While we've heard from plenty of Chicago and Illinois public figures on both sides of the proposal for a new White Sox ballpark in the South Loop, Gov. J.B. Pritzker hadn't discussed the idea since before the White Sox and Related Midwest relayed the staggering $1 billion request for public funds.
Speaking today at the Chicago South Side Birth Center to announce maternal health initiatives, Pritzker was asked about the White Sox's request. Springfield reporter Brenden Moore relayed Pritzker's full response:
I think there's still a lot of work to be done by the White Sox as well as with members of the General Assembly. But I will say that I think I've been really clear about the fact that the taxpayer dollars are precious, and the idea of taking taxpayer dollars and subsidizing the building of a stadium, as opposed to, for example, subsidizing the building of a birthing center, just to give the example, does not seem like the stadium ought to have the higher priority.
Having said that, I think many of us sports fans, we all want to see the teams succeed. But these are private businesses. And we've seen other teams be able to support their own stadiums privately. That would be ideal here. And I think that's something that I would encourage, I think the city of Chicago is engaged as well with them. But I wouldn't put any number forward. I start out really reluctant. And unless a case is made that the investment yields a long-term return for taxpayers that we can justify in some way, I haven't seen that yet. And to be clear, nobody has presented directly to me, my staff has seen a presentation. So I just want you to know that I started out a bit reluctant. Having said that, I'm a fan of all of our teams and I want them to succeed. Although I'm a Cubs fan, first and foremost. Sorry for all White Sox fans.
The information that we've gotten so far is still very limited. How the taxpayer is going to benefit from this still hasn't been put forward to us. It's just what the need is. And of course, I think the picture that we've all seen, the drawing anyway, in the newspaper all look terrific. But, but again, that's not enough to make it a priority in my view for Springfield.
That's not a "no," but only perhaps because there isn't yet anything substantial enough to reject, and you'd rather save the official thumbs-down for when all cards are on the table. He is leaving the door open, but reiterating his reluctance suggests an unwillingness to pay for the whole thing. Right now, the best argument for such a generous public handout is the ability to delay the reckoning on the money still owed for Soldier Field's renovations, but that's a can-kicking measure more than anything fiscally prudent.
PERTINENT: Jerry Reinsdorf returns to threats that worked the first time
Cristian Mena throwing harder
One of the knocks on Cristian Mena's prospect stock was, for all his young-for-level performance and his advanced feel for spinning a curveball, there was question about how much he could add to his fastball since he'd already filled out. A version of Mena who sits 92 looks like a back-end candidate; a version of Mena who hits 96 could maybe start a postseason game.
According to the Diamondbacks, they're getting a look at the latter guy early this spring.
In his live batting practice sessions this spring, Mena’s fastball has been sitting in the 94-96 mph range, up a few ticks from his 92 mph average last season.
“It’s early; we’ll see if he can hold it,” [Arizona GM Mike] Hazen said on Friday. “But it’s definitely a positive sign. If the fastball starts playing better, I think he’s going to have a lot of success.”
If nothing else, it's an early acknowledgement of the risk the White Sox accepted by trading a guy who'd accomplished everything asked of him through his age-20 season. For his part, Chris Getz praised Mena on the way out, saying, "Cristian’s going to be a quality major league starter, there’s no doubt in my mind."
The Diamondbacks turned a guy they couldn't use (Dominic Fletcher) into a guy who Hazen says would cost more than Fletcher if Mena, for instance, ended up finding two extra ticks of velocity. Perhaps Fletcher raises his own game and the White Sox regret nothing themselves, but the 5½-year age difference gives the Diamondbacks a lot more time to see it through. These are the opportunities depth creates.
PERTINENT: White Sox trade Gregory Santos and Cristian Mena for outfield help
Gregory Santos still not throwing
Perhaps Mena's encouraging early developments merely balance the universe, because Gregory Santos still isn't throwing for the Mariners.
Seattle shut down Gregory Santos for nearly two weeks due to soreness in his teres major muscle, which is a neighbor of the better known lat, after an early bullpen session. There is a little bit of a shift toward a positive direction, as Seattle Times reporter Ryan Divish says Santos will start a throwing program on Tuesday, but that's a month from Opening Day, so further setbacks would put a dent in his early-season availability.
PERTINENT: Gregory Santos' early setback reflects White Sox's motivations behind trade
