Chisoxfn

The articles would appear to work better in smaller markets then major markets (in most cases). Presume that is driven by overall # of options / population. Would be curious to see what impacts were in terms of total viewership as I presume it is the total viewership that ultimately drives the checks. Was amazed Angels (who have massive TV deal) were that low. Dodgers makes sense since almost no one can watch.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 14, 2015 -> 01:26 PM) I would absolutely hate this. Every playoff franchise would get a bunch of ringers every year, and it wouldn't even feel like it was the same franchise that actually got through the season in the first place. I understand that trades for pending free agents are kind of halfway there already, but as a fan, I can at least consider the rental player a "part of my team." Well one thing to point out is, you would only be able to acquire 1 player on loan (so it isn't as if you could acquire a new roster...just one guy). I do agree, that it would mean numerous stars trade hands. It could also be extremely exciting. Maybe you add an extra wrinkle that you could only do it every other year (which would further dilute what changes hands). The big wild card is what happens when an injury happens and well, lets be honest, they would happen. You also lose the ability to control the pitch counts, etc, of your player so they could run your pitcher into the ground and thus sets you back the following year. I would think this would be a major benefit for small market teams. While rebuilding, they might have a star player who they could leverage to gain more assets (and thus rebuild faster). When I first read the title I thought I would totally hate it, but when I read the restrictions put in place and fact that money wasn't really going to be the factor, it became far more intriguing.

Found this to be a really interesting article and great read. I do agree that it would at a ton of excitement and if done right, could actually be a scenario where the large market teams don't necessarily win as if the team holding the player had to still make the payment, it essentially means small market teams could get a well paid star for the stretch run (obviously at the cost of a prospect). When I initially read the article I thought it would be terrible, but concept of leaving / allowing just 1 player per team and I think it would be extremely interesting and would also enhance the drama of the deadline, etc. I think this would be a fascinating.

I echo everyone's sentiments. That was the best homerun derby in a long time, if not ever. The addition of the clock made it more dramatic and the whole thing was exciting with the head to head, etc. Fantastic job by baseball taking a stale event and making it extremely exciting. It was awesome.

Sounds exciting. Curious what we'll be able to see.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 11:26 AM) Reminds me of when I first started following the minors as a kid and thought Ruddy Yan was going to be the next Rickey Henderson. Probably cause you had someone like me writing about how great he was going to be (if he could hit). That guy was fast though (Ruddy).

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jul 10, 2015 -> 08:38 PM) Guys what time do the Sox open up the park and can you go and watch BP? Your son will have a very good chance of getting a ball if you guys can get there for BP! I still remember some great times with my pops at the Cell trying to get balls during BP. One time Tony Philips threw me a ball and a fat guy knocked me out of the way (I was like 8-9) and Tony Philips called him a motherf***er and gave me the next ball that came. Philips is good people. I believe he was on the Tigers at that time. Phillips was crazy and I loved him. I think he went into the stands once cause he was pissed off IIRC. I think while with the Sox. Fun ball player to watch on the field.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 12, 2015 -> 05:15 PM) That Friday meltdown looks like it devastated the Tigers. They had beaten Minny on Thursday, had the game well in hand on Friday, and then WHAM. they lose the series. Tough game. Tigers might decide to sell. Maybe they could sell Price, but other then that I don't know how they sell. They have so much payroll committed to contend and I presume they'd want to give it another go. Not to mention, they aren't exactly out of the race.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:42 AM) I can say this because my kids are older... you'll find that kids who are younger, like less than 1.5 or 2 years old, are EASIER to take to restaurants and the like than toddlers. It's the age 2-4 range that is the worst for travel, dining out, etc. They're old enough to feed themselves sure, but they're also big enough to make all manner of trouble, get antsy, etc. They don't start really calming until 4-5 years old, give or take. Yeah, I have figured as much with our daughter (turns 2 this upcoming weekend but has been an early adopter of the terrible two's...tantrums for no apparent reasons seem to be the norm, haha). We really don't eat out much unless it is grabbing something and going to the park or eating somewhere outdoors so their is plenty of entertainment for her. For example, yesterday we were at Lowes to get a storage shed for the backyard (usually she loves going to stores)...one minute she's happy as a camper...the next minute (or I should say the next 10 minutes or what felt like 10 minutes), the Lowes store (pretty sure the whole store could have heard it) got to hear my daughter have a meltdown because I wouldn't let her play with the bubble wrap they sell in rolls (which she happened to see and want to play with). Thankfully it was early in the AM and the store was pretty empty. She worked up such a fuss, by the time we eventually got back to the car to put the storage shed in the back, by the time I had the car filled up (put her in the car seat first), she was asleep from her lil outburst. But while she was sleeping, you could still hear her still sniffling (as if she was crying in her sleep).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:42 AM) I can say this because my kids are older... you'll find that kids who are younger, like less than 1.5 or 2 years old, are EASIER to take to restaurants and the like than toddlers. It's the age 2-4 range that is the worst for travel, dining out, etc. They're old enough to feed themselves sure, but they're also big enough to make all manner of trouble, get antsy, etc. They don't start really calming until 4-5 years old, give or take. Yeah, I have figured as much with our daughter (turns 2 this upcoming weekend but has been an early adopter of the terrible two's...tantrums for no apparent reasons seem to be the norm, haha). We really don't eat out much unless it is grabbing something and going to the park or eating somewhere outdoors so their is plenty of entertainment for her. For example, yesterday we were at Lowes to get a storage shed for the backyard (usually she loves going to stores)...one minute she's happy as a camper...the next minute (or I should say the next 10 minutes or what felt like 10 minutes), the Lowes store (pretty sure the whole store could have heard it) got to hear my daughter have a meltdown because I wouldn't let her play with the bubble wrap they sell in rolls (which she happened to see and want to play with). Thankfully it was early in the AM and the store was pretty empty. She worked up such a fuss, by the time we eventually got back to the car to put the storage shed in the back, by the time I had the car filled up (put her in the car seat first), she was asleep from her lil outburst. But while she was sleeping, you could still hear her still sniffling (as if she was crying in her sleep).

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:32 AM) Well, maybe things have changed. Adam Caplan on twitter yesterday said the sheriff told him it was assault on a neighbor's son. That is consistent with what I saw. I just can't say it was the neighbor's son fighting his son or if it was Kromer and his son who picked the fight or what exactly or if it was Kromer who picked it in its entirety or what.

Sox should do a bit of both. Focus should be on 2016 and 2017 and better positioning the club. They shouldn't be afraid of selling some current assets today a bit (especially pieces who might walk or aren't good fits) while adding to the talent pool, but also, if the right parts are out there, they shouldn't be afraid to buy either. I think we'll be in a unique spot where we sell a couple guys but also get involved as a 3rd team in some trades to try and swap some of our minor league talent for other teams talent changing hands (but maybe as positions we have bigger needs, etc).

2 more years and then the summer vacations begin. I keep telling my wife...no vacation until both kids can at a minimum, feed themselves, haha. Thankfully my daughter is their (that is of course presuming she wants to eat). Yep, I have high standards for my kids

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:18 AM) I believe it mainly because it doesn't sound that outrageous. You never had a dad insert himself into a fight in middle school/high school? I think that happened 2-3 times when I was that age. So did he intervene to protect his son? It sounded to me like his son and him were arguing but I read one article yesterday so maybe more info has came out? And, I actually never saw a dad get in a fight but I also hardly ever saw any major fights. I certainly never saw a dad hit another kid. If a dad got involved, it was usually to pull / break up a fight, not hit someone (or to just ease tempers).

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:17 AM) Yep. My general summer league rule is that a guy playing well is meaningless but that a guy looking bad can be cause for concern. Completely agree. Guys that look bad and struggle are cause for concern. And not like, you had one bad night, but you have a consistently bad summer league and I think their is more their to be concerned. Millions of guys have just dominated the summer league and I don't think their was that strong of a correlation effect on their future careers.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:11 AM) Main thing I want to see is shooting. Snell last year was draining everything and looked like best player on court. Looking like best player on court doesn't mean they will be at same level during regular NBA schedule, but looking average on the summer league courts leads me to believe they will be out of league by end of rookie deal. Even Marquis made a decent summer league run. He has to look great in SL for me to think he has a chance. Forman mentioned Snell had been adding some more strength and was practicing really strong. I hope Tony makes another step forward. The reason I think the Bulls have upside is we haven't had a lot of continuity and guys like Snell / Mirotic / Dougie / Rose / Noah all have upside. Yes, Gasol and Butler have downside (but I could also say that Butler has potential upside as well...we don't know yet). But in my view I see more guys with potential upside. Note: Noah and Rose have upside to me because Noah was on one leg. I don't know if a normal off-season will help, but I'd guess it would and similarly for Rose. That said, obviously anyone could get hurt and well that would be massive downside.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:05 AM) they need a good back up PG that will handle and distribute the ball. Every guy that they have now either turns it over frequently, or is pass-first. Hinrich isn't awful in that spot. His efficiency was down last year and he lost his confidence, however, he can handle and pass. He isn't quick enough to break guys down like some point guards but their are worse backup PG options their. If other guys develop in the wing, it means less need (and really their should never be a need) for Hinrich to play at the 2. Maybe Hoiberg can get Kirk to be a lil more efficient, etc. That said, Hinrich is pretty old but I think a lot of his game at this point has to do with his confidence. Please note....I realize I'm supposed to hate Hinrich like everyone else here, but alas, I don't. If the Cavs had signed him as a backup, people would be going, how come we couldn't get Hinrich. And I'd be the first to admit that he was lousy last year (so don't think I didn't see it).

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 13, 2015 -> 08:01 AM) Doug looked good last year. He just wasn't ready to handle the big boys when it came to defense. I don't know what to make off Doug. None of us really know how his injury impacted him early in the season and we obviously know it would be pretty tough coming back into a rotation after missing the time he had missed (and also with the struggles he had prior to that because of the injury). Then to get up to game speed on a competitive roster. But last year he was awful (he was fine in summer league but awful as a whole). Hard to argue otherwise but I'm willing to write off that year due to injuries, etc. That said, hopefully it was a big learning year for Doug and that he can use it as a spring board to future success. The one thing I remember about Doug last year was that his shot was lousy and I hope that had to do with the knee or confidence because if he can't do that, he has no chance. That said, he had a pretty darn good history of being a good shooter. I'm glad he's getting the experience now and he is a very nifty finisher around the basket (you can tell he was well coached). Would be big to get development out of him and have him look like a good bench player. Not asking him to be a world beater, just turn into a good bench player who can help stretch the court.

Watched the first Dleague game yesterday night (on DVR) and thought Dougie looked good. Efficiently scored. Portis was a beast. Hard to watch though cause some of those guys went all chuck fest, still we played against a very good squad and looked good. Portis went mano e mano with Towns. Was wondering who that Felicio character was, he looked like a pretty good guy. I got to say though, I like Payne. Dude just looks like a nasty guy on the court.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Jul 12, 2015 -> 03:27 PM) With this coming on the heels of last year's Cutler fiasco, Buffalo has to let him go. Probably have to wait until the full story comes out. We've heard everything from one person's side but it sounds bad. If he was socking a kid and knocked them to the ground unprovoked or just because they were using some public chairs, well then he gone. Nothing good happens at 3 AM. No idea why I've decided to give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe because it just sounds like way too stupid of a thing to do. Probably means he did it. Dumbass.

US sucked ass though this half. Might have been slightly better then Haiti but they are playing terrible. Awful passing, inability to generate shots and get ball up to strikers.

Lol @ FS1 mic picking that up. f*** you, you piece of s***. Unless I missed it, don't understand why FS1 didn't put up a good review of that offsides which negated the goal.

How good would Deron look at 2yr 10M. All that said, I am sure he isn't signing that deal with the Bulls.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 10, 2015 -> 02:18 PM) The real trick is to find up-the-middle playing time for all three, in addition to a roster spot...which would kinda involve removing our current starting SS. I'm okay with that, but you could also just give a little more rest to the SS and still get plenty of at bats with the bulk of them coming from 2B and 3B. You could at worse get everyone in play 2/3rd's of the time and with some rest to Alexei increase those odds. Micah is getting the bulk of those reps though but again.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 10, 2015 -> 01:18 PM) Every time you wonder why Sanchez is on the roster, he makes a play that Micah Johnson can only dream about. I've said it for a while but while I'm high on Johnson, I am not demoting Sanchez. I think the combo of Johnson / Sanchez / Saladino should get lots of at bats and reps this year to see what we have and who could stick and where.