WestEddy

I think Vargas has a higher ceiling as a hitter than Sosa. Even when slumping, Vargas draws walks. Sosa is a shortstop who has ratcheted down the ladder to 1B/DH, which is fine, if he hits. I don't advocate "dumping" Sosa. I believe the Mets mentioned him as a sweetener for Robert (maybe to get close to Getz' desired package), so there is interest. Sosa would be an offensive upgrade for a good 3-5 teams in playoff races. But looking at our drafting for the last few years, middle infield is going to be a strength, soon. While Bergolla and Gonzalez look like utility guys as soon as next year, Antonacci, Perez and Bonemer (maybe even Lodise and Shelton) are going to be crowding him out in a couple years. I've expressed that Sosa could very well be a league average place holder for 3 seasons while those guys develop.

Dude's from Gary, IN. I'm sure he shops at "the Jewels".

SoxMachine pregame notes. Pregame notes: Latest best chance for the first sweep of the season - Sox Machine of interest:

Or that Baldwin has a pretty clear split disadvantage against LHP this year.

Pittsburgh was part of last year's big losing streak around the All-Star game, so this is doubly nice.

You have a whole free agency market. There will be guys like Tauchman, again.

...so the Pirates decided to read the scouting reports on Sox hitters today?

Can't embed the Tweet, but Caden Conner promoted to AAA. I'm guessing it's more in need of a warm body than something permanent, but who knows?

Houser's probably a fallback option, and the market hasn't even been established yet. Guys like Tyler Mahle or Merrill Kelly could be on the block, or not.

Depending on who gets traded, I would imagine Dru Baker (25, RHH) and Will Robertson (27, LHH) will get some runway in the last two months, here. Beyond them, Bryan Ramos will be out of options after this season, so if they want to give him a good look at 3B or the OF, August and September will be the time to do it. Robert will go, for sure, and Tauchman is most probably gone. Slater is a useful platoon bat; somebody will want him. That leaves 3 slots that Baldwin, Baker and maybe Fletcher would fill, as Robertson's already on the roster. As you saw with the handling of Julks and Fletcher after they didn't really acquit themselves in 2024, they were both DFAed, and haven't seen the bigs this year. If Baker and Robertson s%*# the bed in the last two months, here, I could certainly see Getz cutting bait and moving on. Baker has 3 options to burn, and Robertson will have 2 after this season. Between Luis Robert, Tauchman, Houser, Wilson, Slater, Lee, Alexander - somebody's going to bring back a young-ish OF prospect who could be projected to play above replacement level, and will be in the mix after the deadline.

Fini

Looks like Clifford played 9. Made the last out in the top of the 9th, and no defensive replacement for the bottom of the inning reported. Gameday: Rumble Ponies 3, Fisher Cats 1 Final Score (07/18/2025)

Brooks Baldwin subbed out at AAA, too.

No, they wouldn't bring Braden Montgomery up from A-ball. Baldwin, Julks, Dru Baker and Fletcher would play, probably in that order.

I think the Sox will pick up a few games on the 2024 team. Last year's team lost 17 out of the break.

White Sox winnah!! The record in one run games remains unchanged.

The Dodgers suck because they don't beat any teams better than them.

This feels like the first time in a decade the Sox came out of the All-Star break ready to play some ball.

It's Mathias LaCombe day!!

Looking around the league, there's a few playoff caliber teams running some substandard dudes out to 2B every day. Houston, Philadelphia, the Mets, the Reds - they could all see Sosa as a way to plug in some league average offense into a hole. I think the rumor of the Mets wanting Sosa along with Robert is how he would be traded - a sweetener that would make trading a prospect for Robert more palatable to a fanbase.

Sun-Times article touching upon Houser's off-season changes: White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser's 'commitment' to himself paying dividends - Chicago Sun-Times

Not a rumor!!!

They would probably give him the chance to catch on somewhere before 9/1 so he qualifies for a playoff roster.