Start Making Sense

I read a comment in today’s The Athletic by White Sox general manager Rick Hahn that made me wonder if the two of us spoke the same language.  Hahn said, “The whole season is really about evaluation.”  If I were in Hahn’s shoes and said that, people would be right to call me a liar. 

Why?  Because nothing the Sox are doing right now suggests anything close to honest evaluation.  If it did, heads would be rolling and job openings posted.  The Sox went into the All-Star break on a high, beating the Cubs to move within two games of .500.  Seven games into the second half, and they’re suddenly nine under.  What happened?

Well, manager Rick Renteria did a mighty poor job of keeping the momentum going, and that part of the coaching staff responsible for pitching decisions—hint, hint, Don Cooper—messed up in deciding Dylan Covey was ready to return to the rotation, or pitch at the major-league level, for that matter.  The three games against the As were three losses that exposed the modest level of talent both on the Sox roster and in the minor leagues.

And the four losses against the here-to-fore awful Royals?  Well, that’s where the evaluating should start in earnest.  In four games, the Sox were outscored 29-12.  Ivan Nova lost last night to put his record at 4-9 with a 5.86 ERA.  Let’s evaluate those numbers and that signing, Rick.  While you’re at it, explain why Ross Detwiler is on the roster.  Nothing says “stink” like a 7.02 ERA, and yet there Detwiler is in the starting rotation.

I won’t hold my breath for an explanation, either from Hahn or Sox/Pravda.  The team website was too busy reporting on the excitement in Wednesday’s 7-5 loss that was generated by homeruns from “newcomers” Ryan Goins and AJ Reed, only Goins is 31 and Reed a rather doughy 26. 

Both Goins and Reed are recent additions.  After evaluating talent in Charlotte, Hahn couldn’t find anybody else?  Danny Mendick hasn’t stopped hitting since spring training, and he didn’t deserve a promotion?  Daniel Palka hasn’t said a word about being sent down, twice, and he doesn’t deserve another look?  Palka hit 27 homers last year and is hitting .275 for Charlotte with 16 homers and 44 RBIs. With his homer last night, Reed has four in his four-year career to go with a .166 BA.  How does that compare to Palka?  Oh, and Reed was hitting .224 in Triple-A with 12 homers and 35 RBIs.  Can you explain your evaluation process, Rick?

On the first play in the bottom of the first of a 11-0 loss Tuesday, left fielder Eloy Jimenez collided with center fielder Charlie Tilson, bruising the ulnar nerve in his right elbow; Jimenez is now on the 10-day IL.  To any neutral observer, Jimenez is not an outfielder, and I doubt he’d be any better—or safer—playing first base.  Already this season, Jimenez has crashed into a fence and collided with a teammate, and yet Hahn says the future of his prized rookie is in left field.

All I can say is that’s a conclusion based on some mighty strange evaluating.