Chick Mercedes

How did Ozzie pick Zavala to click?

Come on change up sliders?

The irony of this game’s bullpen situation….. staff is set on fire

Granted, but if they didn’t blow it with Engel at first, we may assume they were probably exercising all due caution because they are professionals. As we have seen many times, franchises don’t hold back the horses as much as they can or should. The deal with Eloy’s groin is most likely fait accompli because of a long period of inactivity followed by a lack of a longer ramp up. Guys get hurt a lot more as they begin the year just because. His year only just begun (as it were). Anyway, I am certainly not an expert on hip flexor tears, but he is almost certainly coming back from it way quicker than you or I would. They can do that with all the therapy devices at their disposal to a certain extent. But he could probably use a more extensive ramp up to mirror a real spring training post injury comeback. Engel gave me pause. It was very surprising. He almost certainly came back too quick.

He *looks* like he should steal 90 bases. I don’t get it. But so does Moncada *look*. One of life’s mysteries. I will say that as long as he shows smart speed on the basepaths and good small ball game, that is another team need on top of raw hitting and fielding. Going forward the Sox need a speed injection. That’s why I am hopeful on Cespedes because where else it can come from other than Robert I do not know.

But that is a fantasy more than it ever existed anywhere. Unless a team is able to maintain in the win-loss column, 99% of the time every team starts cutting back. I would never defend a guy like Ricketts, but I can see that he is a typical owner, even a typical big market owner. The Dodgers are playing with lottery money from TV right now. But they good too.

I agree. but there will be a discussion over which closer to trade. My prediction is that ultimately we will parlay Madrigal into a solution in right field, or add to the farm system to help recoup Madrigal’s loss. But at the same time I do lean against the Madrigal deal just because it seems like running into a brick wall in the World Series at best. But getting us there is defensible, again if we can recoup some of the loss of long term talent.

That team wouldn’t contend. There was too much money to be spent , and that doesn’t happen unless the team already won recently. They aren’t going to spend like the Dodgers. I am not so sure about the fan unhappiness about the direction the team is taking. Sure maybe casual fans. The hardcore is different. Were devoted Sox fans upset when we pulled the plug on the Sale Quintana era? I was kind of elated after I knew for sure that team would just be tread-milling to infinity and beyond (as usual). It’s slightly different too in that the Cubs already used this strategy once to win a world series. Most Cubs fans understand the deal. The ones that don’t are player fans. The laundry fans are probably cool with it. Lots of fun to be dreaming on a loaded farm system too. I had my fun watching the Sox build myself. What it amounts to is setting a solid course rather than wandering aimlessly through mediocrity. That can be comforting. Cubs fans go to the park to eat hot dogs, enjoy the neighborhood and look at the ivy as much as the game anyway.

MLB 2021 World Series Odds 1. Los Angeles Dodgers: +300 2. Houston Astros: +480 3. Chicago White Sox: +550 4. San Francisco Giants: +950 5. New York Mets: +1200 6. Boston Red Sox: +1200 7. Milwaukee Brewers: +1300 8. San Diego Padres: +1300 9. Tampa Bay Rays: +1500 10. New York Yankees: +2000 11. Toronto Blue Jays: +3000 12. Oakland Athletics: +3500 13. Atlanta Braves: +4500 14. Philadelphia Phillies: +6000 15. Cincinnati Reds: +10000 https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/posts/world-series-odds-dodgers-favored-over-astros-white-sox-following-trade-deadline-fanduel-sportsbook-01fbyhf3j51r

Doubt the Cubs wouldn’t have had their doctors completely cleared Madrigal medically

Stoney is the White Sox baseball analyst, its his job basically to analyze the team. It’s probably fine. Just too soon for some. Although the Sox may not appreciate the draft crack.

I have always felt the same way. Not that I didn’t like him

Cubs get outfielder Alexander Canario and a pitcher Caleb Killian

If this works….

Colonoscopy is a good name for this guy

Madrigal wasn’t the straw that stirred the drink, but underrated was how he keeps the team loose by always running his mouth lol

The Nasty Boys got nothing on us?

Fair enough. But many things happen in baseball that are far from guaranteed. Teams try things out.

Crow went too low in the draft

The Dodgers can’t be beat. The effort is nice but likely futile sad to say.

The Sox still would have a couple huge trade pieces next year to recoup. 2 elite closers is a lot of flexibility.

Ok yeah Bart. The Cubs would have the middle of the field locked up in the future with Bart, Madrigal, Hoerner and the Crow kid.

Were the Giants the team shopping Joey Bart?

I have mixed feelings. I like to see the aggression. And the system can overcome the loss. Im not that sure about getting full value for Madrigal, and we can’t beat the Dodgers now anyway.

Things change, that was a snapshot. He can get better. Nothing says he can’t. He now hits like a second baseman anyway. Burger, Moncada, TA and Abreu is a slugging infield to rival any. The e lineup is what needs more juice. This is an easy way to do it.