Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 11:39 AM) This is kind of on a tangent, but lets discuss JR and how he runs the team. For years my Cub fan friends wanted a crazy, old rich guy to own their team. JR definitely fits that bill. Last year we see he's willing to throw millions from out of nowhere at the last second to get Damon. But then we don't see that money get put into the team somewhere else before spring training. This year, they seem to be setting us up for one thing, and then suddenly they hike payroll up to record setting levels. Yes maybe some of that was emotion-driven, but it was still for a player coming off MVP candidacy. Maybe I'm naive but I basically don't worry about 2013 because we have one of those owners who (yes, sporadically) will just throw a bunch more $ at the problem. And this time it comes off a down year in attendance. What needs to improve is how KW sometimes spends that money, and thats an entirely different problem. Maybe that's why I don't care enough about 2013's $6M. That, and the fact that I can't (unlike others) assume D-Lee is going to find that pop he used to have. A lot of what you guys say makes sense, but that part of it you have to admit is hope-based. That he returns to '09 form. His 19 HR from '10: not enough. Jerry Reinsdorf is not a crazy rich old guy. He is very calculated in what he does. I think he is stretching things right now but he feels that the opportunity is their in this major market to make it work and turn in a profit. The business will probably take a loss, however, the Sox have continued to reinvest funds but at the same time have seen the franchise appreciate. I think Jerry knows that in his old age he wants to win and I'm guessing the rest of the ownership group does as well. They won't get crazy but I think at this point in time they felt these players were worth going "all in" for. What will happen with our bullpen, I don't know. But one thing about bullpens is they are much more of a crap shoot than offensive players. So with that said, I'm glad we invested our money in a guy that has been a relatively constent run producer throughout his career and I can hope that our young arms in the pen, along with Thornty, can pan out. If they don't, we can invest some money in the pen. My bigger concern to be quite frank is Peavy since we don't have a 5th starter as of now, especially if we are going with Sale in our pen. Plus, a healthy Jake Peavy (major if) makes this team a lot better.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 05:09 PM) Party cancelled. On second thought, let me know, I'll bring Ashley, and you two can talk Iowa basketball. That will be a very short conversation..."Man those Hawkeyes sure stink, but this new fran guy seems to have a nice attitude and bring a fun up-tempo style. I gotta hope he can recruit though because his scheme won't work in the major conference without some talent". At least we beat Northern Iowa, haha. I think I'd focus on how much better our football team is than yours and even than my argument isn't as strong since my team choked like a ten cent hour on Saturdays.

I'm closing this because it doesn't belong here. If someone wants to re-create this topic in filabuster go right ahead.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 08:57 AM) You're astounded? I want JJ Putz as my damned closer. PK precluded that from happening. Stop acting like his kids would go hungry if he took 3/$30. And why should he take a ton less money? I'm just curious. And how do you know what he had offered? The current market environment certainly dictates that this was a more than fair contract.

Happy to have the captain back for what I believe is a very very fair deal. The deferred money really puts the present value of this contract in a very reasonable range, imo. Is it a total steal, no, but is it fair to keep a guy on the southside who is approaching historic numbers on the south side and still playing above average baseball, most certainly. In this market could Paulie have gotten more money and a bigger deal, I think so. Does that mean he should have taken a whole lot less to stay in Chicago, nope. He doesn't owe us that and he's a class guy that I will always root for and I'm glad to get to root for him for another few years in a Sox uniform.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 08:03 AM) The Cubs are committed to Carlos Pena for nothing in 2012 or 2013, or 2014-2019, for that matter. And he is a worse player than Paul Konerko.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 07:55 AM) Nightengale broke it. He must have a really good source or two in the org. Nightengale has always had very good sources in the White Sox organization.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 10:32 PM) Yes, but he's sacrificing a year on his deal for more salary. It's classic Boras, as he wants Pena to rebuild his reputation and be a free agent again soon. Usually when you do that because you actually have to prove yourself, you end up getting deals less than 10 million though. In this case, he's getting a whopper of a deal given that he's coming off a craptacular season.

Makes you wonder what DLee will get. Wowza.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 03:35 PM) Brooks in Tampa? Wasn't Nickerson the MLB their for a long time with Brooks an OLB? I at least thought Brooks played Briggs position for most of his career.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 03:45 PM) You better believe DLEE is probably option B for KW, and he is thinking exactly what we are. If he is healthy, he is significantly better than Pena/LaRoche. Both of those guys aren't near as complete players as Lee. Plus we all know that Lee (and Paulie) are good leaders and well respected in the city.

All of you are nitpicking. The two are very similar players, what matters is what are their health's like right now. The past doesn't matter as much as we know that is similar. If we think both are at 100% for their age without any major hurdles than I'm just fine with Lee. If Lee has issues, than maybe we should give Konerko the money or go another way. LaRoche and Pena both have some issues if you put them in the same lineup as an Adam Dunn (I.e., low average and high strikeout numbers).

Horrible news Russ. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 03:03 PM) And Jeff will more than likely drink you under the table (as I found out one evening)..... But that is against you so it doesn't really count you crazy aussie.

I found out I might have a training to attend for work in Chicago. If I do, I'm in.

If Paulie wants to be the highest paid guy on the team, that is fine, but he'll have to be on another team. Heck, Peavy makes more than he does anyway and Buehrle was pretty close.

I'm quite intrigued.

Blitzes in general shouldn't be done a whole heck of a lot.

RIP

I take it back, it is Lujack.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 11:12 AM) I read a forum rumor that the Yanks are going to offer Wood 30 mil for 2 years...uhh. Impossible.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 07:42 AM) I'd be willing to transfer if relocation is at least partially covered. And it depends on where the location is. Experience has been primarily in retail/wholesale. And yes, Internal Audit. Thanks Jason! I'll keep my eye out. Only areas I'd be talking about would be Orange County as it is the marketplace I'm familiar with. Did you formerly have an accounting background and what level position are you looking for (Senior, Mgr, Senior Manager? ).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 10:41 AM) Yeah, I was not really keen on the steroid whispers. If that's the case, by all means, pass. I guess I was just trying to make it clear that I wouldn't rule him out because of the low average and strikeouts alone. I don't really care how you get on base, as long as you do it at a reasonable clip and you hit for some pop. He has done so over the course of his career. Again, if that is because of the juice, then forget it. I should point out, I fall on the other side. I can accept a low average if you absolutely mash consistently done and have the right lineup around that one clodder, but adding in Pena along with Dunn to me is where I draw the line. And I realize we aren't talking about a ton of hits, but I think the lower average you hit the easier you tend to be to get out in situations where you have to go up against a tough pitcher (think post-season or late game situations).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 10:16 AM) He's been a career .841 OPS player and he's two years younger than PK. I think he'd be a very solid signing at $6-8 million. He hasn't hit over .250 in three seasons and his average has gone down each of the past 3 seasons with last year being a putrid season with a low OPS and low average. I think OPS is an important stat but I'm not going to ignore the fact that we already have one guy in our lineup that produces at a low average and I don't want two of those guys. His decline has more to do with him getting off the juice. His WAR has been 3. I'll take Lee, Konerko, and LaRoche over him any day of the week.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 09:47 AM) Worth noting...Pena is a really bad fit in the same lineup with Dunn. He's a bad fit in any lineup if he produces like he did last year. 2 hits per 10 at bats, yuck.