Chisoxfn

QUOTE(ptatc @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 07:32 AM) If Konerko is involved in a deal, the primary objective will be starting pitching. The idea of targeting kendrick is off base. It will be for pitching and whatever else the the other team will include. If the above rumors are true, I hope KW has another plan to spin Mathews elsewhewre. He really doesn't have a place on this team besides the fact he isn't very good. You know KW is working plans to trade both Crede and Uribe. So there are still a couple of trades to come. Kenny all along has indicated that he is happy with the rotation. There have been no rumors swirling about the Sox picking up any sort of starting pitching this off-season. I know as fans we are all scared to death about the 3/4/5's in the rotation and logically it would make sense to improve in that regard but Kenny seems pretty confident in a good chunk of the young guys and he also knows most of them are right at the point where they are practically major league ready (Egbert/Broadway/Floyd/Danks are all capable of starting right now, same with Charlie Haeger...whether they are successful or not, who knows). Bottom line I still say we've heard rumors/rumblings about the deal so it probably won't happen (given how quiet every one of Kenny's moves that were actually made have been this off-season) but I would be thrilled with almost any deal that had Kendrick/Santana coming to Chicago (barring some ridiculous inclusion of a Buerhle or Vazquez). One other thing to consider is maybe the Angels would want Juan Uribe. With Cabrera gone the Angels believe they have Wood/Aybar/Itzuris who are capable in the middle infield but it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a guy like Juan who is a vaccuum in the field and offensively would have little pressure (if they added Konerko to that offense the contributions at SS/2B would be very minimal as long as those guys fielded and Juan would do exactly that). Maybe Crede isn't the target, rather Juan and PK.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 07:31 AM) Rotoworld update From the original article... I've been wanting to get Santana in a deal for some time, getting Kendrick would be nuts. However, this has to be BS bc if the deal were Konerko for Kendrick and Santana, you don't try to get Figgins to, you take what you can get. I couldn't see 3 guys going back, unless of course the Sox send someone else back the Angels way and it would have to bea pretty substantial something else to get Figgins, Santana, and Kendrick. My guess is the Angels are countering with Santana/Figgins and the Sox are saying Kendrick/Santana. I know I love the upside of both individuals the Sox would get in the Kendrick/Santana deal and I would be willing to make such a move. It should also be noted that after making such a move the Sox would clearly have a substantial amount of financial flexibility to go after a major impact player and sign such player if they really wanted to. In an ideal world, maybe you are able to get Kendrick/Santana/Figgins for Konerko and Crede but that would never happen and thus the Sox could maybe maybe hope to expand the deal to include Rivera or Willits which would give the Sox more options for CF.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 11:44 PM) Well this made me more of a fan. Fruity Pebbles are the best. Fruity Pebbles ROCK

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 11:42 PM) I'm pretty much right there with you on this whole idea. I just don't think there is any possible way we could get Kendrick away from them. I don't either. I'm starting to be less and less sold on Danny Richar though and it makes me want to get a new 2nd baseman that is young (with Richar switch to a platoon role along with Ramirez and Uribe/Crede on the way out for prospects that have fallen out of love.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 11:33 PM) Alright man, time to get out of dream world. Hey, I don't really think the Angels are an ideal partner anymore, but any deal that involves Santana and one of Kendrick/Figgins is fine with me. I'd prefer Kendrick over Figgins because of age and the pure ability. The one key is whether Matthews JR would actually be considered a negative trade chip (from the Angels perspective) in the sense that the Angels would give up more just to be rid of Sarge Jr. Plus if the Sox dealt Konerko and got Matthews Jr, leadoff hitter (Willits or Figgins or Kendrick), Santana (or Saunders), and cash (depending on who the guys are the Sox got, they would possibly need cash) I would be happy. I know Matthews Jr. has a horrid contract and it is a major risk, but I think it would be worth it to get the extra pitcher and a legit top of the order bat. I would obviously ask for either Kendrick or Saunders (if I didn't get Kendrick than I'd take Santana, but if I didn't get Kendrick and instead got Willits I'd try to pry Saunders because he is further away from FA). Defensively I would like an outfield with Quentin/Matthews JR/Dye (in fact flip flop Dye and Quentin with Dye in LF and that is a damn good defensive outfield). Swisher at 1B and Figgins plays 2B. Again I'm not saying it happens but who knows, maybe the Sox deal Crede in the package as well to get rid of his contract. Again, without the Sox getting one of the Angels big money outfielders I don't see a deal going down. But I'd love it if a couple of those names came the Sox way that is for sure.

QUOTE(BaseballNick @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 08:27 PM) Per Rotoworld If the Sox were willing to eat the contract of Matthews JR and they than got Kendrick and Santana (or Figgins and Santana) on top of things I'd be a big believer in such a deal. Matthews Jr. has major question-marks but if the Angels threw a bit of cash to the Sox I'd take the contract just to get the other pieces involved (Santana means only one of Danks/Floyd are in the 5th spot) and the lineup would be absolutely stellar, imo.

QUOTE(JFields27 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 07:17 PM) Yeah well its still very raw obviously. I dont know what my thoughts on it would be because I would probably have to see it first heh, but I might be ok with something like Figgins, Santana, and a spec or something convincing. It instantly puts this team in another viewpoint, Swisher to first, Figgins brings a true centerfielder, speed, and a leadoff man. If we got Santana and Kendrick, which I think looks like it would not happen, I would not see the sense in that trade because Kendrick is definitely not a leadoff man unless someone can throw some stats up to show me wrong but from what I have seen he has only hit from the 6 to 9 slots and last season only had 5 stolen bases. That trade would just kick Richar out of a starting spot and have to ask someone like Owens to play center and leadoff for us and if he shows something in spring training that he could on that responsibility then more power to him Howie Kendrick is quite possibly the best pure hitting prospect in all of baseball (ie in terms of a pure average standpoint). I'd live with him hitting practically anywhere in the lineup for the next 10 years, imo. Kendrick, Santana, Figgins would be a stellar move. In fact, Kendrick, Santana, Willits would work completely fine with me (or anyone else for that matter). Hell if the Sox had to throw something else in so be it.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 04:45 PM) And then will be on probation for the next 5 years. You heard THAT here 1st. (probably 143rd person who has said it) The beauty is that he knows he has to be clean cause he's going to be under so much scrutiny.

QUOTE(CubsSuck1 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 11:57 AM) Please, just give me Swisher. If I've learned anything from this team's recent history, its that the return we get from our so-called top prospects is so low that it makes no sense not to trade the kids away for established major league players. For every Chris Young (who despite solid power numbers, failed to hit even .240 last year) there are countless Rauches, Honels, Borchards, Reeds, and Hummels. Let us not forget the collective hard-on this board had for Reed and Borchard circa 03/04, and the caliber of a player we could have got in return in a package deal had we traded them away when they were in hot demand. Why gamble with prospects who have such a low track record when there are teams looking to eat them up in return for players who are almost guaranteed to produce? I couldn't agree more. I give credit to Kenny for selling a good number of those guys on a high and I think we may end up finding out he did the same with DSL. Of course we would all be cringing if he turned into Pedro but technically you take that type of chance anytime you get rid of anyone and one day the odds are there that you end up giving up one of those guys but you just hope you win more trades than you lose. On a side note, good seeing ya around here, hope all is well.

I'm excited...UCLA under Neuheisel will end up competing with USC. You heard it here first.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 02:34 PM) I agree, he is a high energy guy that brings excitement to the team. That is contagious too. You have to think the other players are excited to have him too. I got to admit, I love the OC/Swisher/Quentin moves and understand the Linebrink one (I don't think Linebrink is very good, but you can't argue his past numbers and can only hope that he ends up pitching good...the years were too much but you can't deny the Sox had a major hole in the pen). No one knows if it will be enough, but the Sox have went out and brought in good guys who are good baseball players and in the case of Swisher/Quentin they will be here for a good number of years.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 02:27 PM) After Swisher's phone dropped him a second time they just sort of ended the interview. About 5 minutes late Swisher called back off the air to apologize, twice. I just love getting those type of guys on your team. It makes it fun to root for. I really am getting excited for baseball season because unlike last year, this years team at least has some guys that I really look forward to watching play the game. I also think they have some young guys with talent and if they develop the Sox may end up surprising.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 01:49 PM) Rescue Dawn is such an amazing story. Not only Bale, but Davies and Zahn are so good in it. Rescue Dawn was awesome. I can't wait for 3:10 to Yuma to come out on DVD so I can watch that.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 01:47 PM) Thought those of you looking at Colon might find this interesting. He truly is a Semi-Colon, unable to crack 90 on the radar yet unless he is driving to Pizza Hut. Semi-Colon, Bartolo that is ... Interesting, I still remember his start against the Sox late last season where he looked quite a bit like his old self. I really think whomever gets Colon is going to end up getting a bargain on there hands.

I got to be honest, I'd hate a Swisher for Bedard deal. It would be the opposite of what I'd want considering Bedard would be long gone in a year.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 12:23 AM) Yeah he is very good despite the WHIP and Rick Peterson has been wrong about him to this point. That said, I wouldn't want to be the team investing 5 years 90 million in him. I don't believe his health will hold up. Generally I wouldn't make the bet about a lot of pitchers except for the Jake Peavy's of the world. IIRC, didn't Peavy have some arm issues in the past? I think the type of guys I'd be banking on are the Joba Chamberlains of the world. I also love the hell out of Phillip Hughes mechanics (who knew he'd pull his hammy though). I love big pitchers who get a lot of there velocity from leg strength.

With a solid rotation this is a playoff contending team, no doubt about it. I'm guessing Kenny is going to go into the season hoping like hell that the solid starter or two are already on the roster by the names of Gavin Floyd/John Danks/Lance Broadway/Jack Ebert/Jose Contreras. They may or may not be, but if the Sox end up with 4 starters that throw around 200 innings and a 5th that somehow gives the Sox a semblance of a chance (even if it is every 10 days as opposed to every 5; ie he sucks balls half of his starts but gives them a shot the other half) and they would be contenders. Really the season is going to be tied to how accurate the Sox are when it comes to there young pitchers and Jose Contreras. Obviously other s*** could blow up in there faces, but the true question-marks and real areas of concern (on paper) are the 3/4/5 starters of the rotation and if they pitch up to there capabalities/tools you will be talking about the Sox as a playoff contender, maybe even more. The odds of that happening are probably slim, especially given everyone having serious doubts, given the fact that the Sox have had very few young starters succeed over the past 10 years, but hey, it could happen.

QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 12:04 AM) quiet the big 10 fans must be sleeping....I would rather have Todd Reesing or Chase Daniels over Juice Williams any day of the week. Juice Williams blows. I'm a big 10 fan too, but he is so over-rated. He is a great talent and a horrid QB. Thanks to him and the one dimensional Illinois offense my Hawkeyes were able to get a win over the Illini. McGee is the better long term answer. Illinois is definitely heading in the right direction. They are getting the best talent in the country on a regular basis thanks to Zook. While Zook will never be a national champion coach, he has Illinois at a level they have never been at (I know Turner took them to a rose bowl, but they didn't recruit like this) and that alone will make them consistently competitive and for all you know at that point the Illini may be able to get another coach that could maybe bring them to the next level). But good god, Juice throws about as good as I throw and he is a far cry from Mike Vick in terms of athletism. I give him credit, but thankfully for Illini fans they had Mendenhall, Benn and a pretty athletic defense.

Yes, if things go smoothly I can switch jobs this summer and actually have work-life balance.

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 10:08 PM) That movie is sooooo ridiculously good! I wish i saw it in theaters! I only own two dvd's, Black Hawk Down, and The Kingdom. So worth it. I didn't hear much about it when it was in theatres, I wanted to see it than but no one else I knew was too interested, so yesterday I was thinking holy s*** this is f***ing awesome the entire time I watched it.

QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 12:00 AM) dont they lose a bunch on defense....and to be honest Colt Mccoy sucks. I could be wrong. I watch a couple Texas games a year because they are one of the few college teams I don't mind and I swear I heard the announcers say they will have most of there good players back and are going to be a title contender next year. I know USC will probably be #1 and Texas Tech/Mizzu will be top 10 when the season is done, imo. Big 12 will be the best conference in the country.

God damn those dumb f***ing turnovers. Jesus. What a piss poor loss. This team is like the Bears, they give you hope and build a lead and than choke like cheap whores down the stretch. They should be 5-0 under Boyland...instead 3-2.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:13 PM) They played Indiana tough yesterday, but I guess if you give Iowa a few weeks, they'll become...well...Iowa again. It is so depressing how bad Michigan's program is come. Curse of Steve Fisher. That was because Justin Johnson went Reggie Miller on them. Iowa battles, but they flat out don't have the scoring to do s***. They wouldn't even win the WAC or some other lame ass conference.

Aside from Charles, isn't Texas practically returning everyone as well?

QUOTE(Gbubbs @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:44 PM) I would take his stuff but not his head or character over Buehrle. I might, maybe take his head over Javy. But not 07 javy. I completely agree with that. Obviously something isn't necessarily all there or going right when a guy with Bonderman's stuff isn't perennially contending for the CY Young. However, that isn't to say a guy can't make progress and turn into that front line pitcher. Bondy is still very young, despite having 5 seasons under his belt and is a guy that any contender would like to have in his rotation. Also, if it makes anyone feel better, I completely feel that the Tigers rotation is way over-rated. Aside from Verlander and to a lesser extent Bonderman (because I think he could very well be a total stud) they don't have anyone that truly scares me (Willis could surprise the AL for a season, but he could also get the living snot knocked out of him, especially if his velocity continues to slip and well Kenny Rogers is only getting older and its just a matter of time till his ERA takes a major crap, plus we already know he isn't likely to stay healthy for a full season). Robertson is over-rated as can be and they don't have Miller anymore (Thank GOODNESS). The TIgers offense is definitely stacked though and they still have Todd Jones as a closer (YUCK) so right now I'd say they have some sexier names in the rotation, a sexier lineup (although the Sox lineup isn't too shabby) and in all reality not that much better of a team. Cleveland is a far more complete team, imo, given that CC, Carmona, Westbrook is a very solid 1-3 and the tribe can hope Cliff Lee pans out (which is more likely than Rogers having a good season) and some young prospects that could slide into the rotation (plus they have Roid man Byrd).