tray

Flynn and Powell are nutjobs filled with fanciful conspiracy theories. Nevertheless, Trump invited them to the WH to consider their wacko seditious plan to rerun elections in the Swing States. You know, station our military around inner city polling stations stifle people from voting. So how is it that an attempted act of sedition amounting to a military coup is being discussed in the Whitehouse with virtually no backlash at Fox News? When is enough enough for the Fox News addicted lemmings? When should Republicans admit they made a mistake voting for a nut job? Maybe Trump will try something crazy, like announcing that a foreign government detected vote fraud in the swing States, and therefore those elections have to be re-run with the aid of the military to prevent foreign interference.

Hahn was GM during the entire Robin Ventura era malaise. He didn't have the balls to fire him. Ventura decided to quit.

Behind the plate Collins looked uncomfortable and unsure of himself when he looked into the dugout to obtain what pitch he should call for.He seemed to do that more than what one would expect but maybe that was more due to Renteria and Cooper not trusting him, or McCann trying to help him out with his knowledge of hitters. At the plate, Collins had a good eye and occasional power. He might have more swing and miss in him as major league scouts profile his tendencies at the plate. I like the way Collins focuses on hitting the ball up the middle rather than pulling everything. I think that serves his BA well. And of course he walks, although he has no speed. Yermin seems adequate as a third string catcher and as an occasional DH/ pinch hitter. If they are going with Collins at back-up catcher, I think it might be safe to have Yermin on the 25 man, at least at the outset. Bring him in when the Sox are up big late in games to keep him ready in case Grandal sustains an injury and they need another back-up catcher. Will the Sox do that? I doubt it. Instead I think they will add another pitcher to fill out the roster and have Yermin in the Minors. As a fan, I enjoy the entertainment value of his occasional at-bats and would like to see him in the role I described,

Additionally, What did Kenny do when they were "acting up"? Kenny Williams confronted LaRoach when Ventura and Hahn didn't and wouldn't. LaRoach claimed that he had an agreement with Sox Management (certainly not KW) to have his son in the clubhouse, on the practice field, and according to LaRoach, to be part of the team. Who made that ridiculous agreement when LaRoach signed? It wasn't Jerry or KW, so who? Then Sale hangs LaRoach Sr and Jr jerseys on his locker and cuts up retro jerseys....and calls out KW, not Rick Hahn. No Hahn was complicit with all of it, as was Ventura who basically was asleep at the wheel for most of his time as Manager during Hahn's tenure. Hahn is supposed to be the General Manager, not simply part of the owner/management group that approves draft picks and trade deals. He is supposed to know what is going on in the clubhouse, on the field, in practice, and with the Manager and players.

Hahn mismanaged the team during the Ventura tenure and when LaRoach, Eaton and and Sale were acting up. Hahn left problems for KW to clean it up. Hahn knows how to talk the talk but he is kind of a pussy. .

How many guys did Hahn try to plug the third base hole before Moncada was repurposed for the position? Jeff Keppinger, Youklis, Beckham, Gillaspie... I would tell Hahn to skiddadle and would talk Theo out of temporary retirement to put the finishing pieces on this roster. Hahn is a half asser for whatever reason.

I don't trust Collins behind the plate calling 50 games or so and I think we will see an unacceptable number of passed balls when he is behind the plate. Perhaps there is another plan to fill McCann's role ., i.e., Yadi or Flowers..

Read a short Wikipedia article on "the Trail of Tears" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about using the native Americans names and symbols for profit.

How about mandatory BAC tests for anyone who wants to drive after leaving a bar? That might close up some redneck bars faster than the pandemic. Come on, stand by your man.

There are aggravating and mitigating factors that may have been taken under consideration in accepting the plea to a lower charge, for example; - The B.A.C. at the time of arrest (093 percent which was over the .08 percent limit) - The length of time since he was arrested on the original DUI charge on March 2007 (13 years) - his age ) as it pertains to the likelihood that he will be drinking and driving ever again (76 years old) - possible weaknesses in the State's case ( probable cause for arrest, possible evidentiary issues, availability of witnesses) - the effectiveness of the Court's sentence in deterring the conduct in the future. - the possible adverse PR that could occur since LaRussa is a public figure. - the likelihood that LaRussa could obtain a fair trial at this point. - sentencing for other Defendant's in similar fact situations =========== The State's Atty and the Judge weighed that and more. Sometimes people d0n't agree with what a Court decides, but if you want to live in this country, you pretty much have to.

Joc hit 36 HR in 2019 so if we are using 2019 stats, so there is that.

LaRussa entered a plea to a lower charge and the States Atty accepted it in lieu of trial. This is done routinely...thousands of times every day througoput our country ....and on charges more serious than a stationary DUI charge. And it does not depend on how much money you pay an attorney or as some think,, involve a bribe to the Judge. Pleading to a lower charge is a necessary part of our judicial system. If you haven't been in a criminal Court perhaps you cannot understand this and why it is necessary. If there were aggravating circumstances the plead would not have been accepted. There may have been mitigating circumstances and certain weaknesses in the State's case that made them accept the plea. But as far as moral turpitude involving the game of baseball I give that award to Keuchel, a guy who was complicit in a cheating scandal involving his own team, a transgression that some consider worse than what Pete Rose did. And the dude remains entirely unapologetic about it.

Wait a minute before whining about T LaR and Eaton. Neither one was here last season when Rick Hahn, the penultimate choice for Executive of the year, and someone who is having his ass kissed by some noteworthy people here, decided that Mazara was the answer in RF.....and stuck with him throughout the entire season. And never forget, TLar wasn't here when Hahn snapped up Edwin Encarcion and stuck with him all season, despite the fact that Vaughn and Collins were sitting in Schaumburg. And if Hahn wasn't going to resign McCann, tell us, wtf didn't he bring up Collins and Vaughn during the season in order to evaluate them at the major league level? Instead he doesn't sign McCann and Collins and Vaughn are going to be relied on in 2021 by a championship level team ? Now if Eaton ends up working out more than Mazara did, Hahn is the Executive of the year in 2021.. for real this time, right?

The loss of McCann may have several ramifications: 1. A substantially increased inning load for Grandal which could impact his performance and durability, 2, Relying on Collins to catch and call multiple games. Watch out for balls getting by the big man who no one will confuse with the more agile Carlton Fisk back there. 3. Creating a possible hole at DH if Vaughn disappoints and turns out being a bust. There were some risks to letting McCann walk .

Hindsight will be 20/20 vision on this one. Let's see how Grandal's durability pans out and how back up catcher(s) perform in the games McCann would have started. Also let's see if Vaughn can fill the DH role in 2021. Personally, I think it may have been possible to extend McCann for 3/30 with an option for a 4th year...before he hit FA. This might prove to be a bad move and one that may not be easy to correct. Excellent catchers are rare commodities in major league baseball.

Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu are the leaders on this team. Keuchel should STFU. Starting pitchers aren't in 80% of the games and they don't stay in for more than 5-6 innings most of the other 20% so everyday players probably don't want them commenting on player performance or motivation. Plus Keuchel knew his Astro teammates were cheating and said nothing. I would trade Keuchel for another no. 3 starter so fast...

I would keep him in case Collins sucks or Grandal gets injured.

But you experiment with Collins ?

Hahn plugging holes while a crater opens up with McCann leaving. Collins is going catch 60 games or so for a championship team? Can Collins take over if/when Grandal gets hurt? Can Grandal maintain his performance level if he is leaned on to catch 120 games next year? Didn't he have back issues last year? Can Yermin be effective defensively ? If so, the Sox should open a spot for Yermin on the 25 man roster as insurance against an injury to Grandal and in case Collins under performs.

Agree on all counts. I really was disappointed with Hahn signing this guy. I feel this move was like putting old retread tires on a new sports car.

"Per capita" based on residents of the City of Chicago ? So the total population in the City is roughly 2.9 Million or thereabouts. A lot of residents in the City may not have the disposable income to attend baseball games regularly. So if another city has a higher average per capita income, that could result in more per capita attendance at baseball games. I'm not sure that means anything. "Fan support" meaning physical attendance at games? I never believed that fan attendance at games was the most accurate indicator of "fan support" because, as is the case in Chicago, certain stadiums are more accessible to a team's fan base or perhaps, there are other attractions that draw in fans. Post Covid the public in general may be reticent to expose themselves to germs on a grand scale by gathering in large public venues. Perhaps sports stadiums will be the exception if that is the case. Or not. I imagine a post-Covid sports bar loaded with people, face to face, cheek to cheek , touching, breathing and sharing germs from sneeze droplets.

I wanted McCann signed earlier when the Sox probably could have gotten him to agree to a 3 year contract. He is going for 4 years with the Mets and he will probably get it. Mets seem to be in on a lot of the top FA. Maybe they will get Bauer or Springer as well.

Keuchel knew they were cheating, including in games he pitched in. IMO, that's not OK.

That's not gonna happen with Abreu . He is still El Capitan and this is a different Sox team then the one Eaton was on. Plus Kenny Williams laid down the law with LaRoach and Sale when Hahn and Ventura lacked the balls to do it, and KW will be watching again to see if Eaton tries to go rogue again or cops an attitude.. Bottom line,,,Eaton will be on a short leash. He barks, he gone.

Eaton doesn''t seems to fit on this team or in this franchise. IMO, an Engel/Leury platoon would have been fine until some more sensible solution could be pursued. Jezus, did they even try for Joc or inquire about a trade for Benintendi or try to get Springer? This has Rick F-ing Hahn written all over it. Just like last off-season, he can't put the finishing pieces in place to take the team to the next level. That is why he was runner up for Executive of the year. He couldn't close that deal either.