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GLENDALE, Arizona – With the still-wounded White Sox wounds lost in the Manny Machado draw, why not start with some comforting words from Indian General Manager Chris Antonetti about future superstar Eloy Jimenez:
"Can he go to San Diego too? How about Cleveland? Would it work? Said Antonetti at NBC Sports Chicago. "(Jimenez) is a very, very good player. It's fun to watch him grow. At the moment, I really enjoyed watching his development in the minor leagues. I do not know how much I would like to see this development in the major leagues. "
Jimenez seems to be doing all the elements – on the field and off the field. His talent, personality, charisma and desire to be one of the best players in the game provide him with the necessary intangible assets to eventually become the face of the White Sox franchise, now that Machado is heading to San Diego.
What quality of player Jimenez wants to become?
"Miguel Cabrera, Trout Mike, Adam Jones, superstars. That's my dream, "said Jimenez on the White Sox Talk podcast soon after it was acquired by the White Sox Cubs in 2017.
Jimenez is talking a great match. He continues to back it up with his game. Last season, in 55 games at Triple-A Charlotte, he hit .355 / .399 / .597.
Having Jimenez on the same team as Machado would certainly have been a major asset for the reconstruction, but as leader of the White Sox division, Antonetti is well aware of what the White Sox have already without Machado.
"I think the White Sox are very well positioned for some of the extraordinary trades they've done and the players they've integrated into the organization and for the way they've done with them. experienced veterans, "said Antonetti. "They have a compelling story to tell about why they will be competing this year."
This is certainly the plan of the White Sox clubhouse, although Machado does not have a teammate. All the players I've talked to over the last few months have openly wanted the White Sox to sign it. Who would not? But now that he does not come and that this tedious negotiation process is in the past, are they happy that he is finally finished?
"F ** k yeah. You may not be asking me that, said Tim Anderson when I asked what was my last Machado question, hopefully.
Anderson added, "We will be on the south side anyway. Nobody decides what happens in this locker room. I have the impression that we have a good group of guys here. We will do something special. The White Sox are going in the right direction. A decision does not dictate our season. "
While many White Sox fans feel the sadness of not being able to attend Machado, the mood in the White Sox club house has had the usual pep of spring training.
Yolmer Sanchez exploded Latin music on his imposing boom box. He danced savagely on a chair behind Anderson as the White Sox shortstop met the media.
Basically, your typical day at Camelback Ranch.
"I always say that I wish the best to (Machado) to get the best deal. $ 300 million, that 's a lot of money. I'm really happy for him. As a baseball player, that's the goal, "Sanchez said of the announced deal between Machado and the Padres. "I hope he likes to play San Diego. If we play against him, we will beat him. "
As for Rick Hahn, he feels the footsteps of a managing director who lost on Machado. Antonetti and he have been close friends and competitors for years. It's a relationship that goes back to the late 1990s.
"I guess, knowing how competitive Rick is, he's probably not happy at the moment," Antonetti said of Hahn. "He may have had some gray hair yet."
Without the $ 300 million Padres guaranteed bid, Machado would probably have been on the road to Glendale to join the White Sox. Instead, he headed to the Padres Spring training site in Peoria, in the surrounding area. For the White Sox, it might as well be in Alaska now. They move on.
"You ride with us or you are crushed. We will continue to roll, "said Anderson. "We do not care who is on the boat with us. We know who is on the boat with us. We know in which direction we want to sail, so we will get there. "
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