BlackSox13

QUOTE (Mike F. @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 08:14 PM) Miller has never been the "closer" on any team he's ever been on. I wouldn't shell out $30 Million+ for a good reliever that might not be able to close games. Your point is a good one and reminds me of Matt Thornton.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 07:48 PM) Old video from last season. Oh s***, really? I just went to the Sox news feed and it came up first. My bad for not paying attention to the date. Oops.

http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/105...ick-majors-leap "He's worth every amount of money we paid him," said Tyler Danish, a right-handed starter in the White Sox organization who pitched with Rodon at Class A Winston-Salem. "His slider is one of the most devastating pitches I've ever seen, and the kid works hard. When you are around him, you don't know he's the third pick. Just a great kid." Click the video to hear Hahn talk about Rodon.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 05:10 PM) For some reason, this game is memorable to me. http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SE...199406250.shtml McDowell was coming off a Cy season, but not doing great at this point. A classic pitcher's duel. After looking at the box score, that's a good memory to have flavum. Here's the one I was talking about... http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SE...199708080.shtml I was drinking and watching the game with the owner of the pool hall whom was also a Sox fan and we both just sat there in awe of Johnson that night.

Really happy to see Johnson and Smoltz make the HOF. I was just a sophomore in HS when they were rookies and loved watching their highlights throughout their careers. I remember sitting in a pool hall drinking one night and watched Johnson K something like 19 Sox hitters. Many, many beers were downed that night. I'm fine with Biggio and Pedro too. Pedro was pretty filthy and loved watching him pitch against the cubs when the Expos were in town.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 01:11 PM) yeah you are correct. so the OF is pretty much determine, so where does DV stand esp with this quasi number crunch? Just a guess but I think if the Sox are unable to find a trade partner for Viciedo he's cut loose from the roster. I still have confidence in the Sox being able to trade Viciedo for, something.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 12:25 PM) ? Thanks, hi8is. Possibly a reference to Chappelle pleading the FIF? Or just constipated...

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 10:29 AM) You are endorsing a policy where Reinsdorf and the board spend $150 million a year on payroll. Regardless of the feasibility of that idea (according to these numbers, which are approximations, only 5 teams spent $150 million in payroll last year and the White Sox and Cubs COMBINED did not spend $150 million), what would you have spent that money on? It seems absurd that you are indicting Reinsdorf on not spending money and then not offering an alternative plan as to what would be done with that money. Are you implying that he should spend money just to spend money? Or are you using revisionist history and saying "they should have won more"? If you are going to say that they didn't win more in the last 10-15 years because Reinsdorf didn't spend money, then I will wholeheartedly and unabashedly disagree with you, because a sufficient amount of money was spent. If anything, that falls on the players on the field, the managers and coaches on the bench, and the people in the front office. I do agree that they can spend more if the acquisition makes sense. At this juncture, how would you justify another expenditure like that? Bring in a guy like Scherzer, even though historical data shows us that pitchers who are worthwhile for 7 years are exceedingly rare? Bring in a guy like Shields who is already 33 and has shown some of the telltale signs of slowing down? Really, neither of those make sense and it takes an injury to either one of them to cripple the Sox and limit their flexibility in finding replacements. Frankly, the only sorts of moves that make sense are moves to shore up the depth of the club in the event that an injury strikes, and I think Hahn has shown just in the past years that he's constantly trying to do that. Considering they are also trying to allocate some money to sign Samardzija long-term while also accounting for raises to Abreu, Eaton, Sale, and Quintana, I think it makes sense to look at the current team through a long-term lens rather than a "spend everything, damn the margins, and try and win it this year!" This is a team that probably has a 40% chance of a playoff birth but they should be competitive and should win a lot more than they did last season. After the previous two meager seasons, I'd ultimately be happy with an 85 win team, even if there would be immediate disappointment if/when they were eliminated from playoff contention. This is not an overnight process. Hopefully in 3 years, given what Hahn and the front office are doing to ensure long-term viability of the club while also doing their best to make the current club competitive, the Sox will be spending $150 million a year. There's no guarantee that this works. Thus, spending some and going out on a limb to try and put together a competitive team will either further justify spending or will allow them to trade a lot of these pieces off. If they signed Scherzer/Shields at this point, and it was inherently obvious within a year and a half that the team wasn't going to be competitive, you are likely stuck with that contract because the surplus value from either contract is not enough to justify another team trading for them. The current philosophy makes sense. This is one of the most impressive and insightful posts I've read on this board. You know your stuff man.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 6, 2015 -> 07:51 AM) It might be Noesi pitching if they go LRLRL I would bet that is what the rotation will be if the starting staff does not change between now and then. Danks and Sale are such different pitchers that there should be no problem with them pitching back to back. As for the Black Out: love the idea and those beautiful black White Sox jerseys will keep people warm on a cool April afternoon, assuming the sun is out. If I end up buying tickets to the opener I will already be set since the only Sox jersey's I own are black.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 10:55 PM) And just who have we been competing with the last 100+ years? Ah, yes - the Cubs, the biggest losers in the history of the sport. Sorry, but not really the best excuse, nor one we should hide behind. Point is that the Tigers do not have the competition for the fans attention since they are the only team in Detroit. Most baseball fans in Chicago chose one or the other but not both so the money goes to one or the other. Example: I am a Sox fan and only support the Sox so the cubs get zero money from me. QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 11:05 PM) that was a great write up. thanks Any time man. I'm not the biggest Rogers fan but it is a well written article. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 11:11 PM) Yet the Cubs are drawing how many more fans without winning a damned thing? Comes back to the cubs having more dedicated fans than the Sox. Sad but true.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 10:51 PM) chi has that dragon on the north side that is teflon. they can't do no wrong. so the best way to deal, compete is to win, and win big. field a team that will help the cause. with Hahn i believe the sox have the right guy calling the shots, only he needs a little more financial flexibility. Could not agree more. Found this nice write by Rogers on the Sox site... http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/105...icago-white-sox "With Bonifacio added, the White Sox are headed toward a $120 million payroll after opening last season at about $90 million. They are working to trade Viciedo, and can pay for Bonifacio's $4 million guarantee (for 2015 and the buyout of a '16 option) if they find a taker."

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 10:07 PM) Why, yes indeed - I did. Thanks, hi8is. You rock dude!

Just like to point out that Detroit does not have another team across town to compete for the attention of the fan base while the Sox do. MMKAY...

Hi8is, you had a poop didn't you? Man, am I looking forward to April! Go Sox!!!!!!!!

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 5, 2015 -> 04:43 PM) Adam Eaton ‏@AdamSpankyEaton 3m3 minutes ago Sorry for the late tweet on the trade. Was participating in baseball activities this morning What trade is Adam referring to?

Love this! The Sox not only have a legit platoon partner for Gillaspie but a guy that plays everywhere and adds speed to the lineup. Next up, a Viciedo trade for a reliever.

Damn, I really like Stuart Scott and have enjoyed watching him for years. RIP Stuart.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 4, 2015 -> 07:16 AM) with ref to Bonafacio, if i see this the right way, as a super sub kind of a player he just might put up something like 400 at bats ir not more, depending on if there is a injury or not. with all the positions he can platoon with. he might be more valuable doing that for a very good team. Agreed. Bonafacio's defensive versatility is his best asset with his speed/base stealing ability a close second, IMO. The Sox would have no problem getting him ab's.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 4, 2015 -> 07:08 AM) first let me say that i am more that happy with what has been done this offseason with regards of addressing the rebuilding. we has fans are not privy to the inner discussions of what has been discuss at the higher level with the rebuilding, in other words will the sox sign Jeff S or was it their intention to let him walk after this season. so with that, the only difference is i would have gone and signed Lester instead of trading for Jeff S, and for these reason. 1. i still think Lester is the better pitcher and screw with the rh vs lh. 2. save the prospects we used to make the trade. now the other thing i failed to mention is, signing Jeff S may also help with getting fans, the chi fans who are a fan of his. the last thing i would do different get another SP. QUOTE (Whitey @ Jan 4, 2015 -> 07:55 AM) I would have preferred K-Rod on a 2-year deal (over Robertson). It's not a knock on Robertson at all, I just would have preferred a stopgap solution compared to a long term risk. This would have saved a little cash to potentially make another addition as well. Another move I would have made is signing Brandon Morrow. Same here guys. Instead of Shark, I would have gone after Eovaldi given his age, upside and would have been very interesting to see what Coop could do with Eovaldi. Nothing against Shark, just prefer Eovaldi's years of team control and much cheaper salary. I'm just not a fan of one year rentals that want to go to FA and max out their contracts but I understand why Shark wants to. Nevertheless, Shark is a Sox pitcher and I am happy to have him. Robertson; I like the signing but KRod could probably be signed for close to half of what Robertson signed and would have allowed the Sox to more money to spend elsewhere but like Shark, I'm happy to have Robertson. Like another poster mentioned, I would have checked in on Donaldson despite being a RHB.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 3, 2015 -> 08:55 PM) Last I read he wanted to be a starter somewhere. That could be a problem. I would offer a chance to win the job in ST and that's about it.

Anyone know what Bonafacio is looking for in a contract, years/salary? I was looking at his numbers and he hit really well against lefties last year. Just might make a good platoon partner for Gillaspie since Bonafacio can play almost anywhere including 3B.

QUOTE (shoeless_joe21 @ Jan 3, 2015 -> 12:35 PM) Phone book. Remember those? Didn't archaeologist's just recently unearth one of those from the Giza pyramid?

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 2, 2015 -> 05:18 PM) Donna Douglas, played Elly May from The Beverly Hillbillies has passed away at the age of 81. I came across her passing this afternoon and became instantly sad. I grew up watching reruns of the BHB and loved the show. RIP Donna Douglas, thanks for the fond memories of watching the show in my youth.

QUOTE (Douglas Rome @ Jan 2, 2015 -> 04:22 AM) not a troll, my real name is Douglas Rome and I do live in Elburn and I am 68yrs old. I'm in the book, look me up. thanks, douglas Welcome to the board Douglas. I used to haul garbage out of the Elburn Waste Management transfer station on Kesslinger Rd. so I know the town you speak of. I miss running around that area as its so beautiful and open. I need to move...

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 09:05 AM) Kemp, Myers, Upton, Smith, Venable, Liriano, Quentin. Am I missing anybody? Olney did say they might put Myers at 1B. If anything, SD should be looking at playing Kemp at 1B. Especially after hearing about Kemp's medicals. SD is serious about contending in the NLW next season, no doubt about that.