Chisoxfn

I'd be thrilled if the Hawks got that for Barker & Khaby but I think it is far more likely that Seabrooke would be the one that goes.

Took them a while to finally announce the roster. I know it was decided the night of the Futures Game. The fact that Richard is included means that the White Sox didn't protect him under the assumption that they would have some thought of using him on the major league roster anytime soon. Some pretty rock solid guys on the roster, which is nice to see

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 16, 2008 -> 12:00 PM) Let me ask you people this. Anyone ever been to SF? (calling all you cali sox fans) In SF all they eat is this sourdough pizza, you can get some pretty good s*** near the piers. I wish they had that here, its AMAZING. Yep and that stuff is bomb.

Your disgusting Row...your disgusting. Thin Crust >>> Deep Dish. Where in Chicago has awesome thin crust (someone once told me on here that Chicago has some awesome Thin Crust pizza).

You'll be missed Pablo and no matter where you go, I'll always cheer for you (but I won't cheer for you to do anything that would beat the Sox).

4.49

Per Mark Gonzalez on Danks:

Per Mark Gonzalez

Per Mark Gonzalez

QUOTE (NYSox35 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 03:59 PM) If it's 4 years @ 8 million per for Joe, count me in! That is pretty damn reasonable. He'll give us a much better all around 3B than Fields w/o hurting our budget elsewhere. I'd expect around 4yrs @ 12 million per. He could even end up getting more.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 03:36 PM) QB yes. WR, I disagree. I might be the biggest fan of this WR core in the world. LLoyd still has good potential. He can make some spectacular catches, he works the middle of the field, and if he can go back and produce like his 05 season, he'd be a damn fine #2. If Hester could learn where to line up before the snap and become more reliable catching the ball (big IF), he has potential to be a stud WR with his breakaway speed. Booker is still a solid WR. He's going to catch everything thrown at him, and is a great asset to a team with QB issues. Bennett is the 3rd rounder who I think can really surprise some people. And then you have guys battling in Hass, Rideau, Monk. I'm really REALLY hoping we could land Favre... The problem is you are talking about a s***load of "ifs". Booker is the only guy to prove much anything at the NFL level over the past couple years (when it comes to the WR position) and he's clearly on his last legs. Aside from that no one else has proven anything. Bradley has proven he can't stay on the field. Hester has proven he's raw (with ability) and Davis has shown he's nothing more than a slot WR. Who knows about the rookie WR's. Bottom line, this is as s***ty of a WR corps as you can have to start the season. That doesn't mean it can't become good, but no way in hell should JA be complimented as of today based upon what he put together (you should never have to rely on that many uncertainties at a key position such as WR to start the season, imo). You should have a couple certainties and than run your risk in one or two guys potentially breaking out and making things even better.

Financials are a tremendous 5 year play, imo.

I'd buy this site for millions off myself so I can say Soxtalk is a million dollar site I honestly wouldn't change much. I'd buy a place in Chicago, the mountains, and Orange County and take care of any debt my parents or close friends would have (that list would extend to my 10 best friends). After that I'd put a good chunk in various savings type mechanisms which would ensure I'd always have enough money to support myself and my family) and than use the rest to be involved in various business investments (I'd also probably put myself back in college for an MBA, just because I think it would be an enjoyable experience which would help benefit my professional career). I would also have interest in getting involved in a sports franchise if I had enough money. I'd also try to donate to various charities.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 11:33 AM) Well I'm going to Vegas in a few weeks also (yes I'm going everywhere it seems), for a boys weekend with about 4-5 guys my age. Hopefully staying somewhere close to the Strip. What are the best Casino's, clubs / bars etc. if anyone's been? Oh and MiddleBuffalo, have you seen that South Park episode where they go to Aspen for a weekend for a 30 minute Time Share meeting? Hope your weekend certainly doesn't turn out like that. Remind me to walk you through the musts of Vegas when we are at the game or tailgating. Hell, I'm going to be out there again in August, when are you going to be there?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 11:13 AM) Just got back from there actually. Honestly, there's very little around the main casinos that I'd say is geared for Children. Circus Circus is supposed to have a decent amount of stuff that might be enjoyable, but out of the hotels that's probably it. The Strat has a few rides at the top of the tower, not sure on the height requirements. Some of the shows might work out well, not exactly sure what your family would be considered "in to". Go catch the Star Trek Experience before it goes away at the end of August. Here's a good forum with a list of family-oriented suggestions. I saw that Star Trek thing when it first opened and I'm not going to lie, it was pretty damn cool (and I wasn't a star trek fan, although I have seen all the movies once).

QUOTE (mreye @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 11:08 AM) Timeshare presentation? Say it ain't so, Buffalo!! See the Bellagio fountains Go to the Grand Canyon (Maybe a helicopter ride) Hoover Dam Red Rock Canyon Check out this forum. (Just ignore the people that flame you for taking kids to Vegas) Circus Circus and MGM have amusement parks (Circus Circus also has a circus type show). Bellagio fountains are cool. Treasure Island Pirate show as well (although I don't know if the show is now "adult themed". Caesars Palace has the gladiator type of show that people like in the forum shops.

Nice, Cox Cable owns part of the channel so I'm sure I'll be getting the MLB Channel right at launch (and probably in HD).

QUOTE (shipps @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 01:02 PM) It is pretty discouraging that this is a RB that Detroit gave up on.He isnt good enough for them but he will be for us? He was cut because he was due a decent size contract and there were concerns as to his effectiveness coming back from the injury. He actually received a multi-year offer from at least one team and turned it down because of his preference to sign a one year deal with the Bears (he also considered Pitt, but Chicago was his top choice). Jones has flashed signs of promise but never really broke through and it was more to do with a poor offensive line, offense, and injuries as opposed to a lack of talent. There is no way of knowing just how healthy he'll be to start the season and what he's lost between his two leg injuries but he has been a starter in the past and is still young so it should be a nice guy to have on the roster to go with Forte.

Kalapse and NS, who are the two guys you are talking about? I'm guessing one is Moose, but who is the other. On a sidenote, I still believe for guys throwing in this generation, 250 may be the new 300 or something close to that. Moose may just miss out on that though because he hasn't had any dominate post-season runs or anything like that. Mark clearly would have to have a run of 18-20 game seasons or at least a few post-season runs, imo. However, I think he has a chance, which in itself says at least something about his career. Albeit, its a slim chance because its hard to project how he'll throw for the next 9-10 years.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 09:57 AM) Big change from a year ago. The 2007 draft, the 2008 draft, plus the latin market acquisitions of Silverio and Escobar, have changed the SS situation in the system from awful to talent-crowded. Definitely a good problem to have. It should be noted, once upon a time ago (really not that long ago), the Sox had Tim Hummel/Ruddy Yan/Andy Gonzalez/Robert Valido/Pedro Lopez. Now I know none of them screamed all star potential but at one point people thought highly of these individuals for various reasons. Yan was ridiculously fast and had the slap hitting ability of say a Luis Castillo (or at least that was his upside) Hummel projected to be a Mark Grudz type of offensive 2Bman (not great defense, but raked for a large stint of his minor league career and was eventually traded to Cinncy) Gonzalez was once ridiculously hyped. Great defensive tools, good raw power Valido very hyped and had great defensive talents Lopez was slick fielding and actually hit decently in the minors (despite not projecting to be a great hitter) and had a nice skill-set.

I should point out, odds are you are exactly correct with your assumptions. However, Silverio could change things with a strong short-season and impressive performances in winter league.

If Buehrle goes another 9 full seasons posting similar numbers you are talking about a guy that will be a borderline 250 game winner. I think 250 is the new benchmark to get into the hall, thus he has a chance. However, his past two seasons have definitely hurt him (2 years ago he sucked, last year he got royally screwed in the wins department).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 10:33 AM) Well, since obviously I don't make the decisions on these players, I'll also add my prediction of what the Sox are likely to do... I think you'll see Miranda starting at 2B in W-S next year, across from Beckham at SS. Paiml will start at B-Ham. As the year goes on, Beckham moves to B-Ham, Escobar to W-S, with Silverio to Kanny (having started at GF). V-Merc will be the 2B in Charlotte, with Getz and Richar gone to wherever. Paiml may also move to 2B, and stay in B-Ham, when Beckham arrives. Depending on how Silverio progresses, I think you'll see him start the year at Kanny. That is because the Sox are likely to fast track him and having him in Kanny means he gets a full year of experience as opposed to a short season of experience. This of course depends heavily on how he does now and how he handles summer league play (I'm sure he'll be playing somewhere). This of course means you'll have Escobar/Beckham in tough spots. Escobar is clearly pretty highly thought of as is Beckham (most highly touted). Beckham probably starts the year in Winston Salem which means if Silverio is playing in Kanny Escobar is without a spot (however, I think they'll juggle Silverio in a sense and have him play some 3B which is where some project he'll eventually end up). So essentially I think Silverio and Escobar will both be in Kanny to open the year with Escobar going up to Winston Salem if all goes well upon Beckham's promotion to Bham.

Fantatstic news. I can't be happier about the Bears finally getting someone signed. He's had injury concerns but should be a nice guy to have around to ensure that the Bears are able to ease Forte into his career. He is obviously returning very quickly from an ACL injury so I think our expectations should be to hope he is able to play in one preseason game and can work his way up to being a 10-15 carry a guy for the Bears by about the 3rd week of the season (which is just perfect cause that should help shelter Forte enough to prevent him from hitting some sort of rookie wall by week 12).

Jim Thome will clearly make the hall of fame, but aside from that the Sox probably don't have another hall of famer on the roster (currently). Mark Buehrle would be a guy that if he stays healthy and does what he's been doing for another 5 to 6 years you clearly would have to put him in consideration. He's never been dominant but given this era of baseball he may finish with more wins than almost anyone to play during the same period/era as him.