South Side Hit Men

Terrible case. He needs to drop off the ballot this year to end this Bainesian / Reinsdorf madness. Average HOF SP (66 Inductees) (73.0) JAWS 61.4 35th Contemporaries In Maddux (106.6) 2014 BBWAA (97.2% 1st) JAWS 8th Johnson (101.1) 2015 BBWAA (97.3% 1st) JAWS 9th Martinez (83.9) 2015 BBWAA (91.1% 1st) JAWS 12th Mussina (82.8) 2019 BBWAA (76.7% 6th) JAWS 21st Glavine (80.7) 2014 BBWAA (91.9% 1st) JAWS 26th Halladay (64.2) 2019 BBWAA (85.4% 1st) JAWS 31st Smoltz (69.0) 2015 BBWAA (82.9% 1st) JAWS 42nd Contemporaries Out Clemens (139.2) JAWS 3rd (65.2% 2022) Verlander (77.6) JAWS 20th (TBD) Schilling (79.5) JAWS 22nd (71.1% 2021) Kershaw (75.9) JAWS 24th (TBD) Greinke (76.5) JAWS 25th (TBD) Scherzer (71.7) JAWS 30th (TBD) Cone (62.3) JAWS 48th (3.9% 2009) Sabathia (62.3) JAWS 55th (Eligible 2024) Saberhagen (58.9) JAWS 57th (1.3% 2007) Appier (54.5) JAWS 65th (0.2% 2010) Finley (57.9) JAWS 67th (0.2% 2008) Santana (51.7) JAWS 69th (2.4% 2018) Hamels (59.0) JAWS 71st (Eligible 2025) Hudson (57.9) JAWS 72nd (5.2% 2021) Hershiser (56.0) JAWS 75th (11.2% 2006) Buehrle (59.1) JAWS 78th (11.0% 2021) Pettitte (60.2) JAWS 81st (13.7% 2021)

Copyright David Sampson.

Division Winners Past Five Full Seasons *: Five (1) Houston Four (2) Atlanta, Los Angeles NL Three (1) Cleveland Two (4) Boston, Milwaukee, New York AL, Saint Louis One (6) Chicago AL, Chicago NL, Minnesota, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Washington None (16) Arizona, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Colorado, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles AL, Miami, New York NL, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Texas, Toronto 91 + (20+ over .500) Win Past Five Seasons (2017-2019; 2021-2022) * Five (3) Houston, Los Angeles NL, New York AL Four (1) Cleveland Three (1) Boston Two (7) Atlanta, Chicago NL, Milwaukee, Oakland, Saint Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto One (6) Arizona, Chicago AL, Minnesota, New York NL, San Francisco, Washington Zero (12) Baltimore, Cincinnati, Colorado, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles AL, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Texas Houston and Los Angeles are the only teams which consistently fielded legitimate championship level teams, and, with Atlanta and the Yankees fielding solid teams, or in Hahn parlance playing in a “multi-championship window” worthy teams. The other 26 teams for most part did not give a rats ass about trying to field a championship caliber team over the past six years, including both Chicago teams. Note *: 102 Game owner lockout faux season excluded.

“And the Sox find another way” -Hawk Harrelson Rick Hahn Primary 2B bWAR 2013 Beckham 0.7 2014 Beckham 0.7 2015 Sanchez 0.1 2016 Lawrie 1.2 2017 Sanchez 3.4 2018 Moncada 1.4 2019 Sanchez 1.4 2020 Madrigal 0.5 2021 Hernandez -0.7 2022 Harrison 1.6 2023 Gonzalez 0.8 (ProJ fWAR) Average: 1.0

Yes, people keep saying this, but I don’t believe the CBA or Boras can drag Cohen into court to enter into a contract that hasn’t been signed/executed, one where the normal process took place (player takes physical, physical reveals issues, contract possibly re-negotiated as a result (the likely scenario here)). Could see Cohen getting fined by The MLB or some other punishment (loss of draft picks) for “free agent tampering” if it comes to that point, though it would be more for revenge on behest of Reinsdorf and his other fellow Angry Tankers than any principle they may hold, as if.

Can’t we just once think of the poor owners? ? Dombrowski was purged during Jerry and Hawk’s White Sox 1986 Cultural Revolution. The Sox went from Dombrowski to just plain old Dumb, which is where we find the Sox today. Dombrowski won a pennant (2022) and World Series (2018) the past five seasons. Wouldn’t want that level of success on the South Side.

It's not sticky anymore.

37.5% off sale, plus Kohl's Cash.

I found a perfect HOF day was to get there around open to early afternoon and then drive to NYC for a game. Was fortunate to see the greatest shutout (22-0) against the Yankees in their history, an excellent nightcap to a great baseball day. Yankees Stadium is one of only two of the 42 MLB stadiums I've visited where I felt compelled to pay to park to have a car after the game. Kansas City was the other, though that was due to the layout of the stadium "neighborhood" and lack of walking options than concern of car theft.

Tray, I'm with you if the Sox signed Segura, and acquire a fourth OF who can cover at minimum RF and CF, and also play regularly if Colas has growing pains and or Robert is injured. Colas is their only current CF backup option with an above .600 OPS potential (Leury and Billy the others). Not sure whether Eloy could have drawn a solid #2-3 starter like Pablo Lopez (2.8 projected fWAR), but that was the route I would have taken if I could also add Conforto (1.9), Segura (2.5) and 10 D (2.3) to upgrade the roster offensively, massive upgrade defensively, and huge lift to the rotation even with losing Abreu (2.5) and Eloy (2.9). That roster would have a lot more flexibility than the still restrained roster, and their current bench is atrocious once again if called to play regularly (Leury, Billy, the second 2B). Not to mention the potential of Grandal not being able to catch regularly throughout the season.

And it’s too late, Tray B., now it’s to late….. fWAR 2020-2022 Abreu 9.5 Anderson 9.1 Robert Jr. 6.6 Moncada 6.0 Jimenez 3.6 Abreu 9.5 > 10 D 4.1+ Eloy 3.6 + Clevenger 1.1 + Vaughn -0.7

I've listened to far more broadcasts than watched, and Ernie was one of the best. Len sounds like Kermit the Frog, but it didn't bother me once I got used to it. I do agree with @Balta1701 there were times, especially at the onset of his tenure where he didn't provide the details a radio announcer typically provides (which is why I listened while following the ST game thread and or the MLB game box score). That said, I believe Len and DJ were more frank with criticism at times with TLR and strategy, vs. Stone's criticisms mostly centered on the usual suspects (Moncada primarily, Eloy defensively, and Ricky Renteria throughout 2020). DJ was absolutely livid the infamous May 5th game when Tony pinch ran Liam and then made a few other inexplicable moves, and I've never heard DJ upset over decades. He provided pointed commentary toward the terrible baserunning and defensive lapses, and at times poor plate approaches, throughout the past season. Sox have had solid radio broadcasts the past two decades, and I love Farmeo, Rooney and DJ, plus Len does a good job. Harry and Jimmy were great back in the day. Too young to appreciate The Commander, though I did get his autograph at Northwest Federal Savings (plus Ernie Banks, and down the road Jack Brickhouse and Carol Alt). To me, Jason's broadcasting style is more suited to action oriented sports like basketball, football, MMA, video game "sports", etc. There are times to be excited, but for a baseball broadcast it would be better if he was more subdued and let the game speak for itself. That said, I appreciate his passion for White Sox baseball, and bet he would be a great guy to have a drink or meal with and shoot the s%*#, be it baseball or other topics. Stone is a top baseball broadcaster with good insight, but doesn't seem to be a congenial person, including toward former co-workers. Jason would be able to shine with a different color partner that would allow him to be more open toward expressing his baseball thoughts and demanding to be acknowledged as "The Guru". Stone has become what he once despised (Hawk Harrelson). A more contemporary color commentator would result in a more natural sounding discussion/broadcast, without the need to lean on schtick or deference.

Would be a solid #4 option for the Mets, but I don't see them having the stomach for it after the FO chaos over the past few years. Would say Texas (Houston/Rangers) are his likely landing spots in terms of teams trying and fanbases willing to accept the baggage. Houston is already considered "a villain", but they may be trying to shed that image. The Rangers have been home of stupid s%*# since inception, so that is the most logical destination with no further inputs.

Thanks for the updates @Dick Allen @Lip Man 1. Just find it odd that Steve who tweeted nearly daily, including many attacks on Sox fans and select Sox players, has gone silent for 10 weeks. Wonder if someone talked to him about his tweets, or whether he came to the conclusion to remain silent while he is working on a new contract. Jason doesn't tweet as much, but his podcast with Len Kasper hasn't been released since August 1st, though they didn't record an episode last offseason. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sox-degrees/id1570294857 Thought there would have been a tweet by Jason and Steve regarding 10D. Len Kasper previously had a semi active account, but he hid/deleted all but one tweet (related to his band), so perhaps the Twitter silence is a new Sox media policy for 2023.

Have the Sox announced their signings or replacements? It has been crickets since Jose Abreu sat out to watch the Sox lose 10-1 during Game 162, and Steve and/or Jason said boo about the dumpster fire they once worked for. Prolific tweeter Steve Stone completely shut the f*** up 2 1/2 months ago on Twitter. https://twitter.com/stevestone/with_replies Last Sox related tweet by Jason Benetti Silence like a cancer grows.....

No trade clause: The Chicago White Sox Liked his message to Sox fans.

Projected 2023 fWAR Swanson 3.3 Taillon 2.0 Bellinger 1.9 Barnhart 0.9 They grab a decent starter, perhaps another 1B and utility guy and they should definitely be in the NL Central mix, but still pieces away from legitimate WS contention. Wish the Sox had ownership willing to DFA deadweight (Heyward’s last contract year) and still spend in Free Agency.

Then they are de facto tanking. This team currently ranks mid level across The MLB. Hahn wasted $50M during the tanking years (Herrera, the Roids suspended catcher, Machado’s friends and family, etc.), so will chalk up the 10D signing to typical Kenny / Hahn obsession (see Kimbrel, twice). IF THIS is their budget ceiling, they may as well have sold off anyone that could get prospects back to contribute starting in 2025-2026 when their perennial underperforming core is gone, because they aren’t drawing many fans next year with their reduced season ticket base, nor are they competing beyond the horseshit AL Central. Could get decent returns for Tim, Liam, Eloy, Cease, Kopech if they had a competent FO. They don’t, so there’s that.

"The Festivus begins with the Airing of Grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people. Now, you're going to hear about it."

Plan A is a desperation Plan C/D for serious clubs trying to field a legitimate World Series contender. Their lineup has gotten progressively worse over the past three seasons, with slight projected improvement to 14th or midlevel this season, with projections for five of the nine (Robert, Jimenez, Vaughn, Romy and Colas) above any previous fWAR high. MLB Rank 2020-2022 Actual 2023 FGDC Projected C: 2020 (1) 2021 (12) 2022 (14) 2023 (9) Avg (2020-2022) 9th (Same expectations) 1B: 2020 (2) 2021 (11) 2022 (6) 2023 (16) Avg (2020-2022) 6th (Drop 10 spots w/o Abreu) 2B: 2020 (10) 2021 (23) 2022 (29) 2023 (29) Avg (2020-2022) 21st (Drop 8 spots w/o upgrade) 3B: 2020 (13) 2021 (9) 2022 (25) 2023 (16) Avg (2020-2022) 16th (Same expectations) SS: 2020 (3) 2021 (10) 2022 (9) 2023 (20) Avg (2020-2022) 7th (Drop 13 spots - Tim regressing) LF: 2020 (10) 2021 (26) 2022 (19) 2023 (7) Avg (2020-2022) 18th (One lineup signing - Up 11 spots) CF: 2020 (17) 2021 (7) 2022 (19) 2023 (7) Avg (2020-2022) 14th (Up 7 spots if healthy and productive) RF: 2020 (17) 2021 (26) 2022 (30) 2023 (20) Avg (2020-2022) 24th (Slight improvement, but not enough) DH: 2020 (28) 2021 (10) 2022 (10) 2023 (4) Avg (2020-2022) 16th (Projected 518 PA would be career best) Average: 2020 (11) 2021 (15) 2022 (18) 2023 (14)

Sox Pitchers with 12 + bWAR over three consecutive Sox seasons and 12 + career Sox bWAR: (Best three year stretch listed if player has multiple three year periods): Twenty Seven White Sox Pitchers Comiskey Park II (8 over 32 seasons) 18.3 Chris Sale (2012-2014) 16.7 John Danks (2008-2010) 15.8 Mark Buehrle (2007-2009) 14.0 Jack McDowell (1991-1993) 13.2 Alex Fernandez (1994-1996) 12.6 Jose Quintana (2014-2016) 12.2 Jon Garland (2005-2007) 12.1 Javier Vazquez (2006-2008) Comiskey Park (17 over 81 seasons) 31.7 Ed Walsh (1910-1912) 30.0 Wilbur Wood (1971-1973) 26.7 Red Faber (1920-1922) 25.0 Eddie Cicotte (1917-1919) 19.2 Tommy Thomas (1927-1929) 18.3 Ted Lyons (1925-1927) 18.2 Billy Pierce (1951-1953) 16.6 Thornton Lee (1939-1941) 16.3 Tommy John (1968-1970) 15.8 Johnny Rigney (1938-1940) 15.3 Jim Katt (1973-1975) 14.9 Jim Scott (1913-1915) 13.4 Joe Horlen (1967-1969) 13.1 Eddie Smith (1939-1941) 12.9 Reb Russell (1913-1915) 12.8 Britt Burns (1980-1982) 12.2 Richard Dotson (1982-1984) South Side Park III (2 over 9 seasons) 15.1 Doc White (1905-1907) 14.2 Frank Smith (1907-1909)

Yoan needs to relinquish 10.

Have to hope it works out as well as KW White Whale Javier Vazquez ($12M AAV, 4.03 bWAR per season).

Ditto. I liked his 2019/2020 deal, but his Mets deal was ludicrous. Then again I thought Grandal's deal was ludicrous in terms of payroll and roster flexibility for the White Sox. Only a Top 5 payroll can afford a high priced catcher, all other teams should develop catchers, or for teams like the Sox who lack the competence to do so, look for a $2M-$5M defensive/pitch calling catcher first and get offense from the other eight positions. Assuming they can't dump his salary in a trade, either he can catch 2-3 of every 5 starts or is IL'd until he can. Zavala and Perez are fine, especially when considering having to trade a valuable closer to get a middling catcher. This. Benintendi and Clevinger (and no Abreu) makes sense if they are adding 3-4 more quality pieces. If they are done, or can only add if they gut their best players, they may as well have tanked into 2025/2026, because they are not going to do dick with their current roster. This. Catcher is 5th on my priority list, behind 2B, 4th OF, #3-4 SP and a solid RP (the last item a luxury at this point). The Sox should never go after a high priced catcher ever. They should higher competent scouts and coaches to produce cromulent defensive / pitcher management catchers, otherwise plop $4M-$6M each season on a veteran and a rookie or Rule 5 guy.

Most fan bases feel this way each season across baseball, but between rest, injuries and the performance of replacement players, the projections typically pan out overall across most teams with a few outliers (over and under). Without further reinforcements, Sox fans have to hope they are among the 1-3 teams which significantly outperform their projections. Would say the biggest area for optimism / upside is with the pitching staff (starters being more healthy overall, a few bullpen guys bounce back with the seasons Hahn hoped for last year, and not the lineup. Eloy and Vaughn's projections are over 1.0 fWAR (Robert 0.7) over anything they have done to date. Sure, injuries and defensive liabilities have depressed prior performance, but they still need the can play healthy over a long season and perform, Vaughn and Eloy in their relatively new roles at a ML level and at positions they are penalized for their position in terms of fWAR calculations like every other player at 1B/DH. Would say Anderson, Moncada and Giolito are the keys in terms of players with the ability and past performance to possibly significantly exceed current expectations. Player Projected FanGraphs Depth Chart fWAR (previous best season fWAR 2019-2022) Bold Players = Players who have exceeded their projection by over 1.5 within the past two seasons. Italics Players = Players who have never exceeded their current projection. Lineup: Robert 4.0 ( 2021 3.3); Eloy 2.9 (2022 1.7); Anderson 3.0 (2021 4.7); Moncada 2.6 (2021 4.0); Vaughn 2.4 (2021 -0.3); Grandal 2.4 (2021 3.6); 10D 2.3 (2022 2.8). Starters: Cease 3.3 (2021 & 2022 4.4); Lynn 2.8 (2021 4.2); Giolito 2.0 (2021 4.1); Clevinger 1.3 (2022 0.4); Kopech 1.1 (2021 1.7)