Southwest Sider

I've got family in AZ, so I go to Spring Training every year for vacation. I have tickets to both Cubs Sox games (my grandpa, who is in AZ, is a Cubs fan) and I am stoked. It's my girlfriends Spring break and she is going too. After I purchased airfare and game tickets, I found out I was getting transferred to a new store that was opening in late March. I almost thought I was going to have to cancel the trip.. but my boss was really cool about it. THANK GOODNESS!!! I haven't been this excited about ST in a few years and I would have been very bummed out if I had to cancel.

It's been interesting to see how many are opposed to an idea such as this! Very enlightening for me. What I am grasping is that the rulebook says that position players can play anywhere on the field, regardless of "designated position". So, designated position is almost an arbitrary thing to have. To me, it would be just as meaningful to say to an umpire "hey, this is the order my guys are batting and this guy is my DH or pitcher, and the rest of them are out there playing whatever position. Primarily they will stick to what they are good at, but sometimes you might see them move around out of their designated area." These are the rules as we know it... but don't they seem a little... odd? Lets be real, perfection is not always achieved on your first go around, or your second, third, etc... Take a look at double switches. A legal substitution tactic because of one rule. That a player can play anywhere on the field. So you can actually replace the pitcher with a position player, replace a position player with a pitcher, and then just have them "trade" defensive roles without consequence, all the while allowing the team double switching to gain an advantage in their lineup. To me, if this commissioner wants to abolish extreme shifts, you also have to abolish the double switch. And I assume that would meet even more criticism then this suggestion because eliminating the double switch would probably hinder offense as much as abolishing extreme shifts would help offense. Honestly, I'm really surprised that 99.9% of people not only hate this idea, but call it stupid, dumb and idiotic. I appreciate those that appreciate that a subject like this can be discussed, because frankly, in my mind, it's a topic that merits discussion in the very least. I don't find it to be stupid. I find it to be an intelligent thing to discuss and throw out into the community. I think that those who so vehemently oppose and resort to insulting the commissioner for even suggesting should take a look in the mirror. You can never be afraid to change the rulebook. Our sports as we know them are constantly evolving and rules that were made decades or centuries ago deserve to be revisited, whether they need to be changed or not.

This idea is going to be very unpopular, but i actually appreciate that its been brought up. Im going to play devils advocate here, but ive actually thought of this myself... Extreme defensive shifts to me seem ridiculous. To me, the whole idea of a 3rd basemen is that hes covering the area around 3rd base. To see a 3rd basemen literally playing 2nd base, and a short stop playing.... 1st and 1/2 base and your 2nd basemen playing right field... when theres already someoene playing right field just seems ridiculous to me. I appreciate the strategic aspect of shifts and since theyre legal i expect them to be deployed... but let me just say i dont hate this idea as much as everyone else will. You fill out your lineup card for the umpires to inform them that such and such player is playing 3rd base. To me, having that player literally play 2nd base seems like it should be illegal and warrant a lineup switch. I mean, if a manager really wanted to, he could place any player in any part of the field. Need your right fielder around 3rd base? Ok go for it. Need your 1st basemen to cover 3rd for some reason? Ok. Not that those things would ever happen... but the point is that they can legally move players into other fielding positions without having to change your lineup. That just doesnt seem right. Excited to read some responses.

Nothing like getting paid to not work...

MONDAY 10:40am: Scherzer will receive $210MM for seven years of work, but the contract has a very unusual structure, with Scherzer receiving $15MM per season for the next 14 years, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. That means the Nationals will be paying Scherzer through 2028. Also, Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan tweets that the deal includes a $50MM signing bonus that will be paid out “over a portion of time” for tax reasons. That bonus would, presumably, be included in the $210MM total.

By all accounts it looks like John Fox will be the new coach. I have a question for you guys. Assuming the Bears were able to get rid of Cutler, would any one be interested in bringing Peyton Manning into the fold? Did he have a good relationship with John Fox? Or is Peyton pretty much out of gas?

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Jan 14, 2015 -> 01:32 PM) He lives in Arizona. And why not? Haha. Well there goes that potential hometown discount. I was under the impression he still resided in the area.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jan 14, 2015 -> 04:30 AM) Rick needs to sack up and sign Max Scherzer This situation is so strange, and we're seeing it more and more often with high-profile free agents. Boras is dead-set on a $200 million contract. Not one single MLB team wants Scherzer at that price. Boras' last resort is to hold out for an owner like Ilitch to say f*** it sign Scherzer at his price. No bidding war, just giving the agent and player what they want. I guess this is why everyone predicts he will end up back with the Tigers.... ...But what if Ilitch or another owner doesn't do it this time? What is Boras going to do then? Accept a bidding war and go to the highest bidder? It doesn't seem like something he'd accept, but what other options would he have? In Max's shoes... how long before you get sick of demanding the moon when you're still going to get a fair contract, and enough money to set your family and generations after for life? If I'm Max... I'm ready to find a home so I can get mentally prepared for the season. I'm telling Boras... just let teams start bidding and lets see what happens. The wild card is James Shields, but I think his highest bid is $110 million and I doubt it will go higher. His contract will have no bearing on what Max signs for.

I think that in the best possible case scenario, this is what happens: Sox are winning or in the hunt some time after the All Star Break and/or Jeff is pitching well. Jeff discovers that he loves it here and would like to stay. Sox offer him a contract somewhere between Lester and whatever Shields gets, and he signs. Even a union person understands the value of not having to move away from your current home for a new job, especially if the job offer is fair. The Sox cannot afford to try and lowball him and upset him, and I don't think that they will. I'd rather this scenario play out then go into the free agent market next offseason needing to sign one of the top pitchers.

I'm officially very impressed with Nashville now. Looks like the coaching change was the best thing that could have happened to them. I wonder if they will slow down at all... on pace for 120 points. It's up to the Hawks to keep chugging along and avoid their usual post-new year slump. And to keep enough in the tank for the playoffs.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Jan 13, 2015 -> 03:01 PM) If I was in Smardzija's position, I wouldn't even consider signing an extension until I got a feel for the team and organization to see if it is a good fit. He has already said as much.

Any of us fortunate enough to have a job in MLB, with the Cubs, or any team would be happy to do so. If getting drafted by the Cubs, maybe there is initial "but damn I am a Sox fan", which then goes away seeing what you are being paid, and if you are good enough, given the opportunity to try and bring a championship to a franchise sorely lacking in championships. And if you manage to bring one to the Cubs, the fanfare, among other things, would be tremendous. Top 3 White Sox Yankees Cubs Bottom 3 Marlins Athletics Tigers

Tough game. That's a team that you want to keep in the cellar of the division, but s*** happens. Stay focused on take out your wrath on Minnesota, another team you want to keep in the basement.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 08:58 PM) Hawks just dominating but can't score. Nearly 40 shots after 2 periods! And you just get that feeling that... they will find the next gear in the final period. As good as their play as has been, there's always the next gear. Look out Colorado.

Corey gets the bronx cheer thanks to Oduya... bleh

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 07:41 PM) Oduya just gave up two goals. Disappointing. I'd sit him for a few shifts, he needs to get his head out of his ass. Hawks D has been atrocious lately, especially in the middle of the ice.

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 06:16 PM) For those wondering Clint Reif death ruled a suicide. Wow. The EPIX show following the Hawks and Capitals had a lengthy discussion with Clint Reif about his job right before he died. Nothing struck me as odd with him during his interview. You can find it here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blackha...uled-a-suicide/ That's really, really sad.

A few years back I emailed Brooks Boyer about the possibility of calling for a blackout game. It was a midseason game against Detroit if I recall correctly, one that would have been huge for the Sox to win. Brooks was kind enough to reply and say he loved the blackout game but they can't really "call" for one unless they are certain the stadium is going to be pretty much filled. The home opener seems a solid enough idea, and as cool as it might be, I don't know that they would call for it. The game itself isn't highly necessary to win, and if I had to guess, I'd guess they'd like to save blackouts for games with greater implications.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 09:09 AM) @globeandmail: #BREAKING: Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Randy Carlyle: http://trib.al/YBEENHE #NHL ” Kind of a head scratcher. Over .500, and in the playoffs if they were to start today. Maybe they've been tanking lately and I haven't noticed.

QUOTE (sin city sox fan @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 10:01 PM) I've unfortunately missed the last couple years in Arizona, but I'm so excited about the upcoming season that I think a trip is mandatory. I'm looking at going the second week in March to take in the Coyotes vs Blackhawks game as well. Anyone else headed out there that time? I'm thinking about getting a seat Sunday in the Eighteen / 76 Legends Deck. Is this new? (I don't remember it before). If anyone has any experience with this section, please let me know. I go to Spring Training every year. I have family there, and it's perfect for me to take a vacation to see them at that time. A few years back I was fortunate enough to go to a White Sox spring training game at Camelback Ranch, and then zip on over to the Coyotes facility to see the Hawks. AJ Pierzynski dropped the puck. It was a good time, and you will have one too. This year, while I'd love to go when you are going, my girlfriend is also going with me and her spring break isn't until the latter portion of the month. On the plus side, I'm going to go to both Cubs vs Sox games and it will be later in spring training when some of the younger guys you don't want to see are cut. It's gonna be a darn good time, as usual!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 12:37 PM) Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 6m6 minutes ago Quenneville says Trevor van Riemsdyk is ahead of schedule. Can "ratchet up" his rehab soon. #Blackhawks That's exciting news. That Richards goal was shades of Kanes last goal of the 2010 playoffs. Just higher off of the ice.

Thanks! Normally, I just lurk and with the Sox stinking up the joint, it's easy to keep my thoughts to myself. But anticipating a fun off season, I had some thoughts I really wanted to throw out there this time. My only regret so far is saying that Bears fans deserve better then Cutler. Oh, and the Blackhawks/NHL thread needed more love, too.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 3, 2015 -> 12:41 PM) Let's just be happy Q didn't have Patrick Kane as a rookie. That is an interesting point. Any guesses as to how Q would have handled younger Kane? Perhaps, though, during Kanes first years, there wouldn't have been as much of a win-now mentality because the Hawks were still building. As such, defensive responsibility might not have been at such a premium as it is now. Then again, this could just be how Q is, young rebuilding team or not. It's interesting to ponder.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 3, 2015 -> 03:32 PM) Seriously? http://www.csnchicago.com/blackhawks/winte...pitals-practice Heheh... now I think I'll add Washington to the list of teams that I would prefer to see the Hawks face if they make the Cup Final. Detroit, Montreal, Toronto and Pittsburgh would also be a blast.

I feel as though Saad has shown Q that he is not a black hole defensively. For Q, that is what matters most. I speculate that our top line, talented as it undoubtedly is, is better as a so called checking line, to battle the opponents top lines. Toews, Hossa and Saad are all very talented defensively. They all have great offensive upside, but usually play the other teams best. While they will take advantage of offensive opportunities, they no doubt will have to play top notch defense, because the other teams best is coming. I'm okay with that, and the difference between a guy like Saad and a guy like Morin or Pirri or Hayes is that he is responsible defensively. These guys all had time to prove to Q that they are responsible defensively, and anything offensive is a bonus. In the end, Q liked guys like Smith and Kruger better. That Saad was able to work himself into the top line speaks volumes about him. I know that a lot of Hawks fans take issue with Q's handling of players, but it's likely that fans of the rest of the leagues teams also take issue with theirs. Q thinks very highly of Saad, evidenced by his promotion to the top line. Plain and simple, there should be no surprise that Saad has "survived" Coach Q... because Saad is better then Morin, Pirri and etc. As for TT, with his promotion you can expect that Q will give him every chance to succeed. But, if for every nice offensive play he makes, an equally as horrid defensive one is made, you can expect he will be sent back to Rockford. I'm as excited about TT as anyone else, but he has GOT to be responsible defensively to stick on this team. It's not just Crawford/Raanta/Darling and happenstance that the Hawks have the best goals for/goal against ratio in the entire league by 10 goals. (Hawks +38, Nashville +28)