A Cup of Misdirection, with a Pinch of “In Your Face”

Oh, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn must be ever so proud of himself; I’m sure the entire organization feels the same. Just weeks after Hahn said the Sox most likely would try to improve themselves via trade rather than free agency, he signs Andrew Benintendi to the biggest contract in team history. The twenty-eight year old left-handed hitting Benintendi will be patrolling left field on the South Side for the next five years at a cost of $75 million. Caveat #1: There’s the threat of damaged goods here. Benintendi suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand when playing for the Yankees in September. If lightning doesn’t strike twice, forget about what short-circuited Gordon Beckham’s career. Otherwise, keep that in mind come spring training. Caveat #2: Benintendi may or may not be vaccinated for COVID. The best I can find is that he wasn’t, as of August 7th. So, expect questions come spring training. From what I gather, Canada is no longer requiring visitors be vaccinated, which means the question is moot, sort of. It’ll be interesting, though, to see how Benintendi handles the media when they come a-calling. Keeping the caveats in mind, this looks to be a good signing. In essence, the Sox trade A.J. Pollock for Benintendi, who’s close to seven years younger. Pollock has 1010 career hits to Benintendi’s 778. Provided Benintendi’s not injured or a jerk, I approve. But one last thought here—why do the White Sox insist on operating in secrecy? Since when did fans and sportswriters become the enemy, to be kept in the dark about things for as long as possible? Oh, right, sometime after Bill Veeck sold the team.