South Side Hit Men

Has Tony moved from wine to crack? On what planet does Leury, bat lead off? And why is “Everyday” Grandal off again, after two off days and Collins catches again against a LHP? CF Robert C Grandal # 1B Abreu 3B Moncada # DH Mercedes LF Vaughn RF Garcia # SS Mendick 2B Madrigal

I don’t agree a one year rental is needed. Vaughn needs to learn to play LF, can be sent down to AAA for 3-6 weeks to play everyday, and then return as part of a four man OF rotation, with additional starts at DH with Eloy out. Eloy should be banned from ever wearing a glove for the White Sox again.

Houston has been caught by Joe Maddon's Angels, losing their League and Division lead. Minnesota is clinging to a half game lead after their loss yesterday. They host Seattle to close out their series this afternoon. Boston claimed their first division lead since 2018. They retain it if they win on getaway day in Baltimore. Cincinnati held onto the National League lead for one day, though still hold the NL Central lead. Philadelphia retains their division lead with a win in Atlanta, a loss will leave the two teams tied for first. Los Angeles has reclaimed the National League lead with their win yesterday. They are expected to hold that spot for most of the season. Scherzer vs. Kershaw matchuo in a meeting of Cy Young winners this afternoon. Division Lead - The last time each team has led their Division (ties don’t count). (AL #1) 4/9/21 Houston (Dusty Baker) (AL #2) 4/7/21 Baltimore (Brandon Hyde) (AL #3) 4/6/21 Kansas City (Mike Matheny) (NL #1) 4/3/21 San Diego (Jayce Tingler) (AL #4) 4/2/21 Tampa Bay (Kevin Cash) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Atlanta (Brian Snitker) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Chicago (David Ross) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Los Angeles (Dave Roberts) - 4/11 vs. Washington (AL #5) 9/27/20 Minnesota (Rocco Baldelli) - 4/11 vs. Seattle (AL #6) 9/27/20 Oakland (Bob Melvin) (AL #7) 9/22/20 Chicago (Ricky Renteria) (AL #8) 9/2/20 Cleveland (Terry Francona) (AL #9) 8/19/20 New York (Aaron Boone) (NL #5) 8/15/20 Miami (Don Mattingly) (NL #6) 8/12/20 Colorado (Bud Black) (NL #7) 7/25/20 Saint Louis (Mike Shildt) (NL #8) 7/5/19 Milwaukee (Craig Counsell) (NL #9) 6/9/19 Philadelphia (Gabe Kapler) - Current Manager Joe Girardi - 4/11 @ Atlanta (AL #10) 4/27/19 Seattle (Scott Servais) (NL #10) 4/23/19 New York (Mickey Callaway) (NL #11) 4/21/19 Pittsburgh (Clint Hurdle) (AL #11) 4/10/19 Detroit (Ron Gardenhire) (AL #12) 9/30/18 Boston (Alex Cora) - 4/11 @ Baltimore (NL #12) 8/31/18 Arizona (Torey Lovullo) (NL #13) 6/10/18 Washington (Dave Martinez) (AL #13) 5/6/18 Los Angeles (Mike Scioscia) (NL #14) 5/7/17 Cincinnati (Bryan Price) - Current Manager David Bell - 4/11 @ Arizona (AL #14) 10/2/16 Texas (Jeff Banister) (AL #15) 9/5/16 Toronto (John Gibbons) (NL #15) 8/20/16 San Francisco (Bruce Bochy) This list contains the last date each team held the overall best record within their respective League, tied leads do not count: (NL #1) 4/9/21 Cincinnati (David Bell) (AL #1) 4/9/21 Houston (Dusty Baker) (NL #2) 4/6/21 Los Angeles (Dave Roberts) - 4/11 vs. Washington (NL #3) 4/5/21 Philadelphia (Joe Girardi) (NL #4) 4/3/21 San Diego (Jayce Tingler) (AL #2) 9/27/20 Tampa Bay (Kevin Cash) (AL #3) 9/17/20 Chicago (Rick Renteria) (AL #4) 8/28/20 Oakland (Bob Melvin) (AL #5) 8/18/20 New York (Aaron Boone) (NL #5) 8/14/20 Chicago (David Ross) (NL #6) 8/8/20 Colorado (Bud Black) (AL #6) 8/6/20 Minnesota (Rocco Baldelli) (NL #7) 5/2/19 Saint Louis (Mike Shildt) (AL #7) 4/21/19 Seattle (Scott Servais) (NL #8) 4/20/19 Colorado (Clint Hurdle) (NL #9) 4/16/19 Milwaukee (Craig Counsell) (AL #8) 9/30/18 Boston (Alex Cora) (NL #10) 7/2/18 Atlanta (Brian Snitker) (NL #11) 5/12/18 Arizona (Torey Lovullo) (NL #12) 4/20/18 New York Mets (Mickey Callaway) (AL #9) 10/1/17 Cleveland (Terry Francona) (NL #13) 6/8/17 Washington (Dusty Baker) (AL #10) 5/9/17 Baltimore (Buck Showalter) (AL #11) 4/12/17 Detroit (Brad Ausmus) (AL #12) 4/11/17 Los Angeles (Mike Scioscia) (AL #13) 10/2/16 Texas (Jeff Banister) (NL #14) 7/18/16 San Francisco (Bruce Bochy) (AL #14) 4/22/16 Kansas City (Ned Yost) (AL #15) 4/4/16 Toronto (John Gibbons) (NL #15) 4/23/09 Pittsburgh (Fredi Gonzalez)

Ozzie knew/knows. http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/min/y2006/m08/d19/c1618497.jsp

By the look on his face, he may have been a Sox fan, and Cubsessed. If he did ask his dad to whack Gabby, it failed as he played for the reminder of the decade, including the historic “Homer in the gloamin’ “ game. Yes, definitely remember that goof. Also remember a fan falling out of the upper deck and dying at Comiskey the first evening I worked at the ballpark as an Andy Frain usher. I didn’t witness it first hand. Couldn’t find an online news story posted, but it’s listed in the link below (5/16/1986). https://deathattheballpark.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/fan-fatalities-from-falls/

Al Capone had front row seats at Comiskey Park in 1931 for a Cubs vs. White Sox charity game. Pictured with Gabby "Homer in the Gloamin'" Hartnett. Today's game is a full broadcast of a game on Summer Solstice, June 21,1980 against Sparky Anderson and his Detroit Tigers. Sparky talks to Harry Caray about a brawl the previous evening, and praised Tony La Russa for his role in breaking up the fight.

Tobacco companies have also been able to generate significant revenue and cash flows for decades, as their customers die, and demand for their product decreases by raising prices. Baseball has done the same, attendance declines offset by higher ticket prices, hanging on to RSNs and fleecing a dwindling customer base, not attracting the next two generations by shortsighted policies. Denying customers the chance to stream their product locally, ridiculous blackout policies across multiple states (Nevada, without a team, currently has six teams subject to blackout). Removal of all free broadcasts from TV, further ending exposure to all but a dwindling customer base. The other three sports leagues sought to play as many games as possible during COVID, baseball owners simultaneously sought to cancel as many games as possible. The Commissioner trashing the World Series as a fight for "A piece of metal". Just a few examples of how the "stewards" of the game are destroying short and long term interest in the game.

Houston continues to lead the American League and Western Division, with Joe Maddon's squad in hot pursuit. Minnesota continues atop the AL Central, all clubs resume action today. Sunday is the earliest they can be dethroned. Baltimore hosts Boston today for sole possession of first place in the East. Only three other AL teams have not lead their division longer the Boston. Cincinnati claimed sole possession of first in the National League, with their win yesterday. It is the first time since April 15.2017 they can make that claim. Philadelphia and Los Angeles remain atop their respective divisions. Division Lead - The last time each team has led their Division (ties don’t count). (AL #1) 4/7/21 Baltimore (Brandon Hyde) (AL #2) 4/6/21 Kansas City (Mike Matheny) (AL #3) 4/4/21 Houston (Dusty Baker) - 4/10 vs. Oakland (NL #1) 4/3/21 San Diego (Jayce Tingler) (AL #4) 4/2/21 Tampa Bay (Kevin Cash) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Atlanta (Brian Snitker) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Chicago (David Ross) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Los Angeles (Dave Roberts) - 4/10 vs. Washington (AL #5) 9/27/20 Minnesota (Rocco Baldelli) - 4/10 vs. Seattle (AL #6) 9/27/20 Oakland (Bob Melvin) (AL #7) 9/22/20 Chicago (Ricky Renteria) (AL #8) 9/2/20 Cleveland (Terry Francona) (AL #9) 8/19/20 New York (Aaron Boone) (NL #5) 8/15/20 Miami (Don Mattingly) (NL #6) 8/12/20 Colorado (Bud Black) (NL #7) 7/25/20 Saint Louis (Mike Shildt) (NL #8) 7/5/19 Milwaukee (Craig Counsell) (NL #9) 6/9/19 Philadelphia (Gabe Kapler) - Current Manager Joe Girardi - 4/10 @ Atlanta (AL #10) 4/27/19 Seattle (Scott Servais) (NL #10) 4/23/19 New York (Mickey Callaway) (NL #11) 4/21/19 Pittsburgh (Clint Hurdle) (AL #11) 4/10/19 Detroit (Ron Gardenhire) (AL #12) 9/30/18 Boston (Alex Cora) (NL #12) 8/31/18 Arizona (Torey Lovullo) (NL #13) 6/10/18 Washington (Dave Martinez) (AL #13) 5/6/18 Los Angeles (Mike Scioscia) (NL #14) 5/7/17 Cincinnati (Bryan Price) - Current Manager David Bell - 4/10 @ Arizona (AL #14) 10/2/16 Texas (Jeff Banister) (AL #15) 9/5/16 Toronto (John Gibbons) (NL #15) 8/20/16 San Francisco (Bruce Bochy) This list contains the last date each team held the overall best record within their respective League, tied leads do not count: (NL #1) 4/6/21 Los Angeles (Dave Roberts) (NL #2) 4/5/21 Philadelphia (Joe Girardi) (AL #1) 4/4/21 Houston (Dusty Baker) - 4/10 vs. Oakland (NL #3) 4/3/21 San Diego (Jayce Tingler) (AL #2) 9/27/20 Tampa Bay (Kevin Cash) (AL #3) 9/17/20 Chicago (Rick Renteria) (AL #4) 8/28/20 Oakland (Bob Melvin) (AL #5) 8/18/20 New York (Aaron Boone) (NL #4) 8/14/20 Chicago (David Ross) (NL #5) 8/8/20 Colorado (Bud Black) (AL #6) 8/6/20 Minnesota (Rocco Baldelli) (NL #6) 5/2/19 Saint Louis (Mike Shildt) (AL #7) 4/21/19 Seattle (Scott Servais) (NL #7) 4/20/19 Colorado (Clint Hurdle) (NL #8) 4/16/19 Milwaukee (Craig Counsell) (AL #8) 9/30/18 Boston (Alex Cora) (NL #9) 7/2/18 Atlanta (Brian Snitker) (NL #10) 5/12/18 Arizona (Torey Lovullo) (NL #11) 4/20/18 New York Mets (Mickey Callaway) (AL #9) 10/1/17 Cleveland (Terry Francona) (NL #12) 6/8/17 Washington (Dusty Baker) (AL #10) 5/9/17 Baltimore (Buck Showalter) (NL #13) 4/15/17 Cincinnati (Bryan Price) - Current Manager David Bell - 4/10 @ Arizona (AL #11) 4/12/17 Detroit (Brad Ausmus) (AL #12) 4/11/17 Los Angeles (Mike Scioscia) (AL #13) 10/2/16 Texas (Jeff Banister) (NL #14) 7/18/16 San Francisco (Bruce Bochy) (AL #14) 4/22/16 Kansas City (Ned Yost) (AL #15) 4/4/16 Toronto (John Gibbons) (NL #15) 4/23/09 Pittsburgh (Fredi Gonzalez)

Because the owners have trashed the sport over the decades to the point of irrelevance. MLB used to be the King, "America's Pasttime" among America's three most popular sports. It has since joined horse racing and boxing into irrelevance, clinging to life support like our team's owner and manager.

My article or comments related to the decline in baseball viewers were strictly baseball related. Both the comments and decline have nothing to do with politics. I appreciate the board’s owners’ commitment to keeping those conversations elsewhere. From my article: This is the point I was making, as a rebuttal to @JUSTgottaBELIEVE ‘s comment that Tatis is not a household name. As far as the all star game is concerned, I never had an interest in watching or attending any sport’s all star game, or other exhibition games. Passed on getting all star game tickets at both Comiskey and the Chicago Stadium (NHL). It may have made sense in the 1930s and 1940s, when fans outside of a few major cities (Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and Saint Louis) were unable to see players from one league or the other. Games have been nationally televised since the 1950s, and with the garbage interleague games, fans can see players in person as well. It’s just another money making owner scheme, players are at risk of injury, really don’t care about it beyond any injury impact.

Nobody in MLB is a "household name" in America because the owners continue to run the sport like a tobacco company, no promotion, squeezing every last cent out of it while their old, dying and declining customer base are still alive, while despising their product and the athletes who play it. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/average-age-of-mlb-fans-is-terrible-news-for-baseball/ar-BB15tjyS

I compared the 1970s, no internet, scouts acting on “tips/asides”, scouting typically limited to a limited geographical area, etc., vs. the internet era, of which the Trout selection was most assuredly a part of.

Molitor is a legitimate First Ballot Hall of Fame inductee. The other, an excellent player, but a Jerry Reinsdorf & Tony La Russa Crony stained Veterans Committee sham selection. Yes, the other 24 teams passed on Trout as well. Data, analysis and scouting (depth and reach) have improved immensely from the early days. List wasn’t posted to cast blame or celebrate Larry Himes, but rather to illustrated looking at players selected immediately before or after a draft selection is a much more rational analysis than to compare Nick Madrigal to a Number 4 overall pick from several years ago.

From Tony La Russa to 10 year olds. When will the “ageism” here stop?! ?

This, plus you look at it regardless of what pick as did you pass on a player far better within one or two spots of your selection. Criteria: Greater than 20 bWAR +/- within 2 selections of the White Sox; First Round (not including FA Compensatory Picks). White Sox Crushed It with their First Round draft pick: 1987 (GM Larry Himes) #5 Jack McDowell (27.8) over #3 Willie Banks (0.8) (Minnesota) & #4 Mike Harkey (5.7) (Chicago Cubs) 1988 (GM Larry Himes) #10 Robin Ventura (56.1) over #8 Jim Abbott (19.7) (California) & #9 Ty Griffin (Minors) (Chicago Cubs) 1989 (GM Larry Himes) #7 Frank Thomas (73.8) over #5 Donald Harris (-1.4) (Texas) & #6 Paul Coleman (Minors) (Saint Louis) 2010 (GM Kenny Williams) #13 Chris Sale (45.6) over #11 Deck McGwire (-0.2) (Toronto) & #12 Yasmani Grandal (18.4) (Cincinnati) White Sox Got Crushed with their First Round draft pick: 1972 (GM Roland Hemond) #12 Mike Ondina (Minors) instead of #14 Scott McGregor (20.5 bWAR) (New York AL) 1977 (GM Roland Hemond) #1 Harold Baines (38.7) instead of #3 Paul Molitor (75.7) (Milwaukee) 1979 (GM Roland Hemond) #9 Steve Buechele (16.5) instead of #10 Tim Wallach (38.5) (Montreal) 1985 (GM Roland Hemond) #5 Kurt Brown (Minors) instead of #6 Barry Bonds (162.7) (Pittsburgh) 1997 (GM Ron Schueler) #15 Jason Dellaero (-0.9) instead of #16 Lance Berkman (52.0) (Houston) 2009 (GM Kenny Williams) #23 Jared Mitchell (Minors) instead of #25 Mike Trout (74.8) (Anaheim)

It's not. It's more about Tony preferring players he remembers or likes (Lynn, Eaton, Hendriks, Keuchel, Grandal, and sadly David Eckstein's mini me Nick Madrigal), and closer to would be grand-children ages vs. those teetering closer to great grandchild's age. In terms of Vaughn, it only adds to his value. Your pretty limited in baseball if you are young, just starting in the majors and can't play the field beyond possibly first. Sadly, that is where Eloy has been, both physically and performance wise, during the one full seasons of games he attempted. He's not passing Abreu or Eloy anytime soon. He currently is behind Mercedes, and sadly also behind AAA/Waiver Claim bait Nick Williams in Tony's mind, at least for yesterday. Strange days indeed.

Houston continues to roll, and their series vs. Oakland continues. Baltimore lost their second undisputed hold over the AL East, and are now tied with Boston. Minnesota continues atop the AL Central with a game and a half game lead. The White Sox have clawed into a tie for second with their win yesterday. All three NL teams atop their respective divisions remain unchanged. Division Lead - The last time each team has led their Division (ties don’t count). (AL #1) 4/7/21 Baltimore (Brandon Hyde) (AL #2) 4/6/21 Kansas City (Mike Matheny) (AL #3) 4/4/21 Houston (Dusty Baker) - 4/9 vs. Oakland (NL #1) 4/3/21 San Diego (Jayce Tingler) (AL #4) 4/2/21 Tampa Bay (Kevin Cash) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Atlanta (Brian Snitker) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Chicago (David Ross) (NL #2) 9/27/20 Los Angeles (Dave Roberts) - 4/9 vs. Washington (AL #5) 9/27/20 Minnesota (Rocco Baldelli) - 4/10 vs. Seattle (AL #6) 9/27/20 Oakland (Bob Melvin) (AL #7) 9/22/20 Chicago (Ricky Renteria) (AL #8) 9/2/20 Cleveland (Terry Francona) (AL #9) 8/19/20 New York (Aaron Boone) (NL #5) 8/15/20 Miami (Don Mattingly) (NL #6) 8/12/20 Colorado (Bud Black) (NL #7) 7/25/20 Saint Louis (Mike Shildt) (NL #8) 7/5/19 Milwaukee (Craig Counsell) (NL #9) 6/9/19 Philadelphia (Gabe Kapler) - Current Manager Joe Girardi - 4/9 @ Atlanta (AL #10) 4/27/19 Seattle (Scott Servais) (NL #10) 4/23/19 New York (Mickey Callaway) (NL #11) 4/21/19 Pittsburgh (Clint Hurdle) (AL #11) 4/10/19 Detroit (Ron Gardenhire) (AL #12) 9/30/18 Boston (Alex Cora) (NL #12) 8/31/18 Arizona (Torey Lovullo) (NL #13) 6/10/18 Washington (Dave Martinez) (AL #13) 5/6/18 Los Angeles (Mike Scioscia) (NL #14) 5/7/17 Cincinnati (Bryan Price) - Current Manager David Bell - 4/9 @ Arizona (AL #14) 10/2/16 Texas (Jeff Banister) (AL #15) 9/5/16 Toronto (John Gibbons) (NL #15) 8/20/16 San Francisco (Bruce Bochy) This list contains the last date each team held the overall best record within their respective League, tied leads do not count: (NL #1) 4/6/21 Los Angeles (Dave Roberts) (NL #2) 4/5/21 Philadelphia (Joe Girardi) (AL #1) 4/4/21 Houston (Dusty Baker) - 4/9 vs. Oakland (NL #3) 4/3/21 San Diego (Jayce Tingler) (AL #2) 9/27/20 Tampa Bay (Kevin Cash) (AL #3) 9/17/20 Chicago (Rick Renteria) (AL #4) 8/28/20 Oakland (Bob Melvin) (AL #5) 8/18/20 New York (Aaron Boone) (NL #4) 8/14/20 Chicago (David Ross) (NL #5) 8/8/20 Colorado (Bud Black) (AL #6) 8/6/20 Minnesota (Rocco Baldelli) (NL #6) 5/2/19 Saint Louis (Mike Shildt) (AL #7) 4/21/19 Seattle (Scott Servais) (NL #7) 4/20/19 Colorado (Clint Hurdle) (NL #8) 4/16/19 Milwaukee (Craig Counsell) (AL #8) 9/30/18 Boston (Alex Cora) (NL #9) 7/2/18 Atlanta (Brian Snitker) (NL #10) 5/12/18 Arizona (Torey Lovullo) (NL #11) 4/20/18 New York Mets (Mickey Callaway) (AL #9) 10/1/17 Cleveland (Terry Francona) (NL #12) 6/8/17 Washington (Dusty Baker) (AL #10) 5/9/17 Baltimore (Buck Showalter) (NL #13) 4/15/17 Cincinnati (Bryan Price) (AL #11) 4/12/17 Detroit (Brad Ausmus) (AL #12) 4/11/17 Los Angeles (Mike Scioscia) (AL #13) 10/2/16 Texas (Jeff Banister) (NL #14) 7/18/16 San Francisco (Bruce Bochy) (AL #14) 4/22/16 Kansas City (Ned Yost) (AL #15) 4/4/16 Toronto (John Gibbons) (NL #15) 4/23/09 Pittsburgh (Fredi Gonzalez)

Agree with this. Woudln't trade Kopech, Cease would be on the table depending on the returning pieces, though you would have not gotten his true value, IMO, based on his to date past performance and underselling him. Of the six major acquisitions the past two off-seasons (Grandal, Keuchel, Hendriks for four years, Lynn, Parrot and Eaton for one), thought Lynn was by far the best acquisition in terms of cost, term of deal, need and level of production. The trade would have made more sense at the 2020 deadline, to get two playoffs. But based on reports, they couldn't make it work (no prospects were publicly identified in those talks). I always considered Lynn the #2 this year, have no idea why Tony put Keuchel #2 beyond "seniority", satisfying Keuchel's ego, and not wanting Dallas to leak shit to the media, as is his MO.

Why, they could have signed him as a free agent next season. He's not going to give them a "discount" on an extension. This year is still a developmental year for so many rookies (Robert, Vaughn, Madrigal), and Kopech is stuck in the bullpen until 2022. Last year, they signed Keuchel and Grandal, and expected Kopech back, so I guess it could have worked in theory pre-COVID with Cease and Rodon/Gio as a rotation. However, it is now costing them starting this offseason. Their player development was postponed by a year (Vaughn, Madrigal, Robert, Kopech, and Crochet). Grandal and Keuchel hamstrings the team for 2/3 more years, including this offseason when they had to give up a solid prospect to acquire Lynn, go cheap again in RF, and spend the rest placating Tony with Hendriks, another luxury (top contracts to a C and RP on a mid-level payroll team). Keuchel was a need, but perhaps not the best use of such a high and lengthy payroll commitment. Feel they thought he wouldn't vest but if he did, that meant White Sox playoff success. Parrot made no sense at $13M, and Grandal didn't either after McCann's 2019 season and several holes including additional SP and a RF than went (and continue to go) unfilled. They could have also used the $50M burnt on Castillo ($15M), Herrera ($18M), and Alonso ($16M) wasted during "tanking".

I agree, La Russa is unlikely to try it, that is why I phrased it "what I would do", versus saying what will (Keuchel / Grandal in decline phase / overpaying in terms of $s and length of contract) or will not happen (Grandal will not start 120 games at catcher in a regular season ever again). Doesn't mean it shouldn't happen. Mercedes has a great arm, can work with a regular pitcher and gain mutual comfort. Both public projection systems are down on Vaughn, as is La Russa, so that may be his best path, Vaughn failing. Abreu is most likely staying and productive beyond 2022, and Eloy is here to stay. Projected OPS (Blended rate and player) (BP / PECOTA, Fangraphs Depth Charts (Zips + Steamer) .823 Abreu .819 / .826 <= Likely here through at least through 2023-2024 .820 Jimenez .746 / .873 <= Not Going Anywhere until at least 2025 .772 Moncada .761 / .783 .771 Grandal .757 / .786 <= Not Gone until 2024 .763 Anderson .745 / .780 .761 Robert .726 / .795 .759 Mercedes .796 / .721 <= My Guy to give a legitimate shot at Backup .746 Madrigal .757 / .735 .735 Eaton .722 / .748 <= Hopefully Tony doesn't sign him for 2-3 more years .679 Collins .670 / .688 <= Tony's Guy at Backup .655 Engel .655 / .655 <= Both systems hate Adam Engel, I think he outperforms this big time .642 Vaughn .624 / .659 <= Both systems hate Andrew Vaughn, at least to start his career @caulfield12 If Cespedes not up, they should sign a new RFer, not keep Tony's pet Eaton around. He's had a good week, but that doesn't mean he'll stay healthy and productive for multiple years. Engel can prove he can handle more playing time with regular playing time this year, he seemed to turn the corner.

This, plus there is no "conundrum", good teams have more than 6 or 7 hitters that are solid, 10-13 make you a solid contender with depth. You can't worry about 2022 until you see how this season plays out. For this year I would do the following: Catcher: Grandal 3 of 5; Collins 1 of 5; Mercedes 1 of 5. Outfield: Vaughn goes to AAA to play everyday LF for 4-6 weeks when Engel returns. Eaton Robert Engel OF w/o Vaugh, four OF rotation upon Vaughn's return. Eaton really should play LF when Vaughn isn't, but Tony / Hahn doesn't have the balls or sense to do it. Designated Hitters: Primarily the catchers to start, mix in part of the four OFers once they are in place, Eloy is the primary upon his return this year and beyond. Bench: Garcia is OF and 3B only; Mendick is 2B and SS only (emergency 3B). 2022: Upgrade bench, Cespedes up to replace a FA Eaton, sign a starting 2B if Madrigal doesn't make it as a starter.

I’m a Mets fan, but this is complete bullshit. I don’t believe players should be able to wear those pads. Guys like Rizzo and Bonds entered the strike zone with their stance for years with no consequences because of all that padding. They’d think twice if they face a possible broken elbow every time they put their arm into the Strike Zone.

I can see MLB going after him specifically for exposing this in the first place for revenge, and also coming up with this policy to discredit the lawsuit against the Angels by the clubhouse guy who made this for his players and opponents. That said, there is no expected punishment phase of this initial testing scheme. https://theathletic.com/2474483/2021/03/24/mlb-will-use-statcast-lab-testing-to-catch-pitchers-doctoring-baseball-but-punishments-could-be-tricky/?redirected=1 Also, this is typical of MLB’s half ass garbage measures, including: Half ass steroids testing, easily avoidable. Halfass “investigation” into the various electronic cheating scandals of the past several years, with the only formal report issued solely to exonerate Houston ownership who by all accounts were fully aware and approving of their vast cheating conspiracy. This ridiculous scheme. If a player has been cheating all along, their stat cast numbers will not deviate from past performance, and thus they will not be subject to scrutiny.

In between games I listen to White Sox segments on the Score podcasts, and also general baseball talk, select Cubs segments and Spiegel’s Sunday Show. They’ve been great all season. The only issue is that for three West Coast Night games so far, we’ve lost the game feed for at least 5-10 minutes to some garbage ESPN National show, before the station returned back to the game. NFL draft, off-roading one point, skateboarding. Likely too cheap to have a late night station engineer, Sox broadcast the only live employee there. Typical ESPN trash. I hadn’t listened to that station for 15 years since the Sox left.

I’d be more comfortable sending Vaughn to work on playing LF and play every day in Charlotte for 4-6 weeks. Let’s him return able to pay full time in LF, pre/post Eloy return. That leaves time for Engel and Mercedes to play 4-5 games a week, let Collins catch every third day and play DH 1-2 more per week. Grandal (1B) and Abreu (DH) get fielding breathers. After a few months settles, can see who deserves to keep playing time upon Vaughn, and later Eloy’s, return.