Random Thoughts 2.0

[Mingo]

It's not my $10 million a year, but if it was me - I'd keep McCann on the White Sox and pay him $10 million a year. He may not have stayed for a matching offer as in NY he will be the starter and have better commercial opportunities, but his departure takes away a positive from this White Sox team. Robert and Jimenez - may offset his departure by continuing to grow into their apparent coming stardom.

As of right now - the Sox still don't have a LH power bat, or a guy to spell Abreu at 1st base. They are also missing a candidate for 4th starter. I am beginning to think Collins will back up catch - DH and play some 1st base - as he is the organization's answer to what's missing at the plate and at 1st.

 

[idseer]

It's not my $10 million a year, but if it was me - I'd keep McCann on the White Sox and pay him $10 million a year. He may not have stayed for a matching offer as in NY he will be the starter and have better commercial opportunities, but his departure takes away a positive from this White Sox team. Robert and Jimenez - may offset his departure by continuing to grow into their apparent coming stardom.

As of right now - the Sox still don't have a LH power bat, or a guy to spell Abreu at 1st base. They are also missing a candidate for 4th starter. I am beginning to think Collins will back up catch - DH and play some 1st base - as he is the organization's answer to what's missing at the plate and at 1st.

but he sucks!

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

It's not my $10 million a year, but if it was me - I'd keep McCann on the White Sox and pay him $10 million a year. He may not have stayed for a matching offer as in NY he will be the starter and have better commercial opportunities, but his departure takes away a positive from this White Sox team. Robert and Jimenez - may offset his departure by continuing to grow into their apparent coming stardom.

As of right now - the Sox still don't have a LH power bat, or a guy to spell Abreu at 1st base. They are also missing a candidate for 4th starter. I am beginning to think Collins will back up catch - DH and play some 1st base - as he is the organization's answer to what's missing at the plate and at 1st.

Right now, at least until further notice or transaction of some sorts, Collins will be the backup C/1B/DH. But I'm still kinda shaking my head that Hahn hasn't been all over Eddie Rosario, who if I'm not mistaken is still available. He'd give us a solid LH bat for a year or at most a 1+1. He could switch places as needed with Jimenez. After all, Rosario is not exactly GG material, but he does play somewhat better defense out there in LF, so it makes sense that he and Eloy could give us some kind of platoon situation. This would give the Sox the needed extra year to allow Vaughn more bats at the AA/AAA level to acquire additional experience in pro ball. Here would be a potential lineup (assuming a RH starter for the opposition):

1. Anderson, ss
2. Moncada, 3b
3. Abreu, 1b
4. Rosario, DH
5. Jimenez, lf
6. Grandal, c
7. Robert, cf
8. Eaton, rf
9. Madrigal*, 2b

I put an * next to Madrigal because it's possible he won't be physically ready by opening day. If so, then slip the ever versatile Garcia in his spot. When we face a lefty starter, then platoon Engel in RF, and switch the spots of Eloy and Eddie (maybe even drop him to the six spot and move the switch hitting Grandal up one). This is a pretty impressive lineup to say the least.

 

[Mingo]

but he sucks!

Just so we understand - because I am making an observation- doesn't mean I am endorsing it. I would prefer to start Collins in AAA to play regularly and work on his game - and sign a 2nd catcher to a one year contract. Meanwhile - I am trying to match up White Sox needs with what they are likely doing about it - whether I like it or not.

 

[Mingo]

Right now, at least until further notice or transaction of some sorts, Collins will be the backup C/1B/DH. But I'm still kinda shaking my head that Hahn hasn't been all over Eddie Rosario, who if I'm not mistaken is still available. He'd give us a solid LH bat for a year or at most a 1+1. He could switch places as needed with Jimenez. After all, Rosario is not exactly GG material, but he does play somewhat better defense out there in LF, so it makes sense that he and Eloy could give us some kind of platoon situation. This would give the Sox the needed extra year to allow Vaughn more bats at the AA/AAA level to acquire additional experience in pro ball. Here would be a potential lineup (assuming a RH starter for the opposition):

1. Anderson, ss
2. Moncada, 3b
3. Abreu, 1b
4. Rosario, DH
5. Jimenez, lf
6. Grandal, c
7. Robert, cf
8. Eaton, rf
9. Madrigal*, 2b

I put an * next to Madrigal because it's possible he won't be physically ready by opening day. If so, then slip the ever versatile Garcia in his spot. When we face a lefty starter, then platoon Engel in RF, and switch the spots of Eloy and Eddie (maybe even drop him to the six spot and move the switch hitting Grandal up one). This is a pretty impressive lineup to say the least.

I think the Sox are waiting out the market and so are the player agents - so it's going slow. My preference would be to sign Joc Pederson - and let Leury and Adam Eaton back up all the OF spots. Pederson eats up Righties and shouldn't play against lefties, but he could play some RF.

Next up is Liam Hendriks - for signing or moving on and I think that is the right priority because if Hendriks won't sign the Sox need to reup Colome.

 

[idseer]

Just so we understand - because I am making an observation- doesn't mean I am endorsing it. I would prefer to start Collins in AAA to play regularly and work on his game - and sign a 2nd catcher to a one year contract. Meanwhile - I am trying to match up White Sox needs with what they are likely doing about it - whether I like it or not.

now don't go all lsd on me. my comment was not too imply this is what you wanted. you guys are sooo defensive!

 

[Mingo]

now don't go all lsd on me. my comment was not too imply this is what you wanted. you guys are sooo defensive!

@Lake Shore Drive told me you would go for that bait.

 

[idseer]

@Lake Shore Drive told me you would go for that bait.

ahhh, you triggered me ehh?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

now don't go all lsd on me. my comment was not too imply this is what you wanted. you guys are sooo defensive!

HEY!!! I resemble that remark!!

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

TLR pleads guilty to a reduced **hiccup** charge.

La Russa to agree to reduced charge (report)

White Sox manager Tony La Russa has agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving stemming from his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol this past February in Phoenix, according to a report by The Athletic (subscription required). Neither La Russa nor the White Sox

www.mlb.com

 

[Mingo]

HEY!!! I resemble that remark!!

Don't go all @Jiddy on us

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Don't go all @Jiddy on us

I speak English, not Jiddish.

 

[Mingo]

It looks to me like - Tony LaRu got his "Baseball Hall of Fame Person" kind of court deal. Got to plead out of DUI to reckless driving. They should make him use Uber to get to the South Side for games.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

This certainly is not encouraging, altho it may be inevitable:

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, MLB owners and executives would like the season delayed until May, "even if it means shortening the season to 140 or fewer games."​

Here we go again. The stated reasoning is the desire for players and team personnel to be vaccinated for COVID-19, which is a reasonable goal. The thought is that the general population could have access to the vaccine at some point in the spring. However, it's also convenient that by delaying and shortening the season, owners would also be paying the players less money. It's hard to see the players taking much interest in another pay-cut after making just one-third of their salaries this past season. One compromise could be pushing the end of the regular season back along with an increase in scheduled seven-inning doubleheaders, thus ensuring the players their full salaries, but that would also mean pushing the playoffs back to November. There should be more clarity in the weeks ahead, but right now it appears unlikely that spring training will start on time.
SOURCE: USA Today

 

[idseer]

doesn't surprise me at all. in fact i was kind of assuming this would happen.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

doesn't surprise me at all. in fact i was kind of assuming this would happen.

Same here, but I was still hoping for the best. I had a couple of dates picked out in the preseason schedule. Guess that's not gonna fly now.

 

[Mingo]

There is a bright side to this delay - by and large the Latino players don't warm up until May anyway.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

So to me, based on all that I'm reading, it's looking an awful lot like the season is going to be truncated resulting from a later start date. The two numbers I'm seeing the most are 140 and 130 game options. The question is do you think a shortened schedule hurts or helps the Sox chances for a postseason berth....or does it even matter (as in we're gonna kick ass no matter what)?

 

[idseer]

So to me, based on all that I'm reading, it's looking an awful lot like the season is going to be truncated resulting from a later start date. The two numbers I'm seeing the most are 140 and 130 game options. The question is do you think a shortened schedule hurts or helps the Sox chances for a postseason berth....or does it even matter (as in we're gonna kick ass no matter what)?

don't see how it could possibly matter. all the teams are facing the same thing.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

don't see how it could possibly matter. all the teams are facing the same thing.

It could still matter - not sure how, but just because the schedule affects all teams the same, doesn't mean it automatically has the same effect.