Dick Allen

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 03:35 PM) This is the second time I've seen you use the term "above average" while referring to David Wells. What, exactly, is above average? A mid-4's ERA? Wells' ERA was 4.45 last year. That is average, at best. Wells is a big fat slob, who is a bit of an asshole, but the guy wins games, and has for awhile except for 2001. I don't think saying he is above average is stretching the truth at all.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 04:34 PM) I never saw a report that Riske would be involved in the trade. I thought it was just supposed to be Crisp for Marte and Mota which would be a fine trade in my opinion. If it's Crisp and Riske for Marte and Mota, it's a bad trade. He sometimes has his problems, but I really like Riske. Anyone know Foulke's status for 2006? If he came back healthy, at least Boston would have a good bullpen to go with Ortiz and Manny. I don't Schilling will be able to get back to where he was, but Beckett will be great when he isn't sitting out with blisters. I think the Red Sox will be better than a lot of people think.

QUOTE(SnB @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 03:58 PM) are you on canadian dollars by any chance? ? If I knew how to put it in a post I would show you what I get, and its $68 everytime. My computer must get better deals than yours.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 03:57 PM) Some of you talk like the Whitesox are a "Not-for-Profit" corporation. That is just plain stupid. Well then, if they are trying to maximize profits, why would they take on Abreu's contract? Seems to me adding that much to the payroll won't pay off unless they won it all again, and no matter what kind of talent you have on the roster, you need more than a couple of breaks to win it all.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 03:05 PM) One word...LEVERAGE! The Sox can always borrow against future value to make up for any deficits!!! I take it you're in debt up to your neck?

QUOTE(SnB @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 03:36 PM) i don't see a 68 dollar one, i see a 72 dollar one? because if there are rooms at the hyatt, that'd be perfect hotwire.com. Chicago 1/27-1/29. Downtown. The 4 star at the top for $68 at Mag Mile/Wacker Drive is either the Hyatt or River North Westin. Its a 99.9% chance its the Hyatt. The Westin never gets that low.

I would prefer the Sox to not trade for Abreu and remain at least somewhat financially flexible during the season if holes need to be filled. Picking up Abreu's contract not only busts the budget, but pretty much would paralyze KW if he wanted to make an in-season move that would be taking on money.

If anyone still needs rooms at the Hyatt, they are going for $68 a night on hotwire.com.

QUOTE(Frank the Tank 35 @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 03:17 PM) Is that written in the contract? I don't recall if it was or not... just that it had been rumored that Abreu would want that option picked up if he was to waive his no-trade. I've also read that he'd best buds with Ozzie, so that could help. I do agree that the 2008 season salary could be a big sticking point/ roadblock. I think I read it in one of Ken Rosenthal's articles or one of the articles in a Philadelphia, Boston or Baltimore paper. But it did state Abreu would only waive his no trade if his option was picked up.

QUOTE(Frank the Tank 35 @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 03:02 PM) Gentlemen, you guys are so focused on ripping Steve and any semblance of an Abreu rumor apart, let's not forget that we'd be trading away AT LEAST Contreras who is owed ~$9. So at the VERY most we'd be adding, what $4 mil to next year's salary? It would be the following year that the real salary would be added. If we don't win it all again this year or at least get deep into the playoffs, we CAN trade away players if need be, correct? That's still an option, right? I say I'm leaning to just loading up this year for another run, if we don't make it we can shed some salary. All our players have reasonable contracts. Depending on trading players a year or 2 in advance to lower payroll is a very risky proposition. If these players fell flat on their faces, their giant contracts would be impossible to move. Then you get the double whammy. A bad team, that no one wants to pay to see, and a payroll you can't decrease unless you dump core players like Buerhle and Konerko which would only alienate the fan base, particularly the bandwagon jumpers who wouldn't hesitate to jump back off.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 23, 2006 -> 02:46 PM) Let's add 1 more detail to this budget talk...it may very well be possible for the White Sox to operate in a deficit for 1 year or more. However, we're not talking about just putting a couch on a credit card here...we're talking about multiple millions of dollars in deficits. You don't get those credit lines all that easy...you have to offer something up. The ownership of the White Sox is in a place where their main assets are the White Sox (and the Bulls of course)...they don't just necessarily have a lot of cash lying around to cover operating in a $10-$20 million hole year after year after year. If they were to take out some sort of loan to allow for improvements of the team this year, using some share of their equity in the team...at some point, they would have to find a way to pay that loan back, unless they had more significant cash reserves than I know about. That basically means that in order to try to win even more this year...they'd have to be willing to cut costs in the future. But if they cut costs significantly in the future to pay back the expenditures from today...then through the cost-cutting, they may very well destroy some of the growth of the fan base accomplished by the winning. Operating in a deficit is practical if you have large cash reserves to finance the deficit, and you expect revenues to grow in the future to the point where they would be able to cover both the increased costs and the repayment of the debt...which simply can't happen here, as the stadium is only so big. We're not talking about a government here which can simply print money. I really doubt the Sox would take on a huge contract like Abreu's. They owe Garland a ton of money and if he reverts to his previous form this season, won't ever be able to trade him without taking on a huge portion of his contract. Abreu's a great player, but he's really not a fit right now with the White Sox. Maybe if the guy was a natural CF, but he's not so it would require moving Pods to CF which is not a good thing. That plus the money he is owed, especially if picking up the option year is required like I read would mean the Sox would have a tough time signing Buerhle when his contract is up, no matter how many fans the Sox draw.

I read an article that stated Abreu is owed $31 million the next 2 seasons, and has an $18 million option for 2008 which he wants picked up in order to waive his no trade clause. $49 million for 3 years of Abreu? I don't see KW going for that. Forget about Abreu, HE WILL NOT BE COMING HERE.

QUOTE(q\/\/3r+y @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 03:39 PM) I really like the ben grieve sign/invite. If he hits .250 he off the bench he will be more valuable than timo ever was. Hell if he hits .220 he will be more valuable than timo ever was. He is a really nice obp guy and plays fine enough defense that no one should complain about it. Grieve is pretty brutal defensively, but it appears his once promising career has transformed into being a career pinch hitter. The fact that he can hit it into the seats is nice. I still think Borchard is better than him at this point though.

That's $15k well spent.

Montero was one of the first players suspended for steriod use last season.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Jan 18, 2006 -> 11:12 PM) Its not faulting someone. Its against the rules. Just like if a fight breaks out on the court, you are not allowed to leave the bench to help your teamate even if he is getting his ass handed to him. It doesnt matter, you dont leave the bench. Gail Fisher is now reporting a fine and possibly suspension is coming down the line. His dumbass action has more and more repurcussions. How come they gave him a T and no free throw?

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Jan 17, 2006 -> 06:56 PM) Did you see the foul calls that went against Augie and Pruitt? Those were as weak as they come. I'm clearly frustrated right now, over exaggerated, but IU is definitely getting all the calls. That's life in the Big Ten. Home teams get most of the calls. Its been that way forever.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 17, 2006 -> 04:17 PM) Good grief. I would be pissssssstttt off if I spent $15K and had no post season options... Isn't that the truth. I wonder how many full season tickets they can sell with no post season. Whoever the person is who can sell them ought to get a huge bonus. Does anyone know if the ticket reps work on salary or if they get commission for every account they open?

QUOTE(WinningUgly85 @ Jan 16, 2006 -> 04:31 PM) How much does an organist make? I doubt she makes much from the White Sox. Organists are a dying breed. I really doubt the Sox will have one after Nancy calls it a day, but with this new arrangement, I believe she will only work 28 dates in 2006, she's liable to be there another 20 years.

Maybe the offense can score again and get the 2 point conversion. Of course if there is any time left on the clock, Carolina will just march right down the field and score again.

The Bears are cooked. The Defense choked.

He finally couldn't throw to Smith because Urlacher was covering him.

Brutal start by the special teams.

Let me guess, Steve Smith will be thrown to every pass this series, and will be lonely at least twice. The Bears need to get a sack or two, because whatever they do about Smith doesn't appear like it will work.

The Bears must get 7 points here.