caulfield12

White Sox (2-8) with split squad games against Brewers, home and away Perez vs. Tobias Myers (former Charlotte pitcher) 2 pm Bryse Wilson (former Brewer) vs. Peralta 2 pm Padres (3-8) vs. Rockies

It's going to have to be another of these "threatening the 2024 White Sox/1962 expansion Mets" seasons in terms of ineptitude to get him to finally capitulate...more signs at the ballpark/media and fan pressure, because "Sell the Team" doesn't quite work for signs and chants if he's already technically done that. More like, "relinquish control of the team!"...but that's not exactly an exciting/exhilarating chant now, is it?

What I mean is we should be looking for the type of players who at least theoretically COULD BE options down the line for when the team's decent again. Thinking here of guys in the past like an Alejandro de Aza or Daniel Palka (defense was too poor, too much hit and miss) or whatever were rewarded with available playing time (in the past) for these two upcoming seasons. If we admit to ourselves that none of the current options on the 40 man roster...and none of the veterans (other than MAYBE Benintendi) will still be around after July 2026... Veras, Tatum, Mitchell, etc., seemingly aren't legitimate options. Maybe maybe Baldwin if he's not yet found a home in the middle infield...? George Wolkow's probably another year behind Braden, thinking mid to late 2028 coming from his raw Midwest high school profile. Of course, he could just as easily end up at 1B. Andre Lipcius is one of the few hitters early this spring that's been impressive, but he's more of an infielder at this point. And he's already 26...so a bit of a long shot for the corners based on previous profile. positions 3B (224) ... 2B (156) ... 1B (127) ... LF (15) ... SS (9) ... dh (2) ... RF (1) Bonemer if someone holds SS consistently at the major league level before he's ready?

I guess I was going back to the 2001-02 when the Commissioner's office was (first) threatening the Twins with contraction. The process of getting the stadium built started from that point, culminating in 2010 and then all those consecutive losses to the Yankees in the post-season, haha. And the (sort of) end of lots of traumatic losses by the White Sox to the Twins up there.

The concern is being AT LEAST semi-competitive in late 2026 and then a .500ish team going into 2027. Braden Montgomery is the ONLY solution at this point that will address the future. But that's a long two years. All those names (other than Baldwin, maybe) are completely irrelevant. And next year (2026) they need to up their win total into the 60's or low 70's...they'll have another year where all they can do is draft in the 10-15 range anyway. This year, playing for the best possible draft position DOES make sense.

They could probably get Acuna or Baty or whoever for taking on the Marte contract...and we actually need another outfielder, in all likelihood, but that will never happen if JR's still calling the shots. He'll more than likely be happy to get some 80-120 range MiLB prospect back for Robert...just for the cost savings.

I might almost hate (the better word at this point is detest, I guess) Reinsdorf...but Russian nerve agents are probably not the answer. Or jokes about them.

The point of the matter is SOMEONE has to play if Taylor, Benintendi and Slater are out... Who's left? Robert might be traded any day, you have Tauchman Fletcher and Colas left to fill 2-3 spots. Pretty much nobody is left in the scouting world believing in either Fletcher or Colas. Baldwin to the OF? Behind that, Veras? Drury, I guess could play RF or LF in an emergency but that wouldn't be ideal. Gallo looks cooked. Mitchell hasn't impressed. Terrell Tatum, I guess. Surely we can do better than THAT, at least.

Well, even Julks and DeLoach are still around, that's a bit mystifying...obviously, more for AAA depth/filler, but you think could find SOMEONE/ANYONE better on the waiver wire. Worst case, it's simply a change of scenery trade. Mitchell's not doing anything so far, and Veras has looked pretty terrible...just no quality depth in the OF until you get to Braden Montgomery.

De la Cruz ripped a homer on a 98 MPH fastball. oops his fastball is not an elite weapon compared to the offspeed stuff where he gets most of his swings and misses... turns out it was a DOUBLE instead finally has started throwing splitters (2) to Hays, called out on strikes....splitter, change, slider, cutter all showing up at 84-87 mph range a walk, 3 strikeouts, HBP, 2 hits....a mixed bag but no EARNED RUNS yet WP on a change-up moves runners up to 2nd and 3rd N.Marte popped on a 97.5 MPH fastball to end the inning....99.3 his best fastball so far, 35 pitches (but only 18 strikes)

Old friend Bryan Shaw appearance for the Reds...throwing 92-94. Sasaki 99 99 98 86 CH 97 98 85 CH 86 SL 99 99 86 SL 87.3 Cutter Not sure if they can track his forkball or not...or if he just hasn't used it yet. Following at mlb.com and not video. Elly de la Cruz vs. Sasaki should be fun...and Austin Hays has been playing well so far for the Reds

#2 is not exactly a marketer's dream of a name...

Sasaki pitching now...debut for ST. Expected to start later this month in Tokyo against the Cubs.

He could definitely still give up control before he dies...that has nothing to do with capital gains taxes and everything to do with officially designating a new "control person."

That's not a great ballpark. It's one of the more boring outdoor stadiums that I've been to. Just kind of blah/sterile. Not as bad as the Metrodome, obviously, but not much of a home field advantage either. Twenty year old stadium, it's another 10-15 years before they even THINK about replacing it...and the Twins' fanbase has grown so disenchanted with the Pohlads not spending past a certain point, there's just not nearly as much overall support there as for the Vikings or TWolves. The Twins' valuation was $1.5 billion...you've got a secondary media market, vs. the opportunity to build a new stadium in Chicago in the #3 media market, and come in as the "hero/savior" to a frustrated fanbase, it's a no-brainer as an investment to choose potential of the White Sox. Meanwhile, the Twins are saddled with the Correa and Buxton contracts....one of their starting pitchers at $15-20 million as well.

Dodgers' fans definitely speculating he would be the perfect fit over there...depending on prospect capital surrender. They get to watch him on a daily basis in Glendale...after all. And they really don't have a clear CF right now...really looks like Edman will play second.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/whitesox/ #16-20 are quite interesting... Oh how Nastrini has fallen. And Eder. And Burke feels low compared to his upside... Something like 13 out of the top 26 guys from outside the organization and added in the last two years.

Why not...?

Were the Suns a distressed asset?

White Sox could take on Marte contract and a prospect but JR is still in charge as far as we know...

"Ishbia’s seem like they try, have a lot of money and make stupid emotional decisions that screw it all up." Direct quote from my grad school mate who has worked in the NBA since 1993 (Orlando, Seattle, Milwaukee, Atlanta).

"Old Aches and Pains" Slater

And they've sold out all available season tickets in Sacramento this season already. (Shout out to Guy Pearce in Memento/The Brutalist)

Done with Veras too. No plus tools from him either.

Sharp contact to center but two outs and Veras up Dalbec on deck.