caulfield12

It's not because of past deals... it's because payroll is too high again compared to attendance. Granted, the #12 payroll in baseball has been terribly misallocated. Not the fault of fans when the team isn't even close to mediocre. They have one of the best sweetheart media rights deals in MLB in terms of per game revenues (partly due to owning their network), but are really suffering in terms of sponsorships and selling ads based upon projected 2021-22 playoff/contending seasons (and the forecasted generation of much higher tv ratings than the lows faced from 2016-2019 during the rebuild.)

"The year 2008 marked the end of the organization’s 18-year rent-free agreement with Illinois. The team would only pay a standard clear-cut $1.5 million in property taxes. Reinsdorf was allowed to keep all money grossed in concessions, parking, tickets and so on. This new deal negotiated the terms that the White Sox would begin to pay a base rent to the state of Illinois. The amount they would pay was agreed to be based on annual attendance number. If 1.9 million fans or more attended, Reinsdorf would have to pay somewhere between $3-9 per ticket sold that year." https://southsideshowdown.com/2019/02/22/white-sox-exposing-jerry-reinsdorf/ Note: they did have to pay the state of Illinois back last year for selling over 1.9 million tickets...it was just over 2 million, but they will do lucky to get 1.5 million this year and it might even fall into the 1.40-1.45 million range, compared to 1.6 million in 2021. Before 2008, there was a clause in the contract to pay the Sox if attendance fell below 800,000... but that was never collected upon. Also, a $6.9 million bill for the Stadium Club restaurant subsidized by taxpayers.

Alderson Epstein Beane...? But those were more team presidents vs. active GMs... like KW today.

When is the last MLB to resign by choice???...obviously not counting situations like Houston and Atlanta

What good is Grandal in a rebuild when he's not very good defensively...game calling...throwing out runners? Middleton and Santos would have to pitch well for 2-3 months in a row with their spotty track records. Much better to trade guys like Bummer Kelly Lopez (FA) and Graveman. Middleton Lambert Santos are the exact types you rebuild with because they're so cheap. Anderson could be traded after the season or next deadline... but he has much more value for 2 playoff fans than just one. See Juan Soto...theoretically part of three postseason runs, hence the huge return in prospect depth. Obviously he was a Top Ten talent in the game... Anderson barely a Top Ten SS.

And a World Series three years later behind Cabrera and Verlander.

Benintendi Anderson Zavala and Andrus just killing Sox lineup...

They drove Lambert into the ground. He was one of the best Sux relievers in April.

Of course Abreu even gets a hit now. Ron will be quite upset about that.

Montoyo former Jays' manager.

Ruiz Colas Romy Sosa lol...

Alvarez 113.8 loud out.

Boooooo!!! Only crowd energy tonight calling Bregman a cheater lol. Pathetic to just give up already.

Benintendi didn't even try to cut that ball off at the wall... but no arm to stop runners from the fence anyway.

Dubon the right type of veteran that Hahn can never identify. Estrada on SF another example. Bummer going in a game already lost. Wouldn't be available for Alvarez Tucker later or tmrw.

When Maldonado gets a hit you know you're in trouble. Machete with 8 hits in 8 games. Second ER for Santos on the year.

Zavala bailed out with runner on first... would have been a passed ball.

Altuve Correa Brantley Astros throw out a 5-7 run output...very fortunate to have Abreu on his last legs instead.

Surprised he didn't sneak it in during the rain delay with two friendly local reporters and nobody from Philly/out of town or national.

Woeful. Haseley had his one big offensive game of the season already. (The Phillies then went out and signed Bryce Harper after Herrera/Williams/Haseley all flopped.)

Andrus has to work the pitcher a bit more in such a key at-bat. Sigh.

Sheets is horrible to watch when he's on a cold streak... because you just know that outfield defense will reach out and bite them. Zavala had his one decent 3/4 season of offense and now that has evaporated, too. Better score here.

Well, even bigger problem is that we don't even have a potential fifth starter with Martin out.

At least we don't have to watch Abreu for another three seasons on that contract. The one big blessing so far.

Have to feel for all those fans waiting out a two hour rain delay in this weather for such a terrible game.