Chisoxfn

I remember reading at the winter meetings that Beane was pretty desperate to unload Rhodes. Heck if the Sox made that deal while Rhodes isn't amazing, if he could revert more closesly to his previous numbers he wouldn't be a bad guy to have in the pen. More importantly the Sox get their starter. I wouldn't deal Konerko for just anything, Sox need to make sure they are getting a valuable player back cause I'm more then happy with Konerko wearing a Sox uniform next season

Why would acquiring RJ be a slap in the face to the Cards? As far as I'm concerned their are other better options out there then Matt Morris. And RJ would be a hell of a pickup. The Cards are a vet team that could use an ace pitcher, it may of been what kept them from winning it all. Rj would fit that, although I don't really know what they would give up to get him. But they have been mentioned, along with the Angels, Sox and Yanks as the top suitors for RJ.

If they are serious about acquiring RJ, then I'd say Morris is gone. I odn't know what to think about Morris. He was a bum this year (on the most part) but his career numbers ar e pretty good. Still, he's going to have to take a paycut.

I guarantee you they would do Konerko/Garland for one of the big 3 and Arthur Rhodes. You could take that to the bank, imo. In fact, I even think they would do Hudson and Rhodes for Konerko and a guy like Mike Spidale.

We'll see what happens with Leftwich/Berard. Leftwich has played well enough to win and made some nice 4th quarter drives, but he hasn't exactly lit up the league at this point. I just think the Bears offense has to get better, if it does, with this defense (although It may not be near as good without Urlacher because Odom comes in and now Hillemeyer moves into the middle) they got a shot.

Right now I'd say with Urlacher out the odds are bad against the Colts, but I'm holidng out. I originally said they would beat SF and go on a winning streak through at least Thanksgiving and I'm hoping they can still do that. However, the way I see it, hopefully they beat Dallas. Minny is a possibility, they are struggling and Moss could be gone. Plus the Bears will have a little extra time to prepare for that game. Jacksonville is potentially beatable. Both the Bears and Jacksonville play a similar game (great defense, not so great offense). Anything can happen, imo. Urlacher may be back for this game too. Houston, its a possibility although Houston is solid. Their defense isn't too hot though, which could be helpful. Detroit, I'm hoping they win and take revenge. They should be able to beat them. Green Bay, this will be a tough game, but the Bears should be healthy, it may be cold and snowy (meaning defensive game) and I love the Bears defense. So assuming Bears lose to Indy, I think the rest of the games are winnable, of cousre you pinpointed potential losses. All I know is with the way this defense is playing if they can be .500 when they get Url back against Jacksonville then I will really like this teams chances and I think their is a decent shot they take two out of the next three. We'll see though, we'll see. Jones, Tillman, and Bobby Gray will be coming back too.

In regards to Orlando Cabrerra, I'm assuming Tim Raines may be semi familiar with him so I would guess he would talk with Ozzie and Kenny about him. I wonder if the Braves would move Furcal. I highly doubt it, but you never know what they would give up if someone were to take on one of their bad contracts (ie Andruw Jones). Of course I don't see any chance in hell of it happening, but you never know, potentially the Sox could then move Jones to Pitt or somewhere else in exchange of bad contracts.

The reason I like this idea, just like I like Cheats idea of Eric Young, is because I think a lot of us are really over-reacting to the middle infield position and making it this giant hole that it is not. The hole is to add a top of the order hitter and with whats left on the market, their isn't one that can be had for the right price (which is something you have to consider if you are the White Sox, plus I feel starting pitching/relief is an even bigger need). Therefor I think the Sox should look at a guy capable of starting if worse case, but that can be productive with time off. Both Larkin and EY are productive hitters and guys I'd consider leaders or at least character clubhouse people, who can also help teach a thing or two. We know that Willie is a little weak against LHP, and EY dominates LHP. Eric Young: .288, .377, .758 OPS, 14 SB (not too good % though) He hit .329 vs lefties with a .413 OBP and actually hit better on the road (.309) which would mean his numbers weren't due to hitting in Texas. However, Larkin is the exact opposite. This past season he hit much better against righties then lefties. In fact his three year splits are even worse (.197 vs lefties).

I think Vick got humliated in that game and stepped his game back up.

Gammons doesn't make stuff up. He's one of the best in the business, but he goes out on a limb quite often and because of it he's gonna get burned. However, he does get a lot of good information and I'm glad he's around because he makes things a lot more interesting. Like Rex has said a few times, these guys hear things and then say them and I'd rather have it that way then them waiting and waiting until the stuff finally happened. IT would be so so boring. Part of the fun is speculating what can happen and then hearing rumors and getting excited about different possibilities.

To be honest, I think Kenny Lofton could be a good fit. The only problem is I don't think him and the Sox left on good terms. Lofton would come cheap (in terms of players given up and contract) cause the Yanks will pick up some of his salary. However, I expect the Sox to acquire a good pitcher one of the A's guys, RJ or maybe Pedro and then I think Kendall will be a White Sox by the start of the season. I'd love to have Percy, but I don't see it happening.

OMFG, 2 year 6.2 million for Vinny Castilla, bahahaaa. On the downside, all this money being dished out could be a sign that owners are going to be throwing around a lot of money, meaning hte price of FA's will be driven up. God, two stupid ass contracts, WOW.

No, I happen to think the Bears (with Urlacher on the field) have the best defense in the NFC. With Thomas Jones back they have a productive running back and a qb that should improve. Plus they are in a lousy conference and come playoff time, defense can do a lot of things. I think their are reasons to look at the Bears, but with Urlacher down its going to be tough, plus they have a hard schedule.

Well, Washington just signed their shortstop so I find it hard to believe they will dish out much for Barry Larkin. I still say he'd be a nice pickup as a backup. Let him play a couple times a week. He's a leader, very productive offensively, and would be a cheap effective pickup, imo.

They said Bowden commented on the signing already with ESPN, although who knows. All I know is I'm so freaking happy the Sox didn't sign Guzman to that type of deal.

Right now I'd lean towards the Bears if Krenzel made some improvements, but with Urlacher out it would be tough. Of the teams on that list I'd say Packers or Falcons.

ESPN news hasn't said yet, so I'm assuming its an undiclosed amount as of this point.

It was funny, when the guy announced the dollar figures on ESPN News he essentially started laughing and was like wow thats a lot of money to give Christian Guzman. Then he saw Castilla's road splits and was laughing even more, lol. STUPID MOVES, really stupid moves. Well Vinny may not be all that bad, if in fact he is being paid relatively cheap.

4 yrs, 16.8 million dollars :puke WOW, thats overpaying.

Ya I'm pretty happy too, unless of course it was a 4 yr 8 mill deal cause in thats case I'd of been all for it, lol. I'm assuming ESPN News will have Gammons or someone on pretty quickly.

Pedro is meeting with the Yankees today. Well technically he's meeting with Georgie Porgie, not with Cashman.

He signed a 4 year deal and Castilla signed a 2 year deal. This is according to Peter Gammons.

Hell yes. I've long said screw shortstop, lets sign Percy at 2 yr 10 mill (if thats what the Sox offered Omar). I think Percy would think long and hard about that offer, especially if the Sox kicked in an option for the 3rd year.

No Guzman has shown he can hit for a higher average, but other then that Willie is superior in terms of OBP and of course his price is a hell of a lot better. But I completely agree with you. I sure as hell hope this talk is insidesr thinking Kenny is going to force shortstop and that in fact Kenny has already turned to look into other areas (thats what I'm hoping for at least).

According to ESPN 1000: Sammy Sosa is willing to waive his option year (that is in the contract to kick in if he's traded) and MLB isn't likely to object to him agreeing to this to help lead to a trade elsewhere. ESPN Radio quoted the New York Daily news for this.