Dick Allen

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 31, 2012 -> 07:56 AM) The fear of the unknown is a terrible reason to keep a coach. Every team should strive for greatness and we all know Lovie isn't that. Lovie is two things, a great defensive coordinator and a very good motivator. Unfortunately, he has no ability to pick good offensive minds and his overall in-game managing is just plain bad. Does this make him a horrible head coach? No, he's so strong on the defensive side of ball that it makes up for some of his other shortcomings. However, it does make him incredibly flawed and prevents him from ever being a great head coach in the NFL. I actually don't see how keeping Lovie is up for debate. Does anyone here really think Emery wants to commit to Lovie as his long-term guy? Emery has worked his ass off to become a GM and now he's going to stake his career on a head coach that he was forced to keep for a year? If this guy has any kind of long-term vision, he'll want to hire his own guy who will better suited to carrying it out. And going the lame-duck route and keeping Lovie for one more season makes even less sense. Some good coaches will jump ship and you'll have a very hard time replacing them. Also, if you fire Tice, how are you going to hire a respectable OC? You pretty much have to give Bates the job. So after all this, Lovie is given another year to meet what criteria? Make the playoffs? Let's say the Bears don't, that's two years of not making the playoffs under Emery and even if he makes Lovie the scapegoat, the whole process will reflect poorly on him. Also, then we're talking about yet another OC Cutler will have to work with in 2014. I think the decision is pretty obvious for Emery. Fire Lovie and find a new head coach that matches the organization's long-term vision. p****footing around for another year would just add to this mess. I'm not too worried though, I think there's almost no chance Lovie is brought back. Isn't that the reason Tice was the OC to begin with? Facts are, a lot of Bears fans were jumping for joy when Tice was named OC. The very same ones who were screaming the Bears should dump Forte after the great signing of Bush. Now those same people want to say Lovie is an idiot because he wanted Bush. You can name anyone OC or head coach, if Webb is your starting LT next year, chances are the Bears won't win 10 games, and the next group will be called clowns by the clowns in the stands.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 08:20 PM) Marty was fired after going 14-2. Lovie should go. How did the new guy do? Lost to NE in the playoffs just like Marty. Most of the names thrown around would want more power than just being the head coach, although many here say Lovie has that power. As for Andy Reid, what is so different about his teams' results than the Bears under Lovie? He did win 2% more of his games and like Lovie lost his only SB appearance. I don't see the Bears shelling out big money to him while paying Lovie another year just because Joe in section 429 doesn't think Lovie gets pissed off enough. If Lovie wasn't under contract next year, I could see change to make change, but this is the Bears, and if they are planning to hire a coach, history suggests we all should be careful what we wish for. A Dick Jauron clone could be next.

The Bears have never hired a head coach with previous NFL head coaching experience. If Lovie goes, there is a decent chance Wanne II is hired. At least Bears fans will be happy until September.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 07:19 PM) You a probably right. Problem is, Lovie had a lot of say in personell matters so you can't really just say that was Angelo being Angelo. Angelo lost a lot of power when the Bears made the superbowl. Lovie might have had imput with free agents, but the draft considering he does zero scouting, I would be shocked if he has much say.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 07:17 PM) The other problem is...if you gave the Bears O-line 2 straight #1 O-line picks, they wouldn't be able to coach them into anything useful. You have to select the correct players. The Bears have developed several players,just not offensive linemen., I believe the Bears are the 13th team not to make the playoffs with a 10-6 record. How many seasons have they been playing 16 games? Around 30 I would guess.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 07:09 PM) The oline does suck, but this roster has talent. Defensively loaded and you have playmakers on offense. And the defense didn't disappoint. That is Lovie's speciality. They were offensively challenged even with playmakers because they have blown off the OL for years.the problem is, when they finally get around to fixing the line, their defense is going to be living in retirement communities.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 07:03 PM) A good coach goes 1-7 against biggest rival and misses playoffs 5 of 6 years. I agree he is a good guy but a very average head coach...........he has had more than ample time in Chicago. So you think a better coach would have faired better even with a roster that isn't as good? If the Bears had as nice of a roster as the Packers the past 3 years, I would agree, but they haven't. Changing coaches won't change the results. Look how happy everyone was when Tice became OC. Now he is a dope. If the Bears don't address their OL, they will be lucky to go 10-6 in 2013 no matter who is coaching them.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 06:55 PM) Fan base is not going to accept Lovie getting another shot at this point, that ship has sailed. He needs axed on Black Monday. What do you mean? If Lovie is the coach they won't go to games? I thin he will be gone, but he isn't in charge of personnel, and that is why the Bears aren't in the playoffs.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 06:50 PM) Bear players are in a huge comfort zone under Lovie...............time to shake it up and get some results with someone new! I personally don't think that is the problem. Lovie took a team QBd by Rex Grossman to the Super Bowl. He is a good coach regardless of what Bears fans think. If they want to keep putting off upgrading the offensive line, the next coach will be considered an idiot by the fans as well.they only lost to playoff teams this year.

QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 30, 2012 -> 03:56 PM) Big 10 play gonna be awesome, except when Iowa, NW, or PSU play. Iowa will lose some games they should win since they start 3 freshmen a sophomore and a junior, but they will win some games no one thinks they can. Probably NIT bound, but assuming no injuries, their days as a doormat are finally over.

The one time you actually want GB to win, and they look like the Bears@ SF. This will only enhance the hatred.

Tennessee scored 4 TDs in 5 minutes running no offensive plays. 2 pick 6s, and 2 punt returns for a TD.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Dec 29, 2012 -> 04:05 PM) The $ is serious.... BUT the Cell is the AL version of Coors... I think he will be fine. I agree with Marty here. If you can get him and the price is reflective of a guy owed a lot of money who has yet to prove he is elite anywhere but Coors Field, jump on it. But if your paying for a 26 year old with his overall numbers, it could really blow up in your face. He is a talent and may produce big numbers for years no matter where he plays, but up until now, despite some great overall numbers, he hasn't done much to warrant his paycheck or a large package of talent to acquire him close to sea level.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Dec 29, 2012 -> 06:35 AM) I know it's been addressed in a few posts, but who should reasonably be on the Sox wish list of LH bats going forward? If the Sox were to make a trade, who would best fit the Sox needs,who would be locked up for a few years that would be worth the sox trading valuable players/ prospects for? Carlos Gonzalez? Jay Bruce? Chase Headley? Ben Zobrist? Not all [maybe any] would be on the block. But if the Sox came in with on overwhelming offer (without including Sale), what teams would listen, or at least not laugh and hang up? Also, could there be LH bats in the upper minors that could be worth trading for, that could develop into a key building block? If Ben Zobrist is available, the Sox should go after him. I just don't see what they possibly could give up to make Tampa bite.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 08:52 PM) Who is gonna take Hafner's place for the 80 games he misses with injury? Grady Sizemore should be ready to play 10-15 games.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 04:05 PM) Of Jeff Passan's top 25 free agents, only 4 remain unsigned. The list is not surprising. #8 Michael Bourn - Scott Boras #11 Rafael Soriano - Scott Boras #14 Adam LaRoche - inconsistent and no high demand for 1B around the league #18 Kyle Lohse - Scott Boras I also haven't noticed nearly as many players signing with Boras in recent years, though they obviously still exist. He does a great job of getting money for his clients, but he is very slow and non-deliberate when going about his process where I think guys would rather be relaxing in the offseason knowing they have a job. From what I see, you primarily see second tier players sign with Boras because he will upsell and get them the big contract or yearly contracts they desire, whereas your genuine top flight players sell themselves far more. Just thought it was interesting. Boras could never be an agent in a league with a salary cap. In those leagues the free agents sign quickly so they aren't left without a team with cap space to give them big money. If MLB could ever adopt a salary cap, Boras would have to change radically or find something else to do.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 05:17 PM) All things being equal, I'd rather have Dunn in left than create a hole in the starting rotation. All this assumes the Sox are planning on contending this year. After May 29th last year, Dunn hit.188 with a .305 OBP and a .727 OPS. If you think Viciedo is a guy you can't play and contend, what makes Dunn someone you can play out of position to contend?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 11:00 AM) From most indications the improvement wasn't on AJ's side. It was Cooper figuring out a way to quicken guys like Floyd and Peavy to the plate to better compensate for AJ's "arm". And an infield coach that had Alexei go to second base instead of 3 feet in front of it. The ball is faster than the swipe.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 10:48 AM) Spiegel did mention this. Also said that AJ often clashed with Ventura because he did not respect him. Rozner mentioned that Cooper, Parent and the rest of the staff did not get along particularly well with AJ either. I don't know why people are surprised by this. Pierzynski is a child. Anyone who cares about which other people are on the team charter has some issues. He is a guy that needs to find something to be annoyed by. I appreciate AJ for all of the good things that he did and for being the guy that called guys out for things. He is an asshole though. Always has been. We heard less about it here because AJ was allowed to play as much as he wanted. Rozner and Spiegs mentioned how many players grew tired of AJ and that they referred to him as "Satan" in the clubhouse. Bottom line: Pierzynski will not replicate similar production on offense next year, pitchers do not like throwing to him, he is horrible defensively, and it's time to see what the Sox have with Tyler Flowers. Personally, the "As soon as it's official and AJ is gone, so we will start bashing him and telling some supposed stories out of school" routine, doesn't work for me. AJ was so hated and no one could play for him, that he signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. Rozner, who I really like, and Speigel, should be embarrassed they spent their show with this crap. Now, if they want to have someone actually speak on the record, that could be different.

I'm also pretty sure this wasn't for every roadtrip. There usually are only a couple of trips a year they let the wives fly with the team.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 10:20 AM) Just got an email from a pal who listened. His synopsis: Last season Robin allowed girlfriends to fly on the charter jet on road trip. Apparently wives were only allowed with Ozzie. All season long, AJ openly complained about this, sometimes in front of said gf's. This pissed a lot of the single Sox off big time. Scandalous. Sports radio must really be dying if they have to spend time talking about girlfriends on the team plane.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 11:00 AM) The 7th highest scoring offense in baseball wasn't good enough? Those are some high standards. Did the White Sox make the playoffs? The offense wasn't good enough and faded at the end, except when they were eliminated.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 09:56 AM) I'd be willing to bet you a 6 pack of your favorite beer that Flowers out-produces AJ next year. It would depend on what you would determine to be "outproduce". Fangraphs WAR seems to be your number of choice, but I find flaws with that system. According to fangraphs, Francisco Liriano was only .3 WAR less than Mark Buehrle last year, when Buehrle had his typical season and Liriano was sent to the bullpen by 2 teams for failing as a starter. The fact is, this thread is Sox looking for a LH bat. AJ was a LH bat that produced 27 homers last season. The offense wasn't good enough. That production will have to be replaced. Perhaps its players improving. I would expect Viciedo to get better. I think Beckham got better as the year went on. Rios I worry about. Konerko I think will be more consistent now that the chip has been removed from his wrist. Adam Dunn hit .181 after May 26th and sat out the final game so he wouldn't set a strikeout record. There is reason to think there may be a problem there. Ramirez has to be better. De Aza I could see having the same type of season. Keppinger will be hard pressed to match his numbers last season, but if you combine Morel/Hudson/Youkilis, except for the power, it shouldn't take much to outproduce the sum.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 08:37 AM) You'll never know until you give him a chance. You also changed your tone quite a bit in that post from most of the others in the thread. On top of that, I doubt they go into the season with merely Gimenez. I don't believe he is an adequate backup. You want someone who has started in the past so, at the very least, you have an insurance policy. Haven't changed my tone at all. I will defend AJ vs. all the haters. I believe he will be missed far more than his numbers would indicate. I understand not paying a 36 year old catcher a ton of money. If it were my decision, I would have brought him back on a one year if he would have taken it. Maybe they have other moves in mind. I do think most of the Tyler Flowers love will be gone this time next year.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 27, 2012 -> 08:25 AM) Except that Flowers can hit a fastball. --- f*** it. If you guys are going to be so butthurt about losing AJ that you won't even give Flowers a chance, then so be it. I'm looking forward to a change in the White Sox lineup - lord knows new blood is exciting, and beyond any of that, the Sox were never going to spend $7.5 million on AJ. If you can't look past the fact that the organization is looking to allocate funds elsewhere while trying to build towards the future while also being happy AJ ended up in a situation that is good for him both financially and professionally, then you are very short-sighted. I'm done with this stupid debate. You are taking this wrong. Losing AJ is fine, as long as he's replaced adaquately. It could be a disaster if they think Flowers/Gimenez is the answer. Flowers started 41 games last year. He had to be lifted for a pinch hitter 10 times. I know he was great in Birmingham several years ago. That doesn't make him a star. If they aren't looking for a catcher now, there's a good chance they will be in May or June.