Thad Bosley

QUOTE (miracleon35th @ Aug 21, 2016 -> 09:41 PM) I think talent evaluation is as important and sometimes even more important than Draft position. We have had some first round dogs, and I hate to call Fulmer one, but he might become another bust. You go into full tank mode to get a player like that? That's true. He might become another bust. He also might become a mediocre Major League pitcher. Better yet, he might become a star Major League pitcher, maybe even an ace. Anything is possible at this point. He just hasn't been around long enough for any of us to know what the outcome will be. So give him some time before you start setting up his MLB tombstone!

I sent to high school with Victor back from '81-'85. Nice enough guy, and he was the poster child for the ultimate in preppy look back then. Brown boat shoes with no socks, sweater tied around his neck, and there wasn't a collar on an Izod or Ralph Lauren Polo he didn't like to turn up.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 28, 2016 -> 11:48 AM) Bumping because Gary Sanchez was on the Sox radar but Yanks at the time were asking too much for him. Also funny that with Sanchez and Vasquez to talk about Soxtalkers picked the wonderful pitch framer to marvel over. When will you all learn pitch framing is a bull s*** fad that means very little. Umps have wised up to it and its still umpiring strengths and weaknesses that lead to most blown balls and strikes calls. Apparently pitch framing is more fascinating than hitting bombs. Excellent post.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Aug 26, 2016 -> 07:17 AM) Good interview IMO by Hahn. "I wouldn't have taken the general manager position if I didn't think it would be recipe for success...none of us have to be here. We all are here to help bring another championship to Chicago." http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-so...olds-plans-2017 How different is this from what Hahn was saying this time last year, this time two years ago, and all the way back to when he was named GM. That's the problem - he and the other two running the show have all of the feel good sound bites down to a tee. Talking the talk they can do. It's the actions to back up these words that they, for whatever reason, have been pretty bad at each and every year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 26, 2016 -> 01:54 PM) After being insulted and misrepresented many times, yes I made that observation. And as another one who loves to jump in with those kinds of actions, I am not surprised that you again jumped in to try to take another cheap shot. Ah, ok, thanks for the clarification. You insulted another poster but only because you just reached a breaking point, not that you ever insult other posters. Ok, good. For a moment there I thought a double standard might be in play, but clearly it's not.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 26, 2016 -> 03:07 PM) Ugh. I know you are a lost cause here, but for the sake of clarity. What fans want to do is up to the fans. They can do whatever they want to do. What I have posted about over and over and over again, is the impact that has on the bottom line of the franchise, as compared to other franchises who don't have as high of a transient fan factor as the White Sox do. I can't help if it you and a couple of others want to turn that around, internalize it, and make it a personal thing. The fan base is the fan base. The numbers are all there in black and white. Those are facts that can't be disputed. That absolutely effects how this franchise is run, and the decisions that are made regarding its future. Pretend it doesn't if you like, but that would be wrong. I won't even bother with the irrelevancy of your fan litmus test. Again, and I don't know why this is so hard to understand, but the sweetheart lease deal insulates ownership from poor attendance. You combine those terms with a TV deal that is only $3M away from being in the top ten of baseball, and all of the other revenue streams, and this ball club is more than equipped to be competitive.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 26, 2016 -> 11:57 AM) This from the guy who is crying about being called a JR hater for routinely hating on the teams ownership. Yeah, um, ok. Apparently comprehension really is a fleeting skill. At 6:30 a.m. you said this to a poster: "You evidently can't handle a debate without resorting to insults" And then at 12:57 p.m. you said this to that same poster: "Apparently comprehension really is a fleeting skill."

QUOTE (captain54 @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 09:01 PM) Nice try, but a...no. The roster has turned over multiple times, yet the status quo of the front office remains. Those involved in throwing something against the wall to see if it sticks, are given opportunity after opportunity, despite the franchise bring stuck in quicksand And let's knock it off with the "Reinsdorf Hater" crap, shall we? I'm one of JR's biggest critics as far the transgressions of the ballclub, but personally I've dealt with JR thru charities and he's one of the nicest guys you could meet. I don't "hate" people unless they've committed some act of atrocity. I'm sure most JR critics feel the same. Of course, I get that you need to paint people into this lunatic box in order to flesh out your narrative. But please, knock it off. It makes you sound like you're in Junior High Yes, accusations that anyone is a "hater" and/or "hates" is reckless and done so in poor form.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 02:39 PM) Unfortunately HOFers weren't available. Jimmy Rollins replaced Alexei Ramirez. How is he doing? They wanted someone short term because Anderson was coming. Austin Jackson was fine in CF. Navarro/Avila replaced Tyler Flowers/Soto. Avi Garcia was supposed to be a bench player, LaRoche retired unexpectedly. Shields was trying to beat the pitching market. If Erik Johnson had shown anything, they don't make that trade. All of those moves could be considered upgrades at the time they were made. Upgrades from very bad to...just bad? Again, addressing your earlier point about the team is "trying not to be mediocre". If these are the "upgrades" they chose to make, when better upgrades were available, then I don't see how your stance on this mediocre business holds water. And oh, one more point on the so-called upgrades. The Sox came in last in offense last year, and the team that you say is trying not to be mediocre brought in the likes of Rollins, Jackson, Navarro/Avila, and Lawrie to address that gaping problem. And they were all ready and set to go with LaRoche again, too. So now that I think about it, you might be right. They weren't trying to be mediocre. They really weren't trying at all, now, were they.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 02:25 PM) I would be one of the first to say in the real world results trump effort. We like to tell our kids that they go hand in hand, and often they do. Sometimes they do not. They are trying to not be mediocre. They haven't done a good job of it. Moving on from KW and RH makes a lot of sense, but it doesn't appear like that is in the cards at least for another year. They signed Jimmy Rollins to be the opening day starting shortstop this year. They signed Austin Jackson to be the starting centerfielder. They signed the two-headed Navarro/Avila monster to be the catching tandem. Avi Garcia has been a starting player, replacing the great Adam LaRoche. They doubled down this summer by acquiring 34 year-old James Shields to be in the starting rotation for the remainder of this year and now for the next two years. Now what was that you were saying about the team "trying not to be mediocre"?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 02:07 PM) You obviously take offense to anything resembling discussion about the fan base. I understand that, as I see people bothered by it all of the time. What it does not change is the truth. The White Sox would not be signing a third rate ballpark naming rights deal if the Sox ownership and management had created a sustainable winning product over the years that would have attracted more fans to the ballpark. They have failed in that capacity to do so, evidenced by the fact the team has only been to the postseason twice in the past 15 years, and therefore ownership and management are reaping what they sow with this "third rate ballpark naming rights deal". I know it hurts your feelings, but it is the honest to god truth. What I have never done is make a judgement of what the fans should or should not do. All of that is the manifestation of someone who is working harder than most at being offended. Fixed

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 07:16 AM) Eh, you can rationalize this all you want, but you are still missing the essential truth at the base of it all. If the fanbase invests in the franchise, the franchise is better for it. If they don't, they are worse off. The results of the fan base are right in front of you. Again, one more time - the fans are NOT the INVESTORS. Jerry Reinsdorf and his partners are the INVESTORS. It is their job and their job only to invest in the product they are trying to sell to make it compelling enough for the fans, i.e., the CONSUMERS, to spend their money on the product. Economics 101.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 05:42 PM) I know you and the rest of the JR haters have this weird guilt factor any time this is said, but it is a fact. The rate of return is directly tied to how much and how loyal of a fan base a team has. Teams like the Cubs get bigger deals because no matter what has happened they have stuck around. Like it or not, but it is true. This is the fundamental flaw in the fan base haters/shamers' argument that the state of the Sox is somehow the fans' fault. There is no such thing as "rate of return" as it relates to the fans. The fans are not the INVESTORS in this product called White Sox baseball. We are the CONSUMERS of said product. Big difference, obviously. Jerry Reinsdorf and his partners are the investors in the product, and dare I say, they get quite the profitable GUARANTEED RATE of return on their investment due to the terms in the sweetheart lease deal they blackmailed the state into giving them 25 years ago. As consumers of the product, there is no obligation whatsoever for fans such as myself or SS2K5 to go buy tickets in the upper deck and watch guys like Jimmy Rollins, Austin Jackson, Dionner Navarro, Alex Avila, and Avi Garcia play really bad baseball for Mr. Reinsdorf to get the resources needed to fix the product. He already has those resources. The problem is that he and his management team have failed miserably in the decisions they've made when using those resources.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 03:40 PM) That is exactly what it is saying. The Cubs are getting their own network due to their fanbase, we are getting Guaranteed Rate Field. LOL - right! This is the fans' fault. Shoulda known!!!

Whether it be how it came into existence, it's original construction, it's location, or it's naming rights, that ball park has been cursed since Day One.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Aug 23, 2016 -> 05:18 AM) Seriously, f*** this organization. Completely ignore the failures of the offense, the fact that we have don't have a 5th starter, or the compete lack of depth everywhere. Yup, it was only bullpen injuries that let us down this year. Glas to hear they'll be "come out swinging", we're clearly just a piece or two away from being perennial contenders. It's just gotten to the point where it's a big eye roll whenever any one of the Big Three - Reinsdorf, Williams, or Hahn - says anything regarding the state of the team or what their plans and intentions are going forward. The words ring hollow when you hear things like the typical "Oh, Jerry Reinsdorf wants to win so badly", and then you see something like the dumpster dive moves from last offseason. The actions don't seem to match the words. Or the recent declaration from Reinsdorf saying "Don't worry - Kenny and Rick are in lockstep". That's not really comforting, Jerry. One would presume they've been in "lockstep" for their past 15 years of working together, and what has that gotten us? Just two trips to the postseason during that time. I don't think it's "lockstep" that is needed at this point. Or Williams with his "Don't worry - we have a three year plan" baloney from last year to explain last season's disaster. Where did all of the talk about that go? Or Hahn with his "We want to maximize the window of opportunity with the core" line, and then the dumpster dive moves from the offseason with the James Shields chaser earlier this summer. Again, the words not squaring up with the actions one iota. So a big ho-hum to the noise coming out of the offices over at 35th and Shields. We know there will probably not be any changes in key personnel over there anytime soon, so no hope on the horizon for a fresh new vision and approach. I guess the only thing to do is wait and see yet again what transpires in the offseason, and hope that something looking like the comet that passed by in 2005 magically shows up again.

QUOTE (Insp @ Aug 21, 2016 -> 01:47 PM) The Sox must be ahead or else there would have been a game thread a lot sooner........... Or given the team has been the worst in baseball for over three months now, the interest in the team just isn't there. Take that up with Reinsdorf and his crack management team that brought us this mess, not the fine posters here at Soxtalk.

From awkward swing to swing of champions! Way to go, Adam Eaton!!

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 06:59 PM) Another awful play by Abreu. He makes Frank Thomas look like a good defensive player Yes, mgmt has to be seeing the same thing we're seeing. Wonder if they're thinking DH for Jose next season at this point.

QUOTE (Doc Edwards Shot @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 12:56 PM) I can't believe that this franchise has only been to the playoffs TWICE in the past 16 years in a 5 team division. I repeat that fact to myself every so often and stare off into space in utter disbelief that it's true. How pathetic. The only saving grace is that one of our playoff appearances got us the whole banana. They've only earned the right to go to the playoffs ONCE after playing regulation 162 games in those 16 years, the 16 years, coincidentally, when some configuration of Reinsdorf, Williams, and Hahn has been the team's brain trust. Thank god for Reinsdorf's comforting confirmation that they are all 100% on the same page. Would hate to see anything interfere with the winning formula they've exhibited for over a decade and a half now.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 01:22 PM) Questioning it just because he is a reliever is a reach. And you don't even seem to know who you are arguing about. Um, how about no one? I haven't argued about any one or anything in this thread. I haven't criticized the Burdi pick myself - I hope he becomes the next Goose Gossage. But I do think it's fair territory to have a discussion on the merits of selecting a reliever in the first round, and Soxtalk is just the place to have such a lively discussion like this. Emphasis on the word "discussion", Dick. Not every exchange here has to be an argument.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 12:50 PM) Well they did draft Alec Hansen. Maybe he's one of those. The fact remains, if any of these guys are successful, it was a good draft pick. There is a lot of failure from even teams with no Jerry Reinsdorf influence at that stage of the draft. The White Sox are just picking the best player on their board. It's what most teams do. Yes Dick, we know that's what most teams do. All that is going on here at a White Sox fan message board is White Sox fans simply having a debate as to why Jake Burdi was the best player on the team's board at #26. Maybe history will prove out that he was, and maybe it won't. But given that Burdi is a reliever, questioning his pick in the first round is certainly reasonable.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 10:49 AM) Then you must be really happy you aren't a Cubs fan or Indians fan or Red Sox fan. Look at all the minor league talent they gave up for relief pitchers. Well I am happy that I'm not a Cubs fan or Indians fan or Red Sox fan. You are spot on about that! But getting back to the original point, again, I think I'd rather be drafting the Noah Syndergaards of the world or a five-tool position player in the first round over Jake Burdi types.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 10:11 AM) So no matter what kind of career he has, if Burdi is a career relief pitcher, you are with GreenSox, it was a terrible pick. Nope, I am not of that mind at all. But I do understand where GreenSox is going with all of this, which is that in the first round it does stand to reason that you would be far more motivated to select a talent along the lines of a potential future star position player or starting pitcher, before going after a reliever. So if we passed on a future Syndergaard or an Aaron Judge or Michael Kopech in favor of a reliever, then we better hope said reliever turns out to be closer to the Goose Gossages and Bruce Sutters of the world, or else this pick could look like a missed opportunity.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 09:43 AM) I like how he asked for #26 picks and you only gave one. I like how I contributed to the salient point that GreenSox was making which is questioning the type of talent we ought to be selecting with the #26 pick, by showing recent picks at either #26 or after the 26th pick.