Chisoxfn

Its what makes him so intriguing. Then again look how long it took the Yanks to get rid of Weaver who turned things right back around in LA. He just got better and better for the Dodgers (I always was a fan of Weaver though). Problem is the Yanks get these guys, somehow they fail (whether its poor arm slots or all mental from the pressure) but the Yanks give them such huge contracts that you take such a huge risk on them. We can only hope Contreras turns out like Weaver did for the Dodgers. If Jose can put up the numbers Weaver did in LA this past season, I'll be exstatic. Both have similar styles, imo. However, Vazquez always looked to have major upside, but part of me thinks he could really have a messed up arm cause the Expos overworked him quite a bit. It does help that he put up good numbers for half a season in New York.

Just to add to this a bit. Todd Walker said he received a fair offer from the White Sox on the radio. But said something along the lines that he couldn't join the Sox. I think he was referring that he didn't want to leave and have Cub fans absolutely hate him or something. That or he was taking a stab at the organization. Its odd how Walker complained about his lack of playing time at one point last season and now Grudz is the one being shown the door. Grudz has had some health issues, but when healthy he's a pretty good top of the order hitter. His only flaw being the lack of speed. Also a good character guy. Will do whatever is asked of him.

Odd, I still heard he was supposed to be at the Winter Meetings (pavano that is) and that the teams were gonna meet near the end of them if not the next day. But who knows, I know they really wanted him. Of course he seems very intrigued with the idea of playing in Boston. If the Mets have upped the offer to 4 years they might as well turn their focus to Pavano and lock him up and then say goodbye to Pedro and collect the draft picks.

The funny thing is, if I recall, earlier in his career he had at least a few seasons where he was more of a groundball pitcher.

Personally I could care less if he goes to the Cubs. Atlhough it will add to the rivarly when the teams meet up. Welcome aboard

My dad mentioned to me that the Angels are sleepers in the whole thing. I guess if Pavano goes elsewhere they will quickly enter the fray. Not sure how valid it is, cause despite other reports from what I heard Pavano would love to play in Anaheim and the feelings are mutual (ie the Angels are gonna make a very lucrative offer when they meet).

I'm assuming the Sox are going to make an acquistion, whether via free agency or trade, to add another starter. But if for whatever reason they don't I think Nomo could be a pretty good guy to look at. This past season he was awful, but he also pitched hurt the entire year. Just look at his previous two seasons and he put up dynamite numbers. A 3.09 ERA in 2003 as well as roughly 220 innings and far fewer hits. Really good periphals as well. I'm assuming he's just looking for a shot at making a club. 2003 16-13, 3.09 ERA, 218.1 INN, 175 H, 177 K, 24 HR 2002 16-6, 3.39 ERA, 220.1 INN, 189 H, 193 K, 26 HR Just to make note this was the first time I can remember him having any type of injury that truly hampered him. Dodgers execs said he pitched through his injury most of the way this year because its not his way to make mention of pain. I think its kind of one of those things Japanes pitchers are expected to do in Japan (pitch through pain). He's 36 years old and hasn't lived on velocity in a long time. If he's around 88 MPH he'll put up at least good numbers.

Ya, I've been shocked at how Selig is allowing things to go down their. They have absolutely trashed and bankrupted the team. They were one of the teams that bounced payroll checks a while back to the players (or whatever you call them). Arizona is a seriously screwed up franchise and they still are throwing around money like water. I would think Selig would be able to step in and say get your budgets in order before you do stuff like this. Also, what a horrible deal to sign Ortiz. Only thing that helps is the park is decent for pitching. I'm assuming they are signing Clayton and not giving him that type of deal. I'm also curious as to what other then Vazquez the Sox would be getting. However, that deal would free up payroll for the Sox regardless so they could sign Vazquez and Perez if the Yanks sent cash their way. But I just don't see the Sox being THAT agressive on the FA market. That would mean 3 FA signings, a big trade acquisition and then still a pickup to replace Konerko as well as a middle infielder (just a smaller signing). So a total of 5 FA signings and one big trade. I don't know.

I tend to agree with you, plus their are some major questionmarks in what Vazquez you get. I could see why the Yanks would do it. If they can't get RJ then they could deal Vazquez and free up some room to sign Pavano (I know, realistically they probably could just keep both, but it seems like they want to dump some contracts). Realistically though I was just looking through some teams pitching staffs and it doesn't seem like many pitchers are on the block this year. Hudson and Vazquez are about the only two decent pitchers on the trade block. I still think Joel Pineiro could be had but he's also a questionmark, but he's pretty damn good when not injured. Odalis Perez sounds like a really good fit the more I think about it. His name has been growing on me day by day over the last 3 days or so. Then if the Sox really needed to free up payroll somehow, they could move Konerko or even move Everett and just take on a contract or send cash cause I bet someone takes a shot. However, just watch, if Everett produces you could see the Sox get some offers for him during the season.

Padres and Mariners were discussing a trade that would send Ryan Klesko and Sean Burroughs to Seattle in exchange for Randy Wynn, Scott Spiezo and potentially Jerremy Reed. The major holdup is that Seattle seems quite reluctant to give up Reed. Personally I think thats a great deal by the Mariners, especially if they didn't give up Reed. Klesko, even with his semi bad contract >>>> Spiezo and Burroughs has a ton of upside and is already good.

Right now I find it highly unlikely that Kenny deals Garland unless he can get back two starters somehow. Like him dealing Garland for one starter and then Konerko for another starter. I'm with you Yasny and I'd like to see Garland pitching for the Sox this year. Hell, part of me would be exstatic if the Sox stood pat on the free agent market, and signed Odalis Perez at 5 mill a year and then tried their darnest to ink Alex Cora at 2 million per. That would put the Sox payroll right around 76 million which may just be doable. Right now while Vazquez could be really nice, I think you may be better off looking at Odalis Perez at 5 million a year, which is doable. Although a 3 yr 18 mill deal and I'd really guess he'd join the club. I say if the Sox have to give up Garland and PK for their ace then they better damn well be getting somone better then Vazquez or be getting something else pretty damn good with it. Personally I'm thinking we may see the Sox look at a guy none of us are expecting via trade.

Bruce Levine reported tonight that with the Glaus signing the chances of Konerko going in the 3 way deal pretty much ended. But it seems like a package surrounded by Garland is an option.

Last year Jones made sense. Right now, absolutely zero. I would puke at the acquisition. JMO.

Well its not too far for Rowand since he lives in Vegas. But ya seems kind of odd unless they are meeting up with management or something.

Honestly I have absolutely no problem with Willie in the leadoff spot but its obvious Ozzie has some flaws. Personally I think their is a chance that Ozzie ruins the potential Willie has. He already handled him like an idiot earlier in the year. The only thing I don't liek about Willie is the stuff being said about him lately about his attitude.

It was a playoff game too if I can recall.

That could be it. Actually how the hell could he be the dad now that I think about it. Alex is 29 and Joey is what, barely 40? That be pretty cool then. You know Cora fits as an Ozzie type of guy plus Joey at 3rd. Hopefully they work better then the Alomar brothers.

And minus Konerko and Thomas (who won't even be playing part of the season) you wouldn't really have a slow moving lineup. Crede isn't too quick either. Dye is also the only guy thats a major strikeout threat, well and Crede. Thats whats nice about some of the Sox big bats, they aren't the protypical slugger.

Yep a lefty. Only real concern I'd have with him is his ups and downs. He tends to be a little streaky, although he really is a gutsy player. Management seems to be talking about finding a replacement for him every year yet he just plays through it. Really solid role player though, I think most of us would be fans. At the same time, his upside isn't what Willie's is, but he's a great pickup because of his versatility. The Sox would have him and Uribe both capable of playing most infield positions and then Harris. All of them are good defensively and Cora is nothing but classy attitude wise. One question, maybe you know, is Joey his dad or uncle? And I agree with you guys on Lee. I think he's insanely underrated and I could see him having a Pujols like year. Don't ask me why, they just look like each other.

Holy cripes, thats a lot of money. I still say the Sox can buyout Thomas' contract but I know a few people have said the contrary to that. But thats a whole lot of money tied up to a few guys. Especially with Rowand and Co. due for some raises if they produce over a full season. Leads me to believe if the Sox struggle this year you'll see quite a few guys get dealt with the team trying to quickly retool. Hopefully they can do it this year though

I'm in the same boat. Paulie is such a class act and the way he handles himself on and off the field is really something to take pride in. Realistically the Sox could pickup an overpaid pitcher for Carl Everett or someone, but this is highly unlikely. Still Konerko may not be gone. I won't be sad if he's still around, I know he's a very good player.

Its six million, which isn't bad. With the Sox potentially losing Lee then as well, it gives the Sox at least a backup plan if they don't think they can resign Lee, whom I'd like to see remain a White Sox for a long time.

Yep and I completely agree. This is a good deal, for both sides too. Its even better when you think that Dye actually wants to be here. I know one thing, if Dye is healthy this move will be one of the better ones in recent history, imo. I think Cheat had some pretty good numbers posted as a prediction in another thread. I also like what this move and the Hermanson one did. It basically allows Kenny to spend the rest of the offseason looking for another starting pitcher and a maybe a non-tender infielder. I highly doubt the Sox will go after Polanco now that the Phils offered him arb.

Keith, The Sox can either accept the option and pay him 6 million a year or buyout his option for 1.15 million.

Now that he's not playing right field I have a lot more faith in him. I think he'll be a solid backup dh. Plus you never know what happens with Frank.