Lip Man 1

There appears to be a lot of circumstantial evidence that it did play a factor.

I have been doing a project for the White Sox that requires part of it to comb through the Sports Illustrated / Chicago newspaper vaults digging up history and historical situations. I found a number of direct quotes from sources, from media members and surprising JR himself that if not 100% confirm the "theory" that he signed Belle out of spite, it strongly indicates it. JR for one example is quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying, "If baseball wasn't going to look out for the benefit of all teams, I'm going to look out for the benefit of the White Sox." The story then went on to quote him as saying he asked Frank Thomas, "who would you rather have, Bonds or Belle?" Frank said Belle and the Sox went after him. Someone can possibly correct me on this but I think the only owners who voted against the labor settlement in the spring of 1995 were JR and the Reds Marge Schott. (They may also have abstained from voting, I don't remember.) And of course you had Jay Mariotti showing up (for a change) at the press conference and attempting to badger JR by shouting things out to him in a question form along the lines of, "you signed him to spite the other owners didn't you?" The other owners certainly thought something was up because soon afterwards JR was removed from the committee that advised the Commissioner on all labor matters. The Sports Illustrated stories that I've found also quote other owners / G.M.'s (anonymously) as saying they couldn't believe that JR, being so strongly anti-union and wanting to have a hard salary cap would then do a 180 and sign Belle to that type of contract. Especially after he helped push baseball to the situation where the rest of the regular season and post season was cancelled.

Would be nice to get SOMEBODY to allow them to start being relevant again in their own home market. We'll see what happens. Maybe we will all be very pleasantly surprised.

According to MLB.com these are the players who did NOT receive qualifying offers from their teams: A's: Jed Lowrie, 2B; Jonathan Lucroy, C Astros: Charlie Morton, RHP; Marwin Gonzalez, UTIL; Evan Gattis, DH Braves: Nick Markakis, OF Brewers: Wade Miley, LHP Cardinals: Bud Norris, RHP Cubs: Justin Wilson, LHP D-backs: Daniel Descalso, INF Giants: Hunter Pence, OF Indians: Andrew Miller, LHP; Michael Brantley, OF; Cody Allen, RHP; Lonnie Chisenhall, OF. More > Orioles: Adam Jones, OF Padres: Freddy Galvis, SS Rangers: Adrian Beltre, 3B Red Sox: Joe Kelly, RHP Rockies: Adam Ottavino, RHP; DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Carlos Gonzalez, OF Yankees: CC Sabathia, LHP

In my opinion KW, Rick and the baseball side of the front office are not the people to finish this job. That may be unfair to them but as mentioned the track record and the issues taking place during the early stages of the rebuild speak for themselves. I simply think "accountability" needs to be brought into the forefront of the organization. Winning matters...period. End of story. Not necessarily loyalty, friendship or any of the other traits that are currently more in vogue. I'm not saying those aren't important especially in today's world where that is in short supply but it needs to be moved into a proper perspective.

More tonight from Fegan on Burdi: "Burdi's goal for AFL was to get back on a normal work schedule, so this is a disappointing development, even if a strong spring training can render it moot." A fan asked, "Heard his velocity is way down. Reason to worry or more of him building it back up?" "It's been 93-95, so between that and running into fatigue, it's fair to be concerned."

Balta: Given the fact that most athletes keep themselves in the best physical condition possible, I don't automatically assume that guys all "fall off the cliff" as soon as they hit early 30's. Nelson Cruz for example has hit more home runs than anybody the past four years and he's about to turn, I think, 37. My point is, depending on the price, there are times you need to take a risk. Given his success and his post season experience (assuming the Sox are actually in a position to make the post season in a few years), he is worth the gamble to me. Look if this organization can take a chance on a broken down stiff like James Shields, they can probably afford to take a shot on a guy who at least he's shown better performance. Just my opinion.

If you are going to try to start reinforcing the rotation for 2020, 2021, then Keuchel. Short term? Sanchez or Gio.

Ozzie signed a deal, he signed it. Nobody put a gun to his head and it was the TIMING of his outburst right before that faithful Detroit series, at home, I believe in August 2011. The very last shot for the Sox to get back into it and he shoots his mouth off in the dugout before the first game to the media saying how "without a contract extension and more money" he didn't know if he would / could come back. WTF? You think JR didn't blow a gasket over that one? Remember earlier I think it was in 2010, when the Sox were in Washington, JR held a rare press conference in D.C, where he said he called both men into his office and told them to "tone the stuff down" (paraphrasing) yes he obviously sided with KW but he also was trying to have the organization at least not look like a bunch of first graders. I thank Ozzie for a great job early in his career but what he did is unforgivable, period, to me. And let's not forget that he started to believe his press clippings about how much of a "genius" he was. He's a smart guy but let's not confuse him with Al Lopez, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox or Walter Alston shall we?

I agree you are going to need vets to get you over the top look specifically at the Cubs and Astros but I'm not convinced A. Garcia, a guy who admitted one year he was out of shape, who continues to have issues defensively and who just can't stay healthy is the answer. Especially with so many up and coming outfield prospects. They'll probably keep him this year because frankly who the hell would want him right now, but he's not the short or long term answer in my opinion.

Why were their rumors / reports of the Sox trying to get Machado this year in a rebuilding season when he was about to become a free agent? Who knows how this front office thinks? I don't say it's likely or even the smart move, just saying I don't think the odds are completely zero if they really think they could get him and extend him.

I think perhaps a more outside the box proposal would be would the Sox make a play for Paul Goldschmidt and let Jose' go?

Saw a piece at the MLB.com com site on the biggest off season needs tonight. For the Sox they said pitching...two starters and two relief pitchers. They listed three guys as potential targets: Dallas Keuchel, Anibal Sanchez and Gio Gonzales.

Thought this would be a good place to put things: Yankees reportedly "lukewarm" on Machado after antics: https://www.sny.tv/yankees/news/sour...hado/299924774 Yankees don't think Harper is a good fit: https://www.sny.tv/yankees/news/sour...rper/299926808 Latest on the other big free agents: https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-2019-m...?tid=282421090 Goldschmidt news: https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-goldsc...?tid=282421090

I thank him for his time with the White Sox. I can't forgive him for literally quitting on the team complaining about the length of his contract and the money involved. Nagging his way out of a deal he signed. I wish him well as long as he is not back in the organization. Sorry. He crossed a red line in my book and you can't forgive that.

Happy for Sale and for Dave Dombrowski, who got his start as an unpaid intern under Roland Hemond with the Sox and has basically had success every where he went after Hawk foolish fired him.

With Harper I'm guessing the Phillies or Nationals myself. We'll see.

Because I personally don't believe either Harper or Machado has even the slightest interest in the White Sox unless...unless the Sox offer is significantly and highly over the top compared to other club offers. Teams that can actually win now (not potentially in two-three years), have large scale marketing opportunities for said player (the Sox are so far off the board in Chicago they basically don't even register) and present an environment that is stable in the relative long term (say the next three to five years. With the age of JR, should new ownership come into play, who knows what could happen to the franchise) those are the teams I think they will listen to. Yea JR understands but it's not up to him. It takes two to make a deal and I just don't think those guys basically care a tinker's cuss (ya like that phrase? LOL) right now about the White Sox.

The odds are tremendously titled towards that happening unfortunately.

Scott Merkin in his mailbag column at the White Sox web site in response to a question about Girardi said he thought Hahn was going to sign Renteria to a two year extension although he said it may have to be done before this season moves along since if the Sox lose 90-100 games again it could be hard to justify it. Quoted Cooper as saying this is the most prepared staff he's been around in 18 years.

I thought some signing and announcements were permitted during off days in the post season. I could be wrong though.

I think Sox fans by and large are still supportive and on-board with the rebuild. But their patience won't last forever, progress needs to be starting to show in 2019, certainly by 2020 or they'll be leaving the bandwagon in droves and this also comes from a member of the front office when I discussed this point with them. They agree with that conclusion.

Part of the issue is the fact that often they'll come out of nowhere and have a good season but don't follow up on it to keep the momentum going the next season or two or when they have been expected to do well, they fall right on their collective faces. That's been an on-going issue for years and I go into detail on this point in my historical series called "Sox and the Media..." As others have said the way to help solve the attendance issues are to consistently be competitive. Not necessary make the playoffs three years in a row (or five out of seven, although God knows that would be huge...) or have eight straight winning seasons but honestly have a realistic chance. You can't have a winning season one year, then tank for three years, have another two winning seasons, then fall apart for four. You can't build a fan or advertiser base that way. Recent history: Sox have had nine losing seasons in the last 12 years Sox haven't had consecutive winning seasons since 2003-2006 Sox have made the playoffs one time since the start of the 2006 season (even with expanded playoffs) Anyway you cut it, that's tough to overcome.

With respect I think Covey is a known commodity and it's not good.

Even better. The earlier you deal him in theory the more you can get back since the team getting him has him for a longer period of time. 2019 is probably to early yet but I can certainly see him moved in 2020, especially if the Sox rebuild still hasn't produced tangible results in the win / loss column.