elrockinMT

Maggs has consistently been one of the most underrated outfielders in baseball. Is he as good as Vlad? I don't know. It can be argued though that he is in the top 10-15 and that ain't bad.

I would have to say that is the point exactly. We don't know anything about how the team and individuals in particular will perform other than we know that come opening day we are ALL even (0-0). I just think we should make the effort to keep stars like Maggs, the Big Hurt, Lee and Konerko. But, I also know that KW made an impression with failing to say Konerko and Thomas wouldn't be traded. He did say Valentin, Lee and Maggs weren't going anywhere, but not those two.

I guess I could take winning too. Your right about not knowing what can happen when your on a roll.

Greg Maddux as a teacher and mentor to the youngsters? YES!

Your right to rant YASNY. I agree with your take on the ownership and I have said it too. I think it is very apparent that they aren't going to do what's right to make a pennant winner and will only settle for the division. We will be out of the playoffs in the 1st round again. But, I disagree with your take on Maggs. But we can do that amongst friends.

In my opinion you sign Maggs and keep him here because: (1) he is aproven commodity and a star player (2) he is a homegrown product (3) you know he will produce whereas the players mentioned in the minors still are developing (4) it is the mark of a competitive franchise that they reward their own and keep them rather than trade them off as soon as they become stars and deserve to be paid as such (5) it builds fan interest and respect in the organization.(6) Fans see the club as committed to winning and respond positively.

Why doesn't Reisndorf open the wallet and the Sox sign Maddux? Why give up our offense when we can sign a free agent and get the best of both worlds? Makes too much sense I guess...

The Hawk openes up his mouth again and shows why he was the worse GM the team has had. I know that I am opening myself up here for the obvious comparisons. It would appear that Maggs is willing to accept dollars in line with what he will be making this year or close to the same money. I say that the Sox should try and sign him for 5 or 6 years NOW. There is nothing in Jay M's article that is necessarily anything but true. The Hawk opened himself and the Sox management up for a reply and they got it. Heck the Hawk could have just as well been talking about a number of people on this board when he branded Jay M as a problem child.

I think we haven't seen much of him because he is a middle of the road role player. Why all of sudden people think he is a replacement for Konerko escapes me. I can see the real possibility that Konerko gets traded. I hope not especially for only Perez, but you just never know around here. I haven't seen Gload in the bigs either so you don't know if he can hit .300+, 35 HR's, 100+ RBI's like Konerko can and has done.

Your assumption then is that the Sox won't be in the hunt come June/July? I think they will be there and will be picking up players and not trading them. I would hope we negotiate in good faith for Maggs and that he and his agent reciprocate.

Heh, Pete Rose switched positions a few times and look what happened to him! Do you agree though that a decision like this is at least a year or two away?

Yes, it does, YASNY.

This was my take on the interview with KW also. It was who he didn't name as much as who he did name. No mention was made of Konerko or Thomas not being offered. However, KW has now said there was no offer for Frank and we still haven;t head that Paulie might not be going somewhere. I would still not be in favor of trading Konerko straight up for Perez. I don't care how enthralled people are with the lefty the fact remains he has had one decent year and Konerko is established. I think he is recovered from his foot problems and ready to rock 'n roll in '04. I would be happy to go into the season with the team we have rather than trade someone just for the sake of doing it.

Well I guess we have actually heard from someone at the very top for a change. We have never heard anything from Jerry Reinsdorf, but now Eddie Einhorn does surface to give the owners point of view. It may be pure hogwash to some, insightful to others, but at least there can be no doubt about how the owners look at the issue of baseball economics. I am not surprised about what is reported and I think we all probably knew what the ownership would say. Doesn't make it any easier to take, but in a pure business sense it does. They don't want to lose money, just want to be competitive (whatever that means to them) and take their business losses off their income taxes. I am sure they have that part down to a science. No dividends for 24 years? I am sure that the limited partnership group throws whatever they make back into some type of "pot" and writes off everything they can as a business loss.

I believe that Ozzie Guilen has stated that Willie Harris is the lead off man. He also said that Frank Thomas was his #3 hitter in contradiction to an earlier report where he said he wanted Frank to hit clean up.

The take on this that I see is that it is very unlikely the Bums will be trading at all. How can you expect to be making moves when your job is in jeapordy?

Thanks for you information and insight. It is always nice that someone like you is willing to take the time and keep us "out-of-town" Sox fans informed. It seems like the Soxfest is a great event for the fans and players alike. I wish I wish able to participate.

I think that Hex is really Rex and his alter ego.

I am always in the market for an extra $50. If you are making the offer?

Last time I checked the roster it appaeared that Frank Thomas was an adult. I think whatever he wants to do on any night of the week is his business as long as it is legal. Too much is being made of this fuss and the only thing that will get it settled I believe is Spring Training.

I couldn't have said it better. Jose is a fighter, a team player and dedicated. He is much better than some people seem to want to give him credit for and I am glad he is our SS. He is one of my favorites without a doubt. I think it's time for those who want to constantly criticize Jose and some others on this team to accept the teeam we have and let's get on with baseball.

baggio202 Posted: Jan 29 2004, 07:08 PM QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jan 29 2004, 12:57 PM) I don't have any problems with incentives in contracts especially Shingo's, but just to make an observation: When a player makes a million dollars plus a year what is the big deal in expecting the team to buy airline tickets for your family? Maybe when I negotiate with me boss next year I will request plane tickets, hotel rooms, etc, to Chicago to watch the White Sox. Maybe I will even request paid time off. It would do wonders for my productivity. good luck I tried Baggio and he said he would get back to me with a pink slip

You got it greaseywheels! We will show the team what it means to be family! I am getting that springtime itch now.

Thanks for reminding me of the actual team in the race. It was a good time for the Sox though as far as showing a developing team.

Maybe what I really should have said was "some of these fans" because I would like to think the vast majority of those attending are informed, enlightened and true baseball fans in love with Sox baseball. We just want to be involved and informed and we want a competitve ball club on the field. Am I right or wrong here?