NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 9, 2009 -> 09:19 AM) I have to wonder why the Royals havent given him a shot yet, there has to be something to it They had a serious crowd at 1B - I remember everyone joking last offseason that the Royals seemed to be collecting them. I think they were trying to decide what to do. I just don't know what their final decision was. But I get the impression they like Butler there now, and Jacobs at DH, so Kila had nowhere to play. I think he's blocked.

I'm surprised no one else commented on Ka'ahuie. Anyone know if the Royals still see him as their 1B of the future? if not, I'd be he could be had for very cheap.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:19 PM) CBPP Alt. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:19 PM) CBPP Alt. I'll take 350k - that's a pretty big number to add to the market. I tend to like things that soften the spikes in the market. Makes for healthier economic trends. With the housing market still plummeting, I think having this credit in place is a good thing. 350k homes bought early or at all is pretty serious impact, and undoubtedly helped stabilize the market. Then there's the couple million that used it who would apparently have bought anwyay, but how do you prove the negative? Would they have waited? Who knows, but in any case, we've added liquidity to a market that needed it. So it has had a successful impact. Did it have a $43k per household's worth? That's in question. One can make a pretty serious argument about whether or not that much money was worth that gain. Hard to measure that. What should the money have done instead? Spent on what? Or not spent, and simply kept the deficit further down? There is immense risk there that many more people would have had even more dire financial circumstances. Based on what they were trying to accomplish, I'd call the program a success, but its certainly debateable how much of one. I think that $43k number is missing the material impact picture - it doesn't include the fact that property values, and by the way property taxes, are higher due to the bump. I'd say it was worth it.

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 7, 2009 -> 08:59 AM) the research has stated that only a very small percentage of those that received the credit would've not purchased the house w/o the credit. The rest were just going to buy a house anyways and got free credit. Funny, I haven't seen anything like that. Do you have a source for this "research"?

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 04:25 PM) the credit to homeowners appears to have been a disaster. Not really. the fraud is an issue, but one which is being handled. I think its a positive thing, although it does cause an artificial bump of sorts. I would rather have seen the extension be a decrease in the amount too, that would have been a healthier transition for the market. but overall, I'd say its been successful.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 03:43 PM) People should be recalled for crap like this. Not even one day before he reverses his pre-election positions. http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/index.php?o...&Itemid=175 He actually flip-flopped during his campaign, not after: Not that it makes it much better, but, he apaprently flip-flopped around the time his competition for the seat changed. Equally annoying, but, just wanted to be clear here.

Me, playing golf.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 02:03 PM) Cowley with the slightly less informative: "Jordan Danks ... C'MON DOWN!!!" http://twitter.com/cst_sox/status/5484704492 I tried Cowley's feed for a while, but its 95% him spewing annoying garbage like that. He apparently thinks it entertaining or something. I'd rather have actual information.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 02:37 PM) Me thinks that the people who are complaining about Verizon haven't had it in at least the past 2 years. I've been with every major network except for US Cellular and Verizon has the 2nd best network, but best overall service(again, not including US Cellular who I heard are very good, but don't have the greatest phone selection). AT&T has a good feature with rollover minutes, but besides the iPhone, I rather have T-Mobile. T-Mobile, recently has been getting a lot of bad reviews in the media for good reason since they had the sidekick blackout and then this past tuesday's blackout, but they're the better decent cheap option for college students IMO unless you really really want an iPhone. Verizon & Sprint to me are the big boys though. What I don't like about Sprint is that your bill is never the same from month to month and roaming charges are a pain, but in the 2nd year that I had them, I never lost a call nor was I never able to gain internet access. They also can't cut you a break. Verizon has a great selection of phones and customer service is great. They're willing to hear you out and understand. The one downfall with Verizon is that they cripple their phones with their own software. With the Storm though, I haven't seen much of that. That is pretty much what I was talking about.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 02:03 PM) If the price is right I'd welcome back Thome to DH as well. I'd sit him against lefties though and give Flowers those at bats, assuming he's here all year. Perfect.

I'd take Thome for his finale season as our DH.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 01:32 PM) No. Alexei has the tools to be an elite ss, Becks doesn't. Hopefully he actually improves and uses those tools better. He hasn't done that yet, though I see the tools you are referring to. The results just didn't improve. Yet.

I would love to try to get Kila Ka'aihue, if he can be had. We have zero depth for 1B behind Paulie right now (in the minors I mean), unles Viciedo is a 1B. And having a lefty power bat would be helpful. His AVG dropped last year in AAA, but his other numbers are all pretty good, and I see a lot of potential there.

QUOTE (League @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 12:37 PM) Have to expect another trade, can't afford any of the outfield bats that would be useful. Can't say that for sure (not afford), especially if we trade someone pricey. This is why its nice to have a stronger farm system now too - we have prospects we can move in a trade that are of some value.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) the U6 rate does not include underemployment in terms of having a lousy job you are more qualified for, but does include working part time and looking for full time work. so like, for example, you work 10 hours a week at Burger King you are not in the 10.2 rate, but you are in the 17% U6. Yeah, that's what I thought. Also, I could swear you said "hardees" originally, then changed it to "burger king" when I went to reply. Are you worried about burger snobs?

Apprently the UE jumps and moderating internals were not a surprise to the markets, as they are actually slightly up right now.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 12:17 PM) One good DH and a Leadoff hitter would go a long way for this lineup. One LHP in the pen and possibly another RHP and we could be set. I could care less about a "leadoff hitter". I just want the OF and DH holes filled with the best players we can get. Then we can hash out who leads off once a game, which is a minor consideration.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 12:09 PM) oh for f***s sakes, get off the high horse. that was friendly banter. Duke's response tells me he didn't take it that way.

Teahen in the IF is what made more sense anyway. And we'll have plus bats at SS and 2B (for their positions). Now its time to get the 3rd OF and DH positions taken care of. And I agree that the organization probably saw Viciedo and Morel and Retherford, and figured, if Teahen doesn't live up to talent, someone will be ready for 3B in 2011 anyway. This development, plus the cash, and I like this deal again. Just need to see how OF and DH play out. Starting rotation is solid, bullpen needs some slight re-working but not an overhaul. My only remaining concern with the players we have now, still, is defense.

Hey losftan, here is a question I think you could answer without causing issues... I saw that among the injured were a few local SWAT guys from the PD. I was kind of surprised to see that local law enforcement was even there. I mean, a base the size of Fort Hood, you'd have a pretty big contingent of MP's, right? Wouldn't they be a lot better equipped to handle that situation, as well as know the base layout, etc.?

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 11:14 AM) Trade is done. Cash is coming over from KC. Source? Just curious on the details, like how much cash, and if there are prospects as well.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 10:55 AM) If our RF needs to be backed up once or twice a week by Dye then our OF is in big trouble. What? If Dye is at DH and occasionally in RF, that says to me our OF is doing well.

The buyout was never even a question, he wasn't going to get the option picked up. The real question is, did they immediately call him and work on negotiating a new, cheaper contract.

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 10:40 AM) They should have put the money to housing and possibly paid off of some of peoples mortgages. That to me would have helped the economy more than helping these theiving ass bankers! We were talking stimulus bill, not TARP. And so far, it looks like TARP paid out a lot less than originally allowed (like less than half of the $780B), and of that, substantial amounts are already being paid back, with more to come. The stimulus money is not the same - it doesn't come back (directly). But the general idea of helping out the housing market more directly isn't a bad one, I might be on board, depending on how it was done.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 10:41 AM) Temp jobs = holiday. Seasonally adjusted, from what I saw. Also, given the economy, I doubt many places are already taking on new staff for the holidays. I think the number is more reflective of companies having laid off a bunch, or not hired for open positions, and doing so long enough, they realize they really need some things done. They just don't want to gamble on the future, so they go temp, for now.