Chisoxfn

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 03:36 PM) Yah, but what do those guys at FutureSox know? You??? Do you really want me to answer

Not a surprise. I will always cheer for Blum to do well. Thanks for an awesome hit Geoff, you'll never be forgotten by Sox fans.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:36 PM) You make an excellent point. But, I have been one of those consitently expecting a very similar 2005/2006 payroll. Anyway you cut it, that would mean a major jump in payroll, yes? Unless, of course, some Sox player with a larger contract is included in the deal--and spitballing, I can't come up with that scenario. Not probable. Not impossible. But, not probable. As far as I'm concerned the 2006 minimum payroll will be 85 million and If the Sox are able to get a deal for Delgado/Thome (ie, one that makes sense in terms of players given up) you'll see the payroll allowed to go closer to 90 million.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:31 PM) So I suppose they could beat them convincingly head-to-head? ISU was better when they played Iowa and they are the second/third best team in the Big 12 right now, despite a quarterback going through Gary Pinkel's Syndrome. Aside from Texas the Big 12 blows. The 5th or 6th best team in the Big 10 is better than the 2nd best team in the Big 12, imo.

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:27 PM) You kidding? Pierre would be the worst defender in just about any outfielder (maybe, just maybe, Damon would be lower than him) Ummm...Damon isn't what he once was, but for a long time he was an upper echelon defensive outfielder. There is no way Damon is the worse defender in all of baseball, nor is Juan Pierre. Just because neither have good arms, doesn't mean they are bad defenders.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:28 PM) Alright, let's pull it in just a little bit. Do NOT expect to see both Konerko and Thome etched in the same 2006 lineup together on the Southside of Chicago. Thome would be a member of the Pale Hose, if, and only if, Konerko's contract demand can not be met, or the Sox wish to part ways with Paulie. You will not be seeing both in the same lineup...at least not in Black and Silver. From the sounds of it the Sox aren't waiting on Thome. They'd jump on him and hope the Konerko situation worked itself out. The last thing the white Sox want to do is have Konerko walk and have zero options at 1st and DH. If that happens opposing GM's have all the bargaining power because they know the Sox are desperate. Kenny acts now and he gets better value and based on the quotes thats exactly what he plans to do. I expect the Sox to make a large move by the end of the Winter meetings.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:26 PM) ? Nocioni is starting at small forward. I'm retarded. I thought I heard somewhere that Deng was gonna go in at SF and Noc was gonna start at PF.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 01:35 PM) It's not like the team was doing spectacularly with Tate though. Of course, the recievers were helping no one.... Iowa is still better than ISU.

QUOTE(SoxFanForever @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:21 PM) Why is Noch still starting? Cause he's a far superior PF than Songalia. I really like this Bulls lineup. Noc may not be really big, but he's strong enough and tough enough to guard most PF's and he'll have quickness on them on the offensive end.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 08:41 AM) Michigan is getting way too much respect in the predictions. Yes, they have a ton of talent, but Amaker has proven to be just like fellow former Dukie Quin Synder (although not nearly as dirty a recruiter or scumbag in general) in that he gets tons of good players, and does nothing with them. But hey, I hope Michigan is real good and makes the tourney, another good big 10 team is nice, and I think the Big 10 is going to be LOADED this year. Iowa will finish ahead of them in the Big 10. The Trib has Iowa way too low. I'm not saying Iowa will be great, but they have the ability to be a top 15 team and if they put it all together a top 10 team. Of course with Alford at the helm they will suck early in the big 10 season and rebound late in the year to once again save his job and make the tourney only to get knocked out in the 1st or 2nd round.

Big game for the Bulls. I think this is the one where they get that West coast road win out of the way. Going to be seeing them on Sunday against the Lakers (another game they could win) but the Bulls never seem to do that well when I see them at Staples (of course this will be the 1st time I see them play the Lakers, usually I go to the Bulls/Clippers game).

Ya, I was comparing to Florida. I know my way around those parts now (been coming out to AZ for the past 9 years and this will be my 10th year). Its been an annual father-son trip and now my dads moving out there part of the year for business (in the hill part of Mesa). Of all the stadiums, the only ones I absolutely can't stand are Hi-Corbett (its still the same as what it was when Major Leauge was made), and Oakland (they renovated it a year or two ago, but I'm still not much of a fan, its pretty plain). TEP is awesome, Tempe Diablo is pretty decent (good food), Maryvale and Surprise are really nice (in fact Surprise is probably my favorite), Peoria is really nice (awesome grub there), Ho Ho Kam (its a nice park, especially since they redid it a few years ago. It used to be absolutely terrible). Haven't been to Scottsdales in a while, but I remember when we first went out there it was one of our favorite parks. Had some great bbq chicken sandwiches way back when and the park has a real nice design (I think it was designed by the people who did Camden Yards). As long as your going to the parks for the day games I've never noticed a traffic problem (although some of the parks do have some traffic getting into if you wait till right around game time to show up...mainly the Cubs). But I'm the type of person that gets there 2 hr's before the game and watches BP. Its probably my favorite pre ball game thing, plus its fun seeing some of the minor leaguers do their bp (some stadiums have really fan friendly minor league areas where you can watch them do their drills). I totally love the whole atmosphere of Spring Training. Your always surrounded by other big time baseball fans and your so close to the action. Plus the weather is usually good (with a few nice thunder storms) and the whole Phoenix area is awesome (Like you I'm not much of a fan of Tuscon).

QUOTE(DABearSoX @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 02:06 PM) Whats Thome's health issues like, not just last year but lifetime. Seems to me he has been pretty durable throughout his career.... Missed most of this season with an elbow injury. Aside from that he's had some flareups with his back, but has been able to play through them. Prior to 05, he had 4 straight 40+ HR seasons and 6 straight 100 RBI seasons. His avg season is .281 AVG, .408 OBP, 40 HR, 111 RBI. He's 35 years old and turns 36 in August next year.

Mueller would hit .280-.290 with a .360 or so OBP. He'll be turning 35 in March.

The entire article is interesting. It implies the Sox were the most agressive team that the winter meetings (or one of the most) and that they are very much interested in Bill Mueller. I'm a Mueller fan but I love Crede and the way he plays. My guess is Mueller will get a decent size contract and I assume Boston is not interested in resigning him (Youkalis or Hanley will supplant him???). That said I'd still think he could get 4-5 million a year and thats too much for a backup. At 2 million I'd definately take him because he could play 3rd and 2nd. Hell, I got to be honest, I'd take him over Iguchi, but the Sox aren't going to be moving Tadahito (although I must say, of any of the Sox everyday infielders, the most likely I'd see them replace is Iguchi, well Konerko too, but thats only if he gets a ridiculous offer).

QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) Good grief.. soon the entire Indians squad will have passed through our doors. Also.. I'm gonna get some details on his work ethic, clubhouse persona, etc. just in case this holds some water. Everything I've ever heard is that he's a great teammate. A good guy in the clubhouse and a hard worker. But thats just what I've read and seen quoted by some of his teammates.

Nightengale is the man. I tend to agree that Thome/Delgado are probably the Sox #1 targets. I'd lean to Thome being the main target because he actually has a desire to come back home and play in Chicago (well, at least more so than Delgado who hates Chicago). The only thing I wonder is what type of package Philly would want. If it was centered around Marte, El Duque and great prospects I'd make the deal (as well as the Sox taking on the contract). However if we start talking about Chris Young and Bmac or some starting pitching (or even Aaron Rowand), I'd be less inclined. However, I do wonder about Jason Michaels and if he could come in a deal (with the Sox including Aaron Rowand). Thats about the only way I'd include Aaron in the package. I do think Ryan Sweeney would be a definate part of this package. Jim Thome and Paul Konerko would look damn good. Plus wasn't Thome's injury an elbow one (and unrelated to his back). I think he'll be able to recover from the elbow and he's been able to play through his back for most of his career. I'd love to take this chance. The Sox are defending World Champs and have a little leeway to take a chance like this.

Depends on what the trade is. I'd definately take a 1-2 of Pods/Pierre. I think that would be quite good for Ozzie's style. I don't think I'd deal Rowand for him though. Unless it was part of a larger package that landed the Sox Pierre and Delgado.

QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 05:25 AM) The Florida facility was a dump.. and there were way too many tourists. I'm glad they are in AZ. Plus AZ is a lot nicer since you can really travel with the Sox if you want. All the teams are within a 2 hr vicinity of each other. Most (the ones in Phoenix) are within 30 minutes of each other. Florida is too spread apart, imo. But I've never been to spring training out there.

Ya, it must have been a review of his pre-season 2005 one and not his 2006 one. If it was a new one I'd be worried.

QUOTE(spiderman @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 08:49 PM) I know Levine keeps saying the White Sox are going hard after Delgado, regardless of what happens with Konerko, but wouldn't the White Sox, to make this work financially, have to give up more than just Marte ? I'm thinking it would have to be either Garland or Contreras (probably Contreras because he's got 1 year left on his deal, which would give Florida flexibility) and Marte just to get the salaries closer, and even then, the White Sox may ask the Marlins to pay a percentage of this. Where am I wrong ? Duque, Marte and some damn good prospects would do the trick.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 08:31 PM) I agree completely with you. I never thought Edmonds was a great CF. He made those fantastic catches because he was getting bad jumps. Great CFers, or any great OFer for that matter, barely ever dive. They usually get great jumps and take excellent paths to get to the ball that there is no need to dive. How often did you ever see Griff Jr. dive? How about Andruw Jones? Mike Cameron? Torii Hunter? Not half as much as Edmonds. Edmonds has always been overrated due to his bad jumps. He makes the easy play look spectacular. Kind of Sammy Sosa like, but he is better than Sosa ever was. By the way, I agree that Mark Kotsay is a damn good defensive CFer. I would put him above Rowand and Cameron. Cameron is one of the best as well though. Grady Sizemore is pretty good too. I only saw him a couple times live, but he looked damn good to me, even though he made that costly error at the end of the season. Sizemore will definately be in that group.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 05:03 PM) Check this out: Thats funny. I think he quit pretty much right after the 1st season was a hit (not a clue for sure, my buddy had quit when they had started filming the show). I bet tons of people from my area show up to that shop and look for him, retarded to the fact that he left long ago for school.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 04:59 PM) If I come visit you, can we go to Laguna so I can "soak it all in"? Funny thing...Mario was out here for a convention this weekend and a couple of friends were out from Chicago as well and we went there. One of them was really pumped. Why I said that, not a clue, but yes, yes we can.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 06:56 PM) again qwerty, I'm not tryiong to knock Rowand because he's probably in the conversation for the best 6-7 CF's in the game but you'd rather have him in center than Edmonds? Not even a doubt in my mind. Aaron Rowand >>>> Jim Edmonds defensively and its an easy call to make. Torri Hunter and Andruw Jones are two of the CF's that are head and shoulders above Aaron. Aside from that Mike Cameron is one I'd rate rather similarly to Aaron (and I don't know how Cameron did defensively this year). Also Mark Kotsay (who I think is pretty damn good). Jim Edmonds isn't as good as any of them.