Chisoxfn

I say deal him and acquire Ortiz and Jones. I think its quite possible it would happen, although the Braves have been winning. Either way I still think the Sox could use a few pieces. Maybe get a prospect or something in the Ortiz/Jones deal as well as cash for Jones contract and then make a push at Everday Eddie.

Barons Activate Ulacia, McNichol; Honel, Pacheco to the DL By Jason Gage July 6, 2004 FutureSox.com The Birmingham Barons reinstated LHP's Dennis Ulacia and Brian McNichol. The two Barons along with recently traded shortstop Mike Morse were suspended on June 21st for violating undisclosed team rules. Ulacia had worked his way into the rotation and was 5-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 17 games, 12 starts. McNichol had been one of the Barons best relievers going 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA. To make room for Ulacia and McNichol the Barons placed top prospect Kris Honel and RHP Enemencio Pacheco on the disabled list. Its quite likely that Kris Honel will be out for the season. Pacheco could also be shut down for the season as well. Both pitchers were fantastic last season with their respected affiliates and had large expectations entering the season. Honel made two appearances out of the pen after coming off the disabled list a few weeks ago. Pacheco made 3 appearances for the Barons this season, two starts, going 0-0 with a 4.35 ERA. He started the season in Charlotte. FutureSox.com will update you when we find out more on the status of Honel and Pacheco.

He's back on the DL too.

Here's the thing, its Maggs that keeps making it public.

The thing that makes me leary about stuff like that is, that sometimes you see older quotes and those quotes may of been before the Sox came back to Maggs with a new offer, which has been an undisclosed amount.

Ya guys inspired me back into the groove. I'm gonna put up a new piece as well before I leave on my trip called Promote me Already. Its gonna be on players that deserve to be promoted. Then on the new site, I'm going to have a small spot of the page dedicated to a few players that are worthy of a promotion and those stats will be updated like weekly or something. Also, for a little time table on the new site, its just the php portion thats still needed to be done. The actual design is finished but the backend and article portions needs to be finalized, so its half way there.

Brandon McCarthy Makes His Warthog Debut By Jason Gage July 6, 2004 FutureSox.com Brandon McCarthy was slated to make his Warthog debut on the 4th of July. His debut would have to wait till the 5th as the 4th of July game at Ernie Shore Field was rained out. This left McCarthy on 10 days rest, as he was listed as unable to pitch by the Chicago White Sox in the South Atlantic League All Star game. The wait was worth it for the young McCarthy, who went 5 solid innings giving up 5 hits and 3 runs. Initially it may not appear as one of McCarthy's best games or even a good game, but the interesting fact was that McCarthy was basically gassed after the first inning. Brandon battled for five innings though keeping his club in the game and leaving with a 5-3 lead. His velocity was in the 91-93 MPH range and his control was sharp, which was noted by Warthogs announcer Alan York during the game. McCarthy left the game with an opportunity for a win, but the Warthogs pen would blow the lead. The Warthogs offense batltled back and Byeong Hak An (1-5) picked up the win. Outfielders Ryan Sweeney, Darren Blakley, and Thomas Brice had big nights. Sweeney led the attack going 3-4 with a HR (4), 2 runs, and 4 RBI. Brice picked up two hits to raise his avg. to .196 . Blakley, Rogowkski, and Andy Gonzalez also had two hits a-piece for the Hogs.

Personally to me its starting to look like for whatever reason the Sox brass isn't too high on Baj. I don't get it, the guy is a good character individual who can pitch. He may be a little old for AA, but he had an injury and the only reaosn he's in AA this year is because the Knights bullpen has been strong.

I dunno. The logic makes sense, but Maggs isn't that type of guy. He seems really antsy to get back and I think the Sox and Maggs will end up getting something worked out. The Sox organization seems to be changing the way they go about or at least its my opinion that they are. I'm hoping Garcia was the start of it, but that resigning Maggs and making another move or two will be some more signs of it.

That happened to my sisters computer adn they've been higlighted for a while. Only thing I can think of is right clicking on the start menu and look at the icons portio and see if somehow you can change the display of the icons.

It will be a 9 central time start.

It will start at 9 central time

Game is getting ready to start

Well thats a little different then him saying he wishes he was in Minnesota. To me he regrets the fact that he signed for a team that is in last place and is dealing its better players (no offense although the trades are for the good for the Mariner organization). I think Eddie just wants to play with a winner. I'm sure his heart is in Minnesota at least partially though. They were the first team to really give him a shot and the Twins were always a pretty close knit group. However, I don't see the Twins making any big time deals at the deadline. Most reports are that they will stick with their current team, but their GM Ryan has usually made a deal or two at the deadline.

Thanks for that info. In regards to Crede, what was reported here was that Williams was going to demand a window to negotiate a deal with Garcia but when the Mariners decided they would take either Reed instead of Crede that the Sox pulled the trigger. It may of very well been the other way around though, who knows. I was thinking Spiezo started on the DL, then went back on it again shortly after coming off and was thinking it must of been lingering (but I dont' followt he Mariners like you do). I will say this, from the few times I've seen him this year, he is nothing like the player I watched in Anaheim for a few years, although I think he can easily regain that form. Cali...I'm pretty sure he was a Sox fan, but not positive.

Anytime frame announced for when they plan on starting the game?

These new features will be tied in with what should be a pretty rocking new look to FutureSox.

Once we finish the draft preview as well as have some more interviews (a new wave should be coming pretty soon) then were all going to sit down and redo the top 50 and make it as good as we can possibly do. This is where we figure the potential factor should be pieced in. Were also going to debut with a Player of the Week Feature (For both position and pitcher) and probably a player of the month feature. These will tie in nicely with Dan's already badass Top 10 Performance List and what will probably be started back up as a top prospect rankings list that will be updated biweekly to monthly with about the top 10 or 15 guys depending. I think we are going to try and add a lot more original pieces to go with the news pieces we already supply. I think when I first started I wnated to make sure the news process was taken care of and now were going to start exploring a lot more options. So for other things people are interested in seeing, shoot me an email ([email protected]) or post it in here.

Early in the year it was a concern, but he's been pretty much lights out since coming back. You could argue he's been the best reliever this side of Southern California (Gagne and Krod). However, his numbers will probably come up just a bit when he's not pitching in safeco full time. I think both relievers would make sense for the White Sox though (Hasagewa or Eddie).

2004 Midseason All FutureSox Team By Danny Santaromita and Jason Gage July 6, 2004 FutureSox.com The 2004 minor league season has roughly hit a half way point and FutureSox.com is going to compile its list of FutureSox players. The FutureSox honor is bestowed to the players that have been the best at each position over the season. We do not take into account potential when giving this award, rather production. FutureSox.com will wrap up its FutureSox team with the postseason All FutureSox team at the end of the year. 1st Base - Casey Rogowski, 23 – Bats: Left – Throws: Left 2004 Stats (Winston-Salem): .312 AVG, .424 OBP, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 15 2B, 54 BB, 50 K, 12 SB Rogowski started his third season with the Warthogs. His batting average over the previous season and a half in the Carolina League was a far from impressive .250 (this was entering the year). This season he has finally turned it around. With Brian Anderson and Brian Becker both promoted to Birmingham Rogowski’s .312 batting average stands as the best on the team. The lack of 1st basemen is evident in the Sox system, but Rogowski is having a solid season, and should see Birmingham by the end of the year. Another positive development in Rogowski’s season has been the power he’s flashed. Runner Up: Aaron McNeal 2nd Base - Bryant Nelson, 30 – S/R 2004 Stats (Charlotte): .299 AVG, .352 OBP, 27 2B, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 30 BB, 26 K, 9 SB Nelson’s great play earned him a spot on the International League’s All-Star team. After playing in Japan, Nelson has come over and done nothing but hit. Like Rogowski, he leads his team in batting average. Nelson has hit for average, power, and shown speed. He definitely has played well enough to earn a shot with the Sox sometime, even if only as a reserve. Runner Up: Antoin Gray 3rd Base - Micah Schnurstein, 19 – R/R 2004 Stats (Kannapolis): .274 AVG, .320 OBP, 18 2B, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 16 BB, 59 K Schnurstein came into the season as the best 3rd base prospect in the White Sox system, but that changed when Josh Fields was taken in the first round of this year’s draft by the Pale Hose. He hasn’t had great numbers which speaks to how thin 3rd base is for the White Sox for him having been the best season of the bunch. Throughout his young professional career he hasn’t hit many HRs, but he is tied for 2nd on the Intimidators in doubles (18). Micah’s power is expected to further develop. Many expected him to hit for a higher average than he has thus far, but Micah has been hot as of late. Inconsistency has been an issue for him this season. Runner Up: Andy Gonzalez Shortstop - Mike Morse, 22 – R/R 2004 Stats (Birmingham): .287 AVG, .336 OBP, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 9 2B, 15 BB, 46 K Now that Morse is out of town from the Freddy Garcia trade he is no longer the White Sox best shortstop, but he is having too good of a season to leave him off this list. This season is by far his best as a professional. His career best batting average before this season was .257 in 2002. His 11 HRs already topped his previous career high of 10 that he hit last season. Morse is a project that should spend a few years in the minors before cracking the Major Leagues. Morse was sent to San Antonio of the Texas League, the AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, after the trade. Runner Up: Pedro Lopez Catcher - Ryan Hankins, 28 – R/R 2004 Stats (Charlotte): .281 AVG, .338 OBP, 14 2B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 12 BB, 20 K Ryan Hankins has done a good job in his first year as catcher for the Knights. He has replaced Michael Rivera (A’s minor leaguer) and Jamie Burke (White Sox) who started the season as the catchers. Hankins also plays 1st and 3rd and can play outfield. After a slow start he’s emerged as a solid hitter and is improving behind the plate. It is unclear where Hankins sits in management’s eyes, but he has every bit of ability as Jamie Burke, who has become a successful reserve in Chicago. Runner Up: Carlos Maldonado Outfielder - Mike Spidale, 22 – R/R 2004 Stats (Birmingham): .295 AVG, .391 OBP, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 16 2B, 3 3B, 38 BB, 47 K, 20 SB Spidale has been nothing short of impressive for the Barons. Spidale, along with fellow All FutureSox member Mike Morse were the leaders of the Barons offense in the first half. Spidale is hitting for average, draws walks, and plays a good centerfield. The only thing Spidale lacks defensively is a strong arm. Spidale will have to prove he can play a full season though. Last year Spidale had a strong first half with the Warthogs before hitting a 2nd half tell spin that left him hitting . Outfielder - Thomas Brice, 22 – L/L 2004 Stats: Winston Salem: .189 AVG, .259 OBP, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 14 K Kannapolis: .313 AVG, .394 OBP, 16 2B, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 28 BB, 48 K Brice spent the majority of the first half doing what he did last year – clobber South Atlantic League Pitching. However, this year Brice was doing it with more then a good average. He has flashed the power that some scouts felt he could develop while continuing to do a great job hitting for average. Brice, a native of Australia, credits cricket for making him such a good line drive and low ball hitter. Defensively Brice possesses what could be the best arm in an organization with some good outfield arms. He has struggled since being promoted to Winston Salem, but has shown signs as of late. Outfielder - Brian Anderson, 22 – R/R 2004 Stats: Birmingham: .350 AVG, .409 OBP, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K Winston-Salem: .319 AVG, .394 OBP, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 22 2B, 4 3B, 29 BB, 44 K, 10 SB Brian Anderson was snubbed on the preseason list, despite being one of the Sox top prospects. It was my (Jason) belief that Anderson wasn’t quite as ready at the plate as Ryan Sweeney. I was wrong and Anderson has done everything to prove me wrong about his offensive readiness. After a slow start Anderson took off and finally was promoted to Birmingham. At Birmingham he has been hitting well in the 2 hole. Along with good offensive potential, Anderson is a very fluid centerfielder with a strong arm. He has already hit for power this season, but should develop even more power as his body continues to fill out. Runner Up: Joe Borchard, Andres Torres, Nate Murphy Designated Hitter - Brian Becker, 30 – R/R 2004 Stats: Birmingham: .255 AVG, .306 OBP, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 2B, 5 BB, 10 K Winston-Salem: .310 AVG, .362 OBP, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 16 2B, 20 BB, 54 K Becker played DH more than anyone in the Sox organization so we at FutureSox thought he should be given the spot as the DH. He has played at 1st 21 times this season. Becker is having a great year between Winston-Salem and Birmingham. He was batting .310 for the Warthogs before being promoted. He hasn’t faired as well for Birmingham. Starting Pitcher - Brandon McCarthy, 20 – R/R 2004 Stats: Winston Salem: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 5.0 INN, 5 H, 5 K, 0 BB Kannapolis: 7-5, 3.78 ERA, 88.0 INN, 73 H, 103 K, 21 BB Brandon McCarthy made his first start for Winston Salem on Monday, giving up 3 runs in limited action. Minus that start, as of late McCarthy has been the best pitcher in the Sox organization. His sneaky good stuff and fantastic control have led to a 3-0 run with 17 hits, 3 earned runs, 36 strikeouts, and 2 walks in 27 innings of work (His final four starts in Kannapolis). It appears that McCarthy will once again be the frontrunner to lead the Sox minor leagues in strikeouts and could once again be amongst the minor league leaders in strikeouts and strikeouts/walks. Starting Pitcher - Arnie Munoz, 22 – L/L 2004 Stats: Charlotte: 0-1, 9.49 ERA, 12.1 INN, 21 H, 17 K, 6 BB Birmingham: 7-2, 2.05 ERA, 74.2 INN, 52 H, 68 K, 22 BB Munoz has been a mystery of late, but you can’t overlook what he did for the Barons in his first year as a starter. He started the season 6-0, as part of a Southern League record 12 consecutive wins. At the time of his promotion to Chicago, he was one of the best 3 pitchers in the league. Unfortunately things got bad after going to Chicago. Munoz was ripped in his only start (against the Expos) and was since sent to Charlotte. In Charlotte things haven’t gotten much better and you have to think Munoz is a little shaken up mentally. Struggles aside, Munoz was tremendous for the Barons and should be one of the aces in Charlotte the rest of the season. Starting Pitcher - Jon Rauch, 25 – R/R 2004 Stats (Charlotte): 6-2, 2.30 ERA, 70.1 INN, 49 H, 60 K, 23 BB Rauch has since been called up to Chicago and a month ago he may not have made the list. But since his demotion and short fall out in the organization, Rauch was dominate. He is the International league leader in ERA and picked up a rare win for a Sox 5th starter in his last start for the White Sox. Rauch is now pitching out of the pen in Chicago, but could be back in Charlotte when Magglio Ordonez comes off the disabled list. However, Ken Williams kick in the butt is looking like the proper prescription for Rauch. Runners Up: Felix Diaz, Sean Tracey, Rafael Flores Relief Pitcher - Jeff Bajenaru, 26 – R/R 2004 Stats (Birmingham): 1-0, 12 SV, 1.16 ERA, 31.0 INN, 17 H, 10 BB, 49 K Bajenaru has simply dominated as the Barons’ closer. His performance this year demands a promotion to either Charlotte or the White Sox. With no room to put him in Charlotte and the White Sox bullpen pitching well of late it would appear he is staying in Birmingham for a little while longer. Next season Jeff should be competing for a spot with the big league team, and if he fails to make the team he will be sent to AAA. Still, he should see Charlotte, at the very least, by the end of the season. Relief Pitcher - Gary Majewski, 24 – R/R 2004 Stats (Charlotte): 2-3, 13 SV, 3.22 ERA, 36.1 INN, 24 H, 16 BB, 35 K Majewski is also having a great season as the closer for the Knights. Similar to Bajenaru, Majewski’s name has been thrown around by some as an addition to the White Sox bullpen. Majewski is in his 2nd straight season with Charlotte, but wasn’t a closer until late last season (following the Roberto Alomar trade involving Royce Ring and Edwin Almonte). He had 8 saves in his career before saving 12 games this year for Charlotte. If he does not get called up late this season to the Sox he will be given a good chance to make the team next spring. Runners Up: Ehren Wasserman, Josh Fields

If Crede is in the deal, then I'd think the Sox would be getting someone like Spiezo in return (although I think he's hurt) with the Mariners eating some of the contract. I don't see the Sox dealing Crede though, even though its been publicized that Bavasi wanted him.

The only other person I can see going is Cotts, but I really really hope he doesn't go anywhere. I really like Cotts long term potential. I think he'll slide into the rotation next year and pitch very effectively and I could see him being an all star a few times too.

This would be a tremendous move. Him, Marte and Shingo gives us a fantastic bullpen. I think Shingo would probably move to the setup slot with Marte with Everday Eddie doing the closing, but I could be wrong. Eddie is signed to a fair contract, 4-5 mill a year if I recall, and would be an asset to the pen. I wonder what it would cost prospect wise to get him though. I mean will it be someone like Borchard or would the Sox give up one of their young arms like Rauch/Diaz plus another prospect. I'd love to see Everday Eddie on the southside though.

Thanks for the recap and its great to hear that KW told that to Maggs. For whatever reason, I do think KW is a pretty straight shooter.