NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 11:13 AM) I may be optimistic about certain things, but I am very realistic when it comes to handing out contracts and acquiring players and our payroll. We're going to lose a lot of games 9-8 this year when our bullpen consists of me, you and ss2k5 because we can't afford to sign anyone. There's been every indication that the Sox are attending to the bullpen now, so, maybe we wait and see how that goes before saying it will be garbage. Its already got some very nice pieces. QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 11:14 AM) But even if we spend a lot of money on a bullpen it wouldn't guarantee anything. Bullpens are typically a crap shoot. Also this.

QUOTE (jhonnydanks @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 10:54 AM) PAUL KONERKO! I can't believe even with this offseason people are busting out the negativity routine already. C'mon now! Can't wait for Opening Day! DON'T STOP GET IT GET IT! Agreed - perfect time for your line!

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 10:36 AM) So now what the heck do we do with Carlos? The guy is Mr Glass from Unbreakable. He can't play RF everyday. I know this won't be a popular opinion here, but, last year was his first full year in RF, correct? Its possible he actually gets better. Just sayin'. He may also get traded. I'm thinking Kenny is going to get creative with the bullpen and RF somehow, with Quentin and Viciedo heading out the door somewhere in one or two trades.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 10:32 AM) If the Yankees sign Crawford then I want the Sox to go after Gardner. If the Red Sox sign Crawford then I want the Sox to go after Ellsbury. And in either situation I'd love to see Pierre relegated to 4th OF or (preferably) gone. I'd rather focus the remaining energy and dollars on the pen, and go with what we have for the offense (except deciding the 4th OF slot - Lillibridge vs De Aza vs Gartrell). Sale, Thornton and Santos is a solid start, and you have to figure one slot goes to Infante/Bellamy, and one to a long man. That leaves 2 open slots to go get 2 legitimate strong bullpen guys.

Official release from Sox to season ticket holders confirms numbers... $12M in 2011 $12M in 2012 $13.5M* for 2013, of which he gets only $6.5M that year Remaining $7M paid at $1M/yr from 2014-2020

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 09:52 AM) Because I don't believe he's going to earn that. He didn't earn his last contract at $12/year over 5 years and my guess is the chances of him earning more annually isn't going to happen with him being 5 years older. Have the terms of each year been released yet? My guess is this one is backloaded a bit too. You don't think he earned the $12M a year? I do. Wasn't a bargain, but I think he paid it in full. $12.5M/yr is a bit steep I agree, but given what other bats are going for, its not out of bounds at all. And 3 years is not the end of the world.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 09:46 AM) LOL. It's not goint to be 10 mil a year. You guys can forget that right now. Just like it won't be 45, which was my point. Oh, edit.... QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 09:46 AM) 37.5M over 3 years per ESPN. Ha! Exactly between my numbers! I'll take that in this market. $12.5M/yr.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 09:42 AM) 3 years? Ouch. Maybe. If its like 30/3, I don't call that ouch. If its 45/3, then, ouch.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 07:48 AM) so what is everyone's guess that will happened today? Since everyone is so sure we're signing someone today... I'm going to guess nothing happens.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 03:52 PM) In his press conference today, a clearly frustrated Obama defended himself against a final question about how this would be viewed by folks on the left. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy That speech was really interesting, and I actually recommend anyone - supporter or hater - watch it. It to me, was a perfect microcosm of both his strengths and weaknesses thus far as a President. In the strength column, he's been good so far at doing what a very good executive should do - compromise to get things done. And its tough for people to see the success in that because a significant portion of the public wants absolutes, so he's trying to illustrate why that doesn't work. He is also showing off his intellect, and his ability to see the big picture, and his patience as well - all things he does far better than his predecessor. But then there are the weaknesses. The stammering for one thing, that's just annoying. But more seriously, under his banner of reasonableness, he's struggling to find a theme that the American people can believe in. Directly felt results and emotional charge - those are what is missing, and he's not getting those. Part of that is the fault of some poor policy decisions (Congress AND the Prez), part is the s***ty economy he was handed, but part is also his inability to hone in on some individual items and really get them done AND show the people how and why it was done in a way they can understand. He comes off as too elitest, and I hate to say it, but too intellectual for his own good. In the weakness column, well first, there is the stammering. But more importantly,

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 06:15 PM) KW & Hahn are meeting with D Lee tonight, but they have reached out to Landis (PK) for one more chance at a deal. If Konerko doesn't sign with the Sox soon, (in the next 24 hours or sooner) the PK era is ovah. Kenny can't wait any longer. He wants to make moves Wed/Thurs of this week and he will. Source? Maybe I missed something.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 06:13 PM) Read Game Change. And personally I think it's a bit tacky for you and others to feign deep concern and sadness for someone you knew very little about. But hey, she passed away, so it's ok to grossly exaggerate who she was or all the wonderful things she did. Yes, it's too bad that she passed away. But people die from cancer and other illnesses or tragedies all the time and no one so much as flinches. I feigned nothing, and you'll note I said nothing about her at all except to point out her struggles. I said nothing of any deep sadness or concern, as I do not know the woman. Like I said, feel free to say whatever - I just find it tactless, and that is only my opinion.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 06:00 PM) Fine. Sorry. I guess we'll all just lie about who she was because we're sad she died even though none of us have ever met her or know her. Say whatever you'd like, I just thought it was funny that you tried to make it out to be something it wasn't. I personally think its a little tacky to choose this moment to talk about her possible sketchiness - she just spent the past few years fighting cancer and a cheating husband while trying to help cancer charities and oh-by-the-way be a national politician's wife (which has to be among the s***tiest jobs one can have).

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 05:42 PM) They are similar players offensively, DLEE is head and shoulders better defensively. And with DLEE you net 2 draft picks and probably one or two pen arms. I'm not sure about head-and-shoulders above, I don't think a lot of the ZR/UZR stats are very useful for 1B... but probably a little better, and similar offensively. Both have some health issues in their past, but nothing alarming. Difference is D-Lee comes at probably half the price and nets the Sox draft picks, so... D-Lee is should be.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 04:38 PM) Not to speak ill of the dead, but she has come off as having quite a few issues of her own from what I have read. Not necessarily just the victim most people think. Not to speak ill of the dead, but, I'm going to speak ill of the dead.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 05:09 PM) Peavy for Young? And then flip Beckham for Fielder?

WSJ with a succinct overview of the plan as they understand it.

Didn't know where to put this, but found it very interesting. China is now making their own versions of Soviet-built military high end hardware, including their prized Su-27 fighter jets. Even worse for Russia, China is now selling those jets and other advanced weaponry around the globe, undercutting Russia in that space. And oh BTW, China is also nearing completion of its first aircraft carrier. Linky to the current state of China's military extension capabilities.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 03:56 PM) How you get Fielder without giving up Viciedo in our system I have no idea. Yeah now that you mention it, that would be tough. Even if you package up some 2-3 of Escobar, Mitchell, Reed/Petricka (if they are even eligible), Mitchell, etc., maybe with one of the lower level guys... that probably still wouldn't do it, and the already thin system would be thoroughly gutted. But, if the Sox called, they must have had something in mind. I almost wonder if they were thinking someone on the major league roster, like Quentin.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 04:00 PM) Damnit, thought I was in the Dem thread. Can one of the mods please move the post? Thanks. I put it in its own thread.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 03:51 PM) #brewers resigned they cant sign prince longerm. fielded calls from #chisox, #dodgers, #rangers, others. gauging the market - Jon Heyman Is he also reading this forum? Fielder for 1 year, and if you can't re-sign, go to Viciedo? That might not be a bad plan, since 1 year of Prince won't be horrible prospect-price-wise. Plus unlike with signing Paulie, you don't HAVE to engage for multiple years.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 11:10 AM) Nope, it is working as a plug and play for my camera Are you running Vista? If so, that's your answer. POSOS.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 02:43 PM) He's cute and yet ferocious. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 02:53 PM) I'd be amazed if anyone wanted Wood at that price LOL

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 12:50 PM) Source says #WhiteSox aren't only team to make multi-year offer to Paul Konerko. Deal likely won't be wrapped up today. - Jon Morosi Not really news, I think its been publically stated that a few teams have made offers, and I doubt any of them were 1 year deals.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 12:31 PM) I'm not so sure about that. Jerry's been involved in this thing since it's started and he's known both as a firm negotiator and a loyal guy. I wouldn't be shocked if the Sox started right around $11-12M and put a cap on it at $13M. IIRC the figures in the Ben Gordon and Luol Deng extensions pretty much stayed where they were, with JR making what he thought was a fair, loyal offer but refusing to go much above it. The wildcard here is what the O's are offering IMO. If they're well ahead of the Sox then PK is in no position to turn that down and look to make up for it in his next contract. I don't think he goes to the O's unless the offer is far above the Sox and D-Backs. I'd guess its a question of playing near home and family versus the franchise he knows and can win now. And that is a tough call, if the money is very similar.