Lip Man 1

Impossible to say. It simply depends on when new ownership arrives. When it does he'll be fired since they will want to bring in their own people.

The Athletic tonight gave the Sox a grade of B- on the deal. San Diego gets a B.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/03/13/luis-robert-jr-superstar-and-game-changer-flashes-power-in-big-way

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/13/white-sox-agree-on-trade-with-padres-for-dylan-cease

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is expected to miss at least a month of the regular season with a right elbow injury, though no tear in the hurler’s ulnar collateral ligament has been detected, according to a report on Tuesday by MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. A source confirmed to MLB.com that Cole has been scheduled to travel to Los Angeles for an in-person visit with noted sports orthopedist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, as first reported by the New York Post. The club has not confirmed the news. A unanimous winner of last year's AL Cy Young Award, Cole underwent an MRI exam on Monday after relaying that he has had difficulty bouncing back between outings. He likened his level of fatigue to what he usually would feel after throwing 100 pitches during the regular season.

Don't forget the Jon Rauch saga. And of course KW tossing over the food tables, calling the players "bitches" after they lost a game in Baltimore. My take on the Frank Thomas situation, clearly there was dislike between the two men (remember KW called Frank an "idiot") but from a baseball standpoint, Thomas was in his mid-30's was very heavy and had suffered bad foot injuries in 1999, 2004 and 2005. That much stress on a bad leg/ankle at his age was a legit concern so I can see why the Sox felt they had no choice. As far as Fisk, the dislike between him and JR was palpable. And the way the Sox treated him was a big reason why he went into the Hall of Fame wearing a Red Sox hat even though he lived in Chicago, raised his kids in Chicago, played for more years and in more games with the White Sox than the Red Sox. Also worth noting is the Frontline special on PBS that aired in April 1993 called, "The Trouble With Baseball" (I have it in my library) Fisk's contract situation was one of the featured items and both he and JR actually were ripping each other on camera during separate interviews. June 28, 1993 - In the first of what would become a series of major public relations disasters, the White Sox released Carlton Fisk on the road in Cleveland. Fisk accompanied the team to Ohio only to be told of his release before the game. No question, Fisk was finished as a player, but the fans and media were outraged at the way the Sox handled the situation. In fact, the Sox sent faxes to the media announcing the move, not even having the courtesy to hold a press conference. Fisk, the future Hall of Famer, had to say his goodbyes to his former teammates from the stands at Municipal Stadium during that evening’s game before returning to Chicago. August 4, 2000 - Catcher Carlton Fisk was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Even though Fisk played more games and for more years with the White Sox, he went in wearing the colors of the Red Sox. Fisk explained to the Chicago media, that his choice in no way reflected any animosity towards White Sox fans but was based in part on his treatment by the organization and ownership over the years. October 5, 1993 - Game #1 of the A.L.C.S. was a complete unmitigated disaster both on and off the field for the Sox. On the field, Toronto ripped the Sox 7-3 but by the middle of the game, not one fan cared. Michael Jordan who threw out the ceremonial first pitch confirmed reports that he was holding a press conference the next morning to announce his retirement from the Bulls. Fans at the game and around the city were in shock. Adding insult to injury, future Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk and Chicago native and former Sox pitcher Donn Pall were turned away by security guards when they attempted to wish the team good luck in the locker room before the game started. The White Sox claimed the rules were set by Major League Baseball but no fan or media member was fooled by that comment. Most media members felt Fisk was turned away on explicit orders from owner Jerry Reinsdorf. It was an insult Fisk never forgot. Reinsdorf then took an unprecedented step of apologizing to the team in the clubhouse before the start of game #2 saying he had no wish to take away their spotlight because of the Jordan situation.

Since when has this particular Sox organization cared if they insulted the fans or not?

Lambert, Berroa to see doctors White Sox reliever Jimmy Lambert’s right shoulder is still not right, which means the 29-year-old right-hander can be eliminated from the list of Opening Day bullpen. Prospect Prelander Berroa, who didn't finish his most recent outing Monday, has a sore shoulder and will be examined by doctors, too, Grifol said. Lambert was sidelined on Feb. 29 after making one Cactus League appearances. He finished last season on the injured list and had surgery on his right ankle, then came to camp healthy, he said. The Sox had said Lambert would be out 10-14 days but on Tuesday said he is experiencing lingering shoulder issues and will get a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache Thursday in Los Angeles. Berroa, acquired in the trade with the Mariners for Gregory Santos, "wasn't comfortable" facing the Rockies. "His velocity was down and we took him out of the game, not taking any chances," Grifol said. "He’s going to see the doctors and see where it’s at."

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/12/funky-lefty-tim-hill-brings-a-new-look-perspective-to-white-sox-bullpen

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2024/03/11/bears-new-stadium-alternative-sites-michael-reese-hospital-friends-of-parks-soldier-field-white-sox

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2024/03/11/white-sox-prospect-noah-schultz-hopes-to-remain-healthy-as-young-core-starts-to-take-form

Very possible.

The Sox reacquired him before the start of the 1968 season.

Sometimes it doesn't work out. So the alternative is do nothing? Never take the risk? Even the best minor league system and player development staff has holes, to fill them you have to go outside the organization via free agency or trades. Trades cost you players which can lead to opening up other holes. Free agency only costs money and ML teams are rolling in it. The Red Sox aren't going to go broke over this payout I assure you.

Like so many of these guys Kopech has done nothing but disappoint. Will be glad when he is out the door.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/mlb/2024/03/11/red-sox-lucas-giolito-will-have-right-elbow-surgery-potentially-ending-his-season

Just a few weeks ago JR was quoted as saying the reason for the need for a new stadium is because of poor fan attendance and because of that they aren't able to go after the top free agents. And he actually said that with a straight face!

Here's the complete story now back up at the Sun-Times, I've also seen it reported at other mainstream sports sites: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/03/10/bears-new-stadium-lakefront-soldier-field-arlington-heights-public-funding-poll

Story no longer seems to be on their web site. They may have jumped the gun in releasing it is all I can think of since when I read it, the story said the Bears would announce Monday. It was a long detailed story though. Said the Bears were abandoning the idea of Arlington Heights and were shifting their attention to getting a stadium built on the lakefront. Story listed what was known about the financial situation, and what wasn't known including how much money the NFL would be willing to put up to help pay for it. Story also went into the possibility of groups suing to prevent the stadium from being built there a la George Lucas who wanted a museum put there. The Bears according to the story want it built south of Soldier Field where the large parking lots are right now.

To answer your original question, no, having those dead contracts would not bother me because to win you have to take risks. That doesn't mean I would gamble on all of them but you have to stick your neck out at least some times, remember nothing ventured, nothing gained. That should satisfy you, I think. Now back to my question... if JR won't take risks on top free agent pitchers but also won't spend money on developing them via his farm system what is the answer?

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/10/time-and-experience-how-korey-lees-time-with-the-astros-guides-him-through-first-sox-spring-training

Bears will announce Monday they are shifting stadium focus and get this...they have decided to invest two billion in private funds to make it happen: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/03/10/bears-new-stadium-lakefront-soldier-field-arlington-heights-public-funding-poll

He had a very solid first two years...then the bottom dropped out.

Winning the World Series is a crap shoot regardless of how good a roster you have (just look at the Dodgers) the key is just getting to the post season. You can't win it if you never even get to the post season. Did the teams you listed get to the post season? if they did, in my opinion, the money was well spent.

Don't stop now boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ?