Milkman delivers

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 01:20 PM) I'm a little surprised (disappointed actually) at the Buehrle hate around here when he didn't even turn down a non-existent Cards or Sox offer. It's hardly hate. Not to get back into this, but it's the Buehrle defenders taking it as hate. It's merely a statement on how we view it as "hypocrisy".

Beer>Water. That way you keep the same initials.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 11:12 AM) The only good way for attendance to go up a significant amount in a single season is to either build a new stadium or win the World Series. Since the Sox have done neither of these in quite some time, they have to build up the attendance gradually by winning consistently. Something they seem to have a problem doing. Typically attendance jumps a little during the season the team is winning and more the NEXT season depending on what they do in the playoffs. For example in 2005 it jumped +412,297 over 2004. The largest increase since they won the division in 2000 when we fans were still starved for a WS. Then in 2006 it went up by +614,580. The largest single year increase since they opened the new stadium. The problem is the team didn't continue with it's success and the attendance started to drop again. Even in 2008 the team was just barely good enough to make the playoffs and only won a single game when they got there. Since then the expectations for the team each year haven't been great and they've proved us right with a 2nd place finish and a couple of 3rd place finishes. Had the team not completely fallen on it's face in 2006 and 2007 and won the division 2, 3 or even 4 times instead of just once since 2005 the attendance would've been much better. Simply being a contending team and making the playoffs once every few years isn't enough to make 30,000+ show up at the park every night. Which is a good thing. It shows that people aren't exactly the sheep we usually characterize them as.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 09:13 AM) Thank you. I can't believe people expected him to come out in 2011 and be back to full strength. This is the pattern with major surgeries for pitchers... he was injured in 2010, gone. 2011 was his rebuilding year, so he was inconsistent and struggled. It is that 2nd year after when pitchers tend to really get back closer to normal. That would be 2012 for Peavy. Of course it may not happen at all. But history says 2012 has a decent chance of being a decent year for Peavy. He'll probably be hurt before the end of May. If not, hopefully he's his old self and we can trade him for a nice prospect.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 11:18 AM) The Astros can't be overly excited about moving to that division now.... The Mariners oughta move Felix unless they think they have a shot and overpay for Prince. My guess is Prince is not signed until mid-January. The Mariners would be stupid to acquire Fielder. They have no chance at competing in that division for a while.

What is their payroll going to be?

One thing I can say for sure is that this poster will be experiencing schadenfreude when Pujols suffers an injury, which is almost assured with a contract like this.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 10:07 AM) 5 year, $75 million Well, actually that isn't that bad. $15 million dollars seems to be the going rate for a decent starter nowadays (as stupid as that is), but the 5 years might be what hurts.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 10:05 AM) That's gonna be a bad contract IMO, whatever the terms are Agreed.

QUOTE (dielac @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 01:05 AM) Somewhere, Pablo Ozuna is thinking to himself "ouch, what did i do deserve that one.." I was thinking the same thing. I had to look if Ozuna was a backup on the Marlins first, as it was so out of left field.

I voted "Other" because it's the Hall Of Very Good.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Dec 8, 2011 -> 09:15 AM) Me too. In addition to Dark Helmet, I had the Sheriff of Rottingham and Hedley Lamarr on my list. Same here.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 10:19 PM) Man you misread a lot of what I write. I meant the only fans who will attend are those on here who support a rebuild. The majority of the city will be snoozing and not attending if the Sox suck while playing the DeAza's and Flowers' of the world (and I like DeAza n Flowers no disrespect to them). You also seem to think I am such a moronic dope ... I never come back and say I told u so, but I will break that rule this time. I said Mark would get four years and I was called a moron. I don't think I ever said he wouldn't.

The payroll doesn't matter to the fans. It's the winning. Take a look at last season.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 06:57 PM) 1.) I credit Jerry for having a very nice payroll the last several years. What I'm trying to say (poorly) is I feel (I could be wrong) that at this stage of Jerry's life, with it painfully obvious the team is not going to contend, it is easy for Jerry to revert to his old ways (prior to the Ozzie era) when the Sox were known as a lower payroll team. I feel it's easy for a rich guy like Jerry to say to himself, 'f*** it, we suck anyway, let's just strip the payroll to nothing and do a rebuild.' I should give up, cause I know I'm not explaining it correctly. I will say I'll be stunned if Paulie and AJ are on the team next season. 2.) Well I respect you hearing that. I care. 3.) Dick Allen, I love your posts and it's very very telling that a season ticket holder like yourself is bailing. I think the Cell will be a morgue this season. Ugh, now you're insinuating that Ozzie had something to do with the higher payroll.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 08:00 PM) Well you didn't support them this year when they were "all in". I guess you owe them one. Will you be wearing a paper bag over your head. I did it because they refused to get rid of a cancer that was voluntarily throwing games. They've cured themselves of that and are actually trying again (in the long term).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 06:58 PM) Which is what he should be doing on December 7th. I'm not sure what the f*** you want, Dick...do you want him to get good prospects for these pieces or do you want him to just give them away? For everyone crying about Santos not being shopped more, why the hell are you also crying that there has not been more trades made? Make up your damned minds. Great point. QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 07:36 PM) Except I was correct about the budget and only complained about the payroll in 2009 when they raised season ticket prices and lowered payroll, when they had season ticketholders captive because of non refundable unused playoff ticket money. If you recall, your boy KW only had $.50 then and everything was priced at $1. The budget was already stretched. Then he traded for Jake Peavy and picked up Alex Rios on waivers. I did say I liked the Peavy move and would never criticize your precious KW for it, and never have. They "found" some money even though attendance was down. The next year they cried poor again. Attendance dropped again, then Edwin Jackson and his bloated salary is acquired and JR must have had some luck with his metal detector on Oak Street beach as KW was able to pick up Manny Ramirez for 1 month and $4 million after a steroid suspension to drive in 2 runs. The next offseason, now remember, your precious KW has always said everything coming in is spend and he only has $.50 when things cost $1, the Sox find some more money for Adam Dunn, bring back Konerko and AJ and have a team record payroll. JR finally admitted the team really doesn't spend every dime that comes in, they "save a little here, save a little there". Say what you want, but the facts show my stance about White Sox finances was far more accurate than yours. For a while, I forgot about Manny being on the team.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:58 PM) 1.) Why? Letting the best pitcher in White Sox history (arguably) go? 2.) What I'm trying to say is it's now easy for Jerry to go cheap again. Team is not going to win anything and he'll gladly strip the payroll to shreds IMO. 3.) Thank u el rockin. Guys like milkman act like nobody agrees with me. Listen to the talk shows. You don't think fans are going to express outrage? Just because I have a different opinion of you doesn't mean my opinion is not shared by others, Milk. I CANT BELIEVE many of you think this had nothing to do with Mark loving playing for Oz at all. Yes, he ONLY picked Florida because of the offer. Sure. You're the same person. I would hope that you'd agree with yourself.

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:56 PM) Nice, hide behind that cape, I am sure you can look jim up if your interested. No need to ask me. I have no cape. So I assume he's doing well. Please pass on my love.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:55 PM) Doesnt change the fact it was a douchebag thing to say. Not surprising though. Wow, Rock. I've really pissed you off. I'll say good day to you again, sir

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:50 PM) Didnt you just do the same? Hypocrite No, as Jim isn't a member of the board. There are no consequences for talking badly about a guy like him. I'm an active member, and personal attacks between active members are not allowed.

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:49 PM) go ask him, you suck too. didnt stop your life from going. Personal attack. Take it down a notch.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:48 PM) I wont believe that until it is proven to me. You could hear people in the outfield talking over the telecast from august through the end of the season That is, in no way, an exaggeration.

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:47 PM) what does it matter to you. why would you ask a question like that? Because the guy sucked and I was just wondering how his life is going.

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:27 PM) Bring back AROW! Well if we need a 5th OF and can get him for very cheap. He's getting $12 mil this year from the Giants anyway. One year 1.5 mil? Would you really say no to him for $1.5 mil? Not like we have a MLB ready OF prospect ready for 2012 anyway. De Aza, Rios, Quentin, Viciendo, Lilli. CQ is prolly gone and Lilli can be a util IF. De Aza, Viciendo for sure and Rowand/Rios/? as 3-5. Ugly but when Rios takes up all that $ you have to find deals for your other OFs. Unequivocally, yes. QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 05:40 PM) You can say that about any player. What exactly makes Rowand different? Is it the fact that he's Aaron Rowand because that's not a good enough reason. I'm fairly certain you know that's the reason.