Chisoxfn

The only one of those that will be a game is the Bama/Utah game potentially. Texas will route Ohio State and I assume USC will beat Penn State by about 2 td's (not a route, but not a close game either). Awful matchups.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 08:01 AM) Awesome use of the 2 top 10 picks that were gift-wrapped for Eddy Curry. The Noah pick was a stupid pick from day one and Tyrus was a flat out risky pick. I won't be sad at all to see Noah go and in Tyrus' case if he doesn't fit he doesn't fit. Noah is terrible though, terrible. The problem is, those were two lotto picks supposed to fill our so called need down low and neither did jack s***. Pax should be fired.

Laird never got a fair shake and he's actually a pretty toolsy catcher. I'd have loved to have him on the Sox as a backup.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:33 PM) dude on WSI says rumor says that encarnacion is in on the deal but we may have to pay half JDs salary...take that FWIW...which is probably very little edit: fixed for accuracy Edwin was once a pretty top notch prospect. Although I see little need for him considering the Sox have two other toolsy 3rd baseman (Mr. Cuban & Fields). However, you can't argue his power numbers and his solid walk totals for a young player and he could be due for his breakout season (last year was a bit of a dissapointment but he still hit 26 bombs, albeit in a hitter friendly park).

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:31 PM) According to Cowley Jermaine Dye's agent has yet to hear anything about a trade from the Sox and KW isn't talking to the media. I think silence says a lot. I don't think Kenny wants to say anything until it's necessary and right now I believe he's working on something else. It's going to be a real interesting couple days and I think these next few days and this off-season in general (combined with the last two off-seasons) will shape this franchise signifcantly for the next 6-8 years (because I Think the Sox have added so much quality talent in a very short span).

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:27 PM) My totally inaccurate and spur-of-the-moment Sox starting lineup for 2009 is: 1- Furcal SS 2- Ramirez 2B 3- Quentin LF 4- Thome DH 5- Konerko 1B 6- Abreu RF 7- Fields 3B 8- AJP C 9- Taveras CF That would be a beautiful lineup too, imo. IT would have a nice mix of youth, vets, power, and speed. Plus in a year you can move Abreu to DH if Viceido is ready and slide him into the OF (if Fields has panned out, if Fields hasn't panned out, he takes over 3B and you look to the OF for someone else).

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:23 PM) Right. He is going to use the money in one spot, and that is now either an OF'er or a lead off guy, or both. Truthfully the Sox have two holes...a corner outfield spot and the top of the order (plus CF). If you sign Furcal you kill two birds with one stone (as Ramirez or Lillbridge move to CF with Getz playing 2B). That would than just leave the Sox will one other hole and there are numerous corner outfielders that could be had.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:23 PM) Agreed...everyone needs to remember that Ozzie and Abreu are great friends. Plus I could still see Abreu eventually signing a relatively short-term deal (no it's not what he wants, but he might just end up getting it). I'd love to have Bobby on a 2 year deal and I think he'd be a tremendous fit in the offense. He's still an above average player and can get by in left field defensively.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:22 PM) The problem then is finding a leadoff hitting infielder. If they have one in mind (ie: Furcal) then Taveras is a valuable commodity in the 9 hole. The key though is keeping him at the bottom of the lineup, he has no business at the top. I could totally live with Taveras as our 9 hole hitter. I'm not opposed to 9 hole guys that can bunt, hit for relatively high averages, and steal bases while playing solid center field defense (in fact, compared to Swisher, Taveras would be pretty nice out there). The Sox would have a hole in the corner outfield but they could always just give that job to Viceido and see what he can do or get one of the FA guys out there to eventually agree to a 1 or 2 year deal (ie an Abreu/Burrel/Dunn/etc). Basically whichever one is sitting there come the middle of January.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:16 PM) He's also 2 years older than Jermaine, an awful defender and would cost the Sox a 1st round draft pick. Abreu would be a much better pick-up but the best pick-up would be Adam Dunn. A 3 to 4 year deal with him sliding into Thome's DH spot a year from now. The best part is you might just be able to get him to agree to a 4yr 32M deal with some incentives (given the current market conditions).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:13 PM) If this trade was 1 for 1 and the Sox don't spend any of the savings, its a horrible trade, but there is no way that money won't be spent. Completely agree with you. If the deal turns into Dunn/Abreu/Furcal (at least one of those three) and Bailey for Dye than I'd be exstatic.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:11 PM) I think Ozzie told KW he wanted him gone. The fact is that Viciedo might end up a much better player, and we can sign Ibanez, Dunn, Abreu or Burrell for a reasonable contract for 2 years and hold down the fort while the prospects are coming up and maturing in AA/AAA. I don't buy that. Dye was well respected in Chicago.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:09 PM) Any idea of when a decision is expected to be made by these FA? I think the Sox are going to move quickly at the winter meetings (ie, once they have the OC issue resolved and Dye's contract off the books). Kenny has something up his sleeve.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:07 PM) If true, it pisses me off that we traded Swisher. He would have fit in LF, and put Quentin in RF. Swisher was f***ing awful. I still believe we'll see the Sox make a minimum of one decent size free agent signing's and potentially as many as two (either a SS and OF or an OF and pitcher, imo).

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:05 PM) Didn't Bailey throw in the AFL? If he was in fact injured or throwing in pain, that would explain the velocity drop/loss. If this trade went through, it would have to be based on thorough physical exams first and also the fact that he has re-established his mid 90's fastball. Otherwise, it's too big of a risk. I heard some speculation that he had a leg/hamstring injury. If thats the case you could easily be able to point that sort of injury to a drop in velocity. In addition, there were some reports that Reds brass actually told him not to throw his fastball so he could further develop and focus on his secondary pitches. Obviously none of us know for certain but if the Sox believe the velocity decrease was due to something above than I'd be all for it. If it is because of some sort of undisclosed arm injury I'd be a bit more concerned.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:03 PM) Do we plays Cincy at the Cell next year? Also, Jermaine has my permission to go buck-wild on the Cubs. It's in Cincy and I'm plannin on attending and will definately be cheering the s*** out of Dye (of course I don't want the Reds to win).

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 06:02 PM) 1 of my top 3 favorite White Sox of all-time. I'll echo those sentiments. I wouldn't put him top 3 but he's one of my favorite White Sox of all time.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 01:10 PM) Well I have interest in making him the starting SS and lead off man for the White Sox. I too really want Furcal. I'd be thrilled if the club could get Bailey for Dye (maybe something else coming to the Sox as well) and than use those funds to sign someone like Dunn or Abreu and than use the other funds saved for Furcal. You'd have a question-mark in the rotation (in the sense that you have one proven veteran, but I believe you'd be talking about an above average offense).

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 05:49 PM) Just a terrible, gross trade. The rumors about the Sox having huge financial issues are becoming more accurate by the day. Straight up I'd say the Reds win this deal. However, if the Sox have information that Bailey had leg problems last season which were the cause of his velocity trouble for most of the season than I wouldn't have an issue. Bailey is young with a fantastic build and up until last season was as untouchable as a prospect can get. Plus, if the Sox do something with Dye's money, such as bring in Dunn or Abreu (and hopefully Furcal with some of the other money) than I'd have zero problem with this deal. Obviously it's all speculation at this point but I'd imagine if there is truth to this we will find out quickly (as in tomorrow). I won't lie in the sense that I'll be excited to see Bailey if he can regain his old form (Cause those type of pitchers don't grow on trees) but you have to have some concerns over what happened to him last season.

Well, I got the Xmas lights hung up outside the house today.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) If I'm not mistaken, the Dodgers "lack of interest" comes from Furcal's contract demands. I'm pretty sure I remember them really wanting to re-sign Furcal shortly after the season ended. They did and I still believe they have interest in bringing him back.

Beautiful 2 minute drill by the Bears. That has to remain a TD.

Furcal would be a tremendous acquisition. I'd be thrilled if we got him. I'd offer him 3 years 34-36 million with an option year at 12 mill. It would be more than enough to get him signed.

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 11:49 PM) There's no way the Brewers trade one of the top prospects in baseball. For Bobby Jenks they might.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 06:17 PM) One soxtalk member has Brewer connections, I forgot who he is JDDirtySox