Chisoxfn

Wow...this is going to be interesting. Claussen against the Legion of Boom.

Jeb Kasich Rubio

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 08:23 PM) One good coaching hire since 1984: Carroll. Enough is enough with Haden Just so you know, when they hired Carroll...the fan base was beyond livid at how awful a move it was.

Is Cutler's hammy injury believed to be serious or will he be playing next week?

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/john-fox-m...-who-want-do-it Fox is a breath of fresh air. On a sidenote, how is a Raiders team that is 1-1, have the 2nd highest odds to be the #1 pick? Did I miss something?

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 01:16 PM) No sacks in first 2 games................WOW People got unrealistically optimistic. We have absolute s*** in the secondary (although Maybe Amos turns into something) and our best LB was underrated a year ago along with a former bust in Shea. Its going to be a really long year defensively and we are going to lose a lot of games. That said, hopefully some picks from this year pan out and we can hit on a some underrated / unknown guys who can be serviceable. We have zero playmakers on defense.

Just goes to show you how bad we are without Jay. I'm curious what the tape indicates on that pick. People covering Bears were indicating Bennett was supposed to stop and the pick was on Marty. Looked like Marty was settling in and then he all of a sudden took off on a curl (not sure what the route was). Either way, if we have learned one thing this week...our secondary f***ing blows (and I am not learning that this week...I've been saying it all along) and Claussen is terrible. Either way, this year is all about getting the top pick and Connor Cook.

I hope none of you were those pathetic losers that I see on the front page of the trib's website cheering / defending Kane and his right to be at practice. I understand he has the right, but its pathetic for you go to waste your pathetic lifes to cheer on a guys who may have done something horrible. I'm not saying everyone should have been their to boo him, but s***, I'd understand that more than these losers. Like I said, he has the right to practice, but the need to go cheer on his right to be their is just pathetic.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 09:34 PM) I can't really picture a scenario where a Republican wins anytime soon. They are a rotten mess as if you look at the debates it's worse than high school. Don't some of the national polls show that the republicans would win (in a hypothetical vote vs. Madam Clinton)? Also, the senate and house have a republican majority and the republicans cleaned up during the last mid-year election. I realize you might have the opinion that the repubs are disorganized and horrible (and you disagree with their policy / approach) but the recent voting track record might disagree with that. Bottom line, I expect this to be an extremely close election and any prediction that the other party has no chance is just crazy talk at this point. If Trump (who I hate more then any candidate) is able to get this much attention (along with other outsiders like Carson & Carly) and traction, it should tell everyone (Repub / Dem) about how sick and f***ing tired we are about what is going on in Washington.

I don't see the downside of giving him the QO and he accepts. Shark could be bad, but odds are he's going to be much closer to the guy he was vs. 2015. He's also going to be insanely motivated (of course he was probably already insanely motivated this year) but I think even more so. You get him for the year and then deal him at the deadline (if you aren't in contention). If you contend, great, you got him for another year and can still attach a QO offer after this season and get your draft pick compensation. And if he takes the QO and totally sucks, well, that isn't going to impact your long-term strategy anyway.

And Greg...how do you like Donald just lying to the entire audience (and not some little white lie or minor mistake, but a big f*** you kind of lie). Guy is a f***wad. He could care less about anyone but himself. Trump is by definition a megalomaniac. But in honor of fair and balance, I will give Trump credit for saying he would waive the right to have social security and I do agree with him that the breaks around hedge funds are a joke (Bush and a few others also agree).

One other sidebar, but a lot of these candidates need to go away. I am looking at you Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and to be frank Chris Christie. The longer all of these candidates stay, the more fragmented the republican base is and the more likely it is Trump wins the primaries. The more the other candidates go away and I think the more that vote goes to candidates not named Donald Trump. You started to see it a bit when Walker and Christie came to defense of Bush...but If we are going to not have Trump win this thing (and as a republican I don't even want to imagine that clown winning...I think I'd rather be ran by a socialist like Bernie then a clown like Trump), the other candidates are going to have to get in cahoots and push up the few non Trump candidates. That might mean you push Carson up as well (as I think he'll get some of that vote) but I still don't buy into Trump getting a lot more of the vote as others exit (but then again...I never thought he'd be where he is today, so what do I know).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 10:08 AM) Forgot to say it, but I agree on the bolded. I was initially happy when they said they were going for more interplay - and they did get that - but they set those up mostly as just "X said this, how did that make you feel?" which is weak sauce. It isn't often I complement Fox (Faux) News, but they did far better with their debate. It appeared that the moderators goal was to get candidates to bicker with each other vs. talk strategy. It was deplorable and awful, but I expect nothing less out of CNN. They are an awful news station. Fox has its own issues, although I do enjoy Kelly & O'Reilly (but can't stand Hannidy). With Fox, you know you'll get some slanted news, but CNN's coverage over the last 10 years has gone to the tubes. It is a news stations and half the time I go to see what is on, I get some non news related television. If I want to watch news in a live feed, I'll go to BBCNews.

By the way, of all the candidates, I feel bad for Bush. He has to deal with trump and it just isn't a pretty situation for him when they go back and forth. Bush makes a good statement, Trump just blutters and jumps over...Bush tries to be the gentlemen but looks bad either way and to a reasonable person, you realize Trump is the ass, but somehow I just imagine everyone will go, yeah Donald...stick it to Bush for making a true statement about how you tried to BUY / bribe your way into Casino gambling. Sucks cause the debate should be more about the policies and it just doesn't happen with Trump in their. That said, as the night went on and questions got more pointed, you could see Trump take a back seat. But seriously...do people think for a second about his sound bites...on day 1 as president I am going to evict 11M people. How the f*** are you going to do that? Are we going to have whack an illegal day and just take a national holiday with everyone beating anyone they thinks is an illegal till they all flee the country? Lets apply some realism to the scenario, which I will give Kasich and Bush credit for (more then anyone else), who understand, you can't just do the things that some of these people are saying..it is f***ing impossible (let alone in most cases stupid). Do people not have BS meters or do they just ignore reality. By the way, I also think what Bush says about 4% growth is absurd, but s***, at least what he's talking about is to try and create positive energy and vibe and something that is ultimately good for our country (no one could argue that if we had 4% growth that was sustained over a few year run that it would be a great thing). Maybe I'm just an optimist but I like the people who talk about making this country great and being great. I don't want to hear what a s***hole this place is and blah blah blah and how we suck at everything (see the Donald). And his solution is, he's smarter and his friends are smarter and he's a billionaire, so yeah, I'll make it great again. I'll build walls and magically evict all illegal's and I'll solve the foreign issues by getting along with these people better (HOW Mr Trump...How?). I don't think having a scotch and cigar with Russia's president is going to solve much of anything.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 06:58 AM) I'll also add my not-with-a-specific-party take on the debate. I watched most of it, up through medical marijuana and climate change or so... Winner: Carly Fiorina, no doubt. She had the best performance of any candidate in either debate so far. Her conflation and overstatement for dramatic effect on the abortion thing was laughable, but was serious red meat for the crowd she was targeting. Most of the rest of her debate she handled very well, especially her response on Trump's comments about her looks. I was impressed. The lunatic fringe: Cruz and Huckabee did their usual - using sweet and syrupy dialogue to deliver wholly impossible policy ideas while barely masking the obvious hate that drives them. Nothing new to see here. Trump: You could tell he was trying to come off as more "reasonable", and when he wasn't being pressed too hard, he managed to come off as competent and understandable. But as soon as somoene pushed a button, the obnoxious jackass would come out. I'd say he did more harm than good, as people start to see who he really is, but he didn't flop either. Rubio: He's got this odd thing where he comes off as so, so stiff and rehearsed, which makes him seem shallow. But honestly, it was when he got firey that I liked him best. I think overall he helped himself in this one. Clearly overmatched on that stage: Walker just isn't smart enough to keep up. Not a surprise he is falling like a rock. I'm not sure he even makes it to Iowa. Carson in the same boat, there just isn't much substance there. Carson is a lot smarter than Walker, but they both lack any real depth as candidates. Kasich: I want to like the guy, and I do in terms of policy, and in his more positive messaging. But he's starting to get too repetitive on his record and not engaging enough. Also the GOP primaries just won't nominate him, much like Huntsman in the last cycle (nevermind that Kasich is closer to Reagan policy-wise than anyone else on that stage). Paul: Smug, smug, smug. As always. Unelectable personality-wise. Has some novel ideas I like, but doesn't matter. Christie: I'm not sure what to make of him. He's trying so hard for the Common Man thing, but it doesn't come off as believable. He also really goes to that 9/11 stuff way too often. Policy-wise I think he'd actually be quite moderate, which is great, but he comes off more as the President of a fraternity than of the US. Bush: Helped himself a lot, closest to winning outside of Fiorina. Showed some fire, defended his family, struck a slightly more centrist tone. He should jump in the polls soon. I agree with pretty much everything you said. I also think that Rubio would be my #2 ranked from pure who won the debates (considering both). He is very good and electric in front of a Mike and like you, I like when I get passionate. Trump, who I can't stand, did much better today then last debate (not that it impacted the polls) but he's still awful. I'll give him credit at times he tried to be a bit more polite, but he's such a smug, egotistical jackass. With Carson, I realize everyone likes him, but I see no reason any of what he discusses could ever happen (and I want to like the guy, but I couldn't vote for him). I think, outside of Bush, the best actual president would be Kasich (he might even be better then Bush in my eyes) but unfortunately I don't see him getting elected. I like Rubio / Kasich as potential VP candidates (don't think Bush / Fiorina would be VP's). I don't even mind Christie as a VP. For whatever reason I like the guy, but I tend to like the more moderate republicans.

QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 03:28 AM) He is extremely likable. I thought he and Fiorina looked the best. Trump was exposed and was fun to see others fight back at him. Thought Jeb was doing well until he said his brother protected the country. I thought Jeb did pretty well and I agree, his brother did protect the country. I don't think many would disagree with the statement that he made the country safer. Jeb never said he George didn't have his faults, just said the country was a safer place (and the crowd ate it up and other candidates sure jumped in and backed it up as well). In fact, I think the opposite, the way Trump handled that situation could be one of the first signs of weakness for him as I don't think people liked that reaction. But I'm the wrong judge cause I don't like much anything Trump says.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 16, 2015 -> 08:19 PM) I'll watch the highlights. Heard some facebook grumblings that CNN was not asking about issues, trying instead to get the candidates to blast each other. These debates have turned into opportunities for the journos to "build their brand." Meghan whatever her last name is built her brand with her fight with Trump. Any media 'stars' tonight? Any media moment like Meghan? The CNN debate was horribly ran by the moderators and didn't even compare to the FoxNews debate. That said, the candidates were much more aggressive in this debate. But Greg, Meghan Kelly is fantastic at what she does and the way Trump has handled her after is just despicable and goes back to a testament as to how he is. Would anyone think it is a good idea if Trump treated other world leaders the way he treats people he didn't like? In what world is that a good idea. I don't understand the Trump fascination (other then pure entertainment value for how dumb he is). It is despicable.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 16, 2015 -> 07:01 AM) I'm with you, I've never done an oil change on my own, and don't plan on it either. I only did it once so I could say I did it once. I'd never do it again. Plus, a lot of places, by the time you get a coupon, you really don't save anything. I get my oil changed for 19.99. No way am I going to be able to do it for any less.

As I've said a million times over....Obamacare did some things that were really good...but it hasn't made healthcare more affordable for the masses and it hasn't fixed a major overall issue related to speed of increases. Yes, I am aware their are some data points out their saying increases have been curbed a bit, but I still question overall data as you could have increases curbed because you've lowered overall benefits, etc. Bottom line, as a country, we have a couple main issues related to healthcare (no particular order). 1. Access...Obamacare did a much better job providing access to all (and you know what, just cause I have a good job and money doesn't mean I should be lucky enough to have healthcare...everyone should have it...now should I have the right to pay a little premium to get better care, certainly, but to get good / quality care, that should be open to everyone. 2. Cost...Costs are still absurd. In an era where salaries increase far less, the increase in healthcare costs is just absurd to me. You can throw stats that obamacare has slowed increases, but reality is, for many middle class families, the increase in healthcare costs per year will be a pretty good proxy to their actual raise (which is just absurd). I might be generalizing based upon what I've witnessed from friends (thankfully that isn't the case in our house) but I am fairly certain this is true. Between hospital bills and insurance premiums for our family, we spent between 10 - 15K. That includes cost of one normal and healthy (Thank the lord) birth and other then that, nothing else out of the ordinary (a couple prescription lotions for my kids eczema which cost Will be curious to see what the increase is this year.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Sep 16, 2015 -> 07:01 AM) $25 is the increase....Not the total premium. It will increase $50/mo. My total monthly healthcare premiums right now are $625/mo.(including dental and vision) Increasing to over $700/mo next year... Presume that is family coverage?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 07:26 PM) if you go back to the Scott Kazmir trade thread there's a large contingent of people who explained to me that Samardzija should be more valued than Kazmir because he's more reliable historically and you'd probably want Samardzija pitching if you had the choice for 1 game. Are you kidding me. I stand by what was said at that time. You were also touting Cueto as being the best guy too...well you know what, just like Shark, he's sucked too. No one saw Shark being as bad as he's been (just like no one saw Cueto falling apart). I stick behind everything I said at the time and given the circumstances, I'd have been very surprised if we couldn't have gotten at a minimum, a similar price as Kazmir, if not slightly more. Had the Sox traded Shark a little earlier (before we went on that mini run), we'd have gotten even more value as the market was devoid of pitching at that time. Easy to make that statement today after Shark has been a complete turd...but lets not pretend that Shark wasn't coming off an extremely strong run of pitching performances when we were dangling him on that market.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 10:59 AM) Let's face it, we NEVER got a big negative media push back on Ozzie because they loved the guy. He made their jobs easy, he gave them quotes, he talked to them. The fact that you have had more than one reporter writing "Ozzie should manage again" articles written in the span of this summer is just ridiculous. No other coach/manager in Chicago has ever gotten this kind of slobbering done to them. It is ridiculous that this part of the story never gets talked about in the media. The guy publicly challenged his bosses, lost the challenge, and then quit on his team. Yet, outside of the days that happened, it is never mentioned when we get these Ozzie wants a job articles. Blah. Winning a world series championship and making the playoffs twice in your run as a manager while posting a .524 record during that span is probably why he gets the benefit of the doubt (on top of his overall friendly relationship with the media). Ozzie did a lot of right but when it ended, it ended big time. Only way I see it happening is if Kenny is gone and you know what, if Ozzie has matured from it, you could do a lot worse. 4 out of the 8 years he won 88 games or more and that would basically be good for at least one of the wild card spots in the new era. Under .500 in 3 seasons, however, 2 of those 3 seasons the team was just 4 games under .500 while the other season the team was pretty bad (18 games under).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 09:48 AM) Yeah, the "Beckham was traded for a guy who may be decent" doesn't mean Albers would be traded for a guy who would be decent. If it was, the Sox then should get a serviceable pitcher and a starting SS for John Danks considering that's exactly what they got for Jaime Navarro. One month of Matt Albers gets you scraps. Maybe those scraps become a decent player. Odds are, in a year, you forget exactly what the Sox received for Matt Albers. The White Sox are paying the guy. You would think if there was something offered they were even remotely intrigued with, they would have sent him packing. Obviously, there was not. I totally forgot that we got Eldred and Jose for Navarro. What a freaking trade.

You had me at Buddy Bell being replaced Greg

Never thought I'd see this much grammar talk on Soxtalk without a post from me. Either way, I cleaned the title but found the overall story fascinating and it is that story that should get the attention.