Chisoxfn

No...I don't think we lose anything. I don't think he was offered arbitration or anything like that. I couldn't see the Astros getting compensation for him. Of course I really don't understand how the whole compensation works. Like how do they decide which players recieve compensation if they are signed away and which don't. I know part of it has to deal with arbitration.

He didnt make a good trade or a decent trade. He made a cunning Billy Beane trade! And then he signed one guy and is about to sign another to make up for the little that we did give up. This is a great day in White Sox history. This deal was awesome and then made even more awesome by the two signings that made me forget all about Osuna and Liefer.

Thanks for all that info Soxbadger. It was real informative for someone like me who can't catch all the local Chicago news. I am thinking Edwin Almonte will be his in house solution for Biddle...but Munoz and Stewart as well as Dave Sanders will get a shot. I love the idea of bringing in Flash and I can't wait till it becomes official. I'm thinking he will be in good shape.

I think thats when they will bring in one more pitcher....or even another outfielder. Just a hunch. By the way great post BJ.

3 Catchers? I don't know about that, I don't know if there's enough playing time to go around. And if we've got Olivo on the roster, I want him playing and learning. If he's just going to sit on the bench in Chicago, he should be in AAA so he can play and keep getting better. The only reason they will carry Paul is that they can't send him back to the minors without him first clearing waivers. Olivo will get the bulk of the playing time.

Graffy will probably miss the early part of the season, but I've never found anything to confirm it. Look for Nunez to step up and be the utlity guy.

Most people agree that Cashman was the guy behind the the deal, not Williams. Reports have came out that Ken Williams was the sole orchestrator of the deal. Williams turned down the proposed El Duque for Osuna and Delvis deal a couple days ago, and then called him back as he thought he could get a 3 way to work where everyone would be happy and in the end it was Williams who did all the work. Way to go KENNY!!!!!!!!!!!

I love your new sig Roman. I know you supported him a while back and were really pissed after nothing happened. It looks like you had the right assumption and I think he's only going to get better.

I noticed that too. I was real impressed with the whole way Ken Williams manufactured this deal. He was the first to call Minaya and was the one who eventually got the deal done after tons of work. He never gave up and he made a real sweet deal.

Because they had 8 starting pitchers and its real hard to compete when you have so many people out of there typical roles.

A lot in the terms of the players...yes, but not in the terms of the quality. We gave up no one that this organization will miss, minus Rocky Biddle who was just an all around great guy. Liefer is terrible...and was replaced by a much better player today in Rios. Osuna was quality, but Gordon is better and both have injury histories, also Flash will be a bit cheaper. Then Lantigua was nothing special (no where near a top prospect) and well, when you look at it, we gave about one player up who really would of had an impact on the Sox and thats Biddle and he didn't really fit in the long term plans. In return we get a potential Cy young award winner that won 20 games last year and now Jon Rauch will piece in as the #5, something I am very excited about.

Greg..Biddle will never ever ever come close to putting up the numbers that Colon can and has put up. Stuff wise, you couldn't even compare these two. I like Biddle...but he was mediocre, and nothing more then a #5 pitcher at BEST. The guy could never pitch past the 5th inning. I do think he's an awesome guy and I wish the best to Bonnie and Lee(I think that was his name) Biddle. Still...Liefer...replaced by Rios who is much better then Liefer. How can we whine about giving up someone who struggled to hit (.200). Then there is Osuna...oh well..replaced by Flash (Better version then Osuna, both have injury woes). Lantigua...nothing special and he isn't considered anywhere near a top 10 prospect even. Sweet move KW.

Rios wont be starting in our outfield but hes a great backup and if Gordon recovers hell be devastating in the pen. KWs suddenly transformed into Billy Beane! Whoa! Our rivals in the ALC are probably going nuts right now... Good day to be a Sox fan Its always good when Cubkilla is happy. You and Michelle are about the hardest to please, so now that your happy...we just have to wait for Michelle to come on over cause I'm think she'll be real happy too

My sentiments exactly

Man..this is sweet. Can't wait to here what Williams says about these moves. It looks like they have replaced Osuna with Gordon and Liefer with Rios. I think Rios is better then Liefer and Gordon (When Healthy) is way better then Osuna.

Oh Man...he really is moving up in my books today. First Colon and Nunez...now Rios..and soon Flash (?)

It sure is sweet

The kid we got was someone the Dodgers were rather high on, dating back from the day they got him in the Shawn Green deal. I think they moved him to the Orioles two years ago to get that older reliever, that struggled with the Dodgers down the strecth (I forget his name). This guy has a ton of speed and sounds like a good option as a utility infielder if Graffy isn't ready, or if the Sox would rather give Harris and Hummell extended playing time in AAA, rather then having one sit on the bench.

Quality outfielder...I think he came from the Giants organization and was moved to the Pirates. The Pirates thought he would do big things and I think he got injured. If I'm thinking of the same player, I remember him having quite a bit of upside. Ok...I double checked and this is the guy I'm thinking of. This is a sweet pickup by the Sox. This is yet another thing I'll write up momentarily. He's 31, but can play good defense. Last seaon he hit .264 with 1 hr, 24 rbi, 16 bb, and 39 k's. He played in 76 games and hits from the left side. He can play both right and left field and has a good arm. His career totals are .276 AVG, 34 HR, 156 RBI, and a .352 OBP. He played in 370 games totalling 917 at bats and had 110 walks with 193 k's. He isn't a real base stealing threat, but isn't slow either.

Thanks Catcher is a huge questionmark with them. They have Mark Dalesandro who caught quite a few games for them last year. He isn't anything special and is pretty much a stopgap for a very weak catching core in the minors. Well, that core is weak as long as Olivo is at the major league level. They also have Lee Evans. The Sox could also sign someone or move someone up from AA, although there is nothing special when it comes to catching their. If Paul goes down to AAA (He's have to clear waivers) then he's likely be the starting catcher, but many believe the Sox will carry 3 catchers entering next season.

Sn Report: White Sox Finalizing Deals For Gordon; Rios By Jason Gage Written January 15, 2003 Both signings are pending physicals.

Guys...this is reminding me a whole lot like the Angels offseason of a year ago. They added two starters, we've added on high high level starter. We've rebuilt the bullpen, and are looking to bring in Flash Gordon and an outfielder. This is looking AWESOME!!!!!!!! By the way....maybe next year KW will be wearing a World Series RING

We only gave up one minor leaguer in Lantigua, who isn't on the same level as many of our prospects. We didn't give up anyone remotely considered super high in our system, which was awesome. And Liefer...forget about it. Osuna...he's gonna be replaced, maybe even by tomorrow, and well Biddle, was replaced with Colon and now Rauch gets his opportunity.

Gordon throws harder...97 mph or so, and he has a nasty nasty curve. If healthy, Gordon is a much better pitcher, but health is the key.

He is close to signing Tom Gordon...I'm going to have a report up on that in an hour or so. I'll do it during my lunch break.