Dick Allen

The max deal guys are LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, Melo...who else? What are the chances the Bulls land any of them, and except for LeBron, which one makes them championship material if they land him? Maybe Melo. But if you have to get rid of Noah to get Melo, I don't think that team is a crown waiting to happen.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 7, 2014 -> 08:31 AM) I reads that it's closer to $20 million they'll save directly with this trade, and if it also gets them below the tax threshold this year there could be huge future benefits because they won't be a multi-year offender next season. You are probably correct. And definitely are correct with the future offender thing. I think the teams not in the luxury tax split the offenders' tax, but the point is, the Bulls really don't need the money, although $15-20 million is a pretty significant amount. They are one of the most profitable franchises in sports. So while this is a salary dump, and makes a lot of sense, the Bulls don't want to characterize it as one. If they were only offering Deng $10 million a year, they obviously weren't going to keep him. Obviously this team has another hole now. Gar/Pax have their work cut out for them. And while this move may make it easier to make the lottery, they would still have to get lucky, and they still have to get the correct free agent, and they still have to draft the correct players, and they still have to get Morotic signed, and Rose has to come back healthy and stay that way, and Gar/Pax is still making the decisions. There is still a lot to be wary. It is going to be funny to read what Reggie...oh I mean the "Rose camp" has to say about this one. He probably will be complaining about them breaking up the core he complained wasn't good enough earlier.

The Bulls lowballed Deng and got lottery ticket draft picks in order for Gar/Pax to be able to say with a straight face this wasn't a salary dump and they aren't tanking this season, that this was a "basketball decision". Anyone could tell you it's a salary dump and a move to try to get into the lottery. None of these draft picks will probably ever turn into as good of player as Deng, the Bulls most likely won't be picking in the top 5 of the next draft, and the Bulls probably aren't in desperate need of the $15 million they will be saving with this trade, but they had to do it.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 7, 2014 -> 04:58 AM) Draft picks are so valuable in the NBA... I can't believe the Bulls pulled this off. The Kings are hilarious right now, too, and making themselves worse with every trade. That's going to wind up being a lottery pick. Isn't the Kings pick pretty much lottery protected and becomes a 2nd rounder after a few years? This trade is all about saving JR luxury tax payments and tanking this season. The first round picks at best are where teams in NBA hell get to choose. The deal makes a lot of sense for the Bulls, but I think they should take some of that $15 million in savings and get their season ticket people something really nice.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Jan 6, 2014 -> 01:50 PM) Because it's most likely bulls***. Every story about Chicago's NBA team everywhere is Bulls s***.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 6, 2014 -> 09:36 AM) Those calls were f***ing absurd. Yes they were, but it is SOP on the road in the Big 10.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Jan 6, 2014 -> 08:24 AM) sweet. office is closed, nice day off. was ready to go in though. but i did just help push 2 cars that were stuck in the snow outside my house. I helped push a lady who was stuck getting out of a parking lot on a side street yesterday. When she got unstuck, she drove right into a parked car.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 1, 2014 -> 08:09 PM) The Wolf of Wall Street was nuts. I saw this on Saturday and thought it was entertaining. I haven't read the book, but to me, it was way too predictable and it seems like a movie that has already been made. A good one to watch, but I don't think it's one that is award-worthy.

Wasn't there some article written years ago which pointed to the zits on Piazza's back as some proof he was juicing?

QUOTE (midway @ Jan 4, 2014 -> 04:31 PM) Before hiring Ventura there was talk of offering Paulie a player/manager position...so is this year a learning experience for him being.. able to sit back with Ventura in the dugout on days off? I was listening to a teleconference with Paulie a couple of weeks ago. He has no interest in coaching or managing in the major leagues at least for several years.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 4, 2014 -> 09:31 AM) I don't know what the Rays have to do with it, he was no longer under contract with him. And maybe he looks better in spot duty in the first half and maybe you can trade him for a warm body instead of just dumping his salary because the owner is hamstringing his young GM. And I'm still not convinced Robin won't feel pressure to play Paulie more and he will take some at bats from Abreu, a potential All Star. That is also based on no facts. The White Sox and Paulie have already mapped out his role. Obviously it could change with injury or a trade.The White Sox didn't pay Abreu $68 million to watch. People complain Adam Dunn is still around and playing because of money. If this is true, you have nothing to worry about regarding Abreu's playing time.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 09:27 PM) Because he plays the exact same position as your newest important asset. Because his presence on the roster takes away the option to give other young guys a day or two off at DH. And it might not be Danks/Elmore, it may be De Aza or Keppinger traded for pennies on the dollar because everyone knows the Sox are in a roster conundrum. That just makes no sense. What exactly is Jeff Keppinger going to bring you in a trade whether you are desperate to get rid of him or not? The Rays let him walk for nothing and survived. There is no future All Star being screwed because Paul Konerko is going to get 150 AB vs LHP. You never know, he might even help win a couple of games.

Terry Bevington. He wasn't ready when he had the job before, but he has had some more coaching experience and managerial experience on the minor league and independent league levels. He is now ready. Maybe bring in Jaime Navarro as a pitching coach if Coop puts up a stink, and the Sox will be really rolling coaching-wise.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 03:27 PM) All it takes is an offensive line or QB run and he drops. A good amount of talk and tape on him taking players off and durability issues. Doubt it happens but it could I hope it does, because he is a HOFer if he stays healthy.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 03:09 PM) Fanspeak's On the Clock NFL Mock Draft Simulator My third draft: 14 - CB IFO EKPRE-OLOMU (OREGON) 51 - DT AARON DONALD (PITTSBURGH) 82 - S CRAIG LOSTON (LSU) Nick Shepkowski 's draft: 14 - DE JADEVEON CLOWNEY (SOUTH CAROLINA) 51 - DT AARON DONALD (PITTSBURGH) 82 - S CRAIG LOSTON (LSU) 113 - ILB MAX BULLOUGH (MICHIGAN STATE) 144 - S NICKOE WHITLEY (MISSISSIPPI STATE) If Clowney drops to 14, there are going to be a lot of teams kicking themselves in a year or 2.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:39 PM) I've said the phrase "maximizing resources" repeatedly but you've seemingly ignored it. Conor Gillaspie and Jeff Keppinger. Is there really anything about these players that says building blocks to a championship? Besides, if Davidson shows he's more Morel/Fields than the middle of the order bat the Sox hope he is in spring training, your two boys may be splitting some time at 3B.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:27 PM) Or we could just let Adam Dunn face lefties. Yeah, it really sucks the Sox are letting one of the team's all time great players to go out on his terms, even if it won't effect their record. They should be getting Conor Gillaspie ABs. Fools.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:27 PM) No, the bottom line should also include cost and player development as well given where this team currently sits. All of which are hurt by having Paul Konerko on the roster. But again...none of them...winning games, player development, or maximizing resources were the goal of signing Paul Konerko. The Sox acquired Davidson and Abreu this offseason. That pretty much tells you what they think of Conor Gillaspie being much of a contributor in the future. And what does Keppinger have to do with player development. He's here because he has 2 years left on his contract. All this stuff with shake out eventually. No roster looks the same in May as it does in January.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) Or, if we're really desperate to keep Dunn out against LHP, we could play Keppinger at 1b/DH, give Abreu some extra time at DH while still getting at bats, and keep Davidson in the lineup at 3rd, with a left handed bat on the bench available should a right handed reliever be put in. So what do you think the Sox record will be with Konerko on the roster vs. without? Isn't that the bottom line? And if it's better but not playoff worthy without, isn't that better for the draft pick to have him around?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:19 PM) If the Sox aren't gonna compete this year, then who cares if Adam Dunn faces LHP? It doesn't matter, right? I want the Sox to win myself. If you don't care if Adam Dunn faces LHP, why would you care if Paul Konerko is taking Jake Elmore's or Jordan Danks' spot on the bench?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:14 PM) We've had quite the offseason so far. Hopefully more to come. There should be more to come. And there usually is some sort of Soxfest surprise.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:12 PM) In his last prospect year, Baseball America had this to say: Baseball Prospectus gave him a 1.9 FRAA (fielding runs above average), which is not great but is indeed above average. FanGraphs had him as -1.1 runs above average. His -2.4 UZR/150 (not "awful" in itself) is almost completely dragged down by his 16 errors, which at times appeared rather flukey and, at worst, correctable. Even if not, there are no metrics calling what he did last year bad. His worst statistic is the not-all-that-well-regarded Defensive Runs Saved, from which he got a -4, which is between what Bill James calls average and below average. They use the word "awful" to describe a player that gets -15, FWIW He started the year great, but became horrible. When I get home I will break out my BP and give you what they said about his glove coming into 2013. It wasn't pretty.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:09 PM) So he should clearly have 2 guys without options in his way. Because that's the sign you give to a guy you want him to earn the big league spot. You have been complaining about Konerko. He has nothing to do with Davidson making the team. Keppinger is either going to be on the team or traded, not released, and you seem to be the president of the Conor Gillespie fan club. So now you are even complaining about the things you want.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:05 PM) And so therefore he should not have any chance to earn the job. More hyperbole. I already stated it is all up to him. The White Sox traded one of their better players to get him, and they would like nothing more to have him playing every day batting in the middle of the order for them, but he does have his warts. AAA may be where he needs to be in April.

Joe Borchard, Brian Anderson, Josh Fields, Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Brent Morel, ....just some names that BA had ranked just as high as Matt Davidson as prospects at one time. It's really not that crazy to think Charlotte might be a logical place for him to start the 2014 season.