SkokieSox

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.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 3, 2007 -> 05:34 PM) I'll make this as simple as I can; If Ozzie Guillen keeps his team together and keeps them winning ballgames this year, gets them to the playoffs, and so on; I couldn't care less which players he rips into. If that works, I'll take it. If Ozzie Guillen becomes a distraction that starts costing the White Sox chances at the playoffs, in repeated seasons, then there will be no more reason to tolerate these rants. It's been said many times over from players in the club house, that Ozzie takes the pressure off his players. He's not a distraction to the players, he draws attention from the media, that would otherwise be focused on the players. So let there be articles about what Ozzie says about McCarthy and Rich Hill. Who gives a ****? The players find him refreshing!

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 02:45 AM) I discussed Ichiro with Wite a few nights ago on AIM, and he makes too much sense for 2008. Maybe even a Mike Young for second... I'll take Tad there just as easy, batting behind Ichiro.

We'll still have a 100+ million budget. Who knows, how great would it be having Ichiro in LF and Sweeney in right?

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 09:29 PM) I'm sorry, but this is bad business... I can see JD, Buehrle, and Tada all being highly annoyed that KW felt the need to talk honestly about this. On the flip side, I can see them being appreciative, getting the opportunity to see what kind of deal they could get outside the organization, while still having the opportunity to negotiate with the Sox. He basically took the pressure off of having contracts becoming a distraction. Just play, we'll talk later...

In the minority, I really don't see the problem with this. He's not conveying he won't attempt to resign them. He's offering them to find their worth as a FA, and we can go from there. Obviously any offer at this point from the Sox, all three are going to feel they can get more. He's just saying, go find out what that number is, and we'll see if we can work something out.

QUOTE(Colorado Sox Fan @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 10:29 PM) I don't care about the Cubs comparison. I agree with Rogers. There's nothing in the offseason moves that excites me about this team. Say what you want about Freddy, but he would give us 15 wins. Now we have Vazquez as #4 starter vs. #5 and it's anybody's quess who the #5 is. I just don't see how we're a better team without Garcia and Mac. I don't care about 2008 or 2009. I want to see a world series challenger in 2007. This team doesn't cut it, unless we pick up a starter at the trade deadline. So say we go for it all this year and still don't end up with a WS. Next year would you commit to your statement and be willing for the team to not be competitive, and sign mediocre pitching for top dollar?

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Feb 11, 2007 -> 09:30 AM) I agree about Vazquez, but still, it's clear that the Tigers had better sp last year. And with their youth and the talent that everybody's been talking about for years, I'm not gonna bet against them in any case, even as I'm consciously trying to be a homer -- add in the fact that we have Floyd 'o the 65 career era+ as our 5th starter, and I'd say they clearly look better at this point. I'll go with Kalapse's ranking. But it was clear we had the best starting pitching as well coming off 05. Let's see if the wear and tear affects them the same way it affected us.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 11, 2007 -> 12:29 PM) Due to the inactivity of threads on PHT ATM, I decided to try and get the ball rolling a little here. There's been rumors for the past week or 2 about Scott Linebrink, possibly being dealt to the Philies for Aaron Rowand. Now San Diego already have Mike Cameron in CF, so I can't really see them having a big need for Rowand. BUT, they lost Dave Roberts in the off-season, and are going with a Sledge / Cruz Jr. platoon in LF for the moment, with Marcus Giles probably leading off. So I'm wondering if the Padres would have some interest in Scott Podsednik. And yes Pods being injured isn't going to help matters. But if we chucked in a prospect as well, would you do say Adam Russell and Scott Podsednik for Linebrink? Now our pen is pretty full at the moment. And Linebrink regressed a little last season. But imagine having a pen of Jenks, MacDougall, Thornton, Aardsma and either Sisco or Logan and adding Linebrink to that mix. Having Linebrink bounce back would be a huge boost to the pen, and it'd allow for a 3 way competition b/w Sweeney, Anderson and Erstad for those 2 OF spots. Thoughts peoples? You could do this deal if for no other reason to flip him for another need.