Dick Allen

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Mar 21, 2012 -> 03:10 PM) Maybe I'm in the minority here, but while I would like someone who can bring in the Jabbari Parker's of the world, aren't we actually looking for the next Bill Self here? Self, off the top of my head, only landed 3 CPL guys while at Illinois, none of whom were highly regarded: Luther, Brock and Aaron Spears (I acknowledge that Self did in fact land Collins and Wright while at Kansas, but the Illinois point remains). You can have consistently competitive teams at Illinois relying on the suburbs and downstate. If you can bring someone in with national ties (like Self) and put other states in play, isn't that the homerun? As a result, you should be looking for young, personable, with strong recruiting ties somewhere. I don't know who that guy is, but I'll give Mike Thomas leeway to find that guy. One final point: could Chris Collins land some kids out of the CPL? Why not? I don't remember who the lead recruiter was on Sean Dockery, but Duke managed to land him. There are reasons many don't even bother with the CPL. What you have to do to actually land a kid could get you fired. See Kennedy, Pat at DePaul, and supposedly its even worse now. Tom Izzo went 13 years without getting someone from the Detroit Public League because of the same thing. Street agents, AAU coaches, payoffs...etc. Self had a team that probably was a national championship team at Illinois, just add Charlie Villenueva to the team that played for the title, and I think they win without a gigantic presence of Public League players. I think the Public League is used more to try to justify Bruce Weber getting canned than actual winning.

From the Soxtalk scouting reports I read when he was originally lost, I am stunned the Twins returned a future All Star.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 19, 2012 -> 12:28 PM) It also makes it hard to succeed when you manager is pretty much known as killing some of your biggest acquisitions. Of course. Ozzie was horrible last year. It wasn't about winning, it was about showing up KW. He's probably lucky he's such a clown. What he did can get someone blackballed.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 19, 2012 -> 12:11 PM) When polled at the end of September more favored keeping Kenny than Ozzie. If you had to keep one, you had to keep Kenny because a victory over Kenny would have made the GM position with the Sox very weak and made Ozzie an even more egotisical clown. KW is running on 2005 fumes and JR loyalty. Of course that could run a long time. Personally, I think they both should have been gone after their childish feud, which now is being reported as a very disruptive influence the past few years. It was totally denied during that time, but its hard to imagine it didn't have an effect. I do think Ozzie and Oney being gone is extremely positive and can only help moving forward. I will be watching with a tub of popcorn the first time things don't go so well in Miami. We do know a couple of things, if the Marlins win, its because of the genius baseball mind of Ozzie Guillen. If they lose, Ozzie has nothing to do with it.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 19, 2012 -> 12:02 PM) I hope that's a drop in the bucket. Get it down to mid-30's today. They're at 51 with 2 weeks left. You need more than that around to finish out games. I'm sure the Sox have a pretty good idea of the final 27 or so guys. Its probably possible someone outside of that makes the team these final 2 weeks, but very unlikely.

Cowley has zero Sox sources concerning team direction. A few players will talk to him, that's it. He had to write about the White Sox and had no info, so he Jay Marriottied it. Its a recycled article from last year. The whole thing is pure Cowley speculation delivered as facts. He himself said the White Sox would be irrelevant when Ozzie left. Why is he wasting time writing about irrelevancy?

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Mar 14, 2012 -> 11:51 AM) Just posting s*** I or someone else I know finds on the webs. However, it sounds like Mario's fiancee is headed to Buffalo, so we can probably strike him off the list. If its the same plane, the Bills flew him to Buffalo. It may actually be Wanny flying home. I think he now lives in Chicago during the offseason. His daughters live here, and I saw him in the health club a week or so ago. The Bears still have to sign draft picks and other veterans. As much as Mario would be awesome on the Bears, it isn't going to happen. They can't afford him.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Mar 13, 2012 -> 01:49 PM) I'd imagine the Bears plan on signing Orton? Clearly backup QB needs to be addressed. I really don't see them getting Jax and Mario, that really can't happen cap wise as stated in the previous post. Here's what I'd like to see, if the Bears added this, they'd be good to go. Super Mario Other Mario (Manningham) Kyle Orton Draft R1-R7 Eric Winston (released by Texans) and oh what the hell throw in Dallas Clark. Unless he had no other options, Orton won't sign with the Bears. Not enough playing time.

Unless one or both take a rather steep discount the Bears don't have the cap space for Jackson and Williams.

KW probably has a pretty decent idea what Floyd would bring in a trade next offseason after shopping Danks this past winter. I think he'll trade him now if the price is right.

I'd be more worried if all these guys were in midseason form right now. If they still suck on April 6th, then its time to complain, but this is only an exercise to get ready for that time. As happens every year, some of these guys are going to be better than everyone thinks, some will be exactly what everyone thinks and some will a lot worse than what most think. We just have to hope when the games count, most are better.

Moon Mullin reporting the Bears are the favorites to sign Mario Williams.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Mar 12, 2012 -> 09:42 AM) I think he's trying to say that Ozzie is full of s***, saying whatever is convenient for himself. He threw Cooper under the bus for being "disloyal" and looking for an extension for himself. But at the same time, Cox was "loyal" by Ozzie's own definition, and Ozzie still didn't bring him along to Miami with him. Not only Ozzie, but Cowley as well seems to have conveniently forgotten how it didnt turn out well for all those "loyal" to Ozzie. Sometimes, and I'm not a big Cooper guy, you have to watch out for yourself. I brought it up because I saw Ozzie on tv yesterday and also read about Cox looking for a job.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Mar 12, 2012 -> 12:26 PM) What I'm trying to say is Ozzie's gone. So, it just doesn't matter now. And so is Buehrle, yet you read a thread about him.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Mar 10, 2012 -> 05:05 PM) Because he was universally hated by almost all other GM's (and most others in baseball) and no one would makes deals with him. Plenty of GMs made deals with him. He was fired because JR couldn't stand him which is his right obviously. They used the point A to point B crap as the excuse, which, while perhaps true but we will never know, was beyond silly since during his tenure he had less cash to work with than any GM in the game. He really was the Andrew Freidman of his time. One deal this article doesn't mention is acquiring Roberto Hernandez for a guy who never played in the major leagues. He may be an ass, but Larry Himes was nothing but a baseball genius during his tenure with the White Sox. JR, Schueler, all White Sox fans owe his some gratitude for the job he did, and IIRC, JR did make some peace with him eventually. http://www.southsidesox.com/2011/8/20/2374...s-built-the-sox Also interesting their "feud" began when JR was hiring coaches, or at least a coach, and not the GM. This I don't remember. I've always thought JR has pretty much stayed out of the way and let the people he hired do the job they were hired to do. It is interesting JR let Schueler fire Hriniak. http://articles.latimes.com/1990-09-16/spo...8_1_larry-himes

When watching the Marlins, I'm reminded how that backstabbing asshole Don Cooper went over Ozzie's head and got himself a contract. I'm wondering what the good soldier, the loyal Jeff Cox is up to these days? How come Cowley doesn't have an article how Ozzie really took care of him and his loyalty?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 10, 2012 -> 10:31 AM) Draft a Tight End. If the White Sox were guaranteed the run of 1st round picks Larry Himes had, I'd be "all in" for a total rebuild. The tight end was genius pick #3. Black Jack, Robin, Big Hurt and Young Alex. His 4 1st round picks as the White Sox GM. Then his team wins 94 games with the lowest payroll in baseball and he gets waxed.

QUOTE (knightni @ Mar 10, 2012 -> 03:43 AM) The question was, "Who is the only pitcher in history to be drafted 7th overall and win 50 games in his career?" Dotson is the only pitcher drafted 7th overall to win 50 games. Everyone else has won less. That is pretty amazing. I guess the conclusion is if you have the 7th pick, don't draft a pitcher.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Mar 8, 2012 -> 02:52 PM) Is it a coincidence that Dunn is playing 1B and hitting well today? Probably. He hit better as a DH last season than the days he played the field. Hopefully he can make a comeback, but hits March 8th don't mean much.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Mar 8, 2012 -> 11:17 AM) One disturbing trend I've noticed is the increase in Derrick Rose isolation plays to end quarters and games. The Bulls are at their best when they move the ball in these situations. Derrick has hit some ridiculous shots as time expires the last few games. That shot last night was awesome. I still can't believe it went in... however, most of the 24 seconds he spent waiting for the clock to wind down, I was hoping something would develop. When Delfino pinched in to help Jennings on Rose, Deng was unforgivably wide-open. Yes, Rose hit it. Yes, it was awesome, but man, when you have 24 seconds, that should not be the shot you take. Anyway, just a rant. Just a COMPLAINT about Derrick Rose. Back to our regularly scheduled drool fest. When you're playing for the last shot, you usually sacrifice a little bit in order for the opponent not to get a chance to tie or win. The shot was fine. They could have worked it around and found a lay up with 10 seconds left, and then might have lost.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 8, 2012 -> 10:19 AM) I can't believe that you are taking that seriously. Owners and players say that crap all of the time, and 99% of the time it is a lie. If it weren't true, Manning would still be there, end of story. I know that. I just don't know why owners and players continue to say its not about the money. They obviously believe the public is stupid. I really don't know why he had to add that when everyone knows its about a $28 million check he was about to have to write.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Mar 8, 2012 -> 10:12 AM) Except that the Colts are going to spend 100% of their cap space on players, regardless of whether or not it is on Peyton. In fact, if it's a money decision, you keep Peyton because while your team's expenditures are going to be the same either way, your team's revenues are going to be higher if Peyton is still around. Its about allocating resources. If Manning were making $2 million, he'd still be a Colt. Its not a coincidence he's released a day or 2 before they have to pay him $28 million. They don't think having Manning on the roster is worth the money they would have to pay. The reason Manning isn't a Colt is because of the amount of money he would have had to have been paid. That is a money decision.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 8, 2012 -> 09:42 AM) It's not just about it being $28 million either...it's about the cap space...it's that his contract is front-loaded and effectively destroys their cap space, so assuming they kept Wayne, they wouldn't be able to add anything other than the draft to get better. (Oh, and Freeney also has something ridiculous like a $15 million number while we're at it). The Colts could have traded down to try to stockpile picks, but everyone knows that "picks" can take 2-3 years to pan out, and by then Peyton might well be pushing retirement. If they kept him, they'd be going into next season with a weaker and older version of the team that was what, 10-6 two seasons ago, or they'd have a bunch of stockpiled draft picks from whoever moved up to get Luck (and they probably coudln't get fair value for that QB anyway). Cap space is still money. Irsay said it had nothing to do with money. That's a lie.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Mar 8, 2012 -> 09:31 AM) It is about the money to the extent that it relates to the salary cap, but beyond that it really isn't about the money. Irsay forces Peyton back to the Colts by paying him the $28M, which nobody in their right mind thinks he should do. Once that decision is made, Peyton has no good reason to come back to the Colts voluntarily at any price, because he only has 3-4 years left and the Colts are 2-3 years away from contending. If not for a $28 million roster bonus, he would not have been released. Its all about the benjamins. I'm not saying releasing him wasn't the correct move, I believe it was, but it was about money. I hope he can come back and play at his previous level, except if he's playing the Bears. How he handles everything makes me a bigger fan every time.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Mar 7, 2012 -> 04:43 PM) And I'm sure that's 100% the truth just like when every athlete says "it's not about the money". Its ALWAYS about the money, especially when that money is 28 million dollars to a guy with 15 neck surgeries in 2 years. I agree. I don't know how stupid Irsay thinks people are, but to say this has nothing to do with money is a joke. It has everything to do with money. No one would blame him for cutting Manning knowing he would have to pay him so much for basically a question mark. But if he wants to tell everyone its not about the money, how can anyone ever believe anything he ever says again?