CanOfCorn

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 04:40 PM) Ya, I'm still holding out hope of a major move that brings in a leadoff hitter at either 2nd or SS. Richar might be that guy. How's he doing, btw? Just checked for myself...he's the leading hitter on the team (so far) at .364 with a .970 OPS (so far) and 2 2B and 3 3B (so far). Hopefully he projects as a major leaguer and not another AAAA player.

This thread is boring me with your arguments...I'm going back to Trade Winds until something else breaks....

Can we PLEEEEEZZZZ get back on topic here? We won't know anything for sure until the ink is dry or the Sox are stitching new names to the back of jerseys...but this story had to come from somewhere...even it's stretching the truth a little....

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 04:16 PM) As of now Fields is an average 3b imo. He's perfectly capable of making the routine plays but he doesn't have a ton of range at this point. That could improve but he's never going to be Joe there(most people aren't). I really doubt that he's in left next year, Crede will be elsewhere by the start of next season imo. Not coming off back surgery he won't. Unless the Sox non-tender him and get absolutely nothing in return. That's not good baseball business.

QUOTE(chiguy79 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 04:14 PM) Pay attention, he wants to be close to MO...it has nothing to do with his commute. And maybe he doesn't want to live with all the ultra-wealthy snobs in Greenwich... Including Kansas City?

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 04:06 PM) Why does everyone keep saying Fields is going to play LF? Has the guy done anything to make it look like he wont be a good 3B in the MLB? The guy is a good 3B. There is no need to move him to the OF. Because the Sox may not non-tender Crede and play him at 3B to get trade value for him. If Fields doesn't yak the rest of this year and proves he should be playing every day, then they will find a way to play him every day. That will be left field...until the trade Crede or he walks.

QUOTE(briguy27 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:34 PM) Bruce Levine is saying he talked to Buehrle's agent. Buehrle HAS NOT agreed on anything Again...probably true. That doesn't mean they aren't talking. Or that they aren't close?

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:23 PM) I'll bet soon, Ofman claims that the deal fell through citing the fifth year was the sticking point. Which could be...*gasp*...true.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:20 PM) Well considering both Iguchi and Uribe are potentially going to get moved, he could play either SS or 2B. Also, if Fields ends up playing LF Betemeit can play some 3rd. We have a lot of spots currently being filled up by unproductive players with limited upside, so why not let a guy who may be struggling at the major league level (although he has shown flashes of production) and has some actual upside. Wasn't sure if he can play SS or 2B. Although I would imagine you are probably right about Fields playing LF.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:21 PM) I'm not calling his agent a liar. However, I know agents can phrase things in unique ways. Either way I think both sides want to keep things quiet. I have absolutely no source in this situation so I'm clearly speculating on both sides (and am probably biased because I want to believe a deal is close). Cuz, y'know, a lot of them are lawyers.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:17 PM) You can't forget that half of the league is linked to some kind of Buehrle rumor this past week; it's not only the Red Sox. Yes, but I didn't feel like putting up the Brewers, Braves, Mets, Phillies, etc. Just getting a point across.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:14 PM) Maybe Hahn is going to Tampa to ask the Count face to face to waive his no trade. Isn't Rick Hahn the money guy, though? Not saying you are wrong, just making sure.

Just seems this is posturing by all involved. Let's make a list: White Sox: Supposedly saying the Red Sox are interested Red Sox: Claim they are not interested Score: Close to extension ESPN: Not close to extension Jeff Berry: Surprised anyone said anything Buehrle: Mum, but being coy. Hahn: Flying to TB I mean, come on...how many times have we seen this? Either with the Sox or some other club.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 03:03 PM) Not necessarily new news but I do think the reason he was kept off the DL is because trade talks surrounding Dye have intensified and you can not deal a player who is on the DL. I think he could be dealt before he even plays another game, but it is more likely that he is dealt after this weekend (especially if he plays 3 more games). The Sox probably know they have to be careful and ensure he doesn't get super hurt (unless of course they have been getting poor trade offers, in which case he needs to get out and play and show teams he's healthy so you can get those offers and if he gets hurt for an extended period, than you collect your draft picks this off-season). I have my doubts as to whether the Dodgers would give up Billingsley in a trade package. Betemeit is a name that definitely makes some senes, but him alone isn't good value, imo. WWHP?

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 02:34 PM) I'm assuming there is an actual difference it would make on your lifestyle. At some point, you're making so much damn money it doesn't really matter anymore, you just want to be in the place you want to be. What's the damn difference between having $50 million and having $60 million in your bank account on your daily lifestyle? Not much. But what might the difference be in living where you are comfortable and living where you aren't? I would imagine it could be quite substantial. Respect. That's all it really is. "Well, Pitcher X got this contract and my numbers are better, plus I won a World Series." "Yes, but Pitcher X also won a Cy Young and is younger." Etc., etc.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 04:19 AM) It's "moi" Steve. Maybe he was blowing kisses?

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) FWIW, I just heard some information that makes me believe this article is a lot more speculative than it is fact. Let's just say that teams still don't think there's a chance that Buehrle signs an extension before testing free agency. You and your crazy mystery information! Maybe it's because Buehrle's agent was in Flah-rida this week? Who knows, it could happen.

I luuuuuuuuuv StatManDu.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 09:34 AM) It's related. A Mark signing would mean the sox needing to get competitive for 2008. And that means free agents or trades for major leaguers not A ball prospects. I don't think a Ichiro signing would depend on Iguchi being here. I don't think Ichiro needs Tad here to hold his hand. I think the sox would or should target Luis Castillo for 2b. He could hit leadoff or #2, w/o sacrificing defense. And give the sox better offense. I didn't mean to hold his hand, necessarily, I just meant that it would be easier for both of them AND would help with the Japanese press. Seattle has a HUGE Japanese population, more than Chicago, at least, but with both of them here, this would raise the stakes for the Japanese press to cover the White Sox and might keep Ichiro at the top of the heap...at least more so than if he went to KC or Milwaukee.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 09:28 AM) If both Count and Vaz are traded because of MArk's re-signing, the sox would have to get one or more top SP prospects that are able to pull a Danks and step into the 2008 rotation right away. But more likely only one of the Count or Vaz would be dealt. Vaz would get more than Count. Although, I think Vaz is worth keeping around. We'll see.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 26, 2007 -> 11:52 PM) Is Roland Hemond still working for the Sox? If so, he was scouting at the Dodgers/DBacks game. Isn't he like a Senior Consultant to the GM or something like that?

When your GM announces, "We are open for business," then everyone on the team (other than the cheap ones and the ones you just traded for) are pretty much in play to the media. That's all this is.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jun 27, 2007 -> 09:23 AM) A Buehrle re-signing would show everyone that the sox aren't going to blow the whole team up--that they plan on being competitive for the next 4-5 years. That's important to the players, us fans, and potential free agents [only one I care about--Ichiro]. Bingo! Although Ichiro...not so much. I don't think they will spend the money on him... If they do plan on going after him, though, do you think about keeping Iguchi? (didn't mean to derail the thread)

Not to be a jerk, Bob, but have you noticed the attendance at Marlins games? They have won 2 WS titles in the short amount of time they've been in existence and they still can't get a sell out. White Sox fans will only take losing for so long. Remember how many attendance threads were on this board in 2005, on our way to winning the WS? Actually, I think Kenny's got it right, you have to do more of an Oakland/Atlanta thing where you rebuild on the fly and try to keep winning. The first place-last place-first place thing is too tough on the fans/front office/players. At least TRY, which is what Kenny did. His players have been hurt and maybe he was short-sighted on players like Erstad not getting hurt again, but hey, look at Dye, he was an "injury risk" and he turned out to be our WS MVP. Being a GM is hit or miss...and hopefully you can be more hit than miss. Obviously there are some better than others, but I think overall, Kenny is on the top end of GMs in this league. So, selling the farm is not an option for this team. By the way, as much as Jerry and the Board of Directors have been slammed on this board and in the media, they/he has brought the city of Chicago 7 World Championships, which is more than any of the other owners in this town have done.

Just beware that if we sign Mark, which I REALLY hope we do, we are probably going to have to trade 1 or 2 other starters. And that can be any combination of Contreras, Vazquez and Garland. Now, I'm sure Contreras is the one that all of us can agree on, but don't rule out Garland being shipped out. He probably would have more suitors and would get a better return than Vazquez...if only because Garland has been pretty consistent since 2005 and Vazquez has been a bit up and down. I hope we have a rotation of MB/JG/JV/JD and one of Floyd/Masset/Gonzalez next year, but, if this breaking story tells you something, it's that anything can happen.