LDF

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:21 PM) Draft pick aside, imo, there's an equal amount of pros and cons between Fowler and Jackson. Look up their stats and compare for yourself. My preference is definitely Jackson over Fowler but I tend to value defense pretty heavily. Also, Fowler didn't hit RHP particularly well last year, and there's alot of RHP in the ALC. i hate to say this and think i am a yess sir kind of a person. i too what that CF'er to be way better at defense and if the production with the bat is there, then that is gravy. the defense up the middle and with a little extra hitting, plus all the improvement on the field, then count the latos being added to that pen...... how can anyone not get excited....

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:16 PM) You're always so positive LDF. It's a welcome on a message board where most stray to negativity (myself included). Keep up the positive looks! yeah i was accuse of being a cheerleader and i say so what. positive comments is great to keep the juice flowing and it can be fully discussion. in other words a great point - counter point debate of discussion. i love a post where msg are flowing in all directions. btw. you are my hero.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:13 PM) Agree. I'll take anyone. and within that scoop, anyone will still be better than Avi ....

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:57 PM) Puig isn't happening and while Fowler's bat is an upgrade over Jackson's, Jackson is far and away a better outfielder plus he will not cost a pick. IMHO, those factors balance the two players out. I'm not afraid of giving up the pick, just pointing out that it is a factor. The Sox currently have the 28th overall pick (comp) which valued at 1.97M in last year's draft so if it comes down to a choice between Fowler and Jackson, I'll take Jackson with his superior glove and the comp pick/slot value for June's draft to inject another quality prospect into a farm system that needs it. i will say this again, the bigger idea is to improve the team, to get the team to the playoff, so if loosing that QO, will hurt esp for me, i like following the draft, i understand, it to win now.... while the sox have the main core to do something. now, would there be much different in jackson vs fowler, so much more where fowler had to be the better choice??

QUOTE (bear_brian @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:57 PM) That is probably true, but they do have SOME pieces to use in a deal: a) one of Putnam, Petricka, Webb, Jennings/Phillips; b) one of Adams, Eric Johnson or Chris Beck; c) lower level minor leaguer. Is that enough to get ANYONE? Am not sure, which leads me to believe that the best course of action is either Austin Jackson or to do nothing and wait to see what position the team is in near the trade deadline. wasn't it said that the sox had extra pen pitchers that they could one or two of them.

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:56 PM) Again, don't want to get off topic either. So Polish, extra onion. Half Acre beer. Their Cuban, although not spectacular, is decent for ballpark food. isn't some west coast team providing asian cuisine as well.... something like the asian market does overseas???

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:54 PM) In the end it's a business. That's why you see sh** food at Great America, sporting events throughout the country, etc. . The ability to make better food is there. I have underwritten financials of some of said companies. They are doing well. I understand there are politics and financials that go into this, hence why its unlikely to change. My post is really more the chicken and the egg. Most teams are zombies, just going with the status quo. If you are winning you can get away with that. Just thinking outside the box. If you have an empty stadium how does one fill it? You pander towards your customer. Technology so people can be on their smart phones, food, beer, etc. It can be done. But spending 0.50 on nachos and charging $7.00 is a great profit. Spending $1.25 on nachos and charging $7.50 is not as great of a profit. Somebody would be out of a job if sales didn't increase to make up that margin. There are so many metrics that go into these breakdowns. Surveys,etc. saying -- if we did this and this, whats the likelihood of you attending a game? I get it. But I'd like to think the consumer is smarter than that. I personally know that I'll drink the majority of my beer pre-game. I'll have a nice meal beforehand and not spend more than $20 on items generally. If they had good food? I'd buy a few items. I know that when I'm in stadium club I'll generally come with an empty stomach because the food up there is better. Beer is beer. Same thing. They get a better margin on Miller Lite than on Half Acre. You'll always see more Miller Lite. But no doubt the experience would be better with better food/drink. you hit the nail on the head. or you hit a home-run here. great counter. question, when did the sox went away from one company producing all the food to different vendors providing their specialty of that group. that is what i remember of going to the sox games back in the 80's.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:45 PM) If Fowler would have taken the QO, would the Cubs still have signed Heyward? good question, i say no, i think they have one eye on the golden ring, but the other eye on the salary and team salary.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:37 PM) Yep, at Nate Silver's site, where they were also debating the merits of the Angels trading Trout. As far as the Dodgers go, all that spending hasn't won them a World Series, nor the Mariners, Angels, Tigers, etc. The Red Sox, for three of four years now, have been a complete disaster. If the Cubs do win, hopefully the lesson won't be spending on Heyward, Lackey and Zobrist rather than a wide swath of trades breaking their way for 3-4 years. and that is why they are going more of a fiscal route with smart trades instead of the one sided trades they were doing. now they have to unload some of those $$$ laden contracts.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:21 PM) Polish with grilled onions at The Cell. In the past, I've actually gone to games purely for that reason. A few seasons ago, I also discovered those loaded potatoes. I'll get those from time to time. those potatoes will fill me up. i want to eat and to drink .... the before, the vendor know to come every 2 innings to our section, we will buy and load up on the beer plus a healthy tip for remembering .

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:14 PM) Well not to attack the thread here, but I think we missed out on the majority of the good foods in the park ... if someone is saying CrackerJacks are their favorite then we have a problem. The staple is the Polish, extra onion for me. However there is generally pretty good food throughout. The partnership with Beggars was smart. No more Digornio. I will say that it seems some parks are doing more and more of this, and I would like to see the Sox do this as well - but we need to start moving away from Levy Restaruants and SportService and more into replicating true Chicago restaurants that we are famous for. It's about time you separate yourself. Like it or not, the baseball game for a lot of people is the atmosphere. almost like an amusement park. Yes, people go for the rides, but they are also spending $25 to get into the "park". To go shopping and get clothing, to go to the fundamentals deck, to walk around, to take in sights, etc. Food is a big part of this. I know there are long term contracts with LEvy, etc. However, if we truly want to separate our experience from the Northside, I say we start shaping our games into a true "Chicago experience" Pizza from Beggars. Italian Beef and Dogs/Polish from Al's. Reubens from Manny's. Mexican from ________. More craft beer than just a few stands (those lines are generally long). Upgrade your nachos and pretzels, etc. to something more than just chips and melted cheese. You market this buy having an open competition from the vendors etc. Build up excitement. Of course there is the business side of this. Contracts, profit margins, the ability to get said vendors to "water down" their product by selling at a park, etc. But with an empty stadium, its not like the others -- bulls, hawks, cubs.. we need a selling point. why not move towards this as a selling point? I'm sorry, but with 4k TV's and angles and the ability to watch from anywhere -- you need to sell more than the product of baseball. i really had a hard time tying not to respond. this will bring up an old topic and it is about money. while you do make a great post, esp about the one of the joys of seeing a game in person, your point on levy and SS is where i am going. those 2 companies are and have some of the sox ownership and hawks ownership as well. the levy brothers are from the same area as one of the sox owners. 2nd, they also supply the norhtside team as well. but i really do not want to rehash that whole financial income and sub companies and profit. now back to the food at the park. i have been to some parks, nothing like i am sure of some of the other posters. the one thing i come away with after watching a game, the food in the sox park are sooooo freaking great, the same at the bears. however, the experience of the culinary side from the bulls and hawks.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 12:46 PM) The idea that improving the team's victory total from 59 to 61 or 62 wins and a pick outside of the Top 2-3 might not be worth the risk/return of signing Jackson with the principal idea of trading him again. And Boras won't give the Brewers any kind of discount. really nice and on the dime. i would like to add, jackson will add to payroll, why add when the team is rebuilding. jackson will add to a few more wins. that may affect the pick from picking #1 to, for this discussion, #4.... the difference of a Rodon and a Nick Gordon from the 2014 draft. again this is only a thought process.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 12:27 PM) Pittsburgh is likely to wait until after this season. They're still not 100% certain Polanco will be the special player he was projected to be. that is what a nother poster whom i really trust as being fair, said. but my point, look at the NL central, now look at the division and now the wildcard team comes into play. pirates will want to make that playoff, as it stands, they really need pitching to really do something special, and yet, at least some known and unknown prospects who make a name for themselves in ST. they need to make a trade for pitching.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 01:18 PM) I think Jackson will sign with Milwaukee. They didn't have a true CF on their team and moved Davis which means Braun and and Santana will be the corners. Jackson can be a trade candidate in June/July for them. nice thinking. i like it. the problem i have in that thought process, the brewers are rebuilding, i really don't think they will take on extra salary. plus they may want that extra ticks higher in the following yr draft. that ticks may be comprise if they signed jackson. this is my opinion only.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 12:57 PM) You've just found a new Moneyball niche, superstars with strong leadership skills and team-first oriented...we'll see how much that's worth when Andrew McCutcheon theoretically hits the trade market next year. and that lead to another thread where another poster was responding to a post i made. that, ref the bold, that pitt may look to trade one of their very nice of'er. talk is the pirates what to sign him, only if they can do something this yr. they need pen pitcher and maybe a sp. i can see them going all in this yr. but back to you post, i still will say, getting that special player can not be predicated .....

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 11:20 AM) http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/whats-...-baseball-team/ Looks at the "balanced" vs. "stars and scrubs" approach and finds pretty much no difference. Also notes that it's much easier for a team like the White Sox (as currently comprised) to make an upgrade (trade deadline move, for example) at one terrible position compared to more balanced team struggling to find and pay for (money or prospects) an upgrade over a 2-3 war player. well this is on me and me being extremely tired. this reminds me of a math term called coefficient of determination.... where a model is used and that it will remain constant. but using the advance metric, while it does help, does chg and it is not constant in performances on a yr in and yr out basis. the unknown factor, esp for me, is that one or several super talented that brings that little extra, that chemistry, that special leadership skill that can not be seen in stats. moneyball

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:06 AM) What two things does Joe Crede, Dayan Viciedo, Andruw Jones and Carlos Rodon have in common? and the music of jeopardy play on. nice one.

QUOTE (LDF @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:58 AM) what is her name??? nah, if it is what i think it is, i had and it is great. some kind of paste in the middle right? i look it up, i can't pronounce the name but it is some kind of a sweet bean paste in the middle of a white bun. then there is barb-q meat, separate or combo kind and the one i really like is like a beef stew kind in a bun.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 08:27 AM) This is awesome to see, as I am an alumnus of NIU. The White Sox have always had a connection to NIU that I deeply appreciate. When I was at NIU we had a school shooting on Valentine's Day that must people don't remember. And I'll never forget the White Sox holding a baseball game for the NIU baseball team (against ND) soon afteR and they donated all proceeds to the families of the victims. I really appreciate that through the years my alma mater and my favorite team have kept that connection and look forward to attending this game in the fall. that was a great story on what the sox did. as you said, those little things is what make the owners a good bunch of guys, and should not be forgotten. now i will add me to the #1 on that list to keep remember on what the owner did.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:56 AM) Colorado gets Desmond Orioles get Gallardo and Fowler Sox get Jackson and keep their picks There, everyone is happy. really nice. i will not rain on your parade asking questions about dealing with jackson agent.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:56 AM) Too easy. ahh crap, i was too weak minded.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 05:55 AM) Am I the only one infatuated with Asian buns? what is her name??? nah, if it is what i think it is, i had and it is great. some kind of paste in the middle right?

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:37 AM) Sox website has an updated 40 thanks.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 04:20 AM) Damn, I sorta feel this thread got derailed but the admins aren't saying anything yet. I don't think college should be free but it should be very affordable! If you're paying off debt for 30 years after you graduate, that's just a huge problem. I agree with the increase in trade schools as well for those who do not want to want the traditional college route. I'm all for paying taxes to invest in this country's future and infrastructure. Now this on the other hand... http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/16/politics/f-3...rational-costs/ We always have money for the biggest baddest bomb, plane, and war on the planet... but we can never fix our s***ty infrastructure and reform our schools. Enough is bloody enough. i hate having to keep posting about the st i live in, but for all it screwed up points, they do some good sometimes. like they have a big chunk taken off or are helped for college for the residents of the st to send their kids to college. has something to do with what Heuy P Long setup a long time ago. the oil companies will pay fees to the st for their children to attend colleges, they, the colleges will somehow setup and help the kids. i really don't know the whole facts on this story. maybe it is one of those urban legends. but i heard that it is a resident restriction of living in the st for x - amount of yrs before your kids goes to school.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 02:06 AM) SD- Kemp is far worse in RF than Avi and Kemp should be a DH so there's no space for him on the Sox. Milwaukee- they are rebuilding so the only players they are trading will be veterans with a high salary such as Braun. Cards- they have an OF opening and were linked to Heyward and rumored about with other FA outfielders so I'm not sure they would trade an outfielder away. Pitt- they aren't moving any outfielders until after this season when they can demand a kings ransom due to a lack of high quality FA outfielders next winter. Pitt will need what they have to contend while their minor league outfielders develop this year. I think Austin Meadows becomes the new CF for Pitt in '17 after Pitt trades McCutchen next winter for all of ancient Egypt's gold. Mets- they do have some young talented outfielders but that's probably why they would like to trade DeAza. Those young outfielders wouldnt come cheap if the Mets were willing to trade one of them. I think the Sox need to work something out with Houston. first, i will address the hou idea. i totally agree for only one reason, they may have what the sox needs. but i really doubt the sox have the assets to pull it off, plus my not wanting to trade in the AL. but that second part is foolish, if the sox can get that OF'er. ref to all the other comments, that was great and that is what is fun. the point-counter point discussion and exchanging pov's . either way, i will not bore anyone else now with my ideas ..... great discussion.