caulfield12

We're not entirely sure (yet) if we love you back...not enough data.

That 100 hours was JUST for the “two whales theory” and its various permutations. Another 50-75 for various witty retorts, hot takes and f-bombs. The bar has been set. You’ve seemingly got your work cut out for you staying ahead of Fathom and SS2K5 during the regular season...especially if Machado doesn’t sign. Can you maintain your place on the side of positivity and light with Eminor, or will the dark side seduce you like it did Balta? Do you really want to take up the sword again that any perceived failure this year would inevitably be replaced by sweet vindication next FA cycle?

???

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/cubs-pitcher-joins-chorus-friends-210628893.html Btw, we've not yet entered trade negotiations with the Cubs for his services, at least not yet...

If Iowa BB can win two games in a row with desperation 3's, including tonight from the corner baseline that somehow banked perfectly in after being deflected to him by a teammate...then f@&k it, might as well be the year we shake up the baseball world and sign two whales and let it all ride.

Picking the Padres or White Sox gets a lot more raised eyebrows than any of the more commonly-expected large market clubs. For all we know, Gomez is only out there with his Sox cheerleading to scare the Phillies into bidding against themselves. What we he really lose if Machado signs elsewhere?

But sign too low and they affect 100's of future player salaries and their own agent commissions. Unless this is just about getting opt outs after 2 or 3 years that nobody other than the Padres or Yankees might be willing to provide.

Marketing. He would be more recognizable than any name but Abreu...and that’s providing Jose the benefit of the doubt.

Without Kopech and Cease, sure...but with Eloy, the bullpen additions, Moncada (and/or Giolito improving), Lopez continuing to progress, they should be 5-7 games better. How one feels about Narvaez repeating his 2018 season is another significant factor.

Cease, Robert, Madrigal and tracking the #3 pick are the other main reasons to be excited about this season. Maybe cheering for Renteria to be replaced...by Madden, lol. Not sure how Sox fans would feel about taking “seconds” two times in row from the Cubs, but he is already outselling every single White Sox player’s jersey. And the media (mostly) adores him.

Keuchel theoretically would do well out there...Gio wouldn't be a bad sign, either.

Impressed with Thome, Kopech’s flowing locks, fan of Giolito/López/Dunning from his time in WASH, blown out of the water by video presentation, loves city of Chicago in summertime, has heard only good things about Renteria, etc.

Shouldn’t the odds of a lefty having a lefty son be something like 1-3 out of 100? 1/10 x 1/10=1/100 I guess there’s a way to train a switch hitter or make a kid close to ambidextrous, but doubt it’s easy to override the naturally dominant hand. (Yes, I realize the comment was more sarcastic than anything...)

If Lindor misses the entire year, Ramirez starts hitting like the Sox version of Manny and two starting pitchers go down to season ending injuries, AND their bullpen is a similar train wreck to last year. The Braves and Nats should both be right there, but Harper to Philly and away from Wash should make them co-favorites along with Atlanta. And if Cespedes wasn’t bigger than CJ Anderson and not likely to miss the entire season, the Mets might have a somewhat plausible case to compete.

For example, Harper's poor defensive rating last year essentially came down to four plays the modeling system decided that he "should have made." From his track record prior to that to a guy who's now doomed for 1B/DH due to four plays, one or two of which are probably balls that were lost in the light stands for all we know.

That might ALSO have something to do with many not posting much THIS year...especially in the second half of the season after Kopech went down. Or having the time recently to post on the day to day status of Machado and Harper. If you could break it down to posts since the system started divided by likes rewarded to get a comparative ratio, you might have a legit VORP number.

They're spending more time defending Kepler for trying to set up a 17 year old girl who was assaulted by a Phillies' minor leaguer with the same guy who victimized her in order to "make things right."

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/sd-sp-padres-anderson-espinoza-fernando-tatis-0215-story.html Padres set against moving Tatis, Jr. to 3B

Machado and Harper at $300+ million, sure. The original plan was to hit the 2019-20 free agent class to supplement our internal prospect development. The 2018 season changed that...whether it turns out to be a blessing or curse in the long term remains to be seen. And the "we never thought we'd even be a legit player for these two generational talents" spin is not going to fly at this point. The worst case scenario (other than SD getting either) remains the Nats reconsidering Harper and Philly having no choice but to blow away our offer to at least secure Machado.

Who could ever have predicted 2 1/2 years ago that the Padres of all teams would be the biggest threat to the White Sox rebuild?

Ben, just curious...how old are you? Your texting style reminds me of some of the high schoolers I teach. Or you're related to Andrew Dice Clay?

Exhibit 1 would be $39 million paid to Adam in his mid 30's for past accomplishments with the Cardinals.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/adam-wainwight-possible-strike-im-worried-people-will-walk-midseason-013511013.html Adam Wainright already speculating about a midseason player's strike THIS year.

Unless the Nats, who have a roster of nearly 10 Boras clients already, were to jump back in on Harper. He also probably has the best working relationship with Lerner.

A certain someone is really teeing it up for subsequent presidents to declare the proliferation of guns, mental health care or even the environment to be deemed as emergencies or crises.