AddisonStSox

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 02:14 PM) I think if you put the Dodgers on the burner and had some leverage from another team (say the Rangers) you could press Billingsley or Guzman, Broxton and a lower level guy or one of there not so good players (however, this guy could be Jackson simply because the Dodgers brass is frustrated with him). I don't think the odds are great of that deal, but I think there is potential and I do think if you had leverage you could work something along those lines out. However, I think the other deal I suggested: Elbert, Broxton and Jackson would be a very fair deal as well. We would be getting 3 very talented arms, two of which are right at the major league ready cusp while the other is 1-2 yrs away. I like where you're going with this. As posted on page one, I'm sticking to my guns in asking for Billingsley, either Broxton or Edwin Jackson and another mid-level prospect. I think it's very fair to look at what Freddy Garcia netted at the trade deadline two years ago and think Garland can get the same. You want: a) an MLB-ready ballplayer--in our case, it would be Broxton answering a big need in the bullpen v. Seattle's need for Miguel Olivo b ) an upper-tier prospect--in our case, it would be Billingsley v. Seattle's Jeremy Reed c) another prospect--in our case, Edwin Jackson, or the like v. Mike Morse I really hope that's the direction Kenny wants to go when trading Garland. Anything less, and he's undervalued his own player once again.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 01:31 PM) Am I the only one who thinks the board asking price is a bit too unrealistic?! The Dodgers won't do it and few other teams will trade their top minor league pitching prospects, as those arms will be close to helping in the bigs very soon. Seeing how the sox need young arms [and the reports are that's what's being asked for Garland, it's I think you might be in the minority. Have you seen the market for starting pitching this off-season? Have you seen what quality pitchers are getting? Have you seen what bad pitchers are getting? It's insane. Chalk it up to Burnett's contract, the Sox proving you win championships with pitching and defense, or whatever else you want, but pitching...especially young, cheap, effective pitching...you are going to have to pay for it. Look no further than a trade completed yesterday for Christ's sake. If Adam Eaton and a bullpen arm are worth an organization's number one prospect--HANDS DOWN--an MLB-ready young arm, and another prospect or two, why are you telling me the Sox can't ask, or can't expect an organization's number one prospect in return. If you trade Garland to a West Coast team, his value also increases as he has been known to want to sign on the west coast when he hits free agency. Put it all together. Kenny should expect a number one prospect in return for a guy that has finally put it all together and found himself amongst the best in baseball last year. Garland was a f***ing all-star. I don't care if he is in his walk year. You find a team that will pay for a healthy, effective, cheap #2 starter. Period. I'm just not buying it.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 09:52 AM) Which he very well might not be. Guzman is such an exciting young prospect that could still be the centerpiece of a good deal for the Sox. How is Joel defensively?

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 09:49 AM) If the Sox trade Garland to the Dodgers, and don't get either Billingsley or Guzman included in the deal, then that's a bad trade. Agreed. Billingsley is the deal-breaker. He simply has to be included in a deal of that magnitude.

Again, conjecture being passed off as fact. However, in Bruce's defense, he's spot-on...of course Garland is going to be traded. I'm also happy to hear the Sox are not going the Blalock/Crede route and are looking to land a reliever and presumably some prospects. I'm sticking to my guns: Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton/Edwin Jackson ...a deal surrounging two of those three players.

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 09:32 AM) Fogg is a guy who's best suited to the 11th or 12th man ... a guy who can do long relief, spot start, eat some innings. I think he will sign with a team that has more opportunity for him. Really? That's interesting. In my estimation, that seems exactly the type of player Kenny and company would be interested in. Assuming Garland is traded, the Sox really don't have another Brandon McCarthy to be that sixth/spot-starter of sorts. In my opinion, Fogg fits the bill. He isn't going to dazzle anyone, but, he wouldn't have to. If he could be had for a resonable contract--presumably 1-2 years at the $1.2-$1.5M mark--I would think he'd draw some interest from his former team. I'm thinking--and, again, I could be way off--Kenny will bring in one of our two remaining bullpen spots via free agency or trade and let the youngsters--that is, Reynoso, Tracey, Munoz, Bajenaru, etc.--compete for that final vacancy. You sign/trade for the lefty and let the righties compete. You sign/trade for the righty and let the lefties compete.

The Christmas lights video Steff posted a week or two ago is now being used in Miller Lite commercials. Very cool.

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 08:56 AM) Ian did you see the list of non tenders? Lots of bullpen guys, and lots of 4th OF types. I don't think they'll have any problem bringing in depth. They always announce a bunch of these signings in January. Sure did. Lot's of interesting names popping up...as a certain somebody I know predicted. Check your PMs a little later.

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 08:51 AM) This thread is actually humorous, but I will say this for Jabroni/SSH, he is trying very hard to be non confrontational and is letting all the little potshots roll off his back. He has already admitted he is Jabroni reincarnated, so I would say it's fair to let bygones be bygones and let him be. I suppose...not my call anyway. Bah Humbug

The Starland Vocal Band's timeless classic:

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 08:45 AM) Maybe it's just me, but I think he's a very solid poster who posts interesting information. Old habits die hard. Now the twenty threads per hour, tomorrow, the ever-witty derogatory pet-names for those on the Sox roster.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 08:08 AM) I think there have been plenty of Japanese Imports who have excelled for a extended period of time. Hideo Nomo had a pretty consistent career, Kazahiro Sasaki was untouchable until he got injured, then he bolted back to japan, Shigetoshi Hasegawa has had some success, and the guy who was just traded to Texas (okinori?) is supposed to be pretty nasty too. I can understand the smoke and mirrors frustration because of Shingo, but I wouldnt venture to say they are all easy to figure out after they have been seen a few times. No prolonged success for any of those. I think it can be argued Nomo had the best run of the bunch, but, you have yet to see any longevity out of any of these Japanese imports. I'm on to something. We're going huge with this idea. This is about to blow up.

You know, I hate to play the east-coast bias card, but, this is really getting out of hand. You'd think the Yankees just re-signed Joe f***ing DiMaggio.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 20, 2005 -> 11:36 PM) That's why I know I will win. How about the loser is banished from Soxtalk forever? I'm already sick of seeing 300 new threads posted per minute. You'd think you'd fly under the radar. Nope.

Fish Food!!?? That's it!!?? That's your ace in the hole!!?? Whatever credibility Hendry had lingering from his previous moves is all but packed up and left. This signing is just pathetic.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 20, 2005 -> 04:54 PM) I think it has more to do with the fact that they throw so many pitches at early ages in the Japanese system, they lose their stuff at a very young age. That's an arguement that can be made. Sure. But, take a look at what happens to these imports after they are seen once or twice. These are big-leauge hitters. If you try and come at them with smoke-and-mirrors, you're gonna get figured out. Have there been exceptions? I'm sure. But, this is an on-going theory I have and I really think there is something to it.

Regardless, I'm done with the Japanese smoke-and-mirrors pitching experiment. Once these guys are seen by the majority of the league, they're toast in the MLB.

I think Gonzalez is headed out to Boston for Wells. Boston has been in love with Gonzalez for some time now and he'd come in and compete for the starting 1B slot this year. But, that's just me.

He's got no minor-league options left, let's see Borchard compete for a fourth outfielder's spot in spring training. I'm not even really speaking from a sentimental standpoint, but, rather from a baseball point of view. He's really the only in-house option for some pop off the bench. Looking on down the rosters, we don't really have any slugger with some power potential coming off the bench other than Borchard in-house. If Kenny decides to sign DaVannon or the like, I'd have no problem with it. But, I think Borchard can play all three outfield positions--albeit, not great defensively--and has that LTP we've all been wanting to harness for all these years. Bring him into camp, let him compete.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 20, 2005 -> 10:43 AM) What's more tiresome is seeing every member of the team get a clever nickname like jizz or el puke or dumbasso, etc. Beat you to it, Row. Eat your Wheaties.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 20, 2005 -> 10:41 AM) Nothing could be more tiresome than seeing Timo Perez leading off for your favorite team. Give us one more witty, insulting name variant for Perez for the road, won't you?

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 20, 2005 -> 10:26 AM) Perez has almost no value on the market but it's a bit frustrating they couldn't land something in return for Harris ... a low level prospect even. There you go. My sentiments exactly. However, as many of you know, I'm thrilled to see Willie gone. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out, Cooperstown! He gone.

ESPN Radio 1000's Bruce Levine is reporting the White Sox will not tender contracts to both Willie Harris and Timo Perez.

Contreras is going to be here for 2006 and beyond. The Sox made a low-ball offer, the Contreras camp complained to the media and rebutted with some pie-in-the-sky offer, and now the two sides will actually try to get something done. I don't understand the worry. Seems pretty par for the course.

QUOTE(hi8is @ Dec 19, 2005 -> 03:52 PM) i guess ill just have to chew on my fingernails until the announcement i really doubt hernandez is passing this physical with a passing grade..... ill tryand dredg up some info about his latest DL stint/ Remember, there were certainly some phantom injuries this off-season in regards to El Duque going on the DL. If they could cite, "old man needs to get his s*** straight," as the reason to put him on the shelf a few of those times, they would have.