Chicago White Sox... The thread.

[Southside Sully]

Reynaldo is either to market him for a trade or someone else is banged up need to eat innings.. What a downward spiral hes been on.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Carlos Rodon...who would've thunk it?

This guy has been absolutely unstoppable this year. Easily the best comeback story of 2021 and if it wasn't for Lance Lynn, he'd probably be the Cy Young favorite right now.

1 hit short of a perfect game against the top ranked offense in the league. Impressive doesn't do it justice.

 

[Rogue219]

Carlos Rodon...who would've thunk it?

This guy has been absolutely unstoppable this year. Easily the best comeback story of 2021 and if it wasn't for Lance Lynn, he'd probably be the Cy Young favorite right now.

1 hit short of a perfect game against the top ranked offense in the league. Impressive doesn't do it justice.

He's going to get paid this winter.

At this point, I think if the season ended today he'd be the AL Cy Young winner. Gerrit Cole a distant second.

 

[Crazy Balki]

He's going to get paid this winter.

At this point, I think if the season ended today he'd be the AL Cy Young winner. Gerrit Cole a distant second.

I'm not so sure he's going to get a massive deal.

Yeah, he's pitching out of his mind right now, but teams are going to be hesitant to give him big money or sign him long-term because of his injury history.

As for the Cy Young, I'd say as of now, it's Lance Lynn's to lose.

 

[Southside Sully]

I'm not so sure he's going to get a massive deal.

Yeah, he's pitching out of his mind right now, but teams are going to be hesitant to give him big money or sign him long-term because of his injury history.

As for the Cy Young, I'd say as of now, it's Lance Lynn's to lose.

He's gonna get a deal the sox can't afford.. Kopech will be next years rotation. I know this from speaking directly to someone in the front office. They love Rodon, but if he gets a 4 year deal anywhere he's going to take it. Sox will offer him 2 years max, is what I was told.

 

[Rogue219]

I'm not so sure he's going to get a massive deal.

Yeah, he's pitching out of his mind right now, but teams are going to be hesitant to give him big money or sign him long-term because of his injury history.

As for the Cy Young, I'd say as of now, it's Lance Lynn's to lose.

I said he's going to get paid, not anything about a massive deal. He turns 29 in December. The White Sox extended Lance Lynn a few days ago and he's 34. With this team, it seems like guys get rewarded if the chairman likes him. What's Rodon's status with the front office? They drafted him, brought him back this year, he's dealing for them in most starts. He started their third game after the All Star Break.

I think when all is said and done, if he remains healthy these next two months and keeps performing like he's been, someone is going to give him a couple of years and some nice coin. At minimum. Pitching is still a premium right now until the next shift in the game. They can incentivise his deal. He's the first guy two throw a no hitter AFTER Tommy John surgery (which was in 2019).

Depends on who is doing the voting. Numbers wise, ESPN favors Cole where Lynn and Rodon are about the same. Fangraphs favors Rodon then Cole, Evoldi, Lynn. Baseball Prospectus is Cole, Rodon, Glasnow, Bieber. They are not inclined to just give this to a guy on a division leader anymore, but you could assume that maybe Lynn and Rodon split a certain vote while Evoldi gets nodded because the Red Sox are in first and the Yankees are in 4th. With two months left, there is still time for guys to rise and fall with each start.

 

[Rogue219]

He's gonna get a deal the sox can't afford.. Kopech will be next years rotation. I know this from speaking directly to someone in the front office. They love Rodon, but if he gets a 4 year deal anywhere he's going to take it. Sox will offer him 2 years max, is what I was told.

Sounds right. Kopech is still on a rookie deal, right?

I don't know if anyone offers him four years, but I bet some would go to three for grins.

What's in the pipeline? Lynn and Keuchel aren't getting any younger.

 

[Wild Bill]

Really like Rodon and what he's done this year is a great story but I'm not sure they should give him a four year deal, even if they could afford. He's still young but he has had a history of injuries and I'd question whether this level of success can be sustained.

I would hate to see him walk, but like you mentioned, they'll have Kopech ready to take his spot. The kid has been dominant out of the pen and he's got elite stuff (56ks in 38 innings with a 1.64 ERA). If he can pitch anywhere close to this level as a starter, the rotation of Lynn, Kopech, Gio, Keuchel and Cease, should be enough to make deep playoff runs.

The other factor may be Crotchet. He hasn't looked as dominant this year as he did in 2020 but I have to imagine they plan on building up his stamina so he can move into the rotation sooner rather than later. Kopech and Crotchet both have electric stuff - if Katz can develop them, they'll be a tough team to handle in 2022 and beyond.

Anyway, TA is red hot, Abreu and Moncada are heating up, and Eloy and Robert should be back soon. It's going to be fun to watch this team down the stretch.

Steve Stone really may be pyschic. Last Friday, if I'm not mistaken, Stoney said Moncada is going to start hitting HRs after he ripped a double to drive in a run. Since he made the comment, Moncada has gone yard the last three nights. He did something similar last year with Eloy.

Benetti seems to think so, at least to some extent.

I can't link to the Sun Times story b/c I don't have a subscription but during the interview Benetti told an outrageous story about Stoney pulling out a piece of paper in the midst of Giolito pitching a no hitter against the Royals. He writes something on the paper and turns it face down so nobody can read what's written.

Giolito takes the no hitter into the 7th, gets the first batter out and then Alex Gordon breaks it up with a single. Stoney filps the card over after the hit and it says something like Alex Gordon is going to break up the no hitter. Benetti couldn't believe his eyes.

There are other stories about him that are similar in nature. Wild stuff.

 

[Rogue219]

Really like Rodon and what he's done this year is a great story but I'm not sure they should give him a four year deal, even if they could afford. He's still young but he has had a history of injuries and I'd question whether this level of success can be sustained.

I would hate to see him walk, but like you mentioned, they'll have Kopech ready to take his spot. The kid has been dominant out of the pen and he's got elite stuff (56ks in 38 innings with a 1.64 ERA). If he can pitch anywhere close to this level as a starter, the rotation of Lynn, Kopech, Gio, Keuchel and Cease, should be enough to make deep playoff runs.

The other factor may be Crotchet. He hasn't looked as dominant this year as he did in 2020 but I have to imagine they plan on building up his stamina so he can move into the rotation sooner rather than later. Kopech and Crotchet both have electric stuff - if Katz can develop them, they'll be a tough team to handle in 2022 and beyond.

Anyway, TA is red hot, Abreu and Moncada are heating up, and Eloy and Robert should be back soon. It's going to be fun to watch this team down the stretch.

Steve Stone really may be pyschic. Last Friday, if I'm not mistaken, Stoney said Moncada is going to start hitting HRs after he ripped a double to drive in a run. Since he made the comment, Moncada has gone yard the last three nights. He did something similar last year with Eloy.

Benetti seems to think so, at least to some extent.

I can't link to the Sun Times story b/c I don't have a subscription but during the interview Benetti told an outrageous story about Stoney pulling out a piece of paper in the midst of Giolito pitching a no hitter against the Royals. He writes something on the paper and turns it face down so nobody can read what's written.

Giolito takes the no hitter into the 7th, gets the first batter out and then Alex Gordon breaks it up with a single. Stoney filps the card over after the hit and it says something like Alex Gordon is going to break up the no hitter. Benetti couldn't believe his eyes.

There are other stories about him that are similar in nature. Wild stuff.

Kopech should be stretched out and he'll have 2022 spring training. Watching him pitch is fun. It seems like he's so good he's almost bored.

Crochet doesn't seem consistent. Yet.

I recall Steve Stone from the WGN days. Good Twitter follow. He seems like an enlightened old school guy, which truly is the best of both worlds when it comes to announcers. I thought Ken Harrelson was absolutely awful. He was a cheerleader who told stories about Yaz. Couldn't handle that guy.

 

[Southside Sully]

Ya Kopech, Cease and Giolito are all on rookie deals... So they have more time with the first 2, only 2 years left of Gio.. He's going to want to test the market and has been pretty vocal about players taking long term deals early and devaluing the market. Doesn't mean he is leaving means he wants his worth. Which is fair.. These teams have so much money.

 

[Rogue219]

Ya Kopech, Cease and Giolito are all on rookie deals... So they have more time with the first 2, only 2 years left of Gio.. He's going to want to test the market and has been pretty vocal about players taking long term deals early and devaluing the market. Doesn't mean he is leaving means he wants his worth. Which is fair.. These teams have so much money.

Yet they all cry poor and don't spend it. Yankee fans still feel they're entitled to every good player (free agent or trade), though.

It's been 18 years since I bought Moneyball at an outlet mall Walden Books in the middle of nowhere. The Revolution was televised. Everyone is running their teams the same way and everyone is trying to find the next loop hole to exploit where they can gain more value for less. Typically bet your money on Oakland, Tampa or Cleveland.

Chicago has a lot of these guys locked up already, yes? Anderson, Moncada, Eloy, Robert. They won't be able to keep them all and some of these guys are pretty good, so they'll get money. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[Wild Bill]

Kopech should be stretched out and he'll have 2022 spring training. Watching him pitch is fun. It seems like he's so good he's almost bored.

Crochet doesn't seem consistent. Yet.

I recall Steve Stone from the WGN days. Good Twitter follow. He seems like an enlightened old school guy, which truly is the best of both worlds when it comes to announcers. I thought Ken Harrelson was absolutely awful. He was a cheerleader who told stories about Yaz. Couldn't handle that guy.

The most difficult adjustment Kopech will have to make aside from stamina to pitch 100 plus is pitching when he doesn't have his best stuff. It's unrealistic to assume he's going to take the mound every five days and throw his best stuff. He's going to have some nights where it's not there and he's going to have to adjust and find ways to get outs. He had issues with command last night and gave up a homer before striking out the side, which was nice to see. I agree with you regarding Crotchet, he's got some work to do but he's only 22. He's a 6'6'' left that can consistently throw 100mph and could potentially sign a 400 million dollar deal in the near future if he can establish himself as a top of the rotation pitcher. Pretty good motivation.

We've discussed Hawk here more than a few times. I understand why he rubbed some people the wrong way but I loved him and he's the main reason I'm a Sox fan. Nobody in my family watched baseball so I could have easily followed the Cubs over the Sox. Most people do. I went with the Sox b/c I enjoyed listening to Hawk. Watching Big Frank bat with what looked like a toothpick next to gigantic frame didnt hurt either. I dreaded the day he stopped calling games but I enjoy Stone and Benetti just as much. I consider myself lucky to watch these games with the three of them over the last 20 years and hope the Sox can keep them both in the booth for a while.

 

[Crazy Balki]

He's gonna get a deal the sox can't afford.. Kopech will be next years rotation. I know this from speaking directly to someone in the front office. They love Rodon, but if he gets a 4 year deal anywhere he's going to take it. Sox will offer him 2 years max, is what I was told.

If he gets 4 years, so be it.

But that's going to be a very tough sell for teams to invest that many years to a guy who hasn't been able to stay healthy and has missed significant time every season from 2016 until 2020.

 

[Rogue219]

The most difficult adjustment Kopech will have to make aside from stamina to pitch 100 plus is pitching when he doesn't have his best stuff. It's unrealistic to assume he's going to take the mound every five days and throw his best stuff. He's going to have some nights where it's not there and he's going to have to adjust and find ways to get outs. He had issues with command last night and gave up a homer before striking out the side, which was nice to see. I agree with you regarding Crotchet, he's got some work to do but he's only 22. He's a 6'6'' left that can consistently throw 100mph and could potentially sign a 400 million dollar deal in the near future if he can establish himself as a top of the rotation pitcher. Pretty good motivation.

We've discussed Hawk here more than a few times. I understand why he rubbed some people the wrong way but I loved him and he's the main reason I'm a Sox fan. Nobody in my family watched baseball so I could have easily followed the Cubs over the Sox. Most people do. I went with the Sox b/c I enjoyed listening to Hawk. Watching Big Frank bat with what looked like a toothpick next to gigantic frame didnt hurt either. I dreaded the day he stopped calling games but I enjoy Stone and Benetti just as much. I consider myself lucky to watch these games with the three of them over the last 20 years and hope the Sox can keep them both in the booth for a while.

I enjoyed watching Frank Thomas hit. He was fantastic. Average, OBP, Power. He could do anything. Should've won a couple more MVP awards too.

Wish he could have finished out that 1994 season. Wish that season could have finished out for a lot of reasons, though.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Woof.

Rough series. I know a split doesn't seem bad, but with the way the starters pitched in that series, a split is incredibly disappointing, especially against the freakin' Twins.

Pressure's on in Milwaukee. Can't let Cleveland back in this.

 

[Southside Sully]

Woof.

Rough series. I know a split doesn't seem bad, but with the way the starters pitched in that series, a split is incredibly disappointing, especially against the freakin' Twins.

Pressure's on in Milwaukee. Can't let Cleveland back in this.

Ya.. in my opinion Heuer needs to go down to AAA. Sox were spotted scouting the RedBirds last night for relief help.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...line-tracker-rumors-news-analysis-latest-buzz

 

[Rogue219]

Woof.

Rough series. I know a split doesn't seem bad, but with the way the starters pitched in that series, a split is incredibly disappointing, especially against the freakin' Twins.

Pressure's on in Milwaukee. Can't let Cleveland back in this.

They're going to win the Central. It's a matter of by how many games and who is on the roster when they clinch it.

 

[Rogue219]

Ya.. in my opinion Heuer needs to go down to AAA. Sox were spotted scouting the RedBirds last night for relief help.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...line-tracker-rumors-news-analysis-latest-buzz

He blew up last night. It happens. You stil want him over Marshall, Ruiz and Foster. Most relivers are inconsistent. They have two plus pitches and were likely starters at one point who eventually failed at that. Heuer should be trusted more than those other three guys. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/codi-heuer/23293/game-log?position=P&season=

They absolutely need relief help if they can acquire it for min. cost. A backup catcher would be nice too.

 

[Southside Sully]

He blew up last night. It happens. You stil want him over Marshall, Ruiz and Foster. Most relivers are inconsistent. They have two plus pitches and were likely starters at one point who eventually failed at that. Heuer should be trusted more than those other three guys. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/codi-heuer/23293/game-log?position=P&season=

They absolutely need relief help if they can acquire it for min. cost. A backup catcher would be nice too.

Sniffing around Yadi I heard, no italics.. Do not want but if its cheap, sure.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Ya.. in my opinion Heuer needs to go down to AAA. Sox were spotted scouting the RedBirds last night for relief help.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...line-tracker-rumors-news-analysis-latest-buzz

Heuer's fine. As Rogue said, he got blown up last night, but he had been solid for a while up to that point.

He had given up 4 hits and 0 runs in the previous 9 appearances. He's been one of the better relief guys.

They do need relief help, because guys like Marshall and Ruiz are almost entirely useless right now.

 

[Wild Bill]

Sniffing around Yadi I heard, no italics.. Do not want but if its cheap, sure.

Heard the same thing on twitter. Who knows if it's true.

Also heard they're considering a move to pick up Ian Kennedy from the Rangers and using him as a set up man rather than a closer.

Tons of articles about Kimbrell as well but I don't see the Cubs potentially gift wrapping a WS for the Sox and we don't have enough to give them in return (I assume there are teams out there willing to give up a lot to get his arm this year). That would essential end a lot of games in the 7th inning with Kimbrell and Liam pitching in the last two.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Lol this is very possibly Yadi's last season. Cardinals wouldn't give him up for anything less than a haul for that reason alone, so y'all can rest easy.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Sniffing around Yadi I heard, no italics.. Do not want but if its cheap, sure.

I can't imagine that's realistic. Why trade valuable assets when you already have a starting catcher? Molina would be good to have, but with Grandal on his way back, that just isn't a wise investment, unless he can be had for really cheap.

 

[pumpdog20]

Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay is going to make them even better, IMO.

 

[Wild Bill]

Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay is going to make them even better, IMO.

Without a doubt. He can still pound the ball and I've heard he's a great vet to have in the clubhouse. Big get for them.

 

[Rogue219]

Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay is going to make them even better, IMO.

Chicago has a series with Tampa in August. Apart from that, maybe need to worry about this in October. Otherwise, he's out of your division. That's good.

 

[pumpdog20]

Chicago has a series with Tampa in August. Apart from that, maybe need to worry about this in October. Otherwise, he's out of your division. That's good.

Well yeah... all worries or excitement from here on out are towards October in my book.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Well yeah... all worries or excitement from here on out are towards October in my book.

I just can't help but be ultra paranoid.

I get that 9 games is a comfortable lead and the Cleveland (Guard)ians aren't exactly threatening right now, but I was following back in 2005 when the White Sox had a 15 game lead further into the season than now and I watched that lead dwindle down to a game and a half midway through September.

 

[Wild Bill]

https://www.foxsports.com/articles/mlb/ap-source-indians-trading-2b-hernandez-to-white-sox

Hernandez is in his second year with the Indians, who trail the White Sox by 8 1/2 games. He's batting .231 this season with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs in 96 games.

Cleveland waving the white flag, I guess.

 

[Wild Bill]

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