South Side Hit Men

Hawk Harrelson enters the chat. Also, IIRC Kenny Williams sold his house and moved to Arizona last year. I don’t believe he’s had much to do with the day to day business of White Sox Baseball beyond advising and perhaps a special project here and there. Would consider this period ongoing and well deserved severance pay for having to live for over two decades under Jerry.

Would be nice if rules allowed for Cease to bat with Eloy DHing for Robert.

Yes, he turns 24 on Saturday. Trying to bleed him out until he is 31 or 32 is absurd if they are actually trying to win now. You can agree with the premise it wasn’t smart to spend good money after bad at the deadline. After rallying the past two weeks, and the urgent need for an OFer with Robert likely hobbled until next year (and hopefully they are not jeopardizing that by their usage), it would be a win win for both Colas and the team’s morale. Worst case scenario he gets a taste of the Big Leagues and they start a 24 year old’s clock, the best case he delivers and they salvage this season with a second AL Central Division Title. In terms of who the best defensive OFers are on the current active roster plus coaching staff, I’d go: Luis Robert Adam Engel Leury Garcia Romy Gonzalez AJ Pollock Dylan Cease Eloy Jimenez Just about everyone else including pitchers. Andrew Vaughn Gavin Sheets Miguel Cairo Daryl Boston Yasmani Grandal Tony La Russa Lance Lynn

Don't see the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves or Rays keeping Colas in the minors if they were down to Pollock, Vaughn and Sheets as their regular OF, with an injured Luis Robert trying to play through a bad injury (10 ABs since August 25). Healthy stud Injured stud

Looked more like I can't physically swing a bat better than this without excruciating pain swing. A responsible team would not let this continue for weeks. Sadly for Luis, he does not play for a responsible team.

Pito is awesome. That is all.

I’m just hoping Jerry hasn’t promised Tony’s daughter or wife the managerial position after Tony gets kicked upstairs.

Yes. The Sox should be looking to add a quality starter at 2B and RF (and improve C if they can), not looking for ways to make AAA / AAAA players work out on weak side platoon at the three weakest defensive positions (DH 1B LF).

He can’t play RF, their whole team rakes vs. LHP. $25M bench (Pollock, Grandal, Leury) is a very expensive bench, Pollock the weakest in terms of reserve value.

If that is reality, I would do it in a heartbeat. Other FOs see Eloy with an elite bat and acceptable defense, with health being the primary concern. They see Vaughn as someone with less offensive potential and absolutely zero defensive ability beyond playing DH, possibly also PT 1B.

I’m just discussing White Sox reality/expectations from the FO. I believe Eloy cannot physically play LF at this stage, which is the only reason he acquiesced to DHing these past few weeks (that and he is afraid of and or respects Miguel Cairo). I also believe if the Sox bring back Abreu, they are doing so with the intention of returning Eloy to LF. I’ve been on the record here they should have taken Eloy’s glove away either in 2020, or at the latest after that Spring Training 2021 debacle. I still believe it is the teams intention to continue him in LF. I also think Vaughn will fail defensively as an everyday 1B due to his height and lack of defensive skills. You can get a solid front line starting pitcher from the Marlins for Eloy. You’re not getting much back for Vaughn. Including payroll, salary, health and trade return, I’d move Eloy and do what they should have done several years ago and never draft or trade for DH only type players (Vaughn, Burger, Sheets, Grandal, Parrot, Lamb, etc.) in the future. With a four man bench, you can’t suck up more than one slot on a player with no defensive ability. The Sox have had 4-6 the past two seasons.

If they are planning to try Eloy in LF, than it makes sense. Vaughn does not make sense beyond say 20 - 30 games a year. What you can’t have is a bad RF, and than means 0 games for Vaughn / Sheets next year in RF. I rather DFA Pollock (would have a month ago so he couldn’t vest $2M more and counting) and keep the three solid hitters, spend the money in 2B and SP (and RF if they aren’t bringing up Colas). Also don’t agree with playing service time manipulation with Colas, start him on OD, or whenever he is ready to play, sign an actual RF if you don’t think he’ll be ready first half of the season. Don’t piss away 2-3 + losses with Sheets or other bad players.

Sheets isn’t a major league anything, and should not be part of the discussion or the 2023 White Sox. Vaughn Eloy and Abreu for 1-2 more years covering DH 1B and LF will work out.

Is Jason there, or is he covering a sixth grade girls cross country meet in Texas tonight for CSN Lubbock Texas?

My post overlooked the fact there is a 28 man roster, was thinking 26 man so they don’t have to cut either. Engel has not been healthy or productive the past two seasons, after an encouraging breakout in the short 2020. I think they would end up keeping Harrison more for morale, and May put him on a playoff roster over Romy as a crusty old veteran. Both need to be long gone if the Sox are attempting to compete in 2023.

I think you have a point against a left handed starter. If Moncada is back to normal (Robert is still not back to normal), keeping the regular lineup the same, but slotting Moncada /Robert based on starter makes sense based on their career splits. Moncada also walks a lot more, setting up the table for Jose, Eloy and Robert as run producers.

Lance Lynn was basically completing Spring Training his first seven starts of the season, including July 11, and likely wasn’t fully healthy. Lynn may not win Thursday, but I’d expect a 6 IP 0-2 run performance, putting them in a position to win if the Sox offense and bullpen does their job. Also assuming they will not pitch to Jose Ramirez, who should not see a good pitch to hit if the Sox are concentrating.

Leury is a sunk cost. Wouldn’t have signed him for three years, but his position flexibility (six positions) makes him worthwhile as the 13th and final man on the bench now that they are paying him whether he is here or not. He’ll be ok in that role, as long as you don’t have a jackass manager or FO trying to start him 100 + games (or even 60 games).

in terms of fandom in general, it is somewhat silly to root for laundry, but it’s not any less silly than other entertainment alternatives or hobbies. If you enjoy it, good for you. In terms of my fandom, here is the ranking of most followed to least, and why I have (or will in terms of MLB) discard each: MLB: White Sox and Montreal were my two favorite teams. Jerry and Bud killed both teams in 1994, Montreal literally. Heavily into Rotisserie (since 1985), followed day to day until I was 21 (1990), then Sox (2003-2006 and 2019-2020). Still went to several plus games the other seasons, just not vested in every game. Boycotting since 2020 because of JR and TLR, done with the sport again in three weeks once my Rotisserie is over. I’m not watching any playoffs, haven’t watched or listened to any regular season games except a few after Tony was gone (did watch highlights and play clips, followed gameday and box scores). Will see what happens after Jerry dies, but following day to day is likely over, as I’m shifting to other life priorities than sports. Also disgusted with the lockout and yet another playoff expansion, and bullshit changes coming next year. The season has become a mostly meaningless 162 exhibition schedule to eliminate a few teams. Sox/Cle, SD/Mil, and NL East seeding are the only “races” entering September, since playoff births are now handed out to nearly all teams with a pulse. NHL: Been to hundreds of games, full season ticket holder in the 1980s-1990s. Excited during the SC run, now completely disgusted and don’t follow anything and won’t until Rocky Wirtz has completely sold or is dead. Rocky is far worse than Dollar Bill and Jerry combined. Also loved Montreal and Las Vegas until I gave up NHL completely post rape scandal. Horse Racing & Boxing: My next favorite sports. Boxed a bit as a kid, worked at the local tracks and liked all versions (Thoroughbreds, Harness and Quarterhorse). Between the tracks closing here, and realizing the depressing cruelty of the sport on the horses, I don’t follow anymore. Boxing lost interest for me as well, Aldo never cared for the popular ultimate human cockfighting. CFB/CBB: Big Alabama, Penn State and Northwestern football fan. Gave up the sport after the wrist slap was the only punishment for a half century of child rape at Penn State. Several other rape scandals have broken out across the Big “Ten” and elsewhere. Loved Georgetown and Indiana Basketball, but gave it up once John Thompson and Robert Montgomery Knight left. NFL: Never a big fan since my family were Chicago Cardinals fans who left before I was born. Taught to hate the Bears, which worked out for me as they have sucked all but a couple of years. Rooted for the Steelers and Green Bay, went to games in Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. Gave up NFL completely after Rae Carruth & Ray Lewis homicides, final game at Three Rivers in 2000 the last game I watched or attended, including Super Bowls. NBA/Pro Wrestling: Followed until 8th grade once I discovered both were fixed.

I think most did realize the team was sleepwalking, but the manager never did anything about it, and his staff can’t usurp his authority. My point was the statement was more indicting coming publicly from Liam than just about anyone save Jose, who has never openly criticized publicly anything White Sox in the past, including the first six teams he played on.

Elvis and Tim have played exclusively at SS (or DH) throughout their careers. However, Romy Gonzalez played all three OF positions and the majority of his games played in the minor leagues (68 LF, 17 CF, 3 RF, 47 across three infield positions). If they work Romy the next two weeks pregame in the OF, specifically RF, they could improve their OF defense and have a net gain at offense. SS Anderson (R) 3B Moncada (S) 1B Abreu (R) DH/LF Jimenez (R) CF Robert (R) LF/DH Vaughn (R) C Grandal (S) RF Gonzalez (R) 2B Andrus (R) Bench: C Zavala, OF Pollock, INF Garcia, 1B/DH Sheets DFA: Engel & Harrison

Also happy Pollock, Leury and Big Energy are sitting. If they limit Pollock to 43 plate appearances the rest of the way, he will get $12M with the player option next season, instead of $13M (44 PA) or $14M (94 PA). He's fine pinch running or as a defensive replacement in the 8th or 9th and an occasional starter at least through the four Cleveland games, while they are still in it.

Liam is only here because of Tony, works with him with TLR's Animal Shelter work. It is more indicting coming from Liam than anyone else in that locker room.

One of the preventable injuries I noted in my post. It was an exhibition game, and even if it were a real game, that ball was far out of reach. The other preventable injuries were the ongoing collisions with Luis Robert, which put both at risk. Luis is the CF, Eloy needs to back off when called off. If Eloy can play regularly and is focused on hitting as he has been the past few weeks, he is a very valuable asset. If he is out for long stretches, and when he is finally healthy pouting and saying DHing is boring and is for fat old people, and saying “f*** No, I’m not a DH”, than he is not an asset. It appears from the outside he may have matured this season, at least had a wake up call two weeks ago after Cairo took over.

I go with TWTW followed by Ganas. Miguel Cairo told Eloy and the rest of the team you either give a s%*# or GTFO before his first game as interim manager. Tony was the grandparent who spoiled the grandchildren, leaving them with 14 cavities and borderline obesity by feeding them ice cream, cake and pop for 90 days over the Summer. Miguel is holding players accountable, which hasn’t happened since Ricky Renteria was here. It should have been done much earlier. Your not hearing the “I told Tony we are or are not doing this or I’m just ignoring his ass” quotes you heard from at least a few players last season.