Balta1701

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 21, 2013 -> 10:11 AM) Of course not, I was just trying to show a package of prospects that would be more than fair value for Sale. The reason I would never make a move with Sale is that I don't think any package where the Sox get back "Fair value" for trading him would actually make the team better in the long run when you factor in the likelihood of some failures from every group of prospects.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jun 21, 2013 -> 09:25 AM) Robin is right. Keep focusing on playing the game, keep working on the defense, keep focusing on the fundamentals, and let Hahn take care of the rest. It's like Robin's the iron chef, he's leading the charge, he's supervising, he's stressing how to properly cut the veggies, checking on the bakery, doing all that stuff, sauteeing the fries or whatever, making some weird ice cream, etc. and all he can focus on is delivering the best meal possible for his judges. But Hahn is the one who brings him the groceries, Hahn's the one who decides what food item the dishes are going to be based on, and Hahn's the one who is going to have to take out the garbage when it's all over & go shopping again, bring in some new ingredients. There's no reason for Robin to get all mad about things and yell & scream, just like Hawk was saying, it's a different game now & players can be metros about accountability & so forth, players want special treatment and like to cry about things. Robin's not going to kiss anyone's ass, just keep stressing what needs to be stressed, and he's going to tell Hahn in private which guys he doesn't feel are working hard enough, which guys aren't mentally strong enough, which guys are dogging it, accepting failure, etc. and it's going to be up to Hahn to take out the trash. Robin also let his group of well trained sous-chefs spend the several months before the taping doing nothing but drinking and gaining weight so they're out of practice, disinterested, and hungover for the show.

"I can't believe I read the whole thing."

QUOTE (Boogua @ Jun 21, 2013 -> 09:08 AM) He also helped orchestrate (along with Riley) the whole big 3 to Miami thing. I really don't think they would get rid of him regardless. Hell, James might well insist on Wade staying in order to re-up next offseason.

This one's been on my mind for a while and I think it's an interesting thought in response to Y2HH's focus on privacy...what about looking at this program from the other side? I've been stressing the fact that we simply aren't given information to make a choice on this program. The government's defense of it has been "This program has been useful in stopping terrorist cases x, y, and z". Ok, great. Why should we assume that's the only place that a database like this could be useful? I think we can all imagine ways that it would be incredibly useful in just standard law enforcement. Just as a hypothetical, let's imagine that if every police officer in the country could get access to this database, we could cut the nation's homicide rate by 20%. Obviously I don't know what's in it or what the safeguards are now since I'm not told, but think about that for a second. Wouldn't a whole lot of people, probably me included, be willing to find a legal way to make that happen if the payoff could be thousands or tens of thousands of lives per year? Like you said with the Google case, I have a much bigger problem with people/companies/governments doing this stuff when I'm not given the choice or the ability to evaluate it. That's why Google should get in trouble, that's where the biggest trouble here should be...we're not given the ability to make any kind of choice, and we can't evaluate whether the program is too secure, not secure enough, used too much, not used enough, too expensive, not expansive enough, etc.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jun 21, 2013 -> 12:52 AM) Honestly, there's no reason to believe that those 3 wont be themselves by the time the playoffs roll around, sure it might take them a few weeks during the regular season but unless all 3 of them get hurt again, I have every reason to believe that they'll be themselves come playoff time. Wade is a completely different animal than those 3. The other thing people are forgetting about the Heat is that at least one, if not a couple quality ring-chasing veterans will sign with them for pennies this offseason.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 21, 2013 -> 05:27 AM) "I thought they gave everything," Gregg Popovich said. "That's character. We've got a bunch of guys who aren't going to give in, keep playing with each other, for each other, and really feel the responsibility to each other." There are no measures for character, however, not even in this era of advanced statistics. The cold numbers showed Duncan, Ginobili and Parker shot a combined 4-for-13 in the fourth quarter, with six turnovers. www.espn.com Hawk hates Ginobili.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 09:32 PM) The only thing being the philosophical difference between having a superstar everyday player (say, Puig....if he continues to evolve) and a starting pitcher who only can affect 32-35 games per season. With our offense being in the shape it is, you'd be very tempted...but there's almost no chance of a 1 for 1 trade for a Sale....it would be a load of prospects, and probably end up going to like Maybin and Miller to the Marlins for Cabrera. Exactly why there is no prospect or set of them I'd deal sale for.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 06:20 PM) I would definitely trade them Reed for Castellanos or Garcia. Not going to happen though. Are people still really high on Avisail Garcia? He's been moved up and down a lot and hasn't stuck despite opportunities, and my brain was starting to put him in the "Viciedo" mode of either needing a long time to find it or maybe never finding it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 06:16 PM) The right move doesn't always mean the media will understand that. They know the term "White Flag" gets idiots to call into talk shows and buy Sun Times. Plenty of fans will falls for it. When we're already sitting 10 games below .500, it ain't gonna matter what they say. At least if they're saying that, they're talking about the Sox and maybe occasionally talking about the player that comes back. If the Sox just keep losing, they'll be talking about the Bears and the Cubs. Like it or not, thanks to the crappy play of this team, we're on the path to that 70 or below win season. We're going to have the damage done that we'd incur from rebuilding anyway. May as well get some players out of it.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 06:13 PM) I don't see any reason to believe Reed's ever going to be a truly dominant closer. He'll have a 75-80-85% save conversion rate, but he's unlikely to be a Top 5-7 guy. Would be glad to revisit this prediction in 5 years....just not seeing it. If you get absolutely bowled over by an offer, there's no real reason not to take it at this point. But that's highly unlikely to happen. His save %age was 88% last year and is 91% this year so far.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 06:13 PM) They were already starting the White Flag stuff a few years back before we started that big run right before the deadline. This will be easy fodder for lazy sports personalities in this town. How many people @ this site aren't ready to wave the white flag? I'm basically there.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 05:48 PM) Um. White Flag happened when the White Sox actually had a chance? Yeah, if we pull back to 3 games out and then trade away Crain, then I think everyone will have a legit complaint.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 05:22 PM) after the uproar that will be had when we sell off, a couple of free agents aren't making a difference. A shrewd signing next offseason could well put this team in contention right out of the gate (assuming that they actually do fielding drills during ST).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 05:02 PM) Why would you spend money on free agents if you just sold off your best players? There are very few guys the Sox might legitimately sell off who can't be replaced next offseason on the FA market. About the only one I've come up with is Alexei. They're loaded on pitchers but will need 1-2 bullpen guys even if Peavy is moved, there is OF talent to replace anyone traded, Beckham is playing like he wants to stay another year, no one is buying the Sox 3b, Phegley's playing himself into a shot at the catcher's position. If the Sox trade Rios, Peavy, and their bullpen guys, even if they don't get anyone back who contributes next year, they could field a competitive roster with a salary lower than this year and still sign a big name FA or even 2. They will have a ton of cash to spend.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:50 PM) I understand that. Are you thinking Konerko and Dunn are gone? Thornton I can certainly see as a possibility. He was a true success story for the Sox tahnks to Cooper, but I think his velocity is down and that makes hm just so-so. Peavy? Maybe but the Sox need the ole bulldog to keep the boys revved up Konerko's contract is up this year and is $13 million coming off the books. He might be back next year on a 1 year deal, but he's played himself into a $2 million deal if that so far this year. He's played himself into a pity contract if he doesn't retire. He tears it up for the rest of the year he might push that to $5 million but he's not going to get anyone spending a lot of money on him with how he opened the year. Dunn is still very likely to be back just because no one will take him. Thornton is unlikely to be back because the Sox are unlikely to pick up his $6 million option, that's just too much for a reliever of Thornton's ability right now. If Peavy is keeping them revved up this year...I might enjoy watching an entire team asleep next year, because they're close enough to that this year.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:37 PM) I can't disagree with your reasoning but I don't expect the Sox to spend money on the bigger name free agents If the Sox don't spend money on a big name free agent, they'll be looking at a payroll next year in the range of $90 million (assuming Thornton's option isn't picked up). $75 million if someone like Peavy is moved.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:30 PM) Because people with pets are awesome? I have no idea. Perhaps one of the lawyers included a question about that in the jury-pool questions. I'm sure it tells something about the psychology of the person whether they own a pet.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:26 PM) Why did Freudenburg get over-slot? I just know the basics of him and he had attended 3 different community colleges in 2 years. I get that he's a LHP but I don't see what warranted an over-slot signing. Now, Michalczewski and Ball I can understand giving over-slot money but I don't understand Freudenburg. Can someone enlighten me on this? Was there a chance he could choose to go back to school?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:21 PM) Yes. Veteran-loaded or working through a bunch of rookies?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:07 PM) Tom Kelly is considered by many to be the best manager in Twins history. His career record is 1140-1244, including 4 90+ loss years where the team was void of talent. Beyond that, I highly doubt they go young, young, young. They'll do a slight rebuild. Did Tom Kelly ever have a team whose fundamentals were as poor as the 2013 Chicago White Sox?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 04:00 PM) But isn't bringing up Phegley basically sending the signal to Flowers that it's the last step before they give up on him? It's why they never brought up Flowers when he looked like a really clear challenger to AJ...you pretty much have to give up on Flowers (or send him back down to AAA), and give Phegley the everyday job for 6-8 weeks. If they're sharing time, you can't really make a determination on either player for 2014. Because you're always going to say if he merely hits in the best possible match-ups/situations (like Viciedo in 2010), is he an everyday catcher or just a back-up/platoon guy? Plus they're both RH hitters. Frankly, yes, bringing up Phegley is the sign that Flowers's time as the starting catcher has run out. I thought that by being patient, working for it, and putting up good minor league numbers, Flowers earned at least a good fraction of the season to see what he could do. He got that shot and he hasn't shown much so far. He's got about 6 weeks left on the clock I'd give him. I don't care if they're both RH hitters after the trade deadline. This team's folded. Who cares if we don't have a LH catcher on the roster?

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 03:58 PM) 6 person jury, all women, one minority. http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/DA71L7N02 WTH, a 6 person Jury? Is that a florida thing? Never ever heard of that?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 03:53 PM) Absolutely. You can put Gimenez out to pasture. He's been a good backup catcher, but more than anybody else on the team, his roster spot is virtually meaningless. Nobody is going to cry if and when someone claims Hector Gimenez off waivers. If he keeps up a .700-ish OPS someone might give up a very low talent player for him in a trade. We've been in a position of needing a backup C before and there's always a team or two who needs one of those.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 20, 2013 -> 03:47 PM) So you think they go with Flowers/Phegley the last few months? That would make sense, as I agree it would be nice to have some type of idea whether or not Phegley is overmatched at this level. At least if it were me, the only things that would keep Phegley from getting a shot would be: Flowers going on a tear, Phegley getting hurt. I want to see what he looks like against big league pitching and in handling a rotation before I give him the job based on AAA numbers, and the last thing I'd want is to commit $60 million to McCann if I have a guy in my own system who can do 75% of the job.