bmags

Your letter c) is extremely weak.

Maybe, but that said I hate the argument that essentially says the bulls could never have done anything differently (what more could they have done for a FA, the other teams had better offers for a trade). While, fine, in 10 they lost out on the FAs fair and square when they set themselves up fine, but in 14 they tried to convince Melo to take half the money. That's not serious. Also, they are responsible for the talent/assets on roster. They have had a preference for older established vets on roster over younger, higher upside players (miami has whiteside, the bulls have kirk hinrich!). They traded 2 firsts for Doug McDermott. They missed out on Green for Teague. They are above average, and had tragic luck. The Warriors would not win a title if Steph Curry blows out his knee and Draymond green fights plantar fascitis. But comparable teams and situations (Spurs, Heat, Warriors, Rockets) have seen them draft, sign and trade much more effectively to get them over the hump. The Bulls sign a Boozer and Gasol. That said, nobody could have ever experienced the injuries bulls had and won a championship.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 02:40 PM) Seriously, lol. It's weird. When I moved to Chicago and told people that I came from Ohio, like 1 in 10 would immediately say, "OH! Do you know ?!" "No. Why?" "Oh that's my cousin's wife and she's from Ohio." Ok so there are roughly ten million people spread out over like 40,000 miles in the state of Ohio. What are the chance I would randomly know one? The Cuban player thing isn't QUITE as bad because they actually played on the same team -- but what are the chances that they are BFFs to the point that one would leave money on the table to reunite? It's way more likely that they're completely indifferent toward each other. While I understand this point, it is like when you study abroad or visit abroad and suddenly you are best friends with the other Americans/Irish/Australians there. You have a lot in common, are going through a similar experience, and speak the same language. There are few others that could understand you more than a fellow expat star cuban baseball player in bigs.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 02:13 PM) I've read quite a bit on Shadow Banking, and I fundamentally disagree that it was the major reason for the 2008 meltdown. The single biggest killer was the toxic unwind from OTC swaps, though other big players included the mortgage banking debacle and the problems of private and customer banking being intertwined. Shadow banking was much further down the list, in my view. Yes I know this is a nobel guy we're talking about, and no I'm not saying I am smarter than he is. I am saying he is far too narrowly focused to see the broader picture, in my opinion. Well, shadow banking or not, glass steagall there were many actors that were not just "big banks" that were huge reasons for the billions swallowed up in 2008.

Interesting correction on its face for the CW pundits. Strong Dollar, Cheap Oil, China stumbling in bid to be #1 economy and...massive stock sell off. US Economy continues to be dynamic as hell.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 01:14 PM) A cameraman regurgitating a false tweet and an emoji of eyes? Yes, these ones.

Anyone think Marian Cilic is a likely person involved?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 12:57 PM) I don't know why I'm so enthralled. Rosenthal and Heyman have nothing. You would think if anything was close they would have something. What else is there?

53 members reading. LOL.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 12:03 PM) Or maybe they are just busy? I don't see A lack of timely response to a tegular civilian who is looking for info for a message board as a reason why a Cespedes signing is going to happen. Not saying it wont, I just don't feel the need to read that much in to it. How dare you call rabbit a tegular civilian.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 12:00 PM) In terms of rabbit. You would think his sources would talk if they didnt think they were going to sign him. If they know they are close to signing him is when they might want to keep a tight lip about things with them being that close. Yes, definitely seems close enough that word went down to tighten up to go to Rosenthal/Nightengale to break.

Cespedestalk: An oral history of the Cespedes Free Agency

Sure, risk the lives of the American Indians to only take it back when they're finished.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 08:10 AM) When the White Sox won the WS, a year they never where not in first place even for a day, they had below AL average attendance. When they won the division in 2000, they were over 300k below average attendance wise. That is probably where they are at right now. Win a division, you will be about 4k a game below average. Win a playoff series or 3, you will get a bump the next season. 2000 300k below AL average 2005 18k below AL average 2008 36k above AL average It isn't really like the Sox fanbase goes overboard to support a winner. They become average. Frankly I'm more concerned by TV ratings. I can't really blame people last year though. April/May and June up until Cubs series were just awful to watch. They had a good 6 week stretch and then Trayce was the only reason to watch.

LOL at all of it.

If anyone wants to know how I run my team in video games, I turn off all salary caps and run them exactly like the dodgers.

My friend said DD actually was advising a rebuild to get younger and Illitch did not want to go through with it, they decided to part ways. Makes sense except...DD and rebuilds.

QUOTE (Knackattack @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 03:14 PM) Cespedes would be cool and the power bat would be nice, but I'm starting to lean more towards the sign Desmond and then go after Ajax camp.. I'd be happy with this, though, the main reason i like cespedes is he is an addition that does not compromise defense like Desmond does.

Well. What a great family.

I re-upped my modest package after Frazier. This time, I'm just going to give away april/may tickets. God I hate going to games then.

Any press is good press.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 02:53 PM) I agree that haven't done well. I think it started last year. Previous to that I think it was a "win now" each year. I think it shifted last year. I'm never expecting all of the minor leaguers to work out. As a matter of fact, I'm expecting most won't. However, if you keep adding at least 2-3 each year some will work out and then they will begin to form a pipeline and be more consistent. It won't happen for a few years. However, good trades as they've done this year and short term FA deals as they did last year will help to improve the team as this happens. I have nothing against the FAs or even signing Cespedes, as long as they are short deals. Save the long deals for their own players, the ones they know. You knows I may be wrong and they find they really like Frazier and he wants to stay. I don't disagree with any of this, and I do think lots of improvements have been made. I do think scouting is better. I am intrigued by Steverson's role as hitting coordinator on lower levels we are hearing about. I am excited for Marco Paddy's returns. But these two things are driving me nuts: - That we are middling in our team strategy for only incremental progress at the ML level, and never cashing in on excellent value if it means temporary regression - Not spending on international FA There are these great value areas where sox are not looking at because they think "rebuilding" will kill attendance (its dead), and its preventing a period of rapid improvement when that value hits.

Orioles need pitching. Would be interesting if they grabbed Cespedes.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 02:22 PM) I've been out of the loop the past few days what did Dan Hayes do? Basically said sox FO is influenced by fan comments and provided some CS line/email

Would be hilarious if Jerry was influenced by this new craze of "My veteran grandfather turned 90 today, let's get him 100,000 likes to show him our appreciation!" "If 1000 sox fans like Dan Hayes post on Cespedes then we can sign him"