March 26, 20233 yr 11 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said: Garfiens podcast with Hahn that was released recently (today?) specifically touches on Billy and the bench. Talks about how Billy is valuable but that you’d also like to have a guy who can take 4 ABs a couple times a week (insinuating he can’t basically). Also touched on opt outs and keeping guys you may otherwise lose (Alberto). And that they’re going to have hard convos with guys that should be big leaguers (Burger and Sheets). And that contract status will not impact decisions (Leury). He didn’t exactly close the door on anything but I felt Seby, Sheets and Alberto are locks after listening and that last spot down to the field of Billy, Leury, and Romy. Haseley was never mentioned. That all seems to make sense. With Alberto & Andrus in place, you don’t need a bench option that can cover SS. That could allow you to go with someone like Billy in a more specialized role (pinch-runner, late inning OF defense). My big beef with Billy is he’s a negative value player on days that he starts. For better or worse, it seems Hahn is committed to using Eloy & Gavin in the OF corners, which might allow for a guy like Billy.
March 26, 20233 yr They usually post the lineup around 11 for the 3pm games, so maybe we’ll hear about some cuts too in about 20 minutes.
March 26, 20233 yr 13 minutes ago, flavum said: They usually post the lineup around 11 for the 3pm games, so maybe we’ll hear about some cuts too in about 20 minutes. OH, BABY! OH, BABY! HUH? OH, BABY!
March 26, 20233 yr 4 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said: Wow, I would not like this: This would result in Eloy playing way more OF than I’d like because the only utility Burger has in this scenario is DHing against LHP and Colas (or Beni) on the bench.
March 26, 20233 yr I think it's Seby, Alberto, Sheets and Hamilton. I personally wouldn't carry Sheets or Burger but I think that's the direction they go.
March 26, 20233 yr 3 minutes ago, Harold's Leg Lift said: I think it's Seby, Alberto, Sheets and Hamilton. I personally wouldn't carry Sheets or Burger but I think that's the direction they go. Who would you keep over Sheets?
March 26, 20233 yr 1 minute ago, Jake said: So if you drop both Leury and Romy, who plays 2B if Andrus has to fill in at SS? Alberto if he’s on the roster
March 26, 20233 yr Sheets seems to be a lock as he's the only one with left handed power. The great irony is that the greatest Sox strength over the past years has been offense at first: Frank, Paulie, JA, and hopefully AV in the future. They are all right handed in a position that ideally calls for a lefty - which is also better defensively for down the line defense and the angle for catching throws going into the runner. This a significant factor in line-up imbalance.
March 26, 20233 yr Reading into the Sox announcing the lineup, but the beat reporters, especially Van Schouwen not posting a picture with the backups, I’m guessing the clubhouse is still closed and they’re telling players what’s up. Edited March 26, 20233 yr by flavum
March 26, 20233 yr The only way Billy should be on the team is if Colas isn't the RF and I like Billy. But they aren't going to take Benin10d or Robert for defense, and they are telling us Colas is a good enough defender to perhaps back up in CF. Billy would be yhe worlds greatest PR, especially in extra innings , but a roster spot is too valuable for that. OtOH, Tony isn't there to fall in love and start leading him off. Edited March 26, 20233 yr by Dick Allen
March 26, 20233 yr It does fascinate me how we all, I am including myself, are so into who are going to be the last guys on the roster every year. Always refreshing, don't want to get the news 30 seconds later than I could, then 2 weeks into the season, hope they are all DFAd or sent to Charlotte.
March 26, 20233 yr Why does this organization love Gavin Sheets so much? He is an archetypal example of a replacement player for AAA. What possible argument is there to force him onto the field, out of position, ahead of players that actually play those positions, just to get his 105 wRC+ bat into the lineup?
March 26, 20233 yr 11 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said: Why does this organization love Gavin Sheets so much? He is an archetypal example of a replacement player for AAA. What possible argument is there to force him onto the field, out of position, ahead of players that actually play those positions, just to get his 105 wRC+ bat into the lineup? I get the point, but he is no worse than the others at the end of the bench, is LH, and can hit a homer every now and then.
March 26, 20233 yr 6 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said: Why does this organization love Gavin Sheets so much? He is an archetypal example of a replacement player for AAA. What possible argument is there to force him onto the field, out of position, ahead of players that actually play those positions, just to get his 105 wRC+ bat into the lineup? I think in a bench role he’s fine. This team ranked 23rd in baseball last year in wRC+ against RHP. Hopefully Colas Benintendi & Colas help, but it can’t hurt to have a LH bat who can fill in at 1B / DH occasionally and PH if needed late in a game. I’m a bit of an optimist when it comes to Gavin, but I think he might be able to get you close to a 120 wRC+ against righties. That’s plenty valuable for a role player. I just don’t want see him get a ton of ton of time in the OF. I also don’t know of many guys he is blocking for bench spots. A quality 4th OF who bats from the right side like Adam Duvall would have been great, but we don’t really have anyone like that he’d blocking. Burger is a very similar player but with an even narrower skillet. Sounds Grifol is looking for specialists rather than well-rounded but underwhelming players who will be overplayed. If that’s the case, then Gavin should be on the roster.
March 26, 20233 yr 31 minutes ago, Dick Allen said: It does fascinate me how we all, I am including myself, are so into who are going to be the last guys on the roster every year. Always refreshing, don't want to get the news 30 seconds later than I could, then 2 weeks into the season, hope they are all DFAd or sent to Charlotte. Just the excitement leading up to the season ans nothing else to really talk about other than meaningless ST at bats.
March 26, 20233 yr Also, let’s not act like Eloy & Vaughn are beacons of health. Hanging someone like Sheets around will be useful. And yes, I get he can technically still provide depth from AAA, but not quite when it comes to the day to day stuff these two often deal with. Again, to me Gavin is a no-brainer for this roster. Edited March 26, 20233 yr by Chicago White Sox
March 26, 20233 yr 31 minutes ago, Dick Allen said: It does fascinate me how we all, I am including myself, are so into who are going to be the last guys on the roster every year. Always refreshing, don't want to get the news 30 seconds later than I could, then 2 weeks into the season, hope they are all DFAd or sent to Charlotte. This has been the most boring spring training in recent memory and the fact we’re all excited to see how the bench shakes out only reinforces that point.
March 26, 20233 yr 24 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said: Why does this organization love Gavin Sheets so much? He is an archetypal example of a replacement player for AAA. What possible argument is there to force him onto the field, out of position, ahead of players that actually play those positions, just to get his 105 wRC+ bat into the lineup? While I actually mostly agree with this, he does hit right handed pitching pretty well and is a nice pinch hit bat off the bench. All things considered though, Sheets and Burger should both be in AAA if this roster was constructed appropriately.
March 26, 20233 yr I think that Haseley has a better chance to make the roster than people might think, especially with Hamilton not hitting at all.
March 26, 20233 yr 37 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said: Why does this organization love Gavin Sheets so much? He is an archetypal example of a replacement player for AAA. What possible argument is there to force him onto the field, out of position, ahead of players that actually play those positions, just to get his 105 wRC+ bat into the lineup? The only player in the organization with a better career wRC+ against RHP is Eloy.
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