GreatScott82

QUOTE(SnB @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 07:00 AM) W quite possibly the best piece of photography i've ever seen. It is my desktop and cell phone wallpaper. i agree this picture got me amped up for the '05 season.. im waiting for an awesome Swish photo...

Buerhle and AJ by far. I think Swish will be up there in my top 3 this year. However, im one of the few Owens supporters on here so he might make it up there on my list also.

I just got my Dad 2 tix for his birthday. April 14th vs Oakland. Its the first Monday half price game. Should be fun to see if Swisher beats down his old teamates.

Uribe still has a shot at being the starting 2b. If i were him i would focus on that. I think the three battles this spring training will be fun to watch. 1) Uribe vs Richar- The battle for the 9th place hitter in the lineup should be interesting. Im guessing whoever can bunt better and get on base more will win this battle. Because defensively im sure Uribe has more range than RIchar but it should be close. 2) Floyd-Danks vs Massett, Haegar, Broadway, and Egbert.- I think Floyd and Danks have the upper edge given the experience but almost every spring training there is that one suprise player who makes the team. If we get that suprise player this spring it will most likely come from a starting pitcher. 3) Owens vs Quentin- Both will make the team for sure. But who will be the every day 3rd outfielder? Quentin has dominated the minor leagues, putting up monster #s in the OBP and BA. However, Jerry Owens has shown he can be an effective everyday leadoff hitter if given the oppurtunity. I think Quentin has the edge, but due to Ozzie's preference for that traditional speedy leadoff hitter I think this can go either way.. ** Fields vs Crede- KW said both will not be on the team together come opening day. This pretty much means the end for Crede as a White Sox. It should still be interesting to see how Crede does. What happens if he is too impressive to let go? Will that increase his trade value enough to get a solid starting pitcher? I think that is what we are all hoping for....... 2008 is finally here... im not sure what to expect at this point....

Im a 2007 alum and i took that class in 2006.. I'm still in shock by the whole thing.. My thoughts and prayers go out to the familes of the lost loved ones.

So Owens is useless? And he gives us a younger speedy guy at the top of the order? How can you compliment a 'useless' guy? I think Owens will be a nice suprise this year. I think he's capable of a .270 batting average with 50 SBs if givin the playing time for an entire season.

QUOTE(chisox2334 @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 05:03 AM) interesting.. Sabean said that some trade talks have been "ongoing" but would be tabled until later in Spring Training to allow the Giants time for further evaluations. That would seem to fuel the rampant rumors that have linked the Giants to the Chicago White Sox, who are dangling third baseman Joe Crede. Having undergone lower back surgery last year, Crede will require the sort of evaluation Sabean mentioned as he performs in exhibition games. But Sabean pointed out that those evaluations include internal ones. "The bigger dilemma is always who you're going to give up," he said. You know Rowand has spoked to Sabean about going after Crede... this can only help the Sox' chances of getting back something decent. I think the painting is already on the wall. Crede will be a Giant. Hopefully we at least get Lowry. I really hope KW sweetens the deal and goes after Cain but thats a super long shot.

Hawk has been a HUGE part of the white sox culture for the past 20+ years... he's probably the biggest homer broadcaster in the history of baseball but i love him!! Hawk Harrelson to broadcast the Sox for 4 more seasons...... YESSSSSSS!!!

QUOTE(beck72 @ Feb 6, 2008 -> 12:03 PM) Adding Lowry at the cost of Crede, IMO would be a decent upgrade to the pitching staff-both the bullpen and starting staff. It would give the sox another legit starter to compete with Danks and Floyd. At worst Lowry may be a bullpen guy, if Floyd and Danks throw well in Spring. And the odd man out could throw from the pen--though Danks would be in AAA to get innings in. But I'm not convinced the sox are set at SP with Broadway and Egbert the top options in AAA in case either Floyd or Danks do poorly. I think Lowry would be a servicable starter in the AL but is Lowry that much better than Floyd or Danks? Im not so sure about that? If I were KW i would sweeten up the pot by throwing Danks in a Crede package to aqcuire Matt Cain.. if it costs more, which it likely would- you have the flexibility to throw Macdougal or perhaps even an Egbert... I just dont think Lowry would help our team significantly like Cain would...

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Feb 4, 2008 -> 08:00 PM) Reports are that the deal is done pending physicals. Rotoworld has the O's getting Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler. Its too bad we didnt have enough to offer Baltamore. I think Seattle is right up there in the AL power rankings now. Right now its probably in this order... Boston, Detroit, Cleveland, LA Angels, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Minnesota.

QUOTE(lvjeremylv @ Feb 3, 2008 -> 07:10 PM) We need another starter. Hopefully we'll get one for Crede. We won't go anywhere in a very tough AL Central if Danks/Contreras/Floyd make up 60% of our rotation. On a bright note if the offense wasn't horrible for the first 3 months of the season last year i think Danks could have at least won 4-5 more games during the first half.. he was pretty darn good. And he still is very young and he has a great chance of developing into a respectable 3 or 4 pitcher in a rotation one day. Floyd kind of reminds me of Garland in his early years with the Sox... has a good arm but im not so sure were in a possition to have the patience with him as we did with Garland to develop into a good starting pitcher. He ended the year strong but if there is one guy that scares me the most in our rotation its definitley Floyd.... He just got shelled too often last year.. Contreras is the 'key' to the rotation according to KW and Ozzie. I some what agree but he has proven to be dominate in this league and there were signs of him coming back to form back in September last year... I think if he can just post quality starts most of the season he will be fine.. especially as a #4 starter like he was back in '05 when it was Buerhle, Garcia, Garland, Contreras, El-duque. The best case scenario: Crede shines in spring training... So does Danks or Floyd and we package them both in a deal to San Fran for Cain.. it will most likely cost Danks because of his young age and upside.. If the Giants are desperate for a 3B like many out there say im sure they would consider pulling the trigger. That would leave us a stong 1-2-3 with Buerhle, Vaz, and Cain and it would put even less pressure on Floyd and Contreras on the bottom half.

Im not worried about the pen anymore which is very nice. But im worried about Danks and Floyd.. If ONE of those guys step it up which certaintly is possible i think we can be in this thing... Right now its all Detroit and Clevelands to lose. And that doesn't have to be a bad thing for us. I want one more starter...

QUOTE(BearSox @ Feb 2, 2008 -> 02:51 PM) man, it would be nice to snatch CC away from Cleveland. Hell yeah... this guy is a Sox killer.. However, i think there is no way Boston and the Yankees let both Johan AND C.C. slip through there fingers. I expect both of those teams to make a ludacris offer that no other team can match... So if I were KW once next offseason starts i would go straight for Sheets... In fact if Milwuakee is out of the race come the ASB i would make a strong push for him then this season...

Yea it has to be Harold. Since the last one was Fisk.. I think they are going in order of retirement. Next will be Big Frank.... BTW i think its awesome the White Sox are doing this... paying respect to White Sox legends by putting statues out on the concourse... Im thinking the next 3 will be Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko and Mark Buerhle.

QUOTE(R.J. @ Jan 31, 2008 -> 12:17 AM) Guys... We can be 100% certain that Matt Cain will not be on the White Sox in 2008. If people are speculating for fun, then that's fine. Let's not seriously sit here and talk about how many of our third-rate player we'd have to stack up to get a pitcher like Cain. Joe Crede does not have a lot of trade value. You're looking at one decent prospect or two mediocre prospects at the very most in a deal. R.J. we are talking about Sabean here... he's no Terry Ryan. But i know we are most likely not getting Cain... It will most likely be Lowry which is still pretty good..

If you can put a package around Crede to go and aquire Cain than KW will have had a tremendous offseason. Building our rotation around a couple of young guys like Danks and Cain is a great idea. You figure this will be Contreras' last season here most likely which would open up a spot to sign a legitimate starter such as Sabathia next offseason. The question is what else can we offer SF to make it attractive enough to aqcuire Cain? Lowry and Sanchez are not bad but they don't have as much upside as Cain does.

QUOTE(NCsoxfan @ Jan 29, 2008 -> 10:47 PM) Is it just me, or have teams gotten more in return for worse pitchers? Who got more the A's for Haren or the Twins for Santana? Im pretty sure a lot has to do with Santana's contractual situation. He is going into his final year and heading toward free agency where he will likely get the most money EVER for a free agent pitcher. Haren still has 3-4 years before he hits free agency which is worth more value.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...7&fext=.jsp This is awesome for us. 1) He is out of the AL Central- which could mean 3-4 more wins for us haha. 2) He is out of the American League and he doesn't make the beast of the easts (Red Sox, Yanks) any better. Will the Sox now make a push for Crisp? Im not so sure? But its a possibility... I know Boston wants to start Elsbury everyday. Look for Crisp to be traded somewhere...

Owens is much better than Patterson and he is much cheaper. Patterson has seen his best days... Owens has a decent chance of developing into a solid CF in this league... Unless you can bring in a guy who is significantly better defensively or offensively i just don't see the point of bringing in a guy like Patterson, Pierre or Lofton.

Im confident a deal will get done before spring training. Probably 3 years $30 million will get it done.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 24, 2008 -> 08:03 PM) A 2008-2009 rotation consisting of Buehrle, Vaz/Cont, Cain, Danks, Floyd, or one of the other couple guys around there = enough money free to sign Cabrera after 2009. We'd have gone from a $50 million starting rotation in 2006 to a $26 million rotation in only a few years. I was thinking that also... I wonder if Ozzie has spoken to Miguel Cabrera about his upcoming free agency? After all isn't it interesting that the Tigers and Cabrera signed a one year deal avoiding arbatration? If you make a blockbuster deal like the Tigers did the #1 priority would be to lock him up long term. I really believe that Cabrera's stay in Detroit will only be a 2 year stay. If the Sox only have a 26$ million decent rotation and with Thome likely retirering after 2009.... All the cards all lining up for the Sox to make a strong push for Miguel.. Or even perhaps C.C. Sabathia next offseason.... If KW scores Cain for Crede and some WOW!

QUOTE(WHITESOXRANDY @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 04:15 PM) Mike Huccabee has the same chance of becoming President as Fields has of starting the season at Charlotte. Not gonna happen. The Sox may do some dumb things but starting the season with possibly their most dynamic hitter in the minors....well....they're not THAT dumb. They'll unload Crede for a C prospect before that happens. And, I haven't even mentioned the dollars in savings. Anyway, with the Dotel signing, I am officially excited for this season to start because I know now that with another move or two the Sox WILL have a legit shot at the division this year. Bullpen= real solid.....maybe the best in the division Lineup= real good.....not Detroit good but dependable and exciting Starting rotation= 3 ?'s unfortunately this looks like where the season will hinge....maybe KW makes a move here I really like Richar. He may not be ready to bloom right now but I like a second baseman that plays solid D, has some good speed, doesn't "K" a lot, takes some walks and can flat out hit and with power. It excites me that our second baseman could have 60- 70 extra base hits. Probably not this year but hopefully he makes good progress towards that. I think the Sox hold onto Uribe the whole year. Defensively, he is needed insurance for this infield. I would. Plus, they're counting on 2 rookies in the infield. They need him just in case. And, if Cabrera goes down there's nothing. I would be very happy if Pablo Ozuna were not on this team. I would love to see the Sox have a hitter in the 7th hole bang out 40 dingers. Go Fields! I like an outfield with Dye,Owens,Swisher,Quentin and Anderson. I would hold onto all of them for now. I realize that all 5 will not be on the 25 man together. I'm excited to watch Orlando Cabrera. I don't care what anyone says. He's a damn good ballplayer and a damn site better than Uribe's been. I truly believe that the Sox will contend and be over .500 and within 10 games. Maybe, if the starting pitching comes through and they catch a few breaks (Detroit's pitching could collapse) they might sneak by. Atleast I'm excited to watch now. I know for a fact KW knows he needs to make a move there. I do believe Contreras can rebound (esp with a new Cuban buddy on the team haha) But i garuntee one of Floyd or Danks blows up this year.. I just dont trust them both in the rotation together at this time. Im sure KW is looking for help in the rotation right now and im sure he's working hard at it. I just hope its not for an average to below average veteran starter like a Benson or Lohse.

awesome its official!! its a good thing to come home from work to. I just listened to the conference call. KW said he doesn't anticipate any addition to the rotation. That doesn't mean he won't add to it but he seems to love his young guys.. He also said he isn't done adding to the club. Said the starting lineup that ozzie puts together will have a lot to do with how Owens performs in ST. Nothing new... didn't deny going after Colon or didn't deny that its still a possibility. On paper our bullpen has to be one of the best in the game. Especially if Macdougal finds his game again. KW said that the reason they added a lot of depth to the pen is to limit Jenks innings and spell the young starters throughout the year. (Danks and Floyd).

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 04:54 AM) Yes it is Every team has a lot of IFs going into the season... especially if your coming off a 90 loss season haha.

QUOTE(bigruss22 @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 04:43 AM) Which really could help the rotation this year too. If Vaz goes back to his old ways of 5 and done, then our depth will help out. Not to mention with Danks/Floyd still being questionmarks with Contreras right there with them, we may need to depend on the bullpen alot more this year. That may be fine if these guys can go into the 6th inning without imploding too much, for we seem to have a lot of depth now. That is why an addition of Colon can't hurt anything.. . If that doesn't happen i would LOVE it if KW makes a strong push for Bedard. What its going to cost? probably a lot... probably more than we have.