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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.

Guys, he's obviously saving himself for the playoffs.

QUOTE (Fantl916 @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 05:13 PM) Super wild guest, one most won't like I'd assume, but here goes: Boston gets Quintana, low minors prospect or two Chicago gets Swihart, Owens, Renaudo, Nava Quintana hold more value to teams like Royals, Marlins, or Padres than Red Sox. The Red Sox wants to land the big fish. Lester or Hamel. The only pitcher they will unload the farm for from us is Sale, who we shouldn't look to trade at this point.

It's a bittersweet feeling to think that Jimmy Butler might be our best player going forward. I think at this point, he and Mirotic are the true building blocks for the future. It's hard to imagine the Bulls losing him to RFA after this season. Hindsight is 20/20, but I think the FO dropped the ball by not following his progression this offseason more closely. There were some signs and flashes already in the preseason. Now we will need to pay more for his service after this season.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 08:03 PM) It's a "theme" in my posts, because we are having a discussion about it. When the discussion is over, I'll be happy to change the subject. In the meantime, to continue the discussion, and address your specific comments: It's very difficult for an opposing team to counter all of the good LH hitters, with LOOGY's, late in the game. How many good LH Relievers do most teams have? Moreover, when it comes to the critical final inning, how many closers are left handed? The same argument that you're making could be applied to a team that is "stacked" with right handed hitters. If Avi performs up to expectations we have our RH hitters in Abreu and Garcia. At the moment we have 1 dangerous LH hitter in LaRoche. I do agree with you that ideally we could find either a switch hitting, good defensive outfielder, or at least one who hit acceptably well vs. LHP. The purpose of a loogy is to get LH hitters out, you should assume they are good against lefties. Furthermore, LaRoche, Ethier and Gillaspie are just awful against lefties, it doesn't take a good loogy to get them out. In the final critical inning, if you have a deadly LH bat against a RH closer, many times mangers will bring in a lefty to face the batter then bring in a closer. You are trying to game the system with a hitter that has his flaws, so opposing managers will be creative in negating your advantage. Your suggested scenario does not happen as often as you think it does. If you want a good bat against RH pitchers late in games, a LH bench player should do a fine job as well. If bringing a lefty will help the team solve other flaws, namely defensively and baserunning, as well, then by all means. But bringing in a bat only player who further magnifies the team's flaws, then no thanks. I just want to clarify my opinion on what the Sox's priorities should be.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 11:42 AM) The short answer is YES. Look, it’s common wisdom that most hitters hit pitchers from the other side better. Since most of the good pitchers, and in fact, most pitchers, are right handed, there is an inherent advantage to a lineup consisting of several good left handed hitters. Therefore, yes, I'd love the Sox to be able to put a lineup on the field, on those typical days when they are facing a RH pitcher, that had Abreu, LaRoche, Garcia and Ethier hitting in the middle of the order. It's the same reason that I'm a little intrigued by the potential of Juan Diaz, who also seems to hit RHP pretty well, for a good defensive SS. If Alexei is traded, it will be interesting to see if he figures into the mix, for the SS competition. Ever since Quinary called you out for constantly suggesting LH bat for the Sox, I noticed this is a theme in just about every post of yours. In a perfect world, your logic would make perfect sense. But baseball isn't a perfect world, there are many variability that will negate your advantage. Starting with late game situations, do you really want to stack your team with players who are absolutely useless when the opposing team brings in a loogy? What about when your team faces a left handed starter, then you will have 3 regulars, LaRoche, Gillaspie, and say Ethier that have to be benched on that given day. There is a reason you didn't see the likes of those 3 guys competing for batting titles, they are bound to face lefties, which will regress their BA over time. The purpose of having LH in your lineup is to avoid teams from stacking pitchers with a specific handedness against you, but you do not have to do it to the extreme if you want to win games. I'd rather have reliable hitters who can consistently hit pitchers of either handedness, who you can rely on late in games, and who can stay on the field every game. At this point, I think the bigger need is defense for our LF. We already have a question mark in Avi in RF, we can't cripple ourselves by targeting a LH bat only guy like Either. If we can get a good fielder who also happens to be a good LH bat, great. But that LH bat shouldn't be our top priority at this point.

Victorino and Middlebrooks would be good buy low options for this team. Middlebrooks in 2012 and 2013 performed admirably against lefties, so he can spell Gillaspie and LaRoche at 3rd and DH.