Dick Allen

Robin is also an idiot when he takes Danks out of the game and the bullpen blows it. Hindsight is great if you want to take pot shots at people about subjects you know very little about.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 3, 2014 -> 10:17 AM) It's not unreasonable for Melo to talk things out with us and decide that he can't balance his interests and the Bulls interests. As long as it isn't ultimately about money, I agree. If it is about the money, the entire exercise is a big waste of time for all involved, except it gets Melo some free dinners and attention, and gets a few cities fawning over him.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jul 3, 2014 -> 09:45 AM) Have we all stopped reading the reports on Carmelo? Some of it just doesn't make any sense. Yesterday on twitter, former NBA PG Kenny Anderson said that Melo wasn't happy with Bulls offer and would be going back to NY. I tweeted back and forth with Anderson and I asked him if Carmelo wanted Taj to stay. Anderson said Yes. I explained to him that if Taj stays, Melo will have to take something resembling like a 4 year $70 million deal. He said and that's the issue. So what is it? He can't have Taj Gibson and more $$. It just doesn't make any sense. He's probably going back to New York but when he does I hope he doesn't talk about wanting to win at the podium. But The Knicks can offer Anthony nearly $33 million more than other teams in free agency — with a five-year maximum of $129.1 million to stay. “If I was to go with another team, I’d be taking less money anyway. . . . Let’s be quite frank. At this point in my career, I’m not concerned about the money. The contract will be the contract regardless,” Anthony said. “Without a doubt, at this point in my career it’s about winning. Nothing else even matters. That’s not going to change. That’s still going to be my mind-set, it is my mind-set. You know, that’s going to be my No. 1 thing.” He knows and has known all along what teams can offer him. If he goes back to the Knicks, it will be about the money, which is fine, but makes him a phony.

QUOTE (Boogua @ Jul 3, 2014 -> 09:08 AM) Losing out on Lowry and/or Gortat kind of limits their options on adding difference makers in this FA class, assuming they can't get Melo. The Heat's time might be done, so I'm curious what the ring chaser ends up doing. I wonder is Wade and Bosh now realize maybe opting out while noble, wasn't so smart.

A newer one that really grates on me is "his hit tool is off the charts". Who the hell came up with hit tool? It also bothers me when people use the term for a potential draft pick they have never seen play. To me a hit tool would be a bat. The phrase reminds me of ESPN basketball guys using the term "score the ball", apparently in an effort to sound more intelligent than anyone else.

If anyone thinks if Garcia struck out or popped up or hit into a DP that this move that suddenly makes sense, wouldn't have been one of the dumbest moves of all time, cementing Ventura as a bigger bonehead than Bevington, you're just kidding yourself.

Scoscia was clearly outmanaged in the 9th.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:49 PM) Worst superhero ever It would be a good name for a golfer.

I love listening to Melton. He calls Putnam Putman.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:40 PM) When? I haven't been paying attention a lot Disgraceful.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:36 PM) Beckham read that well. I like Gordon but there are 2 out.

He was supposed to arrive this year. I'm guessing that doesn't mean A ball. The Sox are already ahead of the game with signing Q as a 6 year free agent. Are there really any real successful pitchers in the major leagues that were waived multiple times in the minors?

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 01:45 PM) Sure. If this was a player with a track record of being a good hitter I'd chalk it up to being a slump but when it's a player like Gordon it's more than likely regression to the mean. Hopefully I'm wrong and he's put something together but history suggests that this is more than just a slump. One thing is for certain. We will find out.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 01:30 PM) Weren't you saying his hot streak wasn't a hot streak and he put it together? I think he has it together. All players slump. I don't think he's a .330 hitter. I don't think he's a .250 hitter, but if he hits .275-.290 with some power and his defense, despite the haters saying he has no range, he's a pretty valuable guy.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 01:21 PM) Speaking of regressing to the mean, Gordon Bechkam has. I don't see you championing him around as the golden boy saying all of his outs are line drives anymore. He's been struggling recently. As I posted earlier, he will pick it up again.

QUOTE (TRU @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 01:09 PM) As it probably should. No state tax, shorts and tshirt weather 8 months out of the year. Harsh winter here is 35 degrees, its usually around 40-50 during the winter. The beach is 45 minutes away. You've got the Astros, Rockets, Texans, and Dynamo all easily accessible and cheap to attend. Its actually pretty damn nice down here. I think Melo ends up with the Rockets or back to the Knicks for max money. I would have thought Melo was a decent bet for Houston, but not anymore. I guess his meeting with them lasted about an hour and a half. Plus, I wonder how signing guys like Asik and Lin and then dealing them (Asik) or have one foot out the door (Lin) would sit with Melo. He would have to be concerned they would have zero problem moving him in the next year or 2 if they thought they could get that flavor of the day.

QUOTE (bshah723 @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 12:57 PM) Hayward's max is only $14M in his first year. Total of 4yr/63 mil deal. 15.75 a year. Year 1 - 14M Year 2 - 15.05M Year 3 - 16.18M Year 4 - 17.39M Total - 62.6M High but not a what you think of when for when its a MAX DEAL. Still, plenty more than I think he's worth.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 12:43 PM) Sounds like Cleveland is going to give Hayward max offer sheet I like Hayward, but that's crazy.

QUOTE (TRU @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 12:30 PM) I live in Houston, you're wrong. Well, not about the 100 degree heat. I heard in the next 10-15 years Houston's population is supposed to pass Chicago's.

If Boozer's expiring contract is so valuable, why don't the Bulls just trade him somewhere and get something back the Knicks would like in a sign and trade? I don't buy it.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 10:27 AM) Bulls don't need to free up money in a trade. Boozer is included to match salaries in that scenario. But yes, the luxury tax would be main issue. But considering teams with salary floors I think Phil could send out some players. What I am saying is something like taking back JR Smith might entice them to take Boozer but that hurts the money available for Melo. BTW, Jimmy Buckets was at my health club yesterday. I had no idea he is so big. He has been pumping some iron.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:57 AM) That is the reality in this. If he wants to, one way shape or form they will figure it out, imo. That said, I still think Houston, while offering a 2nd rate city, provides Melo with more money (if they trade lin, they are starting at 17M / year) and that actually works out to a larger # when you adjust for state income tax. It is hard to be the favorite when you are offering the least amount of money which is why this all comes down to Melo telling Knicks I'll take less and then put a lot of pressure on the sign and trade so they can get something. The sign and trade has to help the Knicks though. I just don't think the Bulls can make it attractive enough for them to take Boozer. Maybe if the take back JR Smith and some other garbage to free up space, it makes it closer, but doesn't really help free up money for Melo. It saves a rival money, it gives the guy that blew them off more money, and if they can't use Boozer's contract to trade for a really good piece or pieces, with the repeat tax offender penalty, his contract alone could cost them close to $40 million. But IMO, I agree, if Melo wants to be a Bull, he will be a Bull. They wouldn't waste his time unless they already know someone will take Boozer or they are willing to amnesty him.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:33 AM) If this is "hot Viciedo," he can go too. The last 4 or 5 games he's hit a few homers and a lot of his outs were hit very hard.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:10 AM) Woah, looks like we got us a strawman here. Viciedo isn't good defensively, but he's not a "butcher." It's not like he's Carlos Lee out there. As far as his future, I wouldn't have a problem paying him $5M for another year. I really wouldn't have a problem with letting him go either, but it's somewhat foolish to let a 25 year old with his talent walk during a rebuild. If he was being pushed, it would be different, but he's not. When guys are hot, people like to mention they will regress to the mean. But if they don't like a player, when he's cold, they act as if he won't get another hit the rest of his career. I think both Beckham and Viciedo are near the bottom of their 2014 rollercoaster ride. Viciedo seems to be rising the past 4 or 5 games. Beckham will start hitting again soon whether anyone wants to believe it or not.

Thibs is close with Melo's agent.