South Side Fireworks Man

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 28, 2017 -> 07:04 AM) Sox Fan in Huskerland...from another thread Look at how the Cubs built a large chunk of their foundation. They sucked for 5 years and are reaping the benefits now. Willson Contreras International FA in 2009 as a 17 year old. Anthony Rizzo traded to Cubs for Andrew Cashner in Jan 2012 after 71-91 season in 2011. Javier Baez drafted with 9th pick in 2011 draft after Cubs went 75-87 the previous year. Addison Russell traded to Cubs for Jeff Samardzija in July 2014. Cubs went 73-89 in 2014. Kris Bryant drafted with 2nd pick in 2013 draft after Cubs went 61-101 the previous year. Kyle Schwarber drafted with 4th pick in 2014 draft after Cubs went 66-96 the previous year. Albert Almora drafted with 6th pick in 2012 draft after Cubs went 71-91 the previous year. Ian Happ drafted with the 9th pick in 2015 draft after Cubs went 73-89 the previous year. Cubs got Anthony Rizzo for Andrew Cashner. After the Sox traded Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Adam Eaton, they still don't have anyone in their organization that is likely become a player as good as Rizzo. Theo didn't have a young, talented, controllable core like Sale, Quintana and Eaton to build around, so he had to tear down and rebuild and he did an extraordinary job. The Sox have traded away more value than Theo did and the jury is still out on the prospects they got in return. The Sox don't have a stellar record when it comes to developing talent. And what are the odds that whomever the Sox draft in 2018 turns out to be as good a player as Kris Bryant? Would JR be willing to bring in an experienced, highly rated manager? I understand what the Sox are trying to do but by no means are they guaranteed to be as successful as the Cubs, Astros or Royals. Some seem to think that just because it worked for the Cubs it's a sure thing it will turn out as successful for the Sox. It could go either way. It would be a shame if it turns out the Sox exchanged a young, inexpensive, controllable core of Sale, Quintana and Eaton for a decade or more of mediocrity. I would have felt better if the Sox were able to trade these guys for top rated prospects with ETAs of 2017 and 2018 and then augment them with good FA signings. Now we'll just have to bear with horrible baseball for a couple of years and wait to see if the Sox organization under Buddy Bell and Chris Getz can develop these A level prospects and hope Moncada doesn't turn out to be another Gordon Beckham.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 10:30 PM) All part of the plan. I liked it better when the plan was to trade our star veterans for young major-league ready or on the cusp of being major-league ready studs. Remember last year when Hahn was reportedly holding out in talks for guys like Mookie Betts, Benintendi, Carlos Correa, etc.? The consensus then was that teams would be willing to trade young players in the off season but not in the heat of a pennant race. Well, I guess teams held out on giving up higher level prospects for proven young stars like Sale, Eaton and Quintana so Hahn settled for trading for younger, rawer prospects who certainly have upside but also have a greater chance of not making it in the big leagues. Now the Sox are in a situation that they are willing to be terrible for a few years waiting for these prospects to develop. But if these guys don't develop as planned, the Sox are going to be terrible for many more years.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 10:18 PM) It's way more disgusting to spend the money they did from 2009-2016 and not make the playoffs once. The Sox are a pretty disgusting organization, that's for sure.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 09:56 PM) By season's end should be the worst team in modern Sox history, no hyperbole there. Sox lost 102 games in 1932, 101 in 1948 and 106 in 1970. Just 3 teams in Sox history have lost 100 games. Very sad. I remember 1970 all too well. 56 -106. I never thought I'd have to live through a Sox season that bad again.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 08:47 PM) Folks calling for our minor league phenoms have rein it in. We might have some movement Monday but if not we will continue as is for a couple months Just who are these "phenoms" of which you speak?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 09:51 PM) Just can't be a guess hitter with two strikes. Hopefully it improves Hopefully. If not, Sox are going to suck for a long, long time.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 09:48 PM) Swing the bat! He has no idea what he's doing with two strikes Moncada may have a chance to be another Ray Durham but so far he looks more like another Danny Richar.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 27, 2017 -> 08:38 PM) Is there any doubt that if Hawk was the Sox GM still, he would have traded Q for Schwarber It'd be nice if Schwarber was the third piece of that deal along with Jimenez and Cease.

And Moncada strikes out.

Ugh Anderson.

Hansen oppo HR.

This sucks.

Moncada homer.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 26, 2017 -> 08:13 PM) Just have to avoid getting no hit, and then no one will remember these games Just win.

Ugh.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Jul 26, 2017 -> 05:34 PM) I've always said that Kenny Williams was unfairly blamed for the team constantly being in "win now" mode. I think KW took the blame, but it was Reinsdorf who didn't want to tear it down because JR was afraid of lost revenue from low ticket sales. If KW and RH are given orders to put a winner on the team and told not to trade veterans, what could they do? Reinsdorf is the owner. I bet Robin Ventura was a JR hire too. I think you're probably correct on all points.

They don't call him "Big Game" Shields for nothing.

One down, three to go. let's sweep 'em!

He's a Cub.

SOX WIN! Nice job, Swarzak!

Sox don't value defense enough. It bites them every time.

Crap.

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ Jul 24, 2017 -> 04:24 PM) Ouch. 4 ks for Yoan Yep.

QUOTE (Tony @ Jul 24, 2017 -> 04:18 PM) So who the hell closes this out?? I swear to God if they trot out Clippard.. Let's score another 4 runs here first.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jul 24, 2017 -> 04:05 PM) Great outing by Gonzo. You like Theo? It'll (should)cost him more than an A baller.