Chisoxfn

I have some flaws with Bush, but for the time being I'm still gonna back him. FOR THE TIME BEING. I am not overly happy with him nor am I incredibly dissapointed. Plus my main concerns enly with getting a good governor in California and that probably won't happen since Bustamante will win if their is a recall. I'm voting for Mclintock. *Gonna move this Off Topic*

go to futuresox to find out FutureSox will be down until the start of next season when it will re-open with some changes.

For me: Reed Cotts Honel Wing Anderson Borchard Rauch Munoz Pacheco McCarthy Deininger I may be forgetting cause I'm thinking of this rather quickly. I don't think much of Borchard right now and the Sox only good outfield prospects are so raw so I only put Anderson on the list. But Anderson and Sweeney both could be up there and I'd say Nanita, but I'd like to see what he does at higher levels first.

Rape, Sexual Assault, whatever...this is plane sick.

I'd put Wsc in charge, soley because you'd know you would get quotes that would make you piss your pants damn near everyday

Why would you come from Iowa to go to community college in California? No particular reason, although I know some people do. They may want to move from some other state to California and they figure going to school is the perfect time to do it. Gives them an opportunity to meet people and get situated before they go to a California school. I just find it ridiculous that my tuition that I pay for is going to go up because of this bs. I have no problem helping people or anything like that. If your gonna give free tuition, give it to those citizens that can't afford it. It may sound dick of me to say it, but you can't just give out crap for free all the time.

And I'm sure you stay clear of the road when you see him pulling in or out.

Yep...Thats why I brought up my favorite team. For a second I thought maybe someone else was also a Hawkeye fan.

Yumm..El Gordo Burrito

Go Hawkeyes and I'm stuck with the Bears and Bulls.

Did you run like 3 red lights and commit a DUI

I read that in the paper a few days ago and laughed at it. Then again California has done so many stupid things of late that I can't say I'd be shocked if this was passed. Stupid Things: 1. Saying the recall shouldn't happen because we have Punch Ballots (STUPID) 2. Giving Liscenses to illegal immigrants 3. Giving Illegal Immigrants free education at community colleges as well as discounted room and board (This is the dumbest yet; Someone want to explain to me why someone coming from Iowa to California would have to pay an increased tuition yet if you come from another country to California you end up getting it for free) Absolutely ridiculous.

Its not over until they are officially eliminated. Things may look grim, but their is still a chance. This is tough to watch though. Such high expectations. Oh well, got a geology test tomorrow and this Geology is pissing me off. Stupid freaking sciences that I put off as long as I can.

Seattle doesn't have much spare money either. Remember they didn't have enough money to add even one player for the stretch run this year. I don't see how they are going to come up with enough money to bid on this guy, let alone sign him to a long term deal. I'd say the competitors for the shortstops are: -San Diego (Although they are saying more and more that they won't add a shortstop) -Chicago (Both teams need a shortstop; Cubs may not invest that kind of money when they are still paying Alex Gonzalez big bucks one more year -Anaheim (Could use a shortstop; But Eckstein is there and pitching is a much bigger need and you could say outfield as well, especially since they have Eck) Dodgers could make an attempt at one, but more likely they'd go for Vidro to play 2nd base (Itzuris is a hell of a defensive shortstop). No one else in the NL would be interested and in the AL the A's won't spend the money, Texas has a shortstop, Yanks/BoSox have em and no one in the central would spend the money. That kind of leaves most teams out. Baltimore could make a push. Hell, thinking about it, not many teams seem like they are gonna spend money so once again their should be some really good players out there for a lot less then you'd think. I'd say the odds aren't too bad.

Count out LA and from all intents and purposes I've heard the Angels may not spend the money they once said they were and they'll likely invest it on pitching. Although Matsui and Tejada are definately possibilities for them. Still, I don't see that many teams in the market. Most teams willing to spend the money have a shortstop. Both Chicago teams need one though.

They don't have more talent, but they have better fundementals.

If Hawkins is available, sign him. The guy is an absolute stud and if Guzman or Jones become available sign them too. Those are three guys on the Twins I'd take in a heartbeat. As far as Jose, ditch him. Of course he's starting once again tonight. JM, USE TONY G, especially against lefties. Plus, for pete sake, don't get that option to vest.

I still say move Thomas and Konerko. I hope Thomas can get a long term deal somewhere else. And if Thomas turns down the Sox option and puts the pressure on the Sox, there is no way I'd offer him 8 mill so he'd be gone that way too (Although, this year he can test free agency without declining the option). With Konerko, I'd personally move him looking for a middle infield prospect (YOu know the Sox need one) or a good young reliever. I wouldn't be asking for much cause the big thing is using his money on someone else. So when you trade Konerko for a nobody, you spend that 8 million on a better somebody (or a few of them). Then to replace the first base gap, the Sox can sign a guy cheap. Look at people like Daubach/Ortiz and others that will be out there and bring in two of them and let the best one win and the other play on the bench. Preferably have one lefty and one a righty. THere are plenty of guys that could put up solid numbers (Daubach is one of them) when given consistent playing time. I know you would lose a bit of production with Everett replacing Thomas and someone like Daubbie or other replacing Konerko, but you would add less one dimensional players. Everett can do the little things and not be a typical "DH" and open up room for a do everything guy like Rowand or Reed or even Borchard (Sorry, I think he gets dealt this offseason). At short you get a player that can play defense, get on base, and do the little things (Run, etc) and Matsui fits that bill. You could move him to the 2 hole with Carlos Lee moving to the 3 hole (He will fit in good there) and Maggs in the cleanup slot. This way you have Alomar/Matsui at the top (Two good small ball guys) then two good contact hitters as well as guys that will have a very solid obp, power numbers and avg at the 3 and 4 (Lee/Maggs) and then you get your lefty in there at the 5 slot in Everett (Good OBP, Good Power, GOOD RBI and a good runner). So your first 5 guys all have good speed. At the 6 slot you go with Crede (HE's shown that he's a productive player; He will come up with clutch hits a solid avg, great defense, and power; Not a high OBP for now). Then in the 7 hole you go with your first baseman (Hopefully a lefty; Ala Daubach). You look for this guy to provide OBP, some power and to be a good contact hitter (Scott Spiezo would be very nice). In the 8 slot you go with your young centerfielder who can do everything decent, especially the little things and then you have the catching combo in the 9 hole (Alomar Sr if he wants to stay and Olivo). Alomar Jr or Matsui (3 Mill) Matsui or Alomar Jr (7 Mill) Carlos Lee (6 Mill) Magglio (14 Mill) Everett (5 Mill) Joe Crede (500K) 1st Baseman (500K to 2 mill) Outfielder (Rowand/Reed/Borchard; CHEAP) Olivo/Alomar/VET FA (CHEAP) Thats a combined 38 mill at most devoted to the offense Rotation Colon (8-9 Mill) Buehrle (4 Mill; assuming he accepts a long term deal; otherwise it be less) Loaiza (3.5 mill; I think thats what his option is) Garland (2-3 mill; Give him a nice reward; Probably a very high estimate though) Insert Scho/Cotts/Rauch/Veteran to incentive laden deal (MAX 2 mill if incentives kick in; Most likely incredibly cheap) Rotation = 20 mill (Pretty high estimate) Bullpen Koch (7 mill; think thats what he makes) Gordon (2 mill; seems fair) Marte (2 mill; just a guess, could be much less) Sullivan (3.1 mill if the Sox want to) Wright (500 K) Wunsch (600 K) Sanders/Munoz (300 K) Free Agent (SIgn a vet for cheap; cause I'd like to see one more reliever) Bullpen = 14 mill max Total Payroll = 72 mill. The big ifs are Thomas/Konerko being gone. You also know that the following year Magglio won't make 14 mill a year and you lose Koch's salary. Others will increase, but the Sox now have most of their guys signed long term and you have this team built for the long haul. You give a few youngsters positions, but keep them in protected positions, where you don't need a lot out of them.

If reed tears up spring training, then I'd start him. Neither Borchard or Rowand have put up good numbers to earn the start. Now if they also have huge springs its another story. Reed should be in AAA regardless. You can play Borchard in right with Reed in AAA. Either way Rowand/Borchard will likely be in Chicago next year.

Get rid of PK and Thomas and then you can make some real big changes to the offense and keep the pitching staff in tact. Actually if I dump Thomas, then I'd offer Everett a deal around 3-4 mill a year to DH and play outfield a bit. He's got such a great attitude, is a heads up baserunner, and can pitch in in so many ways. Then add the shortstop and stick a young guy in center most of the time with Maggs/Lee around him and ocassionally have Everett out there (Great Veteran leadership). Bring back someone to fill Sullivans role (if its not him, maybe Foulke depending on what he wants; but only way that happens is if Koch is gone somehow; So call that a pipedream; But him Gordon, Marte - LETHAL).

I sure hope Brady Quinn Starts. THe other team I root for Iowa, will be going up against ASU (Ranked #16) in what should be a very good game.

Hitting .400 in AA means you don't repeat. He'll be in AAA at the very least next year and will be knocking on everyones door early, but I doubt he'll get the starting job right out of the gates. Rowand and Borchard will both be on the active roster, imo. Harris or Miles will be as well. The other won't be in the organization. As far as Maggs, don't be shocked if he gets dealt along with Konerko. I think the Sox are gonna do a bit of retooling. Maggs definately won't be the one they want gone, but their is a possibility you could see him go if they can't work a long term deal cause they won't go into the season without him signed, imo. If I ran this team, you'd see Lee, Crede, Rowand, Borchard, Olivo and Maggs as the position players that stick around. I'd move Konerko (Not because I don't like him, but because his salary is way too much, especially at this time of lower salary). YOu also have to get rid of Jose. That is a MUST in my book. Jose is not that good of a player and is incredibly one dimensional. He is a power hitter against right handed pitching. That is the only thing he can do. Show him a lefty or a curveball and your toast. You'd be just as well off with me at the plate. Another guy you'd try to move is Billy Koch (Simply because of salary again). This pen has proved that it doesn't need him. He won't be going anywhere though, unless another team who has an overpriced closer is looking to swap. This means the Sox are stuck with him one year. In regards to Colon, you try and reup with him. If you can then you keep that rotation in tact with an in house replacement as your 5th starter. I think Bartolo has shown enough of why this team needs him. He's a freaking stud workhorse and can absolutely carry a team. He's made huge strides late in the year and is gonna win a cy young in his career and I hope its with us. With Buehrle, you sign him now. His value is down and a 4 yr deal around 4 to 5 mill is exactly what the doctor ordered. You also offer the same for Elo. Give him less years though, probably a 2 year extension. At 2nd and Short the Sox go on the market looking for something. If you can get ALomar at a year and 2.5 mill then you go at him. Or 2 yr 4 MILL (2 per year). Otherwise you see what else is on the market. When it comes to teh shortstop position, look long and hard at the Japanese player and if that doesn't look realistic make a big move for a young shortstop. Maybe deal with the rival Twins if Guzman doesn't get cut. Guzman would be one of my targets. If the Sox are gonna lose Maggs, then you have Rowand/Borch and Reed for their and go with Jacque Jones or someone good in center that will be cheaper. The payroll is definately gonna increase, but you cut Everett, Konerko, and Jose from the books and you lose 21 mill next year (Everett's doesn't really count, but based on his salary). Either way they cut 13 mill of actual payroll and then will be keeping Colon's salary close to the same (No biggie there) and Maggs goes up a bit (4 mill more; leaves you with 9 mill). Some of that money goes to Carlos who probably gets 5-6 mill a year over 3 years. That is only a two mill increase over what he currently makes so you now have 7 mill. Pay Buehrle the extra 4 mill and Elo some extra money (his option) and thne you have all those guys and roughly the same salary. So the additions come with Alomar Jr (Not much) and minor arbitration. This leaves the money to add a little more payroll or something later in the year. AND if by some Chance Frank turns down his option, then jump for joy as you free up another 5 mill. That means that you could lose Frank, Jose, and Konerko and bring back Alomar Jr, Colon and a stud shortstop (Tejada/Matsui) and bring back Scott Sullivan. If somehow you could dump: Jose (DON"T LET THAT OPTION VEST), PK, Thomas, and Everett then I'd be very happy.

Look out cause i'm making my comeback. Had a much better week, although I biffed the monday night game.

I'm sure it is. I remember doing a contest for SoxNet on ocassion and there were only like 10 people in it and it was a royal pain in the ass.

Classic yet True.