fathom

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:38 PM) As currently constructed, what OBP machine would be in front of Thome if we hit him third? Cabrera, of the we-should-be-pleased-with-a-.340-OBP variety? Hopefully we announce a Fukodome signing so we don't have to go any further with this. That solves everything, Fukodome leads off with Cabrera second and everybody (that I can tell) is happy happy. I hate when people let announcers and managers/GM shape the way they view things.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:26 PM) Things could change if they were to sign Jones or Fukudome. So wouldn't that mean we'd have to come up with a better offer than Chuck James? Doesn't seem like it would be in our best interest to give up something like Gio and another of our few legit prospects.

QUOTE(Allsox @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:22 PM) Hmmm, after looking at DeJesus' #'s, I wouldn't mind him here. Tough trading within the division but he's a pain in our ass. Me likey! Batting GP AB R H 2b 3b HR RBI SB At BB K Avg OBP SLG 2004 24 KCR AL 96 363 58 104 15 3 7 39 8 11 33 53 .287 .360 .402 2005 25 KCR AL 122 461 69 135 31 6 9 56 5 5 42 76 .293 .359 .445 2006 26 KCR AL 119 491 83 145 36 7 8 56 6 3 43 70 .295 .364 .446 2007 27 KCR AL 157 605 101 157 29 9 7 58 10 4 64 83 .260 .351 .372 Fielding for '07 in CF GP TC A E FP% 2007 27 KCR AL CF 156 401 5 4 .990 The Braves offered Chuck James, a highly touted lefty MLB starter, and I believe the Royals said no. I'm worried about what we'd have to give up to get DeJesus. I'd much rather trade for Josh Hamilton.

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:17 PM) Look out, Sox might get Gooched over on this one. from Rotoworld "Agent Rocky Hall said he's expecting the Brewers to extend a two-year offer to Tadahito Iguchi. Iguchi would likely take over as the Brewers' third baseman, with Ryan Braun getting shifted to left. That's not the kind of upgrade the Brewers first seemed to be shooting for when they entertained the idea of moving Braun, but it might work out OK." Terrible idea by the Brewers....Iguchi might need a cut-off man to reach 1b.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:16 PM) There are certain lefties, such as Johan that its better to face them as a traditional lefty as it takes away their best pitch, the change up. Used to be that way, but it wasn't true last year. I can't believe how bad his home run numbers were last year. I really think he's going to begin to fade sooner rather than later. I feel bad for the team that signs him to a 6 year deal (obviously, he'll be an ace for the first two years or so).

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:09 PM) Little early to cast judgment. That hasn't stopped this site from doing it in the past, but it's still early. On second thought, I should have said "won't", instead of can't.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:10 PM) BP said they thought there was one really big offer for Fukudome -- and they thought it was from the Cubs. And Hendry did say he would outbid anyone for him. Plus, Fukudome strikes out. He's not the player Williams is talking about. given what he said, I'm guessing they are targeting David DeJesus or Crisp. Crisp doesn't do much of anything offensively.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:11 PM) Where exactly are you coming up with the conclusion that Richar can't face LHP? According to MLB.com's splits, and those are just his rookie numbers, his OPS against LHP last year was .696 and his OPS against RHP was .695. He won't be facing lefties...I'll guarantee you that we'll platoon at 2nd base. I actually wouldn't mind a Richar/Ozuna platoon at 2nd.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:04 PM) I will take a high OBP guy who can get on base regardless. They need good hitters, not necessarily guys who hit from one side or the other. You've criticized Guillen for being too appendage aware, as long as the guy is a good hitter who can get on base, what's the difference? As for what Hendry might or might not have told the agent, well, maybe that's true but there's all kinds of chatter at these meetings. My guess is the Cubs do get him but I hope the White Sox seal the deal on this guy. Hoping against hope. But what if it's a guy that can't get on base against LHP? As our division stands right now, it's possible we'll have to face Santana, Liriano, Rogers, Robertson, Willis, Sabathia, and one or two other tough lefties in our division. We already have a 2nd baseman that can't face LHP and a DH that is below league average when facing lefties. Does anyone know how Fukudome is against LHP?

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:04 PM) Fuk? In regards to what? Why I'm confident he's Cubs bound.

BTW, I promise after he decides that I'll reveal what I've been told. Until then, I will hold out hope that the Sox get him. Hearing that mlb.com interview with Ozzie does give me a little more optimism, but I'd still put Fukudome as 90 pct likely to be playing for the Cubs.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 10:00 PM) The Sox have been courting him too and it goes back to last summer before he got hurt. How's this for irony after the stories we heard yesterday.....Piniella was telling Kaz Matsui during the recruiting process that he'd have another japanese player on the roster.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 09:59 PM) Why? Fukudome appears to be exactly what the White Sox need. You're bothered by everything else, but it wouldn't bother you if he turns down the Sox and goes to the Cubs, or any other team? I don't think he'd be a competent CF, and I really want our new CF to be a right handed hitter that can face tough lefties. Also, as DA pointed out last night, Hendry has let Fukudome's agent know they'll outbid anyone.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 09:56 PM) Have you ever heard that Fuk prefers the Cubs, or that the Cubs really want him? No one heard about the Halos and Hunter either.... Yes, I've heard from a ton of places, either in the media or from some people involved with the club, that the Cubs and Fukudome have been working on a deal for over a month now.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 09:49 PM) The Sox really need a OBP guy. Sox needs>>>>Cubs missing out on other players. Oh, and add a few hundred >>> I also have never heard one source say that Fukudome will go anywhere but to the Cubs, so I'm not getting my hopes up.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 09:44 PM) I think your getting a little ahead of yourself. I think the highest projections for Fuk are around a .385 OBP. It wouldn't bother me if the Sox don't get him. Hell, let the Cubs get him, and then not pusue Josh Hamilton, Teahan, etc.

QUOTE(kwolf68 @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 08:40 PM) Thome leading off? Lots of solo homers and lots of double plays. Thome doesn't hit into too many double plays (you have to make contact for that to happen).

QUOTE(TheBigHurt @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 08:30 PM) LOL. We don't necessarily need someone speedy enough to steal a bunch of bases at leadoff, just someone who could hit, but someone who could run some. Thome... lol. Of course... I realize you are kidding. No, I was being 100 pct serious.

QUOTE(TheBigHurt @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 08:25 PM) I simply don't understand posts like these. We need better players. Rowand is a great cneter fielder and a great person in the clubhouse, and look what he's done in recent years. You can't tell me you'd be happier with Jerry Owens playing center. Only drawback is leadoff. Will we get a leadoff hitter? If we can get ANYONE decent to lead off, I will be VERY happy if Rowand is signed. When you have a 3/4/5 that can hit 120 homers combined, leadoff is such an overrated position. Why can't we just have Thome leadoff?

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 08:21 PM) A .230 AVG with a .289 OBP and 1 steal and not exactly stellar with the glove doesn't make him a sure bet. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but a lot of guys do. He will need to improve a lot to be a contirbuting regular on a good major league team. For comparisons sake, Brian Anderson hit .225 with a .290 OBP in 2006 and most people thing he should be stocking oranges at Jewel. Don't forget that Richar will be useless against a lot of pitchers in our division (tough lefties).

QUOTE(juddling @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 08:16 PM) in the Sun-Times De Luca mentions the Marlins were looking for a catching prospect which the Sox didn't have to offer. They were waiting for a counteroffer from the Marlins when the quick deal was announced. If that is how it happened, if you like KW or not....there wasn't much he could do. He's sitting in his room waiting for a call back when he hears about the deal. You can't make the other teams deal with you. IIRC, i read somewhere that the Sox and Hunter all but signed a deal when Hunter flew out to keep his meeting with the Angels. then...BAM...the deal is done. Again....what could KW do???? he's makes an offer..if Hunter or Cabrera came back to KW and said 'Hey..this is what i was offered by Detroit. Want to beat this??" and the Sox declined then that would be one thing but i think twice now KW thought he had a deal all but done then Poof it was gone. Sure there's stuff he could have done. It's not like Rubelo is a big prospect. He could have traded Crede for a catching prospect. Of course, we would have had a lot more to trade with if not for the stupid, in hindsight, Garland for a one year SS when we already have Uribe on the books.

I wish we could wait 2 weeks before deciding who to try and sign. The Mitchell Report could play prominently with some of these free agents left.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 03:58 PM) Rowand's a pretty good player but I'd like to see a leadoff hitter acquired, and with Quentin now on the roster, CF is the only spot for a leadoff hitter. So I guess I'd rather have Fukudome, unless there's a belief he won't be able to handle playing CF and is more of a corner. The Cubs are going to sign Fukudome!

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Dec 5, 2007 -> 03:42 PM) If the money were the same -- which I think it could be -- I'd much rather have Andruw Jones over Rowand. I don't think there's a chance in hell Jones will get that little per year.

According to Bruce Levine, this is the most recent update regarding the Sox and Rowand. Also, the Sox are still interested in DeJesus.