Message Unspoken, Still Sent

The Chicago sports’ universe is all agog over the training-camp travails of Bears’ quarterback Caleb “Oops” Williams. The White Sox are lucky to get what coverage they do. So, nobody has really paid much if any attention to what happened, or didn’t, at the trade deadline last week—Luis Robert Jr. stayed put. Consider the implications. First, there’s someone in the outfield who can catch the ball. Nothing breaks the spirit of a pitcher, especially a young pitcher of which the Sox have a staff full, than watching balls that can be caught fall in for base hits. And nothing buoys a pitcher like seeing a centerfielder save one or multiple runs with a Gold Glove-worthy catch. Yes, the Sox could still move Robert in the offseason or decline his $20 million team option. But the first would be a studied, not a rushed, transaction while the latter appears increasingly unlikely. This is where the deep-pockets’ presence of investor-cum-future-owner Justin Ishbia comes into play. The Sox no longer need to cry poor—if they ever did need to—with Ishbia around. Something else worth noting here—by keeping Robert, GM Chris Getz signaled the rebuild has entered a new phase. The stockpiling of young players is no longer a major focus. Of course, the draft still matters, only now the team doesn’t need to lose to secure a good sport in the draft. Getz and company appear confident they can spot the talent, regardless draft position or round. Winning games is back on the agenda. Happy days are here again.