iamshack

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 10:05 AM) Well if Cutler is out, you can committ to him for less money and then invest some picks and time into the defense. We have a nice window coming up with this offense so I don't see a problem sticking with Jay and investing in the defense. Yeah, I don't know how much money you're really going to save, but you might be able to save a few bucks if you show good faith and make an offer while he is injured. He's got such a nice rapport with other key members of this offense now, I think you sign him and know that McCown is a competent backup (man, was he great yesterday!).

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:56 AM) I would rather have McCann for the next 5 years at $15 million than AJ for the next 2 at either of those figures. I think McCann might get $100 million though, which is absolutely horrifiying for a player of his injury history and less than elite numbers. Saltalamacchia really is my #1 choice right now, given relatively estimates right now, but he could end up around $50 mill or so this offseason, and I don't want to do that either. I guess it depends on what other moves are made, like you have mentioned...if Hahn somehow acquires some other pieces via trade and signing McCann can put us in position to contend in the next few years, I could live with that. But you just know that those last 2-3 years are going to kill you on that contract. I think that money is better spent elsewhere. So assuming McCann and Salty's prices get driven up too high, what do you do?

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:55 AM) Wayne's leg got caught underneath him cause of the bad pass. Andrew Luck basically tore Wayne's acl. Yeah, and he knows it too. A bit of a bittersweet pill to swallow last night.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:50 AM) Well, we get to see all of our rookie linebackers. Really sucks no briggs. Our young guys are going to get forced into the spotlight. Briggsy has consistently been one of my all time favorite Bears (along with Peanut). Me too. Guy doesn't get his due around here.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:50 AM) There is no chance AJ's deal is two years and nearly that much money. I meant total for the two years.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:49 AM) I'd MUCH rather have McCann in that scenario. The prob is it's going to be more like $18m What? for how many years? Ick.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:48 AM) Well, that's why I started that Saltalamacchia thread. He's 28, good defensively, and might only cost $8m or so a year. That's a guy we can live with for 5 years even if his bat isn't quite as good as it was this year. If it comes down to AJ, I'd almost rather sign Geovany Soto in case he bounces back because he's young enough thaty we might extend him. Yeah, I don't have a problem with Salty, but I think his price will be driven up by this catcher's market.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:41 AM) I think AJ is an option if they have made all of the moves they feel necessary to make the team competitive without having added a catcher and he's still out there. That's about the only reason I see them signing him or even having the desire to sign him. Would you rather spend $10-12 million a year on McCann for the next 6 years or $12-14 on AJ for the next two?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:40 AM) To be fair, his team did collapse down the stretch this year again, although I am sure that will just be blamed on the Alex Rios acquisition. I just don't buy the accountability argument. If AJ were to yell at De Aza after a baserunning blunder, he would stop making stupid mistakes? If Alexei had to answer to AJ, would he have made less errors? Doubtful. Well, I am looking at a few things...one, the complete lack of focus this team had this year as opposed to previous years, and two, the fact that the Red Sox, of all teams, thought enough of character and accountability to specifically target certain guys in order to bring back a sense of professionalism to their ballclub this year. I think we could go to school on that a bit, especially given the amount of young players that are going to be coming through our roster in the next several years.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:38 AM) I agree with all of this. The problem is that he's old, and we need to be developing a long-term solution at C to be ready when the team is competitive. If we signed AJ, it would essentially be kicking the can down the road. We'd get a decent year out of him but we'd have the same hole to fill as before, and without having given at bats to anyone who might fill it. I'm not saying Flowers/Phegley are the answer, but if we're not going to get someone else, they need at bats to try to get better. Well I guess that depends on whether you believe we have anyone that can develop into the long-term solution at C. Given the beating catchers take, I think it's foolish to acquire an above-average or elite one via FA. You've either got to develop one yourself, or go with a marginal veteran at a reasonable price. I don't think Phegley or Flowers is the answer, and I don't want to spend what it is going to take to sign McCann, given his age. So sign a marginal stopgap and draft a few this year and next and hope one can stick.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:23 AM) Just look at September 2012, the sense of focus with AJ around was the difference. Yeah, I know you don't care for this one. I'm not saying AJ is the perfect player...he certainly has his detractors. But we are short on guys that seem to understand what is happening on a baseball field at times. AJ, at the catcher position, would help in that regard IMHO.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 09:15 AM) I would phrase it just like that -- wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. But if it comes to that and it isn't after we've already added at least 3 more upgrades, I'd rather save that money and put it into player dev or international signing penalties or something. Signing AJ only makes sense if he's the final stopgap in an offseason where we unexpectedly got competitive right away. I honestly think AJ would bring back a sense of focus that we lost last year. I know you quants don't really believe in that stuff so much, but I just think he keeps people on their toes, he knows how to play the game, and he brings some accountability that we are desperately lacking both from our manager and in terms of player leadership.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 21, 2013 -> 08:56 AM) Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 15m brian mccann is a lucky man. many big-market teams should be in: nyy, bos, tex, cubs, laa, etc. http://cbsprt.co/1fOm8GV Yeah, this is not the year to try and sign him. Personally, I'd just try and get AJ back and focus on some other holes we have to fill.

QUOTE (Jake @ Oct 20, 2013 -> 05:56 PM) If you want to think of this season as almost lost regardless of a Cutler injury due to the defense, then maybe a Cutler injury would be a blessing in disguise as it should really drive his price down. It won't, because someone else will give him the money if we won't.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 20, 2013 -> 01:16 PM) Holy s***. 6/11 defensive starters are injured. QB out. All Pro WR out. Fun. Also, Merriweather can eat a bag of dicks. Yeah, every week he's headhunting

QUOTE (chw42 @ Oct 20, 2013 -> 12:01 PM) If McCown gets hurt, who would be QB? Bush

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 20, 2013 -> 11:52 AM) Glass Jay strikes again. 10 sacks on the year, but one of them hurts him. Oh come on now

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 20, 2013 -> 06:03 AM) More than Contreras and Liriano? Yes! He makes those two look like Mark Buehrle.

No Volquez! That guy is the most frustrating pitcher in the last 10 years.

Going to cost $8 millionish

So looking at honeymoon destinations. Going to try and keep this relatively affordable because we're way over budget on the wedding at this point. Probably going to leave the 28th or 29th of April, and go for 6 nights. Heard http://www.capellahotels.com/ixtapa/default-en.html is pretty awesome. Anyone ever been?

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Oct 18, 2013 -> 08:21 AM) FYI... Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB 17m I'll discuss #WhiteSox signing of Jose Abreu for $68 million w/@MacAndSpiegs on @670TheScore in Chicago at 11 am CT. Did anyone tune in?

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 18, 2013 -> 08:17 AM) Haha thanks. If you don't mind me asking, are you trying to get into a trading group in Chicago? If so, which one? No. The fiancée and I bought a house here in Vegas this summer, so we'll be here for awhile. I've been recruited for a new position here within my company...but because it's a big lame company, I've got to go through all the HR song and dance of applying and interviewing even though the hiring manager literally created the position for me.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 18, 2013 -> 08:10 AM) I just got a job doubling my salary. Congrats! Now go to the nudey bar!!!!

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 07:07 PM) I don't know how the Rangers are even in the position to be bidding today against the Sox with Ryan stepping down. Could be wrong but I really hope this is just some smoke before the prestige of Mr. Abreu signing with The Chicago White Sox I'm sure there is a continuity plan in place for that sort of thing...