striker

mlb.com has stuff but it's for 3mos or older. Any other ideas?

QUOTE(Kenny Hates Prospects @ Feb 10, 2008 -> 07:39 PM) It sounds like Johnson is going to be more of a role player for them. They seem to be very excited about Barton and you can't mess around with Cust after what he did last year. Johnson will probably work at 1B and DH until he's traded. Crosby and Chavez would probably be gone already if the A's could dump them off on someone. I think Beane has also said that Brown and Buck will be everyday starters in the OF, so that probably opens up a Sweeney/Gonzalez battle for a third OF opening. It doesn't seem like Beane wants to just throw these guys into the fire right away and views both Gonzalez and Sweeney as needing more development. Of course anything can happen in ST. Anyway, I just can't see them getting a 3B that is ready now with Chavez still on the books through 2010 ($11mil in '08 and '09, $12mil in 2010 with a team option for 2011). It would be quite a feat if Beane could just dump that on somebody for nothing. Damn, that contract is horrible. Edit: I mentioned the Dodgers possibly taking on Chavez's salary as a means to justify the package for Blanton. That's a package even we could beat easily IMO. Would anyone do something like Chavez + Blanton for Fields, Floyd and Shelby? I'm not a huge Blanton fan and Chavez is just as much of a risk as Crede. Plus getting rid of Fields, Floyd and Shelby would just make us older and more expensive. I still think Fields is a capable .270-.300 avg and 35hr 90rbi player so I don't want to get rid of him. I think Floyd is capable of matching Blanton's production too. So I'd have to pass.

I like our chances. I think Buehrle and Vazquez are both a great #1 and #2 duo. I think Contreras will rebound, won't be as dominant as 05 and half of 06, but will have respectable numbers. I would take Floyd and Danks over Willis/Robertson and Byrd/Lee. Neither CLE or DET have givens for #4 and #5 starters. I like our bullpen over CLE and DET, especially closers. If Dotel can stay healthy, Linebrink stays consistent, and 1 of Thornton and MacDougal rebound then our bullpen could be lights out. I'm so pumped to see Swisher play for us. I'm anxious to see what Richar or Ramirez, Fields and Quentin can do in a full season. I don't expect any more moves until Spring Training. KW and Ozzie will have a better grasp on Contreras/Danks/Floyd/Crede/2B and will make the appropriate move to make the team better. I'd like to see Quentin leadoff, but that depends on his spring. I don't care about speed, I want someone that can get on base. We have alot of questions, but you always do in the preseason. We have 2 starters that have alot of upside (Floyd&Danks) and our veterans have alot to prove after a horrible 2007. CAN'T WAIT!

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 05:38 AM) I found this interesting piece from a Pirates blog about the signing and some other stuff; -P- The White Sox have signed Octavio Dotel to a two-year, $11 million deal. Dotel is 34 and he's not nearly as good as he was when he and Billy Wagner were dominating the late innings for the Astros. And more importantly, I have no idea what planet Kenny Williams' head is on. His big moves this offseason have been to deal Jon Garland for Orlando Cabrera, trade his entire farm system for Nick Swisher, and drop $30 million on a pair of aging relievers (Dotel and Scott Linebrink). If the Sox were in the NL Central, Williams' plan to sneak into the playoffs by crapping all over the Sox' future might just work, but they aren't. They're in one of the best divisions in baseball, and the Sox won 72 games last year - signing Alex Rodriguez wouldn't have gotten them into the playoffs. Acquiring Dotel isn't the worst move that's been made this offseason, but it doesn't make any sense, and it's not going to make the Sox better in 2009. UPDATE: It occurs to me that the "crapping all over the Sox' future" might be a little unfair. Christina Kahrl has argued very passionately (subscription only) that acquiring Swisher was a future-oriented move for the Sox, but I don't agree. The Sox gave up a high-upside arm in Faustino de los Santos and another good one in Gio Gonzalez for Swisher. While Swisher is signed to a very favorable contract, I don't see his skill set - lots of strikeouts, lots of walks, low batting average, power - as one that's likely to age all that well, particularly in a few years when Swisher slows down and has to move to first or DH. If he hits .255, he's an asset, but if he dips to .235, he's a problem. And in the meantime, if the Sox don't have anything in their farm system, how are they going to contend against the Indians or White Sox before 2011 or so? I think what alot of people miss from the Swisher trade is that the Sox got a proven young power hitter for three unproven prospects, two of which were pitchers. With Thome, Kornerko and Dye all getting older, KW had to find some one to potentially replace their power. We have some decent pitching depth with Danks, Floyd, Egbert, Broadway, Buehrle and Vazquez all under our control for the next few years, but before this trade Fields was the only young power we had. Plus our team has sucked the past couple years when Thome went down. Swisher's presence cushions the blow.

Can't he still be traded in the next 10 days? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_for_assignment I'd much rather have DFA's Masset too.

Why does everyone hate MacDougal? He had a bad year last year but there were like 4 Whitesox that didn't. He was lights out in 2006 and has been alot healthier than Dotel. I like the signing, but you can never have too many bullpen arms.

I thought the good outings Floyd had were better than the good outings Danks had. Danks flattened out later in the season. Floyd actually pitched better at the end of the season.

I'm also betting that if Bedard ends up a Mariner that LAA ups it's anty for Kornerko.

I'm bored, so how about this: Crede to LAA for Willits & Santana Willits, Santana, Uribe, Richar, Danks, Haegar, Aardsma to Baltimore for Bedard and Roberts Roberts Cabrera Thome Swisher Kornerko Dye Pierzynski Quentin Fields Buehrle Vazquez Bedard Contreras Floyd Everyone will knock this but consider this: Willits could probably match Roberts production if not beed his OBP and steals. Replaces Roberts at the top of the lineup. Danks, Haegar and Santana all still have alot of potential. That could eventually be 3/5 of your rotation. Aardsma got rocked at times last year but showed the ability to shutdown. Uribe is toss in but could produce more than the Orioles current SS. Plus he'll only be 28 this year so he's still relatively young. He's a solid glove and will give you 20hrs, 60RBI. Richar replaces Roberts at 2B and has potential. Let's hear it.

I can't believe the Whitesox traded away their future like that

QUOTE(gosox41 @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 10:17 PM) It's kind of a tricky question. I like the trade based on the fact that it's a better option then Rowand or Hunter due to money and age. And I also like the trade based on KW's attitude of going for it next year. But the reason I don't like this trade is this team should be in rebuilding mod after the last 1 1/2 years. Because of that trades like this should never be made, even though Swisher is young. A team rebuilding doesn't trade it's 2 best prospects. So yes I like the trade based on the going for it in 2008 attitude, but I don't think this team based on how it's set up as of 1/5/08 is good enough to make the playoffs and should have been pretty much blown up and rebuilt Bob Swisher is 27 and locked up for 4+ years for cheap. Plus he's a proven slugger. How could you not look at him as rebuilding? I look at it as rebuilding but also being able to contribute immediately and for sure. Our prospects we'd have to wait on and THEN we'd find out if they were any good.

I think in order for LAA/Whitesox trade to happen I would think that a third team would have to be involved. How about... Whitesox Get Brian Roberts and Bedard Angels Get Kornerko and Crede Orioles Get Santana, Kendrick, Willits, Kotchman, Uribe, Masset/Aardsma, Danks, $$ ................................................................................................. Whitesox Lose Kornerko, Crede, Uribe, Masset/Aardsma, Danks Angels Lose Santana, Kendrick, Willits, Kotchman Orioles Lose Bedard, Roberts

I'm wondering if everyone would rather have Figgins than Willits. Willits has alot higher OBP career than Figgins, though most of it is in the minors. Kornerko/Richar for Kendrick, Willits and Santana. Willits CF Kendrick 2B Thome DH Swisher 1B Dye RF Pierzynski CA Cabrera SS Fields 3B Quentin LF Willits, Kendrick, Thome, Swisher and Quentin could all have OBP of around .400, if the youngsters can produce in the majors like they did the minors.

Let's see what the general concensus is.

I would like to see us trade either Kornerko or Crede, with Fields filling in for whichever gets traded. Kornerko is probably a better trading chip than Crede and frees up more money. Trading Kornerko would leave us with Crede at 3B and Fields at 1B which is better defensively than Fields at 3B and Kornerko at 1B, IMO. You don't want to trade Crede or Kornerko just to get rid of them. Like KW always says, the right matchup has to occur first.

KW has fielded some great teams (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007), but the players haven't gotten the job done. I like what he's done this offseason too.

The only difference between you and me is I am disappointed in June, July, maybe even May when we are out of it. You are disappointed year round. I wouldnt' be against dumping anyone. I've actually posted several times to trade Paulie to LAA for youth. But who knows if anyone actually wants him. If you don't like the players we have then you will kill yourself speculating all the moves we should make. When in actuality there may nt be moves out there. Thats the reality.

QUOTE(Chombi @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 11:59 PM) That whole thing is silly. Be optimistic all you want. If you have a problem with people who live in reality, change the channel. True you can't win a WS now, but you sure a f*** can lose them. That stupid half-glass empty or full mentality is fine. Your qoute applies to the first months of the season too, but lots of teams lose their chance early. Not win, but certainly lose a division in April/May/December...etc. It's just a dumb thing. 05' I am so sick of hearing about. It's amazing people like you claim to be so optimistic about how this team can be good, but then you contradict your own theory and claim that the 05' team looked awful. It's total manipulation on your part to try and act as though we aren't in a world of trouble. I've already dabbled in other sections about the 05' team and quite frankly, I am sick of it. But for you, I'll gladly give you an overview. 2004. Maggs played 50 games. Frank was hurt. We had Jason Grilli, Felix Diaz, Scott Schoenweis in our rotation....It was upgraded with Freddy. Contreras was an upgrade over our 5th starter that we didnt have if you remember correctly. We signed El Duque who everyone knew would have healthy issues but if he could hold over, it would've been huge. A healthy Dye was better then the injured Maggs and yea we lost Carlos Lee and his big bat but we replaced it with speed and somewhat better defender and BULLPEN ARM THAT HELPED US ALL SEASON. And save the Hermanson comment. Did you become a Sox fan in 06? Do you not recall that Billy Koch was our closer the previous year? Do you remember how bad he was for us? Hermanson sorry to say it was an upgrade. I can't say I thought this team was a lock to win it. I'd be lying, I hoped theyd win but didnt expect it. I did expect them to be much closer in a division that they FINISHED IN SECOND PLACE IN THE YEAR PRIOR. wITH ALL THOSE PROBLEMS, THEY STILL FINISHED 2ND. HOW WERE THOSE DEALS NOT UPGRADES????!?!?! So I state the question again and ask you whether you were even a Sox fan before 05 because clearly you have no clue what you're talking about. Yes I am sure someone will point out experts picked us to come in 4th. Some, like Rob Neyer picked us to win. Most of the others had no idea what to expect of us because of all the moves we made. They aren't fans. Most fans see moves as positive or negative. Yea the Lee thing scared me a little but I was excited to have a guy who would steal us 70+ bases. I remember hearing his avg was low in Milwaukee the previous year because they wanted him to be more of a deep threat, so I attributed that to his low avg and OBP. We didn't need Pods to do that and I expected the steals to be crossed with his 04' OBP/Avg. And 06' we hardly looked better on paper. We had to worry about Thome's health. We lost Rowand and we had the concern as to if everyone could repeat the same crazy seasons they had in 05'. All that and again we weren't picked by everyone to win it. And yea we finished 3rd. With 90 wins and several components missing from our offense...like Scott Podsednik, who was our catalyst. Next KW deserves slack. Our farm is not on the level it should be. His fault. We have made some stupid moves. His fault. His ego is not allowing him to break this up. He thinks it was so good that it can be good again. It can, but not on the same level as it was. We had fluke years out of guys. Minimal injuries. Things go our way. The division is much harder too incase you havent noticed. That may be my favorite part. People will admit this team is worse then 05 or 06'. And they'll acknowledge that the division is much better. But when they are asked to add those two things together, it's like you gave them math they've never heard of. They have trouble that both of those together doesn't make you a good team. I don't get it. So yea...I am going to keep "whining" as you put it. I will sure to hound you every day next season too. Several messages a day saying "I told you so". Thats assuming you aren't back in Wrigley by then. And why wait til after the season? So there is more negatives showing on those guys? So they're a year older? Another year closer to FA? Which of those negative lights team shine on making deals are you pushing for? maybe you'd prefer it takes an extra year to get back into contension? Instead of starting now, let's wait till we are definately out of it. Not cut out losses b4 they get worse? The Sox are Microsoft stock. It hit highs in 05 and 06. 07 it took a huge hit. Instead of selling because there are more signs of worse to come then there are positive signs...You hang on. Hits rock bottom next year and you come away with nothing. I should hire you to manage my portfolio. You're brilliant. You can tell me about how I whine since I am concerned about something that I have cared for and followed for years, while you have only been caring for them and following for 2 years. Chombi, Are you still alive? After that note I assumed you jumped out a window. I've been a Whitesox fan since 1990. My favorite all time players are Jack McDowell, Robin Ventura and Jason Bere. Yes, Jason Bere. In fact I still have like 50 of his rookie cards. Every year, no matter what happens in the offseason, I get pumped about the Whitesox. PUMPED. I go nuts in March waiting for the season to start. And every year in the past 17, except for one, the season ends up a disappointment because we didn't win it all. We had the best team in baseball in 1993 before the strike. I remember seeing all four games in Seattle and we swept them all. Ron Karkovice won one game with a homer off Randy Johnson. The fourth game of the series I had tickets behind the Mariners dugout. Between innings that Mariner Moose got on top of the Mariners dugout and pointed at my Whitesox hat and everyone started booing. Then he took it off my head and turned it inside out to the crowd cheering. I've been through the 16 disappointing season in the past 17 years. But so have fans of 28 other teams. Every year anything can happen. The Tigers made it to World Series in 2006 after like 20 years of sub .500 ball. The Cardinals won it all that year with like 84 regular season wins. You can complain and rant all you want, and there is probably a 99% chance you are right. But I'll take my 1% chance over your 99% any day of the week.

Andruw Jones represents everything we don't want: - Fat - Low Batting Average - Low OBP - High Strikeouts - Expensive I'm prepared to see Owens in CF and leading off, at least through Spring Training.

As much as we sucked last year we still had a winning record against Detroit. The talent was there for us but the attitudes just stank. Hopefully we get off to a good start and the players don't fall apart. Our minor league system is bare but even if we had a hot prospect, the only position we have to fill is CF. If we sucked again this year we could easily replenish our minor league system with a firesale. Dye, Kornerko, Crede, Vazquez would all bring at least one A prospect in return. I'm confident one of Danks, Gio, Gavin or Eggy will pan out. The Whitesox of 2008 have alot to prove and have the capability to win. I'm sure they'll be alot better than last year.

I don't know why everyone is freaking out so much. The only thing you can win in the offseason is the "on-paper world series". On-paper right now the Sox don't look so great because everyone had a bad season last year. On-paper right now the Tigers look completely awesome. On-paper in 2005 the Whitesox looked like crap. Hermanson was our closer! Dustin Fing Hermanson! Dye was coming off a decent season. Garland was coming off a 12 win season with a 4.89 era. We said goodbye to Lee and Ordonez, two of baseballs best. But we won it all. And we beat Boston and LAA to get there. On-paper in 2006 we looked even better. We added Jim Thome who tore it up. But we finished third. So everyone just stop whining so much. All Kenny Williams can do is field a good team. The players have to win. There is no need to rebuild now. We can wait til after this season and try and dump Kornerko, Thome, Dye, etc. to rebuild.

Another + for the Quentin/Carter deal. A good OF is harder to find then a 1B. And from what I hear Carter isn't much of a 1B.

I love this deal. We actually have a good mix of youth and veterans now. I'm fine with Owens proving himself in Spring Training and if he falters then make a move then. No use in rushing into a move now. I'm curious to see what we could get for Crede or if KW suprises everyone by getting rid of Fields and Crede and getting Cabrera. CF Owens SS O. Cabrera 3B M. Cabrera * DH Thome 1B Kornerko RF Dye CA Pierzynski LF Quentin 2B Richar *Fields, Sweeney and Egbert to Florida That is a pretty sweet lineup.

CF Willits* LF Fukudome (FA Signing) DH Thome 1B Kornerko RF Dye CA Pierzynski SS Cabrera 3B Fields 2B Richar Buehrle Vazquez Contreras Danks/Floyd/Gio/Edbert Danks/Floyd/Gio/Edbert Jenks Linebrink MacDougal Thornton Wasserman Logan *Anderson & Crede to LAA for Willits (if they don't get Cabrera)

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Nov 30, 2007 -> 01:42 AM) He's asking for too much. Didn't we spend enough on Linebrink? But most everyone else in the bullpen is cheap. Jenks makes under 1mil. Thornton around 2mil. MacDougal around 3. Teams now spend $10-$15mil/year on one reliever. We would still only be around $15mil for our entire bullpen. After last year, you can say its worth the money.