caulfield12

With all the uncertainty about TLR and Abreu and Giolito, it seems like this would be the biggest move that Jerry Reinsdorf could possibly make to demonstrate his commitment to the White Sox competitive window and franchise in general. Send a signal to all of baseball he's going to play his entire career for the White Sox. Obviously, emotions are high after this weekend. We know all of his flaws on defense, losses of concentration/focus and his lack of walks. You can add hitting with RISP in the early going this year as well. BUT...BUT...BUT He's the heart of the team and the clear leader now, there's no question about it. The most high-profile national identity or recognition level as a player, as well. Far and away the most marketable player on the team. Heck, he already has his own mini-series/YouTube documentary, right? TA7 will turn 32 years old (June 2025), fwiw. 2 1/2 more years remaining on his current contract, including option years. The last time we had a similar situation, we kept Paul Konerko and jettisoned Mark Buehrle...but that was the TAIL END of the 2005 championship team's run, and the manager of that team was also leaving simultaneously under questionable (at best) circumstances. I'm going to argue that with a TA extension it has to be at least 6 years and roughly $200 million...although the White Sox might start discussions in the $175 range. If you're not planning to extend Lucas Giolito, and you want to show your commitment to a winner, you make this move. (That obviously doesn't mean JR will follow this advice and he might consider the "opportunity cost" of paying that out for an "aging" speed-based player too onerous. Whatever happens, it's going to play a massive role in determining the future of this organization, as the odds of retaining Luis Robert on his current trajectory are pretty much slim and none.)

And can anyone figure out what happened to Anderson's home run ball that went into the corn last August ended up? HoF? Or did a private fan/collector end up with it? Guess it probably somehow ended up with MLB and then Timmy?

Did he hit that ball in almost exactly the same place as the FoD game?

Who pitches the bottom of the 8th? Kopech or Ruiz?

Finally!

Just a normal ground ball to SS and they take the lead. Sigh. 26 runners left on base.

24-3 advantage or disadvantage of total runners left on base so far. My God. That might be an MLB record for disparity if they can't somehow pull it out.

The curse of the big Sox FA contract for position players. Dunn's first year, Grandal's third. Melky Cabrera really was worthless his first year, too.

Torres should have set his feet instead of hurrying the throw. Great stop though.

What a shock...seemd like everyone on the team has to miss time or starts this year. When they return they can't hit like Pollock Vaughn and Moncada. Robert took some time to get his stroke back. Almost a great play by Torres but Rizzo couldn't make the scoop.

But can we score off Loiasaga? No Green anymore but they also have Clay Holmes back there.

Can clearly see the potential for a great playoff rotation if we can ever get the offense untracked. You would think beating up on the Tigers in the coming months might get them out of it.

Classic Jose Quintana support lines. Sousa warning up over Bummer...

Can't blame him for not going to Bummer. Florian just came up due to Covid IL from Scranton.

There's trouble here, Sheree.

Why is Sheets still in the OF at this point in the game?

How many at bats with RISP tonight?

Struggles with RISP continue.

Brantly used to be on our roster for the briefest of times.

Getting through the first couple of innings unscathed was/is huge for both guys.

Alex Verdugo's with Benetti the best of the season so far.

That was a quick evaporation of that scoring opportunity.

Detroit KC Detroit when both teams are scuffling mightily...then they get to test themselves against the hated Yankees.

Had to have that one. Let's hope this weekend turns out to be the spark that gets this team up and out of their stupor. Going to need Kopech to pitch deep with the bullpen situation. Hendriks surely will want to get out there again, though. Kelly not exactly a favorite yet but he's starting to redeem himself, too.

All national baseball attention falls to tonight's game...Kopech Anderson and maybe Donaldson. Boone might end up sitting Donaldson or tackling the issue head on...we shall see.