Random Thoughts 2.0

[idseer]

I'm way less concerned over La Russa's potential loss of any gray matter than I am his ability to deal with today's group of ballplayers. To me, that's the big concern.

that's all part of it lsd.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

that's all part of it lsd.

Yeah, but I thought you were accenting on LaRussa being a lot dumber because of his age. Maybe I misunderstood. The man is and has always been one sharp cookie. I doubt he's lost little, if any brain matter. Now OTOH, relating to today's players? Yikes, that can be a whole different story.

 

[Jiddy]

Yeah, but I thought you were accenting on LaRussa being a lot dumber because of his age. Maybe I misunderstood. The man is and has always been one sharp cookie. I doubt he's lost little, if any brain matter. Now OTOH, relating to today's players? Yikes, that can be a whole different story.

If he pops in opening day of spring training with his cap on sideways and busts out "Hey yo, Stop. Collaborate and Listen" the rest of the majors is f*cked.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

If he pops in opening day of spring training with his cap on sideways and busts out "Hey yo, Stop. Collaborate and Listen" the rest of the majors is f*cked.

 

[idseer]

Yeah, but I thought you were accenting on LaRussa being a lot dumber because of his age. Maybe I misunderstood. The man is and has always been one sharp cookie. I doubt he's lost little, if any brain matter. Now OTOH, relating to today's players? Yikes, that can be a whole different story.

no, not dumber. i'm 75 and i don't consider myself dumb. BUT ... my memory is not what it used to be, it's easier to be confused about things. we may not like it but cognitive abilities decrease with age. some sooner than others. it wouldn't take but a couple innocent incidents to cause some younger (and yes dumber) kids in the dugout snicker at to damage relationships. so yes, i was referring to 'relating' part. i don't know ... maybe tony is 'all there' still. but then, why hasn't he put himself out there as manager material in so long? he's probably bored! i think it's a bad situation. maybe intentions are good but good intentions don't inspire players.
nothing to do now but hope for the best, but DAMN i'm pissed about this stupidity when there was so much better available!

 

[Mingo]

I think the key now will be how gets hired as the Bench Coach - or heir apparent. I hope that person will be a younger guy - who can speak Spanish.

This proves we are not the only ones (Reinsdorf) who have Random thoughts - related to the White Sox!

 

[Mingo]

Hiring La Russa has been a show stopper for White Sox news.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Seattle's Kyle Lewis wins ROY. Robert's huge September fade almost guaranteed him not getting the award.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

As the old expression goes, timing is everything. And McCann could not have asked for a better time to become a free agent. They say it's not a good year in general to be a FA due to the covid mess. But in McCann's case, there are at least a half dozen teams in need of a solid catcher, and the only FA catcher rated higher than him is JT Realmuto. In fact, Realmuto is so highly regarded - he's at the very worst amongst the top 3 FAs available this year, and on some lists, he's ranked 1st - that only a couple of teams have a realistic shot at signing him for what should be a tremendous contract. This opens the door even wider for Jimmy to knock out what should be a very decent contract as well. In short, he gonna get paid.

 

[Mingo]

As the old expression goes, timing is everything. And McCann could not have asked for a better time to become a free agent. They say it's not a good year in general to be a FA due to the covid mess. But in McCann's case, there are at least a half dozen teams in need of a solid catcher, and the only FA catcher rated higher than him is JT Realmuto. In fact, Realmuto is so highly regarded - he's at the very worst amongst the top 3 FAs available this year, and on some lists, he's ranked 1st - that only a couple of teams have a realistic shot at signing him for what should be a tremendous contract. This opens the door even wider for Jimmy to knock out what should be a very decent contract as well. In short, he gonna get paid.

I think the story is going to be this will be a depressed market place for baseball free agents. The owners lost money last year - this time everyone agrees on that point - and this year coming is uncertain. We might see more contracts back loaded for when better times are going to come. Back loading contracts makes the option clause the most important variant to the value of the contract.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I think the story is going to be this will be a depressed market place for baseball free agents. The owners lost money last year - this time everyone agrees on that point - and this year coming is uncertain. We might see more contracts back loaded for when better times are going to come. Back loading contracts makes the option clause the most important variant to the value of the contract.

I agree in general - hell make that in specific - but there should be exceptions and I think McCann will be one of them. Certain players are gonna get paid no matter what - Bauer, Springer, and Realmuto should all get realistic contracts that would have been given even in non-covid times. Granted tho, some of the $$$ might be back loaded as you suggest. Because the catcher position is so important and with the dire lack of available topnotch talent at this position, McCann will ride Realmuto's coattails and receive a fatty, even if some of it is back loaded.

 

[idseer]

As the old expression goes, timing is everything. And McCann could not have asked for a better time to become a free agent. They say it's not a good year in general to be a FA due to the covid mess. But in McCann's case, there are at least a half dozen teams in need of a solid catcher, and the only FA catcher rated higher than him is JT Realmuto. In fact, Realmuto is so highly regarded - he's at the very worst amongst the top 3 FAs available this year, and on some lists, he's ranked 1st - that only a couple of teams have a realistic shot at signing him for what should be a tremendous contract. This opens the door even wider for Jimmy to knock out what should be a very decent contract as well. In short, he gonna get paid.

this is what i miss about the "old days". when you had a team the team was yours. you wouldn't lose players because their contracts ended. only via agreed on trades. if the way things are done today had always been the case the entire history of baseball would be completely different. you wouldn't have had a yankee dynasty. no way would ruth, gehrig be on the same team for 12 years or mantle, berra, ford for 13 years.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

this is what i miss about the "old days". when you had a team the team was yours. you wouldn't lose players because their contract ended. only via agreed on trades. if the way things are done today had always been the case the entire history of baseball would be completely different. you wouldn't have had a yankee dynasty no way would ruth, gehrig on the same team for 12 years or mantle, berra, ford for 13 years.

You can thank Curt Flood for that.

 

[idseer]

You can thank Curt Flood for that.

thank is a strong word. lol
but i do understand it had to happen.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

thank is a strong word. lol
but i do understand it had to happen.

It was inevitable. Flood merely got the ball rollin.

 

[idseer]

It was inevitable. Flood merely got the ball rollin.

yeah. you'd think his card would be worth more considering his role! alas, it's just average value.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

yeah. you'd think his card would be worth more considering his role! alas, it's just average value.

That is a bit surprising. From the influence standpoint alone, you'd think the card would fetch more.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

The following bunch of mumbo jumbo opinions below could just as easily be plugged into the offseason thread, but since it involves some thoughts in no particular order, why not in the Random Thoughts thread.

*I'm beginning to think that if the Sox don't sign a good hitting FA outfielder, it's because they feel comfy going with a platoon of either Mazara/Engel or Garcia/Engel. You guys already know how I feel about Mazara. I hope they non-tender him so he can vamoose. But we can't rule out the possibility that the brass hates to admit they blew it and therefore feel the need to give the guy another shot. Then again, if they do jettison Mazara, yet still fail to sign an OF, then Garcia should be the next man up to platoon with Engel. Garcia's biggest value of course is being a jack of all trades, having played 6 different positions during his tenure with the team. Of those, his two best defensively are CF & RF, so he'd fit right in. And he's been pretty consistent and pretty decent with the bat the past 3-4 seasons.

*If the Sox are considering a DH-only or primarily DH signing (thinking Ozuna or Brantley here), I'd be mildly shocked if it was more than a 1 year or 1+1 deal because Andrew Vaughn is waiting in the wings. The big Q would be is he ready? I hate the thought of Vaughn having missed what would have been his first full year in the minors. Plus there's only two realistic positions for this kid, 1b and DH. If he plays 1b, then obviously Abreu takes over the DH spot. So that would of course eliminate the need for signing a FA in this capacity. But assuming the Sox would like Vaughn to spend '21 honing his skills in the minors, the question then turns to is there a DH out there worth his salt willing to go with just a 1 or 1+1 deal? My guess is Ozuna would like to cash in with a longer term deal while the poker is hot. The older Brantley might be open to such a deal tho.

*Let's say we let Colome walk. Do we go after a FA closer? Do we trust Bummer to fill the role? Or how about Crochet? Or Kopech? I'm pretty sure the Sox have the latter two in mind as eventual starting material, but for the interim? Inquiring minds want to know.

*I'd like to see what odds the sports books gives Eloy in terms of winning the HR title. He wouldn't be top choice, so if the odds are favorable, I'd consider placing some coin on that. Something tells me he's up for a big year.

 

[Mingo]

Odds are Vaughn will start the year in AAA and come up at the beginning of summer.

I'm warming up to the idea of a Brantley signing. Moving Madragil to the 8th hole and batting Brantley 9th - will prime the pump very nicely for Anderson, Moncada, Abreu and Jimenez.

I think Mazara will make it to spring training - and will make or break there based on his ability to follow the hitting instructor's off season prescription plan. You're right the Sox don't give up easily. I will say Mazara earned some of my respect at the end of the regular season by being a team player and hitting to the opposite field.

I think between Bummer 1st and Heuer 2nd - the closer spot is probably well covered to let Colome chase a contract elsewhere.

As we all have agreed - the premium investment for the Sox will be adding a couple of arms to the rotation so - the young guys can be tasked with pitching their way into the rotation instead of being challenged to take a spot. I'm thinking Quintana, Paxton - guys like that for spots 3 and 4.

Assuming the Sox retain Boston, Hessler and Menechino - it remains to be seen if they move on from Capra of McEwing. McEwing is a good baseball man, but I suspect the Bench coach will likely be hired from without - with an eye on replacing La Russa if his batteries run down.

Back up catcher is an interesting topic - as almost nobody seems to hold Zach Collins as an easy call into that spot even though the Sox have tried for years to develop him because of his left handed power. If the Sox add a back up catcher - Collins will probably go to AAA to see if he can put his hitting and receiving game together with reps in the minors.

Go Sox! They are running about 5th in the world series betting odds - how refreshing.

 

[idseer]

Odds are Vaughn will start the year in AAA and come up at the beginning of summer.

I'm warming up to the idea of a Brantley signing. Moving Madragil to the 8th hole and batting Brantley 9th - will prime the pump very nicely for Anderson, Moncada, Abreu and Jimenez.

I think Mazara will make it to spring training - and will make or break there based on his ability to follow the hitting instructor's off season prescription plan. You're right the Sox don't give up easily. I will say Mazara earned some of my respect at the end of the regular season by being a team player and hitting to the opposite field.

I think between Bummer 1st and Heuer 2nd - the closer spot is probably well covered to let Colome chase a contract elsewhere.

As we all have agreed - the premium investment for the Sox will be adding a couple of arms to the rotation so - the young guys can be tasked with pitching their way into the rotation instead of being challenged to take a spot. I'm thinking Quintana, Paxton - guys like that for spots 3 and 4.

Assuming the Sox retain Boston, Hessler and Menechino - it remains to be seen if they move on from Capra of McEwing. McEwing is a good baseball man, but I suspect the Bench coach will likely be hired from without - with an eye on replacing La Russa if his batteries run down.

Back up catcher is an interesting topic - as almost nobody seems to hold Zach Collins as an easy call into that spot even though the Sox have tried for years to develop him because of his left handed power. If the Sox add a back up catcher - Collins will probably go to AAA to see if he can put his hitting and receiving game together with reps in the minors.

Go Sox! They are running about 5th in the world series betting odds - how refreshing.

agree with most. but i don't like the idea of assuming bummer will be much of a closer. if you think your team is "on the verge" of seriously challenging then why would you let one of the best closers in the game go? bummer has stuff etc. but NO track record of closing (exactly 1 save in 4 years). please ... someone explain your logic to me.

also collings should not ever be expected to be even a 2nd string catcher. i recall reading he just doesn't have the stuff for it before he was drafted and imo nothing has changed! he'll be a dh at best and i don't believe he's a major leaguer at all.