Dick Allen

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 11:40 AM) I am still waiting to see Arrieta's arbitration numbers. Boras v cubs could be interesting as I am pretty certain Boras does not care about the feel good story that is the Chicago cubs. I could see Boras asking for $25M for Arrieta in arbitration He would lose. I think the projection is about $10-11 million.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 11:24 AM) Still need another bat or it was a waste IMO. 2 years of Frazier/Lawrie isn't enough time to hope we don't still have black holes in RF/LF/DH/SS/C - not to mention Lawrie isn't a sure thing. Have to capitalize on potentially not having an embarrassing offense for once and not be half in half out. It doesn't have to be one of the big free agents, but it is the move that makes the most sense. They do need someone who could hit in the middle of the order, and avoid giving up anymore prospects. As long as it is a productive hitter great. Too bad the 2005 Jermaine Dye isn't available for $5 million.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 11:13 AM) Just seems like everyone on the station feels only way to be successful is via complete tanking/rebuilding. Because...Cubs. I pointed out yesterday, the only 2 players Theo drafted for the Cubs who have actually played for the Cubs are Bryant and Schwarber. They were lucky to get Bryant. All the other players could have been acquired while trying to remain competitive. If Houston drafted Bryant, the whole Cubs tank would have been for Kyle Schwarber, and maybe at a later date, Almora.

Doesn't Span have a hip problem?

He will talk about the trade, but he won't reveal much about anything else. No need to get discouraged about a big bat OF unless he just says no way.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 08:35 AM) I understand and agree. I'm just surprised by the sheer amount of people who were saying they were done with the team. It wasn't just one or two, it was practically every reply. They were bad, and are now worse. Their team is hopeless for the foreseeable future. Except for MPWs (mediocre prospect worshippers) their team isn't going to appeal to people not related to the players.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 08:17 AM) From Jersey, but yes, I know they loved him, but saying that they'll never watch their team again seems extreme to me. That is just the same talk that a few from every team's fanbase feels necessary when they are disgruntled. I'm willing to bet they watch the Reds opening day.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 07:35 PM) Anytime you can give a 32 year old a 10 year contract, you do it. Probably didn't" t think they would regret it when he was 33. Pujols, Hamilton...I,could,see,where Moreno,says probably out, although he did steal Torii Hunter from the White Sox and he worked out fine.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 07:16 PM) It was just announced that Pujols is very likely going to have to player a lot of DH. They have CJ Cron but the Nava move makes sense for that reason. He still was great, and the declines were slight, but Pujols was trending down his last 3 years in St. Louis. What is that contract going to look like in a couple of years when he needs a walker with the tennis balls to get up to home plate?

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 07:12 PM) Per Bernstein, Thompson a 2 war next year Frazier a 3.7......OK The bigger thing matheny did not coddle heyward as much as maddon and that is what sealed the deal.....the $26m per had nothing to do with it. Christ I just need to delete that as a preset. Everyone wants to play for Joe Maddon. That is why Theo has only had to shell out about $400 million for Heyward, Lester, Zobrist, and Lackey. A steal.

People want the team to suffer and build through the draft. There were exactly 2 Theo Epstein draft picks on the 2015 Cubs. If Houston knew what they were doing with #1 overall picks, all that tanking would have been for Mark Appel and Kyle Schwarber. All the other guys he could have acquired trying to be somewhat competitive. Being bad isn't necessary to be good in baseball.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 06:19 PM) Agreed. I think they view Turner as one option from a depth perspective, but I do think they are going to add an arm and an outfielder. I expect the arm will be a solid player where as the outfielder will be a more high profile move. One guy I wouldn't mind them looking at because he would be minimum and worked well with Coop is Edwin Jackson.

The Sox are also going to need a pitcher or 2. Teams usually don't make it through entire,seasons with 5 or 6 starters.

QUOTE (daggins @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 06:13 PM) These are just depth moves, they'll absolutely be in on Yo and Upton I would think so as well.

If this is in leiu of signing a real outfielder, It seems strange. How much are they paying theses guys?

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 03:53 PM) He has talked repeatedly about being responsible to the rest of the board members. I'm not as confident as Dick Allen is that this is true. He has a history of criticizing JR and his budget statments and esponsibilities. I respect his opinion but he is far from impartial when it comes to opinions on JR. The only time I really ever gave JR hell about payroll was 2009 when he held season ticket holder playoff money hostage and lowered payroll, and KW cried poor. After that he traded for Peavy and claimed Rios. Here is a Tribune story from a couple of years ago showing total control, even being able to sell the team without any other shareholders consent. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07...chael-reinsdorf

It doesn't matter if JR owns 98%, 55% or 1% of the team, whatever he wants to do, he can do. That is how it is set up. He has all the power. The others get a suite, are able to call themselves owners, and get paid when the team sells, or have to cut a check when they get a cash call which from what I heard hasn't happened since the late 80s.

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 03:16 PM) If he isn't the majority owner, how can he sell the team? He has made it clear he thinks his family should sell the team. He is the Chairman. He put the group together. He has all the power, and his executor gets it when he is gone.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 03:13 PM) As the chairman yes he can do what he wants but how long do you think he will remain the chairman if he runs the team into the red? Probably until he dies. But he wouldn't run the team into the red every year. Assuming they haven't paid out any of the partners, they should have quite the war chest sitting somewhere. But the problem with overspending is it leads to more overspending, and then you get into big trouble.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 03:08 PM) Actually, he's just chairman. I don't believe that he's the majority owner. I don't think he's the majority owner, but he is correct about being able to do what he wants.

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 02:57 PM) If they want to pay it, go right ahead and don't worry about overpaying. It's not that big of a deal. Ask MC Hammer how that approach works out.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:42 PM) Well yeah, of course if you filter to "last 4 years", but that's because you've now limited it to "guys who have been consistent over 4 years". Yeah why use a 4 year stretch, when you can use a smaller sample size to say someone isn't any good. Especially with advanced defensive stats. Are there dark clouds everyday in your world?

It has been mentioned, especially if a FA OF is added, the Sox will have significantly upgraded their offense without using Anderson or Fulmer, or Adams in trades. More importantly, they didn't use Quintana.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:14 PM) Chuck Garfien ‏@ChuckGarfien 28s28 seconds ago Can the White Sox get into the Upton/Cespedes/Gordon sweepstakes? Hahn said "We shall see." That is beyond encouraging. .

My reaction was what is next? I am no prospect lover, but they have to keep going if they are trying to win. They cannot stop here, or they lose the trade. If they do and fall short, whether you love Trayce, Micah, and Montas, hate them or are indifferent, it makes no sense to trade them for a guy who will be around 2 years, if you are going to be a .500 or so team. You need to do whatever you can to get into the playoffs. Now it is about spending some money. Spend it JR. Get the guy that will take you over the top, and melt the doom and gloomers like the Wicked Witch of the West. Then it is a huge White Sox win.