Actually what Sox are doing makes more sense than in the past. It is a longer term approach investing in the farm system. They have gone from the worst farm system to the best in about 4 years. They are also spending money tying up young talent to long term deals. Examples are the guy from Cuba (Robert)and the guy from the Cubs (Jimenez I think) . Plenty of young pitchers in the mix as well. Plus young guys developing at the major league level such as Anderson and Mancada. In a couple years you will be happy
Well, the farm system rank has dropped in the past 12-18 months. The Sox historically do poorly at developing talent through the minors.
What we have seen is pitching go from strength to major question mark. With no 3B in the system, Sox announce big intentions and go cheap. Promise all will be fine as they will play harder next year in free agency only to have that class dry up. And now shift an underperforming young guy to 3B to try to hide the blemish.
Paying some kid w zero MLB experience doesn’t pacify the masses either. Failures of Fuller, Giolito, Lopez aren’t helping. Moncada and Anderson haven’t become super stars either.
So people don’t go and have stopped watching and listening. I suspect ratings are in the toilet. I used to listen to games almost religiously. Watch games that fit the schedule and attend a few based on the season. I have held partial and full season tickets a few rows up from the home dugout.
And from what I read, the hardcore south side fans are more like me than less. Call them what you want but they don’t waste their time and money when they aren’t happy and ownership knows it. So far, ownership has failed to move the team. Who knows maybe they will. Or maybe Jerry will sell. Or maybe he will die and we will enjoy a Rocky 2.0 experience. I can’t say.
But I will confidently predict that attendance and ratings will not improve until ownership proves value or the team gets on a long lucky streak.