LDF

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 03:03 PM) Movie was fantastic. My one big complaint was that it didn't set up the big picture stuff very well. Can anyone explain the state of the galaxy post Battle of Endor? I thought there was an implication that the Emperor's death was the end of the empire or at least would scatter the remaining forces in a way that would make the New Republic the dominant faction. But here, it looks like Snoke just stepped in and its practically the status quo including easily building a new super duper death star. There's a Senate operating but it doesn't do anything. The rebels are stilll the rebels, hiding, and their entire "fleet" is like 20 XWings? i don't know the whole plot or story, esp with all that happen afterward. but for me, i got the sense of the uncertainty of how it would be received and how to make money on it without loosing the appeal, esp to the younger crowd. so they took short cuts. it wasn't until after i watched the movie did i come on this particular thread to figure out those missing pieces. everything was spelled out here with the posters that it kinda filled in the blanks for me. now the appeal, that was great. as i was leaving the theater, i was hear little children for a light saber toy from Santa. i just smiled at the typical response of the parents. i was really nice. to see but to hear this nice exchange.

wasn't there several interesting cuban players who did not want to give up there citizenship to cuba, so they never defected??? i believe they were allow to travel to the asian countries to play ball and then come back to cuba. i wonder if they would be allow to play in america??? second, last yr, i think, a player tried to defect and was caught, now don't hold me to this, but wasn't his last name was something like ferandez or something?? this is an interesting topic. i totally forgot about this. nice.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 09:22 AM) Solid B. Easily better than any of the prequels, but I have my gripes. - let's ditch the Death Star / Death Planet idea. Oh no! It's 10X the size!!!... And defeated easier than any Death Star before - she needs no training to become an elite Jedi standing toe to toe with Kylo Ren - Kylo Ren demasked was laughable. Nerd alert! Ok got the obvious out of the way. It was still awesome. They did an amazing job of bringing the old films back with upgraded visuals. I both get and don't get the need to kill Han Solo. I could've watched another 20 hours of this and didn't want it to end. That's obviously good. I almost feel like there was too much passing of the guard. Are we done with R2? I hope not. I felt too much emotion most of the evening so I'll let it ruminate. The death planet's ease of defeat was a problem, though. Oh and the big bad CGI lording over Ren and his buddy was kinda lame. They honestly shouldn't have removed Ren's mask. I will be interested to see why the opportunity for Ren to go to the Dark Side was even a thing. He had mom and dad. Maybe Han took away his PlayStation 22? i agree and they were able to get to the planet quickly... no momentum, no build up. that was where i kinda of drew the line and chuckle. as i said it was better than i expected it. i think it could have been a lot better. yeah, i had major problems with not only rey but fin in both picking up the light saber and are really proficient with it, without training. i am remember Luke when he first got it, really clumsy with it. last one, it was disappointing on the taking of the mask.... i would have like it maybe in the second movie. now there is no unknown suspense on why the mask and the story of why the mask. but as i said, i enjoyed the movie, i nice start to a group of the next set of movies.

QUOTE (VAfan @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 01:57 AM) This is EXACTLY why I like Cespedes. It's not always about the stats. a great answer.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 01:07 AM) While Kylo Ren is a very interesting character, the other villains left a bit to be desired. Captain Phamsa in particular was a total let-down. Plenty of time to flesh these characters out in the sequels, but probably my biggest gripe with the movie. i just got back. the movie was better than i thought it would be, i wasn't on planning to see, but a friend wanted to see it. the theater was jam packed. that lady in the movie, to put it mildly, she is hot!!!!! and she can act. i too was let down on the villain. i was expecting to see more of the sith kinda of villian. i was not surprise at hans dying and luke looks like he lost mega weight for this .... i really thought they could have used a couple more new characters and do more of a expanded journey, pretty much like the LOTR. oh well.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 10:15 PM) I explained why I disliked it. I guess $8 million or so over 3 years isn't too bad, but I'd rather have seen that money go towards an outfielder. good logic..... i will counter with this is a great gamble, if he pans out, they save arb yrs and save money.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 10:14 PM) Well the Dodgers must have some plan as to what to do with him. I assume. you are correct, his skills on offense is too enticing to not take a chance. see if their coaches can do a better job, or maybe the light bulb will start up. who knows, but it is a great gamble, or maybe they don't care, they want his bat. look at the beginning of last season, the pitchers kinda of mutiny and talked to RV about it.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 10:07 PM) I never saw the guy play in the minors, how was I to know how truly terrible he was? The minute he came up I said move him to third or LF and people said he had a bad arm. Well there have been a ton of left fielders who couldn't throw a lick. Not sure why that would be a big deal. and at a certain time, we as fans as to assume that the coaches will have more info on him playing lf or 3b. i was always leery of the idea of MJ playing for the sox. while his hit tools are noteworthy but where do a team plays him, 1b. dh?? i feel sorry for the kid, i am sure he is a great person who worked hard, but his defense???

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 09:53 PM) I recall Kittle injuring his shoulder in 1984 jumping into the wall overhand at Comiskey. His career was never the same after that. and i remember the coaches were having the cf'er cheat to help cover the grounds for kittle. and kingman, that was so funny, he thought the ball goring to fall in front so he ran forward when the ball landed behind him on the warning track.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 09:56 PM) Left handed bat. Great outfield defense. Gets on base at a higher clip. Good on the base paths. and great lh hitting is their MO..... or is it that maybe this yr it would be a good player b/c of the lh hitting.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 09:41 PM) I've been watching baseball for 35 years and the only one worse may have been Kenny Williams at 3B. dave kingman ron kittle

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 09:40 PM) I'm not whining, just questioning the board cognoscenti. Either $20 million is a lot or not. Hopefully we'll find out that it isn't. only the owner will answer that

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 07:42 PM) Kruger out 4 months this was or is a perfect case on players signing or should sign a multi yr contract.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 09:26 PM) OK back this one up a bit. First of all, "years ago" he was still a developing minor leaguer, and they all have warts. You don't give up at that point. Second, his speed and hit tool mean you have to keep giving him a shot and hope the defense improves. Third, there is no logical position move for him. He'd be even worse at short or third, and he'd be a disaster in the outfield with his twice-surgically-repaired arm that was fringy even for 2B even when healthy. Basically, he's a 2B or he's not a pro ballplayer. And with his tools, the team had to give him a shot. all true.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 07:32 PM) Been looking around at players salaries the last few days to see if the Sox have room for one of those big OF bats. Here's what I've been able to dig up. According to Spotrac the Sox currently sit at 107M in salary commitments to 13 players. That 107M includes leftover salaries from Boni, Peavy and Alexei at 1M each. http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-white-sox/payroll/ Now factor in projections for arbitration cases for Jones, Avi, Jennings, Lawrie and Putnam that totals 8.6M http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/proj...s-for-2016.html So far that's a total of 18 players at 115.6M. Filling out the roster with players making the MLB minimum at 507k each totals just a tick over 3.5M. Now add the 3.5M to the 115.6M and we end up at 119.1M for the '16 payroll. Right around where the Sox were last season. In order for the Sox to sign one of the big FA bats, one of three things must happen. 1- JR raises the payroll significantly, 20M+, to cover the additional salary of one of those big bats. 2- Sox trade two of Robertson, Melky, Danks or LaRoche ( ya, right ) in order to create the space needed for adding 20M+ in salary for a bat. 3- JR raises the payroll moderately and the Sox trade one of the four players listed in #2. Not trying to be a buzz kill, just putting things into perspective. If one of these three things doesn't happen, forget about the dream of signing one of those big bats. As of right now, there isn't enough room for signing Alexei. That's how tight things are as of right now. Let's hope it changes somehow. Honestly, I'm not sure what to think at this point. I've read stuff that says Hahn has last years budget to work with in which case they are already at that limit. I've also read they could raise payroll for the right player and Sox history would back that up. So what does everyone think? Any ideas or predictions as to where the Sox go from here? excellent and well played and thought out. i think the only possibility is a trade

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 08:32 PM) Colorado is smart in that they are waiting until Upton, Cespedes and Gordon sign. The OF market will be rather bare and outfielders salaries will have gone up, already has with the Heyward signing. CarGo is already worth his contract thanks to Heyward's signing and will likely have some surplus value after Cespedes, Upton and Gordon sign. CarGo should bring back a few nice prospects to Colorado. That said, I wouldn't count on Colorado taking on LaRoche's salary. They have no reason to since CarGo is not a salary dump and the Rockies can find a cheaper FA to sign. i also think that the marlins and pirates are in that group. funny thing, nothing has come from the stl camp as well.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 07:32 PM) Been looking around at players salaries the last few days to see if the Sox have room for one of those big OF bats. Here's what I've been able to dig up. According to Spotrac the Sox currently sit at 107M in salary commitments to 13 players. That 107M includes leftover salaries from Boni, Peavy and Alexei at 1M each. http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-white-sox/payroll/ Now factor in projections for arbitration cases for Jones, Avi, Jennings, Lawrie and Putnam that totals 8.6M http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/proj...s-for-2016.html So far that's a total of 18 players at 115.6M. Filling out the roster with players making the MLB minimum at 507k each totals just a tick over 3.5M. Now add the 3.5M to the 115.6M and we end up at 119.1M for the '16 payroll. Right around where the Sox were last season. In order for the Sox to sign one of the big FA bats, one of three things must happen. 1- JR raises the payroll significantly, 20M+, to cover the additional salary of one of those big bats. 2- Sox trade two of Robertson, Melky, Danks or LaRoche ( ya, right ) in order to create the space needed for adding 20M+ in salary for a bat. 3- JR raises the payroll moderately and the Sox trade one of the four players listed in #2. Not trying to be a buzz kill, just putting things into perspective. If one of these three things doesn't happen, forget about the dream of signing one of those big bats. As of right now, there isn't enough room for signing Alexei. That's how tight things are as of right now. Let's hope it changes somehow. Honestly, I'm not sure what to think at this point. I've read stuff that says Hahn has last years budget to work with in which case they are already at that limit. I've also read they could raise payroll for the right player and Sox history would back that up. So what does everyone think? Any ideas or predictions as to where the Sox go from here? and that is an excellent break down, and he used a certified know site to get those numbers. i used a guess estimate. i was too lazy. so with the known numbers, what will the team do???

ok, here is my take on things as they have been address and the state of this team. the sox . i am extremely happy at how the sox have been addressing the major holes in this sinking ship, the difference is there, and i can't fault the fo, up until now. but i will go 1 step further, the propose budget of what the owners has stated, and what i have been using, 125 mil salary cap since yesterday in a post. now that should take the sox out of the running for any of the big bats that are left, and maybe a pitcher. this is unless the powers to be can convince the owners, that the window of opportunity for this team is now. esp in making a name for itself and compete in the media for their share of the chi baseball fans. so realistically what is needed, and what can be a good 3 rd option for each. of'er - every one is in agreement here dh - it is needed, but b/c of the salary, maybe a avi/laroche platoon ss- saladino, sp - ??? does the sox need another rp?

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 05:43 AM) Worse than Avi? Here's a gif of Avi playing RF last season, I ripped from mlb.tv: what what way to start the day off, with a great laugh. this was just as funny as the poster who wrote the post of his pet doing poop in his shoes and the kw conversation on the phone. today i am ready to take on any problems which may come, but of nice laugh.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 08:29 AM) Alexei is a proven big leaguer. Give him a chance to be the anchor of this new infield. Saladino, sorry, he's not the answer. I'd accept him as a super sub however. given the options, there are several factors i would take into consideration when choosing who will play ss. yeah i am all for trading for the likes of dee gordon, or resigning alexei. however i really think the sox will stick with saladino. the next question should be why, and the answer is salary or the projected salary and where it is. the sox will not go over or go really over a propose salary that the owner have already mention. unless hahn can convince them i don't see it happening. so by this it is saladino. what does he bring. defense, and if that is it, damn i have happy with that. again i would prefer to have that media appeal player, and saladino is not it, be there to help in the media war for fans attentions in chi. i am looking at the ability of the sox to help draw the fans ....

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 06:19 AM) It's a shame, I feel like when we look back in 20 years, Crawford isn't going to be talked about in the likes of Toews-Kane-Keith-Seabrook. He's closing in on surpassing Belfour for #3 on the Hawks all-time best list, in my opinion. i agree, i feel as he is really under estimated by the fans.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 05:43 AM) Worse than Avi? Here's a gif of Avi playing RF last season, I ripped from mlb.tv: oh man, that is too funny when thinking that is was a visual of avi. i hope he see this.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 05:20 AM) 4-0 win thanks to Crawford, Teravainen, Toews, Hossa for the hell of it, i went and checked Tevo stats for the yr. not bad including tonite's performance.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 10:42 PM) With the hole left by my at second, Alexei entrenchment at SS and the numerous players the Sox tried at third its really no wonder. However, the Sox did in fact play Sanchez at SS for one game last year, he started 43 games at SS in 2014 and 51 games in '13 for Charlotte so he is familiar with the position. Sanchez has plenty of range for SS, its his arm strength that is concerning but as a utility he should be fine. excellent analysis

this is a question from whomever wants to answer. in the past several days, there has been many players being release or taken off the 40 man list etc.... i see a couple of interesting players such as, Edward Mujica and he is really young, do you think he would have been a players to see what he has in spring training.