hogan873

Although I'd hate to see Konerko go, we do need a good SP. I really wouldn't want to send Marte, but of course sending Garland doesn't solve the fifth starter issue. However, I'd feel a little better about having Garcia, Buehrle, Vazquez, and Contreras. Like it was suggested earlier, sign a relatively cheap fifth starter like El Duque or Loaiza. Wouldn't it be odd if three of the Sox SP's were former Yankees?

I agree regarding Perez. If KW was so bent on trading for him last year, why drag his feet on signing him as a free agent? I really haven't heard any other teams in hot pursuit of him. And, in actuality, signing him would really solve the rotation issue. The Sox would have five true starters that would make a good, solid rotation. Maybe not a flashy rotation, but solid.

It seems that the Yankees are focusing on Hudson now. I would think that RJ is still in their sights, but maybe they know that the Sox want to land ohnson themselves vs. being part of a three-way deal. If that's the case, and they have shifted their focus away from the Unit, it seems likely that the Sox have a good chance to aquire him. As far as a fifth starter, if this deal goes down, one would think that we could get away with Schoe as #5 due to the number of games Johnson could win. If the rotation were Johnson, Garcia, Buehrle, Contreras, and Schoe, you could be looking at wins as such: 19, 17, 17, 15, and 12. That would be pretty good...and who's to say Johnson, Garcia, and Buehrle couldn't each win 20 games?

Yes, pull the trigger. It would suck to see Marte go, but to have RJ for two years would be huge. I don't think giving up what AZ wants would be that bad.

I'm sure, at least I hope, that the Lee trade was done in part to free up cash for a starting pitcher. Now, I also hope that KW has something in the works. It seems to me that Clement may be that thing in the works. If the top offer on the table right now is somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 million a year for 3 years, then I think the Sox have a decent chance to sign him. But, the Sox are not known as big spenders, so if another team throws out $9 million a year or a four year contract, the Sox won't land him. I'm hoping that they do sign him. He's a strikeout pitcher and could easily give the Sox 12 to 14 victories. A rotation of Garcia, Buehrle, Contreras, Clement, and Garland could truly make the Sox contenders in 2005.

I like the trade, but I do hope that KW does something with the money saved. The Sox really need to sign another SP. I'm hoping that this happens with the reported $7 million they are saving with this deal. I'm guessing that the Sox are not in the running to sign Clement, although he would be great. Who else is out there...a quality SP that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg? There really hasn't been any grumblings about the Sox pursuing anyone, but you never know. KW could pull a deal out of his rear to make us all smile...well, at least most of us.

Since the Yankees are close to signing Pavano, does that mean they have given up on acquiring Johnson? I assume that if they could get RJ, they will most likely still go after him, but I wonder if this move (Pavano) makes it more likely that the Sox could get RJ.

I thought about Direct TV, but Dish offers the dual tuner DVR.

Thanks for the feedback. Now I don't have to switch back to cable and pay out the rear.

I'm a Dish Network customer and was dismayed to see that they are dropping Fox Sports Net and replacing it with Comcast Sports Net. This concerns me being as many Sox games are broadcast on FSN. I don't suppose that any will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net. Anyone have any info?

It's hard to really imagine what moves the Sox may make. However, realistically, I see the adding of a good starter, someone like Ortiz or Clement, the addition of a decent bullpen guy, maybe Farnsworth, and a middle infielder...Renteria or Walker at best. The team probably won't look much different than last year, but that doesn't mean bad news. If they concentrate on the little things and solid pitching, things may be okay. But, unless we find a way to beat the Twins, it's a moot point.

I was hoping the Sox would have gone after Walker last year. I would rather see him at second than the inconsistent Harris. As far as Renteria, that would be awesome. Let's just hope that KW makes a decent push for him.

I just heard Bruce Levine say, in a recording, that the Sox may approach the Cubs about the availability of Kyle Farnsworth. What does anybody think about this? I don't think it's necessarily exciting, but if the Sox don't give up much, i.e. almost nothing, it might not be a bad deal. Let's just hope that, if a deal does go down, that he can remain healthy and throw the ball in the upper 90's like he's capable.

I like this trade. I haven't been too excited about Loaiza this year. Besides, Contreras has two more years on his contract. Loaiza would have been a free agent, and I believe he was going to be looking for around $8 million a year. He's not worth that...at least not as a risk. I hope Jose pitches well in his debut. That will be a major boost for the Sox.

More than likely, anyone we pick up now would be a lease until next year. So, Beltran would be great. But we'd probably have to give up too much. I think Finley or Hillebrand would be our best option.

As much as "renting a player" doesn't do anything for the future, it would fill the gaping hole left by Frank. I'd say go for Beltran. Of course, Jason Kendall would look good in a Sox uniform for the next few years. Talk about a good lead-off man!

"We gave up Jeremy Reed for Garcia, that's how it happened. And you think that makes Kenny a genius?" I know we gave up some talent for Garcia. But as far as Reed is concerned, it was potential talent. Look at Joe Borchard. Will he ever be ready for the majors? Joe Crede, too. He's mediocre at best, at least offensively. I'm tired of hearing about all the talent in the minors. Who has been a success as of late coming up? Borchard...no. Diaz...no. Rauch...no. KW is trying to put together a team to win this year, not in three or four or 30.

Hey, a lot of guys would look good in a Sox uniform, but I was mentioning Berkman because he's going to be a free agent. Wouldn't it be nice to be the Yankees and buy whatever you want? Except Freddy Garcia, that is. How did KW do that without the Yankees stepping in?

I thought I saw somewhere that Lance Berkman would be a free agent next year. I can't imagine the Astros willing to part with him, but wouldn't he look good in a Sox uniform?

Okay, okay. I just watched Schoeneweis pretty much put the game out of reach for the Sox. So now we're looking at a possible (probable?) five game losing streak. What do the Sox need to ensure the American League Central crown? For sure, one more quality starter. Randy Johnson would be great. Hell, I'd take Kris Benson right now. Maggs needs to be back. This needs to happen soon. 'Nuff said. Some more bullpen help. I know that there's the rumor involving Guardado from Seattle. That would be huge. Willie Harris needs to either start hitting again and start running, or he needs to be shipped off for someone who will. We need a lead-off man who can lead off the majority of the time and actually get on base and aggrivate the opposing pitcher. A more stable lineup. It seems now that Ozzie may be picking his lineup out of a hat. If nothing else, maybe the Twins will be contracted sometime after the All Star break.

Having Randy Johnson in a Sox uniform would be awesome. Imagine that rotation! The Sox would have a much better chance to get to the playoffs, and then to advance.

I clicked yes almost immediately. I liked the sound of it when I read it on espn.com. I really don't think that the Sox can re-sign Maggs. So, why not deal him and Jon "The Big Deserter" Rauch for Jones and Ortiz. Andruw Jones would be the center fielder the Sox have been looking for, and Russ Ortiz would solidify the rotation...making the rotation one of the best in baseball.

My apologizes for starting another thread. :banghead

Take a look at the stats of some of our White Sox. Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Juan Uribe, and Carlos Lee have potential All Star stats. I suppose we should expect good numbers from Thomas and Konerko and even Lee, but Uribe has been a great surprise. Not only is he getting on base, he has power, and he can play three positions well. But guess what? Konerko and Uribe are not even on the ballot. Konerko is not because Thomas is on there for 1st base. Uribe isn't on there because he's not a starter at any one position. I know, I know, we can write them in, but that's not going to get them enough votes. Thomas and Lee won't get enough votes, either. They're on the ballot, but we can't vote enough times to get them there. This is frustrating because it's the fans that vote. I guess that I agree the fans should have a say in who goes to the mid-summer classic, but some of those selected boggle the mind. I saw today on ESPN that Sammy Sosa is one of the highest vote getters for OF for the NL. Sosa hasn't played in weeks. And I can imagine that Garciaparra will be getting plenty of votes (maybe not enough to get in), and he just played his first game! When the strting lineups are announced in Houston, I can already see 3 or 4 Yankees and no White Sox. I can see Sosa there, but the multi-talented Craig Wilson of the Pirates will be watching from home. I guess we can be thankful that the managers can pick the pitchers. Maybe we'll get lucky with Buehrle and maybe Takatsu making it.

I suppose we should have all seen this coming. Having Maggs agree to a long-term deal without some haggle is a pipe dream. The question is, however, do the Sox have a legitimate shot at signing him before he "tests the FA waters?" Because, guess what? The Sox will not be able to compete with some of the big dogs out there. Some team will offer him more than the Sox can match. So, do the Sox continue to haggle with Maggs and risk losing him (and getting nothing at the end of the year), or do they trade him before July 31 and pick up a stud pitcher? I'm personally leaning towards a trade. Only because I really don't think the Sox can retain Maggs after the season. So, who needs a big bat in the outfield and has some pitching we would like? I know that many teams would like a Maggs-type player, but is there a match out there for the Sox to gather a #1 or #2 starter for him?