Twitterpating: José Abreu extension?

So, we did a few of these in 2018, and we’re going to try to bring back a news links feature on most days here at South Side Sox now.

First off, true to form, a poll.

First up, it’s Bob Nightengale at USA Today, meandering about with his usual bits and bites of league surveys and gut hunches.

MLB trade rumors: 10 biggest questions for the trade deadline
A guide for what to expect – and not to expect – with baseball's trade deadline rapidly approaching.

Pertinent to the White Sox is news — planted directly into Bob’s brain by brother from another Ken Williams — that the White Sox are working on an extension with José Abreu.

Sure, it’s no longer a surprise that Lucas Giolito has thoroughly kicked ass on all of baseball in 2019. But still, “biggest improvement” in something as esoteric as hart-hit rate? Yum.

Which Starting Pitchers Have Had Their Hard-Hit Rates Change the Most? | The SIS Blog
Lucas Giolito has had the biggest improvement. But who else makes the list? And who has worsened most?

Jon Becker at Sports Info Solutions makes Gio’s case, offering particular plaudits to his newly-found out pitch, the changeup.

Jimmy Jam Fegan notes behind the athletic paywall that the Royals have surpassed the White Sox in run differential with Monday’s 5-2 loss, and catches Lucas Giolito pointing a finger at travel (?) as an excuse for a flatulent 0-4 start out of the break.

The White Sox are dragging and Lucas Giolito’s velocity is dipping, but they both expect to bounce back – The Athletic
Giolito's fastball Monday lacked the consistent zip it's had this season, but the White Sox are not showing signs of concern.

Oh, is this some deep dish pizza for the South Side Hit Men set. A wonderfully-written Rick Morrissey piece on Eric Soderholm’s third or fourth act — as a spiritual healer.

Definitely, give this one a read. The Sun-Times has been doing some truly kick-ass longform writing on the White Sox this season.

In third act, former White Sox Eric Soderholm finds peace - Chicago Sun-Times
What can a popular member of the rough-and-tumble 1977 Sox team called the South Side Hit Men offer people as a life coach and a meditation teacher? What are they seeking in his holistic center, tucked away off of Route 83? "Healing,’’ his daughter, Misty, says.

Finally, let’s wind this session up with Scott Merkin on the travails of Zack Collins, a guy brought up from Charlotte seemingly to get some pregame reps in at first base.

Collins heads to Minors, vows to return to Sox
Zack Collins began his big league career by drawing a walk as a pinch-hitter against the Cubs on June 19 at Wrigley Field. He followed up that plate appearance with a three-run home run two days later in Texas during his first official at-bat.