South Side Hit Men

Was Tony nearly two hours late for the press conference? The video doesn't start until nearly the end of the timeline (around 1:50). Tony looks more alive and human like than all of his previous press conferences this season. https://www.mlb.com/video/live-white-sox-press-conference-3511 Tim Anderson is on now.

Updated odds after the Boston game are in Bold. Game 1 Odds aren't out because La Russa and Hahn are pulling Nagy and Pace "Strategery". https://www.vegasinsider.com/mlb/odds/futures/

They black it games in an mostly futile attempt to pressure additional cable and internet companies to add their RSN beyond their current market. Folks in Mobile Alabama are not a captive audience to drive to any of the three teams which control their TV market. They also aren't likely to want to pay extra to carry any of the three. Same with fans in Iowa, Vegas, Hawaii, Montana, Buffalo NY or other places with fans with at hundreds of miles between them and the nearest game. These territorial rights were written at the inception of television in the 1950s/1960s. Owners aren't willing to give up these rights, regardless of whether they will make anything on them. It's not just fans which get screwed. The Baltimore Orioles are able to screw over the Washington Nationals since Baltimore owns the rights to the entire area, the Nationals own no rights beyond what they are able to negotiate with the Orioles, with a portion of Nationals broadcast revenue owned by the Orioles in perpetuity.

Correct, I had the first 6 game win streak in May (and most consecutive threads (9), because of also starting the second game of a doubleheader after a first game loss, which they won before losing the following day). @Tnetennba had the second and most recent 6 game win streak. His also has a better season winning percentage (8-3 .727 vs. my 9-5 .643), and should have first honors if we are selecting based on merit. That said, I take Game Threads very seriously. I kick the thread off with quality information, and have intense focus throughout the day in an effort to coax the best possible White Sox performance.

Alex Cora currentky has the highest postseason winning percentage in the Division Era (both leaderboards updated through tonight). All Time Postseason Winning Percentage (MLB 1903-2021): 1.000 George Stallings 4-0 (1914 Boston N.L.) 1.000 Hank Bauer 4-0 (1966 Baltimore) .875 Gil Hodges 7-1 (1969 New York N.L.) .800 Alex Cora 12-3 (2018 & 2021 Boston A.L.) .800 Bill Carrigan 8-2 (1915 & 1916 Boston A.L.) .778 Joe Altobelli 7-2 (1983 Baltimore) .750 Ozzie Guillen 12-4 (2005 & 2008 Chicago A.L.) Current Manager Playoff Winning Percentages .800 Alex Cora (Boston 12-3) .585 Dave Roberts (Los Angeles N.L. 38-27) .547 Tony La Russa (Chicago A.L. 1-3; Oakland 19-13; Saint Louis 50-42) .538 Kevin Cash (Tampa Bay 14-12) .524 Brian Snitker (Atlanta 11-10) .500 Aaron Boone (New York A.L. 11-11) .462 Craig Counsell (Milwaukee 6-7) .456 Dusty Baker (San Francisco 11-13; Chicago N.L. 6-6; Cincinnati 2-7; Washington 4-6; Houston 8-5) .333 Mike Shildt (Saint Louis 4-8) .000 Gabe Kapler (San Francisco 0-0)

Players grouped by current team. Salary, stats and bWAR for entire season, even for traded players. Philadelphia and the White Sox's Top 50 pitchers collectively did the best this season in terms of production for dollars spent. Competitive teams without any Top 50 Paid Pitchers: Milwaukee (1st Place N.L. Central) & Tampa Bay (1st Place A.L. East). Tanking Teams: Baltimore, Cleveland, Colorado, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Pittsburgh, Texas. Overall MLB Salary Rank, Player, 10/5/21 Age (Salary, Innings Pitched, Pitching bWAR): 1. Los Angeles Dodgers 106-56 (#1 N.L. Wild Card) $173.0M, 612.1 IP, 16.0 bWAR 1. Trevor Bauer 30 ($40.0M, 107.2, 3.0) Out for the season - Domestic Violence 6. Max Scherzer 37 ($34.5M, 179.1, 6.0) 8. David Price 36 ($32.0M, 73.2, 0.5) 9. Clayton Kershaw 33 ($31.0M, 121.2, 2.1) Out for the season - Injury 15. Kenley Jansen 34 ($20.0M, 69.0, 2.3) 26. Danny Duffy 32 ($15.5M, 61.0, 2.1) Out for the season - Injury 2. New York Mets 77-85 (3rd Place N.L. East) $109.3M, 609.2 IP, 7.0 bWAR 3. Jason deGrom 33 ($35.5M, 92.0, 4.4) Out for the season - Injury 18. Marcus Stroman 30 ($18.9M, 179.0, 3.3) 33. Carlos Carrasco 34 ($12.0M, 53.2, -0.8) 36. Jeruys Familia 31 ($11.7M, 59.1, 0.0) 37. Brad Hand 31 ($11.5M, 64.2, -0.3) 45. Taijuan Walker 29 ($10.0M, 159.0, 0.5) 47. Noah Syndergaard 29 ($9.7M, 2.0, -0.1) 3. New York Yankees 92-70 (#2 A.L. Wild Card) $86.8M, 342 IP, 8.4 bWAR 2. Gerrit Cole 31 ($36.0M, 181.1, 5.6) 24. Aroldis Chapman 33 ($16.0M, 56.1, 1.5) 30. Zack Britton 33 ($13.0M, 18.1, -0.4) Out for the season - Injury 40. Corey Kluber 35 ($11.0M, 80.0, 1.4) 43. Luis Severino 27 ($10.8M, 6.0, 0.3) 4. Houston Astros 95-67 (1st Place A.L. West) $68.0M, 171.0 IP, 1.2 bWAR 4. Zack Greinke 37 ($35.0M, 171.0, 1.2) 7. Justin Verlander 38 ($33.0M, 0.0, 0.0) Out for the season - Injury 5. Washington Nationals 65-97 (Last Place N.L. East) $59.4M, 193.1 IP, -1.1 bWAR 4. Stephen Strasburg 33 ($35.0M, 21.2, 0.0) Out for the season - Injury 11. Patrick Corbin 32 ($24.4M, 171.2, -1.1) 6. Chicago White Sox 93-69 (1st Place A.L. Central) $54.6M, 449.2 IP, 10.6 bWAR 20. Dallas Keuchel 33 ($18.0M, 162.0, 0.1) 24. Craig Kimbrel 33 ($16.0M, 59.2, 2.5) 38. Liam Hendriks 32 ($11.3M, 71.0, 2.6) 49. Lance Lynn 34 ($9.3M, 157.0, 5.4) 7. Boston Red Sox 92-70 (#1 A.L. Wild Card) $47.0M, 225.0 IP, 5.6 bWAR 10. Chris Sale 32 ($30.0M, 42.2, 1.0) 21. Nathan Eovaldi 31 ($17.0M, 182.1, 4.6) 8. Philadelphia Phillies 82-80 (2nd Place N.L. East) $44.5M, 576.0 IP, 13.5 bWAR 12. Zack Wheeler 31 ($22.5M, 213.1, 7.6) 32. Aaron Nola 28 ($12.3M, 180.2, 2.4) 47. Kyle Gibson 33 ($9.7M, 182.0, 3.5) 9. Saint Louis Cardinals 90-72 (#2 N.L. Wild Card) $40.7M, 163.0 IP, -1.6 bWAR 21. Miles Mikolas 33 ($17.0M, 44.2, -0.1) 33. Andrew Miller 36 ($12.0M, 36.0, -0.2) 35. Carlos Martinez 30 ($11.7M, 82.1, -1.3) Out for the season - Injury 10. San Francisco Giants 107-55 (1st Place N.L. West) $40.7M, 306.2 IP, 6.0 bWAR 14. Johnny Cueto 35 ($21.8M, 114.2, 0.8) 18. Kevin Gausman 30 ($18.9M, 192.0, 5.2) 11. Atlanta Braves 88-73 (1st Place N.L. East) $39.0M, 380.1 IP, 6.8 bWAR 27. Charlie Morton 37 ($15.0M, 185.2, 4.2) 30. Will Smith 32 ($13.0M, 68.0, 1.8) 40. Drew Smyly 32 ($11.0M, 126.2, 0.8) 12. San Diego Padres 79-83 (3rd Place N.L. West) $33.1M, 295.0 IP, 2.8 bWAR 13. Yu Darvish 35 ($22.0M, 166.1, 1.4) 39. Blake Snell 28 ($11.1M, 128.2, 1.4) 13. Los Angeles Angels 77-85 (4th Place A.L. West) $24.1M, 163.1 IP, 4.5 bWAR 27. Alex Cobb 33 ($15.0M, 93.1, 1.7) 50. Raisel Iglesias 31 ($9.1M, 70.0, 2.8) 14. Toronto Blue Jays 91-71 (4th Place A.L. East): 15. Hyun Jin Ryu 34 ($20.0M, 169.0, 1.7) 15. Arizona Diamondbacks 52-110 (Last Place N.L. West): 17. Madison Bumgarner 32 ($19.0M, 146.1, 1.4) 16. Seattle Mariners 90-72 (2nd Place A.L. West): 21. Yusei Kikuchi 30 ($17.0M, 157.0, 1.7) 17. Chicago Cubs 71-91 (4th Place N.L. Central) : 29. Kyle Hendricks 31 ($14.0M, 181.0, 0.9) 18. Oakland Athletics 86-76 (3rd Place A.L. West): 40. Trevor Rosenthal 31 ($11.0M, 0.0, 0.0) 19. Cincinnati Reds 83-79 (3rd Place N.L. Central): 44. Sonny Gray 31 ($10.2M, 135.1, 3.4) 20. Minnesota Twins 73-89 (Last Place A.L. Central): 45. Michael Pineda 32 ($10.0M, 109.1, 1.5)

Seems like A Rod is treading on Benetti's turf.

I understand, but thought it was interesting.

There were just over 1 million Social Security beneficiaries (8-1-44) when Tony La Russa was born. Today, there are just under 70 million beneficiaries.

If you check baseball’s free fall ratings decline over the past few decades, there are fewer customers each year. Jerry and his fellow RSN owners are fleecing what they can off the remaining dying cable audience, many of whom don’t even watch their shitty broadcasts, too cheap to send their announcers to half the games. Their most recent brilliant ideas, kill 42 minor league franchises to destroy fan interest further in those communities, and lock out players for 2/3 of the season. Next on tap, a 2022 lockout followed by a permanent devaluation of the regular season, but not before their drunk commissioner hands out “the piece of metal”.

It is completely asinine that in 2021, a fan can’t go on MLB.com, type in a credit card number, and have an option to watch any damn game they please, either a la carte, for a whole season for any team, or all teams. Period. You want to know why football and basketball have left you in the dust decades ago? It’s asinine game stewardship like MLB broadcast policy that shuts out fans willing to pay. Live in Vegas or Iowa or other places, you’re blacked out for up to six teams (though you can at least go to a Sportsbook in Vegas).

Fans have been shut out of all but a few games this season. Radio works for me, with highlights free on MLB after, or may hit a bar. I suggest folks don’t click those pirate sites unless they don’t give a shit about getting malware and viruses.

It’s not about television, it’s about street closures, police and other traffic resources. MLB works with municipalities to coordinate these events. The Chicago Marathon goes right past Comiskey, so it would be impossible to host the game early, well unless it was 2020 and fans weren’t a factor. The Boston Marathon also runs close to Fenway, though I believe they have a stricter race time (Chicago’s is 6:30), but you still need lead time to allow fans to travel, so depending on the two AL time slots, I’d expect the Boston Red Sox to play last regardless. It’s less than 50% probability to even happen, Boston must win tonight and at least one game after tonight to come to fruition.

That would make it more likely Boston would get the late game, to logistically run the marathon in the morning. I can’t believe Columbus Day is still a thing in 2021.

It's only happening because of the logistics of the Chicago Marathon. People with Monday Game 4 tickets and a normal job should make arrangements to take off at least a half a day now. Barring a TB / WC sweep (a Sox sweep makes Game 4 irrelevant), there will be four games on Monday. and the Sox will likely be the first or second game scheduled. Grandal will have to come back on short rest or DH as well.

It's done strictly for television, the owners don't give a rats ass about the fan experience. Game 2 of the 2005 World Series was played in the rain solely for TV. Even worse was that absurd Yankees Cleveland game in the rain last year. Also, they could easily schedule weekend day games, but they don't want to go up against football, not even college football.

I really didn't consider my OG post as an analysis, strictly a grouping of players based on the article, their 2021 salary and final bWAR. @GreenSox comment "And even in the rebuild trades included above, the net WAR is negative and the only big winner is the Eaton trade." is absurd. I listed the entirety of what was given up to date (the player and contract traded, and bWAR earned for the remainder of the contract) vs. strictly 2021 performance. Here are the trades with ML total amounts paid and bWAR earned from the time of the trade through the end of this season. It also doesn't account for future control of players at below market rates, which provides the Sox an even greater advantage. White Sox return = $37.4M & 42.0 bWAR + Future Control (2 Years for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez; 3 years for Eloy Jimenez & Yoan Moncada; 4 years for Dylan Cease & Michael Kopech). White Sox gave up 24.7 bWAR (at the contract cost of $88.9M) and Avery Weems. Lance Lynn ($9.3M; 5.4); Lucas Giolito ($5.5M; 11.5); Reynaldo Lopez ($3.4M; 4.5) for Adam Eaton (2017-2020 $23.4M; 4.8) & Avery Weems (High A). Dylan Cease ($2.0M; 2.9); Eloy Jimenez ($7.0M; 3.4) for Jose Quintana (2017-2020 $26.0M; 4.5). Yoan Moncada ($9.0M; 12.9); Michael Kopech ($1.2M; 1.4) for Chris Sale (2017-2019 $39.5M; 15.4). 2020 salaries adjusted above compared to the OG post for the pro-rata salary paid due to the 2020 Owner Lockout.

Game 1: 3:07 CDT Game 2: 1:07 CDT (WTF?) https://www.mlb.com/postseason

So very bad. Lucas tossed a two hitter through 7 last year, his omission is completely absurd. Far more valuable than Eloy, at least this season, heading into the playoffs. If you're in a playground picking players based on their form today, my selections would be ordered as follows: Lucas, Anderson, Robert, Lynn, Grandal, Moncada, Hendriks, Abreu, Cease, Kopech, Rodon (Higher if healthy), Eloy.

Besides "Draft Kings, MLB's own website lists the Sox as the second game the first three games, and the second AL game the final two. https://www.mlb.com/postseason MLB and the networks already know the schedules, based on the different wild card scenarios, they just aren't announcing them publicly until Tuesday night (for the AL). Sucks more for Astros (and traveling White Sox) fans attempting to go to the game,

If the season ended after two months as it did in 2020, under the current ten team format: NL Playoffs: Winner [#5 Los Angeles (,593) at #4 San Diego (,618)] at #1 San Francisco (.630) #3 Chicago (.566) at #2 New York (.574) AL Playoffs: Winner [[#5 Play-in Game Winner: Cleveland (.547) & Houston (.547)] Winner at #4 Boston (.604)] at #1 Tampa Bay (.636) #3 Oakland (.554) at #2 Chicago (.611) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/?date=2021-05-31

All I know is Billy Hamilton better be on the third base line for player introductions on Thursday.

James Fegan wrote an article with a paragraph or two about the player and specifics of how they were acquired. https://theathletic.com/2862389/2021/10/03/how-the-white-sox-built-their-division-winner-rebuild-trades-free-agent-splashes-and-hidden-gems/?source=emp_shared_article&redirected=1 Below I have grouped the players using James' article categories, and have added their 2021 salary and final bWAR. (P Min = Prorated ML Minimum for time on roster). Rebuild Trades ($27.9M; 19.4 bWAR) Lance Lynn ($9.3M; 5.4); Lucas Giolito ($4.2M; 4.3); Reynaldo Lopez ($2.1M; 0.9) for Adam Eaton (2017-2020 $29.4M; 4.8) & Avery Weems (High A). Dylan Cease ($0.6M; 2.9); Eloy Jimenez ($4.3M; 0.6) for Jose Quintana (2017-2020 $36.9M; 4.6). Yoan Moncada ($6.8M; 4.0); Michael Kopech ($0.6M; 1.3) for Chris Sale (2017-2019 $39.5M; 15.4). High Draft Picks ($10.0M; 7.4 bWAR) Tim Anderson ($7.3M; 4.6) - 2013 1st Round (17th pick) Garrett Crochet ($0.6M; 1.3) - 2020 1st Round (11th pick) Nick Madrigal (P Min; 1.2) - 2018 1st Round (4th pick) Jake Burger (P Min, 0.4) - 2017 1st Round (11th pick) Andrew Vaughn ($0.6M; 0.2) - 2019 1st Round (3rd pick) Gavin Sheets (P Min; 0.2) - 2017 2nd Round Zack Collins ($0.6M; -0.5) - 2016 1st Round (10th pick) Cuban Connection ($21.2M; 6.6 bWAR) Luis Robert ($3.5M; 3.6) - Signed May 27, 2017 Jose Abreu ($17.7M; 3.0) - Signed October 29, 2013 We Mean Business Free Agent Signings ($58.6M; 11.5 bWAR) Carlos Rodon ($3.0M; 5.1) - Signed February 1, 2021 Yasmani Grandal ($18.3M; 3.7) - Signed November 21, 2019 Liam Hendriks ($11.3M; 2.6) - Signed January 15, 2021 Dallas Keuchel ($18.0M; 0.1) - Signed December 30, 2019 Adam Eaton ($8.0M; 0.0) - Signed December 10, 2020 Deadline Deals ($12.8M; 1.8 bWAR) Leury Garcia ($3.5M; 2.0) - Acquired August 11, 2013 as player to be named in the August 9, 2013 trade of Alex Rios ($16.3M; 1.2). Ryan Tepera ($0.3M; 0.6) - Acquired July 29, 2021 for Bailey Horn (High A). Craig Kimbrel ($7.1M; 0.0) - Acquired July 30, 2021 for Nick Madrigal ($0.2M; 0.0) & Codi Heuer ($0.2M; 0.5). Cesar Hernandez ($1.9M; -0.8) - Acquired July 29, 2021 for Konnor Pilkington (AA). Very Late Draft Picks ($5.2M; 0.9 bWAR) Adam Engel ($1.4M; 1.5) - 2013 19th Round Aaron Bummer ($2.0M; 0.5) - 2014 19th Round Codi Heuer ($0.6M; 0.0) - 2018 6th Round Romy Gonzalez (P Min; -0.1) - 2018 18th Round Jimmy Lambert (P Min; -0.1) - 2016 5th Round Seby Zavala (P Min; -0.2) - 2015 12th Round Danny Mendick (P Min; -0.3) - 2015 22nd Round Matt Foster ($0.6M; -0.4) - 2016 20th Round Give That Pro Scout A Raise ($6.5M; 2.6 bWAR) Ryan Burr ($0.6M; 1.1) - Signed as a free agent on December 16, 2019. Jose Ruiz ($0.6M; 1.1) - Selected off waivers from the San Diego Padres on December 22, 2017. Yermin Mercedes ($0.6M; 0.5) - Drafted in the Rule 5 Draft from the Baltimore Orioles on December 14, 2017. Billy Hamilton ($1.0M; 0.3) - Signed as a free agent on March 16, 2021. Mike Wright Jr. (P Min; 0.0) - Signed as a free agent on December 24, 2020. Jake Lamb ($0.8M; 0.0) - Signed as a free agent on March 30, 2021. Evan Marshall ($2.0M; -0.2) - Signed as a free agent on October 30, 2018. Brian Goodwin ($0.8M; -0.2) - Signed as a free agent on May 5, 2021. Note: I moved Adam Eaton from "Rebuild Trades" and Carlos Rodon from "High Draft Picks" to Free Agent Signings reflect their 2021 acquisition; and also moved Codi Heuer to Very Late Draft picks (was in Deadline Deals). Note: Batters not mentioned in the article who played for the Chicago White Sox this season include Luis Gonzalez (P Min; 0.1) and Nick Williams (P Min; -0.3). Pitchers not mentioned who pitched for the Whtie Sox include Zack Burdi (P Min; -0.1), Jace Fry ($0.9M; -0.3) and Jonathan Stiever (P Min; 0.0).

You are correct. Thinking back, we did flip toward the end back and forth at the end. The game was a 3 PM game in SD, Bears were a noon game. That said, they wouldn't have played in SD at 10 AM to accommodate a 3PM Bears game, especially back then. The baseball game was 3PM, it's likely an NFL game was on at noon on NBC in the Chicago market. Cubs took an early lead, and then I believe Sandberg spilled Gatorade on Durham's mitt and the rest was history. If the Bears game next week were a Fox game, than the network may look to best maximize the fans for both games, but I don't believe the Bears game at 3:15 will impact MLB's decision. In fact, the New York Football Giants playing the 3PM game on Fox makes it even more likely they would want the New York Yankees game following, and not competing against the football game, on their network.

I like San Francisco at this point, though it really is a crap shoot. Westgate in Vegas will charge less vig than the crappy MGM odds, but it was the only link I found. Giants are really low with the Rivers Sports book (+550), the Sox are the same +750 as in Vegas. Brewers are also +750 on the North Side. https://il.betrivers.com/?page=sportsbook#event/1006996047