Kalapse

Could Simeon possibly move inside? I know he's been getting bigger over the past few seasons and he still has some decent burst. Perhaps add a bit more bulk and replace Tank? Yeah, probably not very likely.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 12:00 PM) I believe three or four minor league arms will be gone this offseason. If Mackowiak was an option (and I agree he was) why wasn't he used this season? I think the idea that a guy must be fast to leadoff is as stupidas some ofthe leftie rightie ideas of Guillen. Guillen needs a better bench coach as Cora is down right terrible. Mackowiak hasn't lead off for 2 reasons. 1.) He's not considered fast and 2.) he doesn't have much leadoff experience (minor league or otherwise). Scott Podsednik, Pablo Ozuna, Darin Erstad and Jerry Owens fit these two requirements (though Erstad is a stretch for #1). It's pretty ridiculous.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 11:49 AM) I do not want to keep or build around Scott Podsednik the problem is what are the options. Jerry Ownes and Darin Erstad are as serviceable as Podsednik. The 3 and 4 hitters in the line-up are bringing in $27M next year, they need to a degree, create their own offense and drive in runs more consistently. Iguchi needed to sit in the 2 hole and not be moved for the likes of Juan Uribe or Andy Gonzalez. I actually thought when Erstad went down that Iguchi should have lead off. Having a lead off hitter for the month of June that was gettting on at under a .200 clip along with missing Crede and a pathetic stylings of Juan Uribe added to the problem. I am just not certain the replacement is out there and as readily available as everyone believes. Better options than Podsednik: Rob Mackowiak, Jerry Owens, Ricky Henderson, Eric Byrnes (w/ a backloaded deal) or the best of them all Kenny does his job, gets creative and finds a Leadoff man through trade. I really don't want to see Owens or Byrnes leading off for the Sox next year but I could probably stomach it if it meant not having to endure another season of Podsednik. The best option is Kenny getting creative and finding someone on the trade market. This is where his scouts need to come through for him, even if he needs to give up a minor league arm to bring one in he needs to find a fresh face to leadoff in '08. Scott Podsednik has become the Kerry Wood of the South Side only without the talent.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 11:39 AM) Ahhh ... you shouldn't. It's no way to go through life. They know they made mistakes. These are bright guys and rest assured they are already planning things out. They wanted to give one more run with the personnel that won the title, especially since the team won 90 games last year, i.e. last year wasn't a total debacle. It didn't work, in fact it failed miserably. Sometimes you get lucky with these guys who have had injuries, sometimes you don't. Arguably, they got lucky with Jermaine Dye, many people said he was injury prone. He contributed. It was a mistake to rely on Podsednik and it was a mistake to rely on Erstad for a starting CF role. They may bring Erstad back for a backup role but they are done with Podsednik. Guillen wants power and a better hitter in LF and wants his speed up the middle (2B SS CF). In fact I would not be surprised if Pods is gone by Tuesday afternoon. Would you be in favor of bringing back Erstad at $3.25M to act as a 4th OF? I'd rather retain Mackowiak at the same price while keeping a league minimum defensive CF on hand at to act as the 5th OF.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 11:24 AM) I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not to mention it's not worth worrying about it at all right now. It seems like this is how it goes on this message board, a guy has a good series and people want to keep/build around him. There is the other extreme too, a guy has a bad stretch and people want him designated for assignment. The knee jerk reactions can be just unbearable. I can't help but expect the worst though. I really didn't expect Podsednik to be retained for the '07 season but Kenny really disappointed me on December first when he re-signed him. At that point it also appeared to be a forgone conclusion that Darin Erstad would be brought in as well, it was fairly obvious that he was going to be given the CF spot not matter what he did in Spring Training. Right then I knew the 2007 White Sox were doomed. Kenny really let me down this past offseason, I just find it hard to have any faith in the man after the way he handled the outfield situation.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 11:15 AM) I HATE SCOTT PODDEDNIK! But I realize that there is something to the argument that they win with him. I do not know what it is. I find it funny that they are playing pretty well right now and have been for the last month due to the pen being some what serviceable and having a lead-off hitter that is adequete (Owens). You answered your own question. When Podsednik is just adequate at the top of the order, the Sox win. You could say the same for any leadoff hitter you could find. If Tim Raines were healthy and putting up a .350 OBP at the top of the lineup the Sox would probably be winning some games even with him being 47 years old. An adequate and healthy leadoff hitter does wonders for this team, the problem is Podsednik can't manage to be either of these for any more than about 80 games a season now.

Ugh, this is why I cheer against Podsednik. This team will go absolutely no where until they learn to kick the Podsednik habit, he's exactly what this team doesn't need at the top of the order since there's absolutely no organization depth to back up his perpetually hobbling ass. He's going to end up playing in now more than 70 games this season an there are still people willing to retain him? When did Sox fans become the battered wives of the sports fandom? Oh, I know he got hurt 8 times over the past 3 seasons but he's changed, he loves me. NO HE DOESN'T! HE LOVES BEING INJURED/BAD! Each day i wish more and more than Kenny had just thrown $50M at Matthews JR/Pierre last offseason. Neither will be worth the money they make over the next 5 seasons but at least I'd never have to hear Podsednik's name again. I can't wait until the beginning of December when KW signs Pods to a 1 year $3M contract and picks up Erstad's $3.25M option and people immediately start the excuses just like this past DEC. $6.25M to fill 2 outfield spots isn't bad at all! They're only giving them contracts so that they can trade them later! What out there is better than Pods/Erstad for the price? Would you rather have thrown $50M at Eric Byrnes? There's nothing else out there, Podsednik is the best available player to fill the leadoff spot! Oh dear god this offseason is going to be hell.

This team would not suck total ass if they had a legitimate leadoff hitter. Believe it or not, if you plugged Kenny Lofton into this lineup at the beginning of the Season, the Sox would not be 10 games under and 14.5 GB right now. An above average and healthy leadoff man makes this team so much better, which is exactly why they need to part with Mr. Podsednik as soon as possible. The Sox are 6-2 in games in which Jerry Owens has at least 1 hit and 1 SB.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 07:48 AM) Rescue Dawn is playing in Gurnee. I'm going this afternoon for sure. It's playing at the AMC Loews Streets of Woodfield at 10:10 tonight. I'll be there.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 03:39 AM) 9 out of 10 stars on imdb so far. And my step brother said it was phenominal. Hmm... Dan Castellaneta could fart into a microphone for and hour and a half and it would still get at least 8.5 stars on there. The movie could be absolutely terrible and it wouldn't matter, it's the Simpson's, people will love it no matter what.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jul 27, 2007 -> 03:47 AM) I liked the movie, but I thought at the end when he just simply f***ed everyone up was pretty over the top, liked the rest of it though. Have you enjoyed the Simpson's tv show for the past 8 seasons or so?

I'm wrestling with the idea of seeing it. I know I'll hate the movie but I feel obligated to at least watch it since I absolutely loved the show growing up. I'll probably end up waiting until it comes to Starz or Cinemax or whatever, I'd rather not drop $10 on a piece of s*** like the Simpson's Movie when I could go see Rescue Dawn instead.

The Tigers lost 3 of 5.

Yeah, Podsednik will still be here next year.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 03:15 PM) I don't want anybody that has a chance to knock the Cubsout of the playoffs to have Count. ...Not to worry, COunt isn't going anywhere soo anyway. f*** that, I could care less about the Cubs chances of making the playoffs. If I had to choose between dumping Contreras' contract on some NL team and the Cubs making the playoffs or holding onto Contreras and the Cubs missing the playoffs I'll take the former 100% of the time. I have my priorities in order.

QUOTE(briguy27 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 03:14 PM) I know. 6.22 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and a .370 OBA, that's great. We could get some A prospects for that. And plus, don't forget, Jose is right in his prime. His suckiness is exactly why I want him gone. Read it again.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 03:10 PM) I hope none of them have interest in Cont. Seriously? That's rather f***ed up.

QUOTE(briguy27 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 02:33 PM) DJ says "The Sox have a 1 point lead" He and Hawk say that all the time.

Since the deadline passed don't the Bears have to wait until the offseason to negotiate any long term deal with Briggs?

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 01:44 PM) IMO, he might see himself as too close to 3,000 hits to retire. It's going to take him at least 3 more seasons to reach that milestone. I really hope he hangs it up, it could be kind of sad watching him bounce around the league for the next few seasons when he's 43/44 years old trying to hit singles for last place teams.

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 01:26 PM) ok Omar Vizquel is the worst baseball player ever! he has never done anthing good. Wow and you expect me to take you seriously? All I said is he's having a terrible season, he's been one of the least productive players on offense in the game, he's 40 and he has slowed down considerably. He and Alomar made up the most exciting 2B/SS combination possibly of all time during the 90's, hell I even called him a hall of famer. I just don't expect him to play next season let alone start at SS for the White Sox in the toughest division in baseball. Perhaps a broadcasting gig is in his future.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 12:25 PM) If he could stay healthy, you have to admit, he'd be an upgrade over Uribe. Offensively? Most definitely. Defensively? Not even close.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 12:24 PM) The three guys KW will strongly pursue are Rowand, Byrnes and Eckstien. He will try to re-sign Iguchi and if not they will give that kid Richar a chance to make it. I expect to him to make a strong push for Julio and Linbrenk to patch to bullpen as well. I don't expect many trades to occur, unless a team STRONGLY WOOs KW for Vazquez or Garland. Or perhaps Iguchi might be on the move perhaps for a solid prospect or a reliever to make room for Richar. If Richar doesn't make it the rest of this season, KW would probably then go after Castillo to replace him. My official prediction summary: (BEFORE THE DEADLINE:) Iguchi traded for a solid prospect OFFSEASON: KW re-signs Dye to a 2 year deal for about 8.5 mill/season Free agents- Rowand, Eckstein, Byrnes, Julio or Linebrenk (or both) and maybe Castillo Trades- He'll shop Contreras and will hope to give him away to dump his salary I think they will hang on to Crede, whats the point of trading him now when his value is low. Let him make an attempt to make a strong comeback as he approaches free agency, this may benefit us. So we can expect a $130M payroll next season?

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 11:48 AM) I really don't get this comment. I mean he has played bad this year with a .243 average. He's also had a groin injury too. I can think of about 70 players who are having a worse year than him. Like who? He has the 5th worst OPS of any player in baseball with 250+ PA. He's been incredibly unproductive.

I've never even seen Million Dollar Baby and probably never will. Taye Diggs was annoying as all hell in Equilibrium, that much is obvious but Bale was just fantastic and since he was on screen for about 100% of the scenes in the movie he was able to carry it along despite his supporting cast and a flimsy plot.