Ivan Nova’s tenure with the White Sox began in shaky fashion, as he allowed five or more runs in four of his first six starts to the season. However, the former Yankees and Pirates righty has settled into a run of success and tells Doug Padilla of the Chicago Sun-Times that if the opportunity to return to the White Sox presents itself, he would take it.
There’s no guarantee that the Sox would make Nova an offer to return, but the 32-year-old’s performance with the club since a miserable start to the season has been rather solid. Nova’s past month has garnered plenty of attention, as the righty owns a pristine 0.49 ERA over his past 37 innings (including an improbable shutout of the Astros in his most recent trip to the hill). The right-hander attributes his hot streak to “controlling my command a little bit better and making a little bit better pitches that what I was making earlier in the year,” though a .186 average on balls in play and a nearly 92 percent strand rate have buoyed his production. To his credit, Nova’s walk rate has dropped over this current stretch, and his hard-hit rate has plummeted, so there’s clearly some truth to the fact that he’s refined his command.
Beyond that, Nova’s numbers have somewhat quietly been pretty solid over a larger sample dating back to mid-May. He’s only allowed more than four runs on two occasions in his past 16 starts, and one of those featured multiple unearned runs. Nova has averaged nearly 6 1/3 innings per start in that time and posted a 3.14 ERA along the way. His 5.1 K/9 mark is obviously nowhere near the league average in today’s strikeout-charged brand of ball, but he’s averaged just 1.9 BB/9 in that time and managed a reasonable (again, by 2019 standards) 1.26 HR/9. He’s also kept the ball on the ground at a 50.2 percent clip.
Whether those 100 1/3 inning generate enough interest from the White Sox remains to be seen. Nova has a 4.70 FIP even in that 16-start stretch, so there’s some reason to take the bottom-line numbers with a grain of salt. Still, the White Sox have minimal certainty with regard to next year’s rotation. Lucas Giolito will front the group, but Reynaldo Lopez has yet to establish himself as a viable big league starter. Dylan Cease is still looking for his first run of sustained MLB success. Michael Kopech will be returning from Tommy John surgery but has made only four MLB starts. Carlos Rodon isn’t likely to be a factor until the summer, as he also underwent Tommy John surgery back in May.
It’s easy to dream on that quintet, but it’s also not realistic to expect any group of up-and-coming pitchers to hit their stride in unison. There’s room for Nova to return to the staff if the Sox value him as a veteran leader who can provide some stability as a fifth starter. He’d very likely be looking at a cut from this season’s $8.5MM salary, but as a low-cost option who’s already familiar with the coaching staff and many of the team’s young players, Nova could have some appeal.
Then again, there’s an equal if not stronger argument that the team should be prepared to move on sooner rather than later. Nova’s recent success has surely been noted throughout the league, and it’s extremely difficult for teams to deepen their rosters at the moment. It’s possible that were Nova to hit outright waivers, another club would claim the remaining $1.95MM on this season’s salary and save the Sox that chunk of cash. Chicago could always try to re-sign Nova in the winter if desired, but with so many high-upside arms ticketed for rotation auditions, perhaps a low-ceiling veteran isn’t the type of winter addition the Sox will seek. The ChiSox have a mere $14MM in guaranteed salary on next year’s payroll, so they can afford to pursue any starting pitcher on the market as aggressively as they wish.
If only early season Jordan Lyles and late season Ivan Nova could be combined surgically into one super pitcher…
If only Francisco Mejia’s bat could meet Austin Hedges’ glove
Yet another master stroke of the Pirates FO to literally give Nova away. Not like they needed him or anything
He was absolutely horrible to begin the season. No reason to have kept him. Never settled in til late July. Was horrible mostly prior to that. They got a young pitcher who is still only 20 and international money. They did get something for him. Quit whining like all of the talking heads in Pittsburgh…….
Not sure what the talking heads are saying and could care less. Having watched this team since Forbes Field days, there are some things that are evident to folks who enjoy and know the game, and not true believers who think team success is a schedule full of bobble head and fireworks nights. Run along, junior
Don’t forget all the Free t-shirt nights too! The rebuild needs to happen… yet again, but it will be a futile attempt until the team is sold and a new front office is installed.
@tiredolddude. Been at games at Forbes Field as well. Still have my Bill Mazeroski 32″ Bat and my Gene Alley 29″ real bats that I got on Bat day when you got a real Louisville Slugger. Also have a Vern Law autographed ball. Don’t call me Junior :) What I can’t stand is that every deal that the Pirates make is a salary dump and nothing received back. That is what you sounded like. Nova was horrible all year until around a month ago. He would not have helped in the least.
Understood. Agree with everything you’ve said but what was wrong with allowing Nova to fill a role while guys like Keller matured or Kuhl rehabbed? He was relatively cheap
Most disturbing about this regime is the lack of any type of plan. Give away or trade veterans and then sign bargain basement types to replace them. Then give away some of your top prospects thanks to a fantasy that you may get a WC berth
I never thought much of Nova, but when the alternative was Kingham, well…
More losses makes a go-nowhere season produce a better draft position.
Nova make $9.7 Million. Lyles cost 2 and gave them a good start to the season and Filled the role that Nova would have filled. Lyles got shown the door and now Keller is up now. The thing that killed was Injuries (including Lyles. He had issues when things went south. Forget what he did to miss a couple of starts) Several of the guys were hurt with the biggest being Taillon. The Pirates operate much like most of the teams in baseball these days. Not a lot of teams can keep their better players when they kit FA time unless they do like Cutch, Marte, and Polanco all dd and sign a team friendly extension. Many people looked at the Cutch trade to be a dump but Reynolds and Crick look like a great return for him. No one saw Glasow nor Meadows putting up the numbers that they did to start the year. Glasnow now looks done for the year, Meadows has been playing like he did all through the minors since June 1. A little power and streaky hitting. Who knows if he will play more like the 1st half this year for his career or more like the 2nd half Time will tell.
Disagree. Meadows offered a lot of hope and is a much better glove than Polanco, a guy who will never find it
There’s no rationalization in the world for trading him, let alone a prospect like Baz
For all of Searage’s success in resurrecting AJ’s career, he’s shown himself to be unable to make inroads with others. Glasnow was hitting the gun at upper 90’s, and he was dumped for a guy who was spotty, at best
You’re alternately providing a great deal of hate where Nova was concerned—he was never “horrible”—while lauding a deep dumpster dive where Lyles was concerned. Yeah, sometimes they come through but most often, they turn out to be deadwood
Your last comment about teams being dependent on health is no revelation in any sport. No one expects the Pirates to suddenly become the Yankees of spending, but to call the complaints over constant bungling of personnel by the FO “whining” is ridiculous. In retrospect, teams like the Pirates must have the ability to not only build a plan, but to stick to it and evaluate young personnel. It behooves them to surround these young players with coaches who can instruct and refine but also with guys who’ve had some success and can provide some stopgap work while the youngsters mature. Yeah, Lyles pitched well for a few starts and then the clock struck midnight but in discussing the fact the $5m in salary that separated him from a guy like Nova illustrates what the difference is between this franchise and the others
No, they’re not like every other team and no, they’ve had no plan
They did not offer Meadows because of Polonco they offered him because of Reynolds. Word had it last year when the deal was made that Baz had control issues. No idea about the veracity of that. Glasnow had all kinds of issues in is work with the Pirates. I personally hated to see him go but many were calling in a AAAA pitcher at best and a bust.
Both Nova and Lyles were dumpster dives Lyles was approx 7.7 million cheaper. That is why it was a better move to have basically the same pitcher but much cheaper, I was saying Nova was horrible this season. His ERA was over 8 at one one point. Was decent last year but not sure if he was worth over 9 million so I can see why they traded him for what they could get. Like @Forwhomthejoshbelltolls said on the 1st post of this thread, too bad they did not have 1 pitcher that had the start Lyles had and the finsh that Nova had. Both have had ugly seasons but had some very good moments in them. instead of Lyles would have made no difference in the overall outcome of this season. Nova would have cost them several games early while Lyles cost them several games later. You were talking about having to rely on someone like Kingham and I said that was only because of injuries. At that time Nova would have been no better of an option. He never hit stride till mid July. To be honest, Kingham did not seem to be a bad option on paper to start the year. He was highly rated till his TJ surgery and never regained what he had prior. Glad they going to let Keller pitch now, at least it looks that way. He needs to work on things here and not in the minors.
The last thing you mentioned about Nova and better teams, many teams were looking at reasonable pitching and no doubt could have had Nova without having to give up anything more that the Pirates got for him and no one took a chance on him out of the pool of better teams still in the hunt. I just do not think the Pirates should be ripped for letting Nova go.
Nova a generational talent.
One of 4 guys (only RHP) since 1960’s to go 5 consecutive starts with era under 0.5.
Nova was making too much money,so they followed their script and traded him one year before free agency.This time it was just to get rid of his high salary.
They replaced him with Lyles and you saw how that turned out.
The problem that I had with the Nova trade is that they had no plans to augment the pitching staff.Nova was a consistent fifth starter,and a fairly good one.They needed him,or someone like him to provide redundancy when injuries occurred.He could also relieve and they lost that two way option.
No one knew that he would be so bad then so good.I saw him as a consistent fifth starter.
For the Pirates this year he would have been their #1 starter.
The Pirates do not have the money that the Yankees and Dodgers have to provide redundancy but that does not mean that they should ignore the need for it.
But are the white Sox open to resigning HIM?
Was going to say the same thing.
The answer is no. Cheapest owner in history and he’s almost certainly going to order a 4th rebuild in a year to save money.
We todd
@cysoxsale
I don’t know what’s more annoying on this site, Cub trolls or the bitter curmudgeon Sox fans who slam the Sox and Reinsdorf every time either name is mentioned.
JR is cheap, but he’s hardly the cheapest owner in history. You realize he made Albert Belle the first player in MLB history to make over $10MM per season back in ’96. And if you’re talking cheapest owner in sports history, you apparently forgot the $33MM 1-year deal he gave to Jordan. Yes, I’m fully aware these 2 examples are both over 20 years ago, but the 8-yr, $250MM offer to Machado wasn’t. Would you call that cheap? That’s what I thought.
Reinsdorf is not cheap at all! The White Sox just don’t overpay guys.
Yes! It takes time for players to get accustomed to a new city, not to mention swapping leagues again. This guy could be part of this thing.
Anyone with a career 4.29 ERA should be willing to sign anywhere.
These are the dumbest articles because what pitcher is not going to say they are open to resigning with a team they are playing for. More teams that they will offer them a contract the larger the deal they can get.
Gerrit Cole pretty much made it know he was not open to resigning with the Pirates. Pretty much has made it known he wants to test the FA market.
Safe bet Cole signs somewhere close to his Southern California roots. Born in Newport Beach and went to the University of California LA. My pick the Dodgers.
I think San Diego might offer up some money for Cole. If not Padres, I can see Angels making a offer for him.
You’re talking about a 4.29 ERA like it’s a 5.29. Just for reference, a 4.29 ERA would be just outside of the top 60 in all of baseball this year (min 100 innings). It’s not great by any means, but it’s solid. Plenty of teams would happily take that at the back of their rotation.
Would be a bad move for the Sox.
He should only be needed as a starter while Kopech gets up to speed, and his stuff doensn’t translate well to a multi-inning or back of bullpen roll.
It’s only money! Sign him for another year.
Too many injury recovery questions on the Sox 2020 starting staff.
Nova is a great veteran presence to help the younger pitchers.
Sign Abreu too!
It’s not only $. It’s also a roster spot. A spot better occupied by someone else.
I think Abreu’s return is guaranteed to happen. Just hope it’s on a 1 year deal.
Nova can have Fulmer’s roster spot.
No way. El Cheapo, sitting in his sold gold office wont pay players their fair worth. Manny and Bryce for example
Check back in 5 years when they aren’t worth the contracts they have.
How?
You do know that Fulmer isn’t in the bigs, right?
Fulmer has been up and down but we’re taking about where he and Nova might be in 2020.
When players are making more than currently and owners keep raking in billions. Owners suck
@pplama
You do realize Fulmer IS in the bigs, right?
He’s currently on the DL, and went on the DL while in Chicago.
@cysoxsale
I’ll respond to both your genius posts.
“El Cheapo” won’t pay Manny and Bryce their fair worth? You’re kidding, right? They’re both certainly earning their paychecks so far, aren’t they? Sure, they’re not doing horrible by any means, and the Sox could definitely use their production in the lineup, but I’d hardly say they’re both putting up the numbers worthy of their contracts so far. Trout definitely is, but not so much for either Manny and Bryce. $30MM per year seems like a lot of money for a “hot and cold” player.
As for your other post: “When players are making more than currently and owners keep raking in billions. Owners suck”
This is what you wrote verbatim. WTF are you trying to say with that post? Please elaborate.
My mistake, Aaron.
Nova for Fulmer makes zero sense, also isn’t an either/or situation, and neither should be in the plans for 2020.
pplama-
Wrong!
83sox –
It’s the IL, not DL!
They are better off looking for a lefty to counter Giolito, Lopez and Cease. Kopech most likely has a rough start in 2020. So yes they do need to add a starter and a swing arm vet but it should come from the left as the Right has talent.
Agree need lefty in rotation. Just a thought. Sign Quintana, Hammels, and Holland. They can just re up their apartment leases.
No Nova
Quintana has a 10.5M club option. With how he’s been pitching recently the Cubs will most likely pick it up. Holland isn’t a free agent until 2021. Hamles is 36 next season and will most likely want to finish his career with a chance at a ring.
Hamels already has a ring with the Phillies!
I’m sure he’s interested in winning another
Hamels would be a good one year signing but not for $20 million he is getting this year. He is injury prone!
Nova has been very lucky recently
2 earned runs in 5 starts is more than luck idiot!
NO.. HELL NO.. Sox should not even entertain the idea of re-signingn Nova. There should be far better options available in the off season. Even ones that fit within Ebenezer Reinsdorf’s checkbook…
Like who?
Sox don’t want to pay $25+ mil for a pitcher and then watch him go down with injury.
Nova is a great placeholder until the younger pitchers’ success makes him expendable via trade.
A better and much less expensive placeholder would be the tough luck and never injured Chris Volstad with his career xFIP of 4.30
Volstad older than Nova.
He has already been with the Sox.
Ivan Nova is the lead person of his branch of the entire NOVA family.
Family members often refer to him as:
(Wait for it…)
BOSSA NOVA !!
I like nova i wish he thrown 200 ip. It would be nice to see guys throw 200 ip but it does not seem to be a thing lol. Be nice to not til biss that I would do my best not show up for whole day.iles o’clock in for a 6-7 hours. Lol. Yeah right.
Nova is at 147+ innings and goes tonight.
He still has a shot at 200 if he gets 8 more starts.
And they blame it on him……the Bossa Nova…for it’s magic spell…..
I’d have no issue brining him back on a one-year deal, unless they actually sign a big-ticket pitcher.
As it stands, the team is only guaranteed to have three healthy starters in May – Cease, Giolito and Lopez. Kopech may not be ready, and Rodon certainly won’t be ready.
Unless they find out if any of the guys in AAA are up to the task — which they should have been testing a month ago — I wouldn’t trust any of them to break out in the rotation.
Even if the team signs a big-ticket guy like Cole or Dallas K., they will still need at least one starter most likely to start the season.
Moreover, I’m not convinced Cease or Lopez won’t need to move to the bullpen, and think Rodon is cooked, so having another starter will insulate them from a potential implosion.
But again, only if they don’t have another healthy young player prove they are worthy of the spot, which I’m not remotely convinced they will do, since they don’t call up anyone.
The Sox continue to talk rebuild, but with Kopech and Rodon out indefinitely, and with Lopez inconsistent and Cease still having to prove he belongs—that’s 4/5 of the starting rotation of the rebuilt White Sox who have yet to show they can carry the load of a contending team. Fans better get ready for the next rebuild, starting in, say, 2021.
Kopech had his surgery last year! He is set to be ready by Spring Training.
Another cub fan masquerading as a Sox fan talking about multiple rebuilds. They’re only three years in and they already have a top 10 farm system and multiple All-Stars on the roster. The rebuild will not stop obviously until the pitching rotation looks healthy and ready. Might be another two years, who knows. But you’re an idiot if you can see the progress. They’ll be better than the 2016 cubs were, and they won’t have Epstein stupidly giving away top prospects for closer rentals to screw things up. That means the Sox will be good for a long time.
I believe that the White Sox will prioritize upgrading their 2020 rotation this offseason above all else. I fully expect them to pursue one TOR starting pitcher in free agency and perhaps another veteran to anchor the back end and provide some depth. There are too many questions involving youth and health with their staff along with the expectation that this team might actually begin achieving relevance next season.
The White Sox have the payroll space to shoot for the moon so they should at the very least be in the conversation involving Gerrit Cole, just as they were with Manny Machado and Bryce Harper last winter. Of course, there also figures to be far more competition in the Cole derby than what occurred with Machado and Harper last offseason including the involvement of big market spenders like the Yankees and Astros who are certain championship contenders. Factoring in that Scott Boras is his agent and the QO he will receive from Houston will definitely diminish the White Sox chances to sign Cole.
That would leave two other FA starters as more likely targets to land on the southside of Chicago, Dallas Keuchel or Madison Bumgarner. Both are veteran southpaws and might actually better compliment a young White Sox rotation that leans right-handed.
Keuchel is a Mark Buehrle “clone” who has achieved great success pitching in another hitter-friendly home park in Houston in addition to having plenty of post-season experience. He also wont be eligible for a QO this offseason after being tagged with one last year. The one negative is that Boras also represents Keuchel.
Few pitchers have the postseason resume of Bumgarner. He is also about 1-1/2 years younger than Keuchel and does not have Boras as his agent. However, he does figure to be tagged with a QO from the Giants and also has had the benefit of pitching in an extremely pitcher-friendly home park throughout his MLB career. Bumgarner would also figure to command a contract with more years and dollars than what Keuchel will ultimately receive.
For all of these reasons I would expect Keuchel to be the most likely FA pitcher wearing a White Sox uniform next season and become their opening day starter. As for the second veteran option, Ivan Nova could fit the bill if he would be amenable to a reasonable one year deal.
Aaron, by saying the Sox should at least be in the conversation for Cole – do you mean like they tried with Machado and Harper, that they should ‘low ball’ them, try to get them on the cheap? You know, Reinsdorf s usual style.
To get a TOR guy, they need to WAYYY OVERPAY. hahaha Jerry says,, no way.
WAYYY OVERPAY will always and forever be wayyy stupid.
Gotcha :)
If Cole wants to go to a California team, then $ won’t matter.
@Dogbone
The 15-year-old boy wonder does it again. Such brilliant observations from a child prodigy. I can’t believe JR slapped Manny in the face like that with that insulting 8 yr/$250MM insult of a deal. How does JR expect Manny to survive on that $31MM per year pittance? JR should be banned from MLB for life for such a cruel gesture on his part.
I could only imagine how bad JR will insult Cole. Hopefully JR won’t try to lowball Cole with a $40MM per year deal. He will never get another top free agent to even consider the Sox if he attempts that injustice toward Cole.
As always, for your spot-on commentary, you once again get a thumbs up from me.
@83—why belittle dogbone? He didn’t reference the $31 a year you mentioned—-he said that he lowballed Manny. When the going price was $300 total—-$250 is a lowball—by quite a bit.
And I just noticed you stopped your name at 05. Pretty funny that in your sequencing 83 to 94 to 05 that the next number should have been 16. Oops. That 11 year plan just didn’t work out the way you wanted it to, huh?
@mike127
So, using your logic, if the Sox would’ve offered Manny $500MM and the Pads would’ve overshot that with a $750MM, the Sox would’ve lowballed Manny. I don’t recall any other team offering near what the Sox were offering, let alone what the Pads offered. Because the Pads were stupid enough to overshoot the Sox by $50MM, the Sox lowballed Manny. Um, sure.
So, I’m a little confused as to why an 8-yr/$250MM offer is considered a lowball offer, when it would be one of the top 10 contracts in sports history had he signed that contract.
As for the “11-year plan”. Yes, that was my plan, because that’s the plan most owners use when blueprinting their future. Oh wait, that was supposed to be funny. I feel so embarrassed not to laugh at your very weak attempt at humor.
@83—I was simply questioning you belittling dogbone. And obviously, $50M less than the Padres was too low. Call it what you want, it wasn’t enough. Those players, Manny and Bryce, were going to the highest bidder—obviously. (And I’m sure the Padres were told a team was willing to go close to $300, so that’s what they ended up going—I get it….and yes, it was probably stupid—-won’t argue your point—-$252 probably could have gotten it done for SD).
And please don’t even begin to laugh at my attempt at humor. I just found it coincidental that my World Series ring says 16. That’s all. Nobody needs to laugh. In retrospect more coincidental than funny—-and I lived through a good portion of a “39” year plan and ultimately a longer one—-so your sequencing really isn’t too bad.
Keuchel sucks and Madbum is nearing the end of his career. I wouldn’t bother with a big longterm contract on either one of them. If you’re going to spend the money, spend it on a younger player in their prime.
White Sox should consider trading Nova back to Yankees
what an important piece of journalism
Anyone know who Cole’s brother-in-law is? How about his hair dresser…..
There’s going to be a flood of #4-5 starters available this winter; buyer’s choice. Not that Nova doesn’t fit the bill; and he knows the park/team. But they can look around.
Actually, I do know who Gerrit Cole’s brother-in-law is. It’s Brandon Crawford, the SS for the San Francisco Giants.
And he is in the midst of an ugly year….
Hector Noesi should be available after this season. Since many players coming from foreign leagues have clauses to become free agents after their contract expires.
Hahn is a bargain hunter. He doesn’t have the budget to spend big. You have to remember that JR also owned the Bulls and that’s where the money is spend.
Nova would have value as a 5th starter who can revert to multi-inning relief stints after the TJS rehabbers are ready. With his ability to induce ground balls, he would be a good option to come into a game in the 5th, 6th, or 7th when the starter is fatigued and there are runners on base.
The Sox are serious about contending soon, they need to find an Ace to lead the rotation. Get Gerrit Cole signed in the offseason.
*IF
Cole has always professed his desire to go home. He’s going back to Cali. While I like that he’s gained some guts since he was here in Pittsburgh, he’s never going to be “the” guy on your staff.
Too many teams missed out on Nova at the 7/31 deadline!
Now they are sorry.
Hahn didn’t want to trade guys off the 25 man. They’ll win a few more games in the second half and gullible fans will be fooled into thinking the rebuild is on track.
He instead gave away $1mil J2 bonus slot, that Marco Paddy somehow can’t find use for after 2 years in the penalty, to shed a few bucks worth of Nate Jones.
All you so-called White Sox fans whining about the rebuild are extremely delusional. “Trading guys” would set them back years. There’s no wisdom in getting rid of highly drafted/ranked players for higher priced players when you don’t have enough talent or depth to contend for anything. When you’re unwilling or unable to spend money and attract top free agents, you’re only other choice is to build from within the farm system. It takes years of commitment and exceptional scouting. Teams like the Braves, Stros, Twins Nats and cubs had to endure four or more consecutive years of bad clubs and losing records to acquire enough talent to contend. Now look at them. The cubs window is closing fast due to some bad trades and free agent signings, but the point still applies. We all know Reinsdork is a cheapskate, but Hahn is a savvy GM with a good eye for talent. Kopech, Anderson, Moncada and Jimenez are the real deal. Madrigal is still prepping in the minors, but the kid has batting title written all over him. If the Sox have a ton of money to spend. If they get lucky enough to secure a superstar via free agency at some point, there’s no stopping this team. 2021 is most likely the year it all starts coming together, though I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the division next year.
ChiSoxCity—-here’s where your point of Cubs is blown out of the water. you state that they had to endure four or more consecutive years of bad clubs to…contend. That is the biggest fallacy over the past 10 years in baseball. The Cubs contending and winning a World Series had almost absolutely nothing with them being bad. It had to do with Theo and Jed building a team. Here is their roster construction the year they won the World Series:
1b—-Rizzo: acquired in a trade for Cashner
2b—-Baez: there before Theo arrived
3b—Bryant: ding, ding, ding—a Theo draft choice—yes, picked due to a bad team in 2012
Ss—Russell: acquired in a trade for Samardzija
Lf.—Zobrist—-free agent signing
Cf—-Fowler—-acquired in a trade for Valbuena
RF—Heyward—-free agent signing
C:—Contreras—there before Theo, Ross: free agent (Montero—free agent)
P: Lester.—free agent signing
P: Lackey—-free agent signing
P: Arrieta—-acquired in trade for Feldman
P: Hendricks—acquired in trade for Dempster
P: Hammel—-free agent signing
Chapman—trade; Strop —trade; Rondon—rule 5
Of the other draft picks (due to bad teams) Almora had the most plate appearances that year at 145–thus the losing and draft picks, other than Bryant had nothing to do with the cubs winning. That was all built on acquisitions. Of the starting lineup and top 8 pitchers ONLY Bryant is a by product of a bad team.
The White Sox have a golden opportunity to open a window and be really good for an extended period of time. And you shouldn’t be surprised if they won the division next year—-if you recall the Cubs weren’t supposed to really contend until 2017…..there is no time like the present. Go for it—get the guy you need.
Geez… look, I understand reading comprehension and context is mental gymnastics for some people on the internet, so I’ll make this simple. The cubs had FIVE (5) consecutive losing seasons before 2015, when they reached the NLCS. That was the year their too prospects started to make an impact with the big league team. That is the point. Prior to 2015, the roster was horrible, and the cubs were criticized heavily for not spending money on better players.
I’ll try this again. The cubs had FIVE consecutive losing seasons prior to 2015. That was the year most of their top prospects started getting promoted and/or started to contribute to the big league club. During those five losing seasons, the cubs had some of the worst rosters I’ve ever seen. The cubs were heavily criticized for their lack of spending on better players (sound familiar?). The cubs stayed focused on player development and scouting instead of winning games, just like the Braves, Astros and Twins did. That is my point. Who signed or drafted the players is irrelevant. Unless you’re the Yankees (who are inexplicably gifted with a steady supply of prospects from around the league), there is a heavy price to pay for building championship rosters with young talent—losing seasons.
I think the only way the Sox bring Nova back is if they completely whiff in both the F/A and trade market for a SP, which is possible. He’s pitching better now, but I’m still not crazy about him. He’s ideal as an innings eater on a bad/rebuilding team. He’ll give you some good games and plenty of bad ones.
If you’re going to bring Nova back, a cheap 1-yr deal is all I’d consider. And I cringe even saying that.
White Sox getting the band back together for 2020? Resign Nova, Abreu, and McCann and go balls out for 79 wins (snicker). The Sox aren’t sniffing contention until at least 2021.
All the injured pitchers will be on an innings limit and probably will be minimally effective at best. I expect the Sox to be used as leverage for the top free agents to get top $ elsewhere and then punt on the 2020 season. They probably should start making some decisions on their prospects and look to move some of them for an established front end starter…b/c they are unlikely to outbid anyone in FA and elite SPs probably don’t want to sign on.
You should check out Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal and Andrew Vaughn. I’m sure if you do, you can avoid comments like trading our young talent for a rich homie. Adding these 3 while courting another year of Zack Collins is not a small step for this rebuild.
CWS are right on schedule. Like a train, coming through your town.