Month in a Box: The White Sox in September 2023

White Sox dugout
(Photo by Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports)
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GrinnellSteve

I wondered what defensive metrics might say about Lee. My thoroughly unqualified eye test wasn’t particularly impressed. I hoped for better blocking.I thought his receiving was stiff and mechanical. Even the throwing, which is supposed to be his calling card, wasn’t consistent or stop-the-running-game-cold good. Maybe it will all develop, but his at-bats were so terrible that he can’t be adequate defensively. He needs to be elite.

As I said, though, I’m thoroughly unqualified to make binding judgments about catchers. Maybe there’s enough for Getz and his newly hired Director of Catching to work with.

upnorthsox

Who’s the Director of Catching? Did I miss something?

I think they may have been trying to convince themselves that Lee is not the guy which I believe he proved with flying colors.

Last edited 1 year ago by upnorthsox
FishSox

Christine O’Reilly

only because it won’t take a year for her to learn how to spell all the catchers names.

Last edited 1 year ago by FishSox
GrinnellSteve

You didn’t miss anything, though it would be nice if they could hire a catcher whisperer to take on a Brian Bannister role.

GoGoSOX

Pedro was an All-American catcher at Florida State and played nine years in the minors, perhaps he can help develop some of the young White Sox catchers. (I don’t believe what I wrote in the prior sentence.) The White Sox are going to need to get at least one major league catcher on the roster for next year.

StockroomSnail

He’s an all-American butt smoocher.

asinwreck

This month should be put in a box. And cremated.

StockroomSnail

*pine box

FishSox

I have completely lost interest in what might be close to Grifol’s thinking (although the assumption that there is any, is not in evidence).

ChiSportsDrummerMJ

Appreciate this, I forget all the none the sense but a reminder is healthy. By far and away surpassed my expectations of terrible this season. Really bought into this rebuild, but we live and learn. This White Sox team needs to earn their respect back now. Doubt it happens, but at least the fans who have stuck around learned something valuable through this ordeal. As far as September goes, I’ve never seen a team quit like I saw after the Jerry presser. It was like he gave the green light to pack it in. This is inexcusable, regardless of the season being lost. If this team had an pride it would’ve tried to make Grifol look somewhat decent down the stretch. There is no tanking for draft position in Baseball, especially when the class doesn’t appear to have clear superstars. Not to mention the message it sends to the fans. Games to play still, some of us have no life other than sport watching, don’t be dicks about it lol any who, f this team this year.

As Cirensica

As far as September goes, I’ve never seen a team quit like I saw after the Jerry presser. It was like he gave the green light to pack it in.

That’s on Pedro, not Jerry. Jerry might tinker with the roster in ways we wished he didn’t. But bad or good roster, Grifol should prepare them to play professionally utilizing the best strategy to face the opponent. He does none of that.

Last edited 1 year ago by As Cirensica
bobsquad

Bryan Shaw’s near-nightly bullpen turn transformed his tongue-in-cheek walk out song (Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing”) into an anthem of this team’s sustained misery. The pleasant reliability of that meme gave late season home games a thematic consistency, and in a month devoid of pleasant surprises, that’s really the most I could ask for.

As Cirensica

Shaw might have earned a 1 year contract somewhere. Maybe even here.

upnorthsox

That was a good segment and an enjoyable listen. Thanks

cmansoxfan

I laughed out loud at “Sheets is a gun safe masquerading as an outfielder”. Thank you Jim for your consistently witty turning of a phrase. “Anderson is supposed to be a shortstop” is also hilarious.

upnorthsox

Abreu with a 3-run shot to give the Astro’s an early lead. I could be very happy, or not, if the Astros lose this series but I would also be very happy if Jose has a good series either way.

LamarHoyt_oncrack

Love Jose, good for him. He really kicked in the final month, which adds another good bat to that lineup.

Looks like the two Texas teams in ALCS if I had to guess. I would not have thought Rangers in the World Series prior to this year. But good things can happen after you sign Seager and Semien. 14 WAR from your middle infielders is a pretty good foundation. Semien has led the league in at bats and games played for 3 straight years, and WAR this year. He’s an even bigger bargain than Harper for the same salary, way healthier and more consistent.

upnorthsox

He ended up getting another and 5 rbi’s total. Good for him, I hope he gets everything he deserves.

upnorthsox

Tonight it’s the shoulda been Sox player Bryce Harper with 2 HR’s to lead his team to victory.

Oh, and Jose has his 3rd HR in 2 nights.

upnorthsox

And the Twinks go down. It’s a Texas ALCS.