Wanne

yeah...I get that...but hardly feels like vindication blowing that game last week. I will say tho...suck it Alshon and your smug-ass goodbye wave last week.

IF he is signed...that dynamic between Manny and Jimenez will be interesting to watch. Jimenez will be a star in his own right...so I wonder how they'll coexist in a few years.

Yes...because Manny's wife longs for the night life in St. Louis.

hahaaa...this.

very subjective. What one likes...another thinks sucks. Up in the NW Arrowhead area around Peoria Sports complex I highly recommend Abuelo's and Arriba. If you feel like making the trek to central phoenix....you really should give Barrio Cafe a try. Not traditional...but really really cool and good. Don't let the outside scare ya. (16th Street/Thomas) I know a few hole in the wall places that are great too: Tee Pee on the eastside (Indian School/40th Street) GREAT Food! Don Lencho's (Peoria Ave/83rd Ave area) Don Ruben's (43rd Ave/Cactus) Long waits. These are my old faithfuls. Depends where you're at in the valley. I'm not that familiar with the eastside eateries...

I get your point then...and I hope he is FULLY recovered for ST. That's my concern...

How much "hitting development" can you have if you worried/nursing an elbow injury? Even tho it might not effect your swing...it's still in your head and may be a mental roadblock you're swing would have to overcome. I'd rather have had him back full strength this spring. I doubt those 3 months really did a whole lot for him. That's just my 2¢...

which they usually do....no? That's the frustrating part...should have just done the surgery. Water under the bridge...just hope to see Micker back healthy soon.

obviously means Sox felt no way was Ottavino coming. what ties if any with Manny?

yeah...my Dad is FINALLY coming out here for ST this March. Said we'd avoid any game with the Cubs...and usually avoid a weekend game if it involves Cubs or LA Dodgers, Dbags. It's just a zoo. You get great quality without a mob scene during the week at Camelback Ranch (sans Dodger/Cubs). The renting a car is the best advice tho. Not sure how old you are...for a younger crowd...sure Tempe is nice and all (maybe catch an ASU game too). But for the older folk I'd stay on the west side of town (and void Brewers ST in Maryvale like the plague). Still can't believe they built that in that shithole location. You can still hit Goodyear, Peoria, Camelback and Surprise. My piece of advice if you going to Surprise Stadium...DO NOT use Bell Road if can at all avoid it. What a cluster fuck it is. Basically the main road to get into Surprise. Best bet is take Olive Ave west and take Litchfield Road north til you get to Greenway. Stadium is a mile west of Litchfield on Greenway and Bullard. Understand it's a little out of the way if you're coming from Scottsdale on the 101. But if you're coming from the I-10 south of there you'll thank me later.

I still have ridiculously high hopes for Micker. Hard to believe he's still only 22 years old since he's been with the org it seems forever already. Shame he didn't just have the surgery last spring instead of waiting but good to hear he's coming along. Such and under the radar prospect the rest of baseball really isn't aware of.

I'm willing to give the guy a bit more time...but it's really not looking great. I get that it's a process...but why on earth is it always like a complete rebuild on this team. I understand he inherited garbage...but I'd expect them to be a little better than this. I will say one thing in his defense...this team just isn't going to win games...much less compete without some competent 4's. They just get killed in the paint game in and game out. However...it doesn't take away from a few other things. 1. The O. I really see no rhyme or reason with it. Honestly it's not much different then what I've seen the past 8 years...a bunch of guys passing the ball back and forth around the top of the key. They do lack a slashing SF and it's hurt not having Tevian out there missing out on valuable experience. Ayo drives uncontrollably into no-man's land. They just don't have any reliable big men underneath. Thank God for Giorgi. 2. The D. Not a fan of this over-extending D that consistently leaves guys out of position...and then they usually peter out by the 2nd half. It shows on O also. What he did last night he should be doing more of....switches to a zone. They played it very well and it was effective...then he switches back to man and gives up 3 easy buckets in a row. Made ZERO sense. Easily could have been up 8-10 at that half. Let's hope the recruiting front brings in some bigs. Some have said they're confident Kofi gave a silent verbal on his trip this past week (believe it when I see it). Also hope Antwan January makes the grades to get on campus too (not holding my breath on that one either). You get both those guys in and next year is a different story.

I'd honestly be surprised if he got a HC job. Oh plenty of interviews....then they meet with Mr McGruffy. I'd hate to lose him...and if he sincerely wants a HC job then wish him the best. I just really don't see him as HC material. Plus...it completely goes against what's the "poplular" trend today (hiring young offensive minds). Glazer had some good info with what's involved in these interviews and how prepared these guys have to be.

I don't think these are the Packers you're used to with a completely different front office. Who knows...

This and by a lot!

very cool read!

possibly...but I don't think that unreasonable. If you go look at Giolito's game logs...a number of those games he didn't get out of the 2nd inning. His first month was brutal....but some of his losses could be flipped into W's with some offensive backing. Same with Lopez. Gio still won 10 games. Sure stat-wise he was meh but building off of a 10-win season...and if he could flip that 10-16 around that would be a huge boost for this team. Again...very hopeful. Lopez...I'm not that concerned about. If Sox addeda a Mike Minor or somebody I think this is a playoff team. Nobody in the Central is scary.

I'm basing it on the hope/assumption that Giolito, Lopez both show considerable improvement and Rodon actually stays healthy. Big ifs I know...but really not that all unreasonable to think IMO.

Agreed. I think if Manny is signed...and when Eloy is added to the roster there's no reason this couldn't be a playoff team...besides maybe a another decent starting pitcher.

1. THE Dick Allen. Best all around player I've ever seen. Guy was simply amazing. You'd think with the power he had he'd be bigger than he actually was. 2. Mark Buehrle. How could you not love this guy? 3. Carlton Fisk. The original Pudge. Just a man's man. 4. AJ. Loved how he was the constant shit stirrer lol...and backed it up. 5. LaMarr Hoyt. Honorable mention: Carlos May. Goose Gossage. Terry Forster. Cy Acosta. Aaron Rowand. Ivan Calderon. EDIT: Forgot to add: No-Neck Williams

sorry...I just saw that someone repost that on twitter. I don't make it my life to follow a fucking thread 24/7.

Sr writer from Inquirer: Sean Bradley‏ @SeanBradleyPHI Big News: per source inside the #Phillies organization, Machado is very closely considering signing with #WhiteSox after today’s meeting. GM Klentak was contacted by Machado’s agent to inform him of this. Sounds like there’s going to be a deal unless someone ups the offer 5:04 PM - 17 Dec 2018

I'm so friggin happy giddy right now....THIS IS HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE A WINNER again!!!! Gonna be a party today at my house! Let's hope the Sox aren't that far away either. NFC NORTH CHAMPS BABY!!!!

I'm still a little bitter losing Kevan Smith. I realize he was a marginal player and all...but moreso Kevan Smith the person than catcher. But he did a great job for this team and organization IMO. Will always be a fan of his...

https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/1073285257569361925Ryan Divish‏ @RyanDivish Yes. Jerry Dipoto finalized the trade for Encarnacion from his hospital bed with assistant GM Justin Hollander standing there. Hollander has a picture of it.