maggsmaggs

That pen is shaping up to be excellent now I know, still to early to bash KW about the pen....

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 04:51 PM) Why is everybody freaking out over the bullpen right now? lol. Putz obviously was looking to get paid and I'm glad the Sox passed. It's December 6th. We've got 3 legitimate relievers right now. I'm sure will pick somebody up. As sad as our system is, we do have some arms that at least deserve a shot. Bullpens can be piecemealed together rather easily, and more importantly, cheaply. Bullpens can't win divisions, but they can lose them. Right now, we have one guy who I am completely sold on: Thornton. After the All-Star break, Santos posted: 4.18 ERA with a 1.77 WHIP. Once teams figured him out, he didn't pitch well. Sale is young, so who knows how he will be with teams getting a second look at him. Our guys in the system are minor league relievers for a reason because their stuff is not good enough to stay as starters. The pen is a huge issue right now.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 04:15 PM) They didnt want to pay the guy. Oh well, he wanted to come back. This is one time I won't criticize the Sox for cheapness.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 04:13 PM) That pretty much guarantees that Bobby is back. Ugh I don't buy that for one second.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 04:12 PM) Kenny Williams just said JJ Putz is going elsewhere. Not coming back. - Garfien F.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 04:07 PM) KW says he had initial conversation with PK's people. Will lead to more conversations. Not optimistic. Not pessimistic at this stage - Scott Reifert Who's the competition for the Sox here? As I have read, Diamondbacks are not really pursuing him and Baltimore is out of the question.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 04:02 PM) #WhiteSox are engaged in attempting to re-sign J.J. Putz. Not sure if they'll match #Diamondbacks' offer but they're making late try. - Phil Rogers Come on J.J. you know you belong in Chicago.

QUOTE (Pale Sox @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 02:57 PM) "Also from Tomase, both Chicago teams were "finalists" for Gonzalez and were offering at least one major league player in their trade packages. Ultimately, San Diego decided that it preferred the prospects in Boston's offer." MLBTR Floyd? Bacon? Teahen?

My ideal line-up: LF-Pierre SS-Alexei DH-Dunn 1B-Konerko RF-Quentin CF-Rios C-AJ 2B-Beckham 3B-Morel

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 6, 2010 -> 07:24 AM) What connection does he have to NOLA, or to other cities that might want an NBA Team? I thought Oracle was mostly Bay-Area based He is adamant about owning an NBA team. He feels he got screwed out of the Golden State franchise because of their stubborn former owner. And he is very very close with David Stern. Stern wanted him to get the GS team, but it didn't happen.

Door not shot on Bobby to the Sox if you read his quotes to Merkin: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...ws&c_id=cws Who knows?...

I wouldn't be surprised to see him play some OF during this season. When Carlos becomes an $8 million player through arbitration despite his injury risk, the Sox will likely need to cut ties with him.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 09:30 PM) The N.O. Hornets are being sold to the NBA And then will be sold later to Larry Ellison. Watch.

Dunn is far superior offensively, and we signed for $4 million less per year and three less years. ROFL.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 02:54 PM) They can't negotiate with another team's player. This was a special window MLB granted. I also believe the Red Sox figure Cliff Lee is going to be a Yankee. If the Red Sox bring back Beltre, Gonzalez might not have Boston or the Yankees bidding for his services next year. The chances of a Mark Texiera size deal will be zero. Ah, didn't know that. My point is still the same though. Lee to Yankees, Boston needs to react.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 02:44 PM) So he wants a 9 year contract? Then he can roll the dice and hope Boston has room for him next year because there are only a couple of teams that can or will hand out a contract like that and the Yankees aren't one since that position is filled. Its like building a $30 million house. If you ever have to sell it, you better hope there are some people who are interested and have the money. Once the Yankees sign Lee, Boston will be on the phone with Gonzalez's agent saying whatever it takes, let's get it done. Obviously, the pieces for the trade would be the same. There is NO WAY Gonzalez isn't on the Red Sox roster to start the year.

Loving that completion percentage from Cutler today, 80%.

Urlacher has had a dirty game today. 17 tackles, .5 sacks.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 02:20 PM) I think you're overvaluing Ramirez. He's an okay player who plays a premium defensive position and there is definitely value in that. I don't know if the Reds would do a Bailey/Ramirez deal. Bailey has top-of-the-rotation stuff. Bailey hasn't had better than a 4.46 ERA in the National League. There is no way he is worth more than a top-5 shortstop in Major League Baseball. Does he have good potential? Yeah, but this isn't the Ace-in-the-making Homer Bailey. He has certainly lost some stuff. He averaged 92.7 on his fastball last year. That is definitely not the Bailey that was throwing 97 in the early part of his career. And he has had some injury issues that are worrisome. If the Reds asked KW for Alexei, I think KW just hangs up the phone instantly.

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 01:29 PM) I understand your point. I think we are evaluating Viciedo differently, which is just fine. The biggest hole right now is the bullpen, its not even first base as I think they can fill that position better than getting a real solid bullpen. Still, Konerko will be signed and then we will see how many good dime a dozen relievers we can find. Well part is how I interpret decent relievers. I see a decent reliever being one that post a 3.50-4.00 ERA, which I believe are a dime a dozen.

QUOTE (quickman @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 01:12 PM) I suppose I do not see Viciedo as a great player.... Ever. In fact I would say the sox made a mistake with him. If I had my choice at least defensively I would take morel and let him work things out. Viciedo cannot hit a curve ball and he is suppose to be a top slugger. Don't see it, if it means a decent relief pitcher I would part with him today. Just my opinion. decent relievers are a dime a dozen. I wouldn't deal a 21-year-old who posted a plus-.800 OPS for some reliever.

QUOTE (pktmotion @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 12:54 PM) Yea, I was more or less trying to illustrate how much value Alexei has to our team and how there's absolutely no chance he gets traded. I suggested a Quentin for Bailey and Herrera trade in another thread. Oh yeah, I agree. Alexei is arguably the Sox's most valuable player after Konerko (if he stays).

QUOTE (pktmotion @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 12:25 PM) I like Homer Bailey too, but Alexei is more valuable. You could probably build a package around Escobar and get the deal done. (considering his stellar AFL numbers). I doubt it. Escobar is good player, but his upside is still pretty low like a Neifi Perez-type. Escobar isn't a guy who would fetch you much as trade bait. You'd have to build around Viciedo most likely.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 11:27 AM) Kenny seemed really tickled at the idea of getting Roy Halladay to fill out the rotation last year. It wouldn't surprise me if he went all in to get another big-time arm. The Sox will never spend that much money for that many years for a pitcher. EVER. Long-term deals to pitchers never work out. Almost always the last couple years are just awful wastes of money. We are fine in the rotation, IMO.

Barnes was clearly out of bounds when he passed that to Zeller. Go UNC though!! Helps Illinois' resume and beats the cheaters.