South Side Hit Men

Hell, I wonder what they could get for Cueto, Graveman, others. If the Sox are 4-5 back entering August, I wouldn't have a problem with them selling if they could get solid pieces back.

Agreed, but among the guys who are realistically available, there are question marks. I was laying out the worst case scenario (doesn't improve leaving NY). Think there is solid upside based on his splits, the fact he isn't injured, and the fact he has a solid record outside of this season and is still somewhat young (28). Naquin doesn't have upside, Reynolds and Soto are beyond the Sox ability to acquire. Happ in CF and Robert to RF would work defensively, but don't see Tony or Hahn having the balls to move Robert, even though he has had issues in CF since 2020. Also like moving Robert as far away from Eloy as possible to protect his bat.

People looking at Oakland as being a soft opponent because of their 29th best record (Washington 30th) should be aware the A's are coming off of a sweep of Houston, the first team able to sweep the Astros this season. Hopefully the Sox are bringing their A Game, and Robert can return over the next several days. The smaller OF to cover will certainly help until he is able to return.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/nbc-sports-chicago-to-present-live-white-sox-games-with-spanish-commentary-for-first-time/2900535/ Very smart move. Would be even smarter if they starting airing over-the-air Spanish Broadcasts on Telemundo on a 1-2 game per week basis starting in 2023 (say on Saturdays or Sundays, possibly a weekday as well).

People churn through those apartments every few years, few lived within a few blocks of the ballpark beyond their late 20s unless they owned the two flat. Place was a crime ridden dump like Uptown in the late 70s, CPD Jim Murphy and several others bought property cheap around there and made a fortune.

He's been insufferable since Harry Caray died, and nobody was left to check his arrogance. The entire Cubs organization hated him as he left. Couldn't get along with Hawk Harrelson. Despises the fans. Gets along with Benetti primarily because Jason tosses his salad all game since Day 1. He is very knowledgeable and would have been a solid scout or advisor in an organization over the years. But he didn't want to have a boss beyond an Owner, and like Larry Himes who also had great knowledge and built the 1990s core team, he couldn't get along with or manage other human beings. I don't believe there are any competent people who would want to work as a direct report to Steve Stone. Can add John McDonough to that list, though he lasted far too long based on the three Stanley Cups Dale Tallon built.

Yes, on his Rickettsville, his new sports casino and paying down massive debt.

A majority of the board say Lucas and Moncada are terrible, and Abreu should bounce after this season, despite the fact they are consistently the Sox best performers. Soxtalk also wanted to dump Cease, Rodon, and Reynaldo Lopez before Katz arrived. A solid faction loved the La Russa hire, the Kimbrel trade, and dumping Rodon last offseason (though some wanted him to get a QO which would have been smart). Gallo may continue to hit poorly, but that would mean he is on par with the existing group, and at least he is a major league capable defensive everyday RF, which cannot be said for Sheets and Vaughn.

Time will tell what the return is for these three players, but I don't think it will be quite that high for the 2 month rentals (Contreras higher than Robertson) with Happ getting the biggest package due to the extra year of control. Hahn overpaid for Kimbrel (and Cesar Hernandez) last year. Robertson should command a much more reasonable return. It also depends on whether there are multiple teams seriously interested or just 1 or 2. Can also pry pieces from the Reds who really don't give a shit beyond dumping payroll. If the Sox instead ate Moustakas' deal, Luis Castillo and Naquin could be possible for not much player return.

Well throw in a solid prospect, the Cubs want to dump payroll. Perhaps you only get two of the three players. but eating Heyward's deal will net you a big return in terms of forgoing top prospects to get that level of talent. Say you get Happ, Heyward and Robertson, and pass on Contreras. Sheets, Zavala and one or two lotto tickets should be what it takes, since you are eating close to $30M on the Heyward deal. I liked Contreras in return so you can trade both Zavala and McGuire and have a much stronger four man bench. You'd have to work with Happ on getting reacclimated to 2B, or just do that next Spring for 2023 and keep Harrison as the primary starter to finish this season. At the minimum, you'll finally have a decent 2B and RF defensively, even if Gallo hits as he did with the Yankees. In terms of Grandal, he would be able to catch 1 or 2 games a week, perhaps DH 1 or 2 games. He will be rested and have a better chance at trying to catch 60-80 games his final year with the Sox.

If Jerry was committed to just one year of overspending, you could get Happ, Contreras and Robertson for Sheets, Zavala and say a AAA reliever if the Sox also ate Heyward's remaining 1 1/3 year contract (just DFA him after the trade). Swap Pollock for Gallo, perhaps one more solid (#3 or #4 - LF if possible) Starter, and the Sox are legitimate WS contenders, and are able to wash Hahn's past 12 months down the drain. Lineup: SS Anderson; 3B Moncada #; CF Robert; 1B Abreu; C Contreras; 2B Happ #; LF DH Eloy; DH LF 1B Vaughn; RF Gallo ^ Bench: C DH Grandal #; RF CF Engel; 2B SS Garcia #; 3B Burger (Trade/DFA McGuire, Harrison, Heyward) Rotation: Cease; Giolito; Lynn; Kopech; Cueto; New LH Starter Bullpen: Hendriks; Graveman; Robertson; Lopez; Bummer; Lambert; Kelly;

Wonder if we can get Joey Gallo for Jason Benetti, which is how I first read the thread title.

I understand pitchers warm up in the bullpen and also several pitches on the game mound before play resumes, but he pitched three game pitches total for three outs on Tuesday and Wednesday. He's also pitched well in his three multi-inning appearances since returning from Charlotte June 2 (4 outings, 8 2/3 IP, 3 Hits, 4 K 3 BB, 0.00 ERA). He is well below his 77 1/3 IP 2021 workload (37 IP across AAA and MLB). Joe Kelly is barely effective in one inning, and it's obvious the Sox are lucky to get that much out of him over any two game stretch. His agent demanded he not pitch back to back the first half of this season, and had it agreed to by the White Sox in his contract. It makes sense to not use him back to back the remainder of this season, assuming he pitches again, and to perhaps wait until next year to see if that should remain a restriction after testing back to back appearances in Arizona.

White Sox fans talk about adding a sixth starter this deadline to help manage Kopech's workload. An argument can also be made for helping the rest of the staff get through 2022 after the shortened Spring Training and also various injuries the staff has suffered, Tony La Russa went with Lance Lynn in Game 1 in the 2021 ALDS, in part, because he felt Lance was the best pitcher to pitch on short rest. However, during Lance's first 1 2/3 seasons here, and during his career, he has pitched far more effectively with extra rest. Lance Lynn will be coming off of five days rest for his start tomorrow. 2022 4 Days Rest 5 GS; 0-3; 9.72 ERA (Includes 6/13 start after 4 days rest between minor league rehab start and first MLB start) 5 Days Rest 1 GS; 0-0; 0.00 ERA 6 Days Rest 2 GS; 1-0; 2.45 ERA 2021 4 Days Rest 11 GS; 5-3; 3.38 ERA 5 Days Rest 8 GS; 4-1; 1.99 ERA 6 + Days Rest 9 GS; 2-2; 2.45 ERA Career 4 Days Rest 138 GS; 58-46; 3.83 ERA 5 Days Rest 90 GS; 37-23; 3.43 ERA 6 + Days Rest 43 GS; 18-9; 3.09 ERA

Yankees needed to secure a regular RF first. Currently Gallo and Carpenter have been splitting duties. Gallo has homered twice in his last 9 at bats in limited playing time. He can still field, and would be a massive upgrade over Sheets. I believe Joey can turn it around, and it's worth a shot, especially if they can trade Pollock in the exchange.

This is the most crucial series in terms of potential direction at the 8/2 trade deadline. I am putting up my 9-5 .643 Game Thread record on the line, and looking to run it up on a massive hot streak to propel the White Sox into First Place in the American League Central Division before I pass the baton. Projected Starters: Oakland: James Kaprielian (RHP) Age 28; Career fWAR 0.6; 197 IP; 9-10; 4.39 ERA; 176 K 76 BB; 34 HR 2022 Record 74 IP; 1-5; 4.74 ERA; 49 K 34 BB; 4 HR Career Splits vs. Chicago: 1 2021 Start, 4 IP; .782 OPS; 2.25 ERA; 4 K 2 BB; 0 HR Chicago: Lance Lynn (RHP) Age 35; Career fWAR 29.6; 1,625 2/3 IP; 116-80; 3.56 ERA; 1,632 K 584 BB; 159 HR 2022 Record 42 IP; 1-3; 6.43 ERA; 41 K 10 BB; 7 HR Career Splits vs. Oakland: 8 Starts (2019 4; 2020 3; 2021 1) 44 IP; .710 OPS; 3.68 ERA; 60 K 16 BB; 5 HR Current Game Time NOAA Weather Forecast: 76 F & Heat Index; NNW 9 MPH Winds (blowing out) with gusts up to 15 MPH, all three decreasing over 3 hours.

James McCann, Nick Madrigal & Ivan Nova rank among White Sox Top 10 Cumulative fWAR players over the past four seasons (three full seasons). White Sox fWAR leaders 2019-2022: fWAR / Player (Full Seasons * & Games Played) Position Players 13.9 T. Anderson (3 & 364) 11.0 Y. Moncada (3 & 381) 10.3 J. Abreu (3 & 466) 6.9 L. Robert (2 & 198) 5.2 Y. Grandal (2 & 193) 3.7 A. Engel (3 & 237) 3.7 J. McCann (1.4 & 149) 3.5 E. Jimenez (3 & 256) 3.1 L. Garcia (3 & 353) 1.6 N. Madrigal (1.4 & 83) Pitchers 12.0 L. Giolito (3 & 89) 7.9 D. Cease (3 & 78) 5.9 C. Rodon (2.4 & 35) 4.5 L. Lynn (1.6 & 36) 4.1 R. Lopez (3 & 98) 3.4 L. Hendriks (1.6 & 102) 3.0 A. Bummer (3 & 149) 2.6 M. Kopech (1.6 & 62) 2.1 I. Nova (1 & 34) 2.1 D.Keuchel (2 & 51) Note *: 2020 counted as .4 of a season (rounded up from .37), 2022 counted as .6 of a season (98/162).

My only interest would be for the winner to be under .500, to expose the 12 team playoff scheme for the ridiculous farce it is. I sincerely think with the elimination of the unbalanced division schedule starting in 2023, there is a solid chance over the next decade one or more AL Central Division Champions will finish with an under .500 record.

I would say 90% + of objective White Sox fans would say this team has regressed, beyond individual player performances, from the rising 2019-2020 teams to the past two seasons. Would really love to read a tell all "Ball Four" book covering the 2022 clubhouse.

You have to place the blame on the manager, who has been enabling this type of behavior, lack of concentration, lack of fundamentals, lack of accountability his entire tenure. Actually both tenures with the White Sox. Hawk Harrelson was right the first time, bring him back to fire Tony again. Hawk Harrelson cares more about White Sox baseball than JR, KH and TLR combined.

Better hope the insurance company eager enough to take on covering Joe Kelly is solvent.

Graveman was Hahn's decision. Kelly is on Tony (and by extension, his enabler Jerry).

A DFA if he needs surgery. Free up a slot on the 40 man.

Well, at least Tony didn't intentionally walk Diaz.