WookiesOnRitalin

One of my favorite pitches of all time was a curve ball that painted the corner. I would watch righties just look on in dismay as a left just painted the outside corner.

I think this ignores a couple key points. This team's two "best" hitters are currently batting .184. Imagine, if they were batting roughly .250? If the Sox were getting any production from the middle of their lineup and from players who have produced previously, the Sox would be fairing much better this year. For whatever reason, Vaughn and Robert have just turned to trash. How many teams are letting two full time starters bat below .200 before pulling them? For the Sox, they do not have a choice. They have to keep playing them and hope something changes. Right now, their value and contributions are at an all time low.

This team is not as bad as it may seem. Our Run differential is not as atrocious as it could be meaning, we're losing some tight games. 7 out 9 blown saves (22%) puts us dead last in the league. Now, mind you, we are have also the second fewest opportunities at 9. The Orioles, with the fewest, have only 1 blown save. If the Sox were more by the league average, they would look better. But Jesus, is the hitting on this team atrocious. It's amazing how this was considered one of the most potent offenses only a few years ago only to see all players from those years turn to trash.

What a pity. In the 2019, Andrew Vaughn was selected with the 3rd overall pick and for a player taken that high, he has never materialized as worthy of that selection. With a horrific start to the season batting .102, what is the likely future for this guy? To have almost zero production out him is a waste of a roster spot when I am certain we could get more production from almost anyone else. It's crazy to think that many felt he was so good, he made Abreu expendable. This guy is not getting any better and it is another catastrophic failure of the previous regime. I realize I do not post here often so obviously take my complaint with a grain of salt. I just did not see a thread on this and I felt compelled to start one.

Most players do not play for the sake of the game anymore. Those days seem to be gone or those players seem to be gone. Luis has very little love for the game and is at a point where he clearly does not care. He went from being poor to being rich with the swing of a bat. It's too bad since he really does have that much talent. I'll take the Rowands and Konerkos every day over the Roberts of the world.

I can honestly say that in all my years of following the White Sox, this is the lowest point I have had in watching the team. I was one row behind the dugout on Saturday and just to watch how there is no joy on this team and no fire from the coaching staff. It's one thing to lose, but its another to accept it. This team has already accepted itself as a loser and they are all empty jerseys at this point. Luis looks horrific at the plate. He's not seeing the ball well and not even focusing on getting the damn thing in play. He's clearly quit. The only fire I see is from the young guys called up. They have nothing to lose. I'd be happy to clean out the entire roster and staff. This team needs an awakening, but that does not matter. As long as Reinsdorf owns the team, the Sox will a s%*# show.

As a Nashville resident, I would go watch the Sox here! In reality, it makes no sense for the Sox to move out of Chicago. It is one of the oldest franchises in the league. I could not even imagine the White Sox being anywhere else.

Sox pitching has really been the main reason the season has slumped so early combined with the early injuries. The Sox are only 13 and 14 runs scored behind Houston and Toronto respectively despite the injury bug. The Sox additionally have 4 starters in the top 14 in strikeouts (currently 4th in the AL). The problem is walks. Control issues seem to be the main thing holding back this staff and thus this team. Free baserunners is killing our chances of winning and if the the staff can figure it out, then we could see a fast improvement over the next several months. It is also clear that the lineup is missing a power bat. You would always hope that Eloy, Robert, and Vaughan were providing more power, but they just are not. If Hahn would be smart, he would figure out how to get another power bat in the lineup. Not sure who is available. The team is also dead last in walks. Any improvement in working counts and being patient would also lead to improvement as imagine. I think the hitting could just maybe use a change of philosophy.

His pitching quality (or lack thereof) is not in contention. The fact that the club is paying him 18 million dollars is the shocking reason. Your highest paid pitcher is sitting for the playoffs. A guy you went out and spent $55 million on is not going to contribute to your playoff run. Nice work FO.

Dallas did not make the playoff roster? What?

My big criticism of Luis last year was how bad the strikeouts were and until he fixed it, we really needed to dampen expectations. With 40 more plate appearances, he's actually struck out 20 less times. That's pretty good improvement and consequently all of his numbers have improved along with it. His approach is better and hopefully he keeps improving from this point on. You know, one day, these bats we have we all actually click at the same time. I just hope that happens in the Houston series. It seems as though no one is hot together. Just one guy and then cools off, then someone else. Can we get these guys to hit at the same time? That would be convenient.

It's possible, but who would be likely suitors? Almost anyone would be interested if the Sox are picking up the tab, but how much would the Sox have to eat in order for that to happen especially when they can just ride out 2022 with him on the roster knowing he's gone after that. I imagine an NL team could be interested if they needed a 4 or 5 that could help them get to the playoffs, but the picture of that would not open up until June or July of 2022.

Dallas' problems are centered around his command which is absent at this point. He's traditionally good for two rotations through a lineup (Roughly 5-6 innings) at which point most hitters have him timed. With his increasing age, this is likely his last hurrah and it is unlikely that he will be here past 2022. His 18 million is a tough pill to swallow, but you hope he bounces back next year to be a serviceable #5. The interesting question is do the Sox cash in the 20 million club option in 2023 if he bounces back in 2022? What scenario would have to happen in order for the Sox to pick it up? I imagine an ERA under 3 and a WHIP around 1.1-1.2. Plus, you have to consider the money needed to extend TA7 at that point.

Lol. He's scheduled to make 18 million in 2022. He'll be on the roster unless he's traded, but at this point, who would trade for him?

At this juncture, it just seems imperative to get the rotation healthy. If this means Lucas misses one or two starts, so be it. The only chance the Sox have at advancing in the playoffs is if they are getting rock solid performances from the top 3 in the rotation (Lynn, Rodon, and Gio). Bats have been far too inconsistent this year to be relied on against playoff level pitching. Rest Lucas for 2 weeks, then really start putting these guys on pitch limits.