SkokieSox

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 02:55 PM) He belongs in Charlotte to duke it out with the other AAAA pitchers we have assembled. Just imagine this rotation for the Knights: Broadway Sisco Masset Haeger Floyd Just good enough to be good in AAA. I'm not opposed to get him more seasoning in AAA, I'm just saying he's a decent pitcher, and could possibly help the ball club in the future.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 02:55 PM) I didn't say anything about McCarthy being better than Danks...read what I wrote. I was talking about the fact that Gammons reported McCarthy was one of 2 minor league players supposed to go from Chicago to Boston in addition to Ordonez. I don't know if it's true, but if it is Boston picked out probably the most valuable player in the Sox system then. It's an unsettling idea. As for McCarthy, he pitched very well against Baltimore in his last start. It's too early to know which guy will be the better pitcher, but it certainly looks like a decent trade for the Sox if only because Danks has less service time. Masset:7.34 ERA 2.00 WHIP .329 BAA. 20/25 K/BB ratio. What do you see that I don't? I read what you wrote, and my point is that who cares if McCarthy would have been asked by the Red Sox? Why wouldn't they? We're asking for the world with MB... But more importantly, the Sox got good value for McCarthy. The Red Sox and any other major league team is going to ask for the best they can get. I don't necessarily think they have super scouts that can find jewels in our system, and we're just clueless about it. As for Masset, he's a rookie and in a unique pitching role. To play devil's advocate, I guess I could post McCarthy's stats and ask the same question to you. I think Masset has some value to our team, not necessarily as a starter, but much like McCarthy, I don't see how his short stint in the big leagues automatically sums up his future.

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 02:49 PM) Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Frustrated a little? Anyway, he doesn't exactly have the easiest role, but he has some decent stuff. I'm not prepared to ditch him...

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 02:26 PM) It's going to be Pods...I mean Ellsbury. It's destiny. Maybe something like Buehrle and minor leaguers for Ellsbury. I shudder at the thought of the Red Sox scouts picking over the Sox system. They almost got McCarthy as a throw in in the scuttled Ordonez-Nomar trade. You just know they'll evaluate the Sox system better than the Sox themselves (maybe De Los Santos will be the throw-in this time). McCarthy isn't exactly lighting it up these days. I remember when everyone called for KW's head then, but I take Danks all day. Not to mention Masset as a nice throw in.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 01:02 AM) Have fun watching Gavin Floyd every 5 days next year. Plus whatever rookie or retread takes Contreras' slot. Good pithcing is hard to find, and the 4 year deal for Buehrle isn't that big of a risk. KC signed Meche, but the Sox won't take this risk.... This team is going to have to grow with some young talent either way. MB alone won't save this team, as good as he is. I'm prepared to let some of these kids take their lumps and figure it out at the MLB level. Shoot, Floyd and others will have their shot either way, with or without MB. That's the future we face...

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 01:05 AM) Don't forget whoever takes over for Garland. If you're not going to give out NTC, you better be trading Garland, Contreras, Thome, Iguchi, etc. Even if the negotiation leaks were the fault of Buehrle's family, the Sox organization looks absolutely pathetic right now. That's a good point - whatever stance is taken, there are pros and cons. QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 01:05 AM) Even if the negotiation leaks were the fault of Buehrle's family, the Sox organization looks absolutely pathetic right now. I see where people are upset, but I don't necessarily agree. That's strictly my own vantage point. It may be the wrong move, and maybe the Sox will have to give in to players in the future, further making this situation look bad. However, I have to say, I agree with them on this. And honestly, if the Sox can get a good package of young talent for MB, I think this team needs it. MB is young, but we just have so many holes right now, and with the situation being as it is, I really won't disagree with a trade. Again, that's me, and I realize most people will not agree.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 8, 2007 -> 01:00 AM) Embarrasing. For who?

Trade him... It's over, we need to get something for him. I'm done with the drama, and against the majority here, I am not in favor of giving the NTC. Too much risk, and gives too much power to the player. It's not just about the Sox being able to trade him, but what's over looked is that if MB decides he wants to be traded (since the team may very well struggle a few years) he has complete control of who he goes to, and the Sox are stuck getting little in return.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:04 PM) I still think there is a better chance Thome gets moved and I don't even think there is more than a 5% chance that that happens. It's more like 50/50, but only a 10% chance of that happening.

QUOTE(JohnCangelosi @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 04:34 AM) I get the sick feeling in my stomach this will be as much of a debacle for Chicago when the Cubs wouldn't give Greg Maddux 2 more million or whatever it was way back when and they lost him for the prime of his career. The way Mark can throw I would not be surprised if he is around for a long time. If Zito can get $126 million, I would guess Buehrle should be able to get close to $100 million guaranteed on the open market. I still cannot believe he'd agree to this deal as it's an incredible buy but if I am KW I'd accept this deal even if there was a Buehrle gets to sleep with Kenny's wife clause... Lol - that's a good one...

For the record, MB isn't an ace, he's a good number 2, great number 3 type pitcher.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 1, 2007 -> 02:33 PM) However, it does seem like KW was trying to get Buehrle to sign a discounted deal only to trade him for more value before the deadline. If that is the case, and it comes out, no one will want to come to the Sox with KW here. I could also see every potential FA not resigning with the Sox for that same reason. This could really get ugly. Not true, he was offering the same as Contreras, where next season he would have a NTC, but would transfer into a limited NTC beyond that. This deal would prevent KW from shipping him out next year. I agree with KW, this is a fair deal, and I don't want a precedant set where the Sox hands are tied. Wonder if MB is the one who wants to be traded in the future??? Then the Sox have to trade him to the team he wants for a s***ty deal. I'm not on board to position the team this way, regardless of the pitcher. Sign him with the offer on the table or move him.

I would have preferred to keep Buerhle out of the AL, but Boston could easily sign him in the offseason anyway. At this point, we just the most possible talent we can get for him. I'm not too familiar with their prospects, but if the article is correct, and the Yankees have interest as well, it seems to be our best bet on milking this for all it's worth. Mets and Braves are another option, but there's so much hype with attaining players between the Yanks and Red Sox, I have to think we could really make out well with this.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 11:20 PM) Dye stayed with the Sox because at the time, they had offered him the most money. However, the story started after he had agreed to sign with the Sox, because other teams offered him more money. He stuck to his word to sign with the Sox though. Playing for Ozzie had nothing to do with it, especially since Dye went out of his way last year to say how much he wants to play for the Rangers. There are plenty of players who choose comfort over maximum dollars. Again, I'll repeat it one more time - I did not say that Ozzie himself would be the deciding factor, but when the manager spot is in question, it does not bold well when negotiating with players. They want to know they are going to be in a comfortable environment where they respect their report to. And maybe Dye just lived up to his word, but PK committed to the Sox because he was comfortable here. The Angels, and certainly Baltimore offered slightly more money.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 10:11 PM) at this point, to give Ozzie an extension would be idiotic. Almost to the level of acquiring Jones. I don't think Ozzie is the main problem, but this hardly the time to be rewarding a coach of one of the worst 3 teams in baseball right now. It isn't about rewarding as much as it is building a basis for the team. Ozzie can still lead the team to be successful, but it's obvious the personnel needs adjusting. By extending him, it leaves the team secure as far as the leadership future, which can be a major positive as we decide on certain moves in the near term.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 02:30 PM) And I'll repeat that the only sport where a coaches/managers contract position matters when someone chooses a team is in college recruiting. I don't think free agents are backing away from signing huge deals with the Astros because Phil Garner is a prick, etc. It's all about the money with free agents, and 99 pct of the time, they don't care who the coach is. An example would be Carlos Zambrano. He'll be more likely to listen to a Sox offer due to his friendship with Ozzie....however, if a team like the Mets gives him more money than we offer, he'll go there 99 out of 100 times. And again I'll repeat my stance, when you're direct report to position is in question, it leaves for further scepticism on the FA on signing with a certain team. Money is the first determinent, but past FA such as Dye shows that it isn't always the only part of the decision process.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 02:16 PM) Does it reallly matter when you're not going to go out and spend money in the FA market? Remember how everyone used to say every player dreamed of signing with the Cubs to play with Dusty Baker? That didn't really work out....players want the cash, and that's it. Oh, by no means am I implying that we'll sign FA solely due to Ozzie's presence. But if the manager position is in question, that works against you at the bargaining table... All I meant was that players like to play for Ozzie, and it is just an advantage, not a determinent.

I certainly don't have a problem with it. We're obviously going to see some changes with the personnel on the team, but I think it puts the Sox at an advantage to have the security of the manager position. Meaning, the potential newcomers don't have to wonder who they would be reporting to. It's been noted many times that players would like to play for Ozzie, so I feel this is a good move. Why not knock it out if you're planning on doing it anyway. And as said in an earlier post - Ozzie isn't the problem.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 9, 2007 -> 03:15 AM) He should have been the 4th outfielder on this team, and be used as the defensive replacement for guys like Dye. We all knew that Pods and Erstad would eventually get injured. Terrero has been decent out there....but Owens is just a disaster. I like Anderson, and unless we sign a major offseason CF next year, I think he should be our CF. However, I don't want him as are fourth outfielder when our team is playing like this. The reason being is that it doesn't create value for his progression. He needs at bats...

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 9, 2007 -> 03:09 AM) Ozzie had a lot to do with who's on this roster also though. He's the one who needs his "speed" guy at the top of the order. He's the one who didn't want to give Anderson an extended shot this year. He's the one that never gave Gload the chance to see what he could do as a leadoff hitter. In no way am I blaming Ozzie for how bad this talent level is....but he isn't exactly out of the loop on these decisions. You think Anderson would make any difference on this team right now?

He needs to light a fire, but if the team fails to respond, he will be criticized even further. He's fighting a losing battle, unless this team came pick it up. Is it his responsibility? Yes, but what else can hye do with the hand he was dealt? Let's face it, the potential guys are not living up, and the guys no one questions are productive year after year, aren't this year for whatever reason. I mean, you can't criticize a lineup where no one is hitting... You shake it up, but that's all you can really do.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Apr 15, 2007 -> 03:08 AM) If they really want to build around speed and small ball you get the best in the business in contact and sign Irchiro. I would let Dye go, put Ichiro in RF. Sign Gooch. And hit them one and two. Yes and yes

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Apr 20, 2007 -> 01:33 PM) Leave Erstad alone. He's trying to get into a groove. I will say that at least Erstad can advance runners and have productive outs. He serves our offense better that way than Anderson, and allows Gooch to move down in the order.

How many days to the season? Climb down people...

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Mar 3, 2007 -> 09:02 PM) Well at what point does a potential FA say to themselves, well I would like to go to the whitesox, however do I really need to deal with the landslide of crap when I eventually leave. We've had plenty of FA, and players traded that have left on good terms. When players take a parting shot about the team, it's going to ruffle feathers.