hogan873

My wife's a CPA, but she uses Turbo Tax. She'll look for just about every write off she can find, plus we overpay. So we always get a nice return. And the return typically goes right towards paying bills. This year, however, we might put a chunk away for vacation. One of these years, though, it's going to be time for a new air conditioner.

QUOTE (juddling @ Jan 12, 2013 -> 08:01 AM) Just a couple episodes (shown back to back next week) of Fringe left. Damn shame John Noble never received any awards for his portrayal of Walter Bishop....... I agree. His portayal as the two Walter Bishops from the different timelines was great. Two totally different characters.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 11, 2013 -> 11:02 AM) 20 years, 4 post seasons and 1 World Series. Not enough to have a rabid fan base. QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 11, 2013 -> 11:03 AM) Well, that's your opinion, but teams with fewer total wins, postseason appearances, and WS wins, have had better attendance in the last 20 years, so by comparison, Sox fans are spoiled. There's a difference between a fan base and the number of fans that attend the games. The Sox have a big fan base, and I would argue that of true baseball fans, their fan base is bigger than most people think. Marty, I will admit that you are very good and finding things to argue about. This thread has been veering back and forth between attendance and wins, and you have been camping out on the sides with few, if any, other supporters. And then you ask for proof/links/documentation to support the posts of others. Yet you have not offered anything to support your posts. We all have opinions, and almost everything we've been discussing here are opinions. None of us know what Hahn has cooking. None of know that Sox ownership is or isn't doing what they can to improve attendance. All we can do is speculate. What's happening is that no one's opinions are being respected because everyone thinks those with opposing views are wrong. As far as the fan base/attendance argument, short of going to the commissioner and demanding the Cubs be moved to another city, there's not a lot the Sox can do to drastically improve attendance. Having a team that wins a bunch of games and makes it to the post season on a regular basis will help, but the boost in attendance would happen AFTER the fans start seeing the product on the field. The Sox have cut prices for 2013, and that's a good step. I'm sure a few more moves will be made to improve the team, but the Sox will not be making a big splash. They just don't have the money. But, I think the team will be good enough to compete in the division. Note I said compete, not necessarily "win". Enough facts have been put out in this thread to show that the Sox have actually put decent teams on the field over the past 10-20 years. The Sox should have done better some years, and they probably should have made the playoffs a few more times, but like last year, sometimes it's the players. Or like in 2011, sometimes it's the manager. Show me a baseball fan who loves everything their team's ownership does, and I'll show you someone who doesn't follow baseball. The Sox ownership has done some good things, and they've done some bad things. Overall, however, I feel that they've done a decent job over the years. To say we need new ownership because the team hasn't made it to the playoffs every year is ridiculous.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Jan 11, 2013 -> 10:27 AM) I would be sad if the Sox dropped $147 million for 6 years of Greinke. I think the majority of this board would agree with you. Except to replace the word "sad" with "pissed".

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 10, 2013 -> 08:50 PM) Sox fans are so spoiled. They don't support competitive teams. There are many fan bases that would be thrilled for the winning records that the team has put up in the last 30 years. FYI - Winning percentage in A.L. history: Yankees #1 Red Sox Indians Tigers White Sox #5 The fans are spoiled, but there's also the fact that there's another team in Chicago; a team that has as much of a cult following as an actual fanbase. If this White Sox team (as it has been over the past 20 years) was in a city without another team, their attendance would be better, maybe much better. Another issue has been the cost of going to a game. It's just too damn expensive to go to more than a couple games a year.

I remember acquiring Anderson, as there was a moment when we asked "THAT Brian Andeson?" But no, not that guy.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 12:01 PM) Now the Tigers are going after JJ Hardy. All of the White Sox's division rivals are making moves to improve. Hell, the crosstown rival is even improving. And all hear out of the new GMs office is *crickets* I'm waiting for Hahn to come busting through the wall Kool-Aid guy-style, ripping off like three trades in 24 hours.

QUOTE (gatnom @ Jan 7, 2013 -> 11:10 AM) Plus, pretty much the only players who have value are the young guys we're already building around, so we'd probably be further away from contention by going full rebuild right now. If we had some unretainable veterans about to hit free agency, you might have an argument for rebuilding, but as of right now I don't see anybody lining up for Alex Rios and Gavin Floyd... There may be no one "lining up" for Floyd, Rios, or Dunn, but I'm sure Floyd is attractive to some teams. Rios may be attractive too, although I don't see him being traded unless Hahn gets creative an obtains another quality outfielder. Dunn...yeah, I don't think he's going anywhere. I would imagine Hahn has been in talks with several teams about several players, and there will be a few guys gone within the next month or so.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 7, 2013 -> 11:04 AM) The problem is the Sox expensive players have little-to-no trade value. I don't think fans would stop coming to the ballpark if they were somehow able to rid themselves of Dunn and Danks. Trading Dunn (and not obtaining another power bat) would probably have some impact. You're right about Danks, though. However, the overall isue is that the Sox have to walk a fine line in putting a quality team on the field, building for the future, and not spending a ton of money. The Cubs are in an obvious rebuild mode, but their attendance will not be taking a huge hit. Remember, going to a Cubs game is cool (hey look, I'm at Wrigley!). If the Sox went into a full rebuild mode, attendance would most certainly take a hit.

I recently bought a new Smart TV with apps like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video built in. So, after signing up for the free month of Prime and Netflix I've been watching movies that I just never rented. Limitless was pretty enjoyable. I never had a desire to see it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I also watched a half-decent horror movie called The Pact. Oh, and I had re-watch Piranha (the one with Elizabeth Shue and Jerry O-Connell...not the horrible sequel 3DD). That movie is awesome.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 10:02 AM) Unbreakable was the only M Knight movie I enjoyed. I think Unbreakable was underrated. There was too much hype and "comparison" to The Sixth Sense (which was an incredible movie), so the movie was never really appreciated for what it was. I enjoyed Signs, too. The Village was weak. I haven't seen anything else by him.

I saw the new trailer for Oz The Great and Powerful in front of Monsters Inc in 3D. The movie looks to be visually awesome. With Sam Raimi at the helm the film could be great. Hopefully it's not completely Disney-ized.

The Following looks like it could be a good show. It's getting a lot of good publicity. I hope it turns out as good as it looks. The Americans on FX looks interesting, too. And I'm very much looking forward to Shameless and Justified.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 2, 2013 -> 09:23 AM) William H Macy is so hilarious in his role. Im just never used to him being such a scumbag and he plays it well He completely disappears into that role. It's amazing how well he plays that character.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 02:29 PM) The other thing to ask is...why should the Sox trade him for anything right now? He's not going to break the bank, he's not blocking anyone, and maybe somehow this offseason is the one where he straightens things out. Sure, could be really low probability at this point, but the Sox wouldn't give him away as a throw-in. Good point. And unless Hahn makes a deal and brings in a quality infielder that fits another hole (LH bat), there would be no sense in trading Beckham.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 12:25 PM) Beckham has effectively zero trade value right now. He's not negative like Floyd would be to some teams because he doesn't have a huge salary, but he's a first-year arb player, so he won't be underpaid any more, and if he puts up another year like 2011-2012, he's going to be non-tendered at the end of this year. Basically, if I'm a team that might like to try him out, I might as well wait until the end of the year when I can get him off the scrap heap, rather than trade something for him now. Right, which is why I said he could be traded as part of a package. If Hahn swings some deal to acquire an infielder and needs to move someone, Beckham could be a throw in along with Floyd and Thornton for example. In the long run, however, I think it's more likely an outfielder gets traded, and we will be watching Beckham struggle at the plate again.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 09:07 AM) I just think trading Viciedo is risky given that we'll have five guys in our starting lineup over the age of 30 next year. We desperately need to develop some young position players soon or we're going to be in a real bad spot in the next year or two when Rios, Dunn, & Konerko are all possibly gone. Viciedo will be 24 to start next season and is under control for five more years. There's an incentive to stick with him and develop him into a legit middle of the order bat. There just isn't much behind him in the system. Good point. I know the debate over Viciedo and whether or not he will become a dangerous MLB hitter will rage on this site until he either develops or gets past the point where we can say "let's wait and see." But with his young age and the fact that he showed flashes of what could be, I wouldn't mind hanging on to him. If he were to be traded, I would hope the Sox get something they need, especially considering he's under control for five more years. I agree that Floyd and at least one more player will be traded. I could see Floyd, Thornton, and one of De Aza/Viciedo/Rios/Beckham being traded. Depending on what Hahn is targeting, Beckham could be traded (in a package) for a 3B and Keppinger moved to 2nd. Or an outfielder could be traded for an impact LH bat. I just hope something happens soon. We're all getting antsy.

If Rick Hahn decides he is finished this offseason, he will fire himself. This thread is silly, although I'm sure it's in jest.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 08:35 AM) You are taking this wrong. Losing AJ is fine, as long as he's replaced adaquately. It could be a disaster if they think Flowers/Gimenez is the answer. Flowers started 41 games last year. He had to be lifted for a pinch hitter 10 times. I know he was great in Birmingham several years ago. That doesn't make him a star. If they aren't looking for a catcher now, there's a good chance they will be in May or June. My guess is that they are waiting to see how Flowers does before looking for a replacement/platoon partner. Other than Salty (via trade) or Olivo, who could they go after and not spend a lot of money?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 08:25 AM) Except that Flowers can hit a fastball. --- f*** it. If you guys are going to be so butthurt about losing AJ that you won't even give Flowers a chance, then so be it. I'm looking forward to a change in the White Sox lineup - lord knows new blood is exciting, and beyond any of that, the Sox were never going to spend $7.5 million on AJ. If you can't look past the fact that the organization is looking to allocate funds elsewhere while trying to build towards the future while also being happy AJ ended up in a situation that is good for him both financially and professionally, then you are very short-sighted. I'm done with this stupid debate. Yeah, I really haven't seen posters saying Flowers is a superstar defensively, but rather he's better than AJ. I have no doubt the Sox will lose some production offensively, but we all have to remember that 2012 AJ never happened before and most likely will never happen again. The Sox can (and most likely will) take the money saved by not signing AJ and use it to fill other holes. The catcher position was the one that was probably the easiest to fill from within.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 08:12 AM) The one thing I can't get past is all of the above, but then that people have already written him off. This is far closer to an Alejandro De Aza situation than it is a DeWayne Wise situation. As far as the catcher position, I'm more concerned about a back-up for Flowers. I don't know that the Sox necessarily want a LH hitting back-up or if that even matters. If Flowers is going to get 80%+ of the starts, I suppose it doesn't matter if the back-up bats from the opposite batters box. However, I don't want it to be a sure out every time the catcher comes to bat when Flowers isn't playing.

The one thing I can't get past in the Flowers debate is that he has not had a chance to play full time and prove he can be a good starting catcher. I'm sorry to see AJ go, too, but the move makes sense. Paying AJ more than $7.5MM for one year just because Flowers is unproven does not make sense. If July comes around, and Flowers is hitting .190 with a handful of homeruns, the Sox will have to make a decision and a move to improve the position. But right now, what else can the Sox do? Look at what some of the other catchers are getting paid. AJ is most likely overpaid for 2013. I personally think Flowers will be fine. He's not going to hit .300, but he's a good defensive catcher with a lot of power. Plus, as this thread is regarding the Sox looking for a LH bat, the money saved by not re-signing AJ can be used to pay for that bat if it comes down to that.

I clicked because it said there was nothing to see. That's what they always say. I almost didn't click, though, but that's exactly what they'd expect me to do. Damn them. However, I was greeted with one of the funnier threads in recent history...almost as funny as the threads that discuss ad nausem platooning Viciedo. The slight detour into borderline gay porn was a bit concerning. But what does Rick Hahn expect? Hopefully a trade happens soon or this site may come completely off the tracks.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 21, 2012 -> 10:14 AM) And I was in the stands. I was there, too. What a fantastic game and a great play by AJ. I'll miss him for sure, and my daughter was devastated when I told her the news. She loves AJ and always chose #12 for her softball jerseys. There's no doubt he was instrumental in the Sox winning the World Series, but he brought his "play as hard you can" attitude every day. There are so many things he did over the years from big homeruns to little things that just irritated the other team. He's always been the guy you hate on other teams, but I have no doubt he will get quite an ovation when he returns to the Cell next year (for his first at-bat anyway). I think Flowers will be okay. I imagine he will be a better hitter with more consistent playing time, and we already know he's got a ton of power. He could be a .250ish hitter with 20+ HRs. Or he could hit more homeruns with a lower average. We'll have to wait and see. I'm not sure about a back-up for him, though. I wonder if we'll see a minor move to acquire a decent back-up.

I grew up outside of Pittsburgh and was a die hard Pirates fan. I was actually a die hard baseball fan, and I would watch any game that was on TV. We moved to North Carolina in 1987, but I remained a Pirates fan. I also started following the Braves, watching them on TBS on a little black and white TV in my bedroom. This was in the late 80's before they were a good team. Needless to say, my tune changed when they became a good team and beat the Pirates two years in a row in the NLCS. Even after watching the Pirates blow their chances in 1991 and 1992, I was still a fan. Two things happened, though, in 1994. First, the Pirates traded/didn't re-sign most of their good players and went from yearly contender to a farm team in disguise. The other thing was the strike that ended the season. At that point I basically lost interest in baseball altogether. I had joined the Coast Guard in 1992, and I was living in Juneau, AK in 1994, and I had just moved to New London, CT in 1995. So, there really wasn't another team I started following. I transferred to Baltimore in 1997, and I went to a few Orioles games, but I still felt no attachment to any team or even the game. I met my wife in Baltimore in a training class. She had travelled to Baltimore from Chicago to audit the class for the Department of Transportation. We had a long distance relationship until I was transferred to Chicago in 1999. I credit her for getting me back into baseball, as she was (and still is) a huge White Sox fan. I'm not sure what it is about the White Sox, but even as a transport and a relatively new fan, I feel like I've been a fan my whole life. I don't remember having this type of attachment to a team, even when I felt like I was a die hard Pirates fan. Being a White Sox fan can be very frustrating (see 2006-2012), but there's not really anything else I'd rather be, especially in the months of April through October.