Lip Man 1

Given those circumstances you wonder what they could possibly be thinking regarding the TV move and starting their new network. That was foolish given the environment, capital outlay and resistance from carriers.

Pritzker responds: “The Governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the Governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers.” Pritzker and other Democratic legislative leaders who pull the levers in Springfield have suggested the team needs to find a mechanism to pay off the $500 million-plus that taxpayers still have left to foot from Soldier Field’s 2003 renovation. https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/12/17/bears-stadium-arlington-heights-kevin-warren-shift

Maybe and maybe their politicians will feel the same way as the ones in Illinois after their voters let them know how they feel and I don't see where that would be a catastrophe if they moved across the state line. The Giants and Jets don't play in New York state.

While it makes some sense... given the current environment, how things are going in the country everywhere, including Illinois, I don't see many politicians sticking their necks out to help the McCaskey family who are worth let's just say a s$%^ load of money. This letter kind of reminds me of desperation setting in by the Bears, I think they know they are between a rock and a hard place regarding the politicians. I don't know if the political will is there and how much political capital the Bears have or leverage. And remember the debt still owed to the renovation in 2002. I mean what are they going to do? Move to St. Louis? 😉

Makes sense but remember who is running the show here.

I specifically said I didn't like it but it was at least a "solution." Since the MLBPA will NEVER agree to a salary cap so that is a pipe dream. As a thought experiment I'd divide things up into three groups. The franchises spending/really trying to win, the middle group that spend somewhat and does try to compete and the bottom group that spends very little, has bad ownerships and basically is coasting along. And like in European soccer if you are successful/ get new ownership you can move up if you wish. I just put it out there because again the only other suggestion I saw was a salary cap/salary floor which is never going to happen under any circumstances. Here's roughly how I'd divide it: A: Toronto, Yankees, Boston, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Mets, Dodgers B: Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Detroit, Texas, Angels, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Cubs, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona. C : Kansas City, Minnesota, White Sox, Athletics, Miami, Washington, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Colorado Again you can debate/move teams around like Tampa, Cleveland and Cincinnati for example. Just a thought experiment remember, not liking the idea myself.

You wonder how much of this situation is on Sosa or on the Sox minor/major league staff for being unable to teach the fundamentals. I'm guessing both are in play here Sosa and the organization.

Assuming JR is still the owner. If he isn't Getz probably won't be around.

I'm not in favor of this at all but I have seen it proposed and discussed. If some think competition is the ultimate objective and it is being destroyed and you don't agree with my proposal to fix it, i.e. s#$% can all the cheap ass owners, then maybe divide MLB in tiers like European soccer. Then deadbeat franchises like the Rockies, Pirates, Marlins, White Sox, Athletics and so on can play for their own title while the teams that spend and care about winning can play for theirs. I don't like this idea myself but it is a possible solution.

Based on history you'll be waiting a very long time to see that happen. Personally I can't ever see the strongest union in the world, the MLBPA, agreeing to a salary cap. The owners are going to try to get one again starting next December and the comments from the union and individual players like Bryce Harper have already said that is a non-starter. If you believe, and apparently you strongly do, there is a competitive imbalance in MLB you're going to have to come up with a different solution.

Sox Machine with a detailed look at this decision: https://soxmachine.com/2025/12/mlbs-data-regulation-could-be-a-shortcut-to-help-white-sox-finish-what-theyve-started

There are some folks posting here who strongly think that what happened 20-30 years ago doesn't matter in today's game and that the sport has a large competitive disparity. I personally don't think that at all. To me the problem in baseball is the commissioner and ownership of a lot of teams, not the system. Get rid of cheap, dumb owners and replace them with individuals who value a good organization and winning over profits. Those most harmful to the game are franchises that get revenue sharing money, millions of dollars every year and then don't do squat to improve the on-field talent.

If I remember right his agent is Scott Boras, if he has a good season he is going to hit the free agent agent. No way he signs an extension with the White Sox.

And they will stay basically the same until Ishbia takes over especially with the lockout coming next December.

Bears did what they needed to do. 10 wins...remarkable. They have a reasonable shot for the playoffs although the final three games are going to be very tough.

Can't see this happening. This is Boras posturing trying to drive up more interest.

This comes under the heading of "to be expected." Story in the Athletic today saying that with labor unrest on the horizon. the winter meetings may be cancelled next off season.

Suarez to the Braves, three years, 45 million. Milner to the Cubs, one year, 3.75 million Leiter Jr. to the A's, one year, three million

They absolutely need competent bullpen help, you can't expect to make any real progress when you've lost as many leads as they have in the 7th inning or later the past two seasons. It was ridiculous.

https://www.southsidesox.com/chicago-white-sox-news/118639/white-sox-select-rhps-jedixson-paez-and-alexander-alberto-in-mlb-rule-5-draft

I don't know about his quickness or ability to get to balls if he was in center, maybe a corner spot with his power.

As Kenny would say (and did): "It is what it is..." The system isn't changing so I guess you either (not you directly but a franchise) adapt or dies. Sox are getting new ownership sooner rather than later. That's all that matters to me. No sense arguing about a system that isn't changing. I applaud the teams that are willing to take chances, go out on a financial limb and do anything they can, regardless of market size to try to win. There is one way I'd come over to your side of the discussion though. The owners open their books to an independent auditor or accountant someone well versed in these areas and let's see who is making money, how much, who really isn't, who is making a choice not to compete but is making money and so forth. If it is anything like was shown during the labor impasse of 1994-95, when for the only time they did so, a number of teams are making a deliberate choice not to try to compete blaming their issues on outside factors.

All I know is what the results have shown over the last 20-30 years. More teams have made it to the World Series from different cities than teams made it to the NBA Finals or the Super Bowl. I think the issue in baseball is awful owners, you disagree...so be it. The bottom line is a salary cap is NEVER going to be instituted in MLB. I suggest everyone get used to that idea. Again history shows this to be the case.

Or perhaps get owners in place who care more about winning than profit margins. Especially those getting millions in revenue sharing money and national broadcast deals (which when you add them all up equals roughly 200 million for each team every year) That's not counting local media rights, national radio rights, merchandising, concessions and tickets sold. Just a thought. Everyone thought the Dodgers would easily beat the Blue Jays to win the series. It was anything but that wasn't it? As has been shown by folks here at the web site. MLB has had more teams compete in and or/win the World Series than the NBA has had or the NFL either for their respective championships.

I am able to read both stories easily. And if a story is behind a paywall (and the Sun-Times stopped doing that two years ago) this website doesn't look kindly on copying and pasting something that has to be paid for. One of the mods can correct me if I'm wrong about this.