iamshack

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 03:17 PM) Why do you think we're going to struggle next year? Just curious. Well, last season a lot of things went right for us...Dunn bounced back, Rios had a career year, Konerko carried us for 2 months, Sale and Peavy had outstanding seasons, a lot of our young bullpen guys came up big for us, Q had a great few months, AJ had a career year, etc., and it still wasn't enough. Now I understand that we will get some unexpected positives this season too. Maybe Danks comes back and pitches well. Maybe Viciedo takes the next step and puts up some Carlos Lee type numbers. Maybe Gordon finally makes a reappearance. But I think a lot of guys will have lesser years than last, and quite frankly, the rest of our division has to get better than they were last year. The Twins will be better, the Tigers will be better, the Royals and Indians will probably be better. I just think this will be a down year for us, fairly similar to '07. And that's fine, as long as we use it wisely to develop some players, move some guys in-season to trim some payroll, and start focusing on our next window, which will most likely be '15 and beyond.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 02:06 PM) I use 5dimes because they take my credit card. They also allow Western Union deposits/payouts and they are quick at processing those. I'd suggest doing WU but you will have to pay about 10-15 in sending fees and they take about $30 in fees for payouts. Also you have to send a min. of $100 for Western Union or Moneygram. Even though I do like gambling and talk about it, I do think you should really think it over before doing so. I'm sure you know the risks and how some people can really get addicted to it. I saw someone basically waste 10 years of his life just gambling non stop and blowing through his money. Money management is the key. There is so much more than just seeing a number and taking it because you think Team A will cover the 4 point spread. Read about line movements and key numbers. Dont bet on what you dont know. Just be smart. For sure...I honestly pretty much just bet NFL football, because 90% of it takes place on one day of the week. I don't bet the NBA, NCAAs or MLB, (except on rare occasions, such as when a friend comes into town and wants to, or the playoff games), because once you get into those, there are games every single day. I don't want to get caught up in gambling that often. By betting the NFL, I limit myself to basically one day a week, which allows me to just live a normal life the other 6 days of the week. As for tips, I don't even really know what to say...there are tons of people out there who claim to have systems, or that will give you trends and angles, but honestly, none of them work. Each game is it's own game, and anything can happen on any given day. A lot of people will tell you to fade the public, because the books exploit the average bettor, but that isn't necessarily true. A lot of sharps will play "spots" rather than teams. What I do is I just watch as much NFL football as possible. I focus on key strengths and weaknesses and how teams generally react to adversity or in the spotlight. I try to spot trends and streaks with each team, such as when a team's offense or defense is really clicking. I usually stay away from big lines unless I am really confident that the underdog simply cannot score points against the favorite. This is rare in the NFL since the disparity between teams simply isn't that great...however, sometimes it does happen, such as when you have a team like the Jaguars trying to develop an awful qb like Blaine Gabbert. Anyways, we could go on and on and on about it, but just have fun with it. Don't get too serious about it, because unless you are willing to devote your life to it, you really aren't going to make a killing betting sports over the long haul. I've had seasons where I've won several thousands of dollars, such as 2010, and I've had seasons where I've lost several hundred dollars (this year I am probably down about $1,000). But I consider it entertainment, which is what it is for me.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 02:55 PM) 1. No lines are up for the game anymore and I doubt there will be one posted for tomorrow. 2. Try a little harder next time. Lines are back up in Vegas at most books...looks like the oddsmakers bumped the line up from Car -3 to Car -3.5 in most places.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 01:26 PM) Yes, that part is confirmed, the GM and head coach watched him do it. ESPN also reported that he apologized to them. Oh, how nice of him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 01:37 PM) My biggest worry with that rotation is the same one as last year...durability. 3 of those guys pitched vastly more innings last year than they did the couple years beforehand, which is always a red flag, one of them was hurt the whole year, and one is almost a rookie. I like our depth overall, but that's because I think we have more minor league options who could step in. If you think a couple guys could use more time in the minors, then spending a million to have a guy be the long man in the bullpen with experience and ready to step in...that's reasonable. Well I can't see him being available for a million in the first place. I think he's going to get at least $4 million or so. To your point, however, while I was very optimistic about our chances last year, this year, I am quite pessimistic. I think we are going to really struggle this season, so I'm not concerned so much about durability as much as I am sorting out who is going to be a long-term option and in what roles. IMO, having Joe Saunders or any one of those other veterans isn't going to provide anything that makes a difference one way or the other, so I'd rather save the cash and give the innings to someone for development purposes.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 02:14 PM) If he fits in the budget I don't see why not a guy like Saunders. He's put up numbers comparable to Floyd, maybe even slightly better. I'd rather just go with Sale/Peavy/Danks/Santiago/Quintana if we were to trade Floyd.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 12:22 PM) I can't see the actual article so I don't know what was said about the guys I posted but I think they'd be in the budget. Villanueva or Saunders would be a good replacement. Looking more into their stats I switch my top pick to Saunders if he fits in the budget. My guess is they are looking more for guys that were once highly-touted but didn't pan out rather than guys that have just been plain old mediocre for the last several years. I'd rather give the job to one of our young kids rather than a guy like Joe Saunders. If we find ourselves in another pennant race somehow and we need another arm, that is the time to go get your Joe Saunders' type guy.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 12:19 PM) How does one get informational interviews? Yes, we have had this conversation before, but I'm coming back because I don't know what to do anymore. There are lots of jobs for ChEs......if you have 5 years of experience. For those of us who have none, not so much. I went to IIT. Elgin...have you looked at the utility/energy industry? Companies like Shell or Exxon-Mobile or BP? Have you checked out Exelon?

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 11:30 AM) Probably not. They have Frieri and Madson for 8-9th innings. Oh I forgot about Madson...

That's terrible...I've seen one book take their line off for the game against Carolina tomorrow.

People say all kinds of BS when they breakup...you guys are assuming she is even telling the truth to him in the first place.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 11:09 AM) He won't ever come. It's SF, Lala land or Boston for him. Makes you wonder if the Angels have plans for him given their trade of Walden yesterday.

Wow, I didn't realize the Braves were this down on him already.

I sat in on a presentation by the CAISO (California Independent Systems Operator) yesterday and heard some interesting things on some of the challenges facing them in the coming years due to the influx of wind and solar and the state's 33% RPS for 2020.

Heyman says Dodgers in on AJ again. CBS Sports

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 10:46 AM) Question though: when is the last time the Sox traded a good, productive veteran player for a return (in prospects probably) that Soxtalk liked? I can't remember. Even 2 of our best deals in the CLee deal (salary space for JD & AJ + Pods + Viz) and the Freddy to Philly deal were hated. The last one I can think of was the Rowand + Gio + Haigwood deal for Thome. IIRC everything liked that. Of course we got the best player in the deal there. The last time we sent a MLB vet for prospects that people liked was....???? My point is that we never like anything here. This "tidbit" could be about any player in any given deal. Yeah, but given the contract Danks has and the injury he's coming off of, what would you expect to get for him if you took on none of his salary? I would say absolutely nothing. So unless we're eating a big portion of his salary to move him for peanuts (which is not something that seems beneficial to anyone), I can't imagine a trade of Danks resulting in the scenario Rock seems to be hinting at.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 10:22 AM) That description fits John Danks, Jose Quintana, and Hector Santiago a lot better than it does Gavin Floyd or Paul Konerko. I mean, it fits Konerko, but I just don't see any way they'd trade Konerko. And I think we're expecting the Sox to trade Quintana or Santiago, so I don't think that would leave people too upset. My best guess is Danks because he was always more of a KW guy. I'm just not sure who would want Danks coming off shoulder surgery. Yeah, I don't think it would be Danks simply because he said the returns would be considered small by our standards or hopes...I can't imagine any return for Danks would be considered small right now.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 11:16 AM) I'm usually better at realizing it's time to cut players loose, but I just can't do that with Beckham for some reason. He's done nothing to earn this, but I still think he has it somewhere in him. He was so hot in the 2-hole right before Youkilis got here last year, so maybe that's prolonging it for me. Yeah, I wouldn't trade him either. You're not going to get much for him and there aren't any significantly better options, so you may as well hold out a bit longer and hope that talent of his resurfaces in a more consistent form.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 09:35 AM) Anyone have a 3D TV? The wifey and I are looking to upgrade a 27 inch tv with a 40 inch (limits of our armoire) that has apps and wi-fi. Samsung had a 40 inch that will fit and it comes in both 2d and 3d versions. The 3d is like $250 bucks more and I'm wondering if it would be worth it. I have a ps3 with some games that are 3d ready (the show, uncharted 3, ACIII) and I have directv which offers a few channels in 3d. I enjoy 3d movies in IMAX, and I played uncharted 3d at a friends once and it was pretty cool (on a 55 or 60 inch tv thought). Just not sure if it's worth the upcharge. I've never used one before, but my thoughts on 3D televisions is that they will never really breakout until they figure out a way to use them without glasses. Until then, I'd have a hard time being convinced to buy one.

I had a dream last night that we traded Gordo finally. As for rushing Sanchez, I think you have to resist the temptation to lump him in with other players who have struggled with quick promotions just because that is what has happened recently. We need to evaluate each on a case-by-case scenario.

I just used Barkley as an example of a potentially good QB. If they could draft a solid QB, I think they could improve drastically very quickly.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Nov 28, 2012 -> 12:16 PM) Except the Bears. Neither their wins nor their losses are very close. I guess you could say the Houston game was close but the Bears were pretty much sunk without Cutler in the second half. Well, this is a perfect example. How good are the Bears with Cutler? How good are they without Cutler? How good might the Chiefs be with a solid QB?

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 27, 2012 -> 11:23 PM) They had the first overall pick in the year that the best quarterback prospect since the other guy entered the league, that was very lucky. Had that been, say, the 2005 draft? Or the 2002 draft? Not as much. So you couldn't see the Chiefs bringing in a new coaching staff, drafting Matt Barkley, and being good next year, with that defense and some of that talent they have on offense? The difference between being good and bad is really not all that much in the NFL.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 27, 2012 -> 11:23 PM) They had the first overall pick in the year that the best quarterback prospect since the other guy entered the league, that was very lucky. Had that been, say, the 2005 draft? Or the 2002 draft? Not as much. So you couldn't see the Chiefs bringing in a new coaching staff, drafting Matt Barkley, and being good next year, with that defense and some of that talent they have on offense? The difference between being good and bad is really not all that much in the NFL.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 27, 2012 -> 08:34 PM) That's actually pretty far, lol On the bright side, they suck so bad this year they'll have a legit shot at getting a real QB in the draft. It is? Colts?