BlackSox13

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 11, 2014 -> 05:28 PM) I thought so too but right now they don't have room to add $4.5 million and make Tanaka the kind of offer it might take to get him. Keppinger isn't any better than what they've already signed. Yeah I know, just wishful Xbox thinking on my part plus I'm sure they can find better options. I have to disagree with you about the yanks not having the money for Keppinger since the Sox will sign Tanaka anyway therefore allowing the yanks more money for their payroll.

QUOTE (sin city sox fan @ Jan 11, 2014 -> 05:25 PM) We can get it done by Tuesday. Just send some strippers to his hotel room. If titties don't work, than send chicken wings. No man can resist titties and chicken wings. QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 11, 2014 -> 05:31 PM) So, in other words, just bring him to Hooter's? Chicago style pizza? Could have really used Dennis Farina on this one!

Keppinger would look great in Yankee pinstripes.

QUOTE (Whitey @ Jan 11, 2014 -> 05:02 PM) My ideal scenario... Sox sign Tanaka then trade Sale. Uhhhhh, sarcasm?

Its too early to expect a decision. Tanaka's MRI results need to be handed out (any day now), then teams need their medical staff to review the MRI, then allow for time of teams competing in a possible bidding war and then we can expect a decision. I'm going guess Thursday Jan. 23 is when an announcement will be made, hopefully by the White Sox.

He won't be missed, that's for sure. See ya in 2015 Arod... maybe!

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 11, 2014 -> 01:10 PM) Texas has vastly different tax rates than New York. Though the rumored figure was bigger in New York, Choo will earn more money in Texas than he would have if he accepted the offer (if there was such an offer) the Yankees supposedly extended. Very true and shows that the highest bidder doesn't always win. Choo also said he really wanted to play in Texas. Its more than just money involved here. Tanaka might want to play on the west coast to be closer to family in Japan, he might want to pay for a contender or a team that's at least close, he might not want to play in the big media market because they are like vultures waiting for you to f*** up, he might not want to play in a division like the ALE with Boston, NY, the Rays, Jay and Orioles all expected to compete therefore making his decision tougher if he wants to play for a contender. Point is there's much more to his decision than just money. Its just the media has convinced the typical american that it is only about money and were not talking about a typical american here. Let's say the cubs offered 5 years @ 20m annually but Seattle offered 5 years 18m annually. Tanaka might think that 2m annually is no big loss because for 1- this is still far more money than he's used to making, 2- Seattle is closer to Japan , 3- Seattle gives him a chance to play with a competitor which the cubs won't be even with Tanaka. Money is just one of many variables in the equation when were talking about a Japanese ball player signing a contract far from his homeland.

Just because the yanks have the potential to out bid everyone doesn't mean they will land Tanaka. Try to remember its Tanaka's decision as well and Choo proved a month ago that not everyone can be bought by they yanks. Same can be said for they cubs, they MIGHT have the money and MIGHT make the highest offer but Tanaka can CHOOSE to accept another teams offer and not necessarily the most lucrative. Outside of the cubs and yanks there are teams that are going to offer a lot of money so Tanaka's decision won't be about money alone.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 12:10 PM) From 2008 to 2011, Johnny put up WARs of 5.0, 2.9, 4.3, & 3.1. Was he showing the ball to hitters then This my question. We all know how good Danks was back then so his stats are irrelevant to my question. I really don't recall him showing the ball back then the way he does now which is why I asked the question in the first place. I admit I could be wrong this, I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed this or is it just me seeing a problem that isn't really a problem?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 11:43 AM) Just throw out the last two years due to injury. 2012 was related to being injured, and 2013 was his first year back off of surgery. Both of the years he had are "normal" for the surgery he had. I totally understand and you're right. I'm just having a difficult time believing he will rebound as long as he keeps showing the ball to hitters the way he does.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 10:52 AM) If the Sox sign Tanaka you keep Danks and let him rebuild value. Your staff becomes Sale - Tanaka - Quintana - Danks - Johnson with Rienzo-Paulino-Surkamp all ready to fill in. That looks pretty damn good and lets you move Danks once you've gotten his value back up. I just don't have much faith left I Danks these days. He certainly is young enough to rebound but what scares me is his delivery. I could be wrong but has he always showed the ball to the hitters the way he does now? Watching his delivery its like he's telegraphing (tipping) his next pitch to the batter on every pitch. He really does give the batter a good look. I guess it comes down to if you think he can rebound you keep him or if you think he cannot you get out from under him while you can which is what I'm leaning towards.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 10:42 AM) See, I don't necessarily agree with this, because I think this was something Williams wanted too. I just don't think he had or has the patience Hahn does. If the Sox thought Williams did a poor job, he would have been fired. Instead, he was promoted or, at the very least, re-assigned to a still very prestigious position. My main problem with the Williams era is that the Sox simply didn't have depth. Depth affords you the opportunity to make moves either internally or externally. KW did well in the beginning, but after a while he began to remind me a bit of Jim Hendry. I kind of give KW a pass on Dunn because at the time of the signing it would have been hard to imagine Dunn would be the bust he's turned out to be. Not all moves work out and i do understand this but imo, KW teams relied to heavily on the long ball and not enough athleticism beginning in 06 and got worse from there. This is just my opinion of course and the subject is debatable. I agree with the lack of depth. The Sox didnt draft well and KW traded potential depth, both contributed to this although I admit I can't recall any depth being traded that developed into anything special. I also agree Hahn having more patience which is needed during this turn around.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 10:42 AM) I love Danks and all he's done, but if they could seriously just give Danks away right now, I wouldn't care. Well, if the Sox were to sign Tanaka you can bet the Yanks will be pretty desperate. Danks could end up being a cheaper option than some of the remaining FA starters.

Approved. Its is early, but after KW a steamy pile of s*** would be a breath of fresh air. I like the moves Hahn has made so far and the house cleaning of KW's mess.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 09:52 PM) With Merkin being a mouthpiece, that sounded a whole lot like the Sox want Tanaka. I got the same impression. The way it was worded was they are going after Tanaka but they also are not trying to get Sox fans hopes up too much. That's the difference between the Sox front office and the cubs front office. Just " keeping it real" like Chappelle.

The Sox have this article up the their site for those interested. Pretty much what we already know. http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/2014/01/09/...-in-los-angeles

QUOTE (thedoctor @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 08:29 PM) would love to make theo trash another hotel room. Hell yeah. Imagine what the Sox signing Tanaka would do to the psychy of cub fans who have watched the cubs front office do literally nothing this off season to improve a horrible team. I can only imagine the things that would be said after the cubs have said " we won't be out bid". It will be bad enough if the cubs cannot sign him but the Sox signing him would be a total god smack across the face.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 07:08 PM) The boy wonder? Ventura.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 06:29 PM) Sounds like they are doing what every team is doing. Exploring what his interests are. Exactly. Just trying to get an idea about the length of contract and money per year he's looking for as well as finding out his level of interest in teams that are interested in him. The Sox staying away from commitments until Tanaka has signed tells me the Sox feel they have a realistic chance at signing him, for now anyway. How much of a chance is very debatable but a chance never the less.

Kemp seems to be speculation more than anything. He's 29, owed ALOT of money and has battled injuries the last two seasons which seems to go against what the Sox are doing. Also, adding ANOTHER right handed power bat to a lineup that desperately needs power from the left side doesn't make much sense.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 04:26 PM) I would put it in this order: 1- Yankees 2- Cubs 3- Mariners 4- Dodgers 5- Angels 6- Diamondbacks 7- Nationals 8- Phillies 9- White Sox IMO, you can take Philly off the list due to they don't have the money right now unless they move some of their high priced pitching which is doubtful. They've been trying so far this off season and there seems to no interest at this point. I'd take the cubs off that list too. I just don't buy into the " we won't be outbid" stuff coming from their FO. I don't see them having the money for a costly long term commitment like Tanaka and I just can't see Tanaka having interest with better teams having money to offer. Just some PR bulls*** from the cubs FO so when they come up empty they can tell their fans they tried and then play up how they are kind of insulted that Tanaka wouldn't sign with the cubs despite offering up big money therefore putting the blame on Tanaka and not the FO in the minds of cub fans. More child psychology than anything, or misdirection like a majic trick. The Halo's are tapped unless one of two things happen. 1- they trade away a big contract player to make payroll space or 2- they somehow come up with the money that extends them beyond the luxury tax that say they are adamant to stay under. As for the Yanks, I'm just not sold on Tanaka's interest in them. I know money talks but there are other teams that can offer what Tanaka is looking for and something tells me the NY media just might discourage him. Just my thought is all. I think a serious case can be made for the remaining five teams though. Even then I not completely sold on the Mariners and Dodgers due to conflicting reports in the media about their finances as well as the Dodgers strong desire to extend Kershaw and Ramirez which will cost them HUGE money. If true it could realistically come down to the DBacks, Nat's and Sox. Well, that's my attempt at the process of elimination.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 03:50 PM) I wonder if he's still a little heavy and a step slow, like John Manuel was saying God I hope not. Maybe he became too acclimated to the american lifestyle of eating McDonalds . Good thing is he's plenty young enough to burn off the excess weight and get back on track.

Just my take on teams and possibilities. AL West Rangers- seem rather tapped for money so my guess is doubtful. Oakland- I just don't see them making this kind of commitment given the money being talked about Seattle- confusing. Some say they have the money and some say they don't. They do need money in the near future to extend Felix so.... Astros- don't know if they have the money but its hard to see them making this kind of commitment. Angels- last I read they don't have the money, period. AL East Yanks- they have the money since they won't be able to stay under the luxury tax cap but NY media is a circus and may not appeal to Tanaka. Talk about pitching under a microscope, Irabu found that out. They do have Ichiro which could help. In the end my guess is the Yanks won't land Tanaka. Boston- too much money tied up in their current rotation, plus the DiceK debacle could be a factor. Rays- naa, just don't see it. Jays- I think a lot will depend on how much money/years Tanaka is looking for. For now a real possibility. O's- not sure about the money they may have but given the competition in that division I just don't see Baltimore appealing at all. AL Central Sox- I think is more realistic than given credit for. Smaller media market and more kind than say the east coast markets. Iguchi and Takatsu give the Sox some history with Japanese players and the Sox have the money. Tigers- don't see it. They need money to extend Sherzer/ Miggy and that going to cost! Royals- just can't see it. Tribe- could come out of nowhere, not sure how much money they have to spend. For now they are a real possibility. Twinkies- they have some money to spend and are looking for another starter so its possible but in the end I'd guess they're outbid. NL East Braves- don't have the money and are looking to extend Freeman/ Hayward Mets- they have the money from what I've read but given the NY media and the lack of the mets contending I just don't see it. Marlins- no friggin way. Philly- tapped for money, end of story. Nats- this I can see although they're looking to extend a few players in the near future so its not clear. NL Central Cubs- there's nothing enticing about the Cubs, at all. They are tied up with money/bad contracts and won't be contending anytime soon. They can't even make up their minds on whether to trade or extend Shark. No chance of Tanaka landing with the cubs, just a media ploy by the FO to give fans false hope because the cubs have done nothing to improve this team and the fans are rightfully pissed. Pirates- limited funds in a small market and also looking to extend a few guys as well. Brewers- could come out of nowhere. Seem to have some money and need pitching,could be a fit. Cards- nope and dare I say pointless. With their young pitching talent why the hell would they? Reds- don't have the funds as far as I know, could be wrong. NL West Dodgers- with the financial backing they have its very possible. What's interesting is they are looking to extend Kershaw and Ramirez so I question just how serious about Tanaka they really are. Could try to drive the price up on the DBacks. DBacks- a very real possibility. They have money are looking for a front line pitcher. Seems a good fit. Giants- meh, more kicking tires than anything. Not sure they have the money. Rockies- should have some money and definitely need the pitching. Not sure how enticing the Rox are considering the park and tough division theyre in. Padres- no comment necessary. I'm guessing Tanaka signs with one of the DBacks, Sox, Nat's, Dodgers, Mariners. Just my uneducated guess is all. If I missed something or speculated wrong , feel free to point it because that's what discussions are for.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 01:26 PM) I'd say it might do the opposite , because 2015 definitely would look like a possible contention year. It should force the Sox to become more aggressive as far as seeing what they've got so they have a better idea of what they would need to do after the season. Maybe they would be more aggressive with the likes of Semien and/or Davidson than they would normally plan on being. But I think we're a major long shot here, and we only get him if we get very creative. I mentioned an opt-out clause in the middle of the deal ala CC Sabathia and recently Elvis Andrus, I think it would probably at least have to be something like that since I can't see us giving 6-7 years of big guaranteed money to any pitcher. And Tanaka may still get that big mid-contract opt-out even at a massive annual salary because because the current demand is so great, ala LeBron with the Heat. I can see the Sox being serious contenders for Tanaka. A 25 yo international FA that would be signed for years to come fits in with what Hahn's plans, provided the contract cost isn't too steep. I know the Yanks will try to outbid everyone but maybe Hahn can remind Tanaka and his agent about how s***ty Irabu was treated by Steinbrenner and how well Takatsu and Iguchi were treated by the Sox as well as the fans.

Congrats Big Hurt and thank you for the memories!