South Side Hit Men

The better question is will billionaires and politicians have the audacity to shakedown taxpayers for hundreds of millions or over a billion in taxes, especially with the current state of city, county and states finances. Most people (taxpayers/fans) are fine with owners purchasing their own stadiums. Owners, on the other hand, in most cases have demanded taxpayers pay their capital expenses. I suspect owners will have less options in the future as other large cities are facing the same fiscal issues and constraints, and the shifting public sentiments against these extortion rackets.

Didn't catch much chatter here about either signing myself, both were minor league deals. Sox had several more minor league deals (listed below), but they weren't included in Baseball Reference, my source for the pictures. December 17, 2020 Signed Matt Reynolds as a free agent. December 24, 2020 Signed Mike Wright as a free agent. Additional Off-season Transactions not pictured: 11/17/20: LHP Anderson Severino (Minor League Contract) 11/20/20: RHP Emilo Vargas (Claimed off waivers from Diamondbacks). Player contracts purchased from Birmingham: 3B Jake Burger, 1B Gavin Sheets & RHP Tyler Johnson. 12/10/20: RPH Martin Carrasco assigned to the Chicago White Sox. 12/11/20: LHP Dilmer Mejia (Minor League Contract) 12/30/20: RHP Ofreidy Gomez (Minor League Contract) 1/15/21: OF Yoeiqui Cespedes (Minor League Contract) 1/18/21: RHP Luke Shilling & LHP Matt Tomshaw (Minor League Contracts) 2/2/21: RHP Marcus Evey, C Henri Lartigue and RHP Sal Biasi (Minor League Contracts)

Barring any last minute signings, here are players acquired via trade or free agency for the 2021 Chicago White Sox.

Owners are supposed to be the stewards of the game, but have consistently without fail do everything in their power to destroy it. Sadly, the players must not only provide the lone reason cares about the sport, but also mop and sweep the owners mess in the luxury suite.

"You'll be back, soon you'll see You'll remember you belong to me You'll back, time will tell You'll remember that I served you well"

Permit "Evil Caulfield" to reiterate this stance is myopic. Nearly all MLB teams run through cycles, primarily fueled by player development regardless of revenue. The Dodgers went over 30 years without winning despite consistent Top 5 revenue numbers throughout this period. Now they have Andrew Friedman, so they will likely continue in a permanent state of excellence with these folks in charge. Reinsdorf/LaRussa/Williams/Hahn are not in the same universe in competence. The Yankees have gone over a decade without a World Series, despite a decent GM. This is the third longest non WS stretch since the Ruth era (1963-1976 & 1979-1995). Toronto will likely play once again in Buffalo (or their spring training site in Florida), and unlike most cheap-ass teams including the White Sox have significantly increased 2021 spending, despite the almost certain chance they will not return to their home city until 2022 at the earliest. Ownership has by and large failed in the sole reason of their existence, to maintain the integrity of the competition and put the best product possible on the field. This must be fixed in the next CBA, even if it takes one or more years without baseball to do so. I believe players will successfully negotiate meaningful changes which will also increase salaries for most of members, while at the same time pushing the owners in a direction to operate in both the short and long term interests of the sport (which will also help continue ever increasing club valuations). Regarding the other sports: The NFL/Packers are in a league with a tight window of player salaries, and unlike the pathetic Bears have proven they can compete in any era (championships in 7 of 10 decades) because they have a competent FO and ownership committed to winning. The NBA is a player driven league. It's harder to attract the top player to Milwaukee, but a competent FO can (and did) draft one. The two Rose Bowl Circle-Jerk conferences have sucked at football since the University of Chicago left the conference. The Big "Ten" (sic) is primarily a basketball conference. Outside of Papa Sam Gilbert's "Pyramid Scheme of Success" and a few Coach Robinson led teams, the PAC 12 is primarily a non revenue sports league. College Football National Championships (AP/UPI Era (1950) to present): 22.5 Southeastern: Alabama (10 + 3 Split); Louisiana State (3 + 1 Split); Florida 3; Tennessee 2; Auburn (1 + 1 Split); Georgia 1. 12.5 Independents: Notre Dame (3 + 1 Split); Miami, Fla 3; Pennsylvania State 2; Brigham Young 1; Pittsburgh 1; Syracuse 1; Michigan State 1. 12.0 Big 7/8/12: Oklahoma (6 + 1 Split); Nebraska (3 + 2 Split); Texas 1; Colorado (1 Split). 7.5 Atlantic Coast: Clemson 3; Florida State 3; Maryland 1; Georgia Tech (1 Split). 6.0 "Big" 7/8/10: "thee" Ohio State University (3 + 2 Split); Minnesota 1; Michigan State (1 Split); Michigan (1 Split). 5.5 Pacific 10/12: Southern California (3 + 3 Split); Washington (1 Split); California Los Angeles (1 Split). 2.5 Southwest: Texas (2 + 1 Split). 1.5 Big East: Miami Florida (1 + 1 Split).

2014: Kansas City 2016: Chicago 2017: Houston I wouldn’t equate our current situation as long term forever, but unfortunately the players must actually lead a path to greater parity, by negotiating a firm and solid minimum salary ($2M-$4M) and team salary floor. The other alternative is to fight the absurd antitrust exemption in Congress. If there is to be a cap, total revenue must be fully available for audit by the MLBPA. Unfortunately, owners have been growing auxiliary revenue (internet, television, real estate, gambling, etc.) which they are not currently “sharing”, and by and large choking off salaries. Owners for the other three leagues have been far more trustworthy, transparent, equitable, and wise is their relationship with their players, the only reason 99% of fans care about the product.

Mira mi vientre, literalmente me muero de hambre.

I don’t agree. He got max AAV today for the next two seasons, and has the option to either secure more either of the next two off-seasons (will sign a new deal for 2023 unless he is injured). It’s also great deal for the Dodgers, the only team in baseball willing to spend money correlating with increased revenue in MLB. They also limit any long term injury risk/performance decline. Better to spend a few million more upfront and avoid length. The Sox would have been wise to do the same for their recent older signings of Keuchel (35 if vests), Grandal (34) and Hendriks (35), and God forbid they extend Lynn beyond 1 year guaranteed.

Epic fail! Jeff Pasan QFT

I don’t have article access, but thanks for posting. Any key points shared would be greatly appreciated. I created a thread regarding catcher development as an opportunity for improvement on Saturday, and this is exactly what I was looking for (the hire and information). Domestic draft player acquisition and position development have been the two crucial areas the White Sox have been lagging successful franchises. The recent improvement in draft selections, and the hiring of “modern” coaching staff such as Katz and Narron (and hopefully more/others) give me hope the White Sox can develop a consistent flow of ML ready talent and keep the White Sox as relevant contenders beyond a brief 2-4 year window. Kudos to Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams for continuing to shift the franchise into modern day talent evaluation and development.

You know what has vastly exceeded inflation, whereas salaries lost real value for MLB players (and most workers)? Most recent available data: Chicago White Sox ML Player Salaries increased 0.15% 2011 $127.8M 2021 $128.0M Chicago White Sox Net Income increased 239.1% 2011 $27.6M 2019 $66.0M Chicago White Sox Current Value increased 313.7% 2011 $526M 2019 $1,650.0M And Jerry and the other 29 lying owners all pose like this And before a pinhead replies "what about 2020", A. The players had to risk their lives and had their pay cut by 63%. Meanwhile, clubs continue to sell, even in COVID, for record amounts. They make so much net income in 99 of the past 100 years, and their valuations increase by such a high rate, that billionaires are fighting each other and outbidding each other by record amounts to get a piece of the action.

The OP had the right $ amount but wrong year ($71M was spent in 2018, not 2019). Paul Sullivan quoted the correct year, but was $3M different for both years than amounts reported by Cot's Contracts / Baseball Reference. I am waiting for the first post linking a "journalistic" article this year, praising Dear Leader for nearly tripling payroll from $50.2M (2020) to the current amount of $128M (2021) in one season. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/white-sox/ct-chicago-white-sox-liam-hendriks-jerry-reinsdorf-20210116-rhgupqhn5rhivlpu7xh5jyqnxq-story.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true WHITE SOX PAYROLLS Year Opening Day 26/30 Year End 40-man CB Tax 40-man 2020 $ 50,204,444 (17) $ 52,591,640 (20) $178,251,672 (12) 2019 $ 88,902,000 (26) $ 97,304,607 (25) $115,472,746 (24) 2018 $ 71,217,000 (29) $ 71,604,110 (29) $ 82,889,649 (30)

As suspected, with willful and proud ignorance of the situation and relevant issues. Sorry, the real world can't stick their head in the sand and pray mommy and daddy will make it all go away and give them an ice cream sundae for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You should refrain from your own bitterness, with attacks on others pointing to resources explaining issues you have the inability and/or interest in understanding. Unlike what's reflected in your post history, there are adults here who have the ability to discuss issues beyond those of which a child can grasp.

Collect Operator: "Will you accept a collect call from, Jerry Reinsdorf?"

I'm pointing out the relevant issues and players perspective. Did you listen or read the legal reasons why the players correctly rejected this latest owner scheme, or do you just lob ad hominem attacks without any knowledge of the pertinent issues, both in 2021 and beyond?

The key for any team under the current CBA is the acquisition and development of young talent. Even top payroll teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs are unable to consistently field quality teams (90+ wins) if they fail to acquire and develop a significant number of younger prospects. Saint Louis and Tampa are examples of mid and low level payroll teams which consistently lead the majors in drafting, acquiring and developing solid players. Fans may focus on Holliday or Arenado, but the Cardinals live or die based on the many unheralded beyond those who closely follow the team/industry prospects, not their one or two high profile acquisitions of superstars. People here / many fans will equate whether the current White Sox' rebuild is successful based on whether they win/reach a World Series, which is but a series of 3 (owners trying to increase it to 4) coin-flips. Better teams are slightly favored/advantaged to win each individual series, unlike the NBA/NFL where the top teams consistently win titles. The true measure is whether the White Sox can sustain consistent success with this core and beyond with new player acquisitions and improvements in player development beyond a 2-4 year window. The White Sox have only had three teams capable of sustained success (three plus 90 win season) in their 120 year history, the reason the club owns a .502 all-time winning percentage. Jerry/Selig pulled the plug on the only team in my lifetime (Larry Himes drafted teams of 1990 & 1993 - likely would have been 1994 and beyond if it wasn't for Jerry's crusade to kill the players union and MLB). Judge Kennesaw KKK Landis pulled the plugged on the franchise's most memorable team (1915, 1917, 1920 (they only won 88 in 1919)) that would have continued success if eight men weren't out. The Lane, Comiskey/Rigney, Veeck/Greenberg, Short teams in the 1950s-60s. (1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1965). Two of the all-time top three White Sox teams capable of sustained success were cursed. Will the Sox have such a team this decade, or will internal or external forces conspire to squash a run in the 2020s? Time will tell.

Just stating that before you and others write-off "baseball guys" off as at "the end of the line", consensus opinion in and out of the game is these two "highly trained Harvard guys", GMs Hahn and Bridich, made the worst all time trades in franchise history.

There is a huge difference between signing Cubans at cut rate deals and being able to evaluate talent. Hahn and Bridich are the only two GMs who haven’t won a division in several years who remain in their jobs. https://mobile.twitter.com/MarcCarig/status/1356777151425613827 Non Harvard guy can Kenny Williams flip his GM World Series ring out to Hahn and Bridich if they ever pull the Harvard card and ask “How do you like them apples?”

Apparently, Manfred pimped his "Cactus League" letter to the White House. https://sports.yahoo.com/biden-administration-officials-mlb-season-1-month-delay-mlbpa-020629747.html Stand strong MLBPA

You need to have full disclosure of all revenues before you can discuss having legitimate and equitable "revenue splits". The esteemed labour attorney, blocked on Twitter by owner leak receptacle Jon Heyman, Eugene Freedman was on the Score to discuss relevant issues for 2021 and beyond for those interested. Interview starts at the front of the podcast linked below https://www.radio.com/670thescore/podcasts/bernstein-rahimi-show-65/bernstein-rahimi-eugene-freedman-interview-midday-midway-hour-2-355977069

This is what happened when Jerry handed control to Crony LaRussa , resulting in mostly crony signings at or above their market value (Lynn, Hendricks, Eaton, Duncan). Another smart Twins signing. That cat looks terrified.

The key is who is making this decision. If Tony makes the call, he is a high leverage guy until Tony departs. If the FO make Tony adhere to what Getz laid out (multi-inning relief role), it could work if they stick with the plan and don't panic and shift him when the inevitable bullpen injury occurs. The bottom line is a healthy Crochet needs to be able to be slotted into a starting role in 2022 if healthy and capable, likely with inning restrictions (140-160?).

I'm most intrigued by Jefferson Mendoza. I'd like to read more about the Sox' specific catcher development efforts, whether they have or can add a catcher guru who can help prospects develop defensively throughout the organization.

I went to a game in early March. It was my first time I was able to attend Spring Training, based on the fact Winter was typically my busiest time while working. Was really excited to see Robert and Keuchel for the first time, Robert didn't do anything at the plate, but Keuchel pitched well. Like many Sox games, it was organically socially distant, with 3,233 tickets sold, and about 500-700 actually in the stands on a cloudy day with rare brief rain in Arizona. It's a nice complex, would definitely hit Spring Training in the future.