JUSTgottaBELIEVE

http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-so...op-priority-red

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 6, 2016 -> 11:40 AM) Pretty much his entire networth it tied up in the team. Sure but based on this JR could increase payroll ~$20-30M next season and still break even at the very least. http://www.forbes.com/teams/chicago-white-sox/

QUOTE (daggins @ Nov 6, 2016 -> 11:06 AM) Maybe not a ton, since, if things go south, Jerry might not be inclined to keep a high payroll. I really do think that if the 2017 White Sox are hot garbage (after adding this offseason), they'll trade most of their assets. I feel like Hahn has been managing fans expectations in a way that indicates that direction. But that's the thing. By trading two expiring contracts (Melky and Frazier) and another expiring after the 2018 season (Robertson) at next year's deadline if they are not competitive, they'd be clearing a ton of payroll while keeping the core intact to add to again in the 2017-2018 offseason. That's why a guy like Reddick makes a lot of sense now and in the future. No QO, not a mega contract like Cespedes, and you plug him into LF until 2020/2021. Same can be said about Wieters and to a lesser extent Melancon due to age.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 6, 2016 -> 10:33 AM) Melancon probably gets a 3-4 year deal (no QO), Wieters probably takes a 1 year deal (no QO, but I think he stays in Bal), Reddick could probably get a 4-5 year deal (A's tried to extend him for 3, he wanted 4, could probably get 5 in this market, also no QO), Fifth starter: if no one from our rotation is dealt, it probably remains how it is now. If they signed that group above and the team is not contending in July, then blow it up. Precisely but by blow it up I mean trade Melky, Frazier, and Robertson. Those three moves alone would shed ~$40M for the following season. So even if JR were to pump up the payroll to ~$150M at the start of the 2017 season, they would still have a ton of financial flexibility going into 2018.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Nov 6, 2016 -> 10:19 AM) You just added $50 million to next year's payroll! How? I'm guessing Garcia and Lawrie are gone and the bullpen is cheaper than last year (no Duke or Albers replaced by rookies) minus whoever they sign. I'd guess Melancon, Wieters, Reddick, and a guy like Volquez costs ~$40M-45M so in total it's adding in the range of $25M to last season's payroll. As stated, if JR wants to compete now that's the cost. Going to have to spend near the $150M range.

QUOTE (daggins @ Nov 6, 2016 -> 09:57 AM) If JR was going to open the checkbook, it would have happened last offseason. He's a businessman, and his primary motive will always be to make money. As long as he's making money, i'm sure he's fine continuing the piecemeal approach of the last few seasons. So yeah, I would expect reality to match up with that MLBTR plan. He's also a businessman with an estimated net worth of $1.35B. The money is there to spend, it's just a matter of whether he's willing to spend it.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 6, 2016 -> 09:51 AM) Have you seen the free agent list? It's beyond horrific. Doesn't really matter if Reinsdorf finally decides to open the checkbook (he won't though), there isn't much to spend it on. The few quality free agents will get insane contracts. You really think Jerry will outspend all the large market clubs? And we'd have to sacrifice the 12th overall pick even if we did. More likely is several C free agents and emptying our minor league cupboard for a semi-impact guy with one or two years of control. You're right that they may not rebuild and simply do more of the same bulls***, but I can't comprehend how any intelligent fan would want us to pursue that option. Not trying to insult you, but I think Sox fans who want to "go for it" one last time are simply ignoring logic because the idea of a rebuild is so painful to them. A smart GM takes advantage of the market and the opportunities it presents. We have several assets that could be sold off and instantly provide us with an elite farm system. With an elite free agent class coming up in three years, our focus should be on building/developing a young a major league core that with a few free agent additions can be ready to compete by 2019/2020. Let's stop f***ing around with these Hail Mary efforts where everything has to go right in order to be contenders. One of these years, Sale or Quintana will go down with an injury and if we haven't moved them by this point we could very well be f***ed. I say it all the time, but we all know a rebuild will painful to endure, but it's really our only course of action at this juncture. It's pointless to come up with all these different trade scenarios for Sale and Q because it simply ain't happening. The sooner people accept this fate the easier it will be to cope with. I am one of the few on here that thinks the core of this team is solid and I don't see a reason for a complete overhaul. I have no issue with signing FAs like Melancon, Weiters (assuming he's not a QO FA), Reddick, and a fifth starter. If it turns south by the trade deadline, they can unload guys like Melky, Frazier, and Robertson for tweener minor leaguers (hoping one hits) while keeping the core intact. Teams simply don't break up a top 3 like Sale, Q, Rodon. These are guys in their prime years controlled for multiple years at an affordable rate. With the emergence of Eaton and Anderson and hopeful re-emergence of Abreu, the everyday lineup isn't that far away from competing. If Collins turns into a Schwarber-like bat, you're only a couple guys away from having a very solid lineup to compliment an outstanding starting rotation.

I said it back in August, forget about a rebuild this offseason. Ain't happening. The only way I see a rebuild happening is if they are well out of playoff contention come late July. And I'm fine with that. Now if JR is serious about contending time to open up the checkbook a bit wider than the past few years... https://mobile.twitter.com/mjzalewski/statu...2298496/photo/1

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 4, 2016 -> 05:48 PM) A powerful take from the other side. Thanks for sharing, a heart breaking and all too familiar story.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Nov 2, 2016 -> 08:43 PM) We will never hear the end of this from Cub fans You mean J4L? He's going to be especially unbearable on here after this game.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-cu...rder-from-here/

So far this series, Bauer 7.2 IP and 5 earned runs (6.25 ERA). Non-Bauer Indians pitchers 36.1 IP and 4 earned runs (0.99 ERA). Thankfully Bauer won't be pitching again this series.

I'm still not feeling great about this series after this game if I'm a Cubs fan. They barely skated by with home field, most lopsided pitching matchup of the series, had to use their closer for 3 innings, and played perfect defense.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Oct 30, 2016 -> 11:25 AM) That is because media handed the Cubs the title since spring training. I now am seeing excuse it is a year too early for Cubs, but they will be back by birthright in WS every year the next 5 seasons Not sure why people keep thinking they are a lock to dominate for the next 5 years. Yes, they have a very good young core but the thing that carrried them more than anything else this season, their pitching, has some major question marks after the next two years. Their best reliever hits free agency this offseason and 3/5 of their starting rotation hits free agency next offseason. Plus, Lester turns 33 this offseason and the only place for him to go in the coming years is down. In my eyes, their best opportunity to win a title with this group is this year and next.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 30, 2016 -> 11:18 AM) It's amazing how little respect Cleveland is getting. They're 10-2 in the postseason and absolutely dominating while the Cubs are 8-5 and have been shut out 4 times. They must have a huge chip on their shoulder and I wouldn't be surprised if they ended it tonight. Correction: Cubs are 8-6 so far in the playoffs

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-cu...han-trump-does/

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 29, 2016 -> 11:35 PM) What are you talking about? The Cubs look terrible. They've scored 7 runs in 4 games and your unbeatable Cubs pitchers have already lost in this series. This is over. But they have assembled the best lineup in the history of the game duh

It's weird Deadpool hasn't showed up in this thread since the series started. He must be working long hours again and can't spare 5 minutes to praise the Indians for the good baseball they're playing.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Oct 29, 2016 -> 09:42 PM) Red Sox and Blue Jays fans can share those feelings. This Indians team is sneaky good. Yep been saying it all postseason. Not sure why everyone thought the Cubs offense was so much better than the Red Sox or blue jays.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Oct 29, 2016 -> 09:40 PM) Eh I think you go with him anyhow. Maybe just for one inning. I don't think they should pitch Shaw after he went 2 innings yesterday. Go Miller 1 and save Allen if possible. Otero should throw tonight.

It's just now sinking in for Cubs fans that the Indians are pretty good

QUOTE (chw42 @ Oct 29, 2016 -> 09:32 PM) Coco Crisp killing the Cubs. He's been clutch all postseason. Terrific under the radar trade by the indians especially given their outfield situation.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Oct 29, 2016 -> 07:52 AM) I honestly think the Sox would have a real chance in a seven game series against the Giants, Dodgers, or Indians. Giants and Dodgers, yes. Cleveland, no. White Sox would need 1 or 2 shutdown bullpen arms to compete with Cleveland in a short series IMO.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 28, 2016 -> 10:53 PM) The best news of this game is Miller will be able to go again tomorrow with under 20 pitches. Still can't believe Shaw got through 1 2/3 without a run given up. Just gives you an idea of how goof the Indians are to do this without Brantley, Santana and Carrasco. That would be like the Sox without Eaton, Quintana and Rodon still going 9-2 against 3 of the top 5-6 teams in baseball. Still hard to believe that the White Sox had a better non-divisional record (46-40) than the Indians (45-41) this year. Cleveland simply dominated within the division while the White Sox got beat up by the top 3 teams in the division.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 28, 2016 -> 10:55 PM) Also crazy how the only wind-aided ball was the one Chisenhall couldn't handle against Soler. Especially with Tomlin giving up 26 homers in less than a full season of starts. Tomlin has been extremely impressive all postseason. He did this against an even better offense earlier this month, Red Sox. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/why-josh...een-in-a-while/