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QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 08:42 PM) I don't think the Sox are planning on him being part of their core, but, if you can get JBJ along with some other pieces for Abreu you have a decent chance getting a lot of surplus value in that deal. You are gambling a bit on JBJ rebounding can put together another season like 2016, you can spin him next winter for a package more valuable than Abreu now. Thanks to you and others above - I get the logic now... hard to believe that they'd take that gamble. That is being said by a guy who thinks having Avery here next year is worth more than just his WAR measurement.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 07:49 PM) Dear Mr. Ohtani. Congratulations on your decision to play in the most talented league in the world. I am sure you will find success with any team you choose because you are dedicated to your craft. The Chicago White Soc offer a unique opportunity to be part of a winning culture for many years. The Sox expect to contend in a short period of time with many talented young players on the rise at the major league and minor league level.Your arrival here as a pitcher and position player would greatly enhance the projected window of contention. It would be a fools errand to make any promises at this point. You certainly would have a place in the lineup and on the mound but to what degree is uncertain now but will be answered in due time with regards to how our other players develop and also as you develop and adjust to the league. Chicago is a big city to be sure but has a small town feel to it. The people of the midwest part of the United States have always been known for their work ethic and family values.. There is a rich cultural diversity among the citizens and although the Japanese community is not as large as some other cities I think you would find enrichment with how the White Sox celebrate our multi-cultural city. The White Sox can also offer a very good track record over the past 10-15 years for keeping players healthy. Some might dismiss that track record as good fortune but we believe it is the result of an excellent staff who stress the importance of communication concerning one's health. We look forward to being very competitive to our goal of making the playoffs multiple years and competing for a World Championship. It would be wonderful to add you to our family and pursue these goals together with a strong resolve. You have a unique opportunity for the adventure of a lifetime and we would be very pleased to have that adventure start and continue with the Chicago White Sox for many years to come. Good fortune and good health to you and those you love . Best wishes, The Chicago White Sox Thanks for playin along Ron. I've been too slammed still in "real life" to write mine... but kudos. Cheers

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 02:56 PM) I don't mind buying low on JBJ as a piece in an Abreu deal. He plays GG caliber defense and is serviceable as a hitter. If he regresses to his 2016 form you have a MVP level player as a core piece or trade chip. But he's only available for 1 additional year past Abreu.

QUOTE (Tony @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 03:02 PM)

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 27, 2017 -> 08:26 AM) You guys who only want prospects to be our rebuilt WS team frustrate me. Who is saying that the next rebuilt team will feature no established players?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 09:12 PM) Only thing I've seen is that he wants to be a two-way player. Don't where 600 came from ( someone's arse). Perhaps it was this? QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 11:23 AM) Does he really want a promise of 600 at bats? I can't see anything before this about it.

QUOTE (Jack Parkman @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 10:55 PM) KW Vs Hahn ca 2015

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 11:18 PM) Whoa, how old is that? I believe the commercials where shot in the 70s and this was taken from a documentary released in the early 2000s I think. You really gotta watch it - awesome.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 10:01 PM) How much will charge for valet parking? You forgot an important link and reference.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 09:32 PM) Some fans don't like those of us who want to win now. They'd rather we just go away for a few years so there will be no dissenters regarding the rebuild. Prospects, baby. Acquire as many as you can. Wait til next year. Some of us think the fan should get a decent product for the excessive costs to see a game. Pretty soon it's gonna be 15 bucks for a beer. That'll be the cost 2 seasons from now. How much will parking be in 2 years? 50 a game? Give me victories. I personally don't want "dissenters" to "go away" but rather would hope that you folks would finally... for once and for all... under-flipping-stand that you can't have it both ways. You literally can't spend big in free agency to give a fan base victories and rebuild your entire organization at the same time. If a great buy comes up that is willing to sign, sure - sign him up. But the concept of spending to win has proved itself a futile exercise. Oh f*** me... I'm going down the rabbit hole again. Nevermind... mission abort. Turning around and running away.

Seriously... nobody can read it seems. : This is not a duplicate thread intended for us to continue talking about Ohanti. The intention was for board members to write an actual letter as if it was their responsibility to attempt to sway the dude here... or provide him with the information he requested through White Sox Colored Lenses. Read people... read. Pretty please?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 05:49 PM) Sign says ' danger: rabbit hole ahead'. I guess no one likes creative writing as much as me. I'll write something up over the coming week whenever time allows. Should be fun.

I still don't see him stating anywhere that he requires 600 guaranteed at-bats... in fact, all I have seen is him stating the opposite: https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yan...tani-1.14928323

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 11:23 AM) Does he really want a promise of 600 at bats? That's kind of unique. Not many teams "promise" stuff like that. I mean coaches promise all kinds of stuff in recruiting but always give themself a hedge if the player is a complete bust. I've yet to see such a proposed "promise".

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 10:41 AM) Chicago wins in so many areas. But cash always wins out. How much can a baseball player enjoy the city he plays in anyway? Chicago in the winter is horrific. Chicago during the summer is great but he's busy playing baseball. If I'm wrong about this one and he takes our pennies compared to what some teams can offer, I will be humbled big time. Cmon. Money money money is what makes the world go round. I'd tell the intern to do a nice job answering the questions and I'd edit it but not spend much time on this. The point of this thread was to provide an opportunity for people to express some creativity with a baseball related offseason activity... not incessantly regurgitate proverbial brilliant nuggets of The Greg. Smoochie smoochie

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 10:16 AM) I'd have some intern do the work and I'd edit it and email it but that's about it. It's a waste of time. This guy's representation is not gonna let him sign for pennies when they get a nice chunk of the money themselves. Yep... there's so much more that can be done right now ( like watch grass sprout ) and considering that you represent up one of merely 30 professional baseball teams - it would be expectable to just "sit this one out". You'd be fired, Sir. The Greg Continues to Amaze. Oh, and I believe that "Relevant marketplace characteristics" refers to any characteristics of Chicago which would be pertinent information for Ontani to consider. Ala: Cultural aspects, unique sponsorship potentials, Japanese resources, travel considerations, etc.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 26, 2017 -> 08:46 AM) Link? Only have seen hopeful fans suggest this. I have no idea man - been reading so much s*** randomly over the last month.l and am too lazy to google search.

So it's still not April yet and this offseason has been a league wide exercise in watching paint dry. To help the time pass by, let's have a little fun. Say you're an employee for the Chicago White Sox front office and you've been tasked with compiling a draft letter to send to Ontani's representation. As a part of this - you can assume any "voice" and magically create any narrative which you need. Write as if you're Rick Hahn, Don Cooper, Herm, or Jerry Rindsdorff. Want a quote from Paulie, or Abreu, or Shingto, or Gooch... snap, crackle, pop, bam, BOOM! Just write it all up and tie it together with a pretty bow. Here's what Ontani has asked for specifically: 1. “An evaluation of Shohei’s talent as a pitcher and/or a hitter; 2. “Player development, medical, training and player performance philosophies and capabilities; 3. “Major League, Minor League, and Spring Training facilities; 4. “Resources for Shohei’s cultural assimilation; 5. “A detailed plan for integrating Shohei into the organization; 6. “Why the city and franchise are a desirable place to play; 7. “Relevant marketplace characteristics.” He did ask for two versions: one English and another Japanese... but let's all go ahead and bow out of that second obligation.

It will be decided two days before Christmas and it will indeed be fascinating. There are other things like Seattle and the Ichiro lore along with their massive Japanese culture... but then again I've seen it suggested that he may not want to go to a franchise with a storied past of a Japanese player succeeding. I'll bring my odds down to 1 in 1,000.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 10:19 PM) I can't wait to see who you guys decide who to pay in the future. A lot of you seem obsessed with having all prospects and the lowest payroll possible and if we have to lose lose lose 3-6 years as the kids develop you're all for it. You are the best fans ever for a cheap owner. When we are a WS contending team, some of you I presume realize we'll have to pay a few free agents some cold hard cash. I didn't realize that the general consensus around here is that the team needs to lose until 2021 or 2024. You also must be feeling really audacious tonight with your concluding statement there, sweetheart.

I also thought it interesting that he specifically asked for...

Included in the new prospect write up for Eloy on mlb pipeline: Damn Gina.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 06:51 PM) This offseason is going to be so boring but if Hahn can somehow wizard a decent return for Avi that would be all I need. Indeed. Bring on the Ex-Lax.

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 05:36 PM) I actually think 1-1 deals are most likely. Maybe a non exciting second piece. But like for the cardinals, there are so many options to do beside Abreu if you don’t like the price. I think Kelly for Abreu is the kind of deal I’d expect. It’s why I still just don’t see them moved. Yup yup - any secondary pieces would be organizationally in the 10 - 15 range off the other teams farm. I'm like you as well in terms of thinking they both are on the south side still for 2018. It's my preference, actually. If the Diamondbacks however offered something like Paven Smith, Jared Miller, and Socrates Brito. I mean... who could pass up on a deal that nets you Socrates?

QUOTE (Quin @ Nov 25, 2017 -> 04:33 PM) I'm gonna need a lot more than 1-for-1 deals with Avi and Abreu I don't see anyone suggesting a 1 for 1 deal in the MLBTR link or in this thread