59th street

Good topic Ray Ray. I would explore 2 years $32 million for Michael Brantley. Lefty hitter, high on base %, does not strike out, still good defensively in RF, no known negative baggage and 32 years old. He would be a near perfect fit. 2 years for $32 mil. is exactly what he accepted two years ago. We should have signed him then, instead of chasing Machado & Harper.

That was not a horrible play in RF. That ball was smashed hard off the wall. Stop complaining about every other play and stop F bombing so much, that is truly horrible.

Truth.

I would be watching the next cable bill like a hawk because "no charge" sounds unlikely. Maybe because you have some kind of super premium package it is just "included" but then how is anybody making any money ? I also agree with you that they should be paying us to allow that dreck onto our sports package. Thanks for the follow up.

Wegner: As you have WOW can you determine how much more $ you are being charged on your cable bill for this? Is it a stand alone addition or did they add the "scrub network" to a sports tier package and force you to pay for it as part of the sports tier package? Any insight is appreciated.

I agree 100%. The current front office needs to go.

.... Or your lack of ability to consider what was really being pointed out. Never was there a defense of the decisions of this ownership group. I am not defending Jerry Reinsdorf. Simply pointing out a new ownership group may have difficulty with debt due to purchase price. I would have thought a teacher could understand that point; but you decided to be snarky instead of having a dialogue. Too bad.

I am NOT advocating for the decisions of this ownership group. However the franchise loses a lot of financial leverage if the new owner is shackled with debt (think Bill Veeck). I am simply pointing out that a new ownership group would likely have a serious debt load problem to deal with. I want to get rid of the current stale front office staff, without the burden of losing the huge equity advantage this group currently has (but refuses to take advantage of). Jerry needs to retire and allow a modern front office to run baseball operations.

The difference is that Jerry CAN spend but decided not to, in the instant matter. A new ownership group could legitimately be hamstrung by a debt load service that actually prevents spending. Thus we need a new front office, (that is not stale and afraid) to show ownership how to take advantage of the tremendous financial advantages this ownership group has and should have leveraged. This is very similar to the situation the Blackhawks were in under Old man Wirtz. Once Rocky Wirtz took control, the advantages of that ownership group were unleashed with great effectiveness.

Canfield: As you are in that part the world, I simply ask that you find one and bring him or her back here with you to solve this problem. Please; Git 'er done.

Despite ownership's unwillingness to spend at market level for the big 2 free agents; it could be unrealstic to expect better if the Reinsdorf ownership group sold the team. The current ownership group paid approximarely $24 million for the team. The franchise is estimated to be worth close to One Billion now. Any new ownership group would likely have to finance a purchase from the Reinsdorf group. The debt load could negatively impact wild spending on free agents and payroll. The fact that the current Reinsdorf ownership group refused to participate at Market rate levels despite having: Very Low payroll, Extremely favorable Stadium Lease terms and No Debt Service (instead they have gigantiac equity value) is not likely to be solved by a new ownership group. A new ownership group may be more in tune with what actual Market Rate levels are for generational free agents, but the debt level they may have to take on to buy the team could suppress their available cash to spend. This failure to take advantage of a truly unique opportunity, is the most troubling aspect of our owners decision. Especially since we were in the most advantageous financial position. It is unlikely to be available again any time soon. We need a bunch of the prospects to become high performers, and that is clearly the chosen path. I am excited to see the development. I am a White Sox fan for life. Go Go White Sox.

ChiSox59: Interesting since Chase Field is rated a better hitters park and better HR hitters park than SOX Park. I do remember him saying negative things about the SOX a long time ago when he was with the Royals. I always thought that was just due to heated rivalry stuff with the Royals and him being a younger (less mature than now) player. Wecbith agtee he does NOT have the SOX on his no trade list. I like him a lot but not for any meaningful prospects, just as a salary dump aquisition.

hi8is:. If this is true why doesn't Greinke have us on his no trade list? Has he been vocal on this recently? Not trying to be argumentative; just not sure how meaningful his "hate" of our park could be.

GreenSox: What "resources" would these moves cost other than money? We have the $ and it would not cripple the organization the way a 10 year + obligation to one player could. You really can't see (you do have to squint just a little) how much better the Sox could be in 2019 & 2020 and still not cost us "resources"?

Pouring $300 million plus AND a 10 year obligation for one guy seems questionable and worthy of alternative discussion. Especially given the likelihood that we will not be successful in signing either one of Harper or Machado. I know Harper singe handedly helps increase the value of the franchise, but not enough on field impact to justify the cost to me. Machado is a better on-field fit but still just one guy and has the same long term obligation issue. I understand that these are once in a lifetime type Free Agents, given their youth and skill set. I applaud the effort the White Sox are extending in their pursuit of each one, and I will be thrilled if we actually get one to sign......However; I believe consideration should be given to the following: - Take on all of the remaining Z. Greinke deal. Yes it is a large Annual Average Value but we have the $ and it is only $ (no prospects), Also , it is a 3 year obligation; that gives us a top of the rotation starter and allows time for Kopech, Cease, Dunning et al to prove their worth. Greinke is still very good and we are reportedly NOT on his no trade list. - Sign M. Brantley. He is a left handed hitter with high OBP skills. Good guy, very professional and no long term obligation, as a 3 year deal probably gets him now. Allows several of our young high end OF prospects to develop and does not hurt the rebuild. He was back to good health last year. -Sign Nelson Cruz as DH. He is likely seeking 2 years and is a monster middle of the order hitter. I am sure he would prefer a more playoff ready team but with Eloy, Abreu, Brantly and Cruz in the middle of our line up our run scoring ability goes way up. You could arguably "squint" and see a playoff caliber team in the AL Central for 2019. I know we still have holes (like 3B & Catcher) but this seems like a better allocation of money and removes my fear of being financially crippled due to being obligated to ONE player (with player only opt outs) for 10 years. Who knows if any of these guys would even want to be here but I think I would like to see what they could do for us in 2019 & 2020 while still developing our young studs. Just my thoughts. Feel free to tell me how wrong or impossible this is.