greg775

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 9, 2013 -> 07:23 PM) It isnt safe to say. In fact it is completely incorrect I should have said "without the Sox paying half or 3/4 of his salary to the team that got him." I think Hahn pretty much got in return what Rios is currently worth (considering team must take his full salary sans 1 million)

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 9, 2013 -> 06:49 PM) Oh, and btw, I'll take the cash instead of Garcia. This line kind of scares me. Why do you think Garcia is so bad? I think it's a good deal. The only criticism I could accept is from those who think Hahn magically could have gotten more for Rios over the winter or next year's trade deadline. We'll never know if that's the case. I'll just say signs are pretty powerful that that is not the case. The Sox departed with Rios gladly just as the Blue Jays once did. So in a nutshell, I can see why some think Hahn should have waited and waited to see if Rios' value would be better at the winter meetings. I'm thinking the fact Hahn got somebody to pay all but 1 million of remaining salary for a guy who APPEARS to have little to no trade value (because of his contract) and get a future big leaguer was a decent trade. I think it's safe to say AS OF TODAY Rios has very little value to big league teams as far as trade (Hahn is no clown; you know he dangled Rios to everybody, looking and looking for a good deal before the trade deadline). Would that have changed as the months passed into the winter? Probably not. Who knows? Hahn saved Jerry a lot of money in the interim and I'm sure that gets him merit points considering Rios' seeming lack of passion for the game of baseball. As far as Garcia, I have no problem with the return. Sounds like he has a chance to have a big league career like the other Garcia we got.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:58 PM) When this law comes into effect next year, Blue Cross will not be able to say "no" to insuring you. In fact, I believe that part of the law has already taken effect, insurers cannot turn you down for insurance entirely based on pre-existing conditions. This law also includes what is called "Community rating". What that means is...an insurer cannot decide your rates based on your individual conditions. They can't decide your rates based on what disease you have. They can only decide your rates based on a few categories: Age, Gender, tobacco usage, and a 4th that I forget. The law states that employers with more than 50 employees will have to pay a penalty if they do not offer insurance as a benefit. Instituting that requirement has already been complex and it has been delayed until the 2015 tax year. Yes, more businesses will have to provide insurance for their employees, but the government already foots a huge portion of the bill for that through the employer-insurance tax credit. This bill benefits a couple groups of people the most. People with pre-existing conditions who could not get health coverage beforehand because of that condition will be able to get care for that condition. People who are self employed or work for a small business will benefit hugely because this bill drastically reforms insurance for people who are buying it on their own, they don't have to deal with being singled out because of an injury 5 years ago. They will pay much lower rates and that has already been seen in most of the states complying with the law. The other group that will benefit hugely is the lowest-income group. I think your state may be one of the ones trying to kill that group, but this bill provides a very large increase in funds for Medicaid. Those funds will allow the poorest people in the 30 or so states accepting the funds to actually find medical care other than just by going to an emergency room. Thanks. Good stuff here.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 11:41 PM) I don't think he is a bad guy. He is probably liked in the clubhouse. I just don't know if you want his inconsistent effort as a veteran around a young team. Stone was on a radio show last week which got no pub, but they asked him about Rios getting benched for loafing, and he said Alex was probably surprised because he hasn't hustled since he's been here and for the most part, gotten away with it. Damn. Stone is very blunt. I love the fact Hawk and Stone say stuff like this. KC's announcers would be way too afraid except for Denny Matthews who doesn't care enough to voice an opinion.

Wow, Hahn shooting for a lot in Pitcher Martin Perez, Pitcher Luke Jackson and Infielder Rougned Odor. Hope this mini 3 game win streak isn't making the Sox brass think we are contenders next year and want to keep Rios.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 09:11 PM) I am not sure Gregg likes anyone LOL I like elrockin. I already told you that you by far are the best fan I've ever come across. You are the most loyal for sure.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 09:34 PM) The Rangers will face pressure from their fan base if they know they could have had Rios and didn't get him. It's a good bet the "leak" originated from Chicago. I respectfully disagree. We're talking about Alex Rios here. I think their fan base, if knowledgeable, knows he is far from a savior or even a great ballplayer. I'd think some of their fan base won't want him at all.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 08:54 PM) The fact that he was claimed tells me one thing...the Sox did in fact get some sort of offers for Rios at the deadline which involved prospects and either no cash going back or minimal cash. Or at least I'd suspect as much since Texas put this claim in. I do suppose that Texas previously balked at the notion of paying his entire salary and didn't become willing until Cruz went out. My guess is Texas is more willing to agree to the White Sox demands at this point...but I would think it is unlikely they just let Rios walk (at least based upon this fact pattern where i assume the Sox previously had gotten offers of some sort w/no or limited money for Rios...my guess is they want a good prospect or two for Rios and at that point would probably be willing to send 2-4 million back to the other team). I don't see why the Sox should send any money. Even though I feel he is grossly overpaid, a lot of people on here are indicating his salary isn't totally out of line for huge-market teams. If we can't get a "great" prospect for Rios, then take 2 lower level young, average players with a bit of an upside and call it a trade. As long as Texas pays the whole thing.

Somebody should do an Obamacare for Dummies piece. a.) In the middle class world, let's say I get laid off tomorrow and have no insurance. I want to buy Blue Cross on my own but they say 'no' because I have diabetes. Obamacare means Blue Cross has to take me? What if Blue Cross says, OK, and has some premium for me 5 to 10 times higher than what my employer was paying? Does Obamacare mean whatever company I desire has to take me for the regular price? How do I pay for it if I have no job?? b.) Does Obamacare mean all small businesses have to provide insurance for their employees, meaning many more businesses will go out of business or lay people off to pay for it? c.) When the Republicans win the next election (Hillary is un-electable, folks) can and will the Republican president just throw out Obamacare? Or would it take a year or two to dismantle it? Seems to me that WILL happen. What the hell is Obamacare and who does it benefit the MOST?

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:34 PM) Just remember, the Rangers thought Cruz was going to appeal his suspension, so it's very possible they claimed Rios and are now much more desperate to get him than they were at the deadline (Sorry if someone posted this already) If Hahn can get them to pay his entire contract and gets a legitimate prospect, then he's a big-time winner in this scenario.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:28 PM) Ellsbury is represented by Scott Boras. So is Shin Soo Choo. All teams get an additional $25 million this year. Keeping that in mind, be aware that Michael Bourn signed a 4 year, $48 million contract with the Indians. Bourn is not as good as either of them, nor is he as well known. You are legitimately talking about both of those two players getting upwards of $20 million a year. Just so we're aware. Wow. So whoever acquires Ellsbury and Choo shortly after will be trying to dump them for salary relief (cause they are not worth 20 million a year). Baseball owners are so crazy.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:21 PM) As much as I'd like to get Rios' contract off the books, I hope Hahn doesn't let him go for nothing. Something about him trying to obtain an exorbitant package for him in return a week ago only to be followed up with him essentially "giving up" and letting him go for nothing, makes me worry about how he may be perceived by other GMs in the future and if it could negatively affect him in trying to make deals in the future. Interesting topic. I tend to agree with you. QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:23 PM) From everything that was being reported the days leading up to the deadline, the prospects teams were offering for Rios were awful unless the Sox wanted to pick up money. The term "organization filler" was used. If the teams were only offering filler, can't they just ship the Sox two lower level guys going nowhere and call it a deal? There's still the same issue of the Sox paying some of the salary next season. I still bet there's word from the top to not pay any of Rios' salary. The Grobber was talking about that one night and said he felt the Sox, rightly so, would not be paying any of their players to play for another team.

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 02:55 PM) Ha, man, I have never been so happy that that series has become meaningless. In 2001-2004 that would have been devastating. That just shows how dumb an idea interleague play was when it was invented if the Sox-Cubs is now just another series. How many years has it taken baseball to kill the rivalry?

Like somebody said earlier, Hahn allegedly wanted a return of prospects for Rios before the trade deadline. In Hahn's world, he might look stupid just letting him go for salary relief now.

Good to see the Sox sweep a series and win at home. Some clutch hits tonight and good pitching again.

That's why I want to win EVERY GAME. I didn't waste my night watching that. Great job, DeAza. Nice nice clutch hit baby! We win!

Tyler looked as surprised and thrilled as can be he made contact.

Casper is as bad to hitting as Axe is to pitching. Are they the same guy?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 04:57 AM) Hawk and Stone are actually very nice to listen to now that Hawk has accepted we are going to suck for the immediate future. Not sure why folks don't care for Stone. I can't believe anybody would dislike Stone. Does anybody know more than Stone about MLB in 2013?

Why play this long then put in Axe? I mean Axe is so bad it's pretty insane. I know we want to lose, but why wait this long for Axe if you want to lose? Is he the worst pitcher in baseball right now?

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Aug 5, 2013 -> 08:47 PM) I saw that too and watched a few episodes of it. Its hard to take it seriously because of how fake the original hardcore pawn is. Yeah, I can see how it might be fake. Just seemed possibly fake to me as well.

Sox are back in suck-mode. Bad at bats vs. the Master.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 04:18 AM) .339 with a .942 OPS w/RISP Wow! Thanx for looking it up.

QUOTE (sin city sox fan @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 04:16 AM) John Danks could have blown away Wells......in his injured state of last year Yeah, I can't defend Wells. I'm not a big fan.

Rivera did to Wells what I thought he'd do to Dunn. Blow him away.