ChiSox59

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 26, 2015 -> 10:32 AM) Very simple. The payroll is pretty highly leveraged, as it is. You can make the argument for pretty much any team other than the Nationals or Dodgers that they're a couple players away. There are so few teams without at least 1-2 weaknesses, there's a TON of parity right now in the AL. The White Sox can't afford to put themselves in a position where they have to SUBTRACT payroll going into 2016. Samardzija gave them a much higher probability of competing THIS year, but the thinking is, like most seasons, that the adjustments (if necessary) will be made in June/July based on the standings and attendance/revenues. More than anything they can't afford to blow up that 2016 and 2017 optimal window by doing something that doesn't fit with the long-term plan. Right now, you're essentially looking at a 25% chance this year, 50% in 2016-17 and then back down to 25% in 2018 unless you hit gold with Rodon, Anderson, Montas, Hawkins, Danish, Micah Johnson, etc. and another high first-rounder this June. As long as John Danks is on the roster, they're hamstrung financially after all these additions to the point where they have to wait for the first 2-3 months to play out. I agree with everything you said, for the most part, until the end. Sure, John Danks circa 2014 was overpaid. But, $14M is what average ML pitchers get paid in today's game. Danks isn't THAT far away from being average. 180 IP w/ a 4.20 ERA and 1.3 WHIP in 2015 and the dude is worth every cent he is getting paid. It wouldn't be that crazy for Danks to do that another year removed from surgery. Sure, with the current make up of the SOX, that $14M would be nice to give to a mid rotation RHP instead of Danks, but it isn't the end of the world.

Just from reading those quotes, it sounds as though the interviewer was pushing to get Sale to say "yeah, I am worth way more than I am paid, and its some bulls***."

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 16, 2015 -> 12:26 PM) Ugh. Tyler Flowers sucks. I wish we could've put someone more consistent behind the plate. Flowers isn't great, but neither is the vast majority of all major league catchers. For the price, it ain't bad.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Jan 14, 2015 -> 02:57 PM) You're right, out of 113 catchers, he was ranked 90th. So technically he was not the worst, but he's still far below average. Rene Rivera ranked 5th best, out of 113. Which is really saying something.

Haha, pretty comical.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 07:18 PM) I did not know Shark was abr eliegible -- thought he had a contract. Oh, well. Also likely means the Sox have at last thrown extension offers at Shark's camp. As for Tank, meh, in my mind he has space on this team as a DH against LHP. LaRoche has proven he shouldn't be out there. Honestly, Tank is going to be needed in LF or RF before too long. He is a much better insurance policy than most teams have. Most likely he will suck, but there is upside there and for $4.4M in today's game, I like the idea.

By all accounts, just a top notch guy. I still remember the day we signed Biggen'. I was so pumped that I watched youtube videos of him hitting moon shots for about an hour. It sure didn't work out for the SOX, but I wish the big man nothing but the best.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 08:40 AM) what? I have to strongly disagree. Taylor messed up at least once while I was watching, but overall he's actually a pretty good outfield defender. That's part of why they picked him up. He is basically replacing Jordan Danks, which means the 5th outfielder and mostly in Charlotte. Well, I am going by the eye test, which was admittedly a small sample size. But he looked like a big lumbering linebacker out there. I certainly would want him no where near the SOX roster.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 11, 2015 -> 12:42 PM) I remember you from WSI. Glad to see more of the WSI posters finding a better home for all things White Sox. That's where I was for most of my message board career. Started lurking here in 2010 or so, joined in 12, and this has been home since. Don't post as much as I did at WSI, but I think that's mainly because the SOX have been painful to think about before and after the games the past few years. Really enjoy Soxtalk!

QUOTE (Señor Ding-Dong @ Jan 9, 2015 -> 06:16 PM) I'm pretty sure Danks actually does have one option remaining, due to, IIRC, a relatively obscure rule that I read about somewhere. I don't recall the nature of the rule or where I read it, but up until he was DFA'd he was listed on this website as still having at least one option year (there's an "Out of options" column and it wasn't filled in for Danks). I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure. Yea, that's what I was referring to.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 10, 2015 -> 04:12 PM) worst than DV?? Yes.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 10, 2015 -> 01:43 PM) Let us all rejoice at the return of Lord Taylor! But actually, you'd have to imagine he's in contention for 4th OF. Nah. Dude looked HORRIBLE in the OF.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 9, 2015 -> 10:13 AM) Actually he does not have any options left, as he used option years in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He's also got 7 pro seasons. He's still under team control, but if they DFA him off the 40, I do believe he can refuse assignment. Not sure he would though. You sure that he doesn't have an option left? Pretty sure we determined that he did on here earlier this winter. Could be just imagining that though. Fairly irrelevant at this point anyway.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 03:15 PM) A little too much money for a utility guy. Signing is ok otherwise. $7M over two years is not really an overpay in today's world of baseball.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 03:15 PM) A little too much money for a utility guy. Signing is ok otherwise. $7M over two years is not really an overpay in today's world of baseball.

Finally, what SoxPride18 and I have been clamoring for for months!!!

A RH bench bat that can play 3B and 2B is still sorely needed.

QUOTE (Douglas Rome @ Dec 29, 2014 -> 04:27 PM) the other Sox site? I did find one powered by vBullitin, but it wouldn't accept me because it didn't like yahoo mail. Maybe I won't be welcomed here, someone earlier said this forum was for professional white collar folks who know a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff and don't like being talked to like a grandpa would talk to his grandkids. Anyway, I love the White Sox and I like to reminisce about baseball characters like Bill Veeck. thanks, douglas Thanks, ChiSox59

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 02:31 PM) Let's get grindy... right guys? MLB Transactionist ‏@MLBTransactions 10m10 minutes ago Chicago, IL OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Released infielder Nick Punto. http://j.mp/1zG3Nnc Noooooo.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 01:00 PM) When 3 are dirt cheap, yes. Yes it is. While his contract will always be a real bargain (provided he stays healthy), Sale's days of being "dirt cheap" are going to be behind him following this season.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 04:10 PM) I want Tekotte signed again. Dude is the best spring training player ever. He is w/ the DBacks now.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 01:44 PM) The difference is that he signed on June 13 versus Rodon who signed on July 11. Trea Turner can't officially be traded until one year from his signing date, but one year from his signing falls into the 6 month window that they have after this trade is complete to name the PTBNL. After January 11, Rodon could be traded as a PTBNL also. Thanks for the explanation.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 01:51 PM) I'll be interested to see what kind of numbers he puts up as a full time catcher in Charlotte. I bet he goes to AA.

He did hit three bombs against us last year...in one game.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 11:30 AM) Rodon can't be traded yet, even as a PTBNL Trea Turner was just traded (as PTBNL), and he was taken 13th overall in last year's draft.....