South Side Hit Men

Agreed, but typically the best teams would be spread out. For the Men's draw, and perhaps the Women's committee attempted this, the #2 seed in the #1 overall seed would be the 8th best team (setting aside regional geographical and conference adjustments). Iowa and Southern California should swap places with Iowa placed as the second overall seed. The top heavy Texas region should have been spread out a bit. Below is the distribution of the Top 32 Ranked RPI teams entering the second round: #1 Overall South Carolina (5 Teams): #1 SC (1 RPI); #4 IU (14 RPI); #2 ND (15 RPI); #3 Oregon St. (16 RPI); #5 OU (24 RPI) #2 Overall Iowa (8 Teams): #1 Iowa (2 RPI); #2 UCLA (7 RPI); #7 Creighton (12 RPI); #3 LSU (13 RPI); #4 Kansas St. (17 RPI); #5 Colorado (23 RPI); #11 Middle Tennessee St. (26 RPI); #8 West Virginia (30 RPI) #3 Overall Texas (4 Teams - All in Top 10 RPI): #2 Stanford (3 RPI); #1 Texas (4 RPI); #4 Gonzaga (8 RPI); ; #3 NC State (9 RPI) #4 Overall Southern California (5 Teams): #3 UConn (5 RPI); #1 USC (6 RPI); #2 tOSU (10 RPI); $4 Virginia Tech (21 RPI); #5 Baylor (22 RPI)

Everyone on the bench makes the pro-rated MLB salary based on days on the ML roster of $740k or more in 2024. The maximum Pillar is guaranteed is $260k over the minimum if he manages to stay on the White Sox roster, including stints on the MLB IL, the entire season. He is also eligible for up to $500k with enough Plate Appearances ($50k for 150 PA, $50k more for each 25 thereafter through 375 PA). He is only guaranteed $180k at this point if he never makes the MLB roster. He would have been guaranteed up to $3M on the original deal, less the agreed upon pro-rated salary for time spent in the minors.

During the league relocation approval process, the league has the right to stipulate a fee of owners vote on one. A $300M relocation fee was part of the 30-0 owner approval vote for the pending A’s move. However, the agreement provides a provision to waive the fee entirely if an acceptable to MLB taxpayer shakedown occurs. Apparently the $380M approved by the Nevada State Legislature is deemed an acceptable taxpayer shakedown. They still haven’t publicly disclosed where the remaining stadium or project funding will come from beyond a promised portion directly from A’s ownership. https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/as-news/mlb-owners-waiving-as-relocation-fee-conditional-on-key-factor/1506569/ https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/11/20/oakland-as-relocation-discussions In addition, Fisher will have 20% of the team’s purchase price confiscated by The MLB, split among the remaining 29 owners in the event Fisher sells the A’s before NYD 2029, 10% if he sells in during 2029, and decreasing percentages between 2030-2033.

His statements today are unequivocal, no lawyerly parsing of words. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/ohtani-adamant-about-never-betting-on-sports-says-interpreter-stole-money/ar-BB1kwd8V "I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do it on my behalf, and I have never gone through a bookmaker to bet on sports, and was never asked to assist betting [payment for anyone else],"

Would have added all five spots, but poll limited to three questions. Poll closes one minute before first pitch Opening Day.

You would cry too if it happened to you.

Voted 62-70 wins. My final prediction is 66-96. Everyone’s vote is visible. 62 people or bots have voted with less than 70 hours left in the poll (closes before scheduled first pitch on Opening Day) for those who wish to have a public record of their 2024 White Sox Win Total Range Prediction.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/mlb-owners-vote-orioles-sale-david-rubenstein-wednesday.html Owners will approve the sale this Wednesday. However, only the original 40% share will occur after the vote on Wednesday. Sale of the remaining portion will be completed at a later date.

It’s $1M, prorated for days on the MLB roster, with additional bonuses for plate appearances up to $500k ($50k for 150 PA and each additional 25 through 375 PA). https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/former-blue-jay-kevin-pillar-gets-1-million-salary-in-new-deal-with-chicago-white-sox-1.6821750

Should be fired April Fools Day if Lee isn’t starting at least his second game by that date.

This may be true, but he is a UK fan and thus has no soul. Rank right up their with Yankees, NY Rangers and Cowboys fans. 😂

A glimpse into the life of a 26th man. Pillar is the best option among all the veteran players because he brings value in the one area nobody else does on this roster and that is the proven ability beyond Robert Jr. to cover CF and RF defensively. Seems like they skimped on rest last year for Robert due perhaps in part to lack of options. Still want Robert to play 140 - 150 games this year, just with a chance to DH every other week and be off completely every other week so he can thrive in the grind.

Some here hate Houston, even more than our division rival Guardians. Guardians are just under the Twins in my in-division hatred. Still love the fact that not only did Cleveland take that bad contract in their 2021 trade with Houston, but also handed them two starters in Maton and Diaz. Makes taking collateral damage Maldonado for a meaningless season versus facing Diaz for six plus years in a Guardians uniform palatable. July 30, 2021: Yainer Diaz traded by the Cleveland Indians with Phil Maton to the Houston Astros for Myles Straw.

South Carolina is clearly the better team, but I am interested in Iowa with the one star and role players vs. the deeper / better South Carolina team which will likely win it all. Both #1 SC seeds (Southern Cal the other) have a much easier path with their brackets vs. Iowa's and Texas' brackets per RPI rankings. http://www.realtimerpi.com/ncaab/college_Women_basketball_power_rankings.html Think the TV ratings would beat any American sport game except the Super Bowl if any of the 1991-1993 or 1996-1998 Bulls teams playing in their 50s-60s suited up to face the 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's team,

I’m just glad he is not in the Sox MLB rotation if he pitched several good innings. Would like to see at least one or two more inning eaters signed (Cueto, Hill, Syndergaard) or claimed. Greinke as well, but likely beyond their budget or wouldn’t be interested. Not sure if Getz has the kind of financial flexibility to sign one or two low cost starters ($3M-$5M each), which would be sad, just to get through the season without rushing anyone else. Payroll currently 31% lower ($181.1M down to $125.9M). OD Rotation Career MLB Starts = 180 71 2010s & 109 2020s 12 2017 (CF 9 EF 3) 17 2018 (CF 1 EF 11 MS 5) 42 2019 (CF 1 EF 12 MS 29) 11 2020 (EF 8 MS 3) 27 2021 (CF 31 EF 27) 49 2022 (CF 22 EF 27) 22 2023 (CF 16 MS 6)

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rosterbating

Would translate to a 50-112 season with same .310 winning percentage. And that was with Cease. ☹️

Sheets backs up 1B, though Colas can do so if he is called up. Think they will open the season with C Stassi; DH 1B RF Sheets; RF CF LF Pillar & 2B SS 3B Shewmake, with Fletcher as primary RF platoon starter vs. RHP. Think if Grossman is called up, it’s for Pillar, or Fletcher if he can’t hit RHP (shouldn’t start vs. LHP) and is sent down to Charlotte. Can release or demote if they accept Pillar or Grossman for Colas if that ever happens under this regime. The final roster move I expect before OD is Drohan placed on the 60 Day IL and Leasure added to the active and 40 man.

Pillar (9.072 MLB Service time) will lock in even more money if he can make it through the season on an active roster including any IL stints to hit his 10 year service time mark and vest a full pension. Grossman is racing the clock to do the same within 2024 (9.060 service time). Martin Maldonado is the only White Sox who has already locked in over 10 years of service time. https://www.justballgloves.com/blog/post/mlb-ten-year-explained/#:~:text=Any player%2C coach%2C manager%2C,payout bumps up to %24220%2C000.

I'm interested in seeing what happens with the new acquisitions (Brebbia, Fedde, Flexen, Hill, Soroka and Wilson). Also hoping for solid performances from Kopech and Crochet in their new roles, and what Garcia can do this season. Continued Chicago cold could help the staff off to a good start.

Not sure what his recovery time is for Drohan's nerve decompression surgery, but a move to the 60 day IL keeps all others safe for now, and clear up the second active roster spot (they are at 25 as of now, short a hitter). Lambert could then slot in with the empty 40th spot, though if they add Grossman or Phillips to the active roster, they would need a 40 man cut or another 60 day IL move I don't see another injury causing. https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/roster

Awesome post. I’m with you I prefer going to a bar or brewery over tailgating or drinking at the ballpark. A six pack plus a hot dog will set you back close to $100 inside the park, $20 tailgating, and perhaps $25-$50 depending on what you’re drinking (Domestic Buckets to Craft Beer) at a bar, higher at a brewery. Have you checked out Wren House Brewery near downtown, or Wondering Tortoise Beer Bar and if so do you like visiting? Are their any other good breweries or craft beer bars in the Phoenix area? Couldn’t get many recommendations beyond the two I mentioned before my trip.

Consider tailgating with a six pack of one of these local offerings (5-7% ABV): Lager Haymarket Chicago Tavern Beer or Revolution Cold Time IPA Spiteful Brewing IPA or Revolution Anti-Hero We typically go pre/post to Marz or Skylark if staying close to the stadium.

Trying to determine the most recent NBA Championship Team the Iowa Women's BB could beat if the game were held before the start of the NCAA Tournament. Former NBA players would have the opportunity to train as much as possible and all players would try their best over one game played under Women's NCAA Rules. Started with the oldest NBA Champion Team which could field five or more players, the 1965-1966 Boston Celtics. The 1964-1965 Boston Celtics are down to three players (Mel Counts (82); Tom Sanders (85) and Gerry Ward (82)). Very nice to see the longevity of the NBA players over the years. The 1979-1980 Lakers are the first team with every member alive today, but their upper 60s - mid 70s age likely would give them trouble playing full court for 40 minutes. My guess would be the oldest championship team to beat the Iowa team in 2024 would fall between the 1984 Celtics and 1991 Bulls. Players (current age as of today) listed are alive, and team rosters per Basketball Reference, assuming deaths are regularly updated. 1990-91 Chicago Bulls (12 Players) (B. J. Armstrong (56); Bill Cartwright (66); Horace Grant (58); Craig Hodges (63); Dennis Hopson (58); Michael Jordan (61); Stacy King (57); Cliff Levingston (61); John Paxon (63); Will Purdue (58); Scottie Pippen (58); Scott Williams (56)) 1989-90 Detroit Pistons (14 Players) (Mark Aguirre (64); William Bedford (60); Joe Dumars (60); James Edwards (68); Dave Greenwood (66); Scott Hastings (63); Gerald Henderson (68); Vinnie Johnson (67); Stan Kimbrough (57); Bill Laimbeer (66); Ralph Lewis (60); Dennis Rodman (62); John Salley (59); Isiah Thomas (62)) 1988-89 Detroit Pistons (14 Players) (Mark Aguirre (64); Adrian Dantley (69); Fennis Dembo (58); Joe Dumars (60); James Edwards (68); Vinnie Johnson (67); Bill Laimbeer (66); John Long (67); Rick Mahorn (65); Pace Mannion (63); Dennis Rodman (62); John Salley (59); Isiah Thomas (62); Michael Williams (57)) 1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers (15 Players) (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (76); Tony Campbell (61); Michael Cooper (67); A. C. Green (60); Magic Johnson (64); Jeff Lamp (65); Wes Matthews (64); Kurt Rambis (66); Byron Scott (62); Mike Smrek (61); Billy Thompson (60); Mychal Thompson (69); Ray Tolbert (65); Milt Wagner (61); James Worthy (63)) 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers (13 Players) (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (76); Adrian Branch (60); Frank Brickowski (64); Michael Cooper (67); A. C. Green (60); Magic Johnson (64); Wes Matthews (64); Kurt Rambis (66); Byron Scott (62); Mike Smrek (61); Billy Thompson (60); Mychal Thompson (69); James Worthy (63)) 1985-86 Boston Celtics (12 Players) (Danny Ainge (65); Larry Bird (67); Rick Carlisle (64); Greg Kite (62); Kevin McHale (66); Robert Parish (70); Jerry Sichting (67); David Thirdkill (63); Sam Vincent (60); Bill Walton (71); Scott Wedman (71); Sly Williams (66)) 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers (14 Players) (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (76); Michael Cooper (67); Magic Johnson (64); Earl Jones (63); Mitch Kupchak (69); Ronnie Lester (65); Bob McAdoo (72); Mike McGee (64); Chuck Nevitt (64); Kurt Rambis (66); Byron Scott (62); Larry Spriggs (64); Jamaal Wilkes (70); James Worthy (63)) 1983-84 Boston Celtics (11 Players) (Danny Ainge (65); Larry Bird (67); Quinn Buckner (69); M. L. Carr (73); Carlos Clark (63); Gerald Henderson (68); Greg Kite (62); Cedric Maxwell (68); Kevin McHale (66); Robert Parish (70); Scott Wedman (71)) 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers (11 Players) (J. J. Anderson (63); Maurice Cheeks (67); Franklin Edwards (65); Julius Erving (74); Marc Iavaroni (67); Clemon Johnson (67); Reggie Johnson (66); Bobby Jones (72); Clint Richardson (67); Russ Schoene (63); Andrew Toney (66)) 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers (14 Players) (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (76); Jim Brewer (72); Michael Cooper (67); Clay Johnson (67); Magic Johnson (64); Eddie Jordan (69); Mitch Kupchak (69); Mark Landsberger (68); Bob McAdoo (72); Mike McGee (64); Kevin McKenna (65); Norm Nixon (68); Kurt Rambis (66); Jamaal Wilkes (70)) 1980-81 Boston Celtics (11 Players) (Tiny Archibald (75); Larry Bird (67); M. L. Carr (73); Terry Duerod (64); Eric Fernsten (70); Gerald Henderson (68); Wayne Kreklow (67); Cedric Maxwell (68); Kevin McHale (66); Robert Parish (70); Ricky Robey (68)) 1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers (15 Players) (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (76); Ron Boone (77); Marty Byrnes (67); Kenny Carr (68); Jim Chones (74); Michael Cooper (67); Don Ford (71); Spencer Haywood (74); Brad Holland (67); Magic Johnson (64); Mark Landsberger (68); Butch Lee (67); Ollie Mack (66); Norm Nixon (68); Jamaal Wilkes (70)) 1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics (10 Players) (Dennis Awtrey (76); Fred Brown (75); Lars Hansen (69); Joe Hassett (68); Tom LaGarde (69); Jackie Robinson (68); Jack Sikma (68); Dick Snyder (80); Wally Walker (69); Gus Williams (70)) 1977-78 Washington Bullets (9 Players) (Phil Chenier (73); Bob Dandridge (76); Kevin Grevey (70); Elvin Hayes (78); Tom Henderson (72); Mitch Kupchak (69); Joe Pace (70); Phil Walker (68); Larry Wright (69)) 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers (10 Players) (Corky Calhoun (73); Johnny Davis (68); Bob Gross (70); Lionel Hollins (70); Clyde Mayes (71); Lloyd Neal (73); Larry Steele (74); Dave Twardzik (73); Wally Walker (69); Bill Walton (71)) 1975-76 Boston Celtics (9 Players) (Jim Ard (75); Tom Boswell (70); Dave Cowens (75); Steve Kuberski (76); Glenn McDonald (72); Don Nelson (83); Charlie Scott (75); Ed Searcy (71); Kevin Stacom (72)) 1974-75 Golden State Warriors (8 Players) (Rick Barry (79); Butch Beard (76); Charles Dudley (74); George Johnson (75); Frank Kendrick (73); Jeff Mullins (82); Clifford Ray (75); Jamaal Wilkes (70)) 1973-74 Boston Celtics (6 Players) (Don Chaney (78); Dave Cowens (75); Steve Downing (73); Hank Finkel (81); Steve Kuberski (76); Don Nelson (83)) 1972-73 New York Knicks (11 Players) (Dick Barnett (87); Henry Bibby (74); Bill Bradley (80); Walt Frazier (78); John Gianelli (73); Phil Jackson (78); Jerry Lucas (83); Dean Meminger (65); Earl Monroe (79); Tom Riker (74); Harthorne Wingo (73)) 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (6 Players) (Jim Cleamons (74); Keith Erickson (79); Gail Goodrich (80); Pat Riley (79); John Trapp (78); Jerry West (85)) 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (13 players) (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (76); Lucius Allen (76); Bob Boozer (75); Dick Cunningham (77); Bob Dandridge (76); Gary Freeman (75); Bob Greacen (76); Jon McGlocklin (80); Oscar Robertson (85); Greg Smith (77); Jeff Webb (75); Marv Winkler (76); Bill Zopf (75)) 1969-70 New York Knicks (8 Players) (Dick Barnett (87); Bill Bradley (80); Walt Frazier (78); Bill Hosket (77); Don May (78); Mike Riordan (78); Cazzie Russell (79); John Warren (76)) 1968-69 Boston Celtics (6 Players) (Em Bryant (85); Don Chaney (78); Mal Graham (79); Bailey Howell (87); Don Nelson (83); Tom Sanders (85)) 1967-68 Boston Celtics (8 Players) (Wayne Embry (86); Mal Graham (79); Bailey Howell (87); Johnny Jones (81); Don Nelson (83); Tom Sanders (85); Tom Thacker (84); Rick Weitzman (77)) 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers (7 Players) (Billy Cunningham (80); Dave Gambee (86); Matt Guokas (80); Wali Jones (82); Bill Melchionni (79); Chet Walker (84); Bob Weiss (81) 1965-66 Boston Celtics (5 Players) (Mel Counts (82); K.C. Jones (88); Don Nelson (83); Tom Sanders (85); Ron Watts (79))

Think there will need to be a new owner for any chance, even if he didn't switch to Boras. Amounts below not adjusted for the pro-rated pay players received in 2020, or for players traded before their contract expired. Source Cot's Contracts Top Five External White Sox Guaranteed Contracts: $75M Andrew Benintendi (2023-2027) TBD $73M Yasmani Grandal (2020-2023) Stayed the duration. $56M Adam Dunn (2011-2014) Traded to Oakland 8/31/14 $55M Dallas Keuchel (2020-2022) Released 5/30/22 $55M Albert Belle (1997-2001) Granted Free Agency 10/27/98 after second full season. Top Five White Sox Extensions or Internal Free Agent Signings: $70M Yoan Moncada (2020-2024 + 2025 Club Option ($20M > buyout)) $60M Paul Konerko (2006-2010) $50M Jose Abreu (2020-2022) $50M Luis Robert (2020-2025) + 2026 Club Option ($18M > Buyout). 2026 Guaranteed if 2025 Club Option exercised (Buyout $2M; Contract $20M) $43M Eloy Jimenez (2019-2024 + 2025 Club Option ($13.5M > Buyout). 2026 Guaranteed if 2025 Club Option exercised (Buyout $3M; Contract $18.5M)