South Side Hit Men

The Sox weren't prepared under Tony when the games mattered in 1983. Tony blew the WS as heavy favorites in 1988 and 1990. A large number of Sox fans wanted La Russa gone his first turn. Jerry found him a landing spot in Oakland. Two top FOs (Oakland and Saint Louis) plus Balco are the primary drivers of his win count.

It’s not luck. You can find bargains like Jermaine Dye in this bin, but paying top dollar for veterans negotiating their final deal is usually a losing proposition.

This. Ventura 2013-2016. Ventura passes on 2017. Ricky promoted literally the day after Ventura passes. Ricky extended in 2019. Jerry hires Tony in 2020. They have had zero legitimate external candidates (I’m not counting Selig rule interview Willie Harris as legitimate) interviewed over the past decade, one in the KW era (Ozzie vs. Cito). A new owner needs to bring in a legitimate modern Front Office and let him (or her Kim Ng) bring in a legitimate modern MLB manager and coaching staff. No more Daryl Bostons, Front Office Snitches (Don Cooper), Owner Cronies (Harold Baines). No more Robins or Paulies or AJs.

Would call 2021 a great year. 2020 is an asterisk, same as Keuchel’s “Cy Young caliber” 2020 based on 11 starts. Games Caught 32 (2020 - Age 31) 80 (2021 - Age 32) 32 (2022 - Age 33) DH/1B 13 (2020) 17 (2021) 19 (2022) His bat warranted DH/1B starts the first two years. This season, it’s based on desperation (hoping he turns around + few/no other options between injuries and lack of quality depth).

I’d co-sign those two in the TLR column, though the team had limited, perhaps a single option, in terms of teams willing and able to take Kimbrel’s contract. I was hoping for a Lux or a young pitcher instead of a veteran LF in terms of return. Slim and none were the possibilities Pollock would be successful as an everyday RF. They pulled the plug relatively quickly after he dropped the ball and lost the game in Detroit.

White Sox Math 13 more years X 68 wins / season = 884 Connie Mack 3,731 Tony La Russa 2,847 + 884 = 3,731

Even if Hahn had zero say since late October 2020, ceding all decisions to Tony (starting with firing the trainer Tony may have been uncomfortable with in the dugout, and all subsequent free agent acquisitions), Grandal and Keuchel, the two largest $ contracts, were signed prior to TLR’s arrival. Rick (and Kenny) were most excited about Kimbrel. Tony trashed the deal after losing the playoffs, stating Craig was pitching outside of his comfortable role. Tony may have been onboard in July, but this was Hahn’s deal. I’d agree with the sentiment Tony played a role, perhaps made the call, signing the following players he was familiar from his managerial and or Arizona/Angels years: Adam Eaton Jake Lamb Joe Kelly Liam Hendriks (Hahn did a good job with the contract) Josh Harrison Pollock was never a RF, it was another unforced error when they could have just let Kimbrel walk, and used this salary more productively. Now they are likely stuck with another $10M next year, handcuffing options to fill their forever holes in RF and 2B in 2023.

Now do Lance Lynn.

Hahn handed 40% of his near $200M payroll to Grandal, Lynn, Keuchel, Kimbrel (nee Pollock) & Kelly ($77.3M / $193.7M). This is why the Sox are what they are, not Leury's $5.5M. To add insult to injury, only Keuchel's deal drops off next year (after the $1.5M buyout). Tony sucks, but Hahn was, is and always will be the primary culprit. You can't build a successful team the Hahn way, overspending on luxuries (catcher, relief pitching) and leaving gaping holes in the lineup and rotation each and every season.

There is a organization fundraiser tonight at the Field Museum. Free wine. He isn't driving anywhere until last call.

Fan 1975-1990. Boycott 1991-2003. Fan 2003-2020. Boycott October 29, 2020 until both Jerry and Tony are no longer with the White Sox. Non-negotiable.

I'd take that over Defeat and Inflation.

"Hello Peter. What's happening? Um, I'm going to need you to go ahead and come in to watch the Sox lose tomorrow. So if you could be here around 3, that would be great. Umkay. Oh, oh, and I almost forgot. Ah, I'm also going to need to you to go ahead and come in to watch the Sox lose on Sunday, too. Kay. We, ah, lost some Sox fans this week, and um, we need to sort of play catchup. Thaaanks."

.478 OPS. Elite my ass.

Michael and family with keep the Bulls. They have been scooping up minority shares in the Sox the past few years for pennies on the dollar. The Bulls will stay here, the Sox will play wherever jerry is able to shake down taxpayers for a new $1-$2 billion for a stadium. They will wait until the Bears leave so they can create more leverage. Jerry will live until at least 2040, perhaps far longer.

When you are in your 70s, your going to be hard pressed to do all of the travel for six months without time off. Unless you are Tony La Russa.

"So I was sitting in my cubicle today and I realized ever since Hahn was promoted, um, every single day the Sox have been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day I watch White Sox Baseball, that is the worst day of my fandom." What about today? Is today the worst day of your fandoml? "Yeah' Wow, that's messed up.

Players can work on specific aspects of their rehab, play more cautious without costing the Big Club runs/wins. They are also easing back in, so planned off days or partial games limit their availability. You are taking up an active roster spot for a player not available, though the Sox have already done this a few times this season (Moncada, Robert, Vaughn resting further after activation). However, that is the exception and not typical across The MLB, including the Sox most years.

Someone needs to shred his passport.

Konnor was sharp this afternoon, 8 Ks, 2 BBs, 0 Runs over five for his first win in his ML career.

https://abcfinance.co.uk/blog/how-billionaires-plan-to-live-forever/

With little to no fan interest beyond ST holders they fleeced hawking playoff tickets last Summer/Fall, they stand pat or sell, versus being buyers like they were last July if they extra revenue. You see JR/Hahn quibbling over $50K with one of the few players who actually has performed well, and you tell your agent, "hard pass". The only players ever interested in signing with a Reinsdorf organization are those at the end of the line with no other / better options. That's how you get a roster full of old free agents like Lynn (extension), Grandal, Keuchel, Encarnacion, Eaton, Harrison, Leury, Cueto, etc. during your delusional "multi-championship window" TM.