It Ain't Easy Being A Chicago Sports Fan Right Now
I woke up pissed off today. The White Sox have a core of Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Nick Madrigal, Jose Abreu, Dylan Cease, Eloy Jimenez and now Yasmani Grandal. That is a primo, top of the line core. And ya know what the best part about it is? It’s CHEAP in comparison to most of the rest of baseball
Golden opportunity as a major market organization to add the best possible talent to your organization, correct? One would think. Yasmani Grandal was a fantastic start but then like… what else?
Zack Wheeler was also a great move. They SET the market on him, but he chose to play elsewhere for family reasons. Cannot fault either Wheeler or the White Sox for that in any way. Family happens. Shit happens. But as an organization that has continually been “mired in mediocrity” for over a decade, they have to keep shooting. Can’t score if you don’t shoot. And they had an opportunity to do so yesterday with a player whom many would consider the 2nd best overall player in baseball:
Less money, less years than what they offered Machado. Now if news comes out today that they gave him the 7 years he wanted at a higher AAV than what the Angels signed him for, I take all of this back. But there aren’t any accounts of the Sox being in the Rendon sweepstakes at all, aside from introductory talks with him.
For a major market team with such a young, talented and CHEAP core, that’s a load of bullshit. Frankly, I’m embarrassed. Golden opportunity to immediately vault the team into contention in the worst division in baseball just…. passed on. No thanks. Can’t spend on the best of the best. They didn’t even fucking shoot.
And also – don’t tell me that nobody wants to play for the White Sox. In most instances, players go to the HIGH BIDDER. Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander signed massive deals to stay in/play for Detroit, there have been huge contracts signed by the Marlins, Rangers, Mariners, D Backs, etc. You trying to tell me those teams have a better history than the White Sox? And that their quality of life would be better off in those cities than Chicago? Nope. Those organizations paid the most money and got the best players. Not all of the contracts worked out, but to say “nobody wants to play for the White Sox” is the laziest fucking argument of all time. People act like White Sox players are forced to live in Engelwood, not boujee River North penthouses or Hinsdale. It’s dumb to say that, so don’t.
Then we get to the Bulls. We all know what a dumpster fire that organization is. Last few weeks we’ve been setting records for low attendance numbers. And they’re not the only dumpster fire at the UC. The Blackhawks haven’t won a playoff series in 5 years and will now miss the playoffs for the 3rd straight year. Total disfunction on Madison St. out of both organizations. Again, embarrassing.
And I wish I could troll the Cubs right now, but I can’t. Should the last week or two have gone well for the White Sox I would have, sure, but what’s the point? There isn’t one. I won’t be throwing stones in glass houses, that’d be hypocritical of me and the team I live and breathe for. But to piss off the cornerstone of your franchise in Anthony Rizzo, then be rumored to trade your best overall player in Kris Bryant just a handful of years after a World Series and MVP? YIKES. If I were a Cubs fan I’d be OUTRAGED right now.
And Carl is outraged. As is Chief. As am I. Thank god the Bears are #back, about to go 10-6 and go to the playoffs, otherwise all 4 of us would be on EXTREME tilt, if we’re not already. It really sucks being a Chicago sports fan right now.
So this episode of Red Line Radio can be considered therapy for Chicago fans. We all let it out and vent like crazy. We’re all pissed off and rightfully so.
Go listen:
PS – See ya’ll tonight at Shenanigans
That’s a disgusting looking crew, Jesus Christ