JoeC

Plus, if it’s part of a multi-use entertainment district, there’s stuff to do before / after, or in the event it’s too cold / rainy / etc. during the game. Right now, the ballgame is the only thing for most people. Sure, some people (like me) would find stuff to do before / after the game, but for the most part, the way the ballpark is set up in a sea of parking lots, the game is a standalone activity. I suspect that if you turn the ballgame into a centerpiece of a broader outing, it would help draw way more casual fans, as you suggest.

Exactly. Thus, unless Varsho becomes an immediate flip candidate, he's a meaningless and useless acquisition... and i doubt a player of that caliber is traded 3 times in a single offseason.

Trying to get this team to compete in 2024 is a pipe dream. The moves right now should try to optimize 2026 and 2027 WAR. To me, acquiring Varsho would be paying a premium for "immediate" WAR. The whole structure of a Cease deal is to give up X amount of 2024 and 2025 WAR for 2*X or 3*X potential WAR in 2025 ~ 2027. Therefore, to me, any trade like this doesn't make sense, where the biggest chunk of WAR you get in return doesn't look that much different in magnitude and peak year than the piece you're giving up.

...so not shocked at all?

In other orgs, yes. In this org, he ends up with a .150 average to round out a nice .280 OBP.

Fixed your post.

Baseball yes. Football can be amazing in a dome. Ford Field with a packed house might be louder than the original Chicago Stadium.

Outdoor baseball can only work in warmer climates like Wrigleyville, Boston, Minneapolis, and Detroit.

We don’t need a dome.

Counter-point: If the abovementioned three bounce back and/or take a step forward, they get traded for prospects, replaced by even lesser players, and the Sox end up losing 100 games anyways.

I think the key point is "don't tell me - show me you're paying millions toward a new stadium."

That's why I'm hoping that the stadium itself is funded privately, but the infrastructure is built up by the city / state. In reality there'll probably be some massive tax break for the stadium... and you're right - typically, these investments don't pan out if the municipality is doing anything more than infrastructure.

I've bought a penthouse and LSD, but I'm pretty sure not the same as what you're talking about

What if they built it closer to the southern end of he property? It's not like it's an up-close-and-personal view of the skyline, but it's something. View from just north of 15th and Clark per Google Maps (LINK)

Trying to find a way to fit in a “we lay it on thick” in there somewhere.

Too soon. Or too late. You decide.

They just had a bad 7 months last year.

So that gives us what… 73 wins (~23 WAR total)? See? This team IS improving.

If your basic job qualification is to be able to talk out of both sides of your mouth, replacing one of those sides with food intake seems like a logical next step.

Barry / Berry?

Southeast Michigan has a "hum" about it right now, mostly from football, but also with the Red Wings looking competent, plus the Tigers looking to be on the rise.

Honestly, if they played it right and the Bears were to stay at Soldier Field, they could try to beef up the public transit on Roosevelt between the river and Soldier Field to maximize both accessibility to Soldier Field as well as the pre-game and post-game (and pre- / post-concert) dollars spent on those days, as well.

Hell no. Keep the tracks. Make them an outfield feature. Ball gets stuck under a rail tie? Ground rule double. Outfielder trips and falls on the rail? Should have known it was there. Deal with it. It's retro and cute, so all should be forgiven. Pump the river water in a jet into the crowd for home runs like the Kauffman fountains, but better.

They don't REALLY need to sell tickets with revenue sharing and broadcasting revenue. I say burn it all down. Strip it down to the studs and build from scratch. That is to say, if you can get appropriate value for Robert (it would have to be a MONSTER haul), I'd trade him in a heartbeat.