NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Jan 29, 2015 -> 05:11 PM) Yes - I did not use the proper terms of art, but the bank still has significantly lower risk when the debt can't ever go away. If I default under the terms of the note I signed with the holder of my student loan debt, they file suit, obtain a judgment, and garnish my wages/bank accounts until paid in full. I don't have the recourse of filing bankruptcy. The bank incurs the cost of collection, but the risk of a complete loss under the loan went way down. That risk is different than the specific bankruptcy default which means that any repayment to my creditor is dependent on having non-exempt assets that a trustee can sell and use to pay creditors. The second statement is correct - someone can stop paying the loans for any reason at all. But the lender has plenty of remedies to recover the debt. Regardless, the lack of risk of a bankruptcy discharge makes the likelihood of the lender recovering significantly higher and should lead to lower borrowing costs. There is definitely lower risk of any sort of loss to the bank, that is true. Just not zero risk. Also worth noting, this is unsecured debt, and when a loss does occur, usually these people have nothing to claw back. Even wages may be so low as to be unusable for this purpose. That all said I agree that, in theory, overall loan rates should be lower. It's a racket.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 29, 2015 -> 09:07 PM) Yay! An end to Miguel Gonzalez, Jared Mitchell and Keenyn Walker. That's progress. Well, for the record, Jared Mitchell did get one 30th place vote (not from me), so he didn't quite disappear entirely. Close though. Gonzalez is gone now and Walker is... Walker.

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Jan 29, 2015 -> 02:59 PM) The student loan bubble is both federal debt and private debt. As discussed earlier, at least when I went to school (graduated 6+ years ago), the federal loans were not enough to reasonably cover tuition + room and board. So that means you take debt from the private sector. The private student loan debt doesn't have a comparable instrument in the private sector. You literally cannot get rid of private student loan debt the way you can any other private debt. So if the risk of total default to the lender is practically zero, why are interest rates on student loans as high as they are? You are conflating bankruptcy laws with default, which paints an innacurate picture. If a person goes bankrupt they can discharge debts, but almost never student loan debts. So it is true that the risk of a DISCHARGE via a legal maneuver is very low. However, a person could certainly just stop paying on the loans, for whatever reasons. And whether or not they seek bankruptcy protection, that still ends up being a DEFAULT on the loan. So the default risk is still there and still significant.

That Peavy trade just keeps amazing. Avisail Garcia, Frank Montas, Cleuluis Rondon and JB Wendelken in exchange for 1.5 years of Peavy when the team was rebuilding anyway. Sure looks like a steal right now.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 29, 2015 -> 12:31 PM) One thing, why the Fry high ranking? I like him, but not that high because I need to see more of him in the minors. Also, I think it's a little criminal that Peter isn't ranked in the top 30. He might not of been highly regarded, but he proved his worth in half a season to deserve a ranking between at least 20-30. Fry was a T100 draft prospect taken a little behind that status, and he's got the right frame and stuff for a starter. I had him slightly lower than others I think, but teens seems about right for him. Peter killed PIO pitching and was double-promoted, but that was more a function of the lack of talent at Kanny at that time than anything else (so no one to logically promoted one level). A+ looked like more of a challenge for him. Tools-wise he just isn't real exciting. That said, he did show very good contact and the hit tool was more advanced than people thought, plus he's got a cannon arm. He's intriguing, but pretty interchangeable value-wise with the few guys above and below him, to me. I think 31 (which is what he was essentially) is about right.

Top 30 fun facts... --The players that were hardest to evaluate, and had the widest range of voting slots: Jacob May: ranged from 8th to Unranked Cleuluis Rondon: ranged from 7th to 26th Chris Beck: ranged from 8th to 20th Kevan Smith: ranged from 14th to 30th Adam Engel: ranged from 17th to Unranked --6 of the T30 were not on the last list, either because they are new or just made a jump. But none are higher than 18th. --The players from 1 to 13, and 15 through 22, all got a T30 vote from all 8 voters. --Draft round pedigree (or non-draft) across the list by round: 1st: 3 *1-S: 2 2nd: 5 3rd: 2 4th: 1 5th: 1 7th: 3 9th: 1 15th: 2 17th: 1 19th: 1 Intl: 6 US NDFA: 2 --One of the 7th rounders and the only 19th were overslot guys (Michalczewski, Engel) --This one is cool: of the Top 30, five were acquired via trade, and the others are all organic (signed/drafted by Sox)

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Jan 29, 2015 -> 11:07 AM) Minor quibble, but I don't think Anderson is close to an 80 speed. Last thing I read, I think it was Callis, said he was not the "70" he had thought before - more like a 65. At least, that's what I thought I'd read. Nice list. Those grades are sometimes funny, because they vary more significantly between scouts than you'd think. There are a handful of very fast guys in the system - Anderson, Johnson, Engel, Walker, a few others - that I've seen grades ranging from 65 or 70, up to 80 on.

Full list now in pinned thread in PHT.

Here it is. Read it. We put lots of work into it, and I think it's a darn good list. Thoughts? Disagreements? Are we insane on someone, one way or the other? Anyone we missed?

Save $2M. Bench now: C Bonifacio (can play everything basically) Beckham (skill INF, mostly 2B/3B vs LHP whom he has hit usually) One of Sanchez (mostly SS/2B, maybe 3B), Leury (all over), Shuck (pure OF), Saladino (all INF, maybe some OF), Taylor (pure OF) Looks like an improvement to me, though small. The biggest loser in all this is Saladino, who was first in line for the role Beckham now takes. But I think the team didn't want to trust his unknown quality and his return from TJ surgery. If Johnson wins 2B job, I'd say Sanchez wins the last bench spot, but hard to say. If Sanchez wins 2B job, it's more likely an OF since Sanchez can move around INF, which means Shuck or Taylor. I think Saladino and Leury are now very long shots to make the team, barring injuries.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 28, 2015 -> 10:50 AM) I think that blurb sums up everything pretty well. EDIT: and good call Wite, he's definitely talking about Rodon, Anderson, Montas and Adams there. Yeah that's the big 4. There MAY be a T100 list from someone who could have Micah, or even Tyler Danish, but it would be the outlier.

White Sox 12th. First top-half finish in a long time. But we cannot be putting in large parts of the article here. People can summarize in their own words, or do little quotes or snippets. But we can't go pasting large parts of billable content here.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jan 28, 2015 -> 10:23 AM) Yeah I was shocked ha. He mentions that we acquired four top 120 prospects in the past 24 months, three via the draft and one via trade. It's say to safe the guy via trade is Montas, and two of the drafted guys are Anderson and Rodon, but any guesses on the 3rd? Adams would make the most sense, as I don't think he's very high on Danish. Almost has to be Adams.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jan 28, 2015 -> 10:15 AM) http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ll30farmsystems It's behind a paywall, but Keith Law ranks the Sox system as 12th(!) this year. A huge jump from 27th last year, he noted that the Sox acquired four top 120 prospects in the past 24 months and didn't give up premium guys for Shark. Wow, first top-half ranking of the system I can remember in a long time. QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jan 28, 2015 -> 10:17 AM) Only 12th? Law is such a hater. lol

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 09:57 PM) yeah, I definitely don't think the rich should pay proportionally MORE than everyone else, so I agree with you re: estate tax. I just think they should be forced to pay their share and not dilute it by taking advantage of loopholes. Wow. Possibly the most liberal poster in here likes a flat tax? Kinda surprised. You may not be aware, but the (primary) argument against a flat tax is that it functions as regressive due to the difference between necessities and everything else. The lower someone's income, the larger percentage goes to true needs - food, clothing, housing, utilities for example. So if the tax rate is flat, that means the tax burden is actually greater on those of lower income. There are ways to combat that of course while still having a flat tax - exemption on income below a certain level (the Forbes model if you will), changes in sales tax structure to lower or remove it for store-bought food and some other necessities. Not agreeing or disagreeing by the way, just was curious if you thought it through.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 03:52 PM) Funny you mention that. I know two people in that exact situation, with oh, 200+K in law school debt. Now they don't want to practice law cause they don't like it, etc, and want to do very blah work which won't pay much anything. They'll pay pretty much the minimum while getting the rest forgiven. And by forgiven, I mean, let other people who were responsible pay for it. It is a complete case of people taking advantage of things. The real purpose was to relieve people who really did get in way too over their heads. All this said, the answer shouldn't be, well, we'll just punish everyone who did it right and make them pay more. So here's what you could do. Or maybe what I'd do. Student loan payments are regulated. They are all subject to a once-a-year payment amount adjustment. The adjustment is made on the amount of net income from your annual tax filing, and a percentage cap is set so people aren't overwhelmed. No forgiveness - ever. If it take you 50 years to repay it but at only $50 a month, so be it. Payments always go interest amount first, then principal. If your payment is less than the interest amount, you make no ground on the principal, but won't see your balance go up either. Rates are set at loan generation as with any fixed-rate loan, but with a cap of a certain percentage to prevent people getting stiffed. Finally, in order to make sure there is enough loan money available, the government can set up their own competitor, where the rate is set at a profitable amount above inflation (current and projections), such that they can not only cover losses and program costs but bank a little money to go to some sort of college grant program. This means they will be on par with what a bank might do, and keep the banks from running rates TOO high because they'd get yanked down by their competitor. Protections for the loaning institutions and the loan recipients in there. No cost to taxpayers either. Doesn't need to be overly complicated, IMO.

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 01:15 PM) If they are really "all in" this season and want to draw some crowds, they can do a few things IMO. It's time to have a concert going on outside the stadium before games, all games. Doesn't need to be a huge band, or any specific genre, just a band or DJ who can play good music and give fans something else to do before a game. The better the bands, the better the draw. There are plenty of musicians and local bands who would love to play outside a White Sox game on game night. Then they can also go around handing out White Sox swag to fans in the tailgate lots. Send some White Sox alumni out there with the swag to give autographs and take pictures. Doesn't need to be Paul Konerko or Frank Thomas, I'd be plenty happy seeing Chris Widger or Hank Perry walking around talking with fans. Make it consistent so people go there expecting to run into White Sox alumni. They can also have ticket reps walking the grounds with White Sox Swag to give away and an IPad to help take orders on special Tailgate only ticket specials. Example - A ticket rep may have a special tailgate lot ticket package for you and 7 friends to go to any weekday game (minus blackout dates), lower level, for $100 total. Crazy deals that have to be bought on spot at that time. Sell some urgency and the good feeling of White Sox baseball during tailgate. Then they can team up with sponsors to make tickets worth something after a game. Get a % off good or services the next day after attending a White Sox game, depending on Runs scored. Example - If the White Sox score 5 runs, and win, that gives you 10% off at (Sponsor) on the date following the game with ticket stub shown. If they score 2% and lose,it's 2% off the following date. Something like that to give the ticket extra value. Just a few of my thoughts. Go Sox. They already do both of the bolded, have for some time.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 12:40 PM) My thoughts on the list: I LOVE that Andre Wheeler is getting some love. He was dominant in Kannapolis last year, but I don't know why he wasn't getting promoted. With him entering the season at 23, and hopefully in Winston Salem, if he does well, I want him flying through the system if he performs. Real high on Wheeler. Another guy I'm high on is Luis Martinez, love that you guys have him ranked in the top 25, although 19, him starting at Kanny would be best for his development. Also very high on Andrew Mitchell, this kid has late inning/closer potential with 2 plus pitches already. Just needs to figure out his command. Players that I have different opinions about: I think you guys bought into the media attention David Trexler got. Yes his numbers were good, but that was at Rookie Ball when he was 23 years old. Another guy similar to him but left handed, so could be more valuable is Ben Brewster, he flew through the system and ended up in WS before injury ended his season. He was doing very well too. So I wonder if he got some consideration from you guys. If Peter or Fry isn't in the top 30, I think that's a mistake. Because I would definitely put them ahead of Recchia, Alvarez, and Wilkins on the list. Overall, I don't have a problem with this list and think the depth is getting stronger as the years go on within the system. I can't wait for the season to come and both with the big club and to see how our prospects perform! Thoughts on my thoughts? lol Should have also added... Wheeler is going at age-appropriate to slightly older-than levels, but as we noted in the article, the guy is very raw. He wasn't focused on pitching until 2012. They won't want to rush him, at least not yet. Also worth noting, he needs to more gradually get his innings up - that's why he and Guerrero (who has similar needs) were in a tandem in A ball and were kept in that routine.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 12:40 PM) My thoughts on the list: I LOVE that Andre Wheeler is getting some love. He was dominant in Kannapolis last year, but I don't know why he wasn't getting promoted. With him entering the season at 23, and hopefully in Winston Salem, if he does well, I want him flying through the system if he performs. Real high on Wheeler. Another guy I'm high on is Luis Martinez, love that you guys have him ranked in the top 25, although 19, him starting at Kanny would be best for his development. Also very high on Andrew Mitchell, this kid has late inning/closer potential with 2 plus pitches already. Just needs to figure out his command. Players that I have different opinions about: I think you guys bought into the media attention David Trexler got. Yes his numbers were good, but that was at Rookie Ball when he was 23 years old. Another guy similar to him but left handed, so could be more valuable is Ben Brewster, he flew through the system and ended up in WS before injury ended his season. He was doing very well too. So I wonder if he got some consideration from you guys. If Peter or Fry isn't in the top 30, I think that's a mistake. Because I would definitely put them ahead of Recchia, Alvarez, and Wilkins on the list. Overall, I don't have a problem with this list and think the depth is getting stronger as the years go on within the system. I can't wait for the season to come and both with the big club and to see how our prospects perform! Thoughts on my thoughts? lol Trexler's place on the list isn't about his numbers, though they were nice. He's now got a plus fastball running mid-90's with a lot of sink, and two offspeed pitches at least flashing plus. That coming from not one look, but two seperate looks from two national publications. Look at the other pitchers on the list. No one outside the Top 10 can say that, except maybe Ynoa (and he's got command issues and other factors to consider). That's a serious profile, age regardless. That's why he's there. I don't want to get into detail about Peter and Fry, but will say that they are vastly different in terms of prospect value. As for Mitchell, I just want to say, he's high potential but he doesn't just have some command issues. He's all over the place. Walking a batter an inning? 23 wild pitches? That's serious control problems, so he's not going to be super-high on many lists.

Oops, also to add, I ranked Recchia 24th (was 28th on final list), so I'm higher on him than most.

Also since we're talking about where we (the voters) stood on players versus the concensus on just 16-30, I'll air mine out... --I was significantly lower (more than a few slots) on Saladino (had him 21st) and Wilkins (unranked for me) --I was significantly higher (more than a few slots) on Sanburn (had him 14th) and Engel (17th) --Guys who didn't make the T30 at all but who were in MY T30: Brandon Brennan (27), Onelki Garcia (28), Jason Coats (30) --Jake Peter was my "last out" guy, and I also played with ranking Adam Lopez at the back end but didn't. I won't get into some of the T15 guys yet. When we publish the full list Thursday, it will include the list of players who received votes but didn't make the final T30.

Without divulging the T15, wanted to reply on a couple comments... QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 11:11 AM) Pretty sure it will be Fry not Peter. Peter isn't the type of player that will get a lot of love after only half a season as he doesn't offer much besides above average hit tool. QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 11:31 AM) I am a big fan of Peter. Still relatively young, and doesn't strikeout at all. If he can just hit .300 in A ball this year and do nothing else, he could certainly crack the Top 20 because of his age and the position he plays. Peter does have more than a hit tool. He's considered good or better defensively at second and can play other positions on the infield, and he has a cannon for an arm (hit 95 as a pitcher). In fact, the fact that he was seen by some draft pundits as a pitching prospect more than an infielder, adds some potential value in flexibility in case the position player thing doesn't work out. QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 11:24 AM) Lastly, Robinson Leyer. High ceiling, had a good year last year, I think he will break out this year. Would be interested to see if he at least made the just-missed list. He's not a name we discussed, but there is some potential there, certainly more than his brother had. Potential breakout guy, I agree.

QUOTE (kevo880 @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 10:23 AM) It's too bad Nieto had to be up with the big club all last season since he is still a prospect in most people's eyes. I wonder where he would rank if he qualified. He'd likely be the highest ranked catcher in the org. Not sure exactly where I'd put him, but probably in the teens. I'm not as high on him as some others though, and I am not convinced he's going to be better than Smith, at least not by a lot.

Question for the crowd - if a mobile version of the site could be added or made available, would that be of value? Mind you I don't even know if it is possible, just curious.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 09:07 AM) So Carlos Sanchez is eligible because he's still a rookie? Davidson? He'll be there, if eligible. They are both eligible. If you read the header of our article, we tell you the qualifications. QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 27, 2015 -> 09:09 AM) doesn't mlb, when making their list, they have a 26 yrs age restriction??? We aren't MLB, not sure, but we do what BA and BP do - any player any age who hasn't met rookie eligibility.