LDF

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 04:30 PM) Again, clearing openings is different that clearing cap space and that isn't something I'd think you'd have to worry about at this point (if you are trying to compete). LaRoche's one year deal shouldn't get in the way of "competing" or not "competing" imo. Hahn has already hinted at backloading something which would already be working around it. I just wish Sox would keep their mouths shut about financial stuff. I never liked when Kenny talked about it and I never liked when Hahn does either. If you want to talk about something after we do it (and about how JR went above and beyond...great, I can support that) but I don't want them to cry poor for / make excuses for items. Lets not pretend people don't understand their circumstances and payroll limitations. We know we aren't the Yankees or Dodgers and thus we have to build plans that contemplate those very components (and can't just ignore the fact that we can't go crazy in FA). i somewhat disagree here. while the sox org is not the yanks, dodgers, res sox etc of the baseball world, where they could toss money around, on the same topic of economics, they are the in the financial strains of that, a 3rd world economy. there is a lot of mis information there. here is a simple question, what is the priority, getting the team to compete or make no moves until it is financial ok to do it, with the understanding of not interrupting the owners profit margin.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 04:24 PM) For real, a lot of teams that the fanbase are envious of (Cubs, Dodgers, etc.) have all had massive mistakes (E-Jax, a bunch of Dodgers) and the Sox are much smaller in comparison. Melky, LaRoche and Duke are not team breakers by any means while Sale, Quintana, Abreu and Eaton are all phenomenal contracts. really nice, but the owners made millions and will continue to make millions. so if the owners can resolve to the fact that they can actually endure a yr or 2 with a lost, yet it will improve the marketability, the fan base both locally and national, and at last the adv, they can come out winners and hopefully bring home a WS title.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 04:22 PM) I think it's more about creating openings. Dumping LaRoche opens up the DH for Melky which in turn opens up LF for a FA OF bat or Thompson. that is extremely good counter. really. i never thought of it in that way. make sense.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 03:26 PM) Hahn on the phone: "Bag of balls?... No?..." "How about we send you the bag?... Still no?" "Man, you drive a hard bargain... Okay, you get free sundaes in helmets for a year and two bags of balls..." "What? Three bags of balls? Let me call my manager..." "KENNY!"

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 03:19 PM) Dunt; I agree with you. Adding a few pieces could easily make this team a Playoff Contender in 2016. Although I was not a fan of Bill Veeck, I agreed with when he said "The future is now, 5 year plans usually lead to new 5 year plans". With the core of Abreu, Eaton. Sale, Quintana, Rodon and Robertson we could easily contend in 2016. Adding a few pieces would definitely make things interesting in 2016. I'm hoping Hahn can get it done. i didn't know that about veeck. i like it.

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 03:18 PM) LaRoche hit under .200 in four of six months. He drove in 13 runs in May -- and was under 10 every other month. He hit 3 home runs in the second half of the season. His bat speed started slow -- and got slower. Ray Charles wouldn't trade for Adam LaRoche. excellent post. i really thought you were going with ray charles was a better hitter than laroche last season.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 04:01 PM) His profile doesn't tend to age well: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/chris-davis...in-free-agency/ very interesting. i didn't know that.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 02:39 PM) It would be terribly sad and short-sighted if the Sox actually DON'T make a move because they can't find a way to move the final $13m owed to LaRoche. Make the right moves, THEN worry about reclaiming some LaRoche money. If you can't, then that's the price of taking a gamble, Mr. Reinsdorf. great point and that lack of move will be a loss in the profit and lost ..... which the owners always work for the money aspect.

man, here is my post, a post worthy of a fiction novel. how much money will this "go for it" be allowed. me, chris davies, heyward or upton. trade anderson, montas, beck, hawkins, mj, and may to miami for dee gordon and pardo. extend gordon contract.

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 02:30 PM) with due respect to all, i don't believe it. fluff job by the sox if that is the truth, then why put out feelers on trading him and i don't buy the money for a bat. on a side note, laroche, does anyone think this was a hahn move in the first place.... meaning getting him here??

QUOTE (Special K @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 02:30 PM) Is LaRoche the worst contract Hahn has dished out since taking over the reigns? This is essentially $25 million flushed down the toilet. We're talking about teams not willing to take him on unless the Sox eat $10 million of his salary this year? The Sox should seriously consider just signing Heyward with LaRoche and Danks' dollars coming off the books next year. That frees up roughly $28 million. but the bosses will not allow that to happen.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 01:01 PM) Thank you for the Info. I was not aware of that injury. Now my question is; Why was he playing? He should have been benched. Now, I'm even more disappointed in this team. If he couldn't contribute because of his health, he should not have been left in a position to spoil the team's chances of being competitive. He was a "black hole" in the cleanup spot. Simply inexplicable!! with due respect to all, i don't believe it. fluff job by the sox

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 02:21 PM) At least for me, it's hard to compare Sale to the old timers (Walsh, Lyons, Faber, etc) because I never saw those guys play. Not to mention that the game was completely different back then. but that was the beauty of talking baseball on the street corner and talking about the greats on your team. in the heat of a summer day, waiting for someone to turn on the fire hydrant and talking baseball. but then again all i talk was smack and how the sox would kick the northside arse.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 12:32 PM) I'd say if there were $5-7M on the table left over, I would do it after talking myself into thinking that he wasn't as terrible when he played the field and that he's still a good defensive first baseman. Also I think the anger with Konerko was the fact that we already had Dunn and Abreu. lets think of it this way, 5 mil to start this discussion, a pitching prospect, a viable one, for a very good 1b defensive player who still will put up at least 15 hrs..... nice deal.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 12:43 PM) They are going to go all out to get Heyward to play CF and bat lead off you know, in my frame of mind and being sick. that is not even funny.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 01:16 PM) http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/what-would-...tion-look-like/ The whole idea of lineup protection is generally overstated. real nice find.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 01:15 PM) I think people need to look at this another way. Say the White Sox needed a first baseman where economically challenged and trying to win. If LaRoche was coming from another team, how much would the team have to eat to make you not freak out at RH and KW. Remember in 2014, when the White Sox were in a rebuild mode how many freaked out at the team paying Konerko a couple of million to take a victory lap. What if they were actually trying to win? I thing the verdict here is LaRoche is going nowhere unless the Sox eat almost all of his contract. most excellent and well thought out counter on anything and everything laroche.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 11:01 AM) Yes I think that Frazier and Upton could make the Sox contenders but no I don't think the Sox acquire either Frazier or Upton (despite rumors). i totally agree with you on the Frazier part. the price would be too steep to pay. but the upton rumor is soooo much like what the sox ownership group would do. that is all i would say on that. my feelings on that is well documented.

if the sox were going to go with a big bat as many are expecting, and it will be ok for them to sacrifice a draft pick, why not Chris Davis???

i really don't even know why i am posting on this freaking thread, my hatred for anything northside is, well lets say well known. but these moves that they are doing, they are screwing up royally. here is a chance to really put the driving nail in the coffin of the sox and their pr media circus and what are they doing????? going the sox owners route by going cheap. thank you to the sCrubs ownership for their inbred stupidity.

QUOTE (Sox Fan In Husker Land @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 12:00 PM) Billy likes to drink soda. Miss Lippy's car is green. no offense on this.... i am just a little sick here and i really do not know what you are talking about.... but i like it. a nice little chuckle is great to get me going.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 11:57 AM) Are there any NL teams hard up for a first baseman? And if so, how many would be willing to take on that salary? Pitt really need a 1 yr temp 1b to help groom the present option or they may leave him in the minors. Balt is another option, but no matter what, at least 5 mil plus a prospect to sweeten the deal.

QUOTE (glangon @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 10:58 AM) According to Bob Nightingale on Twitter. Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale · 20m20 minutes ago The #Whitesox shopping LaRoche, hoping to clear money for big bat I wonder if we can get anything for Adam Dunn MkII or will we have to package a prospect to get anything back. They must be desperate to get Upton yep, that is the one player all org were waiting for.... they will be pounding on the door....... from laughter.

no offense to anyone, but as our fearless leader have stated, it all comes down to the owners. and they will not do it, esp if the salary goes above 130 mil. they want their profits.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 02:45 AM) Not saying you don't acquire someone who fits well in the cleanup spot, but OF defense is far important in my opinion. For instance, Upton would probably be a more prototypical 4 hole hitter but Heyward would be a much better pickup due to his elite defense. Both are very nice bats, obviously. or you could go and get a pedro alvarez, he has great defense for the dh ... and great power.