When the White Sox shopped Chris Sale, the team wanted to receive top value in return.
The Red Sox acquired Sale. To date, Boston has to be thrilled with his performance.
In 21 starts this season, Sale is 13-4, 2.37 ERA, 211 K, 0.876 WHIP and 5.3 WAR. He is clearly on pace for serious consideration for MVP voting.
The White Sox received several highly touted prospects for Sale: infielder Yoan Moncada, rated the #1 prospect in baseball by some scouts, hard throwing pitcher Michael Kopech along with minor leaguers Luis Alexander Basabe and Victor Diaz.
Moncada has made his Sox debut. He hit his first major league HR off the Cubs. He projects to be one of GM Rick Hahn's "core" players in the rebuild. The Sox did not plan to rush him to the majors. But in 23 ABs, he is hitting only .130, with 1 HR and 5 RBI.
The trade will make sense for Chicago if Moncada is an above average middle infielder with power and that Kopech becomes a #1 starter in the majors. Power pitchers have a tendency to break down faster due to control issues. Sale became a dominant starter when he learned to pull back his velocity, change speeds and play to soft contact to preserve his arm from stressful innings.
The White Sox have a strong history of developing quality pitchers so it seems Kopech is in a good system to succeed. If the White Sox get two All-Stars for one, then both teams can claim they got a bargain in the trade.
Showing posts with label Sale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sale. Show all posts
July 28, 2017
December 6, 2016
THE PRIZE (UPDATED)
The Winter meetings are slowly moving through the bars and lobby. The talk is still about Chris Sale.
Sale would be the prize of this off-season.
The reason is simple: he has tremendous locked in value.
He is signed through the next three years at the low price of $48 million.
He has amassed a career 31.1 WAR, an average of 4.44 per season.
Last year WAR was 6.6.
Based on valuation, his contract value WAR is 2.71. His average career performance WAR is 4.44 or a difference of 1.73 WAR at an annual value of $10.21 million. Over the life of the contract, a team is getting a minimum $30.62 million more value from Sale and his deal than what the team will pay him.
Last year alone, Sale outperformed his contract by $29.85 million. At that pace, you are getting a $90 million ace starter for 5th starter money.
The Dodgers just signed 36 year old Rich Hill to a $48 million, 3 year deal. For the same money, who would not want Sale over Hill?
Last year, Hill had an inflated WAR of 4.1 His career WAR is only 9.5 over 12 seasons (.0.79 = less than AAA replacement value). But by last year's standard, Sale was + 2.5 WAR better than Hill for better value by $14.75 million.
This is why the White Sox are wanting a huge price for Sale. Reports continue to state that the White Sox want at least four quality prospects (Top 10) or a mix of prospects and major league ready players under long term control.
That is why the Astros dangling OF George Springer for Sale is a possibility. Springer is under team control through 2021. He is currently at the league minimum. He hit .261, 29 HR, 82 RBI for Houston in 2016. Last year his WAR was 5.0. A package with Springer and two of Houston's best prospects could swing a Sale deal.
But the White Sox have some time to get other teams hot and bothered by a potential deal. The Nationals continue to be described as the "hottest" team on the Sale trail. But the Nats do not want to part with their two best prospects (SS Turner and OF Robles). But the odds are that some team will be winning to "overpay" for Sale if they believe they are one key player away from a World Series berth.
UPDATE:
Within ten minutes of this post, MLBTR reports Sale has been traded to the Red Sox for four prospects.
The Red Sox and White Sox have agreed to a blockbuster trade that will send Sale from Chicago to Boston in exchange for Yoan Moncada, Michale Kopech and two other prospects, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Moncada, 21, is the #1 prospect in all Baseball. The Cuban 2B/3B hit .294, 15 HR 62 RBI in A-AA ball last season.
Kopech was the #5 Red Sox prospect (#67 in majors). He is a starting pitcher who was 4-1, 2.08 ERA, 1.101 WHIP in Class A ball.
Sale would be the prize of this off-season.
The reason is simple: he has tremendous locked in value.
He is signed through the next three years at the low price of $48 million.
He has amassed a career 31.1 WAR, an average of 4.44 per season.
Last year WAR was 6.6.
Based on valuation, his contract value WAR is 2.71. His average career performance WAR is 4.44 or a difference of 1.73 WAR at an annual value of $10.21 million. Over the life of the contract, a team is getting a minimum $30.62 million more value from Sale and his deal than what the team will pay him.
Last year alone, Sale outperformed his contract by $29.85 million. At that pace, you are getting a $90 million ace starter for 5th starter money.
The Dodgers just signed 36 year old Rich Hill to a $48 million, 3 year deal. For the same money, who would not want Sale over Hill?
Last year, Hill had an inflated WAR of 4.1 His career WAR is only 9.5 over 12 seasons (.0.79 = less than AAA replacement value). But by last year's standard, Sale was + 2.5 WAR better than Hill for better value by $14.75 million.
This is why the White Sox are wanting a huge price for Sale. Reports continue to state that the White Sox want at least four quality prospects (Top 10) or a mix of prospects and major league ready players under long term control.
That is why the Astros dangling OF George Springer for Sale is a possibility. Springer is under team control through 2021. He is currently at the league minimum. He hit .261, 29 HR, 82 RBI for Houston in 2016. Last year his WAR was 5.0. A package with Springer and two of Houston's best prospects could swing a Sale deal.
But the White Sox have some time to get other teams hot and bothered by a potential deal. The Nationals continue to be described as the "hottest" team on the Sale trail. But the Nats do not want to part with their two best prospects (SS Turner and OF Robles). But the odds are that some team will be winning to "overpay" for Sale if they believe they are one key player away from a World Series berth.
UPDATE:
Within ten minutes of this post, MLBTR reports Sale has been traded to the Red Sox for four prospects.
The Red Sox and White Sox have agreed to a blockbuster trade that will send Sale from Chicago to Boston in exchange for Yoan Moncada, Michale Kopech and two other prospects, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Moncada, 21, is the #1 prospect in all Baseball. The Cuban 2B/3B hit .294, 15 HR 62 RBI in A-AA ball last season.
Kopech was the #5 Red Sox prospect (#67 in majors). He is a starting pitcher who was 4-1, 2.08 ERA, 1.101 WHIP in Class A ball.
December 2, 2016
A SHIP TO SALE
Jason Stark was on ESPN Radio recently talking about the Chris Sale market. He said teams have said that the White Sox demands are extremely high for their ace. He said it looks like the Sox want to have a team's No. 1 prospect, two more in top five and another quality player (probably major league ready). Not many teams are willing to unload 3 or 4 of their best prospects for one player.
But reports continue to surface that the Red Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Astros and the Braves have asked about Sale. Stark predicts that the price may come down, and the Sox will trade Sale before Opening Day.
Sale will command the highest price tag because this year's starting pitching FA crop is barren. The Red Sox and Nationals have indicated that they are not trading their top prospects.
It is felt that the Astros will be the most aggressive team this off-season. Houston is poised to make a break out season like the Cubs in 2015. The Astros have inked OF Aoki, Reddick, C McCann and SP Morton. The top prospects in the system include #1 (#29 overall) RHP Franics Martes, 21, who is moved up quickly to AA with a 9-6, 3.30 record as a starter. #2 is OF Kyle Tucker, 19, in A ball. #3 is RHP Forrest Whitley, a 6'7" rookie league player. #4 is RHP David Paulino to went through 3 levels to make a sip of coffee in the bigs last season. #5 is OF Derek Fuller, a lefty hitting OF who hit .245, 16 HR, 59 RBI and 23 SB in AAA. Another good prospect is first rounder 3B Colin Moran who hit .259, 10 HR, 69 RBI in AAA. He is major league ready.
The White Sox have plenty of pitching prospects but are weak on position prospects. Did the Astros signal with their outfield signings it would be willing to trade George Springer, 27, who hit .261, 29 HR, 82 RBI in the right deal for a stud starter? Springer is under team control to 2021.
In order for the White Sox to "win" the Sale deal, they need to get the "best" player in the deal in return. Springer does fit a real long term need. Adding a lefty speed OF in Fuller and 3B Moran could be part of a package, since the White Sox are willing to trade Todd Frazier because the third base free agent market is as bad as the starting pitching one.
If the Sox want to trade a big piece, they have to get young quick. That was the formula that the Cubs used to snare Addison Russell.
The Sox have fence sitting fans. Any Sale trade needs to bring back immediate "impact" players in return.
But reports continue to surface that the Red Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Astros and the Braves have asked about Sale. Stark predicts that the price may come down, and the Sox will trade Sale before Opening Day.
Sale will command the highest price tag because this year's starting pitching FA crop is barren. The Red Sox and Nationals have indicated that they are not trading their top prospects.
It is felt that the Astros will be the most aggressive team this off-season. Houston is poised to make a break out season like the Cubs in 2015. The Astros have inked OF Aoki, Reddick, C McCann and SP Morton. The top prospects in the system include #1 (#29 overall) RHP Franics Martes, 21, who is moved up quickly to AA with a 9-6, 3.30 record as a starter. #2 is OF Kyle Tucker, 19, in A ball. #3 is RHP Forrest Whitley, a 6'7" rookie league player. #4 is RHP David Paulino to went through 3 levels to make a sip of coffee in the bigs last season. #5 is OF Derek Fuller, a lefty hitting OF who hit .245, 16 HR, 59 RBI and 23 SB in AAA. Another good prospect is first rounder 3B Colin Moran who hit .259, 10 HR, 69 RBI in AAA. He is major league ready.
The White Sox have plenty of pitching prospects but are weak on position prospects. Did the Astros signal with their outfield signings it would be willing to trade George Springer, 27, who hit .261, 29 HR, 82 RBI in the right deal for a stud starter? Springer is under team control to 2021.
In order for the White Sox to "win" the Sale deal, they need to get the "best" player in the deal in return. Springer does fit a real long term need. Adding a lefty speed OF in Fuller and 3B Moran could be part of a package, since the White Sox are willing to trade Todd Frazier because the third base free agent market is as bad as the starting pitching one.
If the Sox want to trade a big piece, they have to get young quick. That was the formula that the Cubs used to snare Addison Russell.
The Sox have fence sitting fans. Any Sale trade needs to bring back immediate "impact" players in return.
November 29, 2016
SALE SIGNS
ESPN's Buster Olney reports that teams tell him that they believe the White Sox “are serious about their intention to trade Chris Sale. Only reports that Chicago has told rival clubs they’re willing to trade anyone with fewer
than four years of team control remaining, which would mean Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon, Adam Eaton and Tim Anderson are off the table, but names like Sale, Jose Abreu, Todd Frazier, Melky Cabrera and David Robertson
are all in play.
Sale’s name figures to dominate next week’s Winter Meetings, and the wide range of options available to Chicago GM Rick Hahn should mean the White Sox will be connected to plenty of trade scenarios.
Sale has worn out his welcome in Chicago. His clubhouse revolt in spring training on the Adam LaRoche matter, to the cutting of throw back uniforms in a tantrum, has made him an unwanted diva.
And Sale is the premier trading asset this off-season. The free agent starting pitching market is as dry as the desert.
The Sox could go in fire sale mode.
It seems the idea many teams are adopting is the concept of a young "core" of players under control for multiple years. Once you establish a set core of players (like the Cubs did), you can then fill needs through free agency or trade.
Olney's report states that Sox have decided that 4 years of player control is the "core" the team wants to use in order to target for a championship in 2020. But with only four core players (SP Quintana, SP Rodon, OF Eaton and SS Anderson) the White Sox are still far away from the playoffs.
However, to the right team, Sale could bring in five under-25 prospects and major league ready talent. Abreu, Frazier and Cabrera could bring a good prospect and another high ceiling low minor league prospect.
Trading those four players could yield about a dozen new, young players. Adding to the strength of the organization, minor league starting pitching, the White Sox do have the building blocks to make a rebuild work.
Sale’s name figures to dominate next week’s Winter Meetings, and the wide range of options available to Chicago GM Rick Hahn should mean the White Sox will be connected to plenty of trade scenarios.
Sale has worn out his welcome in Chicago. His clubhouse revolt in spring training on the Adam LaRoche matter, to the cutting of throw back uniforms in a tantrum, has made him an unwanted diva.
And Sale is the premier trading asset this off-season. The free agent starting pitching market is as dry as the desert.
The Sox could go in fire sale mode.
It seems the idea many teams are adopting is the concept of a young "core" of players under control for multiple years. Once you establish a set core of players (like the Cubs did), you can then fill needs through free agency or trade.
Olney's report states that Sox have decided that 4 years of player control is the "core" the team wants to use in order to target for a championship in 2020. But with only four core players (SP Quintana, SP Rodon, OF Eaton and SS Anderson) the White Sox are still far away from the playoffs.
However, to the right team, Sale could bring in five under-25 prospects and major league ready talent. Abreu, Frazier and Cabrera could bring a good prospect and another high ceiling low minor league prospect.
Trading those four players could yield about a dozen new, young players. Adding to the strength of the organization, minor league starting pitching, the White Sox do have the building blocks to make a rebuild work.
July 26, 2016
THE SLASHER
MLB.com got the first interview with The Slasher, Chris Sale:
CHICAGO --Chris Sale doesn't want to be traded -- and doesn't believe he will be -- in the
wake of Saturday night's pregame outburst that resulted in him being
scratched from his start that evening and then suspended five games by
the White Sox.
"I want to win a championship in Chicago. That's been my goal from Day 1," Sale told MLB.com Monday afternoon during a 30-minute interview, his first public comments since Saturday. "It has never changed. I only get more passionate about it because I know that it's not easy winning a championship. There's a lot that goes into it.
"I want to win a championship in Chicago. That's been my goal from Day 1," Sale told MLB.com Monday afternoon during a 30-minute interview, his first public comments since Saturday. "It has never changed. I only get more passionate about it because I know that it's not easy winning a championship. There's a lot that goes into it.
"Our main focus should be winning. I know
that every single player comes in ready to win every day. I can't speak
on anybody else. ... I don't think I would be traded. I don't know for
sure. I don't know what they are thinking now or what's going on."
For Sale, the core issue wasn't the uniforms themselves, although he did have issues with them, but putting business interests ahead of winning.
"Nothing else matters really," Sale said, in a calm and composed but still passionate manner. "People don't talk about the guys who get paid the most. They talk about the guys with the rings and teams that won the rings. Our guys in this clubhouse deserve, in every single game, the best opportunity to go achieve that goal of winning a championship. That's why we are all here. Nothing else matters."
There are, of course, financial considerations for the White Sox as there are for any business. Throwback days are popular with fans and often are accompanied by a spike in attendance. Switching uniforms at the last moment, without an opportunity to inform fans of the change, certainly could have engendered frustration on the part of fans who came to see the team play in those uniforms.
The issue, for Sale, began in Spring Training when the players were fitted for the special jerseys, which in 2015 were too large and therefore uncomfortable to play in. Sale said that players were not fans of this jersey overall, and he said then that if the jerseys fell on his day to pitch, he didn't want to wear them, in part because he never had pitched in an untucked jersey in his life.
On the night before Sale's Saturday start, he was advised that the '76 throwbacks were set for his start and Sale asked the clubhouse manager for a different uniform, then expressing the sentiment to pitching coach Don Cooper. Sale was in favor of the '83 throwbacks, which eventually were worn Saturday, because he didn't want the untucked style of the '76 uniform.
When he arrived Saturday and the '76 throwbacks were set out for the players, Sale again took his issue to Cooper and manager Robin Ventura, with whom he admittedly lost his cool. He did not get the answer he wanted and, upon returning to the clubhouse, Sale reportedly cut up his uniform and then those of his teammates, rendering them unwearable.
"When I saw that there was something in the way of that 100 percent winning mentality, I had an issue," Sale said. "I tried to bring it up and say, 'Hey listen, these are my thoughts and concerns,' and they got pushed away because of the business deal that was set in place. I'll never understand why we need to do something on the business side on the field that might impede us winning a game.
"[The '76 uniforms] are uncomfortable and unorthodox. I didn't want to go out there and not be at the top of my game in every aspect that I need to be in. Not only that, but I didn't want anything to alter my mechanics. ... There's a lot of different things that went into it. Looking bad had absolutely zero to do with it. Nothing."
In the end, Ventura told Sale there would be no last-minute change.
"I didn't put promotion in front of winning," Ventura said. "But I think we all have things that we have to do. There has to be a line somewhere, and that's what ended up happening."
"Robin is the one who has to fight for us in that department," Sale said. "If the players don't feel comfortable 100 percent about what we are doing to win the game, and we have an easy fix -- it was as easy as hanging up another jersey and everyone was fine. For them to put business first over winning, that's when I lost it."
Ventura made the decision to scratch Sale, and Sale apologized Monday to the fans who came to see him and to his teammates, especially the bullpen, who he said he owes big time for their carrying the team in his place.
"I have regret, because I play 33 times a year at most in the regular season. So I put a lot of emphasis on when I play and I take a lot of pride in work that I do," Sale said. "When I can't or don't do that, yeah, I have disappointment in myself for not being there for my guys.
"Do I regret standing up for what I believe in? Absolutely not. Do I regret saying business should not be first before winning? Absolutely not."
Sale worked out Monday at the ballpark and said he did not think he and Ventura needed a sitdown. But their working relationship might have been altered.
"We'll find out when he gets back," Ventura said.
"I'm going to show up on Thursday and do what I've always done. That's get ready to play baseball and put everything I got into winning that game," Sale said. "I know my teammates are, too. So that's all that matters to me. It's unfortunate it got to this point."
>>>> From Sale's interview, here are the main points:
1. Sale was aware of the throw back uniforms in spring training when he was fitted for his jersey.
2. Sale said in spring training he did not want to wear it.
3. Sale has "never" worn a untucked jersey. He did not want to alter his mechanics with an untucked jersey.
4. When he was told of the jersey the day before his start, he objected to the clubhouse manager and then to his pitching coach.
5. On the day of the game, he again objected to his pitching coach and manager Ventura, who told him there would be no change in uniforms.
6. Upon hearing the decision, Sale went into the clubhouse and destroyed everyone's jersey.
7. Sale justifies his actions because he believes players need to be 100% comfortable in order to win championships, and business interests should not interfere with winning.
It is hard to believe that a veteran baseball player has such a narrow, self-centered view of the world.
How does an untucked shirt interfere with one's body mechanics when it is actually a looser garment?
If winning is important, why did Sale think his violent actions and suspension was going to help the White Sox win?
Does he not realize that baseball is a business? A business needs revenue in order to pay its bills, including Sale's salary? And that the White Sox rely on sponsorship and fan giveaways like throwback jersey nights in order to get revenue?
Does he not respect the game of baseball? The throwback jerseys are to bolster the image of the game and its history. It gives fans an opportunity to re-connect with their teams past.
Why did he destroy ALL his teammate's jerseys? Is it not possible that some players like these throwback uniforms? Sale put his own personal opinion above and beyond anyone else's view point.
What is really troublesome is that Sale's action of destroying a locker room full of expensive jerseys is a felony under Illinois law. An employee has no right to destroy his employer's property. In a normal business situation, Sale's employment would have been terminated and a criminal charge may have been filed against him for restitution. But a pampered athlete gets a pass on serious accountability for their actions.
Yes, a five day suspension probably cost Sale $125,000 in salary. It cost Sale a start. But apparently, those costs have not changed Sale's view point on how the White Sox should be run.
Are the inmates running the asylum? Players may believe the locker room is their own domain but it is not. It is owned and operated by the club. Management has a right to impose its rules and regulations on the players and clubhouse procedures just as any other employer.
The White Sox players have a very anti-management edge which bubbled to the surface during the LaRoche incident in spring training. The Sox also had an issue with the Mariners new policy of taking 60 percent of the visitor clubhouse attendant's player tips and dues. Now, Sale physically tore up management's business promotion because he was not on board with it.
If Sale is truthful about his reasoning that the players "deserve" the best opportunity to win, then as the team's best pitcher, he should have sucked up his pride and pitched in the throwback uniform because it gave the White Sox the best chance to win the game. Instead, the team had to scramble six bullpen pitchers to cover for Sale's actions.
Sale is dead wrong on this issue. He is a selfish, childish player who has anger management issues. His tantrum is not endearing to the fans or to his bosses. And since this is not the first time he has challenged a management decision, he may get traded this off-season because the White Sox are not winning with him.
For Sale, the core issue wasn't the uniforms themselves, although he did have issues with them, but putting business interests ahead of winning.
"Nothing else matters really," Sale said, in a calm and composed but still passionate manner. "People don't talk about the guys who get paid the most. They talk about the guys with the rings and teams that won the rings. Our guys in this clubhouse deserve, in every single game, the best opportunity to go achieve that goal of winning a championship. That's why we are all here. Nothing else matters."
There are, of course, financial considerations for the White Sox as there are for any business. Throwback days are popular with fans and often are accompanied by a spike in attendance. Switching uniforms at the last moment, without an opportunity to inform fans of the change, certainly could have engendered frustration on the part of fans who came to see the team play in those uniforms.
The issue, for Sale, began in Spring Training when the players were fitted for the special jerseys, which in 2015 were too large and therefore uncomfortable to play in. Sale said that players were not fans of this jersey overall, and he said then that if the jerseys fell on his day to pitch, he didn't want to wear them, in part because he never had pitched in an untucked jersey in his life.
On the night before Sale's Saturday start, he was advised that the '76 throwbacks were set for his start and Sale asked the clubhouse manager for a different uniform, then expressing the sentiment to pitching coach Don Cooper. Sale was in favor of the '83 throwbacks, which eventually were worn Saturday, because he didn't want the untucked style of the '76 uniform.
When he arrived Saturday and the '76 throwbacks were set out for the players, Sale again took his issue to Cooper and manager Robin Ventura, with whom he admittedly lost his cool. He did not get the answer he wanted and, upon returning to the clubhouse, Sale reportedly cut up his uniform and then those of his teammates, rendering them unwearable.
"When I saw that there was something in the way of that 100 percent winning mentality, I had an issue," Sale said. "I tried to bring it up and say, 'Hey listen, these are my thoughts and concerns,' and they got pushed away because of the business deal that was set in place. I'll never understand why we need to do something on the business side on the field that might impede us winning a game.
"[The '76 uniforms] are uncomfortable and unorthodox. I didn't want to go out there and not be at the top of my game in every aspect that I need to be in. Not only that, but I didn't want anything to alter my mechanics. ... There's a lot of different things that went into it. Looking bad had absolutely zero to do with it. Nothing."
In the end, Ventura told Sale there would be no last-minute change.
"I didn't put promotion in front of winning," Ventura said. "But I think we all have things that we have to do. There has to be a line somewhere, and that's what ended up happening."
"Robin is the one who has to fight for us in that department," Sale said. "If the players don't feel comfortable 100 percent about what we are doing to win the game, and we have an easy fix -- it was as easy as hanging up another jersey and everyone was fine. For them to put business first over winning, that's when I lost it."
Ventura made the decision to scratch Sale, and Sale apologized Monday to the fans who came to see him and to his teammates, especially the bullpen, who he said he owes big time for their carrying the team in his place.
"I have regret, because I play 33 times a year at most in the regular season. So I put a lot of emphasis on when I play and I take a lot of pride in work that I do," Sale said. "When I can't or don't do that, yeah, I have disappointment in myself for not being there for my guys.
"Do I regret standing up for what I believe in? Absolutely not. Do I regret saying business should not be first before winning? Absolutely not."
Sale worked out Monday at the ballpark and said he did not think he and Ventura needed a sitdown. But their working relationship might have been altered.
"We'll find out when he gets back," Ventura said.
"I'm going to show up on Thursday and do what I've always done. That's get ready to play baseball and put everything I got into winning that game," Sale said. "I know my teammates are, too. So that's all that matters to me. It's unfortunate it got to this point."
>>>> From Sale's interview, here are the main points:
1. Sale was aware of the throw back uniforms in spring training when he was fitted for his jersey.
2. Sale said in spring training he did not want to wear it.
3. Sale has "never" worn a untucked jersey. He did not want to alter his mechanics with an untucked jersey.
4. When he was told of the jersey the day before his start, he objected to the clubhouse manager and then to his pitching coach.
5. On the day of the game, he again objected to his pitching coach and manager Ventura, who told him there would be no change in uniforms.
6. Upon hearing the decision, Sale went into the clubhouse and destroyed everyone's jersey.
7. Sale justifies his actions because he believes players need to be 100% comfortable in order to win championships, and business interests should not interfere with winning.
It is hard to believe that a veteran baseball player has such a narrow, self-centered view of the world.
How does an untucked shirt interfere with one's body mechanics when it is actually a looser garment?
If winning is important, why did Sale think his violent actions and suspension was going to help the White Sox win?
Does he not realize that baseball is a business? A business needs revenue in order to pay its bills, including Sale's salary? And that the White Sox rely on sponsorship and fan giveaways like throwback jersey nights in order to get revenue?
Does he not respect the game of baseball? The throwback jerseys are to bolster the image of the game and its history. It gives fans an opportunity to re-connect with their teams past.
Why did he destroy ALL his teammate's jerseys? Is it not possible that some players like these throwback uniforms? Sale put his own personal opinion above and beyond anyone else's view point.
What is really troublesome is that Sale's action of destroying a locker room full of expensive jerseys is a felony under Illinois law. An employee has no right to destroy his employer's property. In a normal business situation, Sale's employment would have been terminated and a criminal charge may have been filed against him for restitution. But a pampered athlete gets a pass on serious accountability for their actions.
Yes, a five day suspension probably cost Sale $125,000 in salary. It cost Sale a start. But apparently, those costs have not changed Sale's view point on how the White Sox should be run.
Are the inmates running the asylum? Players may believe the locker room is their own domain but it is not. It is owned and operated by the club. Management has a right to impose its rules and regulations on the players and clubhouse procedures just as any other employer.
The White Sox players have a very anti-management edge which bubbled to the surface during the LaRoche incident in spring training. The Sox also had an issue with the Mariners new policy of taking 60 percent of the visitor clubhouse attendant's player tips and dues. Now, Sale physically tore up management's business promotion because he was not on board with it.
If Sale is truthful about his reasoning that the players "deserve" the best opportunity to win, then as the team's best pitcher, he should have sucked up his pride and pitched in the throwback uniform because it gave the White Sox the best chance to win the game. Instead, the team had to scramble six bullpen pitchers to cover for Sale's actions.
Sale is dead wrong on this issue. He is a selfish, childish player who has anger management issues. His tantrum is not endearing to the fans or to his bosses. And since this is not the first time he has challenged a management decision, he may get traded this off-season because the White Sox are not winning with him.
July 23, 2016
A KING'S RANSOM
White Sox fans are still sensitive of the infamous 1997 White Flag trade where the team, only two games out of the playoffs, decided to become an aggressive Seller at the trade deadline.
The Sox have always tried to "re-tool" their club instead of rebuilding it with young talent. In the past two off-seasons, writers believed the Sox had made very good acquisitions - - - enough to be very competitive and a playoff team with their fine starting core of pitchers.
But now, 1.5 seasons in the book, the Sox continue to struggle on offense. A shaky bullpen and the lack of deep talent in the minors have gotten GM Rich Hahn putting the "for sale" out early during his long dugout session with the media. He would hear offers on anyone. Which is a complete opposite move from even last week.
So reports quickly pop up that one team has offered "a king's ransom" for Chris Sale. Of course it would. Sale would be the best pitcher on the market. A Cy Young candidate under affordable control through 2019 is a rarity in modern baseball.
MLBtraderumors reported the Rangers are “making [a] serious effort” to pry Sale loose from the White Sox, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. The Dallas Morning news also recently that the two teams were already chatting about Sale (and Quintana, too) before it became apparent that Chicago was leaning toward selling.
There’s “no indication” as yet whether these talks are going to go anywhere, Sullivan notes, so it doesn’t sound as if there’s anything building in the immediate term. Indeed, Grant adds that no “serious talks” have occurred as of this point. The key takeaway seems to be that Texas at least plans to take a real shot at pulling off a blockbuster.
Indications are that Chicago would have interest in Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar in any scenario involving Sale. We’ve heard those two names quite a bit of late, and obviously the pair carries a lot of trade value. Still, it’s quite likely that Texas would need to add some real talent to that package to get the White Sox to budge.
Sale, after all, is just 27 years of age, remains under control at cheap rates through 2019, and carries a 3.18 ERA over a league-leading 133 frames on the year. Particularly with the contracts factored in, Sale is one of the most valuable single pitching assets in all of baseball — with Quintana not far behind him.
If Sale and Quintana is on the market, people will be quite upset if the Cubs, who have the best prospects in the game, do not get Sale. But many believe the White Sox will never help the Cubs win a World Championship no matter the package the Cubs would offer.
The Cubs could make the White Sox young in a hurry. You could package a combination of OF Soler, OF McKinney, SS Torres and maybe C Schwarber or IN Baez to capture Sale and another young starting pitcher from the Sox. Sale is an ace pitcher that would put any playoff team over the top.
I have figured that Sale is probably worth a package of seven quality prospects. (Look at the Shelby Miller deal as a comparable.)
The Cubs have to look at it this way: if a NL team like the Nationals get Sale, then their rotation becomes dominate in a short series.
And the fact the Cubs have been looking for a controllable starting pitcher - - - as insurance against Hammels, Lackey or even Arrieta faltering in September - - - - why not go out and get the best?!
It could be all a pipe dream. The idea the White Sox will trade its best player will upset the fan base to no end. The Sox could be putting out the big names to see what other teams are willing to part - - - intelligence to make deals for other talent. But again, if the White Sox get a lion's share of the Cubs young talent - - - fans may think they got the better of the deal.
The odds are that Sale and Quintana are not going to be traded by the deadline. Other position players like Abreu, Frazier, or Eaton could be gone in a flash. But since starting pitching is so valuable today, moving aces is very hard to accomplish.
The Sox have always tried to "re-tool" their club instead of rebuilding it with young talent. In the past two off-seasons, writers believed the Sox had made very good acquisitions - - - enough to be very competitive and a playoff team with their fine starting core of pitchers.
But now, 1.5 seasons in the book, the Sox continue to struggle on offense. A shaky bullpen and the lack of deep talent in the minors have gotten GM Rich Hahn putting the "for sale" out early during his long dugout session with the media. He would hear offers on anyone. Which is a complete opposite move from even last week.
So reports quickly pop up that one team has offered "a king's ransom" for Chris Sale. Of course it would. Sale would be the best pitcher on the market. A Cy Young candidate under affordable control through 2019 is a rarity in modern baseball.
MLBtraderumors reported the Rangers are “making [a] serious effort” to pry Sale loose from the White Sox, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. The Dallas Morning news also recently that the two teams were already chatting about Sale (and Quintana, too) before it became apparent that Chicago was leaning toward selling.
There’s “no indication” as yet whether these talks are going to go anywhere, Sullivan notes, so it doesn’t sound as if there’s anything building in the immediate term. Indeed, Grant adds that no “serious talks” have occurred as of this point. The key takeaway seems to be that Texas at least plans to take a real shot at pulling off a blockbuster.
Indications are that Chicago would have interest in Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar in any scenario involving Sale. We’ve heard those two names quite a bit of late, and obviously the pair carries a lot of trade value. Still, it’s quite likely that Texas would need to add some real talent to that package to get the White Sox to budge.
Sale, after all, is just 27 years of age, remains under control at cheap rates through 2019, and carries a 3.18 ERA over a league-leading 133 frames on the year. Particularly with the contracts factored in, Sale is one of the most valuable single pitching assets in all of baseball — with Quintana not far behind him.
If Sale and Quintana is on the market, people will be quite upset if the Cubs, who have the best prospects in the game, do not get Sale. But many believe the White Sox will never help the Cubs win a World Championship no matter the package the Cubs would offer.
The Cubs could make the White Sox young in a hurry. You could package a combination of OF Soler, OF McKinney, SS Torres and maybe C Schwarber or IN Baez to capture Sale and another young starting pitcher from the Sox. Sale is an ace pitcher that would put any playoff team over the top.
I have figured that Sale is probably worth a package of seven quality prospects. (Look at the Shelby Miller deal as a comparable.)
The Cubs have to look at it this way: if a NL team like the Nationals get Sale, then their rotation becomes dominate in a short series.
And the fact the Cubs have been looking for a controllable starting pitcher - - - as insurance against Hammels, Lackey or even Arrieta faltering in September - - - - why not go out and get the best?!
It could be all a pipe dream. The idea the White Sox will trade its best player will upset the fan base to no end. The Sox could be putting out the big names to see what other teams are willing to part - - - intelligence to make deals for other talent. But again, if the White Sox get a lion's share of the Cubs young talent - - - fans may think they got the better of the deal.
The odds are that Sale and Quintana are not going to be traded by the deadline. Other position players like Abreu, Frazier, or Eaton could be gone in a flash. But since starting pitching is so valuable today, moving aces is very hard to accomplish.
May 21, 2016
THE BEST ARM
The talk shows are buzzing about this season's the golden age of golden arms. No one can decide who is the "best" pitcher in baseball.
The nominees each have put up some long term staggering numbers.
Chris Sale, 27, has been perfect this season. He is 9-0, 1.58 ERA, 3 complete games, 0.717 WHIP and 3.1 WAR. Being "9-0 in Nine Starts/ERA Under 2.00 Club"puts him ahead of Pedro Martinez in 1997 and Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, when they went 8-0 in their first eight starts. Sale's start win total is the best in franchise history since 1919.
Clayton Kershaw, 28, is currently 6-1, 1.67 ERA, 2 shout outs, 0.700 WHIP and 2.8 WAR. Kershaw has faced 253 hitters this year -- and walked four of them. That is an unheard-of 88-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Kershaw has six straight double-figure strikeout games that have included a TOTAL of two walks. The man who bears the weight of his franchise every time he goes out there, averages more outs per start (23) than any pitcher in the sport and owns the late innings like no other starter alive. He has now faced 54 hitters from the seventh inning on. Seven have somehow reached base. Not a one has scored.
Jake Arrieta, 30, is 7-0, 1.29 ERA, 0.839 WHIP and 2.4 WAR. His team has won his last 21 regular game starts, the most in the history of baseball. He has pitched two no hitters in less than a year. In between no hitters, Arrieta was 15-0 with a 0.65 ERA. If you look back 24 starts, his record gets better at 20-1. 0.86 ERA with 91 hits allowed over 178 innings, 173 strikeouts, 33 walks and 0.697 WHIP.
There is one thing in common with all three of these outstanding pitchers. Each has a funky delivery. Sale buggy whips his entire lean frame into every pitch. Kershaw has a jerky arm motion. Arrieta teeters then throws across his body. And the unorthodox deliveries may be the key to their collective success.
Hitters need to locate each pitch as quick as possible. Fractions of seconds count when a baseball is spinning 90 mph at you. Hitters need to find a pitcher's release point, then the rotation on the seems to instantaneously determine if it is a fastball, or a curve. Any delay in recognition means the pitcher has a greater advantage over the hitter.
Another factor is that these pitchers have learned not be "throwers" trying to blow away hitters for strike outs. They are "pitchers" who have mastered their craft to conserve energy, locate pitches, pitch to contact and find hitter weaknesses.
We are less than a third through the 2016 season and the press is in awe with the quality of starting pitching with more stories about the Cy Young races.
The nominees each have put up some long term staggering numbers.
Chris Sale, 27, has been perfect this season. He is 9-0, 1.58 ERA, 3 complete games, 0.717 WHIP and 3.1 WAR. Being "9-0 in Nine Starts/ERA Under 2.00 Club"puts him ahead of Pedro Martinez in 1997 and Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, when they went 8-0 in their first eight starts. Sale's start win total is the best in franchise history since 1919.
Clayton Kershaw, 28, is currently 6-1, 1.67 ERA, 2 shout outs, 0.700 WHIP and 2.8 WAR. Kershaw has faced 253 hitters this year -- and walked four of them. That is an unheard-of 88-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Kershaw has six straight double-figure strikeout games that have included a TOTAL of two walks. The man who bears the weight of his franchise every time he goes out there, averages more outs per start (23) than any pitcher in the sport and owns the late innings like no other starter alive. He has now faced 54 hitters from the seventh inning on. Seven have somehow reached base. Not a one has scored.
Jake Arrieta, 30, is 7-0, 1.29 ERA, 0.839 WHIP and 2.4 WAR. His team has won his last 21 regular game starts, the most in the history of baseball. He has pitched two no hitters in less than a year. In between no hitters, Arrieta was 15-0 with a 0.65 ERA. If you look back 24 starts, his record gets better at 20-1. 0.86 ERA with 91 hits allowed over 178 innings, 173 strikeouts, 33 walks and 0.697 WHIP.
There is one thing in common with all three of these outstanding pitchers. Each has a funky delivery. Sale buggy whips his entire lean frame into every pitch. Kershaw has a jerky arm motion. Arrieta teeters then throws across his body. And the unorthodox deliveries may be the key to their collective success.
Hitters need to locate each pitch as quick as possible. Fractions of seconds count when a baseball is spinning 90 mph at you. Hitters need to find a pitcher's release point, then the rotation on the seems to instantaneously determine if it is a fastball, or a curve. Any delay in recognition means the pitcher has a greater advantage over the hitter.
Another factor is that these pitchers have learned not be "throwers" trying to blow away hitters for strike outs. They are "pitchers" who have mastered their craft to conserve energy, locate pitches, pitch to contact and find hitter weaknesses.
We are less than a third through the 2016 season and the press is in awe with the quality of starting pitching with more stories about the Cy Young races.
May 14, 2016
4 SALE
Dan Plesac called Chris Sale the "most improved pitcher" in 2016.
Plesac, a lefty pitcher with 18 years of major league experience, was on point as he watched Sale mow down the Yankees Friday night in a 7-1 White Sox victory.
"He is on cruise control," Plesac said several times during the broadcast with Hawk Harrelson. "He is no longer a thrower, but a pitcher," Plesac said.
Plesac is one of the best analysts in the game. His opinion was correct as Sale cruised through a 99 pitch complete game against the Yankees.
He gave up a second inning home run, then got the next 15 batters out in the row.
Sale became just the third pitcher in modern history to win his first eight (8) decisions in a season.
In his 6 hit complete game, Sale threw 71 of 99 pitches for strikes. He continued to move pitches to both sides of the plate, taking velocity off his fast ball, then using a "slurve," a pitch that both drops down and side to side, to get batters out. He used a half dozen 96-97 mph fastballs as "out" pitches against batters who had seen balls from 88 to 93 all night long.
Sale was a power pitcher. He tried to strike everyone out. But this season, he has learned to pitch to contact, conserve energy, and got the distance in complete game efficiency.
It helps that the White Sox revamped its defense into a quality unit with the additions of Todd Frazier at third, Jimmy Rollins at short, Brett Lawrie at second, Austin Jackson in center and moving Adam Eaton to right. Sale admits that the pressure is off him with the defense behind him and the fact that the current line up can produce crooked numbers.
During the broadcast, as the announcers marveled at Sale's command, Harrelson made an interesting point: he said the worst draft selection a team can make in the first round is a high school pitcher. They throw year round, Hawk said. They throw 150 pitches a game at times. "That is too much," he said, "they are throwing more innings than major league pitchers." That is a true statement. Also, Hawk said the worst thing ever to happen in the game was the advent of the radar gun. It puts undue pressure on young arms to hit high 90s on the gun instead of learning how to pitch, conserve energy and win baseball games.
Plesac said that Carlos Rodon of the White Sox was drafted out of high school. He had the big arm with the radar numbers. But instead of signing with a major league team, Rodon went to college. By going to college and getting more instruction, it made Rodon a better pitcher and helped him get to the majors quicker than signing out of high school.
High school and college players often get trapped in statistics such as number of strike outs or power of their pitches. They get to the mound thinking they have to strike out everyone they face. The great pitchers like Fergie Jenkins said when he got to the majors he learned quickly he had to "pitch to contact" otherwise he would have a short and meaningless pro career. You get the same result if you have a three pitch ground out vs. a six pitch strike out - - - the batter is out. But if you can "save" 2 or 3 pitches a batter, that is 60 less pitches per game which means you can pitch longer in games with less damage to your arm.
Plesac hopes that Rodon and the other young Sox pitchers will learn from Sale's development this year and learn to pitch rather than throw.
Plesac, a lefty pitcher with 18 years of major league experience, was on point as he watched Sale mow down the Yankees Friday night in a 7-1 White Sox victory.
"He is on cruise control," Plesac said several times during the broadcast with Hawk Harrelson. "He is no longer a thrower, but a pitcher," Plesac said.
Plesac is one of the best analysts in the game. His opinion was correct as Sale cruised through a 99 pitch complete game against the Yankees.
He gave up a second inning home run, then got the next 15 batters out in the row.
Sale became just the third pitcher in modern history to win his first eight (8) decisions in a season.
In his 6 hit complete game, Sale threw 71 of 99 pitches for strikes. He continued to move pitches to both sides of the plate, taking velocity off his fast ball, then using a "slurve," a pitch that both drops down and side to side, to get batters out. He used a half dozen 96-97 mph fastballs as "out" pitches against batters who had seen balls from 88 to 93 all night long.
Sale was a power pitcher. He tried to strike everyone out. But this season, he has learned to pitch to contact, conserve energy, and got the distance in complete game efficiency.
It helps that the White Sox revamped its defense into a quality unit with the additions of Todd Frazier at third, Jimmy Rollins at short, Brett Lawrie at second, Austin Jackson in center and moving Adam Eaton to right. Sale admits that the pressure is off him with the defense behind him and the fact that the current line up can produce crooked numbers.
During the broadcast, as the announcers marveled at Sale's command, Harrelson made an interesting point: he said the worst draft selection a team can make in the first round is a high school pitcher. They throw year round, Hawk said. They throw 150 pitches a game at times. "That is too much," he said, "they are throwing more innings than major league pitchers." That is a true statement. Also, Hawk said the worst thing ever to happen in the game was the advent of the radar gun. It puts undue pressure on young arms to hit high 90s on the gun instead of learning how to pitch, conserve energy and win baseball games.
Plesac said that Carlos Rodon of the White Sox was drafted out of high school. He had the big arm with the radar numbers. But instead of signing with a major league team, Rodon went to college. By going to college and getting more instruction, it made Rodon a better pitcher and helped him get to the majors quicker than signing out of high school.
High school and college players often get trapped in statistics such as number of strike outs or power of their pitches. They get to the mound thinking they have to strike out everyone they face. The great pitchers like Fergie Jenkins said when he got to the majors he learned quickly he had to "pitch to contact" otherwise he would have a short and meaningless pro career. You get the same result if you have a three pitch ground out vs. a six pitch strike out - - - the batter is out. But if you can "save" 2 or 3 pitches a batter, that is 60 less pitches per game which means you can pitch longer in games with less damage to your arm.
Plesac hopes that Rodon and the other young Sox pitchers will learn from Sale's development this year and learn to pitch rather than throw.
May 4, 2016
BIG DIVDENDS
In the past Chicago teams were too loyal to their veterans past their prime.
With John Danks release, it shows that the mission is simple: win every game.
And the White Sox and Cubs have been doing it like Industrial Revolution Machines.
The pitching staffs have not allowed losing streaks:
Arrieta: 6-0, 0.84 ERA, 0.744 WHIP, 2.1 WAR
Lester: 2-1, 1.83 ERA, 0.932 WHIP, 1.0 WAR
Hammel:4-0, 1.24 ERA, 1.069 WHIP, 1.2 WAR
Sale: 6-0, 1.66 ERA, 0.808 WHIP, 1.7 WAR
Quintana: 4-1, 1.40 ERA, 0.983 WHIP, 1.6 WAR
Latos: 4-0, 1.84 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, 1.1 WAR
That is incredible starting pitching. Sale and Quintana are the best 1-2 combo in major league baseball.
But that is not all. Two under the radar changes have improved the clubs defense.
The White Sox signed Austin Jackson to play CF because Adam Eaton was a horrible fielder. But by Eaton to RF, it has improved the White Sox defense dramatically. Eaton was a negative CF but now he has a plus 75 defense runs saved/year ratio. His dWAR has gone from -1.1 in 2015 to 1.4 WAR in 2016.
The Cubs made a small adjustment on positioning their center fielder. By moving Dexer Fowler deeper in the outfield, it has made a clear improvement in his defense, too. He now has a 0.2 dWAR compared to a negative 1.0 WAR from 2015. He has gone from a -10 to a +12 in defense runs saved/year.
The little adjustments are paying huge dividends.
The White Sox are 19-8, 4 games ahead of the Tigers.
The Cubs are 19-6, 5 games ahead of the Pirates and 7 games ahead of the Cardinals.
The Cubs also have a crazy run differential of +89, more than double the next highest team.
Baseball is going to be fun this summer in Chicago.
With John Danks release, it shows that the mission is simple: win every game.
And the White Sox and Cubs have been doing it like Industrial Revolution Machines.
The pitching staffs have not allowed losing streaks:
Arrieta: 6-0, 0.84 ERA, 0.744 WHIP, 2.1 WAR
Lester: 2-1, 1.83 ERA, 0.932 WHIP, 1.0 WAR
Hammel:4-0, 1.24 ERA, 1.069 WHIP, 1.2 WAR
Sale: 6-0, 1.66 ERA, 0.808 WHIP, 1.7 WAR
Quintana: 4-1, 1.40 ERA, 0.983 WHIP, 1.6 WAR
Latos: 4-0, 1.84 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, 1.1 WAR
That is incredible starting pitching. Sale and Quintana are the best 1-2 combo in major league baseball.
But that is not all. Two under the radar changes have improved the clubs defense.
The White Sox signed Austin Jackson to play CF because Adam Eaton was a horrible fielder. But by Eaton to RF, it has improved the White Sox defense dramatically. Eaton was a negative CF but now he has a plus 75 defense runs saved/year ratio. His dWAR has gone from -1.1 in 2015 to 1.4 WAR in 2016.
The Cubs made a small adjustment on positioning their center fielder. By moving Dexer Fowler deeper in the outfield, it has made a clear improvement in his defense, too. He now has a 0.2 dWAR compared to a negative 1.0 WAR from 2015. He has gone from a -10 to a +12 in defense runs saved/year.
The little adjustments are paying huge dividends.
The White Sox are 19-8, 4 games ahead of the Tigers.
The Cubs are 19-6, 5 games ahead of the Pirates and 7 games ahead of the Cardinals.
The Cubs also have a crazy run differential of +89, more than double the next highest team.
Baseball is going to be fun this summer in Chicago.
November 16, 2015
A FIRE SALE
If there was one untouchable player on the White Sox roster it would be starter Chris Sale.
Sale is one of the best pitchers in baseball, probably the best left handed ace in the American League (even though David Price looks to break the bank this off-season).
White Sox GM Hahn has been quoted that no player is untouchable. What would it take to pry Sale from the White Sox. A ton of talent.
Dave Dombrowski is the new baseball leader for the Red Sox. He has a history of being a shrewd trader. Pundits believe if anyone could get Sale in a deal it would be Dombrowski.
The Red Sox do have many trading chips that the White Sox could use.
CSN speculated:
Hahn likely would begin negotiations by aiming incredibly high and asking for a package revolving around shortstop Xander Bogaerts, 22, who produced a .320/.355/.421 slash line with seven home runs and 81 RBIs in his second full season in 2015.
But Boston also has young catcher Blake Swihart, of whom the White Sox are said to be fond. Not only have the Red Sox sought a front-of-the-rotation pitcher since last offseason, they also have a new head of baseball operations in Dave Dombrowski, who has to turn around a 78-84 club that was 14th in the AL with a 4.31 ERA in 2015.
It would take more than two starting position players to get Sale. It would also probably take one or two top prospects, including a pitcher, to swing a deal. AAA pitcher Brian Johnson, 24, #1 pick in 2012, is a LHP who is trying to avoid off-season surgery. He is the most major league ready pitcher in the Red Sox system.
The fan base backlash over trading Sale is something the attendance weary front office has to take into consideration. Unless is it a lopsided deal, fans will not accept Sale in another uniform.
Sale is one of the best pitchers in baseball, probably the best left handed ace in the American League (even though David Price looks to break the bank this off-season).
White Sox GM Hahn has been quoted that no player is untouchable. What would it take to pry Sale from the White Sox. A ton of talent.
Dave Dombrowski is the new baseball leader for the Red Sox. He has a history of being a shrewd trader. Pundits believe if anyone could get Sale in a deal it would be Dombrowski.
The Red Sox do have many trading chips that the White Sox could use.
CSN speculated:
Hahn likely would begin negotiations by aiming incredibly high and asking for a package revolving around shortstop Xander Bogaerts, 22, who produced a .320/.355/.421 slash line with seven home runs and 81 RBIs in his second full season in 2015.
But Boston also has young catcher Blake Swihart, of whom the White Sox are said to be fond. Not only have the Red Sox sought a front-of-the-rotation pitcher since last offseason, they also have a new head of baseball operations in Dave Dombrowski, who has to turn around a 78-84 club that was 14th in the AL with a 4.31 ERA in 2015.
It would take more than two starting position players to get Sale. It would also probably take one or two top prospects, including a pitcher, to swing a deal. AAA pitcher Brian Johnson, 24, #1 pick in 2012, is a LHP who is trying to avoid off-season surgery. He is the most major league ready pitcher in the Red Sox system.
The fan base backlash over trading Sale is something the attendance weary front office has to take into consideration. Unless is it a lopsided deal, fans will not accept Sale in another uniform.
August 5, 2015
SALE AFTER STORE CLOSED
Chris Sale gave up another seven earned runs in back to back starts.
The White Sox have slipped back to the first two months of the season. Having one's ace with a 7.61 ERA since the break is not good. And after the horrible pitching by the Red Sox, the Sox hitters have cooled like a mini-Ice Age.
For all practical purposes, the White Sox are not going to catch the newly retooled Blue Jays in the wild card standings. In fact, the Jays may have their sights now on winning the East.
The big win streak before the All-Star break was a mirage. The good play by everyone on the roster was an illusion that kept the Sox team together. Players don't like to be in trade rumors. They don't want to uproot and move their families mid-season. They are creatures of habit so they want to stay with their current teams. Pessimists may say that the players played well before the trade deadline so as to convince the front office that it really was an underachieving squad who had turned around the season.
But the evidence is contrary. The White Sox continue to be a frustrating morass to their fans. When the Yankees came to town, they were pistol whipped by a better team. In a battle of aces, former Cub Chris Archer dominated Sale's teammates.
The White Sox are currently 50-55, 5 games under .500. They are 4.5 games behind the second wild card slot, but find themselves behind Detroit, Texas, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Baltimore. It is improbable that the Sox can leap frog five teams to make the playoffs. This season is basically over except for the formalities of playing the remainder of the schedule.
As such, this may be the most disappointing Sox season in recent memory. The off-season moves should have produced a better club. But this goes to show that team projections on paper do not necessarily equate to actual records on the field.
The White Sox have slipped back to the first two months of the season. Having one's ace with a 7.61 ERA since the break is not good. And after the horrible pitching by the Red Sox, the Sox hitters have cooled like a mini-Ice Age.
For all practical purposes, the White Sox are not going to catch the newly retooled Blue Jays in the wild card standings. In fact, the Jays may have their sights now on winning the East.
The big win streak before the All-Star break was a mirage. The good play by everyone on the roster was an illusion that kept the Sox team together. Players don't like to be in trade rumors. They don't want to uproot and move their families mid-season. They are creatures of habit so they want to stay with their current teams. Pessimists may say that the players played well before the trade deadline so as to convince the front office that it really was an underachieving squad who had turned around the season.
But the evidence is contrary. The White Sox continue to be a frustrating morass to their fans. When the Yankees came to town, they were pistol whipped by a better team. In a battle of aces, former Cub Chris Archer dominated Sale's teammates.
The White Sox are currently 50-55, 5 games under .500. They are 4.5 games behind the second wild card slot, but find themselves behind Detroit, Texas, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Baltimore. It is improbable that the Sox can leap frog five teams to make the playoffs. This season is basically over except for the formalities of playing the remainder of the schedule.
As such, this may be the most disappointing Sox season in recent memory. The off-season moves should have produced a better club. But this goes to show that team projections on paper do not necessarily equate to actual records on the field.
July 17, 2015
SALE DAYS
Winning nine of the last 12 games would make most teams content. But the White Sox have dug themselves a big hole to try to find whether they belong in any playoff discussion.
The pitching has carried the team. The off-season additions have muddled expectations.
The 2015 season finds itself in the cross hairs of this weekend's 2005 championship reunion celebrations. Will the old team inspire this current club? One could hope.
If the White Sox are going to move out of the cellar and be relevant, the team needs to play well against Kansas City, who start the second half of the season with a four game home set at the Cell. The White Sox need to win at least 3 of 4. It would be best to sweep the day/night doubleheader today. Jeff Samardzija pitches the opener, and Jon Danks is scheduled to pitch the night cap.
The Danks decision to start the night cap is puzzling. It has been reported that the Sox will call up fireballer Frankie Montas, who is 2-1 with a 2.47 ERA in 15 starts this season at Double-A Birmingham. Montas earned a spot on the Southern League All-Star team last month and also was awarded a spot in the Futures Game for a second straight year, though he was unable to play in 2014 because of an injury. Most thought he would be called up as the 26th man under the doubleheader rules.
Today, rumors are spreading that All-Star Chris Sale may be hurt. Why else would not Sale pitch in the Royals series? Carlos Quintana and TBD are listed in the papers as the next pitchers in the series. Considering the White Sox and Robin Ventura lobbied All-Star manager Ed Yost NOT to use Sale in the All-Star game, was there an unreported issue with Sale after his last start? Sale was pretty dominate in the Cubs series last Saturday, so basically he would have had a full week of rest and still be able to pitch the critical KC series.
The White Sox could be overly cautious with Sale since he is one of the best pitchers in the game. But at the same time, this Kansas City series is make or break time. If the White Sox split or lose the series to the Royals, then the "for sale" sign will be out next week.
Sale has tried to take this team on his back and lead them to being a good team. The early season bad defense and lack of offense doomed the team. Perhaps management is trying to send a message to the rest of the team that they have to learn to win without Sale as a stopper. The only other explanation is that the White Sox are in trade talks involving Sale and want to hold him out of action to avoid an injury or nix a deal. But trading an ace like Sale with a team friendly contract would be worse than the White Flag trade.
The pitching has carried the team. The off-season additions have muddled expectations.
The 2015 season finds itself in the cross hairs of this weekend's 2005 championship reunion celebrations. Will the old team inspire this current club? One could hope.
If the White Sox are going to move out of the cellar and be relevant, the team needs to play well against Kansas City, who start the second half of the season with a four game home set at the Cell. The White Sox need to win at least 3 of 4. It would be best to sweep the day/night doubleheader today. Jeff Samardzija pitches the opener, and Jon Danks is scheduled to pitch the night cap.
The Danks decision to start the night cap is puzzling. It has been reported that the Sox will call up fireballer Frankie Montas, who is 2-1 with a 2.47 ERA in 15 starts this season at Double-A Birmingham. Montas earned a spot on the Southern League All-Star team last month and also was awarded a spot in the Futures Game for a second straight year, though he was unable to play in 2014 because of an injury. Most thought he would be called up as the 26th man under the doubleheader rules.
Today, rumors are spreading that All-Star Chris Sale may be hurt. Why else would not Sale pitch in the Royals series? Carlos Quintana and TBD are listed in the papers as the next pitchers in the series. Considering the White Sox and Robin Ventura lobbied All-Star manager Ed Yost NOT to use Sale in the All-Star game, was there an unreported issue with Sale after his last start? Sale was pretty dominate in the Cubs series last Saturday, so basically he would have had a full week of rest and still be able to pitch the critical KC series.
The White Sox could be overly cautious with Sale since he is one of the best pitchers in the game. But at the same time, this Kansas City series is make or break time. If the White Sox split or lose the series to the Royals, then the "for sale" sign will be out next week.
Sale has tried to take this team on his back and lead them to being a good team. The early season bad defense and lack of offense doomed the team. Perhaps management is trying to send a message to the rest of the team that they have to learn to win without Sale as a stopper. The only other explanation is that the White Sox are in trade talks involving Sale and want to hold him out of action to avoid an injury or nix a deal. But trading an ace like Sale with a team friendly contract would be worse than the White Flag trade.
July 6, 2015
DOMINATING PITCHING
Have you noticed the dominance of low scoring games and shut-outs?
Pitching has suddenly raised itself as the dominant factor in major league baseball.
When pitchers like Chris Sale tie a major league mark for consecutive games with 10 or more strikeouts, and commentators are starting to go back to mid-1960s records for pitching accomplishments, we are on the dawn of a new era of pitching dominance.
A factor in this could be that many teams have been promoting younger players faster. There have never been so many 21, and 22 year olds in the majors. The Cubs roster is filled with under 25 starters. The trend is clearly to go young before they grow old in the minors.
As younger hitters come to the majors, it is more likely that they will have a tougher transition to major league pitching since pitchers are better at location, ball movement and strategy. And there is a higher learning curve for most batters than pitchers.
One expects a dominate and quick pitching contest at the Cell today when Mark Buerhle faces Sale. Both pitchers work fast. Both pitchers do not go deep into counts since they are putting the ball into the strike zone more often than not. They get ahead in the count then put away hitters.
Currently, baseball has 23 starting pitchers with an ERA under 3.00. Led by Zack Greinke at 1.48 ERA, this shows a real dominance by pitchers this year.
Pitching has suddenly raised itself as the dominant factor in major league baseball.
When pitchers like Chris Sale tie a major league mark for consecutive games with 10 or more strikeouts, and commentators are starting to go back to mid-1960s records for pitching accomplishments, we are on the dawn of a new era of pitching dominance.
A factor in this could be that many teams have been promoting younger players faster. There have never been so many 21, and 22 year olds in the majors. The Cubs roster is filled with under 25 starters. The trend is clearly to go young before they grow old in the minors.
As younger hitters come to the majors, it is more likely that they will have a tougher transition to major league pitching since pitchers are better at location, ball movement and strategy. And there is a higher learning curve for most batters than pitchers.
One expects a dominate and quick pitching contest at the Cell today when Mark Buerhle faces Sale. Both pitchers work fast. Both pitchers do not go deep into counts since they are putting the ball into the strike zone more often than not. They get ahead in the count then put away hitters.
Currently, baseball has 23 starting pitchers with an ERA under 3.00. Led by Zack Greinke at 1.48 ERA, this shows a real dominance by pitchers this year.
June 15, 2015
TOUGH LOSSES
Every loss is bad. But some losses are harder to take.
When the Rays swept the White Sox this weekend, the Sox stopper, Chris Sale, was his usual self. A dominating performance but dinged by one costly mistake, a 2 run HR. The Sox lost 2-1.
ESPN stated that Sale is just the third pitcher since records were first available in 1914 to have four straight 12 or more strikeout starts. Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez did it three times and Randy Johnson once. Sale has a franchise-best 24 double-digit strikeout games in his career. It was the first time that a White Sox pitcher had 12 or more strikeouts, allowed three hits or fewer and lost.
The White Sox offense has been offensive. Bad. Non-existent. Underperforming would be an understatement.
You would think that Sale's teammates would be motivated to help out their ace who is giving it his all (127 pitches yesterday). The contrast is that the Cubs dugout is much looser in close games than the White Sox. Starlin Castro just had his third walk off hit last night against the Reds. With the DH, one would think the Sox could rally easier than the Cubs.
Sale, 6-3, 3.01 ERA, 1.004 WHIP and 2.1 WAR deserves better support.
When the Rays swept the White Sox this weekend, the Sox stopper, Chris Sale, was his usual self. A dominating performance but dinged by one costly mistake, a 2 run HR. The Sox lost 2-1.
ESPN stated that Sale is just the third pitcher since records were first available in 1914 to have four straight 12 or more strikeout starts. Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez did it three times and Randy Johnson once. Sale has a franchise-best 24 double-digit strikeout games in his career. It was the first time that a White Sox pitcher had 12 or more strikeouts, allowed three hits or fewer and lost.
The White Sox offense has been offensive. Bad. Non-existent. Underperforming would be an understatement.
You would think that Sale's teammates would be motivated to help out their ace who is giving it his all (127 pitches yesterday). The contrast is that the Cubs dugout is much looser in close games than the White Sox. Starlin Castro just had his third walk off hit last night against the Reds. With the DH, one would think the Sox could rally easier than the Cubs.
Sale, 6-3, 3.01 ERA, 1.004 WHIP and 2.1 WAR deserves better support.
June 4, 2014
SAILING ALONG
Major league baseball has been flummoxed by the length of baseball games. In a video game, instant gratification culture, a four hour baseball game is "too long" according to the guardians of the game.
The league has been tinkering with ideas to speed the process of play. The critical area is the ballet between pitches - - - the batter getting out of the box to adjust his gloves, kick some dirt, squeeze the bat to the pitcher shaking off pitchers and scuffling around the rubber.
However, there are a few examples that the game is fine if players are smart about it.
Chris Sale threw a 100 pitch complete game on Sunday.
The time of the game: two hours eight minutes.
Quick. Effective. A breeze on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Why was this contest so speedy?
Sale took the return throw from his catcher, and toed the rubber and fired. He did not wait. He got into a rhythm. He threw strikes and out pitches. He was efficient and had control. If pitching is an art form, Sale splashed the box score canvas like Picasso.
The pitcher can control the time of the game more than anyone else. Don't think, just pitch. The catcher throws down a sign, toss. Don't keep looking to the dugout for signs. Keep your defense focused on the game. Everyone is happy.
Why other pitchers don't follow this strategy is unknown.
Mark Buerhle, the former White Sox hurler, is another catch and quick toss his pitches. Buerhle who is not an overpowering pitcher, is currently 10-1, 2.10 ERA, 1.193 WHIP for the Blue Jays. Most of the games he starts last less than three hours.
If a pitcher throws even 5 seconds faster than his normal routine, in 100 pitches he can shave 17 minutes off the game time.
There was once a thought of putting pitchers on a basketball shot clock, but no one could figure out how many seconds to charge the battery and then what would be the penalty (a ball call?) Certain aspects of the game, such as throwing towards home plate, should remain consistent with historical precedent. Coaches just need to teach their pitchers to throw faster and more efficiently in order to cut down game times.
The league has been tinkering with ideas to speed the process of play. The critical area is the ballet between pitches - - - the batter getting out of the box to adjust his gloves, kick some dirt, squeeze the bat to the pitcher shaking off pitchers and scuffling around the rubber.
However, there are a few examples that the game is fine if players are smart about it.
Chris Sale threw a 100 pitch complete game on Sunday.
The time of the game: two hours eight minutes.
Quick. Effective. A breeze on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Why was this contest so speedy?
Sale took the return throw from his catcher, and toed the rubber and fired. He did not wait. He got into a rhythm. He threw strikes and out pitches. He was efficient and had control. If pitching is an art form, Sale splashed the box score canvas like Picasso.
The pitcher can control the time of the game more than anyone else. Don't think, just pitch. The catcher throws down a sign, toss. Don't keep looking to the dugout for signs. Keep your defense focused on the game. Everyone is happy.
Why other pitchers don't follow this strategy is unknown.
Mark Buerhle, the former White Sox hurler, is another catch and quick toss his pitches. Buerhle who is not an overpowering pitcher, is currently 10-1, 2.10 ERA, 1.193 WHIP for the Blue Jays. Most of the games he starts last less than three hours.
If a pitcher throws even 5 seconds faster than his normal routine, in 100 pitches he can shave 17 minutes off the game time.
There was once a thought of putting pitchers on a basketball shot clock, but no one could figure out how many seconds to charge the battery and then what would be the penalty (a ball call?) Certain aspects of the game, such as throwing towards home plate, should remain consistent with historical precedent. Coaches just need to teach their pitchers to throw faster and more efficiently in order to cut down game times.
April 23, 2014
FIRE SALE
Observers have said it was only a matter of time. The unorthodox throwing motion was going to get him. Scouts have long been considered him an
injury risk, with some mechanics experts pointing to the “inverted-W”
formed by his elbows in the middle of his delivery as an additional red
flag.
But it may not have been the motion, but the number of pitches that did Chris Sale in.
The White Sox placed their ace on the disabled list on Monday with a flexor muscle strain in his left elbow. It is the first time in the 25-year-old’s career that he has hit the DL and the first time he has had any issues with his elbow. However, early in his career he was shortly demoted to the bullpen due to arm concerns by management. Sale was upset with the move, and later regained his starting position.
A flexor mass strain is not a major injury. Sale will miss at least two starts. The season is still early but there fast start has had warning signs. The White Sox boast the major league’s hottest offense in the early going, leading the majors with 5.45 runs scored per game, but Sale had, unsurprisingly, been by far their best pitcher, going 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA and his usual strong peripherals through his first four starts. But the bullpen has been a mess, and season ending dive for a fly ball has cost right fielder Avisail Garcia his season.
It was because the bullpen had been so bad recently (Robin Ventura used four pitchers to get out of one inning), Sale took it upon himself to duel with Boston's Jon Lester. Sale threw a career high 127 pitches in the loss. It was after that outing that he had more soreness than normal. An MRI revealed no ligament damage, but the team shut him down anyway.
The White Sox are in need of another starting pitcher before the Sale injury. Felipe Paulino has been horrible. But the White Sox, who have depth in middle infield spots, will not trade away valuable position players this early in the season. The front office is hoping that pitching guru Don Cooper will get some quality magic out of Charlie Leesman and any other AAA call-up during Sale's injury time.
But it may not have been the motion, but the number of pitches that did Chris Sale in.
The White Sox placed their ace on the disabled list on Monday with a flexor muscle strain in his left elbow. It is the first time in the 25-year-old’s career that he has hit the DL and the first time he has had any issues with his elbow. However, early in his career he was shortly demoted to the bullpen due to arm concerns by management. Sale was upset with the move, and later regained his starting position.
A flexor mass strain is not a major injury. Sale will miss at least two starts. The season is still early but there fast start has had warning signs. The White Sox boast the major league’s hottest offense in the early going, leading the majors with 5.45 runs scored per game, but Sale had, unsurprisingly, been by far their best pitcher, going 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA and his usual strong peripherals through his first four starts. But the bullpen has been a mess, and season ending dive for a fly ball has cost right fielder Avisail Garcia his season.
It was because the bullpen had been so bad recently (Robin Ventura used four pitchers to get out of one inning), Sale took it upon himself to duel with Boston's Jon Lester. Sale threw a career high 127 pitches in the loss. It was after that outing that he had more soreness than normal. An MRI revealed no ligament damage, but the team shut him down anyway.
The White Sox are in need of another starting pitcher before the Sale injury. Felipe Paulino has been horrible. But the White Sox, who have depth in middle infield spots, will not trade away valuable position players this early in the season. The front office is hoping that pitching guru Don Cooper will get some quality magic out of Charlie Leesman and any other AAA call-up during Sale's injury time.
March 8, 2013
SOLD ON SALE
The White Sox locked up starter Chris Sale with a long term extension. Most people agree that it was a very good deal for the White Sox to lock up a young ace through his arbitration-peak years. Some fans question whether Sale and his agent left a lot of money on the table.
The deal was a five year extension worth $32.5 million (base). The contract also includes club options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The 23-year-old will earn $850K in 2013, $3.5MM in 2014, $6MM in 2015, $9.15MM in 2016 and $12MM in 2017. The White Sox have options for $2018 ($12.5MM) and 2019 ($13.5MM) with $1MM buyouts. CSN Chicago reports that the contract contains an bonus program that could make the total contract worth $60 million.
Why are young pitchers like Sale, Jonathan Niese, Derek Holland, Yovani Gallardo and Jon Lester, signing five year extensions worth more than $30 million only after two years of MLB service time?
First, it may the guarantee money. If a pitcher, especially one with health risks because of wind up or other issues, the incentive is to lock up as much guaranteed money as soon as possible.
Second, is to accelerate the level of arbitration money while discounting the overall contract value. If Sale did nothing, he would be paid slightly more than the league minimum of $500,000. So he gets a raise in 2013. His first year of arbitration usually yields around 25% of a comparable veteran starter salary (which today is around $13 million). That would be $3.25 million. The extension gives a tad more. Second year arbitration is around 50%, or around $6.5 million. The third year of arbitration is around 75% or $9.75 million. So the White Sox are getting a slight discount on the back end of the deal. Third, with the guarantee money settled, the contract will still expire when Sale is under 30, which is going to be a huge payday if he is healthy and continues to perform well.
Third, the risk of injury is apparent. Sale has seen ace John Danks go down for almost an entire season. And scouts still question whether Sale's quirky deliver will lead to injury issues.
The risk to the White Sox is that it has spent $32.5 million no matter what Sale accomplishes going forward. The White Sox have loathed the long term starter deals, but new GM Hahn is thinking more long term. But it makes sense to lock up two lefty aces in Danks and Sale to what are currently perceived as below market deals.
The deal was a five year extension worth $32.5 million (base). The contract also includes club options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The 23-year-old will earn $850K in 2013, $3.5MM in 2014, $6MM in 2015, $9.15MM in 2016 and $12MM in 2017. The White Sox have options for $2018 ($12.5MM) and 2019 ($13.5MM) with $1MM buyouts. CSN Chicago reports that the contract contains an bonus program that could make the total contract worth $60 million.
Why are young pitchers like Sale, Jonathan Niese, Derek Holland, Yovani Gallardo and Jon Lester, signing five year extensions worth more than $30 million only after two years of MLB service time?
First, it may the guarantee money. If a pitcher, especially one with health risks because of wind up or other issues, the incentive is to lock up as much guaranteed money as soon as possible.
Second, is to accelerate the level of arbitration money while discounting the overall contract value. If Sale did nothing, he would be paid slightly more than the league minimum of $500,000. So he gets a raise in 2013. His first year of arbitration usually yields around 25% of a comparable veteran starter salary (which today is around $13 million). That would be $3.25 million. The extension gives a tad more. Second year arbitration is around 50%, or around $6.5 million. The third year of arbitration is around 75% or $9.75 million. So the White Sox are getting a slight discount on the back end of the deal. Third, with the guarantee money settled, the contract will still expire when Sale is under 30, which is going to be a huge payday if he is healthy and continues to perform well.
Third, the risk of injury is apparent. Sale has seen ace John Danks go down for almost an entire season. And scouts still question whether Sale's quirky deliver will lead to injury issues.
The risk to the White Sox is that it has spent $32.5 million no matter what Sale accomplishes going forward. The White Sox have loathed the long term starter deals, but new GM Hahn is thinking more long term. But it makes sense to lock up two lefty aces in Danks and Sale to what are currently perceived as below market deals.
August 24, 2012
A TALE OF TWO ARMS
Sportswriter Tom Verducci has written extensively that if you give a young pitcher more than 30 innings more than he has ever pitched before, his chances of developing arm troubles increases or he takes a major step backward in his development. The anecdotal evidence of the risk of young arm injuries is about 67 percent using Verducci's methodology.
Teams have become obsessed with pitch counts and innings pitched for their starters. A starter who hits 100 pitches in a game is likely to be pulled from the mound. It is the assumption that like a machine, a pitcher only has so many built-in throws before his body starts to wear out.
Now, some older pitchers from the 1970s believe that the increase in pitcher injuries in the majors is not tied to innings pitched but on how players are being trained and conditioned from amateur to pro levels. Old school pitchers believed the more one threw, the stronger your arm would become. In addition, a pitcher would want to develop an "elastic" arm with strong leg action. Today, pitchers are into weight training routines that builds up and tones arm muscles which in some ways is the opposite of the old school way. In addition, throwing techniques have changed. Old school pitchers merely released the ball from their grip like a catapult shot. Now, pitchers are taught to "snap" their hands or wrists to add spin to the ball for sharper breaks around the plate. The snap motion puts more stress on a pitcher's elbow. That is why youth baseball teams do not allow their pitchers to even attempt to throw curve balls until the high school level.
This season we have two young star pitchers throwing their teams into the playoffs. But each team is handling their star starter differently.
The Nationals Stephen Strasburg is currently 15-5, 2.85 ERA in 145.1 IP. He is coming off arm surgery last season, which limited his major league innings to 24 and minor leagues to 20. He has added more than 100 innings of work this year, which puts him near the top of the Verducci watch list. As a result, the Nationals general manager has put a strict limit on IP for Strasburg: 180. Once he hits that mark, Strasburg will be shut down. It is projected that Strasburg will run out of innings with two weeks left in the season; he will miss the playoffs. Strasburg's success has been pivotal to the Nationals first place position. The Nats have overspent on starting pitching talent to go deep into the playoffs. But as fans know, success is fleeting at the major league level. Some teams (like the Cubs) may only get one shot at glory in a decade. When a team is on the cusp of a championship, it usually goes "all in" and does not think about "next year." But the Nationals are conserving Strasburg for future years.
The White Sox Chris Sale does not have any restrictions. He is currently 15-4, 2.65 ERA in 153 IP. Last year he pitched 71 innings in the majors. He also has gone past the Verducci number of increased IP. But the ChiSox are handling Sale much different than the Nationals with Strasburg. Sale has been given extended rest (skipped starts) during the season to "rest" his arm to avoid fatigue or "tired arm" syndrome. At the All-Star break, he was given around 10 days off. In September, he will get another 9-10 day break. The coaching staff has not limited his innings per start, as Sale continues to go deep into contests, especially when the games are close, In his last outing, he struck out a dozen Yankees.
What is different between these two young pitchers is more than just philosophy. Strasburg is the prototypical power pitcher. He has the large frame build that he leverages to overpower batters. Sale has the capacity of a 96 mph fastball that he showed as a reliever in 2011, but with his lanky frame, Sale has evolved into a pitcher rather than a thrower. Sale now uses an 88-93 mph fastball to punctuate his slider and change up.
The Nationals have counted on Strasburg to get them the divisional crown. The White Sox are counting on Sale to pitch them deep into the playoffs and possible championship series.
This will be the litmus test for future pitching decisions by major league clubs. Which procedure worked out the best for their team? Is shutting down a pitcher a better long term solution to the injury risk for a young arm, or is in-season rest stops the way to go? Teams may take the objective data from this season to formulate their own hybrid analysis for their young prospects.
Teams have become obsessed with pitch counts and innings pitched for their starters. A starter who hits 100 pitches in a game is likely to be pulled from the mound. It is the assumption that like a machine, a pitcher only has so many built-in throws before his body starts to wear out.
Now, some older pitchers from the 1970s believe that the increase in pitcher injuries in the majors is not tied to innings pitched but on how players are being trained and conditioned from amateur to pro levels. Old school pitchers believed the more one threw, the stronger your arm would become. In addition, a pitcher would want to develop an "elastic" arm with strong leg action. Today, pitchers are into weight training routines that builds up and tones arm muscles which in some ways is the opposite of the old school way. In addition, throwing techniques have changed. Old school pitchers merely released the ball from their grip like a catapult shot. Now, pitchers are taught to "snap" their hands or wrists to add spin to the ball for sharper breaks around the plate. The snap motion puts more stress on a pitcher's elbow. That is why youth baseball teams do not allow their pitchers to even attempt to throw curve balls until the high school level.
This season we have two young star pitchers throwing their teams into the playoffs. But each team is handling their star starter differently.
The Nationals Stephen Strasburg is currently 15-5, 2.85 ERA in 145.1 IP. He is coming off arm surgery last season, which limited his major league innings to 24 and minor leagues to 20. He has added more than 100 innings of work this year, which puts him near the top of the Verducci watch list. As a result, the Nationals general manager has put a strict limit on IP for Strasburg: 180. Once he hits that mark, Strasburg will be shut down. It is projected that Strasburg will run out of innings with two weeks left in the season; he will miss the playoffs. Strasburg's success has been pivotal to the Nationals first place position. The Nats have overspent on starting pitching talent to go deep into the playoffs. But as fans know, success is fleeting at the major league level. Some teams (like the Cubs) may only get one shot at glory in a decade. When a team is on the cusp of a championship, it usually goes "all in" and does not think about "next year." But the Nationals are conserving Strasburg for future years.
The White Sox Chris Sale does not have any restrictions. He is currently 15-4, 2.65 ERA in 153 IP. Last year he pitched 71 innings in the majors. He also has gone past the Verducci number of increased IP. But the ChiSox are handling Sale much different than the Nationals with Strasburg. Sale has been given extended rest (skipped starts) during the season to "rest" his arm to avoid fatigue or "tired arm" syndrome. At the All-Star break, he was given around 10 days off. In September, he will get another 9-10 day break. The coaching staff has not limited his innings per start, as Sale continues to go deep into contests, especially when the games are close, In his last outing, he struck out a dozen Yankees.
What is different between these two young pitchers is more than just philosophy. Strasburg is the prototypical power pitcher. He has the large frame build that he leverages to overpower batters. Sale has the capacity of a 96 mph fastball that he showed as a reliever in 2011, but with his lanky frame, Sale has evolved into a pitcher rather than a thrower. Sale now uses an 88-93 mph fastball to punctuate his slider and change up.
The Nationals have counted on Strasburg to get them the divisional crown. The White Sox are counting on Sale to pitch them deep into the playoffs and possible championship series.
This will be the litmus test for future pitching decisions by major league clubs. Which procedure worked out the best for their team? Is shutting down a pitcher a better long term solution to the injury risk for a young arm, or is in-season rest stops the way to go? Teams may take the objective data from this season to formulate their own hybrid analysis for their young prospects.
May 5, 2012
A TRULY DUMB MOVE
The Chicago Tribune reported the strange news from the White Sox camp. A dejected Chris Sale left his manager's office after being told that he was being replaced in the rotation. He was assigned to the bullpen to be the new team Closer.
As the Tribune noted: "After showing promise with a 3-1 record and 2.81 ERA in his first five starts, the Sox decided to move him to the closer's role after he experienced soreness and tightness in his left elbow."
The White Sox claim that the move was in Sale's best interests.
"We're doing it because we feel it's best for him, his career and his health," pitching coach Don Cooper told reporters. "It's the best way to keep him healthy and strong."
But this is truly a dumb move.
If you want to keep Sale healthy and strong, you skip a start, send him to the doctor to check on the elbow and have him do physical therapy. You don't put him into a more stressful situation of being the bullpen closer - - - on call every game to pitch. There is probably more stress on the arm getting up and down warming up in the pen during a week, and throwing several innings of relief than a starter taking the mound once and throwing five or six straight innings then resting for 5 days.
But what is worse is the mental bomb Sox management exploded on their promising starter. It was a demotion. There is no two ways around it. Sale, after being one of the Sox's best starters this season, was demoted to the bullpen. It makes no sense. Quality starters are harder to find than relief pitchers.
To say that a closer's value is greater in saving one or two games a week is more important than a starter who can win a game a week is comparing apples to oranges. A starter's value is in eating up innings during the course of a season. You want your best pitchers to be starters to have more quality innings of work during the course of a season.
So Matt Thorton blows a save, and as the second Closer of the season fails, the White Sox panic and look for a replacement on their staff. What about Crain? What about the minor leagues? No, the man to fall on the hand grenade of a bad bullpen roster is Sale.
Part of this move has to be to appease the fan base by remaining near the top of the AL Central. The Sox slashed ticket prices in the off season to get more bodies into the Cell for games. The Sox need to continue to have a good record and be near the top of the standings to draw fans. And to do so it costs the team real development of a quality starter, so be it. A truly dumb move.
As the Tribune noted: "After showing promise with a 3-1 record and 2.81 ERA in his first five starts, the Sox decided to move him to the closer's role after he experienced soreness and tightness in his left elbow."
The White Sox claim that the move was in Sale's best interests.
"We're doing it because we feel it's best for him, his career and his health," pitching coach Don Cooper told reporters. "It's the best way to keep him healthy and strong."
But this is truly a dumb move.
If you want to keep Sale healthy and strong, you skip a start, send him to the doctor to check on the elbow and have him do physical therapy. You don't put him into a more stressful situation of being the bullpen closer - - - on call every game to pitch. There is probably more stress on the arm getting up and down warming up in the pen during a week, and throwing several innings of relief than a starter taking the mound once and throwing five or six straight innings then resting for 5 days.
But what is worse is the mental bomb Sox management exploded on their promising starter. It was a demotion. There is no two ways around it. Sale, after being one of the Sox's best starters this season, was demoted to the bullpen. It makes no sense. Quality starters are harder to find than relief pitchers.
To say that a closer's value is greater in saving one or two games a week is more important than a starter who can win a game a week is comparing apples to oranges. A starter's value is in eating up innings during the course of a season. You want your best pitchers to be starters to have more quality innings of work during the course of a season.
So Matt Thorton blows a save, and as the second Closer of the season fails, the White Sox panic and look for a replacement on their staff. What about Crain? What about the minor leagues? No, the man to fall on the hand grenade of a bad bullpen roster is Sale.
Part of this move has to be to appease the fan base by remaining near the top of the AL Central. The Sox slashed ticket prices in the off season to get more bodies into the Cell for games. The Sox need to continue to have a good record and be near the top of the standings to draw fans. And to do so it costs the team real development of a quality starter, so be it. A truly dumb move.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)