greg775

QUOTE (scs787 @ Nov 4, 2013 -> 05:27 AM) Hmm, you hate Dunn but want Grandy? They're the same type of players offensively, low average, high production, walks a lot, and Ks a lot....I for one am fine with it as long as they're producing but you on the other hand.... Admittedly, I 'm just sick of Dunn, making me say, "next." If Grandy stinks I'll probably hate him as well. I don't see the Sox paying 20 million a year for Ellsbury who would be ideal because of his Rowand-like grinderism, and I think DeAza and Viciedo played so absent-mindedly last year they should move on as well. Though I guess I mentally could give Viciedo one more chance. It seemed like DeAza and Viciedo took a huge step backward last year and I don't quite understand why. Maybe all these guys just had an off year and next year they will click (including Lexi, Flowers, Beckham). If we stand pat, that will be the only hope. I can't imagine people spending money for season tix if our only real addition is Abreu to go with A. Garcia.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 10:47 PM) 8. His biggest weakness is that he isn't liberal enough. He's been too diplomatic to the right when he should have crushed them. Is he really worth an 8?

QUOTE (ChiSoxFan05 @ Nov 4, 2013 -> 02:44 AM) I saw that too. I'm hoping it's a sign because he's so much better than Alejandro, but I don't know. To those downgrading him, imagine our 2012 lineup with Abreu and Grandy in it. A gigantic improvement. Amen. Free agency is one, big risk nowadays (see Dunn, Pujols, etc.) but the Sox are due for a lucky break and actually sign somebody who will be good. It's not my money and the Sox aren't going to reduce prices anytime soon, anyway, so I say, spend, spend spend and bring Grandy aboard. Why not? He's a huge upgrade from DeAza as you said!If he stinks, well shucks. But everything's a risk. We just signed a guy for six years who has never played in the USA. He could suck for all we know or he could be amazing. This concern about money in all the threads baffles me. Why do I care if Jerry gives his offspring more money in his will? Spend it, baby. Whomever signs Ellsbury at some point will surely regret it (if he gets 6-10 years at 15 million a year, cmon, he'll be a bust sooner or later; maybe sooner if he gets hurt). McCann and his 15 million a year also will be ridiculous. So pay Grandy between 12 and 15 and be done with it til the next guy comes along. Until the Sox tell me they will reduce parking to 5 bucks and hot dogs to 2.50 or 3 bucks and a beer to 3 bucks, I don't give a flip about the finances of the chairman and his group. SPEND!

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 10:30 PM) We had a president that put us in an unwinnable war, watched the stock market crash, and watched unemployment tank while he spent 30% of his presidency "on vacation" and you think BO will be worse than him. I understand Obama having detractors, but Greg, you maybe the most misinformed person on this board. I'm starting to see why others mock you so much. All I want is people to rank him 1-10 and nobody will take me up on it. I give him a 2.5 or 3.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 08:24 PM) LOL, actually US Grant wasn't nearly the worst of that century, particularly compared to the people who came before the civil war and the inept ones who followed him. And frankly, I'm seriously impressed that you've managed to completely forget who it was that the economy was actually obliterated under. Good posts, but are u defending Obama or just pointing things out? You can't possibly think he's even been a 3 out of 10 as a president, can you?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 09:16 PM) A lot of those were responding to his first inauguration. Yes, his hometown paper blasted him that way while he was in office. Papers all over the country did. This is how the world works. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but man, it seriously needs burst. The insults heaped upon presidents are legendary. I don't know of many writers or orators who come anywhere close to the impressive insults tossed at presidents in this country's first century. Andrew Jackson's "pipe-smoking woman of ill-repute" wife is still one of my favorites. Well, then I wish more would follow Romney and bring it on regarding Obama. He's got to be battling Ulysses Grant for worst president of all time. He's done absolutely nothing except completely obliterate the economy and changing people's vision of the future. Nobody except the truly rich believe they'll be better off financially than their parents were.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 09:05 PM) So wait, if I call any elected official a liar they're clearly unqualified to be a leader? The standard you use to judge whether or not someone is a leader is literally "what his or her opponents say about them and how much respect there is"? You must know absolutely nothing of U.S. history. This is actually kind of fun, it motivated me to find some of the stuff written and spoken about Lincoln. Here's his hometown newspaper: Man this Lincoln guy must have been awful. Was that before or after he got elected? I'd be surprised if his hometown paper blasted him like that while in office. I can't fathom the lack of respect shown Obama, except by the press and voters near and on Election Day. Put Obama in an election and him winning (for no good reason) is the biggest lock of all time. Way to get our economy going and health care, Mr. President. Thanks for nothing.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 05:18 PM) I could go either way. As a fan, I'd always love to see them try to compete the following year. Watching 99 loss seasons is tiring. Go out and sign Ellsbury, trade for Jason Castro, add Josh Johnson and a solid veteran in the pen and I am set. That team still needs a whole lot to go right to be playing baseball in October, but at least it has a chance. For this team, as currently constructed, literally absolutely everything has to go right - that is not going to happen. But nor is signing Ellsbury. This year makes a lot of sense to just sit back and see what we have, continue to trade the aging assets you have, with the plan to compete in 2015 and beyond. Let the Dunn contract expire, let Abreu and Avi have year to get their feet under them, and spend some $ in 2015. I don't love that plan, but respect that it is probably the most wise. I just hate wasting another year of Sale. That's a pretty good take. I agree completely with your last sentence on Sale.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 07:20 PM) The Cardinals stubbornness probably cost them a title. Is Alexei a difference maker?

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Oct 29, 2013 -> 03:11 PM) There was a case down here of a former state cop accused of murdering his wife and two children. He got convicted, the conviction got overturned on appeal, got convicted again, the second conviction got overturned on appeal, and finally on the third trial was found not guilty. If we had immediate executions, he'd have been dead before even getting to the second trial. Who murdered those poor people? Did he get off on technicalities or ?

I'm so disappointed in myself for voting for Obama and the public being fooled by superficiality every time. Read this about Romney calling Obama a liar. The fact people find it so necessary to blast the current president, never showing him an ounce of respect, shows how unqualified Obama was/is to be our leader. http://news.yahoo.com/romney-meet-the-press-140953473.html

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 07:24 PM) If you're totally unemployed next year, move to a state that expanded Medicaid. It's working well, your state just wants its poor people to, as you said, rot and die. Medicaid was supposed to be expanded to cover people with incomes below the poverty line, but your state opted out of that and consequently there are no options or subsidies available whatsoever. If that's too complicated of legalese...blame your state leaders who chose not to accept free money from the Federal Government. If you're making $16000 next year (just over the poverty line), on average, insurance in Kansas should cost you $320 next year for the entire year to cover you and a spouse. Thanks. Did Illinois accept the money from the govtment? I could always move back there someday.

QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 02:04 AM) I'm guessing Hahn doesn't expect much from Beckham. He's a safe bet not to be sub-replacement level player, but there doesn't seem to be much reason to think he will suddenly bust out after all this time. I bet Hahn would love to get some value for him on the trade market - if he can get us Brett Lawrie, I don't think there will be a second of his hesitation. If there isn't a market for him, and I doubt there is, Becks gives us flexibility with Semien. We'll feel much freer to leave Semien in AAA for a while and, even if he Semien breaks camp with the big league club, Semien can bat for Becks against RHP at times while Conor plays at 3B. Then, against LHP, you can have Gordon at 2B and Semien at 3B. As for those other guys, I think the FO is cautiously optimistic about Dayan. I think they see a little sunk cost with him, but know that he's a relatively small step forward from being a really valuable player. I don't think they like Phegs and Flowers at all. I think they see Alexei for what he is: a guy making exactly what he deserves, playing awesome defense, holding his own at the plate, and adding a base stealing element to his game. With that said, I bet they're uncertain about his loss of power and are frustrated about the mental errors last year. I'm sure they'd like to see Semien become a SS, which would free them up to get some real value for Alexei. That all makes sense to me. Nice post.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 07:44 PM) Way to ignore the post about the numerous choke jobs AJ has been a part of. didn't expect you to respond to that. he is also supposed to be an unlikable jackass. i guess thats TWTW. I don't really care about the jackass part if the player can back it up. I've heard Moustakas is a dick, which if true, is unacceptable to a team since he hasn't backed it up. You can't blame the choke jobs on AJ. Winning a ring (doesn't he have 2?) takes away any of that stuff.

QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 01:52 AM) Gordon quite clearly had unbelievably lucky run of soft hits and bloops when he came off the DL. He didn't produce well all year. I have very little confidence in him going forward. His defense even fell off, and I don't know what that could have to do with his glove hand Yeah, he has produced terribly but as a No. 1 pick he has a lot of time left before he's deemed a total bust. I'd suspect he'll remain a Sox unless Hahn despises his offensive game which is always a possibility.The key here is what does Hahn think of these guys. He's been around and has seen them up close for a long time. Do any insiders know what he thinks of Lexi, Beckham, DeAza, Viciedo, Phegs and Flowers? It'd be nice to know what the GM thinks of these guys' futures.

I have a sneaky feeling Buck and Phegley will be our catchers next year. If the best we can do is Buck, I'd rather just have Phegs. Check Buck's stats the last 4 years. They suck.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 10:23 PM) I tend to agree with this. I get the feeling the light turned on for Gordo this year before his injury...seems he was just raking the ball to all fields before he went on the DL. If you can get good value...absolutely...but to trade him just because you're sick of him makes zero sense. Sox fans are patient regarding Gordon. I get the feeling he's gonna be a 12-year guy for the White Sox and never have one good offensive season. It takes a long time for teams to give up on No. 1 draft picks, ala the Royals and Hochevar.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 08:13 PM) I don't think "Changing his approach and stance" for Beckham is the problem any more. Hopefully Hahn realizes that and dumps him to the Blue Jays.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 08:22 PM) I would like to borrow those five toolsy outfielders and add them to the Iowa football offense. God, they're the most boring team in the history of college FB, and Iowa's had some boring offenses under Ferentz, who's one of the highest paid coaches in the game. If they're going to do something dumb, I'd rather they spend that money on Ellsbury than a Choo or Granderson, but it's just never going to happen. Everyone has been debating DeAza and the debate will continue on the likes of Beckham, Viciedo and Gillapsie/Keppinger, but NOBODY'S advocating for Flowers/Phegley to be the starting catcher. NOBODY. Which makes it pretty obvious that's where the money should go first. Because having an Ellsbury on a team without a bullpen, without any proven offensive players, without a catcher, it's just not logical. It's like adding a spoiler and racing stripes and platinum rims to a Prius. It might look good, but it's better to change the entire car and start from scratch. I think Hahn realizes we have 4-5 positions that MUST be changed. He has to do it unless he wants another 95 plus loss season. He won't last long if we don't get to .500 soon and start contending soon. Being the worst team or two in baseball won't cut it and currently the Sox are a bottom feeder entering next season. Hahn will change it.

I still don't like Obamacare much. Why is everything so complicated in legalese? Bottom line ... if I get fired tomorrow and need to buy my own insurance, about how much will it cost me a year? What do I do if I can't afford that and get sick? I rot and die?

Steverson should bring Beckham in for a week and start making the necessary changes, the final changes, to his stance/approach. If we are going to keep Beckham, this is his last chance at becoming a productive hitter in a Sox uniform. If Beckham doesn't want to work with him ... that's a bad sign.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 07:03 PM) Granderson's headed for 3 years $42-45 or 4/$48. There's no way they can sign him for $8 million for one season. AJ's going to get more than that...and he'll probably be looking for a one year deal with an option. Trading Viciedo and Beckham won't accomplish much. Who do you want to play in the OF? Jordan Danks? Jared Mitchell? Thompson? Because you're not going to be able to get Granderson unless those salary numbers were from a decade ago. Even AJ will be the 3rd or 4th FA option after McCann and Saltalamacchia. I'm not understanding why everyone wants to trade Santiago unless we're getting a young starting 3B or C. Are you sure on that money, Caufield? Grandy is going to get a huge deal? How many teams out there are still spending that kind of money for good but not greatness? AJ making more than $4 mill? Good luck to the teams that want to pay that, I guess. All I know is we need better players than Viciedo and DeAza; Kepp and Gillaspie and Gordo. Otherwise last place beckons and we waste decent pitching.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 01:51 PM) I for one would want to wait on trading Gordon unless the Sox can get good value. I'm not sold on Semien or Sanchez being ready to start for the Sox in 2014. Maybe midseason. Johnson is a year away. Gordon's glove alone would be hard to replace. Esp. if the sox aren't getting someone who can help the sox next year. Anyone trading for him now would be buying low. Why not wait to see if he builds up his value. I'm not saying Gordon will be guy he was drafted to be. Likely not. But with the holes the sox have, they can wait one more year or 1/2 year and then trade him. Most people around here want young reclamation projects, guys with talent who have some prospect of turning it around and being major league regulars. We have one in Gordon. His bat is what needs fixing. His glove can be part of the solution moving forward. The Sox certainly haven't had the hitting coaches in the minors or bigs who have had any success working with hitters. A lot of us are just sick of Beckham and wish he'd go away, kind of like how I felt about Rios. I guess I could stomach one more year of Beckham since he has a good glove, but IMO we HAVE to fix 2B and 3B. Those who want to keep Beckham ... think if the season was still going on ... doesn't the thought of having to watch him bat four times truly make you not even bother with the game? He's that frustrating a hitter to me.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 05:00 PM) You're bias is clouding you're judgement. Santiago is 4/5 starter on a good team. He has good, not great stuff, marginal control, and has never shown the ability to get into the 7th inning on a regular basis. He'll keep you in the game for 6 innings, which is definitely a good thing and he is a valuable member of a team. But he's just not a premium talent, he kinda is what he is. His trade value really isn't as high as you think it is. I agree fully on Santiago. Q is a different story. I think Q is pretty good. Whether he can take the next step, who knows?

Has anybody said Sox will be involved in Ellsbury sweepstakes? I don't see it. Too much money for the Sox to spend on one player. I say give Granderson 8 mill a year; AJP 4 million and trade Viciedo and Beckham and Santiago and see if we can upgrade another position, too. We're still a last place team as it stands. Must change a lot more.