WestEddy

"Track record for decades" is deflection. They have a development staff in place now that had nothing to do with the mis-development of Jason Dellaero and Scott Ruffcorn. Not sure how development in the 1980s impacts anything going on in Arizona this month. That said, I don't care about the Cardinals or Rays. Both have fallen on a lull, and maybe we shouldn't talk about them until they have their systems humming again? Nobody's saying that Baldwin should have his eventual results erased and .300/.400/.500 written into his stat line at the end of the season. Of course the games need to be played. But if we're going to "calm down" and wait until the Sox develop players for 30 years before we can speculate, maybe that goes for assuming failure based on what happened "decades ago".

"Let's have an entire season play out before we even begin to speculate on it" is odd. Nobody really gets on the people predicting a 4th 100-loss season or resetting the loss record to hold their horses until things play out. Why is that? Guessing that a bat-first utility guy will hit isn't really "getting crazy". This same team just played at a 70-win clip from the ASB on, last year. That was a team with injuries, slumps and losing streaks. I'd expect some development, and some regression. 75 wins is based more on a stronger bullpen and development out-pacing regression by a bit.

Baldwin's hit everywhere and just turned in a strong two months in the bigs after mashing at AAA. It's silly to play the "there are no givens" game. If we're speculating, we have to make some assumptions.

Fegan's sox notes: White Sox notes: Chase Meidroth wants to stay grounded, but not his contact - Sox Machine - Meidroth working on leg kick - Lenyn wants to be more aggressive earlier - Burke happy with slider - Mune speed-learning 1B - Bergolla respects dad's game, but wants more "pop"

Yeah, Baldwin and Hays for Wade and Kelenic. The Brewers look like their top 5 starters are all RHPs. Lefty loosie lineup.

If you're reading down to see who is pitching today for the Sox, Jacob Heatherly and Rylan Kaufman are two free agent LHPs signed in January. Heatherly is a Reds' product who looks to be returning from injury. Kaufman is from the Royals' organization, and I surmise the same.

Merk's Sunday Night report White Sox have blueprint, winning vibes for rapid turnaround - Best start since 2004 - Royals turned it around w/pitching - Marlins w/swing decisions - Shoman - guys believe they can win Leigh Allen points out, over on SouthSideSox, that the fireworks were really Sox studs beating up on Brewer A-ballers: White Sox debubble the Brewers, 5-2 | South Side Sox LaMond Pope summarizes some quotes from Murakami, Antonacci and Chris Murphy at the Trib. It's a mixed Sox/Cubs report w/some Mo Ballesteros updates. Cactus League report: White Sox's Sam Antonacci makes impression

SoxMachine talks about the first weekend and parses the hype on Antonacci and McDougal. Podcast: White Sox Impressive Start to Spring Training - Sox Machine

Baldwin and Hays will hit. Out of Acuña, Pereira and Kelenic, only one has to blossom, and they have a passable group of OFs. I feel the same about the rotation. The weak links will be replaced by better starters. The bullpen could be sneaky good. I've said a bunch of times I could see the Sox winning 75+ games, and 81+ wouldn't surprise me. Yeah, if Mune is real, and Colson continues to develop, it could be a fun summer.

Rant? I figured my response triggered your strange reply, so I started over. I felt you were attributing our convo to the front office.

Kelenic is 3 years, 3+ if he spends a month in the minors.

I don't understand your answer, so I'll start over. I think like in the IF, Getz is accumulating post-hype dudes. Kelenic, Acuña and Pereira are all highly touted. If they can figure one of them out, they have an outfielder for 5 years. And then you have Baldwin who can hit. I don't think they're trying to "replace" Baldwin. They see Baldwin as some uber-utility guy who can get 450-500 PAs all over the field. They need bats.

Where did you get this from? We're just fans spit-balling. I'm pretty sure none of us work in the front office.

I would too. But everything has to play out. Will the Sox be competitive? If Kelenic's tearing it up, he plays. If they're not in it, they have a trade piece on their hands. If they're suddenly in the playoff picture, they have 2+ years of control after 2026. A Baldwin option wouldn't be a commentary on his play, it would happen because other factors make him the best guy to send down.

And going to AAA with his mind right, knowing what he has to do to get consideration for the big club. Apparently, that was a problem with the Braves, where he sulked and thought he was being punished.

I don't think sending Baldwin down for a couple of weeks while they sort out their roster at the beginning of the season isn't a big deal. There's 29 more spring training games to go. Somebody's going to get injured. Maybe Sosa, Lee or Mead get traded. Again, I think Baldwin should come north with the team. We all know that if he doesn't, it's not because the team doesn't think he's ready. Teams shuttle guys with options remaining to hang onto a guy they like. I think it's funny to plan to be angry if some decision is made in the future. Baldwin will be optioned if a series of things happen that are all good. Mead is doing good enough that he won't make it through waivers. Acuña/Pereira/Kelenic look solid.

I actually think Kelenic is the most probable. They've been talking of him like he's made the team. He just has to hit. C - Teel, Quero IF - Murakami, Meidroth, Montgomery, Vargas OF - Benintendi, Hays, Acuña, Pereira Bench - Sosa, Baldwin, Kelenic They run kind of an even platoon with Acuña, Pereira and Hays the RHHs, and Kelenic, 10-D and Baldwin the LHHs. 10-D plays less field, where the DH cycles through 2nd catcher, 10-D, Sosa, other guy getting rest. They could certainly get 13 guys 460 PAs a piece, give or take.

Oh, I think Baldwin should make the OD roster. They ought to have him playing all 3 OF spots. He and Acuña can back up the IF. Benintendi is the problem. If they're juggling trade scenarios for Sosa, Mead, or 10-D (ha-ha) at the end of ST, I could see bouncing Baldwin for a couple weeks to not just lose a guy. If Mead isn't challenging for a spot, he clears waivers pretty easily, I think.

You are very welcome. Thanks for the appreciation.

I can only hope that if Baldwin gets sent down, Getz announces it in a weird way so all of White Sox Twitter can seethe even harder over the not a big deal thing that was described awkwardly.

SunTimes' notes: Munetaka Murakami will play more first base before leaving for Japan - Chicago Sun-Times - Murakami will be at 1st rest of time before WBC - using data to know when to challenge - coaching box policing hit and miss - quickie recap - Rockies on deck, Michael Lorenzen goes for Colorado

Sox on 35th recaps the weekend: White Sox Weekend Recap: Best team in Cactus League history? | Sox On 35th

That does make sense. They did trade for Pereira and Acuña and talk about Kelenic like he's made the team. I suppose they could do the same with Vasil if he continues to look pedestrian. Leasure.