Quin

6 should be available. Coached other than Robin should have to pick high numbers.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 20, 2013 -> 12:23 AM) I'm much older than you and I'm struggling to remember the Bulls' last title. A super, duper golden oppo is here. We'll never acquire a star through FA or trade. This is our only way. And they're (front office) sabotaging it. I think Deng and Dunleavy are gone at the deadline.

QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 19, 2013 -> 10:59 PM) Noah tried going to Thunder locker room to say bye to Thabo and Perkins was having none of it and yelled at him. What an ogre. f*** Perkins. And that wall of text about Pro-Tankers not getting it. It's a lost season. I love the Bulls and want a championship I can remember. Parker/Wiggins gets closer to that than a first round thumping by the Heat.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Dec 19, 2013 -> 06:40 PM) I've seen this said quite a bit - worth noting that per Fangraphs, Alejandro De Aza had a defensive WAR of -3.2 in 153 games (7.7 in 2011, 0.2 in 2012) whilst Adam Eaton's was -11.2 in 66 games. (UZR/150 in CF in 2013, De Aza: -4.1, Eaton: -46.2. UZR is best used over 3 seasons, not 66 games.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Dec 19, 2013 -> 05:11 PM) Catcher. It helps that like 90% of catchers they might have interest in are switch hitters.

It can, but like others said everything needs to go right. Abreu would have to be "The Best Hitter on the Planet" like Grantland called him. Viciedo would have to hit .260ish with about 25 HR Eaton would have to be at least .275 with a .350 OBP and terror on the paths. Davidson would have to mash around 25 HR. Alexei would have to find his power return a bit and focus on defense more. Gordon would have to hit like he did last year when not injured. AviGar would have to be a strong middle of the order bat. Dunn would have to be Dunn pre-White Sox. Whoever is catcher would have to not suck. Sale and Q are fine but could improve, Danks needs to rebound to 2008 form, EJ and Rienzo/Paulino have to be good #4s and #5s. Bullpen would have to click.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 07:14 AM) Got the Disney Infinity starter pack for my kids. Don't know if I am prepared for the financial drain those toys will provide You can play in Toy Columbia from BioShock Infinite.

The Bulls and Deng are apparently $5-$6M apart per year in contract talks according to Cowley. What in the hell is he demanding?

Better tackling form would solve a lot as opposed to the "Drill a guy as hard as you can" And it sounds crazy, but I'd add a 'concussion limit' to players. Like, 2 concussions, you're done for the season. Something like 5 total (and that's setting it high) and you're done. Period.

Looking at these lists...damn our system improved a lot.

QUOTE (bear_brian @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 09:16 PM) Lucroy, Castro, Grandal - we do not have the pieces to put a deal together for any of those catchers, and it is very hard to believe that those teams would be interested in trading that type of valuable player. Realistically we are going to have to settle for a backup - preferably LH or switch - who has good defensive skills and can put the bat on the ball. I think someone like Hector Sanchez (blocked forever by Posey) fits that profile, though I am not sure what we have that would interest the Giants (Keppinger?). Am not fluent enough with other backups, but have to believe that is where Hahn is focused. The Padres top prospect is a catcher, which might make them more willing to trade Grandal after he comes off an injury shortened season. A package of Sanchez, Beck, Flowers/Phegley (to act as a stop gap to Hedges, both would have legit power even in Petco) and maybe Thompson or Mitchell might entice them.

Just as greg was our poem writer, we have found our essay writer.

Grandal. He feels like a similar situation to Eaton buy low in that he was injured and someone else is going to occupy that spot for the Padres soon. Throw in Biogenesis and he could be the perfect buy low candidate.

Zito didn't prevent the Giants from winning two World Series. I doubt Tanaka would if he became a worst case scenario.

QUOTE (shakes @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 03:21 PM) That's a whole lot of hypothetical. Again, Tanaka will potentially require 7 years and $150 million. For a guy who hasn't started more than 23 games in a season and scouts are split on whether he is even a top of the rotation starter....let alone an 'Ace'. He has had declining velocity and doesn't strike out a whole lot of hitters in a far inferior league, and historically pitchers from that league have not stayed healthy or succeeded long term here. But, who cares the White Sox can eat a 7 year contract when according to some, you specifically, have far too many holes to compete right now. Brilliant. And the Sox strength is finding and developing pitchers. Why spend insane money, on a maybe with a huge amount of questions marks, when you can fill multiple holes when it is time to compete? Sox also have a habit of making pitchers better. If Coop believes he can succeed with Tanaka, it's a no brainer to go for him because then Coop would look at him a second ace.

I'd like a pitcher. I don't trust them with developing hitters yet.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 09:30 AM) I wonder by how much? Hopefully a Tanaka sized hole.

Hahn summary: - He likes Eaton's energy - Trade talks started with Chris Sale (asked by DBacks) - Hahn doesn't believe in untouchable, but does believe in "very difficult to acquire", which Sale is. - Kenny wanted to do this type of stuff for a while, but was often in a position to compete, which took precedence. - They are currently below projected budget

Rick just said they're below their projected payroll.

Other thing with Grandal... We'd then have 4 Cubans on the roster as starters, possibly Nieto if he beat Phlowers for the backup spot. Having two switch hitting Cuban hitters would be interesting. But more importantly, more Cubans could make JDA's adjustment easier.

Would anyone deal Sanchez, Beck and Thompson and would it do it?

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 01:40 AM) Highly doubtful Jackson stays at catcher for the foreseeable future. And I still think Hahn should do everything he can to get Yasmani Grandal out of SD. PED's be damned, his pitch recognition + OBP would be an outstanding fit here as a catcher (use him as a #2, #6/7 hitter). Another patient Cuban (if Abreu is as advertised).. just what the doctor ordered. One of the biggest team weaknesses the sox had going into the offseason (OBP) can be seriously addressed. Or.. see if Seattle's GM is still "all in" this year and if he's lost his marbles enough to give us Mike Zunino. Problem is, what would it take to get Grandal?

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 12:29 AM) Damm new people and their misleading titles. I'm sure this will be changed quickly Let it be so!

Was worried there for a second. Nah.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 09:11 PM) How many people in this thread actually baked some cookies or wrote a letter to those families? Show of hands, come on. Let's see some proof of this empathy. I know none of you did. Know how I figured that. I sent 5 teddy bears to surviving children at Sandy Hook and wrote a few condolence letters. I imagine you like this right now.