Chisoxfn

Very interesting. I figured he was one of the reasons they were willing to cut Slauson (along with the guard they drafted).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 8, 2016 -> 01:10 PM) I just wonder what the effect of another year and elbow surgery and missing time would have on him. And unless he is resigned that all he will get is some minor league make good deal, I really don't buy the White Sox being able to stealthly sign him before word gets out that he is ready to go. There are several teams looking for bats. I fully agree with both of your points. I see no reason he wouldn't have an open try out to garner up as much possible attention as possible (vs. just signing with the White Sox without having some big "marketing" campaign). I have no idea how the injuries will have impacted him and if he can even stay on the field...originally I was thinking he wasn't that great before the injury but than I was like, at least he wasn't bad when he was on the field...now how much this injury and the time off impacts him, who knows. None of it will matter if the pen continues to give up an exorbitant number of runs. Right now I don't know what is the bigger issue, the lack of offense (which could legitimately be solved by Abreu emerging...quite a difference in having a below average hitter and one of the better hitters in the AL (which Abreu was over the past two years) or the pen. Rotation is good enough we should be able to win (especially with Shields delivering extra innings which could theoritically help the pen). We know my stance on Robin. While I don't think he is necessarily the problem, I also don't find him as the long-term solution, either. So for someone who not once called for his head during any of the previous years and until a day or two ago hadn't yet, either, I think they've hit the point where you legitimately need to leverage that card. I also happen to think Renteria is probably the better manager, anyway. Not a huge knock on Ventura and really only last year was a giant disappointment, but I'd view this as two seasons in a row where the team has missed the boat vs. expectations, with him unfortunately winning so many games early, actually hurting his chances because of this recent tail-spin.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 8, 2016 -> 12:59 PM) I'm not buying this. If Morneau was ready to sign with teams, I would imagine his agent(s) would have the word out. Coming off elbow surgery, probably will have really diminished power this year. I was going to rip this move, but I'll at least admit I was surprised at how good of numbers Morneau put up in the limited time that he actually played with the Rockies the past two seasons.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Jun 8, 2016 -> 12:21 PM) They are both having a great start to 2016. The rest of their track record is Jordan Danksian. You do not move around your team to see if a Jordan Danks can develop at the major league level. They will play every day and when need arises later this year, fine. But I see nothing in their career track record that assures me they'll be better than Avi. Jordan Danks may not have made it, but at one point he was a pretty highly thought of prospect.

I've said it before, but Gonzalez is the better starter. I also tend to think from a pitch style perspective, Latos has a better shot at being a better reliever (vs. Gonzalez who I don't think has typical reliever stuff). For whatever reason, when I watch Gonzalez pitch, I think, this guy is a solid back of the rotation guy. I don't get that feeling of Latos. That said, I have no idea how Latos would react to being moved to the pen (he'd probably go bats***), but I actually think it could be a benefit to his career as I think we'd see his velocity pop up and he'd actually be a bit more effective (mid 90's with that breaker could be pretty good).

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jun 8, 2016 -> 09:24 AM) Oh Gage. It will be Phil who recruits him (after he opts out from the Knicks).

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 8, 2016 -> 07:27 AM) Who you crappin'? What head coach is going to successfully get them to buy into his vision? Phil Jackson? It's certainly not going to be Fred Hoiberg after last season. Nah....Kevin Ollie, lol.

I'm going to make my delusional prediction right here and right now. Bulls will be the next superteam. Next year they will sign an opted out Durant and a FA Westbrook to go with Jimmy Butler.

Hell of a nice win. Now lets do it against Paraguay and advance to the next round and than see what we can do (got to get some positive momentum heading into the next set of qualifiers).

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 08:36 PM) I've tried not to be a Ventura basher. And I'm not Walter Cronkite. But he's lost me. I wonder if as early as tomorrow something happens. I don't think he has much, if any more rope.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 03:50 PM) I think a much more likely scenario is that the Sox are talking about a trade for a SS. Yeah, I don't buy it. Makes zero sense to me. Saladino has done solid (hit safely in 12 of last 15 games) and Anderson is your top prospect. Makes literally no sense. Than again, maybe they will. They have way bigger holes to fill. I also don't think this is him doing anything other than stopping people from speculating about Anderson coming up (while still giving Anderson credit that they are seeing what he's doing) but also giving Tyler a bit of a vote of confidence. I also don't think this is Hahn confirming we won't see Anderson this year. No one knows what could change that timeline (including Tim Anderson continuing to just kick ass).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 02:06 PM) The CBA states that to be eligible to receive a qualifying offer a player must have been with the same Club at the major or minor league level since Opening Day of the last completed season. Ergo, the Sox could not offer him a qualifying offer. Text from page 87: Is there any other paragraph that maybe indicates something different for a player who opts out of a contract. I don't know the answer (knew of the 1 year for impending FA's, just wasn't sure if opt-outs were somehow treated differently?). I skimmed and didn't see anything.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/katiejmbaker/heres...PKnz#.mjVxjv3Dj The letter she read to the victim is incredibly powerful. Unbelievable that the guy still hasn't fessed up to doing more than just drinking too much booze. And major props to the two bike riders who came to her defense.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 01:18 PM) Man this is how it feels for me. I am 25 and started my career with a really cool company in the past few months downtown and wanting to prove myself. It feels like I'm not as in to the game as I was despite being a huge baseball and Sox fan. It's crazy and sucks how it happens. Guess it's just a part of growing up. I am at that life cycle as well, but the bigger change for me was, I don't let the losses bring you down. Winning baseball is fun and watching good teams is fun, but if they aren't, I got plenty of other things to do and enjoy. Kids, wife, and work are clearly the highest priorities and while I'm still passionate about sports, I'm not about to waste my time on something that doesn't entertain me. I figure when the kids get older and interest shifts, I figure I might find myself adjust as PTACT described. When I was a kid, I had all the time and could practically name every single MLB roster and every single move. Now, I still spit out a lot, but not near to the degree (far more competing priorities).

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 11:31 AM) BTW, I've thought about this more, but the whole commentary on Dany being a terrible ruler and becoming Aerys because of that just seems off to me. Martin has had a ton of great people in his books, but few good rulers and those tend to be more mythical than anything. Honestly, which rulers to this day haven't made greivous mistakes? Every single one of them have thus far, including Dany. It very well could end up with her becoming the mad queen but with all the terrible rulers in Martin's books I don't think that is really what he was going towards. Anything could happen...she may never get to the throne...maybe she helps get rid of the white walkers and than is dispatched another way. At this point it is all theories. Never know what twists Martin could potentially have planned (at least not theoretically, right)?

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 10:44 AM) Generally, I agree with this. But the Brotherhood in the show did sell Gendry to Melissandre, knowing she was probably going to kill him, back in one of the early seasons. In the books, the Brotherhood gets kind of dark when LSH shows up. It's possible that it was the Brotherhood, they saw the Hound, and that led LSH to give the order to kill everyone (assuming we're getting LSH this season). I wonder if Gendry and Ayra reunite. No idea what he has been up to, but presume he'll serve some purpose at some point (and hey...they are bringing back all kinds of characters lately so why not, haha). PS: I really want 9 seasons (more is better as it allows more of the story to be told vs. moving too fast). I think their is still plenty of actoin that they could get and tell out of an extra season

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 09:50 AM) I think they are possibly just combining the Brotherhood Without Banners with the Brave Companions. Lady Stoneheart's MO is to hang people so that is also why there are people speculating that we may be about to meet her I don't really know why Lady Stoneheart would hang these people (I thought she was all about getting revenge...unless somehow this guy actually harmed the Tully's / Stark's prior to finding religion)? That is the only piece I'm struggling with but I don't really know much about Lady Stoneheart other than it is Catherine Stark rejuvinated (and not quite the same way as Jon Snow). Initial rumors were she was never going to be part of the TV show, but I know their have been rumblings she could be returning. But maybe I don't have enough of an appreciation for book Lady Stoneheart. Will be interesting if Stoneheart does show up, whether it would be here or riverrun or somewhere else? Also interesting to see if the TV show diverges from what happens to Brienne in the books (although I suppose we don't really know what happens to Brienne in the books). These next couple episodes should be awesome. Would seem most likely that it would be riverrun. The book character was focused on the Frey's, primarily, and I believe Brienne is on her way to the Riverlands as well to get Blackfish's support for Sansa / Jon. You'll also have a sworn Catherine Stark enemy in Jamie Lanister there as well.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 09:39 AM) I have no idea. Didnt really seem to me that would be the brotherhoods style to be marauders like that, they seemed (to me at least) to be the type that would be stealing from kingdoms as opposed to murdering peaceful settlers. But anything i know about them is based on the short couple episodes that they have been in My thoughts are maybe this is where you get the story of their leader sacrificing himself for Catelyn Stark (so she can be reborn) and following that the Brotherhood kind of disbanded, persay, and turned more into pillagers. I was surprised when they ended up murdering everyone as I wouldn't have expected this from the brotherhood (rather to your point, they were more likely to steal and pilfer the rich). I figure the Hound is going to reunite with someone tied to the starks (or Brienne). Arya would seem the least likely possibility given where she currently is and we know the Hound wants to find and has been somewhat loyal to the Stark girls. This is my non book reading theory so hell if I know. Plus I like spending my time speculating on this vs. wasting my time on what goes on in Mereen (where they have taken characters I liked and made them crappy) and dealing with the Mother of Dragons (eh...BORING). Give me more of the North and more of Marjorie and Tyrell and the soon to be resolution that goes on with the High Sparrow (who is a good actor). Basically I enjoy all the main houses (even enjoy the houses I don't like, because they play such awesome roles) except for the Mother of Dragons (and that stupid women trio who are terrible and I'm sure are going to reappear here soon). Sad part was, I once thought the Mother of Dragons was an interesting story but they show somewhere took it in an awful direction (maybe because I thought Mormont was a good character and enjoyed the initial moments, even the end of last season with the sons of harpy and everything was interesting but this season she's been brutal, imo....not sure if it is bad stories or if she just isn't near the actress as this show has some people who literally just steal the spotlight, with quite a few very strong female characters).

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jun 7, 2016 -> 09:35 AM) Wait, that was the brotherhood without banners that killed Brother Ray and that establishment? Pretty sure that was. The Hound mentioned they were followers of the lord of the light. Maybe I'm wrong?

Sidenote...I hope we get more of Lyanna Mormont....she was awesome on camera. She came off as so badass for someone so young. Way better than the stupid dragon queen that annoys me.

I also wonder if Sandor is going to lead us to Catelyn Stark (since their are rumors of her return)...not sure, but wonder if some in his upcoming battle with the brotherhood without banners (I didn't see the preview for next week so I presume he's about to go and fight them all) leads to that. Or if Catelyn will emerge to her brother or Sansa.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jun 6, 2016 -> 10:04 PM) I watched it then the one after it where Adi Wyner talked more extensively about pitch framing. Lets just say it made me smile when he finished up by saying he didn't think it was as important as other sabermetricians seem to think. I' ve argued many times that its flawed just from a common sense standpoint without a math background. Flavum, thanks for sharing that segment. It was really really good.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jun 6, 2016 -> 07:13 PM) So who is going to recommend some shows? If you like just absolute awesome action, I highly highly recommend Strike Back. Honestly...it reminds me of a unfiltered, badass 24 (without the time sequencing). The two main characters have fantastic energy and its just awesome. Reminds me of the awesome action movies of the early to mid 90's. Not saying it is realistic, but it is so damn entertaining (just finished the final season this past week).

I think the pacing of this past week's episode was nice, but I also liked every character they spent time on (and I like House Tyrell...grandma is awesome). I hope Blackfish doesn't die and somehow him and Snow unite together. Curious who Sansa was sending the Raven too (presume it was Lord Baylish, but I suppose it could have been to the iron islands?).

My favorite episode of the season I think.