NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 05:30 PM) EDIT: Not sure of the reason for the improvement, but the areas east of Coors Field here in Denver used to be pretty terrible, but have improved significantly over the last 5+ years. I suspect that has a lot more to do with Denver experiencing a boom than it does Coors Field, but still relevant to this discussion. LoDo started exploding shortly after Coors was built (the process was already underway before that), which has been a happy circumstance for the Rockies.

Phoenix's arenas aren't much of an example of anything good. The Bob (D-Backs) is downtown, but downtown Phoenix is usually dead outside of busines hours. They built another one in Glendale in the middle of nowhere.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 02:57 PM) Yeah the Pilot's on the list too, although it's not rated very highly from Edmunds, US News, Car and Driver, etc. By the way, when I think back to the list I had from late 2011, here were all the models I looked at (I left out models from BMW, Lexus, etc. that were far more expensive)... Honda Pilot Toyota Highlander (previous version, it's been updated since) Ford Explorer (was a new version that year) Mazda CX-9 Jeep Grand Cherokee Subaru Tribeca (which is no longer available, as they go to an all new car in that segment) Chevy (I forget which model) Ford Edge The Cherokee had the same problem I saw in almost all AMC products - awful sight lines and poor driving feel - so that went out the door. The Subaru was too expensive for less features and less space. The Chevy just felt chintzy and lacked some features we wanted. The Ford Edge was actually more expensive than the similar Explorer with less space, dropped that. Test drove the top 3. Pilot was best but Explorer was close, except Explorer was too long for our garage to work well. So we went Pilot.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 02:57 PM) Yeah the Pilot's on the list too, although it's not rated very highly from Edmunds, US News, Car and Driver, etc. The current model has fallen behind it's main competitors, especially the Highlander and Explorer. When the current version hit in 2009, then a slight re-do in 2012 in particular, it was more highly rated. Now it's behind the curve. I wouldn't recommend the current one against the likes of the Highlander or Explorer perhaps, but the 2016 model (out this year) seems to have leapt past the others in many areas where it had been behind. That's the game.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 03:27 PM) I took that from the statement "it certainly won't be way off, not like 10 games" about their prediction of the white sox winning 80. Thought it was pretty clear, I was talking about their assessment. Meaning, if they think the Cubs win 75, they may put the line at 80. Has zero to do with my own predictions.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 03:35 PM) I think that's the highest I've seen both Rodon and Anderson. Which is good, because I think McDaniel is probably the best public guy now that Jason Parks is dead. LOL at the bolded, be careful, some may think you are serious. BP had Anderson slightly higher, and higher than Rodon, but they've always been higher on Anderson than anyone else.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 03:04 PM) And then there was this too: 1:00 Comment From Chris Thoughts on Micah Johnson? Complete omission was kind of weird to me. 1:00 Comment From Chris Seems very aggressive to drop Micah Johnson all the way out of the top 200. Reason? 1:00 Comment From Chris Why is Micah Johnson not a top 200 prospect? 1:01 Kiley McDaniel: Chris thirsty LOL Love it.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 02:26 PM) Anyone else heading to the auto show or have already gone? The wife and I are going Saturday to check some stuff out. Two on the list are the Dodge Durango (3rd row family car. Love the re-design in 2014) and the Mazda 6 (commuter car but sporty, also a nice redesign in 2014). Speaking of the Pilot, the new version of that car (due in stores in summer I think) is premiering there right now. If you are looking at the Durango, you should really look at the Pilot too, along with the rebuilt Highlander.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 02:24 PM) 2013 I think, maybe 2012. The engine is just sub par to me, like they threw in a civic engine. It might literally be a civic engine, maybe Accord. I'm pretty sure the engine in our Pilot is the same as used on the Acura MDX (their version of the bigger SUV) and the lower-size engine on their Ridgeline pickup, so it's got plenty of power. I wouldn't call it fast, but it's fast enough.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 01:59 PM) Comment From Will Let’s say that this time next year, Courtney Hawkins is a 50FV… What adjustments would he have made? Kiley McDaniel: He’ll hit and not strikeout. That sounds overly simplistic but that’s about it, stop chasing the slider out of the zone and make more contact. Mostly mental at this point. That's likely Will Siskel, one of our writers. QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 02:03 PM) Comment From Eminor3rd Micah Johnson close to the 200 at all? I think the Chicago media has overrated him, but I was still surprised to see Michalczewski ahead of him. Are you further down on Micah than consensus? Kiley McDaniel: Yeah, Johnson is another guy that could be #201. Just injured a lot and limited upside. Could take a step forward with a strong, healthy 2015. Sounds about right, about what I said earlier. Glad to hear Kiley wasn't far off from where we were thinking of him. I'm a little surprised at Michalczewski being that high myself, as he's not got plus tools to speak of either but a whole package of above average in almost everything.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 12:33 PM) My wife wanted one so bad and we got it loaded up and the price was way too high for what we got and I hate driving it. The thing barely starts, sucks in the snow and is slow as hell. Why do people want this car so badly>? What year is it? We have a 2012 Honda Pilot (the bigger one than the CRV), and it's been pretty fantastic. Well other than guzzling gas, but I knew that going in. I suppose the engine is different on the Pilot too, maybe that makes the difference.

Steve Stone is in person what you'd think - arrogant but polite. DJ was very nice the time I got to talk to him, he spent some time with my kids in the stands when he really didn't have to, on the way to somewhere. And I didn't ask him to, he just stopped and chatted.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 12:40 PM) Really, you're certain this team can't win 90 games? Um, what? I wasn't making a prediction at all, I was talking about how Vegas establishes lines and odds. I have yet to make a prediciton about the Sox myself, and if I did I'd certainly say 90 is possible (though maybe not likely).

QUOTE (Butter Parque @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 12:05 PM) I bet college basketball religiously. Everything you are say is true. At the same time, its hard to argue with Vegas' numbers because they come in quite close, quite often. On a daily basis, I watch it in amazement as they come dangerously close on Toledo-Miami (OH). Vegas is not putting the Sox at 80 if they do not believe they will be right around that number. if you are trying to get even money on both sides, the best way to do it is to be accurate. And Vegas is quite good at that. having said that, I think anything below 86 wins would be a huge disappointment. IT certainly won't be way off, not like 10 wins or anything in this scenario. But these are not game matchups, so it exposes one-sided money, therefore it has a larger effect than in a specific game.

I do not hate Hawk the person, and I am sure he is doing this because he loves the game. I do pretty much hate Hawk as an announcer, something he was never very good at, and is now just plain bad at.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 09:54 AM) Every dealer will try to negotiate with you through payments per month, and try to hide the terms for the pieces of the deal from you. If you can have financing arranged ahead of time on your own, do it. After that, the rest is just information, knowledge, and being willing to walk away. Yeah that's true too - don't think of the negotiation as having to do with the payments. Get the best price, then talk financing. If the financing terms seem bad, then maybe go to your next best offer and see if they can do better on rate. But the payment amount is not the cost, exactly. QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 10:00 AM) Dont get attached to a car and make that lead into into a bad deal because you want it now. Cars are a horrible investment and you should treat it that way. They aren't an investment - they are a cost center. As soon as you come to that realization (don't mean you Rock, meaning anyone), it all becomes more clear.

QUOTE (brett05 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 10:32 AM) I'm not the one saying there is evidence that points to this. I'm saying if it exists I'd like to read it. Geesh So what would be the evidence? Showing the results of non-starters after two games of consecutive hits would be a part of it. So you're arguing it is true because you feel it - since you have no evidence it occurs. Others have shown you clearly that you cannot rely on a "streak" because, basically, you have zero predictability of when it will end. Evidence would be anything statistical that showed streaks are predictable as to length. Anything would do.

QUOTE (brett05 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 10:17 AM) If this was a craps table you would be right. But this isn't. You've said yourself the hot hand is real and I don't think anyone doubts that. But to assume that a streak ends because of a matchup isn't the right play. You don't know when the hot hand ends so you ride it out until it does. The moment trumps the history in the majority of cases. If there is evidence that this doesn't work, I'd be interested in reading it Eminor3rd EDIT: Benching a player ends the Hot Streak every single time. You're asking to prove a negative. What you have yet to do is prove the positive, apparently because there is no evidence to support your claim.

So here's what people constantly seem to forget. When these entities set odds, and set O/U wins, that is NOT them saying what is actually most likely to occur. You need to think of setting betting lines of all types as similar to pricing in any other business. That means the level of demand plays a role. Now when you talk to people in Vegas, they will tell you there are certain teams who will always get a LOT of bets on the "buys side", most specifically the Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees. What that means is, they don't have to give odds or lines that are as good for those teams. In other words, if they think the Cubs O/U is really like 75 wins, they may for example set it at 80 anyway. It gives them more room for error, and likely does very little to decrease the number of people putting down money. Same thing happens with odds, where maybe they are 40-1 but they'll set them at 30-1 instead. You just have to remember these are businesses looking to make money off the bets. Their ultimate goal is not to accurately predict an outcome - that is a contributing factor, not a final result.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Feb 16, 2015 -> 11:58 PM) Looking to purchase my first brand new car. I wasn't going brand new initially, but after some research, a used model is only ~5k less. Been reading lots of reviews, articles on new car shopping/negotiating, noting down things such as invoice prices, average price paid, etc. Anyone want to share any effective tips used when negotiating that really worked well for you? truecar.com Seriously, that is far and away the best tool I can advise. Also, once you do know what you want, call lots of local dealers and just see who can give you the best deal. Don't go to one dealer. And when you do find your best offer, get it in writing. Keep in mind as well, what the price may include. The best way to compare prices is to do so on Price + Destination. Because everything beyond that should only be taxes and won't be relevant to a comparison. One note on taxes - they are different in different counties, but technically you are supposed to pay up the difference to your home county. In practice this may never come up. I bought my last new car in Lake County, but live in Cook, and the difference is only like .25% in rate (it was less than $100 difference in the end I think). Cook never asked for the difference.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Feb 14, 2015 -> 10:46 AM) I'll do my best to post about the vandy games I am able to watch and any potentially high round draftable players (fulmer, buehler, Swanson, ferguson - a few others will be top round next year - stone, Reynolds). Great start for the top starters. Also bear in mind to that the college baseballs have changed this year. They lowered the stitches on the balls (similar to the pro ball), and it's expected to make a big impact in scoring. Breaking balls will be tougher to spin, and the ball will carry more. There were a few balls that were hit yesterday that seemed to carry a lot (specifically one by potential top 10 pick Dansby Swanson on a triple to the opposite field gap) Thanks for these reports, much appreciated!

QUOTE (brett05 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 09:01 AM) Definitely surprised. I'd love to hear his reasoning since everyone else seems to rate him well. I'm certainly familiar with what the concerns may be. He's heavily speed-reliant and has had leg and other injury issues, his fielding at 2B is a question mark, he doesn't likely have the arm to move to the OF, and he doesn't have a ton of power. Those are all known factors. I just personally think the strong hit tool, some increased patience at the plate and what I think is relatively low health risk if he sticks with a program outweigh those concerns. He's not a T100 guy, but I feel pretty good putting him in T200 looking at the rest of the list.

I'm a little surprised Micah wasn't in the back end, but not totally shocked. Other than that the list positions make sense, relatively.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 14, 2015 -> 01:14 PM) He's not on Oakland's list. I asked Manuel and he told me that Sanburn isn't a top 30 player for him. I've liked BA for a long time but it's nuts to see guys like Mitchell and Wilkins on there instead of Sanburn. Really? Yeah that's a little off to me. He's in the teens solidly IMO in the Sox system.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 14, 2015 -> 12:27 PM) Many have probably seen the list already but my handbook came in the mail today so I will share a little. 1. Carlos Rodon LHP 2. Tim Anderson SS 3. Spencer Adams RHP 4. Micah Johnson 2B 5. Francelis Montas RHP 6. Micker Adolfo OF 7. Tyler Danish 8. Trey Michalczewski 3B 9. Courtney Hawkins OF 10. Jacob May OF 11. Chris Beck RHP 12. Carlos Sanchez INF 13. Jace Fry LHP 14. Matt Davidson 3B 15. Kevan Smith C 16. Cleuluis Rondon SS 17. Thaddius Lowry RHP 18. Trayce Thompson OF 19. Tyler Saladino INF 20. Luis Martinez RHP 21. Brandon Brennan RHP 22. David Trexler RHP 23. Adam Engel OF 24. Jake Peter 2B 25. James Dykstra RHP 26. Keon Barnum 1B 27. Onelki Garcia LHP 28. Michael Ynoa RHP 29. Jared Mitchell OF 30. Andy Wilkins 1B Very interesting list. Disagree with a lot of it but they work really hard at Baseball America. They also listed Catcher Brett Austin at #31 and don't mention Nolan Sanburn in the book at all. Which is weird. White Sox listed as the #20 farm system in baseball. They have Sanburn on the OAK list, if I recall correctly. It's a good list, even if I don't agree with all of it. Surprised to see Adolfo, Smith, Lowry and Brennan that high. Also think they're too low on Danish and Barnum, and I think they are missing the boat not ranking Wheeler.