Chisoxfn

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:40 AM) That's all fine and dandy, but what Rowand is saying -- and rightfully so -- is that the wins that Swisher is adding to this team isn't taking us from being a contender to a top-of-the-AL team -- it takes us from being a mediocre team to being an average team. Look at our roster and compare it to Detroit, Cleveland, Anahiem, New York and Boston. We're still MILES behind each and every one of those clubs. And we have no farm system. I agree that we have the making of a nice, youngish core. But we need our minor league system to supplement that, and now there's nothing down there that looks like it'll be able to do that. Broadway? Give me a break. One start and now he's comparable to Gio? Shelby looks nice, but when he's your top prospect, you're in an assload of trouble. And Gio/Sweeney/DSL were going to be the answer? Sweeney is still suspect and the Sox actually got value for him (I should note, if I were an opposing GM I'd have traded for Ryan cause I think he'd be a steal in the sense that you buy low and it could really pay off in the long term). What I'm saying is the Sox are now in a better spot to contend in 09. I honestly think that quietly Kenny is turning his attention to getting as many quality guys he can for 2009 and hoping maybe things work out perfectly in 08 but if it doesn't you'll see him making tons of moves at the deadline to try to get things in place for 09. Hell have you seen me call the Sox a contender in this thread? I've only said they could maybe slug there way, hoping that the offense can carry them completely while the young pitchers develop.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:39 AM) Then we'd be a serious contender, too bad we probably don't even have one prospect that Baltimore would want at this point. But could Paul Konerko, Joe Crede and prospects get that deal done?

QUOTE(SnB @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:31 AM) 3 pretty high rated prospects for just about any player is alot. He overpaid right now, with the position the team is in, but I like this deal because it has such a high upside. Swisher could be a huge centerpiece for this team for a long time. I got to be honest, none of these guys would be top 3 prospects in a good farm system. Sweeney would have been high in any system two years ago, this year he'd probably be borderline top 5 in a good system. DSL is three years away and a ball prospects are very risky. Bottom line is the odds are greater that his value would have taken a crap within the next 3 years than he ends up panning out (This is coming from someone who loves DSL). I've always said, I got zero problem maximizing your trade value of prospects as long as you get guys who can help you long term (and Swish will be here a long time).

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:24 AM) Why would Konerko be gone? If you're going to trade 3 of your top prospects, you don't turn around and trade the cornerstone of your team. The one option is they take the approach of outslugging things. See how things go and if Floyd/Danks come along they end up being fine. If those guys don't come along, Kenny quickly can move OC/Konerko/Dye for a massive amount of guys that can help the Sox in 09. This way the Sox made a lot of moves this off-season, and can say hey, we gave it a shot, but if things go bad Kenny still has tons of opportunity to turn this into a competitive club.

QUOTE(SnB @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:28 AM) swisher is young and we will be able to build around him. While I think kenny overpaid a bit, they are just prospects. It's not like swisher is just a veteran on the downside of his career. I must be the only one who thinks the Sox underpaid. Whether it makes us a contender or not, I don't know, but I think the Sox could turn around a year from now and get more for Swisher than they gave up. That is the definition of a good trade to me.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:23 AM) For me it's simple, two years ago I would have loved this, right now, I hate it. Our franchise is still in no position to compete and now we've made it that much harder to compete in upcoming years. How, by getting a guy who is going to be a very good baseball player for the next 4 years? By getting a guy who potentially allows the Sox to have a couple good young players in the field for the next couple years. The Sox didn't have the guys to stick around and rebuild. The dumbest thing the Sox could do is sit around and let there prospects develop cause bottom line, they have s*** in the farm system for the most part. Kenny is agressive and has gotten himself a group of 4 young major league core players (Fields/Quentin/Richar/Swisher). Obviously some are more proven than others in that group, but he still has a group of Egbert/Broadway/Floyd/Danks in terms of pitching prospects and those guys will be slotted behind Buehrle/Javy who are slated to be here for a while. Plus you have Jose (whether I like it or not he's here). So the Sox had an assload of pitching prospects who are all ready to go now and keeping them in the minors for an extended period of time would have been detrimental. So Kenny probably graded them all out, decided which ones had more value (and if they had a lot more value while other prospects with less value graded out similarly in his mind) he decided it would be best to move one or two of those guys. I also think he now has the ability to make some other moves that I would love to see. I don't know if he has the balls to do it, but I think the addition of a guy like Swisher allows you to potentially swing a Konerko deal (cause Swisher could very well be the new offensive face of the franchise as he's a very loved player in Oakland and I guarantee you the city of Chicago will take to him).

QUOTE(Hatchetman @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:20 AM) Not that I'm against the trade, although I'm leaning that way, but it's weird to not have a single minor leaguer you know will be in the majors. I mean nobody. Shelby and Poreda are marginal prospects. I got news for you, if Shelby develops as expected he will be one of the highest impact prospects the Sox have had on the offensive side of the field since Chris Young (note that I don't say he's that explosive, but Shelby has an incredibly LIVE bat).

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:18 AM) Shelby or Poreda. Egbert/Broadway/Shelby/Poreda in no particular order. Gatrell may even round out the top 5.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:14 AM) And we're still in no position to compete for anything. I like Swisher but to give up your 3 best prospects for him with the position that our franchise is in, is just bad imo. I hate this. 3 best prospects for a guy whom you have control through 2012 (given his option). This is the exact type of move I love. Quentin/Swisher are two long term outfielders to go with Josh Fields and Danny Richar. I agree with you about maybe not being able to compete but this move really allows the Sox to potentially make another move or two and given the cost, I think this is great value for one Nick Swisher (DSL is 3 f***ing years away....so much can happen than that I have no problem selling him at a high now; Sweeney is probably the guy I will miss the most because we may be selling him low; Gio is being sold high and the one thing that sucks is that he was close to being MLB ready). This may also be indicative of the fact that Kenny thinks pretty highly of Lance Broadway and Jack Egbert. Honestly, I can't blame Kenny from moving a couple prospects. Sweeney was being replaced by Quentin so basically when you really think about it, you could make a case that it was Chris Carter/DSL/Sweeney/Gio for Quentin/Swisher. Also better yet, the Sox didn't financially f*** themselves or give up 2 draft picks like they could have with a massive signing of Hunter or Fukodome. In fact, couldn't you make a case that Fukodome at his peak would be lucky to be as productive as Swisher already has been at the major league level. I hate giving up prospects, but god damn, I'm in love with this move in the sake of the Sox getting what I consider fair value on a young stud in baseball. The only thing is, I will admit, I don't necessarily think it makes them a contender.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:12 AM) How do they not? Swisher fits in the 3-4-5 somewhere, and they have Dye-Thome-Konerko there... I think Pauly has a foot out the door now and hopefully we see him on the Angels for a good return soon. Swish could also be a stud #2 hitter. It looks to me like the Sox are taking the approach that they will outslug the rest of baseball or try to while they try to put together some semblance of a back of the rotation, which will hopefully allow the young pitchers like Floyd/Danks to develop.

Below is the official press release. This is the first benefit of the new found relationship between the TCS Network and CS Weekly as we were able to get the scoop on this before the major media outlets.

Swisher is signed through the 2011 season with a club option for 2012. Below is a quote from Williams on the trade: “Nick is a quality switch hitter who consistently gets on base, hits for power and drives in runs,” Williams said. “He gives Ozzie Guillen offensive flexibility with his ability to hit in a number of spots up and down the batting order, and his athleticism allows him to play any outfield position or first base. Nick brings to the ballpark a mix of hard-nosed play, energy and a commitment to winning, and he brings it each and every day. He’s a great addition to our team and clubhouse.”

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:07 AM) Dosen't Swisher play CF too? I know when he was in the minors a lot of people thought he'd play center. That said, he's a bigger guy so I don't think he'd have the range for CF. Quentin would be more likely to play CF, imo. This move gives the Sox a huge OBP guy to have near the top of the order and gets them another young position player (although they obviously gave up a couple of there finest prospects). My question is does this make the Sox consider moving one of there veteran bats.

DLS is gone according to my sources. I don't think the radio has said anything.

It is official.....Gio/DSL/Sweeney for Nick Swisher

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:03 AM) Swish hit .262 but with a .381 OBP last year, 22 dongs, 78 RBI, 36 2B. Sounds like just Sweeney and Gio. I love Nick Swisher. Put him in a smaller park and you'll see that average climb, the power numbers climb, and the OBP stay ridiculously high. In fact, I think he could easily push a .400 OBP.

Is Quentin going to be a piece of this?

f***ING YES YES YES!!!! If Gio/Sweeney/DSL are the main guys (I'm adding DSL's name assuming he's gone) I'd be freaking thrilled with this move.

QUOTE(He_Gawn @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 08:58 PM) Did you see the shots he was taking? Pulling s*** out of his ass. 5 straight threes in a minute. Wow, what a display, glad to get the W though. It sucks cause he is the only semblance of offense on the squad. He's an awesome shooter though, would have loved to had Tyler Smith playing with him and Iowa may have been able to at least get to the NIT. I'll really be stunned if they win more than 3 big ten games.

Gosh darn it...a win agains the Hoosiers would have practically made my season. Only lost by 3 and sadly that is a moral victory given how bare Iowa's cupboard currently is (especially now that they lost there freshman Cole for the season). I sure hope Lick can get things turned around because had Alford stuck around Iowa was going to be in position to be pretty bad ass (given the recruits alford had lined up). That said Lick seems to be a pretty good in-game coach and I just hope he can recruit at Iowa.

God damn it....the Hawks finally come into town and I have tickets for Friday's game and it looks like I won't be seeing Toews (my favorite Hawk) and I'll get to see 18 zillion minor league hacks on the defensive end. I hope they are healthy when I see them again in late February in Anaheim. Either way I'm excited to see the Hawks play on Friday

QUOTE(bmags @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 08:30 PM) they said that the guy coaching this game right now was headed to mich after the game was over. There is a possibility that WVU will keep him and name him as there head coach. He impressed me with based on how well he has handled the media given the circumstances. Good god...Devine is ridiculous. Its crazy how good they will be if White/Slayden stick around another year as Devine will be just as explosive. WVU is fun to watch.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 09:40 AM) really? I didnt know that, so are they setting up something like an ESPN headquarters West? Yep, its going to be freaking awesome. It is going to be right next to Staples Center with a full west coast headquarters.

Thats awesome news. Congrats!!!!

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Jan 1, 2008 -> 08:33 PM) If we're going to lose by that score I wish Mendenhall would have had 20 carries for -5 yards. f***, he's totally gone now... This offense will struggle more than people realize without him next year, Juice cannot carry this offense. I want Mendenhall on the Bears in the 2nd round, unfortunately I don't know if he will last that long after today's performance. I also want to thank the Illini for helping me win my only bet of bowl season