Tony

When the TLR rumors came out last year from Bob, we all thought it was a joke but classic White Sox doing something weird. When it actually happened, it was this huge black cloud over a team we all should have been some amped for. Nothing has changed.

I mean, even someone like you know that isn't true. The guy took over a ready-made playoff roster. Ultimately, he will be judge on what this team accomplishes in the playoffs in 2021, 2022 and however long he continues to manage the White Sox. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be criticized for the poor decisions he makes during the season. Additionally, even if you feel like TLR should be judged by the Sox W/L record....then La Russa actively costing this team wins by batting Leury Garcia 3rd, punting games with Spring Training Lineups, etc should absolutely be part of the discussion. If you're going to troll, at least put more effort in. You're just being lazy at this point.

Hey! You and I are on the same page!

I think things could easily snowball.

But that's kind of the issue. It's the core guys playing like shit. Adding Conforto into the mix with Anderson-Abreu-Eloy-Moncada all AWOL isn't going to impact this team all that much.

I actually do think that's where media/hype plays into things. There was a weird feeling going into this year. Fans weren't excited like they should have been. Some of it had to do with the lockout, but a lot of it had to do with the feeling the Sox really didn't do anything to help the team. There wasn't all this buzz going into what should be billed as season with World Series hopes. It just didn't feel like that for whatever reason, and I think it shows.

The current 28 man roster (or whatever the hell it is now) has way deeper issues than not having Michael Conforto on this team.

What in this teams history, or even Rick Hahn's history...tells you that we should just give them a chance? What track record do they have to owe them that?

Why do you always ask people to Google stuff for you?

Why?

What a piece of shit start to the season for Tim.

Charlie Morton pitched like an ace for the Braves in 2021, and was signed from Tampa in the offseason.

Again, they are able to "not do much" because they have created a much better pipeline of internal talent, as Balta mentioned. You told us in another thread that the Astros "window" started in 2015. Fine, we can run with that. Internally, during their run, they've been able to add pieces like Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, etc. The Sox currently have the worst-ranked farm system by multiple publications. The cupboard is empty. Lastly, the Astros have actually won in the post-season. You get more rope when you actually produce. The Sox...have not.

Ok, I'd like to get off the ride now.

My overly emotional reaction is "Who fucking cares, they all deserve to go down with the ship." JR, RH, KW....everyone. I don't want any of them around the team I root for.

Sure. Of course I agree, everyone should. But there is no proof doing what TLR did yesterday with the lineups will have any impact on Game 1 of the ALDS. It doesn't have to be one or the other. It can be both. I can agree that the playoffs are the most important thing to get the team ready for, and those are the games that really matter. But TLR making bum decision after bum decision in the regular season doesn't earn him a pass just because there is enough talent on the team to overcome him asleep at the wheel. It's not unfair to expect both.

That's not totally true. That was not the job of someone like Rick Renteria in 2017 and 2018. If anything, his job was development. Now, TLR has a different role. His job is indeed to put his players in the best position to succeed. It's up the players to execute, but he has to move the chess pieces around to put the team in the best chance for success. Both in the regular season, and also the post season. He has failed on that front time and time again.

So if we go with that logic and say that's true, you admitting the White Sox, right in the heart of their contention window.....did nothing to improve the team in the offseason.

But those of course aren’t the only options. What about not giving Leury Garcia 15 million dollars? That’s always an option…you know, not to do that. It’s amazing the water some will carry for this organization. Let’s say Rodon makes the All-Star game this year, the second year in a row. This would be after putting up a 5 WAR season for the Sox in 2021, and doing it in his late 20’s mind you. They let him walk away and got NOTHING in return. Zero. Meanwhile, it’s April 21st and there is serious discussion taking place about Tanner Banks having a spot in this rotation, and the Sox have already had starts from Vince Velazquez and Jimmy Lambert. Come on…

The first three I agree with, Cueto signed a minor league deal and if Lynn and Gio still go down, I think they probably sign him.

Let’s say the Sox signed Rodon to the same deal the Giants did. What would it have prevented the Sox from doing this offseason?

Here is how I look at it. - It's a very long season and it just started. Like any season, there will be large ups and downs. While it seems doubtful the Sox are ever fully healthy, they will certainly be stretches where they are more healthy than they are now, and they will be much better for it. - Like last season, they are 100% going to have to overcome some of the decisions of leadership. It is what many of us feared last offseason and it has absolutely come true. - Just like it was clear this offseason, it's incredibly obvious they simply didn't take the needed steps to actually improve this team. Yes, the core is very good. They will win plenty of games. But the Blue Jays have a very good roster. The Astros have a very good roster. The Rays have a very good roster. The Dodgers have a very good roster. We should expect and demand the best roster possible, and they simply failed in that regard. I don't know how you can argue against that. I still think the Sox win this division. Might end up closer than people originally thought, but they'll get fat this summer. But more importantly...who cares? I don't care about winning a division. No one should.