Chisoxfn

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ May 21, 2007 -> 11:30 AM) For 2008, you want the Sox to pay $6 million to keep Erstad? For all that he may have exceeded expectations, he has a .307 OBP and a .650 OPS. I'd rather see the Sox stick Sweeney in CF in 2008 and sign/trade someone with power for LF ( the Sox will need it losing Dye and Crede and probably Iguchi). If Erstad is playing well, I think the best case would be the Sox to work out a deal for next season and announce it earlier on (that way Erstad knows he's got a job for next year and the Sox know they raen't paying 6 million cause there is no way Darin is worth that).

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ May 21, 2007 -> 07:22 AM) Masset isnt stretched out enough to go more than he did yesterday. I think we saw something else also Mike. Remember how many people were upset that Freddy and Bmac were traded because we didnt have a 6th starter waiting in the weeds in case of injury. Well everyone, Massett looks like he can step in. I really think we will sign Buerhle. I think Garland or Contreras is a goner. They have tried to trade Garland a few times and Contreras isnt getting younger. I agree with you on Buehrle and Contreras, however it would be very stupid to move Garland. The guy is this clubs best starter (this season and during the World Series season) and is on the right side of 30. I think if the Sox can keep Buehrle/Garland/Vazquez around with two of Danks/Masset/Gio/Floyd (maybe Broadway, etc) filling in the other two spots with a third being a potential spot starter who could fill in when necessary than this team will be in great shape.

QUOTE(knightni @ May 20, 2007 -> 09:37 PM) So, Masset's struggling a little in the 6th and Ozzie just yanks him. The kid's up by two and trying to get through 6 and has only pitched 76 pitches. So, the genius manager proceeds to bring in gas can Sisco who walks guys and wild pitches a run in while Masset wants to slug Ozzie in the worst way in the dugout for not letting him get himself out of his own jam. I called Guillen an idiot to the TV. Anyone else think Ozzie just got lucky? Are you being sarcastic? Masset didn't have the stamina to throw a ton of pitches (when you aren't throwing 100 pitches every 5 days you can't be expected to go out after being sporadically used and throw 85-90 pitches) and you could see he was very fatigued. He'd have been an idiot to leave him out longer. Ozzie took Masset out when the worse that could happen was Masset getting a ND (had MacDougall gave up both inherited runs). Ozzie has actually been pretty good all season as far as I'm concerned (but I'm in the vast minority).

I'm sorry, but I think you can do far better if you move Jose Contreras. You would also have to get Contreras to agree to waiving his no trade clause. In addition, I don't see Kenny dealing any of the proven starters because it would open up another spot creating a potential hole (especially since there is always a decent chance of an injury in the rotation). I have no problem moving Contreras but I think that time will come during the off-season and I sure as heck ain't moving him for an old outfielder (even if we are talking about getting a pretty darn good hitting one at that).

Hell Ya....another White Sox winner!!!!

Haha...what a way to win. Great game. Pen could have done a better job, but Masset was brilliant and the offense looked the best it has all season long. Maybe the wind blowing in forced them to really improve there approach and as a result they just got in a groove cause the big bats were looking real good (Crede when he was in there, Dye, Konerko, AJ).

As much as I hate to say it (cause I liked Sweeney a lot and expected him to produce enough to stay up) this is the right move. Sweeney needs everyday at bats and right now he's not willing to turn on the inside pitch (once he does that he'll not only be a good major league player, but a very good one). Terrero isn't good, but I'd rather have him up than Sweeney when it comes to a limited AB type of role.

I think its pretty obvious the Sox should pick up an outfielder via trade (whether its a high profile guy or a bit more a stop gap guy). With Dye an impending FA, Erstad/Pods being older guys who have had injuries the reality is we could very well have 3 new starting outfielders next year (maybe two of Fields/Sweeney/Anderson) make the roster but even that is an if and I'm not saying its a good thing so the Sox should be able to go out and get at least one outfielder (I know Kenny said he doesn't have a read on this team yet, but its obvious that they need another outfielder, even once Pods is back they truly need one). So here are some names I think could be interesting: Xavier Nady (strong arm, solid bat, not a star but I think he's a decent role playing outfielder whose a good defensive corner outfielder). Ben Broussard - Mariners - Nice left handed swing and he doesnt play as much in Seattle as he should. He had some pretty damn solid years in Cleveland before struggling half of last year with the Mariners (he's been doing good in limited time for the Mariners this year) and is a guy that would hit 15-20 homers for the club and again would fit in nicely and could play left or right (albeit I'm not sure how good he is out there as he's primarily been a first baseman). Randy Wynn - Giants - Would look real good in the two spot and can obviously play all 3 outfield positions (preferably left because he doesn't have much of an arm). Not sure how interested the Giants would be to move one of there few hitters that is producing. Than there are the bigger names: Carl Crawford: Legitimate upgrade, but I think it would take a major package to land him and the only way I could see the Sox making this deal is if they got a 3rd team involved and were able to parlay a guy like Crede into some prospects (plus give up a guy like Gio and probably one more guy). Even than I don't know if they make that deal, but if they were able to parlay a package involving Crede for Santana they could potentially get the Drays to bite (assuming the Sox offered up another prospect or two to sweeten the deal). This may be a bigger move than the Sox would like to make, but Carl Crawford makes an assload of sense, especially given his affordable contract and the fact that he would offer the Sox a lot of insurance if Dye does leave (and would be a very good long term solution). Ken Griffey Jr: Will the Reds make this move, who knows. Griffey is a legitimate middle of the order bat and is a good defensive outfielder (no longer what he once was, but he's a solid right fielder). The negative is he's up there in age and if you are going to make a big move I think you should really get a guy that can help this team for the next few years and I don't know if Griffey is that guy (however, if the Reds end up selling on the low end, than I would be a buyer on this type of deal). Rocco Baldelli: The Drays have a plethora of young outfielder and Baldelli is struggling so far this year. However, as a whole he's a better than league average player with a good deal of upside who can play all 3 outfield positions and do it well. I think he'd improve greatly from playing at the cell and would also see less injuries moving away from the horrid artificial surface at Tropicana. The question is are the Rays willing to give him up for a reasonable package (no Gio Gonzalez...but instead a couple of, Broadway/Haeger/Phillips/McCulloch/Egbert/Russel) etc. You also have to ask yourself at what point isn't it just a better deal to give up a bit more for the better player in Crawford (if it is in fact an option). Also, like Crawford, Baldelli is signed to an affordable deal and is young so he should grow with the team and be a nice long term solution. Alexis Rios - I rank Rios in between Crawford/Baldelli. The guy is a very young player who can hit for average and do a lot of things well. The question is what is the asking price. If the Jays would accept one or two young pitchers plus a guy like Brian Anderson than I think the Sox should consider making the deal. However, the Jays should be able to get a very good player for Rios (again the Sox could also move another guy, such as Crede, to have the ability to get a guy like Rios).

He should be out there actively pursuing a guy like Xavier Nady. The Sox need another outfield bat (not only for this year but the next couple years) and thats even if Pods comes back and now is the time to make that move. It also would give the Sox a lot more insurance if they were to lose Dye at the end of the season to free agency.

QUOTE(danman31 @ May 20, 2007 -> 12:46 AM) Carter is hitting .387 with 17 extra base hits, 22 RBI, and 20 runs in 19 games in May. Good for a 1.272 OPS. I don't know if the Sox are just being careful as he's still working on something or what because the guy should be moved up and he's got a chance to really quickly become a known prospect in the baseball world (not just the Sox world). God can he hit the ball FAR.

Wow...Flash was dead on....28 weeks later was f***ing brilliant.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 19, 2007 -> 03:50 PM) Ironic coming from me, but show a little patience. No changes will be made until Thome returns and we see him play for a month or so. If things are real bad, the trade deadline will be looming, and then you'll see changes.

QUOTE(greg775 @ May 19, 2007 -> 03:45 PM) I'll forever be grateful for the Series title. But I question our baseball people. Our talent evaluators think tall relievers who are wild are good. They are not. MacD and Sisco are not reliable. Logan is not ready for prime time. Massett ... my gawd tomorrow will be ugly. Thome should have been activated for this series if he's "ready." He doesn't need minor league at bats. I don't care if he wouldn't have played against the lefties. Our lineup sucks without him. He would have looked good in the lineup today. (yes I realize we gave up 11 runs). Need I remind people that these baseball people have led the team to numerous consecutive winning seasons (albeit only two of the recent seasons resulted in the playoffs, but it is still a tribute to the organization for consistently putting out winning/competitive baseball teams). ANd there were a couple teams that could have had rings and should have had at least made the playoffs.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ May 18, 2007 -> 09:06 PM) Day hasn't really done anything deserving to be considered as even a September call-up. His strikeouts are "sexy", but that's the only thing he has going for him. Aside from having the best slider in the org and I don't exaggerate when I say that.

QUOTE(Spiff @ May 18, 2007 -> 08:29 AM) Happy Birthday you are a pretty awesome dude, eloquent and well-dressed. Plus you save busloads of orphans from potentially fatal fires every day. Is there anything you can't do? Besides fail, that is? Haha, gotta love it when you give your own self dap. Only a truly awesome individual could do such a thing. Have a good one

QUOTE(fathom @ May 19, 2007 -> 03:32 PM) The Cubs are a damn good team....no doubt in my mind they'll win the NL Central. Bhahaa, they aren't even close to being as good as the Brewers.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 19, 2007 -> 03:31 PM) Jenks and Thornton have started to get their velocity back up to above average...that's all we were asking for. I don't think anyone is complaining about Aardsma being in the game. Bringing in Logan was stupid, but Ozzie's never cared in the 8th inning once we're trailing. This relief core sucks....it's dumb enough to base it all on velocity, but when you combine that with their loss of velocity, it's a joke. KW failed this team so bad in the offseason....thank god Danks is good. You mean they were able to actually make strides and get better. Geeze, based on what I've seen people are juts worthlwess when done and Jenks was still getting guys out with lower velocities (doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize Jenks is still one of the best closers in the game, even if he's throwing 93-95). And I'm glad people are writing off the relief core, it wasn't that long ago that people were raving about it. I remember all along saying this core will lose some hair but at the same time it will grow and improve (its going to have ugly stretches) but come season end it will be one of the best in the biz. And anyone expecting a young pen to consistently dominant all season was ludicrous. This is not on Kenny, he should make an adjustment to try to fire up the offense, but this isn't on him. I'm glad he did things because his off-season was a very good one in which the team got younger, the farm system got stronger, and our pitching got back to the way it should be.

QUOTE(kwolf68 @ May 19, 2007 -> 03:29 PM) This team is a very average team right now. The starting pitching seems to be the only dependable part of this team. Ozzie can do nothing about this. What will you whiners say tomorrow when Thornton blows an 8th inning lead? We have to be able to count on these guys..MacDougal and Aardsma are major cogs in the pen, if they can't get people out we have no chance. Anyteam with this pitching is better than average.

Oh so you guys want the Sox to go to there two/three best relievers: Jenks/Macdougall/Thornton. Last I looked at one point this season most of you f***ing morons thought Jenks was done, MacDougall was god, than after a couple bad outings he's trash and should never see another game, and well Thornton is an absolute joke (oh wait, he's now all of a sudden pitching decent). So if it were up to you guys, Mac would have been the closer a while back (than released after his last couple outings), Jenks would have been down in the minors till he could hit 99MPH (since it matters so much) and Thornton would be long gone. Ya, you guys are real f***ing brilliant with your over-reactions.

Aardsma need to show up. Stop blaming Ozzie and stop s***ting after every game. This team isn't out of anything yet a lot of you f***tards think the season is over. Thank god none of you are running the team cause we'd have a s***load more problems considering people would be released after every bad game they have.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 19, 2007 -> 01:04 PM) So we changed it from Contreras to Masset? That's swell....this series is setting up nicely for the Cubs. Who gives a crap. I care a lot more about making sure our starters stay fresh all season. Plus, its a good time to see what Masset can do. The Cubs are just one team and not a very good one at that. This team has won its past few series, has some of the best pitching in baseball, and will get better offensively. There is no reason to b**** and moan as much as everyone seems to do around here on a daily basis. Why not enjoy the fact that we have very good baseball people running this organization and have the ability to get to another world series.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 18, 2007 -> 02:45 PM) We started the initial work on the list on January 28 by ranking our top 12. We had an initial top 25 on February 10. Our final draft was on March 12. We've been compiling writeups since then. We've had fluctuations since then, and we've moved some guys, especially with early results this year (we wanted to have it out before the season). There's a look into the world of FutureSox. Things don't happen fast. Nothing happens fast when you rely on me

I guarantee one thing, we've been more accurate on our projections than any other prognosticators when it comes to Sox prospects over the past few seasons. While BA was raving about Honel, we were saying there were some serious question-marks. Same goes for Brian Anderson (in fact I know personally speaking it always killed me having him ranked as highly as he was because we all knew he really had poor swing fundementals but despite that his minor league numbers were always impressive). Brandon McCarthy wasn't even known of when we were busy talking the kid up. We were the same people appalled when he was included in the nixed Nomar Garciapara deal. We've also had our mistakes (having Robert Valido rated so high), Francisco Hernandez was once rated pretty high by us as well, however I don't think either of us said they were sure far stars. And of course my man crush Sean Tracey. Than again there was my other man crush Chris Young, who we were higher on (although Dan hated my man crush on Young) than most other orgs and eventually the other prognosticators realized that Young was a special prospect (whether he turns into a special player, who knows). We also were consistently high on a guy like Adam Russel or Jack Egbert than others. Point being, you can whine and complain all you want but the track record is worth noting (we also tend to not BS velocities like other organizations, although we have also been wrong from time to time as well because some minor league stadiums flat out have poor radar guns). That said no one is going to agree with everything we say and I love having debate on stuff like this. However, we put it out there and have been pretty good at it (or at least I think we have) over the years.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ May 16, 2007 -> 10:20 PM) I was sort of thinking about this tonight at the game... If the Reds continue to tank, and the Sox hang around in that couple-games-above-five-hundred area, are we going to see the return of Griffey-Talk? Now that he's in a corner OF spot, it sort of makes sense. It would be an implication that Dye would definitely not be back beyond this year, but it improves the offense significantly, and it doesn't hurt to have another guy who is close to a pretty significant HR record. I don't think the Reds have a whole lot in the way of pitching prospects besides Bailey, so the Sox could probably put together a pretty solid pitching package to entice Cincy. The Sox might be able to get it done without giving up Gio but that would probably depend on how much of the contract that the Sox ate. Here is where I'm confused -- Hardball Dollars has him getting deferred money ($57.5 million total) from 2009-2024. He's only signed through 2009, though. I'd certainly love to see it happen, especially if you can get a Bobby Abreu-like deal out of it where you're not giving up top prospects but still eating a lot of the contract. I thought for sure you were about to bring up Adam Dunn. I'm impressed you didn't. However, I wouldn't be opposed to Ken Griffey Jr.

Well glad Hall is coming up.