South Side Hit Men

Unless you're the Chicago White Sox. Sadly, Rick Hahn has not read the memo, and Tony only adds to this trend with his "sign old guys I remember" edict. The four year deals will likely come back to haunt the team at the time they could most use the cash to keep their younger core beyond current deals / years of control. You extend Lynn, and you have four declining guys in their mid 30s taking half of the team's current payroll. $6M + AAV Chicago White Sox External Free Agent Signings the past two off-seasons: Ages 32-35 $18.5M Dallas Keuchel fWAR 2.1 (2020) (2021 & 2022 + possible 2023 vesting) Ages 31-34 $18.3M Yasmani Grandal fWAR 0.8 (2020) (2021-2023) Ages 32-35 $13.5M Liam Hendriks (2021-2024) Age 37 $12.0M Edwin Encarnacion fWAR -0.3 (2020) Age 32 $8.0M Adam Eaton (2021) Age 34 $6.0M Steve Cishek fWAR -0.2 (2020)

I’m somewhat surprised the LaRouche Cult (not to be confused with Adam Eaton’s Drake LaRoche Cult) continues two years after his passing. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/13/obituaries/lyndon-larouche-dead.html Jerry benefited from the LaRouche 1986 Illinois Gubernatorial debacle when two years later Jim Thompson and Michael Madigan illegally stopped the legislative clock to give Jerry, and years later the McCaskeys, hundreds of millions in taxes to fund their respective stadiums. https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/december-2011/when-michael-madigan-and-big-jim-thompson-stopped-time-to-save-the-white-sox/

I don't agree with the OP's premise the EE signing and subsequent failure to produce while simultaneously blocking of prospects led to a changed approach this season. The Sox basically finished their off-season acquisitions early both years. COVID wasn't an factor last off-season. Vaughn (no minors) and Kopech (opt out) were the primary top prospects impacted for 2021 by the short 2020 season. They would have pulled the plug on Parrot by June if he didn't turn things around, though Parrot never "blocked" Collins. Collins' lack of development over four years, the fact he isn't considered a credible regular ML catcher or DH, and the Grandal signing blocked Collins beyond a PT role. I don't believe the FO expected more than 80-85 wins entering 2020. If they were "all in" last year, they should have spent money on there two biggest holes, SP and RF (same holes entering the 2021 off-season), instead of veteran C and DH. Hopefully the key lesson learned was to not sign veterans to long term deals, though Tony likely went straight to Jerry for his pal Hendriks, when internal options would have allowed a proper RF and more SPs, especially with the great deals available in January / February with a little patience.

Bernstein and Rahimi tried to unpack the timeline via their CSI segment using audio from the three involved in this week's story who spoke to the media since Bob's story broke: https://www.radio.com/670thescore/podcasts/bernstein-rahimi-show-65/bernstein-rahimi-csi-white-sox-hour-1-357325382 9:00: Hahn's indignant response to Danny Parkin's question regarding the DUI disclosure timeline reported earlier in the day by Nightengale. 11:20: Bob Nightengale's comments and at times backtracking from his article. 18:30: Tony La Russa's bizarre analogy of driving a car into a ditch. (Seriously WTF). 20:30: Tony's response to who knew what and when, and how he has and will approach his team "family". These comments were the most sincere among all clips, with only one major omission (Tony said he spoke with Kenny and Hahn "after they knew", but did not disclose if this was before or after October 29). Setting aside the numerous problems with the hire, the most frustrating aspect of all this is the fact that it seems intentional for the Sox to intentionally screw up and piss off their fans, when the smarter and easier path would be just to do the right thing. They could have hired several legitimate quality managers meeting Hahn's proposed criteria if they felt they needed to move on from the manager they just extended and led the team to an unexpected .583 record with 2 starting pitchers and Everyday Cordero. All the talk this off-season and spring training would be on excitement for the upcoming season and beyond. They created this mess, their stonewalling and Jerry's continued leaks to Bob Nigtengale (seriously, just STFU already) have created new issues now four months after the hire, and nobody is happy. The only thing keeping many fans going are watching the positive changes with the Bulls after Jerry ceased day to day control, and his crony hires from decades ago were shown the door, replaced by a competent, professional FO and head coach.

Perhaps fans can "move on" if the club actually provided honest answers to their fan base. What changed between Age 75 and 76 for Boomer Silent Generation and 9 10 years removed from the dugout Tony La Russa, for Jerry to completely flip from his statement Tony La Russa cannot relate to young players and has no reason to return to managing? How committed is Tony LaRussa to fulfilling his role as manager, after his statement he would not have returned if he had to give up his get out of arrest/jail ring HOF credentials? Tony has avoided all managerial media responsibilities since his hiring, including MLB's Winter Meetings where every other GM and Manager was available, and was 90 minutes late for his first scheduled appearance since the Winter Meetings. Is Tony physically and mentally capable and willing to fulfill the responsibilities of a ML manager? What are Kenny Williams, Rick Hahn and Tony La Russa's current roles and authority levels? Also, what information regarding the managerial search was Rick Hahn provided prior to his public statements of the managerial search criteria during the recently extended Rick Renteria firing press conference? What time after Tony La Russa's latest publicly known DUI arrest did Jerry Reinsdorf decide to hire Tony La Russa, and at what point did Jerry disclose to his "family", i.e. Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn the fact that Tony has once again been arrested for DUI. Has the club compensated and or apologized to Willie Harris for the farcical interview process to comply with the Bud Selig minority candidate rule? The White Sox issued a statement regarding a Tony LaRussa "third strike" for DUI arrests. What is the White Sox' interpretation of his current strike count (0 as in 0 with the team, 1 as in actual convictions after plea bargains, or 2 as in the number of publicly known DUI arrests? "Managing, it just takes an awful lot out of you. There's nothing else for him to accomplish. You know, he's won three World Series, and uh, he's in the Hall of Fame. And so, there's no reason for him to go back to managing, and have to try to deal with people 22 years old when you're 75 years old." - Jerry Reinsdorf on Tony LaRussa, February 2020

"Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, brother'. -TLR Now you can too. Wondering if they'll be selling this at the Park this year. https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/15977804-hof?store_id=242134

Any plans on transitioning Yasmani Grandal to Left Field this season? Anyone around the last time Tony was here can assure you he didn’t “know what he was doing” while with the White Sox. Jerry himself last Winter stated Tony has no reason to return to managing, and attempt to lead young players as a 75 year old (now 76). There have only been three managers since with a lower White Sox winning percentage than La Russia’s mediocre .506 record (Fergosi, Ventura, and Renteria, the latter tasked with a “tanking team”). For those not old enough to have booed La Russa in person: LARUSSA FAILED TO FACE REALITY Jerome HoltzmanCHICAGO TRIBUNE https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-06-22-8602140807-story.html

San Diego is a great city to live or visit. The Padres completely own that town at this point after the Chargers left to play in front of empty seats or opposing team fans in Los Angeles after their failed taxpayer shakedown stadium scheme. The Tatis Jr. deal will pay off with significant Padres ticket sales once fans are allowed to return. It's a fair deal on both sides. Many here are old enough to have enjoyed and appreciated Frank Thomas' time with the White Sox. There is a good chance Luis Robert can grow to be a franchise player. Hopeful regime change occurs before Robert's current deal expires, and new ownership will attract, sign and promote top MLB players beyond a couple of "team friendly" deals.

Just finished listening to a enjoyable George Offman podcast with new White Sox play-by-play announcer Len Kasper. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/full-ep-former-cubs-new-white-sox-announcer-len-kasper-2-16-21/id1549396526?i=1000509194456 This is my first lengthy exposure to Len, but like him more with each interview. Kasper is one of seven play-by-play announcers to announce for both Chicago teams in nearly a century of broadcasting: Hal Totten: White Sox (1926-34) & Cubs (1924-1944) "The Commander" Bob Elson: White Sox (1930-1942; 1944-1970) & Cubs (1928-1941) Jack Brickhouse: White Sox (1940-1943; 1945 & 1948–67) & Cubs (1941-1945 & 1947-1981) Milo Hamilton: White Sox (1962-65) & Cubs (1955–57 &1980–84) Harry Caray: White Sox (1971-81) & Cubs (1982-97) Steve Stone: White Sox (2008-present) & Cubs (1983–2000 & 2003–2004) Len Kasper: White Sox (2021-current) & Cubs (2005-2020) Looking forward to tuning into Len's first broadcast with the White Sox.

Yes, not even close to the proper method. May as well go the Cooper route and not bother to wear it at all. https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/video/la-russa-on-mindset-during-st Still LMAO after Herb's comment regarding Tony's "AZ Time Zone".

Tone deaf indeed.

One toke over the line, Sweet Jesus, one toke over the line...

It's one thing to keep someone not in a public role and no management responsibilities in a current role, at least until the shit hits the fan when things become public. It's another to toss shit into your own fan (unfortunately, blowing onto us Sox fans). No other MLB team would ever consider even interviewing Tony La Russa for a managerial job, even without the most recent DUI. MLB, behind the other sports leagues in terms of competency and PR, is starting to emerge from the dark ages. Teams are rightfully becoming more responsive as society evolves. The Mets dumped their GM before the next morning once news came out regarding his disgusting texts. The Sox did the opposite with the La Russa hire. The Bulls have begun the hard work of rebuilding the franchise after decades of crony mismanagement. Looking forward to the same process occurring on 35th and Shields.

The orchestrated campaign started last July, when Reinsdorf already determined Crony La Russa would manage next season because no responsible organization would give him a job after another DUI arrest, or the fact that he is over a decade removed from the job. This despite the fact Hahn gave Renteria an extension and would lead the White Sox to their best record in decades. Reinsdorf's paid for media hacks Stone and Guillen trashed Renteria the entire season. Cell Jerry Cell

The fact that Reinsdorf and La Russa didn't share yet another of La Russa's DUI arrest with Williams and Hahn makes the entire episode even more pathetic. The bottom line is Reinsdorf stated (video linked below) last Winter Tony La Russa has no business returning to managing, in part because he is too God damn old to relate to baseball players. "Managing, it just takes an awful lot out of you. There's nothing else for him to accomplish. You know, he's won three World Series, and uh, he's in the Hall of Fame. And so, there's no reason for him to go back to managing, and have to try to deal with people 22 years old when you're 75 years old." - Jerry Reinsdorf on Tony LaRussa, February 2020

Language warning: (George says a few of the seven words you cannot say on television.) Ignorance warning:

Make that three, as Jeff Passan reports the Brewers and Brett Anderson have reached a $2.5M deal, plus up to $1M in incentives. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/brewers-brett-anderson-discussing-deal.html In addition to the three SPs noted above, Jackie Bradley Jr. (1.1), seeking a multi-year deal, is the only other available free agent with a 2021 projected 1+ fWAR Final note, former White Sox Matt Davidson signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. I wish him luck. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/dodgers-matt-davidson-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html

There have been at least two grievances filed within the past three years (2018 against TB, OAK, Pit & Miami, 2020 limited to the Pirates) against owners for failing to spend their revenue sharing money in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement. The players at minimum want teams to spend league revenue sharing funds on player salaries. Haven't heard any results of said grievances, but the continued race among the usual suspects toward a $15.6M payroll (26 X $0.6M) requires players to ensure the next CBA includes enforceable provisions that revenues shared "to ensure competitive balance" are in fact used to ensure competitive balance.

Poor Timo Perez is Oriental Avenue.

It’s 100 years overdue for both Congress and the Supreme Court, representing a “free” and “capitalistic” society, to end MLB’s farcical anti-trust exemption. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/64094/with-antitrust-exemption-mlbs-power-grabs-difficult-to-challenge/

Didn't see this posted, Twins signed Matt Shoemaker for $2M (projected fWAR 1.5, among top dozen available FA SPs this off-season). https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/twins-to-sign-matt-shoemaker.html Four projected +1.0 fWAR free agents remain available: Odorizzi (1.7), Porcello (1.6), T. Walker (1.2) and B. Anderson (1.1). Another Savvy Twins deal in terms of $s and projected fWAR., https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/free-agent-tracker?&nteam=MIN A. Simmons (3.1/$10.5M); N. Cruz (1.6/$13M); M. Shoemaker (1.5/$2M); A. Colome (0.1/$6.25M) and H.Robles (0.1/ $2.0M).

Thanks for posting. Half the games are free (whitesox.com or ESPN) so I'm a happy camper. Will likely be in Green Bay for the opener, hope 620-AM Milwaukee is covering it. The only upsetting part is DST doesn't start until March 14th, wish we could keep DST permanent like most people prefer.

My OD Lineup: SP Giolito 1. Anderson SS, 2. Moncada* 3B, 3. Abreu 1B, 4. Jimenez LF, 5, Robert CF, 6. Grandal* C, 7. Engel RF, 8. Vaughn DH, 9. Madrigal 2B Crony La Russa's OD Lineup: SP Lynn 1. Madrigal 2B, 2. Eaton^ RF, 3. Abreu DH ,4. Jimenez LF, 5. Grandal* 1B, 6. Anderson SS, 7. Moncada* 3B, 8. LuCroy C, 9. Robert CF,

Thanks for posting, but I thought Narron was brought in to develop young catchers, not pass them over to bring in yet another relic Tony can remember from a decade plus earlier when he last managed.

Yes, teams should be “punished” for signing the best players, and rewarded for signing the worst / cheapest players. This logic explains the fervent defending of those who delivered decades of White Sox mismanagement and failure both on and off the field. Remaining hopeful regime change occurs this decade.