tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54136122970583349322024-03-16T13:51:35.097-05:00The Baseball KidJason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.comBlogger1511125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-16572752344971482052024-03-06T21:49:00.000-06:002024-03-06T21:49:55.199-06:00Time to read the season previews ...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH7poL9UbZyh3vL_rUR3TIHnC-sqZ3j_FMoTjlVKUMgJmrlyrOwe9MK4RqjcBEQokmCvttaauDWPCnYpmc5yRVLBI1D2Ie9M7dVyqSlgQ_4olLGGwgzGWXK4lFtU08wnalK_aiutlm6sMHHDklcy9zMhtpCUqu50NuQs7PLaKft__tjevKAem_YTcPo9M/s320/IMG_0586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb2EjZ_Rl06i8lrVrDdIVbrmYlOSyDrEtSRlDWRMN51UFPZTkKBbj1B3d6K2yEOShtRCiNLaT6j37ImpXujp8JusrOwTFyXkVYNOZrCG9VgAObv3pqd1Rauyt7HYL3rZMJzjgmMCaeO8na3uJP1uCCNsppOgMHjB6RFimOAW81gOln-GWL7FgBT6_vQJK/s320/IMG_0586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb2EjZ_Rl06i8lrVrDdIVbrmYlOSyDrEtSRlDWRMN51UFPZTkKBbj1B3d6K2yEOShtRCiNLaT6j37ImpXujp8JusrOwTFyXkVYNOZrCG9VgAObv3pqd1Rauyt7HYL3rZMJzjgmMCaeO8na3uJP1uCCNsppOgMHjB6RFimOAW81gOln-GWL7FgBT6_vQJK/s1600/IMG_0586.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>It's probably not a secret that I'm not as into baseball this season because the White Sox are so bad. I canceled my season tickets. Heck, I haven't even been blogging lately. I'm dreading what's to come, and I'm not excited about anything that's going on in spring training.<p></p><p>But I will still read my season preview magazines, which arrived in the mail last week -- one from Lindy's and the other from Baseball Digest. </p><p>These aren't as many in number as they used to be. I used to get one from Athlon, which was eventually bought by Sports Illustrated. SI has always done a preview magazine in the past, too, but I'm not sure what's going on there now. No idea if they'll send a baseball preview.</p><p></p><p>In the meantime, both these magazines have picked the Sox to come fourth in the American League Central. My question is, "Why so optimistic?" I have a hard time believing the Sox won't finish in the basement, even though I acknowledge the Kansas City Royals are also bad.</p><p>Through 13 games of spring training, the Sox are 4-9. We know from history not to judge teams based on Cactus League results, but hey, we're looking for signs that the Sox can beat their projections, and we haven't seen that so far.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50v_vf4j7OA7dcUajHFRFuiWJ9cLHV9oN60bGjFPFQ7HeC37uDvTTfdUaiplM3shgRrBgm_fZByM740G4hOOMuLvQUIpXwepGBQFjohTROvZSX2FNYyl4W-Ik84x6PhRuZGKiILqlasAvq6NznexvNHAGHeFX3wyjxMDrQII44WutX3D9MQuYewsr8qD1/s320/IMG_0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50v_vf4j7OA7dcUajHFRFuiWJ9cLHV9oN60bGjFPFQ7HeC37uDvTTfdUaiplM3shgRrBgm_fZByM740G4hOOMuLvQUIpXwepGBQFjohTROvZSX2FNYyl4W-Ik84x6PhRuZGKiILqlasAvq6NznexvNHAGHeFX3wyjxMDrQII44WutX3D9MQuYewsr8qD1/s1600/IMG_0584.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-74807261849137496882024-02-20T00:30:00.003-06:002024-02-20T00:30:00.133-06:00Liam Hendriks heads to Boston on 2-year contract<p>Former White Sox closer <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendrli01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-19_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Liam Hendriks</a></b> is now a member of the Red Sox, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39557757/sources-liam-hendriks-agrees-2-year-deal-red-sox" target="_blank">after agreeing to a two-year deal with Boston worth $10 million.</a></p><p>Hendriks was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in late 2022. He won his battle with that disease and returned to the White Sox in May 2023, but he only pitched five games before he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar ligament in his pitching elbow.</p><p>It is unlikely that Hendriks will contribute much to the Red Sox this season. The most optimistic timeline for him returning from Tommy John surgery would be in August. Essentially, Boston is betting the 35-year-old can return to form and be a force at the back end of its bullpen in 2025.</p><p>Hendriks spent three years in Chicago and was effective before his cancer diagnosis. He led the American League with 38 saves in 2021, and he followed that up with 37 saves in 2022. All total, he went 14-7 with a 2.76 ERA and 76 saves in 132 games with the White Sox.</p><p>I'm seeing some unhappiness among Chicago fans online with this Boston signing. It's clear that some fans wanted Hendriks back with the White Sox. The usual arguments about the organization being cheap are out in full force. Hendriks, of course, is a fan favorite and an inspiration to many because he overcame a life-threatening illness -- and did so with a remarkably positive attitude.</p><p>And while there's no question the White Sox are cheap, it's important to note that Hendriks is 35 years old, and he's running out of chances to win. Do you see a World Series coming to Chicago in the next couple of years? Nope, me neither.</p><p>One might argue that Boston is not on the cusp of greatness either, especially playing in the rugged American League East. However, the truth is everyone in the AL except for Oakland presents a better chance to win than Chicago, and it's tough to sell a veteran free agent on coming to the White Sox right now.</p><p>Not to mention, if the White Sox were going to spend some money, they should be spending it on something other than the bullpen. I still see plenty of holes in the lineup and in the starting rotation.</p><p>As I've always said about closers, they cannot do their job until everyone else does theirs. What good is an elite closer if he doesn't have many leads to protect? <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-81245899248840764602024-02-12T22:04:00.012-06:002024-02-12T22:07:34.652-06:00Tim Anderson still without a team; Yasmani Grandal signs with Pirates<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO3vP6vAI0eBVVUZu5gtK2w_cseYCZy73cH2X9i274bWJi7SUd4JkzrEx3rEYBnIeFXMlDaHVaPG8diGUyUVk0gbpfGLS-b9R9qfbonSbNQaKx6avqtkf0m2PG9xH-JzXKNB7YyXaPkz_n7PyfgzZyHw2qo9eXzEh9DerhN5eivjAaB_xKXa0WQSnPyNM/s260/anderson.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="194" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO3vP6vAI0eBVVUZu5gtK2w_cseYCZy73cH2X9i274bWJi7SUd4JkzrEx3rEYBnIeFXMlDaHVaPG8diGUyUVk0gbpfGLS-b9R9qfbonSbNQaKx6avqtkf0m2PG9xH-JzXKNB7YyXaPkz_n7PyfgzZyHw2qo9eXzEh9DerhN5eivjAaB_xKXa0WQSnPyNM/w298-h400/anderson.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Anderson<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>When the White Sox fired former general manager Rick Hahn and promoted <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Getz</a></b> into the position, one of the key questions posed to Getz was, "How are you different from Hahn?"<p></p><p>Actually, I think there are some differences. What I'm about to say is speculation here, but I think Getz handled <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/anderti01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tim Anderson</a></b>'s situation much different than Hahn would have.</p><p>Getz declined Anderson's $14 million contract option for 2024 and let the former All-Star become a free agent. Then he brought in a glove-first shortstop in <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dejonpa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paul DeJong</a></b>. </p><p>I believe Hahn would have picked up Anderson's option and bet on him having a "bounce-back year." Hahn had a lot of difficulty moving on from his beloved "core players," even when reality was slapping him in the face. Accordingly, Hahn lost his job.</p><p>As we sit here on the evening of Feb. 12, two days before pitchers and catchers report, Anderson is still without a team. I feel as though this confirms Getz made the right choice not to pick up that option. Anderson isn't worth a $14 million contract coming off the worst season of his career, and clearly, 29 other teams feel the same way as the Sox.</p><p>It stinks to have to talk bad about Anderson, because he was a good player for the Sox from 2019 through the first two months of 2022. <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA202205290.shtml" target="_blank">But since Anderson suffered a groin injury against the Cubs on Memorial Day weekend 2022</a>, he's never been the same player.</p><p>After June 1 in 2022, Anderson played only 39 games and delivered just five extra-base hits -- four doubles and one home run. His batting average plummeted from .356 down to .301. His slugging percentage took a massive nosedive. He was slugging .503 at the time of the aforementioned injury against the Cubs. He finished the year at .395, after suffering a hand injury Aug. 6 that cost him the rest of his season.</p><p>We know the story in 2023. Anderson homered only one time in 524 plate appearances. He batted .245/.286/.296. There was no power in his swing whatsoever. You could almost knock the bat out of his hands at times. Even in his prime, Anderson was never a plus defender, and he struggled in the field, as well, in 2023. </p><p>In past seasons, Anderson's good bat covered up for any defensive problems, but what happens to a bat-first player who can't hit the ball with authority anymore? Well, he's still a free agent on Feb. 12. That's what happens.</p><p>Rumors have tied Anderson to both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins. I don't have any bad feelings toward the guy. I hope he gets a job soon. But I'm good with him no longer being a member of the White Sox.</p><p>I'm just not sure what Anderson does well at this stage of his career. What role can a team trust him to play? I don't have an answer for that. <br /></p><p><b>Grandal to Pirates</b></p><p>Speaking of players in decline, former Sox catcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grandya01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Yasmani Grandal</a></b> agreed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39511926/reports-pirates-reach-one-year-deal-yasmani-grandal" target="_blank">a one-year deal worth $2.5 million</a>.</p><p>I'm somewhat surprised Grandal is hanging on for another year at age 35. He was really bad for the Sox the past two years -- a .570 OPS in 2022 and a .647 OPS last season. Grandal hit only five homers in 2022 and eight homers last year, after totaling 23 home runs for the Sox in 2021.</p><p>Injuries have taken their toll. Grandal is arguably the slowest runner I've ever seen in baseball. Yes, I'm taking both <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/konerpa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paul Konerko</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/luzingr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Greg Luzinski</a></b> over him in a race. And Grandal's defense declined to the point where there was talk that Sox pitchers preferred to throw to <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zavalse01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-12_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Seby Zavala</a></b>.</p><p>This is another example where I'm good with a player no longer being a member of the White Sox. <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-48398271160275678072024-02-05T00:30:00.010-06:002024-02-05T00:30:00.139-06:00Weekend moves offer clues on White Sox right field strategy<p>We've been wondering all offseason who will be the White Sox right fielder in 2024, and we've been hoping it will be someone other than <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sheetga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gavin Sheets</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colasos01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Oscar Colas</a></b>.</p><p>Turns out, fans might not have to put up with either Sheets or Colas in right field after a series of moves Sox general manager <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Getz</a></b> made over the weekend.</p><p>Here are the moves:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Signed <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pillake01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kevin Pillar</a></b>, 35, to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/kevin-pillar-agrees-with-white-sox-on-minor-league-deal" target="_blank">a minor-league contract</a>. Pillar will be paid $3 million if he makes the team out of spring training.</li><li>Traded relief pitcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santogr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gregory Santos</a></b> <a href="https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/dominic-fletcher-traded-to-white-sox-from-d-backs">to the Seattle Mariners</a> for right-hander <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/berropr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Prelander Berroa</a></b>, outfielder <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=deloac000zac&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Zach DeLoach</a></b> and the No. 69 overall pick in the 2024 draft.</li><li>Traded pitching prospect <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mena--000cri&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cristian Mena</a></b> <a href="https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/dominic-fletcher-traded-to-white-sox-from-d-backs">to the Arizona Diamondbacks</a> for outfielder <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fletcdo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dominic Fletcher</a></b>.</li></ul><p>What does this mean for the right field scenario? DeLoach and Fletcher are both major league-ready prospects. Both are left-handed batters. I expect them to compete in spring training for the right to be the right fielder when the Sox are facing a right-handed pitcher. Pillar likely has an inside track to make the team, and play right field when the Sox are facing a left-handed pitcher.</p><p>Fletcher, 26, played 28 games in the majors last season for the National League champion Diamondbacks. He posted a solid line of .301/.350/.441 with two homers and 14 RBIs. He's only 5-foot-6, so don't expect big power out of him, but he hit right-handed pitchers hard at both levels he played at last season:</p><ul><li><b>Triple-A: </b>.325/.412/.555 over 310 plate appearances </li><li><b>MLB: </b>.369/.423/.523 over 72 plate appearances</li></ul><p>I think we can agree that the Sox could use a lefty bat who punishes righties.</p><p>Then, there's DeLoach, 25, who has yet to play in the majors. He has more swing-and-miss in his game (173 Ks last season), but he also offers more power. At Triple-A Tacoma in 2023, DeLoach batted .286/.387/.481 with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs.</p><p>I can't promise either of these two guys are the answer, but we know Sheets is not, right? And we know Colas needs more Triple-A time, which means it's time to try someone else.</p><p>That brings us to Pillar, who is the insurance policy against both Fletcher and DeLoach failing. Pillar is a plus defender, who can be counted on to play an effective right field, and he can play center field competently when <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberlu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-02-04_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Luis Robert Jr.</a></b> needs a day off.</p><p>However, Pillar isn't much of a hitter at this stage of his career. He batted a ghastly .228/.248/.416 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 81 games with the Atlanta Braves last season.</p><p>Pillar did bat .250/.261/.472 with six of his nine homers against lefties, so there is hope for decent production if he's deployed correctly as a platoon player.</p><p>What did the Sox lose in these deals? Well, Santos was pretty good in 2023 before he got hurt. He was a pleasant surprise out of the bullpen, going 2-2 with a 3.39 ERA, with 66 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched over 60 relief appearances.</p><p>Thanks to attrition and trades, Santos was closing by the time August and September rolled around -- on the rare occasions where the 2023 Sox needed a closer. Santos totaled five saves before elbow inflammation ended his season. His innings total in 2023 represented a career high, casting some doubt on how durable he will be in 2024.</p><p>However, there's a case to be made that Berroa, 23, will simply take Santos' spot. The right-hander struck out 104 batters over 65.1 innings in Double-A last year, and he earned a two-game cup of coffee with the Mariners. If he looks decent in spring, expect him to be a member of the Sox bullpen.</p><p>As for Mena, 20, he split time between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte last season. He went 8-7 with 4.85 ERA in 27 starts, and he was ranked among the top 10 prospects in the Sox system.</p><p>For that reason, I saw a lot of fans melting down over his trade. My recommendation to those folks is to relax. </p><p>Mena is right-handed and throws a 92-mph fastball. He might be a useful pitcher for the Diamondbacks, but there's nothing special about right-handed and 92. There are plenty of pitchers out there just like him, and if you can move that guy for a position of need, you have to consider that.</p><p>And outfield is without question a position of need for the Sox. The options have increased as a result of these moves. Now we wait to see whether the moves work out. <br /></p><p></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-51219390328737470822024-01-29T00:30:00.009-06:002024-01-29T00:30:00.134-06:00SoxFest to return in 2025<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRilnszx6oSNrn7EUc2BOYysMmnuDWYW4EuModlhHld6wpx7UEKUzjB17XQLtzNWeSbf3DmtWZ4sRmtaUwc3zXfLPSq2z-8w4gTn1Vhd0ABpuLzqruqIhEP60ZvOCH4NkzRm3LAITOllvrkxefx7gXpvbI0CmfsIhBA_YE4LGdXS7tU5NZrV0e81Hjo_Ds/s368/angry%20mob.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRilnszx6oSNrn7EUc2BOYysMmnuDWYW4EuModlhHld6wpx7UEKUzjB17XQLtzNWeSbf3DmtWZ4sRmtaUwc3zXfLPSq2z-8w4gTn1Vhd0ABpuLzqruqIhEP60ZvOCH4NkzRm3LAITOllvrkxefx7gXpvbI0CmfsIhBA_YE4LGdXS7tU5NZrV0e81Hjo_Ds/s320/angry%20mob.webp" width="320" /></a></div>Get your pitchforks and torches ready, White Sox fans!<p></p><p>SoxFest will return Jan. 24-25, 2025, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/fans/soxfest" target="_blank">according to a news release from the team</a>. Sure, the event is almost a full year away, but this will be the first time since 2020 that fans will get to meet with and question team brass.</p><p>In the four years since, the team has been making excuses for not holding SoxFest. They've hidden behind the COVID-19 pandemic, even in 2022 when the overwhelming majority of the American public no longer cared about the virus. </p><p>In 2023, they canceled SoxFest, citing "multiple factors," without elaborating on what those factors were. This year? They didn't even bother to make announcement.</p><p>One can only assume the Sox weren't eager to face their fans after a 61-101 season in 2023. Early predictions for 2024 are calling for a similar season -- the current Las Vegas over/under for the Sox win total is 63.5.</p><p>So why would the team pick now to bring back this event? Well, for starters, 2025 is the 20th anniversary of the 2005 World Series championship team. It is also the 125th anniversary of the franchise.</p><p>The venue, activities and guests for SoxFest will be announced at a (likely much) later time, but expect to see a lot of the 2005 heroes at this event. I won't be surprised if <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/konerpa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paul Konerko</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=contrjo01,contre008jos,contre007jos,contre006jos&search=Jose+Contreras&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jose Contreras</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dyeje01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jermaine Dye</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pierza.01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">A.J. Pierzynski</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/credejo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Joe Crede</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rowanaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Aaron Rowand</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jenksbo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-28_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bobby Jenks</a></b> and the rest of the gang are brought back to keep the booing to a minimum.</p><p>Less cynically and more optimistically, the Sox have a lot of money coming off the books after the 2024 season. Perhaps next offseason, they might actually make some moves to reshape the roster and give fans hope for the 2025 season. Right now, hope is in short supply for 2024.</p><p>Either way, the move to bring back SoxFest is long overdue. Congratulations, team, on finally doing something right. </p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-52603715733237946812024-01-26T00:30:00.004-06:002024-01-26T00:30:00.127-06:00It feels like I should be doing something baseball-related this weekend<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKl3OrRfFADun5FFfrAPZedrp0MWJmDMhNwmdiLBFaDLrnl0S0G_a6GrdMuamgAl6VntOF96ODGwoxGQe_Zjgr2LTmzi-Of0SDy-KvIxbEF4QcFOlJq5XuS7R3qsbs9s0poKEIHn0bgmoHPw57IePu0x-D8UBBMWBsxmpLG12ydemJT8Yn752ZYL9AypI/s750/IMG_0513.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="562" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKl3OrRfFADun5FFfrAPZedrp0MWJmDMhNwmdiLBFaDLrnl0S0G_a6GrdMuamgAl6VntOF96ODGwoxGQe_Zjgr2LTmzi-Of0SDy-KvIxbEF4QcFOlJq5XuS7R3qsbs9s0poKEIHn0bgmoHPw57IePu0x-D8UBBMWBsxmpLG12ydemJT8Yn752ZYL9AypI/s320/IMG_0513.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome sign at SoxFest 2019.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The last weekend of January ... it used to be a highlight on the calendar, because it was SoxFest weekend.<p></p><p>Alas, the event isn't being held this year. It hasn't been held since 2020. COVID-19 hasn't been a valid excuse since 2021, but here we are.<br /></p><p>I'm not a big autograph guy. In fact, I don't think I've gotten a single autograph in all the years I've attended SoxFest. But still, it's nice to gather in January with fellow Sox fans and talk baseball.</p><p>SoxFest was the only time you would ever be somewhere with a crowd of 100% Sox fans. For reasons never explained, it's gone away. And that is sorely disappointing.</p><p>Thanks for nothing, Jerry Reinsdorf.<br /></p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-89452351337246668272024-01-22T00:30:00.001-06:002024-01-22T00:30:00.127-06:00White Sox add John Brebbia to uncertain bullpen mix<p>Over the weekend, the White Sox agreed to terms with right-handed relief pitcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brebbjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">John Brebbia</a></b>, <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/white-sox-sign-john-brebbia.html" target="_blank">according to various reports</a>.</p><p>Brebbia, 33, will make $4 million in 2024, with a $6 million mutual option for 2025 that includes a $1.5 million buyout. So, in effect, Brebbia is guaranteed $5.5 million over one season.</p><p>The veteran has pitched for the San Francisco Giants in each of the past three seasons. He led the National League in appearances in 2022 with 76, going 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA over 68 innings.</p><p>A lat strain limited Brebbia to 40 appearances in 2023, during which he went 3-5 with a 3.99 ERA across 38.1 innings.</p><p>If you look at his numbers, you'll notice Brebbia started 11 games in 2022 and 10 games in 2023. That's because the Giants used him as an opener. He's basically a one- or two-inning guy, and he's been used as a setup man throughout a good chunk of his career.</p><p>Newly hired White Sox senior pitching adviser <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bannibr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brian Bannister</a></b> came from the Giants, so he's no doubt familiar with Brebbia. The main qualification for players joining the Sox this offseason seems to be familiarity with team brass, whether that's the manager, the GM or someone else ranking high in the organization.</p><p>At this point, hey, Brebbia might be a candidate to close.</p><p><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santogr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gregory Santos</a></b> finished last season as the Sox closer, on the rare occasions they needed one, but he got injured at the end of the year, and I haven't heard any updates.</p><p>The only other addition to the Sox bullpen this offseason has been situational left-hander <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hillti01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tim Hill</a></b>, who knows manager <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grifope99.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pedro Grifol</a></b> from his days with the Kansas City Royals.</p><p>Right now, here's a best guess at the eight relievers in line for jobs in the Sox bullpen:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Santos</li><li>Brebbia</li><li>Hill</li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lambeji01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jimmy Lambert</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/banksta01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tanner Banks</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fostema01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Matt Foster</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=leasur000jor&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jordan Leasure</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scholje01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jesse Scholtens</a></b></li></ol><p>Other possibilities: <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garcide01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Deivi Garcia</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=drohan000sha&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Shane Drohan</a></b> (Rule 5 pick), <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramsela02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Lane Ramsey</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralsa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-21_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sammy Peralta</a></b>.</p><p>Yeah, it's a roll of the dice with spots 5-8. Who really knows? <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-7413018794201027952024-01-18T22:16:00.002-06:002024-01-18T22:16:34.950-06:00White Sox 'in serious talks' about building stadium in South Loop<p>The White Sox are "in serious talks" to build a new ballpark in the South Loop on the site known as "The 78," according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times.</p><p><a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/1/17/24042048/white-sox-new-stadium-78-site-south-loop-related-midwest-reinsdorf?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow-cst&utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">You can read that report here</a>.</p><p>The land in question runs from Roosevelt Road on the north, south to 16th Street. It's bordered by the Chicago River on the west, and Clark Street on the east. </p><p>Picture, if you will, the Chicago skyline as the backdrop for Sox games. The stadium would be easily accessible from downtown. The site is close to the Kennedy and Eisenhower expressways. It's close to the Metra line -- as well as the Red, Orange and Green lines.</p><p><a href="https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-white-sox/white-sox-news/recently-deleted-renderings-of-the-hypothetical-white-sox-stadium-at-the-78-resurface/533825/" target="_blank">These renderings from NBC Sports Chicago are something else</a>. If only we could count on this being true. I would love to see this plan come to fruition, but as always, there's the question, "Who pays for it?"</p><p>White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker all will have a seat at the table in these negotiations. Do you trust a single one of them to get this done competently? </p><p>Me neither. </p><p>Reinsdorf's track record suggests he's going to want public money for this, and Pritzker's track record suggests he's not going to allow that. When negotiations stall because of that, where does that leave us? That's what I'm wondering when I'm thinking about this proposal.</p><p>The Sox have can renew their lease at Guaranteed Rate Field one more time for a period of four years, and that would take them through the 2029 season. Then what? I think the timing is correct to have this discussion, at least in terms of when that lease expires. The political timing and the current state of the economy in Illinois (it's not good) is another matter.</p><p>In modern society, a healthy dose of skepticism is often warranted. But when we're talking about the Chicago White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf, and governance in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois, skepticism is ALWAYS warranted.</p><p>There's no question this proposal is exciting one for fans. But remember, the Sox were "serious" about "competing for multiple championships" too, and we're still waiting for that to happen. </p><p>I'll be delighted by this stadium if, and only if, shovels go in the ground.<br /></p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-62977655735679813812024-01-16T21:27:00.000-06:002024-01-16T21:27:20.734-06:00Kendall Graveman trade: Nobody wins<p>Former White Sox reliever <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/graveke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-16_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kendall Graveman</a></b> <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39321858/astros-kendall-graveman-shoulder-surgery-miss-season" target="_blank">will miss the 2024 season</a> after undergoing right shoulder surgery, the Houston Astros announced Tuesday.</p><p>Graveman, you may recall, was traded to the Astros last July 28 in exchange for catcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leeko01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-16_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Korey Lee</a></b>. The right-hander made 23 appearances with Houston after the trade, going 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 22.1 innings.</p><p>Because of the shoulder injury, Graveman did not make the 2023 playoff roster for the Astros, as they advanced to the American League Championship Series before losing to the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers.</p><p>Houston owes Graveman $8 million in 2024 for the last year of his contract. That obviously becomes dead money for the club.</p><p>You could say the Sox are fortunate they don't have to pay that money, and that they traded Graveman at the right time.</p><p>However, Lee has proven to be no prize. He received a 24-game audition behind the plate at the end of the 2023 season and did nothing with it. The 25-year-old batted .077/.143/.149, with just five hits in 70 plate appearances. </p><p>That caused Sox GM <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-16_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Getz</a></b> to sign 37-year-old veteran catcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maldoma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-16_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Martin Maldonado</a></b> as a free agent and trade for 32-year-old veteran catcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stassma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-16_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Max Stassi</a></b>. Those moves essentially wallpaper over Lee. Even though those two veterans are mediocre at best and on the downside of their respective careers, Lee will need a big spring training to earn a roster spot.</p><p>Don't bank on that. This trade looks to be one that did not help either side. Nobody wins.<br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-42844730178382737102024-01-13T14:02:00.002-06:002024-01-13T14:02:17.122-06:003 reasons I'm not renewing my White Sox season tickets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z0LKSykNx2-OesM7ODKyV212VX_r5AyhQ3vhIvApGKJovX1XuSjmxFW8y9P_OimcsK9BSXuNhZLDQOq_rm2byeZh998tmO1-mx5My7-HiD5ccimpzKZm0Zy9hJm8eTWlhpfJ4WpGrY1VEMfca-cGePAs5Ut-BhNERawrY7iA1PmEjtt1Ca5aaIs4YYtx/s320/IMG_1328(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z0LKSykNx2-OesM7ODKyV212VX_r5AyhQ3vhIvApGKJovX1XuSjmxFW8y9P_OimcsK9BSXuNhZLDQOq_rm2byeZh998tmO1-mx5My7-HiD5ccimpzKZm0Zy9hJm8eTWlhpfJ4WpGrY1VEMfca-cGePAs5Ut-BhNERawrY7iA1PmEjtt1Ca5aaIs4YYtx/s1600/IMG_1328(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The deadline to register for the White Sox "season ticket holder party" was Wednesday. That meant ticket reps were making another round of calls, checking to see if those of us who have yet to pay would reconsider our plans for 2024.<p></p><p>I'm still saying no to season tickets this year. This is not a decision I made lightly. I'm a longtime
ticket holder, and White Sox baseball is important to me. However, there comes a point where this is a bad investment. </p><p>I replied to my ticket rep and offered these three reasons on why we're taking a pass: <br /></p><p><b>1. We've lost confidence in the on-field product.</b> We've been following
the offseason moves carefully, but these acquisitions are all fifth
infielders, fourth outfielders and back-end starting pitchers. We had
hoped the organization would be committed to making sure a season like
2023 never happens again, and we wanted to see some impact players
acquired. Unfortunately, that has not happened to this point. We were
told that <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-13_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Getz</a></b> was promoted to GM because he was already familiar
with the organization, and that there wasn't a year to waste as far as
getting back in contention. So far, we don't feel as though the actions
live up to those words.<br />
<br />
<b>2. There have been too many things that we enjoyed taken away. </b>We miss
SoxFest. We miss Grinder Bash. We miss having access to the 100 level as
500-level season ticket holders. My girlfriend and her dad miss
Father-Daughter Day at the ballpark. The first year post-pandemic, we
understood why some of these things went away. But that shouldn't be an
issue any longer, and it is disappointing that none of it has come back.
These are perks we enjoyed, even when the Sox were disappointing us on
the field. This "season ticket holder party," to be honest, did not
excite me. I used to take a vacation day on the Friday of SoxFest,
because the two- or three-day event was worth my time. However, I'm not
going to leave work early to fight Friday traffic for 90 minutes to
spend a couple of hours at the Field Museum.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Lastly, it's very disturbing that I've read media reports about the
team possibly moving to Nashville. </b>I haven't forgotten the feeling that I
had when I was 11 years old and this very same chairman threatened to
move my beloved baseball team to St. Petersburg, Fla. I've never fully
forgiven him for that. He can deny it all he wants, but he's lost the
benefit of the doubt with me, after what happened in the 1980s. I'm sure
it's just business to him, but for us, the White Sox are a civic
treasure. Generations of our families have been coming to 35th and
Shields to watch baseball. We've been very loyal, and we've sat through a
lot of tough seasons. The fact that we're having to talk about this,
again, is insulting. The Sox organization has failed to deliver on big
promises, and that is not the fault of fans.</p><p>Maybe we'll change our minds in 2025, but some positive changes have to be made before we consider committing to a ticket plan again. <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-91947107658976563362024-01-11T00:30:00.001-06:002024-01-11T00:30:00.241-06:00Good interview with former Sox lefty Mark Buehrle<p>It's a slow news day, so <a href="https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/mark-buehrle-talks-2024-hall-of-fame-ballot-white-sox-career" target="_blank">check out Scott Merkin's interview </a>with former Sox left-hander <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></b>. </p><p><br /></p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-68998023041007805952024-01-10T00:30:00.006-06:002024-01-10T00:30:00.127-06:00Unpopular view: Give Garrett Crochet a chance as a starting pitcher<p>Amid all the trade rumors surrounding <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceasedy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-09_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dylan Cease</a></b>, White Sox GM <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-09_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Getz</a></b> made some comments Tuesday about the future of left-handed pitcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crochga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-09_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Garrett Crochet</a></b>.</p><p>I first noticed them while scrolling through <a href="https://twitter.com/scottmerkin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">tweets from Scott Merkin</a>, MLB.com's White Sox beat writer.</p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">"He believes he can be a starter," Getz said of Crochet, according to Merkin's reporting. "We’ve seen him be a starter in the past. So we are going to go into spring prepared to stretch him out, and we’ll make adjustments along the way if need be.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">"He hasn’t started in a couple years. So, it’s going to take a little bit of time to appropriately stretch him out. We are going in with the intention for him to be a starter in 2024."</span><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">Interesting. These remarks immediately caught backlash from skeptical fans. Understandably so.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">You might recall Crochet missed the entire 2022 season after having Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, and he's dealt with injuries to his elbow and shoulder both before and after that surgery.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">So, it is legitimate to question whether Crochet has the durability to be a starting pitcher.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">He's never thrown more than 65 innings in a season, and that happened in 2019, his sophomore year at the University of Tennessee.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">In the pandemic year of 2020, Crochet pitched 9.1 innings between Tennessee and the White Sox, who drafted him that summer and fast-tracked him to the majors as a reliever.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">Crochet tossed 54.1 innings of relief for the Sox in 2021, before the torn elbow ligament sidelined him in spring training of 2022.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">Between his rehab stints in the minor leagues and 13 appearances with the Sox, Crochet tossed 25 innings during the 2023 season.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">So, yes, the idea that he can jump to 100-plus innings in 2024 is a reach.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">There's also concerns about Crochet's arsenal. Does he have three pitches that allow him to get through a lineup more than once? He's got a fastball and a slider. But is the changeup a credible enough pitch to keep opposing batters honest? And does Crochet have the control to work deep into games? </span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">It's very possible Crochet will hit the same ceiling <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kopecmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-09_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Michael Kopech</a></b> has hit. If you've watched Kopech over the past few years, you know the lack of a third pitch, poor control and injuries have all hindered his development. Crochet could walk the same path.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">That said, I'm on board with trying Crochet as a starter, despite the risks and red flags. The Sox spent the No. 11 overall pick in the draft on him in 2020, and I don't think you pick a guy that high to assign him to a middle-relief role for the rest of his career.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">You can find middle relievers in the later rounds of the draft, in free agency, on the waiver wire, pretty much anywhere.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">But when you spend a first-round pick on a pitcher, you do it with the hope that he'll be a future starter. Crochet wants the opportunity, and he hasn't gotten it yet -- because the Sox were trying to win when he first joined the organization, and there was an immediate role in the big leagues he could fill.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">In 2024, the Sox are no longer trying to win. There is time for development, time to see what certain guys can and can't do. For Crochet, he may need to spend some time in the minors to get stretched out to start. That's fine. Let's see if he's capable.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">If he's not, the Sox can always downshift and move Crochet back into a relief role.<br /></span></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-77710359052501744212024-01-09T00:30:00.010-06:002024-01-09T00:30:00.134-06:00Will White Sox address right field in meaningful way?<p><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dyeje01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPH9lv224TeIfOlJWjsytWWbPiuKARupJl14O8urKmBkJAteaCdWbTU9wQHl99U6QKVEifcNP5bPJDOkT-7pXaSPtTUYEjkFZF2aaIJMhOUELX0KVGplQKeiNpVaNRYMjQvYhQHQ7l9rIRAuvGsH02HjxDs_6XcOhE3SS4oAjUOLxTSqcN088YJbiCOFD/s320/IMG_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPH9lv224TeIfOlJWjsytWWbPiuKARupJl14O8urKmBkJAteaCdWbTU9wQHl99U6QKVEifcNP5bPJDOkT-7pXaSPtTUYEjkFZF2aaIJMhOUELX0KVGplQKeiNpVaNRYMjQvYhQHQ7l9rIRAuvGsH02HjxDs_6XcOhE3SS4oAjUOLxTSqcN088YJbiCOFD/w300-h400/IMG_0488.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jermaine Dye 2005 World Series MVP bobblehead<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Jermaine Dye</a></b> was the last legitimate long-term solution to play right field for the White Sox. He was on the South Side of Chicago from 2005 until 2009, so it's been a while since that position has had stability.<br /></p><p>Here are the players who have started the most games at that position for the Sox, by year, since 2010:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>2010: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quentca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Carlos Quentin</a></b></li><li><b>2011: </b>Quentin</li><li><b>2012:</b> <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riosal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Alex Rios</a></b></li><li><b>2013:</b> Rios</li><li><b>2014:</b> <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vicieda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dayan Viciedo</a></b></li><li><b>2015: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garciav01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Avisail Garcia</a></b></li><li><b>2016: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=eatonad02,eatonad01&search=Adam+Eaton&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Adam Eaton</a></b></li><li><b>2017: </b>Garcia</li><li><b>2018:</b> Garcia</li><li><b>2019:</b> <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cordery01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ryan Cordell</a></b></li><li><b>2020: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mazarno01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Nomar Mazara</a></b></li><li><b>2021:</b> Eaton</li><li><b>2022: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sheetga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gavin Sheets</a></b></li><li><b>2023: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colasos01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Oscar Colas</a></b></li></ul><p>Eaton had a good year in right field the first time he was here, in 2016. But he was a shell of his former self when he was brought back in 2021, and he ended up getting designated for assignment the first week of July that year.<br /></p><p>Garcia was the Sox's 2017 All-Star representative during his injury-plagued tenure with the team, and even though he was around for parts of six seasons, he never was regarded as a franchise cornerstone.</p><p>Since 2018, right field has been a revolving door. <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/palkada01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Daniel Palka</a></b> shared the position with Garcia and Cordell for a short time. Mazara was a bust in 2020. <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/engelad01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Adam Engel</a></b> was always hanging around on the roster, when healthy, and he saw playing time in right field in 2021 after Eaton fell off the map. <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goodwbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brian Goodwin</a></b> was with the team in 2021, too.</p><p>Once 2022 rolled around, there wasn't a right fielder on the roster, so the Sox put two first basemen out there in <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=vaughan01,vaughn001and&search=Andrew+Vaughn&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Andrew Vaughn</a></b> and Sheets. That was defensive nightmare, with neither man hitting enough to overcome the shortcomings in the field.</p><p>Colas was supposed to be the answer in 2023. Instead, his rookie season was poor. He batted .216/.257/.314 with only five home runs in 75 games. His season WAR finished at -1.5, and he was twice demoted to Triple-A Charlotte.</p><p>In fact, Colas finished the season at Charlotte. It was quite an indictment that he wasn't welcome on a 101-loss team that was playing out the string in September. Once again, Sheets was getting playing time in right field instead.</p><p>As the offseason began, new GM <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Getz</a></b> acknowledged that Colas could use more time at Triple-A.</p><p>Getz will find no disagreement here. That said, who is the right fielder for the 2024 season? As we sit here on Jan. 9, Sheets still seems to sit atop the depth chart, with Colas next in line. </p><p>The Sox recently signed <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phillbr02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brett Phillips</a></b> to a minor league contract. Phillips, 29, can no doubt handle the position defensively, but he's bounced around for seven seasons, playing for five different teams, because he cannot hit a lick.</p><p>In his career, Phillips is batting .187/.272/.347. </p><p>But hey, he played for the Kansas City Royals from 2018 until 2020, so he knows Sox manager <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grifope99.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pedro Grifol</a></b>! That seems to be a qualification that appeals to the Sox these days. Pedro needs his guys, even if they can't play worth a damn.</p><p>I'm not counting Phillips in for the 26-man roster when the season starts. After all, he's on a minor league deal, and he'll have to win a job in spring training. Frankly, I don't see him being better than Colas, and that's saying something, because I'm not a fan of Colas' game.</p><p>I assume the Sox aren't going to make the mistake of putting <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jimenel02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eloy Jimenez</a></b> in the outfield again. Sure, he could play right field, but only until he gets hurt again.</p><p>Maybe the 2024 right fielder is coming in a trade? If starting pitcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceasedy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-08_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dylan Cease</a></b> is dealt, as is rumored, perhaps the centerpiece in such a trade would be a young outfielder to start in right field.</p><p>It's just not clear what the answer is here, and it hasn't been clear for years and years. Aren't the Sox sick of having a sinkhole at that position yet? <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-59355258409609524162024-01-08T00:30:00.005-06:002024-01-08T00:30:00.133-06:00My favorite Earl Weaver ejection of all time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just because I haven't watched it in a few months, I decided today to take a break from complaining about White Sox management to watch <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveea99.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-07_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Earl Weaver</a></b> go ballistic over a balk call during a 1980 game between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The umpire involved is Joliet, Ill., native Bill Haller, <a href="https://fredcdames.com/tribute/details/7742/William-Haller/obituary.html" rel="nofollow">who passed away just a couple of years ago</a>.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's especially funny to me is, if you look at the scoreboard out in left field, there's one out in the top of the first inning in a scoreless game. The action has barely started, and Weaver is getting launched by the umpiring crew. Quick ejection, not that he didn't earn it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Warning, this is not suitable for work, but enjoy:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FrhmUGRaOwY" width="320" youtube-src-id="FrhmUGRaOwY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-83502107999615586392024-01-05T00:30:00.002-06:002024-01-05T00:30:00.140-06:00Pedro Grifol's latest goofy comments<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBivZGifPlrAnwl79JvaZHYFS5l8nFRboRlZEuDWns9xv2zdPz_a_b0R7nvz4GwRO6NiDXrDiNgoXeovzxrtaYWQqP1ye6fp0_R_uzHVkXST1fhuK6XiNB-DP_R-UBZrzkvn2YD-lwlsMptNYnuj9bVZMaWk9AIa2XJOpRcZ9VNP89QSYlj5f6wH7E0k0-/s253/Goofy.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="199" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBivZGifPlrAnwl79JvaZHYFS5l8nFRboRlZEuDWns9xv2zdPz_a_b0R7nvz4GwRO6NiDXrDiNgoXeovzxrtaYWQqP1ye6fp0_R_uzHVkXST1fhuK6XiNB-DP_R-UBZrzkvn2YD-lwlsMptNYnuj9bVZMaWk9AIa2XJOpRcZ9VNP89QSYlj5f6wH7E0k0-/w252-h320/Goofy.png" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofy</td></tr></tbody></table>Did you catch the article Daryl Van Schouwen <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2023/12/30/24017114/white-sox-casting-wide-net-around-starting-pitcher-possibilities" target="_blank">wrote in the Sun-Times last weekend</a>? <p></p><p>Man, I don't know how I'm going to get through another season of White Sox manager <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grifope99.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pedro Grifol</a></b>'s goofy comments in the press.</p><p>The article points out that the Sox have about 10 options for their starting rotation in 2024, which is accurate. I don't know about the quality of those options, but I can find 10 names. <a href="http://thebaseballkid98.blogspot.com/2024/01/what-does-white-sox-starting-pitching.html" target="_blank">In fact, I performed that exercise earlier in the week.</a></p><p>Here's what Grifol had to say in the article:</p><p> <i>"We broke training camp with six starters [last year], only one for
depth. This year, with all those kids
finishing up at Triple-A and the trades [at the Aug. 1 deadline and
offseason], we’re looking at 11, 12, maybe 14 starters deep who have the
capability of pitching in the big leagues this year if we need it.</i></p><p><i> ‘‘As far as the depth for starting pitching, I’m really happy. And we’re not done by any means. I’m OK with where we’re at.’’</i></p><p>OK, he's happy with the pitching depth.<i> </i>But then later in the article, he offers this:</p><p><i>‘‘I put our team down on paper, and our lineup is pretty good. We’re missing TA [<b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/anderti01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tim Anderson</a></b>], and a healthy, good TA is hard
to come by. But other than that, if we’re healthy, our lineup is pretty
good. We just have to continue to address the pitching.’’ </i></p><p>Wait a minute ... I thought he was happy with the pitching. Or maybe he's just happy with the depth, but is saying it without saying it that they need another steady veteran to fortify things. If so, I won't disagree.</p><p>But the part about the lineup being "pretty good," that's pure fantasy. He put the team down on paper, huh? Well, let's do that ourselves. Here's the projected position-by-position lineup as it currently stands, with each player's OPS+ from last year:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>C: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maldoma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Martin Maldonado</a></b>, 66 OPS+</li><li><b>1B: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=vaughan01,vaughn001and&search=Andrew+Vaughn&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Andrew Vaughn</a></b>, 101 OPS+</li><li><b>2B: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lopezni01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Nicky Lopez</a></b>, 89 OPS+</li><li><b>SS:</b> <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dejonpa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paul DeJong</a></b>, 66 OPS+</li><li><b>3B: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moncayo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Yoan Moncada</a></b>, 97 OPS+</li><li><b>LF: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beninan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Andrew Benintendi</a></b>, 87 OPS+</li><li><b>CF:</b> <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberlu01.shtml" target="_blank">Luis Robert Jr.</a></b>, 128 OPS+</li><li><b>RF:</b> <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sheetga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gavin Sheets</a></b>, 63 OPS+</li><li><b>DH: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jimenel02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eloy Jimenez</a></b>, 104 OPS+</li></ul><p>Keep in mind, 100 is the league average for OPS+. So, when we say Maldonado and DeJong have a 66 OPS+, that means they are 34% BELOW THE LEAGUE AVERAGE! They stink with the bat!</p><p>The projected 2024 Sox lineup has a grand total of three batters that clear the bar of being league average. Robert Jr. is comfortably over 100. Vaughn and Jimenez narrowly make that cut, and Moncada narrowly misses it.</p><p>So, one good hitter, three average ones and five guys who stink. Is that "pretty good," Pedro? </p><p>The manager is pretty goofy. Heck, the Sox might not be any worse off if they had Goofy as their manager. Do you suppose Goofy could guide the team to a 61-101 record? <br /></p><p></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-35502211116117357012024-01-04T01:00:00.005-06:002024-01-04T01:00:00.137-06:00Lucas Giolito, Chris Sale joining new teams<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUXZuODuLTVpv6SWrSgOPcskMMWw-yiYuZx_aOWygWzib_U7qpXcow1ND4GtF8FoVEmL0TA4UgK1byYBm-XyaXbg8sRnmRbqG0Db3RYvKeAi9pEA-JkTDU3mfgLtMIJqrbgx9M1Ujga8HAjjoIvajSLItcOmm5L1sjIFofVWVmz3TV1Cx-wJ3jmwnUHE9/s1902/giolito.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1902" data-original-width="1877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUXZuODuLTVpv6SWrSgOPcskMMWw-yiYuZx_aOWygWzib_U7qpXcow1ND4GtF8FoVEmL0TA4UgK1byYBm-XyaXbg8sRnmRbqG0Db3RYvKeAi9pEA-JkTDU3mfgLtMIJqrbgx9M1Ujga8HAjjoIvajSLItcOmm5L1sjIFofVWVmz3TV1Cx-wJ3jmwnUHE9/s320/giolito.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas Giolito<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Erase the idea of <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/giolilu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Lucas Giolito</a></b> coming back to the White Sox on a one-year prove-it deal. The 29-year-old right-hander did better than that on the open market, <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/red-sox-in-agreement-with-lucas-giolito.html" target="_blank">securing a two-year contract worth $38.5 million</a> from the Boston Red Sox.<p></p><p>Giolito will earn $18 million in 2024, with an option to get out of the deal next winter. He will receive a $1 million buyout if he opts out. His 2025 salary will be $19 million if he opts in.</p><p>If he opts in, that activates a conditional option covering 2026. If Giolito throws fewer than 140 innings in 2025, the Red Sox have a $14 million team option for 2026. If Giolito tops 140 innings, there's a $19 million mutual option. Buyouts in either case would total $1.5 million.</p><p>Giolito had a bizarre 2023 campaign. The White Sox traded him to the Los Angeles Angels in late July. Eventually, the Angels placed him on waivers, where he was claimed by Cleveland. He finished his season with the Guardians. Here's how he fared with each of the three teams:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>White Sox:</b> 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA over 20 starts; 134 Ks in 121 IP.</li><li><b>Angels: </b>1-5 with a 6.89 ERA over 6 starts; 34 Ks in 32.2 IP.</li><li><b>Guardians:</b> 1-4 with a 7.04 ERA over 6 starts; 39 Ks in 30.2 IP.</li></ul><p>Would you believe it if I told you Giolito allowed 41 home runs over 184.1 innings last season? Forty-one!</p><p>But here's the funny thing: He allowed 20 of those homers over his 21 starts with Chicago. That home run rate is certainly higher than one might like, but that's nothing until you consider that Giolito allowed 21(!) homers in his combined 12 starts with the Angels and Guardians.</p><p>Indeed, this is the rare player who got WORSE when he left the White Sox. He couldn't keep the ball in the yard with the Angels or Guardians. What does that mean for him pitching with Boston and the short porch in left field at Fenway Park? We shall see.</p><p>What we do know is Giolito will not be teammates with former Sox ace <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Sale</a></b>, <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/braves-red-sox-trade-chris-sale-for-vaughn-grissom.html" target="_blank">who was traded from Boston to Atlanta </a>for infielder <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grissva01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Vaughn Grissom</a></b>. Sale waived his no-trade clause, and Boston included $17 million in the deal to help the Braves cope with Sale's $27.5 million salary for this upcoming season.</p><p>Around here, we're not too interested in the composition of the Atlanta rotation, but I do think this move means the Braves are OUT on any potential deal for Sox right-hander <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceasedy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dylan Cease</a></b>. Atlanta just wasn't going to give up multiple prospects to fortify its pitching staff, and it didn't have to do that in order to acquire Sale.</p><p>If you're still thinking Cease will be on the move this offseason, potential suitors might include the Red Sox, as well as the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees or Cincinnati Reds.<br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-36377274512216788222024-01-03T00:30:00.009-06:002024-01-03T00:30:00.249-06:00What does the White Sox starting pitching staff look like entering 2024? <p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i4SsFXXQTNcTI0S-yIckmAWTYyE8XZru4t8AV3uZw9p_O3Fhowd1LQBJgDRwKoZf6P5NXV_pxZHmUUa_35Hr2WOx-KCQASKi00qvKm83BZw41W95p7RlGEHVrUfr-f6BRg8uBc2_0TSKw36Y_WA19Gh3DBq3mbjitey4ecRM9q1mZPXXB5-y8Ejc1NQT/s239/cease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="211" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i4SsFXXQTNcTI0S-yIckmAWTYyE8XZru4t8AV3uZw9p_O3Fhowd1LQBJgDRwKoZf6P5NXV_pxZHmUUa_35Hr2WOx-KCQASKi00qvKm83BZw41W95p7RlGEHVrUfr-f6BRg8uBc2_0TSKw36Y_WA19Gh3DBq3mbjitey4ecRM9q1mZPXXB5-y8Ejc1NQT/w283-h320/cease.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan Cease<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Please hold your nose as we delve into the state of the White Sox starting pitching staff as the calendar turns to a new year.</p><p>The most recent Sox pitching addition? That would be 29-year-old right-hander <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flexech01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Flexen</a></b>, who recently agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million, with an extra $1 million available if he hits certain performance bonuses.</p><p>Once upon a time, two years ago, Flexen was a productive pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He went 14-6 with a 3.61 ERA over 31 starts in 179.2 innings in 2021. He backed that up by going 8-9 with a 3.73 ERA over 33 games (22 starts) in 137.2 innings in 2022.</p><p>We'd take either of those two years from him right now, wouldn't we, Sox fans?</p><p>Well, don't count on it because Flexen had a disastrous 2023. He pitched in 17 games with the Mariners and got DFA'd in late June after going 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA. He bounced from the New York Mets to the Colorado Rockies, and while in Denver, he started 12 games and went 2-4 with 6.37 ERA.</p><p>The only blessing? Flexen once again was durable enough to clear 100 innings -- he pitched 102.1 innings between the Mariners and the Rockies -- and that's not nothing.</p><p>However, he allowed more earned runs (78) than he had strikeouts (74), and opponents slugged .740 against his four-seam fastball. Flexen surrendered 25 home runs in 2023.</p><p>There's a reason he's available for cheap on a one-year deal, friends. Maybe Sox pitching guru <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bannibr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brian Bannister</a></b> and pitching coach Ethan Katz have a recipe for Flexen to regain his 2021-22 form, but this signing is nothing but a huge question mark.</p><p>So, here's how the five-man rotation sets up, as we sit here on the evening of Jan. 2:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceasedy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dylan Cease</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feddeer01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Erick Fedde</a></b> <br /></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sorokmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Michael Soroka</a></b></li><li>Flexen</li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/toussto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Touki Toussaint</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kopecmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Michael Kopech</a></b><br /></li></ol><p>There's still a real possibility Cease gets traded, perhaps sooner rather than later, but he's here for now. After finishing second in the Cy Young voting in 2022, Cease's ERA spiked from 2.20 to 4.58 in 2023. The underlying metrics suggest Cease isn't as good as he was in 2022, but he isn't as bad as he was in 2023, either. </p><p>If you look at Cease's 2021 numbers -- 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 165.2 innings, with a 1.249 WHIP and a 12.3 K/9 -- that seems like a reasonable expectation. Maybe with a slightly lower K rate, but you get the point.</p><p>Fedde might be the "big free agent acquisition" for the offseason. As we noted earlier on this blog, <a href="http://thebaseballkid98.blogspot.com/2023/12/source-white-sox-to-sign-kbo-pitching.html" target="_blank">he had a big season in the Korean League last year</a>. <br /></p><p>Soroka, of course, came over from the Atlanta Braves in the <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bummeaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Aaron Bummer</a></b> deal. He was great in 2019, but injuries have limited him every year since. Will he be healthy? And if he is, what are the Sox getting? Who knows?</p><p>Kopech is both wild and an injury risk, and he's probably down to his last chance to stick in the starting rotation after a disastrous 2023 that saw him go 5-12 with a 5.43 ERA. Toussaint and Flexen are reclamation projects at this stage of their careers. The Sox were lucky to coax 83.1 innings out of Toussaint last season.</p><p>As in any baseball season, a team needs more than five or six starters to get through 162 games. Here are some other guys the Sox might use in 2024:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shustja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jared Shuster</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scholje01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jesse Scholtens</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nastri000nic&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Nick Nastrini</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=eder--000jak&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jake Eder</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mena--000cri&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cristian Mena</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martida03.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Davis Martin</a></b></li></ul><p>Shuster is a change-of-scenery lefty who came over from the Braves with Soroka in the Bummer deal. Scholtens got 85 innings with the Sox last year, and there were diminishing returns as the season moved along. Nastrini is a prospect acquired from the Dodgers midseason last year. Eder is a lefty prospect who came from the Marlins in the <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burgeja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-02_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jake Burger</a></b> trade. </p><p>Mena is a 21-year-old righty who pitched as high as Triple-A Charlotte in 2023. Some have forgotten about Martin, who made nine starts in 2022. He missed 2023 with elbow surgery, but could contribute to the Sox late in 2024.</p><p>Add all this up, and two things are true: 1) The Sox have options, but many of them are suspect, and 2) This type of rotation projection gets you picked to finish last, even in the sad-sack American League Central. <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-37169029229906590132024-01-02T00:30:00.004-06:002024-01-02T00:30:00.131-06:00White Sox make offseason changes at catcher<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJptQQfdJ2SDkv8rS6VdqATXns96JtHXhS4uuGAMMK5YPWDeF7y7qH7KhCp3B9fnlEbdeQFSBDYsvA4mGD6-L33dcN2ehEEJRQ2h_y8HOFpxKukDxJEAUOiy_L4iu-_qjGl58LStDLX9uVNRSnvQPO8sYzCnZ16esr9he9OK83GPvb5ZJb3Pu7cIZ80Eb4/s502/maldonado.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJptQQfdJ2SDkv8rS6VdqATXns96JtHXhS4uuGAMMK5YPWDeF7y7qH7KhCp3B9fnlEbdeQFSBDYsvA4mGD6-L33dcN2ehEEJRQ2h_y8HOFpxKukDxJEAUOiy_L4iu-_qjGl58LStDLX9uVNRSnvQPO8sYzCnZ16esr9he9OK83GPvb5ZJb3Pu7cIZ80Eb4/s320/maldonado.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Maldonado<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>When the offseason began, it looked as though the White Sox were poised to play younger players at catcher in 2024.<p></p><p>Both 25-year-old <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leeko01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Korey Lee</a></b> and 27-year-old <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=perezca03,perezca02,perezca01,perez-033car,perez-032car,perez-036car&search=Carlos+Perez&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Carlos Perez</a></b> had spots on the 40-man roster. Both have some major league experience, and the conventional thinking was at least one of them would be with the team when the season starts in March.</p><p>Now, perhaps not.</p><p>The Sox are adding 37-year-old catcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maldoma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Martin Maldonado</a></b> on a one-year deal, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39189323/white-sox-martin-maldonado-agree-1-year-deal-sources-say" target="_blank">according to reports</a>. The contract is worth $4 million, and reportedly contains a vesting option for the 2025 season.</p><p>Earlier in December, the Sox acquired 32-year-old veteran catcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stassma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Max Stassi</a></b> from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash and a player to be named later.</p><p>Maldonado comes to the Sox from Houston. He was the starting catcher for the Astros from 2019 to 2023, and he was part of two American League pennant winners (2019, 2022) and one World Series champion.</p><p>He has a reputation as a terrific defensive catcher, although his framing statistics fell off a cliff in 2023. He's still a good blocker and thrower, but he's a notoriously weak hitter.</p><p>Here are his offensive numbers from the past three seasons:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>2021:</b> .172/.272/.300, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs</li><li><b>2022: </b>.186/.248/.352, 15 home runs, 45 RBIs</li><li><b>2023:</b> .191/.258/.348, 15 home runs, 36 RBIs</li></ul><p>In short, expect Maldonado to bat ninth, hit the occasional home run and otherwise be terrible with a bat in his hands. The Sox will be counting on him to provide veteran leadership and game-planning to help what figures to be a young pitching staff.</p><p>Stassi did not play during the 2023 season because of a hip injury and a family health emergency -- <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/angels-news-max-stassi-wife-make-emotional-announcement-after-sons-long-health-battle" target="_blank">his son was born three months premature in April</a>. </p><p>When he was last seen on a major league field in 2022, Stassi struggled with the Los Angeles Angels. He batted .180/.267/.303 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 102 games.</p><p>But, in 2020 and 2021, Stassi was serviceable for the Angels. If you combine his numbers over those two seasons, they pencil out to a .250/.333/.452 batting line with 20 homers over 118 games. His defensive metrics all were strong, so that's a useful profile if he can regain that form.</p><p>Perez was recently designated for assignment, so we can eliminate him from the 2024 catching mix. Maldonado will certainly be on the team, if healthy, so that leaves Lee and Stassi competing for a roster spot.</p><p>Lee got 24 games in with the Sox last year, after coming over from the Astros in the <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/graveke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kendall Graveman</a></b> trade, but he didn't do much with the opportunity. His defense was OK, but it certainly wasn't enough to overcome a .077/.143/.138 slash line in 70 plate appearances.</p><p>Also notable on the organizational depth chart is 24-year-old Adam Hackenburg, who has a good defensive reputation and ascended to Triple-A Charlotte by the end of 2023.</p><p>Hackenburg also had his best season at the plate. He batted .271/.366/.388 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs in 101 games split between Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham.</p><p>The intrigue here comes with whether Maldonado and/or Stassi can improve the Sox's game preparation. The 2023 season began with manager <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grifope99.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pedro Grifol</a></b> and field coordinator Mike Tosar <a href="https://theathletic.com/3961700/2022/12/03/white-sox-mike-tosar/" target="_blank">boasting about how the team would be "elite" in that area</a>.</p><p>After 101 losses, <a href="https://allchgo.com/1-on-1-with-pedro-grifol-white-sox-manager-talks-what-went-wrong-during-2023-season/" target="_blank">the season ended with Grifol lamenting how the Sox were actually subpar in that area</a>. Interestingly, he didn't make those remarks until after the previous catching duo (<b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grandya01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Yasmani Grandal</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zavalse01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-01_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Seby Zavala</a></b>) had been shown the exit. </p><p>If Grandal and Zavala were poor in that area, Grifol should have stepped in and addressed it during the season. Perhaps he tried and failed. From the outside, how are we to know? </p><p>But, it is 100% fair to not trust Grifol to deliver on his promise of "elite preparation" after what we saw last year. So, perhaps it falls to Maldonado to clean up the mess. That won't be easy for a player in his first (and maybe his only) year with the organization, but that's the task at hand.<br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-78554133567616097252024-01-01T00:30:00.001-06:002024-01-01T00:30:00.137-06:00Happy 2024 from The Baseball Kid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW22B9_2Zlrjmg0Av2xFrrlRomOdcF8HZ-tfJh7oMxgjb0qULlhVuaxM1ntbDfeHBVWVBtFf7hOrAAJhZDLvDslFXq4EdQrR51EWcxxCABXd27cZgXq7U3VeH_ZvPiXagIQxtqFx42cWPXX2_AQ6H0nRNOLgZfGlz56L_xFphlcUhCOIQ_9BwPKVveg/s615/newyear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="615" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW22B9_2Zlrjmg0Av2xFrrlRomOdcF8HZ-tfJh7oMxgjb0qULlhVuaxM1ntbDfeHBVWVBtFf7hOrAAJhZDLvDslFXq4EdQrR51EWcxxCABXd27cZgXq7U3VeH_ZvPiXagIQxtqFx42cWPXX2_AQ6H0nRNOLgZfGlz56L_xFphlcUhCOIQ_9BwPKVveg/w400-h300/newyear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> </p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-35307220759446024352023-12-25T00:30:00.000-06:002023-12-25T00:30:00.246-06:00Merry Christmas from The Baseball Kid<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQWFVOsr7AJa1UvqkHt6VGTWb-CZ21ifjDzY14zmTkC7gbtC-iVdxYoeKwAGUDRa7BtQuxuaYiLZSJHZKCHI7y9pElz8mI096KavEtB8ndcQqo31ruFg9FnqZ8jX5NzT6172NSQKOywHmFDVKxebTcKQvtupUgQ1jtjDGfMcrLv_81q6-O45LMsQeSJbb/s297/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQWFVOsr7AJa1UvqkHt6VGTWb-CZ21ifjDzY14zmTkC7gbtC-iVdxYoeKwAGUDRa7BtQuxuaYiLZSJHZKCHI7y9pElz8mI096KavEtB8ndcQqo31ruFg9FnqZ8jX5NzT6172NSQKOywHmFDVKxebTcKQvtupUgQ1jtjDGfMcrLv_81q6-O45LMsQeSJbb/w400-h229/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-21379326312562349282023-12-19T19:31:00.000-06:002023-12-19T19:31:06.688-06:00'Winter with the White Sox' apparently replacing SoxFest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w2cB6YM5uudoeEzNIxfGcYN_A9y9vkKgtSC67z2xn93W3SNZjqqjuE7tjpb_DFsg5B-X0NXXzagOITzNpK6sGT7s6p1YzDF7HX8Z6Gz0WCjYg_A79KeEph5cIEEZBZ1xFrUkObmZjSO5x8NpwZSdUgIxCTPLI5xEmuM-giLZeNvhjGmdbdTM52bnWA7t/s1000/600x1000_sth_wwtws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w2cB6YM5uudoeEzNIxfGcYN_A9y9vkKgtSC67z2xn93W3SNZjqqjuE7tjpb_DFsg5B-X0NXXzagOITzNpK6sGT7s6p1YzDF7HX8Z6Gz0WCjYg_A79KeEph5cIEEZBZ1xFrUkObmZjSO5x8NpwZSdUgIxCTPLI5xEmuM-giLZeNvhjGmdbdTM52bnWA7t/s320/600x1000_sth_wwtws.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>The White Sox haven't conducted SoxFest since 2020, and there won't be such an event this January either.<p></p><p>However, there will be a "Winter with the White Sox" gathering for season ticket holders on Jan. 26, 2024. I received a "save the date" email on Tuesday afternoon. </p><p>This is a little surprising because I have not renewed my season tickets for the 2024 season, and frankly, I do not intend to renew. I do not expect to be included on emails such as this. </p><p>Perhaps they are trying to entice me to renew by offering me access to this special event. That will not work.</p><p>It's bizarre for the Sox to send a "save the date" without telling potential attendees what the venue will be, or what the event will entail.</p><p>I mean, are they going to host this at Guaranteed Rate Field? It's a little cold there in January, right? Maybe they'll have the event in Nashville, since Jerry Reinsdorf wants to move the team there, LOL.</p><p>To be honest, even if I were invited, I don't think I want to go to this event. I'm not excited about the 2024 Sox. They haven't made any impact acquisitions this offseason, coming off a 61-101 season. And that, ultimately, is the reason I'm not renewing my season tickets. It isn't fun to be a fan of this organization anymore.</p><p>I will be interested to hear what type of activities they will be offering at this occasion. Here are a few guesses:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Meet your ticket representative and discuss upgrading your seats!</li><li>Purchase a spring training travel package now! See <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohtansh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-19_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Shohei Ohtani</a></b> and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch (and the Sox too)!</li><li>Buy discounted merchandise! You will never get a better deal on <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/belisro01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-19_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ronald Belisario</a></b>'s game-worn pants from 2014!</li><li>Enter a raffle to win a White Sox bobblehead! Multiple winners will be drawn! (We have to get rid of these damn <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grandya01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-19_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Yasmani Grandal</a></b> bobbles sometime.)</li><li>Meet "White Sox legend" <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kittlro01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-19_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ron Kittle</a></b>! Sure his career WAR is like 4.7, but he won American League Rookie of the Year 40 years ago! Bring your kids for autographs, even though Ronny retired 20 to 25 years before they were born!</li></ul><p>That's the kind of stuff the Sox generally come up with these days. They are simply out of ideas. I wish I had better things to say about the organization, but it's just a sorry state of affairs.</p><p>Notice how I managed to work Ohtani into this blog. The metrics show that mentioning him increases traffic by leaps and bounds. </p><p>You don't think people are actually visiting this site because they enjoy reading about the Sox, do you? <br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-88981013428310450292023-12-11T22:16:00.002-06:002023-12-11T22:16:36.429-06:00Shohei Ohtani defers 97% of his $700M contract with Dodgers<p>It comes as no surprise that two-way superstar <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohtansh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-11_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Shohei Ohtani</a></b> has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the dollar figure gave a lot of observers some sticker shock: <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-new-contract-stats-and-facts" target="_blank">10 years, $700 million</a>.</p><p>Previously, the biggest outlay in baseball history had gone to Ohtani's former teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-11_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mike Trout</a></b>, whose contract calls for $426.5 million over 12 years.</p><p>This deal obviously blows that out of the water, but it comes with an interesting twist: Ohtani is deferring $680 million of that money.</p><p>The two-time MVP will earn just $2 million per season from now until 2033. Then the Dodgers will owe him $68 million annually every year from 2034 until 2043.</p><p>Why do this? It's all about taxes -- the competitive balance tax and income tax. The competitive balance tax payroll for each team typically uses the average annual value of contracts, which is $70 million in this case, but there's a discount for deferred money.</p><p>I'm not a good accountant, so I'm not sure how we arrive at this figure, but media reports say Ohtani's cost toward the competitive balance tax payroll with be $46 million. Yeah, that's a lot less than $70 million.</p><p>If you add up the contracts for Ohtani and other Dodgers stars <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-11_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mookie Betts</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freemfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-11_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Freddie Freeman</a></b>, they account for about $100 million of Los Angeles' competitive balance tax payroll. The luxury tax kicks in at $237 million, so the Dodgers still have room to work to fill out their roster.</p><p>Also, presumably, Ohtani will moved back to his native Japan after he retires. I don't know what income taxes are there, but California is a highly taxed state. There might be some savings there if he defers his income until later.</p><p>What's the risk for Ohtani? Well, he's not collecting interest on these deferred dollars. With inflation, $68 million in 2043 probably won't go as far as it will in 2024 dollars. But maybe that's a ridiculous concern, given the absurd figures we're talking about here. And Ohtani is expected to make upward of $45 million per season in endorsements, so he's going to have plenty of income well beyond his base salary.</p><p>I've seen a lot of comments online from people who think this is "unfair" and "bad for baseball" and whatnot. I think that remains to be seen. Ohtani is a unicorn player, an elite hitter and an elite pitcher all in one. I'd be shocked if this sort of contract becomes common. Most players aren't going to be willing to accept these kinds of deferrals, and most teams aren't going to be willing to give them.</p><p>Mostly, I think the people who are upset are just mad that Ohtani is not on their favorite team. It's clear that Ohtani is structuring his contract to give the Dodgers a better chance to win. He wants to go to the World Series. The Dodgers are trying to win a World Series, and they've done nothing here that violates the collective bargaining agreement.</p><p>I wish my favorite team was trying to win the World Series.<br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-88231633055549702592023-12-06T01:00:00.001-06:002023-12-06T01:00:00.162-06:002024 MLB Draft Lottery results<p><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2024-draft-lottery-results" target="_blank">Major League Baseball held its Draft Lottery </a>on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. And here is your 2024 draft order:</p><p>1. Guardians<br />2. Reds<br />3. Rockies<br />4. Athletics<br /><b>5. White Sox</b><br />6. Royals<br />7. Cardinals<br />8. Angels<br />9. Pirates<br />10. Nationals<br />11. Tigers<br />12. Red Sox<br />13. Giants<br />14. Cubs<br />15. Mariners<br />16. Marlins<br />17. Brewers<br />18. Rays<br />19. Mets<br />20. Blue Jays<br />21. Twins<br />22. Orioles<br />23. Dodgers<br />24. Braves<br />25. Padres<br />26. Yankees<br />27. Phillies<br />28. Astros<br />29. D-backs<br />30. Rangers<br />31. D-backs<br />32. Orioles<br />33. Twins</p><p>The Sox had the fourth-worst record in baseball in 2023, and thus had the fourth-best odds for getting the No. 1 pick at 14.7%. Instead, they drop down to the No. 5 spot.</p><p>In addition, the Sox will pick no higher than No. 10 in the 2025 draft, because large-market teams cannot be in the lottery in back-to-back seasons, according to the terms of the league's collective bargaining agreement.</p><p>Keep that in mind next season, when casual fans excuse terrible play and justify mounting losses by saying, "At least the Sox will get a better draft pick." Actually, no they will not.</p><p>And, of course, AL Central rival Cleveland gets the top selection, even though the Guardians only had a 2.0% chance of doing so. Nobody can say it was fixed.<br /></p>Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-63014104669692710962023-12-05T21:17:00.006-06:002023-12-05T21:17:54.225-06:00Source: White Sox to sign KBO pitching star Erick Fedde<p>The White Sox on Tuesday agreed with right-handed pitcher <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feddeer01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-05_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Erick Fedde</a></b> on <a href="https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/white-sox-erick-fedde-deal" target="_blank">a two-year, $15 million contract</a>, according to a source.</p><p>Fedde, 30, pitched parts of six seasons with the Washington Nationals from 2017-22. He appeared in 102 games, including 88 starts, and went 21-33 with a 5.41 ERA. He had a rough season in 2022, going 6-13 with a 5.81 ERA. </p><p>Those struggles were so bad, in fact, that Fedde found himself pitching in the Korean Baseball Organization in 2023.</p><p>That turned out to be a good career move. Fedde tossed 180.1 innings for the NC Dinos of the KBO, going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA. He struck out 209 batters and walked just 35. Fedde won the Choi Dong-won Award for his efforts, the KBO equivalent of the Cy Young. </p><p>Knowing that Fedde stunk the last time he pitched in the U.S., why should Sox fans be optimistic about this move? Well, senior pitching advisor <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bannibr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-05_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brian Bannister</a></b> was on <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBanny" target="_blank">the platform formally known as Twitter </a>to explain the move to fans. </p><p>Bannister noted that Fedde works out in the offseason with San Francisco Giants ace <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/webblo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-05_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Logan Webb</a></b>, and the two made the exact same changes to their pitching arsenal in recent times. </p><p>Fedde has changed his slider to more of a sweeper, and he adjusted his changeup grip, as well, making the pitch have an action more like a split-finger fastball. Bannister stated that Fedde had neither of those two weapons in his arsenal with Washington. </p><p>These adjustments worked in the KBO. Now we wait to see whether Fedde's newfound pitches will work against the best hitters in the world.</p><p>One thing I will say in Fedde's favor: I like the fact that he threw 180-plus innings in 2023. If there's one thing the Sox need, it's more innings from starting pitchers. Fedde should be well positioned to provide that. Let's just hope those innings are quality.<br /></p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413612297058334932.post-77281400826351477762023-12-04T01:00:00.008-06:002023-12-04T01:00:00.137-06:00Jim Leyland elected to Baseball Hall of Fame<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8zweTfH19jq-UT-fkmM3HyyqwsaoaXSar7g2urMNYQhLoE22HBusMdjAAeUdMTxwT7UyaXg1ad7FHI-xkuRn4IfVdpHfJVRxmerbHP4TaUE9ViatWwNih1XoIqm7DigYAA00JLId5x1gbeVYWEmJIrMY-0FAZtRyxb8sNefdt1czfAVVZBPl9qiqxTG5/s644/leyland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8zweTfH19jq-UT-fkmM3HyyqwsaoaXSar7g2urMNYQhLoE22HBusMdjAAeUdMTxwT7UyaXg1ad7FHI-xkuRn4IfVdpHfJVRxmerbHP4TaUE9ViatWwNih1XoIqm7DigYAA00JLId5x1gbeVYWEmJIrMY-0FAZtRyxb8sNefdt1czfAVVZBPl9qiqxTG5/s320/leyland.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Leyland<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Our congratulations go out to former White Sox third-base coach <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leylaji99.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jim Leyland</a></b>, who was <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/hall-of-fame-contemporary-era-ballot-2023" target="_blank">elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame</a> on Sunday by the Contemporary Baseball Era Non-Players Committee.</p><p>The committee examines the Hall cases of managers, umpires and executives whose greatest contributions to the sport came after 1980.</p><p>Leyland appeared on 15 of 16 ballots. One needs 12 votes in order to be elected to the Hall. Former manager <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pinielo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Lou Piniella</a></b> (11 votes) and former executive Bill White (10 votes) fell just short of the threshold.</p><p>Also considered were former managers <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gastoci01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cito Gaston</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsda02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&utm_campaign=2023-12-03_br" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Davey Johnson</a></b>, umpires Ed Montague and Joe West, and executive Hank Peters.</p><p>Leyland, of course, was the third-base coach for manager <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/larusto01.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Tony La Russa</b></a> when the Sox won the 1983 American League West Division championship. However, that is not the reason Leyland was elected to the Hall of Fame.</p><p>He went on to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-96), Florida Marlins (1997-98), Colorado Rockies (1999) and Detroit Tigers (2006-13) over a period of 22 seasons. His final career record stands at 1,769 wins and 1,728 losses.</p><p>Leyland guided Pittsburgh to three straight National League East Division championships between 1990 and 1992. The Pirates won 95 games or more in each of those seasons, but they could never break through and get to the World Series, losing in the NLCS three years in a row.</p><p>In 1997, Leyland moved to Florida and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/FLA/1997.shtml" target="_blank">guided the Marlins to the World Series championship</a> in his first season there. Florida made the NL playoffs as a 92-win wild card. They swept the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS, won a six-game NLCS from the Atlanta Braves, then defeated the Cleveland Indians with <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO199710260.shtml" target="_blank">a memorable comeback in Game 7 of the World Series</a>.</p><p>Marlins ownership broke the team apart in a series of cost-cutting moves the following offseason, and Leyland endured the worst year of his managerial career in 1998, going 54-108.</p><p>After another losing season with Colorado in 1999, Leyland was out of the game until he resurfaced with Detroit in 2006. He had the most sustained success of his career with the Tigers, guiding them to AL pennants <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2006.shtml" target="_blank">in 2006</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2012.shtml" target="_blank">2012</a>. Detroit won AL Central championships in each of Leyland's final three years as manager, from 2011-13.</p><p>In eight years with the Tigers, Leyland went 700-597, good for a .540 winning percentage. He retired after the 2013 season.</p><p>Leyland, 78, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 21 in Cooperstown, N.Y.</p>
Jason Baumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898628912846564062noreply@blogger.com0