fathom

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 4, 2005 -> 09:09 PM) You really shouldn't do this to yourself, by making these sort of posts you leave yourself open to a s*** load of flaming. If there's no green some people can't pick up on the sarcasm. It's part of the fun, to see that some posters can be that oblivous to sarcasm. I'm sure you remember me a few months ago saying that I wish Shingo was on the team instead of Jenks because it was so much more exciting to see Shingo pitch. Some people thought I was being 100 pct sincere. BTW, nice to see a member of Group 4 coming back!

If we're unable to resign PK now because we gave Widger more than minimum wage, KW should be fired! You can't tell me Leo Daigle couldn't be a catcher!

Rotoworld reports that the Twins are in talks with the Phillies about Thome.

QUOTE(Frank the Tank 35 @ Nov 4, 2005 -> 05:42 PM) ESPN1000 just reported that the Sox are preparing a 4 year $50 million deal for Konerko. Some team will give him longer than a 4 year deal. I like the deal though, and don't think they should go higher.

If you get rid of Garland, that's not going to help one bit in trying to keep Buehrle around after his deal is up.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 08:12 PM) Then leave it to Gload, or maybe Rogo. I still think we need to consider our own resources before spending a ton of new money. Give them a shot. 3rd place, HERE WE COME!

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 08:05 PM) But he would also have a nearly infinitely greater price tag. And there's a reason why Thome has such a lower price tag. Besides for the emergence of Howard, they know that Thome is a huge health risk the rest of his career. If the Sox are making a trade to acquire their 1B for the next few seasons, then they might as well aim to get someone who can actually play 1B. Offer Anderson, Duque, and Marte, and see what they say.

Delgado's an infinitely better option than Thome.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 05:14 PM) This is probably the last time I post on this particular topic, since I don't think I can keep posting stuff about contract length/dollars through December. This s*** is probably going to drive me nuts at some point. Just step back and realize that no matter what happens this offseason in regards to transactions, we're still the 2005 World Champions!

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 06:13 PM) This is exactly why some of us have been considering whether now would be a good time to trade Contreras for some high quality players/bats/prospects/something like that. He's the one they'll probably let walk, and we can get a ton for him right now after his performance in the 2nd half. If PK leaves, the first call KW should make is to Texas and see what it would take to acquire Teixeira. If it's Contreras, Marte, and a prospect, you'd have to strongly consider it.

With this news, can I once again state my fearless prediction from July that for some reason, I had a notion that Carlos Pena will be our starting 1b next season? Not saying I want that to happen, just a hunch I had for absolutely no reason!

Couple of things: - not a chance in hell PK should get a 6 or 7 year deal. He's not exactly a young 29 year old in terms of his health. If a team wants to give him 6 or 7 years, thanks for all you've done PK. - Brian Giles isn't an option. Don't forget, the White Sox were one of many midwest teams that were included in his no-trade clause a few years ago. - Chad Tracy has a lot more value than what many believe on here. His incredible stretch at the end of the season might have made him damn near impossible to acquire without including a stud in the trade. Rowand, Duque, and Marte will not be enough to get Tracy. Their new GM is going to try and trade Gonzo or Glaus instead of Tracy. Overbay is a much more likely option to get traded.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 01:55 AM) I just can't believe that the rumor would have been that close to true and it turns out to not have been it. I mean, the guy this whole thread was based on backtracked on his statements the next day, and then it turned out that an AL Outfielder with a playoff team (his words, I believe) was caught juicing. That's pretty damn close. I agree, I was just saying that there are still some rumors out there. I think Carrol was called in for questioning in this situation because of the unique steroid that was used by Lawton. I can't see how anyone would be "disappointed" in this though.

QUOTE(DonkeyKongerko @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 01:49 AM) Jeez, not even on a playoff roster. This is our "AL playoff outfielder"? What a let down. Can we still speculate just for fun? Well, if it makes you feel any better, since Lawton didn't appeal this, there's still some talk that this isn't the player that was in question.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 10:04 PM) wasn't it fathom too or someone else? Glad you guys can breathe easier now I think most of us are relieved to know it's not a Sox player. And did Lawton start a game in the playoffs vs the Angels? If so, it would make perfect sense. Even though it seems pretty minor, he's still one of the top 2 or 3 players to get busted so far.

I was reading it the other day, and Cunningham and Broadway were the two they praised the most. There were some good words about Getz as well.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 01:39 AM) He had a great year catching the ball defensively, but its understandable how he didn't win the GG. I think he'll take what he got. I couldn't agree more about him accepting what he got. I'll remember Uribe's incredible defense in Game 4 a hell of a lot longer than I will remember whether or not any of them won the Gold Glove. One thing I'll give Rowand a lot of credit for this year is he picked his leadership ability up. You can tell he's one of the guys that a lot of other players look up to.

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 11:38 PM) I would consider this another in a long line of your occasionally whimsical exaggerations. Extremely poor? Yes, his arm was awful this year compared to how he was throwing the previous few seasons. Rowand seemed to struggle getting enough air on his throws home this season, and they ended up getting slowed down far too often by the infield grass. I just remember Rowand's arm being a lot stronger/accurate in previous seasons. Like I said, there's no comparison between his arm and that of guys like Kotsay, Ichiro, Hunter, etc.

QUOTE(joeynach @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 11:05 PM) Your are right that is the biggest joke I have ever seen. Obviously whoever votes didn't even slightly do their homework. Not only did Hunter only play 93 games, but he didn't even have the highest Fielding % at his position in those games, had a .987%, ROWAND HAD A .992%. What a disrespectful slap in the face and sox fans, rowand, ozzie, and the sox brass should take it personal. Who cares what the fielding percentage is. Rowand didn't even get errors on some of his biggest blunders this season (basically, whenever Jenks was on the mound). Rowand had a very solid year in the field, but I don't think he deserved the Gold Glove. His arm was extremely poor/inaccurate this season. Compare his arm to the likes of Wells, Kotsay, Hunter, and Ichiro, and it's no contest. Rowand is an above average defensive outfielder, but I'm not going to lose sleep over him not winning the Gold Glove. Our best defensive player this season was Juan Uribe, and it's not even close in my book. Crede could have been in consideration, but he had a real rough defensive stretch after the Manny error.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 11:17 PM) The Reds and Brewers were 17th and 21st, respectively, in terms of BB/K ratio. The Sox were 26th. Both NL teams also had higher OBP numbers despite using a pitcher for the majority of their games. Look at the control pitchers in the AL Central compared to the NL Central. And one of the big reasons for the Reds walk total is the eye of Dunn. I'm talking more about the approach Dunn has at the plate. He doesn't cut down on his swing in big situations, and still swings for the fences. This is the type of thing that an organizational philosophy might try to change. Also, I find it funny that people don't think we should trade a starting pitcher for someone that struggles vs lhp. If I recall correctly, Ozzie didn't even start Pods all the time vs lhp (mainly, vs Johan Santana). I love what the 2005 White Sox did and the chemistry the team had, but let's not overestimate the ability of every single player. If this team happens to lose 1 or 2 core players this offseason, I'm very confident that KW will be able to pick up another player to fill that gap. I don't think I'm in the minority when I say that in order for the success to continue, the offense is going to need better next season.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 09:51 PM) Since when does trying to park every pitch in the outfield bleachers qualify as a better approach? While I will admit our hitting improved in the playoffs, our approach throughout most of the year was awful. Compared to the Brewers and Reds, we definitely have a better approach at the plate in terms of being an overall hitter.

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 09:10 PM) Juan deserved it more :| I'll gladly cheer for the trophy that Uribe's defense brought to the Sox!

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 08:58 PM) Cause he hits under .250, that's why I personally don't like the guy that much. I guarantee you that he would hit better on a team with a better approach at the plate. Just like with Pods in Milwaukee, the Reds are not a team that stress focused at-bats at the plate. Dunn would also greatly benefit by not facing the strike out pitchers of the NL Central on a regular basis.

The only way I'd consider trading a starting pitcher (a main one, not Duque), is if you got a superstar offensive player in return. 3 examples of guys that I'd trade for are Teixeira, Dunn, and Ichiro. Contreras is the clear choice for the guy who would be the best trade chip, as his value will NEVER be higher.

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Nov 1, 2005 -> 04:48 PM) Except for the fact that Huff is in the last season of his contract and his value will go down every day during the season. He won't get much more than a prospect in a deadline deal. No way does Huff return to TB after 2006. Very rarely do you get a starting pitcher and a player who plays a premium defensive position for a DH type. If all they're asking for is a mediocre starting pitcher with a pretty big sized contract and injury history, as well as a below average hitting CF....then every team in baseball will be in the market to get Huff. The last thing the DRays are going to try to get is an outfielder in exchange for Huff. What good would getting Duque do for them? They're not going to try and compete for next year. They'd want a starting pitcher who's young and that they can have for a handful of years prior to free agency.