South Side Hit Men

Same as it ever was. https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/news/titans-dave-mcginnis-nf Dave McGinnis Once Was Bears Head Coach -- And Didn't Know It The current Titans radio color analyst's pursuit of a 'dream job' turned into a nightmare due to numerous missteps by the venerable franchise.

Let’s rephrase the question: When was the last time (if ever) Bob Nightingale tweeted a positive rumor about the White Sox that came to fruition?

My post was a review of Hahn's history in relation to Kendall Graveman's signing, not a rehash of the 4 month old Kimbrel discussion. His RP FA signings have been solid overall. If you or Two Gun Pete want to put together something else, the board is an open forum.

It's the number one trait Tony looks for in a reliever.

Hahn has had a solid record overall with relief pitching acquisitions. Hahn's 2013-2021 Relief Pitching Acquisitions ($5M +): $13.0M Liam Hendriks $54M 4 years; 2021; 71 IP; 2.6 bWAR; 2.54 ERA; 2.34 FIP. Three years remaining. $11.5M David Robertson $46M 4 years; 2015 - July 2017; 159 IP; 2.9 bWAR; 3.28 ERA; 3.05 FIP. Traded for Blake Rutherford (AAA). $9.0M Joakim Soria $9M + $1M buyout; April - July 2018; 38.2 IP; 1.1 bWAR; 2.56 ERA; 2.15 FIP. Traded for minor leaguers. $9.0M Kelvin Herrera $17M + $1M buyout; 53.2 IP; -0.5 bWAR; 6.54 ERA; 4.95 FIP. Free agent. $8.9M Alex Colome $17.85M 2019-2020; 83.1 IP; 2.1 bWAR; 2.27 ERA; 3.78 FIP. Free agent. $8.0M Kendall Graveman $24M 3 years. Three years remaining. $6.0M Steve Cishek $5.25M + $0.75M buyout; 20 IP; -0.2 bWAR, 5.40 ERA; 5.64 FIP. Free agent. $5.3M Craig Kimbrel $5.3M Aug-Sept 2021; 2022 Trade TBD? 23 IP; 0.0 bWAR; 5.09 ERA; 4.56 FIP. 2022 / possible trade candidate. $5.0M Zach Duke $15M 3 years: 2015 - July 2016: 98 IP; 1.7 bWAR; 3.11 ERA; 4.01 FIP. Traded for Charlie Tilson (-1.6 bWAR).

Yes, Graveman was off for two years after his surgery and conversion, regressed some after the innings caught up to him (as did Kimbrel) to end the year. Both should be fine after securing a normal RP workload in 2021 without injury issues, though Jerry Reinsdorf just stated the Sox continue to look to trade Kimbrel.

Yep. My grandfather was born in 1918, died 80 years later, never saw the Sox win a playoff series. A majority of Sox fans suffered the same fate. Miami began play less than 30 years ago and have two World Series Championships. Only the toughest of the tough can survive being a Sox fan their entire life. Number of World Series Championships + League Pennants: (40 = 27 + 13) New York A.L. (WS 2009, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1978, 1977, 1962, 1961, 1958, 1956, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1947, 1943, 1941, 1939, 1938, 1937, 1936, 1932, 1928, 1927, 1923. AL 2003, 2001, 1981, 1976, 1964, 1963, 1960, 1957, 1955, 1942, 1926, 1922, 1921) (21 = 7 + 14) Los Angeles N.L. (Brooklyn) (WS 2020, 1988, 1981, 1965, 1963, 1959, 1955. NL 2018, 2017, 1978, 1977, 1974, 1966, 1956, 1953, 1952, 1949, 1947, 1941, 1920, 1916) (20 = 8 + 12) San Francisco (New York N.L.) (WS 2014, 2012, 2010, 1954, 1933, 1922, 1921, 1905. NL 2002, 1989, 1962, 1951, 1937, 1936, 1924, 1923, 1917, 1913, 1912, 1911) (19 = 11 + 8) Saint Louis N.L. (WS 2011, 2006, 1982, 1967, 1964, 1946, 1944, 1942, 1934, 1931, 1926. NL 2013, 2004, 1987, 1985, 1968, 1943, 1930, 1928) (14 = 9 + 5) Oakland (Kansas City / Philadelphia A.L.) (WS 1989, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1930, 1929, 1913, 1911, 1910. AL 1990, 1988, 1931, 1914, 1905) (13 = 9 + 4) Boston A.L. (WS 2018, 2013, 2007, 2004, 1918, 1916, 1915, 1912, 1903. AL 1986, 1975, 1967, 1946) (11 = 4 + 7) Detroit (WS 1984, 1968, 1945, 1935. AL 2012, 2006, 1940, 1934, 1909, 1908, 1907) (11 = 3 + 8) Chicago N.L. (WS 2016, 1908, 1907. NL 1945, 1938, 1935, 1932, 1929, 1918, 1910, 1906) (10 = 4 + 6) Atlanta (Milwaukee N.L. / Boston N.L.) (WS 2021, 1995, 1957, 1914. NL 1999, 1996, 1992, 1991; 1958; 1948) (9 = 5 + 4) Cincinnati (WS 1990, 1976, 1975, 1940, 1919. NL 1972, 1970, 1961, 1939) (7 = 5 + 2) Pittsburgh (WS 1979, 1971, 1960, 1925, 1909. NL 1927, 1903) (7 = 3 + 4) Baltimore (Saint Louis A.L.) (WS 1983, 1970, 1966. AL 1979, 1971, 1969, 1944) (7 = 2 + 5) Philadelphia N.L. (WS 2008, 1980. NL 2009, 1993, 1983, 1950, 1915) (6 = 3 + 3) Minnesota (Washington A.L.) (WS 1991, 1987, 1924. AL 1965, 1933, 1925) (6 = 2 + 4) Cleveland (WS 1948, 1920. AL 2016, 1997, 1995, 1954) (5 = 2 + 3) New York N.L. (1962) (WS 1986, 1969. NL 2015, 2000, 1973) (5 = 3 + 2) Chicago A.L. (WS 2005, 1917, 1906. AL 1959, 1919) (4 = 2 + 2) Kansas City (1969) (WS 2015, 1985. AL 2014, 1980) (4 = 1 + 3) Houston N.L & A.L. (1962) (WS 2017. AL 2021, 2019. NL 2005) (2 = 2 + 0) Miami (1993) (WS 2003, 1997) (2 = 2 + 0) Toronto (1977) (WS 1993, 1992) (2 = 0 + 2) Tampa Bay (1998) (AL 2020, 2008) (2 = 0 + 2) San Diego (1969) (NL 1998, 1984) (2 = 0 + 2) Texas (Washington A.L.) (1961) (AL 2011, 2010) (1 = 1 + 0) Arizona (1998) (WS 2001) (1 = 1 + 0) Washington N.L. (Montreal) (1969) (WS 2019) (1 = 1 + 0) Los Angeles A.L. (1961) (WS 2002) (1 = 0 + 1) Colorado (1993) (NL 2007) (1 = 0 + 1) Milwaukee A.L & N.L. (1969) (AL 1982) (0 = 0 + 0) Seattle (1977)

You have to judge this in the context of their total budget and final off-seasons. 1 year more than I would have liked, and perhaps $1M-$2M more per year than ideal, but overall he projects to be a decent pitcher. For those with short memories, this is the guy the Seattle clubhouse freaked out about when he was traded while Houston was in town.

Playoff appearances are a poor way to judge success. Advancing in playoff series (beyond the WC coin flip game) is a more legitimate standard. How your team stacked up against the 4-10 best teams in the playoffs. The Sox have only advanced a single season (thankfully they won all three series) since the Division/Wild Card era (1969-2021). Colorado, which started playing thirty years later, are the only other team to have advanced in the playoffs a single season in the Division/Wild Card era.

Very sad news, so young.

I've only read the Chicago Reader in terms of ink / paper newspapers since Mike Royko left Murdoch's Sun Times. While Mark may have an accurate source, he has a controversial background beyond "Pulitzer Prize" winning journalist, lasting a whole two weeks as managing editor at the paper before getting shitcanned for multiple reasons. https://www.robertfeder.com/2018/02/18/mark-konkol-chicago-reader-editor/

Will Jerry play Santa Claus this offseason and move the Sox all the way up to 26th? Magic 8-Ball says:

But none on pitching. Ohtani was signed primarily as a hitter, and his salary is ridiculously suppressed based on yet another owner salary suppression scheme.

Largest contracts by team: Total Contract (Years Year Signed) Last WS Los Angeles N.L.: Mookie Betts $365M (12 2020) 2020 Los Angeles A.L.: Mike Trout $360M (10 2019) 2002 New York N.L.: Francisco Lindor $341M (10 2021) 1986 San Diego: Fernando Tatis Jr. $340M (14 2021) Expansion 1969 - N.L. Pennant 1998 Philadelphia: Bryce Harper $330M (13 2019) 2008 Miami: Giancarlo Stanton $325M (13 2015) 2003 New York A.L.: Gerrit Cole $324M (9 2020) 2009 Texas: Alex Rodriguez $252M (10 2001) Expansion 1961 - A.L. Pennant 2011 Detroit: Miguel Cabrera $248M (8 2014) 1984 Washington: Steven Strausburg $245M (7 2020) 2019 Seattle: Robinson Cano $240M (10 2014) Expansion 1977 - A.L. West 2001 Colorado: Nolan Arenado $234M (7 2019) Expansion 1993 - N.L. Pennant 2007 Cincinnati: Joey Votto $225M (10 2012) 1990 Boston: David Price $217M (7 2016) 2018 Arizona: Zack Greinke $206.5M (6 2016) 2001 Milwaukee: Christian Yelich $188.5M (7 2020) Expansion Seattle Pilots 1969 - A.L. Pennant 1982 Tampa Bay: Wander Franco $185M (11 2022) Expansion 1998 - A.L. Pennant 2020 (Evan Longoria $100M (6 2013) previous highest) Minnesota: Joe Mauer $184M (8 2010) 1991 Chicago N.L.: Jason Heyward $184M (8 2016) 2016 San Francisco: Buster Posey $167M (8 2013) 2014 Baltimore: Chris Davis $161M (7 2016) 1983 Houston: Jose Altuve $151M (5 2018) 2017 Toronto: George Springer $150M (6 2021) 1993 Atlanta: Freddie Freeman $135M (8 2014) 2021 Saint Louis: Paul Goldschmidt $130M (5 2019) 2011 Kansas City: Salvador Perez $82M (4 2021) 2015 Chicago A.L.: Yasmani Grandal $73M (4 2020) 2005 Oakland: Eric Chavez $66M (6 2004) 1989 Cleveland: Edwin Encarnacion $60M (3 2017) 1948 Pittsburgh: Andrew McCutchen $51.5M (6 2012) 1979

Multiple reports, this preceded Hector’s. Looks legit. Congratulations to both sides. Hopefully for Tampa fans, they don’t try to dump his salary after 1-2 seasons.

Holy crap on the Joe Blanton observation. No wonder they have been mired in mediocrity for this long, despite having the best player in the game.

Don't ever give up!

I'm not "hiding" behind anything. My user name is White Sox appropriate (and the same I used on White Sox Interactive). I used my "real name" for social gatherings organized on WSI, and would do the same on this board when interacting with others in person.

Outside of Robert, there is no player I would consider untouchable on the Sox. That said, it seems as though people are vastly underselling Vaughn's worth to the team today and tomorrow. I would only consider trading either Eloy or Vaughn for a package that included outstanding cost controlled talent which could help the Sox win now and the next few years, the same worth that Eloy and Vaughn currently provide the Sox. with the primary benefit clearing the glut of 1B/DH and RHHs Hahn has accumulated. The reason I selected Eloy for the poll is based on the fact the return package would be far greater, and Vaughn's contract status is much more beneficial over the next five years. He is my first choice if trading the primary young elite core (Robert, Moncada, Kopech, Vaughn).

Perhaps, but not sure how cowardly one must be to be concerned with someone reviewing their reaction, especially on an anonymous message board. People should be all for transparency, and should be able to stand by what they post and also their reactions.

It doesn’t, Tim should remain at leadoff, assuming Marcus and no one else major is brought in, because Tim consistently has a better OBP, whereas Marcus consistently has a better OPS, and can drive him home. I agree with Fathom, wouldn’t consider a 6-7 year deal for Semien, which he is also likely to sign as a SS. Don’t see the Sox offering that to him. The Sox can get multiple quality players for multiple holes spending those funds wisely, assuming that is even what Hahn had to work with, and they don’t screw over the future with Heyward type contracts. Now can Hahn do it like Kenny did with his 2004-2005 offseason moves is another story, though that’s beyond the scope of this discussion.

What strikes me most watching games from the 1980s is the relatively normal size of the players (and let's be frank, also many of the fans) compared to today. Watching the Mets Red Sox WS, Sox games from this era or other games with players were on average a 3-6 inches taller than the average person (most in the 6 foot to 6 foot 3 inch range) but at an average build (175-200 lbs). Today, players are close height wise, perhaps an inch or two taller, but the weight is on average 20-30 lbs + heavier. The smallest players last year (Danny Mendick or Cesar Hernandez (listed as 5 10 195 lbs), would be in the top half in terms of weight on the 1988 team. Ozzie was listed at 5 11 150, Lance Johnson 5 10 160. Billy Hamilton was the only White Sox under 185 lbs last season (160), and he looked like a twig compared to everyone else.

Sad news, he was a solid pitcher, and closed out his career in his 40s stronger than most relievers in their peak (3.0, 2.4 and 1.3 bWAR ages 40, 42, 43). He pwned the Sox (61 1/3 IP, 3 HRs, 2.79 ERA, 5-4, 21 Saves). Hard pass for those terms.

Solid projections as usual by FanGraphs. Keuchel, Cease and Kimbrel were working behind the eight ball last year greatly exceeding their 2021 IP count vs. 2019/2020. Nice to see Giolito's projection, he has the stuff and focus to hit that number. Also expect regression with Lynn. If he can somehow strengthen his stamina, it is not inevitable. Rodon should also be stronger longer next year, still holding longshot hope they can make something work with him again. For hitting: I see Robert as the most likely to exceed his projection. Time will tell regarding whether Grandal can catch more than 90 games, will likely get another 20-30 if healthy at 1B and DH. The less he catches, the more negative fWAR plays (Zavala, Collins). A few of the potential veterans have already signed. Eloy's defense will continue to drag down his value if he continues in LF, assuming he can pull a miracle and stay healthy out there. Really hoping they explore external interest as you may get someone to overpay (still hoping for a Pablo Lopez for Eloy/Mercedes trade) which will greatly enhance the staff, and remove one less DH from the half dozen the Sox are carrying. Resigning Garcia and getting a starting 2B is the key priority overall. if they get a stronger fielding shortstop than Tim (Semien), would be interesting if they ask Tim to shift, may be a better fit there if he starts working on the position early. Some may say "these projections are too pessimistic", but they take into account likelihoods of injuries (missed time and reduced production), slumps / regression applied across the entire league. Young players may have potential and talent, but they must prove it over the grind of an 162 game season. Vaughn (127 Games) slowed down toward the end, and Eloy (122, 55, 55 Games) and Robert (56 and 68 Games) will also face inevitable slumps / tired if they are fortunate to be healthy enough to play 140-150 games in a season.

Marcus Semien is a better defensive SS than Tim Anderson. He sucked it up and played 2B on his one year collusion restrained late Toronto signing last off-season. His preference is likely to return to SS, and he'll likely receive at least one offer allowing him to do that at terms similar to an offer to remain at 2B.