Kalapse

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 20, 2009 -> 02:14 PM) Which do you think is more valuable to the Sox? A comp and second rounder, or a later first rounder? Well seeing as how a later first rounder also comes with a comp pick I'd have to go with the first rounder. The Dodgers would have been ideal too, they have the lowest possible first round pick that can be relinquished as compensation in 2009, #17.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 20, 2009 -> 02:10 PM) I realize this is now turning into Diamond Club material, but, who is even left now who would be interested in O-Cab? Orlando Cabrera's situation still directly affects the White Sox so we're definitely in the proper forum. As for possible suitors, if he wants to start the season in uniform he'll probably sign with the A's netting us a second round and comp pick.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 20, 2009 -> 12:55 PM) Looks like Cabrera and the Dodgers are talking again... http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...rtnerId=rss_mlb And with that being said, the Arizona Republic is reporting that the Dodgers have come to terms with Orlando Hudson. Looks like any recent interest in Cabrera was just a ploy to lure O-Dog to LA.

So according to Cowley . . . Quentin looks awesome, putting on a hitting clinic. Ozzie has said that Contreras will start at least one game this spring. Good sign. Colon told Ozzie that he will be ready to go by April.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Feb 20, 2009 -> 01:42 PM) its too bad we couldnt shell out 750k for henry blanco Frankly, San Diego made much more sense for Blanco assuming of course he doesn't care about winning, which he obviously doesn't.

He's listed at 6'1" but numerous reports from Sox camp have him at 6' or shorter.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 07:42 PM) Well, just to point out the black swan here... Roy Smalley actually played quite a few positions. I fully agree with your point, BTW. Just thought that one exception was interesting. Yes but not in 1987 when the Twins won the AL pennant. He played 80% of his games at DH and only played 3B/SS on very rare occasions. He was an infielder that could no longer play the field adequately so he spent the final 2 years of his career ('86/'87) primarily at DH (81% of his games). Kind of like Carl Everett who played all 3 outfield positions throughout his career but for his final 2.5 seasons he was relegated to DH.

Screw the last 18 AL Champs, here's going back to the DH's inception: 1989: Dave Parker, 38 1988: Don Baylor, 39 1987: Roy Smalley, 34 1986: Don Baylor, 37 1985: Hal McRae, 39 1984: Darrell Evans, 37 1983: Ken Singleton, 36 1982: Roy Howell, 28 1981: Oscar Gamble, 31 1980: Hal McRae, 34 1979: Lee May, 36 1978: Cliff Johnson, 30 SLOW! 1977: Carlos May, 29 SLOW! 1976: Carlos May, 28 SLOW! 1975: Cecil Cooper, 25 SLOW! 1974: Jesus ALou, 32 1973: Deron Johnson, 34 There is a grand total of 11 stolen bases in there and absolutely NO versatility. This philosophy of using the DH as a means to get your team full of 5 tool superstars ample rest or plugging a versatile slappy bantam speedster in there will revolutionize the game if it ever takes hold (the day Dusty Baker guns down Bill James) because since 1973 not a single team has used it for that purpose and won the AL pennant. I guess until that day the Thome's and Thomas' of the world can keep playing and not have to retire at age 33.

Someone ask Theo Epstein, Bill James, Terry Francona and several million Red Sox fans about David Ortiz's "worth". 2 rings, a .944 career postseason OPS and an ALCS MVP award sort of speak for themselves. I can't believe someone would have the audacity to argue that Carl Everett is a more valuable baseball player than Jim Thome, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas or David Ortiz because he is capable of playing absolutely atrocious defense at a non-premium defensive position and they can not (though they likely could in a pinch).

More Viciedo

The Designated Hitters for the last 18 American League Champions: 2008: Cliff Floyd, 35, Defensive Ability: Zero 2007: David Ortiz, 31, Defensive Ability: Zero 2006: Marcus Thames, 29, Defensive Ability: Very little 2005: Carl Everett, 34, Defensive Ability: Very little 2004: David Ortiz, 28, Defensive Ability: Zero 2003: Jason Giambi, 32, Defensive Ability: Very little 2002: Brad Fullmer, 27, Defensive Ability: Very little 2001: David Justice, 35, Defensive Ability: Almost none 2000: Spencer/Canseco, 28/35, Defensive Ability: Moderate/Zero 1999: Chili Davis, 39, Defensive Ability: Less than zero 1998: Darryl Strawberry, 36, Defensive Ability: Zero 1997: David Justice, 31, Defensive Ability: Very little 1996: Ruben Sierra, 30, Defensive Ability: Very little 1995: Eddie Murray, 39, Defensive Ability: Less than zero 1993: Paul Molitor, 36, Defensive Ability: Very little 1992: Dave Winfield, 40, Defensive Ability: Less than zero 1991: Chili Davis, 31, Defensive Ability: Zero 1990: Harold Baines, 31, Defensive Ability: Fulltime DH

The Cuban Pimp

Gregg was hugely popular in Miami.

No one and I mean NO ONE is slower than Bengie Molina and it isn't particularly close.

QUOTE (shipps @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 08:41 AM) If I was a season ticket holder I wouldnt be to understanding about any ticket price increase when you cut payroll like you have done, no matter how small the increase. They've cut payroll by less than $8M from last year. It's certainly feasible that the ticket price increases allowed them to make only minimal slashes in payroll rather than say $20M or $25M. Since the ad money is no longer there, that money needs to come from somewhere, without the increase in ticket prices we could be looking at a pre 2005 like ~$75M payroll.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 03:44 AM) never in a million years did I think I'd see this. Awesome. It's shocking. For probably the first time ever he posted exactly what I was thinking. I don't suppose we should debate any of the posts made in the original Dusty Baker-esque post? Seems like it would be a waste of time.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 02:07 AM) July 31, 1991. The Sox were down 8-6 before the Ventura Slam. Capped off an amazing month for Robin in which he hit well over .400 with 12 HRs and something like 35 RBI. I'll never forget Frank picking up Robin and literally tossing him up and down over his should like a rag doll. It was awesome. As far as my top 5, I won't even mention anything from 2005. That's too easy. 1: Winning the division in 1993. I had only been a Sox fan for three years to that point. But it felt like I had waited decades for that moment. 2: August 13, 1993. The Sox were playing the Royals at Comiskey. We were down 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th. Warren Newson lined a pinch-hit single with two outs. The Royals bring in their closer, Jeff Montgomery, (who was dominating that year) to face Frank. Frank launched a bomb WAY out of the park in left center to give us a 5-4 lead. Hawk went NUTS! I know, I know, hawk goes nuts quite often. But this was different. 3: July 18, 1994. Sox are down 9-3 in the 6th. They make a furious comeback capped by a SLAM by Thomas in the 7th inning. Sox win in 13. 4: Coming back from 8 runs down to beat the Cubs on a Friday home game in 2002. 5: The play-in game. I actually have that game on DVD (just happened to get lucky and record it), I watch it about twice a year, it warms the heart. Konerko's bat flip on the second bomb is one of the coolest things I've ever seen on a baseball field.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 12:47 AM) The comeback and Robin Ventura walk-off grand slam (can't remember which season) was a good one too...maybe it was against the Rangers? Also, him getting hog-tied and "noogied" by Nolan Ryan...oh, how I hated that prick. I think Craig Grebeck and one other Sox player had taken him deep back to back, too. No specific memory, but "Lance on point" and "I love to watch Ray run" good memories...and Paciorek always made me laugh. Thatsa notso gooda. Back to back to back homers off Randy Johnson (one of them was Widger)? I was actually at that game. It was Iguchi, Rowand and Konerko going back to back to back followed by singles by Dye and Uribe then Widger capped it off with a 3 run shot just over the wall in left to chase Johnson from the game. Great game.

He felt worn down near the END OF LAST SEASON as, you know, a 37 year old 18 year veteran who walked up to the plate over 600 times and has to workout like a madman throughout the season to stay in shape. He said nothing about the offseason, just that he feels good now. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al...244246021_x.htm

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 06:14 PM) Anyone else a fan of Len Kasper? Great knowledge, decent storyteller, good personality, the guy's damn good at his job. I think he and Stoney would actually make a good team., although they'd have to split Play by Play/Color. Len Kasper and Steve Stone would be an awkward mix, they take very different approaches to the game with Stoney being of the old school mold and Kasper being a SABR junkie. I love Kasper though, very smart guy. I've actually cooled on Stone over the past few years, his in game analysis is amazing but he isn't much of a scout, IMO.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/basebal...0,4840838.story

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2...-popular-names/

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 17, 2009 -> 04:13 PM) With Contreras, possibly Dye, and Thome coming off the books at the end of this season, even with raises for people and the shaky economy I think next year we'll be in a position to spend more than we were this year. Between the 6 guaranteed deals remaining, the 6 arbitration eligible players and Matt Thornton's $2.25 team option the Sox are going to be on the hook for somewhere between $65M and $70M for 13 players next year depending greatly on how Quentin, Danks, Floyd and Jenks perform this season and whether or not any of them are locked up to long term deals.