South Side Hit Men

I believe they have more wiggle room than you are stating, especially if they let Kimbrel walk. They need to spend around $50M for a SP, 2B, RF, and a couple quality bullpen arms to legitimately contend for a WS championship. They can do it if they spend wisely, Hahn doesn't feel the need to settle for mediocrity or worse before Christmas. In this instance, the CBA will help because I'm not sure there will be much of a market until after the CBA is settled beyond signing team/player options. Current Commitments (includes 2021 / 2022 buyouts & 2022 Arbitration estimates by MLB Trade Rumors): $120.3M for 15 players Old Guys $90.0M (5 Players): Abreu $19.7; Keuchel $19.5; Lynn $18.5; Grandal $18.3; Hendriks $13.0; Kimbrel $1.0 (buyout). Core $30.3M (10 Players): Giolito $7.9; Jimenez $6.5M; Robert $6.0; Lopez $2.8; Bummer $2,5; Engel $2.2; [Cease, Sheets, Kopech and Crochet $0.6M each]. This is why I don't like signing / moving Kimbrel, it's another mistake because the Sox are likely going to eat a substantial portion of that contract. They were the only team to spend more than $11M AAV last season on a reliever (Hand and Rosenthal the only other relievers over $10M).

Yes, but do you want your owner joining fans to trash you and your team on Twitter after a bad game? Fans may think winning is everything, but working in a good environment, for good people, in a good organization, trumps winning a "piece of metal". You spend thousands of hours at work, a good situation means everything.

You might want to watch Hahn's 5 minute introduction of Tony.

First half of the discussion, Stone focused on the defense. Discussing the various little things the Sox do poorly, talking about outfielders not hitting the cutoff and specifically calling out Eloy. Steve then spent a substantial amount of time focusing on Grandal, his hard hands which causes an inability to block balls in the dirt, in comparison to Maldonado. Steve specifically called out the fastball Rodon threw on 0-2, and Steve surmised Rodon threw it because he cannot rely on Grandal to block his best sliders in the dirt. Then he moved on to the abysmal base runner management, by all three catchers and the pitching staff. He finished talking about Rodon's health and pending free agency, and Kopech needing to be able to fool hitters with location and velocity to progress as a starter.

Hopefully Jerry does the right thing and allows either to interview for a promotion if they so desired. Jerry blocked Kenny previously when Toronto tried to hire Kenny to replace Jerry's friend Paul Beeston as Toronto Blue Jays President several years ago.

Rick just finished his one year paid vacation courtesy of Hahn's October 2019 extension. Rick is now free to pursue other opportunities without compensation due to the White Sox. I wish him the best, and believe he will join a Major League coaching staff, perhaps as bench coach, if he wants to work again.

Just starting a thread for the expected press conference hopefully next week. Hoping we get the same managerial news that we received during the 2020 call. Video of 2020 End of Season Press Conference

Steve Stone for a postmortem on the Laurence Holmes show at noon.

Pants was fortunate Comiskey fired him before the Black Sox scandal. Pants became an American League umpire for five seasons, followed by a scout for the Cubs, the President for the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Los Angeles Angels, and eventually Commissioner of the PCL, before returning as VP of the Cubs until he was 90 and passed away. Sadly, Tony may surpass age 90 with the White Sox in an attempt to pass Connie Mack on the all time win list.

Tony thanks both Jerrys for their service. Chicago White Sox All Time Manager Postseason Winning Percentage Leaderboard Ozzie Guillen 12-4 .750 (2005; 2008) Fielder Jones 4-2 .667 (1906) Pants Rowland 4-2 .667 (1917) Kid Gleason 3-5 .375 (1919) Al Lopez 2-4 .333 (1959) Gene Lamont 2-4 .333 (1993) Ricky Renteria 1-2 .333 (2020) Tony La Russa 2-6 .250 (1983; 2021) Jerry Manual 0-3 .000 (2000)

You only sign Kimbrel with the intention of keeping him, at least through July. A sign and flip is an idiotic plan. His market isn't over $15M AAV ($16M option less sunk cost buyout), it just isn't. Unless the Sox are seeking massive payroll increases, Kimbrel is not a good use of 2022 payroll. 2021 was pro-rated. Hahn will have to deal with the fallout (internal and external) of overpaying trade capital for the 2022 option that ends up going to waste.

Yes, but multiple reports out of Sox world indicate Madrigal was a d bag in the clubhouse. part of the calculus of moving him. Addition by subtraction, "3,000 hits" notwithstanding. I believe Dave Duncan's son is primarily responsible for the statistics and defensive alignment "strategery" employed by La Russa all season. He ain't going anywhere until Tony leaves the organization. Streets and Sans has less cronyism than this organization.

Ozzie Guillen is not the answer, either. JR's cronyism got the Sox to where they are on 10/13, it's not going to bail them out. Ozzie had one great season (99-63), and was .500 the rest of his career (648-647).

Hahn arguably did a far better overall job this season (Oct 2020 - Sept 2021) than the year (Oct 2019 - Sept 2020) he was crowned "Executive of the Year", though that award was primarily an award earned in 2016-2017 for selling off the inherited assets of Kenny Williams plus Adam Eaton, who Hahn acquired. Note - 2020 and Trade Acquisition Salaries are pro-rated for amounts paid by the Sox (2020 salaries divided by 2.7 (60/162)). 2020 Season (Oct 2019 - Sept 2020) $82.7M (10.1 bWAR) - Salaries and bWAR paid/earned are for 2020 and 2021 Future Options: Abreu (2022 $19.7M); Grandal (2022 & 2023 $36.5M) & Keuchel (2022 $19.5M, or $38M for 2022 & 2023 if he vests). Signed Rick Renteria to a Two Year Extension. Fired him after 60 games, eating his 2021 salary. Yasmani Grandal $25.1M (4.6) Dallas Keuchel $24.7M (0.3) Jose Abreu $22.4M (6.0) Edwin Encarnacion $4.4M (-0.3) Nomar Mazara $2.1M (-0.1) - Trade for Steele Walker Gio Gonzalez $2.1M (-0.2) Steve Cishek $1.9M (-0.2) 2021 Season (Oct 2020 - Sept 2021) $42.6M (12.9 bWAR) Future Options: Hendriks (2022 - 2024 $42.7M); Lynn (2022 & 2023 $38M); Kimbrel ($15M for 2022 ($1M buyout included below); Hernandez (2022 $6M Team Opt). Fired Rick Renteria with one contract year remaining, signed Tony La Russa (chalking the latter up to JR) & added two crony coaching positions. Fired clubhouse snitch Don Cooper and hired Ethan Katz. The rest TLR's staff were TLR's selections or inherited staff he was OK with. Liam Hendriks $13.3M (2.6) Lance Lynn $9.3M (5.4) - Trade for Dave Dunning & Avery Weems Adam Eaton $8.0M (0.0) Craig Kimbrel $6.8M (0.0) - Trade for Codi Heuer & Nick Madrigal Carlos Rodon $3.0M (5.1) Cesar Hernandez $1.9M (-0.8) - Trade for Konnor Pilkington Ryan Tepera $0.3M (0.6) - Trade for Bailey Horn

Not defending it, just stating what their philosophy was this year. Their bullpen was solid to excellent last postseason, Heuer and Rodon being the exceptions. It was shitty in 2021 after all of Hahn's spending ($s and traded players), and La Russa's mismanagement. Executive of the year's top acquisition, Dallas Keuchel, was the one who sucked ass, plus Hahn's insistence to use Rodon out of the bullpen for the first time of his life coming off an injury because he acquired absolutely nothing at the deadline (and not much in the offseason). Renteria did far more with far less resources than La Russa. Not saying Ricky is the answer, but La Russa has made things worse. 2020 Playoff ERA: 0.00 (9 innings) Foster, Crochet, Cordero, Colome, Cease, Bummer 3.38 (2 2/3) Marshall 7.71 (2 1/3) Heuer Infinite (0) Rodon (2 ERs)

Yes, but this FO has spent more on their bullpen than all but three teams (Dodgers, Yankees & Mets). It's cheaper than signing a top SP or starting hitter. The Sox were the only team to give a large (over $10M) multi-year (3 year) reliever FA contract last offseason. 2021 FA by AAV: Hendriks $18.0; Rosenthal $11.0M; Hand $10.5; Treinen $8.8; May $7.8; Colome $6.3. 2021 FA by total dollars: Hendriks $54.0 (3 years); Treinen $17.5 (2); May $15.5 (2); Baez $12.5 (2); Rosenthal $11.0 (1); Hand $10.5 (1).

Pretty sure Conforto would land on the Dunn/La Roche side of the failed White Sox NL Free Agent Ledger, though with double the price tag. He'll continue pressing trying to learn a new league, he's a hole defensively, and kills any payroll flexibility. You can't multiply 2020 by 2.7 (162/60), the 162 grind grinds down numbers. He'll be three years removed from his 3.6 (2019) season, and will likely require a 3-4 year deal, hamstringing the team in the future. He is a 2.2 bWAR per year player over his 7 year career.

If you seen Conforto play this season, you would want no part of Conforto. I don't see a high ceiling for him, and the projected $20M AAV would be a huge mistake. For the same projected AAV, I much rather have Semien. Also, Rodon projects close to $6M over the new QO amount. https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/ Players with posted AAV projections: DH: Martinez $23.2; Cruz $14.1. Catchers: Posey $11.2; Zunino $9.6; Gomes $7.7. First Base: Freeman $27.3; Rizzo $21.7; Belt $17.1. Second Base: Taylor $11.0. Shortstop: Seager $31.9; Story $29.8; Correa $26.6; Baez $24.2; Semien $19.6. Third Base: Ramirez $30.2; Bryant $23.6; Seager $19.0; Escobar $10.0. Right Field: Castellanos $21.4; Conforto $19.1. Left Field: Schwarber $12.9M Starters: Scherzer $35.6; Kershaw $31.8; Syndergaard $29.3; Rodon $24.1; Gausman $22.5; Stroman $21.0M; Ray $18.0M; DeScalfani $10.2M; Greinke $9.0, Relievers: Iglesias $15.6; Jansen $10.1; Kimbrel $9.3.

Yep ($109.83M pre arb) Sox vs. ($91.9M pre arb) Astros. And the Astros had a $60M higher 2021 OD payroll than the White Sox per Cot's.

What actually happened were at least a dozen teams did this in various forms, and the Houston scheme went all the way to ownership. MLB would have done zero if the press didn't press the issue. Manfred issued a report whitewashing Houston ownership's involvement, suspended those they could legally get away with (management) and hoped it went away. I expect the NHL to do the same regarding the serial child rapist the Chicago NHL Hockey Team aided and abetted under Rocky Wirtz and the Bowmans (not to mention their simultaneous backing of their racist minor league coach Bill Peters, who callied Akim Aliu the N word, and then demoted the player while Rocky and Stan stood by their man. MLB did the same thing this season with Spidertack. They came up with a bullshit "testing plan", and only took concrete steps because they couldn't control the narrative after Joe West forced the issue in the Sox Cardinals game.

The only series I didn't want to go five looks like it will (Los Angeles). Milwaukee was the last team I actually liked which remained alive. I don't like any of the four remaining teams if Los Angeles advances. Still hate Boston the most of the remaining teams.

No doubt, just listed the primary needs with the highest $ price tags. I think Kimbrel bounces back next year, but can't fit $18M for a bullpen guy. People are overestimating the number of teams with payroll flexibility to take that on in a trade, even if he is acquired to be a closer, at least beyond the Dodgers. Optimistically, Keuchel bounces back a bit to be a decent #5 (4.00-4.20 ERA) for the same reason as Kimbrel post trade (2021 innings > 2019 +2020, both just ran out of gas). Eloy Jimenez should bounce back if he can remain healthy, but that's a big if if he's still playing LF. Can he hit as a DH, or will he sulk about it? Dylan Cease is still very young and I see him continuing to learn his craft and improve on a solid season. Andrew Vaughn can take a major step now that he has a full season under his belt. On the flip side, I really hope the Sox talked to Lance about conditioning in so he can last a full season and be effective in the playoffs. That extension is a huge commitment, hope he reciprocates. They also need to have Kopech focus on starting from Day 1, no hybrid plan for next season. He needs to develop 4 pitches, hope he can hit 120-130 innings including postseason. Can Luis Robert stay healthy and grind out a full season and still be productive in October. He has played less ML games than Andrew Vaughn.

I understand, I would non tender all three, perhaps invite Marshall on a minor league deal.

Sox have a lot of pricey older veterans. There is a very, very limited trade market of teams willing to pay Kimbrel's salary. You only sign him if you plan on keeping him. He should improve, now that his innings base has been built, but not worth the huge payroll commitment, IMO. Player / (10/22 Age) / 2022 Salary / (2023 salary, if applicable) 5-7 Older Players $90M Minimum (+$15M Kimbrel and/or $6M Hernandez) Abreu (35) $19.7M Keuchel (34) $19.5M (2022 includes buyout, otherwise $20.0M 2023) Lynn (35) $18.5M ($18.5M 2023, $18M or $1M buyout 2024) Grandal (33) $18.3M ($18.3M 2023) Hendriks (33) $13.0M ($29M for the final two years) Kimbrel (34) $1.0M (Or $16.0M if they keep him) Hernandez (32) $0.0M (or $6M if 2022 club option picked up) 10 Core Players $18.3M Giolito (28) $7.9M Jimenez (25) $6.5M Robert (25) $6.0M Lopez (28) $2.8M Bummer (29) $2.5M Engel (30) $2.2M Cease (24) $0.6M Sheets (26) $0.6M Kopech (23) $0.6M Crochet (23) $0.6M Free Agents Rodon ($18.4M QO a possibility) Garcia ($3M-$5M AAV) Marshall ($2.3M - Minor League Deal a possibility) Goodwin (Thanks for helping, no place here) Hamilton (Thanks for the memories) Fry (As in Good-bye) Tepera (Depends on the contract, hope they don't overreact to two months) Crucial Needs Starting Pitcher (Rodon or external) Starting Right Fielder Starting Second Baseman Reserve Infielder (or Leury) Veteran Quality Defensive Catcher (Grandal splits / DH / 1B)