Dick Allen

I'm not being naive. If you thought the 2005 team could be really good before they played a game and thought a bullpen counting on Politte, Cotts, Vizcaino and Hermanson with their track records, was very solid, there aren't many White Sox teams you could think didn't have a chance of being very good. They won in 2005, they deserved to win in 2005, but they got performances no one could see coming, and a few no one would ever see again out of multiple pitchers. Not to mention a ball going through Graffinino's legs and perhaps the most improbable El Duque performance away from being a typical White Sox playoff team bowing out in the first round.

Not saying that at all, just challenging Balta's claim that he knew the 2005 White Sox had a great offseason are were ready for a championship. Gio/Lynn are the equivalent of Buehrle/Garcia coming into the season. Cease is at least what Garland was. Kopech is at least what you thought you could get out of El Duque, and Kuechels 2021 ERA is similar to Contreras' ERA in 2004. Only Balta knew what Contreras was about to become. The bullpen is much deeper projection-wise. Hermanson, Politte, Cotts....did you see their careers before 2001? Vizcaino, Marte were alright, but before the season started in 2005, on paper, this staff blows that one out of the water, as does the line up. I think they needed to do more things this year, because almost everything going right hardly ever happens, but on paper, the 2022 Opening Day White Sox destroy the on paper 2005 Opening Day White Sox.

Their bench was pretty pathetic actually. Timo, Ross Gload, Pablo Ozuna, Willie Harris. The bench was such a concern, Blum was acquired and he sucked until 1 AB. . And how deep were they really on the pitching side? They were at closer where Shingo bombed, but Hermanson was great until he got hurt, and then Jenks. But they had few injuries. If this year's White Sox team was guaranteed to have 6 guys only start games, I;m pretty sure they are going to be very successful.That team was blessed, which was great for all of us. I also believe the analytics at the time had them projected a lot closer to last place than first. If you liked the back end of that bullpen prior to the season beginning, how can you not love this year's version? This year's team is so much better on paper than that team was before the season began, it's almost a joke.

So you knew Politte and Cotts were going to have career years. That Dustin Hermanson would be nails until he couldn't pitch, but the minor leaguer they would get on waivers could and would save the day. That the Contreras with the mid 5's ERA that the Yankees dumped, only to have him pitch the same with the White Sox in 2004 would become an ace. That the 4.89 ERA for Garland in 2004 was all the sign you needed to know he was a championship quality rotation piece, and that the who has any idea how old El Duque would overcome his 2004 injuries and be a solid #5. You knew that even though he was non tendered by SF, that AJP was just what every team needed. You knew that Iguchi wasn't going to be Kaz Matsui. And knew that Jermaine Dye's cumulative -0.2 WAR for the 2002-2004 seasons was WS MVP stuff. How is it teams aren't offering you 8 figures a year to make them champions? That team had amazing performances out of a lot of guys who couldn't have been expected to be that good, and amazing health. Used only 6 pitchers to start games the entire season. I know it tied a record then. I don't think anyone has come close since.

Yes the Sox shouldn't have picked up Kimbrels option but people are putting way too much importance in his first outing of the spring. He was throwing 94. So what? Hendriks was at 94 his first outing. I'd like to see them peak when the games count. Not when it doesn't matter and they are working on mechanics. Spring Training stats are meaningless unless you are a fringe gut trying to make a team. And with how spring training went down this year, even less than the normal meaningless.

Its just the way the treated Black Jack. Make the situation so contentious, they don't get buried by the fanbase when they give him away.

There is no doubt in my mind he being the player rep played a lot into this. They will dump him in the offseason, or if things go wrong, at the deadline.

Eloy sporting some gold.

That should make the Sox very interested.

Make sure the explosion is on youtube.

Robert, Eloy,TA, Yaz, Abreu, Leury, Engel,Moncada, all miss time with injuries, and the White Sox are shocked.

Yes, he should spend some of the IRS' money. I'm sure he's planned very well, but they are getting some.

Remember a few years ago when Courtney Hawkins lit it up in Spring Training? That was awesome. These games mean nothing. The players know it. I guess it's better to look good than bad though. But I wouldn't put much stock in any of these results, especially with the late start and quick ramp up. The minor leaguers who had been working out and playing, have a clear advantage right now, and will probably look better than they are.

Probably nothing, but if Pollack has a sore back, is in his mid 30s, and gets hurt a lot, that sounds like the type of player the White Sox front office has targeted this offseason.

You don't pick up his option. He had a $1 million buyout. Dumb move.

They are like a guy with a bad toupee. They don't want to admit it, but everyone already knows.

I was talking buy out Kimbrel at $1 million earlier. Save $15 million. Spend it towards a younger, better player, that fits your needs.

Yeah, I don't understand it. Buy out Kimbrel and sign Conforto who is much younger than Pollack and LH. I guess that makes too much sense.

The offseason has been awful, but I'll be excited as soon as the real games begin. Even if they do nothing else.

I don't know if they will have them this year, but they used to have bleachers and brews. $25 for a bleacher seat and 2 Buds. Not bad.

Yeah, I would think if the Sox had an offer that was acceptable, they would take it. Sitting on 3 for days makes little sense which how fragile pitchers can be.

The last game of the regular season, Leury screwed up in RF also. I find it almost unbelievable how the Sox have not addressed their needs. They are acting like the playoffs are already made, and they are sitting pretty. History shows us otherwise. Put the best team on the field you can, just once.

I like this. Or make it the Sox can up the remaining salary a certain amount or he can opt out. That is what they did with Albert Belle. It worked out great for JR.

Wouldn't surprise me if the numbers you mentioned is what he signs for, but Boras will want opt outs.

Maybe we should stop. It's turning out like most movies, each sequel sucks even more.