SoxFan562004

get outscored 20-3 in 2 games and go 1-1... i'll take it!

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ May 22, 2009 -> 06:07 PM) i believe it when guys like bruce say the cubs dont have a dime to get peavy. do they have money? sure but theyre at their max with their payroll. they dont want to increase it. if anything, a mil or 2, but not 10+ the media loves to say the cubs can get him just bcuz peavy wants to go there but they dont realize this. They can't even think about getting DeRosa back at this point, but that's alot less than Peavy would be. KHP... there's no clear sign on how the new owners are going to be able to handle payroll... Ricketts isn't flush with cash at this point. Also, you can't just say "clear salary" the Cubs have alot of bad contracts that will be on the books for a few years, they put themselves in a bad position with some contracts and the economic downturn made it worse.

QUOTE (smalls2598 @ May 22, 2009 -> 05:42 PM) The Score just reported that Rich Harden was placed on the DL with back pain. 7th time since 05 that he's been DL'ed shocking!

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ May 22, 2009 -> 05:57 PM) do the cubs have what it takes to get peavy? all i know is that they have vitters... No, if they did they would have had him last year and I don't think they had any mega prospects pop up. Also, until the sale is completed they can't add "one dime" in payroll as Levine describes it, and then it's still a huge question what the new owners can do with payroll

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ May 22, 2009 -> 02:17 PM) i was thinking that it's going to be a total s*** storm if he gets knocked around early again. it's inching closer to where that the s*** storm is going to be well deserved

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ May 22, 2009 -> 02:20 PM) I would have spelled it "John" Danks. Yeah, I realized it right when I hit submit, but I imagine he'll get the point. One of my bosses I clerked for in law school spelled it Jon and I wrote a vast majority of his letters, so train of thought, it comes out as that

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:56 PM) I think of every series like Ozzie thinks...while the outcome is important, it's how you handle the games that's more important. If the Sox can come out tonight and have a good showing against the Pirates after the shellacking they got yesterday, that's a good sign. Sometimes, s*** happens, but it the Sox lose 1-0 or 2-1 in a well-pitched game, is that horrible? No. That being said, they better win the next two. Of course, I'll be at the game tonight with my father-in-law for his first White Sox game (he's from Rhode Island and a Red Sox fan) so they better win and show him a good time. I think complete ass kickings like that are somewhat easy to get over because it enters the realm of laughable at a point. I sure the players are embarassed to a certain level, but they did look good in the first 2 games. It happens. Today the score is 0-0 as it will be the next time they face the Twins. Sometime you get your ass kicked in life, there's no point crying over it

Mr. Verducci, I respect you as an MLB writer, but I have to strongly disagree with you on how you portrayed the White Sox in relation to the Jake Peavy deal. First, I 100% agree with you that they aren't in the greatest shape this year, there is no denying that, but the Peavy deal isn't about just this year. The White Sox have 40 million dollars in payroll coming off the books after this year, even with adding Peavy it would be over 20m of flexability. They have Mark Buehrle and Jon Danks signed or under control for the next three years. They have a farm system that is getting praise from national outlets plus 4 more high picks coming in early June. Not to mention they have a GM and owners who have won 2 division and a WS in the last 5 years and have made every effort to put a winning team on the field year after year. Does it always pan out? No, but what team outside of the NYY and the Braves of the 90's does it? Also, shortsighted, adding Peavy to Buehrle and an offense that might improve, they could have made a legit run this year. Again, this year doesn't look promising, but I feel you completely sold the White Sox as a franchise undeservingly short. What I wrote to Verducci... it's more of a generic mailbag submisison thing, so I doubt he will see it, probably gets screened by interns and it's not "Aren't the Yankees and Red Sox awesome?!?!? Please elaborate!!"

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 22, 2009 -> 02:01 PM) Why hasn't anyone picked up on this??? Without a three way deal, sending some very good players out of Wrigley, the Cubs can't afford Jake Peavy. Heck its not even that they can't afford him, they don't even have anyone to ask if they can raise the payroll right now. Do you really think a bankruptcy court is going to authorize the Tribune to spend $11 million without any extra revenue coming from this deal? Uh, no. Ricketts couldn't do anything even if he wanted to, until the deal is approved, and from the sounds of it, he is having problems raising the billion dollars or so that they bid for the team because of the recession. Peavy's options are a lot more limited than he thinks right now. I think people don't report it because they need listerns, page hits and to sell papers and magazines, but I'm just a conspiracy nut sometimes when it comes to the Cubs!!

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:49 PM) There was a comments section right next to it that went to his mailbag. I wrote to him there. ha, yeah, right in front of my face! it's like at least once a week I spend 5 minutes looking for my cell phone when it's in my pocket

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:44 PM) He's being shortsighted. The Sox may win now...but they are setting up to win in the future. SF...GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!!! lol, great minds CoC!!!! I thought all SI writers had e-mail addresses, I can't find Verduci's, I want to write him and point out the future upside of the Sox and how they are team who always want to put a winning team on the field... can anyone find it?

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:38 PM) Verducci's article absolutely slaps us in the face but hey, it's what we put together this offseason. I cant fight his facts. true, but IMO it's a poorly written section because it completely ignores the fact that it was a long term deal, they have a good portion of promising rotation locked up for 3 years and even adding Peavy the Sox would have had 23m coming off the books. It's just a sensational short sighted article, very poorly done and not diplomatic.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:35 PM) OK, how, with the Cubs in bankruptcy court, and their sale stalled, are they going to be able to add payroll? They already have payroll concerns stated by Jim Hendry for 2010 and beyond when their biggest earners start go get into their balloon years. How did this all change? You're 100% right and it's poor reporting if that's not being pointed out. Levine on AM 1000 yesterday stressed the Cubs are in no position right no to "add a dime" currently and then even going forward with the new owners, it seems DeRosa is on the market and the Cubs can't even add his contract at this point. Not to mention the Pads didn't like what they were offering last year and I don't see how it could have possibly got any better.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:34 PM) This year, it's possible they have similar records. However, the Padres are awful. They have no pitching depth, and their offense is abysmal besides Gonzalez. Right, that was the only thing that was odd about that article since Peavy isn't on a one year deal. The Sox have a ton of payroll flexability, and seemingly an up-and-coming farm system, a track record of winning, a track record of trying to field a contending team year after year and MB and Danks locked up for a few years, and best case scenario Gavin turns it around somewhat.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:31 PM) Eh... Now watch Peavy end up with the Red Sox or Angels or Yankees. We get no respect from big time players... that would be a complete 180 on his behalf. the unofficial list Heyman discusses has been pretty much it, even when those teams were being discussed last year it was reported he had little to no interest in them, add the joke that is right field in the new Yankee stadium, i think he sits tight and waits for a NL team

QUOTE (fathom @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:29 PM) I actually agree with what Heyman said about the White Sox in his article. Lol, great minds... so do I, but I would have been still fine with the deal. I do like how he points out the Sox have 40m coming off the books, I imagine agents everywhere are just loving that. I bet every high priced FA this offseason will have White Sox attached even if the White Sox aren't interested, a big market team who has shown they're willing to take risks to win with a ton of money free is a great barganing chip, even if it isn't reality!

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:25 PM) I love how everyone in the media is trying to make KW look foolish for trading for one of the top 5 pitchers in baseball. Heyman: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...ex.html?eref=T1 Verducci: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...ikes/index.html I only read Heyman's, and it's a legit questioning of KW. I agreed with the deal, but still had questions, many of the same that Heyman has. If you're the Pads I imagine you go to Peavy and ask him and his agent to stop talking about other teams, ie the Cubs, in public. If the Cubs could add the payroll and had an offer accetable to the Pads he'd be there.

QUOTE (Cali @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:13 PM) Even though we're playing them tonight, I really feel bad for the Pirates. They used to be such a storied franchise, and they have been just remarkably bad for so long now. They have one of the nicest, if not THE nicest new stadium in Baseball and no fans to pack it. I hope they can put together a competitive team sometime soon, I know they have Pedro Alvarez coming soon, maybe that will help... Yeah, it's amazing how bad that team has been in the last 10-15 years. I'm not the biggest fan of his, but Cuban has expressed interest in buying them, at least it would give the fans some hope, maybe false hope, but they could get excited for a little. The Brewers are a real great example of how you can build through the farm and then add a guy at the deadline to give yourself a legit shot... didn't work out for them, but if you picked the Brewers to go deep into the playoffs last year, it wasn't a bad pick. Even after losing Captain Cheesburger and Sheets they are putting up a hell of a showing, and from what I understand they have the system to make another impact move if they think they have a shot. Look, people can stroke the Cubs all they want, but that team has real issues and if a team wants to jump up they can give them a hell of a fight.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:20 PM) I stand by my belief that Peavy thinks he'll eventually get traded to the Cubs. I also believe he wouldn't make them guarantee the option as well. Cubbie blue has poisoned him it seems. All signs point to that happening at the earliest in the offseason because it doesn't sound like the finalization of the selling is right around the corner... even then, the recent scramble by the new owners isn't a good sign for great payroll flexability, and that team has a ton of $$ on the books to declining players... But, he got the NTC, he has a right to sit out and wait in SD. There were reports though that ANY move, even to the NL, have to include a pickup of the option and a NTC for the rest of the deal.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ May 22, 2009 -> 09:38 AM) im wondering how this seasons moves (McDougal, Owens, Floyd extension, etc) change the landscape? Probably not a ton, the Sox still have a ton of money coming off the books after this year and none of those are crippling contracts. Awesome job Kalapse, this is the first time I really looked at this thread. I can't believe how through some good moves and good luck the Sox have put themselves in a great position after this offseason. I think the willingness to do the Peavy deal shows how much flexability this team has.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:14 PM) Well said. And I would like to add...he's not acquiring you to trade you for more pieces (that hasn't been Kenny's M.O.). The team wants you here for years to build another championship team. So, to give him the opt out clause after every year would be ludicrous. Both he and the Padres have made their bed, and they have to lie in it. What I would really appreciate from him, or any one in Peavy's position, is to stop talking about the team. You don't want to do what's best for the Padres. You want to do what's best for you...and that's ok. But, what's best for the Padres is for you to get out of town for the best package possible. I couldn't agree more. I'm perfectly OK with him exercising this clause as I was when Giles rejected the Red Sox last year, I don't feel bad for the Pads, they gave it to them. However, as you said, don't run around saying you want to do what's best for the Pads, becasue if that's true, he would be in black & white today.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:11 PM) Hawk didn't think the deal would get done because of the NTC. Seems like the White Sox were swinging hard in case they hit it and they missed. Although I suppose there still is a chance this gets done, I find it extremely doubtful. BTW, a guy I work with works out at the same gym as Mayor Daley. His grandfather was an alderman so he has conversations with him. Regarding the 2016 Olympic bid..........if Chicago gets the bid, Mayor Daley will be the most surprised guy in town. Interesting, I know that it seems like Chicago has lost momentum in the last few months, it doesn't help that CNN is running multiple stories about how school age kids are getting gunned down at a high rate in Chicago, but I was curious at how insider still felt. I would guess the USOC will ask Obama for one final push in some form of speech or something near the end and see how it goes.

QUOTE (iamshack @ May 22, 2009 -> 01:03 PM) The interesting thing about this point is that I don't know how you question Kenny's desire to build a winning team. First of all, if he is acquiring you, the $17 million a year pitcher, he obviously is committed to winning. Secondly, the guy has a track record, perhaps more so than any other GM in the game, of stepping up and trying to acquire impact players (impact superstars, actually), including yourself. Thirdly, he brought a World Series title in 05' to a City that has not had one in a bazillion years, and follows that up by trading for Jim Thome less than a month later. The desire and capacity to produce a winning ballclub is clearly there. I dunno, I don't blame the guy for making the decision he made. I agree with Jason...the guy has earned the right to make these sorts of decisions, and any one of us would have exercised that right had we earned it in our jobs. And I guess I don't blame him for asking about personnel decisions on our side....but if the question is whether Kenny wants (and will do what it takes) to produce a winning ballclub, then man, I think I would have been tempted to buy into the guy. I think you are right on about anyone questioning KW's desire to win. Does he always get it right? No, but what GMs do? He's won 2 divisions and a GD World Series in the last 5 years, that's alot better than most teams have done. As a Sox fan I am pretty confident with the salary coming off and a good farm system with possibly four more quality picks coming in in a few weeks KW will give this team a great chance to win in the next few years, Peavy or no Peavy.

Sweep would obviously be nice, but if they take 2 out of 3 and gain another game on KC and the Twins and hopefully the Tigers, it would be fine, they have a ton of home cooking in June. The 20-1 score was a joke and no excuses, but they did win 2 out of 3 and ended up gaining on KC and the Twins and being even with the Tigers for the series, so it was a positive series, just marred by that ridiculous game. I know he's been doing it against NL clubs, but Duke and much of Pitt's starting staff has pitched very well this year

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 22, 2009 -> 12:52 PM) The door sounded closed. Peavy wants to go to the NL. Yeah, I think Gammons comments yesterday about how he basicall told the Pads last year he wouldn't even really consider the Angels, NYY or Red Sox kind of points to that too. Well, it will be interesting, he negotiated the NTC and the Pads gave it to him, so he has every right to dictate where he goes. At this point though, it might have to wait until the offseason.