Assistant general manager Rick Hahn embarked on an amateur scouting mission. The Sox have the 13th overall pick in the June amateur draft.
April 10, 2012
Rick Hahn goes on a scouting mission
January 29, 2012
Rick Hahn and Moneyball
Hawk Harrelson argued on Saturday that Moneyball was a “fraud” and tore into Billy Beane as a general manager, rhetorically asking how many playoff games those sabermetrically-oriented teams ever won. Hawk further dismissed the book and movie, saying he’s neither seen or read the work, but doesn’t need to because, as he puts it, it’s a bunch of BS.
But on Sunday, assistant general manager Rick Hahn lauded Moneyball, saying he “enjoyed the book very much” as a learning tool. He added that it offered a good insight into how teams find market inefficiencies and run a business. Although, for Hahn, the movie had some inaccuracies, namely in how it didn’t mention the A’s stout pitching staff from the year.
"It's a peanut butter and jelly issue. You can have both, so why choose one?" Hahn on sabermetrics and scouting. #SoxFest—
White Sox Talk (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) January 29, 2012
Good thing Hawk is only an announcer and Hahn is the Assistant GM. Hopefully Hahn is the next Sox GM.
January 28, 2012
The White Sox don’t use advanced stats at all
The White Sox assistant GM recounted that post in a seminar Saturday, noting that the Sox have liked OBP for years — just like every other team in baseball:
Although, if Hahn had his way, he’d like the perception that the Sox don’t use advanced stats to persist. “It makes it easier for us to maneuver when they don’t know where we’re going to go,” Hahn said.
also,
RV says he's in middle in sabermetrics vs. personal evaluations.—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 28, 2012
January 10, 2012
John Danks’ 2012 salary: $500,000
Interesting note on John Danks: His 2012 salary is $500,000. He then gets a $7.5 million signing bonus, paid between June, '12 and Oct., '12—
Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 10, 2012
All $8 million goes against 2012 payroll. Danks also gets $100,000 for Cy Young and World Series MVP—
Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 10, 2012
December 2, 2011
Rick Hahn turned down interview for the Houston GM job
in addition to thad levine of texas, rick hahn of the white sox and kim ng of mlb turned down interview opps for astros gm—
Jon Heyman (@SI_JonHeyman) December 02, 2011
November 4, 2011
Rick Hahn declined Baltimore’s interview request
The Rays’ Andrew Friedman and Chicago’s Rick Hahn both turned down interview requests, which was to be expected.
So ends this brief ‘Hahn to Baltimore’ speculation.
November 3, 2011
Baltimore wants to talk to Rick Hahn about it’s GM opening [UPDATE]
For anyone keeping score at home, #orioles will interview Proefrock, requested permission for Friedman, Hahn and Radcliff.—
Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) November 03, 2011
UPDATE: Maybe it doesn’t. Dan Connoly of the Baltimore Sun writes:
… The Orioles did have interest in Chicago White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn and Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman, but neither will interview.
October 28, 2011
Rick Hahn to stay with the Sox for now
Sources: DiPoto to be named #Angels GM. #MLB—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 28, 2011
also,
Hearing tony lacava very likely to get orioles gm job. Dipotos interview in baltimore likely caused quick angels call on dipoto—
Jon Heyman (@SI_JonHeyman) October 28, 2011
October 19, 2011
Rick Hahn to interview for the Angels GM opening [UPDATE]
Dipoto has a “good shot” at the Baltimore GM opening.
UPDATE: Daryl Van Schouwen tweets that Hahn “Might be [the] favorite for [the] angels job.” Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Angels #1 choice is Tampa Bay’s GM, Andrew Friedman.
Other White Sox links:
September 15, 2011
Tie goes to Kenny [Williams]
… If there is a choice, Williams will be safe — every opportunity Reinsdorf has had to choose between coaches and GMs in his past (including the Bulls) indicates that the tie goes to the executive suite.
But there won’t be a choice made. Reinsdorf will deal not ultimatums but urgency — everyone, including the White Sox roster — is getting older. Win now, whatever it takes. Otherwise, the housecleaning that was warranted in 2012 will come in 2013.
Meanwhile, Logan Morrison filed a grievance against the Marlins over his demotion to the minors last month:
“I’m doing this because I’m standing up for what’s right,” Morrison told ESPN.com this week. “If I thought it was because of my performance on the field, then I wouldn’t be filing a grievance.”
So, Guillen for Morrison? NBC Hardtalk’s Matthew Poulliot says such a swap won’t happen:
The funny thing is that if the Marlins made such a trade, it’d be because of Morrison’s big mouth. And there’s maybe just one character in baseball with a bigger mouth than Morrison…
But it’s ridiculous speculation, and it’s never going to happen. Morrison is a 24-year-old with a .263/.354/.457 line and 21 homers in 665 major league at-bats. He’s five seasons away from free agency, and it’s not a stretch to suggest he could be worth $50 million in those five seasons, all while getting paid maybe 60 percent of that. He’s not getting traded for a manager. The end.
August 26, 2011
Phil Humber under Sox control until 2015
according to White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Humber will finish 2011 with 2.0 years of service time, arbitration eligible for the first time for the 2013 season and thus under White Sox control until 2015.
Thx for heads up on Humber, Twitter. Per Rick Hahn, #whitesox have Humber under control through 2015. Revamped Poetry in Pros piece tonight.—
Brett Ballantini (@CSNChi_Beatnik) August 26, 2011
August 20, 2011
Kenny Williams is angry
“Go get the inspirational speeches from someone else. I’m [angry],” Williams told MLB.com, responding to a question concerning the White Sox chances to claim an American League Central over the final 40 games. “This team should be 10 games over .500 right now.
“That’s the bad news. The good news is we still have time to right the ship. But if you are looking for inspiration, or anyone is, or pats on the back from this recent surge, you are looking at the wrong person. I’ll give you a pat on the back if you end up in first place.”
Williams said that anything short of winning the division would be an obvious disappointment, adding that winning the division really isn’t even good enough in the White Sox championship-oriented minds. He acknowledged, as an example, being impressed by Alejandro De Aza’s play since called up to the big league club, as the outfielder is batting .310 and infusing life into the White Sox lineup.
But he added that he’ll be more impressed if De Aza keeps it up.
“Nothing is going to impress me the rest of the year unless we are in first place at the end,” Williams said. “Other than that, it’s just find a way to win today.”
Other White Sox links:
- James takes a look at Gordon Beckham’s struggles, and Zach Stewart’s, brief, move to the bullpen.
- J.J. says the Sox may not see much, if any, dropoff with Tyler Flowers taking over the catcher’s job and that Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn should be at the top of the list Cubs GM candidates. Fangraphs agrees.
- colin takes a look at Zach Stewart and Mike takes a look at Brent Morel.
- Satchel Price at BTB says the Sox should be spending more at the draft. Baseball America crunched the numbers and the Sox spent the least in the draft in 2011 but the 2007-2011 period as well.
- Chuck Garfien tells us about Jim Thome’s late mother Joyce and Brett Ballantini update his Sox player values calculations.
July 19, 2011
In which Ken Rosenthal asks which GMs are on the hot seat.
Ken Williams, White Sox: As manager Ozzie Guillen could attest, owner Jerry Reinsdorf is extremely loyal to his top employees. Williams does not appear in danger of losing his job; the only question is whether Reinsdorf would want to elevate him to club president to keep [White Sox assistant GM Rick] Hahn from becoming a GM elsewhere. Those familiar with the franchise believe that such an arrangement would be difficult on both men.
July 15, 2011
Fangraphs’ Joe Pawlikowski on Alex Rios’ struggles
… This year Rios has played like one of the worst players in baseball. We know he’s not one of the worst, at least in terms of talent. He’s put it on display before. But it’s not as though this is just a half-season slump that we can expect to correct itself. In the last calendar year Rios has hit .233/.282/.346, which amounts to a .277 wOBA. That ranks 137th out of the 140 qualified players. He has produced just 0.2 WAR in that time as well, which ranks 134th. Given this poor year-long performance, it’s tough to expect an improvement from Rios in the second half.
The problem extends even if we go back two calendar years. In that span Rios has hit .251/.299/.395, a .305 wOBA, and has been worth 2.6 WAR. That ranks 114th out of 133 qualified players. If we take that back even another year, which would include Rios’s worthwhile 2008 season — and give us the magical three-year sample for UZR — he has produced 6.5 WAR, which ranks 89th out of 124. His batting runs above average in the last three years is -10.3, which ranks 109th out of 124. Any way you look at it, his numbers are a far cry from the 8.6 WAR (29th out of 151) he produced from 2006 through 2007. …
Other White Sox links: FutureSox talks to Doug Laumann about the Sox drafting philosophy and more, J.J. talks about Rick Hahn topping SI’s list of GMs in the making, Alexei Ramirez is Fangraphs’ 31st Trade Value in MLB, and Matt Snyder at CBS Sports writes about Dayan Viciedo’s magnificent power.
July 14, 2011
Rick Hahn tops SI’s Top Ten ‘GMs prospects list.’ Rick Hahn says it’s no big deal
[Rick Hahn] Quote:“[Being included] certainly is a compliment, and I do appreciate being included on these lists. But, frankly, it’s not the same as the organization being cited for having one of top on-field prospects. In fact, if there was a way to trade me for Mike Trout, I’m guessing Kenny would drive me to the airport to make sure that deal goes through — and I would understand.”
