Dick Allen

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 12:29 PM) Yeah, he did mention that he may be needed in the rotation if Danks isn't ready to start the season. Another interesting thing Santiago said, unrelated to his potential role, was how AJ didn't call his screwball much, while Flowers would call for it a lot and how he wants his pitchers to use their entire arsenal. Based on the interview, you could easily tell that he preferred throwing to Flowers last year and I'm starting to think we might see Santiago make some serious strides in 2013. Pretty funny Santiago wants to throw his screwball but AJ doesn't call it so he won't throw it. Its the pitcher's decision in the end.

QUOTE (MEANS @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 12:22 PM) So who do you suggest should have platooned with Tank? He mentioned Juan Pierre. Like that would have made up 3 games. Pierre was awful in August.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 08:52 AM) I agree. But I also am willing to be they are going to try to make him a reliever again. He did have a couple of nice outings last year. Could be a long man, but he gave up a ton of homers. Its really a zero risk acquistion. He's not being auditioned in games that count.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 08:19 AM) Hahn was on 670 earlier this morning and said they may have a move to announce later today. It could be Lindstrom, although that seems like bit of a cop-out, since the move reported a few days ago. I'm thinking they might have bench guy they're getting close to landing. I think its Lindstrom because they haven't been able to announce it yet. Hahn was on CSN the other day and noted Iguchi was acquired after Soxfest, and Thornton and Marte were spring training pick ups. Despite what several panicked posters have posted, he knows there are holes and will continue to try to fill them. I have no idea if he will be a good GM or not, but it is really unfair for anyone to take shots at him now.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 08:12 AM) Yup, he will be serving drinks He's a HOFer at serving them up, that's for sure.

Will Stewart be at Soxfest?

I don't see why this should upset anyone. Chances of him being on the roster are slim. He'll have to shine in spring training and become the long man or he is minor league fodder or released.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 01:10 PM) After the airing of grievances was there a feats of strength challenge? Metta World Peace brought the pole.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 01:04 PM) I like LBJ, let me get that outta the way but it'll be interesting to see how LBJ adjusts his game when his big physical advantage goes away as he gets older, MJ was still the best player in the league when he was in his mid 30s because he honed his offensive skills to compensate his declining athleticism. Let's admit it, LBJ doesn't have the greatest footwork in the post, he's getting by on brute athleticism, can he upgrade some of what he lacks right now when he won't be able to out jump his opponents? MJ was still the best after he came back from baseball, but athletically, and I think a lot of people miss this, was not nearly the same. Pre-baseball MJ did things humans shouldn't be able to do. He was on 60 minutes in the late 80's and the interviewer said to him, "You really can fly, can't you?" He said, "For a little while."

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 12:29 PM) Before last year, I'd agree - but LeBron rose up and crossed any obstacles he had mentally last year when he flat out raped the planet. Mentally, he has nothing left to prove that he's beyond that issue. Let him do it a few more times like MJ. Once is not enough. LeBron can be better than MJ, but not yet. Before MJ came back to the Wizards, which I don't count as anything but a publicity stunt, the last 6 full seasons he played, he won a ring. It would be pretty hard to say anyone is/was better, especially if they haven't won yet or have done it once.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 12:21 PM) We are talking prime MJ vs prime LBJ, prime MJ blows past LBJ if he gets in his grill, if he steps back to take away his drive, MJ, one of the greatest mid range games ever, will drain wet jumpers all day. MJ was unguardable, LBJ isn't stopping MJ...and you can forget about LBJ blocking MJ from behind, he was one of the greatest finishers at the rim. LeBron does have the physical skills to be better than Jordan, but you're right, at least up until now, mentally can't match him. Not to say he won't someday, but right now, no way. If LeBron ever gets near Jordan's competitve nature, it will be pretty close. LeBron is unstoppable. When he decides to take over games it's like a high school all american vs. 8th graders.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 11:49 AM) Seaking of MJ - I love me some MJ. LeBron may not get to 6 rings (who knows, who cares), but right now he's flat out a better baller than MJ ever was. Hell, I'm even leaning that way with Kevin Durant - he's a freak of nature. These guys are bigger, stronger, and better than MJ. MJ would still get his against them if we're talking prime, but if I were starting a franchise today, I'd take prime LBJ or Durant over prime MJ. There, I said it. Flame on. LeBron when he decides to take over the game, could be better than MJ he would have to have a little longer run doing it, because so far, he's dissappeared far too often. Durant while a HOFer for sure........you're just trolling if you think he's better than MJ. Freak of nature, watch some MJ before his first retirement, and look at his numbers. He was the best defensive and offensive player in the league at the same time for several years.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 09:09 AM) Carlos May is the only player in MLB history to wear his birthday on the back of his jersey. (May 17) He also may be the only player who had a home run taken away because he missed home plate. He got a triple out of the deal.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 07:08 AM) I'm not that impressed when it comes to KC. So many people act like the Sox have all of these huge holes going into 2013... How does KC not have more? When Sox young players aren't all stars right away, they are and always will be garbage. When its guys like Moustakis and Hosmer doing the same thing, they will only get better.

Ventura thinking about moving Rios to the 3 hole and moving Dunn down a bit.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Jan 23, 2013 -> 05:13 AM) i think only addition being announced is signing of lindstrom. I heard the interview and they were all laughing o yea I have something announced lol. That is because he cannot announce the signing until it is official, but everyone knows the deal there. Hahn did imply that there was more than one, although it did seem Lindstrom was perhaps the biggest.

Kane is going to need a rug on his head in the next couple of years. He is going bald fast.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 02:37 PM) There are a few people who would want to be there, but Wrigleyville isnt really any sort of tourist destination. Its basically a s***ty version of State Street or any other college campus main drinking area. The problem is that there is a busy season (summer) when no one cares about traveling from downtown to see the Cubs and then there is a slow season (winter) when no one cares about staying close to the field. The hotel itself would have to be unique, maybe a concert venue, indoor water park, something that would draw people besides the Cubs. Because otherwise no one is staying in Wrigleyville to visit Chicago. There just isnt a large enough entertainment district there, college bars are not a travel destination. If you were going to a show at the Metro, it might be appealing. One hotel will make enough off baseball season to keep it profitable for the year I would imagine. But I agree, I don't see a big demand to stay in Wrigleyville during baseball's offseason. It's a nice neighborhood, but not a neighborhood that even crosses the typical traveler's mind to visit in the winter, and a boutique Sheraton hotel probably wouldn't change that.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 02:08 PM) I'm not saying Passan is great, but point me to the guy who had the Sox, A's and O's picked correctly last year. I think they all surprised just about everyone. His predictions suck. That's the point. If he says the Sox will suck, he might be right, but to think his opinion on 2013 is any more valid than anyone else just because he writes for yahoo is absurd. Look at all of his predictions from the past. He hasn't been very accurate.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 01:15 PM) Do you really think it would be empty? I could see plenty of tourists staying there instead of downtown. People come visit friends/family in the area, and they spend more time on the North Side, it would be more convenient than commuting from the Loop. The people whose business it is to know these things says 2 hotels is too many. I don't think the majority of tourists or business travelers are Cubs fans and would want to stay at Clark and Addison rather than on Michigan Ave. Maybe initially you would get a few more than normal, but I believe the novelty would wear off quickly. During Cubs homestands, I can't see there being an empty room.

QUOTE (TomSeaverFan @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 01:20 AM) That was a great article IMO. I don't see how anybody can argue with his assertion this is no playoff contender. I'm glad somebody finally wrote that officially Beckham is a bust. Yeah its hard to argue with a guy who had the White Sox and A's losing 94 games each last year. Had the Orioles losing 98 and had the Giants not even .500. Listen to Passan. He nails it every year.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 12:33 PM) I've always been surprised how few hotels there are in Chicago outside of downtown. There should be way more lodging options in LakeView & Lincoln Park. There was a plan to build a hotel on the other side of Addison from Wrigley. That appears like it will be scrapped with the Ricketts' hotel going in. During Cubs homestands, it will be totally booked. Outside of that, pretty empty.

I would imagine a lot of WS winners had players they developed that hadn't hit the real expensive stage yet. Since the Sox have had trouble developing those players, they are going to wind up spending more money per win than teams that do unless they can find bargains on the scrap heap.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 19, 2013 -> 10:33 AM) Dick Allen has referred to me as a "miserable person" multiple times and nothing was ever said to him by the mods publicly . . . This is a classic.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 10:24 AM) Liriano was a bullpen killer with those 5 inning starts. The bullpen was pretty good after the trade deadline. Jones was on fire. Veal was great. Who wore down because of Liriano? He made 4 starts with 5 innings or less with the Sox. 6 innings a start gets you almost 200 for the season. You are talking about 4 innings, and half the time it was with expanded rosters. Liriano sucked, but Grienke wouldn't have made a difference, and the Sox would be out some talent right now. Also, Juan Pierre was awful in August offensively and we know singles in LF are always potential doubles if when it is hit to him in LF.