Wanne

QUOTE(haroldbainesknees @ Jan 20, 2008 -> 09:52 AM) We may have a fun, intersting summer. I'm looking forward to it. Kenny will have one more move in him within the next 2 weeks also IMO. I think the Sox will be a lot better than people are giving them credit for. I also believe we'll see a much more relaxed team this year as well.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 16, 2008 -> 12:16 PM) The top guys currently are commanding what, $1-$2 million to sign, while lower-tier guys who are still talented are in the $100k level. The kid we signed earlier this year we spent what, $250k on him, as a 16 year old. Balta...I thought the Sox signed a couple of pretty young DR's...one of them in the neighborhood of $500-600K? Is that right?

QUOTE(ptatc @ Jan 15, 2008 -> 09:59 PM) How about worrying about the effect of steriods on children? If congress didn't get involved, do you think the IHSA would have passed the random drug testing for the playoffs in Illinois? You may have your issues you think are important but I ythink stopping High School kids from doing steriods is important as well. My rant was directed at these hearings bringing say, Tejada back...or talking to so and so...rehashing testimony...crap like this. I'm not discording the implementation of testing to alleviate it at all levels. I applaud it. Should have been done years ago. Just implement it...have your penalties in place and get on with it is all I'm saying. I'm not seeing the point of dragging all of this testimony crap out.

Seriously...let's keep having the government keep spending money on all this stuff...as well as the war and ignore things like mortgage crisis, unemployment, health insurance, homeless, etc... here in the states. I'm all for it. As long as we keep the God-fearing use of steriods out of these sports markets that will earn billions anyway regardless if they're used or not. Right now all it's turning into is a goddamn witch hunt. MOVE ON!!!! Implement mandatory testing from now on and move the F@#$ on. GODDAMN....is it really necessary to drag all this s*** through the mud?!?

Royce Clayton Todd Ritchie Pods Jerry Dybzinski Jack Parkman! and of course any list has to have Navarro on it.

I think you'd get just as good results with a younger, cheaper guy that's already in the system. $10M?!?!....a BIG no thanks to that.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 03:14 PM) I don't know how big of a dropoff you'll see from Pudge or Sheff. Each had their worst seasons of their career. Personally, I think we'll see a better season out of Sheff. As far as the Sox, Thome and Cabrera should have some fall off. I think the difference between the Sox and Tigers are the players that will likely see an increase in production, and not necessarily a dropoff. I definately agree with that....but a little of both. Not sure home much more of a dropoff some of these Sox hitters can have. I still wish Kenny could pull the string on another SP. I'm ok with 1-3...but 4 and 5 scare the s*** outta me. Is there enough ammo left for Bedard?

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 05:17 PM) See, that argument I can at least buy into (whether the Angels would even be suited trading Kochman for Konerko because you could make a case that Kochman is younger and practically as good, although Paulie puts up much more power and wasn't protected (Kochman rarely, if ever played against lefties, which obviously inflates certain numbers). Nor was Kochman one of the key cogs of the lineup (something Paulie always has been). That was a lot of their points...they said Kotchman put up similar numbers (and like you said many pointed out it was in a limited role)...but was much younger and much cheaper. I think it Paulie would be a great fit for the Halos...it just comes down to names...and if Kotchman was involved I wouldn't put it past Kenny to spin him into another deal with possibly the O's.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 04:55 PM) I stumbled to an Angel forum and it made me so much more appreciative of Soxtalk. The posters there were saying they wouldn't deal Figgins for Konerko and that Konerko's contract is one of the worse in baseball (bahahaa, so laughable given the fact that his contract, if anything, is a steal given today's market). The best part yet is that 80% of the people said that if they traded for Paulie, they would play him at 3B. I know we are all biased in our demands but still, I don't think any of us are stupid enough to call Konerko's contract a joke or even think of putting Paulie at 3B. One thing that struck me on some of the Angel forums I read was people were pretty much 50/50 on Kotchman as well. The trade really doesn't make much sense for them unless they do something with him.

I've had a few days to mull...and my initial reaction was I didn't like it all that much. But after some Stuart Smalley "Deep Thoughts"...I've really become a BIG fan of this trade. Prospects are just than...prospects. If they turn out...good for them. To tell you the truth I don't even have any of those "what if" thoughts about Young anymore. It is what it is. You (them team and the fans) get the hand you're dealt...either you except it or live in a life of "what ifs". I'm looking forward to the Nick Swisher era in Chicago! And if Kenny can pull of a mega-trade with the Halos for Kendrick and Figgins (which is a long shot but ya never know)...he'll be my new hero and I'll write a him a personal apology for any doubts I had of him heading this team in the right direction for the future.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 12:14 AM) I'm willing to bet a LOT that DLS doesn't even come close to Pedro Martinez. lol...well I'm sure that's a pretty safe bet. I was just using it as an example. I guess in a few years nobody will really even remember this trade. The chances of DLS becoming a frontline pitcher though seem pretty good. One thing though...Sox fans will have that clubhouse guy that they've wanted since Rowand left from the sounds of it. Maybe that had some merit with Kenny instead of the corpse patrol that's in there now. I'll say this...he has inserted some character and talent for this team this year....which was SORELY needed.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 11:56 PM) Can't you do both? I mean, KW is putting the best product on the field he can, but he's putting together a core of good, young, cheap players too at the same time. Whether KW believes this team will win the division is one thing - I'm sure he would, off the record, acknowledge it as a possibility but not a likelihood. Regardless of that, he's putting a pretty damn good offense on the field and they are getting set to have a pretty solid offensive team for a few years. There are now replacements on this team for Konerko, Thome, and Dye in the middle of the lineup. That's something nice to have. I agree with that completely...he's building for a few years down the road as well. I guess there are a ton of variables to be considered with this trade. You have the side that states "Proven hitter > 3 prospects". To a degree...yes. But until Nick Swisher actually comes in and proves to be the star quality player some are making him out to be...he's merely a 27-yr old .260-.270 hitter. When he mashes 40 dingers per for a few consecutive years. I'll be ok with the trade. Hits somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 consistantly...I'll be ok with it. High OBP ever year...ok. BUT...he still hasn't done that and like a previous poster said...I think you get this trade done with some other pitcher besides DLS (Russell or Egbert). Don't get me wrong...I'm sure I'll love having Nick Swisher on this team. But in a few years...I don't want to see the second coming of Pedro Martinez in DLS pitching for someone else if he turns out to be that way (which he very well might). Kenny is building for the future as well as being competitive this year (not an easy thing in this division). Plus the ammo of PK, Thome, Dye for a midseason trade to a contender SHOULD bring back some minor league talent. I'm on the fence with this one. On one hand I like the trade. On the other side I hate it.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 03:15 PM) I cheked out the A's boards and none of them are thrilled with this deal and all have great things to say about Swish. Scout board is about 50/50. Did pick this up off of it.... Five-Star Prospects 1A. Fautino de los Santos, RHP 1B. Daric Barton, 1B 3. Carlos Gonzalez, OF Four-Star Prospects 4. Brett Anderson, LHP 5. Gio Gonzalez, LHP 6. Trevor Cahill, RHP Three-Star Prospects 7. Chris Carter, 1B 8. James Simmons, RHP 9. Aaron Cunningham, OF 10. Henry Rodriguez, RHP 11. Andrew Bailey, RHP 12. Corey Brown, OF 13. Jermaine Mitchell, OF One thing that pops into my mind...was there something about DLS that Kenny knew?!? It just seems to me that you hang on to guys like this if he's rated so highly...or at least get more than a Swisher.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 03:10 PM) You could be onto something. Than again I could also see one of the Sox vets heading for some young pitching. If not now then definately before the deadline to the contenders....that's one positive of holding on to guys like PK, Dye, etc...right now if the right deal doesn't come around.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 02:54 PM) Can we get some f***ing pitching into this organization please? Remember Nick, lift and pull. Well...it'll be another draft by Kenny taking 98% pitching.

I think Sox fans are gonna LOVE this guy in a couple of years. I really think he could turn out to be another Maggs.

I wonder if people on here who are calling Gonzalez a stud are the same ones poo-pooing Quentin as not proving crap yet?!? Hmmmm... Callaspo was the guy I mentioned last year as a good get before the Sox got Richar. He also was the guy that got suspended for knockin' the crap outta his wife. Pretty solid ball player though IMO.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 05:47 PM) Jesus....that is like 460 feet. Yep. I'd never seen anything like it at that age level. And that's when he was an All-State catcher. It was the Championship game also.

QUOTE(whitesox94 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 05:22 PM) 1 Konerko You don't just become a star No. Way. Unless Paulie was juicin' in HS. I remember seeing Paulie play in the state tourney his Sr. year of high school and he blasted one half way up the center field wall at Peoria Sports Complex (if anybody's been there you'd know)...and all I could say was..."DAMN"!

He's better off in the National League.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 12:22 PM) Maybe they should have came out and quit too? Jesus, I swear some of you don't get one thing...these guys have pride and they believe that if they play at there best they can win (and that very well may be the case). The club still has holes to fill, no doubt, but it isn't April 1st now is it? Seriously. Why would KW come out and say that?!? If anything I hope these guys read and hear comments like this. I don't know about you...but if somebody tells me I can't do something...I'll bust my ass twice as hard to prove them wrong. Like Chisoxfn said...these guys do have pride. Hell...maybe the problem's been pushing themselves to hard mentally instead of just relaxing and having some fun. This team hasn't looked relaxed for a year and a half. Maybe with all the expectations off of them...they'll put some winning streaks together throughout the year.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 06:06 PM) There is talk of Fuk U Dome getting 5/65 and up, and it makes me want to puke. NO THANKS!!! I hope Kenny stays far away from this guy.

I guess one of the things with Crede I always think about is, how much was his back continually bothering him with his swing? If he's healthy and his back is fixed...might we see a new and improved Joe at the plate?.

Without starting a new thread...I'm just kind of curious what people would have done different since October of '05 differently? Should we have held on to El Duque? Kept Rowand? Dealt Freddy after '05. I think in hindsight...maybe one of the smarter moves would have been dealing Crede when his value was peeked. I know this is all conjecture...

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 6, 2007 -> 01:00 AM) Oh KW, you never let me down. Blaming the "loose lips" of other people is just freaking pathetic. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines His own manager needs to learn to zip it a little too.