Lip Man 1

You can argue that JR's "policy" is right or wrong, but the reality is the other teams in MLB ARE willing to do it, they take the risk and a lot of times it does work out where said pitcher helps get them to the post season for a few years. What's the alternative then especially given JR's publicly stated "policy" against paying for "potential?" (As evidenced by how productive the Sox minor league system has been) If there is a third option between this rock and a hard place I'd like to hear it. You want to win? Then you have to take risks but remember this is the guy who said this: "Sports is a business of failure but the fact that you finish second or third or fourth it doesn’t mean you had a bad year." At this point in time I'd be thrilled if the Sox could even come close to finishing second with a decent record but that's not happening.

Problem is JR's attitude towards pitchers and contracts.

It's a typo, it happens. Nothing along the lines of what ESPN has done over the years.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/chicago-white-sox-2024-season-preview-projected-lineup-rotation-and-how-long-until-dylan-cease-gets-traded/

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/wizards-best-path-to-new-arena-in-virginia-blocked-by-lawmakers/

Certainly the White Sox can.... but they refuse to do things like that because it runs counter to the organizational philosophy under JR. I would think history has made this obvious to everyone.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/07/adjustment-at-plate-ignites-hot-start-for-eloy-jimenez

Saw this in the Washington Post this morning: Va. lawmakers to remove arena from budget, blocking Youngkin’s best shot for it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/06/virginia-arena-budget-removed-youngkin/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3cfd8ae%2F65e9f6ed0fa79a3a2e7f89b2%2F656f5633386724493aa28bcb%2F29%2F54%2F65e9f6ed0fa79a3a2e7f89b2

Very, very true.

I hope JR is forced to pay his fair share as well but he can just as easily say no, period, end of story. Then what? I think eventually he will give in and hold his nose and pay something but he is pretty stubborn and arrogant. The time element is also in play, I don't expect this to be settled for another few years at least, it's possible, (though unlikely) MLB has already awarded the Nashville franchise to Dave Stewart and TLR by then. That story in Sports Illustrated last month, maybe two months ago, outlined in detail how far along talks between Manfred and Stewart have progressed. How MLB badly wants a franchise primarily owned and staffed with minority hires. If Nashville is off the table, JR's threat disappears like mist in the wind.

Since when has Grifol not said a clown thing? ? But i don't react as strongly to this comment. Kopech in my opinion has been given a lot of rope over the past few years, he hasn't produced, he's had injuries of course but there also seems to be a lot of off the field intrigue going on as well, not as bad as Anderson but enough to make the tabloids. Basically it's time for him to put up or shut up. So let's see how he reacts under this "pressure" from Grifol. In all likelihood he'll still be in the rotation.

Nor should it be, at least not yet.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/06/with-nothing-imminent-on-trade-front-white-sox-draw-closer-to-an-opening-day-with-dylan-ce

Nothing has really changed yet despite the massive overhaul. Toki is having a rough spring to say the least.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/03/06/bears-white-sox-financial-partners-jerry-reinsdorf-george-mccaskey-new-stadiums-taxes

If a new banner is done how about showing what truly reflects what this organization is:

I could care less if players are happy, sad, pensive, combative, reclusive or any adjective you want to name. I want players who produce and win.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2024/03/05/white-sox-bears-public-subsidies-stadiums-the-78-lakefront-related-midwest-editorial

I think Rich said it was a Letter to the Editor defending JR, calling Bill Veeck to account and saying if fans don't come out and support the team and if JR doesn't get they new stadium they are moving to Nashville. Just a few points, and I consider Rich a friend and an excellent Sox historian: It should be noted that he worked for Veeck but quickly soured on the man and the way he did business which naturally influences his opinions. When I did a deep interview with Rich for White Sox Interactive back in 2004 or so he was saying the same thing about how they were going to move because of lack of support. Obviously that hasn't happened.

You must not have seen the stories today. Knebel said he had a "setback" (no details given) but won't be ready for opening day. Merkin said the same thing is his fluff piece today.

And who is to say if that were to happen Soroka and Kopech wouldn't be traded either.

As Joe Madden used to say, "Try not to suck." Don't lose 100 games. Develop some players at all levels. Avoid injuries and hope to trade your best players for good prospects at the deadline. Fire Pedro Grifol by Memorial Day.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/05/closing-has-nice-ring-to-it-for-white-sox-prospect-jordan-leasure

True enough, valid point.