Lip Man 1

You are assuming of course the Sox lost money during this time period. We'll never know for sure of course since they won't open the books and let an independent economic auditor examine them. Color me very skeptical they lost money at all.

And both were due to extraordinary circumstances and Ken Rosenthal's latest story in The Athletic (I've seen parts of it posted) casts serious doubts over what the A's are trying to do. They may not wind up moving at all.

And there was talk of them moving to Toronto, Denver, New Orleans et al. Art Allyn had a handshake agreement with Bud Selig who was going to buy the club and move them to Milwaukee. Bottom line though is that nothing happened in any of these scenarios. And JR himself has said the threat to move to Florida was simply to gain leverage over the city/state legislators. That he had no intention to move. As has been pointed out franchises in MLB simply don't pack up and leave without extraordinary circumstances. I don't think the Sox are in that category and would have a hard time convincing the power brokers in baseball they are. Don't lose any sleep over this possibility would be my advice.

Yep and I'd be surprised if the Sox did anything to change that in the next two weeks but we'll see.

I think this belief has run its course myself. Just FYI, the print edition of Sports Illustrated has a big story by Tom Verducci on Dave Stewart and his efforts to get the expansion Nashville franchise. He's put together a very impressive list of contributors on the ownership side and Manfred and he have already met to discuss what the front office would look like. Bottom line the Sox aren't moving to Nashville, full stop.

As is certainly your right. I have no desire to fly somewhere, spend a lot of money on what figures to be another season where they lose anywhere from 90-100 games. I've got better things to do with my time.

The good news is that by Memorial Day we will probably be able to close the book on the season and not have to concern ourselves with the team. Also maybe Grifol will be fired by then.

Didn't realize Ozzie was managing one of the teams and led them to their regular season championship: https://www.mlb.com/news/2024-caribbean-series-teams-and-preview "Guillén also joined Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda and Terry Francona as managers who have captured winter league titles and at least one World Series championship."

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/1/31/24057341/new-white-sox-stadium-meeting-state-democratic-leaders-the-78-related-midwest

Questions remain in their rotation and outfield, but the Padres have spent the past two months fortifying their bullpen in a big way. They continued to do so on Wednesday, when they agreed to a four-year contract with lefty reliever Wandy Peralta, sources told MLB.com. The club has not yet confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical. The contract contains opt-outs for Peralta after each season. The 32-year-old Peralta is coming off the best season of his eight-year career, having posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.4 WAR with 51 strikeouts across 54 innings for the Yankees.

The franchise will not be sold in its entirety right away. According to Ourand, the Rubenstein group will initially acquire roughly 40% of the ownership stake. The remainder of the Angelos’ family share will be transferred once longtime owner Peter Angelos, now 94, passes away. Previous reports have indicated the family would incur significant capital gains taxes if they sell the franchise in its entirety before Peter Angelos’ death. Which is exactly why JR has made it clear he is not selling while he is still alive.

Normally I'd say you are right, I mean it makes sense logically but I remember seeing a book that came out basically examining the premise that these new sports stadiums increase business, bring in millions of dollars in income, visitors et al. The book basically said that notion was a farce and usually doesn't happen...so I don't know what to think along the lines you comment on.

I respect your opinion but what you want will never, repeat, never happen. Not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow...never. Teams from small markets have shown they can win, often in fact. They have smart people running the show and spend money wisely. Let's suppose what you want happened tomorrow. It still wouldn't change a damn thing with the Sox because the organization is incompetent, dysfunctional and inept. Might it help Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Oakland/Las Vegas? Maybe. But as you correctly pointed out I could care less about them.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/angelos-family-to-sell-orioles-for-1-725b-to-private-equity-moguls-cal-ripken-jr-involved-per-report/

The league itself has stated they are a 10 billion dollar a year business, that's NFL territory. Forbes and other reputable business/industry sites have shown the figures, feel free to look it up. And the Braves who have to open the books have shown large profit margins. Plus of course the documented fact for the 94-95 labor impasse as examined by the impartial economist from Stanford, owners were lying through their teeth and diverting funds from television revenue, concessions, parking to order to show losses. He blew up that contention and the owners have refused to open their books since. Geez...I wonder why? ? C'mon PTATC you know better then to assume the owners aren't making a ton of money. Like Ken Rosenthal wrote if they weren't, guys who are basically bench players wouldn't be given the contracts they are getting. For once in the 125 years the Sox franchise has been around let them become sharks and simply tear up the opposition on and off the playing field. Honestly I give a s%*# about competition and league balance, I want to win. I'm tired as a fan for 63 seasons now of basically being on the short end of the stick.

Doesn't matter to me. Just hope he can do the job, He's in a tough situation.

That could certainly change the direction of that franchise with their good young core, excellent deep farm system. If those guys are willing to spend money watch out.

That's an interesting observation and it may be possible. I'm pretty sure he has things mapped out when he's gone and has already made some public statements to that effect (i.e. Sell the Sox, keep the Bulls) but I don't know about the successor part. So much can change things in a year, or a month. From what little I've been told along these lines the thinking is it won't be a single individual but more likely a corporation.

Nor should he. His job as an agent is to get his client the best possible deal. Now if MLB wants to start paying him some type of fee to promote the game by various means...well that's a different story. ?

If only the owners who are making record profits and having more international and domestic revenue streams then ever and who participate in a 10 billion dollar industry (by MLB's own admission) would actually try to win, a lot of these players, many of whom can still contribute would already be signed.

The Blue Jays have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Justin Turner, a source told MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi on Tuesday, to bring one of baseball’s most reliable veterans to Toronto. The club has not confirmed the deal, which – when finalized – is expected to be for $13 million with $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses.

Art Allyn actually had a handshake agreement with Selig who was moving the Sox to Milwaukee. That got torpedoed when John Allyn (also part owner) said if he wanted to move the club it would have to be brought up before the Artnell Company Board of Directors for a vote. For whatever reason Art Allyn did not do that and instead sold the team to John.

Actually according to the research done by Dr. Fletcher, John Owens and others in the book "Chili Dog MVP" the Sox were paying the smaller stations around the area to carry their games in 1971 and 1972 after no mainstream radio station wanted them after the disasters of 1968, 1969 and 1970. I can look through the book to see if they listed actual dollar amounts but they were paying for the air time and providing their own commercials.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/jorge-polanco-trade-mariners-acquire-all-star-second-baseman-in-five-player-swap-with-twins-per-report/

Unless the Sox get off to a surprisingly decent start I suspect ratings for TV and radio will be at an all-time low.