Lip Man 1

QUOTE (kwill @ Jan 5, 2017 -> 05:22 PM) I've seen rumors around every White Sox big name player except Jose Abreu. I know most on this forum believe the right approach would be to hold onto him until the All Star Break and swap him in another large trade for prospects. What do you believe his value is currently? Abreu's War has decreased all three years from 5.3 WAR-2014,3.0 WAR-2015, and 1.6-2016. Obviously, He had a terrible first half of the year but it did seem like he figured some things out in the later half. There is some good things too like his K% dropped last year by 3 points and his walk rate went up 1.6% from 2015. He is only 30 years old at the beginning of the season so one would think that he would have 4-5 above average years left in his bat. He is under team control for 3 year but still in arbitration so probably something like 3/38. It is interesting as you can compare like Edwin Encarcion get a 3/60 million dollar deal with the Indians at the age of 34. To be fair, Encarcion has been a 4 win player for 5 years in a row. One would think though that Abreu has close to the same value as a decrease in production should be expected for Encarcion. To go along with my question, Do you think if Abreu hit the free agent market this year he would have received a higher or lower offer than Encarcion? The second thought I had when reading the New CBA is it could be valuable to have Abreu around as a recruiting source for Cuban players. if I am reading correctly ( please correct if not), each ream will be allowed 5-6 million dollars and will be capped. If this is the case this will prevent teams like the Dodgers and Yankees from hoarding the best international players with money. It could be valuable to have both the best young player( Moncada) and another respected Cuban on the same team. http://www.sbnation.com/2016/12/1/13806488...ment-luxury-tax What would you expect in a trade back for Abreu if traded right now? Mine would be 1-top 50 prospect, 1-Top 150 prospect and 1 lottery ticket. I think there was reported interest from the Rockies at one time before they signed Desmond. Mark

As someone who is in the business and does play by play (and is also a White Sox fan / historian) I can certainly appreciate Hawk's passion and love for the team. However its clear at 75 he is no longer sharp, certainly not what he was even 10 years ago. That's not his fault, its the human condition. However Hawk's ego I think refuses to understand that time waits for no one. He needs to call it a well deserved day, appreciate what he's done for the franchise and step aside gracefully. Over and above the diminished skills, there's the long periods of silence when things are going bad (even though the game is still going on), the uneasy relationships with a number (not just Stone) of his broadcast partners over the years (let's not forget why Paciorek left), the haranguing of umpires (certainly deserved at times but very unprofessional. You can get the point across about bad calls, bad umpires without being petty and vindictive) Hawk can't or won't recognize these shortcoming. He won't even try to adjust and correct them. It comes down to ego and he's got a big one. And to be fair there are very few folks in the business who don't have some ego, that's one of the reasons they got into it in the first place. Bottom line though is that for good or bad, like him or not, as long as JR owns the team and as long as he wants to work, he'll have a job. I just hope that I've got the good sense to know when its my time, to face it honestly and admit I simply don't have it anymore on the level that I work. Mark

QUOTE (Wanne @ Dec 28, 2016 -> 10:37 AM) When I was a kid I was with my Dad at that double header where the Sox beat the Yankees the first game (can't remember the score). The second game Dick Allen hit a pinch-hit 3-run homer off Sparky Lyle in the bottom of the 9th inning (a frozen rope against the wind into the left field bleachers) and the Sox won 5-4 for the sweep. There's a great story behind it too about Chuck Tanner not being able to find Allen to pinch hit and he was in the clubhouse eating (I've heard tacos...but not sure). They sent the ball boy to find him. To this day it's one of the greatest sports moments I've seen live. Also saw him almost hit the scoreboard at old Comiskey...and for you older guys...you know how far that was. I spent so many fun days at old Comiskey. Allen is still my favorite player to this day... I co hosted in 2012 the 40th anniversary for that team put on by the Chicago Baseball Museum and the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Dick was there along with Bill Melton, Carlos May, Hank Allen, Bart Johnson, Ed Spiezio, Tom Bradley (who threw a complete game in the first game of the DH you talked about), "Goose" Gossage and Roland Hemond. It was a terrific time, gave a :25 minute speech outlining the season. Dick told me he wasn't eating a taco but a chili dog. When Tanner wanted him to pinch hit he ran back to the clubhouse, threw on a uniform (minus the long sleeved undershirt because he didn't have time) wolfed down his chili dog (getting it all over the uniform top) and got out on the field. He hit the third pitch from Lyle (a slider) into the seats for the win. I actually have that entire radio broadcast in my library (Yankees radio network) after the home run Phil Rizzutto couldn't believe it. The tone of his voice was like someone ran over his dog! Here is the link to my story on that weekend if you are interested: http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/rwas/in...y=2&id=4314 Good times...great season! I also have Harry's radio call of Dick's bleacher shot home run (was sitting near him that afternoon along with a young Richard Roeper) and the WFLD-TV video of Dick's two inside the park home runs in the same game at Minnesota that same season. Mark

QUOTE (buckweaver @ Dec 27, 2016 -> 10:42 AM) Is there a link to that, Mark? I'd love to watch it. I was a little kid...went with my brother and grandfather. I don't know if it is on-line somehow or not. I got it from a friend who originally got it from a member of the White Sox family. Video is very good considering it is over 40 years old. Mark

QUOTE (buckweaver @ Dec 27, 2016 -> 06:47 AM) Aug. 7, 1974 Down one in the bottom of the ninth, Dick Allen breaks up a Nolan Ryan no-hitter with an infield hit. That's followed by an error and a couple more singles. Sox end up winning 2-1, years before the term walk-off was ever coined. http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CH...197408070.shtml I actually have the bottom of that 9th inning and Harry's postgame show in my library. It's the WSNS Channel 44 coverage of the game. Shows you what hustling on every play can lead to because you just never know. Mark

To one and all this weekend. I hope everyone has a safe, fun-filled and good one. Take some time to be with family and friends (you never know what the future will hold...) Best wishes to all. Mark

Garfien tweeted that there was "very little" to the three way trade rumors. The Yankees, he said, haven't been involved in Q for "awhile." For what that may be worth to you. Have no idea if this will happen as rumored or not. Mark

Cleared waivers (naturally...who'd want him?) and he's been reassigned to Charlotte. Mark

Just wondering...has anyone read or heard anything from Hawk about the "rebuild?" Last comments I can remember from him were hoping the Cubs win the series and that JR will certainly be spurred on because of what the Cubs did. Haven't seen / heard anything since then. Mark

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Dec 18, 2016 -> 06:54 AM) As of now this team is much worse than the 2016 White Sox. They've lost Sale and Eaton. They have not added a catcher, DH or another outfielder. It would be a miracle if this team became a contender. I don't believe in miracles. Well they weren't going to "contend" anyway in 2017 with or without Eaton and Sale...still far to many gaping holes that weren't going to be solved by a weak free agent class. They needed to make a major change in philosophy and structure. At least they changed the philosophy. All we can do is hope it plays out well and they are ready to contend around 2020. Mark

It's not "rooting" per se for Sox losses but understanding that they are rebuilding...losses are going to come regardless, probably a LOT of them so you hope the organization can take full advantage of them from a draft position standpoint. Nobody WANTS to see the Sox lose (save for Cub fans...LOL) but that's the reality of things, you try to make the best of it. Mark

Regardless of whether they are 30-0 or 0-30 to start the season, STAY WITH THE PLAN. Mark

QUOTE (StrykerSox @ Dec 13, 2016 -> 08:17 AM) May 10th. I know, because I was there and it was my birthday present. There was a long rain delay, they came back, Avi cleared the bases with a double to put us up 10-5. It was late and our 1 y/o needed to get to bed, and I figured it was over, so I agreed with my wife that we could leave. Our season ended a few minutes after we walked in our front door. Yep. It was all downhill from there. Reality set in. Mark

I asked a source a few days ago, about the situation with the front office and the rebuild and they got back to me this morning. Just wanted to pass along a few of their comments for what it may be worth: "Sounds like KW is showing a little more faith/support in Hahn." "Also, I'm hearing Nick Hostetler now has the ear of Hahn and is more assertive." Mark

QUOTE (The Gooch @ Dec 9, 2016 -> 12:28 PM) How long will Hawk stick around through the rebuild? As long as JR owns the team he will work. Mark

I'm curious what the general impression is here from those who closely follow the Sox minor league system, regarding if they got enough for Sale (Rabbitt for example) I saw this in the Tribune today and it made me wonder: "Red Sox President Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that when Hahn asked last weekend if he still had interest in Sale, he told Hahn it depended on the price. "Well, we're going to get away from some of the things we have asked for in the past," Hahn told Dombrowski." Let the discussion begin (and if I'm late to the party on this topic I've been on the road the last week with games against Utah State, Colorado and Wisconsin. (Whom ISU actually beat last night at the Kohl Center) Mark

I understand the reasoning behind the trade, and it had to be done. The franchise simply can't take being "mediocre" (at best) anymore but it's also a sickening feeling having to trade the best pitcher in the league, a generational talent because the front office wasn't smart enough or ownership wasn't willing to spend the money needed to make the team a real contender. What can you do? On paper it sounds like they got a nice return for Chris...but they need a lot more so start dealing guys and get back as much talent as you can. Go for a full rebuild and hope these guys pan out. Mark

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 5, 2016 -> 10:17 AM) Hahn wanted to rebuild before 2013. He wanted to sell off Samardzija in 2015 and he wanted to trade off guys in July. You'll complain all day and everyday about the Sox but you're not actually saying anything of substance. Right now, we're barely in the offseason. The CBA just signed into agreement on Thursday. The Winter Meetings started a less than a handful of hours ago. Would you at least wait until January before your continue your routine? I am not sure how you're not annoyed by yourself parroting the same stuff over and over again. Doesn't it get old? Nobody around here is happy with the way things have gone. Nobody is arguing they've gone well. If you have gripes, say it specifically. Your constant general complaining about what "many said" or "everyone thought" is beyond trite at this point. It's a shame because unlike others who do something of the same, you are capable of being a great contributor to the forum. Instead, you choose to fear monger and overreact to the first few hours of inactivity. Rabbit: Guess you got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I'm simply repeating what I read on these exact forums this trading deadline when many "experts" including some here were saying the Sox will be better off waiting. That may turn out to be the case. But IF the report I quoted is true simple logic says that the number of interested suitors is dropping. Personally to me it is "typical" Sox luck that despite having one of the best trading assets in recent memory they may not be able to move him at all to start the rebuilding process. I mean that's so White Sox isn't it? I don't have a dog in the hunt...either way the Sox won't be going anywhere for the next few seasons regardless of what direction they take. I'm just hoping to outlive current ownership and hope for better days down the road. Mark

Normally I'd be concerned with the additional work / innings but hell he may not even be with the Sox by then. Mark

Normally I'd be concerned with the additional work / innings but hell he may not even be with the Sox by then. Mark

Joel Sherman tweeted that neither Houston, Washington nor Boston are willing to give the Sox the "anchor player" the Sox are insisting on in a Sale trade. If that's the case then f*** them all...you keep him. Mark

QUOTE (spiderman @ Dec 4, 2016 -> 09:11 PM) Even if the White Sox make what is considered to be a great deal for Chris Sale, it really sucks knowing that a primary reason for the trade is that the organization has been unable to find any positional talent of their through the draft which has led to the free agency moves that have mainly done little to nothing, to where we are now, where the only way to 'fix' the team is a half-way rebuild centered around their best player. Just sucks to be a Sox fan right now with the struggles of the front office to add to the talent of the rotation. Very, VERY true. Mark

Ken Rosenthal tonight tweeted that the Astros and Rangers are now out of the mix for Sale. If true, it appears the market for him is drying up, not expanding as many said it would if the Sox waited until the off-season. Mark

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Nov 29, 2016 -> 02:10 PM) Cespedes is not worth $27.5M a year and not many players are IMO. I for one am glad we aren't out there even thinking of throwing that kind of money around. Cesepdes wanted to stay with the Mets anyway A player is worth what someone is willing to pay him. Period. MLB is rolling in money, they basically are printing it hand over fist. One of the reasons the Sox are in the position they are in is because they haven't been willing to go maximum dollars for players who become available and are difference makers. I thought I read somewhere last year where the Sox are one of only three teams in MLB to have never given out a 100 million dollar deal. Instead we get the Austin Jackson's, Jeff Keppinger's and Adam LaRoche's of the world usually. Mark

I have no idea if any of this is true or not. I will say though, that IF it is...it represents a significant and radical change in "philosophy" for JR. For decades the Sox have openly said they are not in competition with the Cubs. Remember "we're Chicago's American League team?" to cite one example. I've always strongly felt and said the Sox ARE in direct competition with the Cubs and by doing nothing for decades basically giving the city and home market to them they are partially responsible for their own irrelevance. Mark