What's a used up, washed out, Old GM to do??

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We traded body blows with the A's and came out one run ahead for the third game. All were good games and close scores.

Pitching Report - SP Carlos Rodon (6 IP, 1ER, 3BB, 8K's) threw 109 pitches over 6 innings and gave up three walks, ultimately he gets a no decision despite only giving up the one run. RP Aaron Bummer (2 IP, 2H, 1ER, 0BB, 1K) quickly gave up the go ahead run on a single, fielders choice, and then a RBI double by 3B Matt Chapman before getting out of the seventh inning. Bummer pitched clean eighth, then CL Ian Hamilton gave up a leadoff single before getting the next three batters out to end the threat and collect his seventeenth save.

Batters Report - Three runs on six hits is one more run than the opposition!
no multiple hits today - only some strategic singles that scored the needed runs. LF Zack Granite (1/3, 2RBI) drove home 1B Ronald Guzman (1/3, BB, 2R) with the third single of the sixth inning. Granite factored in again in the eighth inning when his sacrifice fly scored PR Yoan Moncada from third base to tie the game at two, followed by A's RP Jason Hursh throwing a wild pitch that then scored the winning run.

Asst. GM Rueben Amaro tells me that a minor league pitcher (RP Jake Wong) that he had been considering trading for was traded to the NY(N) Mets today and a couple weeks of work is now down the drain. "It's the way it goes.." I tell him.

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The American League and National League voting results as of 06/27/21

White Sox players in position for ASG pick. 2B Nick Madrigal (3rd), CF Ramon Laureano (3rd), DH JD Martinez (2nd)

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For the week of 06/20 - 06/27, our White Sox had a record of 5 - 2 and we increased our lead to 11 games ahead of second place Minnesota Twins.

AAA Charlotte RF Myles Straw is tied with 2B Nick Madrigal for 2nd in American League Stolen Bases with 22. SP Michael Kopech is third in ERA (3.06). SP Dylan Cease is 1st in wins (13) and second in strikeouts (124).

Our Team Batting Average is still ranked third (.264). Team Stolen Bases is still 1st with 97, Team Baserunning is is still third (+13.0)

Team Defensive Efficiency is 2nd (.715), Zone Rating is 1st (+21.8) and Team Errors is third (34).

Starter's ERA is still 2nd at (3.85) while ERA remained the same, and Bullpen ERA is 8th (4.17)

White Sox Run Differential is 437-360 (+77), increasing by eleven from last week. Runs scored stayed in 7th place, runs against dropped to 3rd.

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Our week at home is now followed by a week on the road with three games at Toronto followed by our weekend series at Texas. We also roll over the month of June this week, which means its time to start looking at who we are going to keep around for next year and who we cut bait with.

A couple players who are likely to stay are AAA LF Blake Rutherford who now has won the AAA IL Player of the Week in two of the past three weeks. CF Zack Granite will be optioned to AAA to make room for Blake. The other player who won Player of the Week honors, this time for the AA Birmingham Barons in the Southern League, is 25 y/o 1BGavin Sheets. Sheets batted .500 in four games this past week and had 1HR and seven Runs Batted In.

Finally our White Sox slightly improved out Power Ranking this week by sliding up a spot to sixth place with our performance.

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We have our traveling away week and the team flies in early to Toronto, a good move considering our last misadventure departure from Chicago.

I have Asst. GM Amaro Jr. tagging along with the team as I handle some contract negotiations with our minor leaguers and agents. I'm also scouring the Free Agent and Trading Block for talent, but so far I find we have more talent and at more affordable costs, then is being offered.

Our matchups are listed below for the Toronto Blue Jays series.

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An interesting win for the White Sox, we were outhit by nearly double, one of our batting leaders struck out five times in one game, and our leading pitcher got hurt in the middle innings. Yet despite DH JD Martinez striking out five times, our "other" Martinez, CF Julio Pablo, (or Martinez Lite as he jokingly called himself) played the part with 2 HR and 4 RBI's to drive the team to victory.

Pitching Report - SP Dylan Cease (5.1 IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 8K's) got hurt and we are awaiting testing to determine the severity of the injury. RP Zack Burdi (1 IP, 2H, 2ER, 1BB, 1K, HRA) came on to relieve and promptly gave up a solo HR to the always dangerous 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before getting out of the sixth inning with no more damage, Burdi gave up a single in the seventh inning before getting relieved by RP Caleb Frare (0.2 IP, 2H, 1ER, 1BB, 2K) who allowed Burdi's runner to score before finishing the seventh inning. After allowing a single to the leadoff batter in the eighth Frare was relieved by RP Pedro Strop (1 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K) who allowed a double that scored Toronto's third run, but Strop had no further damage in the eighth inning. CL Ian Hamilton (1 IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 0K SV) only gave up a walk in getting his eighteenth save of the season.

Batting Report - Five runs on five hits amazingly gets the win. CF Julio Pablo Martinez (2/2, 2-HR, 2-BB, 2R, 4RBI) deserved his star of the game tonight, the only multiple hit player for the White Sox and drove in four of the five runs scored tonight. Two of the runs scored tonight were scored because of players drawing walks and both had no hits tonight. Walks kill!!

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We lose and our #5 starter showcases his flaws for MLB to see. We see DH JD Martinez rebound strongly from his 0-5 five strikeout performance
last night with a two HR performance tonight, but sadly it wasn't enough to overcome the Blue Jay's onslaught.

Pitching Report - SP Jimmy Lambert (5.1 IP, 9H, 6ER, 4BB, 3K's HRA) had a poor outing that deteriorated after his team gave him a three run lead to work with, I guess that Lambert just couldn't stand the prosperity! RP Aaron Bummer (1.1 IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 1K) gave up a single and later got out of a bases loaded situation by a fielders choice (4-2) and a strikeout to end the sixth inning. RP Lucas Giolito (1.1 IP, 2H, 2ER, 1BB, 1K) pitched the rest of the way allowing two runs that cemented the loss.

Batting Report - Five runs on ten hits has a losing ring to it tonight! White Sox hitters came alive with four batters having at least two hits each. 2B Nick Madrigal (3/5) got on base but nobody could drive him in, DH JD Martinez (2/3, 2-HRs, 2-BB, 2R's, 3RBI) had a monster game after yesterdays five strikeout performance. Recent callup LF Blake Rutherford (2/4, HR, 2R, 1RBI) had a lot of firsts in his first MLB game, Rutherford had his first hit, then his first HR, also his first error in the field, but a successful day overall.

Note ** We got a major scare that turned out to be minor concerning SP Dylan Cease, Cease was tested after complaining of neck pain and getting removed from yesterday's game due to the pain. Our trainer reports that the neck pain is muscular and has improved greatly today and Cease will not miss any time from his next scheduled start.

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Our Chicago White Sox have a record of 16 - 11 for the month of June. Here is Scouting Director Nick Hostetler's report on players who are noteworthy for their increases in performance (or subtractions!)

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We start off with good news from MLB for the White Sox and it trickles down through our minor league affiliates too!

First, White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease and 2B Nick Madrigal both won their respective American League Pitcher/Rookie of the Month Awards for the first time this year. Well Done!

Right Field seems to be a positional strength in our minor leagues as both our AA and AAA outfielders are selected as RF Micker Adolfo wins the Southern League Player of the Month and RF Conner Capel wins the International League Player of the Month Awards.

Finally we snag a former MLB C, Cam Gallagher on a minor league deal. His stats will be forthcoming on an upcoming review.

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We swung for the fences and connected twice, well as far as trades go, we did! I have been reluctant to take offers for anyone on our MLB team, not wanting to disrupt the chemistry - but my minors? Now that's a different story...

I was able to sign C Cam Gallagher to a minor league deal, so my AAA manager Charlie Poe, has been after me to "do something" with C/DH Zack Collins. C Collins is mostly a bust 1st round draft pick from 2016 who only has impressive power and eye and no tools to speak of other than that, he fancies himself as a catcher, yet everyone who scouts him, grimaces before speaking of ANY defensive skills at all. I was able to get a potential four star player in CF/RF Michael Gettys who has exceptional outfield skills, better batting skills and similar power and younger too.

While working the phones for C Collins, Philadelphia made a pitch for LF Adam Haseley but I made the trade with San Diego instead. I called GM Matt Klentak about what it would take for LF Haseley to don the black and white pinstripes... After some back and forth we decided that CL Jose Ruiz, who failed in two stints with the big league club, LF/CF Luis Gonzalez (trading this player hurts as he got the Rookie of the Month Award for April filling in for CF Laureano), and minor league CF Johnabiell Laureano would go to Philadelphia for minors players LF Haseley and C Juan Mendez... On paper it looks to be a fairly even transaction according to the Scouting Dept. Only time will tell IRL...


Finally our stats and numbers for the parent club are posted for your perusal..

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Starting pitching keeping the door closed and the bullpen effectively doing its job, while the offense provides a comfortable lead, makes this a signature series win against a tough Toronto ballclub.

Pitching Report - SP Michael Kopech (7.1 IP, 6H, 1ER, 3BB, 4K's HRA) made a fine quality start and captured his eighth win of the season while only giving up one run. RP Pedro Strop (0.2 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K) allowed a hit but no further damage in the eighth inning, while CL Ian Hamilton (1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, SV) pitched a clean ninth for his nineteenth save.

Batting Report - Four runs on seven hits is a comfortable margin for the win. 3B Yoan Moncada (1/4 1RBI) knocked in DH JD Martinez (1/4 2B, 1R) in the fourth inning for the 1-0 lead, then SS Andrelton Simmons (1/4, HR, 1R, 3RBI) hits his seventh HR, a three run shot, in the seventh inning for the final runs scored for the White Sox. There were no multiple hits in the game for the South Siders.

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We fly into Texas for a weekend series against the Rangers. We haven't lost to them this year in four games and I like our chances to extend the streak.


The International Free Agent market has begun, we really didn't put too much $$ or time into scouting the international market this year, so I don't think we will be buyers.

[moore4807]

Another nice tight win, we aren't blowing anyone out, but you can tell the confidence is there. We have another scare as SP Sonny Gray was injured (leg) in the sixth inning and had to leave the game. LF Adam Frazier would like to forget this game as he had no hits and hit into THREE double plays in four at bats. A likely players Kangaroo Court will convene for his transgression.

Pitching Report - SP Sonny Gray (6.2 IP, 6H, 1ER, 1BB, 3K's) was cruising along and then it was over, even though he got the win. RP Caleb Frare (1.1 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K's) moved things along scoreless to the ninth inning, where CL Ian Hamilton (1 IP, 1H, 1ER, 0BB, 0K HRA, SV) gave up a monster HR to LF Joey Gallo before retiring the next three batters for his twentieth save.

Batting Report - Four runs on ten hits wins this game. We had two multiple hit games today, 1B Ronald Guzman (2/3, 2B, HR, BB, 2R, 1RBI) and CF Julio Pablo Martinez (2/4, 1RBI) led the Chicago(A) attack.

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This game had a bigger winning margin, but less confidence in the outcome for me at least. Twice we had the Rangers down by six runs and twice we let hem score a couple of runs to crawl back into striking range.

Pitching Report - SP Carlos Rodon (7 IP, 9H, 3ER, 0BB, 10K's) pitched pretty well until the seventh inning. RP TJ Zeuch (2 IP, 0H, 2ER, 3BB, 3K's) came in and through walks and wild pitches let two additional runs score in the eighth inning, then gets three consecutive outs to end the game.

Batting Report - Nine runs on nine hits is again enough for the win. Three players had multiple hits, DH JD Martinez (2/2 3B, HR, 3-BB, 2R 2RBI) had a great game and made timely hits to restore the lead later in the game. 1B Ronald Guzman (2/5, HR, 1R, 3RBI) and RF Ramon Laureano (2/5, 2R) were the other contributing players.

The Kangaroo Court decision was swift and merciless... LF Adam Frazier rode the team bus to the stadium with a baseball hat on his head, and when he was finally ordered to take off the hat by the Court Jester.. Frazier had a new hairdo with a difference, the date of the infraction was shaved into the left side of his head, the score was shaved into the right side of his head, and on top they shaved out "G I D P - X 3"... Frazier took it in stride and even showed it to the opposing team during the game. The announcers had a blast showing it on TV too. This team is confident and loose and that is a great sign!

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All of a sudden we are having pitchers get injured every other game, WHY? Who knows? Today was frustrating as we had good opportunities, but never delivered on them offensively. At least we get out of here with another series win and look forward to next week.

Pitching Report - SP Dylan Cease (5 IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 4K's, HRA) struggled out there, no consistency and no rhythm to his pitches today. RP Zach Burdi (1 IP, 0H, 1ER, 1BB, 1K) gave up a run without allowing a hit, before bowing out with an injury. RP Caleb Frare (0.2 IP, 2H, 2R, 0BB, 2K's) put some runners on base that RP Aaron Bummer (1 IP, 3H, 1ER, 0BB, 0K's, HRA) let score, as well as one run of his own before RP Lucas Giolito (0.1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K) got the final out of the eighth inning.

Batting Report - Three runs on seven hits doesn't get the win today. Our only multi hit player was DH JD Martinez (2/4, 1R) with two singles. We seemed to have baserunners but with only seven hits and five baserunners left on - our on base percentage wasn't up to snuff today.

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the 2021 American League and National League All Star Game voting results as of 07/04/21.

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For the week of 06/29 - 07/04, our White Sox had a record of 4 - 2 and we increased our lead to 12 games ahead of second place Minnesota Twins.

2B Nick Madrigal is 2nd in American League Stolen Bases with 24, while RF Ramon Laureano is 4rd with 22. SP Michael Kopech is third in ERA (2.95). SP Dylan Cease is still 1st in wins (13) and second in strikeouts (136).

Our Team Batting Average is still ranked third (.262). Team Stolen Bases is still 1st with 101, Team Baserunning is is still in third (+13.1)

Team Defensive Efficiency is now 1st (.712), Zone Rating is 1st (+20.8) and Team Errors is still third (37).

Starter's ERA is still 2nd at (3.81) while ERA remained the same, and Bullpen ERA fell to 10th (4.33)

White Sox Run Differential is 467-385 (+82), increasing by five from last week. Runs scored moved up to 5th place, runs against remains 3rd.

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Quite possibly the best news for us is that we have moved back up from sixth place into third in the Power Rankings.

We had Nick Hostetler's scouting unit check out our injured SP/RP Matt Andriese this past week to help determine where and how to use him since he was coming off the IL later this week. Of course Matt suffers a setback and the timetable is now blown up, but its nice to be able to reference this info later.

In our minor leagues, for the second straight week we have a Player of the Week emerge. This week its the South Atlantic League's Kannapolis Intimidators 1B Sam Abbott's a two star future product, so I don't see great things coming from him, but you never can say never in this business.

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We are at home for a two game set against the cross town Cubs. Details are below.

We put RP Zack Burdi on the 10 day IL in an abundance of caution since Burdi only recently came back from a long term injury. AAA RP Devan Watts gets the call up for now.

Scouting Director drops off the scouting report on newly acquired LF Adam Haseley. He isn't quite as good as the Phillies wanted us to believe, but neither was what we shipped to them!

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We gave a game away and wasted a great effort by C Elias Diaz, but all is not lost. Mgr Grudzielanek admitted his mistake in giving the ball to RP Pedro Strop so he could face his former team, then didn't pull him quick enough trying to let him get out of his jam.

Pitching Report - SP Jimmy Lambert (6 IP, 4H, 2ER, 0BB, 9K's HRA) deserved better, but didn't get the loss either. RP Caleb Frare (1 IP, 2H, 1ER, 0BB, 1K,) wasn't sharp so RP Pedro Strop (0.0 IP, 5H, 5ER, 1BB, 0K's, HRA) was called in to put out the fire, THAT didn't work out like planned!!! so after giving up the tying run that was charged to RP Frare, RP Strop got pounded four runs on his own with a fifth run scored on 3B Kris Bryant's 6-3 grounder when RP Devan Watts (1.2 IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 4K's) entered the game. Lucas Giolito pitched for the last out in the ninth inning.

Batting Report - Six runs on eleven hits still gets the loss on a day it should have been plenty enough. 2B Nick Madrigal (4/5) got on base, was gunned down twice trying to steal and couldn't score otherwise. C Elias Diaz (3/4, 2-HR, 2R, 6RBI) had a fabulous day at the plate, while SS Andrelton Simmons (2/4, 1R) got home once on his two base hits. These three were our multiple hits players in this White Sox game.