southsider2k5

How is this for an opening question... Would you be OK if the White Sox didn't sign another OF, if they used that money instead to go over their 2016 international bonus pool allotment?

QUOTE (BamaDoc @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 10:09 AM) How do they figure international pool and why did ours drop? Both of those are based on the standings at the end of the year. The worse the team, the better your pool. The White Sox went from 3rd worst to 10th worst in 2015 to 2016.

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 09:14 AM) Well not to attack the thread here, but I think we missed out on the majority of the good foods in the park ... if someone is saying CrackerJacks are their favorite then we have a problem. The staple is the Polish, extra onion for me. However there is generally pretty good food throughout. The partnership with Beggars was smart. No more Digornio. I will say that it seems some parks are doing more and more of this, and I would like to see the Sox do this as well - but we need to start moving away from Levy Restaruants and SportService and more into replicating true Chicago restaurants that we are famous for. It's about time you separate yourself. Like it or not, the baseball game for a lot of people is the atmosphere. almost like an amusement park. Yes, people go for the rides, but they are also spending $25 to get into the "park". To go shopping and get clothing, to go to the fundamentals deck, to walk around, to take in sights, etc. Food is a big part of this. I know there are long term contracts with LEvy, etc. However, if we truly want to separate our experience from the Northside, I say we start shaping our games into a true "Chicago experience" Pizza from Beggars. Italian Beef and Dogs/Polish from Al's. Reubens from Manny's. Mexican from ________. More craft beer than just a few stands (those lines are generally long). Upgrade your nachos and pretzels, etc. to something more than just chips and melted cheese. You market this buy having an open competition from the vendors etc. Build up excitement. Of course there is the business side of this. Contracts, profit margins, the ability to get said vendors to "water down" their product by selling at a park, etc. But with an empty stadium, its not like the others -- bulls, hawks, cubs.. we need a selling point. why not move towards this as a selling point? I'm sorry, but with 4k TV's and angles and the ability to watch from anywhere -- you need to sell more than the product of baseball. I'd love to see a true Chicago brand names vending area. Some Harold's chicken, some Billy Goat burgers, pick a pizza place, etc. I just don't know how it would fit within existing contracts and facilities.

Their relievers are probably the most valuable thing they have right now, if they aren't willing to deal from Adams, Anderson, and Fulmer.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 09:57 AM) Puig isn't happening and while Fowler's bat is an upgrade over Jackson's, Jackson is far and away a better outfielder plus he will not cost a pick. IMHO, those factors balance the two players out. I'm not afraid of giving up the pick, just pointing out that it is a factor. The Sox currently have the 28th overall pick (comp) which valued at 1.97M in last year's draft so if it comes down to a choice between Fowler and Jackson, I'll take Jackson with his superior glove and the comp pick/slot value for June's draft to inject another quality prospect into a farm system that needs it. Just keep in mind, if the Sox sign Fowler, losing that pick is $2 million in instant savings since they don't have that draft pick anymore.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 09:45 AM) If Fowler would have taken the QO, would the Cubs still have signed Heyward? I think if there was a chance that Fowler would have accepted, they wouldn't have offered the QO.

White Sox 2015 total allotments (both international and Rule 4) $8,983,051 2016 -> $12,327,500 The Sox have $3,344,449 more to spend this year, assuming they don't go over one of those numbers.

QUOTE (shipps @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 09:27 AM) That is what earned him a mulligan for last year in my eyes. If he sucks again this year I will admit defeat on beating the Avi drum. It is quite literally the one thing that keeps me having some optimism that he can adjust to the majors.

MLB Trade Rumors ‏@mlbtraderumors 10m10 minutes ago Could Ian Desmond fit w/ #Rockies? Latest on his market via @Ken_Rosenthal: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/02/rock...an-desmond.html … #WhiteSox #Rays

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 09:20 AM) One thing we can't call Avi is a slacker. He is probably one of the hardest workers on the team and has the drive to want to be great. Hopefully he can figure it out Yeah, after the way he worked back from his should injury, he earned my respect for his work ethic.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 08:57 PM) Damn, they just announced yesterday Stamkos was off the market. That could have been some fun with the salary cap! PSA for everyone: NHL Center Ice free preview this week. Nothing beats the broadcasts from Canada, if only for the commercials Stamkos makes too much money to even make sense here. You'd pretty much need an LTIR break from a Toews, Kane, or Keith to even make it possible.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 09:02 AM) In Indiana kids do not miss school for athletic events in any sport. At most, they would get out 1-2 hours early to travel to a distant event. It happens, just not very often. The regular season is pretty well scheduled to avoid that, but with some of the bigger conferences (the NCC for example, or teams playing in out of state tournaments, sometimes it happens. It also happens because of time differences.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 10:55 PM) Am I the only one infatuated with Asian buns? Chinatown is just north of Bridgeport QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 10:56 PM) Too easy. I couldn't resist.

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 09:13 PM) Definitely a grilled polish or brat at #1. The smell of the onions and sausages grilling hits me the second I walk into the concourse. #2 would probably be a liquid snack at Beers of the Midwest (I'll try not to go on a craft beer rant). #3 would probably be a brisket sandwich from down the 3rd base line, though I haven't had one in a while. It is literally the first thing I smell when I walk into the ballpark. I love it. It is 100% part of a game day experience for me.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 08:09 AM) Bulls are apparently offering Noah's contract, Mirotic, and McDermott for Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore. Where do I sign?

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 07:14 AM) Wilt Chamberlain was another. Good call.

Very nice perspective from Anderson.

The best way to build a team? Be insanely rich like the Dodgers.

QUOTE (Tony @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 10:29 PM) ESPN just posted this. It's old and I've heard it before, but it never stops being amazing: If you take away Gretzky's 894 goals (a record), he is STILL the All-Time leading points scorer in the NHL at 1963. The only other player I can think of that dominated an era like Wayne is Babe Ruth in the 20's.

MLB ‏@MLB 1h1 hour ago Gurriel brothers currently training, hope to sign with same team: http://atmlb.com/1LssuYG

Vincent Goodwill Verified account ‏@vgoodwill Nikola Mirotic still "several weeks away" according to Fred Hoiberg. Still in pain in his abdomen

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2016-...al-bonus-pools/ This number is subject to change based on what happens to the last of the free agents with qualifying offers.

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler 34m34 minutes ago Here's every team's 2016-17 international bonus pool: http://bit.ly/20YaRMW

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 05:41 PM) The most recent X-files episode was just awful. The Mulder shroom trip was awesome.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 01:43 PM) Thank you. I'll look into it. Call the adminstrative building for your local school system. They will be able to tell you details, including pay scale.