hogan873

Ouch.

Quite a few stadiums built in the last 10-15 years or so have been built in cities. The 78 is a great spot for a ballpark with plenty of room. Moving there would not be stupid at all. It would be one of the best things the Sox have done in a long time. Granted, that bar is low, but they have a chance to have one of the best, if not the best, ballparks in MLB with easily the best background.

As each day goes by, especially with almost no rumors, Cease being with the Sox when the season starts seems more likely. However, this whole off season has been so slow. There are still quite a few top free agents (pitching and position players) available. I'm wondering if we're going to see a flurry of activity right before teams report for spring training.

Seems like an actually pretty decent signing.

Yeah, and I don't think the rumor is out there by chance. It was almost certainly a controlled leak to gauge response, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The question is, how long until we hear it's a go or not? They have less than six years before the Rate's lease is up. They'll need a huge chuck of that time to get a stadium approved and built.

A ballpark in the loop would make it easier and encourage more fans to use public transit. They could build a platform right at the stadium along the Rock Island line that would encourage more people to take the train. And even if fans took the Heritage Corridor, it would be a pretty easy walk from LaSalle Street Station. Living in Joliet, I always take Metra to Sox games, and the trains are always packed with Sox fans on game days. I think you'd see even more people taking Metra if the park was in the Loop.

"I had a pen in one hand, and my wallet in the other," JR said, chuckling. "We had such a beautiful park planned, and I was ready to sign multiple free agents in celebration." With a shake of his head, and a frown on his otherwise pleasant face, he continued, "If only the media had held off for 24 hours. Ah, what could have been."

Even as a NRI, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the starting right fielder. Unless the Sox go out and sign Duvall, Gallo, or (gulp) Merrifield, Puig would probably be the best option.

Interesting. The timing seems right if there's any validity to this story. It would take all of the five years before the Rate lease is up. The Sox have an opportunity here to build one of the best stadiums in the league with the best background. Let's hope.

There are a ton of free agent outfielders available, and some of these guys are going to end up signing for a number we think the Sox should have spent. I have no idea what they want to spend for a right fielder, but I'm sure it's not much. Gallo Pederson Pham Profar Rosario Duvall Pillar Calhoun If the Sox have truly given up on Colas, and they have no intention of signing someone at least semi-serious, we're going to see a 162-game parade of Sheets, Phillips, and various other scrubs.

It will be very interesting to see what they do at QB. There hasn't been any convincing news or rumors whether they're sticking with Fields or going after Williams. That could also depend on if they bring in a new head coach, Harbaugh or not.

If the Bears do pursue Harbaugh, and depending on what you read they will pursue him, they would shitcan the entire staff before the ink dries on Harbaugh's contract. I can't imagine Harbaugh wanting to come to the NFL and not have full control of all decisions. Would the Bears allow that? This Bears team is not too far away from contending. Bringing in Harbaugh and a staff of his choice along with the great draft positioning they have could make them a threat in the NFC North instantly.

You know it's a crappy off season when the signing of Brett Phillips garners a four page thread.

Same number of losses, but less ugly!

The Sox won't score a lot of runs, but they won't give up a bunch of unearned runs.

At least he's a fun guy. And he can pitch when the Sox are down by a dozen.

We don't know that. I would hazard to bet that the Sox could end up with at least one player that has a very good career. Most likely for a few years with the Sox before they are traded because they're going to be expensive.

Schrodinger's trade

What's frustrating is most teams are non-factors for the top free agents every year. I don't know if a salary floor and cap fixes that, but this s%*# just gets old year after year.

This is ridiculous. The deferred money in Ohtani's contract makes perfect sense now. Of course we knew the Dodgers were going to be a big player for Yamamoto, but this just rubs me the wrong way. Well, this is much less a problem for the Sox than it is for teams like the Giants and Padres. I see the Giants making the next big move. Snell? As an aside, Cubs fans are probably quite disappointed. The team went out a pulled the ultimate coup, stealing Counsell from the Brewers then promised to be very much in on Ohtani and Yamamoto. Their off season has been about as exciting as ours so far.

When I first read the rule, I thought it was referring to pitchers warming up in the bullpen, which would be crazy. This makes more sense, but a rule to address something that only happened a few times (compared to the number of games played) seems strange.

Yeah, he doesn't care if the team competes, but he cares about placating TLR and saving money and hiring unqualified people pissing off the fans.

JR knows the Sox aren't going to contend. He says they will but knows they won't. And he doesn't care.