LDF

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 07:23 PM) I think the Bulls leaked something that indicated Butler wanted Thibs gone at the end of last year. I do know they had dinner together after he was waxed. I don't know if Hoiberg will be a good coach or not, but his hiring is an exact replica of the Tim Floyd hiring. Both Iowa State. Both known to get the job months in advance. Both GMs making it seem like there will be an exhaustive search to find the right guy, and in the end the GM hires their buddy, and in reality really screws him over. Floyd had no chance with the garbage he had. Despite Gar calling his roster a championship roster, it's not close, making Hoiberg look incompetent. They will spin injuries, but those apparently were on the coach in previous seasons. I would have respected Gar at least a little bit if he would have just said, Thibs is a great coach, I just don't like the guy so I am firing him. Not all the high school type garbage they did. Maybe they should do the same with Gar. bingo.... that is on the dime in my opinion.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 08:51 PM) I agree the insurance company pays a set amount. It seems like your actual issue might be with your dentist totally screwing you over. Not sure what leverage you have at this point and whether you can have the insurance company stiff the dentist and thus the difference is something you owe to the dentist (thus you have leverage...i.e., dentist needs your payment to make them whole and you could hold that over there head for some form of negotiation). I sure as hell wouldn't ever go to that dentist again. You were quite frankly, robbed. They very well might be taking advantage of you presuming you are older and retired and feel you are an easy target. thanks for the reply, the point is, it is not my dentist it is the entire medical / dental in ins plans and how they take advantage of the people. thru maybe a set program things like this can be change. my problem is the entire st of LA is like this. the 3rd highest in the country, next to Hawaii, Alaska and then LA. modern day pirates. but in ref to the last sentence, the elder retired people get screwed in the medical and government cut backs. well so much for my biitche. btw, for those who posted on this..... many thanks and very classy

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 07:11 PM) That's insane. That should be their responsibility to negotiate the rate, and if they can't negotiate a lower rate they should not allow you to use that dentist. Was that dentist in your network? yes, the person i talked to stated the whole st of LA has one of the highest priced dentist billing and are taking away most of the coverage of basic things in their pricing. that is why i have to go to Hou. my sister had to travel to Hou too. b/c of the same reason. she too is retired. that is why on major medical, i send them up to chi, where we have cuz for family to stay at.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:58 PM) I'm game. Claim him and give him a shot to earn a spot in ST. heck yeah i shot to make the team, not necessarily the major roster. but more develop time, maybe the coaches can see a problem... heck if doesn't cost anything.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:45 PM) Rob Scuderi placed on waivers. If he joins Bickell in Rockford, that's another $950k savings on the cap. i just saw this on one of those rumors page. this throws me for a loop. the hawks could not find a partner to trade him???? (rhetorical)

QUOTE (Tannerfan @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:23 PM) In '05 BP had the White Sox finishing around 500, and I think in 4th place. To their credit they wrote a what went wrong (for them) article after the World Series. thanks for that info. yeah i too have to give BP credit for doing the right thing.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:40 PM) The other thing about Guerrero is he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his permission. So if he sucks and he doesn't feel like going to Charlotte, you can release him or burn a roster spot. that is the most correct answer.... i didn';t look it up.

this is a great idea this topic.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:37 PM) That Bleacher Report prediction is pretty obnoxious. The Sox went 76-86 last year. Their Pythagorean W/L was 72-90. They are replacing a pretty poor Samardzija with Latos (probably a plus move) Replaced Gillaspie/Saladino/Olt with Todd Frazier (a huge plus) Replaced Sanchez with Lawrie (a fairly substantial plus) Replaced Flowers/Soto with Navarro/Avila (a plus) Replaced Ramirez with Saladino (jury's out but should be a plus) Should see advancements made by Rodon and hopefully Avi All that and they see they as regressing by 3 wins or progressing by just 1 win using the Pythagorean record? Give me a break. nice write up, no offense, i may not agree with all, but still really nice write up.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:43 PM) No, he hasn't been good in the majors, and that's why he was DFA'd. However, he did fine in the minors, is a formerly highly regarded prospect, and would presumably be happy stashed in Charlotte. And the Sox still need SP depth. And we are actually in a position to win the claim for once. http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playe...&position=P i totally agree..... i was waiting for someone to post this. i thought BS13 would for sure. too much upside and the cost is nothing but a gamble. i was thinking this could be another Jose Quintana as a gamble looking forward.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 07:37 PM) Who would you trade for a competitive balance pick though? Teams covet those. ok i am going to try to put this nice ... nice kind of a way. i hope it comes out that way. before the off season, some teams, ok maybe 1 or 2 traded for comp picks, look at who they traded.... the sox have that beat by a country mile. now the caveat or a another condition that changes this, the price of these picks, esp since the price of the SP's went drastically thru the roof. it may be different now. btw, a great question.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 07:21 PM) Yeah, you really should check on that LDF. That is outrageous. Without insurance, it should not cost that much. if you don't mind, i will use your post. i did again, this morning. calling at 8:00 am cst. i got in and talked to the rep.... they said quote "it is not their fault that the st of LA charges more for their medical. they the ins companies the nat'l avg and it is my responsibility to pay the difference, even if i was retired". i have been retired since 99. yous guys who tried to help, many thanks. this is why i keep saying sox talk is the best......

for me and my fantasy hopes, i see 4-5 unknown pitchers making a name for them selves in the 1st round. i see some of those college bats falling down to the comp rds or 2nd rounds. that is why i am still ranting on getting more comp picks selections and yes, trade the 2/3 tier pitchers to get them the sox have a stock systems for those kind of pitchers. oh well that is me.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 07:14 PM) Would be a huge coup to nail 2 6th rounders in a row. Hope both players take nice steps forward this year. crap, i screwed up, deleted post.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:21 PM) Sometimes you don't appreciate things until they are gone. If Butler turned on Thibs, I bet he is having second thoughts. The guy actually said GarPax's guy needs to coach harder. if you don't mind, kinda of refresh my memory, wasn't there an article that came out that said 2 key players met with the gar/pax and voice their displeasure.... i remember i thought i read something like that. i even thought on this site, the fans were trying to put names to those 2 players. screw this, i was against the thibs thing and i thought the bulls needed to redo the team. it was hopeless then.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:12 PM) Gourriel has spent most of his life at second and third, with some SS but not his best position. and you are correct, i was wondering as many of these cuban ball players have played other positions. look at Alexei Ramírez , in cuba he played the outfield and esp in important game in the world competition games. i do not know. just spit balling here.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:13 PM) Of course they are ridiculous. But it gets people talking. Most predictions for entire league records turn out to be laughable at the end of the season. I am not sure if it was BP or Fangraphs who had every team that finished in last place in the AL last season actually making the playoffs in their preseason end of spring training predictions. i would really love it if some independent new companies goes back and get those predictions and the end of season results and post them....

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 07:11 PM) The only player who turned on Thibs was Jimmy Butler. He's also turning on Fred Hoiberg. i really didn't know that. i would have sworn that it was D. Rose and / or Noah.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:47 PM) You cannot compare one season to another. All you can do is compare him against this year's competition. He's having the most statistically significant offensive season in 25 years. That's, by definition, bananas. and he was really motivated when the season started..... i hope his success continues into the playoff.

QUOTE (Tannerfan @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 05:59 PM) I think it's hard to take these predictions seriously because they're done now before spring training begins, as opposed to right before the actual season starts. BP bases its predictions on "the numbers" but wouldn't they have a better chance of accuracy after rosters are set? Not to mention there's no way WARP or ERA+ can take into account a teams best pitcher jumping from the back of a pickup truck, injuring his foot, and missing his first three or four starts. Just saying. very much so. but these companies want to get that news preview and crap. but you do make a point.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 06:54 PM) I took two of the exams but went into the financial/marketing industry instead. For now at least. Public colleges, certainly, but it'd be kind of hard to reel in private institutions. Personally, I would support some sort of system that allowed student loans from the government to be more accessible for everyone. And these loans should have small to no interest. Like 0.9% or something. I pay 3.75%, but i know people paying upwards of 8%. I do disagree with the notion that it should just be free. Everyone knows people who treated high school like a joke. Why would that change at college? Hell, I'm sure everyone knows people who paid to go to college and still treated it like a joke. Some failed out and wasted their own money. But when it's not their money, there's even less incentive. Rather than pushing for free college for everyone, I really think the country needs to invest in trade schools. You don't need a traditional education to become successful and/or make a good wage. The problem is that everyone gets ingrained with the idea that you must do this, this and this in school, and then you can get to the next step where you're continued to be pushed through. School isn't meant for everyone. Everyone isn't meant for school. And that's completely fine. Trades are just as important and can be just as lucrative. I don't know what it's like now, but when I was in school only 10 years ago, there was a stigma attached to non-traditional schooling options. I'm sure the negative projection of those types of places were detrimental to some kids. They totally shouldn't be, but I'd guess that they still are. i know, i have been bless in many ways for my college and education. my short comings in the education is the luck of the draw. but my opinion and i know it is more of a fantasy is, for anyone who want to go to college should get free college of some sort. then higher education, well that will be for other people to figure that out, people who are WAY smarter than I. and pls remember that free college thing i said, well there need to have some stipulation ..... what will those stipulations are, i don't know. how to fund it, dang, cut back on the foreign aid to some countries. the US government should look after the US citizens.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 04:58 PM) There's absolutely no reason for the Sox FO trade for Guerrero. The only position he grades out positively is 3B and that position is filled by Frazier and backed up by Lawrie and Saladino. Agree with those that say Guerrero is a butcher in the OF which makes trading for him a moot point. Would rather roll the dice on Avi. I like Guerrero's bat and he could be better with more consistent time on the field but there's no room for him on the Sox. Ethier makes the most sense but there doesn't seem to be a fit between the teams so I'm not counting on a deal happening with the Dodgers. Still scratching my butt trying to think of other trade possibilities that Hahn could be looking into. same here. but visually on that part of your anatomy you mention, i rather not think about that. ugh.... but back to baseball, i have been gandering on maybe Fa's. why not try Yulieski Gourriel at the OF once he is eligible to sign.... most of those cuban players are really gifted in different positions.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 01:38 PM) http://m.mlb.com/news/article/164316486 Phil Rogers tamping down expectations about us giving up a pick and uncertainty about contending this season...described idea of losing it as potentially "nauseating" to Hahn. Also references Alex Guerrero rumors. he has an instant out clause once he is traded.... no window no negations. he becomes a instant Fa.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 04:38 PM) I dont see the AL East being that good at all great catch..... i agree. i see AL Central and AL West. i am looking at the possibility of what would it take as a wild-card. i agree with cle, i said this at the beginning of the off season. they have a very good, potentially great team. chi is 2nd easily based on their improvement and pitching. but still. i think they still need a minor little fix to make this team even better. hope RV is up to the task.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 03:55 PM) http://espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=4736 Keith Law has some surprises in his top 10. It is behind paywall, so I'll summarize for those who can't access it. 1. Anderson 2. Fulmer 3. Adams 4. Michalczewski 5. Guerrero 6. Danish 7. Zangari 8. Leyer 9. Engel 10. Adolfo Leyer is the big shocker here as he didn't even make FutureSox top 30. Law notes that he is a "power-armed reliever" who has a good change-up. He was very complimentary of Zangari, saying he has "huge" upside. i don't know, remember i usually do like crap when trying to come up with a list, but, i really think Zangari should be #6 due to potential and promise. plus what he accomplish in a short time. leyer, i really am surprise, #7 ???? i would imagine something like 13-15. stephens more like, i don't know, 10. engel and may are a tie... next season for me they should separate themselves. but thanks for posting this.