Dick Allen

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 02:34 PM) They didn't let Ben Wallace wear a headband. He was even pulled from a game and suspended when he knowlingly violated the rule. His first year with the team, no. But then they made an exception. Chicago Bulls coach Scott Skiles, who would not allow center Ben Wallace to wear his trademark headband last season, said Monday that the team has decided to make an exception to its team rule and let Wallace wear the sweat-stopping accessory during games. The return of the headband was endorsed by Wallace's teammates, Skiles said. "We still have a no-headband rule," Skiles told reporters. "I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it."

A guy who will never play for the White Sox gets replaced by a guy who will never play for the White Sox.,Cleto also let go.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 02:18 PM) I think they somewhat let that go when Rip Hamilton used it all the time for his mask. They let Ben Wallace wear a headband.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 01:03 PM) Sure he should. Frank Thomas was awesome in the Derby and it didn't mess his swing up at all. According to Hawk, it screwed up The Big Hurt for a couple of weeks.

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 12:49 PM) Nick Friedell @NickFriedell Bulls officials feeling confident about pitch as they head into United Center. They've always believed Chicago offers best place to win. Nick Friedell @NickFriedell Carmelo, in a full Bulls uniform, is on some of the other video boards around the United Center ? That's pretty standard. They do it in college a lot.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 12:39 PM) No, but I do think the Bulls Front Office has a propensity to make plans for free agency that they can't deliver on and continue to be a first/second round exit team. If they don't feel confident they can land melo, they should not have modeled their last 3 years around "2014 plan". I think this year they have a couple back up plans. I know Mirotic was in Chicago the Sunday before the draft. I was in an elevator with him, unless he has an identical twin who likes to wear b-ball shorts with Real Madrid tags on them. The Bulls probably have a couple different scenerios for him, whether it is trading him outright, including him in a sign and trade or having him play for them. So the Sun Times reports that the Bulls are totally unaware of Mirotic coming to America (another classic movie btw) is total BS.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 12:14 PM) Because there is a difference between scheduling a visit and contract negotiations? I am pretty sure you aren't supposed to have any contact. It is one reason about the reports today of teams being the first to contact some individuals as soon as the clock struck zero.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 12:32 PM) I'm not optimistic, but I also don't work for the bulls front office and feel the need to open my mouth about it THE DAY HE ARRIVES. As per the rest, he doesn't have to uproot his family. Boozer's family has lived in Miami the last 4 years, and he really won't be taking in that much less money after taxes. Oh, and he doesn't have to play with Bargnani. Apparently if he is moving to a new city, his family is coming with him. And regarding the report, who really cares? Do you think there is a chance Melo won't sign because some website is reporting some unnamed member of the Bulls front office isn't optimistic?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 12:28 PM) If that were the case, he never had a need to become a free agent. He gets a new contract. Maybe he's like Ozzie and can't work on a 1 year deal.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 12:15 PM) This is SOOO bulls front office: http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/19663/ This is the reason they get so much s***. Is anyone really optimistic about the Bulls signing him? He has to uproot his family and play for less money, and spend his winters in Chicago. I'm glad this isn't supposed to drag on.

According to the NY Post, Melo thinks losing Taj in a sign and trade would be defeating the purpose.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 11:50 AM) DA, how many times do you want Wite to tell you he was wrong about Paulino? He has done it multiple times in multiple threads. Let it go, stop rubbing his face in it. That wasn't my objective.

I'm sure every team bends the rules a little bit. At the very least, teams and agents have middle men. How is it, if the Bulls could not talk to Melo, they had a meeting set up for him for today, last week?

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:59 AM) I'm telling you that the "support" that wite is referring to is the "support" that has been given, in this thread, regarding Viciedo's trade value. Specifically that he should have some because of the fact that he might be a flukey late breakout. That is what "this much support" means here. That is the context of the conversation. That is why Felipe Paulino does not belong here. Except he told me I was correct. Are you guys one and the same?

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:45 AM) As a guy who had substantial trade value, not a guy who does or doesn't have some prayer of being good ever. I don't know how you don't see the difference. One last time, this is what I was responding to: You are also talking about guys that are the exception to the rule. No one is saying that the Sox should cut bait with Viciedo or give him away for peanuts or stop playing him all together, but I don't think I've ever seen this much support for a guy who has never shown anything but flashes. Not trade value, support. I don't know what Viciedo's trade value is, nor do I care. I still think he can be a very good hitter. He had a real horrible streak. Eventually he will get hot again.

Just the fact he is wavering tells me he should pass. Hitting is in your head. Even if he just thinks he might have screwed up his swing by participating, he screwed up his swing.

If Wade and Bosh take huge cuts to stay in Miami, they will have to be given several extra seasons IMO. LBJ is going to want out in a couple of years if he stays there. It will be a good team incapable of winning it all.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:28 AM) Yes, you are correct, and I thought he could be decent. Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, and Carlos Gomez are 3 of the best players in the game. I've also compared Viciedo to Beltre previously too and I think, if he were to ever reach his ceiling, he could be that kind of player. Are you going to call me on that too? You were the one who called out the Viciedo supporters. Not me. I just pointed out if that is irrational, you also give some irrational support.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:21 AM) That's not the same thing at all. Wite was excited because we got a guy for nothing, thought he might be better than he had been in the past. Posters here are suggesting that now that DV has been bad, we should be able to trade him for good prospects. If it was the same thing, wite would be saying we should trade Felipe Paulino for prospects instead of DFA'ing him. It is the same thing. I am not talking trade value. He mentioned support based on flashes. That is exactly what his support for Paulino was based on. When you actually put some logic into the equation, at the very least you would have to admit Dayan Viciedo putting up great numbers is at least as good of a bet than Felipe Paulino coming into 2014.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:22 AM) I think it was during the winter meetings that the rumor came out and was pretty much confirmed by other sources. Word was that JZ called Hahn and made the offer of Ackley for Viciedo, and Hahn countered with Viciedo for Franklin instead, but JZ didn't respond. I don't think that is true at all. I am certain Hahn wouldn't have traded Viciedo for Franklin.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:17 AM) Who are these people suggesting that Ackley and Smoak have value? JZ offered Ackley for DV in the offseason and Hahn turned it down. Dayan Viciedo COULD turn it around, and I hope he does, but it is NOT likely. You can dig and find 3-5 example of late bloomers recently, and I could look at a roster and find hundreds that haven't. So don't expect someone to trade a younger prospect who is more likely to be good. That's all I'm saying. When was Ackley offered for Viciedo?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:09 AM) You're right, I thought he was going to be good and he sucked. I've admitted that I was wrong. Why would you bring that up out of the blue? I don't understand. I mean, it's totally irrelevant to the conversation at hand. Support for flashes was what I was responding to. You gave support for flashes even after a couple of surgeries and also suggested not only would he be good, but perhaps even better than ever. Nevermind he had his first flash of success when he was 27 years old. So really if you are going to rip people for supporting Viciedo, because at 25 he has only showed flashes, it really doesn't make sense.

I'm pretty sure if Jeff Keppinger suddenly became Cuban, Soxtalk would want him re-signed.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 09:35 AM) I don't think anyone has said Ackley has value. If they have, they're wrong. You are also talking about guys that are the exception to the rule. No one is saying that the Sox should cut bait with Viciedo or give him away for peanuts or stop playing him all together, but I don't think I've ever seen this much support for a guy who has never shown anything but flashes. Felipe Paulino. Anyone projecting any sort of success for Viciedo isn't nearly as crazy as some of the numbers you were projecting for Paulino.

I would go tonight, but I have already committed to sorting socks.