MARCH 29: Jimenez will undergo surgery Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. His recovery will take four to five months.
MARCH 25: The White Sox roster has taken a crucial blow before the season is even underway, as general manager Rick Hahn announced Thursday that left fielder Eloy Jimenez has suffered a ruptured left pectoral tendon and will require surgery. He’s expected to miss five to six months of action, putting his season in jeopardy. Jimenez exited yesterday’s Cactus League game with an apparent injury to his left arm after he attempted to rob a home run.
An absence of any length for Jimenez would have been a notable hit to the White Sox’ chances, but losing Jimenez for the majority of the season is a particularly emphatic gut punch for the South Siders. Jimenez, 24, belted 31 homers as a rookie in 2019 and improved across the board in his rate stats in 2020, slashing .296/.332/.559 with 14 dingers and 14 doubles in just 226 trips to the plate. He was on a tear this spring as well, hitting .319/.360/.532 with two homers, two doubles and a triple in 50 plate appearances.
The injury is particularly significant for the Sox due to the lack of experienced replacements in camp. Utilityman Leury Garcia has outfield experience but seems unlikely to be pressed into an everyday role, and the top options on the 40-man roster — Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo, Luis Gonzalez — have yet to play in the Majors beyond two stray plate appearances for Gonzalez. The Sox do have Billy Hamilton and Nick Williams on minor league deals, but neither has hit much in his recent sample of big league work.
Meanwhile, Hahn called the notion of recently signed prospect Yoelki Cespedes (Yoenis’ younger brother) jumping directly to the big leagues “premature” (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Scott Merkin). The GM also suggested that the club will get presumptive designated hitter Andrew Vaughn some work in left field as the Sox evaluate internal options (Twitter link via Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune). Vaughn is already looking likely to be thrust into the Majors after skipping both Double-A and Triple-A, and tackling left field would present another challenge given that his history is as a first baseman. Speculatively, this seems like a case where the solution lies outside the organization.
There ought to be multiple options around the league for the White Sox to consider in the coming days as veterans opt out of minor league contracts with other teams. Jay Bruce has just such a clause in his Yankees contract, for instance, and he’s not a lock to make the club. New York also has the out-of-options Mike Tauchman, who has drawn trade interest from as many as eight teams. The Reds are facing a similar quandary with slugger Aristides Aquino. Unsigned options on the free-agent market include Josh Reddick, Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig.
That’s tough. Not even a White Sox fan but it’s hard to deny they have a enviable offense.
This is a huge loss.
This is why they shouldn’t have the hitters play the field…. 9 DHs… only logical solution.
I agree, lol. They could get hurt.
Pitchers get hurt a lot too. I think we should just have each team send up their best 9 hitters to a pitching machine and whoever hits the most homers wins the game. Any contact that doesn’t result in a home run is an out, derby-style.
Designated runners and fielders. Like beer league softball, only better.
Now that my friend is funny
I understand these players want to feel they are complete and doing all they can for their teams. But sometimes they need to realize their limitations. Eloy may need to note that he’s 240 pounds and simply not going to be able to leap up and make HR saving catches. Get to the wall, jump straight up, and maybe you catch it based on being 6’4″. And please don’t try to make diving catches. All it can do is raise the possibility of injury and offer limited help to your team. I went from being a point guard to shooting guard in college. Sometimes you have to accept the direction of the coaches even when you think you offer more. My ten cents worth.
Except the runners for each inning should be randomly selected by lottery from the crowd. Are you going to have an athletic, mid-20s guy trying to score from second on a single, or get stuck with a literal infant pooing itself on 1st base? It would certainly boost fan interest!
Just make sure the pitching machine is turned on “random” to mix up pitches and to produce balls & strikes. That way we can still have the big 3 outcomes (BB,K,HR).
DH’s could still get hurt. They should be wrapped in bubble wrap and then covered in plush velvet for maximum protection.
Totally disagree. Dogging it isn’t an acceptable alternative to injury, nor substitute in lieu of being half a player.This was freak injury, very unusual injury for any type of play, let alone trying to rob homer..
For a guy like Eloy, likely he will be out till next Christmas.
Plus 1
Oh man huge loss
Injuries suck, hate seeing them
Funny thing is what Rick Hahn said the other day. In a backhanded way, he suggested the Sox fans that were critical of poor Eloy’s defense, we’re sort of responsible for this injury. Hahn suggested that criticism caused Eloy to give that extra effort!
Give me a break Rick, your starting to sound like the announcers the Sox hire.
Always sad to see a young, extremely talented player get injured. Hope he recovers as fast and as healthy as he can.
Eloy, Eloy, Lama Sabachthani?
This is a lot funnier than you heretics are giving it credit for.
This is just *chef’s kiss*
Wow, it is……. very, very clever. But…….. sheesh, I don’t want to be standing anywhere near you when that payment comes due – yikes!
You don’t think the J-man has a sense of humor?
I sure do, brother, and I honestly laughed when I read it, knowing exactly what it was, before I caught myself. But he said it while nailed to the cross, and the meaning – whoa!
That was an immediate self correction on my part; but, it was incredibly witty, which I definitely appreciate – not enough of that in this world. Still, you keep your distance before you repent on that, cool? After? We good, but I ain’t ‘bout no lightening strikes.
I appreciate you bringing that here though – good opportunity to talk about it for anyone who wants to listen.
@baseballpun
This is literally the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time thank you. I’ve been detoxing at home feeling like garbage and this is the first thing that made me laugh out loud in a long time.
Hey MrTwoTone: Congratulations, man! That’s great to hear you’re pulling yourself up like that. Stay strong, keep the faith, trust God, and stay true to yourself, bro. Nothing is worth going back – one life, live it to the full (in a constructive, positive, fulfilling way). Good job, sir.
Thank you, I’ve been taking opiods off and on since high school when I had forearm issues pitching. And later on suffered a torn meniscus. It’s Hell coming off of them after you’ve been taking them so long but my family deserves better man. I appreciate the kind words!
@mrtwotone keep it up brother staying away from opioids i know it’s really rough staying away from them, i’ve been watching my parents for years battle them. also i almost fell into that rabbit hole myself and would have if i didn’t develop an allergic reaction to them
Most Jews have a great sense of humor. Why should arguably the most famous one be an exception. 🙂
Add me to the list of people sending you good thoughts & prayers, @Mrtwotone.
Besides weed when I was in college drugs were never really my thing. But booze was.
You’re motivation is perfect.
Before I became a single parent, I was (almost) a completely different person with markedly different values. I’ve had the DT’s on a jail cell floor, man. Lousy way to spend a weekend. So thankful those days are over.
Hang in there, man.
It’ll end.
Wish I had something better to offer you, man.
I thought it was funny, and appropriate for the upcoming Holy Week.
My husband is a pastor and he thought it was funny too.
Not funny.
Brutal!!
Nick Williams appears to be a great option until he’s in the lineup for a few weeks. He’s just not a major league option.
yall want Odubel?
Who would want that trash man. I hope he never plays again and does not deserve to make the roster.
What he did was horrible but not worse than Arnoldis Chapman or Ezekiel Elliott. Lots of other examples.. I think people would be more forgiving if there wasn’t decreased on field performance.
Rather have Moniak
He better not touch the outfield again. Ever.
Like never play in the OF again?
Yes
Everyone wondered why the Cubs traded him but they knew he was a DH and a disaster in the outfield. I give them credit for seeing that and why the White Sox couldn’t, and why they continue to allow him to run into walls is mystifying. Sox brass needs to own this one. Just dumb and everyone saw this coming a mile away.
What a dumba* reply. The Cubs were so prescient as to know he’d have a weird freak injury, so they gave up him and Dylan Cease, both who will have better careers than the guy they traded for? I understand you were trolling and that Dogbone was one of your ‘likes’, but wondering who the other one was.
Big Hurt. Please pay attention or stop posting. This is NOT the first time Eloy has run into a wall or a net. Your ignorance is there for all to see.
I highly, highly doubt Cease has a better career than Quintana. Quintana was very underrated in the south side and Cease looks like he doesnt know where the strike zone is.
LOL – I am not arguing that he should be a LFer… I’d love to see him DH. But as a DH, he will still have a much better career that Q did for the Cubs.
were still waiting. Call us when Eloy and Cease lead the sox to the ALCS and 4 consecutive play off appearance. Lost in this argument beyond the fact were 3 seasons in(ignore last season) and both have done little so far, is cubs were 5 games out at time of trade and Q helped lead them to NLCS in’17.
@jdgoat – Q was fine for the Sox. Under .500 pitcher (in part because of run support, but also iin part because whenever they gave him a lead he gave it up) who pitched a lot of innings at 3.50 ERA. For the Cubs, his ERA was well over 4 and he was not the innings eater they thought they were getting.
I understand that I am going on a thin limb saying that Cease will be a better pitcher, but I believe it. His stuff is ridiculous (99 mph fastball with high spin and crazy break on his curve/slider) and he’s only 25. I expect big things starting this year.
He didn’t “run into the wall” on this play. He went to the wall, stopped when he got there, and extended his glove arm over the wall trying to make the catch. It was a freak accident, not a bad decision.
Whiff –
Please stop being a complete fool and grow up a little. Big Hurt’s comment has 7 likes at this point so clearly he’s not alone in his thinking. And don’t get so offended like a baby when someone doesn’t agree with your ignorant remark
@jdgoat q might have been underrated on the south side but on the north side was pretty mediocre to under.
Sorry KCJ, but every baseball show I’ve consumed agrees that Eloy is a DH and the Sox were playing him out of position. I stand by the comment.
“ Everyone wondered why the Cubs traded him but they knew he was a DH and a disaster in the outfield.”
Yes, that makes a ton of sense coming from the team that thought Kyle Schwarber was a major league left fielder. They were so confident in his ability that they were willing to give up Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres instead of him in trade talks. Geniuses.
The problem with Eloy is that he never learned to play within his own limitations.
He dives for balls he can’t possibly reach, and doesn’t always make the best decision when trying to determine if he should go for the catch or let it drop.
This is an unfortunate example.
Online, people were suggesting he play like Carlos Lee. Lee rarely made errors, because he stayed in his lane and knew he wasn’t going to make any great catches.
If Vaughn can take the some approach, maybe he can work in LF, but it is incredibly risky to have a guy you are counting on try to learn a new position on the fly. Outifielders who don’t play outfield often get hurt trying to learn the position. See Tyler Saladino and Nicky Delmonico.
Keep Vaughn at DH, and roll with what you have in the outfield. The time to make a depth signing was two months ago.
Maximumvelocity: I think that may have some validity; but it seems to be the case for many premier players. Looks at Judge, for example. Dude gets injured diving for balls in ST. Doesn’t make sense. But he’s a gamer. Eloy’s I think is a combo of that, but the fact that is seems to be a really weird freak accident with the way he reached for the ball.
You’re correct. Typical dumb move by the White Sox. He’s a natural DH, aka Frank Thomas.
With this penny-pinching Owner, they’ll lose any advantage they might have had over Minnesota. With that thought, it’s hard to believe that the White Sox will complete a trade for an established and credible left fielder.
I don’t know Whifff it’s not like he’s Byron Buxton who flat out goes looking for the wall..
Tough to teach a grown man how to play OF!
Have to think this is easily the biggest injury of the spring if that report is accurate. Yikes. Was excited to see what he did with 162.
This is why I wish the media and fans would shut up with predictions. There is literally no way to predict how an entire 162 game schedule will go with so much competition right now. But the white Sox were neverrrr gonna be the AL champs just so everyone’s clear
So do you believe your initial point, or your second point? Because you cant say both in the same breath…
You can say both because one is a prediction with no statistical backing other than people just wanna talk to talk and one is just being realistic it’s not a prediction it’s just a fact. A fact is the dodgers are the best team in baseball, a prediction is the Rockies are the best team in baseball. One is a fact and one a prediction, the white Sox don’t have the talent or stats to win the AL pennant…. fact
Says predictions are meaningless.
Predicts that the White Sox would not win a pennant.
This might be an all time bad take on this website. I’m sure the Rays are the favorites based on “facts” and not predictions to you then lol?
There are no givens in baseball. The Dodgers might be the best team in baseball the last 4 seasons but only have one ring to show for it. The White Sox absolutley could win the AL Central. They do have the talent for it, but will they? Idk, the season needs to be played out.
Every comment you fall further and further behind…
I would change my screen name and never use that one again.
@kc38 – I’m beginning to think you don’t know what the word ‘fact’ means.
“The White Sox don’t have the talent or stats to win the AL Pennant…. fact”. A fact, by definition is something that is known or proved to be true. Can you prove that the White Sox don’t have the talent to win the AL Central in 2021? No, you can’t. Talent is something that is mostly subjective.
Mlb1225: “There are no givens in baseball – That’s not true, Mychel Givens.
The Dodgers are the best team in baseball is NOT a fact. It’s an opinion that might be accurate. If you said they were the best team in baseball in 2020, that’s a fact, only because they won the World Series.
The secret is out… predictions aren’t always accurate.
Translation: I knew something would come along to help out my team.
The Rays dont need help from the white Sox
Ahhh so you’re salty because no one likes the Rays. Newsflash: The Rays don’t have a chance either and their staff is made of glass.
exactly. I’m a fan of them and put them 3rd or 4th in division BEFORE this. depends on if Detroit pitching is 71 orioles good immediately or not
Feel bad for him. But at the same time, like Stone said in the highlight, it’s ST and those games don’t matter. Eloy needs to be a full time DH.
No, Eloy just had no business trying to rob a home run. Why in the world would you try to do something like that? Just like when Springer damaged his obliques stealing bases, like why??? It’s so infuriating.
Basically what I just said. But yes, he does need to be their full time DH. He has no business getting in Roberts way like he’s done so many times before. And now this.
Man so much hate for Eloy from Cubs fans. This coming from the same fan boys that supported Schwarber’s defense year after year. Don’t hate the White Sox for trading for a young stud, direct your anger at the Cubs front office for trading him away for peanuts!
Dude, Eloy was and always will be prone to injury. Cub fans knew that and now you Sox fans are realizing we are correct. Cease could end up good this year. But if you all would not have been saying how stupid our front office is this would not sting as bad for you. IMO
How am I giving any hate towards Eloy? Turn 670 the score on and they’ll tell you the exact same thing. He should be their full time DH. Stop trolling for once.
How’s Q working out?
chitown—–#1—Schwarber’s bad defense is light years better than Eloy’s…..and pay attention—and you should be happy with this—-when Schwarber was lost for the season due to an injury playing defense the Cubs WON the World Series that year. Let’s just see if history repeats itself.
Best of luck living up to expectations set by fans instead of teams.
(and please, like Aaron said yesterday, just be glad it’s him and only him—because sooner or later it wasn’t going to be a wall he ran into it was going to be Anderson or Moncada)
How is that hate? You really need to work on your troll game homie.
I’m not bashing his skill set as a hitter. He’s amazing. He should be their full time DH. Again, how is that hate? The Sox clearly won that trade. Yes I’m a Cubs fan. I’m also a baseball fan and watch other games when they are on. His injuries have come from bad defense. It’s a fact. It’s not trolling, homie.
If you’re responding to my comment, it was a reply to chitown, not you. I don’t know why this site refuses to update their comment section to properly nest conversations.
My apologies. I thought it showed you responding to my comment. But I completely agree on the site update topic.
Eloy’s defense is bad, he’s not super athletic but can mash and should DH (and will full time in a year or two). Sox still won the trade and let’s move on.
So who should Sox try to get Tauchmann or Reds-Aquino?
“ Schwarber’s bad defense is light years better than Eloy’s”
That’s funny because Outs Above Average shows that Schwarber has been worse over the last 2 years…
Eloy’s arm could have fallen off, and it still would be a better trade for the White Sox.
Yep that’s typical Cubs fan spin on things. Some give opinions that are not close to being backed up by facts.
Come on Priggs, you are much better than that…..pick a stat any stat…..Schwarber six seasons 29 assists——defensive runs saved -8. Eloy two seasons, 6 assists—-defensive runs saved -14. I never, ever said that Schwarber was good. But it’s truly difficult to find two regular defensive players in baseball that are worse defensively than Eloy—-stat or eye test.
Two seasons -14 runs saved——compared to six at -8. Think about that.
I think OAA is just a range based stat that I would agree with Kyle being bad, but he did make up a good chunk of that defensive deficit with his arm.
I literally just picked on. Outs Above Average.
If you are going to get good at something you need to practice it. Lets stop babying players, plays like robbing home runs are some of the most exciting to see
@cherryvlad. You asked why Eloy would do something like that. Per WS GM Rick Hahn, the Sox fans critical of his D, pushed him into trying for the ball, to prove he doesn’t deserve the tag. Hahn actually implied that in a radio interview. OK Rick.
The really sad part of the deal is that he actually did get hurt trying to make a legitimate play. Last year he flat out ran into walls and nets like he had no idea they were even there. Zero field sense at all. Yesterday he played the ball like he was timing it.
Eventually, it would have been high on the prediction scale that he may have been hurt running into something or worse, somebody. Yesterday was more a freak injury in a baseball game than him just being one of the worst three defensive players (see, I’m being kind) in the sport.
I feel for Sox fans. It’s a gut punch when a star player will miss significant time. But maybe he can be back for the postseason like Kyle Schwarber did back in 2016.
Here’s hoping. I do appreciate when Cubs fans can see past the rivalry and trash talk long enough to say stuff like this. Thanks.
That would be cool. A lot of people in Chicago on both sides of town were rooting for Kyle and that was quite the rush. If only DRose had a similar opportunity to return from his injury while the Bulls were at their peak.
Vaughn in LF rest of ST to practice. Even rougher with Engel out.
Damn that sucks. I wonder if they’d be interested in Grichuk lol
lol, even if Grichuk was a good player, him and TA have beef
So did TA and LaRussa. Well, it was more TA’s preconceived notions. Maybe TA is the problem and should check himself.
grichuk called him out publicly for bat flipping. the la russa situation was strictly media speculation.
Wonder if Josh Reddick gets a look. His glove is still very good.
That sucks. Pretty painful injury from what I’ve heard. The Sox are such a fun team to watch right now.
This makes me so angry, and I blame it on the people who have kept hassling him incessantly about his defense. They made him think he had something to prove.
Mike Tauchman has entered the chat
Whoops didn’t mean to respond meant to put a regular comment
Brutal. But Puig would fit, if he’s been keeping up in game shape.
FML. this was so avoidable. they MUST get a replacement ASAP.
They have one. 500 ABs for Mr Billy Hamilton please!
Lol
eloy’s so frustrating, stubborn, nice, adorable, and wonderful. its like rooting for a toddler.
About the same baseball IQ as a toddler
He’s just setting us all up for a dramatic Kirk Gibson/Willis Reed return in the ALCS. How cool would that be?
Do you mean like Schwarbs, in more modern times?
yikes!
Ouch, WTF or to quote ‘Hawk’, “Dadgummit!”.
I hate to beat a dead horse when it’s down but I was one Sox fan screaming all offseason for the front office to add another bat who could play a corner OF position AND DH even after they signed Adam Eaton to be their primary right-fielder. My rants included trading for clearly available LF Andrew Benintendi who wound up with the Royals instead, or signing affordable short term FA’s like Kyle Schwarber, Joc Pederson or Yasiel Puig. They did offer Pederson a deal early when they were still talking to Eaton but reportedly ceased with their interest once Joc declined and ‘Spanky’ signed.
All of this was to give the White Sox the option of utilizing Eloy Jimenez more as a DH and less in LF. We all knew the front office was high on Andrew Vaughn as their primary DH for 2021, nobody more so than yours truly who predicted as much all winter. That said, I still wanted the additional depth on a White Sox team with serious World Series ambitions and viewed anyone of those players as viable and cheap short term options for 2021.
And now this,..
At least this awful news is tempered with the comment from manager Tony La Russa that Andrew Vaughn will start in left field tomorrow and “you’ll see him out there as much as possible” over the final week of spring training.
That said, the front office would still be wise to consider adding yet another Cuban to their roster with still available FA LF/DH Yoenis Cespedes or OF Yasiel Puig who could play either corner. We all know Puig has a delayed and ‘suspect’ civil suit hanging over him but I say screw that and bring him in (or Cespedes) anyway. Puig would at least give the White Sox an option out in RF along with Adam Eaton with ‘Spanky’ potentially moving over to LF as well.
La Russa could easily work in a rotation that includes Vaughn, Eaton and Puig/Cespedes between the OF and DH. With Puig on board, Vaughn would just return to his role of DH and backup first baseman behind Jose Abreu.
Aaron—one the wisest contributors on here—please, please, please how can you say the news is “tempered….Andrew Vaughn will start in left field tomorrow”?
Other than the obligatory quotes from leadership that say Vaughn has been working on the backfields imply that putting someone who has played a few hundred innings at A ball at first base and has no real plan of significant defensive innings in the majors what gleam of hope is there that you can plop him down in left field?
That’s a horrible idea from a guy who is going to be hit first? With all the worry of trying to play defense will there be a conscious or subconscious affect on his offense?
Vaughn played zero outfield in college.. I don’t know, but with his build and bat he may not have played much in high school and with his talent I’m sure that he didn’t play outfield in little league.
Let’s shut the Vaughn to outfield (as a contributor) down right now.
I certainly agree with you that the franchise would be wise to look elsewhere, but under no thoughts does Vaughn in left field temper anything to do with the injury.
@ AaronSapoznik;
A couple of hours ago I sent you a comment under another article. Here’s part of it:
The trouble with projecting the guys you’re talking about (Eloy and Vaughn) is that they’re not athletes. They’re muscle-bound power hitters. If they were athletes they could play a position well. When guys are that much bigger, stronger they can manhandle the competition for a while. But the problem is, they tend to put on weight over the years, lose some coordination, get injured a lot (see Stanton and others) and do not age well.
@mike127
The quote regarding Andrew Vaughn in LF came from a HOF manager, not me. Don’t shoot the messenger! Every media outlet has run with this story in the wake of the Jimenez injury, both locally and nationally. Here’s more of what Tony La Russa had to say on the matter courtesy of Chicago’s Sports Radio 670 The Score: radio.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-white-sox/whi…:
During the course of spring training, I talked with the player development people,” La Russa said. “(Coordinator Doug Sisson) said Andrew was very impressive, and we talked about him as an outfielder. They have seen him in the outfield, and I plan on starting him in left field tomorrow. Based on what they say and his athleticism, you will see him out there as much as possible. He spent time in Schaumburg in left field last summer. It’s easier for an infielder to move to the outfield. Just looking at angles off the bat, you have more time to react out there.”
@sapo
So your saying you didn’t want Vaughn on the team?
LOL
I was too. That is where we agreed.
You are in no way alone with wanting another bat, but absolutely no team would carry 6 OF. It wouldn’t make any sense to do that.
Aaron, if anyone understands this – you do: if the White Sox would not have allowed Eloy to play the OF, Eloy would have sulked all year!
That is why they would not have him pencilled in at DH. Eloy is still immature, and actually that is also a contributing factor as to why he got hurt.
For once, Dogbone, you make a shred of sense in that second point. Going after that ball was a bad decision in a ST game. Playoffs? Go for it. Even a playoff chase, fine. This was just dumb. That said, still a harsher blow than that stupidity deserved.
@hyrax – I know that’s the popular line right now, but I don’t buy it. He was playing baseball… He saw a ball he thought he could catch and he went for it – it was a freak injury. He didn’t dive headfirst into the stands and break his neck, he tried a play that outfielders do 10 times every year, and his arm just got caught in an awkward position.
I hate the idea that someone would stop and say “well, this is a ST game so I’m not going to try to reach really high for that one!” It was freak, it sucks, but it happened and we all move forward.
What evidence do you have that Eloy Jimenez would sulk? Despite his nickname of ‘Big Baby’, I’ve yet to see him sulk, even when in pain walking off the field after his injury. Outside of an occasional grimace, nobody in MLB smiles as much as Eloy with the possible exception of Francisco ‘Mr. Smile’ Lindor.
First of all Aaron, your ‘man’ Eloy, lays on the ground for a few full minutes- as if his leg was what was hurt. It was his arm, not his leg. Why lay as if your leg is hurting. It’s the exact same thing he did last year, when he backed into the fence – then just SAT ON THE GROUND, waiting for the trainer to get to him, as the batter circles the bases for an inside the park HR.
Plus it was his immaturity that was likely the reason he hung on the fence, when there was no reason to do so.
Mr. Hahn I have Mr. Cashman on line 1 for you.
Tauchman for Rutherford perhaps?
Cashman would have to be concussed to do that trade.
I think a bullpen piece and/or maybe catcher get it done for Tauchmann. Helps both teams since they’d be dealing from positions of depth for positions of need
Tbh Jimenez should never play left field again. Permanent DH. Dude keeps getting hurt out there
Throw his glove in the garbage. He should never see the field again
Randal Grichuk is available.
I’d rather sign Rosie O’Donnell’s character from A League of Their Own.
SpanishSockGuy – cant do that. She weighs more than Eloy or Vaughn
Or? I think you meant “and.”
Time to reunite the Cespedes brothers?
This will test the depth of the White Sox. I was told they have a ton of depth though.
were you? were you also told money would be spent? don’t believe the spin BS
Well, Today’s the day I realized I need glasses.. thought it said he had a “Pterodactyl Injury” and silently said to myself…. they finally did it…..Those magnificent clowns!
Serious note, is that it’s awful when good players go down. Hope for a speedy recovery!
For the man’s health and safety, Eloy needs to be a DH. As for a replacement, Yoenis is still out there…
Yoenis, Puig, Tauchman
Get one or two
Let’s go left-handed. Tauchman or Charlie Blackmon.
Does that mean Blackmon needs to shave?
Hell no! Dallas Keuchel, Lance Lynn and Charlie Blackmon would be the southside version of ZZ Top!
Wow! Best wishes Eloy on a speedy recovery Eloy! This sucks.
Sucks for Eloy, sucks for the White Sox, sucks for the game in general. Baseball is better when it’s biggest stars and best young talent stay on the field
This is totally on Hahn and the Clown show that run this team. Jimenez is a DH he’s been hurt twice each of his 2 years playing the field. Totally unacceptable to let the player dictate what his role is. 80 wins if they are lucky.
Taking the over still and not thinking twice. Easy money.
Ruptured pectoral tendon.
Say it again, it’s so much FUN!
Ruptured pectoral tendon.
Ruptured pectoral tendon.
It never gets old, LMAO!
You are a strange man, Big Al Secord.
Man?
Not even a man-child. More like a petulant toddler.
Sure, we’re fine with Engel and Leury as our fourth and fifth outfielders. Whyever would you ask?
Tauchman
obviously this is awful news for 2021…. is a ruptured pectoral better or worse than a shoulder dislocation as far as long term ramifications? He would likely have a full recovery from a shoulder (and it’s non throwing shoulder), but a ruptured pec should make for a full 100% recovery?
Still can’t believe the Cubs traded away both Dylan Cease and Eloy for Quintana, who led them to the NLCS and 3 play off appearances. oh wait………
That 2016-2016 dynasty was fire.
Yeah, Quintana sure did lead them there.
I loved ‘Q’ when he was with the White Sox and was hoping he might return as a FA this past offseason. I’m guessing Quintana won’t be helping Joe Maddon and Mike Trout to the promised land any sooner than when he was with his former manager on the northside of Chicago. I would wager that Tony La Russa, Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease will be wearing a ring or three as White Sox in the coming years!
Hahaha, proof again that these Sox fans have .10 cent heads, just like Eloy trying to play in the outfield. Quick, someone grab a net before it gets out of control. Oh wait, Eloy’s still caught up in it.
If those 4+ ERA’s in the NL really led that team, I now know why they got absolutely embarrassed in the playoffs the last couple years. Congrats on your dynasty though.
Correction, the Cubs didn’t make the playoffs in 2019 and the reason they didn’t advance in 2018 and 2020 was lack of offense when it mattered, not what Quintana did or didn’t deliver. Facts over fiction.
@bryzzoclown Did Eloy and Cease have more playoff wins last year than ALL Cubs players? Did Gleyber Torres too?
So shhhh and think about your new user ID since you have just a few months left with that pair! Handful of cub clown fans out in full force to kick a player when he’s down. Newsflash- Soler has been a superior performer to ALL Cub Outfielders last couple years. So yeah you’re front office built that DYNASTY THAT NEVER WAS!
Solar is a DH. He might be a worse outfielder than Eloy.
Go get Clint Frazier. Yanks barely give him any playing time. Not much improvement with the glove, but he could smash as well.
You know, Ive been saying that for the CWS to actually win the central in 2021, they need pretty much most (if not all) their high hopes regarding young players continuing to improve to come to fruition…..Heres a reminder of how life actually happens.
Twins win AL central hands down and will beat the piss out of Chicago in 2021. You heard it hear first.
And not win a playoff game again this year!
Lol
Is it fair to say that Adam Engel is better than any left fielder that the Twins are rolling out at this point?
The loss of slugger Eloy Jimenez is huge to the White Sox batting order. Let’s wait and see how he may be replaced before crowning the Twins AL Central champs.
I’ll still take the White Sox pitching staff over the Twins,with special emphasis on the ChiSox bullpen which is shaping up as the best in MLB. The Twins did a nice job of improving their defense this offseason but the White Sox can also throw some leather at numerous key positions including at least three of the four premium ones up the middle: CF, 2B and C. Even with the loss of Jimenez the White Sox still possess a formidable offense, one that could even be elite with so many talented young hitters who have yet to approach their lofty ceilings.
Puig your friend, Chicago
In my mind, he might be the best available option. Which sucks. There’s no way they can replace his production (though I have to admit, nearly anybody else could provide better defense).
That’s terrible. Hope he recovers fast.
Indians now become clear cut favorites for AL Central crown and it’s a good thing they claimed Tribe castoff Billy Hamilton
No
The indians are now the clear cut favorites??
Not even close
What cleveland kool-aid did you drink?
I have to imagine the White Sox will be watching the trade market and waiver wires closely to see if an outside option becomes available. Also they are almost certain to break camp with Vaughn on the roster now
Time to turn a particularly rough setback into a positive. IF Vaughn can play passable LF the balance of ST, they can do that, but don’t force it. If good enough, both Mercedes and Collins have earned strong consideration for DH opportunities that may be very positive big picture and not have been discovered otherwise. Last year they parted ways early with dead freight Fulmer/Herrera in the BP that got replaced by internal options Heuer/Foster. The WSox have better internal options than they think, but get too timid/risk averse when the youngster isn’t a so-called big time prospect.
It’s not worth the injury risk. You have to go to Plan D with the outfield at this point.
Like where you’re going. Once the minors finally get going, an opportunity to make up for lost time and see what the likes of Micker-Luis-Blake have to offer. Much prefer this than an unclaimed vet.
Can you see LaRussa trying to get along with Cespedis or Puig!?
Tony La Russa prefers veterans on his teams. This will be his 36th year as a manager, one that includes a HOF resume and 3 World Series titles. He’s managed plenty of ‘characters’ during that time including Rickey Henderson in Oakland. While Cespedes and Puig have had some issues in the past I’ve never heard of them being on a level with some true cancers like Milton Bradley and John Rocker.
Now you see why it was important to add more depth to the outfield in the offseason.
I guy like Pederson or Rosario could have helped with the sting of this injury, and people would not be talking about the absurd idea of putting Vaughn into LF.
Vaughn is a DH/1B period. The hope pretty much now is that Engel’s season last year was not a fluke, and that Eaton can stay healthy for the majority of the season. Or maybe Nick Williams can have an unexpected bounce back season. At this point, I’d go with him, because you need the bat potential more than Hamilton’s glove and speed.
Some of you thought the team was deep enough in the outfield. We are about to find out fast.
And unfortunately, pervey Puig has to be on the table if this team is seriously thinking about a WS.
They tried to add Pederson. He misplayed his market and said no, so they moved on. It sucks, but not many teams go 5+ deep with quality OF options or have internal options to replace a bat like Eloy’s.
I was having a bad day until I heard the news that Eloy out 5-6 months, then I couldn’t stop laughing the rest of the day!
Bahahahahahahahaha!!
Big Al Secord –
You continue to prove yourself. Every time you speak, you weaken the nation.
Big Al is Dogbone’s ejaculate.
Really bad Karma Al Secord. You may want to be careful leaving the house. Er your moms basement.
Eaton signed December 8. Pederson signed January 29.
They had not only ample time, they should have known by that point his price was declining. They had the money to add another bat, and space because they don’t have established DH.
It’s not simply depth if the player is a primary DH.
I mean, a lot of us were worried about this exact scenario given the health of the outfielders, so it should have been something to consider. If Eaton and Garcia went down by mid-May, it would shock no one.
That’s why they needed to go 5 deep.
If you believe Joc Pederson’s actual explanation he claimed he took less money to play with the Cubs because they were the only interested team in free agency that promised him a full-time OF gig. If Pederson was true to his word then the White Sox were correct in passing on him because they didn’t need a full-time corner outfielder with putrid southpaw splits with right-handed sluggers Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn looking at regular PA’s, to say nothing of Adam Engel who has actually raked versus LHP over the past two seasons as the White Sox #4 outfielder.
I really don’t believe him.
But if that was the case, Rosario was available. So we’re others.
Ouch! That bat cannot be replaced.
Odubel Herrera could be had cheap.
He’s a turd for the DV…but on the field, I always thought he was underrated. I’d take him. If I can get past the DV thing which is still questionable.
Not sure why the collective panic like the season is in jeopardy. You cannot replace Eloy’s bat, but we have enough sticks that we don’t have to. Adam Engel is an excellent defensive player and we have now GREATLY upgraded our outfield defense. Will miss the bat, but it will be somewhat compensated for with the improved defense. A big year out of Vaughn at DH cushions the blow even further. Wait until the trade deadline and deal for an outfield bat if needed. Plenty will be available.
Good defense in LF is not going to make up for a potential top 20 offensive player.
And while they have big bats, Eloy hands down was the one who was the closest to a sure thing to produce. Robert still needs polish, Moncada needs a bounce back year, and Abreu and Grandal are on the wrong side of 30 and could regress.
I also am not counting on Vaughn to do anything close to what Eloy brings. This is a big leap for such expectations.
Agree. Engel has been making strides and he could put up Kiermaier like numbers if he gets regular playing time. The Adam Eaton pickup looks fortuitous now. Also wouldn’t mind seeing them rollout Blake Rutherford eventually.
Blake Rutherford isn’t even a AAAA player.
This is actually a petty Big Deal, man.
white sox were counting on this guy for a lot of offensive production. & – don’t look now – but Hamilton is about to not only head north he’s going to be starting.
Oh, boy. That’s not good, man.
& Eaton makes the Yankees outfielders look like Ripken! That was a terrible signing. One of this winter’s worst, serious. & now the sox have major outfield problems.
You’ll perhaps start to realize just how difficult it is for any team to have the sustained success a team like the Yankees – for example – have every single year. It’s not easy.
Another key injury or two & you’ll be lamenting squandering wasting a year of your core’s “window” such as it is.
Bet.
Sucks because now you have an excuse for when the Yanks outperform your little team. We’ll see if you guys can do the ” next man up” thing like the Yanks.
That is really hard. & the sox lack of quality depth is already apparent. & it’s still only March!
Oh, boy…
That injury to Eloy is a season changer for the White Sox. How big of a deal and how desperate will the White Sox be –> Yoenis Céspedes desperate.
On a 1-yr deal, I wouldn’t mind it, though I’d prefer Puig.
This is a very tough blow for Eloy and the Chisox. Whenever he returns give him work at 1B, and with Jose Abreu helping him out. The Sox have a group of young talented prospects as mentioned above. Maybe one of them is ready to step up and take the LF job. If not then I would certainly try Vaughn in that spot. He’s a very good athlete and appears to be the best hitter of all the prospects mentioned. We can still have a great year.
Vaughn is just painfully slow. Sox may need to make a move from outside the organization. Gavin Sheets has supposedly been worked out in the OF. Adolfo and Gonzalez are waiting for the call. Sox could also roll the dice on Puig or Cespedes, or trade from their wealth of relievers for Tauchmann (provided the cost is low enough).
Let’s not fool around with our bullpen. This is an asset we need to keep. Good pitching depth is invaluable. I saw Tauchmann play in Colorado, and it was painful. I’m just hoping one of our young guys can make the transition and hit MLB pitching. I also acknowledge we may have to find some body from outside the organization. The possibilities there are many-Reddick,Blackmon et al.
Tauchman got 59 at bats in Colorado, no way he can be judged on that small a sample size in what were his first ML experiences.
This really sucks. I’m bummed, but also a little peeved. It’s a spring training game. There should be no jumping into walls or all-out dives. The games don’t matter in the least. It was a poor decision by Eloy. That said, it’s a much harsher blow than that decision deserved and I can only hope that he heals quicker than they expect. Sox’ offense ought to be good without him, but they won’t be as elite as I hoped they’d be.
They’re competitive pro athletes and if he wants to practice robbing potential homeruns, he should be allowed to do it. Saving runs is important. Unfortunately, this was a fluke injury.
Yeah it didn’t look that bad initially. A bummer but I think he’ll be in a good place when he returns. A lot of guys in the clubhouse whove overcome injuries or Covid: Giolito, Kopech, Moncada
Tough loss for the White Sox. They really need to find a solid replacement for him.
Kris Bryant and Strumph for Kopech.
The chances of the Cubs dealing Kris Bryant to the White Sox, especially in the wake of the Eloy Jimenez trade and subsequent injury, is slim to none. That said, Bryant would be an excellent lineup and clubhouse fit with the White Sox as a free agent next offseason. Bryant would be looking at move to the outfield anyway in the second half of his MLB career and the White Sox certainly could use an impact corner going forward.
Why would the White Sox trade a potential TOR in Michael Kopech when they could have Bryant next offseason for just dollars depending on whether he gets a QO after the season? White Sox SP Lance Lynn is also a pending free agent next winter and Kopech would be the top candidate to take his spot in the rotation in 2022 with Garrett Crochet the most likely to replace FA Carlos Rodon if neither are extended or re-signed by the ChiSox.
Think they could get Bryant for relatively cheap- salary relief and maybe a single prospect- a Stiever level useful part. But agree, they could just wait till the off-season. Hed be a tremendous fit.
Kopech is a lottery ticket. Very likely a reliever at best . Theres only so many years in each teams window they go by fast.
Let’s hope the White Sox brain trust learns something from this injury. Eloy is not an OF.
Hahn has a big decision to make regarding Eloy, Vaughn, and Collins moving forward. Heck, throw Mercedes into the mix too. Two out of those four need to be traded.
Eloy and Vaughn aren’t going anywhere. They are both part of the core and cost controlled.
I will never, ever cheer for that team, but it sux for them.
And this is why they play the games. Chisox fans have been talking smack for how many months now? They will still do well, but maybe this will silence some of the mouths at least for a while. One lesson baseball teaches: never assume.
Lmao all these Cubs losers
Any interest in Souza?
Maybe for the 4th of July.
nice
For all of those calling for the White Sox to sign Puig. Until a ruling is made in his sexual assault case Puig is radioactive and no one will be signing him. You have just as good of a chance as the White Sox trading for Deshaun Watson…
They can use Garcia until Engel comes back. Keep Williams &/ or Hamilton as backup.
The WS should ask the RS about Chavis. I don’t think he beats out Arroyo for the last bench spot, He can play LF, and back up 1st, 2nd and 3rd. But most importantly, I think the WS would find the RS motivated sellers.
Why should the White Sox settle for Michael Chavis from the Red Sox when they could take J.D. Martinez and his salary off of Boston’s payroll? Martinez would be an instant replacement for Eloy Jimenez bat in the lineup at DH. This would work if the White Sox feel confident enough in Andrew Vaughn’s ability out in LF. Could Vaughn possibly be any worse on the grass than either Jimenez or Martinez? I’m guessing no!
AaronSapoznik7 hours ago
Why should the White Sox settle for Michael Chavis from the Red Sox when they could take J.D. Martinez and his salary off of Boston’s payroll?
==================================================================
Because there is no chance of the WS doing that. Heck, I’d offer to drive JDM to Chicago myself if the WS picked up his salary.
The beauty of Chavis, who is admittedly low-end, is that he gets paid minimum wage, won’t cost much in terms of prospects, and was ranked high enough that he can still be considered a legit lottery ticket.
The White Sox are a team still bent on winning the AL Central and with World Series ambitions even in the wake of the Jimenez injury. They don’t need to roll the dice on a lotto pick like Chavis to replace Eloy.
As for the JR signing off JD’s salary, it may not be likely but to say there “is no chance” is incorrect. The White Sox have ample room for his $19.35M salary in 2021 as well as that same amount for 2022 before he can return to free agency. If they want to haggle some of that down with Boston the White Sox could add some young system pitching or OF depth that Chaim Bloom might find appealing as he tries to rebuild the Red Sox minor league system and get his team further under the CBT.
Bottom line: Martinez bat is one of the very few that might be available which could legitimately replace Jimenez in the White Sox batting order. He would also be a short term expenditure and not a long term commitment. The White Sox reportedly had interest in making a deal with the Red Sox or potentially signing J.D. during one of his many contract opt-outs in the recent past. This possibility would be even more realistic now in the wake of a season long injury to Eloy along with the fact that Martinez only has two years remaining on his latest deal. The White Sox adding Martinez should be a no-brainer for all the parties including J.D. who still has a limited no-trade clause in his contract that could include 3 designated teams prior to each season: nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/how-jd-martinez-could….
Eloy’s injury is a blow to the White Sox’s offense but there are enough bats in that line up to overcome this predicament until he is ready is to come back this season or next year. As of right now to look at using Adolfo later in the season as possible trade bait to fill that void. It would be risky with bringing in Puig and his baggage but playing with fellow Cubans like Abreu, Grandal Moncada and Robert can be helpful for him.
Odds are that the White Sox can use Eloy as a potential DH or first base man after this injury to him. It’s so obvious the Eloy has no skills as an outfielder but the guy can hit the heck out of the ball. Eloy is already here for the next six plus years so it’s time to realize his skills in the outfield are horrible.
High time MLB institute the DF ( designated fielder), these sluggers have no business running around the field doing baseball things. They are good at hitting. Let them just hit.
Nah, there’s already a home run derby and in golf there’s a long drive championship. Baseball should still reward those that have a full game. But I’m biased as I’m more of a generalist in nature versus a specialist.
It’s the same argument pro DH’ers use to justify pitchers not hitting for health reasons.
Nicky Dubs time!
Third time’s the charm! How bout the Toddfather to help with DH and the corners now that Vaughn will be in OF. Oh wait. They can’t. Adam Eaton. On 2nd thought, how fun would that be? UFC brawl
Not sure if the Mariners are ready to trade him, but Haniger would be a solid option for CHW and would allow for Seattle to have Trammel and Kelenic on the big league and playing regularly.
As Mariners fan I don’t really want this happen yet, but if both teams think it makes sense then maybe it could happen.
I like Mitch. Solid option.
I hear Inciarte is available.
I’m pretty sure the white sox have an extra bucket of baseballs lying around somewhere.
Not a Sox fan but Reddick is their guy. Not as injury prone, no discipline issues outstanding, 1 year for 7 mil should get it done. Use the insurance from Eloy salary to pay Reddick basically.
Reddick would work but Adam Engel is basically a similar player except younger and faster. Engel should be back in a few weeks- between Leury and Billy Hamilton they should be okay.
Has anyone considered the value of a 40+ year old Skip Schumacher as a replacement in LF? I bet Tony has. His love for Schumacher is hard to describe.
Josh Reddick maybe?
So unfortunate given not only Eloy’s talent but hjs infectious enthusiasm for the game. Hope he doesn’t get too dejected, and allow this to temper his exuberance and sense of humor, with his trademark “Hi Mom” salutation after every interview.
Puig?
10 posts to become a shizzhouse , more than I thought
Heal up Big Boy
A situation that calls out for HOFer Rob Refsnyder.
Not sure what Jimenez was thinking here. Spring training games mean literally nothing and this dude is jumping for a ball that he clearly had no shot of making a play on. I feel zero pity, he let his team down. All you soft little soy boys can call me a troll all you want it won’t take away from the fact that Eloy pulled a bone head move.
Meh….I give you a 4 out of 10 on the troll meter. It was too obvious of a troll comment with some direct nonsensical statements, a racist remark and to finish it out the claim that you’re not a troll. Eh let’s make it a 3 out of 10 bc the effort just wasn’t there when I get down to it.
Where y’all ranking this one? Higher or lower than me?
Racist? Uh….. hm.
So what does this do for the Tigers’ chances?
I forgot he was traded by Cubs. They traded some good prospects that have developed nicely. Eloy and solar in the OF would look good.
Lol. Those are probably the 2 worst outfielders in the MLB.
Yes, I know that he destroyed the team that I root for, the Yankees in his rookie season, but I am so sorry to hear about this, he would’ve played a major role in team’s success this year. Now they need to ask even more from their other key hitters.
Thanks. Their offense still ought to be on the plus side, just not elite. I’ve felt the same about the Yankees last couple of years. I may not like them, but they’ve been hammered with injuries the last couple years and that sucks. I do still feel that the Kluber and Taillon signings are incredibly risky, but if they pan out, Yankees should be the best team in the AL.
Nothing like a good titty rip to ruin your season.
Comment #1
The Sox will still be fine despite losing Eloy. Did losing Eloy hurt? Absolutely. But they still have a strong lineup even without him. Abreu, Moncada, Robert, TA, Grandal, Madrigal, and Vaughn (at some point)…yeah, I like my chances with that group. Remember, they had 2 offensive black holes in that lineup last year, and their offense wasn’t the problem.
Every team is going to have adversity at some some point in a season. The Sox have already had some before the season even started. Good teams overcome adversity. If they’re a good team, they will overcome it.
They can still make the playoffs. Only a fool would predict them winning 70 games this year.
Comment #2
The play Eloy got injured on was NOT a bad defensive play. It was an extremely unfortunate play, but not bad defense. Only a fool would think it was brutal defense. He was trying to rob a home run, and came pretty close to catching an uncatchable ball.
Is his defense still bad? Sure, but his defense has improved. He made plays last year he couldn’t dream of making in ’19.
Keep him in LF when he comes back. Only an idiot would take the bat out of Eloy/Abreu/Vaughn’s hands every game by forcing Eloy to DH full-time while all 3 are on the team.
It’s nothing to do with a bad play. His large frame and clumsiness makes him ill-suited to play the position without hurting himself. I don’t know how much proof you need before coming to obvious conclusions. Think Jorge Soler.
@ChiSoxCity
I disagree. There’s been many outfielders with his physique that haven’t had a problem playing OF without injury. Dave Parker immediately comes to mind (in fact, he was a good defensive OF). Some of the clumsiness can be fixed with more experience in LF (which unfortunately won’t happen this year).
Look, I’ve never said he will be a good defensive OF. I think even the most delusional Sox fan will admit he will never be good defensively. But if he even plays passable defense, that’s good enough, unless he’s blocking a future 5-tool player from playing LF.
My whole point isn’t to have Eloy play LF the rest of his career with the Sox. It’s to have Eloy, Vaughn, and Abreu all be in the same lineup every game (minus the obvious random day off given to each player). Unless you think Vaughn will turn into a much better LF, which is not his natural position, and one of the biggest knocks on him is his D. If his D is questionable at 1B, what makes you think he will suddenly be much better in LF. I suppose it’s possible, but I’d rather have him play his natural position.
You would be a fool to have to sit one of those 3 every game because someone other than those 3 needs to play LF (because of D). I’ll sacrifice the D to have all 3 in the lineup at the same time. No doubter there. Unless Vaughn busts big time or Abreu suddenly regresses hard or Eloy’s never the same due to his current injury, you have to play all 3 at the same time.
Now if Eloy keeps getting injured playing LF, then yes, get him out of there. His injury was a fluke. Other injuries he may get in the future might not be flukes. Keep in mind, if they don’t keep Abreu (or he retires) after ’22, then by all means put Eloy at DH if his D stays bad. Like I said, his D has improved overall from ’19 to ’20, but it’s still bad.
My question to you and anyone else: Would you sacrifice the D to keep Eloy, Abreu, and Vaughn in the lineup at the same time. I already answered yes, absolutely. What is your answer? (it’s a rhetorical question, but if you want to answer, go ahead)
Look, all of these guys are amazing athletes in a general sense, including and especially Eloy.
However, there’s a reason why guys end up at 1B and DH. They lack some combination of coordination, balance, speed, arm strength, reflexes, or judgement to play at the more skill intensive positions.
Couple that with a propensity to get hurt whenever he falls to the turf or runs into something to make a play, and it becomes prohibitive at that point. No one like that should play OF everyday. Especially if you need them for offense.
If you’re the White Sox, you want Eloy in the lineup every day. The only rational way to do that is to put him at 1B or DH. We all know 1B is not an option on this team. He is far and away the best option for DH on the team, maybe in the whole darn league. It sucks for Eloy, but team needs supersede the wants and desires of individual players.
Lastly, this is one area where I will say where the front office screwed up. They have too many 1B/DH type guys in the organization. They shouldn’t have drafted Vaughn if their intent was to re-sign Abreu to multiple years. Also, what do you do with Collins? Mercedes? They serve no purpose on the big league roster. They could have avoided this mess by making Eloy the DH two years ago. Let Garcia or Engel play LF.
@ChiSoxCIty
My point has nothing to do with Eloy’s feelings, it has to do with what’s best for the team. Keeping Abreu, Vaughn, and Eloy in the lineup at the same time every game is what’s best for the team, however they can make that work. If Vaughn plays better LF than Eloy, then great, make Vaughn the LF until one of those 3 no longer plays for the team. But if Vaughn is as bad or worse than Eloy in LF, you’re better off just leaving Eloy in LF and Vaughn at his natural position until Abreu leaves the team (or one of the other two). Obviously none of this matters right now, and it won’t until Eloy comes back, whenever that is.
Look at it this way: If you had to pick one player to play LF (every other position is filled up) between Eloy, Engel, and Leury, who would you pick? With no hesitation whatsoever, you would pick Eloy. If you were a GM and you had to hesitate on that pick, if I were the owner, I would fire you immediately.
As for drafting Vaughn, when you pick #3, you have to go with the best player available, regardless of position. Different sport, but what if the Bulls had a glut of strong guards on the team when they were to draft Jordan #3 overall. They would’ve been extremely stupid to pass on him because there wasn’t any room for him. Thankfully they didn’t have that problem to begin with, so none of that mattered, but you get the point.
Abreu and Eloy are established big league hitters, and monumentally important to the team. I’m not sure why you’re adding Vaughn as a must start to the lineup. He hasn’t even had 100 ABs yet.
This is about Eloy staying healthy and in the hitting lineup. To do that, you need to move him to DH. If Vaughn can’t play elsewhere, he should be traded. Same with Collins.
1) Why do poeple keep diminishing the impact of this injury? Eloy at the end of last season was the best hitter in the lineup, and he is entering his prime years.
He was the one player besides maybe Anderson who you could count on for having a solid offensive season. Moncada could be a COVID longhauler, Abreu and Grandal are going to regress at some point soon, and Robert has A LOT of work to do to become a consistent offensive threat. Vaughn literally has no experience against top pitching, and now they are asking him to learn another position to boot.
This is a significant loss, and the only way to really cover it is to see no regression from Abreu, plus a return to form of Moncada AND a major leap from Robert. This team added no bats to augment the offense either, unless you really think Eaton is a reliable upgrade.
The pitching is going to have to be even more solid now. Of course it can happen, but this wasn’t some minor event.
2) It was an incredibly dumb play, Mainly because the odds of him getting that ball were pretty much zero.
Good defenders know what they can and cannot do, and Eloy has a bad habit of trying to make plays he can’t. It’s ok to not make tough plays. It’s not ok to compound problems by making dumb decisions.
Trying to get every single ball is dumb, and leads to bad plays and injuries. It’s what Carlos Lee learned, and what Manny Ramirez learned. People criticized them for dogging it in the field, but both realized nothing they did was going to make them plus defensive players, so making sure you catch what you can get, and not let that you can’t get past you was what they focused on doing.
He’s a beer league outfielder who is paid to hit the ball. What he loses in defensive wins he gains back five fold with his bat.
@ChiSoxCity
OK, fair enough, he hasn’t had any AB’s yet, but having all 3 in the lineup isn’t going to matter until Eloy comes back. He very well may be out for the season. By the time Eloy comes back, we’ll know much more about Vaughn.
You guys act like you could see a mile away that Eloy was going to have a season-ending injury from a fluke play. I understand he is an injury risk in the field, but give the guy a chance to try and prove himself. I’m sure if he knew in hindsight he was going to injure himself severely on that play, he wouldn’t have bothered. He’s trying to better himself on defense. If he made no attempt to improve his D, you guys would be screaming about a lazy work ethic. Damd if you, damd if you don’t.
Right now, there’s no trade fit with Vaughn. No team is going to fork over what the Sox should demand for Vaughn. I’m sure that’s why Hahn has said no to every offer for Vaughn. He would be an idiot to trade Vaughn for a mid-rotation starter, and no team is going to fork over an ace in any package deal (obviously any other team would laugh at a Vaughn-ace trade straight up). Collins has virtually no trade value right now either. Right now he would have to be part of a package deal, and he would not be a headliner in the deal.
^This^
I agree. Andrew Vaughn, at least at this time, wouldn’t fetch an ace pitcher all by himself, only a potential one sitting in the top-100 prospect list. That doesn’t serve any purpose for the White Sox in 2021.
That said, Vaughn would be a potential headliner in a trade package for a young ace like German Marquez who is facing Lucas Giolito today in Arizona in the final Cactus league tune-up for each before they represent their team’s on the mound for opening day. Of course, with the Eloy Jimenez injury that is hardly a likely outcome now but it might have been discussed over the past offseason with the Rockies being a consensus choice as a last place team looking at a rebuild.
@Maximumvelocity
OK, stop with the “sky is falling” routine. Yes, he is a significant loss in the lineup, but they will still be fine without him. Like I said in one of the earlier posts, every team has to face adversity–well, here’s the Sox adversity smacking us in the face.
As for the injury being a dumb play, he sees the ball in the air, it looks like it could go over the fence, but he’s thinking is it still possibly catchable. It’s not like the ball went 50 feet beyond the fence. I guess making a great effort on a play is the stupidest thing a bad outfielder could possibly do when he’s trying to prove to everyone he still belongs in the outfield. I don’t care if it’s ST. How much different would it be if he did this OD? None, unless he hit a HR before he injured himself in the OF.
And for the record, yes, he probably should DH in a perfect world, but it’s not a perfect world, and they will probably need him to play in the field at some point in the future (because I don’t see Vaughn as a legit LF alternative). Maybe Vaughn will prove me wrong. And as I have stressed to ChiSoxCity, Eloy, Abreu, and Vaughn need to be in the lineup at the same time once all are healthy. Unless, as I said before, Abreu seriously regresses, Vaughn is a huge bust, or Eloy is never the same from the injury. Look, I can do the “sky is falling” routine also.
^This also^
On the subject of the White Sox and Rockies, Charlie Blackmon is batting cleanup and playing RF in today’s Cactus League game. I’d wager if the White Sox were interested in ‘Chuck Nazty’ they could probably get him for a lotto pick if JR was willing to sign off on much of his remaining 2021 salary and two remaining player options.
Blackmon would make a lot of sense for the White Sox as a left-handed hitter who can still produce a solid triple slash along with his versatility to play all 3 outfield spots if needed. Having Blackmon and Adam Eaton as their primary corner OF’s in 2021 would certainly take some of the sting out of losing Eloy Jimenez’ big bat. It would also upgrade their defense by keeping Andrew Vaughn as the regular DH.
Pointing out that Eloy’s injury leaves a massive hole in the lineup that most likely will not be filled is not saying the sky is falling. It’s just reality.
Much of the White Sox offense is based upon projection of other players, notably those who are still developing their game.
There was no projection with Eloy Jimenez. He has already proven he is a 30 HR player who will likely drive in more than 100 runs based upon his last two seasons of work. Again, barring injury, he was the sure thing in the lineup.
I don’t know what your definition of “fine” is, but losing a proven run producer from a lineup that really only has two proven run producers is a big loss.
There needs to be a reality check, that if Robert and Vaughn don’t develop quickly — and both are real possibilities — the team may end up having a much more pedestrian offense. That doesn’t mean they won’t be able to win, but it does mean they are going to have to rely much more on pitching and defense to win.
And I stand by the fact that it was a dumb play, and is always a dumb play to leave your feet to go after a ball that you probably won’t reach, because it usually results in extra bases taken, extra runs scored and injury. This was a dumb decision, especially under the circumstances. Don’t play with your heart, play with your brain. That’s what made Carlos Lee a servicable left fielder by the time he left the White Sox.
83sox94wins05,
Not to pat myself on the back was has been obvious for many Sox fans, but I’ve been complaining about Eloy playing LF due to risk of major injury the last TWO years on MLB Trade Rumors. You guys write me off when I say things because I don’t subscribe to conventional group think. I never thought he’d make it as an everyday left fielder, because he’s just too clumsy. Clumsy + big boned = injured list in the MLB, regardless of judgement (which Eloy’s is below average on his best day, and poor the rest of the time). I’m not the only Sox fan who’s spoken about this. Eloy’s bat is too important to risk losing him to a season ending injury, given his history.
@Maximumvelocity
Eloy’s injury leaving a massive hole isn’t what I meant by the “sky is falling” comment. It’s your worst case scenario for almost every other player in the lineup I was referring to. I’m not saying you’re wrong because you could be right on all these players, but if I painted a best-case scenario for those same players, they would probably look like serious WS contenders. So it goes both ways.
As for the “dumb play”, maybe Eloy thought he could reach it, that’s why he jumped. I’ll bet if the hitter smacked a 500-foot HR, Eloy wouldn’t have jumped to try and steal it. I’m sure if you asked him, he probably thought he could snag it.
@ChiSoxCity
I’m not arguing that Eloy won’t at some point be the full-time DH (and it very well be sooner than later after this). No one can claim his D is good, because it’s not. My concern is keeping the big boppers in the lineup all at the same time when the time comes several months (or next year). Again, if Vaughn works well in LF, then problem solved and we can all be happy next year. But that’s a huge if.
I guess we just wait and see what develops over the next several months.
Ultimately, I think Eloy will remain in the outfield, until conditions arise that allow him to move elsewhere.
He is not the first, nor will be the last masher to be thrown out in LF because there isn’t any place else to put him. Carlos Lee, Pat Burrell, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Manny Ramirez . . . the list goes on.
If the team is in the situation where they have to chose between playing all of Vaughn, Eloy, Abreu and possibly Collins, they will find a way, because the offensive potential usurps any concern over bad defense in LF.
My guess is, it will be Eloy, because he is by far the most athletic of the bunch, and because it will have learned his lesson about diving unnecessarily for balls and take the Lee/Burrell/Schwarber of accepting one’s limitations and playing not to make mistakes or get hurt.
I seriously doubt he plays this year, so the team will also have time to make any decisions in the offseason. But all things considered, I’d much rather have an offense that includes all three, especially if you can’t locate anyone worth putting in LF, which right now, they don’t have.
@Aaron Sapoznik
I like the way you think in regards to Blackmon. He would fit the bill quite nicely.
@maximumvelocity
I’m also going with the assumption he’s not playing this year. I hope he proves us wrong, but until then…
This injury to Eloy is starting to make me think if it is something that has been bothering him for awhile where that play just aggravated it or this is just really some random freak incident. I am open to an intelligent discussion about Eloy’s injury since this seems to be more with his swing than that one play he tried making with scaling the wall to rob a home run during a spring training game.
This isn’t some isolated incident. Eloy has a history of hurting himself in the outfield. Big, heavy footed guys usually play 1B for a reason.
Yeah, If Eloy wants to play in the field I say have him learn at first base and split time as DH with Abreu and vice versa. If Vaughn can play LF, then leave him out there.If Eloy is a decent fielder than lets see what he can do at first base where he should be less in danger of injuring himself (Hopefully).
Guys the size of Eloy should not be playing in the outfield. Let’s just look at guys like Judge to Stanton who also play the outfield who are built like linebackers yet spend significant time on the disabled list. Bigger guys are not outfielders. It’s plain and simple!
Meanwhile the idea outfielder is like Adam Eaton or guys from the past like Kenny Lofton or Ricky Henderson who are small and not have a massive built.
Ever hear of Dave Winfield? Dave Parker? Pat Burrell? Carlos Lee? Adam Dunn? Darryl Strawberry? Joe Carter? Dale Murphy? Carl Crawford?
I’m sure you have heard of Mike Trout.
All of them are built like linebackers. Some of them were/are studs defensively. And yes, some of them stunk in the field. But they all managed to avoid significant injuries in the outfield by playing smart.
Play like Jose Canseco or Eloy Jimenez, and you get hurt.
The
I am well of Mike Trout! Trout will eventually start breaking down as he gets older. Odds are we are going to start seeing Trout as a DH once awhile after Pujols is gone. Trout use to steal bases all of the time while the Angles asked him to stop that.
Trout is not moving to DH anytime soon.
First, he will move to a corner outfield spot, most like RF, and then would probably be a candidate for 1b.
Besides, your point was big guys can’t play the outfield. A lot do, and Eloy’s problem is that he can’t read balls and takes dumb risks, not that he is big.
Eloy Jimenez has had a fine spring offensively. His health would not have been risked at the plate and especially in the outfield if he had an ongoing issue with the left shoulder he injured on that fateful play the other day.
Idiot. Dumb play that he had no chance on, even in a regular season or playoff game… but to do that in a spring training game?!? Hahaha, clown.
Laughing at the misery of someone’s injury? Who is the clown exactly?
White Sox’s fans biggest concern right now should be the health of the pitching rotation. We are going into 162 game season which is different than last year’s 60 game season. Dallas Kuechel’s health is an issue since he is in the wrong side of 30 and has a little history of injuries in the past. The White Sox bringing in Rodon on an one year deal to having Lopez play in the instruction league to having Kopech come out of the bullpen are signs that the front office is very cautious with Keuchel this year. Either Kopech or Lopez may get a chance to go out there by May when Keuchel does a DL stint.
Eloy should be back by the middle or end of August so he can be on the roster by September to make the post season roster. This all depends on Eloy’s recovery from two months of taking it easy then two months of rehabbing his surgically repaired pectoral muscle.
Every team in the MLB is concerned with their pitching health over 162 games, not just the Sox. The Sox have 8 guys who can start on any given day, and a stacked bullpen. I’m not understanding what more you want them (the Sox front office) to do. They’re in better shape then most right now.
We are all aware that weather in Chicago and many other cities in the north is not too good in the first four to six weeks in the season. Temperatures can be anywhere in the 30s for the first few weeks. That’s a huge difference with pitching in warm weather cities during Spring Training cities.
You are right that the White Sox are in better position than most teams right now with having a stacked pitching staff. My main concern is Keuchel adjusting to pitching in Chicago and other cities in the north in the first few weeks in the season when it’s cold outside. Kuechel is use to pitching in warmer climates early in the year during his time with the Astros. Kuechel did not pitch until after June in 2019 and 2020.
Let me get this straight—you’re complaining about Keuchel having to pitch a few games in cold weather during the first two or three weeks of the season? Yeah, no. This thread has officially ended.
Great read concerning Eloy’s history of injuries, and what the Sox will (or won’t) do moving forward: theathletic.com/2476885/2021/03/25/white-sox-have-…
Let’s just stop with any references to the White Sox acquiring Jay Bruce. This guy has been toast for at least two years now. We already have Billy Hamilton who brings speed and defense, and as bad of a hitter as Hamilton is ….. Is he any worse than Jay Bruce at this point. Bruce may hit a couple of more homers, but the batting average will be south of .200. I think Billy can still hit at least .210.
Do your homework.
I’ve only ever heard of torn pecs when it’s relating to somebody extremely muscle bound. I remember being told never to get too bulky when I was playing ball growing up.
I’m not a scientist but there is definitely a link between these injuries and the way these players train. You shouldn’t look like Ray Lewis terrorizing the opposing team if you’re suited up to go stand out in LF for 9 innings.
That’s fair, but this was not a typical injury, he stretched over the fence and then came down with all of his weight on that muscle and hung there for a couple seconds. It was an impact injury, not a non-contact injury
But that’s what I’m saying. I’ve never seen a torn pec in anyone “normal” sized. It’s always these big boys with a ton of bulk.
Well, 4-5 months is better than 5-6 months. Still, heavy blow.