JUSTgottaBELIEVE

Because we already have many other threads declaring the season a failure. Didn’t see the need for another. But feel free to start one.

As I said in the previous post, feel free to start your “comprehensive” list that omits Cueto in another thread.

I agree they should have signed Harper but that’s not on Hahn. That’s on Jerry. Let’s be honest, Jerry would never sign off on a mega deal like Harper or Machado or Betts.

I did. I started this thread. You can take your list to a different thread if you’d like.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/white-sox-sign-johnny-cueto-to-minor-league-deal.html Had a deal in place well before opening day. Disqualifying Cueto from this list is funny.

Where’s Cueto?

Who were all these obvious upgrades you speak of? You mentioned Gausman and Schwarber. Those two alone cost $40M this season and a heck of a lot more after this season. And that’s if you somehow pick two of the top performing free agents from last offseason, which no one does. Even with those two on the roster this season, the team is only marginally better.

They’re better this year than the guys in those positions last year. Again, if we are going to compare to last year, Lynn, Moncada, Grandal, and Giolito are far bigger problems as they are nowhere near last season’s level. Heck, even if they were just slightly worse than last year this is a 50+ win team today that’s running away with the division.

It doesn’t matter if Cueto was part of the original plan or not. Bottom line is he was signed in the offseason and he’s been just as good as Gausman for far less money. I didn’t see people salivating for Schwarber last offseason. That’s simply Monday morning quarterbacking.

Some people complaining about the lack of big name upgrades last offseason fail to acknowledge the available options weren’t very good. Signing Story/Baez for $140M or Semien for $175M? No thanks!

Yes, I’ll take Pollock over Goodwin and Harrison over Madrigal this season.

Clearly, Kelly has the stuff to be a plus setup guy and I’m sure that’s why they signed him. He just has had little to no command. Hopefully his last couple outings are a step in the right direction. If he figures it out, a backend of Kelly, Lopez , Graveman, and Hendriks is elite regardless of what Bummer does.

But how have those guys disappointed? It’s not just about age. Some of the younger guys like Eloy, Moncada, and Giolito have been some of the biggest disappointments this season. They should all be “in their prime” based on their age.

How have old guys like Cueto, Hendriks, Graveman, and Abreu been a waste of money? They’ve been the best players on the team this season.

They improved 2b and RF. Filled Rodon’s departure with Cueto. What other glaring needs were there? This season has been far more about the failure of the veterans that were already on the roster than the failure of the offseason. If Moncada, Grandal, Lynn, and Giolito were anywhere close to last season’s performances, this would be a 50-55 win team today.

Time to take a look at the offseason acquisitions as we approach the All Star Break. Despite popular belief, they haven’t been bad and overall I’d give Hahn a B- on these acquisitions. Joe Kelly (-0.8 bWAR): F No way to sugarcoat it. He’s been either hurt or bad for most of the season. The stuff is there but the control isn’t. Hopefully he finds his control in the second half. AJ Pollock (0.0 bWAR) C- He’s been surprisingly healthy but the power is lacking this season. Hard to grade much lower considering they were able to dump Kimbrel in this deal. Vince Velasquez (0.0 bWAR): C He was a cheap signing and been about what you’d expect. Ate some valuable innings early in the season when it was desperately needed. Josh Harrison (1.1 bWAR): B- Started the season slow at the plate but coming on of late. Has been great defensively all season and provided much needed versatility when everyone was hurt. Has solidified 2b position for this team. Reese McGuire (0.6 bWAR): B Has been the perfect backup catcher. Plays solid defense and calls a good game behind the plate. An ideal postseason catcher due to his plus D. Kendall Graveman (1.0 bWAR) A- Has been exactly what the Sox needed from a setup guy. He’s even closed games in a pinch. Basically, he’s been everything that Kimbrel should have been. Johnny Cueto (2.3 bWAR): A+ Most fans here disliked this signing at the time but he’s been terrific. Perhaps the best signing of ANY team last offseason. He’s filled in for Rodon’s starting slot at a fraction of the cost. The guy is an absolute bulldog and winner.

Mr. Consistent even in his mid 30s. Special, under-appreciated player

Despite all the noise around him, Abreu just keeps doing his thing. His third highest wRC+ of his career at age 35 nonetheless.

Bring back all the former Sox closers. Colome and Robertson should come cheap next month.

Mentioned it recently but the offseason acquisitions are really starting to come around. Big energy and pollock starting to hit. Cueto has been amazing. Graveman has been good. VV and McGuire have been serviceable and hopefully Kelley is the next to turn it around.

@caulfield12 can finally believe in this team again :)

If they win one of the next two games it’s time to believe in this team again

As bad as the offseason moves looked a month ago they’re coming around now. Cueto is been great. Graveman has been very good. Pollock has been hitting much better of late. McGuire has been a solid #2 catcher. Kelly is TBD because he hasn’t been healthy but hopefully finally healthy. VV has been passable as a 5th starter/long reliever. Heck, even Harrison has been coming around at the plate and has played solid D all season.

Cueto sporting a 2.95 ERA in 42.2 IP this season. That’ll work.

Why are four games in the middle of June the magical threshold for believing again? Even if they win 2/4 you’ll move the goalposts again and say it doesn’t mean anything until they pass Cleveland and Minnesota in the division blah blah blah.