South Side Hit Men

There are huge tax implications, and based on what has been publicly disclosed, I believe they have planned legally and financially to continue Bulls ownership, but won’t be able to do the same for the White Sox. Perhaps an Obama/Theo Epstein lead investor group, between the two they definitely would be able to attract the required capital.

The upside is if some of a couple of the pitching numbers can be reached this year, like Lopez (1.6) and Rodon (0.9). Some have to be taken with a salt mine of salt ( Geo Gonzalez' 1.8, though it's moot at this point) and also the methodology which rewards Grandal more than other systems for games played and different weighting for defensive metrics. Baseball Prospectus' numbers come out around Spring Training. I prefer their projections but I like to review bWAR and fWAR in the interim. Thanks for posting. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2020-projections.shtml (Really 2021 projections, not 2020 indicated in link) OPS (Fan Graphs vs. Baseball Reference) - Bold indicates the OPS I believe is more likely when there is a significant difference. Ordered by my preferred batting order. SS Anderson (.793 vs. 790) R 3B Moncada (.792 vs. .798) S 1B Abreu (.826 vs. .827) R LF Jimenez (.871 vs. .846) R C Grandal (.767 vs. .793) S CF Robert (.794 vs. .769) R DH Vaughn (.685 vs. no projection listed) R RF Angel (.655 vs. .690) R 2B Madrigal (.703 vs. .762) R ERA & K/9 (Fan Graphs vs. Baseball Reference) Giolito (3.00 / 12.9 vs. 4.11 / 10.3) Keuchel (3.99 / 7.4 vs. 3.67 / 7.4) Cease (4.48 / 9.1 vs. 4.59 / 8.9) - I think Cease can significantly outperform these projections. Lopez (4.68 / 8.0 vs. 4.85 / 8.5) - Hoping Katz can help Kopech (4.86 / 8.4 vs. 4.35 / 9.5) - Hoping for 130 IP.

Yes, this was discussed by both Laurence Holmes and the short portion of Parkins show (Matt Spiegel portion) I listened to yesterday. Leading an ownership group bid or a role as commissioner of baseball if he had more free reign like Adam Silver has, versus being an errand boy/toady in the Selig/Manfred mold which he would not be interested in. Baseball can rebound and start gaining fans with more progressive/enlightened leadership (no political meaning, just forward thinking leadership). Owners like Reinsdorf have ceded ground to a Mark Cuban style player/management partnership with mutually beneficial results in the NBA. This should be MLB's path once the Reinsdorf type owners leave the game, and the toxic owner / player relationship shifts toward a similar mutually beneficial and honest partnership.

How does that explain the reported disgust and opposition throughout the White Sox organization, including Hahn and Kenny walking away from any responsibility for the hire, or no non MLB owned media availability or promotions for Tony, Hahn or Williams since the hire announcement? It’s such a shit show, they had to postpone the innocuous announcement regarding the move to ESPN. This isn’t Twitter, yet it was near unanimous in the poll here in terms of Hinch or Other vs. LaRussa, and these results were BEFORE the most recent DUI arrest news leaked. Reinsdorf himself stated last offseason Tony has nothing left to prove, the job takes too much out of you and the issues with a 75 year old dealing with 22 year olds. Jerry talks to media rarely, if ever, yet he took the time to state clearly why LaRussa should not return to managing, yet here he is.

I can agree LaRussa improved as a manager after his seven seasons here and his initial start in Oakland. He also had a good knowledge of the game, though was slipping at the end with the Cardinals. He is not more qualified today, ten years removed from the role, and frankly too old to travel or relate to the modern young player. Jerry said so himself last season, and he is a year older since his comments. Jerry Reinsdorf on Tony LaRussa returning to managing, February 2020: "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." 6:23 mark

Reinsdorf fires Commissioners, Commissioners do not suspend Reinsdorf or his guys, unless they are players he doesn’t want to pay. Manfred is a drunken boob, listen to his slurred speech during the “piece of metal” presentation to the Dodgers. It will be interesting to see if fans boo Reinsdorf’s corpse to the extent Hawks fans booed Bill Wirtz’s. I don’t think it will be as bad, partially because it won’t be pitch black outside, giving fans cover. I don’t think one should boo a dead person, but booze plays a role.

I think if Hahn had a say in the matter, Hahn would have kept Renteria at least through his current contract signed 60 games earlier. I would have agreed with that call after the season the team had. Rick earned one more year. Cooper, a coach Renteria or Hahn had no say in, was the only coach I called to be replaced during the season (he should have left when Ozzie left).. People quibble about this or that decision, and while I certainly didn’t agree with everything, I believe a fair assessment of Renteria includes: 1. Players developed well, played hard, and respected him. 2. He created a solid winning culture, absent since the 2000s. 3. The team outperformed all expectations. 4. Hahn and or Kenny signed off on, or made the decision for the Game 3 Opener / Bullpen game strategy. The amount of vitriol toward Rick on the board and far worse, Jerry’s paid for mouthpieces who should know better (Stone, Ozzie and Thomas), was absurd. Based on what transpired, it appears these “media” attacks were ordered by Jerry after he decided to give his “guy” a job this Spring or Summer, after Tony called him and said he needs yet another job before the arrest news came out. The Angels would likely have fired him from whatever crony role he had there, due in part to their substance abuse issues. I personally would much rather have Renteria than LaRussa. Bevington is the only possibly worse ex Sox manager, another Reinsdorf debacle call.Firing LaRussa was the one right call Harrelson made as GM. LaRussa won elsewhere because he inherited great teams (Hemond, Alderson, Jocketty), and he choked half the time even with the favorite (1983, 1988, 1990). If the White Sox followed Hahn’s plan, and hired a Hinch, Boche, Alomar or Espada, it would have made sense and would have been credible. I understand most of the board disagrees with much of this, but this is opinion and I’ll stand by it.

I wish Portillo's guy would stop tweeting and call out my number for my Combo and Fries while they are still warm. Dipped with sweet peppers. Have my own hot peppers at home.

Anyone think on Leap Year Day Kenny Williams would be the only Chicago Sports Team President less than a year later, Hahn and Bowman the only GMs.

I see the Dodgers, and possibly the Mets as the only players for Darvish. If the Cubs have a total rebuild, they will want to couple Darvish with Hayward, and those two teams are the only two with the ability and possible desire to eat that level of salary and related “luxury” tax heading into 2021. If it’s a pure baseball deal for Darvish, I’d quiver at what the Sox would have to give up. Madrigal would not be enough straight up, maybe a second piece.

I’m not saying Renteria will get another manager job, but he can’t sign elsewhere until next offseason without compensation paid to the White Sox. Also, Renteria didn’t get fired for leading the team to their best season in a dozen years. He was fired because Jerry decided this Spring or Summer to hire LaRussa. It may even have happened if the Sox won the World Series. It’s obvious Jerry doesn’t care about any backlash, internal or external. Renteria will get another job in 2022 if he wants to.

I’d actuate what went down to the drug deal gone bad in Boggie Nights. Rick and Kenny were Dirk Diggler (Kenny) and O’Reiley (Hahn) “what are you doing, let’s go” and Jerry was the guy with the mustache with a “plan”, which didn’t quite work out for anyone. Mike Ditka won a Super Bowl the last time LaRussa was here, doesn’t mean you want his dumb senile drunk driving ass to come out if a lengthy retirement to return either.

This, plus the fact he was just demoted last month from GM to Assistant GM by Jerry and Tony. Working for Ricketts is a different set of issues than working for Jerry. The positive is he will allow his GM to do his job, and won’t interfere with important decisions. You get your budget and you make the call. It’s a mess now, but they will always have a top five payroll and long term it’s a better fit. Plus, Jerry will likely be gone soon, and new owners will bring in new people. I don’t agree with the sentiment he is being forced out or is disgusted. He said he would be there for ten years and he stuck with it. Someone said he pulled a Paxton. Paxton would have been there until Jerry died, if Michael didn’t take over, and it took Michael three years before finally pulling the trigger. Theo’s letter to Cub employees linked here, it’s free to non subscribers. https://theathletic.com/2203590/2020/11/17/cubs-president-theo-epstein-explains-why-he-is-stepping-down/

My ballot: Bonds and Clemens. I have a stricter criteria than most, believe most veterans committee and a few BBWAA elected players shouldn’t be in. If you have to think about it / it’s not a no brainer, the player should likely not be in the HOF. That said, I’m fine with Bonds and Clemens waiting until Veterans Committee eligibility before entering. That will likely be how it goes down. Just feel the two were HOFers with or without steroids, and career long cheating hasn’t disqualified players like Gaylord Perry. I also understand completely why people would leave them off their ballot, and wouldn’t argue on their behalf. Think Pete Rose should be allowed in perhaps after he passes, especially in light of the fact MLB is fully immersed in gambling.

Even if MLB eliminated the rule prohibiting doctoring baseballs, Trevor Bauer would not get anything close to that term or AAV. Count me on record stating I want nothing to do with this guy, in terms of salary or clubhouse impact. There are legitimate reasons why the Cleveland Indians wanted nothing to do with him and finally had enough after one of his tantrums, and he has been toxic wherever he plays. Add to that his demand to disrupt a teams’ rotation with his every fourth day nonsense. He’s also beaten the odds regarding avoiding TJ / major injury. Chances are he breaks down sooner rather than later. His teams have only advanced once, and he has one postseason win during his first decade in baseball. Hard pass. https://defector.com/trevor-bauer-should-just-admit-it/

Linked below is a good article regarding the defeat of MLB through the Supreme Court, and good possibility of a positive result for minor league players MLB refuses to pay minimum wage. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/62717/senne-v-mlb-could-bring-change-to-milb-players-from-past-present-and-future/

Family were Chicago Cardinal Fans. Was a Packer and Steelers fan growing up, My youngest brother was a Dolphins / Marino fan, the middle brother a Dallas Cowboys fan. Loved going to Packer games at Milwaukee County Stadium, and also Steelers games including the final Steelers game at Three River Stadium, the last NFL game I watched or attended. Worked for the Bidwell family at Sportsman's Park. Don't follow the NFL anymore, though have a smile whenever I hear the Bears have lost. University of Chicago - THEE Monsters of the Midway. Chicago Cardinals - Chicago's Original Football Team, named for the color of the hand-me-down uniforms they obtained from the University of Chicago. "All football comes through Stagg" -Knute Rockne on All Time Great Amos Alonzo Stagg (Basketball and College Football HOF Member), the leader in college football wins until Coach Paul Bear Bryant's final season ((Roll Tide!). 1905 Western Conference, precursor to the Big "Ten" (sic), College Football National Champions and True Monsters of the Midway. (Coach Stagg in suit far right).

I picture Jerry rather taking his chances with COVID versus handing out that much cash. Hahn: Colome 2 years $7-8M/year Walker SP for 2 years $11M/year + Team Option, (Walker) (If two pitchers aren't signed) Jackie Bradley Jr. if two pitchers aren't signed 2 years $9M/year + Team Option. Jerry: SoxTalk = Spaulding Jerry = Judge Smails

Cots states Robert $3.5M and Yoan $6.8M in 2021. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QdJEFEHa6YbLrnNhI7Z3DCZwOEycKPNVVMnkI_eN8zU/edit#gid=1520401900

Since when is opposing drunk driving and a two tiered justice system deemed virtue signalling? You would think most people would deem opposition to either as simple human decency and common sense.

I agree your listed “opener bill” pitchers need to build up innings over the next year or two to be at a point they can pitch 30 starts on the ML level. Katz may even be able to help turn around Lopez or Rodon. One veteran #3 or #4 would be valuable to bridge the gap over the next two years. Plus you can never have enough pitching depth. The 2005 team had solid established veterans (Garcia, Contreras, Buehrle, El Duque) and a rising Garland to close out an quality rotation which remained healthy all season (McCarthy the only other pitcher to start). Katz can lead the way and unlock the potential these pitchers already have. They just need work, experience and confidence.

You can't even type what was in Levine's post on this board. What kind of scum has that kind of photo on his phone? What would you say or do if someone said that about your mother, wife or daughter? Would he still be there if it were Michelle Obama instead? “Jerry's guys". Mike North, his media guy. LaRussa, his baseball guy. Levine and Nightengale there to ask asinine questions and carry Reinsdorf's water by leaking and saying stupid shit. A DUI jail sentence is the equivalent of staying home with the flu. What kind of "man" makes a living this way. All of them crony worthless morons. None of them with the male anatomy to take responsibility for their pathetic actions. Birds of a feather, Reinsdorf's flock. Time for the chickens to come home to roost.

He's lucky he didn't join McNeil after his tweet this Summer. I do agree he sucks, and swallows, anything Jerry and Co. feeds him. https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/24/bruce-levine-tweet/ I also don't see the Cubs having a major fire sale, and Darvish would be the last to go, and these Marquez proposals here are absurd. I rather play out with what the Sox have vs. overpaying prospects for 1 or 2 pieces. Expect at least a few of the young starters to take a leap forward with Cooper gone and Katz here.

No, but was disappointed Portillo's was closed for carry-out when I passed by to use the rest of my gift certificate yesterday (for a combo and free survey fries). For hot dogs, I don't like Vienna. The only places I go these days are Superdawg & Costco. I miss Wally's (Diversey / Central), Nickies/Johns (Addison / Long) and Bowser Dogs (Irving Park near 6 corners) from the Leon's Sausage / Garden on a bun heyday. Like 35th Red Hots for a pregame Polish and Fries. It's the same owner I believe as Red Hot Ranch, which serves fresh burgers (unlike Portillo's frozen patties). Harlo Grill in Melrose Park also has great burgers. Usually just wait for Spring Training to start before evaluating the off-season. I posted my preferred off-season "dream wish list", one of which thankfully already occurred (Katz for Cooper). It may be the most important change over the next few years regardless of whether they sign a single FA. Really glad Hahn and Lucas closed the deal. Heading into last season, I liked the Keuchel signing, thought Mazara was an OK low cost gamble, didn't like EE or Grandal signings, thought it hindered current roster construction and wanted $ spent on SP and RF. In the same boat this year (SP / RF + Colome or another closer or solid late inning reliever). I don't expect, or even believe the White Sox need to sign Springer and/or Bauer to be competitive. Wouldn't be upset with either coming, baring a ridiculous overpay, but certainly don't expect it. Mets will likely get Springer, not sure even Bauer knows where he may be headed.

Hosts on the Score have speculated Jerry hired LaRussa to dissuade free agents from wanting to come here. There will likely be minimal to no fans allowed once again. Jerry and owners will likely pull the same bullshit as last year and lock players out again for a 40-60 game exhibition season and 16+ team playoff scheme, and then cancel 2022 and perhaps 2023 in an attempt to grab a few dollars extra in the next CBA. Perhaps Jerry can run out the entire clock on the White Sox competitive window if he lives long enough. ‘Finish in second place every single year because your fans will say ‘Wow, we’ve got a shot, we’re in it,’ but there’s always the carrot left. There’s always one more step to take.'” - Jerry Reinsdorf's White Sox Mission Statement written in 1980