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QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 4, 2014 -> 09:48 AM) this brings up the vicious catch 22. the sox says, they need to raise prices b/c the cost of players salary, low attendance, the sox will need to find a way to break even. (however no mention of the commercial revenue) however, if they lower the cost, more people will show up, if the sox field a team that can compete via, fa's, the majority more of fans will show up. which came first the egg or the bird?? LOWERING TICKET PRICES DOES NOT HELP. The 2006 team showed winning brings fans out, not lowered ticket prices. The ticket price were reduced sans 2010, yet our attendance gradually declined each of the past 4 years. Lower the ticket price might attract families who don't normally come out to ball games to come out once or even twice a year, but that's not the crowd you want to focus on. You want to attract fans who have money to spend to come out to the ball game consistently, like 10+ games a year. The only way to do that is to field a winning team, year in and year out. Lowering ticket price while not enjoying a positive spike in your overall attendance will put severe constraint on your budget. Your only hope is to strike gold during the draft, or be stuck in purgatory like the Pirates and Royals did for years. It is not a chicken or the situation. It is a raise the chicken healthy so it could lay more eggs situation. EDIT: Did a quick research and found that 2006 ticket prices were slightly higher than 2014 ticket prices, and that's without taking into account inflations for the last 8 years. Yet we averaged 36,000 a game that year, vs 20,000 this year.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 4, 2014 -> 01:18 AM) It's the opposite of the Moneyball niche to be exploited. Seemingly closer quality lefties whose careers suggest set-up roles but whose teams are hoping for closer results off a one or two year period of high productivity. JP Howell also comes to mind for some reason, here. I think it's more so an issue of necessity. Lefty bullpen arm is a top priority for the Sox, and Duke was arguably the best available after Miller. I certainly don't think Sox are expecting Duke to close for them.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 4, 2014 -> 08:07 AM) Probably 20. But that's not the reason I gave up my season tickets after a decade. Going to a game is pricey and sometimes annoying as hell. You will drop 50 bucks on food and beer at least these days and the game experience is ok for the price. However, sitting in front of my or a bars giant HD TV is sometimes just as nice if not better. QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 4, 2014 -> 09:01 AM) I agree. I know this topic has been brought up many times in the past and has incited arguments. But, there's no arguing that it's just too damn expensive to go to many baseball games. I like to get to at least one Sox game a year, and we'll try to hit a ballgame while on vacation (regardless of who's playing). It's a cool experience to see a game live. But watching a game on my HDTV, kicked back in my chair with a 6-pack of Sam Adams that cost about the same as one beer at the park...that's cool, too. This is a valid dilemma for most Sox fans, and I will quote my previous post on this issue: P.S. The average cost of tickets and concessions is only slightly above league average, and the cost is way above league average for Cubs games. Of the metropolitan area that features 2 teams, the Sox revenue/attendance situation is similar to Oakland's. This probably has been said many times, attending games isn't a priority for Sox fans unless team is doing well, and for an extended period of time. Cubs fans would attend games if they have nothing better to do, being in a neighborhood full of recent college grads and young single people helps. Attending games is considered a treat for many Sox fans, as most of the fans come in from the suburbs or areas that are not close to the park. Most people living around the park are retired, low income, or don't care for baseball. With the Cubs taking away most of the well off, single, and upper echelon income level fans, it's hard for the Sox to consistently draw a large crowd. The revelation of the Blackhawks in recent years isn't helping either. I assume that we don't draw as well as other smaller market teams because they have more high income level fans than us, and their stadium is located in areas more accessible and around fans that are more interested in baseball, i.e. downtown, or an area where single people lives. Oakland stadium is also located in the less prosperous part of their metropolis, and the Bay area is one of the larger metropolitan areas in US. They had average attendance as little as 19,000 in 2011. Even though they were the team to beat for most of this year, they only averaged 25,000 a game this year. Then you can also take into account that average Sox ticket cost $26, vs $23 for Oakland, while premium ticket for Sox averages $85, and $48 for them. The Sox can consistently pull in larger crowd if they turn themselves into a perennial contender, or if they relocate their stadium and associate themselves with higher income level folks. But both of those can't be easily achieved. So we will discuss this same s***ty problem year in and year out.

Reading an Andrew Miller speculation article, it was mentioned that the record contract for a non-closing reliever is held by Jeremy Affeldt at only 3 years $18 million. With Miller's new salary hitting the $40 million range, it's crazy to think how much more expensive it is nowadays just to acquire bullpen arms.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 3, 2014 -> 08:44 PM) It might not have quite the multitude of options that wrigleyville has, but there is plenty to do around the Cell. For every spot you name around the Cell, I can name 5 for the Wrigley area. The walkable options you have around the Cell is extremely limited. You wouldn't want to walk far south in that neighborhood. And no one wants to hangout at Chinatown after the game.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 3, 2014 -> 11:52 PM) Aren't Dodgers supposedly dealing him because he has an opt out and thus would be kind of a rental? Or did I misread? Either way, I don't believe for one second the Dodgers are going to trade Greinke. Not unless they plan on signing Lester or making a couple other major moves. By the way, I must be the only one but if we could trade Anderson for Shark straight up and get him to sign for a slightly below market 4 year deal with a 5th year option, I'd be all over it. I'd probably even be willing to go 5 years. I think a rotation with Shark as our #3 with Rodon developing would be a huge step in the right direction and I still believe we can move Danks for an overpriced bat of some sort. PS: I'd try to trade others then Anderson cause he clearly can hit the ball but at the end of the day, I'd make the trade as long as Shark was around long term. Good catch. There is a strong chance he will opt out after next year and sign a 5 year year $120 mil contract with a new team, provided he stays healthy and performs this year. As for Shark, I think his price is that of trading for an ace, I just don't think it takes only Anderson to get him, especially if he shows interest in signing a below market value extension. And he's more of a #2 or even #3 starter than an ace.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 3, 2014 -> 10:29 PM) Could you imagine what our farm system would look like after acquiring Greinke? Who cares? He isn't a one year rental, we would have him till he's 34, that's as good as it's going to get. I'd listen if Dodgers are willing to throw in some money.

I live in South Loop and make decent money for a single guy. I only go to about 5 Sox games a year, and probably just as much Cubs games. Why? Because most of my buddies who are Sox fans couldn't afford to go to more games. Most of my coworkers who could afford to go to games are Cubs fans. Plus, every time we go to Wrigley, there are always things to do after. And I consider myself a diehard Sox fan.

People need to stop comparing the Cubs to the Sox, their fanbase is 2 different cultures. Their stadium location/neighborhood attractions is day and night.

Of the metropolitan area that features 2 teams, the Sox revenue/attendance situation is similar to Oakland's. This probably has been said many times, attending games isn't a priority for Sox fans unless team is doing well, and for an extended period of time. Cubs fans would attend games if they have nothing better to do, being in a neighborhood full of recent college grads and young single people helps. Attending games is considered a treat for many Sox fans, as most of the fans come in from the suburbs or areas that are not close to the park. Most people living around the park are retired, low income, or don't care for baseball. With the Cubs taking away most of the well off, single, and upper echelon income level fans, it's hard for the Sox to consistently draw a large crowd. The revelation of the Blackhawks in recent years isn't helping either. I assume that we don't draw as well as other smaller market teams because they have more high income level fans than us, and their stadium is located in areas more accessible and around fans that are more interested in baseball, i.e. downtown, or an area where single people lives. Oakland stadium is also located in the less prosperous part of their metropolis, and the Bay area is one of the larger metropolitan areas in US. They had average attendance as little as 19,000 in 2011. Even though they were the team to beat for most of this year, they only averaged 25,000 a game this year. Then you can also take into account that average Sox ticket cost $26, vs $23 for Oakland, while premium ticket for Sox averages $85, and $48 for them. The Sox can consistently pull in larger crowd if they turn themselves into a perennial contender, or if they relocate their stadium and associate themselves with higher income level folks. But both of those can't be easily achieved. So we will discuss this same s***ty problem year in and year out.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 1, 2014 -> 02:42 PM) Well, didnt he miss 50 games the previous year due to a PED suspension? After examining his ISO+ over the past few years, it seems his source of power has been pretty consistent. But he's still a power only dude who doesn't get on base much. At the end of the day, when the bat speed goes away in 2 years, he will provide little to no value for the team.

I don't know about the Cruz deal. For a 2 year deal? Sure, but 4 years is too much of a commitment for a 34 year old player who eclipsed his previous year's HR total by 13. People say VMart is dued to regress because he put up career numbers at age 35, but I'd be more worried about Cruz. Bat speed is the first thing that goes away for aging players. There's a chance he puts up a lower OPS than Dunn out in Safeco, or in today's lingo, a similar wRC+.

Mirotic has been playing really well as of late. It's going to tough to get everyone enough playing time when Taj comes back. But it's a good problem to have.

Rangel Ravelo, he will be one of the names Beane would look for.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 10:48 AM) I realize how dumb this is but Tim Anderson just tweeted 3 sad face emoticons... Probably because his mom served him dark meat on thanksgiving

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 09:41 AM) What Semien has going for him is some BABIP-fueled minor league stats. First full MLB year was a failure. Beane will not pay us for 2014 Clutch Moments. Semien did walk in the minors, but not here. He's 24, the farm thing is done. The defense is considered limited besides his speed. Because of the minor league stats i'd see you getting a decent cost controlled reliever-type basically at this point at the absolute most. Semien is not a prospect. QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 10:10 AM) Semien is at least an adequate defender around the infield and has the best offensive chops of any of our minor league infielders. The first rule of baseball is not to freak out over small MLB samples. I also have no clue where you get the idea that he's had BABIP-fueled MiLB stats. He's generally had fairly low BABIP numbers. He's a middle infielder with solid defensive skills, a great batting eye, production at high levels, and back-to-back 20 HR seasons between MiLB and MLB. That's a big deal. Agree with Jake here. The first post couldn't be more off base. You could argue that Semien's BABIP the past two years in the minors actually hurt his overall numbers. He had only little seasoning above AA last year and was definitely rushed up here. After spending some time in AAA this year, he made major improvements throughout the season and carried those improvements with him in September call up. Defensively, he will always be a solid to above average, but not spectacular defender at either 2B or SS. With some more seasoning, he definitely couldn't hurt you out in the field. I wouldn't call Semien a top prospect, but to call someone who just turned 24 and was a fringe Top 100 guy at the beginning of the year, who also just put up an 142 wRC+ season in AAA a non prospect is a quite frankly an absurd statement.

Would hate to see us unloading the farm for Shark. He's a good fit for the team, but FIP and xFIP suggests he's a more of a mid rotation starter rather than an ace, but he will likely come at an ace cost, after Oakland trading Russell and McKinley for him.

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 05:40 PM) there is 1 other player i would add to the 5 or 6 that is being discuss, it is Brad Goldberg, i had him on my top 10 in the beginning of last season. i still have faith in him. He was a pleasant surprise last year. IMO his first full season is very underwhelming in all aspects, I see him as a long shot at this point.

Love it for a minor league deal. Speedy lefty with a solid glove. You can't have too many of those. QUOTE (SoxAce @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 03:02 PM) Agreed. His name alone makes this the best signing of the offseason by far. Too bad he's not Cuban and that's not a Cuban name.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 04:14 PM) If 5 guys from a draft class make the big leagues, you literally have won that year's draft. By a lot. It's not out of the imagination. I think Anderson, Danish, and Michalczewski are strong bets to make it to the big leagues. Then you just need 2 of May, Engel, Wheeler, Dykstra, Mitchell, or Lowry to pan out, of which I like May and Wheeler's chances a lot.

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 05:30 AM) It's weird because I remember days when I would've killed for a Bears QB who would throw for 300 yards and 2 TDs a game. His first INT was awful but he didn't give up almost 400 yards through the air on defense. Bears Nation just needs a face to complain about. I guess it sounds like I am defending him but don't mean to. The Bears are 4th in the league in giveaways, and Cutty himself leads the league in turnovers. Opposing teams gets extra possessions and defense stays on the field longer. In a way, Cutler is also part of the problem.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Nov 27, 2014 -> 11:50 PM) I think a big problem with the Bears offense is that their two primary WRs are basically very good, very big possession receivers. They don't get any separation from the DBs, so every successful pass play is either a screen, a short route where they "box out" the DB, or a jump ball. They have no ability to stretch the field or get deep, so the defense is able to be much more compact than if the Bears could get deep from time to time. Plenty of teams has their top 2 receivers as big dudes or good ball skills guys and are able to make it work. Jeffery may not be a fast dude, but he can make plays down field and catch the deep passes with the best of them. I agree, we need a speedy WR3/4 to stretch the defense. But games like today shows that Cutler on most nights is terribly inaccurate with the deep ball. On a side note, I can't remember the last time this team did something significant during 2 minute warnings or had a comeback win in the 4th quarter. The offense is mediocre at best, and most of the stats we put up are during garbage time situations.

If you are talking about pipe dreams rather than speculations, I will go with: Trade Alexei and Danks to Dodgers for Kemp and Alex Guerrero and $20 mil paid over 5 years. Essentially you're getting Kemp for 5/$59 mil and Guerrero for Alexei and dead weight of Danks. Trade Gillaspie and Beck to Padres for Grandal Sign Chase Headley for 3/$39 mil Sign Max Scherzer for 7/$161 mil Sign Luke Hochevar for 1/$5 mil Viciedo retires from baseball to replace Drew Carey as the host of TPIR The payroll ends up around $112 million for 2015 Lineup: CF Eaton (L) 3B Headley (S) 1B Abreu ® DH LaRoche (L) LF Kemp ® RF Garcia ® C Grandal (S) SS Semien ® 2B Sanchez (S) Rotation: Sale Scherzer Quintana Noesi Bassit/Rodon Bench: Danks 2 Guerrero Flowers Saladino Pen: Petricka Hochevar Duke Putnam Webb Guerra Savery/Snoddy/Surkamp Alternatively, we could trade Danks and Semien to BoSox for Shane Victorino rather than landing Kemp. Offense wouldn't be as lethal offensively, but should make us an insanely good defensive team.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 11:09 PM) How many different starting line ups have they had this year? Even with Noah and Taj in the lineup, there were many nights we were simply out rebounded, out hustled, and gave up easy baskets. We actually have the same number of games where we gave up 50% shooting than holding opponents to under 40% shooting. That is quite a change compared to Bulls teams in the past few years. If you want to say that they are working too many new guys into the system, take this. In Thibs' first year, we too had many new guys on the team, and that was Thibs first year coaching. Yet we were the best defensive team in the league, with Carlos Boozer as the starting PF. Anyone who's watched more than a few games this year could see that this isn't the same Bulls team defensively compared to years past. I think it has to do with Noah's knees, he's far fromt he DPOY glass eating Noah. Our effort on defense is also in question; I am not seeing the same tenacity defensively. Gasol is not an improvement over Boozer on defense. And we lack a second reliable perimeter defender outside of Jimmy. On the bright side, the offense is significantly better than last year. I love the smart play of Niko off the bench. But we still need to win game with defense as our calling card, especially in the playoffs.

Who knows. But they are far from done. They have plenty of assets in their farm, loaded in outfield, but no real starting pitching. We should expect a blockbuster or two from them at the winter meeting.