Chisoxfn

Ya, Wright would be that guy this year. But then again, they did take Cruz from the Cubs and he's been pitching very well this year. That was just an absolute steal. I still don't get why the hell the cubs gave up on him so quick.

Uribe is legit at shortstop. Ozzie has made a couple refernces to him being smarter, but from what I can tell he is usually heads up. I saw him make two mental mistakes all year off the top of my head (i'm sure there were more though). He has good range, not amazing, but good. More importantly when he uses his range he is able to get to the ball and throw the guy out. He isn't one of those shortstops that makes the diving stop but when he throws it, can't get enough on it and therefor the runner ends up beating the play out (still a nice defensive play...just not a finished one). I don't think he's a gold glover, but just a notch below. With time I'd say he could be a top 6 defensive shortstop. His arm and how accurate it is really is amazing and he's good with the glove (doesn't seem to butcher many balls). Of course I'm comparing him to watching Jose. Then again I see Itzuris and Eck play a lot and while I love Itz, I'd say Juan has the ability to be better...although he isn't better defensively at this point.

Some options I could see: Crede and Marte (Ozzie doesn't seem too thrilled with Marte, but at 1.25 mill, I think you'd have to get a pretty good deal to move Marte). Crede and Garland - I think a deal like this could work for a team still a year to two from competing, but has a player or two that may not fit into their plans, but are still good to very good. When talking with Danman earlier today, he suggested that the Braves should go after Garland and use him as a reclamation project (like they do with so many guys). Crede and Konerko or Lee - Teams would be interested, but I think most likely would be Crede/Garland.

Out of curiosity, what would his ERA be minus the few starts he had while pitching pretty banged up. Heck, I still think he's pitching hurt because his velocity is way down compared to his first few starts with the team.

Ya, Seattle wanted the deal done and I think ownership told Bavasi get it done or move on. The Yanks had a strong offer on the table and Bavasi was playing both sides. Following the agreement between Kenny and Bavasi, Billy called up Cashman told him what he was getting and wanted to see if he could play the Yanks into giving up a little more but the Yanks said they didn't couldn't give up more (realistically I think it was more along the lines that they didn't have anyone else that would interest the Mariners). In fact, I think Kenny kind of swooped in and stole the deal off the Yanks plate cause many in the Yanks organization would tell you and were quoted as saying they figured he was going to be in New York in the next 24 to 48 hours. I think that situation helped tip Kenny's hand. But hwne I see what Kris Benson got Pitt and Victor Zambrono got Tampa I think back and go the Sox did pretty decent. Heck, the Dodgers paid a hefty price to get Penny who is obviously better then Garcia, but how much better????

Ya, I remember the quote pretty well. Kenny said something like "we are in a playoff race and we can't afford to give up two regular players, two starters. Two guys we believe in". He then talked about how Seattle wanted to give them Crede and Olivo and that KW was going to do it, but he wanted to negotiate. Then the 3rd player name came in...Morse and KW still was holding off a bit, saying he needed that window (this deal sounded like it was done at this point or pretty close to it) and then Seattle said hey, how bout you give us Reed and keep Crede and make the deal now. Sox felt confident, pulled the trigger and the rest is history. Now I am not 100% that if Crede was involved that Morse would of went, but the main piece was it was either Crede or Reed. In hindsight, I'd rather have Reed at this point, but who the hell would of known that and Crede can still prove many of us wrong. However, I still like the deal and think Freddy has what it takes to be a front line pitcher in Chicago, although their is definately reason to be at least semi concerned, considering his ERA on the southside. I feel sorry for Borchard. Such a quality individual, but man has he been awful. I knew he was going to be overmatched, but never did I think it would be this bad.

I dunno, but I've been known to get into grooves with certain phrases or expressions. They last a month or two, then I find a new one It mainly stems from my laziness to type more, I figure people get the gist of it. The other thing I'm saying a whole lot is "crap". Basically in regards to all the stuff I've been stuck doing as of late. Not that you asked, lol.

If he gives an indication that he is making adjustments to his swing and what not, I have no problem. While I've been very harsh on Crede lately, I still like the guy and hope he can turn it around. He plays a good 3rd base, has power and isn't really a stathead looking for the hit. He seems like a guy willing to move the guy over and what not for the team. I just hate his long swing. You throw him a fastball above the belt and he ain't going to catch it if its 93 plus, imo, or at least not often.

I was assuming the Sox would a sign him before going to arbitration (i have heard they already have a "handshake" deal) and that he would take a bit of a pay cut. Otherwise I bet they offer him arb, he accepts and the Sox put in a bid at the max pay cut, which I think is 20% of what he was currently making (ie a 20% paycut). But your right Rex, very very very few players actually get pay cuts via arbitration. The only way they do is when they end up going to another team via free agency.

I don't think Frank is. I think they pretty much deferred all his money for once his contract is up. Thats what his renegotiation did. I could be wrong though. I'm trying to look up the arbitration rules, but I swear you could only double your salary at the most. I didn't know about Davis, but for a guy that struggled to hit, I just didn't see him get a pay increase and figured a little bit of a discount would of been realistic. Another person that was hard to guess was Garland. I didn't know what the Sox would do for some of their younger players since they aren't arbitration eligible, which means they can basically offer them what they want. Either way, I think were pretty close and to be honest unless they are going to go 80 mill, I can't see them filling all they want to without dealing Konerko or Lee. I agree with you on them adding at least one more outfielder (I think after that Everett and Gload are going to get a shot in LF if Lee goes). Timo should be gone. Borchard may not be amazing, but he is cheap and is versatile off the bench. I still think the big changes come with at least one new starter (two if Garland is dealt), one good reliever, and a few middle infielders (I don't see Willie starting next year, but Juan will and I see Crede gone).

Oh, my bad on Konerko...I was thinking he was 8.75 if traded, but it must be 9.25 if traded? As far as Rowand goes, he made like 350 this year and unless the rules changed I thought you couldn't have more then a doubling of salary via arbitration, which would mean he goes to 700 K. I could be wrong though. I'm gonna edit my salary post though so its more accurate.

Ya, I'm sure part of it is stadium induced but I also think the high numbers are at least semi reflective of our crappy pitching and power hitting.

Is he going to be 100% by the start of the season? I've always been a Williamson fan, but if I think right, this is his second seriuos arm injury he's had. He's a very good reliever when healthy though. It be really nice if the Sox could get him at a bargain, but considering they will probably only add 1 to 2 relievers max, I don't think I'd want that one reliever being a guy coming off an injury.

Ya, but wouldn't you not count the buyout in this years salary since technically it is a decision that won't be made till the next season? Although I would be shocked if the Sox exercised his 2006 option.

Alright, screw it. I got time tongiht to figure this out roughly. Uribe - 700 K Harris - 500 K Adkins - 300 K Mark Buehrle - 6 mill Jamie Burke - 300 K Neal Cotts - 300 K Crede - 350 K Ben Davis - 1 mill (rough estimate on my part - one version will have him not included) Freddy Garcia - 9 mill Garland - 3.5 mil (estimate) Gload - 400 K Konerko - 8.75 mill Lee - 8 mill Marte - 1.25 mill Politte - 1.3 mill Timo - 750 K (one estimate will not count his salary) Rowand - 750 K Shingo - 2.5 mill Frank - 8 mill Carl Everett - 4 mill Jose Contreras - 6 mill I left out Diaz and Munoz but you could count them if you wanted and that would be an extra 600 K or so. This counts a total of 21 players on the roster. With Diaz and Munoz that would be 23 players. Total Payroll (Counting all 21) - $63.38 Million Total Payroll (Counting 19 - Timo and Ben Davis not counted) - $61.63 Million Total Payroll (Counting all 23) - $63.98 This means, with a 75 mill payroll the Sox would have either: A) 12.12 million B ) 13.87 million C) 11.52 million Anyway, I think thats really really accurate, but I'll give time for someone to double check that if they want.

Also, one other quick thing, but what the hell is the 7.55 mill in benefits????

Cool, thanks. Off the top of my head he's missing Contreras and his 6 mill a year and I saw where he had Shingos option at .25 instead of 2.5 million. Dont' know if he did that on anyone else, but that would make it about 58 mill. Then of course you have all the guys that make around 500 K that aren't under contract next plus Garland/Rowand who will make a decent amount...maybe 4 mil between the two and that will put you in the 64-65 mill range (rough estimate). The other player its missing is Everett who will likely accept his option at 4 mill, making it around 68/69 million. My only question is I saw you said 48.9 mill so you may of been counting some of the things I'm counting cause his sheet says 40 mill or so. If its 68/69 its gonna be tough to add much payroll. But if that 8 mill you had is me counting over twice, then all of a sudden it gives them about 16 mill to throw around if they have a 75 mill payroll or so. Hopefully this makes sense.

True, but I think if you look at the stats in general most teams hit far more homers at home. Their are the rare exceptions in the true true pitchers parks, but otherwise teams typically take advantage of the home quarters. Anyone happen to know where I could look up that info cause if so, I'll check it out for all of the major league teams to back my theory on that. I think more of it deals with the changes they made to the upper deck, but then again, it could just be a one year thing that the wind happened to help the ball go out more this year.

Heres what I want to know. How much are the homers due to the fences being in and how much are the homers due to the fact that the Sox have some heavy hitters and have pitchers prone to giving up the long ball. I mean its not like the fences are way more shallow then most parks or at least it doesn't seem like it. Hell dead center the ball really dies at the Cell, imo. But when a righty pulls it or a lefty pulls it, the porch is definately shorter.

Would the BoSox really be interested in Konerko. I know the Red Sox have a ton of free agents to resign, but to me they are going to have bigger fish to fry in regards to their pitching staff. As long as Ortiz/Manny are in the middle and they have some complimentary players they should be alright offensively, imo. But Pedro, Lowe and whoever else will be gone and I know they have a ton of position players available as well. Mueller, Cabrera, Mient, Varitek. Boston is going to be a really really active team this offseason, imo. IF they deal Damon I can see the value in acquiring him, but I don't think I'd do it straight up for Lee or Konerko...thats just me though. I don't know what they have that could fit in and help the Sox other then that.

Ya, I'm excited because the fans showed up this year. It showed White Sox management that if they can build a winner, people will be in the stadium. The stadium will be even nicer next year and hopefully the team will be better. I do expect numerous changes, and I think the payroll will be somewhere between 70 and 80 mill. Go ahead and call me crazy, but from what I read and what not, thats the number that comes to my mind. By the way, does anyone know what the Sox payroll is next year for all the guys under contract?

If Scho was willing to battle with Garland or whoever is the fifth and accept the fact if he lost out that he would pitch out of the bullpen, I'd be more then happy to have him. He was very good until getting injured. Another thing I think had an effect is that Scho had not had the type of stress in his arm from starting in a while and in the end I think the innings and what not got to him and caused major fatigue and well eventually an injury.

One thing that I really liked was a few days ago when KW said he wasn't oging to get rid of the home run hitters. That isn't to say one of them or two of them will be gone, but he realizes a team full of only speed and what not still won't be sucessful. He's going to add a leadoff hitter or two and potentially change up most of the infield. My guess is that the Sox have a new 3B, and a new SS or 2B with Uribe at the other spot. You could even have a new first baseman, but bottom line, I think both Lee and Konerko stay...just got a feeling. Honestly you can't blame either one of them for the teams struggles. Both have had awesome years and are hard workers. They aren't whats wrong with the club. Sure, you could use a left handed bat and what not, but find a RF with a left handed bat and then Everett and Gload can compete for LF. That will balance this lineup out, imo. Hell, the only thing the Sox have to really worry about is the amount of absolute garbage guys they had on offense. I'm talking about Willie, sans a short hot streak and then Crede, the catchers position, RF (sans Maggs), and Jose Valentin. Thats what made this offense inconsistent. Hell if I recall Konerko has been one of hte most steady players in the majors this year and Lee has been pretty good minus a slow start. I know I've suggested some different ideas, but I think the most realistic idea is the Sox pretty much staying put, adding an outfielder with a left handed bat, adding a shortstop or 2B for the top of the lineup, adding a FA 3B or trade and going from that. I do think the Sox are going to have a few differences on offense, I just don't necessary think Lee/Konerko are going to be those changes. Maggs being gone will be one of em though. Also, I expect to see pretty hefty changes to the pen and wouldn't be shocked to see two new starters, although I feel very confident at the very least we'd see one. The whole problem comes to how Kenny is going to acquire all these needed positions without adding salary. This is why the lack of assistance from the minors the past year to two is really hurting this club. They thought they could fill with Willie, Crede, Borchard, and Olivo (anyone happen to notice the fact he's hitting like under .200 in 46 games or so with the Mariners). So far all of them have failed in my book. You expect growth and on the most part, minus Olivo, I have seen absolutely ZERO growth.

I was thinking the same thing.

I was thinking he went up to like 6 mill so the salaries wouldn't wash but they would be semi close.