SCCWS

Good point about attendance. Bulls did not experience much of a decline with Butler leaving and they are a top draw. I found it interesting that a few posters mentioned the Chicago winters as a negative to attracting FA. Are they worst than Milwaukee and Toronto who are enjoying NBA success these days?

Not at all. I have no clue how actively involved JR is with either franchise. But from a distance, they both seem to have a similar blueprint. I do think it is interesting that both teams rank in the lower 3rd in salaries. Both have long-term employees in the front office. Both have what you would call "interim" managers. Both are in a rebuild. I only follow the Bulls because of Kris Dunn who I saw play many times at Providence.

Maybe there is no connection but I was wondering. Living in New England and Florida, I don't see/hear a lot of Chicago sports talk except from this site. New England and New York sports talk have been rampant this week with NBA draft and free agency talk and basball talk has been limited. Obviously there are a good number of NBA free agents up for grabs starting next week and rumors are rampant. Both the White Sox and Bulls rank in lower 20's in their respective leagues salary-wise. Maybe that is a coincidence. I was wondering if the Bulls approach to free agency( i.e. big name signing or plug holes) next week will be any indication of the White Sox approach next winter? Does JR seem to have an active touch with each team or is he now strictly a boardroom presence with each organization? Are the Bulls expected to jump up in salary by signing 1 or 2 big names next week?

I think you keep Colome. Finding a top closer is always a problem. If you think 2020 looks like a year to contend for a wildcard I think you have to keep him. If 2021 is the year, then that may be too long and you cash in this year. I am not sure Abreu has a lot of value in the AL since it looks like the division leaders are opening up distance. The big race may be Tampa /Boston against anyone who gets hot. If he has NL value as a !B then he may bring a decent prospect.

I agree if he comes up this fall. But Ray Ray wants him to come up right now. I think he needs more time in AA.

I agree. But I also remember Yoan Moncada. He also was having a very good minor league career but not w the numbers Roberts had. He was having a very good year in AA then hit a rough patch similar to the stretch Roberts has had. But the Red Sox needed a player and they called him up regardless and he bombed. He was back to the minors after 20 AB.

If you didn't make the 3 trades you probably couldn't tank. Most likely stumble and pick 10-12 but not pick top 5.

I was responding to you stating "Robert is young for his level and has been dominant all year". He was dominant for 30 games and then stumbled the next 12. So at this point the Sox might be better seeing how fast he bounces back before they consider calling him up.

Robert is hitting .158 this month so I think he needs more time in AA. But if he takes off again I agree he can skip AAA

I do hope the mentality of the FO becomes more aggressive. Teams like Houston, Boston, New York, LA are not afriad to see what they will get out of a player down the road. I have said the same thing about service time. When you become a competitor, service time also becomes a lesser concern. The Sox are not there yet but hopefully by 2021 we are signing players to win that year and are bringing up players who can help us win now rather than worry if it affects their service time. It is a different mentality with more risks taken when you hope to have long term success but make moves for short term success.

Eloy is the man in Chicago today, but we should not forget the outstanding pitching we received as well. Holding them to 1 run at home was getting it done.

I worry how much of a market there will be for him if the Sox want to trade. Not sure Boston, Houston, TB or New York would jump at him. Twins are running away so they may not give much. I think you have to hope an NL team that needs a bat will decide he is okay in the field to get by.

A 2nd tier guy who could be interesting. Rick Porcello has had an up and down career. Would not be a #1 but an interesting fact is he has pitched really well against the Twins in his career. Coming off making $20 mil contract w Boston so I doubt they reign him. Has had a very healthy career and could be a solid 2/3 starter. Will be 31 next year.

Based on his AAA numbers, if his average is .230 his OBP will be around .340 ( still high on this team). I do hope he has worked at 1B enough where he can get some games there as well as DH and C.

Unfortunately he was struggling at Charlotte the last few weeks. He was hitting .200 in his last 10 games.

Outstanding coaching staff.................................

The final record may be meaningless. If the Sox are sellers at the deadline, their record at that point is a realistic number. If they trade bullpen arms or Abreu then they will probably promote AAA talent much earlier than normal.

That is really minor league pricing for distant areas since they usually don't have nosebleed. I attended numerous Tampa Bay games and their 3rd deck used to be $10 behind home plate. But I think it is closer to $20 now.

I look at it differently. Putting service time aside, I tend to think Sept call-ups give players a chance to see the majors but the level of play is often watered down with roster expansion and teams resting players for postseason However, if a team thinks a prospect is exceeding in AAA, then a post all-star call-up can give them experience in games that matter as well as working w the MLB coaching staff. But some organizations , like the White Sox, may be more concerned w service time.

Excellent points. I would only add that he also only had a cup of coffee in AA. So his upper-minor league experience is very limited.

I agree but I assume you are not counting today's effort.

Cease imploded in 1st inning today. Hopefully just a bad day and not a physical issue.

He needs to pitch more in AAA. He had limited time in AA.

I think he does at least another month in AAA.

RR certainly makes some questionable decisions. But we must also realize he was handed a lousy team with a few young players w a lot of potential. I think we will see a new manager in 2021 when we should be ready to take the next big step forward.