Stealth G.O.A.T.

But people are bringing it up now. He's allowed to have an opinion, whether people like it or not. No different than Kaepernick sharing his opinion in the way he has. Nobody asked him, he just did it. Good, bad, or indifferent. He has that right too.

It's weird people bring up politics regarding players/managers... Honestly, who cares. There's likely a relatively high percentage of players in MLB that agree with TLR's views and a high percentage that don't --- good, bad, or indifferent. I'm not really sure what Eaton's politics are, and I don't care.?

Yes, because guys like TA have an issue speaking their mind... What's reprehensible are some of these overdramatic takes over a low risk/high upside, $7M free agent signing. ?

I don't care what their politics are. A lot of athletes are assholes for one reason or another. Eaton regressed from the 2019 season through the 2020 season. All 41 games... I'm willing to take a low-risk/high-reward bet on a turnaround. I was not a fan of the TLR hire at all. I'm still not. But he's the manager now. He can manage the clubhouse, handle the basics, and let the team do their thing. TLR and a $7M Eaton signing aren't changing my positive outlook on this team overall. There's way too much to look forward to between the players, talent in the minor league system, and even new hires on the coaching staff, Katz, Cairo, Duncan... All solid choices with positive marks across baseball.

Yes, several of the players were consulted prior.

You pretty much just cracked the case where the disingenuous visual propaganda is concerned. Even leaving in 2020, simply taking into account that it was 41 games/176 PAs pretty much tells you what you need to know about the big drop-off.

Yeah, not really... The low-end hysteria people are having over a $7M low-risk, high reward OF signing is bordering on bizarre at this point. It isn't 2016 anymore. People change. Plus Eaton was hardly the only issue on the 2016 team. He also happened to be one of the few who actually performed at a high level, ultimately netting the Sox Giolito, Lopez, and now Lynn (through Dunning) because of it. LaRouche was a cry baby and sucked in 2015. Sale (who I highly regard) was a little asshole much of that season. Frazier was a total blowhard who only escaped the fire because of his reputation in Cincy that carried over. Ventura couldn't manage his way out of a wet paper bag. There were a few others as well. The point is, there was plenty of blame to go around. The whole 2016 season was a shit show. Now I saw a few comments about Eaton being the one shipped out after the season to change the clubhouse culture, etc. The reality is, Eaton (with Sale and Quintana) was one of the only White Sox players who actually had real value that could net high-end talent from other teams. We saw that with the Eaton and Sale trades, and Q the following year. I'm sure Hahn and KW know exactly who Eaton was and who he is now. Respectfully, I just think people need to relax over the signing. It is not going to make or break anything this season where the Sox are concerned. Worst-case scenario, between Eaton/Engel, the Sox get much better numbers out of RF than they have in previous seasons, far exceeding the $7M Eaton price tag and $600K Engel price tag.

Showing a line graph of some really good Adam Eaton seasons, ending with a 2020 drop-off, which was a down year (41 games) is a bit of a disingenuous way to argue against the signing in my opinion.

He'll platoon with Engel more often than not.

Who are these high power, great defensive RF we're choosing from? Outside of Springer, the best-case scenario was finding a solid platoon with Engel. Eaton can fill that role nicely with Engel. I still the Sox add another OF bat as well. We'll see what happens.

I don't know, I do make the assumption they know the player and the fit. Like I said earlier, let's try to remember it isn't 2016 anymore and not get hung up on a single player. Eaton isn't adding obstacles to any of these guys. Neither is TLR (I wanted Hinch or Fuld).

Nobody is stating that this wasn't the case in 2016. As far as Ozzie goes, I don't recall Eaton quitting on his team and demanding to be let out of his contract prior to the season ending, only to totally blow up within a year... Nationals seemed to function just fine with Eaton in the OF. Sure the guy was an asshole in 2016. We're going into 2021. A lot can change over the years for everyone. I know my life is unbelievably different than even a year ago. It's a low cost, low risk, high reward signing. It isn't the end of the world either way and could end up being a hell of a value.

Absolutely sucks? A bit over an overstatement, don't you think? No, his 41 games (or whatever it was) in 2020 were not his best. A host of players had poor 2020 seasons, including Joc (who I also like). But Eaton definitely does not absolutely suck and I still think they sign another OF bat.

Yup, exactly.

TLR has his issues, but managing a clubhouse will not be one of them. Just my opinion, and I was not a fan of the hire given who else was available.

I think people need to just stop acting like it's still 2016. I am sure Eaton is not the same person. I doubt any of the players really are the same people. Either way, at $7M, its worth the risk and potential value either way.

They will land whatever closer they want. JR isn't going to vastly overpay, but here's the thing, he doesn't need to. The Sox are now a team any free agent would want to play for ---- TLR and all. LOL

I like the Eaton move. Low risk, high reward. If healthy, he will provide tremendous value for the Sox. I am also a fan of the Lynn deal. I don't view trading Dunning as giving up on the future. Lynn has been a top SP in MLB for a few seasons now. He'll be a 2-3 SP on the Sox. Dunning is a nice arm. At best, he's a solid 3. But he's also 26 and still has a ways to go. Also, the Sox are trading from a position of strength. They're filling a need now, which is a top of the rotation arm. If he pitches well like he has, maybe they extend him a year or give him a QO and the Sox get a pick out of it. But they still have Cease and Kopech, with several young arms in the system. Plus we will likely see the Sox sign one more starter. Probably a Quintana type. I believe the Sox gave up fair value for Lynn, and I definitely don't think this is a sign of giving up on the future. Lynn declining a QO after the season likely provides you with a higher valued prospect than Dunning within a year (plus the roughly $15M+ in value they'll get out of him during the season).

Couldn't agree more.

This is exactly right. Eaton's ESPN1000 interview is being way overblown. He wasn't a jerk at all and the interview as perfectly fine. I personally like the signing as well. A lot of value to be had there and I still think they sign another OF.

This may have been discussed earlier in the thread, but where Dahl is concerned, the Home/Away splits are concerning to me. Even in 2019, they were concerning.

My apologies. I misspoke. Puig’s camp using the Sox as leverage against Miami to get a deal done with them.

Correction: I view this as Puig’s camp using the Sox as leverage against Miami. I bet he ends up in Miami.

Like Eloy’s extension last year?

No they aren’t rotating their C’s, if the FO has their way.