SCCWS

Look at the NL East. That was just as bad a division as the AL Central. Yet the Braves survived and are in the Series.

Actually Kike got 2/$14 from Boston.

I will say that opponents can spot tipping and take advantage of it. However for the last month means 3-4 teams spotted it. If multiple teams spotted Cease tipping and the White Sox brain-trust didn't see it , we shouldn't be trusting those brains for too much.

Red Sox don't do a lot of hit and runs. In fact hit and runs are declining around baseball. https://thestadiumreviews.com/blogs/info/what-is-hit-and-run-baseball/

You have lost some off your fastball. Teams were trading for available Cubs in 2021 to bolster their playoff chances. Eloy and Cease were not acquired to bolster the White Sox 2017 Playoff chances. Quintana was acquired to bolster the Cubs playoff chances in 2017. In case you missed it the Cubs fell short .

I will add I think Smoltz is very knowledgeable. But it takes him 50 words to say what should take 10. That wasn't always the case. Probably why there is only 2 of them in the booth instead of 3

Balta-- His HR( 23) might be tarnished by Coors but 86 RBI are very good numbers for a 2B. Strikes out similar to Moncada but walks are low. Looks like he had a very good year defensively as you noted. I think they will need a better offer than you propose. Seems like he is a guy they will keep in a rebuild

I think McMahon would be a great addition. But you want to acquire guy who had WAR value similar to what Moncada had this season (but who makes less money) and a catcher. What would you trade w similar value? That package has a 6+ War w limited salary attached. My gut is McMahon is a keeper for them although I assume he needs a new contract.

Do not trade with the Cubs at the deadline. They are bad luck. Bryant SF, Rizzo NYY, and Kimbrel CWS all led their teams out of the playoffs.

But Mets, Tigers, Marlins are #2, #5, #7 in shift rate, Is that a coincidence?. But Cardinals at #26 and Brewers at #29 did not hinder their success. Tampa #16 and SF # 23 were not near the top of list and they had the best records in each league. Maybe it is not the number of times a team shifts but how good a team is at knowing when to shift.

The team had a very profitable year and JR is extremely loyal. JR will not fire Hahn.

But Hahn obviously decided Kimbrel was his number 1 deadline addition. He must have felt the Sox had a chance to win it all. So If Kimbrel is his top target, who do the Cubs want as the headliner? We heard names like Madrigal, Crochet, Vaughn and Kopech. Of those 4, I would have chosen Madrigal or Crochet. Especially since he wouldn't have played in this year's playoffs, Madrigal probably over Crochet. But obviously the Cubs also influenced the pick. We will see if it was a mistake or not

I think you missed the key point. When Moncada slid into the stands on the foul pop , there was an extended delay. When play resumed , Gio seemed to struggle and TLR pulled him. After losing game 1, a quick hook was needed in Game 2. If they had won Game 1 , maybe you go longer w Gio in 2.

Never say never. If Madrigal ends up being a utility guy for Cubs that should convince you. If Kimbrel is a stud reliever for Sox next year and leads us to World Series win that should convince you. If Kimbrel implodes next year and Madrigal has a solid year w Cubs you will be correct the trade was dumb.

Or get hot at the right time. Look at the AL East. Tampa ran through the division all year. Boston was really hot then really cold and limped into the playoffs on the final day. Yankees struggled then got really hot and then died the last week and also limped in. Boston soundly beats NY gets embarrassed 1st game in Tampa and then blows out the Rays in 4. Many teams are streaky because many players are streaky. Boston and Houston are now going into a 7 game series. Two teams with very questionable starting pitching but both had very productive offenses which helped their patchwork pitching survive.

Agree. Marte would be perfect except he is 33. But he will fit our window of opportunity.

We hopefully have 2 solid power bats in the OF already. My choice would be a a guy who gets on base, has speed and above average defense. Basically a guy w high OBP who can steal 20+ and a plus defensive outfielder. 15 ish HR would be fine.

Just me, but Boston or Tampa Bay did not have the starting pitching for a 7 game series. I take Lynn and Gio over any two Boston will throw. But I am assuming Sale is not the real Chris Sale since he came back this late in year. Imagine Chris Sale starting Friday night at GRF.

Kopech bounces back but I think he is done for the night

Damn Altuve.

I found it strange that Crochet not Bummer was the first lefty in. Now maybe the match-up( i.e Alvarez) dictated Crochet despite his back-back issues. But Bummer was the gas can that Kimbrel eventually blew up.

No they will not. JR is probably very happy his team made the playoffs and attendance is up. I am sure the bottom line looks real good. If TLR wants to come back , JR will decide not Hahn.

As you say, we can't get rid of the whole team but Hahn assembled the whole team not TLR. So in the private sector Hahn would have been let go and a new GM hired. Now if the new GM has the final say on a manager, which Hahn didn't have, them maybe Hahn's replacement would get rid of TLR.

That was a Gio inning by Valdez