Chisoxfn

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 01:07 PM) #mlb #whitesox #redsox The Chicago White Sox were runner-up in the Adrian Gonzalez derby, offering IF Gordon Beckham and prospects. - Nightangale Us including Beckham tells me that Hoyer is just in absolute love with what he got because as far as I'm concerned the Pads got pretty raped. It could turn out differently but the guys they traded for, outside of a 1st base prospect without elite power numbers (and that means he's a dime a dozen prospect as far as I'm concerned), are so long away from being major leaguers that the bust rate is just so high.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 12:01 PM) I'd go.. Pierre Beckham Konerko Dunn Rios Quentin AJP Ramirez Morel I just love the 3-6. That's the "danger zone" right there. I like this one. Most of the other ones have too many righties in a row. I don't love Rios in the 5th spot because he'd be a double play machine but I think Paulie is better suited in the 3 spot. I could also make a case for Rios hitting 2nd with Beckham or Q in the 5 spot giving, but to start the season I think the Sox are going to make sure someone who command at least some respect hits behind Dunn to give him at least a little protection. Ideally, Quentin and Rios produce and you'd go: Pierre Rios Konerko Dunn Quentin That is a pretty damn solid top 5 if your guys are producing. You are a little light in OBP though in the top 2 spots, which is a major negative since we know that Dunn is a HR machine and to get the most bang for you buck with him we will want guys on base when he's up.

QUOTE (IamtheHBOMB @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 11:04 AM) Do you think the Clippers would draw more fans if they were based in Anaheim rather than LA? I don't think they'd notice a difference in the size of the fan base, however, I think it is more likely that you'd have a shot at having a larger fanbase which is fans of your team first and foremost. All of this said, a second team can become powerful once it wins. Fans are bandwagoners in general. There are exceptions to the rule but I think if you get a 2nd franchise in and it does what it takes and goes on a dominate run, people will switch allegiances, imo. The posters on Soxtalk might not, but a lot of fans might.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 09:22 AM) The federal accounting standards canard again? Ok, I'll drop it here, because this one isn't going to go anywhere. The government f***ed up massively when they put Arthur out of business. KPMG did far worse things but the government knows that you can't get rid of another one of the major accounting/consulting organizations because if you do there would be an utter monopoly since most major corporations have at least 2 and usually 3 of the big 4 doing some sort of work for them.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 10:35 AM) It's not like the offer the Padres accepted was earth shattering. Viciedo + Flowers + Escobar is probably the best we could put together right now. Red Sox deal beat that, but our deal would have been a steal too as far as I'm concerned, even if Adrian walked a year later.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 10:26 AM) on the plus side, i hope it just priced DET out of the bidding for Crawford. No way could Detroit get Crawford. They'd have to give him a ridiculous contract given the other clubs involved (Boston, Anaheim, New York).

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 10:24 AM) I still think he'd be hard to move especially if you're actually trying to get value back for him. Second, as you said we need his cf defense and we have nobody that could step in this season and take his spot. No denying the move would open up and create a position. If the Sox could than turn around and deal some talent for Rasmus it could make sense or if they have targeted any other young or veteran centerfielders. Or could the Sox spin Rios in a 3 way deal (or seperate trade) that involves the Sox getting Granderson, some cash, plus a prospect? Not sure if it would be worth it or not to be honest, but just something Kenny might consider.

I wonder if the White Sox would have any interest in George Sherill. Sherill was awful last year and I have no idea why, but he was pretty good for a few years and if Thorty becomes the closer the team will need another lefty. Lefties hit under .200 against him in his career.

Anaheim has wanted a team for a long long time and Orange County is a major marketplace with tons of major businesses. In general, Orange County people don't feel all that associated with Los Angeles. The Clippers should be playing at the pond but Sterling didn't want to because he lives in LA. Anaheim has also been trying for a while to get an NBA team and at various points in time have tried to bring in another football team.

Could the Sox opt to move Alex Rios in order to create payroll flexibility? Not sure what his value is, but last seasons performance probably means you could move him if the club wanted. The hard part is that he is the centerfielder the club has needed for an extended period of time, but the Sox have Jared Mitchell in the wings and there are some other potential options of players you could find and it might free-up the payroll needed to address the bullpen. Not necessarily saying I'd endorse it, but it might be something to consider. Most everything we read people suggest Buehrle/Danks/Floyd/Quentin if the club were trying to shed some payroll but Rios has to be possibility.

QUOTE (SoxPride56 @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 10:11 AM) In that same article, he says it will be the teams highest ever...we had a $121 million payroll in 2008 according to Cot's If you factor in Sox payroll though, it was much less than that, IIRC.

Makes you think the Sox have to consider moving Quentin or a pitcher to get some other younger players on board. One nice thing is that the Sox should shed pitching payroll with Buehrle/Peavy coming off the books relatively soon so that should enable you to at some point offer Danks a hefty extension (if the Sox feel that is in there best interest). I'm becoming more and more open to a trade of one of our starters, as long as the club is able to get two top 100 MLB ready pitching prospects with upside in return (which I'm not sure is a realistic expectation).

I think JR is typically at this meetings. Might be wrong but I swear he was usually at the GM meetings. Either way, I wouldn't look any more into it because we all know about Paulie's relationship with the chairman. Nice trade by the Orioles.

This is just an assinine contract. They better hope that they can win early in there years because this contract is horrid. Even worse, this sets the market for Carl Crawford at a lot of years and around 20M per year. That is unbelievable because Crawford isn't worth near that, imo.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 12:48 PM) Cutler played EXCELLENT today. This is the type of performance that many will forget but he helped will this team to victory. I am very impressed. He has played really really well for the past few weeks and is making much better decisions. Bears are converting 3rd downs and scoring and putting together long drives. Oline still burries them but this offense is getting better every week. Defense was horrendous today, but I"ll give the Lions credit. THey did a nice job getting Stanton into manageable situations and Stanton played well.

Oh, I should point out, probably a stupid move too. But for the Nats to get involved in this type of signing it is a huge statement. I'm guessing he's getting 15M a year too?

Seriously, huge move by the Nats.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 4, 2010 -> 11:45 PM) Sitting in the front few rows of most of the UD sections behind the plate are some of the best seats in the house. Much, much better than sitting in the outfield. Completely agree. The broadcasters for games sit where they do for a reason. The atmosphere and being close to the field can be pretty cool, especially if you just go to a couple games per year. But when it comes to season tickets, my dream tickets would be right behind home plate in the front row of the upper deck. You have the best perspective for watching the game and seeing everything. Just my 2 cents.

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 07:14 AM) If they are "all in" like Williams states I really do not see a place for Viciedo on this team. In fact I think Viciedo will eventually be traded to get bullpen help. Morel will be the only "chance" player we take. Morel has true defensive skills he will stick. If Konerko doesn't resign, Lee might be the next target as you get a veteran, decent defensive player who is a good locker room guy. I do like the beltre Idea but I have no idea how this guy is in the locker room. Beltre seems like a good fit and I agree with you quick that if they are all in, Viciedo won't be starting. He could be dealt, but I think it is more likely that he gets a good chunk of ab's from the bench. The reason I don't believe the Sox will even come close with Beltre is that he's already got a 5 year deal on the table (from Oakland) at big money and I can't see the Sox going that long-term on a deal now that they have inked Dunn. To me, if the Sox could get 2 relievers plus Lee or just Paulie, I'd be perfectly fine with Lee as long as whatever slowed him last season isn't something that will never heal. I'd also be exstatic with Paulie coming back but I have to hope the Sox have resources to fill their pen because right now our pen is scary bad or at least scary unproven.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 4, 2010 -> 11:56 AM) With our terrible farm system? Not a prayer. We have no one that compares to Kelly or Rizzo. Sale > Kelly I could even make a case that VIciedo has much better overall tools than Rizzo. This was not a good deal on paper as it stands right now for the Padres, imo. They got guys that will not be in the majors this year, two of which are incredibly raw and could very easily fail. Not sure who the 4th player is. But the Sox could have put this type of package together, imo. It doesn't mean I would have done it though, since we have less depth and that type of trade would have seriously impacted our current club and long-term future and I'm glad with dunn.

I'm surprised that the Padres did this. Kelly is very raw and not near a lock. I'm quite surprised and don't think the Pads did very well, but what do I know. Red Sox did great though.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 3, 2010 -> 01:05 PM) With the Jimmy V Classic coming up and the fact I have family members battling cancer made me wonder if you guys agree with conspiracy theorists who believe scientists/experts/medical personnel across the world are not trying to find cures for cancer. Almost every family has lost somebody to cancer. And yet no cure?? Conspiracy theorists would say there's so much money to be made by the medical community that it'd be a distaster financially to cure this horrid piece of s*** disease. Tell me there is no conspiracy and the medical community is really trying to cure cancer. You tell me why with all this money being raised yearly there's no cure in site????? I don't really agree with this. I think there might be more of a valid conspiracy for those diseases in which you need to take significant medication for life and that there might not be a financial interest in a cure since it would prevent you from generating those constant revenue streams. However, for cancer, the revenue generated is soley for trying to cure the disease or depending on the type and diagnosis, they try to comfort you as you pass on. I know for me, my grandma was a cancer survivor but eventually another form of cancer got her (she lived a long life though). I think more conspiracy theorist would point to things like diabetes or HIV as those are expensive drugs that the pharmacutical companies can sell and if there was a one time cure, than that revenue would be out the drain. That said, scientist that are performing the R&D often times work for think tanks and non-profit research institutions so they aren't necessarily incentized by how much money the drug ultimately creates and I certainly believe that people still have the best interest at heart and would never hold out on things like that. Yes, businesses have to make decisions but they also need to act ethical and put out what they feel are the best products available for the consumer benefit (and they'll price it to make money). However, to an extent, R&D money from internal companies is more likely to go to the projects they feel would have the best added monetary value but that is why you have so much government research and grants designated for the development for cures for certain diseases. I believe it will be a great day when the world can find a cure for all of the major diseases in this world (Cancer, HIV, etc)and for one minute I don't believe these cures already exist and are being kept a secret.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 3, 2010 -> 11:14 AM) Question for you guys in this thread.... when is the last time you've been THIS excited over an offseason? For me it's 2005 - not trying to draw parallels either, totally different circumstances, we were more frugal then anyway, now we're trying to be the Yankees or something - but in terms of filling holes with quality players, that's the last time I've been this happy as a Sox fan watching the offseason. This is f***ing great. I love it! Mark Teahen, come on down... Lets hope our bullpen doesn't collectively s*** itself like it did in 2006. We also know the rotation ran into some trouble after being over-extended in the postseason the year before. But man, that pen was horrific.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2010 -> 11:09 AM) Right now: Thornton, Santos, Pena, and Infante are likely, Sale and Anthony Carter are plausible. You are correct that it is a bit sparse. However...it was a bit sparse before this trade as well. Regardless, we could use two quality relievers and one of those should be a closer or a potential closer. Putz and another guy would be nice. If we go with Thorty, than the club will need Putz plus another lefty (since Sale is apparently starting). I only say that because we know Ozzie likes having two lefties in the pen.

I think this isn't Kenny telling Ozzie this is whats up. I think this is them realizing something didn't quite work and they are going to make a change and better the overall roster. I can't imagine Ozzie complaining too much with the move, as long as he still has a few fast guys and we still have some young players (Morel/Ramirez/Alexei/CQ/Beckman) who are in our everyday lineup.