The Beast

I really hope Kenny doesn't have a hard on for trading with Philly and the Diamondbacks because none of those trades have panned out for us...yet. I'm sure KW couldn't have gotten anything better in return and I just want to see what this "stud" Richar has to offer us. I'm actually fine with this trade. I hope that more people are next to go, I just didn't expect Gooch to be the first guy to go. Maybe we owed them for the 'damaged goods' that we sent with Freddy this year. Is Richar expected in the lineup tonight? I'm also thinking Rowand is likely to stay in Philly and that he will not return to the White Sox this off-season.

Personally, I would bring back Pods under the condition that the contract is loaded with incentives. Give him a motivation to steal and increase a low salary. No team is going to sign him with how injury prone he has been. As for Dye, I would pay him about 3 million less than what he is making at the moment and again, load it with incentives. Perhaps bringing back Rowand would be a good idea, because then you have the outfield solidified. Pods/Rowand/Dye I think Fields is a beast at third base, if not better than Joe Crede, who I'd trade for a bag of baseballs as well as Jose Contreras.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 25, 2007 -> 09:24 AM) Please don't tell me you are seriously comparing this team with the 2005 team. I'm not. I'm just saying you should watch the game because if something really good happens, you will miss it.

QUOTE(SoxPride56 @ Jul 24, 2007 -> 09:12 AM) Reply to the Bold type: I was thinking the same thing at the game. It was almost like a playoff game, the crowd last night. As bad as a season as it has been, its good to see that the fans are still into the game. I even caught myself getting into the game more so then usual this year. Like someone said earlier, all of us here are really sick, and your a fan during the good times and the bad, thats what makes the good times SO good. I think the real point is what you just said. We should enjoy the times that are good and stay with them and find positive points when they are bad. I mean, maybe our fan base should kick it up and I don't know, do trendy fan base things. People go nuts when the upper deck does the wave, but then someone says, that's an Angels thing and we're Sox fans so we do not do that. Last night I was sitting in the upper deck on free tickets from the Sox (Yankees rainout) and in that inning when the bases were loaded, I look down and there is just an eruption of energy, people all at once getting off their asses and cheering these guys on. I mean, if they give a s*** more about their golf swing, fine, but for that moment it looked as though they were all playing as a team. This excited me more than the Cubs series. And tonight, I'm excited because we swept the doubleheader. I thought for sure that they were going to lose when it was 5-1 but each time I turned it on they were coming around. Even if we lose the game tomorrow I see signs of life from this ballclub. Just some positive things I've noticed before I comment more on a few things I didn't like. Positives: I really like what I see out of Fields in the field and as a hitter, there's just confidence there and he looks like he could be the same as, if not better than Crede. He's not as inconsistent as Crede is, either. Despite what many of you folks think of Jerry Owens, I believe that man to have a future on this team, even if it means he's the 4th or 5th outfielder. The guy is seeing the ball well and is really hitting right now. I can't tell you how excited I am to have Buehrle signed because he is great. The game goes along fast and makes things interesting. Wassermann was making some really good pitches last night and that bloop single was luck. Konerko is a beast right now. Right on, Paulie. A few things I do not like... F-bomb female dog (aka Bukvich) is frustrating at times to watch. Or maybe it is Thornton. I hardly can stand anyone out there but Jenks and Haeger. Haeger is the man, "he's my boy blue." Dye and Pods look tired and their arms are awful. Not to mention JD is sooo slow in right field. I don't see why Toby Hall is still catching. The poor guy's arm is going to fall off and I'm worried about his status for next year if something goes wrong as a setback from his shoulder injury. I'm fickle when it comes to Iguchi and Uribe, they are off and on with how they play, so I can't judge. Though Uribe made a nice play and Iguchi got a nice hit. The same goes for Thome who usually has a nice day. QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 24, 2007 -> 09:12 AM) Frankly I don't really watch much anymore. Read the box scores and shake my head. If you do that then you'll end up like me during the 2005 season, that's what I did for the second half of the season and look what happened. I felt like an idiot afterwards and to this day I wish I would have been there watching them towards the end of the season in the race to get the playoffs. (I watched all of the playoffs but it definitely wasn't the same.) So try and watch because they have been exciting to watch in this series.

I honestly don't know why I watch them. I guess I go to the park because of the free tickets, hot dogs, icecream and a date with the girlfriend. Lately the Sox have been second to all of these things because of how bad they've looked. I will say this though, tonight was fun to watch in terms of defense and close plays. Even new "piece of s***" Terrero made a diving catch and Owens looked like a stud in CF. Not sure what was up with Buehrle. But I will say this, when the starting pitcher threw two to the backstop and we had the bases loaded, people were going absolutely nuts and actually were cheering this team on. Anyway, not sure why I still watch them. Wassermann perhaps? He looked decent tonight.

Terrero is garbage, and Gonzalez isn't anything too special either. I would be so excited if they kept Owens (who seems to offer the most out of the three players) and brought up the other two clowns, Pods and Erstad. Is there a way we can DL Terrero (fake injury) and keep him from being claimed for a bit?

I really like what I see so far out of Haeger, perhaps a relief role would be better for him because then people don't see him all that much and know how to hit against him like the last few spot starts he has had with the White Sox. As for Wassermann, are we looking at a Wunsch/Bradford arm? What have scouts said about him? I don't know much about him so if you could fill me in on him I'd appreciate it.

I'll have to mention that to my girlfriend, she and I frequently watch the food network and I'm sure I'd enjoy this rather than Iron Chef or a cake making show. FWIW, that stadium club has some pretty awesome food prepared. I've been there three times and the food is outstanding.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 9, 2007 -> 05:01 PM) And have no fear...the banned list will be moved. Damn, I thought that I could bring back Rauch611 and start posting on that banned user again. Oh freshman year moments on soxtalk. Anyway, I'd be fine if you guys started over but archived some of the best stuff on here and you did it in the off-season. It'd be a whole fresh start and it would be a great thing for our community.

Actually in little leagues, umpires get less than 25.00. I get paid 40.00 because I have been there the longest and I am a supervisor. It is usually around 45.00-50.00 for travel, and for high school it is usually around 80.00-100.00 per game. I think in college and in the minors all the way through the major leagues, they give you a salary.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 9, 2007 -> 01:19 PM) As an IHSA umpire for four years now, I must commend him on his perseverance. It takes a special individual to make it to the major leagues. Umpiring will not be my future career--for me, it is a great chance to work outdoors and participate in some baseball and a nice supplemental summer income. However, for those who chose umpiring as their line of work, advancing past the minor league ranks is a major accomplishment in and of itself. Give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches. I, too am an IHSA umpire for two years as well. I know how hard it can be and I know that it takes a lot to get anywhere, especially to the major leagues. Umpiring is just something I did because I quit baseball when I was a young kid. I knew the rules better than my playing ability so that is why I chose to be an umpire. It is a great game and great to be apart of something in the outdoors while still getting paid and not being taxed on income. It is an honor for anyone to get anywhere such as college, minor leagues and the major leagues. Ditto, give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches.

I don't think there is a need to extend JD's deal. He's going to try and command some market value anyway but with a bad year that he has had I don't see the need to bring him back. I hope we'll see someone like an Aaron Rowand or Torii Hunter, but I can't stand JD's defense in right field. It's not attrocious, but he's definitely slowed down and seems to be a bit out of gas. If the Sox move Contreras and a few other high priced folks, I wouldn't mind seeing some prospects step up to the plate in 2008.

Well, if I were GM : Starting Pitchers: Buehrle (because Kenny finally got drunk enough to give him a NTC), Zambrano (because he's a Sox fan), Garland, Vazquez (because the Sox gave him a diminished skills clause similiar to Frank Thomas'), Danks Relief Pitchers: Linebrink, Jenks, Aardsma (because his name makes him sound like a pirate), Masset, Floyd, MacFrougal Konerko, Iguchi, Uribe, Fields, AJ, Pods, Rowand, Ichiro, Thomas! Man, that'd be a smoking hot team. Minus the crappy bullpen.

Are there any guys in free agency at the moment that would be better than f***b****?

QUOTE(quickman @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 05:56 PM) actually I think he will offer them an extension if he signs mark. Most likely he will do this in the off season. Tehn he will get rid of both jose and vasquez. build around Burhel garland and danks. I think this is the most likely scenario, although I think he will only trade JC before the deadline and then Vazquez will stay. Buehrle and the Sox would have to haggle at the end of the year, then, and that could be pretty difficult to re-sign him. But a good thought, quickman.

AJ: (Rips ass) Pods: Can't we finish already? Ozzie's going to mad we didn't try our hardest.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 1, 2007 -> 10:52 AM) That policy is going to serve us well with a possible top 5 pick. Its not like Boras has any of the top 5 talent locked up. Again, woo hoo. I'd rather have Buehrle than an unproven draft pick.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 1, 2007 -> 12:52 AM) Shut your mouth Dye. You been fantastic in a White Sox uniform, don't spoil your image with snide remarks. Dye is a piece of s*** in right field. He's slow to making plays, but maybe that's just me thinking that. (Yes, he can make diving catches; so can Pods.)

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 1, 2007 -> 09:59 AM) Good luck signing any free agents if you're not going to give NTC. Between this policy and the Boras bulls***, it really makes you wonder how we'll ever get our talent level back up in today's market. I hope KW doesn't think he can build up from the farm system, as that could take like 5 years. I am going to go to the game Tuesday and Wednesday, and make a big sign that says: Buehrle (check) Buehrle's Money (check) NTC and Kenny's Brain (empty check box) I am embarassed to have Kenny Williams as our GM. Honestly, I would just give Buehrle the No-trade clause and let those who want one go because you can build a good team easier with Garland, Danks and young pitching. But hey, it'll be a long five years of rebuilding.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jun 30, 2007 -> 09:51 AM) I have tickets Monday, I would love to organize a walk out right after Buehrle takes the mound or something. I'd join you in this walkout. I'd give a standing ovation and walk right out after that. Maybe throw up a sign telling management the mistake they are making in trading him. At least, I believe now they will trade him.

QUOTE(SoxPride56 @ Jun 30, 2007 -> 08:34 AM) God I hate Kenny Williams right now... way to f*** this one up buddy! You know, screw both of them. It's obvious that they don't give a flying f*** about whether we win or not again soon. I expect we'll see the same old crap in the off-season, too.

QUOTE(diegotony06 @ Jun 29, 2007 -> 10:42 PM) Someone help me understand this. We won't give a 5 year contract to a 28 year old (Buehrle) who has been our Ace for the last 6 years, But we will gave a guy who is supposedly 35 (JC) and has been about a .500 pitcher for us, a 3 year extension,and we give another 3 year extension to a guy who is gonna be 31 (JV) and who is a mental midget who isn't even a career .500 pitcher. And next year we will be going through all this again cause JG who is only 27, is gonna be in his contract year, and he's gonna want a 5 year deal. I would think an organization would want to build a staff around the young guys who have proven they are winners. To me this organization is just ass backwards. We are trying to build a staff around the backend of our rotation instead of the front. It just doesn't make much sense to me at all. QFT. I agree with everything that you have said right here. I think they are taking a HUGE step backwards if they trade Buehrle. I hope Kenny knows (in his little Stanford head) that trading a liability such as Jose Contreras would help re-tool instead of trading Buehrle. I mean, the fact is that, yes, the payroll is going to rise next year, but it'd be better than sitting here with the crap I see out on that field. I am very happy that Dye will be gone and I hope that he dumps the Count. But trading Buehrle would be a very bad idea. Who knows, I may be wrong?

QUOTE(chisox2334 @ Jun 29, 2007 -> 09:10 PM) someone on the whitesoxinteractive reported that buerhle camp rejected sox offer and sox will continue to look trade him I don't trust anyone on that laughable board called WSI. They banned me after day 2 for saying something about someone's punctuation as a joke.

QUOTE(MurcieOne @ Jun 29, 2007 -> 01:10 PM) There is no upside to letting Mark go. Yep. Unless you REALLY want draft picks...

QUOTE(Wedge @ Jun 29, 2007 -> 12:29 PM) If WGN is trying to put Bozo's Circus back on the air, I have candidate #1: I read the paper and I thought, boy, these are the kind of people Chicago sports teams bring in. Not to mention another guy is troubled that the Bulls drafted and I bet he'll end up like Tank Johnson.