Chisoxfn

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 07:04 PM) He's so damned streaky...he's Quentin all over again. Except he's still incredibly young and developing. With his bat speed, I wouldn't be surprised if he develops into a dominant offensive player in the future (and a relatively consistent one). The biggest thing to ensuring that happens is pitch recognition/approach and I expect that to improve with experience.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:54 PM) Wright was on the verge of getting there when his arm blew up. He sure was. I thought he was going to turn the corner. He had nice stuff.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 07:05 PM) This. Trading in Chicago is a freaking fraternity. Everyone knows everyone. Honestly I think before i do anything i am going to talk to our COO. I don't want to leave where I am at now (the job is pretty solid, the work is manageable, the benefits are insane), but you never know either. But I could always use a few more dollars, and I am thinking about seeing what I can try to parlay this into. Another consideration is if this company likes you, then depending on the type of internal transfers they offer, maybe there is a route to this spot which actually works out well for you and the Company. They get to continue to develop and utilize a valuable employee while you get further opportunities. All depends on how interconnected these companies are and how open the Companies are about transferring people.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 07:01 PM) I probably have my stuff mixed up but there was a SFAS that came out around 2002/2003 about FMV that effected all the financial institutions that changed 107 and then was modified into SFAS 157 in late 2006/2007 IIRC which is IMO what led to a lot of the liquidity issues that started the ball rolling on the house of cards that was the asset base at the time. I think you are thinking of 133 which came out. One of the big focal points of 133 was related to the valuation and bifurcation of embedded derivatives (as well as other issues related to accounting for derivatives). The thing was a royal pain in the ass. In fact, it still is. Been working through an embedded derivative issue on a new product my client will be launching.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:54 PM) I think you have to at least listen... but I can see a problem with the ownership group of a subsidiary company giving you a bit of pause, because word does travel. Agreed. You have to be pretty darn careful in this situation.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:50 PM) This is semantics but SFAS 157 was a direct result of the mess that SOX also came out of. His point is valid even though he had the technical standard wrong. Of course this gets into the whole big ass post I never posted for 3 years about fair market valuations and mark to market, but why would I post that now? Well, SFAS 157 was a more advanced version of 107 (I believe that is what it replaced at least). Irregardless, it came out about 7 years after SOXso they really weren't related. Unless we are going to say every new guidance that has came out since SOX was because of SOX. The reality is, there has just been so many issues that have came up in recent years and everything is continuing to push down the road of more and more disclosure. Things are going to get crazy shortly with the new investment ASU. The 157 disclosures were already pretty intense, now the sensitivity disclosures that will go along with them will be pretty crazy. They will also provide a user of the financials will all kinds of additional information on the entities investments (some of which will be beneficial).

Early move to the pen. I realize the guys are fresh but I don't like going this early. Q didn't have a high pitch count at all and I want to see what he can do. Hopefully Nate can get the Sox out of this jam.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:47 PM) I think his mechanics just fall apart when he pitches from the stretch. I wonder if he's struggling a bit based upon his quicker delivery from the stretch as well. Whatever it is, up until his last outing (where he still got hit), that curve hasn't been there. Usually once his curve starts working, he seems to go on a run and I'm hoping his solid changeup isn't far behind.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:46 PM) Maybe one factor could be nobody has a scouting report on this kid, but it's all pretty basic stuff. Especially the NL teams, they don't scout the AL as much, but every team has advanced scouts and minor league scouts, and they have video of all his outings. You keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and for the rest of baseball to adjust to Quintana, but it hasn't happened yet. Humber had his roll for almost 3 months last year...who knows at this point? I don't think Humbers was due to scouting last year. He was pretty nasty. Good command, nasty curveball, solid fastballs that he used inside and out. Its frustarting watching him at times this year cause the biggest issue is his command has gone to s***.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:43 PM) I get you. I'm sorta just dumbfounded to see this from a guy who should be in AA.. The question is if he can sustain. Heck, look at the success the Dodgers have had with a lot of hasbeens this year. The Sox have done the same with guys that were never very hyped (I realize De Aza should have started with the Marlins prior to having a nasty injury, but look from afar and the Sox have had success with Nate Jones (never highly touted outside of Soxtalk; Hector Santiago; Quintana; De Aza). Even Viciedo, despite getting paid, was generally underhyped outside of the White Sox org (or at least thats what the media has lead us to believe). Sox have done one thing well, scout, cause Kenny and the org seems to have a much higher success rate on these kind of guys then others. Makes you wish we could win a couple big trades sooner or later.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:39 PM) If the deal for Ramirez is as overwhelming as I'm lead to believe it would be by reading this thread, it doesn't matter. Overwhelming, you are going to get market value for him. Problem is, market value is probably 2 prospects, which really don't do the Sox much good when they are in the midst of the playoffs. Weren't you the guy wanting to deal Viciedo for a starting pitcher (or Youk) anyway? Seems pretty inconsistent and to be frank, both ideas as proposed are pretty terrible.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:38 PM) This kid cant possibly keep this up can he? I love the fact that he attacks on the mound and changes his pitches. He throws at various speeds and angles and if you do that with command and decent stuff, you have a chance.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:38 PM) If all you do is trade your good players, you probably never actually win. I'm all for trading guys if you get the right value and fill in the pieces but I don't exactly know who the hell the Sox are going to get to fill the void. Shortstop is a hard position to fill and unless Beckham proves he can hit, he can't play at short. I can live with his defense at short if he's hitting the hell out of the ball, but if he isn't, he needs to stay at 2B. Escobar isn't able to hit enough to short (and is a downgrade defensively; not a knock on Esocbar, again, more of a compliment to Ramirez) and Lillibridge sure as heck isn't competent enough offensively to play (and again, is a defensive downgrade). Plus at this point, you aren't even trading him at his peak.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:35 PM) Wonderful. Get something for him then. If all you do is trade your good players, you probably never actually win. I'm all for trading guys if you get the right value and fill in the pieces but I don't exactly know who the hell the Sox are going to get to fill the void. Shortstop is a hard position to fill and unless Beckham proves he can hit, he can't play at short. I can live with his defense at short if he's hitting the hell out of the ball, but if he isn't, he needs to stay at 2B. Escobar isn't able to hit enough to short (and is a downgrade defensively; not a knock on Esocbar, again, more of a compliment to Ramirez) and Lillibridge sure as heck isn't competent enough offensively to play (and again, is a defensive downgrade).

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:24 PM) If there is that much interest in him then he needs to be dealt. Let someone else pay the $30M owed. You have no concept of what guys are worth. Ready to ship Viciedo out and now thinking no team would have interest in Ramirez. Ramirez might be struggling but he's an elite defensive shortstop with some pop and an overall solid bat. Dude won a silver slugger for a reason (and should have a few gold gloves). He's easily a top 10 shortstop in this league and when on (even factoring in his crappy start to the season).

Beltran grounds out sharply. Inning over; no runs allowed

And instead of striking out, Holliday singles.

What horsecrap. That was strike 3 to Holliday.

I don't think about it. Sit back and enjoy the baseball. This has been a surprising season and you might as well enjoy it while you can. Hopefully it lasts all the way through October. Lets go White Sox!!!

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 02:55 PM) I've seen my father's retirement account halve with the economy so I save about 15% in cash and 10% in 401k Is the 15% you save specifically for retirement or for other purposes as well? I would think 25% would put you in a pretty sweet spot when you retire. Personally I put 15% in my 401K (as does the wife and then get a little bit more as a result of the Company match). As a whole, we live off of one income with the rest going into savings. Additionally, I've been banking my last couple raises/bonuses vs. increasing my spending costs, which has been pretty sweet. Would love to be super aggressive saving when I'm young, since if I've never seen the money or gotten used to having it in my paycheck, then in theory, I won't really be missing it.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 11:50 AM) The numbers in this graph are not adjusted for inflation. Using the handy BLS inflation adjustor, I was able to quickly calculate that $165,000 in 2000 dollars is equivalent in purchasing power to $220,000 in today's dollars. Thus, child care costs are not out of control, they have effectively tracked inflation over the past 12 years, to within a variance of 2%. Furthermore, property taxes have, over the last 50 years, averaged about 3.5% of national income. That number has trended down slightly over time. If you can find a 2009 version it could possibly increase because of plummeting national income due to the recession, but the data does not show that there has been a substantial increase in property tax rates or collections over time, rather the data show the reverse. Some of that decrease may be due to the state of California's insane property tax system coming on line in the 1980s and screwing with the national average. I think California is the fairest of all. Why should you have to pay taxes based upon the current market value of the property. That would force massive amount of people who bought when they could afford (whose income never really increased) who'd be forced to sell based upon current prices.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 11:03 AM) As far as not being able to take money with you, that's a very slippery slope. It's all about budgeting like Rock said, and actually sticking to the budget. Knowing what you can spend on bulls*** per month and that's that. Having an 8 month emergency fund. Funding a RETIREMENT ACCOUNT. I feel way too many young people today think that's something you worry about later, when in reality you must worry about it now. Then they'll never be able to retire, or run out of money when they do. It's all about thinking long-term in today's minute-to-minute, "I can afford this now so will," society. Here's a question (maybe personal) but what does everyone think is the right amount to set aside for retirement. 10%, 15%, 25%? Curious to see.

To be frank, the only thing I'd consider is making a move after Floyd gets hot and that move would be a lateral one where you move Floyd for someone who could help the Sox long-term at 3rd base. Or for a lesser starter plus a guy who you think could help them at 3rd base. I really don't see the point in making any major moves this year, unless they are ones that make you younger and better long-term and work towards the Sox long-term plan, which is really building this team around the likes of Sale & Viciedo (and hopefully winning some playoffs series while Konerko/Dunn are still in form too).

Lets hope Quintana has another solid performance. Floyd usually gets going this time of year and we know he can really get nasty once he gets going. Humber is having some confidence issues and I'm starting to doubt him. That said, his issue has been consistency, he's had a decent number of quality starts for a 5th starter (which is what he currently is). The big thing about the Sox is, the rotation should get improvements out of Floyd, Danks, and Humber. I really think Peavy is what we are seeing so I expect him to remain consistent (unless he gets hurt, which is always possible) and to be frank, Sale has to see some struggles. Plus there is the whole innings limit on him. I was stunned when I watched some video of him and Johnson. Their deliveries are incredibly similar. To be frank, I still think this rotation will be fine. This is a long season and if Danks is healthy, he'll be fine and Floyd has a run in him. Those pitching even close to their capabilities make this rotation a lot better. Floyd's curve looked a lot better and usually it is at its best in the summer.

Lets hope Quintana has another solid performance. Floyd usually gets going this time of year and we know he can really get nasty once he gets going. Humber is having some confidence issues and I'm starting to doubt him. That said, his issue has been consistency, he's had a decent number of quality starts for a 5th starter (which is what he currently is). The big thing about the Sox is, the rotation should get improvements out of Floyd, Danks, and Humber. I really think Peavy is what we are seeing so I expect him to remain consistent (unless he gets hurt, which is always possible) and to be frank, Sale has to see some struggles. Plus there is the whole innings limit on him. I was stunned when I watched some video of him and Johnson. Their deliveries are incredibly similar.