spiderman

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 07:33 PM) Has any player in baseball fallen off more in the second half of the season than Jim Thome? He's paid to hit homers (that's all he swings for, at least) and he's done very little of that this half. I have a feeling that after the season ends (yes, no playoffs), we're going to hear that Thome's wrist was more seriously injured than let on. Still, no excuses....he still gets on base often enough to score runs, but the hitting has been pretty bad in the 2nd half. For next season, I think Ozzie has to limit Thome to about 120 games....I hate to rest the regulars as much as Ozzie has this season, but I think it's imperative to get Thome healthy this off-season, and get him 1 to 2 off days a week, especially against lefties. It turns out that as well as he played in the 1st half, he just wasn't able to contribute much in the 2nd half, and as we've seen with the struggling offense, a top performance by Thome would have been huge in the 2nd half.

Link to Chicago Tribune Article The percentage of Illinois voters who call themselves Democrats is at its highest pre-election level in more than a decade, posing a problem for Republicans trying to win the governor's mansion and key congressional seats, a Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows. The poll found 43 percent of voters identified themselves as Democrats while a little more than a quarter of the voters identified themselves as Republicans. The 17 percentage point difference ranks among the most polarized partisan spreads in more than 16 years of Tribune surveys taken prior to an election day. Chris Mooney, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said the poll findings reflected recent dissatisfaction with President Bush's administration and anti-war sentiment on top of the state's longer-term demographic trend toward the Democrats. "The population has become more and more urban, it's become more and more non-white," Mooney said. "This [national] short-term bump toward Democrats is exacerbating the long-term trend." The most recent Tribune poll found that even in longtime Republican-leaning regions, the GOP no longer might have the upper hand. In the collar counties, 31 percent of voters aligned themselves with Republicans while 29 percent identified with Democrats. Outside the Chicago metropolitan region, voters split equally at 36 percent between Democrats and Republicans. **** You'd think that with nobody really like Blago, you might see some life from the GOP ?? Guess not...

I live in Orland Park, and need to get High Speed Internet. Comcast is usually the default choice, but I hear people mention other companies that work just as well, and are cheaper. Do you guys use a different service ? Anyone companies you want to recommend is much appreciated! Thanks!

QUOTE(cgaudin @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 10:38 AM) That type of injury will shelve him for 7 to 10 days minimum. I've heard, both on WSCR/ESPN Radio, that he probably won't be back until next Tuesday vs TB

QUOTE(AbeFroman @ Aug 15, 2006 -> 11:35 AM) I would say that most people expect that a house will sell between 5 and 10% less than the asking price. If they are asking 209, I see no harm in an offer that is in the 190's. In fact, if they are asking for 209, it means they probably really want about 200. I would not exactly say that 6.75% is a great rate on a 10 year interest only. I would think that lower rates are out there. Obviously, fixed is safer... I won't criticize you for taking an interest only... its simply a question of how risk averse you are. It is a more risky loan. Also, don't forget that your interest on your home is tax deductible. If you are a single taxpayer, the government will return a percentage of your interest on your tax return. So if you make > 29,000 annually, you'll get 15% of your interest back... 25% if you make 29,k - 70k, 28% for 70k to 146k and so on. If you are married, simply use the married tax brackets. If I make about $60,000 a year....how much would I expect back ? I think there may be a 6.625% out there right now for the 10 year...Does that sound more in line ?

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 14, 2006 -> 10:32 PM) You'll get better responses from others, but one thing I can say is if it's not fixed right now, there's going to be a LOT of volitility in the markets over the next 3-5 years as the mortgage adjusts. If you don't lock in, good luck - a short term vs. long term issue - just be very careful to not be too shortsighted. If you can't pay for it now, there's probably a reason. What kind of interest rate would I receive for a 80-15-5, where the 80% is fixed on a 30 year ? The townhome that I am considering costs $209,000, and, some similar ones are going for about $214,000 or so....Do you still suggest an offer below $200,000 ? QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 15, 2006 -> 11:16 AM) Those mortgage rates seem a tad high to me. If I were to do an interest only 10 year, and a fixed mortgage on the smaller loan for 15 years, what interest rates do you think I could get for those ? A friend of mine with great credit, recently bought a home in Mt. Greenwood for 260,000, and had a 6.75% interest rate on his 10 year interest only loan, and 8.325% on his 15 year fixed rate... QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 15, 2006 -> 11:21 AM) A ten year product is probably fairly safe. I agree with Kapkomet that 3-5 looks uncertain. With a 10 year mortgage, you give yourself the chance to refinance if interest rates appear headed for 12%... or even sell before the rate resets. So the risk is really your choice. This was my thought process in thinking about going with the interest only loan. If the rates start to rise, I could always get it fixed, and, at the same time, I can pay off the more than the amount due on the fixed 15 year deal because the amount will be low each month.

Question about a home purchase. I am considering a few different townhomes currently, and am looking at one that is priced as follows: Town Home Price: $209,000 Taxes (Yearly): $3,564.00 Assessment: $120.00 Here is my situation - I would like to obviously keep my total mortgage payment as low as possible, and understand there is some risk with interest only loans. I don't want to take on some much risk that it blows up in my face, but is there anything you could suggest that could help me. My goal would be to have a mortage payment in the $1500-1600 range, if at all possible. For this place, I would be putting 5% down ($10,495), and, as of now, would be doing the 80-15-5, where 80% goes to a 10 year interest only loan at a rate of 6.625% (I've been told that this rate should be about right), and the 15% goes to a fixed loan for 15 years at about 8.325%. I have figured that this would cost me $1,723.57...$944.55 for the 80% loan, $306 for the 15% loan, and then $297 monthly for taxes, along with $120.00 monthly for assessments. Any ideas on how to make this more affordable without taking on a ridiculous amount of risk. If so, can you please offer up suggestions - I am learning my financial options, but, am hardly an expert in this. Thanks in advance!

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:11 PM) Where is Izturis going to play? If it's SS, then they just wasted more than half of the season with Cedeno over there. At least they have Neifi to fill in at 2B/SS if needed. I think Izturis should play SS...I see Cedeno as a 2B.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:08 PM) That wouldnt be a bad transaction for them. This is a positive move for the Cubs...

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:02 PM) I didnt say it was a dumb move. I said I liked the Pirates end of it. Who's Perez ?

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 02:59 PM) This team is very talented, but they're not very good right now. They have some holes that could have been fixed with an acquisition or two. They could have improved their roster, there's no doubt about it. Saying that, I still believe!

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 02:56 PM) Chacon for Wilson official Another example of why Pittsburgh is in such bad shape.

I think Kenny Williams is still watching a movie in his hotel room....

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 01:48 PM) I get the feeling nothing Is gonna happen. Especially if we're banking on the White Sox making another move... It's funny, people totally forget we got MacDougle just a few days ago.

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 01:10 PM) Hawkins would make zero sense. I would rather have Bmac or Riske pitching in front of him out of the pen. Maybe Cooper recognized something in tapes and think he can be fixed, he's had a good track record with bullpen guys. It seems like Bowden's price for Soriano is not going to be met, so it will be interesting to see if he just holds on to him or takes a lesser offer Hawkins also got put on the bereavement list yesterday as well...If the White Sox wanted Hawkins, they can probably get him very cheap.

Any link to the August Wallpaper ?

QUOTE(SadChiSoxFanOptimist @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 11:27 AM) Anyone think there would be a market for Paulie -- perhaps this winter? Aside from his leadership/character and some recent adroit defensive plays, I think that Paul exemplifies what needs to change about this team: He's a slow-footed, HR-focused and rally-killer with a $60 million contract. It hurts to be so negative about such a great guy without whom we'd not be World Champs. Have another beer!

QUOTE(G&T @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 11:26 AM) I know, I've read that too, but there's nothing that indicates to me that KW wants to take any chances and I don't blame him. In the Tribune today it says that Fields has been in the outfield a little bit, but won't get any real work until next year. I'd look for a multiyear offer this off season for Crede. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I think that the White Sox will make a mulityear offer this off-season to Crede. If the talks don't go anywhere, then Williams may have a decision to make as Boras' players will enter free agency the following season.

QUOTE(CWSOX45 @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 10:36 AM) I can't remember where I heard this, but Crede insisted that Boras wouldn't ruin negotiations between him and the White Sox. Isn't Uribe a Boras client as well? We signed him to a contract extension, so it can be done. We can only hope....

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 10:20 AM) Why do people think we'd get more for Fields than just Linebrink? Probably because he's a middle reliever.... I agree with you though; I think Linebrink would be about it. Middle relievers are in high demand. Personally, I wouldn't trade for anymore relievers, and really, I think this is our pitching staff for the rest of the season. I like the MacDougle pickup....Cotts/Thorton/MacDougle/McCarthy plus Jenks is a pretty solid 5 options to go with, and Ozzie does like to pitch his starters 6+ innings usually.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 10:10 AM) Lackey might be the best of the bunch. He's one of 4 pitchers in baseball to have under a 3 ERA from last year's ASB to this year's ASB. How old is Lackey ? I don't think he's "young" anymore - I would think that Ervin Santana or Jered Weaver would be more likely targets. Not to mention that Lackey is their top starter...I don't think he's going anywhere.

QUOTE(G&T @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 10:02 AM) Fields is KW's only bargaining chip on Crede. If Fields goes, Boras can rip the Sox for everything they're worth. What adds to this thought is that Fields hasn't been moved to left field, despite a relative need for a left fielder. I think KW is wary of negotiating with Boras, and doesn't want to get left in the cold if things go wrong. Very true - I think Crede's future could be determined on what happens (or doesn't happen) with Fields.

Regardless of this deal, it appears the White Sox are unwilling to move Josh Fields. What does this say about the future of Joe Crede ??? With Scott Boras as Crede's agent, and Fields the top positional prospect in the minors, I get the impression that Kenny Williams may do, in the off-season, what he did with Contreras/Garland - offer a 3-4 year extension, and see if he takes it; otherwise, his future is in doubt.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 06:53 AM) Lifetime numbers: Lieber - 4.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 4:1 K:BB Ratio Garcia - 4.01 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 2:1 K:BB Ratio Vazquez - 4.35 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 3:1 K:BB Ratio I guess they all suck. You obviously don't factor in the salaries of Abreu and Lieber ???? My understanding is that the Phillies would trade those players to the Yankees as a salary dump to have more financial flexibility.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 10:56 AM) I want this deal so bad, but I'm not holding my breath. Don't hold your breath waiting for Barry Zito to come to the White Sox.