greg775

QUOTE (Jack Parkman @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 02:20 AM) I'd take a shot on CarGo before giving up assets for Avi. and Melky's 2017 is about what you can expect from Avi if he doesn't go back to sucking. There really isn't that much of an incentive to trade for Avi. If I were an opposing GM, looking at corner OF in the market I'd take Melky/CarGo over Avi, I just don't believe in him going forward. The .392 BABIP is insane and a regression probably brings him back to below replacement level. Really, I don't think anyone is interested in him except if they can get him for basically free. It only takes one sucker though, and Kudos to Hahn if he finds that guy. I think the Sox start the season with both Abreu and Avi on the roster, because I don't think anyone would give anything of value for a DH and a regressed Avi. Think about what the Sox got for Melky, because that is the return I'd expect if they move Avi, and both Avi/Abreu are worth more to the Sox than they are to anyone else. .285/.324/.746 17 HR 85 RBI 99 OPS+ 98 wRC+ -Melky Cabrera in 2017. This is about the best case scenario I can envision for Avi in 2018. Think about if you'd trade anything of value for that production with only 2 seasons of team control. You'd want Melky over Avi? I still am waiting to see what established (non prospects) baseball players you guys think are good players and want on your team (and don't list anybody making a good dollar cause we know Sox fans don't want to pay anybody). Modern day fans slay me. Eventually I'm gonna give up and just lurk on here. I am growing weary of defending White Sox baseball players who have been in the bigs a few years.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Nov 28, 2017 -> 12:05 AM) Sure will be miserable for Greg and that WBSASDAJS guy when Kopech, Eloy, and others come up and start performing. I expect them to keep their anti-rebuild positions when this happens. Not miserable. I said as a bad fan I still have the right to cheer for our team. What I want is those guys to perform well and start winning asap. I am of the opinion we've wasted the years of Sale and Q because of bad managing by Robin and bad putting together of a team by KW and Hahn. You have two starters like that and you can't build a team around them? Welcome to White Sox baseball. We couldn't do it. I have accepted the rebuild. I like some of the players we got. I reserve the right to root for whatever plaeyrs we throw out there. That doesn't mean I accept everything the front office does. I'm not going to be miserable when our prospects do well. I want to win no matter who is on the field.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 07:28 AM) I personally don't want "dissenters" to "go away" but rather would hope that you folks would finally... for once and for all... under-flipping-stand that you can't have it both ways. You literally can't spend big in free agency to give a fan base victories and rebuild your entire organization at the same time. If a great buy comes up that is willing to sign, sure - sign him up. But the concept of spending to win has proved itself a futile exercise. Oh f*** me... I'm going down the rabbit hole again. Nevermind... mission abort. Turning around and running away. This goes both ways. You guys who only want prospects to be our rebuilt WS team frustrate me. Why? Our division blows? Yes there's been a flavor of the month, KC when it had the great bullpen and Cleveland (I guess) the past two years. But it doesn't take much to compete in this division. That's why it frustrates me to get rid of Avi and Abreu and push back contention time even more. You guys act like the rebuild is the only way to win a division and get hot and win a WS. And by rebuild I mean the entire roster. Some of us like to have some familiar White Sox names around. It's not our fault it "hasn't worked" before because of an incompetent front office. I understand your position. I don't believe you try to understand ours. Minnie made the playoffs this year for gawd sakes. You guys give our front office a pass for horrid baseball since 2005. I don't.

QUOTE (Tony @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 11:42 PM) Alright, cool. See you in 2020 then. You'll be missed. Some fans don't like those of us who want to win now. They'd rather we just go away for a few years so there will be no dissenters regarding the rebuild. Prospects, baby. Acquire as many as you can. Wait til next year. Some of us think the fan should get a decent product for the excessive costs to see a game. Pretty soon it's gonna be 15 bucks for a beer. That'll be the cost 2 seasons from now. How much will parking be in 2 years? 50 a game? Give me victories.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 07:54 PM) Machado isn't getting 500mil. That is absurd. 400 mil is even a bit high. He didn't exactly light it up last season. I predict something like 10 year 35 mil. Would you rather have avi + abreu or Machado+ more touted prospects? I know what makes sense. The sox will have NO payroll. I don't see why it's hard to imagine the sox making a play for Machado. It makes almost too much sense. What's the different between signing 2-4 free agents vs signing machado? Obviously the length will be different, but they will have LOTS of payroll freed up. I don't know what you have against Jerry or if you are stereotyping, but he will spend if he sees it as a wide investment. If Machado "didn't exactly light it up" why would you want to pay him that kind of money? I'll tell you why? Cause he's not a White Sox. You don't see him fail like you do Abreu and Avi on occasion. All I know is Abreu just had 3-4 of the most consistent seasons in Sox history and should be on this team. Why is baseball so different? Let's say you have an NFL quarterback or RB who is way way above average and your starter for 3-4 years. Do you want to get rid of him? Hell no. Why is baseball so different for a player of Abreu's caliber? Abreu has been great. He should stay on the team. Case closed.

Does he really want a promise of 600 at bats? That's kind of unique. Not many teams "promise" stuff like that. I mean coaches promise all kinds of stuff in recruiting but always give themself a hedge if the player is a complete bust.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 12:21 AM) DON'T HATE PEOPLE FOR BEING DIFFERENT FROM YOU. You have no empirical proof I hate people different from me. You have one case of me not wanting to eat in the same place as a guy struggling to walk in the place in a dress with high heels on. An instant decision to not do it. How do you know on other occasions, in a better mood, I might want to chat up the person, dine with them? How do you know what charities I support, how I treat homeless, how I engage strangers, how I treat elderly, how I treat youth, how I interact with all? You know none of this yet are convinced I am a monster that hates anybody different from me because of one circumstance. Or is it that I don't condone protestors shutting down highways because a.) it is dangerous and b.) somebody on that highway could be trying to get to a hospital or save a life in some way? I must hate all the protestors cause I would never do that. I think it's dangerous you stereotype people off a comment or two on a message board. OK I should be a saint and at every moment of every day be Mother Teresa and go out of my way to speak to all people including the guy in the high heels who probably didn't want to talk to me anyway. I don't go to Subway wanting to meet strangers; that person probably would have been upset as well if approached. I disapprove of your quick conclusions on people's character. I live by the Golden Rule, baby. However I am not perfect.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 07:23 PM) Yep... there's so much more that can be done right now ( like watch grass sprout ) and considering that you represent up one of merely 30 professional baseball teams - it would be expectable to just "sit this one out". You'd be fired, Sir. The Greg Continues to Amaze. Oh, and I believe that "Relevant marketplace characteristics" refers to any characteristics of Chicago which would be pertinent information for Ontani to consider. Ala: Cultural aspects, unique sponsorship potentials, Japanese resources, travel considerations, etc. Chicago wins in so many areas. But cash always wins out. How much can a baseball player enjoy the city he plays in anyway? Chicago in the winter is horrific. Chicago during the summer is great but he's busy playing baseball. If I'm wrong about this one and he takes our pennies compared to what some teams can offer, I will be humbled big time. Cmon. Money money money is what makes the world go round. I'd tell the intern to do a nice job answering the questions and I'd edit it but not spend much time on this.

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 03:49 PM) Trading Garcia and Abreu would seem to indicate that the team has no intentions of competing for anything the next few years. Instead we'll have lousy teams with low payrolls and mucho profits for JR and his investors. Then in another 4 years the team will start another 5 year rebuild. Always remember what Bill Veeck said, "5 year plans usually lead to a new 5 year plan". Great post. That's why I fully expect the Sox to trade Abreu/Avi. We're in a new era where the fans don't mind dumping everybody in the name of rebuild and it's a great way to provide the owners so much money for generations to come. If you are a GM and have the OK from everybody, why the heck wouldn't you trade everybody you can? The unknown player is so much sexier than the known. QUOTE (ron883 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 04:07 PM) Think of it this way. The money we don't spend signing abreu goes towards signing Manny Machado. Tarde Jose and Avi the hell out of here for some good prospects. Use the savings to land Mr Machado. Way lah Cmon. the Sox are not paying Machado 400 million. It's not going to happen. He's already out East and desired by all the Eastern teams with cash. We're not getting Manny Machado for 400 to 500 million bucks for gosh sakes. Should be interesting to see the takes of the trade people and the people who don't want to spend cash on the Manny situation. Hmmm one player who will be 26 (Avi is one year older and considered too old for our WS contending window by some) commanding all that money? First of all Sox won't pay that. Second of all should be interesting to see who on here is in favor of paying Manny unprecedented dollars.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 02:58 PM) To me, Abreu is a no-brainer. His value goes way beyond what his numbers on the field show. These ballplayers are not just stats on a spreadsheet...there is a mental and emotional aspect to be considered as well, and Abreu is a key component to balancing that with his fellow countrymen. Not to mention, he could very well still be producing at high levels from 2020-2021. Extend him, Rick and co. You truly said it all. All I can say is the people who want him traded are in love with trades and the unknown and all the cliches that make sports fandom great but very frustrating to me. I'm not a "wait til next year" guy. I've heard it too many times. I want to win every year. QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 06:43 PM) Don't understand your comment... all you have to do is look at his numbers over his career and specifically compare them to last year. We don't know for sure if last year was a fluke or if he has actually figured something out and can be a really productive player. Don't see what is "bad" about stating it that way unless it has to do with your comment about JR not wanting to pay anybody. There is some truth to that comment in regards to paying for untapped potential (as in the minor leagues) and is not wanting to deal with certain agents, history has shown that as well as JR stating it himself, but I can only speak for myself in that if it was my decision I'd want more evidence that Avi really has turned things around before I offer him a truck load of money. And even if he has I'd have to think twice about it...for a corner outfielder he doesn't have a lot of power and his defense and base running is comical as well as his understanding of simple fundamentals. Your post is very well thought out and reasonable especially compared to mine. I am intrigued by your closing line: "for a corner outfielder he doesn't have a lot of power and his defense and base running is comical as well as his understanding of simple fundamentals." If this is truly true, you study the team more than me, then by all means dump him. I did not think he's that bad any more in any area. But if he does all these things poorly, he's not worth keeping around. What I saw was a very good player last year and I personally think we need some Sox veterans for our next WS contending team but again if you are right, dump him. Those are a lot of deficiencies you list.

Hmmm marketplace characteristics? Does that mean how much money we are free to offer? From what I've read we have no chance cause we simply can't offer enough money. I know what he's said, but cmon. Money means everything. Otherwise Sox do rate very high in the other categories. I'd have some intern do the work and I'd edit it and email it but that's about it. It's a waste of time. This guy's representation is not gonna let him sign for pennies when they get a nice chunk of the money themselves.

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 05:41 AM) It actually does. Trading two years of Abreu for six years of two or more players who, ideally, will have more value, especially in the contention window. Having to make a large financial decision on Abreu near the beginning of the contention window is not ideal. I can't wait to see who you guys decide who to pay in the future. A lot of you seem obsessed with having all prospects and the lowest payroll possible and if we have to lose lose lose 3-6 years as the kids develop you're all for it. You are the best fans ever for a cheap owner. When we are a WS contending team, some of you I presume realize we'll have to pay a few free agents some cold hard cash.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 05:46 AM) The jury is still out on if Avi is really a "good" player though isn't it? One year doers not a career make. Kind of a bad answer. The grass is always greener on other teams I guess.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 04:21 AM) I think it's the exact opposite, there's little upside to keeping him. If he repeats 2017, then if you want to sign him next offseason it'll be a 9 figure deal because that's what he'll get a year later. If he repeats 2017, then if you wait until next offseason, you're trading him with only 1 year left before FA so "you're not getting anything significant anyway" since he'll only be available for a year And he'll be hitting Free Agency at the same time as all the other teams are spending their offseasons going after guys who are substantially better. The only way this works that things give greater value is he comes out on a tear for the first half and you can move him at the deadline, but the downside risk is BABIP related. If he does everything right and gets slightly unlucky for the first 200 PAs, then he's worthless and costly and that's basically a coin flip. If you can get anything of tolerable value for him now, take it. So the Sox can't afford any good ballplayers, is that it? We can't even afford Avi? Just sell the team, Jerry.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 09:34 PM) You don't chance abreu having a down year and hurting his trade value. Trade him for prospects if the to t it deal comes. Rockies aren't trading rodgers for Abreu LOL. Some people overvalue him around here. Two prospects in the 50-100 range or a top 100 and 2-3 decent prospects if possible. You prospect people are incredible. When we finally get all prospects then we can start trading them for other prospects. The Sox organization is so bad it's been unable to do anything in a division full of clueless organizations, small market organizations (cept for Detroit which acted big for a while) since we won it all in 05. Sickening. Yeah it makes sense to dump our best hitter who could anchor our next WS contending team. Makes a lotta sense.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 10:06 PM) How can you read replies and not see Greg is the biggest advocate of that here? Even ElRockin as well. Yes sir. Thanks Ace.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 08:44 PM) I think Hahn does see it, but like I said, it doesn't hurt to explore a trade for your good players. I would only take a Sale/Q type deal for Abreu. If Rockies offered Rodgers and Pint +, I'll probably take that. The meeting Dick Allen went to makes it sounds like both are goners. I think whatever trade they make, all but 2-3 fans on here will be overwhelmingly in favor of. It's all about prospects now. I think both will be dealt about the same time because once one is dealt, other GMs will try to steal the other because our team's years of contention will be pushed back once we trade one of them. I guess I agree if we could thoroughly rob somebody: 3 can't miss certain ML players and one mid level prospect I'd agree with dealing Avi.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Nov 20, 2017 -> 06:04 PM) You are complaining about construction and upgrades being needed???? Oak Lawn and EP are all dumping tons of money into rehabbing shopping districts. Greg Brother Rice field has been completely redone twice since I went there in the late 80's . They also are not going to maintain it much in the winter months. You should have gone back by the football fields that is all new. This past weekend the weather was miserable. Marionette Park baseball is falling off becasue EP has done great things with their facilities. Again baseball fields in Chicago in November are all going to look bad. In May/June it is a different story. MG and Beverly are rehabbing house left and right especially MG. Wonderburger is closed but Fat Tommys and Barracos are open in new upgraded spaces. Wonderburger is closed because there was no parking and building is crap. Also there are much better options within a 5 minute drive. The south side is fine. The crime is up but nothing crazy. Chicago has over 60 tower cranes in operation currently so somebody is doing something. Thanks Harry. I'm thinking the days were so bleak it affected my vision of the South Side. I need to try Tommys and Baracos on my next trip down there. Glad to hear they are working on shopping districts. Anything in particular I should check out south side wise?

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 05:56 PM) Jose Abreu is gonna be our David Ortiz/Jose Bautista. I think an extension of 4 years/70 million is beneficial for everyone involved. Stick Abreu at DH in his later years and he lengthens that lineup a ton. I get exploring trades, but unless the right deal comes around like a Sale/Q type deal, I want Abreu around for this rebuild to be the captain and a mentor to the young players. Why can't Rick Hahn see this and agree with this. Seems to me he's intent on trading Avi and Abreu from what Dick has posted. He's in love with the fact fans worship him for the rebuild. And Jerry has to deep down love it too cause the payroll is making him and the partners gazillions of dollars in their later years with fan approval, not scorn. It'$ a win/win for Jerry and the partner$.

QUOTE (Jim Busby @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 08:15 PM) I go to the Park to see a winning Team. I don't go to Farm Team Baseball Games to see Prospects. Like the umpire yells OUT - Play Ball - and the White should have a wining team and not trade off good baseball players for prospects. This is Chicago Your post is short but sweet. The Sox have already made their share of moves to get the rebuild steaming ahead. We don't need to trade the two good "veteran" players left who are not so old they can't help the rebuilt team.

QUOTE (Jim Busby @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 04:13 PM) This is the ONLY person who wants the Chicago White Sox to really WIN. The other replies I read sounds like OLD Cubs who the 2000 fan base. As a true Chicago White Sox Fan I want to win Now. Don't you read my posts? I want to win as well now. You are right about most fans loving the "wait til next year" Cub motto of the past. Next year always seems brighter. The second string QB is always better than the first unless you have an Elway, Brady franchise guy. The rabid American message board fan loves rebuilds. It's the way it is and just a few of us need to speak our minds as well to show we exist.

Happy Thanksgiving from Adam Sandler and others. ...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2017 -> 03:45 AM) So yeah, there you go. People are different than you. You judge them poorly for that. I judge you because you feel it appropriate to judge others. Being "opposed to PC" is, to me, shorthand for you want it to be ok to hate people who are different than you. To declare you're better than them. They should go away because you're normal and you're right. They are the ones who are less than human. They are less than you and don't deserve their right to life. "How dare you make me be PC, I should be able to insult them!!!!" Every single word out of your mouth has confirmed that statement to me. Guess what? You are wrong. But I won't block you over it like Tony blocked me. You are just wrong. That is all.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Nov 22, 2017 -> 07:17 PM) So you have Sirius with literally 100's of channels to choose from yet to still choose to listen to something that you don't "enjoy"? If there is a radio or TV show that I don't enjoy, I simply don't watch/listen to it. Variety. I don't always want Beatles. I don't always want alternative rock or the other Sirius channels I listen to although I will say those comedy channels are pretty damn good as well. I'd listen to Howard but I can't figure out how to add him to my subscription fee. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 22, 2017 -> 07:22 PM) Saying that you're a decent human being and being a decent human being are two different things. Why is it your job to enforce your gender stereotypes on others? Why is your interpretation of them the obviously correct one? Because something makes you feel icky you call any statement of it "PC and bad!". You pass judgment on people without educating yourself. Gender stereotypes? Are we going back to me being uncomfortable around the person (male I presume) who stumbled into Subway in high heels right ahead of me? And I elected to not be around the person for a second time? The person (I'm assuming he's male which makes me scum, I know) probably didn't want to be around me, either. Sorry I was honest and said I didn't want to be around that person on that particular occasion. I am sick of PC, yes I am. PC hatred helped get Trump elected BTW but it hasn't changed society. We're still afraid of saying anything lest we offend. Hence the Merry Christmas controversy. As far as passing judgment on people, WTF. The person stumbling into Subway in high heels might be the best person in the world. I don't deny that. That person is likely a better person than me. On that day I didn't want to hang with the person. So I am scum? OK. QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Nov 22, 2017 -> 08:03 PM) He's just a bumbling buffoon, like Trump, and he finds himself in positions that get attention. That's all. He's not smart. This isn't pre-planned stuff. He's just a loud mouth. He's also the biggest asshole of assholes. Are we all forgetting that he refused to let his son's team play basketball because a female ref was assigned to the game? He's an embarrassment to our society and it's an embarrassment that so many people are "entertained" by him. Jenks is a good to great poster. How can you argue with this post. Jenks is da man.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 22, 2017 -> 08:07 PM) When "not being PC" involves defending literal actual child predators and nazis, F*** no. Be a decent human being. I am a decent human being. As much as people detest me here, I have good values and always 'strive' to do the right thing. I could point out a recent example but I believe we should not do things because we want acclaim or credit but because it's the right thing to do. Just because I have harsh opinions on some matters does not mean I am scum. QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Nov 22, 2017 -> 08:11 PM) And I hate to admit this but I found that CNN interview incredibly entertaining. You have the right and I'm OK with the fact others liked it. I have different tastes obviously in TV interviews from most.