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QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:20 PM) They also had them making a profit in 2007. If they had lost money that season, I don't think you would have seen the contracts handed out for Linebrink, and Dotel nor the offers for Hunter and Fukudome. I'm not saying they made or lost money, I didn't see the article. I'm just saying that franchise value has nothing to do with operating capital. The partners of the White sox (of which JR owns around 10%) will make money when they sell it. However, an increase in the value of the franchise does not mean they made a profit last year.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:12 PM) KW wanted to give him an extension before he ever took the field with the Sox, but OC wasn't interested. I still would love to know what kind of contract KW was talking about or had in mind. We got lucky with OC's big ego there. He would've been tough to move in this market.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:17 PM) Its better than giving up your top prospect for a guy with a screw in his right elbow, but K-Rod was ridden hard last season. The only thing that may save him from a dissappointing 2009 IMO, is the move to the NL. I totally agree. you may have made a bad investment in a guy if he breaks down but you didn't hurt future growth of the team as much.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:02 PM) According to Forbes, the White Sox pulled a profit in 2007. In fact, the value of the team in their estimation rose $60 million even after a disasterous 2007 season.Haven't heard anything about 2008, but it is way too early to determine what is going on. The chances of the payroll being $45 or even $30 million lower in 2009 is very slim IMO. If it turns out it is, then the eyebrows should be raised, especially season ticketholders who had money held hostage and were basically forced to accept price increases without knowing the team intended to spend that much less on its product. The value of the team is meaningless unless the team is sold. It does not factor in the money flow in or out of the organization unless JR used the value of the team as equity to borrow against the value. you cannot pay a player with the value of the franchise. It needs to be the revenue that is generated.

QUOTE (ChiSox420* @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 10:43 PM) Long time reader but first post so here we go..... I see Matt Kemp as not only an better CFer then what we have had recently(Swisher, Griffey) along with a feasible leadoff man(anything is better then jerry owens)... and cheap for now... Before recent talk of Casey Blake signing back with the Dodgers I was thinking a package built around Fields... obv now that would probably not be the starting point... So what everyone think it would take and worth it? Hes gonna be a STUD....!!!! Welcome to the Board!!!

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 09:56 PM) I liked the Quentin trade. They are 2 very different players. Quentin still hit the crap out of the ball in AAA in 2007. I get it. Every minor league position player KW acquires will be like Quentin. Every Cuban KW signs will be like Ramirez. Every minor league pitcher KW trades for will be like Floyd. that would be like saying: OK I get it. Everyone who has a bad statistical year after being successful will always suck. He will never be able to rebound. Just because someone has a bad season doesn't mean they will not be successful. I'm not saying he will be successful but there's no need to be so down on a player because he was highly thought of and had a poor season.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 09:50 PM) Wow, how can JD be brought back after a comment like this is out there? Must mean he's out the door. If not, then he sure wont feel wanted around here, especially after a statistical year like his 07-08. Statistical, mind you...but still that's harsh. KW says every year that all players may be traded for the right deal. He'll say it's highly unlikely and somebody would need to "wow" him with the offer but this is nothing new.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 05:00 PM) Over/Under on how long Hawk talks about his ability to take a base on a ball on the dirt? I'm giving it 3 more seasons. But dadgumit, Ozzie Guillen is the best I've evey seen at it, Feisty.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 05:00 PM) Marquez has had injury concerns as well. Obviously not as serious as Penny's issues. I also read the Dodgers weren't too pleased with Penny's attitute. He blew the team off in the playoffs (Texsox?) and that was supposedly the final straw. So he might be a bad guy. Does Ozzie know him from the Marlins? Weren't his injuries in the lower extremity? Penny's were in the shoulder/elbow as I recall. I don't mind the elbow injuries, those are easily taken care of. It's the repeated shoulder injuries that scare me. Once the joint capsule loosens up and the global degeneration starts, it's rare to come back and pitch full seasons again.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:34 PM) In a way, I agree with you, but at least Penny has had success in the major leagues before, and as recently as 2007. Why should we be excited about a guy with a 4.70 ERA in AAA that was 1/3 of a package for a guy who hit .219? I guess what I'm saying is I agree something must be up with Penny for the Dodgers to let him go, but I would think he's a far better bet to be good in the AL in 2009 than Marquez who apparently is penciled in now. I think the key issue here is he had success but due to various injuries and other issues he hasn't been successful lately. I would rather go with a guy with potential to be good and very cheap than with a guy with various problems and will be more expensive. I realize that Maquez's numbers out there but I rend to believe a little more in the scouting than straight numbers (although there are some very good stats to look at). I have not seen him pitch personally so that does worry me, although if KW really likes him I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

QUOTE (1399 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:25 PM) Thanks man. I appreciate it and really didnt mean to stir the pot but someone said it best earlier when they said there should be breathalizers on the puters. Yes I was hammered with the old lady last night so my angst over last seasons offensive troubles were a bit magnafied. So my appologies to those who were offended. Any more to this rumor? If you look at the latest from the reporter who started it (McCOY), he states that he got it from a reliable source from the White Sox. This tells me KW planted it to drive up/determine the interest from other clubs. The talks may be in the works but he is looking for what he wants.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 03:53 PM) Again, we need less grinders with good speed and little offensive skill, and get some actual quality MLB hitters if we do trade Dye. I swear some people would be happy with a pitching staff full of projects and and a lineup with all grinders. Well Minnesota has won more division championships thanwe have lately. Just kidding, I think.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 01:17 PM) interesting if this wasn't a rebuilding year/fire sale, why would we be trading jermaine for young unproven pitchers and not keep him (he could obviously help the team compete in 2009), and resign him as the DH in 2010 since Thome will be gone? because pitching is more important than hitting and Dye is only signed for 2 years while we will have the young pitchers under contract for at least 6.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 12:58 PM) I'm going to be a little cryptic. But if this was a smokescreen, what other teams are interested in Dye, and why does KW want to make them think they need to up their offer to beat the Reds? Is there a team in the NL that MAY be losing a very good corner OF'er, and would benefit from having a vet both in the field, and in the clubhouse? A team located in Orange county. There have been rumors of that as well.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 07:48 AM) This trade will probably go through. Then KW moves on to his next moves and fills all the remaining holes in the lineup. First off,he signs Furcal.Then, he trades Broadway for Tavares. Finally,in his last move,he swaps Jenks to the Brewers for Corey Hart. The Sox just got younger, cheaper, and better. THe lineup looks like: SS-Furcal 2b-Ramirez LF-Quentin DH-Thome RF-Hart 1b-Konerko C-AJ 3b-Fields CF-Tavares bench:Betemit, Getz,BA, Wise/Owens,backup C SP:MB,Floyd, Danks, Bailey, Marquez/Poreda RP:Marquez/Poreda,Russel/Carasco,Dotel, Thornton, Linebrink,Link(??) Don't forget the added pieces to Colorado to get Street along with Tavares. He would be the closer in your scenario.

I think a lot of people don't realize that KW has already told us that Marquez will be on the starting staff. I know alot of people don't like it but it follows KW's pattern. He traded a veteran not specatacular pitcher (Garland earlier, Vazquez this year). He acqured a pitcher who was once highly regarded but who regressed but who KW saw in the AFL and stated was MLB ready (Floyd then Marquez now). KW may look for one pitcher but I think he has 4 inked for the rotation. Arguements about how GF showed better numbers than Marquez and BLah blah blah do not need to fly. I'm not necessarily agreeing with it just reading KW tea leaves.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2008 -> 07:59 PM) If he's only going to get a one year deal, arbitration is the way to go. If KW really plans on sitting him,(although we've always been told the line-up is the manager's decision) there will be grievances filed. It really makes no sense offering a player arbitration, and paying him $11-12 million and sitting him for guys making $400k who haven't proven anything on the major league level. Hopefully he just refuses, but I've said all along, I don't think its as cut and dried as most think. i don't think a grievance would hold up. The manager can play whomever he wishes. If they fine him for complaining about it or don't allow him in the dugout he would have a case. I don't think not playing a player is a grievable (I don't think that's a word but you get the point) offense.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 3, 2008 -> 09:15 AM) If that happens, the tumbleweeds will return to USCF. That's what alot of people said when I said before last year that Floyd would be our fith starter.

Marquez will be the 5th starter. KW likes his AFL guys and was impressed by him.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 07:51 PM) Well, lets hope his power is a result of working hard in the weight room, and not finding a new PED that, as of now, is undetacble by urine tests. this type of thing is usually only available to monied people (Bonds, Sheffield, Marion Jones, Tim montgomery etc.). So unless he has personal connection I would doubt it but in today's sports world, I hope KW did the due diligence. Unless of course he just uses this guy in a package to trade for Peavy then who cares!!!!!!

QUOTE (BearSox @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 07:44 PM) I don't know if it has been mentioned, but I guess Flowers got busted for PED's in 2006. I really hope that his positive test results are from him taking some sort of supplement that he didn't realize was on the banned list. If it's Lillibridge, Flowers, and Morton, that's a great deal. If it's Lillibridge, Flowers, Morton, and another player, damn this was a hell of a deal. As most people know, I have been in favor of keeping Vazquez, but when you practically get 4 for 1 (I don't count Boone, he was as good as gone), and 3 of those 4 are players like Lillibridge, Flowers, and Morton, that's a good ass deal. Anyone ever think we might see a platoon of Getz and Lillibridge at 2B? He showed very good power this year in the AFL so I don't think it's much of an issue.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 01:05 PM) And individual game ticket prices will increase, which will decrease the number of walk-ups as well. All we hear is 95% renewel rate. To raise prices when you have everyone's non-refundable playoff money and then state you are trimming payroll is pretty bold. Sticking it to your season ticketholders is a very slippery slope. That said, I don't care if the payroll is $10 million as long as they win. Just don't cry poor when you raise prices and claim a 95% renewel rate. Thanks for agreeing. I think they are hoping that the increase in ticket price by 11% won't scare away the die hards and will offset the decrease in attendance from the casual fan. This way the income doesn't decrease too much.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) Logical if they didn't hike up ticket prices. This only applies to season ticket holders. The increases in price coupled with the economy will create a decrease in walk up and individual ticket sales. It would be smart to budget for that.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 06:31 PM) If I can't solve the political crisis here in Thailand, at least I can defend Willy Taveras, lol. It makes me feel a little better...I have a flight on December 21st to Manila for Christmas, looks like the odds are about 75% I will make it. Right now, there are approximately 350,000 stranded foreigners, the possibility of heightened violence in the upcoming days, or a military coup like 2006. Almost anything is possible. Good Luck. A friend of mine is in Cambodia and was supposed to fly out yesterday ending her research. However she is not sure when she can leave. Her lease was up and she was lucky to be able to stay with some other archaeologists. She isn't very optimistic about being able to return any time soon.

QUOTE (BoogeyBaby04 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 04:59 PM) I want to congratulate the new Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Quentin (Jeane) who were married this past weekend. May you have many happy, wonderful years together. Best wishes to both of you! In Chicago.