AddisonStSox

Way to battle. Weber has a fantastic ability of making changes at the half. Oskie-Wow-Wow!

QUOTE(Pasqua's Mailman @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 11:56 AM) FWIW - Hawk and Stone are friends and get along very well. In fact, I have heard from someone that works on the Sox broadcast that Hawk has expressed a strong respect for Stone. Not sure if this would translate to TV but off camera they get along fine. IMO, big difference between off-camera friendship and on-camera partnership. I, too, have heard they have a strong respect for eachother. Two big baseball egos here.

Now that Kenny has devoted himself to the "New Look White Sox," who on the current roster is expendable and proves valuable in the trade market? Whether it was the inability to snag Omar Vizquel, the trade of Carlos Lee, or the surprise signing of El Duque and Pierznski, the future of the White Sox has become painfully obvious. The White Sox we have been accustomed to over the past 2-4 years may no longer fit the dynamic of this ball club. Who, in your best judgment, is expendable? Do we have players on this roster that would undoubtedly bring a nice return in the trade market? Do we have players on this roster that would qualify as a salary dump? I ask these questions because I have identified at least two members of the Sox that would best serve this ball club in the trade market. 1. Cliff Politte. I believe with the addition of Dustin Hermanson and Louis Vizcaino and the improvement of both Cotts and Adkins, Politte no longer plays a necessary role in the bullpen of 2005 and beyond. Politte, a right-handed set-up/long reliever has found his match in Dustin Hermanson. Hermanson can set-up, provide long relief, and spot-start. Although you could never have too many strong arms in the bullpen, I believe Politte would best serve this team in a trade for either a middle infielder, a young IF prospect, or a younger arm for the bullpen. If the Sox prove to be contenders in 2005, look for Politte to draw heavy interest around the trade deadline. 2. Willie Harris. I will try to make this claim with no anti-Willie bias. With the addition of a middle infielder on the horizon, does Willie become a necessity in 2005? IMO, he does not. I believe trading Willie Harris could be rather productive for the Sox. Many clubs out there have a need for speedy, rangey middle infielders, and I think many of those clubs would overpay. Why? I don't know. Anyone that has watched Willie play on a day-to-day basis like we have over the past few seasons knows Willie remains one of the biggest question marks on this club. Do we have a legit, everyday starting second baseman or do we have an average glorified pinch-runner? It seems both Ozzie and Kenny don't like Harris and I think he stands just as good a chance as anybody in terms of getting dealt. Have at it fellas. Who can/should be dealt?

The Sox can't afford to take on that salary. Ain't happening. Hopefully this is nothing more than a stepping stone in the Iguchi negotiations.

I like Valdez and I trust Ozzie's evaluation of young talent. Ozzie was able to watch this guy in the Marlins organization and essentialy aquire him via a salary dump. You can't really ask for more than that. I love the addition of Wilson Valdez and I believe if Ozzie feels he can handle a year in the bigs, he will start the year on the Southside. Is he the middle infielder of the future? Maybe. Could he make for one hell of a middle infield platoon with Harris and Cora? You bet your ass he could. I like this kid.

Hats off to Kenny on a first-class signing. AJ is going to be a fan favorite in the up-coming months. This guy just wants to win. He's a hard-nosed vet AND he's a catcher. Could he be the best Sox catcher since?...well, you know who.

Hawk and Stone could never co-exist. Ever. Never ever. I think Hawk would be intimidated by Stone's baseball knowledge and threat of showing-up his baseball ego. That said, if Hawk could suck up his pride, I would love a Hawk, Stoney combo in the booth. If would be a nice compliment to the roster improvements made this off-season.

You forgot to add a middle infielder.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 08:04 PM) Do we really know what we are gonna get from cora? His numbers jump up and down so much year to year. Although his numbers vary year-to-year, I think its safe to say you know what you're getting. In 138 games played last year, 8 errors, .987FPCT, .825ZR, 4.97RF. I'm not too woried about his offensive production. .264avg, .364OBP, not stellar by any strech of the imagination, but very serviceable. I'm also a big backer of Cora because I think he'll come at a great price. If Kenny signs him to the right deal, the Sox may still have some dough left over to address another middle infield issue, or start working with Aaron on his extension. Just my opinion. Cora>Harris. EDIT: Its also important to note Cora obtained his numbers against MLB pitching.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 07:57 PM) Still does not make sense. If they are not a fan of willie why are they a fan of cora's? Just because of his brother? With Cora you know what your getting; he's a vet. We still have no idea what we have in Willie Harris and add to that the fact that Willie has rubbed many important members of the Sox organization the wrong way. 19 stolen bases in 04'!? Eh', you all know how I feel about Willie. So long Willie, don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 07:55 PM) Yeah, that NY Post report is garbage. Correction. The NY Post is garbage.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 07:52 PM) That was reported yesterday, get with the program How dare I miss a sports blurb! I was skiing. So sue me!

Per Cbssportsline.com Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi is close to reaching an agreement with the White Sox, says the New York Post. Help may be on the way. Hang in there.

Who's your boy? I'm interested to see where we are all at.

Cherry on top.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 03:55 PM) We just signed AJ at a cheaper price per year than: Mike Matheny, Damien Miller, and Benjie Molina. We also paid less than double what the Cubs paid for Henry Blanco. LMAO! Great post! Turns out that Kenny Williams ain't so bad afterall. I have to think Burke stays. Why? I dunno. He may hang around as Buehrle's personal catcher, if the Sox brass don't like that idea, Davis gets the nod; either way, the starting catcher for the Chicago White Sox is AJ Pierzynski. Wow. I still can't believe we got him for that price. AJ is the type of guy that fans love to watch. He is going to be a lot of fun this season. How well is Kenny going to sleep tonight?

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 03:47 PM) Does this mean the whiners and complainers on this board are going to stop whining and complaining? Probably not. I have to think that even the Sox pessimists know we are in good shape this season (even if they won't admit it). I haven't been this jacked for a baseball season in quite some time! Bring on Iguchi!

The White Sox Welcome... Right Fielder, Jermaine Dye Left Fielder, Scott Podsednik Reliever, Louis Vizcaino Reliever, Dustin Hermanson Starting Pitcher, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez Catcher, AJ Pierzynski Second basemen, Iguchi Wow! Can't wait to see all your happy faces there!!!

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 03:38 PM) If we get Iguchi, I don't even think my new anti-anxiety pills will keep me from going absolutely apes***. You got that right. I don't know what I'll do. I think I'd go crazy! I'm giddy like a school girl right now! Guys, we just signed AJ M-Fing Pierzynski!!! Ye-Ha! Take a bow Mr. Williams!

Its legit!!! AJ is a member of the White Sox!!! Atta' Boy Kenny!!! Welcome to the Chicago White Sox!!!

QUOTE(3E8 @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 03:30 PM) Right now I'm thinking neither. Well, its at least one!!! AJ Pierzynski signed a one year deal!!! Contract information became public and Kenny was still able to sign someone!? Shut up. I guess this professional general manager isn't so bad after all.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 03:11 PM) Information doesn't need to come out of "Sox camp." Pierzynski and Iguchi's agent's don't heed to Williams beliefs, as they are attempting to give their agents the best possible offers. When contract information/interest is made public, as I've referenced in my previous posts, Williams "under the radar" isn't beneficial to our efforts in obtaining players. I don't know how much longer you will continue this useless argument. You are defending Williams, while I'm simply suggesting recent news of Iguchi's offer goes against F.U.R. policy. Are you going to continue to PM me following every post, as to make sure you have the final word? Fine. I fail to understand the difficulty with accepting my position. I accept your position. I don't agree with it. Personally, I'd prefer a general manager than doesn't come out with each and every move he makes/plans to make. These guys are professionals. They have expectations just like any other employee in the work world. If they don't meet the expectations of the organization, they will be dealt with just like any other lax/ineffective employee. I just can't agree that "flying under the radar" is simply vailing failure. Kenny doesn't want the whole world to know who he is interested in, thats just how he operates, he has been consistent with it since day one. s*** happens. Omar Vizquel happens. A good general manger should be able to roll with the punches and react to all things unexpected; in my opinion, Kenny Willams has that quality. Rock on.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 03:06 PM) That means nothing to me. People get angry around here if the wind blows. It's already been a wildly successful offseason yet people still cry and complain like the sky is falling. Tthe old adage says it best. You can't please everyone. Well put. A lot of the folks that post here don't know what they want from Kenny or the organiziation as a whole. I'm noticing a lot of fans aren't happy unles they're b****ing. Wheter its b****ing about Kenny or Reinsdorfian finacial practies, its always something. The men and women running this organization are professionals. Yes, you are a fan, and as such, are entitled to b**** and moan about whatever you deem necessary; but, give it a rest sometimes. Just remember, a lot of this bickering will end when April rolls around. Our team will take the field and we will once again unite.

QUOTE(hi8is @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 02:43 PM) he's layin down the law, look out. He's so cute when he's angry.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 02:32 PM) God its depressing to talk about an amount of money that many people earn in their entire lifetime, as if it were newspaper money Jeez SS, don't open this can of worms. The athlete-salary debate/abomination is for another day. We have to keep things in context, no matter how absurd they may be.