Chisoxfn

QUOTE(bmags @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 11:47 AM) alright, just read at future sox of josh fields loss off the field...and his adjustment in the second half...very encouraging... Ya he made some strides, but I still need to see him do something for a full season before I label him near ready. My personal take is that Schnurstein is the sleeper in the org when it comes to 3rd base prospects. I really like his potential and I think he has a live bat.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 11:38 AM) Hank Blalock's agent is Eric Goldschmidt not Scott Boras. Also, there's no way in hell Texas would ever make that trade. Seriously, but if they did I'd make that deal. Hell I think the Sox would actually save salary in the deal. Show me all of Blalocks poor road splits, but I still say he's >>> Crede. Plus you'd save money. That deal won't ever happen though. Maybe if Sean Tracey and someone else were a part of it.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 11:45 AM) Well once they sign Furcal, they are going to be a force within the division.... Anaheim may finally pull him this off-season if they lose out on Manny (I think they have to be the front-runners). So if they lose out on Manny and Paulie...than Sweeney would be there guy. I don't see the Mets in the Ramirez sweepstakes now that they have Delgado and have moved Cameron. Plus the Mets are gonna land Wagner and still need to find another reliever, imo. To be honest, the only sleeper I could see in the Manny Ramirez deal is the LA Dodgers. Manny will not play anywhere other than the LA area (I'd say 70% that its Anaheim, 29% that its LA, 1% other).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 11:28 AM) With Boras being Crede's agent...I think that Fields may well be as close to untouchable as there is in our minor leagues now that BMac will be gunning for the Cy Young award. Fields has to do something at the minor league level before I even think about him playing in the majors.

I think he's out there. Its too bad he hasn't been healthy in forever (consistently healthy). The guy is a tremendous offensive player.

I get the idea that this game is now over. A&M's defense looked pourous so I'm thinking Texas is gonna roll off a few scores and blow em out. But I'm hoping the Aggs keep this a game. Is the USC-UCLA game tomorrow or is that still a week away?

TD Texas back up by 6.

The Aggie Pass rush is doing its job and forced a couple Vince Young sacks and a fumble. A&M scored a TD to take the lead and now Texas goes back and converts a fake punt for a 1st down (got a facemask on the play). They are no inside the 10 and looking to take the lead right back. Really good football game for those that aren't watching it (ABC).

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 02:28 AM) IIRC, a year or so ago, I remember you said he had Miggy Tejada like potential. Now I don't know if we'll ever see this, because his swing changes so much and it ain't consistent, but if we can just get it to a stage where it just keeps getting a little better and better, and he can get that average up to the .280 mark and still be able hit those 20HR's, he's a very VALUABLE player with his defense. I still think thats his upside, but I don't know if he'll ever learn to stay back enough on balls. The leg kick definately helped him though.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 10:38 AM) This I disagree with. Agreed. Anderson has the tools to be, but he doesn't get the jumps that Rowand gets, at least not at this point in his career.

Vazqez is an over-rated 4th starter.

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 03:46 PM) Without looking at the numbers, I'm almost certain the Sox cannot afford both Pierre and Konerko. They could.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 05:19 PM) Just like RJ was gonna be in a Sox uni? All things equal I'd much rather have Paulie at first. He's gotten so much better. Hey I'm willing to go out on a limb. I've been right quite often as well.

Get to see my 1st Hawks game in person in a few years on Sunday. They will be playing an awfully crappy Ducks team.

Merging

QUOTE(gosox41 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 01:10 PM) I can asee maybe adding them since they did spend at least a year in the Sox minor league system (though I maintain they did rush Garland up). I don't want to beat up Kenny because, afterall, he did bring a World Series to Chicago. But I will say that it will be a lot easier for any team to win if they can deveop as much good pitching as possible. So far, under the KW regime, it's been just Brandon McCarthy. It's been 5 drafts. I hope the Sox can figure out hte minor league pitching dilemma soon. A team can never have too much pitching. Bob Cotts should most definately count as should Bobby Jenks. We went out and got Jenks and had the guts to move him to the pen. The risk paid off for us. Kenny has done a solid job. He has done a better job dealing guys that haven't panned out (as of yet) for guys that have some value. I'll give him credit, most every minor leaguer that was sent hasn't panned out. The only one I really cringed about giving up (Aside from Reed and that was well worth it) was dealing Josh Rupe in the 1st Everett deal. But Rupe is far from a sure thing. He's a solid starting pitching prospect.

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:57 PM) My guess is they'll keep him around for spot starting, possibly long relief, and assorted trips to the DL if they need a roster spot. Diaz and Adkins and Munoz are, to me, AAA roster fill and not much more. I think they'll sign some minor league FA's to fill out some depth and to ease the strain in spring training. Ya, they could be guys you deal for a utility guy otherwise they have zero value aside from roster depth in Charlotte (to try and help put together a winning team in Charlotte for the 1st time in a long time). Munoz could have a little something in him, but he's never impressed me much. Not bad depth in a worse case situation (cause you know they are all vets at this point, even though Munoz is young).

QUOTE(whitesoxmanager @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:45 PM) Jason thanks for being politically correct with your response but are you endorsing the trade or are you like me? if we dont win the WS next year i will be asking myself the why did we do it question over and over. especially if thome gets hurt before the allstar break & arow is killing it in either Philly BOS or NY. I'm a fan of this deal. If Thome is healthy this is a great deal. If Thome is hurt it won't be a good deal, but all in all I think it makes sense. I think in the long run this opens up a spot for a talented Centerfielder who can be as good as Rowand defensively (I don't think he's there yet, but I know a lot of people within the org and on this board that I respect think that Anderson has the ability to be a top notch defensive CFer). Anderson also has pretty good pop and speed, the only thing I don't think he'll ever do is win a batting title (nor will Aaron). Its tough to see him go though, but I am favoring this deal. If Thome is healthy, him and Konerko give the Sox one of the best 3 3-4-5's in the AL, if not the game.

QUOTE(whitesoxmanager @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:24 PM) this is very true and thanks for the guarantee. but how do you as a fan answer this question: That the team that just won the 2005 WS isnt good enough to win it in 2006? This is the burning question across the board in each and every player on our team right now and is definitely being discussed with those who talk to AROW today. HI8IS if someone told me that you were now a member of the cardinals fan club I would be just as outraged. I just remember all to well what happened to the Chicago Bears the year after the superbowl when Wilbur Marshall didnt get paid and left to go to the Redskins. A little different scenario but the same gut wrenching feeling! The key is to get better and Kenny is trying to do that. This years best isn't necessarily next year's best. The Sox had a couple key weaknesses last season that they were able to get through with, but whose to say they will next year. Plus next year anything can happen. Someone may have injury set backs or another team may just explode or the Sox may not be hot in the post-season. There are a lot of factors. I know one thing, the Angels stayed exactly put following there World Series win and they really paid for it. Your job as a GM is to do everything you can to improve your team and Kenny feels like this was that. Its tough to give up Aaron Rowand (he was a guy who has given nothing but his all and has been a part of this organization his entire professional career). That said he knows its a business. You can tell he's sad to be gone, but he has a new chapter in his life and he may end up back in Chicago in another year or two (you never know). Aaron enjoyed his time here and is thankful for that. Crede, him and AJ will be friends for life as far as I'm concerned. The two's bond wasn't just because they were teammates. Sure thats how they met each other, but they will continue to hang out and I'm sure when the Phils are in Chicago he will be spending some time with the 2 other stooges I too get sad when I think about not seeing Aaron patrol in center. He did his job so well, but from the business standpoint Brian Anderson has his tools and should be able to come in and post semi similar numbers. Thats not the key, but the key is the Sox will be able to get similar production (all around) out of CF while adding a DH thats superior to anything the Sox have had since Thomas' hay days. Who knows if it will pay out, but the move really filled a major void of last years team (DH) and a legit middle of the order bat to join Paulie. Ozzie has made it obvious he wants to find a new 2 hole hitter, that will probably be next. Aaron will never be forgotten and he'll always be thanked by Sox fans (at least myself, I will do nothing but pull for him). He isn't just a White Sox, he's an alumni of my school and I've been rooting and pulling for him since his minor league days.

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 11:53 AM) Agree totally, and he made strides in that regard in '05. I'm not surprised at all the White Sox are asking about him, he is Guillen's type of player and exactly what they want in the #2 hole, speed to burn. He would thrive here. I'd say this. He's about as fast a guy in the minors, seems to handle the bat well for a 23 year old and the only thing the Sox would have to see is him develop some more patience (which could come). If he has a good work ethic and can play defense (I know he has range cause I've seen him make some amazing plays) he'd definately be a good fit. We have Pods for another year or two and he can be grooming his replacement and potential 2 hole hitter in Gathright (or you could have Gathright in the 9 spot which almost gives you a 2nd leadoff hitter). Plus if you turn the lineup over than all of a sudden Guchi (hitting 2nd) is almost like Guchi hitting 3rd and in a run producing spot (well not quite, but more so than last year). Gathright could steal himself 60 bases eventually. I liked the fact that he was caught stealing just 4 or 5 times (20 sucesses) and that was in a short season. The Drays would probably want pitching (although I just said they'd want some outfield prospects). I just don't know how much more pitching the Sox could give up. Could they (The DRays) have interest in Willie Harris (I don't really follow them much so I don't know there needs) and a pitching prospect (it would have to be a good one though...Gaithright is pretty well thought of, IIRC). Here's one...would they do a Josh Fields for Gathright swap? Looking at his stats closely he's had somewhat of a regression in terms of drawing walks, but he doesn't strike out a ridiculous amount of times. The odd thing is he has so few doubles and triples (that could be due to the parks, but once again I'm not all that familiar with the Drays organization as a whole).

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 11:41 AM) Oh my God, they are in no way shape or form gonna touch the SS position. They feel Uribe is just starting to realize his potential. Consistent? How about Uribe's defense. Ya, aside from the perennial MVP candidates at SS, there aren't many guys I'd rather have at SS than Juan. I still remember a few people whining and crying that we gave up Aaron Miles. Uribe is developing into a potential STUD of a SS. He's already a good one and a great defensive one (could a GG be in his future...I say YES).

I am cautiously optimistic, but iwill feel much better if he hammers 10 Hr's in April while putting up a good average. Than I'll really be feeling better. Of course who knows if he holds up. There is obviously some risk to this trade, if there wasn't any risk the Sox would have given up even more prospects and wouldn't have been getting that 22 million in cash.

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 11:20 AM) I don't get why Crede is so sure to hit for a decent average... He came up big in the playoffs... It's just as likely he never comes close to anything similar and hits .240 next year... and his track record would lean toward the latter... He hit well in everything but 2 months so far the majority of the season he was .300 plus hitter with a damn good OPS.

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 11:12 AM) I could see Huff as our 1B next year... That being said his price will be too high... The DRAY's are famous for wanting way too much for their guys... They have a new GM though.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 10:21 AM) Must be early in CA. What is an aftermality? Do they do the D-Ray deal because of the Thome trade, or drop the deal because of the trade? Who knows, LOL, but in my dictionary a Huff deal is off unless Konerko doesn't resign. I don't see that happening so I don't see Huff on the SouthSide. I could see Gaithright, but I don't like what he'd cost (in terms of what we gave up).