have a right to be frustrated with that style of play and that level of performance. But this year, I think we have a good group of guys in the clubhouse, we are going to be better on defense, I don't know how the season is going to wind up but I expect the fans will see progress and improvement on the field, and I hope they judge all of us by the improvement they see." Contrast that with: ‘‘It didn’t look right, maybe, in their eyes last year,’’ he said. ‘‘But there’s a reason I am where I am, right? You don’t just get handed these [manager] jobs, right? This is one of 30. So over time, you know, I’ve earned the right to be here. But I’ve got to continue to prove that, you know, [hiring me] was the right decision.’’ See the difference? In one he's telling the fans they're wrong and he didn't get handed the job for no reason so he must have done a good job so all those other peons must be wrong, that "maybe it didn't look right in their eyes last year" (really, maybe????), in the other he's saying that the fans who pay his salary have some genuine complaints and he expects to do a job this year that will satisfy some of those complaints.

Lol at tone deaf Pedro. No douchebag, the "reason" you are here is because you're skilled at being a smooth talking corporate bootlicker who agreed to accept a cheap salary, so the organization decided in its infinite wisdom that you'd fit like a glove.

This is close to the last thing I expected to see when I opened Soxtalk tonight

Gotta catch 'em all

That return date feels optimistic. Don’t rush it.

I read the title as "caulfield". I spend too much time here

I've been one of Moncada's biggest defenders over his time here, but even I hit my limit. I just hope he plays well enough to be moved at the deadline.

This is going to be done in stages over probably a decade or two, as well as various agencies and sources. Some will be more private, such as the buildings themselves, some will be more public, such as any remediations, and probably the stadium. Things like condos will be almost all private funds. Again, just like you quoted the "change in law" part for funding, that would be the same for any funding being used for anything other than projects like this. You can't just take funds from one taxing entity and use it for whatever you want. There are laws that govern what the entity was set up for and what it could be used for. ISFA money would literally never be used for law enforcement by law, same as TIF funding. I know this attracts special attention for what it is, but this is done on a regular basis all over the US. It isn't some big mystery. The frameworks for these types of projects are pretty straight forward and don't really alter that much.

The responses to that from Sox fans are brutal. And well deserved. Who the f*** are these guys? And why does one of them look like bootleg Zach Lavine?

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I've always felt his struggles were due to injuries and not at all motivation. I don't really have anything concrete to base that on, and I get why many think otherwise. Either way, it's a relief knowing I only have one more season to blindly defend him.

Ozzie really hung Dunn out to dry, just to show up KW, then quit on the team in 2011. I didn't mind Ozzie as a manager, but really wasn't a fan of the clown show. Maybe he'd get along better with Getz, but there are so many other manager candidates....

so you think TIF money is going to be the ask? I'm saying they haven't even mentioned how it's going to be paid for yet, because they are going to be asking for more than anyone has ever asked for before probably times 3 or 4. All so a billionaire who hasn't put the fans anywhere near first the last decade and a half, can have more money when he dies. This will be so drawn out, unless JR and Related shock us all with tons of private financing. And we know that isn't going to happen. And even if it all means some other billionaire with get the funds, good. The State and City have already given JR billions if you think about it. If they don't built GRF, JR goes to Tampa? How would that of worked out? Plus he pisses so many people off, he sells the Bulls before their dynasty. I know its corny, but JR owes us something.

And look how completely irrelevant both his teams are. Seems like there just might be a common denominator.

My hope is that it's just coach speak. But this dumb mofo came in last year promising the moon and delivered a garbage dump so yea, hard to be optimistic. If the org really thinks this guy is an above replacement level manager than the Getz era will follow the general path of the Hahn era most likely.

I would like to ask Pedro when was the last time a team trying to win lost 100 games like his team did, during his only season as a manager.

I could really care less. The benefit this design has for the sox is taking advantage of the beauty surrounding the stadium. Much of it visible while sitting in your seats. Add to that a place to sit along the river. Those are nice things. The "garble it will have GLASS" stuff is fake. I believe you all that you don't want a stadium, I don't believe your excuses.

Over time, like about a week, it was clear Pedro was in way over his head. Now he's got an ego as well? He's managed 1 season, a team he said would win both sides of the ball, and go out with the attitude of kicking the opponents ass. He's 40 under .500. A total clown.

They need to move the draft back to June. Ever since MLB moved the draft to July, the trade markets seems to much longer to develop and it of course gives teams less time with the drafted players. They should have the draft at the College World Series every year.

The City of Chicago should simply say we'll build your stadium the next time you guys win a playoff series. Odds are it would take a decade or more for that to even happen....plus another 3-5 years to get the stadium built.

Where is the humility?

Rinse and repeat. This guy is delusional.

JR was just waiting for these to drop so he could copy them for the real Sox design

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/02/13/white-sox-pedro-grifol-manager-spring-training-cactus-league ‘‘But there’s a reason I am where I am, right? You don’t just get handed these [manager] jobs, right? This is one of 30. So over time, you know, I’ve earned the right to be here." ?

You'd think a guy hired by the same folks that gave us horrendous stretches from late stage Guillen, just along for the ride RV and asleep (and drunk) at the wheel TLR would perhaps be a bit more humble. Manager of the White Sox? That's a clown gig bro.

I honestly think Ozzie would be great for guys like Moncada and Eloy. He would give them the kick in the ass they need.

The Evil Knievel toy was one of the greatest ever invented.

Parking is important to many suburban Sox fans. It's really not worth the gamble of building this thing and risk losing a sizable number of fans who choose to drive for security, time requirements, convenience and safety for their families. The 78 site plan is a joke in many ways as is the nondescript design of the stadium itself. What is in that glass box bldg. with "Sox" on it ? Elevators to club boxes? Gratuitous exploding pinwheels? Ugh. I see a predominance of modern architectural elements like metal beams and rectangular glass that will no doubt be replicated in surrounding flat-roofed buildings. Virtually nothing about 78 is unique let alone special and the site sucks in so many ways. By contrast fans refer to "Beautiful Wrigley Field" because it has so many things about it that make it so. IMO, there is absolutely no compelling need to move from 35th Street. Renegotiate the Lease and when the time is right, replace it with a beautiful new stadium incorporating brick, wrought iron, arches, etc. on the grounds of the original Comiskey. The designs of the architect that designed both Comiskey and Wrigley contain a lot of clues that could be used to make a new park a memorable experience and one that does justice to the long history of the South Side White Sox, the original Comiskey Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Jerry doesn't count the enormous income not included in "MLB Income" such as his Sox portion of CSN Chicago, MLB.com revenue, parking, upcoming sportsbook, bar lounge across the street and other outside stadium income, significant federal tax write-offs and capital gain deferrals, city and state tax subsidies, government ticket purchase subsidies for under 1.9M attendance, and the millions in "upkeep" provided by the ISFA. Jerry has spent on three occasions as owner the past 36 years (records I can find online from a single source): (2 Seasons 2022-2023) An effort to prove his guy, Tony La Russa, was the best manager and HOF person on Earth. (4 Seasons 1994-1997) Post 1993 Division Title + Albert Belle Hissy Fit reaction to owners rejecting his hardline stance. (8 Seasons 2006-2013) Post World Series and significant attendance bump. For the other 22 seasons there are online records, they have been mid to bottom tier payrolls, far below teams in similar markets. Even after the new stadium opened, he didn't bump payroll, and fielded bottom payrolls leading up to the new stadium, so that's likely what Sox fans have to look forward to the rest of the decade. Payroll information since 1988. Top 9 quadrants used pre-expansion to 30 teams in 1998. Source 1988-2023 Decade Averages: 1988-1989 $6.8M (26) Bottom MLB payroll both seasons 1990s $32.5M (14) 2000s $77.4M (13) 2010s $104.6M (16) 2020-2023 $134.4M (13) (11) Top Third Payroll Seasons 2022 $190.8M (7) 2013 $124.1M (9) 2011 $127.8M (5) 2010 $108.3M (7) 2008 $121.2M (5) 2007 $108.7M (5) 2006 $102.8M (4) 1997 $54.4M (3) 1996 $41.9M (5) 1995 $39.6M (5) 1994 $38.4M (8) (16) Middle Third Payroll Seasons 2023 $174.9M (12) 2021 $127.1M (15) 2020 $44.8M (17) 37% spent 2017 $109.6M (20) 2016 $116.0M (16) 2015 $110.7M (18) 2014 $91.2M (20) 2012 $97.0M (11) 2009 $96.1M (12) 2005 $75.2M (13) 2004 $65.2M (15) 2002 $57.1M (18) 2001 $65.6M (14) 1998 $36.8M (18) 1993 $34.6M (13) 1992 $28.4M (17) (9) Bottom Third Payroll Seasons 2019 $89.4M (26) 2018 $72.2M (29) 2003 $51.0M (22) 2000 $31.2M (26) 1999 $24.6M (24) 1991 $16.8M (23) 1990 $9.5M (26) 1989 $7.6M (26) 1988 $5.9M (26)

If we're going on Swaggermetrics, we're fucking bottom tier. Hard to have swag when you stink.

Wait, what else are supposed to look at? Swaggermetrics? Considering I wasn't able to watch a bunch of Astros games, I'll go off of what their fans - and the numbers - conclude: He's garbage at pitch framing and defense. If defense and pitch framing is important, Seby blows him out of the water like a nuclear submarine.

@caulfield12give this man back his password. I get what you're saying, I'm just busting your chops. There are probably people on this forum that love the signing but this TWTW s%*# never works we all know that. It was a dumpster dive of a move almost like made to keep the clubhouse from having zero older latin leaders. I mean maybe it will help them, who knows. It's certainly not a move that you'd hope Getz will be making 2 years from now. If he is, we're just back in the same hell with a different GM.

I agree with the idea that Getz is calling the shits.

One year of Pedro is not my definition of luck.

We can only hope that that jabroni is jettisoned by then ??.

Does Luis Robert? We'll need a trout like 10 WAR from him just to get within shouting distance of .500. So if Robert plays 150 games, hits 290/340/550 and puts up 8 WAR he'll TWTW us to 78 wins. You know, I'd take that season if offered right now. At least we'd have someone to holler about on a nightly basis.

He has none after the one and only dumbest team in the MLB gave him a manager job when no one else would have.

Most managers will just provide the most obvious Spring Training fluff that that no one will care about. Grifol likes to go the opposite route and spout non-sensical crap that just absolutely pisses Sox fans off.

He is such a loser.

I think the case has always been that Reinsdorf doesn't have a problem spending when they look competitive. Under Hahn, they've just made stupid spending decisions. Getz seems a bit more measured than Hahn. I don't doubt that once they trade Cease, Robert, Soroka, maybe Kopech, Eloy, Crochet, and they get their top 5-10 prospects plugged on the big club, they'll spend again.

Let him open his books and prove it to an independent economist. Until then I don't believe a word of it.

His name is Long Dong deJong, or something like that.

Loyal fan since 1970, I have finally reached the point where my interest in the Sox is equal to the Sox interest in me.