White Sox need to contemplate exit strategy
Where to Go Next: An Exit Strategy
Just last week, Jerry Reinsdorf shot down Bruce Levine’s speculation that Chicago might put out a yard sign before the deadline.
"As for the speculation in my story, Reinsdorf told me in his own instructive way that he had no plans for anything but a full-out attack on helping his front office find a way to win now."
This team is starting to look like a “seller.” The “full-out attack” could have occurred prior to Opening Day.
The White Sox have the worst record in baseball since Since May 10th, 10-26. That 36 game stretch is longer than the White Sox 23-10 record to start the season.
Which team is the real team?
They looked like an 84 win team to start the year. Their hot start gave them a cushion that made the playoffs all but a certainty. This is post-2012 White Sox baseball and regardless of who is in uniform, they have grossly underperformed their true-talent since they collapsed on September 19th, 2012.
It’s inexplicable, but a lack of answers doesn’t change the reality.
They have been outplayed by the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and Cincinnati Reds for a longer sample size than when they were actually competent. The Atlanta Braves are actively trying to lose. They’re fielding a quad-A team with the hopes of snagging this year’s top draft pick. They’re outplaying the White Sox over the last five weeks.
The Reds, who are in full rebuild mode and dealt slugger Frazier to White Sox, are outperforming the South Siders.
The Atlanta Braves are fielding a quad-A team with the hopes of snagging this year’s top draft pick, yet they’re outplaying the White Sox over the last five weeks.
How is a team in undisputed win-now mode is performing like a bottom feeder?
It’s not the how, but rather the what to do.
Players whose team control will be up following the 2017 season:
- Brett Lawrie
- Melky Cabrera
- Todd Frazier
These are also the top candidates to be dealt at the deadline with David Robertson (signed through 2018) also on the table.
The first move should be firing Robin Ventura. It should have happened yesterday. Rick Renteria would be the immediate replacement. The players have raved about him instilling fundamentals in them and per Jon heyman he’s made Chicago “as prepared as they’ve ever been.”
With a new voice and the margins not being pillaged every night by poor tactics, the White Sox might actually rebound.
If the team continues to underperform under Renteria, then the onus falls squarely on the front office to hit the reset button.
Next: The Contention Window