South Side Hit Men

Bottom line is it depends and would never officially be disclosed to the public for operational and competitive reasons. Typically a Board of Directors, of which Jerry is Chairman of the White Sox’ which also consists of other minority owners, formally approve an annual operating budget and/or maximum authorization of expenses per annum. There are also likely restrictions on a club accessing debt or capital without prior board approval. So while Jerry has authority to approve the day to day operations of the club as CEO, and may have billions of dollars to his name, he can’t give Kenny/Hahn a blanket approval and sign/trade for Bauer, Springer, Cole, Darvish, Arenado and others resulting in say a $500M payroll in 2021, unless that amount was approved by the board prior to executing the contract. Jerry could go back to the board for formal approval of an increase. The club would never give precise details publicly, but at times someone will leak an approximate budget amount to say someone whose name rhymes with Slob Martingale. Hope that helps with your question.

There may also be additional players who want to train / attend as well, but cannot due to MLB’s facility access protocols. Has there been a report of an agreement between MLB and the Players Association regarding COVID training protocols? Otherwise, these players are among the exceptions to restrictions issued by MLB on January 5th. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2021/01/05/mlb-threatens-discipline-for-teams-violating-facility-access-protocols/4142122001/ MLB informed clubs in their memo sent Monday that only three categories of players may access their facilities before the start of spring training: Players who have a permanent residence proximate to their facilities. Players who require entry to the facility to receive medical care. Players who have been approved to attend a club-organized mini-camp under the terms of the Basic Agreement

All you all gonna hate on Tim Anderson’s wife’s tweets as well, or only if Tim drops below .320 or Tony runs him out of town for hitting a grand slam without permission, or some other contrived Old School Boomer transgression? https://mobile.twitter.com/speakBRIAspeak/status/1311816426433388544

Well, that is the year I started following team as well. Most friends and neighbors were Cub fans, growing up on the NW Side (family started out on West Side when immigrating here a hundred years ago), but family were White Sox (and Football Cardinals) fans. Really loved the White Sox uniforms in 1975, also loved the 1977 team and games WSNS. In terms of the bWAR numbers, he was always rated as a below average 1B by the numbers, and I'm not really sure why. He won the Gold Glove that year, and while sometimes the "eye ball test" does not give a full picture, looking at the range and other metrics in the fielding section, I'm don't understand the -0.8 dWAR number either. Would be interesting if the same information available now was available for 1977, and whether his dWAR would improve as a result. A -0.3 bWAR is basically replacement level average. While Batting Average, Home Runs and Runs Batted In were the primary stats used to evaluate a first baseman back then, I do understand the low bWAR rating in this instance, as a .700 OPS (On Base + Slugging) is a poor number, especially for a first baseman. It was the second lowest on the team (Orta's .751 the next lowest, Bannister was the lowest at .672). The league average OPS across all AL players was .735 that year, so being below league average as a 1B really indicates a poor hitting season. He had a huge season two years later with the short RF porch in Yankee Stadium, bumping his OBP to .960. the bWAR was likely adjusted downward a bit, accounting for the ballpark difference (Comiskey much harder than Yankee Stadium for LHBs).

Setting aside pitcher development, I’m just grateful Cooper won’t be handing out COVID this season.

I don’t think he needs to work miracles. If he can turn around 1 or 2 pitchers over the next two seasons, it’s a huge upgrade over Cooper whose time passed years ago. The one recent success story abandoned everything Cooper taught. Perhaps Bob was correct. Rodon could work in the bullpen with a proper transition development plan in Spring Training. Regardless of whether it does or not, Crochet must be developed as a starter, not as a toy for LaRussa’s tenure until the starting pitching possibility comes and goes.

I agree, if possible. I agree, Top 5 catchers are not easy to find or develop. I thought about Narvaez, and he may bounce back offensively, but he was a rule five pick from TB, and he is really known for his bat. I’m not expecting consistent team development of elite level catchers (Mauer / Posey), but rather a development program emphasizing catcher defensive/game calling at the minor league level, by catchers able to hit at minimum an acceptable .670-.700 OPS. Not looking at this from where the Sox stand now, but over the long term. An example is a player like Roberto Perez who is a huge asset behind the plate who also has a reasonable contract, and is acceptable hitter (.666 OPS). It’s easier and cheaper obtaining higher offensive production at the other positions. Perhaps developing an ML capable average catcher like Olivo or Flowers once per decade is a reasonable expectation, but I feel this is an area the Sox can improve on in the development phase and pay huge dividends at the ML level. I was trying to find articles or discussions regarding White Sox’ catcher development, and or have a discussion here on whether this could be a great area for the White Sox can hire a great coach / teacher / guru dedicated to developing catchers throughout the system.

Ken appears sober and correct in his assessment of Rodon's likely role. I don't think Carlos would have rushed for a $3M deal today, without at least a path to starting.

This shouldn't be their final move, but I certainly support the signing. There is plenty of time for him to work with Katz, and either keep him as starter depth, or transition him properly to a bullpen role. Welcome back Carlos and Ashley.

The White Sox have generally had solid catching (defense and offense) throughout the years, but have gone outside of the organization since Fisk was signed (A J, Grandal other examples). Brian Downing and Ron Karkovice were the best internal options during my near half century of fandom, Olivo and Flowers next level but both were traded and have less than a career 10 bWAR. Downing was traded young as well. Zack Collins and Yermin Mercedes are the two current catching prospects, but there is general consensus they aren't or will not be serviceable behind the plate, even as a solid back up option. Catching takes the longest development time and effort of position players. I wasn't able to find much regarding catching specific development. Is there anyone who can point me to articles / sources regarding Sox staff dedicated to catching development, and/or is this an area the Sox can hire a solid staff hire to help develop / scout catchers? Dedicating close to 20% of salary to catching is not a sustainable model with a mid-range payroll. Thanks in advance.

It's worth a shot if Katz can work with him and they have a legitimate plan they can implement before the season (continue as a starter or transition into a bullpen role). It was asinine to call up an injured lifelong starter and throw him into a bullpen role with a few games left in the season. Ashley had more sense than the FO, Ricky took the fall.

Here you go, a few hours earlier. Was one of the few positive people here regarding Ricky Renteria and the White Sox growth and performance under him since I joined at the end of the season. Celebrated the Katz, Cairo and Kasper signings this offseason. Also like the Lynn and Hendricks acquisitions, just concerned about half of payroll locked up with older players if they extend Lynn.

Oh really? You apparently you also have an issue with dishonesty, not to mention hatred. Unlike you, I can celebrate the good, and criticize the bad, including dishonesty, without hating the organization or personnel. Physician, heal thyself.

There is nothing to "wonder". He is the chief officer (President) over daily affairs, and also the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Jerry is compensated for his position as chief officer above and beyond net profits for his pro-rata ownership received each year. Jerry has methodically increased his ownership from 4% of the original purchase ($1M of $19M) to the person with the highest percentage of Chicago White Sox shares from other minority shareholders. This information is widely available via reporting over the decades. What isn't publicly known is his exact current percentage of ownership. I wouldn't assume he owns a majority of shares. He was elected managing partner when he put the bid together and only owned 4% in 1981. MLB approved him and his bid. Like most limited partnership agreements, the managing partner has a broad authority over the affairs of the club. Besides possible restrictions regarding debt / capital, or significant departures from the board approved annual budget, Jerryhas autonomy over the organization. People assume Kenny is next in charge but he is not, he is oversees baseball operations. Unlike the Cubs structure (Crane Kenny and Jed Hoyer are dual Presidents), Howard Pizer is the Senior Executive Vice President, Kenny Williams is Executive Vice President, Rick Hahn Senior Vice President & General Manager is third. When Jerry Reinsdorf denied Kenny the opportunity to interview for the President & CEO Position in Toronto, he denied Kenny the chance at a promotion.

This, and the dishonesty. Don't blow tens of millions each season during tanking years on garbage players or friends and family of Machado, and tell us your tapped out at the 2011 payroll rate. Don't jump the gun each free agent season in a contraction/collusion market and acquire garbage like Parrot, Eaton, Mazara. Don't tell us you are conducting legitimate managerial search and bring in Tony La Russa a decade out of retirement in an orange jump suit because nobody else will hire him. Don't brag about multi-championship windows when a mid level payroll "taps you out". Don't have your ticket reps tell your fans they expect a full schedule with fans in the seats, when owners are once again working to lock out players indefinitely, and handing bullshit letters to government hacks in Arizona to spew propganda on your behalf. Don't leak any news to Bob Fucking Nightengale, grow a pair and face the media and fans.

Yes, home runs off of Verlander are a dime a dozen. Pederson + Engel >>> Eaton + Engel I don’t want a single start by “Nobody like ju in the White Sox Clubhouse” against a lefty. Not one. I also don’t want a single start above the seven hole. Not one.

Just West of the ballpark. https://mobile.twitter.com/whitesox/status/1354891139317428234

Yes, complete garbage.

The Cubs won their division last year and have at least a $10m higher payroll at this point, and there are many solid free agents left. There was zero reason to win December and sign Eaton.

Yep. Rather have one duck sized Joc Pederson than Adam Eaton.

I'd rather have Jake Cave straight up. It was another rushed early acquisition. Bradley Jr, or Pederson are much better options without the headaches. Jake Cave Projections: Age 28; PA 389; HR 14 OPS .749 Adam Eaton Projections: Age 32; PA 503; HR 12; OPS .750 Joc Pederson Projections: Age 29; PA 438: HR 25; OPS .808 Jackie Bradley Jr. Projections: Age 31; PA 550; HR 18; OPS .737

Samardzija and Rodon heading to Chicago to throw for scouts next week. https://www.radio.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-cubs/cubs-will-watch-jeff-samardzija-throwing-session-free-agency Chicago Cubs scouts.

That’s what Hahn told Carson Fulmer before putting him on waivers. Glad Wainwright isn’t here, the Sox don’t need a pitcher pushing 40.

To me, the primary source of angst for me, and I believe for a majority here, is their blatant dishonesty over the years, and specifically over the past few months. "We're looking for a manager with recent post season experience" "We are now opening our window for multiple championships" Rolling out Tony's "I don't have a racist bone in my body" Press Conference a day before the announcement of his latest arrest, and stating Tony would be available for questions after his case was adjudicated when 59 legitimate managers and GMs were available for Winter Meeting interviews. If you have no intentions of interviewing anyone other than your owner's crony buddy with zero future job prospects based on his age, criminal record, and ten years outside of the dugout, then don't say you are undergoing a legitimate manager interview process. Just announce the hire and Renteria's dismissal when it's done, instead of blowing smoke up our asses. If your spending limit is a mid level payroll in a league were a majority of teams are tanking, don't boast about multiple championship windows. Teams much smarter than you aren't doing it, you're not either. Teams including small market teams and teams not allowed to play in their own country are committed to building a legitimate World Series roster, you are not. Just state you are happy with fielding a team you feel will be competitive. if you intend to keep Tony in a sealed bunker until baseball starts this Spring or Summer, than don't say that he will be made available, and hope things blow over. Say nothing, and don't lose the minuscule credibility you may think you have.

Solid segment on the Parkins show today, covering the Nightengale comments which caused the Jerry cheap/clown dual threads last night. They disclosed an inside source stating they have $3M left this off-season. Combined with Nightengale/Stone comments, sounds like nobody beyond a minor league signing or perhaps a backup catcher or pitcher reclamation are the remaining options. They also discussed the fact with this limited payroll, signing Adam Eaton when and for what they did was absolutely ridiculous, payroll has decreased since the 2011 team, and the self imposed salary limitations are disgraceful. Discussion starts at 21:30: https://www.radio.com/670thescore/podcasts/parkins-show-63/parkins-grote-sean-salisbury-interview-white-sox-being-cheap-hour-2-355674077