Chisoxfn

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 6, 2015 -> 08:19 AM) We are seeing some signs of life recently. Before it seemed like no one could hit. Now we are to a stage where we are getting hits, but aren't getting BIG hits. It is getting there. Eaton has made similar strides. Problem is, the defense is a longer term trend that has to be fixed, but it can be fixed. We do have major holes in the infield (and as I point out consistently, also defensive holes in the outfield). I wouldn't even be surprised if we dangled Avi in a trade package (never know, a team might look at a bat and think he is a fit). problem is with the team not contending this year, unless you get something with promise, you are probably better served seeing if the switch flips and Garcia just starts crushing it (tools are their to be a very good offensive player...just don't know that it will happen, but I don't have any problem being patient with the rest of this season.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 6, 2015 -> 08:12 AM) 3 year window with these players. Melky, LaRoche, Alexei, even before the season started, you had to figure in 3 years, all these guys would be ex-White Sox. The 3 year probably only included Micah and Rodon as contributing prospects. Maybe Sanchez. They know they have to start producing their own talent. I think the 3 year window was a term to buy them time to do just that. We will see, but it is apparent they aren't blowing the entire thing up. They need to make improvements and focus on defense and getting some exciting young positional players, but we also can't ignore what has the makings for a very strong, borderline elite (albeit this is all based upon projections and rankings vs. actual productivity from some of the young guys), cost-controlled rotation. Melky, who some excluded was done (and to which I have said consistently, it is was and is way too early to make those sort of conclusions), is also posting a .907 OPS over the past 23 games.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 6, 2015 -> 08:06 AM) I think you are taking the term 3 year plan way too literally. 3 year plan doesn't mean they are only making plans for the next three years. Otherwise they wouldn't have spent a dime in Latin America. They think they can win something with the core group they have now, but they aren't going to completely scorch the earth to try to compete either. I also this is more an initial 3 year plan to contend with the current group. Doesn't mean their aren't longer term plans. Often times companies have 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year plans and in this case I think the Sox and most sports franchises use a plan that is more "shorter" term, especially given the turnover, etc that can exist. I think their is a larger plan (but it is really hard to project out 5 years in baseball...given crapshoot of prospects, etc).

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 6, 2015 -> 07:24 AM) This is consistent with what I've been saying all along. We need to realize that the league is changing -- the polarity of competing vs. rebuilding is becoming a thing of the past. Yes, the White Sox were trying to put a winner on the field this year, but it was NOT an all-in, do or die plan. I know, Balta, you are concerned about the financials, and I think what you bring up makes sense if we assume a static payroll and a new big ticket pitcher -- but it IS possible for the payroll to increase, and if the FO is stating that they are on pace for a three year plan, it's safe to assume that they have the resources they need. Agree completely with your post, As I pointed out about a week ago, adjusted for standard MLB inflation, Sox relative payroll from 5 years ago would be pushing $150M in today's dollars. New tv deals, etc. yes, gate attendance is down and the Sox TV deal isn't near as sweet as anyone who has recently renegotiated, but they have room in the coffers and have some cost controlled "elite" talent.

Fantastic. Look forward to 16 years from now when my daughter is on the field for her first world cup!!!

Pumped up for Sunday. Hopefully US can get past Japan this time and win this thing!!!

QUOTE (woods of ypres @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 02:05 PM) Anychance we can give Jerry Dipoto a job in our FO? Not in a million years would I want him around.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 12:54 PM) There's a TON of misuse of sabermetric stats in this article. Really sad for a pretty highly-reputed blog. The whole article is freaking delusional. The point that Martinez is worth 3/4th of sale told me the guy was literally insane in the first place. Let alone the wild ass projections of guys with minimal big league experience or just the logic behind the well this guy pitched x innings and you should be impressed by he's thrown a bit more then Martinez (and that number being just over 5 innings a start...which is nothing to brag about). Whole thing was pathetic. Literally one of the worst pieces of trash I've read in a while.

California passed a new law which will require all to be vaccinated to attend schools (unless you have a medical exemption). Personal and religious exemptions will no longer be granted.

Trump is an idiot and a brings a bad name to republicans everywhere.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 11:24 AM) I would really like Beverley or Lin as the backup PG. Both have a lot of suitors though and the Bulls can only pay the taxpayer's MLE. No chance Beverely isn't retained by Houston. Lin is a very realistic option. I prefer Stuckey but could live with Lin.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 11:10 AM) At worst, he can always shoot. With guys like Jimmy and Derrick on the floor, all Mike has to do is set up his screens and get to his spots. If Niko continues his growth that takes even more pressure off of Mcd. The key is Niko / Doug / Dunleavy / Snell all have the ability to be good long-range shooters. We will need that as it should really help with the spacing on offense.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 08:15 AM) Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 46m46 minutes ago Told #Blackhawks were at least $1M apart on AAV w Brandon Saad, likely $5M and $6M. I'd peg #CBJ deal - when done - at $5.5M or 5.75M per 1 year apart isn't that far a part (in the grand scheme of things). And it looks like Saad split the difference. Seems like someone screwed the pooch up in terms of communication based upon some of Saad's late comments. That said, maybe it was all of a moot point once the offer came through, Stan might have decided that the prospects were worth more to him then Saad at even 5M.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 10:48 AM) Read Monrow shunned the Knicks for Milwaukee. Never thought I'd see that happen back in the day. If he wants to win, the Bucks are a much better team to be on. They have a lot of quality young talent, a bright coach, and a returning top pick (to go with the young talent that helped get them to the playoffs). I don't think they are a title contending team but with the defense they are capable of playing they could easily be a top 3-4 team in the East and are not going to be a team people like playing.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 10:44 AM) Looking around at the contracts that have been signed, Dunleavy's deal is a f***ing steal. I feel that way too. He could fall apart pretty quickly, I don't know, but he's the type of guy title teams have on their bench. The key being "bench". We need to get better development out of Snell / Dougie / Niko to ensure that Dunleavy can play less minutes and ideally be as effective as possible during those minutes. He's also just a very good guy to have in the lockeroom. The spacing he brings is also key and thankfully shooting and smart passing are a couple skills that take a longer time to deteriorate.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 2, 2015 -> 09:50 AM) It's not my money. I just wish the Bulls could make better use of their cash. I didn't think any of their signings were bad uses of their cash. Compare to what most teams are spending money on and the Butler move could turn into a huge coup when cap expands and the Dunleavy deal isn't going to have any long term negative ramifications from a cap perspective (not enough money their). Even the Rose deal, when you look at what guys are getting right now, going forward, I don't see Rose's contract as some huge impediment (but I also expect him to play the majority of the games for the rest of his contract).

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 10:36 AM) The least anyone can offer him as a restricted free agent is 2 years. Not one. Then there's this... http://hoopshype.com/2015/06/17/how-the-bu...ler-in-chicago/ There’s a little known clause in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. It is little known because, as best as can be ascertained, it has never been used. When a player coming off of a rookie scale contract is entering restricted free agency, his team can, in addition to the regular qualifying offer of an amount predetermined by the CBA and his draft spot, extend something called a Maximum Qualifying Offer. A Maximum Qualifying Offer is, essentially, an offer of a maximum contract. It is not a contract – it is an offer. It is not binding on the player. It is not something the player has to accept, or that prevents him from signing contracts with other teams, be they in the NBA or elsewhere. But it is something that impacts upon their options afterwards. In a Maximum Qualifying Offer, there can be no option years whatsoever, nor any bonuses, nor any wiggle room on the salary. A Maximum Qualifying Offer is an offer of the very maximum; the full five years, the full 7.5 percent raises, and a full 100 percent guarantee in each year. It is the most player-friendly contract a team can possibly offer. And that is why it has never been used. If Chicago extends Butler a Maximum Qualifying Offer, nothing will ostensibly change. Butler will remain a free agent, he will remain a restricted free agent on account of the original one year qualifying offer he was extended, and he can still accept that QO. He can also accept the Maximum Qualifying Offer, or indeed sign another type of contract with his incumbent team or any other franchise. He does not even have to sign for the maximum, despite how illogical that might seem. The only difference is the length of the offer sheet he can potentially sign with a new team. If Chicago offers a Maximum Qualifying Offer, an offer sheet with a new team has to have at least the first three years be optionless, as opposed to the first two. Steve...you are about a week behind us on this. . Jimmy has a couple options...1, he signs the 1 year qualifying, 2, he accepts the max offer from Bulls, 3, he negotiates something different with Bulls (years, etc), and 4, he signs an offersheet from another team (which the Bulls will match) which is at least 3 years of guaranteed money (no team can offer less).

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 10:02 AM) All a pipe dream unless Rose decides to play for less that what he's making now and/or he is no longer in Chicago, although I do agree they should be shooting for that spending flexibility in case Davis is open to coming here. Random PG Butler McDermott Mirotic Davis I could live with that. It is all a moot point. Bulls cap space is all set to be in a great spot when Davis is available. Who knows what could happen in future but he's the one guy I would think we'd be the pure front-runner to get. Either way, I think this team can contend now and leading up to its eventual run at Davis. By the way, I hope the Spurs get Aldridge. I just love how they keep winning and are just such a quality organization. That said, with Aldridge they'll be a really really tough team to beat.

@KCJHoop: In all Bulls' contacts with Butler, they've had no indications he wants to be elsewhere. Just matter of years.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 09:32 AM) That'd be a helluva lot of money to turn down for a shot at getting $125 over the next 6 years. What is the 125 over 6 you are talking about? You also have to add that 6th year to his presumed earnings from Bulls. But if he goes elsewhere, he isn't getting a 6 year deal from anyone. Also, Butler hasn't even made 10M thus far in his career. He's got ~$5M in career earnings. So if he takes the qualifying offer this year, he'd have a guaranteed $10M income stream (in terms of his career) vs. taking the max qualifying offer and being just shy of $100M guaranteed NBA income (counting the $5M he has already made). And you could counter this all by saying he could probably pick up an insurance policy that covered somewhere between $30-$50M of lost earnings but even then, you have a lot of money left on the table and a heck of a lot more downside then upside.

If Jimmy signs a 5 year max deal, that could turn into a very very good asset and favorable position when the cap balloons and this team goes after Anthony Davis. Reports are that he is now deciding how many years he wants to sign with the Bulls (per Broussard). I presume Bulls might come down to 4 years (or 5 years with a player out after 4). I don't see the Bulls going shorter then that with Jimmy (no matter what he wants) and if Jimmy is going to go shorter, he's going to have to see if he can leverage another team into a signing him to a tender sheet to the terms he wants (and I just don't know if their are teams out their that will do it...although I suppose the upside of having your cap tied up is that you ensure that a guy like Jimmy is a FA in 3 years time vs. longer term).

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 08:42 AM) Broussard SAUCES say that Butler postponed meetings with LAL, BOS, PHI and DAL after the bulls offer I really hope in next couple days he signs and we can move on to Dunleavy and adding a guy who can be a primary ballhandler and spell Rose (but also ideally play the 2).

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 08:37 AM) It is a different situation though, with the cap going up so much next year. Butler will actually make more money if he gambles on himself and take the QO and then get the full max next year. But it's a gamble. I'd rather take the $90 million today and run with it. With cap going up, it is estimated he could get about 8M more. The significant bump in cap is projected for 2 years from now (next year is going to go up but not near the uptick as 2 years from now). The bottom line is, Greg Monroe and Ben Gordon (who are two of the more recent examples) had more money at stake and potential upside then Butler has in this equation (unless of course Butler just wants to get away from the Bulls completely...but I don't buy that one bit...maybe if all thing were equal he'd rather go elsewhere, but he is on a contending team who drafted him, developed him, and just made him a max money offer and its also one of the largest markets). Bottom line, I'd be stunned if he took the 1 year qualifying offer.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 08:01 AM) With the cap, I don't think it is really that simple. It isn't like we can spend it on an equal player for a different position because of cap restrictions. Plus with the way the team is set up, he makes the team much better because he compliments both Rose and Butler's games. The spacing on the court with MDJ is much better. Hopefully Snell can keep working on his 3 point shot as he can help (and is a solid defender with defensive upside) and at that same time, I'm hoping McDermott has a healthy off-season and can take steps forward, but having MDJ to learn from will be huge. We have to expect that the expectation is Hoiberg is going to get the young guys lots of developmental minutes. And my theory is, Noah can't be worse then last year, so any loss from Gasol should be offset by Noah's improvements. I think we see Rose take steps forward (but that is a risky prop at best) but have potential upside in Niko / McD / Snell, not to mention fact that their should be a full off-season with the team gelling and I think the enhanced chemistry will go a long way. Like previous years, are we the favorite to win it all, no, but we'll be one of the top 5 teams in the league with a chance to win it all. And we still have young assets (yes some are aging but we still have young assets) and will have prime cap space in a couple years to make a run at Davis (to pair Davis / Butler / Niko).

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jun 30, 2015 -> 07:25 AM) You're not alone. I feel like that money can be spent elsewhere. I want to get more athletic and less white but that's just me I guess. Dunleavy is good when his shot is falling but he's bad defensively and he'll take minutes from McDermott. I'd rather split the $$ between Stuckey and Barea and then trade Taj for another wing. Hold on. That money can't get allocated to those guys. I'd rather just sign Stuckey with my tax payer exception and then have Dunleavy with bird rights and still have Taj. With Noah's knee, we can't afford to deal Taj, imo. Plus Taj is out with an ankle injury anyway so I don't see it. With MDJ / Snell / McBuckets / Butler (and a Stuckey or someone), I am comfortable with our 2 / 3 (plus Niko I'm sure will still get some time at the 3 as well). Then with Hinrich and Stuckey (or whomever else is signed), I'm more comfortable with our back-up PG situation. Whenever I see a Taj trade rumor, I think, why would we downgrade our front court for such a minimal upgrade in the back court.