hogan873

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 25, 2012 -> 10:52 AM) Yeah if he can make it in from Columbia, I dont' want to hear any b****ing about a few hundred miles of a commute to the ballpark from you sissies! Yeah, but he got free tickets.

Did Stewart come over with Frasor in the Teahen trade? Then he's traded for Youkilis...so, it's like Teahen for Youkilis?

We are a hard group to please, us White Sox fans. Why have a sour outlook for Quintana? Can he face another 96 guys straight without giving up a walk? Probably not. Can he continue with his microscopic ERA? Probably not. But he has shown that he can pitch, and he's done a fantastic job filling in for Danks. I'm a believer, but I know he's going to give up some runs and he'll eventually walk a guy. Let's be thankful that we had a guy like this to fill in for Danks. And, Rios, holy crap what a catch.

It was funny reading some of the responses on the Sox Facebook page. "We want our guys back!" was a good one. One of the favorites was someone asking where Youkilis would play since Konerko is at 1st, Dunn is DH, and Morel is at 3rd. Didn't Morel hurt his back again? I realize these posts weren't out of stupidity but rather just they are from uninformed folks. However, a guy like KW who has had some trades that were bombs, will have a lot of people who think every trade is terrible. This one, however, is pretty damn good. I like Lillibridge, but he's not the same guy we saw 2011. Last year was certainly an outlier. And Stewart? Hey, maybe the Bo Sox can develop him into a starter, but he hasn't shown that he has the stuff. Now the big question is, will he be in the lineup tonight?

Great trade, IMO. Neither guy was doing much this year. I think we've found out that Stewart is not very good, and Lillibridge is definitely not the guy we saw in 2011. This may have been touched on, but I haven't looked at every page of the thread...what comes of Hudson? DFA or a bench guy?

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jun 22, 2012 -> 12:01 PM) It depends on the amount of disposable income they have and how far they live from the park. I'm almost 300 miles away with two small children and I still make it to two games a year, so I'd hope most people in the Chicago area who consider themselves fans can do at least that much. In all seriousness, I applaud you as a fan. I'm 45 minutes away with three kids, and I haven't been to a game in a few years. I'm a huge Sox fan, but it's very hard for me to dedicate $200+ for a night at the park. Believe me, I would love to go to a half dozen games a year. I should make an effort to go to at least one (and I am this year).

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 22, 2012 -> 11:13 AM) Interesting. I typically get to 3-5 per season (two so far this year), and yet I always feel like all the outcries of attendance (from KW, from the media, and from other fans) are directed at me. Maybe I'm not part of the problem, after all? Well, I guess the question comes down to "what is a typical fan?" A single person living within 20 minutes of the park might hit 5-10 games while a person with a spouse and three kids living an hour away might hit only one. If you average it out, based on all scenarios and discount season-ticket holders, maybe the number is closer to 3-5? I don't know.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 22, 2012 -> 11:06 AM) Just out of curiosity, how often do you think a typical fan "should" go to games? One or two games a season.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2012 -> 10:52 AM) And also that the parent would not be being disingenuous to their kid if they said they didn't have the money, when it is actually possible that they could scrape it up. That's the key here. We, as fans, don't have a particularly great picture of the team's finances, and so we're not in a particularly great position to understand what moves can be made or which moves cannot. The Organization has no obligation to explain in incredible detail what their revenue sources or funding sources are. And so when asked about whether any upgrades are going to be made to the roster, what is Kenny to do? He is being completely honest when he says that their ability to improve the roster will be directly related to the revenue at the gate. The fact that it is indeed possible for them to scrape together some funds elsewhere is in no way inconsistent with his statement. To look at it otherwise is to take an incredibly naive and unsophisticated view of an incredibly complex situation. I don't disagree with anything here. However, what might rub some fans the wrong way is KW just stating that he can't afford to spend money on players because of low attendance. That is only part of the issue, and my thinking is that it's a smaller part than we may think. As you mentioned, their revenue sources are vast and complex. Attendance is just one piece of that puzzle. The flip side to all of this is, would an acquisition of a big name make an immediate impact on attendance? Who would make a bigger impact on attendance: David Wright or Ichiro? Ichiro, right? But he doesn't help the team that much. Long story short, it must suck to be a GM.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jun 22, 2012 -> 03:42 AM) Mike Sweeney pointed that out on the MLB network. I'm guessing you saw it. Mike Sweeney formerly of the Royals? Can he play 3rd base?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 22, 2012 -> 08:41 AM) No one suggested they had $25 million available. But if the Soler report is true, they have something available. The funny thing is the guy arguing against us when we said that also pointed out when it was mentioned Forbes said the Sox made $10 million last year, that $10 million was just a sliver of money to the Sox, its a pretty insignificant amount. Since he seems to know so much, and is far more knowlegeble, that means the Sox should have more than enough money to bring in someone this season if they so choose. $10 million is nothing to them. I totally agree with you regarding attendance. People are too focused on attendance and not revenue. The Sox obviously feel their ticket prices are maximizing their revenue or they would do something about them. Brooks has declined. No, I agree that there was no indication that $25 million was available, but if they even pursue a guy (whether or not an actual offer was made), that's a clear indication that there is SOME money available. And not to necessarily validate the xBox comparison, but if there was a guy available (say David Wright), and the team looking to trade him is looking for salary refielf and a prospect, the Sox would find a way to do it. Just as a parent might find a way to purchase something for their kid for a birthday or whatever. I know it's a very weak comparison, but it's like me having to "find" $300 to spend and the Sox having to "find" several million dollars. If you want/need something bad enough, you'll find the cash.

I want the 20 minutes of my life back I just spent reading the past few pages. I'm not even sure where that argument began or what it was about. Something about xBoxes or something? I did pick up on the sniping about the purported Soler bid. To me, there was plenty of evidence showing that the Sox had interest and were involved in the bidding for the guy. Apparently the Sox offered (or were prepared to offer) around $25 million. Why argue that? We (on this board) have been talking about Soler since before the season started. But, just because the Sox may have offered the money doesn't mean they have $25 million to spend to make the team better today. When KW talks to the press and says he has no money to spend on players, that's fine. We all know that more often than not, he uses a lot of misdirection. So, who knows if he's actually willing to spend some money. I would hazard to guess that he will spend the money if there's a deal that could truly make the team better and help get them to the post season. But to blame attendance (or lack thereof) is ridiculous. The Sox have one of the highest average ticket price is baseball, and they are in a city with two freaking teams. And the other team has a cult following...well, more acurately the stadium in which that team plays has a cult following (look at me, I'm at Wrigley!). The attendance at The Cell will always be disappointing until the team that plays there can win consistently. A team that was expected to play at or just below .500 performing slightly better will not cause 10,000 extra people to show up each day. A team making it to the playoffs on a consistent basis and winning the occasional playoff series will increase attendance. Like I (and others) have said, going to a Sox game is a big commitment financially, especially if you're taking a family. I would love to go to a half dozen games a season, but I like cash in my pocket more. I like being able to sit my ass on my couch with my kids and a 6-pack of Blue Moon just fine. Sorry, Kenny.

QUOTE (35thstreetswarm @ Jun 21, 2012 -> 09:05 AM) We would have won, and likely swept, the series if we had left our rotation alone. Instead we decided to audition a failed mop-up guy, effectively conceding the first game and giving the hapless Cubs hope and momentum. I understand the need for extra rest, but not during this series, which is so important to the fans. And especially when you're trying to find ways to get fans to the park. And yes, fans do care about beating the Cubs, even if it's in vogue for "serious" fans on both sides of town to try to outdo each other in professing how little they care about the series. I would concede the first game. Stewart was throwing meatballs and their batters didn't miss them. The second game pissed me off because of the superb performance by Peavy. There was a story written about how Wood outpitched Peavy and how he was terrific. The Sox lost that game because the Sox hitters couldn't hit a mediocre pitcher. Wood did everything in his power to give the game away in the 2nd, and the Sox said no thanks.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Jun 21, 2012 -> 07:58 AM) I don't know, I may be way off base here, so flail away if you wish. I have never met Dale Svuem, nor do I know much about him and just slightly remember him as a player. But......he seems like kind of a punk to me, like most other teams fans think of A.J. It seems that as many times as the Sox have been hit in the 2 Cubs series this year that most, if not all of those came from the manager. I don't follow the Cubs much and have no idea if they are doing this to other teams as well, but it sure looks like the times they plunked the Sox this were not accidental. Maybe it's Svuems idea of instilling the "we're tough and will not take crap from anybody" attitude that a team that has not won anything in over a century may need. I don't think there was any doubt that last night's plunking was intentional. If I'm not mistaken (and I may be), I thought Corpus' arm angle was different on that pitch. He usually delivers from nearly sidearm, and it looked like he was closer to 3/4 on that one. Regardless, the way Corpus acted and the way Svuem immediately started jawing at the ump, I'm nearly positive it was intentional.

I suppose Ventura made the right decision by not retaliating in the 9th. But, what the hell? Why would Corpus throw at De Aza? Because a broken bat hit their pitcher? I'm sure Escobar planned that, right? Otherwise, great win over a bad team. It's about time Floyd pitched well. Beckham...good stuff there.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2012 -> 01:20 PM) How exactly should Williams answer questions about attendance when asked? How should he answer questions about adding players? Well, he should be disappointed in the attendance, and he has a right to say something about that. But as far as adding players...saying he can't justify adding players because of low attendance is not the right answer. As it has been said many times in this thread and others, how could anyone expect a stadium to sell out when tickets are going for $90 each against a last place team? The economy is in the dumper, and fewer and fewer people are able to afford going to a MLB game. But dramatically dropping prices isn't the answer either. So what if they sell 35,000 tickets at an average of $10 each? It's about revenue. The Sox have the 4th highest ticket price in MLB...the 4th highest! Why? That's why people aren't coming to the games. Not because the team isn't playing well.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jun 20, 2012 -> 09:49 AM) 3 Years 36 million? really? Ugh. I was just looking at his 2012 salary ($6.5 million). Yeah, nevermind.

Aramis Ramirez? Would the Brewers be looking to trade? Would they trade him? Is he any good anymore?

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jun 20, 2012 -> 08:51 AM) Agreed. Lets see where this team is come July. If we fall to 5-6 games back (which is possible with the way they have been playing). KW can likely get a quality package for Peavy. Also, if I were KW i would see if he can possibly move Rios. You want to clear as much payroll as possible and we all know Rios has a pattern of having 1 good year, then one bad year. If we are out of it in July, I really hope KW can find a way to deal him away. Rios may actually be moveable this year. Maybe.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 20, 2012 -> 05:15 AM) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...,2642783.column The inevitable "maybe we should bring Mark Buehrle back" column by Phil Rogers. Well, in Rogers' defense (shudder), he didn't really say the Sox should think about bringing him back. He was just stating that the Sox could use a guy like Buehrle...innings eater, sturdy, reliable. And of course, we all say, "No duh."

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2012 -> 07:51 AM) Yes Hmmm. So, it's an $18 million difference. He's pitching like he's worth it right now, but I'd much rather see something done to keep him for 2 years or so.

The only game I'm planning on going to is July 4th. And that's only because we got "free" tickets when we signed our son up for the Sox/Bulls summer camp. I would love to go to more games, but it's so damn expensive. Then add parking, beer, and some food?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2012 -> 07:44 AM) At this rate, he might actually be worth exercising, which I never thought I would say. Is the option $22 million or a $4 million buyout?

Well, I guess I see where you are coming from. Sorry, I mis-understood it at first. But, 7th fewest runs allowed still isn't too bad. I suppose you could expect it to be a bit better based on the other stats. However, are there some stats that hide the fact that Floyd and Humber have been pretty bad lately? Didn't both of them have high strikeout totals in games where they gave up a lot of runs? Plus, is the awesomeness of Peavy and Sale being overshadowed by the bad outings of their teammates?

Well, it's hard not to think that the pitchers are not getting adequate run support when our best pitcher gets one freaking run in his last two starts.