This has been far and away one of the more interesting off seasons that the White Sox have had in some time. There are just too many different ways to read it. I've been struck by the following:

1. The DH seems to be viewed by the quants/eggheads as the least important position on the team, but the White Sox seem to have made
it a priority this off season. I wonder if the old Kenny v. Ozzie debate concerning the DH has been reprised or if everyone is in lock step
with this initiative;
2. The White Sox must think that Zack Collins is crap, otherwise there would be no need to bring in both a DH and a catcher;
3. Unless all the speculation about Grandal DHing is wrong, the White Sox must think that Eloy Jimenez has a future in left field;
4. The White Sox weren't hoodwinked by McCann's 2019 and clearly thought that catcher was more of a problem than many of us did; and
5. The White Sox aren't expecting anything from Andrew Vaughn anytime soon.

It’s too early to write off Zack Collins or to rely on him to be good. He has power, and he takes walks.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Absolutely do it.

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What makes you say that? He's got a good arm and his release is quick. And while some people poo-poo catchers that frame pitches well, it does steal strikes or rather "keeps" strikes. Catchers that do not significantly move their gloves around the plate while pitches are on the way and have soft hands when catching the ball are very valuable. This was a problem last year with all of the Sox catchers, particularly those not named McCann. I've read a lot about scouting reports about him and by rep he is considered excellent as a receiver.

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An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

I know that you hope that they do. Their problem is that the Twins are going to be in a bidding war with teams like the Nationals, the Braves, and a couple of other teams. They may have to turn to a trade or two in order to improve themselves.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

He does get on base. YOu don't win a batting title and not get on base. His OBP was around .360. He will walk more, especially with the guys hitting around him. He also hits with power which a lot of short-stops in baseball do not do.

I have to laugh at some of you "Sox" fans who have a Batting Champion and an RBI champion on their team and are still pissing and moaning about something. It really is funny. Nardi bags on Abreu and now you bag on Anderson. Funny stuff.

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An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Oh....HELL NO. NO WAY. The guy is poison, on and off the field.

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An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

The Twins aren't going away.

They won't be "101 wins" good again, but they'll be 90-95 wins.

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On a 1 year deal for around $10 million? They'd be crazy not to.

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I just think that it would be a big risk that pretty much doesn't have much of an upside. Why do it? This guy is a loose cannon. They've go a 24 year old outfielder and some young guys that can be moved in to hit right handed and play right field. They shouldn't get this asshole.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

No they won't. Its all good. It'll be a division race. WHAT A F*ing novelty, eh? The Sox now should go after Maybe Hudson and a crafty lefty for the pen. Maybe Luriano?

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

He got on base last year. Before that he has two seasons at .280 OBP. That’s terrible. And I don’t think he’s going to win the batting title again. Hope he can keep it up.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

You have to give the guy credit for the year he had. He is still very young. As for winning a batting title again, he doesn't have to. Guys who win multiple batting titles are pretty damned rare. He pretty much has shown himself to be a 4-5 tool player in the major leagues. These kind of guys are pretty rare. The Sox will have three of them next year in Anderson, Moncada, and Robert. Pretty tough to find another team in all of baseball with these caliber athletes on their team.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Leury says, "What about me???"

Puig is interesting, but would he be ok with being a platoon player? He also has fallen off the last few years.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Puig would have to be a 4th OF, and would alow them to replace both Eloy and Mazara defensively in close games. He would also be able to play CF if Robert is overmatched against certain starters.

I read today that McCann caught Keuchel at Arkansas. I could see him catching Keuchel and Giolito and Grandal catching the rest.

If they were to sign both Encarnacion and Puig, this team would have basically no offensive holes, and they could take their time with Madrigal if he needs it.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I think it would be more of a platoon situation with Mazara and Puig.

Not sure if I would want Puig around all the young guys. Puig is basically the anti Abreu.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Vaughn is interesting. He plays a position that most teams are able to fill and is supposedly a quick riser. I guess you can make an argument he'll be the DH/1B next season with EE on a 1 year deal (although there is that 2nd year option).

Grandal is not going to catch every day, but most days. I would imagine he'll be out there 4x a week with an occasional start at 1B/DH. I expect McCann to be the primary backup with 1-2 starts a week. Collins is unproven on a team trying to win next season. He'll have to earn a roster spot, but there's a scenario where he could get enough at-bats pinch hitting, and some starts at C, 1B or DH. Still though, he'll have to earn a roster spot.

They did surprise me with the EE move. I also assumed they would rotate the 3 catchers and Abreu vs. having EE for most of those games (given age, he probably will be rested 1-2 a week).

Still think they need to add a veteran OF and more pitching from the bullpen.

Madrigal hit .331 at AAA and won a minor league gold glove. Sure, there are always things to work on but I don't think he needs more time

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don't what to think of Puig. A 1-year deal.....fine. He's a turd, but he'd have value.

Reminds of Carl Everett....which actually worked out. They don't have an Ozzie Guillen running the team to keep people in line. Not sure if there's a player (Abreu) who could do that.

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https://twitter.com/SoxMach_pnoles/stat ... 22560?s=20

This guy is a Sox fan, at least he's being realistic.

WAR, what is it good for?

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What is your White Sox win prediction?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Grade A, D-Bag.

I would go 78 wins. Think you'll see Anderson, Giolito, Abreu, and Grandal have their productivity slip. People are over their skis about this offense, it'll be good but not great. Pitching and defense mediocre at best.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/tim-anderso ... wild-year/

That's right. I'd rather that they keep Engel or a guy like that around.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Engel sucks. He is a 5th OF at best. His defense and baserunning were not good last year and that is the only reason he played in MLB. His offensive production isn't much better than the pitchers spot in the NL.

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Ok. Will bump this later.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Hilarious. Typical Cub fan. Typically ignorant. This team wins 90+ games.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

You are nuts about his defense being "not good". He is a terrific defensive outfielder and came on in the last 3rd of the year as a hitter.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip