Podcast: After 101 losses, now what?
Record Date: 10/1/2023
Rundown:
- Chicago White Sox finish with 101 losses, their worst season since 1970. How bad are things for Chris Getz and his front office try to fix?
- Changes are coming to the coaching staff
- Tim Anderson speaks about the possibility of moving off shortstop
- MLB Postseason predictions
Author
Jim’s comments about Lenyn closing the year strong, made me look. And yes, his wRC+ was 88 in the 2nd half. Still not great, but much better than Tim Anderson. Lenyn would grow with experience.I think Getz should spend those 14 million else where, and use Sosa as the bridge to Montgomery.
I’m still upset that Andrew Bailey won AL ROY over Elvis Andrus.
I don’t like it anytime a closer wins any award (ROY, CYA, MVP) over someone who actually is worth something. Willie Hernández winning the 1984 AL MVP over at least a dozen players who were more valuable still gets my goat.
Speaking of the Jays. Many eyebrows were raised yesterday when the Jays called Wes Person to pitch with the obvious desire to lose the game. He got lit up. As expected. The Jays didn’t want to face Tampa Bay in the Play Offs
The Rangers ascent also reminds me of the Tigers 04-06. Everyone laughed at the Tigers signing Ivan Rodriguez coming off 119 losses. Same for when they signed a potentially broken down Magglio the next offseason.
Yet, they were in the World Series three seasons after their 119 loss year and with a lot of contributors (Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Orodonez, Kenny Rogers, Carlos Guillen, Placido Polanco, Todd Jones) from outside the organization.
If the Sox are serious about getting back to competing in a reasonable time (lol, I know, just pretend), I like the idea of starting to build through trades and FA splurges even if the Sox will not be competing in 2024.
Someone in another thread suggested the OPPs should be quite interesting. I agree that a reasonable plan should point toward 2025 at the earliest, unless the Sox are counting on lightning in a bottle, which hasn’t worked for them since 2005. Start building that bridge.
I agree. I don’t see any way that this can be a quick fix, unless Jerry is willing to spend a lot of money.
Solid Pod as usual, question though about Colson Montgomery, do we know if he is an actual SS or just another hitter who is a liability in the field but the team is willing to overlook that because the offense is more valuable? If that’s the logic, then I’m assuming he too will have an up and down career with the Sox as the lack of developing or knowing how to put players in positions to be successful has been a problem for, well basically as long as I’ve been alive largely.
Longenhagen is adamant that he is not a shortstop. Jim Callis was on Chicago radio this weekend saying scouts think he could stick there. Makes me wonder if Callis’s info is out of date. Jim Margalus’s in person looks seem to lean more towards the Longenhagen view.
Am not certain but part of the differing views may have to do with timeframe. Like maybe he can start his career at SS but is likely to fill out and need to move off before long.
I watched a lot of of games on TV although it was harder to catch the fundamental aspects with the quality of video. Overall I just want him to be put in position to be impactful as a hitter and fielder. Kind of over these 1 dimensional players that once adversity hits become bigger problems on a struggling team
Can he move over to 2B though or will he need to go to 3B? A big question in how you begin building this winter.
1) Let’s see how the Arizona Fall League goes
2) I’d like to see Montgomery play SS with a healthy back. I wonder if his ailing back impacted his fielding.
If I were advising Montgomery, I’d recommend to find a way in getting some PT in the outfield. Only because there’s a clear need in right field and Montgomery has the athleticism to chase down fly balls. I’m not sure about his outfield throwing arm.
But Right Field is the quickest way for Montgomery to reach the majors. Alas, I think Getz and White Sox front office is going to keep Montgomery at SS.
If he’s a borderline shortstop then he should be able to become at least decent somewhere else.
If Josh Barfield is looking outside the organization for a farm director, one just became available. https://twitter.com/andrewcgolden/status/1708960832804069845