IndianaTwin

To aid in your hassling, I think we should come up with a collection of Wacky Sox Factoids. A few favorites for me so far: White Sox: 22 wins against AL clubs. Cubs: 26 wins against AL clubs. White Sox slugging percentage: .338 Zack Greinke career slugging percentage: .336 (So basically, the Sox offense has hit like good-hitting pitchers. Which makes sense, given that their pitchers have basically pitched like a bunch of hitters.) The AL Central has four teams above .500, including three in the playoffs if the season ended today, along with the closest team chasing a playoff spot. Yet the division as a whole is 34 games under .500. And if you're an Iowa football fan like me, you'll remember last year's "Drive for 25," the need to average at least 25 points per game to save offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz's job. This year, the Sox have taken on the "Drive for 125." They appear to have a good shot. Better, it turns out, than Ferentz did.

In discussions like these, I always start from the point of acknowledging that we don't have all the information. We have no idea what offers the FO did or didn't have and what conversations they didn't have. Check that -- we do know one, since they made one trade. But speculation on other deals, or the lack thereof, is just that -- speculation. Depending on what the negotiations and offers were, I have no problem that they didn't make more moves. Conversely, maybe they got offers I think they should have taken. But in either case, it's only speculation on my part. In general, however, if you count transactions over the years, the Twins have been above-average in their activity level at the trade deadline. With that in mind, I find it hard to believe that the Twins sat on their hands and didn't try anything, even if they were working with the parameters of a limited budget, which seems to be the case.

Where do I find a list of players who must be added to the 40-man roster or be exposed to the Rule 5 draft? And since I don't follow the minors that closely, I'd be glad to hear speculation on who among them will be added to the 40-man.

Actually, it often seems that TD only remembers the manager of the last four weeks. Which is another way of saying that recency bias is real in many areas of life, but can be especially prevalent among sports fans.

And now I can start single-tasking with the Fever on the DVR.

Have you seen Javier Baez play defense?

Correctamundo.

I don't know -- Notre Dame sometimes switches to green jerseys when they need an emotional boost. What's wrong with meat that's probably green by now?

When I'm feeling down about the 2024 Twins, one of the things I do is think about a couple friends who are White Sox fans. That always brings a smile to my face.

Tonight’s result was wonderful. Last night’s, not so much, but I have a wondering about last night. I don’t have many opportunities to see games on TV, but they were on FS1 last night. Several things I think I saw: Miranda hustling for a diving stop in the first that he turned into a double play. Farmer looking focused when he jacked the homer. Lewis hustling down the line when he had a chance to beat out a grounder to first, where the pitcher made a nice play. Guys making poor choices on pitches to swing at, but generally erring on being overaggressive rather than cautious with their swings and taking too many pitches.. An example would be Miranda when he was the tying run in the fourth. Henriquez looking good for five batters before the wheels came off for a few batters, but settling after the mound visit. His body language after the homer seemed very much of, “Dangit, I let people down.” Tonkin looking good for two innings. Unless I’m forgetting something, no real defensive or baserunning miscues. For those who were able to (or chose to) actually watch last night (not just read the game report), was I reading things/body language right? I ask because the actual look of last night’s team felt different to me than the way things sounded on the radio the last week. Last night the process felt different, which is a start. Tonight the process also sounded different than last week (I was back on the radio), but the results also followed. Am I all wet on last night?

I don’t have opportunity to see games on TV, but they were on FS1 last night. Several things I think I saw: Miranda hustling for a diving stop in the first that he turned into a double play. Farmer looking focused when he jacked the homer. Lewis hustling down the line when he had a chance to beat out a grounder to first, where the pitcher made a nice play. Guys making poor choices on pitches to swing at, but generally erring on being overaggressive rather than cautious with their swings (including Miranda when he was the tying run in the fourth). Henriquez looking good for five batters before the wheels came off for a few batters, but settling after the mound visit. His body language after the homer seemed very much of, “Dangit, I let people down.” Tonkin looking good for two innings. Unless I’m forgetting something, no real defensive or baserunning miscues. For those who were able to (or chose to) actually watch last night (not just read the game report), was I reading things/body language right? I ask because the actual look of last night’s team felt different to me than the way things sounded on the radio the last week.

They finished this past Sunday (8th). Wichita finishes the regular season this coming Sunday (15th). And St. Paul the Sunday after that (22nd). And the Twins the Sunday after that (29th).

If you can guarantee it, sign me up! 😀

I'm doing my best to come up with a line that will lead to "Jabba, Jabba do."

And in watching, he did indeed take plenty of time.

FS1 guys said that a part of the rule is also that you have to come back to the base in a "timely fashion." That was a new one for me.

Easy out on the challenge.

FS1 guys giving a hard time to the fan down the right field line who missed the liner, noting his "You're killing me, Smalls" t-shirt.

Looking forward to those yearend games with the Orioles when we have a Helman-Mayo sighting.

Sick, according to the FS1 announcers.

Here we go again. Another "if only the front office hadn't reduced payroll" article...

Speaking of, when do AFL participation lists get named?

I agree. Though I do wonder if the CBA rules encouraging teams to bring up their top prospects at the beginning of the year has them at least keeping that option for 2026 in their minds. That would be an argument for starting at Wichita rather than parking him in Cedar Rapids for a few weeks. There are few players for whom that's a serious consideration, but he's potentially be one of those few.

Buxton has a no-trade clause that would have to be bought out by someone.

Let’s find out.