The Beast

How many of you will go up and ask him questions? Who is going to this seminar? I have a feeling he will deter answers to Ozzie and Farmer because Farmer actually has balls and Kenny does not. I'm also thinking that he might just bring Rick Hahn into the mix instead of him actually being there.

Props to Kenny on the Andy Gonzalez move, here's to me hoping that they'll offer Crede arbitration.

Taken from another thread: QUOTE(BearSox @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:12 AM) I hope various people ask him the following questions at soxfest this year... -How exactly do you expect this team to compete next year or in future years? -Did you honestly think we were are a good team that just "preformed" bad last year? -Why in hell did you just not blow up this team and restart the rebuilding process when we had the chance to do so back in May and July? -Where exactly would you rank our farm system compared to other team's farm systems? -Why were you too f***ing cheap to pick Poreda instead of Porcello? -Do you not know we have a pitiful farm system? -Can you explain to me how Andruw Jones strikes out a ton and hits for a low OBP but Rowand and Hunter don't? -Why do you suck? -In how long do you think we could finally see Rick Hahn take over as GM? -Are you retarded? -We all know Boras is a b****, but why do you refuse to deal with him? Ozzie said himself that Boras represents the best players in the league, so you will never go after the best players in the league? -I think you are a sad excuse for a GM. -Why do you suck? -Why are you a conceded jackass who acts all smug as if he is better then all of us, talking down to all the fans as if we don't know what the f*** baseball is? -Why did you trade Jon Garland for a 33 year old SS in his last year of free agency who doesn't want to sign a contract extension? -Why are the likes of Cole Armstrong and Andy Gonzalez on the 40 man roster but not Fernando Hernandez, who will now be on some other team most likely? Hell, that reminds me, where the f*** were you thinking when you let Fabio Castro go for nothing? Lets keep this list growing as we take our frustration out on Kenny Williams. For those of you who are going, I hope you will be ruthless to this guy. Please rip him a new asshole. I'll add a few of my own questions: Why didn't you complete the Hunter deal and let the ANGELS get him? Why didn't you add in more years and money to get Aaron Rowand? Now that 2008 is over, what will be in store for 2009?

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 04:45 PM) Because he smokes crack! And he's probably on steroids. No chance I would trade Danks, gio, floyd or anyone else with a future for the addict. I can't believe you posted this. I read an article about him and he's off his addiction. Maybe you should be a bit more sensitive? The Sox might as well just get Jason Bay, Corey Patterson or a Geoff Jenkins.

Okay, so here's my problem: Now that we threw money at Rowand and Hunter, does this money go away? Or does our team actually go and spend it? If they spend it, how will they fix the leadoff hitter, centerfielder, starting pitcher and bullpen holes? Do the Sox go out and get a guy like Corey Patterson or do they trade with the already battered farm system for either Crisp or Bay? What do we know about Geoff Jenkins? Do the Sox sign Colon, Clement, or Garcia? How about Vizcaino? Do they sign Kuroda?

QUOTE(spiderman @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 09:42 PM) WGN is reporting that the Cubs have signed him..... I'd like to know what level of interest the Sox showed, though it appears that it was the Cubs all the way for him. I just went to the Chicago Cubs MLB.com message boards and people are looking for links that are just not there. ESPN doesn't even have a story out yet. I think that something is coming but I doubt a contract has been signed yet. Kenny should just stick his nose in the door and try to sign Fukudome for the hell of it before Fuk-u-dome makes the biggest mistake of his life with the Cubdom. Edit: I saw the link on ESPN.com about it, but it seemed to be a small story. The money is still being worked out, and I think that it could screw the deal up a bit, but that is just me.

Now I expect to see people jumping all over the Aaron Rowand bandwagon since it appears Fukudome is going to the North Side. Either way, the Sox are going to have to pay for a Centerfielder. I for one will not be satisfied with Anderson in center. Crisp

I get to my Macroeconomics class today and my instructor says: "There was some confusion about what I said in regards to the minimum course grade I wrote on your last test. If you fail, you still will have that minimum course grade. (I had a B for my minimum course grade.) If you have an A, please just return the sheets of paper to the desk and I will recycle them, you will get an A in the class. For everyone else, the University says I have to supply a final to you, and you must take it, but they never said anything about me not grading them, so if you don't mind, please just drop off all of the tests with whatever answers you filled in. I will give you the grade you deserve, whether that be the minimum course grade OR the grade you will move up to." Tomorrow, I go to my Math course, I have two more on Thursday, with Broadcast Announcing and Environmental Life Science coming up before I drive home to Downers Grove at 2:30.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:50 PM) Well, it is a message board for fans. Speculation, analysis and the occasional celebrating are what we do. What else would you expect? And in the case of that last post you quoted, he specifically used the word DOUBT, to signify he didn't know for sure. That's better than some of the laughable absolutisms I've seen in this threads. Give him a break. Fair enough. We are all fans here and I guess I've just grown frustrated of all of this speculation and would like to see some more factual information being passed around. Soxtalk is a great site to be at, I just hope that we don't give up on our team before the season starts. I'll give him a break because I know how I once was as a poster here.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:43 PM) It's been in the newspapers and the site mlbtraderumors.com has encapsulated all of those newspaper reports into a big thread about Fukudome. You can do a search at that site and it has all the info of all the recent media reports. The White Sox were connected, i.e. interested in Fukudome as far back as early last year. They have a well respected scout names Ray Poitevent (whose actual title is Special Asst. to the GM) and that's all he does, he scouts the Far East for the White Sox. Dollar amounts have just been speculation so far. It appears the market price is probably $12M per year. Newspaper accounts say Fukudome wants only a 3 yr. deal, no more and no less. There you have it. As for your Bruce Levine comment, he does not make stuff up. He reports on what he hears. When he goes out on a limb and makes assurances of what will happen, that's when he gets in trouble. But he does not make stuff up, he would be out of a job if he did. Actually he is a well respected guy within the baseball industry, with agents and players and front office types. It's many of the fans on message boards who hate him because he'll report on what he's heard and if it doesn't come true in 24 hours, people call him a liar. So now you are up to date. Thank you! That is all I wanted to read, rather than the speculation I usually see. Point proven, however, that the dollar amounts are speculation. And I'm sorry for my misunderstanding about Bruuuucee Levine. I appreciate your post out of anyones.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:39 PM) What do any of these questions have to do with whether or not we actually will sign him? I was trying to draw a conclusion that most of what I'm reading on this board lately is pure speculation. CanofCorn has a semi-decent bit that I could trace back to ESPN about the Sox. I also wanted to make sure that the number of years and the dollar amounts that I've read for anyone really, was not speculation.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:35 PM) BTW, anyone know when Fukudome is going to decide? Has he mentioned a day? Whoa, I still didn't have my question answered. Where does it say that we were interested in Fukudome, what was the dollar amount and number of years, and who was pursuing him?

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:33 PM) Well, considering he nearly signed with them, I doubt they are on his list. Ah, more and more speculation. Sorry, I just can't believe some people who sit here and bulls*** all day about some of these trades and pipe dreams. Santana, Figgins and another player for Konerko? Give me a break.

QUOTE(scenario @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:12 PM) Alright... I'm tired of getting one-upped by other teams.. and dismissed before the season even starts. Time to get back in the game. I just read an article that suggests that Barry Bonds will likely be cleared to play in 2008. I think he would look really good hitting 5th in our lineup. In fact, I'd LOVE to see Kenny step up and sign him to a 1 year deal. He'd probably get about 350 at-bats and hit 25-30 homeruns... walk 100+ times; have a .400+ OBP and 1.000+ OPS. Carlos Quentin would still get regular playing time with the remainder of LF at-bats and giving Dye some rest. 3-7 in our lineup: Thome, Konerko, Bonds, Dye, and Fields Hey... bring it Detroit!! You wanna play hardball?? You seriously did not just go here. Why in the hell would we want the biggest cheater in the history of Baseball on our team? Juice up some more, hell, maybe we'll pass needles around the locker room so we'll win some games and then we'll get caught for scringes found in the trash and random rashes on the players buttocks'.

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:12 PM) That's a lot of stuff that needs to be done I do think we will contend, but we don't need a total revamping of the team either. I would like to see Crede back at 3B and maybe Fields in LF or working out at 1B I think that if we're going to stick with this "no Boras as your agent philosophy" then, we'll have to do away with any person on our team who has Boras as their agent. Not only that, teams are persuing Crede, according to MLB.com. Or hell, maybe that is just speculation since that is all I read every day. I also do not understand these Konerko to the Angels fantasies. We have him signed, and he has a limited NTC. Do any of you know all of these 6 clubs with confirmation of where this information has come from?

Okay, wait a second here. Let's sort out the facts from someone's rather b****y response when I say sign Rowand (even after initially saying sign Fukudome over A-Row.) The facts I'm looking for are simple: Where was this information from, this 4 years/55 million dollar contract rumor? If it was from Bruuuuce Levine, then he can kiss my ass, he made that up, he's about as reliable as a drunkard telling some "hot chick" he loves her. Second, what other teams are in persuit of him and/or are needing OF help? (So far I am hearing the Phillies and the Sox are after him.) Also, who the hell says Fukudome is going to come here and is there any confirmed reports that he has met with the White Sox to discuss a contract? (Or were we purely speculating here again?)

I for one am still optimistic about this year, even with the number of question marks we have. It is only December 6th, and I also know for a fact that in January, trades can be made. Yes, I am upset with Kenny at the moment. I'm not saying Kenny has done the right things thus far this year, but what I am saying is give the guy a chance. I don't know why everyone is saying "we won't contend this year," either. In my mind, if he gets a Starting Pitcher, Rowand/Fukudome, gets a Leadoff hitter, trades Uribe for a bag of horse s***, trades Crede, and grabs an IF, things will look good for us this year. Again, that is just my two cents.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:55 AM) Josh Hamilton or bust! It should be Rowand or bust at this point if we want to win anything in 2008. At this point, I don't care what it takes to get a player.

QUOTE(Chombi @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 12:31 AM) That sums up my feelings. Especially the firesale should've occured in May or june and the Rick Hahn part. Quality. Not many other words able to describe that. I will probably print this out and bring it to SoxFest. If I was going, I would either do one of two things: A. Hire Lewis Black and have him b**** Kenny Williams out like he does President Bush OR B. Ask, "Kenny, why did you screw us over for the next few years? Honestly, you are a piss poor GM. When can we expect a decent trade and a better farm system? You piece of s***. Screw any of you who sticks up for him. Go White Sox. *Walks away and flicks him off as I do*"

Well, I'm going home tomorrow evening for the weekend, and I don't have to come back until sometime Monday since I have no class that day. I probably will do my Non-Western Arts final essays then even though they are due Wednesday. Tuesday: Macroeconomics final (The guy said if I fail it I still have a B- in his class. It pays off to have a retiring teacher!) Wednesday: Math 1270 final. Non-Western Arts final essays due. Thursday: Life Science final, Broadcast Announcing final. Out of here at 2:30 in the afternoon, I'll be home by supper. I've already submitted my final English Paper, so I really only have 4 finals.

QUOTE(heirdog @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 05:39 PM) Herbert Perry Paul Konerko. Or better yet, Paul Konerko at catcher as a Dodger.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 11:41 PM) He's a talented guy. No one knows what he's going to produce right away but the trade was a great one to get a guy with his upside who is major league ready. Hey Rowand44, off topic here. I just saw your sig. Mullins is actually my neighbor and I have played basketball with him several times. I may be able to get you an autograph or something. Anyway, as far as our team goes, I think to myself, yeah, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis are good, but I think pitching could hurt Detroit this year. If anything, right now Kenny should just go out and make a splash move like signing Fukodome or someone overpriced to get things exciting again. As for Richar, I don't know if we can trust him much yet at second base, which is why I'd bring in someone during ST just to battle with him and give competition. (As non-realistic as that may sound.) I also think Crede could be gone in the next few days and if he could go to Milwaukee for some Major League ready talent, that would be sweet as well. I'm very optimistic about the Sox despite what I've seen thus far. It shows Kenny went after a high priced free agent and is probably mulling options over for some marquee players. Also, we cannot afford to decrease payroll and go back to the days of 14,000 asses in the seats. I'm not having that, we have come a long way since those pitiful times. Just my two cents.

QUOTE(Melissa1334 @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 11:24 AM) its going to take more than 12 mil after the contract given to guillen. they said a contract similar to hunters.. Who is 'they?' I don't think Fukodome will get the amount of years that will be given to Rowand, Hunter or Guillen. He played in a whole other league and has not come and played in the U.S. yet, which is completely different from Japan. Yeah, one can say Suzuki came over and did well, but I don't think he is similar to Fukodome and Suzuki was younger and probably more promising. Fukodome > Rowand, by the way. (In terms of our options at this point.)

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 02:43 PM) Who would play 1b for the Sox? Conor Jackson, I believe would replace Konerko at first base.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 26, 2007 -> 09:45 AM) Kapkomet took care of that for you. How about a cage match? The Beast V. Rex Kickass? I'd be glad to take on Rex Kickass! Now if only Cubssuck1 and Be Good came back, we'd all be reunited! Or how about The Old Roman? =P Thanks Kap and Co.