Chisoxfn

MVP I

Actually, I have an idea that may be expensive but that would significantly upgrade our defense and top of the order at the same time. You sign Roberts as a stop gap (allows either Sweeney or Fields to get AB's in LF; If its Sweeney than he also backs up in CF and RF giving him tons of AB's, with Mack staying on as well as a backup outfielder/infielder). You sign Gary Matthews Jr. Yes, he's going to get paid a lot for a guy coming off a career year but his past two seasons have been very very solid and he has a good eye who hit the same against LHP and RHP last season (switch hitter). He is also a tremendous defensive CFer. This allows the Sox to push Iguchi down into Juan Uribe's spot in the lineup and free's up two prospects (Brian Anderson and Josh Fields) whom we can trade for good young pitching or other things we could use. You than deal Freddy Garcia (or one of our starters) for prospects to insert McCarthy into the rotation. After that you can stick with your rotation and use some of that young pitching or just sign a bullpen arm or two and call it an off-season. You significantly upgrade the top of the order (Roberts/Matthews Jr.), free up some payroll from that rotation (albeit it, it goes straight to the top of the order), and get us some good prospects (whoever we get for Freddy), plus the team now has the ability to make some serious moves at the trade deadline (cause we'd have prospects to dangle if we needed to). On top of that we can't forget that Fields/Anderson would be able to land us a good power arm or two that could really tie out the pen.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Oct 29, 2006 -> 08:25 AM) I would consider Roberts a considerable upgrade over Pods. The problem is Roberts has always been known to have some nagging health issues. If we get him, we'd have to make an upgrade to the top of the order at SS as well (ie having someone like Rollins to team up with Roberts). That would also allow Iguchi to slide down and take what Uribe's old spot in the lineup was (which would really solidify the lower portion of the lineup).

Good luck to one of the classiest coaches in baseball.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 30, 2006 -> 08:26 AM) Riske was basically a completely average reliever and at the moment that's really his upside. We want to upgrade and at worst have some guys with some upside in the pen, Riske just isn't good enough to keep around. He's not bad if you are talking about using him as the mop up guy, but it appears that job will be handled by someone like Haeger.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 27, 2006 -> 05:07 AM) Damn something else just hit me. There might not be a second island. If there is, how did Hurely get from their camp back to the rest of his group? I think Ben really pulled another bigger con on Sawyer. Remember, Hurley went home from the docks. That makes even more sense because Hurley was never at the main camp (which is the one that is apparently on the other island). However, I have a feeling there are some sort of under ground channels that lead you to the other island.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 04:53 PM) Aggressive baserunning at 3rd is often not a bad thing. What Cora was doing with guys like Konerko and Thome was not just aggressive baserunning, ti was foolish. Completely agree. That said I think people have been far more negative when it comes to Cora than he really deserves.

Razor is known for a very agressive style so don't think we aren't going to see plenty of guys get thrown out. I just hope we won't see Paulie sent during ridiculous circumstances. That said Joey is a pretty rock solid 3rd base coach, problem was he was too agressive with his slower runners. In 05 we were all applauding the guy for being top notch. That said I'd be the first to say he had a lot of serious faults last year, but he's still a solid coach and very well respected in all of baseball.

Actually you are right. When he was first managing in the system the team was very frustrated with his initial managing style. In fact he was fired from the Reds organization after going into the stands after some fans threw beer onto him. Kenny made a visit to potentially fire him, but Williams and Shines are supposed to be relatively close or family friends or something. But I think part of it could be attributed to the team not being comfortable. By the way I have no first hand knowledge of any of this, but I can comment on what I've been told from players who have played for him and they all seem to think he's a top notch manager and great to play for.

QUOTE(SoxFanForever @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 03:01 PM) Backman was the one who was in some deep doodoo. I don't think Shines was. Ya, thats how I remember it. Shines is a pretty firey guy but I don't seem to recall any major problems with him. The players play hard for him, his teams win and overall he's a very good mgr. He is similar to Ozzie in some instances in that they have similar philosphies about how the game should be played (and for the most part I tend to agree with Ozzie's theories on that).

36 bucks each way on certain days from Ohare to Long Beach. Too bad the Sox weren't playing cause I'd freaking be all over that.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 02:26 PM) Getting Cora out of the 3rd base coaching box is beyond great. Adding Shines to the staff is also good, and even if it means weakening minor league instruction a bit, Shines was going to get a major league job soon. If not 2007, although I think it was beyond likely, definitely in 2008. It also appears Man Soo Lee is going back to Korea. He will be missed. He truely is one of the greatest guys ever to wear a uniform in professional sports. His absence probably won't mean anything to the White Sox on the field, but put smiles on a lot of fan's faces anytime they were able to interact with him. Maybe Alomar becomes the new bullpen catcher. I don't know if Sandy would want to be the bullpen catcher, but if you gave him some sort of extra duties or we created a position for him and some of his duties would be bullpen catcher maybe it would work. However, in general the bullpen catcher isn't the type of job you give to someone like Alomar. Nor do I think Alomar would accept it.

QUOTE(3 BeWareTheNewSox 5 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 01:57 PM) Bears are wearing orange this Sunday For Halloween.

QUOTE(bmags @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 02:05 PM) so this is filmed in hawaii right? I wonder where they showed those two islands from New Zealand I thought.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 12:18 PM) I still think they lose to Cal. If cal doesn't get em, UCLA will. I love UCLA's new QB.

Illinois may really hurt our recruiting plans if they land Jackson. Iowa looked to be where he was leaning but now it seems more 50/50 and he still has some hopes that his stock will increase and he'll have a shot at UNC. If Iowa lands Jackson it appears we'd land two top 50 recruits that are Iowa leans right now, but anything can happen. Iowa has the making of a sick recruiting class and we have a lot of top players leaning our way, but Alford has to close things out and seal the deal.

While guys, we make the place as filthy as possible before they come because than we are getting good value

Freaking awesome. Anything that makes Razor a part of the coaching staff is a fantastic move. I wonder if they are going to create a position for Alomar to coach. Of course our minor league system is hurt since Razor is such a tremendous minor league manager. I don't think Sandy would take a minor league coaching job. Than again Sandy will probably play another season.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 10:59 AM) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ.../larussa.game3/ Some words from SI on the subject of pine tar-gate. Best explaination, LaRussa was worried his guys were doing it also. Given the conditions I'd be shocked if the Cards pitchers weren't using some sort of substance as well. It was cold and rainy and having something like pine tar is about the only way you'd be able to get a solid grip on any sort of breaking pitch.

I don't get it. I'd love to have Joe as a bench coach too. In fact I'd definately prefer him to a guy like Trammell that was a horrible horrible manager. That said Trammell isn't a bad choice as a bench coach. He played the game hard and is well respected. I think the Cubs have done a tremendous job thus far over the off-season. Although if I were in charge I'd probably have pushed harder for Bochy because I consider him a better long term choice.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 11:34 AM) I think it's pretty clear that his contract was constructed in such a way that he could be moved right around now if the Braves were willing to save money...its entirely back loaded, so that if they do want to move him, they can do so either now maybe without having to send along cash or before 08 while sending along some cash. It looks somewhat like what the Marlins did with Delgado. Or if he's pitching like he has most of his career they get two cheap years from him and than deal him for something of value without having to pick up any of his contract. A healthy Huddy on the open market is worth 13 mill a year. In fact given some of his years with the A's, you could say he's worth potentially a bit more. If we could get him for prospetcs I'd be all over that deal. I just don't see the Braves moving him when his contract is so affordable (unless they are getting MLB top 20 prospects and the White Sox really can't offer that). However, if we could swing some sort of 3 way deal with Garcia going somewhere, us getting Huddy back all while giving up an extra prospect and a 3rd team getting involved fantastic. But that still seems hard to do cause you'd think the other team would prefer Hudson. Than the Sox have the ability to move Contreras (if he'd waive his no trade clause) or someone else and load up our farm system while making room for Bmac. I'd just really like to get a sinker baller like Huddy who has an affordable contract onto the Southside.

I tolerate assholes as long as they aren't doing anything illegal. For example, TO is an ass, but he's not getting rolled for DUI's or beating his wife.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 11:16 AM) Problem with that of course is it assumes nothign else would go wrong next year. Dye won't fall back to 30 home runs and 90 RBi instead of 40 and 120, Thome won't get hurt, Crede's back won't interfere too much, the Tigers, Twins, Indians, and Royals won't all be significantly better next year, etc. This team is going to need more htan "Slightly" better years from a few guys if we want to keep pace with the other teams in our own division. We need significantly better years from several guys (mostly the pitching staff), and for quite a few other guys to not drop off. Which is why I think we got to focus on upgrading the defense (in CF and LF) and find a legit leadoff hitter. We do that and we are in very very good shape. Get an arm in the pen and make a move to open up the rotation for Brandon (which also free's up some money and should get us a top prospect or two). Even if Dye and Crede fall back to more pedestrian numbers we know they are still solid players and that our offense is still one of the best in baseball (especially with a legit top of the order). I'm much more concerned with getting that leadoff guy and making sure we have a legit CF playing everyday (and not Mack) and someone not as awful as Pods in LF. If we can get a leadoff hitter that plays LF, outstanding, otherwise move Uribe and find a SS that can leadoff. And no, I'm not against the Juan Pierre experiment, but if we get him we'd probably have to find some offense in CF. QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 11:16 AM) Problem with that of course is it assumes nothign else would go wrong next year. Dye won't fall back to 30 home runs and 90 RBi instead of 40 and 120, Thome won't get hurt, Crede's back won't interfere too much, the Tigers, Twins, Indians, and Royals won't all be significantly better next year, etc. This team is going to need more htan "Slightly" better years from a few guys if we want to keep pace with the other teams in our own division. We need significantly better years from several guys (mostly the pitching staff), and for quite a few other guys to not drop off. However, take a look at Detroit. Yes they have some young arms but Robertson and Rogers both pitched over there heads (Rogers gets another year older and Robertson is not near as good as he showed during the season). Yes, they have Rodney and Zumaya and both are rock solid but Todd Jones isn't going to keep being sucessful. The Twins lose Liriano and played ridiculously over there heads (so many career years out of guys like Tyner). The Tribe should be improved (surprised Wedge is still the mgr) and depending on the moves they make, they may become the 2nd best team in the division. The Sox still are bar none in the best shape of any team in the division and I wouldn't trade our roster with any other team in our division.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 08:46 AM) Quarterback isn't really their problem, Booty has actually been fairly solid. His completion percentage is over 63%, his TD/INT ratio is 13/4, and his passer rating is 135.2 (compared to 140 for the great Brady Quinn). The one major difference is that his yards are down, probably because they aren't throwing deep as much. The bigger difference is that their running game is nowhere near as dynamic. It's down about 100 yards per game from last year, and their yards per carry is down almost 2 yards a crack. Moody is still pretty solid, but he can't touch the effectiveness of Bush/White (of course few can). However, they also have a much better defense than last season. They often won in spite of it last year. They are very deep in the front seven, and they force turnovers in the secondary. They're not the run-away #1 like last year, but they're still a pretty solid team, and I'd expect their offense to start clicking a bit more towards the end of the year. There defense is ridiculously solid/strong. Offensively one thing Booty has missed are his two top receivers who were out so things could get better after that. However, Booty has not played near as strong as of late (which again could be because of injuries to his playmakers). I'm not saying he's stunk, but he hasn't played like a national championship QB should play.

ROFL....thats the LA news guy I think.