2022 Chicago White Sox

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#51      
Today's game starters (with game ending BAs):

L. Garcia .194
Moncada .138
Grandal .160
McGuire .202
Harrison .167

Composite of All: .172 --- This equates to about 1 hit every 6 ABs.

If these guys get at least 18 total ABs, that equates to 3 hits.

18 ABs is about 6 game innings out of the 9.

So the Sox are handing the opposition 6 innings a game and getting 3 total hits.

And 'injuries' can't be used as an excuse. These guys are all in the Major Leagues and making good money.

Yes, we want all the guys back. But you play what you got and find a way to win.

Hello? White Sox? This is NOT the way to get into the playoffs...
 
#52      
On the plus side, the White Sox schedule from here on out is soft in spots. 16 games left against the Tigers, 11 against the Royals. 7 against the A's. 7 against the Orioles. The remaining games against the A's and Royals are both post All-Star break. They also have 16 games left this season against the Twins so if it comes down to those two for the division (which it probably will), it will at least be decided on the field between those two.
 
#55      
The Hall of Fame Manager will not get fired.

But – just like in the regular corporate World — a leader can resign ‘for the good of the organization’.

There are egos involved here. And The Manager and The Sox Owner have good sized ones. They will not want to make it look like the Manager failed or that fan pressure caused the change.

So if they talk it over and decide that something must be done... they’ll haul out the good-old corporate play book and the Sox PR Department will go to work to make the change look and sound good.

What a train wreck of a season this has been so far. Way too many injures (and THAT needs to get looked in to, and pronto). A dispirited ball club. Frustrated fans.

And a whole year out of the careers of these players that no one get back. And the fans, too.
 
#58      

chiefini

Rockford, Illinois
Sox showing some life in July. Huge series win in Minnesota. They enter the break at .500 and only 3 games out.
Next series is against second place Cleveland in Chicago. Sox need to keep the momentum going and win that one as well to jump Cleveland and close the gap with the Twins. Go, go, White Sox!
 
#59      

SuperMetroid

Evanston
Sox start the day 50-50 and there’s never been a more fitting record for a team in the history of sports
 
#60      
Tim Anderson went out of today’s game with a groin injury because of course he did. You can probably put this season in the dumpster for good if he’s out for any length of time.
Good riddance
 
#61      
this year is in the dumpster no matter what the rest of the season brings. the window is still open for a few more years, if LaRussa is back next year it needs to be the old Tony that trotted out of the dugout last year and not the one asleep in the dugout this year.
 
#62      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
this year is in the dumpster no matter what the rest of the season brings. the window is still open for a few more years, if LaRussa is back next year it needs to be the old Tony that trotted out of the dugout last year and not the one asleep in the dugout this year.
Love your avatar.........I believe that's the picture of an album cover for King Crimson , isn't it ??......................
 
#64      
my reaction to all of the negative comments about the gifs during slow periods.
 
#65      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
my reaction to all of the negative comments about the gifs during slow periods.
I had an LP of this album......loved it because of Greg Lake's singing and bass playing....I know he plays lead guitar also but his singing was what caught my attention.....I'm also a big ELP fan.......Your avatar brought back a flood of good vibe memories,,,,,
 
#67      
Just two weeks ago, they were 1 game back of first after two exciting come-from-behind wins vs Houston.

Now they are 6 games back. 2-8 in their last 10. Swept at home by the D-Backs in that span.

This was supposed to be the year they took that next step but they only steps they're taking are backwards to the dark years of 2013-19.

Thank god for 2005.
 
#69      

Illini2010-11

Sugar Grove
This season has turned into one of the most disappointing teams in recent memory. However, not all lays with the manager (though Tony does need to retire for good). I am not sure if there is any manager that would have been able to lead this team to a division: the team had notable question marks at 2B and RF going into the season, and injuries have magnified these holes (the pitching staff also got decimated with injuries to key positions). Injuries are never a great excuse, but given some significant roster construction issues, this should not be too surprising to see the lackluster results when major injuries began taking a toll. This team needs to get a full off-season to try and get to full strength and a new coaching staff (especially strength and conditioning coach). I am not ready to call the rebuild a failure, but next season becomes the most important since Rich Hahn has become GM, and fresh management is essential. It looks like OF, 2B, and C (unless Grandal has a resurgence) are positions of need for next year. The real question is if Jerry decides to open the checkbook this offseason and stay out of the next managerial search (I am not optimistic...).
 
#70      
How much money will they be willing to spend?

I assume they’ll pick up Anderson’s option and maybe Harrison’s, while letting Andrus and Pollock walk.

That would put them at an estimated $166 million after arbitration before signing any free agents, with the existing roster issues plus a new, Abreu-sized hole at first base. Are they going to be willing to go over the $180 million payroll they had this year?

One thing I observed with the Cubs is that a flaw in the tear it all down, grab a bunch of prospects, and then have them all come up together plan of rebuilding is that they all hit arbitration at the same time, and that, more than the free agent signings, is what pushes payroll up to the luxury tax level. Teams like the Cardinals and Dodgers who have that consistent churn of talent coming up don’t get whacked in arbitration as badly.

The Sox are going to start having this issue, with BR estimating arbitration costs at $75 million in 2024 and $100 million in 2025.
 
#71      

Illini2010-11

Sugar Grove
How much money will they be willing to spend?

I assume they’ll pick up Anderson’s option and maybe Harrison’s, while letting Andrus and Pollock walk.

That would put them at an estimated $166 million after arbitration before signing any free agents, with the existing roster issues plus a new, Abreu-sized hole at first base. Are they going to be willing to go over the $180 million payroll they had this year?

One thing I observed with the Cubs is that a flaw in the tear it all down, grab a bunch of prospects, and then have them all come up together plan of rebuilding is that they all hit arbitration at the same time, and that, more than the free agent signings, is what pushes payroll up to the luxury tax level. Teams like the Cardinals and Dodgers who have that consistent churn of talent coming up don’t get whacked in arbitration as badly.

The Sox are going to start having this issue, with BR estimating arbitration costs at $75 million in 2024 and $100 million in 2025.

-TA is an absolute lock for picking up option.
-Toss up on Harrison (I believe he is on track for $6M 2023 with $1.5M buyout). If there is reasonable upgrade there, I think they may opt for buyout.
-Andrus is an absolute walk, as there is no buyout required.
-Pollock is likely gone. We need an upgrade in OF, but his buyout is $5M with an expected $12-13M 2023 salary if picked up. I largely expect a buyout in this case, as at worst, they can get equivalent output for less than the difference.

I think it is up to Abreu if he wants to come back on another team friendly contract (like Buehrle did a couple times). Otherwise, I can see Gavin Sheets sliding over into that position, with Eloy being DH (again assuming OF upgrade coming). Abreu is heart and soul of team in many ways, so I expect a major attempt to bring him back on team friendly terms but nothing more.

When it comes to the arbitration issue, it is what it is. The Sox required a full tear down due to years of malfeasance, and this downside is to be expected. Teams like Cardinals and Dodgers have had long-term stability, and it is something that becomes the goal. Dodgers also have no problem paying luxury tax...something that will NEVER happen unless Jerry sells the team. The Sox strategy has been to extend young players to team friendly deals to avoid this arbitration issue, but in this day and age, star young players are demanding way too much in extension talks for the Sox strategy to work. The Sox have struggled in the draft over the years, but excelled at the International signing market. Rebuilding the pipeline either through improved drafting or International market the next couple of years will be very important to long-term success of the rebuild.

Ultimately, many players in arbitration is still much cheaper than star veterans after they hit the six years of service...unless Jerry begins opening the checkbook, they will always opt for the arbitration route.
 
#72      
Teams can work arbitration different ways so it works out financially for team and player. Some guys just want the money up front so instead of taking arbitration money for last year or two some athletes will sign a 4-5 year contract at say $5-6 million a year instead. Instead of making $700k for the last two years in arbitration the teams bump them up in smaller increments the first few years and last 2 years are big with team or player options. More security for the player and team lands player for another few years off new contract at lower rate they would have paid later on. Cardinals fan so I have seen them do it many times with younger guys. Usually put a team option in it for last 2 years in case they don't pan out than can buy them out. AKA Kolten Wong for example
 
#73      

Illini2010-11

Sugar Grove
Teams can work arbitration different ways so it works out financially for team and player. Some guys just want the money up front so instead of taking arbitration money for last year or two some athletes will sign a 4-5 year contract at say $5-6 million a year instead. Instead of making $700k for the last two years in arbitration the teams bump them up in smaller increments the first few years and last 2 years are big with team or player options. More security for the player and team lands player for another few years off new contract at lower rate they would have paid later on. Cardinals fan so I have seen them do it many times with younger guys. Usually put a team option in it for last 2 years in case they don't pan out than can buy them out. AKA Kolten Wong for example
That has been the Sox strategy for some time and have taken a similar approach quite effectively with a number of International signings (though the rules are slightly different for the International market). For the reasons you have stated, I am unconcerned about the arbitration issue. I think the major pause on signing major contract extensions from a club perspective has been how injury prone a number of the players that are approaching arbitration in the coming years have been. If they are team friendly, the Sox would gladly jump on it. Otherwise, I think the team is perfectly content moving through the arbitration process for the time being.
 
#74      
That has been the Sox strategy for some time and have taken a similar approach quite effectively with a number of International signings (though the rules are slightly different for the International market). For the reasons you have stated, I am unconcerned about the arbitration issue. I think the major pause on signing major contract extensions from a club perspective has been how injury prone a number of the players that are approaching arbitration in the coming years have been. If they are team friendly, the Sox would gladly jump on it. Otherwise, I think the team is perfectly content moving through the arbitration process for the time being.
Exactly! It comes down to each player that is eligible for arbitration and the situation. It really is lower risk for the teams as long as they have options in place for the back end of the contracts. Like you said injuries happen all the time. Certain players want that upfront money and others are comfortable playing out arbitration and waiting for the bigger contracts. A's and Rays were masters of drafting players for years and getting the peak years at worst arbitration prices before trading them away.
 
#75      
Pitch 99 For Number 84

Dylan Cease was making Twin’s hitters look silly and hopeless. Inning after inning, the Twins went down like pins at a bowling alley.

Cease has a no hitter going into the Ninth Inning. Sox lead 13 to nothing.

The South Side ball park is rocking. Everyone senses a moment of history in the making.

The First Twin’s hitter comes up.

Pitch 92... Strike One. Pitch 93... Ball outside. Pitch 94... Strike Two. Pitch 95... Strike Three. One down, two more to go.

The Second Twins hitter comes up.

Pitch 96... Fly out. Two down, last one to go.

Twin’s hittter Arraez comes to the plate. Everyone holding up their cellphone cameras and standing. And feeling it.

Pitch 97... Ball outside.

Pitch 98... Fouled off.

Pitch 99... bat meets ball... ball sails into an open patch of Right Field. And disappointment sweeps into the ball park like a nasty January North wind.

And History will not be made on this day. Well, history is made on every day. But not the kind that almost happened on the South Side of Chicago on a early September evening.

Number 84 will see Pitch 99 for the nest of his Life. And so will many in Sox Nation.
 
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