Dick Allen

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 04:47 PM) So what you're saying is, the talent level and strength of schedule is the exact same on the Rays and White Sox I don't think the AL East was all that tough this year, and many pundits predicted the Rays to make the playoffs. I think they had more talent than the Sox, but according to some media, talent isn't necessary if Joe Maddon is around.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 02:25 PM) Not sure. That's a headline writer that does that though. Not Wittenmeyer. It will be historic in the sense that he's probably going to make about $30 million. They were going to pay Girardi the same last year, and historic never came about. I know he doesn't write the headlines, but Wittenmeyer, the guy who has spent the past year or so slamming the Cubs, talking and writing about how they have no money and will be terrible for years wrote earlier that the Cubs are by far the best fit for Maddon. Why would a team with no money who will be terrible for years be the best fit, by far, for a manager in his 60s, when there are several teams that would sign him up? I don't know if you live in the Chicago area or not, but if you do, just turn on the local news tonight or watch Kaplan on CSN, or read any of the articles and the headlines...it is nothing that we haven't seen several times before. Maybe this time it really happens. I tend to doubt it. Joe Maddon winning pct. .517 Ozzie Guillen White Sox winning pct. 524 (That's for Greg)

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 02:12 PM) Nowhere in that article does it say that the Cubs are going to win the World Series because they hired Joe Maddon. No, but what do you think about the "Historic Signing"? What is that implying? I don't think they used those terms when the Sox signed Jerry Manuel.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 01:26 PM) I don't think this is entirely true. Find me examples of people in the media that actually think that the Cubs are going to win the World Series because they hired Joe Maddon. I think it improves their chances. I think that Maddon is great at handling young players and making the pieces fit. I think the Cubs have enough young talent to compete starting in 2016. If the Cubs win divisions and get into the playoffs on a consistent basis, they have as good of a chance as the other teams. They might win one soon. Joe Maddon would have something to do with it if so but no he wouldn't be the "sole reason" why it happened. Check the headline http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cu...e-thursday.html

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 01:26 PM) I don't think this is entirely true. Find me examples of people in the media that actually think that the Cubs are going to win the World Series because they hired Joe Maddon. I think it improves their chances. I think that Maddon is great at handling young players and making the pieces fit. I think the Cubs have enough young talent to compete starting in 2016. If the Cubs win divisions and get into the playoffs on a consistent basis, they have as good of a chance as the other teams. They might win one soon. Joe Maddon would have something to do with it if so but no he wouldn't be the "sole reason" why it happened. Watch CSN Sports Talk Live. Watch the sports segments on the local stations. Even Gordon W. the Sun Times Cubs beat writer is hopping on the Maddon bandwagon. He was the one who kept saying the Cubs were toast. The Sun Times had him on the front page of their paper on Saturday when he opted out, before he ever came to the Cubs. If you read and/or watch and/or listen to Chicago media, you wouldn't think there is the slightest possibility Joe Maddon could have managed a team that lost 85 games in 2014. MLB manager is the most overrated head position in professional sports. Maddon's really good, but he's not the difference between winning 90+ and 75.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 12:46 PM) I don't think there's really much of an argument for Minnie, at least in terms of his onfield performance. Dick Allen, though, has a real shot. He's a classic borderline guy -- but if Jim Rice is in, Dick Allen should be a no brainer. There really is no reason why I am not in. I'll let caulfield introduce me. It will leave me about 30 seconds for my speech.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 10:31 AM) Well if you think Robin Ventura is a better manager than Joe Maddon, I have some s*** to sell you. I never said he'd win the World Series. I just said it was an excellent hire. Little bit over the top here I think. The Joe Maddon walks on water is over the top and TV and radio in Chicago are all over it. McFail, Dusty,Lou, Rudy Jaramillo, Theo and now Maddon. The same crap after each hire. So far, nothing, and until they actually sign better players and their prospects actually prove they can play in the major leagues, it still will be nothing. Joe Maddon averaged 97 or 98 losses his first 2 years with Tampa. Listening to "experts" its hard to believe he couldn't take 25 random Soxtalk posters and not win 90 games. The players are what really matters. Jose Abreu was a far bigger signing than Joe Maddon, and even though it got a lot of play, especially for a White Sox move, it will be nothing compared to what is going to happen when this becomes official. Silly I say.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 10:21 AM) Except it's really NOT THAT EASY, especially when you're looking for a LF who can hit AND field and is not on the wrong side of 30 and declining. For example, LF and DH. Once you get past the headliners in Martinez/Ramirez/Sandoval, then you enter the abyss of guys like Markakis, Cabrera, Rasmus, Morse, Butler, Kendrys Morales, Lind, LaRoche, etc. It's a complete crapshoot....predicting what any of them will do. Who really has a clue how Flowers, or Gillapsie, or Avisail will do in 2015, or if Eaton can even stay healthy? If it was easy to find those offensive pieces, then the Mariners would have been in the playoffs last season. There's a very good chance that Viciedo has a better season than half the guys on that list...but does it for another team. It's pretty hopeless.

Ventura had a 4.76 ERA against the White Sox this season. Therefore, he must suck.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 09:55 AM) They would use it as an excuse to not buy tickets, that is for sure. "Well they haven't won multiple years in a row!" If the White Sox ever do put together a run of domination, the next excuse, whatever it will be, will be entertaining.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 09:49 AM) Cain and Lincecum are definitely showing some wear and tear...but it's still a lot better than the Strasburg Strategy. Exactly. It sucks they are hurt, or have dropped but there is always a chance they would have been hurt or fallen off anyway. Take the titles and run.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 09:40 AM) And what happens if Bumgarner goes down to TJ surgery early next season? I guess most Giants fans will still probably agree it was worth it, as long as it's not a shoulder or labrum. Winning a World Series vs. trying to protect someone so maybe you can win one in the future.. That decision is pretty easy. If any Giants fan thinks it wasn't worth it, they probably really aren't Giants fans. Only White Sox fans would complain about overuse when that overuse led to a World Championship.

2014 Joe Maddon 77 wins--Baseball genius. Should make Cubs multiple World Series winners. Robin Ventura-73 wins--Biggest dope ever.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 09:23 AM) And since Ventura just beat a juggernaut TWICE in the span of a week, and Quintana's better...then the White Sox should have the best pitching staff in the American League. Well................Don Cooper.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 08:50 AM) Probably the bullpen will regress simply because bullpens regress. They have had a solid bullpen for a few years. Some of the names have changed, but if they ever get to the point Frankie Francisco has to be given a shot, they will be in a lot of trouble.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 11:29 PM) It ain't that easy to replace 227 innings of 3.27 ERA starting pitching. Especially when you only won 89 games and your unhittable bullpen is due for natural baseball regression. Shields has been a better Buehrle since 2007, while his age is worrisome, he's not that easily replaceable This. The Royals were the Wild Card and they are most likely losing this performance. It is pretty laughable anyone really thinks making the WS propels them to perrenial greatness. It will be interesting to see if this postseason takes a toll on their bullpen next season. Of course, many here posted 2015 was over when the Tigers traded for David Price.

I sense a broken bat hit and extra innings

I would have yanked him now.

I wonder who the MVP is.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 10:11 PM) Madison is a big time pitcher, can't see the Royals doing any damage in the 9th. This is the team that got to Lester and then came back later in the game. It doesn't appear anyone would be able to hit this guy, but you never know.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 10:08 PM) I don't mind the Giants at all, but I really want the Royals to win. Come on KC! For a team on the verge of their 3rd title in 5 years, the Giants really don't get a lot of pub.

QUOTE (Baron @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 10:06 PM) Yep so would I...interesting decision though If there is a runner in after those 3, then I think you pull him.

QUOTE (Baron @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 10:04 PM) Madison or Casilla in the 9th? 2 out of 3 lefties. I would leave him in.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 05:13 PM) Nice. Way to take care of your guy Renteria. Hopefully, he was aware of and agreed to accept the possibility of this happening before signing on for the job in the first place. The Sox did the same thing with Leyland when Bevington was the manager. I know Bevington is Bevington, but still it is the same thing. Leyland went elsewhere. I also remember the press tracking down Hawk meeting with Billy Martin when LaRussa was still the manager and Hawk the GM. What I do not understand is how they think in today's world, they could have kept this from getting out.

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 04:41 PM) If their young talent plays to their potential, Ned Yost or Ozzie Guillen could lead them to the postseason. The main thing the Maddon hire will do is create even more buzz for their future, which was pretty high heading into the offseason. I also expect them to spend a ton this offseason, as they are huge favorites to sign Lester. Hopefully the Dodgers continue to field an All-Star team, while the Pirates and Cardinals continue to put competitive teams out on the field. The arrow is definitely pointing up, but they will never ever live up to the hype even if they somehow managed to win it all once or twice.