This is Year 3 of an extensive rebuild for the White Sox, who, as expected, aren’t in contention. While the club was in the wild-card hunt at the midpoint of the season, owning a 42-44 record at the All-Star break, reality has set in during the second half. Chicago’s now 58-69, on its way to a seventh straight sub-.500 showing and an 11th consecutive season without a playoff berth.
As you’d expect, White Sox fans aren’t enamored of the franchise’s long-running skid, which general manager Rick Hahn addressed Thursday. Hahn told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times and other reporters he understands the fans’ frustration, saying, “Oh, I get it it. We all get it. We all get the impatience. We feel the impatience.” At the same time, though, Hahn’s not audacious enough to promise a return to contention a year from now.
“Let’s talk in Glendale,” stated Hahn, referring to the team’s Arizona-based spring training headquarters. In Hahn’s view, there is “a lot to be excited about” in regards to what the White Sox are building, but he acknowledged there will be plenty of work ahead once the season ends. “In terms of putting ourselves in a position to contend, let’s get to the offseason and then set some priorities and see how good we are being able to convert on hitting those priorities before we assess it,” he said.
For now, the White Sox have seen several major leaguers spring up as potential long-term cogs this season. The face of their position player cast, third baseman Yoan Moncada, has turned into the star the White Sox thought they were getting when they acquired him from the Red Sox in the 2016 Chris Sale blockbuster. Tim Anderson has further established himself as the White Sox’s solution at shortstop. Left fielder Eloy Jimenez hasn’t posted an eye-popping rookie season along the lines of, say, Yordan Alvarez or Pete Alonso, but he’s still an indispensable building block. And though he’s not particularly young (29), James McCann has been surprisingly effective this season, which could make him Chicago’s starting catcher again next year.
Turning to the rotation, Lucas Giolito – another of the fruits of the team’s ’16-17 offseason teardown – has morphed into a front-line starter at the age of 25. Meanwhile, Reynaldo Lopez (acquired in the same trade as Giolito) has put up a solid second half after a woeful first couple months of 2019. Those two and fellow past trade pickup Dylan Cease will return to Chicago’s rotation next season, while Michael Kopech and Carlos Rodon should factor in after recent Tommy John surgeries. The White Sox aren’t nearly as well off in the bullpen, but 25-year-old lefty Aaron Bummer at least gives the team another youthful, highly talented core member.
That’s an enviable group overall, though an injection of further talent remains necessary. For one, the Sox will need to address first base and-or designated hitter, whether that means re-signing pending free agent Jose Abreu or bringing in an outsider(s). Second base, where Yolmer Sanchez hasn’t provided much offense, has been a sore spot. The same applies to the outfield, while Chicago still must find more aid for its rotation and bullpen. But whether the franchise will open the coffers in the offseason to add high-priced talent remains to be seen.
The White Sox made some attempt to sign $300MM-plus free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper last winter, though their efforts ultimately came up well short. To this point, despite its big-market status, Chicago hasn’t inked a player to a larger deal than the six-year, $68MM contract it gave Abreu going into 2014. If it wants to make an earnest effort to sign, say, ace Gerrit Cole in free agency, it’ll likely need to make an offer worth at least triple the value of Abreu’s pact.
Fortunately for the White Sox, they do have yet another enticing prospect knocking on the major league door in outfielder Luis Robert. Hahn touched on Robert’s status (via Bruce Levine of 670 The Score), saying he’s “doing fantastic” with Triple-A Charlotte, but the executive expressed uncertainty as to whether the 22-year-old will make his major league debut this season.
Keeping Robert down until next year would benefit the White Sox from a service-time standpoint, as Levine notes. Should Robert reach the majors this year, he’d be on pace to become a free agent after 2025, whereas holding off on a call-up into mid-April of next season would keep him in the fold through ’26. Regardless, Robert has justified his status as one of the game’s premier prospects this year. Robert crushed High-A and Double-A pitching to start the year and has done the same since a promotion to the minors’ highest level, where he has slashed .310/.364/.665 (150 wRC+) with 13 home runs in 176 plate appearances.
Robert’s among a slew of young White Sox who could help the club return to relevance soon. In the meantime, Hahn & Co. will work this offseason to augment the roster around Chicago’s core.
Robert actually started the year in A+. And he should be ending it in Chicago, but once again the White Sox are playing service time games instead of giving us something to be excited about.
Plus at this point, Robert not having MLB experience going into 2020 hurts the team next year when they should ostensibly be contending, although Hahn will keep kicking that can down the road forever if he can.
“Robert actually started the year in A+.”
I just fixed that. Thanks for pointing it out.
You’re really going to knock the team for wanting to keep the player for nearly 7 years rather than 6 flat? Every team does it. There’s no rule saying they can’t. It’s hands down the smartest move an organization can make if they are looking years ahead.
Yes… when they already paid him 25million dollars and that extra year of control will come when Jerry Reinsdorf is 90 years old… 110% yes.
Why in the world would you not get a guy who is clearly better then several outfielders on the team and up acclimated to MLB life now and ready to hit the ground running from opening day as opposed to him feeling out MLB life for first couple months of a season where if Kopech and Rodon with free agent additions you could have a decent shot to compete… when you are 83 years old and its pretty much a done deal you kids are selling the team after you pass?
I mean the odds of Jerry not being alive when that extra year comes around are just as good as being alive.
You’ve paid Robert 25 mil… if he comes up and has a few month adjustment period… that extra year is really only half a year, cause you blew half of next year… and since you’ve already paid him that 25… that’s kind of the de facto salary for that year and whatever you save in year 7 is basically the 25 mil you wasted for half of next year.
I mean the guy paid 9 million dollars for the Chicago bulls… and owns 50% of the united center which leads the nba and nhl in attendance pretty mucg everyyear and has 2-3 concerts a week… he’s doesn’t have small market ownership pockets… he just runs the team like that and then says there a small market team cause it gets them small market results.
I mean come on Jerry.. you cant take with you…
You already know why. It has been explained ad nauseum. Bringing him up now with five weeks left in the season makes no sense. Just let it go already.
So the Bears should ignore their future and let the team go to hell because of the age of Virginia McCaskey?
People regularly parrot this argument about Jerry Reinsdorf’s age…why?
“Every team does it.” is not a correct statement. The San Diego Padres don’t do this.
…and it worked out quite well for them.
Yeah that’s a really poor example, unless you are highlighting how to not do things.
Remember this comment during the strike.
Exactly.
It’s well past time for Sox fans to abandon this idea that we are ever going to spend big-time free agent dollars under this ownership.
I believe they will try to sign him and Nick Madrigal to long term deals this offseason like they did Eloy last year.
Robert turned 22 less than 3 weeks ago
Cubs did the same with Bryant, but thats okay because its Theo.
I’m not getting why certain are so emotional about promoting prospects right now. They said the same about Cease, who performed well in the minors. He still needs a lot of work because the big leagues is a beast. The rebuild is a slow process, but if done properly, should make the Sox a dominant contending team for five or six years. Rushing it just gives you a shorter window due to lack of depth.
Because it reaches a point for certain prospects where it’s not about development, but team control over the player.
Some people still believe workers rights are more important than the needs of the corporation that pays them.
The workers agree to the current system under the collective bargaining agreement. If they don’t like it, they should take it up with the Player’s Union. Personally, I’ll side with the team on this one. It’s better to give players more seasoning in the minors for innings pitched, plate appearances, reps on the field. That way, there’s more time for growth vs. being brought up too soon where you’re expected to perform immediately. He’ll still get his money, as we saw with Eloy, so it really is a non-issue. It takes more that a couple of home runs/hits to get ready for a career in the big leagues.
This isn’t an organizational “need”. They’re already making money hand over fist and they’re milking players like Robert for even more at the expense of putting a winning product on the field in an expedient manner, which is BS.
Yes, they agreed to the current system, and the owners are blatantly exploiting it. If service time manipulation were allowed per the CBA, then GMs would happily tout publicly how they’re manipulating service time to gain more control. But they don’t do that because it’s a violation of the clause that requires both parties to act in good faith.
Basically, owners and GMs are violating the CBA and daring the MLBPA to prove it in a court of law. This will all be coming to a head in 2021, and teams like the White Sox are going to be raked over the coals for their part in this.
Deliberately holding a player in the minors is against the current collective bargaining agreement.
The issue isn’t with the Players Association, it’s with teams not acting in good faith.
Did they milk Eloy Jimenez when they gave him a longterm contract? Get out of here with that crap. He will get his money, and in exchange the Sox will gain an extra year of his services. Period.
That is bs, Galactus. This is a business, the rules are well defined, and the players are made fully aware of this before they ever sign a contract. You’re falling for the okie doke from agents who play the public against teams for their own interests. The examples of players being ruined by getting called up too early are many. Teams who want their players to succeed at the highest level are patient and diligent.
I wish someone would milk me for $26M
Yes! They held him in the Minors until he signed a long term contract!
He wasn’t good enough to play in the majors on Sept 1st when the AAA season ended, but was suddenly ready the following openeing day!?
That’s the most balatant flouting of the rules so far.
How is that more blatant than someone magically being ready the exact day the team gets an extra year of control?
Bryant’s manipulation was waaaay worse. At least Eloy actually does suck on defense, so they had a legitimate excuse if they wanted to hold him down. Plus, he made out quite well in this situation, so I don’t think he’ll be complaining anytime soon.
If it were BS, then GMs would not shy away from saying they were holding players in the minors to gain additional service time. You’re falling for the ownership’s BS that only benefits their bottom line in the long run.
Their revenue streams are about the same as Kansas City or Cleveland, and less than Detroit and Minnesota. Rick Hahn needs to operate as such.
someone’s forgetting eloy jimenez’s extension before he ever played a game. When it comes to manipulating service time the Sox have been pretty player friendly to this point
Service time manipulation probably helped pressure Eloy into signing that extension.
Yeah, a guaranteed longterm contract is terrible idea for a rookie. He should just take his league minimum and be happy, right?
Yeah, I’m sure they really had to pressure him into signing that record breaking contract. Those jerks.
I’d start focusing on the Braves if you want to go on a witch hunt searching for young players being pressured into signing ridiculously team friendly contracts.
It’s not a witch hunt and saying the Sox are repeatedly manipulating service time , against the rules of the CBA, and used it to get a player to sign a long term deal doesn’t mean we think they’re the only ones doing it. Knock off the whataboutisms. Drinking the kool-aid 24/7 doesn’t make you a better fan.
I thought it was pretty obvious I was referring to the “pressuring to sign a contract” idea, not service time manipulation in general, seeing as that’s common practice in the MLB.
As for “drinking the Kool-Aid,” you clearly have no idea what my opinion on the subject is, so I’ll say it one more time.
If the Sox really think they can compete next year, Robert/Madrigal/Collins/Mercedes/Mendick should ABSOLUTELY make an appearance at the big league level this year. Anybody that believes any combination of those guys is going to come out next year in mid-April and destroy their first taste of big league pitching is probably going to end up very disappointed. They will struggle, just like 90+% of young players do. Hopefully they’ll overcome those struggles and become great players, but that’s not something you can figure out until it actually happens. I’d rather they all get an extra month+ of learning at the big league level and be ready to go at the start of next year, but it’s not my money on the line, clearly.
If Jimenez is as good as the White Sox think he’s going to be, he’d make as much if not more in arbitration without signing away two option years and putting off free agency until he’s 30, when teams will then decide he’s declining and not worth a big free agent contract. Granted, this contract is a gamble for the White Sox (one that has not turned out well thus far), and there is certainly a benefit for Jimenez to get his riches locked in now, but these contracts are almost always more beneficial to the team in the long run.
The Braves became Exhibit A with the Albies contract, but that doesn’t mean other teams aren’t leveraging service time in contract negotiations.
They basically need a second basemen and another OF and maybe bullpen arms
Hopes are Madrigal can take that spot.
I forgot about him he can do it
Agree and he already is in triple A.
They need a lot more than that.
They have no DH, at least one more starter and likely two given injuries, and at least four bullpen arms. If Jimenez doesn’t improve his defense, they also need two outfielders (minus a DH). McCann and Colome are also free agents after next year, and could regress.
It’s a lot easier to project needs when you actually assess guys in the ML, but Hahn continues to play service time games, and continues to not give other younger players who are ready a shot at an extended look, for absolutely no good reason.
It’s easy to project when you don’t actually invest in player development at the major league level. But there is a chance not all of these guys pan out, or will require a year or two to do so. Especially the types of swing-and-miss prospects they have.
Moncada and Anderson are just now hitting their stride. And Eloy has struggled, as well as Cease. It’s foolish to think Robert will come in and reach his potential immediately.
They are wasting time.
Full time DH is not a focus for them and they have the rotation
Other than Giolito, who do they have pitching? You’re relying a lot on guys to come back from injury to be good. They have nothing of certainty other than Giolito. Everyone else sucks or they are currently hurt.
They absolutely do not have the rotation. Lopez remains very suspect as a rotation piece, and Cease needs to continue to develop, to say nothing of the injuries. Counting on Rodon makes absolutely no sense..
And while they don’t need a full-time DH, they need someone who can do it, and right now, they don’t have anybody.
Agree – probably should pick up free agents from Cubs.
Quintana (if option not picked up), Hammels, and Holland.
RF Nick Cas.
Steele Walker is a player
Rotation
Giolito
Lopez
Cease
Hammels
Quintana
Swing man Holland
You’ll have to wait until 2021 for Q.
Plot, do some research before you waste everyone’s time complaining about what you don’t know or understand. The some have good young pitching talent, who just need time to heal and develop.
Everyone said Giolito was a bust a year ago. Give it time, these guys are young.
keysox, god no. The Sox are done signing mediocre pitchers. Giolito, Kopech, Lopez and Rondon have the potential to be the best rotation in baseball. I didn’t add Cease to that list because he’s better suited as a closer. All the White Sox need to do is sign a veteran Ace this offseason, then let the rotation develop.
I do more research and watch more baseball than you’ll ever dream of. The Sox have nothing in pitching other than Giolito. Whoever said he was a bust? Not me. I preface this on injuries and their current unestablished prospects. To think this team will compete for a playoff spot next year based on this club as it looks now is preposterous.
Anyone who brags about he or she does more research or watches more baseball games than someone while arguing over the internet about baseball actually does not do that stuff at all. Odds are you just like trolling on here and think you are smarter than everyone else but fold while having face to face conversations about baseball where you have to look on your smart phone to get information.
People like you said the same thing about the rotation last year, except they said Giolito couldn’t pitch and was a headcase. The fact is, you don’t know how good Kopech, Cease, Rodon and Cease will be—nobody does. Year three into a rebuild is too soon to be getting rid of prospects, or giving up on as yet unproven and developing talent. Certainly no one should be panicking about what the Sox need. That’s crazy.
BeeVee,you haven’t the slightest idea about what I do for a living. Take your $.05 Lucy Van Pelt Psychiatry degree elsewhere.
I don’t care what you do for a living but I think I hit the nail with the hammer when it comes to you with making a replay like that. You are a moron! It’s plain and simple that you show bias towards the White Sox since you are a Cubs’ fan!
You have no not made one valid argument on here! You just talk crap as if you are Mr. Know It All with no facts to back what you say on here.
No nail with a hammer. Not a Cubs fan. I’ve only stated that about 3 times on here. It has nothing to do with the Cubs, or Twins, or KC, or any other team you THINK I’m a fan of. Get over yourself.
No facts? Really? What more facts do I need than 7 straight losing seasons? Or that Jon Jay batting cleanup is a joke? Or that Giolito is the only worthy ML starting pitcher they have worth a damn moving forward? Or Rick Hahn has made bad decisions with free agent signings this past season? Shall I go on? Abreu is not worth keeping in a rebuild any longer.
Plot Chickens, it’s obvious you have some experience in the baseball industry, but I don’t think selling beer and pretzels qualifies you to run your mouth about how long a rebuild takes or when the Sox officially started theres. You have zero credibility.
You left out how Hahn took charge of the bad draft picks to trades and signings Williams made before taking over as the general after 2012 season.
@ Plot Thickens
These comment threads are just jam packed with homer idiot fans who’s teams owner could be lynching people in public and they’d still defend the penny pinching billionaire owners choice to not spend what is like a days income to them on a player that would most likely make them even more money. It’s not a great place to post if you actually are sane and aren’t afraid to admit not all teams are perfect. If you aren’t a homer “enemy” of another team they don’t know how to reply to a truly neutral, sane voice and you get terrible quality replies.
Really wish they’d ban all homer fans with nothing to offer in terms of an original opinion or something that isn’t the teams official line, no matter how cheapskate. Some really stockholm syndrome-d A’s fans all up in these threads…
Strike Four, who the heck is defending Jerry Reinsdorf? The White Sox are doing what the Cardinals, Royals, Rays, and every other mid to small market team has done with great success; draft or acquire young prospects and develop your own players. I’ve been begging for the Sox to rebuild the right way for years, as opposed to spending money on 2nd tier free agent talent and washed up has beens looking for a rebound. The Sox have wasted a lot of good teams in the past because they weren’t willing to sign the players they needed to contend. They would spend a ton of money on a bunch of marginal players instead of giving a couple of elite players a big longterm contract. Well now, this rebuild solves the marginal talent problem. It remains to be seen if Reinsdork has the stones to give an elite player a nine figure contract to cap off the rebuild, or if he’ll just horde all the cash and leave the team twisting in the wind.
Their DH’s have collectively posted a .575 OPS. It damn sure better be a focus for them.
The Sox have, like two or three solid catcher prospects. You shouldn’t worry about McCann regressing at the plate. He calls a great game and frames well, which is more important. In regards to the outfield, starting rotation and bullpen, the rebuild is far from over. Sox fans need to understand getting good young prospects into your farm system and promoting them is only half the process. Giving them time and coaching to develop into their eventual role/position on the big league squad might take another two years. Superstars seem to develop overnight, but most of these guys will never reach that level. Finding good players with solid fundamentals is how championships are made.
I think you might be overestimating their catcher situation. Collins is a part-time catcher at best by all accounts, Zavala has stalled out horribly in AAA, and Mercedes is a catastrophically bad fielder in all respects. McCann turning into a decent player may have bought then some time they really needed after trading away Narvaez (who is, himself, a pretty bad catcher).
1B/DH – Abreu for 1-2 more years until Vaughn is ready (plus some combination of Collins/Mercedes sharing duties at C too)
2B – Madrigal
OF – Robert
The only glaring hole they need to fill from a position player standpoint next year is RF. Outside of that, let the kids play.
Leury Garcia in RF and their rotation is set with Giolito, Lopez, Cease, Kopech and Rodon
I’d much rather let Leury be a super utility guy that can get time at literally any spot in the outfield/infield besides C. I’d also like somebody that is a good hitter, preferably from the left side. Unfortunately, this free agent class looks pretty weak for that. Their best option looks like it’ll be Corey Dickerson, which I wouldn’t mind on a 2-year deal.
We can put Yoan in right after Jake Burger grows those two new achilles… problem solved.
Dickerson plausible settle stopgap. Would like to see them at least kick tires on trade for lefty bat Blackmon to play RF. Owed 74mil next 4yrs/age/Col split effect all arguments against, but he’s legit lineup boost for at least a couple more seasons and they can negotiate $ Col would pay vs quality of prospect return issue.
Thoughts?
Aren’t Blackmon’s numbers away from Coors way worse to the point it may not be a good idea?
Yasiel Puig, my man.
Marcell Ozuna, move to RF
Bring back Adam Eaton for a couple of years. He is a jerk but a good left handed bat. He played a pretty good RF when he was here.
Uh, no.
He’s a jerk to the point no one liked him….bad bad bad for chemistry.
Adam Eaton will be 31 and a free agent. You can pick him up for under 5 mil a year for 2 years. Cheap! He will hit around .300. He is fast and an on base machine. He would fit nice in rightfield next to Robert in centerfield. Bring up Madrigal. Put Eaton’s locker in the hallway or a closet to keep him away from the kids. Misery loves company. He would fill the void until Rutherford or Walker are ready. Put Eloy at DH/Reserve outfielder and go find a hitting Left Fielder. Resign Nova and pick up another Pitcher till Kopek/ Rodon are ready. Save your cash until the trade deadline and see if we are in the hunt next year. Let’s see what Kopek and Rodon are able to do but both will be on a strict pitch count next year so we shall see what they can do. That’s the plan. 2020 wild card!
I don’t think Adam Eaton is worth pursuing. Not when we already have a switch hitting multi purpose player like Leury Garcia. Side by side, Eaton might be better than Leury in a few categories, but is it worth it to upgrade? In my opinion, no.
Unless, we’re talking about a RF with considerable power. And there’s more than just a matter of righties and lefties going on in this explanation, so bear with me. As much as I like Corey Dickerson, I think he might be a misfit on this team compared to my number one choice, Yasiel Puig.
I know he’s a righty, but there’s more to it. He’s Cuban, hasn’t played under a Spanish speaking coach as a professional, nor with a core of Cuban teammates like the White Sox have. He would sell tickets like bananas.
I just don’t see any of the top free agent pitchers or other players having an effect on the bottom line for this ballclub better than Puig, and I really think he needs to be competitively sought after. Right as ticket sales are expected to increase, we can secure a multi year contract with a man who brings one hell of a show.
The problem with getting Adam Eaton is a distinct lack of adolescent boys on the team to provide him the necessary leadership.
That’s a VERY risky rotation. Giolito is the only one you can really count on.
Rodon is always injured (he’s yet to surpass 165 innings in six professional seasons), has not been able to be consistently good, and is coming off TJS.
Kopech is very talented, but he’s yet to have any major league success and you also don’t know how he’ll pitch coming off of TJS.
Lopez has obviously shown flashes of dominance, but he’s very inconsistent, and after taking steps forward in each of the past two seasons, he’s been pretty awful overall this year (5.25 ERA, 5.04 FIP, 1.48 WHIP).
Cease also has talent, but he struggled in AAA this season (4.48 ERA, 1.56 WHIP), and has struggled just as much through eight major league starts (5.93 ERA, 1.57 WHIP). He’s always had very shaky control, but most alarming is the HR/9 rate jumping from 0.5 in AAA to 2.0 in the majors.
The future of Chicago’s offense looks bright, but a rotation built on what-if’s and maybe’s rarely succeeds.
This CWS off-season is going to be a wild one!
You’re absolutely right about the rotation, but that’s why it’s a rebuild and that’s why they are prospects. GIVE THEM TIME before you judge them.
As of right now we are not seeing Cease’s best stuff since Cooper has him on a leash. There is no way the White Sox want Cease throwing his best stuff when they are not in contention where he can get hurt. Best bets are the White Sox just want Cease to get the feel with pitching against MLB hitters like we have seen with Giolito and Lopez.
Can’t believe I’m going to say this, I agree with Priggs.
Although I would sign Grandal as the big offseason move. Let the team’s 1st half play, especially the recovery/development of Kopech, Cease, Lopez and possibly Rodon, dictate adding final pieces at the deadline or next offseason.
1. Robert – CF
2. Madrigal – 2B
3. Moncada – 3B
4. Abreu – 1B
5. Jimenez – LF
6-9 Some combination of Anderson/McCann/Collins/Dickerson
A little righty heavy, but a lot of upside in there.
Collins DH?
I think they will give Collins or Seby a shot this spring to be ready for next year. Perhaps as a showing for someone else in a trade option. McCann will be the catcher of the future. I see another catcher, Yermin Mercedes, as the future DH.
Give this team a rotation then they playoff bound
Hahaha
You laugh but the AL Central is weak and the Twins and Indians will have work to do this offseason.
The Sox are a playoff team with an average starting rotation.
Whose playoff spot would Chicago have right now with that “Average pitching”? NYY?. OAK? MINNY? HOUSTON? CLEVELAND? TAMPA? I just named 6 teams. Last I checked, 5 make the playoffs. No team ever would make the playoffs batting Jon Jay Trout Clemente in the cleanup spot. In fact, I would bet my house that no team in the last 30 years ever had a hitter batting cleanup in August with 0 HR and 9 RBI.
I truly feel sorry for you, and people like you who lack vision and understanding. It’s obvious you don’t watch baseball or follow players. But FWIW, I’m not that impressed with Minnesota or Cleveland. The Indians got better with Puig, but both teams are beatable with decent pitching. The White Sox just swept the Astros recently, and when they’re on, they can beat anybody on any given day. If they had at least three quality starters, they would be over .500 right now.
You feel sorry for me? They didn’t sweep Houston, they went 2-1, and not sure if you realize they play 162 games? You feel sorry for me? Your entire argument on EVERY POST you make is constant what ifs. Everything in your mind has an excuse behind it. Bill Parcells made the greatest quote of all time related to sports. “You are what your record states you are.” YOU need to learn that.
Tim Anderson, Juan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Eloy Jimenez are studs. Giolito made the AS game, along with McCann and Abreu. Michael Kopech pitched like an Ace before he went on the IL. Cease throws 100mph. Robert and Madrigal are nearly guaranteed studs. You’re either a liar or a fool if you can’t see the emerging talent and progress made during the last two years of the rebuild. This might possibly be the most talented White Sox team in nearly 100 years, and they’re far from done building the roster.
Did you really say this is the most talented roster in a century?
You really just typed that?
Absolutely comical with a dash of insanity. Without question the dumbest comment ever posted. Most talented White Sox team in 100 years. You’re done.
Read it again jack hole,
ChiSoxCity, I understand what you thought you were writing, but what you actually wrote (given your sentence structure and composition) referred to this year’s team. I agree that next year’s team looks promising, but don’t rip on others because they actually read what you wrote.
lol, whatever. It’s clear what I said. “They might possibly be the most talented White Sox team in nearly 100 years, and they’re far from done building the roster”. If you have an issue with that, fine. I don’t care. I’ll be proven right soon enough, and you’ll be a distant memory when it happens. Now go watch the chubs get boat raced again.
The White Sox are 13th out of 15 in the AL in runs scored. Average pitching doesn’t get them even close.
If this is just year 3 of the “rebuild”, what do they call 2013-2016? The “lost years?” I love the line in the article that states they were in WC contention at midpoint with 42-44 record. It was right about that time the inept manager started batting Willie Clemente Jay at cleanup, or anywhere from 1-5. When he should have been batting 8th for the Yomiuri Giants.
@Plot Thickens
It’s really sad. I was about to comment on how nice this message board was so far, free of trolls. Just honest good banter. Then you, a Cub troll, had to come on and most likely start the avalanche of idiotic troll comments I’m sure are coming. It got so bad with the article about Moncada, even the only Pads troll in existence jumped in. Yes, I can’t believe a Pads troll exists either, but Show Me Your Grapes proved me wrong (I thought the Cubs and Sox histories were sad, they have nothing on the Pads).
You trolls are so focused on us when you should be focused on the Cubs hanging on to a playoff spot. Why even care at this point how the Sox are doing right now? Yes, the Sox are near the end of their 3 year rebuild, but they are still in rebuild. The Sox shouldn’t be relevant to you Cub trolls, being well below .500, yet, you act like the Sox are the Cubs biggest rival by miles over the Brewers and Cards.
Very sad.
It’s because The Cubs rebuild that was supposed to turn into a perennial contender turned out to be a WS fluke in ‘16 and a bunch of embarrassing playoff appearances. He’s really nervous about this one though
WS FLUKE? What does that mean other than raging jealousy on your part? You sound like a whiney 13 year old who just got cut from the baseball team. Please tell us about all the other WS FLUKES from the past 50 years. This ought to be gold.
Haha Cubs fans be like ‘85 bears fans. Would rather talk about that team from ‘16 than current or future teams bwahahahahaha
I think it means they were darn lucky to win game 7 in Cleveland. Probably a good thing it rained late in the game. Just as easily could be 111 and counting.
Hate to live in your world of what ifs. I guess it was just luck when the Patriots came back to beat Atlanta in the Super Bowl? Or it was luck when Bobby Thompson hit that HR? Or Gibson? Or Freese? I guess it was luck when Halladay tossed that no hitter in his very first playoff start. I guess it was just luck you were born, and unlucky for all of us? Hopefully you got my point by now?
It means that without Aroldis Chapman pitching until his arm fell off in the playoffs, the cubs wouldn’t have reached the WS, let alone win it. You think the cubs would gave been smart enough to reward Chapman with a nice contract for his efforts. They might have win back-to-back championships with him closing. As it were, the cubs bullpen has been a nightmare since he left, and they’re championship run ended sooner than everyone thought it would.
Like I said, you’re a guy who lives in what if. Point is, they did win. Point is, there are no definites where any team is guaranteed a run of success. That’s why it’s so important for a team to strike when that opportunity presents itself.
How can a White Sox fan of a franchise that’s been rebuilding for a decade talk smack about a team that’s been to the playoffs 4 straight years and it looks like a 5th is coming?! It’s mind blowing with what your franchise is doing you think you can talk down to others. Just mind blowing..
@Bush, it is comical. The White Sox fans lead every comment with “if”. And everyone is a troll if you call them out on their B.S.
The Cubs have a huge payroll so they are excepted to compete! You Cubs forget to mention that part in your arguments. Majority of the guys on the Cubs were bought and paid for. As of right now, the Cubs are tied for first place and may lose out in the division in the last week. It looks like Father Time caught up Lester and Hammels while the Cubs have no pitchers in their farm system to step up to give these guys some rest.
cubs fans should be tired of watching Lester get lit up like a viet cong infiltrator during the Tet offensive every start. He’s terrible, and needs to retire immediately.
“And everyone is a troll if you call them out on their B.S.”
A-F’N-MEN!!!!!
Last I checked, decades had 10 years. This is year 3. I know you can count to 3 because you were able to count to 108.
I mean, the Cubs have won 1 World Series in the last hundred and some odd years, and it has never stopped their fans from talking down to others…
Just accept that your self-proclaimed “dynasty” isn’t what you thought it was going to be.
lmao!
A few things for you, 83sox. 1) I’m not a troll for stating facts. Sorry that your fragile mind can’t accept facts. 2) this troll crap you and others keep harping on is usually just a trigger response by weak people who think people are trolls because their opinions differ from their own. 3) I’m not a Cubs fan. I respond to many different team stories on here because I like to discuss baseball with an unbiased view. 4) Lastly. Get over yourself and all this self loathing.
@Plot Thickens
I don’t call everyone who doesn’t agree with me a troll. Take maximumvelocity for example. I don’t agree with him on everything, but he is not a troll by any means. I respect his opinions. You know why? He states facts and doesn’t instigate. Trolls instigate. I hadn’t seen you on any of these message boards until a couple of days ago on the Abreu article. Reading those comments, put bluntly, you instigate. I don’t care what team you’re a fan of, if you get off on instigating, you’re a troll, pure and simple.
As for the question as to what the Sox were doing from 2013-16. They were retooling. Megatron2005 already explained that to you a couple days ago. How hard is it to comprehend that? Are you going to keep asking that question until you get an answer you like? The truth hurts, deal with it.
Denial is apparently not just a river in Africa. Retooling to rebuilding? Love it. Next year it will be recycling. Then the following year will be regurgitating. Then a revamp followed by a retool. And on and on it goes. Nobody explained anything. Some guy just typed a bunch of his excuses on a forum. But keep it up with your trolling obsession/fascination. It’s the great narrative of talk forums for those in DENIAL of the truth. The truth here is the Chisox have no clue what they are doing for about 6 years now.
@Plot Thickens
I got a great laugh from your post about rebuilding/recycling/regurgitating/etc.
The best part is I didn’t have to make you look like an idiot. You did all the heavy lifting yourself.
@83sox94win05
They make like 50 posts a day on this site, and literally all posts are time-sensitive of the era they are made. So how can you remember and why do you remember certain posts and posters in here??? Stop caring, its pathetic. These are all anon threads of people who are in varying degrees, full of crud, so why on earth would you care so much? I keep things within the thread and also know when to not escalate it too much and leave.
People who keep timestamps on peoples posts should be banned. No one here is an industry professional, so no one can really talk about baseball on the level that youre trying to make it, period – its bar-level chatter. You can be totally wrong and I can call you out about it and vice versa but to build “cases” against people to “prove” whatever against someone you can’t even see….why? Grow up, Go outside.
@Strike Four
Nice rec account, Plot Thickens.
What are you talking about, keeping timestamps? Because as I’m scrolling down to this spot in the entire message board, Plot Thickens posts about 20 replies and I notice it says next to his name “15 hours ago”, “12 hours ago”, “10 hours ago”, etc. Sorry I’m observant.
I don’t remember everyone who posts in these message boards, just the memorable ones. I’ll remember you, just like I’ll remember Plot Thickens, since you’re not the same person (wink, wink). It’s pretty easy for me to remember the main people on here since I only read and comment on Sox articles on here. Try and find a post of mine on a non-Sox article on this site. You won’t.
It’s funny after I posted that Plot Thickens spent the entire day on this site (because I am “keeping timestamps”), all of a sudden you show up and start posting the same type of idiotic posts he did. But I’m sure you’re not him, that it’s merely a coincidence. It’s sad you spend your entire day on this site, but it’s your life. It’s easy for me to say, I have a life.
Wrong again 83sox. Now you are paranoid and delusional.
Ok Mr Troll authority
Exactly, and isn’t every pitching prospect they have recuperating from TJ, or going under the knife for their second surgery? Should they trade for Brandon Crawford to try and lure Gerrit Cole?, because the in-law angle worked so well with Machado.
Ouch!! Too soon bro on the in-law zinger.
Although I heard they are signing Cole’s gardener to replace Roger Bossard.
So glad that whole thing didn’t work out. Padres and Sox have the same record basically right now (i.e. no added value gained by Pads this year) and by next year and for the next 4 years those 3 spots will be Madrigal/Anderson/Moncada). Machado, while a great player, would have hurt Moncada’s development as he would have stayed at 2b this year and tied up money on the infield when they clearly have bigger needs elsewhere (1 more impact outfielder, 1 more impact SP, another strong reliever or 2).
It’s official; this guy is brain damaged. Don’t waste any more time explaining the recent history of the team because he obviously can’t understand it, or doesn’t care.
several Sox outfield prospects hit a brick wall in Birmingham. Basabe, Rutherford, Adolfo, and Gonzalez didn’t really handle AA that well.
I’d still sign Cole. Kopech can strengthen the bullpen when he returns and transition back to the rotation after Nova leaves. Unfortunately, this won’t happen.
2020 will be a .500+ year and hopefully 2021 will see the Sox making a deep run in the playoffs.
Both Basabe and Adolfo are coming off of injuries so give them another year before throwing them under the bus. Rutherford needs another year as well then we can say he is a bust or not. Rutherford is still young! Let’s talk about Steele Walker and the season he is having this year.
Steele Walker was one of the best college hitters last season. He should be able to handle A+ and has no business there in the first place.
Their overall numbers look worse than they’ve actually been. Pretty much everyone at Birmingham got off to a ridiculously slow start this year, but they’ve been much better lately. Plus, Birmingham has always been a horrible stop for non-elite hitters, so I’m not overly worried on any of them just yet.
Tim Anderson is hands down their best hitter. How in the world do you not have him in the top 6 for their lineup. But you have aaa Madrigal hitting third lol
Because Babe Jay needs to bat cleanup so he can sacrifice a runner from 2nd to 3rd. How Sox fans aren’t up in arms over Renteria batting Jay cleanup, 5th, 6th etc is beyond me. It’s a fireable offense. He should be batting 11th.
You’re not wrong, John Jay is terrible, and the White Sox owners are trash for not bringing up the superior-in-every-way Luis Robert to replace him.
Time to bring back Ozzie, only Manager that helped bringing a championship to the south siders…
Can Ozzie pitch?
People need to be realistic here. The team needs to add depth in the offseason to offset potential question marks, and start looking to trade out some of the prospects.
I’m a fan of Robert, and think Madrigal will be at least OK, but both Lopez and Cease are still question marks, to say nothing of Kopech, and Rodon is pretty much cooked.
For all the trades for the bullpen, only Bummer and Fry stand out as possible long-term fixtures.
And after this next year, catcher is going to be an issue. Even if Collins and Mercedes can hit, there is a decent chance neither can serve as a full-time catcher.
The team still needs an infusion of talent, and needs a lot of development of talent. Like it or not, the odds of every one of these players becoming a piece isn’t good, and I would say that about any franchise.
They are going to need to add depth in the rotation, in the bullpen, find an outfielder and possibly a catcher – even if most of the guys develop. Next offseason is going to be huge, and the team is handicapping itself by not given potential solutions a strong evaluation this season..
@Maximumvelocity
I 100% agree with you that not all of these prospects will hit…at least not at first. Look at the Braves for example. They were loaded with pitching prospects, but most have hit bumps along the way and didnt succeed in their first taste at the mlb level. Some didn’t after their 2nd or 3rd either.
The point is that you will have several guys flame out…especially pitchers. Hitters seem a little better to gauge but even they hit walls at times and development stops.
I think with the right free agent moves, and I dont mean they have to sign the big names, they could be a playoff team in 2020. That division is winnable.
Trading prospect this early in a rebuild would be stupid for so many reasons. You don’t know what you’re trading away, first of all. These guys could be potential superstars. Second, you’re trading away multiple prospects for players with bigger contracts, stripping away your depth snd adding payroll in the process. Which puts you right back where you started; a mediocre .500 team or worse with a poor farm system and an owner who won’t spend money to sign top free agents. So if you really consider all the factors, and understand what the longterm goal is for the organization, staying the course and committing to player development of these young prospects is the only way you’ll ever win a championship in Chicago. Of course, if Reinsdork were to sell the team soon, a new owner might be willing to cut corners via free agent spending. Not gonna happen though.
Realistic like trading high end prospects for high priced players? Hmmm.
ChiSox impulse buy in 2016 set them back.
With every team, you have potential prospects to fill holes. Will they pan out? Only time will tell. In the mean time, players will digress. Players will play over their heads. Players will be lost for a season.
White sox have as much chance to go to the playoffs next year as they do being in last place.
I strongly considering taking a break from this site for a while. I’m losing interest and definitely losing my patience with the trolls on here. I love talking shop about the Sox, but all I’m doing is going into defense mode with these trolls, and I don’t like the direction my posts are taking. Quite frankly, I’m embarrassed with my posts. I should be better than that.
Sure, these trolls probably have it coming from me and I initially feel better after slamming them with those posts. But looking at those posts now, what did I gain with my replies? Nothing, except making it worse.
So taking a break might be the best thing for me. Whether I actually do that remains to be seen. I might be back this afternoon, it might be a few days or a few weeks. I don’t know yet. I just have to get away from the negativity from the trolls and get to the point where I’m writing better posts instead of ripping trolls with every post, as I have the last several days.
I wouldn’t worry. They’re cubs fans that realize their time is over and they won’t be able to stand the fact that the Sox will be the better team in this city for the next 10 years
As if White Sox fans don’t troll Cubs fans nonstop, even though they’ve been to the playoffs 4 straight years. They bring up the stupid “well at least it didn’t take us over a 100 years to win a championship.” As if what happened during the World Wars has any relevance. Come on man, you’re not all the innocent fan base you’re acting like. That’s ridiculous…
You do need to leave. You just used the word “troll” five times. You are obsessed with that meaningless word. Seek help about that inferiority complex you are dealing with. Good luck. Bye!
@Plot Thickens
You have some serious aggression issues. That’s not just from responses to my posts either. Reading your responses to others’ posts after I left, all I can say is wow, and that’s not meant as a compliment. BTW, have you been on this site the entire day? Another wow!
I thought I’d give this another try, but I am already regretting my decision. Plus, I already blew it with slamming others in my posts.
So I’ll come back another day. Maybe I’ll wait until our unstable friend, Plot Thickens, flames out, which looks to be soon based on his out-of-control posts.
My advice, get back on your meds, Plot Thickens. Like. Right. Now!
Thing is, YOU are the troll to some people…
Not sure why the bullpen gets the bashing it does. Take a look at the record when leading going into the 7th, 8th and 9th inning. Last I heard it was one loss.
Glad you spoke up on the bullpen. Cubs would love to have the Sox late inning success rate!
Waiting until the offseason to set priorities seems a little behind the 8-ball to me. If my memory serves me correctly they’ve got some schillings to throw around, no? They’ve got a bunch of young guys on team control and their biggest priority seems to be resigning Abreu and it sounds like he’d take a team-friendly deal to stay which doesn’t happen much anymore. I don’t feel like their far off from competing. Their bullpen has actually been decent and their young guys are getting good. I feel like they just those guys to keep progressing, add some depth at the end of their lineup and maybe get another innings eater/backend rotation guy to be consistent for them. They’ve got the resources to make things happen but I think that process should’ve started yesterday and not waiting until the offseason to set those priorities. It’s not they don’t know their list of potential options in free agency and they can start to have conversations now about possible trades. Man I’d be frustrated if I were a White Sox fan. He’s gonna miss out on all the fun like last year.
Just wanted to say- Nice article, Connor. Fair, honest and mostly editorial free.
Hahn’s main priority is either needs to sign Cole or Bumgarner or check with the Nationals if Schrezer is available. Schrezer would be the idea guy but that if the Nationals are making him available since he still owed a lot of money and he wants a ring before he retires. The White Sox need a veteran arm to lead that young pitching rotation. Then Hahn must look for a veteran outfielder who is looking to win rather than for a pay day.
I think people need to relax about a power LHB. Yoan Moncada is that player. Pegged at the beginning of the season as a 7-9 order hopeful, he goes to #2 and could hands-down become #4 if needed.
Remember that our push for a power LHB last year was because we couldn’t trust we have any.
Anderson’s strides this year put him in serious discussion for #2 spot.
The thoughts on most fans who I speak with are, who stays? Garcia or Yolmer. Both of whom bat switch.
Yolmer is under control for two more years, and the team has little depth in minors in the infield, sans Mendick. Garcia is a free agent after next. Also up for big payday in arb. They need to consider moving him in offseason.
Garcia is not going anywhere! He has been in Chicago since 2013 and the Sox want him part of next year’s run. The payroll is going to be low going into next offseason and money is not the issue for the White Sox.
Okay, so likely we see Robert next year and some glimpses of Madrigal. Madrigal 2021.
This season has disgusted me. It’s been such a wasted opportunity to give numerous guys a shot at the MLB level to see what they can do. Mendick, Mercedes, Collins (wasted an option), Kubat, Tilson, etc. Why do we need to see Jay, Goins, Engel, Sanchez, Detwiler, etc out there?
I like Leury but would trade him if offered something of value. If he stays, he should be the sub who starts almost every game, and his versatility allows you to not waste a bunch of roster spots on depth. He might end up scoring close to 100 runs, so he’s getting the job done.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we extend Detwiler.
Don’t even joke about that.
i don’t know why their cheapness and mismanagement still surprises me.
if they aren’t trying to contend next year, keeping luis robert down for an extra year of control makes obvious sense. but they openly stated they didn’t flip colome because they needed a closer to contend next year. so if they are trying to contend next year, bring luis robert up to the bigs now so he gets his struggle out of the way in september this year instead of may/june next year.
nothing this team does makes any sense.
The extra year of control is more valuable than five weeks of struggling on a non-playoff team in late Aug/Sep. In other words, rushing Robert up now to hit .189 with two HRs to end the season provides value to the team, and may actually hurt his confidence for when they really need him.
Is it? Because if Vlad Jr had been brought up last year and showed flaws, maybe he would have come into 2019 in-shape. Maybe. Mike Trout benefitted from a call-up in 2011. He had something to work on in the offseason rather than dominating the minor leagues. We cannot put a price on MLB experience for a young prospect. Give Robert something to shoot for next year and lock him up to a long-term deal while you still can, a-la Atlanta with Acuna and Philly with Kingery.
Again, Robert will get his money, and he’s playing everyday. It makes more sense for the organization to bring him up next spring, when the Sox need him with most of their pitching healthy and ready to go. Same deal for Madrigal. Frankly, we fans are assuming Robert is ready just because he’s hitting well. Hahn has said Robert will get the call when he’s ready. They’re focused on all of his tools and skill set, not just HRs or his batting average.
Really? There was a guy back in 2001 that wasn’t going to make the ML roster out of spring training because of Bobby Bonilla. But Bonilla got hurt very late in camp, so they brought this prospect north with the team. He was never sent back down. Bonilla retired after the 2001 season. The other guy? Well, he will be inducted in Cooperstown in about 8 years. His name is Albert Pujols.
One thing everyone seems to forget is that the Sox are not yet a winning team. It’s easy to say sign Cole, sign Baumgartner. What is going to make them come to the Sox over all the big money teams that will be in pursuit. The team needs an outfielder even with Robert, a dh1b and in my opinion 2 starting pitchers unless they resign Nova then 1. I am not counting on Rodon or Kopech to help a whole lot next year.
Just trying to sign the big guys until you plug more of the holes is gonna run into more no’s.
After failing to get Machado. I suggested they spend the 30 mil on 3 players: Mike Moustakis, marwin gonzalez And Zio Gonzalez. Moustakin made the All Star team at 2nd.m Gonzalez has 17 hr and 60 rbi. Gio hasn’t had a great year but he has been steady with the Brewers of late. Those three signings make this years Sox and 85 win team and now you can go after a stud pitcher to put them over the top
I agree with your first half, but the second. Whoa there, White Feller! (Tonto’s horse)
The difference between the White Sox and these other teams from big market cities the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies and Cubs that the Sox have the free money to sign a guy like Cole or Bumgarner while perusing another guy and not worrying about the luxury tax threshold to having young players under control for four to five years.
The other difference is that the player has to want to play there, which hasn’t been the case for a high profile free agents. And it’s not like the White Sox are going to pay way more than everyone else for a guy like Cole who can get over $200 million a lot of places.
I think you are missing the point that not too many high market teams can dish out big money to Cole this offseason due to current contracts and future money they need to dish out to younger players. The White Sox were smart not giving Manchado or Harper over ten years. No player is worth that much money for that many years especially when those contracts are going into the end of these guys’ careers when they are less productive.
I agree it’s never smart longterm, but it’s what you have to do to get the player. The end of those contracts never work out, but if you want the guy you do it.
That’s why I believe there will be a strike once this current CBA after the 2021.
Rick Hahn is correct in holding off on any predictions for 2020 until the upcoming offseason has finished and the health and production of the younger players and incoming MLB ready prospects can be better ascertained through spring training.
The potential is indeed promising with newly arriving prospects Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal ready to take over in CF and at 2B. Zack Collins also looks ready to assume the backup catcher role behind James McCann along with getting some PA’s at 1B and DH.
Jose Abreu is also a virtual lock to remain with the White Sox as a much needed veteran presence to help transition the team in their final phase of rebuilding to one of perennial contenders beginning in 2020. What is not known is what other veterans might join him this offseason through free agency or trade. Priority #1 should be to acquire a veteran TOR starting pitcher to help anchor a young rotation. A second priority ought to be finding a productive left-handed bat to help balance off a batting order that looks to be predominately right-handed going forward. That player could be the White Sox future right fielder.
Hahn in 2020 Spring Training: “Come and get us!”.
They are gonna need at least 2-3 bullpen arms a new catcher if they don’t extend McCann and a veteran leader in the rotation. Hammels could be a good option and a dh who could hit or someone to spell Abreu if he returns at first. Then you can talk about them being good. Not all prospects are gonna pan out so you can’t only rely on them.
I should say resign McCann
*you
They still have time to extend him but yeah resign him. Grandal is available too.
Of course Robert won’t be up until late April. That’s the most obvious thing ever, regardless of what Hahn says
I think fans get fixated on individual players when they should be focused on the big picture. Every year of the rebuild, we’ve seen improvement at all levels of the organization. Hahn is doing his job with these players he’s assembled so far. We need to be patient and let him finish this thing before we start questioning moves.
Nonsense.
All of the key prospects in AA disappointed, the free agent signings outside of McCann were a disaster, and the lower levels have suddenly become bare.
This is going to be the fourth year of the rebuild. He deserves all the criticism he gets, and should be questioned.
Maximum, really. Now it’s the team’s fault some of the prospects need more time? Most prospects take a no -linear path to the big leagues. Some get stuck and need more time. That’s the way it goes for every team. Your complaint makes no sense whatsoever.
And who cares about the crappy free agents they brought in. None of them will be here on a year or two. They signed to fill minor temporary roles until the young guys are brought up from the minors. See what I mean about fixated on irrelevant things? Everybody’s worried about things that won’t matter a year from now.
First, Hahn has a terrible track record of player development, notably as it pertains to his own picks. Only Tim Anderson is a starter, and frankly, he fits the model of players taken by KW.
There are also no amateur free agents he signed on the roster. Only one pick – who was third overall – has emerged as a starter.
So yes, there is a great deal of historical evidence behind being concerned over player development.
And the free agent signings matter, because if he had found decent players, they could possibly contribute to the team once it is in contention, or be flipped for better prospects that what other players have netted. It’s not remotely irrelevant.
His track record deserves scrutiny, and it’s not good.
Hahn has been doing what he said he was going to do with draft picks to international signing to making trades. This current White Sox offense is playing well and it’s only going to get better once Robert and Madigral are brought up. Moncada is proving to a future centerpiece and not a bust like people were saying about him in 2018.
Another idea: give Robert a 9/90 deal right now and bring him up tomorrow to get him to learn the bigs now instead of later, and aim to contend in 2020, not 2021.
Hahn said when this started 3 years ago 2020 would be the year they contend. Since the Sox have never gone through a rebuld like this I do agree we should see how the offseason pans out. If they fail then I will totally agree with the crybabies that we got played by Jerry. The fact remains they have the most payroll flexibility for the next 4 years. They do need to focus on pitching, both starters and bullpen guys. A veteran Utility player would be nice as well.
Idk why people are still crying about Machado. We all saw the player he truly was during the World Series when he quit on the Dodgers. And he clearly didn’t want to accept a leadership role with the Sox. Could’ve made a total of 350 million but chose the $300 million and acted like we all slept through the playoffs.
They should bring Collins back up in September since there’s no way Castillo is staying. Mendick should get a shot as well.
Game 2 of Moncada’s return is HR, 2B, 2RBI (just like last night), but this one isn’t done yet.
Sox payroll next year will be around 40 mill
Resign Abreu
Sign moose DH
Castionas RF
Figure madagril and Robert go into Cf 2B
Add a few bullpen pieces
Then go big for Cole
If not a Miley bummgardner
(not including Abreu) Even if all those guy would sign at a discount, I still say AWW HEY’ NAWWW!
I’d rather they sign Corey Dickerson. They don’t need another RH outfielder.
Lol if they signed all the guys i just said the Sox payroll would be around 150 mill
Cubs are at 218
I’m so sick of the jerry apologist spend some $ back in 05/06 the stadium was packed if he puts a good product on field ppl will come
When they started this rebuild they said when time comes they will spend well over next 2 years it’s time don’t hAce be Yankees or cubs but come on we don’t play in San Diego or Detroit spend some $
The White Sox were in the top ten with payroll prior to this rebuild. Just look it up rather than calling Reinsdorf cheap. After this season the White Sox will have more money to spend with their tv deal to attendance going up this year.
Like I said, Sox fans won’t like this because I’m going to call out this B.S. about their payroll. From SPOTRAC.
2011- 7th in payroll.
2012- 13th
2013- 12th.
2014- 23rd.
2015- 15th.
2016- 16th.
IF this rebuild started in 2017, then 5 of the previous 6 years were NOT in the top 10.
The White Sox were number 8 in 2013 and 10 in 2010 at the beginning of the season. Hahn started to decrease the payroll afterwards to rebuild one of the worse farm systems in baseball which was his main goal. Bad signings to injuries to no players in the farm system hurt the White Sox from 2012 to 2016. It happens to a lot of of teams.
The rebuild started when Sale was trading away after the 2016 season while Hahn specifically said after taking over after the 2012 season his goal was to rebuild the farm system via trades to draft picks and international picks since their farm system was the worse in baseball while trying to be a competitive with the team he had at the time. Hahn did make a few moves from 2013 to 2016 but things did not pan out due to injuries to the pitching staff. Danks and Floyd had serious injuries then Sale spent time on the DL so that hurt them.
In a matter of one year from 2016 to 2017 Hahn turned his farm system from one of the worse to the best in the MLB.
In all honesty, I think Moncada’s recent trip to AAA was more than a rehab but to go there to start talking to Robert when he comes to the White Sox.
It baffles how people come on here and bash Reinsdorf as being a bad owner. Reinsdorf has seven championships as an owner six with the Bulls and one with the White Sox. It’s been frustrating for White Sox fans these last six years but the future is getting brighter with Hahn making the right decisions with being a team looking to compete after this season. The pieces are there but Hahn still has a few holes to fill with pitching. I am just glad the White Sox did not sign anyone to a ten plus year deal even though I think guys like Harper and Trout are one of the guys who fit the bill.
As soon as they find a Michael Jordan, maybe the White Sox will win again?
Will the cubs ever be good again? Another 109 years?
By the way, those all white uni’s the cubs are wearing this weekend are butt #%% ugly. Way to style while you’re getting your #%% handed to you.
Let me see if I can understand this? The Cubs won WS in 1907, 1908 and 2016. The White Sox won WS in 1906, 1917 and 2005. AND YOU HAVE THE BALLS TO SAY MAYBE THE CUBS WILL BE GOOD AGAIN IN ANOTHER 109 YEARS? This also coming from a Sox fan whose team is going on what, 7 years of consecutive losing seasons? You’re as ignorant as you are dumb.
Fly the L buddy! LOL
I’m not flying anything, but you have a huge L stamped on your forehead. I’ve never read such nonsense from anyone like I’ve seen on a few of your last comments.
How many last place finishes do the cubs have during the last 30 years? Here’s a hint: More than the White Sox.
I wouldn’t know, but I do know this. The White Sox aren’t the freaking Yankees. They aren’t even in line with the Reds. They have sucked for pretty much most of their existence. So it’s best as a White Sox fan to slow your roll on calling out other crappy franchises. And laughing at Cubs all white jerseys? Do you remember the freaking shorts the White Sox wore?
Your lack of baseball knowledge is exceptional. Educate yourself the league before 2013, then maybe you could have an intelligent conversation about it.
Sure. I’ll do just that because knowing how many times a team finished last is extremely important. You are truly a lost cause.
It is important if you’re gonna troll with derp comments. Derp.
The owner deserves zero credit for MJ falling into his lap, and even less for the Sox rebuild. Hahn had to tank and rebuild because of Reinsdorf’s aversion to big contracts.
Oddly enough, Reinsdorf had to be talked into rebuilding by Hahn, because he allegedly felt White Sox fans wouldn’t tolerate losing records. I am not making this up.
Should Robert be in Chicago right now? Absolutely. But to slam Hahn for taking advantage of legal loopholes other GM’s also do is ridiculous. If Hahn took the other road on this, people would slam him for being an idiot by not taking advantage of the loopholes. Until the CBA gets changed, it is what it is.
As for the rotation, Giolito is the only certainty going forward at this moment. I won’t argue that. But that’s why they’re still prospects. Watching Cease, once he figures out how to limit the big inning he gets every game, I love my chances with him. Once Lopez figures out whatever flaw he had in the first half, which maybe he already has, I’m confident in his chances. Kopech is still an uncertainty right now, as are Rodon and Dunning with the TJ’s, but Rodon gone after ’21 anyway. All the Sox really need is a strong SP, and I’ll take my chances with that rotation in ’20 and beyond.
Could Giolito regress back to ’18 and the prospects all bust next year? Sure. But from watching Cease and Lopez since the ASB, I like their chances in ’20 and beyond.
Offensively: C McCann, 1B Abreu (until Vaughn comes up in ’21, then Abreu shifts to DH), 2B Madrigal, SS TA, 3B Yoan, LF Eloy, CF Robert, RF Leury (RF still a ?), DH Collins (also still a ?). This assumes no F/A or trades to upgrade the offense. Not a perfect offense by any means, but I like what I see. A lot of rawness in ’20, and maybe many bust, but I like my chances.
Had to end the post early.
Hahn still needs to make some moves (no doubt about that), RF definitely, another SP definitely, bullpen, DH for ’20 (unless Collins rakes in Chicago in Sept, and even then…). But for Giolito, Lopez, Cease, and Kopech as 4/5 of the rotation and McCann, Abreu, Madrigal, TA, Moncada, Eloy, Robert (and even Collins) to be the floor, I’m happy with that floor.
What Hahn does (or doesn’t do) will determine if the Sox can actually make the playoffs next year in a very winnable division.
This will be my final comment on this story. I’ve come to realize, after reading comments on here for three days, White Sox fans are the most delusional and uneducated fans in baseball. I’ve been around the league a long time, and I’ve had discussions with fans in almost every baseball city. This group takes the prize as the worst. If you don’t agree, so be it. But just go back and read these comments. Some of them are truly beyond normal thinking or sanity for that matter. Best of luck to the White Sox, their fans, and your perennial re-build.
@Plot Thickens
Thank you for your generous compliments. We moron Sox fans are blessed to have you as the voice of reason on our message board. We can’t wait for more of your wisdom on the next Sox message board. Until next time, my friend.
You’re going to keep on telling Sox fans how bad the team is until they win. You obviously can’t appreciate progress because you don’t have a clue what the organization is doing, so your shallow opinions mean nothing. Meanwhile, the dumpster fire is growing on the northside, but fans like you give them a pass because they won something three years ago, and have a few players that are household names.