South Side Hit Men

Dumb: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/jose-berrios-early-exit-from-game-2-goes-wrong-for-blue-jays Smart: https://www.mlb.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-pickoff-costly-for-blue-jays

Final Wild Card Round Statistics & Three Stars of the Game: Hitters: Marcus Semien Texas 1-9, 1 BB, 2 Rs, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B Advanced Jake Burger Miami 2-7, 1 E Eliminated No Star Awarded Pitchers: Craig Kimbrel Philadelphia 1 IP, 1 H, 1 Save Advanced Jake Diekman Tampa Bay 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K Eliminated David Robertson Miami 2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 HR, 4 K Eliminated Did Not Play: Dane Dunning Advanced & Chris Bassitt Eiminated

The players laid out in the article noted above would fit in this budget. Below isn't necessarily my or anyone's Dream Team, just a somewhat possible plan if the Sox spent slightly over $75M ($81.4M based on the players and Spotrac estimates) on external acquisitions on players identified in the article, and a likely upgrade over what the Sox finished with in 2023. (2023 bWAR Player (7/1/24 Age) $ Salary (estimate in italics - from spotrac if available) ^ - LH Hitter/Pitcher # - Switch Hitter 13 Position Players ($105.8M; $28.2M on new three new starters) C: 0.7 Victor Caratini # (30) $3.1M 1B: 1.0 Andrew Vaughn (26) $1.5M 2B: 0.8 Whit Merrifield (35) $8.4M 3B: 0.6 Yoan Moncada # (29) $24.8M SS: -2.0 Tim Anderson (31) $14.0M RF: 2.1 Teoscar Hernandez (31) $16.7M CF: 5.1 Luis Robert Junior (26) $12.5M LF: 0.2 Andrew Benintendi ^ (29) $17.1M DH: 0.3 Eloy Jimenez (27) $13.8M Reserves: C 0.0 Carlos Perez (27) $0.8M INF 0.0 Jose Rodriguez (23) $0.8M INF/OF 0.1 Zack Remillard (30) $0.8M OF Trayce Thompson (33) $1.5M 14 Pitchers ($52.2M Rotation; $22.1M Bullpen; $41.1M on three new starters and $12.1M on three new relievers plus a few returning FAs) Rotation 3.5 Eduardo Rodriguez ^ (31) $20.1M 2.4 Dylan Cease (28) $8.1M 1.8 Seth Lugo (34) $9.9M 0.7 Michael Kopech (28) $3.0M 0.7 Jack Flaherty (28) $11.1M Bullpen + Swing: 2.1 Reynaldo Lopez (30) $6.2M 1.3 Gregory Santos (24) $0.8M 1.1 Robert Stephenson (31) $2.5M 1.0 Touki Toussaint (28) $0.8M 0.8 Jordan Hicks (27) $3.4M 0.8 Tanner Banks ^ (32) $0.8M 0.6 Bryan Shaw (35) $1.0M 0.2 Garrett Crochet ^ (25) $1.1M -1.0 Aaron Bummer ^ (30) $5.5M 2024 Buyouts ($11.0M) $5.5M Leury Garcia $4.0M Mike Clevinger $1.5M Liam Hendriks (Year 1 of 10) Total Payroll: $105.8M + $52.2M + $22.1M + $11.0M = $191.1M, or $10.0M more than 2023 Opening Day. The main two barriers are will Jerry Reinsdorf authorize this assuming he "wants to get better as fast as we possibly can", and can Getz make enough changes to have a credible pitch to sign decent players without massive overpays. I purposely excluded players from the top several teams in the playoffs, assuming they would prefer to stay or explore other teams over the White Sox. Also, this is not a "fantasy league" article, the purpose of which is noted below.

My Pito, My MVP! Go Astros & 2023 World Series MVP Jose Abreu!!!

Agree most people are fine or don't care about the degradation of the "Championship 162 game season", accustomed to taking anything handed to them, be it in sports, corporations, "leaders", etc.. Don't agree weakening standards leads to improving the postseason. The Sox only deserved one postseason because they only finished in first once. If you are not good enough to win a 4,5,6,7,8,10 team division, one to four playoff weeks shouldn't render six months irrelevant. The Yankees proved over 154/162 games they earned the right of the World Series. With 12-16 team leagues, I would concede two divisions which worked well from 1969-1993, when the game was most popular via TV and cultural dominance. Less people cared about the NFL than MLB until the 1970s/1980s. I don't agree with any playoff expansion. Should be max two conferences / two playoff rounds (Conference Finals & Championship) contested solely by division winners. MLB is closer to the NHL in terms of random results (Goalie / Pitcher Hot), with the difference an NHL Goalie can play every game and a starter only twice in a series. NBA can win with the best player and a few extra pieces, NFL with the best QB, NHL with hottest goalie. No equivalent to MLB, plus key player limited to a minority of games (starting pitchers). 2019 Nationals, 2014 Giants, 2011 Cardinals, 2004 Red Sox, 2003 Marlins, 2002 Angels and 1997 Marlins couldn't win a 4-5 team division, but are "World Champions"? Child please is my response, understand I'm in the minority. Baseball became regional because of severe mismanagement of the sport based on short term greed over long term stead. Should be a solid international brand beyond the garbage preseason WBC money scheme.

Progress over the next 12 months will primarily be measured by what Getz does or doesn't do to put the Sox in a position to legitimately contend (90 + wins, legitimate playoff success) say in 2026 / 2027 when their top prospects are established more so than their final 2024 won loss record. That said, hope they don't go full tank mode and try to bring in reasonable players/contracts to improve and possibly flip in July for prospects that could help add to a future core. The MLB Trade Rumor article I added as a topic provided many options in terms of player acquisitions which will make 2024 more enjoyable to watch in the interim. Would like to see Getz be candid in an open press conference before the Winter Meetings to explain his approach and a legitimate timeline once he can establish the rest of the FO and work with Pedro on completing the coaching staff. Needs to be credible, not vague Hahn BS.

Solid take in terms of current strengths and weaknesses and what it will take for things to improve substantially in 2024. 'https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/offseason-outlook-chicago-white-sox-13.html Noted external 2024 player options: C: Victor Caratini or Tom Murphy. 2B: Adam Frazier, Jonathan India, Gleyber Torres, Brandon Drury, or Whit Merrifield (based on a team "oddly obsessed with the Royals"). SS If Anderson Option Declined: Amed Rosario. 3B If Moncada Moved: Gio Urshela, Jeimer Candelario or possible Bryan Ramos promotion. RF: Teoscar Hernandez or bargain bin selections Hunter Renfroe or Jason Heyward as upgrades over current options. SP Potentially out of price range: Sonny Gray, Eduardo Rodriguez and Shota Imanaga. SP Possibilities: Seth Lugo, Kenta Maeda, Michael Wacha, Michael Lorenzen. SP Bounceback cases: Frankie Montas, Kyle Gibson, Jack Flaherty, James Paxton, Luis Severino. RP: Reynaldo Lopez, Robert Stephenson, Joe Jimenez, Jordan Hicks. Clevinger Conclusion

Player credits for RBI are lineup and baserunner dependent beyond an individual's home runs. Same issue with the current Pitcher win rule (should be the most effective pitcher, not the one in before/after the offense does it's thing (or doesn't for a pitcher loss)). The only stat less credible than these two was the Game Winning RBI, an amalgamation of these two poor concepts. Thankfully these were placed in the dustbin of MLB history, but not before Harold Baines rode it into the BBHOF. I am not saying scoring or preventing runs is not the goal of the game, just noting the emphasis on the importance of who gets credited for what. I lay out the TWTW stat to mock these stats (player personal W/L record versus team W/L record). TWTW is also influenced by factors beyond a players' contribution. Bullpen pitchers used to protect leads will naturally have a high TWTW, same with defensive replacements placed late into games with a short lead. It doesn't necessarily mean they have a greater Will To Win than others used in different roles. Same with an injured or traded player who avoided the last two months of Sox baseball post deadline (or the player called up under these circumstances to play in mostly losses).

The same way he gets to tell the public they haven't. Unfortunately, the world has many bosses like that, but thankfully the Sox have two less after August 22, 2023.

I believe criminals should be prosecuted with enough credible evidence, and the fact they are not has increased crime rates significantly. Juveniles can literally get away with murder here. Looked it up, Texas is the state where it’s legal under the penal code, though I would think the two parties need to agree to the combat before hand, and not just claiming it after an ambush / shooting.

Are you sure one one state where “mutual combatants” are routinely not prosecuted even with significant evidence. I believe this is a widespread fashionable approach among many current American DA offices. It is certainly the approach in Cook County, whether it’s codified or not.

No coach will think Boston should have stayed beyond “player bond” nonsense. He was responsible for OF play as well, and it was putrid this entire time, even with competent defenders. Don’t know much about the hitting coach (wonder if Robert knows his name, I believe it’s Castro or Johnson), but also hard to argue the team doesn’t need a significant change in approach in terms of game plan, pitch recognition and attempting to control the strike zone / work counts.

Both Hahn and Getz said Pedro wasn’t responsible for this mess throughout 2023. Also, Jerry is not paying three guys to not work. He has rarely paid people for one year. I think it’s Getz’ call in season / after 2024, but not now. If Getz can show organizational progress over the next year, perhaps solid candidates like Joe Espada would actually consider coming here instead of interviewing and pulling themselves out of consideration to remain a bench coach for a professional organization.

Or maybe they can just cut the bullshit extra rounds of playoffs, contract Oakland and Pittsburgh, possibly Tampa and Miami, and have a seven game LCS (Baltimore vs. Houston and Atlanta vs. Los Angeles), followed by a mid October World Series. This plan worked for decades, now there are far fewer TV viewers and record low playoff attendance, with dumb plans to build a new stadium where nobody wants to go.

Smart teams are always on the look out for younger reclamation projects like Speas (Santos last offseason) or perhaps an older veteran which can provide value contributions at a reasonable or even bargain salary (Cueto and McCann recently, Dye & AJ back in the day). I’m happy they bring in several or more and perhaps have a few solid successes. On a side note, I wonder if this particular player was a Dayton Moore suggestion, after he had a chance to see him pitch for Texas. “Hey, grab this guy. I thought we should keep him but was overruled.”

Chuck is White Sox Jim Rome.

10/3/23 Playoff Stats: Hitters: Jake Burger Miami 1-4 Marcus Semien Texas 0-4, 1 BB, 1 R Pitchers: Craig Kimbrel Philadelphia 1 IP, 1 H, 1 Save Jake Diekman Tampa Bay 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K 10/3 White Sox Alumni Player Of The Day Award

Multi championship competitive window is open to interpretation. I feel a team entering a stretch of seasons among the top few (2-4) favorites to win a title over multiple years is how I see it. The team has a championship caliber roster and core stars / players to be considered favorites by most people here or nationally. For the Sox, 1917-1920 and 1993-1994 fit the bill, both were sabotaged internally (Black Sox / cancelled 1994) which makes the Sox tragic like the Greek plays. I don’t believe they were among the top couple favorites to win a single World Series during the era Lip mentioned. Wish Frank Rosenthal was here to give his assessment.

Tampa had at least two legitimate stadium offers in Ybor City (2018 and 2023). Owners rather have the no or less expensive option even if they would have longer term financial success elsewhere because many just want to flip / sell once the taxpayer funded stadium is built

I'd say each of the teams had a legitimate "multi championship competitive window" during my lifetime (born 1969). Chicago Legitimate "Multi Championship Competitive Windows" since the Moon Landing: Chicago Bears (1984-1988) Chicago Blackhawks (2009-2015) Chicago Bulls (1989-1993 & 1995-1998) Two Jordan exile / gambling ban years not included Chicago Cubs (2015-2017) Chicago White Sox (1993-1994) 2005 was a great year, which I still cherish, and there were several other White Sox teams which were very exciting to watch (1977, 1983 and 1990 my favorites). That said, I hope they can build a team which can put together a solid 3-5 year run and let the chips fall where they may. 1917-1920 was their other legitimate window and we weren't around to enjoy.

"Totally worth it." - Kenny Williams & Rick Hahn 8/22/23

Forty teams, nineteen organizations, have reached the LCS or beyond the previous decade. Miami and Minnesota can each push the Sox down a peg this month, but both need to advance two rounds to do so. Milwaukee, Tampa Bay and Texas can win their first World Series. Colorado, San Diego and Seattle must wait 'til next year. Last season team advanced to the League Championship series or beyond (last WS Win) One Win Required to move up or Two Wins required to move up 2022 Houston (2022) Defeat Winner: Toronto at Minnesota 2022 New York Yankees (2009) Dead 2022 Philadelphia (2008) Defeat Miami & Atlanta 2022 San Diego (Never 1969) Dead 2021 Atlanta (2021) Defeat Winner: Miami at Philadelphia 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers (2020) Defeat Winner: Arizona at Milwaukee 2021 Boston (2018) Dead 2020 Tampa Bay (Never 1998) Defeat Texas & Baltimore 2019 Washington (2019) Dead 2019 Saint Louis (2011) Dead 2018 Milwaukee (Never 1969 Seattle / 1970 Milwaukee) Defeat Arizona & Los Angeles 2017 Chicago Cubs (2016) Dead 2016 Toronto (1993) Defeat Minnesota & Houston 2016 Cleveland (1948) Dead 2015 Kansas City (2015) Dead 2015 New York Mets (1986) Dead 2014 San Francisco (2014) Dead 2014 Baltimore (1983) Defeat Winner: Texas at Tampa Bay 2013 Detroit (1984) Dead 2011 Texas (Never 1961 Washington D. C. / 1972 Texas) Defeat Tampa Bay & Baltimore 2009 Los Angeles Angels (2002) Dead 2007 Arizona (2001) Defeat Milwaukee & Los Angeles 2007 Colorado (Never 1993) Dead 2006 Oakland (1989) Dead 2005 Chicago White Sox (2005) Dead 2003 Miami (2003) Defeat Philadelphia & Atlanta 2002 Minnesota (1991) Defeat Toronto & Houston 2001 Seattle (Never 1977) Dead 1995 Cincinnati (1990) Dead 1979 Pittsburgh (1979) Dead

They love “Mama Kim” in Miami. Wish she was bringing in guys like that here. https://www.mlb.com/marlins/news/how-kim-ng-built-a-winning-culture-with-the-marlins

It’s a shame Jerry didn’t move there in 1988, with Chicago getting an AL Expansion Team. They would have contracted it, because unlike the Rays, Jerry is incapable of hiring and retaining a solid FO who can make it work. It is really stupid to build and continue playing on the wrong side of the bay.

Speas and Carrots sure could help the Sox staff.