caulfield12

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/billionaire-owner-chicago-bulls-white-190109031.html Reinsdorf and billionaires getting hammered universally in comments

Well, that could either 1) highly complicate things or 2) ensure that both teams at least GET something, because it's going to be very unpopular to turn down both? How would they decide which team should get what percentage of benefit/subsidy though? Does it matter that the Bears did this 20 years ago versus the White Sox closer to 35 years ago? What about the existing bonds/debt attached to the Bears' project vs. Sox liabilities? Will that also be taken into consideration?

Royals 2014-15 again. But we don't have the basestealers and contact hitters to really make this work in the same way. Do we even have any capable bunters?

Unless we time warped backwards to 2019.

All kinds of Sox related news this week https://www.yahoo.com/sports/paul-konerko-sends-heartfelt-congratulations-204341027.html to Chris Chelios for jersey retirement as a Blackhawk

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-al-batting-champion-tim-205531823.html If TA gets traded to another team this year, he pockets an extra $500k assignment bonus.

Bring back the Melky and Carlos Sanchez comedy acts.

https://www.milb.com/player/billy-seidl-687225 Duke Blue Devil. One of the closers for Kanny last year. Higher ERA than you’d like at that level. WHIP needs to come down significantly.

Bryce Harper already wants his contract renegotiated/extended. https://sports.yahoo.com/bryce-harper-has-8-years-left-on-his-phillies-contract-so-why-does-he-want-an-extension-201603197.html Can just imagine the reaction of JR with this tactic. Boras wanted the opt out so but Harper had wanted to demonstrate his commitment to stay in Philly and helping to sign other FA's like Turner Schwarber Nola and next Wheeler again reupping.

Margot basically replacing Michael A. Taylor on the roster…

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/brielle-biermann-engaged-baseball-player-003051442.html Actress/social media influencer/Real Housewives of ATL daughter…not sure if this is good or will end up more like Michael Kopech, for now we can be positive/optimistic about something Sox-related I suppose.

The United Center is home to the Reinsdorf-controlled Bulls and the Wirtz family-owned Blackhawks. Reinsdorf and the Wirtzes co-own the building, and the purchasing of parking lots nearby only can mean arena expansion and development of the area are in the works. ‘‘It would be premature to discuss specifics at this time,’’ a spokesman for the parking-lot venture told Novak and Herguth. You’ve gotta salute the corpo-speak, but, if you have a brain, you know what’s up. Never forget that Reinsdorf made his fortune in real estate and the Wirtzes in alcohol distribution.

Why is Jerry Reinsdorf spending millions buying up parking lots around the United Center? Reporting by Tim Novak and Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times Buying lots: As Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf seeks $1 billion in taxpayer funding for a new ballpark in a planned mixed-use district in the South Loop, his associates have spent millions of dollars buying out parking lots run by his competitors to build what could be a similar district around the United Center. Spending big: Over the past 19 months, a Reinsdorf-connected company has spent $44.7 million buying vacant lots from two politically connected families that over the years have offered discounted parking deals to fans of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, the Sun-Times has learned. A third family has refused to sell its parking lots. The connections: More than half of that money has been paid to family-owned companies connected to longtime Bridgeport businessman Joseph Feldman Sr., whose late sister headed the political campaign fund for former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Key context: Reinsdorf, who is also chairman of the Bulls, and the Wirtz family, which owns the Blackhawks, co-own the United Center, which they built 30 years ago without any public financing. Both teams have since built practice facilities near the arena, which is a major catalyst for economic development on the West Side. Bottom line: Four of Chicago’s professional sports teams — the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox — are working on plans to redevelop or move their stadium sites. Read our full Watchdogs report here or click the button below.

DBacks didn’t get to the WS by being dumb. Otoh, we now have two their former top execs and potentially the one being positioned as next Sox GM in Josh Barfield.

https://www.mlb.com/news/martin-maldonado-s-accountability-shows-white-sox-play-fast-culture#:~:text=Manager Pedro Grifol called Maldonado's,be routine off the bat. Merkin-Puff

Schultz vs. Ohtani…

Fletcher wasn’t even in the same vicinity as guys like Mazara or Avi were as prospects. Colas would be much closer. The problem is they expect near an 800 ops again (like AZ in 100 at bats) and the underlying peripherals nearly all point towards more luck than long term sustainable success.

Beckham just couldn’t hit the high fastball…neither could Viciedo. Most hitters can hit the fastball ahead in counts, it’s the slider or curve off the plate outside that usually get them. Or pitching backwards if they have enough confidence in their off speed stuff.

That’s a lot of expectation to put on him. Maybe Stone simply feels he can be more relaxed with someone less deferential and more in tune with the game…rather than a performer and more the feeling Benetti was recently attempting to be just as much of an attraction as the game itself, compensating for the poor product on the field. Meaning he was getting a bit too big for his britches. Stone is saying Schiffren is more like him…not an outsider and non athlete who will never quite be fully accepted and respected by the players, coaches, front office and ownership…as well as the likes of blue-blood Boyer.

Gregory Santos is probably the best (recent) example...

Or Quentin for C.Carter.

Moncada would have to be hitting 875-900 and healthy for at least 2 or 2 1/2 months to stimulate serious interest. JR isn't going to sign off on eating $20-22 million all in one check (don't forget $5 million 2025 buyout) if you were trying to trade him along with Cease.

Yeah, Mena as the next Chris Bassitt who doesn't blow you away from a scout's eye but simply knows how to pitch.

I'll be fine watching this season...until/unless either Cease or Robert get hurt. Then will just tune out until June/July for the trade deadline maneuvers, but even that would be boring if Cease was off the market and due to the fact that the draft this year (yet ANOTHER "plug and play" collegiate for the Top 15, maybe a couple emerging preps) won't be all that exciting either.

DeJong was really good...in 2019. That's the best you can say. Lopez had that one outstanding 6+ fWAR year and has been a 1-1.5ish player ever since.