Balta1701

QUOTE (Reddy @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 01:04 PM) You dont live in iowa and havent experienced a caucus correct? So tell me how you know so much. Ive been there, and iowans ask questions and want answers - not bs. Remember earlier in the thread when iowans were personified as holier than thou? Well maybe they do act that way, but what that means is we want actual answers because in this state you CANT get away with a handshake and a smile. Ask Rick Perry. Rick Perry's campaign imploded because of his terrible debate performances, not because of anything silly he did in Iowa. Iowa doesn't have some monopoly on "Having candidate debates".

QUOTE (Reddy @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 12:47 PM) And Iowa is the most moderate of all those states. And way to skew the question. Im not convinced i asked which states were more racially diverse. Why is "Moderate" good here? That doesn't mean the voters are somehow better, that just means there's sometimes an approximately equal group between different groups which vote in certain ways in certain elections. That of course can change significantly depending on the year, candidates, economic situation, etc.

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 12:27 PM) Can somebody explain what the whole beef was between Ozzie and Swish? The public story with Swisher was that he wouldn't listen to the coaching staff, particularly Walker, espescially when he was struggling with the bats. Think Colby Rasmus style this year. Non public stories have alleged that there were various mind-altering substances involved.

No Zach Stewart?

Killer.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 11:21 AM) Am I the only person on this board who thought Stewart looked good in his starts and wants to see him at least developed as a starter (I know you do Balta, just hyperbolizing)? Yay, people know what I think! Trouble is...the one guy who counts is on record saying he thinks he's a reliever. And even I have a hard time arguing against him.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 10:35 AM) Who is the Tennessee fan again? Do you know how long I'll probably have to book hotels? Like half are already booked up for that weekend. Not a fan but do live here. If you're trying to be within walking distance, i.e. downtown, the hotels will be available for a while, but they'll be fairly expensive on gameday. If you're driving into the area, there are tons of hotels that aren't within walking distance but which won't fill up for a while.

No reason not to do that, competent backup.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 27, 2011 -> 05:16 PM) One reason why Dwight Howard may want no part of the Bulls is that Howard and Rose are both signed to Adidas, and that would be very much disliked by that company. QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 10:36 AM) After reading Simmons take on Howard and a few other articles, I don't think Howard's number one priority is to win titles...if it was, Chicago would be his top desired destination, instead, he wants to go to the Nets, the dude is a doofus. See top item.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Dec 29, 2011 -> 12:36 AM) Right now so much of this scenario depends on a player with 22 innings above A-ball level. EVERY team has some prospect who is the 2nd coming...in fact, most organizations have several of those guys. When in reality, most don't make it...but we have ONE guy and low and behold, he's gonna make it. That's why we keep Cooper around.

I wonder whether there were more hormones given to chickens, cows, horses, or baseball players.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 28, 2011 -> 06:22 PM) Well mine is programmable, but it's not adjustable via the internet or my phone. And I have programmed it, but that's kind of like gettting you half-way there...I'm always overriding the programmed temps, based on changing habits or activities...what you really need is something you can adjust all the time, constantly, easily, without being at the house. Considering the heat we have here, it would be a great thing to have more control when I am not at home... Is this the only thermostat that is adjustable via internet/phone?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 28, 2011 -> 06:21 PM) I don't know why you think that's so far-fetched. I'd say the biggest argument to me that these teams won't be willing to pay is that they weren't willing to pay for Danks, who is a better pitcher. Yes, he's more expensive/hits FA earlier, but if you're a team like Boston/NY, the difference between the 2 is what, $5-7 million saved before they hit FA? That's not a huge financial difference if I'm in their shoes. For Torotno it would be more important, but not Boston/NYC. If I'm sitting in Boston and NYC's shoes, I'd have put a better offer out for Danks than Floyd, unless my scouts had some big red flag, because I could have lived with the contract he just signed with the ChiSox, and I would feel like I was getting a better pitcher.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 28, 2011 -> 06:08 PM) Anyone going to get a Nest thermostat? Company was created by the lead designer of the iPod...looks really neat...apparently it "learns" from your usage adjusts to help save you money. Pricey at $249. Currently sold out. Available on ebay at about $400. Nest Seems like a useful item if you're in the group where you have a thermostat you can install but you never bother programming it. That said, wouldn't pay the ebay price for that sort of thing, sure to be more available in a few months.

IF there's a worry Re: Williams, it's that the Bears FO might decide to bring him back during the period when they have exclusive rights to him, before the FA period starts, then go through the FA period thinking they have stability at their WR spot and let legit options like Jackson, Wayne, Johnson, hell take your pick there's a bunch, slip through their fingers because they think "They signed Williams already and can still add in the draft". That would be a bad setup.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Dec 28, 2011 -> 05:52 PM) I kinda felt this way going into this season. I didnt mind the pickup because we didnt do anything else to improve the position. However, imo if they go into next season where he would be good enough to be a top 3 WR on the roster they have already failed miserably. I think our discussion here is "would you really feel that bad if Williams were the #3 WR going into next year, behind Bennett and some major addition". I'd tentatively be OK with that, especially if Knox is expected to be back to normal.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 28, 2011 -> 05:38 PM) As far as I am concerned, he needs to at least remain in the discussion until the draft. If they are able to get a guy like Michael Floyd or something, fine, you can release him then. Additionally, you've got Knox coming off a surgery, and Bennett who's not the most injury-proof guy...so I guess it depends on what he wants...but from where I sit, he deserves a chance to potentially come back. With Free Agency hitting before the draft like a normal year...I think you have to target that #1 WR spot as the main thing to fill before the draft. Along with things like backup QB, warm body to replace Omiyale, etc. Beyond that, I'm much more flexible, and there's lots of options that could fill that 3rd/4th WR the Bears could use to replace their drug dealer. I'd be willing to go with Williams for that. If the Bears target other possible needs, like a new tackle and some DE and CB strength in free agency, then they have to go WR in round 1 and then still add in another guy. Last year it wasn't the worst gamble in the world to try Williams out as the WR addition they need. Now, WR seems to be an even bigger need than it was then.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 28, 2011 -> 05:33 PM) To be fair, SS was not quite AB yet... Very true, but Bailey is also not signed yet and is a first year arb-eligible player this year, so he's a service time year ahead of Sergio. Plus, he also has had injury issues and already did the Tommy John once, so you have to count him as a bigger injury risk as well. All in all, I think their values are very comparable, and I think the "throw-in guys" in this deal, if you'd accept me calling them that, are the kind of things I wish we'd also gotten along with Molina in the Santos deal.

CNN Poll showing some serious Santorum Momentum, jumping to 3rd in Iowa, 16%, with Paul out in front at 25% and Mittens at 22%. With less than a week left there's not a lot of time for shifting, but these "Bumps" have come mighty quick, and with the crazy Iowa setup where it's not an actual vote, these things could still be in flux until the end.

There's a fair amount of political drama in these paragraphs.

There's a fair amount of political drama in these paragraphs.

Lots of people seem to think this moves Bard to Boston's rotation.

I'd say those other 2 guys are the sort of "man I wish we could have gotten another piece coming back" lower level pieces that I wish we'd gotten back along with Molina for Sergio.

Raul Alcantera is pretty young, only threw 65 innings last year, but 2.2 ERA, 0.918 WHIP. Long term that's a nice add. Head, 3b, 15 HR and 1.022 OPS in a 1/2 season at A ball last year, .700's OPS after b umping up to high-A ball. Looks like there's some talent there too.

If Reddick is out of Boston, then it's either Sweeney or they could use a RF...and they have a capable RF backup in Sweeney if they want to shoot for a power hitting RF who can't stay healthy.