Chisoxfn

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 03:53 AM) According to EPSN radio's Bruce Levine- the Sox are 'out' of the Pierre sweepstakes- so as of right now the Center fielder will be Brian Anderson. However, anything can happen. As of right now- here is KW's to do list: 1. Sign Pauly (and if not- make another trade to aqcuire a 1B. For example: Overbay) 2. Explore other CF options out there. Is BA ready to be the everday CFer? We are defending the WS title 3. Make 1 or 2 moves to bolster the pen even more. I'm guessing Marte will be leaving this offseason- that being said another lefty in the pen would be nice. Duque and Marte for Overbay anybody? The Brewers are going to be asking for a whole lot to get rid of Overbay. Duque and Marte would be garbage to them. I think they'd have interest in Marte, but try Marte, Anderson or Sweeney, and something like Sean Tracey. And the Sox would be foolish to make that deal. Its all for not though, Konerko will be resigned by the end of the winter meetings.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 07:46 AM) THank you, BA will get first shot. Yep, it will be BA or someone acquired.

QUOTE(timotime @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 08:51 AM) i hear that the O's have made an offer to Kong. anyone know anything about that or any other offers? Further proves how dumb the O's are. They keep offering long term big money contracts to hitters while not ever going after pitchers.

Well I love it Ian. There was a post over on the Philly site talking about how cool it was too.

I'd put even money on the fact that Thome will be there Ross.

One thing I want to bring up. Don't forget Jermaine Dye has had injury problems. He was fully healthy last year and I think barring some fluke injury he'll be fully healthy again this year (because he keeps himself in good shape). All that said if the Sox keep Anderson in a 4th outfield role he's ready to step in and help anyone and will also be able to get a few hundred AB's with a lot less pressure. I still think the Sox will be finding someone to play in CF this year and be in the 2 hole. Also, I want Konerko back and he will be back, so unless the Sox want to bring in Giles and resign Konerko, I'll just pass.

I agree with Garland and AJ but I don't know if I'd lock up Crede unless you'd be getting a good value. Also, considering the Sox still have lingering concerns about his back, I'd say the odds of them offering him a long term deal at this point are slim. My hope is that Crede drops Boras as his agent (much like Uribe did).

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 09:09 PM) If that's the case, the fans are defrauded. Because Anderson makes less than Rowand did last year and Thome makes less than Konerko last year (aggregate of around $4mill). And the disparity is even greater compared to what Rowand and Konerko will make in 2006. So that would mean that JR is taking his championship, taking his sold out season tickets, and slashing payroll. I certainly hope that isn't the case. That won't happen. Konerko will be back and than they'll probably extend Garland's deal while other players are due raises. Plus the Sox are still going to bring in another bat (to hit 2nd) and possibly another reliever. I also think Kenny is going to leave himself some serious cash for the trade deadline to allow him to go get someone if necessary. Plus as of now he needs to keep some things free so if Paulie goes elsewhere he can enter into the Manny fray

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:07 PM) Right now they are keeping everything separate - but Southwest owns a good part of ATA, I Forget the details at this moment. Southwest also blocked some of Ata's routes. ATA used to fly LA to Chicago, now all those flights are Southwest flights.

Great 1st post and welcome aboard

QUOTE(GS1 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:47 PM) Baseball America refers to this kid as not a top prospect but as simply a kid to watch. Comments? BA is solid, but they are far from great. FutureSox had been talking about Bmac for a long time and than he finally got on the radar at BA. BA hypes guys and falls in love with guys. Haigwood is a top 6 prospect in the Sox org, I guarantee you that much. Is he one of the best pitching prospects in baseball...far from it, but he has the ability to be good and quite a few good baseball people on this board (many of which have connections to insiders) think he's got a good shot. Just an FYI.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:50 PM) WSCR 670's George Offman said that a good source told him that Jerry Reinsdorf told Paul Konerko that the Thome trade will have no affect on the Sox's ability or desire to re-sign him. He also said that Frank Thomas is gone whether or not Konerko re-signs with us. The Sox just don't know enough about Frank's foot to bring him back even if Konerko leaves. They would go in a different direction. He said that the Sox could trade for a guy like Aubrey Huff if Konerko leaves. Also, the Sox are still interested in Bill Mueller because they are worried about Crede's back. Good stuff and I'm glad JR did that. I really am confident that he'll be back (Paulie).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 06:41 PM) Their bullpen is no longer pathetic on paper. But one thing we've learned watching teams the last few years is that the performance of pitchers, especially in the bullpen, can vary wildly from year to year (think Red Sox and Yankees in 2005...suddenly reliable guys like Embree, Stanton, Quantrill couldn't get anybody out to save their lives.) I look at this and think that the Cubs just spent $12 million a year on something like 200 innings, and I just have to wonder if it's a wise investment. And its definately possible that Politte and Hermy come back to earth in 05. Hopefully not though.

QUOTE(WinninUgly @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:33 PM) Is Overbay available? That would be a steal, but I don't see the Brewers giving him away for Marte, but I guess you never know. They wouldn't. It would cost way too much to get Overbay. Konerko will be resigned..book it.

Does anyone have that score soundbite?

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:12 PM) He is talking about how great he has felt the past few days. He was at the Panthers/Bears game last week and all the fans were thanking him. He says he's not bitter at all about being traded. The Sox were the team that gave him a shot. He's just sad that he's leaving all his friends like Crede and Buehrle behind. He said he will also miss the fans a ton. Hell I think they should have Aaron Rowand in and honored when the Phillies are in town to play the Cubs. I'd do whatever I could cause Rowand is one of the key kogs of last year. In 2 or 3 years I'd have zero problem bringing him back (when he's a free agent).

QUOTE(GS1 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:21 PM) Rumors in Philly are that Rowand may not be here long. The Yankees may want him, and there is talk of a swap for Pavano. That would make some sense. I know you guys wanted a CFer. I remember seeing something about a Vernon Wells for Abreu swap that was talked around a little bit (dont' know how much truth there was to it). The Yanks do want Rowand badly though. They witnessed what he can do in the field. It was probably one of the most impressive defensive displays in a series (especially because two of the great catches came back to back) that I've ever seen.

QUOTE(MattZakrowski @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:17 PM) I think we'll get Frqank, because I can't see another team taking a risk on him. If no one signs Frank, I'm sure the Sox would give him a minor leaguer offer and see if he gets healthy. I just don't see the big man ever doing that. I just don't see why people just expect him to be heatlhy. I did see some positive news in an article today (about him playing golf) but I've heard a lot of bad things about the long term prognosis of his injury and how likely his chances of ever being the same are. I don't think its a gimme that he'll ever play the game and be healthy, in fact I think its far-fetched to feel that way. I do hope he can get healthy and get on a roll. Frank is an awesome player and is the greatest player to ever play for the Sox.

QUOTE(GS1 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:13 PM) We have an up and comer at Reading, Michael Bourn, who may be the best defensive Cfer the Phillies will have had since Garry Maddox, who was g-o-o-d! Problem is whether or not Bourn will ever hit above AA. The main reason Rowand was on the block was because the Sox have two guys that can go get it in center. Brian Anderson who is basically a more toolsy version of Aaron and Chris Young. Young is a raw player but he can absolutely hammer the ball. He has one of those live bats. Problem is he has a bigger "bust factor" but if he booms he has a shot to be one of the best in the biz (best guy to play in Bham since Maggs and had he not been hurt for a few weeks he'd have set some Bham records IIRC). As far as that CFer goes, hopefully he has some speed. If he's light hitting, but can learn to slap the ball and bunt and do other things he may have himself a pretty good opportunity. Baseball is going back to the old school basics of pitching, defense, speed at the top and power. But power isn't the focus it once was, nor is OBP or OPS (not as much as it was in recent years, imo). I think people are realizing there are other things to look at than just stats (specifically defense was way undervalued as was a guy that can create on the paths because he doesn't just get xtra bases, he helps the batter thats up, since that hitter would see more fastballs).

QUOTE(GS1 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:08 PM) You guys will love Thome. I, for one, will miss him in Philly. I made the one+ hour trip from Lititz, PA - yeah, where all the wild sh*t is going on right now - many times a year to watch this guy crack 'em. Do not be surprised if he still has 48-52 a year in him for you. As much as I think we'll all love Thome. I think Aaron is the type of player that we are all sad to go. With that said, you know you guys are getting a great all around guy and a solid all around player. He's signed to a cheap deal and his defense is just a thing of beauty.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:08 PM) Rowand is thanking Sox fans and crying in a radio interview on WSCR 670. Wow I wish I was listening to it. I'm so sad that he's leaving. Never have I been so hurt to see a player leave. At the same time I know Thome can help the Sox repeat. It kills me to see a guy like Aaron gone. He knew nothing but playing hard. What a special guy and I will never forget his years in Chicago.

Is Torborg with the Sox? Last I remember he was with the Marlins?

QUOTE(bmags @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 07:55 PM) and mike sirotka for david wells...worked out poorly for both teams... so he is a fair trader... I don't know, i love this trade cause we see Jim Thome in a sox uni, but honestly, the phils made out pretty well in this deal, i think this is pretty fair. Billy Koch and Cotts for Foulke worked out poorly in the short term for the Sox, but the deal made total sense from a logistic standpoint. Foulke was going to walk and wanted to get a big time deal (plus he wanted to start). Koch was coming off a fantastic season and was a guy the Sox would be able to control for an extra couple years. Unfortunately he was on the juice and as great of a guy as he was, he wasn't able to do anything on the Southside. However, Cotts is a stud and that deal over the long term will work out beautifully for the club. Cotts is one of the premiere lefty relievers in the game and he isn't just a loogy.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 07:50 PM) I know. I was just using hindsight to show that many times prospects don't turn into the super studs that people think they will be. Kenny Williams makes out well on most of his trades. Aaron Miles for Juan Uribe Miguel Olivo, Jeremy Reed, and Michael Morse for Freddy Garcia Esteban Loaiza for Jose Contreras And Carlos Lee for Scott Podsednik and Luis Vizcaino worked out for both teams. I can safely say there were two Ken Williams deals that I slammed to high heaven. Matt Guerrier for Damaso Marte and Ruddy Yan (turned into a darn good deal) and the Todd Ritchie trade. And fact of the matter, every deal Ken Williams has made in his tenure has a reason behind it. They haven't all paid off, but you can see the logic behind all of them. The Ritchie trade was to get the staff a veteran starter who they thought was going to turn into a good pitcher(and Schueler has taken the blame for this deal). The Boomer trade was to give the Sox the veteran ace that could get them not only back into the playoffs (in 01) but to get them over the hump. The Pods deal was to change the makeup of this club, but more importantly (and sometimes this wasn't looked at near enough) freed payroll to bring in a 5th starter (Duque) a catcher (AJ), and a 2nd baseman (Iguchi). The Everett and Alomar deals were ones that were supposed to and I thnk everyone thought they would, put this club over the hump (the 1st time). Hell that was as talented of a Sox team as I've ever seen. Joe Torre even said (during the playoffs) that the White Sox were the best team in baseball (too bad they choked). Basically put, you can say Kenny gives up a good amount, but for the most part its a fair deal and usually he deals from a surplus in the organization and they are typically guys he likes less than the other prospects that fill the same position. There are exceptions, namely Miguel Olivo and that didn't bite the club in the ass.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:51 PM) I disagree... (FPCT/RF/ZR career at 1B) Thome: .994 9.30 .823 Konerko: .995 9.48 .826 PK looks better to me, though they are very close (and both very good, and both improved in recent years). Konerko hasn't had back problems like Thome has. I'll take PK at 1B and Thome at DH. Plus PK has the best arm of any 1st baseman in the bigs (maybe Erstad can match it). No one turns the DP from 1st better than Paulie.