Snopek

I feel like it’s a little more nuanced than you either are or aren’t injury prone. Take someone like Aaron Judge. 2017: Played in 96% of his team’s games 2018: 70% 2019: 63% 2020: 47% 2021: 91% 2022: 97% Is he injury prone or not? I’m not saying some guys aren’t more of a risk than others, but to definitively decide now that he’ll never stay healthy seems shortsighted.

I totally get this thinking. And honestly, if that’s the case, trade Gio, trade Lynn, trade Hendriks (and TA?). Finish 2nd, finish 4th, whatever, it’s all the same. What’s maddening to me is the balancing act of sort of focusing on the present and sort of focusing on the future, while not doing either effectively. Pick a lane.

I think this illustrates in general how difficult it is to field a competitive team in the present WHILE worrying about still staying competitive in the future. But even more so with the Sox and their self-imposed restrictions and insistence on getting in their own way. Based on the current roster, contracts and closing window, I’d argue that this is exactly the time to buy a rental. It’s a win now move. And if they’re not actually trying to win now, then what are they even doing? Oh, that’s right, they’re trying to field a consistently second place team that prides itself on being “good enough” and relies on catching breaks and best case scenarios playing out. To be clear, I’m with you that Winker probably doesn’t move the needle enough to be worthy of a rental, but this is the corner they’ve painted themselves in and I think it’s a slightly better move than continuing to half-ass it.

You’re a more generous grader than I am. I liked the extensions of Moncada, Eloy, TA and Robert at the time, and think they were generally well received, again, at the time. I’d say the same about the Grandal signing and the Lynn trade. And after that they just sort of…stopped? Combine that “we’re good enough” arrogance with some of the above moves not aging well and yiiiiikes, here we are.

DH?

You can’t expect it, but you basically have to hope for it. Like it or not, that’s more or less the plan.

I get being cynical, but would you actually prefer to hear about him that’s realistic? He’s not getting traded, he’s not getting DFA’d (yet), and when the season starts he’s going to be the starting catcher.

I would hope catcher is lower on the priority list than SP and OF.

I’m not really understanding the trading Gio thing when SP is one of their bigger needs.

See that’s where it seems we’re interpreting things differently. I don’t see anyone saying that Yoan or any of these guys will magically be fixed by a Spanish speaking manager. It’s more of, this team and its players have so many issues and so many things that need to be improved upon, they need all the help they can get. And having a manager that (in theory) can communicate better with them should only help. How much? Who knows, but I think Grifol proving leadership as a Latino would, at worst, make no difference. But at best, could facilitate better communication, a better culture and clubhouse, and ultimately better performance.

Then I guess I’m misunderstanding your point. That it is good, but also doesn’t make any difference?

Because he’s from the Royals or…?

I keep reading this as “Crick/Haseley outraged” and it’s never any less confusing

I don’t know that anyone’s saying the Sox made the hire based on his ability to speak Spanish, or even that they need someone that speaks Spanish in order to get the most out of some players. But how can it possibly be seen as anything other than a good thing that he speaks the native language of a significant amount of players on the team?

What are you basing this on? They absolutely could have won the World Series with a different manager.

If Ozzie only had soup, does it still count as dinner with Jerry?

Found our new manager and hitting coach

I know you’re joking around here, but just wanted to mention that there was a good interview with him on Benetti and Len’s Sox Degrees podcast from earlier this year I think. I came away from it thinking he’d make a pretty good hitting coach.

I’d like to think so, but it’s not like any of these are exactly new recipes for success. Better late than never, though, I suppose.

Interesting World Series for the various organizational approaches and beliefs that you choose to subscribe to: The heavy on analytics crowd (Astros) The spend big on superstar free agents crowd (Phillies) The develop organizational depth crowd (Astros) The fire your manager to shake up your underachieving team crowd (Phillies) There's really a little something for everyone, except the White Sox of course.

Hahn’s just waiting for the manager market to present itself or whatever nonsense he normally says.

I’ve warmed to the Harris idea a bit. If nothing else, he’s at least a guy that’s actively trying to become a manager in the majors, as opposed to someone with Sox ties that needs to be convinced to take the job (Ventura, TLR, probably Thome).

You sure made it seem like him being a nerd was a big part of why you don’t like listening to him, but okay. Also, someone calling themself something is not exactly an open invitation for strangers to do the same. ?‍♂️

Is he a nerd because he has glasses or because he’s not a former player ie not a jock? Which 1980’s stereotype are you applying?

I’d be good with this. I’d actually say it’s the best case scenario, realistically speaking of course.