Lip Man 1

Some interesting comments from a top politician: https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2024/2/8/24066502/new-white-sox-stadium-the-78-related-midwest-state-funding-plan

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/2/8/24066633/white-sox-invite-26-to-spring-training

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/2/7/24065511/white-sox-spring-broadcast-schedule-includes-six-televised-games-ten-on-radio

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/2/7/24065603/new-white-sox-ballpark-south-loop-renderings-guaranteed-rate-field-soccer-stadium https://soxmachine.com/2024/02/rendering-judgments-on-a-new-white-sox-ballpark-in-chicagos-the-78/

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dylan-cease-trade-three-reasons-why-white-sox-would-be-foolish-to-keep-ace-past-opening-day/

I did not see your long post with so much information it made my head spin. And because I don't gamble frankly I could care less about any odds. Just sayin...

Pick the Sox dead last in the division going 65-97.

-- Jose Altuve, one of the most accomplished and popular players in Astros history and a cornerstone of a pair of World Series championship teams, will likely end his career in Houston. The star second baseman agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Astros on Tuesday, his third extension with Houston. The deal will start in 2025 and will take Altuve through his age-39 season. The deal is worth $125 million, including $30 million each season from 2025-27, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The club did not confirm the terms of the deal.

Very interesting comments from the Vegas Mayor: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/las-vegas-mayor-says-athletics-should-not-relocate-despite-plans-figure-out-a-way-to-stay-in-oakland/ "I personally think they've gotta figure out a way to stay in Oakland and make their dream come true."

After years of playing against his hometown team, Cincinnati native and utility player Josh Harrison has an opportunity to join the Reds. Harrison, a two-time All-Star, has agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with the Reds and will be in big league camp as a non-roster player -- it was announced by his agency, MSM. The club has yet to formally announce a deal.

History says if you are a Sox fan, "Hope for the best but expect the worst..."

Correct.

Let me have what he's drinking...I want to get loaded too!

As I wrote until he actually gets out there and performs we don't know what will happen will we? I've listed pitchers in the organization who recently had this issue and then had to be shut down and have surgery. Is past prologue? Not necessarily but it can be a real indication of what may come. Which is why I wrote that the Sox getting what they did given the uncertainties was a pleasant surprise to me.

This is true, they went to Selig and wanted the trade rescinded. Selig ruled the Sox acted in good faith and the onus was on Toronto. The whole deal was dubbed "Shouldergate." In fact Kenny Williams said that he warned Toronto about the injury and even offered (ironically) Jim Parque instead but they wanted Sirotka, (Ironic in the sense that Parque basically never pitched again either because of his injury suffered the same 2000 season)

Then why keep him? The team will be awful with him or without him, what's the difference between winning 60 games or 70 in the grand scheme of things? At least if you deal him you may (notice I said may) get some guys who could help you to go from 70 wins to 85 and then to 90 in time.

Toronto supposedly checked the medicals on Mike Sirotka as well back in 2001. How did that turn out? Doctors aren't infallible and neither are agents trying to make sure their clients get paid. Bottom line until Santos goes out there and shows he can pitch and for longer then a week or two, you simply don't know anything other than he was shut down in September for the dreaded "forearm soreness" which has shut down and led to TJS in countless pitchers including Rodon, Dunning and Martin for the White Sox in recent years. He may be perfectly OK...he may not. Again we simply don't know until he proves it do we? Which is why given his uncertain status I'm surprised the Sox got what they did for him (and I'm pleased they did.)

Given that Santos may not even be pitching this year I'm pleasantly surprised the Sox got what they did for him.

The world may never know. ?

And given his "forearm soreness" that shut him down in September he could also be heading for TJS.

Hey Nicky Lopez says it was a great signing! (LOL ?) Lopez also is keeping a list of all the "negative" comments and predictions for the team this year to use as "motivation" in the clubhouse.

https://awfulannouncing.com/sinclair/diamond-sports-group-reaches-deal-with-rangers-guardians-twins-to-air-games-this-season.html

The other side writes: https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2024/2/3/24057114/white-sox-the-78-guaranteed-rate-bridgeport-urban-planning-35th-street-lee-bey-architecture

https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-santana-contract-with-twins

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2024/2/2/24057664/white-sox-dylan-cease-understands-the-business-that-has-him-in-limbo