South Side Hit Men

The Sox will hit their high water mark (games +/- .500) in the Chris Getz era on or before Sunday, regardless of he's merely an interim or is named permanent as expected. Current record 1-1 (+0) .500 with four games to go.

Eloy would have got it. Bring back Coop, he'll fix'em.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/08/stephen-strasburg-plans-to-retire.html MLB Trade Rumors posted a more lengthy treatment. The terms of his financial settlement with the team are still not public.

https://eu.tennessean.com/story/sports/2023/08/23/chicago-white-sox-nashville-mlb-relocation-jerry-reinsdorf/70660627007/ City of Nashville Chicago White Sox

Actually both have played regularly since their callups. The 100F weather could be a factor tonight as well. Colas July: Played 19 of 21 games since his July 4th call up. August: Played 17 of 20 games, I believe intentionally benched a game or two due to poor defensive decisions. Sosa Played all 6 games since his August 18 callup, started all but one (played the final four innings the final game in Colorado).

I am loving the fact the New York Yankees are now 6-15 in August, or 1 1/2 games worse than the Sox's 7-13 record through Wednesday. As you were.

I also recall a lengthy personal interview Kenny had, where he said a word I can't recall specifically, beyond disappointed, that he has been representing the White Sox for decades at owner level meetings, and not much has changed in terms of representation.

Bob said the same thing on the Score. In my mind, Tony may be "working" his third and final year of his OG contract, perhaps formally or via a spoken agreement that he could return and consult or assist as his health permits. I just hope he does not have a new role or involvement once the new FO is unveiled.

It appears to be a few in person discussions. Bob said the following with Matt Spiegel, and is most likely the closest to the truth the public will hear: Tony recently finished his cancer treatments, and the HOF ceremony was the first chance he was cleared to fly. Jerry had a discussions in Cooperstown with Tony and others regarding the White Sox. Tony has visited minor league affiliates the past few weeks, and has also visited the Arizona facility. Tony was at the ballpark this week, and had an informal dinner with Jerry and Pedro last night. That said, it's unclear if Tony and Jerry had some kind of discussion and arrangement regarding the third year of his managerial contract (contingent on his health), whether he has a formal new agreement, or this is just a few week / short term arrangement he agreed to perform for Jerry. I believe they would formally announce Tony's role with the new FO in the event they reach agreement for Tony to perform FT/PT services beyond this season.

Yaz is vying with Mike Clevinger and Liam Hendriks to become the third Rick Hahn free agent acquisition with an eight figure contract to last his entire deal. Parrot, aka Edwin Encarnacion was the first with his one year deal, Jose with his extension. The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men: Yes $50.0M Jose Abreu 2020-2022 $12.0M Edwin Encarnacion 2020 No $56.0M Adam Dunn 2011-2014 (8/31/14 - Traded by the Chicago White Sox with cash to the Oakland Athletics for Nolan Sanburn (minors).) $55.0M Dallas Keuchel 2020-2022 (5/30/22 - Released by the Chicago White Sox.) $46.0M David Robertson 2015-2018 (7/19/17 - Traded by the Chicago White Sox with Todd Frazier and Tommy Kahnle to the New York Yankees for Ian Clarkin (minors), Tito Polo (minors), Tyler Clippard and Blake Rutherford.) $42.0M Melky Cabrera 2015-2017 (7/30/17 - Traded by the Chicago White Sox with cash to the Kansas City Royals for Andre Davis (minors) and A.J. Puckett (minors).) $25.0M Adam LaRoche 2015-2016 (3/18/16 - Voluntarily retired from the Chicago White Sox.) $24.0M Kendall Graveman 2022-2024 (7/28/23 - Traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Houston Astros for Korey Lee.) $18.0M Kelvin Herrera 2019-2020 (8/2/20 - Released by the Chicago White Sox.) $17.0M Joe Kelly 2022-2023 (7/28/23 - Traded by the Chicago White Sox with Lance Lynn to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jordan Leasure (minors), Nick Nastrini (minors) and Trayce Thompson.) $16.5M Leury Garcia 2022-2024 (3/30/23 - Released by the White Sox.) $15.0M Zach Duke 2015-2017 (7/31/16 - Traded by the White Sox to the Saint Louis Cardinals for Charlie Tilson.) $15.0M Welington Castillo 2018-2019 (10/31/19 - Traded by the White Sox with international bonus slot money to the Texas Rangers for Jonah McReynolds.) $12.0M Jeff Keppinger 2013-2015 (5/21/14 - Released by the White Sox.) Maybe $75.0M Andrew Benintendi 2023-2027 $73.0M Yasmani Grandal 2020-2023 $54.0M Liam Hendriks 2021-2023 $12.0M Mike Clevinger 2023

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/08/stephen-strasburg-plans-to-retire.html

He's actually had a few different jobs, the teams he worked for were decent to strong. Dave Dombrowski has good things to say about him. He likely had extra chances initially as a player because of his dad, and perhaps an initial foot in the front office door, but he looks to have performed well with the Padres and Phillies, gained growing responsibilities in his career. I'll trust a Dave Dombrowski hire over a Rick Hahn hire. I'd like to learn more and hope he gets a legitimate interview if interested. He won't if the Sox stick to their unnecessarily rushed timeline, since the Phillies are competing for a World Series. https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/2022/07/14/preston-mattingly-college-basketball-baseball-mlb-phillies/9406027002/

She also acquired Josh Bell who has played as well as Burger (0.7 bWAR in August vs. Burger's 0.8 bWAR). Cleveland only saved a couple million net over two years. Also replaced Jeter's crony with a strong contender for NL Manager of the Year. And yes, Kim Ng did not have much authority until Jeter was pushed out. Jeter had total say during his tenure and everything was a complete shitshow, on par or possibly worse than the White Sox. He will never get any job in baseball again, despite his wish to return, beyond say as a sportscaster or team ambassador "advisor" type with no authority. https://www.nj.com/yankees/2023/04/yankees-great-derek-jeter-was-costanza-as-marlins-ceo-ex-team-exec-says.html

Jeter ran the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 off-seasons before leaving in February 2022. Minimal spending due to COVID and Miami being Miami. Jeter lost the power struggle and was gone just before Spring Training. Jeter extended mental midget Donnie Baseball, owner kept his dumbass through September to avoid paying him two years for doing nothing, realizing 2022 was already lost cause with Jeter's roster, his payroll commitment and the prior offseason. 2022-2023 was Kim's first offseason in charge, acquired a 4.6 WAR infielder and then at the deadline Burger with 0.8 with her buddy. Fighting for the playoffs in a quality division with three teams with 2-3Xs payroll, Kenny and Rick couldn't compete in a horseshit division with an equivalent or higher payroll beyond tanking seasons. Rick Hahn couldn't even handle a situation involving a 14 year old child. I don't / didn't agree with all of her moves, but overall as a new GM I'd give her more time to fully assess what she does within a legitimate timespan, including what ownership's commitment is to fielding competitive teams.

And yet still massively outperforming the absolute horseshit Hahn got, and then doubled down on with the option and Pollock. Meanwhile, Heuer and Madrigal are under control through 2025/2026, were paid $2M total this season. 2021-2023 White Sox Paid $20M +, Received 0.4 bWAR $5.5M 2021 Kimbrel (2021 pro-rated) 0.0 bWAR $14.5M - $16M (2022 Pollock's Contract / Kimbrel's Option, not sure if any cash moved) 0.4 bWAR 2021-2023 Cubs Paid $3.9M, Received 2.2 bWAR $2.2M Madrigal (2021 pro-rated - 2023) 1.6 bWAR + '24-'26 $1.7M Heuer (2021 pro-rated - 2023) 0.6 bWAR + '24-'25

She is competing for the playoffs with a limited budget. There are two positive qualities. She's been in charge for just over a year. There is nothing in my post "overhyping" anything, just said she needs time to assess whether she will be a good GM, especially after inheriting Jeter's mess with a limited budget, she's made two solid trades this season and would be one of the few external qualified people Jerry knows and likely trusts.

It would be nice to hear from Mellody Hobson, who allegedly holds the largest ownership percentage of shares in the White Sox, her thoughts on the Willie Harris interview process, and Tony La Russa's hiring and continued interference with the ballclub. White Sox Owners and Front Office - Zero Leadership, talk the talk, never walk the walk. Meet me at the parade, first class baseball organization, competitive teams, the money will be spent, multi championship window. Bullshit, all of it. MLB Commissioner - Georgia politics bad. Racist chop, team name and imagery good, "a local market decision".

If only the Sox had an owner or front office who did more than talk the talk, all the while reaping the majority of the team's revenue. The Phillies appear to have an owner and FO committed to fielding a team and staff people can respect and feel good about supporting, including Dave Dombrowski jettisoned by Jerry nearly four decades ago. There is a very low bar to be considered an acceptable steward of the game and team, and the three (JR, KW, RH) haven't meet these low standards for at least a decade. Little faith CG DM and TLR will either if that is what happens.

MLB has a formal Selig Rule in place for over two decades, 3 years before the Rooney Rule. Whether owners follow it is another story. https://www.mlb.com/news/richard-justice-selig-rule-first-of-its-kind-in-sports/c-58500104 “The Selig Rule requires every club to consider minority candidates "for all general manager, assistant general manager, field manager, director of player development and director of scouting positions."

Jeter / Mattingly called the shots until they were forced last year. Kim should get 4-5 years before you can fairly assess her strengths and weaknesses. She was able to land Arraez and Burger this year, working on half the budget Hahn had. Not the perfect candidate, but in terms of possibly 2-3 people on Earth Jerry knows and might trust beyond 35th and Shields, she’s likely a much better option than Getz. Still holding out hope they go external, but not listening to any more games until a decision is made, or any games in a Chris Getz Era.

Moore was fine defending Luke Heimlick who as a teen molested his 6 year old niece. No legitimate reason to sign this guy period, let alone hand him a job without a legitimate job search because he is Chris Getz’ “MLB Front Office Daddy.” https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/dayton-moores-defense-of-luke-heimlich-stinks-to-high-heavens

Yoan could barely breathe at times in 2020 with COVID. Put up a 5.1 WAR in 2019, 3.6 in 2021. Grandal was a terrible signing. The Dodgers wanted no part of him after they acquired him, largely benched him for the playoffs because he is a Balco DH, not a catcher. It’s why there was only one offer. The team could see it, Tim could see it, starters with sharp breaking balls didn’t want him to catch. Tim called him out. He always reminded me of Dornan from Major League. Ricky benched guys the few times there was lack of effort. Everyone played hard, even though Hahn’s tanking roster had a shitload of minor leaguers. The only accountability under Tony revolved around the unwritten rules.

They all played well for Ricky, then dropped off when they were exposed to Tony’s s%*# day in and day out. Go work for a s%*# manager for months / years, the post office, and see how motivated you are seeing so much s%*# and knowing you can’t stop the bleeding no matter if you kill yourself or skate through each workday. I always gave my best because my work reflected on me and my values, but I’ve worked at a couple places where management culture were so bad i just tried to survive until I could quit. Most humans have many options, but most baseball players are stuck for most / all of their careers in an organization (minors plus 6 years MLB). Only a small percentage reach meaningful free agency.

There was likely a quid pro quo, Willie wanting to return to Chicago and Jerry calling in a favor from the Cubs. Perhaps the Cubs did a favor for the Reds. Jerry set up Tony in Oakland, these owners ship / vouch for people all the time. There has not been any consequences beyond fines for all but one owner (Marge Schott) since Jerry shitcanned Fay Vincent and installed his used car salesman puppet. Marge made Donald Sterling, Robert Sarver, Dan Snyder, Jerry Richardson and dozens of other scumbag owners appear woke in comparison.

Bob has interviewed Jerry on the record multiple times over the years. Has any other media member conducted interviews with Jerry Reinsdorf the past decade? Because the last two I recall were Jerry calling in to discuss David Stern immediately after he passed away, and an interview with Carmen De Falco and someone else where Jerry was pissed they asked a question he didn't like, said they weren't going to get a bite out of the apple again. Bob quoting Jerry: July 15, 2020 - Jerry's lies ridiculed the following day. July 15, 2020 - Second article, this one with Jerry speaking about how Michael would have reached the Majors. August 15, 2017 - Jerry to repay the fans with "a winner". I guess time will tell if Bob continues to break correct scoops about the White Sox now that Kenny and Rick are both gone, if there is another "leaker" in the organization beyond Jerry.