South Side Hit Men

No player should talk about 3,000 hits before they reach 3,000 at bats, and it's an open question at this point Nick reaches that plateau. Between COVID and the CBA, it may take him until his age 26 season to become the All Time White Sox Hit Leader named Nick. All Time White Sox Hit Leader Board - Players Named Nick Nicky Delmonico 114 Nick Swisher 109 Nick Madrigal 35

I really hoped he went to one of the LA teams, one of the few willing to pay him. He went 0-2 in the best chance he’ll ever have to win a World Series. Definitely not worth the headache or payroll issues he will cause anyone beyond a 1-2 year deal. I don’t want him on the few teams I like. Definitely more happy with Lynn for a year, if the Sox sign one more decent starter not pushing 40 years old, they have a good shot at getting through a real season (i.e. close to 162) with gas left in the tank.

Hahn’s strengths are: Negotiating Contracts. Convincing Dinosaurs (JR KW) to enter the 21st century Allowing Marco Paddy to do his great job Evaluating / Extending quality internal players I appreciate his efforts attempting to stop the TLDR fiasco. Hahn or Renteria were never given a legitimate chance to fully engage in their role. Hahn has never been allowed to hire a manager, and Ricky never had a chance to manage a competitive team with more than one solid playoff starter, or even construct his coaching staff. Hahn’s primary weakness coming into this period is player acquisition in a competitive window. 2013-2016 was abysmal, but can’t tell how much meddling KW had to do with it. Sox WL records were the same as during the tanking years. Ventura is a terrible manager, didn’t even want to be here, but he had little to work with. It will take a few more years to see how Hahn’s recent acquisitions (Grandal, Keuchel, Hendricks) play out, and if he can extend the right current players once their cheap contracts expire. I don’t think they expected to be competitive last year, and only were due to COVID and the resulting 60 Game Central Division Schedule. The jury is still out on whether Tony is in charge. I’ll put a poll out as to who is in charge if Molina, Wainright and/or Pujols are also brought in to keep Tony happy.

It helps with owner collusion. Owners have operated with a de facto salary cap for decades, but unlike the other North American leagues, they do not include significant revenue streams, and lie / obfuscate at every turn. The players really need to stand firm to gain a legitimate share of the revenue, and restore competitive integrity because the owners clearly have no interest in either. Jerry had no qualms taking the lead among ownership to destroy baseball and the Union, the one other time he had a team with a legitimate long term window (1990s). He wants a 16 team playoff so he can dangle a fourth place carrot.

January 28 Report card, just over six months before Spring Training (July 1, because Science): Management: Managerial search / Tony LaRussa F - Ethan Katz / Firing Don Cooper A Lowering Payroll, Having Paul Sullivan Praise Dear Leader’s significant investments. F - Acquisitions to date: Adam Eaton F - Adding Lance Lynn / Losing Dunning and Weems B Liam Hendricks A + Backup Catcher - TBD / Zach Collins = D Announcers: Len Kasper A + Not banning Sox Fan Troll Steve Stone on Twitter F Overall: Targeting AL Central Title A - Targeting World Series Title C- 1/28/21 Off-season GPA C-

The equivalent is if Kim Jong-un dies, nobody knows what the fuck will happen in North Korea with no heir. Sure it's possible things get worse, but not likely. I'm hoping for a Theo led investor group and nuke the entire front office, and Stone/Ozzie. Stone is the absolute worst. I can't wait for new ownership to sweep his tired 200 year old ass out the door the minute they take over. Welcome back Ray. I rather have given Drake LaRoche $8M than a penny to Adam Eaton. Dear Leader, post has gone full circle.

Jerry left the Bulls to Michael a few years ago. If jerry were still in control, GarPax and Boylan would still be there. His family is keeping the Bulls and selling the White Sox after he croaks or is too decrepit to serve as White Sox Chairman. Sox fans have reason for hope after Jerry is gone, based on the competent decisions after Jerry's stench left the United Center. The Blackhawks also flourished after Bill Wirtz croaked. This was a 50/50 town, until Reinsdorf and Einhorn took over, and destroyed the fan base and any goodwill built over the previous 80 years. Him and the drunken, criminal manager jerry dug up from the grave after 10 years of "retirement". Jerry himself said last Spring Training Tony La Russa has ZERO business returning managing, that he cannot relate to young players. Yet another DUI arrest later, and here we are. The Baseball HOF is not owned or controlled by MLB. Other owners really don't care that Jerry brought in yet another crony selection into the HOF. Jerry doesn't give a rats ass about White Sox history pre 1980. To him, the White Sox organization began in 1981, and he doesn't care what happens after he is dead, just that he dies with over $2 Billion +.

It doesn't but JAWS, which considers both career and peak (7 year) performance is a quality metric in terms of evaluating HOF players. JAWS is best used comparing players within a position. it's a better indicator than using raw stats like you presented, because it takes into account performance within their era. Pappas and Welch were beneficiaries of playing in a reduced offensive era, and their ballparks helped as well. Wins and Losses are contingent on the quality of his teammates (lineup, defense, bullpen). https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_P.shtml Schilling 64.1 Brown 56.5 Buehrle 47.4 Welch 36.9 Pappas 36.1 Roger Clemens and 19th century player Jim McCormick are the only two pitchers with a higher JAWS not in the HOF. McCormick should have been inducted long ago, not sure why he was overlooked. We know why Clemens remains out. Schilling is 28th all time in SP JAWS, 26th in WAR, and 51st in Peak WAR, higher than players considered to have great peaks including Palmer (56) and Koufax (57).

Simmons has the fifth highest projected 2021 fWAR (3.1) among all eligible free agents this off-season, with Springer, Bauer, LeMahieu and Semien #1-4. https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/free-agent-tracker AL Central Free Agent Signings +1.0 fWAR Team / projected 2021 fWAR / Player / $s / (Year(s)) Twins 3.1 Simmons $10.5M (1) Royals 2.2 Minor $9.0M (2) Royals 1.8 Santana $8.75M (2) Indians 1.7 Hernandez $5.0M (1) Twins 1.4 Happ $8M (1) White Sox 1.1 Eaton $7M (1) White Sox 1.0 Hendricks $13M (4) Available Remaining +2 fWAR Free Agents (Projected fWAR & Contract (AAV & # years) 3.8 Bauer $29M * 3 3.1 Turner $16M * 2 2.9 Ozuna $17.5M * 4 2.9 Tanaka $18M * 3 2.5 Gregorius $15M * 3 2.4 Pederson $10M * 2 2.1 Paxton $15M * 2

O'Day signed by the Yankees with a creative 2022 option, and luxury tax impact. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/yankees-sign-darren-oday.html 12:48pm: O’Day receives a $1.75MM salary for the upcoming season and has a $1.4MM player option with a $700K buyout, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He’ll actually make the first decision, and if he opts for the buyout, the Yankees then have a $3.15MM club option over the righty. Technically, because O’Day is guaranteed this year’s $1.75MM salary and that $1.4MM player option, one could call this a $3.15MM guarantee over a two-year term. However, since only the buyout is technically factored into the guarantee under the luxury tax, it’s a one-year, $2.45MM deal for luxury purposes. Ultimately, if O’Day pitches well enough to decline that player option but still have the club option exercised, it seems he can earn a total of $5.6MM between 2021-22.

I understand the dilemma with the roids players. Ichiro was borderline, only because of not starting here until late, but would vote for him after reflecting further. CC Sabathia is short based on historical standards. However, he pitched in a time of shifting standards and pitch count limitations. Current Pitchers will have less counting stats vs current HOF, but the hall should represent the best players for each generation, and there is certainly an argument CC was, or was very close to reaching that standard. Rose, Bobby Grich and Shoeless Joe would be three I’d vote for via Veterans committee if they were eligible.

As opposed to posting the I am wrong without anything other than “a belief”, can you link an actual quote or statement by Quintana or his agent regarding interest in returning? I never came across confirmed interest by either side. I agree with these two takes. I would have liked the Sox to have made an offer. My point is, if the offers were similar, Q would take the situation he would be more comfortable. I don’t believe La Russa vetoed it as stated in the post I was responding to. If Tony did veto an offer, than Tony should shut his 200 year old ass up, as folks say in the Twitter world. https://mobile.twitter.com/stevestone/status/1354258105375232000

The players I’d vote for at this point who have retired or have done enough to likely finish as HOF eligible based on performance: C Mauer 1B Pujols & Cabrera 2B Cano 3B Beltre SS Rodriguez LF Bonds CF Trout SP Clemens, Greinke, Kershaw, Scherzer, Schilling, Verlander RF & RP None /ballot, would check back in 2030 to see who earned a case since.

I’d say it was more of the opposite. Quintana wanted to sign with a manager he liked and could trust. Quintana, like every player except possibly Keuchel, likes Ricky Renteria, and he likes Joe Maddon. Only one option was available in 2021. Quintana also liked Cooper, so he really had no ties left in the Sox clubhouse. Not sure if the Sox even gave him an offer, but they should of. Definitely a much better option then TLDR’s fucking 40 year old Adam Wainwright option, a pitcher his own team either doesn’t want or doesn’t want beyond a cheap take it or leave it offer.

I agree with Giolito, but disagree they should extend Lynn. The four players (Lynn, Grandal, Keuchel and Hendricks) on the wrong side of 30 at $65M-$70M. I wouldn't have signed Grandal last year, not because he is bad but because offense from your catcher is a luxury for a mid level payroll, same as a top closer which you state above. Coming into the off season, assuming this is their payroll, I would have targeted Bradley Jr, Rosario and a defense first BU catcher. For pitching, would have signed a decent SP to eat up innings (and kept Dunning), and promoted from within for the closer role, adding 1-2 FA relievers. Crochet should be stretched to be a full time starter over the next two season. You can add a July pickup if the younger guys aren't stepping up after another year of development and time with Katz. Between Cease, Kopech, Lopez and at the time Dunning, you should have a decent #3 and #4 by the time the playoffs started, could also pick up someone in July if they are not (or significant injuries occur).

Never underestimate Tony's influence, or Jerry's desire to bring in legit Hall of Famers, regardless of whether they can still contribute. 1/20/84: Chose Tom Seaver (Age 39) from the New York Mets as a free agent compensation pick. 8/12/86: Signed Steve Carlton (Age 41) as a free agent.

If Anaheim eats enough $, I can see this happening. It would be Tony's final bow on his 2021 off-season. How can anyone argue against signing yet another legit Hall of Famer?

He can be an asshat, and whether the writers hold him to it on the ballot is not consistent with the HOF rules. The ballot rules relate to his time as a player, not his post retirement comments or internet postings / blogs. I personally don't believe the BBWAA should be involved in the election process, but sadly it remains a more selective / better process than the garbage Veterans and other committees who have elected nearly all of the poorly qualified inductees. Hell, Jessie Haines has the 306th ranked SP JAWS, behind #305 Gio Fucking HOFer Gonzalez. https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/rules/bbwaa-rules-for-election 5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. Schilling was a borderline hall of famer, Bonds and Clemens the only clear cut based on performance. Bonds and Clemens were HOFers with or without steroids.

I'd say Kent has a much more valid argument than McGriff. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_1B.shtml 54.8 is the average 1B JAWS, lowered by several selections who never should have been inducted (Kelly 24.3; Bottomley 32.0; Chance 40.6; Cepeda 42.3; Perez 45.3; Beckley 45.8). McGriff ranks 31st in JAWS with 44.3. Players ranked ahead of McGriff not in the HOF include the following players: A. Pujols (2) M. Cabrera (10) R. Palmeiro (12) J. Votto (14) T. Helton (15) M. McGwire (17) K. Hernandez (19) J. Olerud (23) J. Giambi (25) W. Clark (26) D. Ortiz (29) M. Teixeira (30) https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_2B.shtml Jeff Kent is 21st in JAWS. Cano and Grich, Utley and Whitaker have better arguments. Kinsler and Pedroia are also ranked ahead of Kent. I wouldn't vote for any of the three, but based on the current watered down standards of the HOF, and several much weaker inductees, Kent does have an argument. This is why I am firmly against the slippery slope. With guys like Harold Baines inducted, you can make a case for hundreds of players who were clearly better.

Schilling told the HOF to take him off next year's ballot, he'll wait for the Veterans Committee to elect him. The three which would have been on my ballot if I had one (Bonds, Clemens and Schilling) were the top three vote recipients. Not sure how they are kept out, yet other Steroids users are already in, and others like Ortiz and ARod will likely be elected. Glad to see Vizquel's votes decline, he is not a HOFer. Buehrle, Hunter and Hudson the only three first year ballot names to make it to year two.

https://www.mlb.com/news/hall-of-fame-election-results-2021

I disagree with either 2005 or 2020 September slumps being a "choke job". Some fans were fretting on WSI, in 2005 but it wasn't a majority. I didn't think Mariotti was still around in 2005. 2005 was only the third year I felt the Sox had a great shot at winning the World Series (1977 and 1983, when I was young, were the others). I never thought they would lose the Division, and didn't fear any of their playoff opponents (thought Boston would be the most challenging based on their experience coming back against the Yankees and winning the WS. I had disagreements with some of Ricky's calls late last season, but ultimately would blame the late season slide and one and done playoff on lack of starting pitching. Ricky/Rick came up with the Game 3 bullpen game because they literally had no better options for the elimination game. Stone, Ozzie and Frank, among others, blamed it all on Renteria, but it was beyond overboard or accurate, IMO. if Keuchel pitched even halfway decent in Game 2, they advance and have time to prepare Cease and Dunning for at least a 3-4 inning start in the ALDS. I'm still new here, so not sure if game threads in September are representative of how they typically go in a close game, but the threads were painful, win or lose. I hope they turn out better in 2021.

MLB: A Whole Different Ballgame: The Inside Story of the Baseball Revolution, written by Marvin Miller, a Legit Hall of Famer. NHL: Career Misconduct: The Story of Bill Wirtz's Greed Corruption and the Betrayal of Blackhawks' Fans, written by Mark Weinberg I'm waiting for a sequel covering Jerry Reinsdorf by Weinberg.

Yep J. T. Realmuto $23.1M per year James McCann $10,1M per year

He's wrong on pizza (Chicago is the best, but Giordano's or Lo Malnati's are not the best options). Will Tony sign Edwin Jackson if Wainright falls through?