The White Sox probably won’t make any more additions before Opening Day, general manager Rick Hahn told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. While Hahn cautioned the front office would never foreclose the possibility of another pickup, it seems they’re content with the group of players already in the organization. “We still have conversations outside to see if there’s a move that makes sense, but the far more likely result is the 26 we break with are from the group that’s in camp,” Hahn said.
Some more from the American League:
- Taylor Ward started at catcher in the Angels’ spring training contest this afternoon, notes Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. A catcher at Fresno State, Ward moved to third base after the 2017 minor league season. He has also gotten time at the three other corner positions but hadn’t worked behind the plate since initially moving off catcher. It doesn’t seem Ward will get much playing time there in the regular season, Bollinger writes, but simply having the ability to pick up a few innings in emergency situations could help his case to win a utility role out of camp. Max Stassi, Kurt Suzuki and Anthony Bemboom are the current backstops on the Angels’ 40-man roster.
- Tigers catcher Grayson Greiner was hit in the face by a pitch in this afternoon’s spring training contest, Jason Beck of MLB.com was among those to relay. There is no current diagnosis on his status, but Greiner was able to walk off the field under his own power, as Keegan Matheson of MLB.com noted. Greiner is in competition with Jake Rogers and non-roster invitees Eric Haase and Dustin Garneau for the backup job behind Wilson Ramos.
Ward has actually looked pretty good behind the plate the innings that he’s played. His hitting suffered while catching (hence the switch) so we will see if he can rebound a bit.
Hahn a stable force working hand in hand with Tony. A great combination. Nothing like stability, sound leadership, knowledge and experience.
Hahn has been so patient…. showing a lot of faith in Andrew Vaughn as DH… do they start him on MLB roster or in AAA for service time manipulation?
Hopefully the latter. Mercedes can hold down the DH position for a few weeks to gain an extra year.
White Sox are in contention mode so service manipulation seems unlikely and this organization isn’t known for that practice. This lineup needs another patient hitter that can draw walks, so I think Vaughn makes the squad from the jump.
Vaughn is going to start season in the minor leagues and not on the MLB roster. There is a huge difference with hitting off of pitchers in Spring Training and going against pitchers in the minor leagues. That difference is that Vaughn is facing pitchers coming off a few months off from pitching since last season where they are not loose to not throwing their best stuff right away to prevent injuries to going against a pitcher in AA and AAA throwing his best stuff to make the MLB.
The White Sox made a $7.2 million investment with Vaughn by giving him that money when he was drafted. If the White Sox want Vaughn to get some seasoning in the minor leagues before being on the MLB roster then so be it’s. As of right now this current White Sox roster has enough guys who can DH on and off for the time being.
The Sox don’t do what you describe. They bring up quickly. See Moncada, Madrigal, Crochet and more. Vaughn is 22 years old. Same as Soto. Play ball and learn the pro game.
@BeeVeeTee
I agree. He would have to absolutely tear it up throughout all of ST to be considered ready for OD. And even at that, your point is still valid, because he’s facing pitchers who are still trying to shake the rust off, rookies in their first ST, or might be trying a new pitch in their arsenal, among other reasons.
The main reason I could see him up OD if they are that impressed with him is AAA’s OD is delayed by a month, and they don’t want to wait until June or July to bring him up. Not saying this is totally logical, but it’s not my decision to make. It just has to make sense to Hahn and Co. (whether fortunately or unfortunately)
As for the time manipulation, sure I suppose if you want to look at it that way, though this instance there is a legit reason for sending him to AAA to start the season (with the lack of MiLB experience). But I’m sure that extra year does factor in to the equation (assuming they can’t extend him within the next year or two for whatever reason).
The time manipulation part was in response to David Barista, BTW.
While true, there is a difference from ST to the minors, Vaughn has showed the ability to hit everywhere he has been. In fact, he has been one the most consistent players on this ST team.
Angels NEED TO SIGN COLE HAMELS NOW.
He has looked good in red before.
As a coach, right??
Wasn’t Ward drafted a full round before he was slated because of his catching ability? Not sure why they moved him off the position.
Ward was moved from catcher because he had a tough time handling the pitching staff. He also could not hit as a catcher. He could have a long career as an utility player. He caught a couple of innings earlier in Spring Training.
Tough time Handling a pitching staff ? That was thought of as a strength by many. Mike Scioscia said his handling of a staff and general defense compared to Jeff Mathis. This is saying a lot considering Sciosia LOVED Mathis behind the plate. Ward was moved to unlock his bat potential by the GM, in hopes it would help something like the move of Josh Donaldson and some others. Not sure about the Donaldson comparisons but it did jump start a bat that had stalled at AA. The most surprising thing was his big jump in stolen bases and suddenly he is pretty fast.
Could Ward be another Phil Nevin? It took Nevin a few seasons of toiling around before establishing himself as an offensive threat at 3B. Interestingly the Bulk of Nevin’s time behind the plate in the majors came while with the Angels in 1997
Ward is not a power hitter. They need to let him be him. So…no.. I think he has good bat to ball skills so he can be a serviceable player.
He has shown good power as recently as 2019. He had 27 home runs in 106 games in AAA. I think it will be interesting to have him work as a catcher a few times during the season because his bat is definitely better than Bemboom’s. The only question is if he can continue to have success in the majors like he was showing in 2020, and whether he can do it as a catcher.
Halo11fan –
So 27 hr’s and 34 2b’s in 421 at bats in AAA (2019), along with an OPS over 1.000 = no power, huh? Interesting take….
According to the Angels announcers that wasn’t who he was so he went back to who he was and hit zero HRs last year and hit 80 points higher. The PCL is a home run hitters paradise and you can get away with things there.
There is value in looking at data, but there is also value in understanding what the player and team are doing as well.
There is value in looking at data, and then there’s value in truthfully revealing said data. Ward has shown power throughout his entire professional career. Not big power, but enough for a little extra in your lineup. Translating that to the big leagues can be a daunting task for a player who is not carved like a shoe-in future star prospect.
Ward looks like a guy who’s really not gotten much if any attention as a prospect for the Angels but based on how he hit in AAA a couple of years ago and that he managed a solid average and OBP last season… he looks like someone who could be an intriguing young bat who could emerge this year for the club. And having the ability to play so many positions… apparently including catcher… should only help his case at getting more ABs and thus seeing if he can replicate some of the success that saw him hit 27 homers in 2018 while at
Well according to Halo11fan, he’s not a power hitter. More of a punch and judy type, apparently. LOL
As I explained KCJ, you don’t know the entire picture. I answered politely and you put your proverbial foot in your mouth.
According to the Angel announcers he’s going back to who he was and it was reflected in last years data.
Ward has pop! I know the right picture on Ward. it’s fairly simple. Most players, it takes time and many AB’s to translate there power to the majors from the minors. Way Better pitching one, and two, he’ll soon figure out which pitches he can drive, or hope so that is. You can’t tell me he wants to ditch his power for a little better BA, when the whole league is going for launch angle. It’s simply an a adjustment to the majors thing.
Look no further than our boy Garrett Anderson, it took him years for his power to catch up to his bat skills.
Whether he has pop or not, according to the announcer he going back to his bat to ball approach. And watching him last year, where he slugged 383, there is a reason not to expect him to turn into a power hitter.
Ward has looked pretty good in the OF. He hasn’t played too much 1B due to Pujols, Walsh and Thaiss who got some playing time there in 2019. Ward was horrifically bad at 3B in a 2019 trial. I do not anticipate seeing him there anytime soon… and the Angels have a pretty good 3B in Rendon.
The only thing the Sox can really use is another starting pitcher. Giolito, Keuchel, Lynn & Cease are set in stone but a lot of us question the last spot. Nobody is really thrilled that it’s going to be either Rodon or Lopez. Cole Hamels is still available and would be a decent pickup for a year for the 5th starter spot.
If he comes in on a minor league deal
Believe me as a Brave fan you don’t want money tied into Cole Hamel at this point in his career.
I like the White Sox keeping the 5th spot open to foster some competition for the young starters and Lopez and Rodon, providing they are willing to make a splash at the trade deadline if needed.
I’d rather them use a combo of Rodon/Kopech and roll the health dice than get Cole Hamels. I can’t imagine he has anything left in the tank at this point.
I dunno, I like the idea of a Carlos Rodon needing to prove himself in the 5th spot. Just needs to stay healthy. Rodon seems to be taking to Ethan Katz well, too.
Grayson Greiner batting 4th.
…as a pinch hitter, in spring training.
it boggle my mind how people get so bothered by NRIs and the results of ST games.
Haha or possibly Lou Criger ? But he’s definitely not Johnny Kling or Ossee Schreckengost
Lou Criger was Cy Young’s catcher and Ossie Sheckenghost was Rube Waddell’s. Johnny Kling was the best catcher of 1900 decade. Bill Bergen is considered the worst hitter of any full time player. His great defense kept him on the field. Catchers are not really just backups unless they are backing Johnny Bench. They are pseudo platoon players and they absolutely make a difference to the team.
Wasn’t Bill Bergen… Marty Bergen’s brother ? Got to include Chief Meyers as one the best catchers of that era also
Bill Bergen’s brother, Marty was the catcher for the great Boston Bean teams until he lost his mind after his son died, killed his family then himself.
No need for the history lesson…well aware of Marty’s passed insanity
I’m not referring to ST games. It’s a knock against DET front office. Grayson Greiner offense reminds me of Bill Bergen.
Granted, Greiner has not hit much as the back up in the majors. He did ok as the starter in the minors and it could just be getting used to irregular abs. He’s fine defensively, but I sincerely doubt how the backup C performs for Detroit will have a great effect on the final outcome to their season.
To consider the White Sox contenders gives me comic relief every single day. They have one good starter a high priced closer, a bunch of 1st year, 2nd year, and now a rookie player all over the lineup. LaRussa cant relate to any of these guys. It will either be a monumental collapse breaking every F.I.B. heart, or one of the greatest underdog stories in the history of the MLB.
Reigning AL MVP who finished top 4 in the triple crown categories, Runner up batting champion on the heels of a win the year before, Runner up ROY, who hit right around .100 his final month to lose the ROY, and one of the top 3 BPs in all of baseball last year.
Fact is, they made the post season last year with a worse rotation and a 6 man lineup (Mazara and EE were crap, and Moncada had the lingering effects of Covid all season) largely on the backs of these same players you are dismissing. Adam Eaton could mirror the worst season of his career and still be better than Mazara. Oh, and EE’s upgrade; that rookie you mentioned? He is one of the best pure hitters I’ve seen since Frank Thomas. They will also be returning two dominant ace caliber arms to the BP to start the year, which along with signing Hendricks, makes a nasty BP even nastier.
Bottomline is this was a playoff team last year, and while the Sox could have been more aggressive in solidifying their rotation with another arm, they will likely be in the mix again this year, and you will be hard pressed to find anyone not clinging to rival homerism that doesn’t agree.
The White Sox are taking a huge risk by not adding more depth.
In RF, they are gambling on a platoon between an oft-injured RF with diminishing skills, and another player who, while on the rise, has struggled mightily in the past, and had other periods where he was good for a month then tailed off.
Behind them on the bench is another player who cannot stay healthy in Garcia.
They are going into the season with a host of unproven and untested options at DH.
And they are gambling on health and increased performance from the back-end of the rotation, one that includes guys coming off TJS and others who have been dreadful the past two years.
Simple additions like Yasiel Puig and Homer Bailey/Rick Porcello would add critical depth to the team, yet not necessarily block others from developing and contributing. And it probably won’t cost much money.
Puig could play in the field, which would allow Eaton to DH (which would be fine) and possibly platoon with Mercedes. Puig has even splits, so he could play against RHP.
Bailey would protect against an implosion from Lopez/Rodon — which happens every year — while not force the team to force Kopech into the rotation.
Given that they only have Lynn locked up for a season, I wish they would take this season more seriously as a win-now opportunity.
At the end of Spring Training TLR and Hahn need to find homes for Collins, Adolfo, Sheets and Rutherford because there is no room on the MLB roster for them. You could make a nice package to a rebuilding Seattle, Colorado, Reds teams for a Gonzalez, Freeland, Castillo not Gray though to much $$.
Doubt that would be enough if they all had 3 options remaining.
They will still have minor league teams, and those rosters need to be filled.
I also doubt what you would get for any of them. Catcher who can’t catch, injury-prone outfielder, first baseman with limited power, corner outfielder with no power.
I REMEMBER MY FIRST BEER!!!
Hope Grayson is ok.