greg775

Thanks much. I am now officially fairly excited about Cespedes. I hope we bring him aboard. Thanks for the answers. As far as Soria/Gordon. Soria finally came down to earth last year and I am almost positive he was on the DL a while. Is it the dreaded wearing down of all closers not named Mariano? Gordon finally had a very very good year. I guess I'd like him on my team as well. Not as totally high on those 2 though as you are.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 2, 2012 -> 06:56 AM) Jesus Christ. We've acquired his son. It's uncanny. The "media" need to pick up on this. Like you said, it's him 20 years younger.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 2, 2012 -> 01:44 AM) I may get blasted for this, but... While Buehrle was a very good and reliable guy and an innings eater, but he was not a world-beating pitcher by any stretch. His loss may not be as devastating as people think. Unless Mark suddenly breaks down and hurts his arm, which I guess is possible, his loss is HUGE to our pitching staff. Innings, innings, innings. Quality start after quality start. How can the Sox not miss him greatly? The man is the definition of solid, effective starting pitcher.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 2, 2012 -> 02:24 AM) Greg, what would your reaction be to trading Gavin Floyd today and signing Edwin Jackson tomorrow? Would the gain of 2 minor league pitchers, Zach Stewart, $10 million of savings on Teahen and bringing back a pitcher who seems more likely to be dominant with the Sox/Cooper be a "good move" or not for KW? And can we really worry about giving up draft pick/s since nobody thinks we'll use them correctly, anyway? Win now, baby!!! Right? Keep in mind the prospects we might be able to get for Floyd would probably be better than Molina alone for Santos... Well, I haven't completely given up on the idea we might be able to contend in the s***ty Central if all goes exceedingly well (though loss of Mark and CQ make me think we'll be way worse than last year) so I'd be against dealing Floyd at this time. I'm not all that high on Zach and KW is the guy who brought in Teahen in the first place so getting rid of him, while nice, is not a feather in KW cap.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 2, 2012 -> 02:16 AM) So if I waved people around a base for the Cardinals last year, I can manage? Ugh. Yet some people thought Martinez had gads of experience and should replace Oz.

Anybody want to answer these questions about Cespedes for me? a.) what position does he play? b.) rate his defense. c.) describe his hitting prowess and who he reminds you of at the plate. d.) Is he a can't miss prospect? e.) Do you think Sox will get him? I have a good feeling we're going to get this guy. I just can't see KW and Jerry not adding somebody to the roster who will draw some positive buzz. Or have they forgotten there are 2 teams in town and they have to remain better than those assholes on the northside? Now that Christmas is over Sox management should have a pretty good idea about how much attendance is set to fall. Season ticket Christmas gifts have been unwrapped.

No Robin Ventura hate. I like Ventura and I won't be ripping him in game threads. I could see myself possibly pointing out the fact Ozzie would get crucified for a move nobody is ripping Ventura for, but I won't blast him. I like Ventura the player obviously. Ozzie came in with a decent coaching pedigree BTW. He actually was in a dugout helping win a WS. Robin, God love him, is the guy I remember as color commentator at the Little League World Series. I have nothing against him. He was a way better player than Ozzie. I'll be the first to admit that. The problem I have with him is his hiring signifies the fact this team's management believes the team will do nothing the next 3-5 years. They hired a guy with no experience to lead the "transition" years. I'd have preferred somebody like Francona to see if our underachievers might be able to have career years and lead us back atop the division.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 2, 2012 -> 02:00 AM) Thank you for mentioning point #2. Nothing pisses me off more than people (usually Greg) saying "KW lied about ______". He's a f***ing professional trader/salesman and has to lie to GMs, players, and fans to do his job effectively. He's got to hype up his own players, even if he doesn't truly believe in them, to build up their value. He's going to lie about the direction of the team to confuse opposing GMs and sometimes to help sell tickets. These are just a couple of reasons why a good GM lies and it's simpl part of the job. My quotes always get taken out of context IMO. I was answering people who were b****ing about Ozzie quitting on the team and the stuff Ozzie says. I pointed out that Ozzie says a lot of s***, lies a lot, just like Kenny lies a lot. Then it gets turned around that I only call Kenny a liar. I need a Soxtalk PR man.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 07:27 PM) Why do people think that teams are willing to give up quality, cheap, and major league ready prospects so easily? These are known as assets, and teams that have them generally would like to keep them unless they are blocked or are being traded for high end established veterans. Carlos Quentin doesn't warrant such a return. QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 2, 2012 -> 01:01 AM) How can anyone complain about this move? Sox didn't have a need for Fraser and got two guys with some potential. They aren't can't miss but who in the world would exPect that in this type of deal. Nice job Kenny. 1.) Yeah, an all star with some pop in his bat who everybody in baseball has heard of doesn't warrant getting somebody in return who can help us now? Or at least a prospect that people in baseball are excited about? 2.) I'd like to have seen Frasor get us somebody with a shot at making the team right now. I mean it's a nice salary dump for those who care about Jerry's money. I sure the f*** don't.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 10:36 PM) Your posts over the last 6 months to a year have been pathetic, childish, spiteful, and of absolutely no substantive value. Cmon. Are you serious?

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 09:25 PM) Why do you think the bolded is an appropriate response unless you're being spiteful? Cause they are on the team and are on the team FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. Mite as well play them.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 09:16 PM) The fact that he actually resigned, or the fact that his defense for his actions this season was that it was more important to show up KW than it was to win ballgames? Are u talking about him not benching Rios and Dunn when Kenny said it was OK to do so? Big deal. Thanks, Ken. We have these huge albatrosses sitting in the dugout, but thanks for giving me the OK to bench their butts. I think I'll pass and play them.

I like Ventura, but his hiring represents the losing that is about to come. If Sox were serious about winning, they'd have gone with Francona or somebody like that.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 10:05 PM) Yeah, it's really hard to make the guy who quit on the team the week beforehand look bad. I don't know why some of you guys consider Ozzie a quitter. Ozzie says a lot of things like all ballplayers/baseball people. Just like Kenny lied and said he'd trade for guys ready to contribute now. Lie. At Ozzie's age, name a better candidate to be a manager on a baseball team. His resume was built in Chicago and now other teams get to reap the benefits the next 20 years. Great. And we get Robin Ventura, who should make the game threads very very interesting this year (unless it's full of people assuming we're going to lose most games the next 10 years as we "rebuild")

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 09:58 PM) He offered to resign. The Owner decided he was the right person to manage recovery from the debacle of the manager quitting on his team. I forgot about him offering to resign. Jerry should have took him up on the offer. I'd love to have heard the tone of the conversation. I have no proof of this but I consider Kenny more of the stereotypical buttkisser who I'm sure said all the right things to the boss with his puppydog eyes while making big bad devilish Ozzie look so evil.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 08:56 PM) $80 million lump sum, $80 million. He said both of them. I know it's been asked before, but how does Kenny still have a GM job? Just the money dealt to Rios/Peavy/Dunn should have the owner wanting to punch him every time he sees his mug.

Exactly, stats be damned. The man could absolutely rake the ball when he got hot.

QUOTE (sircaffey @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 06:40 PM) The Rays had 10 straight 90 loss seasons because they were an expansion team led by Chuck LaMar. Not a valid comparison. And our team is led by Kenny Williams? Really? Losing is no fun. When there are 2 baseball teams in the same city and one is named the Cubs, the White Sox and their nonlegions of fans (compared to the Flubs) cannot afford to be irrelevant in May every year the next 10 years.

QUOTE (Cali @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 03:42 AM) The one thing I'll never understand and mind you, I'm an IDIOT when it comes to baseball as a business and finances -- but if the Sox were willing to pay Rios his full salary while "benched" (for that lovely 5 minutes period in 2011) why not just release the guy and pay him? For a team worth hundreds of millions, what's the difference really if you're adding another $450,000 (or so) for a minor leaguer to take Rios spot on the roster? If you're sick of the player and think there's no more production left in him and you're going to have to pay the man anyway who cares? Any dream trade where the Sox get rid of Rios would entail picking up most of his contract anyway Great post. I wait for some of the stat people to answer a nice, simple question like this. Our team would be so much better and maybe even some fans would attend the games this season if this winter we just ate the salaries of Dunn/Rios and make trades assuming they were gonzo. We trade a guy who actually tries like Quentin and ocasionally gets red-hot (Quentin is an exciting bat) and keep Mr. Nonchalant Rios (oh I look forward to him gliding after balls this season), when we could just release him. Anybody who buys a season ticket with Rios penciled in for 140 games has to be in need of counseling.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Jan 1, 2012 -> 07:14 PM) We need to start bringing players that can play on our 25 man roster, we have lost 8 players that was on our team last season. Why? The plan is obviously to play as many aging slowfooted veterans as we can to go with nobodies on the mound so we can be out of the race in early June. White Sox baseball slogan: Rebuilding is so much fun or Relevant? Who Needs Relevance?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 31, 2011 -> 07:14 PM) The good news is, we kept the pitching coach around who can teach the same approach for much less money. QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 31, 2011 -> 08:38 PM) Let's not go that overboard. There's no question that Mark helped shape Danks' pitching approach (with the cutter and working fast), but let's not pretend that Cooper had nothing to do with it. Cmon guys, pitchers are the ones with the ball in their hand. If they wanna work fast, they work fast. A ton of them work slow. We're gonna miss his consistency.

The Sox dump yet another player I like. I'm glad for Carlos he gets to go to an area where he has a lot of history. I like the guy. When he gets hot ... he rakes big-league pitching. I think of CQ I have positive feelings. Another of my faves gone. Amazing. I do truly hate KW.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 31, 2011 -> 09:20 PM) As I said, the rebuilders should be thrilled with this trade. Just thrilled. Of course in a couple of years they will be pissed off. One thing is for sure, KW just f***ed Quentin out of at least a few million. Going to SD isn't going to help him cash in on a contract. Great post. The rebuilders IMO pretty much will accept any trade as long as it's dealing a name player who makes a bit of money for no names. I don't know why some people are so interested in saving Jerry money. Pay that parking fee; pay for your 10 dollar beers next season. What does a fan get when the Sox save payroll money? Discounts? Yeah right.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Dec 31, 2011 -> 11:04 PM) Yeah. I also don't think the drop off will be too significant. Rios and Viciedo are capable of hitting at least 25 HRs. De Aza is an upgrade defensively and offensively over Pierre. I'm not too worried about power coming from our OF. I just want to see Viciedo get better as a hitter playing every day at the MLB level. I should be interesting seeing De Aza every day too. Hell, if Rios hits .250 with 25 HR and 65-75 RBIs that would be a huge upgrade from his terrible performance of last season. IMO the key to our offense is Adam Dunn. Ugh Rios banged 13 home runs last year. His career norms do not suggest him hitting anywhere close to 25 bombs next season. I'd expect about 15 hrs if he has a bounceback year.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Dec 31, 2011 -> 08:36 PM) I don't see this team returning to the playoffs while KW is still GM. He's NOT the GM to rebuild this roster. It's like the Sox are trying to suck. Couldn't KW have gotten more for CQ had he dealt him at the winter meetings? How could anybody buy season tickets for this team? Maybe a 10-game package if they have those. If I lived in Chicago, five games a summer would be more than enough trips to the Cell to watch this s*** develop.