greg775

Thanks Eloy. I would say fathom, caulfield should be the first posters deemed board Hall of Famers. I blocked southsider so I didn't notice he was gone. I'm no mod, but if anybody ever needed a vacation it was he. He was so mad all the time. But the poster of the decade is El Rockin. What can you say about El Rockin. He doesn't care what is up with the team. He loves all players and never appears to get mad at anything Sox team related. Also Harry Chappas is a smart man and his Brother Rice connection makes me his supporter.

I could take some of my issues one at a time this offseason if I don't get put on vacation for it. 1.) W/L. For decade after decade, Hall of Fame ballot after Hall of Fame ballot, W/L was huge, maybe THE most important factor in a starter being named to Hall of Fame or not. And also huge factor in the Cy Young voting. Now if you mention W/L at all you are laughed out of the discussion. I do not care much for analytics but something like this is a huge pet peeve of mine. From one of the most important factors EVER involving a pitcher's performance to "nobody cares about wins and loss record!!!"

Glass half full guy: Our lineup is so good that it carries the team and we roll, baby, roll to 93 wins. Glass half empty guy: Our manager is so ordinary and our pitching so iffy and the teams in our division so fired up when they play us it never works and we finish 4 below .500.

Thanks sir. All I was saying is he reminds me of Manny Sanguillen and prior to last year his stats were dandy for a catcher. He also has a helluva arm. Let's not discuss this and re-cause a commtion. Just saying I had my reasons, not trolling. The Sir understands me apparently. Thanx.

Sounds like the Sox, who have been plodding along doing a nice, slow job of tank/rebuilding, have for whatever reason said BOOM, we're ready to complete a dominant, division winning, possible WS winning roster. Good job by the Sox. We are full of stars right now. Personally I think we could use a plan for the pen: 7th, 8th and 9th (does anybody really trust Colome to EXCEL again?). But aside from that, this team is amazing. Somebody wants to win now.

They used to be called blockbuster trades and you'd remain involved in free agency to maintain/or improve a team as well. I think a couple trades have been dandy and the signing of Robert. I am no expert and can't guarantee anything but I think if I had time to do a thesis on the matter I think there's a chance I could prove a couple blockbuster trades plus international signings plus free agency could conceivably give my team a chance especially in a division in which no teams have a ton of money. The tanking has not provided a lot in terms of stellar draft picks. Maybe I couldn't. Not saying I'm right. I am saying free agency is providing some huge pieces which always is part of a non tank guy's plan. Don't get upset it's just one person's opinion here.

Damn. This is finally happened. Sox are favorites to win division/and or and make playoffs. What does this tell us about the rebuild? Even though the tank job obviously kickstarted this, look as those of us wanting to never tank getting 3 huge pieces in free agency: Grandal, Keuchel and EE and Gio. Regardless the pressure is on RR. he will be fired in May if the team starts out lousy the first six weeks. Team motto: "Pain subsides; Sox rebuild hits stride"

So I've been busy and can't read the whole thread. Is there 100 percent consensus we love this new Sox pitcher? I have a couple simple questions. Thanx in advance. a.) Do we literally love getting Keuchel? Nirvana type loving it? b.) How do we judge him in a Sox jersey since Ws and Ls don't matter. Pure innings pitched and ERA? Ks vs. walks? c.) Does the addition of him combined with our stud youngsters in everyday lineup assure a title?

Why would Robert go for eight years at a paltry 10 mill per annum? Wouldn't he be smarter to sign through age 26 or 27 season at about 15 mill a season? Six years, 90 million; then when he's a free agent he'll be under 30. Or is that not allowed? Do you have to play 8 years before you are a free agent? I forget.

It's hard to judge starting pitchers in this day and age since wins and losses don't matter anymore. Not flaming just trying to figure out if I like the acquisition. his ERA has been very good and he's got good strikeout to walk ratio. How fast does he fling the baseball? 90s? 95?

The Gio of 2012 would be nice.

We have been adding a lot of bad players since Hahn supposedly said we may not be ready to contend or something about not rushing contention. Detweiler, Cuthbert, Delmonico ... run away as fast as you can from ticket broker.

If we trade for Betts so the Bosox can save money we need to win the trade significantly. Sick of these trades in which that are even or we give up too much. Give them Vaughn and some stiff who will never make it big and be done with it. They are the ones desperate to save cash.

If we trade for Betts so the Bosox can save money we need to win the trade significantly. Sick of these trades in which that are even or we give up too much. Give them Vaughn and some stiff who will never make it big and be done with it. They are the ones desperate to save cash.

All I'm pointing out is 11 straight years of the team doing well compared to now, what is it seven straight seasons of losing. How bout these records: 72-89, 62-100, 67-95, 78-84, 76-86, 73-89, 63-99 all in a row. Sickening. Considering those lousy draft picks mentioned in the one post, I'd be all for cleaning house as well as selling the team.

These are the dangers of tanking. Some of us just like to win. Eight of 11 seasons with a winning record starting in 2000 (one year we were .500) and we didn't have to tank to get it. Yes just one WS title. My argument would be with better work from the front office we'd have gotten enough good players to win even more than we did. But we tank for draft picks? One big LOL. I had a good time watching all those winning teams starting in 2000. Yes I did even though we only won it all once. This tanking B.S. really helped us acquire good players in the draft. Go ahead and blast me all you want. I have the right to think those seasons starting in 2000 were mighty enjoyable. I'm not a fan that needs to win it every year. I want to be in the race and let the cards fall where they may!

Happy for Avi. He now has so much money coming he'll have money to burn the rest of his life. I always like for seemingly good clubhouse guys and guys who appreciate wearing the Sox uniform hitting the money jackpot. He's One of my favorite Sox players of all time. I wonder if the front office reads this board and figured Sox fans despise Avi so much he never was on their wish list to return. Don't flame me, I'm just wondering the Sox aversion to bringing him in for 8 to 10 mill a year. Obviously Avi loved Chicago. Now he's back in the area which is cool. Hell he could afford living in a highrise downtown and hiring a driver for the season if he so desired. I hope he mashes for the Brewers. Again, he's one of my all time faves right there with Chet Lemon, Big Hurt, guys like that. BTW MLB Insider's tweet: "Avi Garcia to the #Brewers is a done deal. Both sides are finalizing a few things. Contract should be between 2-3 years and around 30-40 million."

Isn't he destined for the NL cause he likes to hit? Whatever. I'm not wanting him that badly.

He actually hasn't failed yet though I am 100 percent against tanking. He still has a chance to win with the youth he acquired. Again, I'd like to speed things up but if the Sox actually start winning in the year he tells the world we finally are trying to win, he would be a success. He still has not designated the upcoming season as one in which they expect to win. Until he does so he can keep rebuilding and not be deemed a failure.

I'll take that bet but for only 2 dollars or if you demand the bet go higher, a beer at a game. That's probably 10 to 12 bucks I'd assume.

Though I am appalled by the Sox refusal to speed the rebuild/tank I will still only follow the Sox. I am disgusted by modern baseball in so many aspects. Not sure why I still follow the game. The moment I see the umps call a belt high fastball a ball, it puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the season.

I wouldn't mind trading Madrigal and Vaughn for a stud, No. 2 type pitcher and maybe a decent prospect, preferably a pitcher. If Madrigal and Vaughn make it big ... well fricking make sure the starter we get is EXCELLENT! We actually don't need Madrigal as second basemen are a dime a dozen and we got Yolmer/Leury As far as Vaughn, again, let's get a pitcher that will anchor this staff for 4-5 years!!!

Can a team take out insurance to be protected in case he gets hurt? I don't care about owners blowing money. They pretty much sicken me with how they treat fans. They can spend what they want. But that's a huge amount of cash for one person. If he gets hurt or suddenly starts to stink is there any protection? Seems like there are very few dominant pitchers nowadays.

No offense, but Nomar's stats look like Avi's in an Avi bad year. I know Nomar comes very cheap. This makes sense. Cost efficient right fielder who is very young and could blossom on our team. I prefer Avi but I am an Avi guy.

Some of us want to win games now Chisox, other fans do worry about things like control. I'm sick of the losing. Just win now.