Chisoxfn

Wow...thast weird. gonna test a post there right now.

Except Backman wouldn't cost much anything.

I can see it fine. Its a Wanted Sign

Oh I agree they wouldn't do it...but I'd ask for that. Sox are giving up their star player so I'd want a lot in return. They still would have Gatreu to be in the infield and then would likely sign a shortstop. As far as overhauling the team...I soley would like to see some new players that aren't one dimensional. Konerko, Thomas and Jose are one dimensional players. Replace them with guys that can play defense, run and do the little things. Put Maggs and Carlos in the middle of the order with Crede around him. I know it won't be prolific, but it will be able to get things done, especially with Alomar/Matsui at the top of the lineup. Then get Spiezo to play first (you can sign him for about 2 mill and he is a very solid hitter, a leader and a hell of a defensive player; he rarely strikes out and uses all parts of the field). At DH, you put Carl Everett who plays with heart and can eventually player center. Then you have Rowand/Reed/Borchard in center. Keep the pitching staff the same and give Rauch, Pacheco, Cotts, Diaz and maybe a free agent a shot at the 5th slot. Replace Gordon with Hawkins (Don't trust the fact that Gordon stays healthy). I would take Gordon back though. Keep Marte and Sho ( who also goes for the 5th slot) and mix him with Wright as well as Munoz/Sanders/Marte. I'd lean to keeping Sully if you can give him a 2 yr / 4 mill deal. Then you got your original staff (Sho probably starts out of the gate; meaning Wunsch, Marte and maybe Munoz/Sanders is the lefty). Then you get Gordon or Hawkins, Sully, Wright, Koch, and room for youngsters. Offensively the team has been rejuvenated with a new concept. You still have power hitters (Matsui, Lee, Maggs, Everett, Crede) but all of those power hitters can move guys over and other then Crede are pretty quick and solid baserunners (Crede has good baserunning fundementals). Spiezo, Alomar, Rowand/Reed can also do all the little things and Olivo can play defense. Simply put...3 changes could really overhaul this club. Plus the change at the top (New Manager).

Someone who's getting 14 million for one year will not renegotiate to a long term contract at 8 million a year. Why would he? Hell, the players union would crucify him. Cause you give him performance incentives and longterm guaranteed money. After signing that deal he could definately retire. And if he expects to get 12-14 mill...then see ya is what I'd tell him.

Not saying they'd do it...but they are supposedly very interested in Maggs via FA after this year. But thats what I'd ask for. They originally agreed to send Nady, Perez and that other prospect for Giles and Maggs is a better player then Brian. I'd prefer to get Maggs signed to an extension. Take that 14 mill and break it down a bit and give him an extra 3 years after next year at 30 mill or so. so basically its a 4 yr 40 mill deal with performance incentives. If he wins the MVP he gets another 2 or 3 mill and a 500 K for the all star game and stuff like that.

Maggs definately makes a lot...but if you can sign him longterm at 8 mill (I think he wants to stay in Chicago and thats a fair price, imo). The market isn't what it was in the past. Right now Garret Anderson, whose a better player makes 5 mill a year. He's gonna get a raise, but he'll probably get 10-12 mill. If you can'tget Maggs signed by the beginning of the season cut a deal where you get Peavy, Khalil Greene, Xavier Nady and another prospect

Solid answer. I just want KW to spend a lot of time with Fontaine. Fontaine is the man

Hands down Manuel. He is the one whose responsible...bottom line...for not holding the players accountable for their lackluster play and lack of heart. He is the one that set the tone that you don't have to work for crap. He needed to be more firey at times...not Lasorda firey, but if a player f's up...hold them accountable don't just sit there. If you have a certain philosphy with guys moving over then preach it and don't give anyone a special order not to. Just get them over and go oppo and do the little things. How the hell can you fire Kenny...he had a hell of a year. Only dumb things he does are when it comes to dulling out contracts. You can also bring up the Ritchie deal as well as the Koch one...but that got us Neal...so I'm still optimistic on that. Neal wins Cy Young for the Sox...Foulke closes for the A's for one year and then walks away to get big bucks elsewhere.

Sorry roman...Thomas should be nowhere near the Sox next year. I am not gonna call him heartless but he is way too one dimensional and paying him wouldn't be the best option, imo. I'd much rather have someone like Scott Spiezo wihle the Sox invest the money that would be paid to Thomas towards Matsui or Tejada as well as reupping with Colon. Thomas laid down, down the strecth. I'm not gonna blame him cause you could see he wanted to win so bad...unlike some on the team. Like I say if I were GM, the #1 goal would be to dump: Jose Valentin (Only way he should be back is as a utility guy; Don't see that happening because Graffy, unlike him isn't incredibly one dimensional...ie can't hit lefties; Plus Miles will likely be around) Frank Thomas (I am not a fan of full time DH's) Paul Konerko (Possible; Depending on what you get; I wouldn't care cause he's overpaid so the money invested elsewhere would be enough value for me) Bill Koch (Impossible)

He'd bench have of the starting lineup and give the guys that really play hard the starts from here on out. Now is the time to make the statement that the Sox won't put up with that crap. This is a statement that should of been made long ago...but now that JM is on his final straw...he might as well get the guys out their that try and get the september callups a lot more action. Heck if it were up to me...I'd tell quite a few of the regulars to pack their bags and I'd replace them with some of the minor leaguers. THINGS have got to change next year. I love the Sox but the more I think about it...the more I get pissed about how pathetic they played and more importantly how pathetic they are finishing. I look at the Dodgers and see that they are likely out of it (Now 2/1/2 back) yet they are playing their butts off and are gonna do what they can to end it on a positive note. In contrast...look at the Sox...they've mailed this in. While the season may be over...play for the fans and your own respect and kick some ass and make strides. The fans have really backed the Sox as of late and the Sox went out heartless. Now I'm not calling everyone out...but a lot of changes need to be made. They start at the top with Jerry...but he isn't the lone problem. I refuse to soley blame the manager for the teams lack of heart. Players at this stage of the game should be able to motivate themselves and be willing to play hard all the time. Rowand isn't the best player in the league...but everytime I watch him I know he's giving it his best and bottom line thats what matters. So Jerry...and the Sox...show some freaking heart the rest of the way

I agree with you. Look for a team that has an abundancy at shortstop or is in the need of outfield depth to make a move. Maybe the Sox and Braves swap dissapointing prospects (Betemeit for Borchard)...who knows.

Did Rauch gain back any of his speed at the end of the year? Is it possible that the surgery he had just took that long to recover from, or is this guy done? When I was there in mid August they said that he was throwing under 90 and was pretty much a junker most of the year. That being said his curve impressed me last year and I don't know how it could be worse. I say give him this offseason and see if he comes out fresh and healthy next year. The big thing for him is his pitches don't have a ton of velocity. The problem is...I think his velocity this year was down from last year when he was with the Sox.

For Pete sakes...Jose is a great guy...but KW put in the order to have him miss two games at the very least. Also, I'd look to get Miles some at bats pronto. Heck I'd try and mix Miles/Harris in the infield just so they can both get some playing time. The vets should be done. The last thing the Sox need to be doing is paying Jose 5.5 mill a year.

Hey Neal Did the Sox send you to the AFL mainly to add the cutter. If I recall Farmer mentioned something about the Sox working with you to add another pitch. Hope your having a good offseason and are enjoying yourself down in instructionals with Bull. Get yourself ready cause when you kick some butt this spring...your gonna be the Sox fifth

I know what you mean. But hell...I vote this site for best sigs

My buddy who works at the theatre never sees any of the movies. But me on the other hand...I see a ton of them cause he is able to get 3 of us in for free Saw the Desperado 2 this weekend. I had heard it sucked but I thought it was pretty solid. Some pretty cool gun fights and I guess their was a plot. IT was an odd one, but I went soley for some good gun scenes. We got their a bit early so walked into that stupid ass movie about that house with the guy from the Rookie and boy did that movie blow. Caught probably the last 20 minutes of it...and it had to be the cheesiest ending ever.

Probably because its set up to have something to do with caucasian cultuer or something like that. Although I couldn't quit tell you what caucasian culture is. There's already a big club that's all about Caucasian culture. It's called America. So true...I really don't think of caucasian as anything other then skin color cause what I do is the same thing a lot of asians, africans and any other race do.

Ya in the real world they wouldn't hit at the same time because of wind and gravity.

9.8 m/s or I think thats what it is in a vacuum. Hell, I got all that physics crapped mushed up so it could be 7.2 m/s.

Probably because its set up to have something to do with caucasian cultuer or something like that. Although I couldn't quit tell you what caucasian culture is.

As long as they aren't talking about whose church to burn I don't got a problem with it. I wouldn't join the club (I am white) but thats cause I'm a lazy ass and don't participate in clubs At my high school their was the asian dance team and an asian club and such. It never upset me and if someone wanted to start a caucasian club where you cherish your values or beliefs or culture or what not...then go for it. Its great that she allows anyone to enter that wants too. I don't think any club should discrimminate.

If its at equilibrium they will land at the same time...supposedly.

Big Time Bulls fan and Bears fan. Hawks are the hockey team I cheer for, but I don't really follow hockey.

Ok...in the Pre-installed avatars section, click on the little button to the right of the pulldown. In there click on the one that says no avatar. As far as the words...could be something that got hacked or a flaw in the updated board. Will look if theirs an udpate tomorrow and will get the writing back. Hope that helps. If you have any trouble...just tell me and I can reset it for you.