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* I went to two White Sox games this week, Monday and Tuesday vs. Detroit.

Oy.

I just don’t see anything but drift. There’s no strong management, no clear direction, high-dollar players are just plain lazy, our pitching appears to be collapsing.

* Whatever you may say about the Cubs, and I’ve said a lot of nasty things about that team over the years, at least they seem to be working toward an objective. I don’t see anything comparable to that with the Sox.

As Mick Jagger once said: “Everybody’s got to go.”

Or maybe you have your own opinion. So…

* The Question: What can the White Sox do to make sure next year doesn’t suck as bad as this year has?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:33 pm

Comments

Fire Sale, Nuff Said

Comment by I'm Just Saying Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:36 pm
Cancel the season.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:36 pm
Next yeat may be just as bad, just with more kids replacing high-priced veterans. Buckle down, it’s going to be rough for a while.

time to start dumping salary and veterans to build the farm system back up, it’s depleted.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:36 pm
Trade for as many prospects as possible and reuse “The Kids Can Play Theme” theme. If you’re losing, hope is all you can sell. A team with this many bad/disinterested veterans isn’t fun to watch.

Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:38 pm
Hey I’m Just Saying-

what has Chris done wrong to get fired?

Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:39 pm
Ask to be declared a majority minority Chicago Public School and have Rahm shut ‘em down.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:39 pm
Trade Peavey before July 31 in exchange for some solid prospects.

Begin planning to fill the void created when Konerko retires.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:39 pm
The Cubs lost 101 games last year and now that they’ve dumped Garza and have Soriano and Gregg on the block, they could get close to that awful record again. Despite that, the Cubs are in a much better place than the Sox. Next year should see some progress on the North Side, and the year after that, God willing, contention. And because they seem to be doing this the right way, the Cubs are poised to be contenders for some time if some of their young talent is the real deal.

I don’t think there is much the Sox can do about next year. The sooner they start the total rebuild the better. Top to bottom, they need to reinvent their system. It won’t be pretty or fun, but they are more than several pieces away from contending.

They have Sale and a few others to build around, but I think the minor leagues aren’t going to produce much in the short term.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:43 pm
manage expectations on what definition of suck is. I think white sox fans are coming to the realization that an era of change looms. There’s a rumor they maybe sold or at the least jerry reinsdorf is gone. Konerko-the last member of the 05 team is gone after this year and I think fans will readjust what a good season is moving forward. Basically it’s back to 1998 after the white flag trade when they were retooling. FWIW I thought they were surefire bets to win the 1994 world series.

As a Cubs fan enjoy your 2005 world series and the fact tickets will be inexpensive for a few years. You’ll be back.

Comment by shore Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:49 pm
Hire Danny Evans back.

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:50 pm
Watch and closely analyze any and all Pittsburgh Pirates games from last season and this season to figure out what the secret of their success this year is (59 wins so far this season after not having a winning record since their last playoff season in ‘92).

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:54 pm
Rich:
I admire that you spoke truth as to the WS pathetic performance; I can imagine that was difficult for you. Kudos. Having said that, I think Ventura has to go; he seems to have all the fire and vigor of a corpse. Nice guy, but they need a Leo Durocher type there, especailly w/ a younger and younger team. Secondly, the few times I watch a WS home game on tv, it seems like US Celluar is a morgue. No excitement, no nothing going on in the stands. Reinsdorf ( Ken Williams) has made it clear over the years he wont spend much money on a team if there arent fans in the seats to help pay the bills. And yes, Hawk should be put on the waiver wire.

Comment by Mr. Big Trouble Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 12:59 pm
Fire sale and bring up any potential talent now and give them a chance to prove themselves.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:00 pm
Time to unload including Sale. People who are much smarter about mechanics and whatnot have told me his elbow doesn’t have but maybe two more good years in it.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:01 pm
They can cheer for the Cubs!!! At least the Northsiders have a better record and it’s way more fun at Wrigley than on the south side every day of the week.

Comment by Go Cubs Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:02 pm
Go Cardinals!!!

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:02 pm
Beg some teams to take Peavy, Danks, Dunn, and Rios off their hands.

Comment by Lord Stanley's Cup Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:05 pm
Front end of an ugly process. Years of not spending on amateur talent have caught up. They finally stepped up and spent a little internationally, but the head of US scouting has to go. Too many big misses. Try to pry someone away from the Cardinals. I think an unfettered Hahn can do a good rebuild, but I’m not sure he’ll be turned loose in that way.

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:08 pm
I’m a life-long Cub fan. You’re on your own.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:09 pm
Fire Sale? Trade Peavy for solid prospects? Does anyone here actually watch the sport?

Sale is a Cy Young contender this year. So why dump him when you will never get a deal that will equal his worth. He is the guy you build the franchise around in the future (just as Detroit did in the 06 season with Verlander).

Peavy is tradable but it isn’t for “solid prospects” (whatever those are). No team who has a system with prospects that even have need for a SP like Peavy and even if they did, they wouldn’t part with a whole lot for a player who may or may not be back on the DL in the weeks to come.

I’m a lifelong Tigers fan. I’ve seen how bad it can get and the ChiSox have yet to hit rock bottom (although Shakespeare could write a great comedy about last night’s 4 errors). But in both instances (and on the northside), it’s going to take a change of vision in e front office. Kenny Williams needs to go (even though he is my favorite GM) if you want to turn it around.

Comment by JB Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:09 pm
Whatever they do they better not raise their ticket prices. Tough enough now just trying to get people to go to the game with you let alone having to find people to split your season tickets.

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:11 pm
Change the name of the stadium back to Comiskey Park.

After all, U.S. Cellular is dumping its Chicago customers, so why shouldn’t we dump them back?

Comment by Joan P. Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:11 pm
Time to jump (back?) on the Cubs bandwagon, Rich?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:16 pm
Chris Sale to the Cardinals for cash and a PTBNL.

Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:18 pm
I was at Monday’s game too. Both games against Detroit this week have been a disaster as has much of their season. They need to unload players with trade value (Rios, Crane, Peavy, Ramirez)and if you can move Konerko and Dunn to free up space I would do that too. Fortify the minor league system. At a minimum, we are looking at a 3 year rebuild job.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:18 pm
Never, hisgirlfriday. Never. I made my bed and I’m sleeping in it.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:21 pm
Wasn’t there a story about Jerry Reinsdorf selling his interest in the team when he was ready to retire? This might be a good time for him to retire because it’s going to be a very long time before the White Sox make it back to October baseball.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:23 pm
I haven’t been to the ballpark this year, but I’ve watched them on TV several times and this is a lifeless team. They must a) replace Ventura; b) bring a couple of guys who would be fun to watch even in a losing season; c) go young and rebuild. And please put Hawk out to pasture. His voice is the symbol of Sox gloominess.

Comment by orzo Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:23 pm
Back up the truck, dump as many high salaries as possible and build around the young pitching and perhaps Beckham. Trading an arm like Sale because his potential may be limited by injury is crazy talk.

Comment by overcooked Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:25 pm
Robin is nice guy, but what managerial experience did he has BEFORE the Sox hired him? He’s one of Jerry’s boys, like Baines and Kittle. Give some fancy title and hire a experienced manager. Maybe talk LaRussa out of retirement? That would be a bold move

Comment by 10th ward Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:26 pm
Gotta get really bad before we get good again. So, get really bad asap (think we’re just about there)and be willing to trade every single guy on the roster to start building for 2017. Encourage the young guys learning at the major league level along the way. Or, put simply, watch the Minn. Twins develop a team that will catch the ball, not walk anyone, move runners along, and lose nobly until they win. It provides a cycle of contenders every 4-5 years- 1/20 of the time we wait for them with 2 teams in town. That being said, “I love my White Sox for better or for worse”.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:28 pm
Not sure if some people mean “fire sale” or “Fire (Chris)Sale”.

Personally, I don’t think trading Chris Sale would be the worst idea in the world. Sure, he’s signed to a team-friendly contract and he’s just about as good of a shut down lefty as there is in the game right now. But his mechanics and body type scream elbow trouble down the line. The Sox farm system is in severe need of re-stocking and if they don’t commit to doing that, they won’t be competitive again any time soon, with or without Chris Sale. He could bring back a package of prospects that could kick-start that process in a hurry. Heck, look at what the Cubs got for Garza. Sale could bring double that given his age and the fact that he’s under team control for 7 more years.

Hard to swallow, but it might be the right move. But living the last couple years as a Cubs fan has made me disproportionally accepting of painful rebuilding schemes.

Comment by Then again... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:31 pm
No I mean Fire Sale, everything must go, This team needs to be blown up, as RM says they have no heart or stones, and it shows, four errors is an embarrassment, I think Phegley may have some potential, but that’s about it, outside of that we have a lot of Joe Borchard look alikes in the minors

Comment by I'm Just Saying Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:33 pm
trade any and everyone for prospects, except Sale I suppose. It’s usually a crapshoot but maybe you get lucky. But good luck finding any takers for Dunn, Rios, Peavy and Konerko. Maybe some sucker will take Ramirez or Beckham.

Comment by Jake L. Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:34 pm
1) The Northsiders have a plan. They are (and have been) actively creating a farm system which will create waves and waves of talent coming up through the minors. Recognizing that not every highly touted prospect will come through, they first did a complete rebuilding of their internal structure - including a major systematic technology upgrade throughout the entire minor league and player developmental system.

They can literally watch every pitch digitally as it is thrown at any Cubs facility in real time. It’s real expensive, but this means that Derek Johnson (Minor League System pitching coach) can be at home/office in Tennessee and monitor everything. - be it Mesa, Iowa, Kane County, Daytona, the Dominican Academy, etc.

2) Both Cubs and Cards have Top 5 minor league systems. The WS are in the bottom 10, if not bottom 5. Going to be a long climb back.

3) Jerry Reinsdorf has done himself no favors. He’s operating the WS like they are a small market team, and as a result, his ‘plan’ to limit big market team advantages (like spending on MLB draft overslots and international signings) are really going to come back to bite him (and the WS). Neither the Cubs or WS are eligible for Competitive Balance picks (but the Cards are - how is that fair?), so no help there.

4) Kind of funny, actually. The Cubs (under Ricketts) are making steady process, and spending a lot of cash in doing so. So much for the ‘cheap’ theory. The WS on the other hand, are going in the other direction. But, the good news for the WS is that the 2014 MLB draft looks to be loaded (much better than the 2012 & 2013 drafts). Players like Carlos Rodon (NC State), Tyler Beede (Vanderbuilt), Alex Jackson (HS), Touki Toussaint (HS), Jacob Gatewood (HS), Nicholas Gordon (HS), Michael Conforto (Oregon State), Trea Turner, & Luke Weaver (Florida State).

http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-1-0-no-time-like-the-present/34008

The international crop doesn’t look near as good, but we’ll see.

Comment by Judgment Day Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:35 pm
First thing they need to do is fire Ken Harrelson. That kind of negativity wears on people. Then they need to trade away what they can for some fresh blood.

Comment by dang Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:45 pm
Suspend everybody’s salary until they get the job done?

Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:50 pm
Going to the game tonight…The first step is to flat out admit that it is time to rebuild. I love Konerko, but his time with the White Sox should be done. We don’t need these old, once famous all stars on the team. It is time to go young, look to the future, and rebuild! We have some solid pitchers, but they are going to lose their motivation quickly when they pitch nearly perfect games, but the sox can’t score a run to back them up. Managment needs to admit their mistakes, with bad, expensive signings and costly trades that resulted in nothing. It will not get better any time soon sadly, but if we continue to have a worse record than the cubs it is just pathetic. Go Sox!

Comment by chitownboy Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:51 pm
Give it up. Close it down. No more baseball. It’s been ruined, anyway.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 1:54 pm
Rich, and anyone else who was at last nights game, check out this link to this feature the Sox had on facebook and their web site. It takes a huge panoramic photo of the game. Then you find and tag yourself. The interesting thing is the quality. It zooms in pretty close and you can easily see who is sitting in every seat. Where were you sitting?

http://mlb.mlb.com/photos/gigapan/?gpId=0067217c12313920d2f043426e90038c&c_id=cws&year=2013

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:01 pm
Current as of today (07.24.2013), WS pick 3rd (there’s some serious talent available for next year), Cubs pick 7th.

Comment by Judgment Day Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:02 pm
Been There, that’s pretty cool, and a little creepy. But thanks.

My seatmate is in the pic, but not me. I must’ve been on a beer run.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:17 pm
@hisgirlfriday - how dare you!

You should change your handle to Rick Perry, the way you come through here trying to poach fans.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:27 pm
And the Cubs beat Arizona this week…is Theo working his magic?

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:30 pm
And the Cubs beat Arizona this week…is Theo working his magic?

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:30 pm
Been There…I imagine there are a few folks that are convinced that the panoramic pic was taken by one of “Obama’s drones” for the purpose of spying on the American public….

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:33 pm
OK, first things first: Ken Harrelson does not play for the Sox. He hasn’t made an error or grounded into a single double-play this year. He is not the problem.
Two, their problems this year have been caused by bad defense and bad offense, both of which make a team look lifeless and lazy. If the defense were as good as last year and they averaged another run or two a game, we’d all be watching them try to hold off the Tigers and win this year, because the pitching has been pretty darn good. So I wouldn’t be talking about trading Sale or Reed. Peavy, yes, because he’s not that young, he’s the best starting pitcher on the market right now, and he has the kind of contract teams like - he should bring a decent return. But all this gives Rick Hahn a bit of an advantage when it comes to trading Rios, Ramirez, Crain, and Beckham and Danks, if possible: He can look for good young position players in return. Most everyone else who’s trading is looking for young pitchers, so I think Hahn can get better overall players. Sale, Quintana, Santiago, Reed, and a couple pitchers in the minors give the Sox a good core of young pitchers. Phegley looks like the real deal at catcher and Gillaspie may finally be living up to his top billing as a prospect. Build around that and get some young everyday prospects, and they might be winning again by 2015.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:53 pm
See if Squeezy the Python is available on the waiver wire. I’ll bet he can at least lay down a bunt. Or was that “punt?” Now I’m not sure.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 2:56 pm
Next year? Undetectable steroids is about the only hope. Other comments about rebuilding seem right to me.

Maybe Reinsdorf can get some more welfare “grant” money from the state to use on international signings instead of an upscale restaurant.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:08 pm
====hisgirlfriday====
Sox fans never quit on their team. We just reload after we unload. Gillaspie and Phegley and ever Wells are a start.So are Danks,Sale,Quintana and Reed. Dunn can play 1st Beckham at 2nd. De Aza goes to right.Rios,Ramirez,Crain,Viciedo gone.

Then we start to build up the middle. AJ comes in as player manager or see if the Twin’s get rid of Gardenshire he can manage.
Rick Hahn will get the job done.

Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:08 pm
Sell the team to the Tribune and hire Jim Hendry & Crane Kenney

Comment by Dan S, a Cubs fan Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:14 pm
Hire John McDonaugh from the Hawks he’s a Sox fan, has built a foundation for Wirtz, loves a challenge and man is this a challenge …..and fire K. Williams he left the future in an abysmal hole..

Comment by railrat Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:18 pm
I don’t get the Phegley mania… He’s shown a little power, sure. But we’re still talking about a kid who has been in all of 12 major league games.

We’re still waiting for his first ML walk after those 12 games, by the way.

Comment by Then again... Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:19 pm
Get on the Cardinals Bandwagon.

Here we GO!

Comment by BIG R. Ph. Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:45 pm
Been there-
Thanks for pointing this website out.
Why do I think that divorce lawyers are going to be utilizing this site for evidence in the future?
The divorce rate on the South Side may see a spiked increase!

Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:53 pm
Listen, can you hear it? It’s the smallest record player in the world playing “My Heart Bleeds for You”.

Signed,

Cub Fan

Comment by Living in Machiaville Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 3:59 pm
Here is the Post-Dispatch perspective:

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-bytes-cards-didn-t-offer-martinez/article_fa318b5a-7f4d-5286-a161-106f8e0e992b.html

Analyzes White Sox and Cardinals as trade partners.

Comment by BIG R. Ph. Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 4:19 pm
Become Cardinal fans for at least the rest of the season.

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 5:36 pm
Bring back Joe Torre

Comment by Siyotanka Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 7:55 pm
Make all current players, coaches, and manager available for trade except Chris Sale. Remember the White Flag trades? Well, call it the Chicago Fire SAle.

Comment by Concerned Voter Wednesday, Jul 24, 13 @ 10:41 pm
Wow - most candid evaluation of the Sox since Jimmy and Harry were broadcasting Mgr. LaRussa’s debut year.

Comment by x ace Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 9:38 am
I was also at Tuesday’s game, there sure were a lot of Detroit fans there. Was Monday nights game just as populated with Tiger fans as Tuesdays?

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 11:42 am