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QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 28, 2016 -> 12:20 PM) I just give mine away anyway. On StubHub they always went for half of face value, so I don't know if that changes much. I guess I can now charge my friends $8 more if I take them to a regular season game, so that's a plus! I just mean the casual fan who may not have access to tickets. It will be a cheap way to go. The preseason is the only time my wife will go to a game because its still warm. I give the other away as well. the down side is that if they are bad, it may make it tougher to find takers for the high priced "premium" games.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 28, 2016 -> 03:29 PM) That has to be it. That is literally the only thing that makes sense coming out of this trade and everything they have done. I wonder if he even passes the physical. It not always the injury is still lingering. It can be attributes that make him predisposed to further injury.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 28, 2016 -> 03:09 PM) Okay...so you give Parra that money. Dickerson is a better player than Parra and you could have found another reliever for a lot less. This juts totally baffles me (unless they are getting a pretty darn good prospect as well). Over past 2 years, Parra has put up a collective WAR of Always beware when a team is willing to trade a player coming off an injury.

QUOTE (kevo880 @ Jan 28, 2016 -> 02:54 PM) Not much given up for Dickerson. Wish that would have been the Sox getting him. Its always alot if multiple pitchers are involed for a position player.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 27, 2016 -> 01:01 PM) Got an e-mail from Ted Phillips today saying that they are lowering season ticket preseason prices by 40%, while increasing regular season ticket prices by 10%, as part of new "variable" pricing. As a whole, the cost of a full season will stay the same. I know some people will fall for it, but a load of s***. That changes nothing. It may get more non season ticket holders to the preseason games. I think that is the goal.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 27, 2016 -> 08:05 AM) That doesnt mean you let him walk It does if they think there are underlying issues for the injuries and they don't think he will remain healthy.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 07:14 PM) They won't let him walk, that is moronic. I think they want to make sure they have depth and never have to go out there with Bellamy, Mariani and Meredith ever again They do have inside information on his injury history. He isn't valuable if he isn't on the field.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jan 27, 2016 -> 07:13 AM) I know I put too much emphasis on high draft picks, but Sox would not be giving up that pick for Desmond; they would be giving up that pick for the difference between Saladino and Desmond. I hope they keep the pick. Not to mention that anderson is close to getting his shot. I think the sox will give him this year at AAA unless he is really tearing it up. He will get his time with the sox in eithrr 2017 or 2018. What do oyu do with Desmond once Anderson gets his shot? They may be forced to add Desmond if they grt another bat but that will ne the last option, I think.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 26, 2016 -> 08:00 AM) I haven't seen anyone say that. What I've seen is that people think he'll be a reliever due to his high effort, almost violent delivery. Stuff-wise, most seem to agree that a very good late inning reliever is his probable floor. That's a better way to put it. Many believe he will be a reliever so he won't be high on the list. It will all depend on how deep into games he can go while maintaining his stuff.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 08:11 PM) Was Montas ranked high on BP? I think a lot more view him more as a reliever than Fulmer. What about Tyler Jay? He barely even started in college. Fulmer has proven a lot more in college than a lot of these top 100 prospects. I'm not disagreeing just giving you a reason why he isn't higher in the rankings. His high effort delivery doesn't bode well for being a starter in the MLB.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 07:54 PM) That's laughable. Many see his ceiling as a reliever, so he won't be ranked very high.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 01:07 PM) There is one brightside - I feel like even 10 years ago we would not have realized how bad Avi was at this point. I think we would have. He would fall under the category of young hitter with potential. Even the eye test and "old guy stats" don't reveal much current production.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 12:32 PM) Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman 40m40 minutes ago Nats' offer to cespedes reached $110M and included an opt-out, I hear. Did contain significant deferrals, tho. Wow, maybe im just too conservative but how do you pass up that deal for 3/75? I realize its more AAVand there is the opt out but 110 guaranteed. He must have really liked the Mets or his agent convinced him he can do better with next year's FA class.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 05:20 PM) Why throw there? If they get a first down its over. If they run it no time is really saved as there would be the 2 minute warning.

QUOTE (iWin4Ron @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 04:36 PM) How do people justify Sale over Greinke and Arrieta ? As stated previously, this is not about who would you pick to start your franchise or who to start your team with. This is about reality right now. Greinke and Arrieta should rightfully be a head of Sale in this ranking. Probably Price too. Not sure about Arrieta. He hasn't proven yet. Only the one year. I would take Sales record. Kershaw is above sale.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 11:23 AM) And it does go through those cycles. Though this cycle doesn't profile like the others. But really, no matter your belief in how much of this is human caused, there are things we know can help mitigate the effects on the human population - both in terms of slowing the warming, and in reactions to the effects of it. I agree. This is just some of the rhetoric that is slowing the process at the US government level.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 01:25 PM) There is an unusual amount of blood pouring out of this person's leg. Obviously that's just a natural cycle and we shouldn't ask why it's happening. Ifyou readwhat I said, I dont necessarily agree with, but that is one reason why things aren't getting done. There is still that discussion. However, if you want to use that example, there are times you let it bleed a little to clear out foreign substances to decrease the chance of infection.You don't close it up right away because there may be something else going on.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 12:59 PM) Thad Bosley seems to be a pretty well informed poster. I wasn't quite sure what he meant when he said " it's good to hear that he is doing this". I have to think he knows a little bit of the history of Reinsdorf and Selig's relationship because there are flaws that he is usually quite adept at discussing. Yes its a hardcore opinion but not of the meathead variety at all. Which is kind of where I go from time to time. I want to be informed before I draw my conclusions. I've probably forgot more then I remember about how Reinsdorf has operated over the years. Much of the complaining is because we bemoan our own fate as Sox fans and the miserable history of the team whether it was The Black Sox or Disco Demolition or midgets, or changing the uniform so many times or the lack of ever having had any kind of sustained winning. It's not something we can change or turn on and off . The Sox might've had more position player talent if they had drawn names from a hat than they have actually trying to pick the best talent. That's how sad its become. I'll rant once in a while because its just hard to see all the failures and accept it without forming opinions . Oh and sorry I just can't buy into the idea of Reinsdorf as the Mother Theresa of Baseball that you put forth because someone did a terrible job of making sure the rule breakers would regret breaking the rules . Mother Teresa no. But he is a life long baseball fan and wants to see the game progress. I don't think anyone would want to go back to the days when the yakees always won and would use the kc a's as a farm team. Its his view that baseball should try to keep budgets competitive and thats his way. Im not saying that I necessarily agree with the methods but im not part of the internal politics of mlb owners either.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 12:13 PM) Of course it's my opinion. What else am I supposed to think. Lots of teams go way over budget and accept the penalties for doing that because they want the talent Why is it Reinsdorf HAS to play by the rules when quite a few don't ? The proof is in the pudding. One of 3 teams not to have ever signed a player over $70M check. Never has gone over international signing pool money check . Sure he's allowed to make a profit because that's the goal of any business even though sports teams are somewhat different animal. If you or them want to stop the complaining then do something the fans can get behind.His loyal henchmen failures to recognize impact positional talent on the minor or major league level is killing every supposed plan they make up . The long run of failure especially in the minors couldn't just be bad luck. When the Sox manage to get into the playoffs 2 years in a row under Reinsdorf's Rule it'll be the first time ever in Sox history. I know the failures before him have nothing to do with him but great we got 1 World Series win during his reign but all this sustained success BS talk has flys buzzing around it. Its fine to have the opinion but my response was more to the other post that said "its good to hear that he is doing this". JR does not have to do this nut its his philosophy for the good of baseball. He believes that they should have rules to keep baseball from being the league where the most money wins most of the time. There are individual exception like the sox and royals. He does this more for the game than for being buddies with Selig. I don't think he really cares if the fans complain about the actual contracts. They are going to build a team within the confives of the rules. I dont know for sure but he has stated repeatedly that they put most of the profits into the team. I don't doubt that they keep some but I don't think they maximize profits either. Your right they havent done well with positional players from the minors. But I see a difference in the organization since RH took over. Whether that is just him or the whole organizarion is changing is debatable as KW always said at the beginning of each off season he would present JR with multiple scenarios, including a total rebuild. I see progress ans im willing to see it play out.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 09:27 AM) It is just so nice to hear how Jerry Reinsdorf has managed to make himself and his investors happy over the years through his ability to "maximize profits", and to make Bud Selig happy by quote unquote playing by the rules. Meanwhile, with a terrible record of achievement over the years on the field, he has left the fan base most unhappy, as evidenced by the team's most recent attendance figures and TV ratings. And yet you can take it to the bank that at some point over next weekend at Soxfest, both Hahn and Williams will remind you of Jerry Reinsdorf's "competitive spirit" and "commitment to bring home another championship". Should sound familiar, they say the same thing every year. Reconciling the words with the results, though, gives you an entirely different answer. The day someone can prove that he is maximizing profits as opposed to putting back into the team is the day that any of this non-sensical complaining makes. You say you think he is cheap and doesn't care about winning. You can say he alienates fans with his attitude. But its all opinonand not proof. Odds are its somewhere in the middle. Its a business they are allowed to make a profit for the board of investors.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 03:19 PM) I'd like to add one more thing that Mike (Eminor) missed when talking about pitch framing since I've made a nuisance of myself in the past about it. The umps also play a key role. Perhaps the strike zone is called tighter than it used to be but catchers know which umps have certain tendencies to call the high strike, low strike ,inside and outside corners and they roll with it and hope the pitcher can take advantage of it. I was listening to LaTroy Hawkins tell a story on MLBN where he said to Greg Maddox ," You know those pitches aren't strikes don't you " ? and Maddux replied along the lines of I can't help it if I can hit that spot 8 out of 10 times and you can do it only 4. Meaning if you can do it that consistently the ump will give it to you. Another thing I was watching about Livan and Orlando Hernandez defection from Cuba and when Livan was pitching in the ALCS or World Series and the ump behind the plate was calling everything away off the plate a strike. So Charles Johnson ,the catcher ,goes out to the mound and says to Livan, "I think we just need to stay away away away." Livan agrees and ends up with 15K's .That kind of thing has a domino effect. Hitters see it being called a strike and they end up saying "well now I have to swing at that pitch" and when the pitcher gets them swinging at it he goes even further outside. Being an intelligent pitcher is an art form that involves the catcher and the ump and the pitchers ability to take advantage of his reputation and change a plan when the circumstances call for it. Yes, the key point is the it only works consistently with the really good pitchers because they are the ones that can consistently hits those spots. The pitcher and catcher need to execute that plan not just know what the ump calls.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 04:22 AM) Well we will see if the Sox have any intentions of spending money when some of the big boys are out of it. It'll be like the free agent class this year .And we know how that went. The Sox have never shown any indication of going over the allotment for the high end talent. I don't expect that to change. The Sox just do not outbid teams for the best talent available on any level. Abreu fell in their lap basically and they probably hoped the same thing would happen with any of the big 3 but hoping most of the 29 other teams disappear is no way of doing business. I know the Sox have hired different personnel lately for some of these things but I'm pretty convinced they will have to work within budgetary constraints and do the best they can within that framework. Reinsdorf has always benefited and maximized profits by just playing by the rules whereas other teams exploit the loopholes. He's always been a good boy with his buddy Bud Selig because bucking the system made trouble for the commish but mostly because it fit his agenda for limiting spending. JR has always played by the rulss because he has been advocate for cost control and salary caps. He has been on tne committees which developed the rules such as drafted slotting. Agree or diagree with that process but how would be perceived by the other owners if the people who created the rules ignored them? There probably would be no further attempts on spending control by the owners.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 06:14 PM) The thing is, this isn't at work. This is on social media. This isn't Cooper being heckled on the field and losing his s*** on a fan, this is someone who sent him(supposedly) a private message to tell him this. If someone I didn't know sent me a private message and told me stuff like that, and I responded similarly I can tell you that A: my employer wouldn't care and B: I wouldn't be worried about responding similarly. And I highly doubt people in the front office were like "holy s*** Cooper just told off a fan, better tell him to knock it off" I agree with you on all points. I don't really care and I'm sure the sox don't either. However, we all know what kind of hot head cooper is so I wouldn't be surprised if he did this. As a matter of fsact I've heard him on the radio tell radio hosts off when they got too critical.

QUOTE (captain54 @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 03:03 PM) I could see if Cooper expressed this to someone over a drink at a bar or whatever, but to put his opinions (rather negative toward the paying customer, I might add) out there over social media, radio, TV, etc? I would think someone in the the organization might tell Don to knock it off. Its not like they are at capacity with season ticket holders…its like the last thing the organization needs is another reason for fans to possibly stay away… Do you really think that if someone criticized the team and probably said something to the effect that his bosses are "clueless and they suck" and cooper replied, "yes they do but we are trying to get better" that they would sell more tickets? I'm with you where I really wish he wouldn't do that. But I understand his point of view. None of us would like it if we were yelled at work in front of everyone that we suck. However, it really doesn't make that much of a difference in attendance or the team.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 04:33 PM) The problem remains; with as little high level talent in the system as the White Sox have, in no small part because of the trades the last 2 offseasons, the White Sox will struggle to tread water when those guys leave in 2 years. They will have to either take a substantial step back in 2018 at those spots by playing rookies there that were pushed aggressively to the big leagues, or they will have to trade the little bits they are able to develop for veterans to continue treading water. And that sets them up with the same problem as last year and this year - a weak roster, not well stocked enough to compete unless "Everything" goes right, and not enough resources to hang with the well-built teams. That's the road to Sale and Abreu then leaving. I don't think the recent trades impacted high level talent. I think they traded pieces but nothing high level. They kept the possible impact players. These are the pieces that will make or break the team. Johnson, Bassit, Thompson et al, were not going to take this team anywhere. Anderson, Fulmer may. As the other develop they will know more. If they look like impact players they will be on the right track, if not then it is going to take longer. With the limited budget, they need to grow the impact players. Then use FA to fill in pieces.