forkit

I guess you can call me names if you want, if that makes you feel better. But the truth is, this is a business, on both sides of the aisle. It's sad that most fans, including you, can't keep that in perspective. The Sox were one of the final bidders in the ARod sweepstakes, I believe [though Boras lied about the size and structure of their offer and then the Txes gentleman blinked in a bad game of poker and paid...well...waaaay too much]. Tell me again why the Sox MUST be the highest bidder on any player? It's a business. He apparently tries to buy value [like picking up Colon in a trade and hoping he can persuade him to extend his contract] instead of overpaying in what may be an environment of declining salaries. What's wrong with that? Doesn't suit you? So what? You don't own one share of the Sox. Now you want to throw the stadium renovations into the same discussion? What does that have to do with anything? He's a business owner! If you can get anyone else to pay for the stadium, you'd be a poor business owner if you ponied up one red cent. That's business. Don't like it? Run for office and get on the stadium board and get yourself a vote. Somehow everyone seems to think that just because they like a player, they DESERVE to have the owner of the team they follow go out and pay whatever it takes to get him cost be damned. Oh, and change the color of the seats, just because they don't like the color! Should the Sox have to send over the grounds crew to your house and do your lawn twice a week, too, just because you watch the Sox on TV? It's a business. Players want all the money they can get. Owners put out their own capital to buy a business and they do their best to make money. Their number one priority is always to make money. If they're lucky and make a few decisions that play out right, they might end up being the Marlins of that particular year. Remember: If they don't make money, they eventually have to sell. So why would they do anything but try to improve their bottom line? And no, I won't bother making a movie reference... Forkit!

Bummer. Forkit!

But remember...Manny is now on a team owned by John Henry. He's a bottom line stat guy. For those of you that don't know what he does for a living...He manages roughly $7 or $8 billion of client's money and then makes returns for them using system trading which is based on statistical events that can be predicted over time. His crew knows much more about statistics than anyone else even remotely involved in baseball. And he is an astute businessman. He believes in the bottom lne. Period. He isn't doing this to live out his "life long" fantasy. If he can't make money owning the team, you can bet he'll make huge changes. If that doesn't work, he'll sell. Maybe phase one is dumping the dead wood? Remember...Manny had lots to say about how much he loves Little. And John Henry specifically felt Little ignored the glaring statistics regarding pitching in the playoffs. By the way, is this the team you'd want to go to, if you are Colon? Pedro's upset with the fans [says they treat him bad] and Manny may be bye bye? Forkit!

If the Eck is one of our off season pickups...it's gonna be a very long season. Forkit!

That depends on what the overall salary picture this year turns out to be. Do you think teams are about to go back on a spending spree after a couple of years of declining player salaries? Or do you think a trend to more fiscal responsibility is here to stay? Look at basketball...the prices of teams are plummeting. Folks have more things they can do with their free time and unless you are lucky enough to be the Yankees and have your own cable network that guarantees them hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue yearly, you have to think about the trend in team values, as well as net revenues. I really thought the $12 mill per was fair and as it was structured, would allow the Sox to fill in some holes so they could make a strong run in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Isn't that what any TEAM player would want? The bottom line? Colon and Sox fans will know how the offer stacked up after other teams played their cards. Forkit!

Are we sure Crede is represented by Boras? That would be a bummer... I am not a partial owner of the White Sox. But if I were, I wouldn't even have talks with a Boras client. Don't get me wrong...From the player's point of view, he does what he is supposed to do--try and squeeze every penny out of the system. But his tactics make me itchy. He tries to hold owners hostage, he outright lies about offers "in hand," etc. And he's left a trail of first year drafted clients that had to sit out of playing Major League ball and consequently lost lots of income that will never be recouped, plus lost a year toward free agency, when their "big paycheck" supposedly will kick in. Does anyone think the ARod contract was good for Texas or good for baseball? Ok, no one made that ignoramous in Texas offer that crazy contract [talk about greed...the contract talks almost fell apart when ARod didn't like the description of the office to be provided for his "people!"]. But the Sox were used and abused by Boras. I just wouldn't deal with him again. Period. If Joe's agent is Boras, I hope he keeps a leash on his "representative." Crede's one of my favorite young players. Forkit!

You don't have to quote the whole diatribe to ask a simple question... That would depend on the structure of the contract. Actually, the terms of interest are negotiated all the time. Don't believe me? Frank has an interest free loan from the club. Do you think that's because the Sox just make all loans or deferrments interest free, no matter which side gets the cash benefit? Interest is part of the negotitation. And again, these days, what does your savings account pay you? 0.00 percent? 1.0 percent? It ain't much. For a three year contract deferrment, a player could get the money for 3 percent or less. But again!!! He'd be getting $8 or $10 mill IN CASH each year. What could he possibly do with the money that he'd need the deferred amount this year? As long as he gets it, it's pretty token in this interest rate environment. If we were back in the days of 15-20 percent interest rates, it would really matter. But today? Why would he need all of it in cash? Anyone remember that Walter Payton's big payday included a huge portion of money paid out annually AFTER he was done with football? That makes sense... But once again, the player, his agent and the media all have you putting all the negativity on an owner, any owner, that doesn't meet every demand in exactly the form the player wants. They made him a more than fair offer. Remember, there aren't other players signing yet. SOME people [besides me] are predicting another declining year for player's salaries. They started out at $12 mill per. That ain't an insult. And he may not get more. Think about it: If this deal wasn't good enough to Bart because 10 percent of the contract was deferred and on that ten percent, he might lose 3 percent in interest payments...We're talking about $36,000 total here. Did you do the math? 36K? On a $12 or $13 million dollar deal? Who's being greedy here??? But I'm sure it will be JR's fault, no matter what happens. Forkit!

Cubkilla: If you think I'm JR...you're smoking something. You miss my point. Entirely. Aren't you the least bit tired of players playing that same sad tune over and over: "I love it here. I want to come back. I think we have a shot at it all next year. I want them to bring back this team intact. I don't want to go to New York. Just give me a fair offer and I'm here and let's go get it done." How many times do you hear this? The one that broke my heart was Robin Ventura. Look, I have nothing against a player going for the money. But please! Have the GUTS to just stand up and tell it straight: I don't give a damn about this team or the fans that are pleading with me to come back. If another team offers me a dime more, I'm out of here! Doesn't that piss you off? Look at the Colon situation. Now people are whining because he may have passed on the offer because deferred compensation was involved. As I pointed out, to those of you that don't understand the economics, a player can simply take the guaranteed portion of the contract that is deferred to the bank and get a loan against it. It ain't no big deal. And the interest is basically cancelled out by the interest the club pays on the deferred protion to the player. It helps the team with cash flow but it doesn't hurt the player, especially when the player still gets $8 or $10 mill a year IN CASH! Now let's pretend we offered him $12 mill and the Yankees end up signing him for $13.5 mill. That's roughly ten percent difference. That's not much. If that's the difference between staying here or "going where Colon doesn't want to go," then the truth of the matter is this: His only concern was going to the highest bidder. I don't mind that. But have the GUTS to say it. Just say this: I want all the money I can get. I'm going to pitch for the team that pays me the most. But don't throw out all that crap that MOST of the fans here fall for every time! Don't give me "I like it here. I want to come back. I want you to bring the rest of the team back so we can win it all..." If they felt that way, they'd be flexible in their contract structure [look at football players that like their teams] and ten percent in a $36 million dollar contract wouldn't be the deciding factor. I didn't say a thing about JR and his operating procedures. My point is simply this: As soon as we lose a player, all evil lies with JR and the Sox. Not once do I hear: "Hey, Bart? What about wanting to come back? What about anting to win it all here? What about wanting your team mates back? What about the fans here that likee you?" Face it. Most of you are angered and hurt because the owners make business decisions. But when a player makes a decision based TOTALLY on CASH in their pockets, it's the bad owners. It's never the greedy, self-serving players, is it? The players never get any disdain about the line of bull they fed all of you before they walked to the other team merely for a few dollars more... Wake up! It's a business. And for almost any player you can name for me, it's more a business than it is for the owners. Forkit!

Ok, to all of you: "This organization is ... if they offered deferred money as part of a contract" big talkers... You boys might want to take a quick economics class while you're still in school. Being a small business owner, I am well versed in the cost of having money in the hand versus deferrment, but apparently you all can't think a tiny bit and choose to just throw dirt because you may not get the player you want [even though it isn't your money being spent here]. A player that gets deferred money gets a market interest rate attached to the deferred portion. Colon doesn't need all of his $12 or $13 mill each year--what's he buying with cash? Haiti? IF the 7 or 8 or $10 mill per year that is cash isn't enough he simply walks into Banc One down the street and has them give him a loan for the deferred portion. They take that portion of the contract as the guarantee. What's the big deal? In reality, it spends the same these days especially with interest rates so low. The difference to the team is that they have cash flow for THIS year to spend, and the SOX need that flexibility. They CAN spend it. In fact, we HOPE they defer some of the payments to players so they can spend more now. So, open your minds, guys. Just because you read from some rag it was a bad thing or because someone posted it was "bad business" doesn't make it so. Think for yourself. That's the Sox fan way... Remember, players want you to believe they are the victims in negotiations...It's both sides--it isn't always the ball club. But most people just can't use the mush between their ears to read through what the media is spoon feeding them. Forkit!

As I said...Perhaps they'll hold the $15 million auction and no one will show up. John Henry is already talking about returning to a more "fiscally responsible" approach. Take away the BoSox, and maybe $12 million ain't a bad bid for Bart. We'll just see what happens as the weeks go on. If he comes back to the Sox organization, I'd bet that price, with deferrals intact, will still be available. Forkit!

The problem is that like Frank, his salary curve out-paced the market. Like Konerko, he signed a contract right before player values declined drastically. I think he'd like to stay, but he probably isn't worth $14 mil a year--and we won't know what he's worth until other major names sign this year. Until then, the question is: Does Maggs realize the salary curves have shifted to a lower level and will he be willing to take his $14 mil and renegotiate a long-term contract at a "market rate." So perhaps he takes $10 mil a year for the next five years but he defers a portion and doesn't actually take a pay cut for 2004, and at the same time helps the team acquire more talent. IF he chooses to believe his next contract should be $14+ mil a year, I don't think he is living in reality and is getting bad advice from his agent. Simply put, other than Jim Thome, prices went down dramatically last year and until someone else makes $15-18 mil with a new contract, he isn't "worth" $14 mil. That's just plain economic facts. Not baseball "I love this guy and I root for him" thinking...just business. Forkit!

Ok, can someone that knows younger players tell me this: Can Soriano play SS as well as second base? Wasn't he a converted SS? By the way, my wife loves his long legs...she says he looks like a young colt running around the bases. Forkit!

Kelly is only 53? Yikes! Small payrolls must really turn you old fast! He...errr...looks older than 53. Forkit!

We won't know what the market for free agents is until several major players sign. IF the quote attributed to Thomas is true, players are already finding the free agent market demand weak, as it was last year. What if they gave a Bart auction that started with his agent demanding $14 million per year and no one came? He wouldn't be the first pitcher to find his agent had overplayed his hand...Look at the gentleman in Minnie that turned down quite a bit from Texas last year, only to find there was no market at less than 1/3 what he turned down... Besides Bart, Andy Pettitte and Millwood, amongst others, are on the market. Who's to say the market won't be weak again? So far, we only have: a] The White Sox admitting they made an offer to Bart worth approximately $12 per year over 3 years. b] Agents, that have apparently shunned an offer, looking for every dollar they can squeeze out of a market. c] Sox fans, squirming in their seats because they sense they may lose Bart to an East Coast team that has deep pockets. I happen to know the Boston owners. Wouldn't surprise me if they decided to be fiscally responsible this year and cut some payroll while they sort out their team. George? He threw lots of money at his team last year and got...No championship. He may re-trench and re-tool, but he may not be as high a bidder as everyone thinks. Afterall, he may find he is bidding against himself, once again. George is not only an owner that loves to win...he also loves to make money. Who knows? Bart may find the latest Sox offer [whatever it turns out to be] the best available, all things considered. Let the cards get played before you jump off the cliff. Forkit!

I think he is a pinch runner... Forkit!

I actually heard the umpire interviewed this morning. He said that the ball was clearly in the stands and that the fans had a right to attempt to catch the ball. He said it was clear cut--and that he had no doubt the fan had the right to catch the ball. His take? The team SHOULD have just reacted as it normally does when a foul ball is hit into the stands and is not caught. You throw the next pitch and move on. He was very surprised at Alou's and Prior's over-reaction... [No, I didn't watch the game. I don't watch Cub games unless the Sox are wailing on them...] Forkit!

The White Sox kept the White Sox out of the playoffs...Not the twins... Forkit!

But will KW be moved out as GM, NCorg? THAT is the question...will we have to wait long before hearing the answer? I was really hoping he'd finish his recent press conference on a personal note, explaining that the pressing needs of his family have led him to come to the conclusion that he'd be better suited elsewhere within the organization, so he can be closer to the "kids..." Forkit!

Actually, I heard a sound bite where the reporter asked him [before his trip to Atlanta] if he was going to wear a Sox hat a Turner field and he replied something to the the effect of, " Everyone's going to do the chop chop thing. I'm not gonna do that to my Sox hat." He's a Sox fan through and through. It don't sit well in his stomach that it's the Cubs still playing and not his beloved Sox... But unfortunately, you have to show face as a politician. Forkit!

I'm happy to hear they are offering a contract to Colon that would be the largest contract offered to a pitcher in Sox history. I hope they reach an agreement with him. Now. But here's a question: Wouldn't any contract that might be close to cathcing his interest be the largest because we haven't ever paid a pitcher huge money before? Anyone know the largest contract we've ever given or offered to a pitcher before now? Forkit!

The difference is that we won't offer arbitration to Robbie or Carl, though we may re-sign one of them. You have to offer arbitration to get a draft pick if the player signs with another team. We're interested in Robbie but if we offer him arbitration, we'd have to offer him at least 80 percent of what he currently makes. That's too much in this environment. So instead, I assume, we are offering him a contract before he becomes a free agent, at a smaller amount. If he declines, he'll walk away and we'll get nothing back. With Colon, we'll offer him arbitration if he turns down our contract offer, because we'd be willing to pay that for one year. Forkit!

Ncorg: Do you see an announcement on KW coming soon? And might that be a part of Frank's upcoming decision? Forkit!

I'd still like the guy back...I'd like him pitching for us next year, along with another decent added starter. His complete games make any bullpen immediately much better and he always has the ability to dominate any club he faces. Forkit!

Roman... Wait until you sit through a tiger-ish season or three... Then you can wish for that. Until then, be happy we sniffed the division crown and hope for a better ending next time. Forkit!

Might anyone know just how many times Jose can go to the plate these last few games and still not obligate us to pay him an astounding $5 mill??? Hell, let Jon Garland start as SS if you ain't gonna pitch him, so Jose doesn't vest that $5 million clause! Forkit!