Punch and Judy Garland

he went 18 innings with 13 er for a 6.50 era against us this year and is 4-5 with a 6 plus for his career. I thought the same thing so he must have had one really good game agains tus that made us think that.

I think he was good against us this season. Don't worry, they'll bring in someone we've never faced and I think we know how THAT usually goes.

I would prefer to bring in a guy who doesn't threaten Shingo. What kind of message would it send by bringing in another closer to a guy who was so wonderful this year? I know this is getting into the babying of athletes territory but I think the Sox should not do anything that could evolve into a closer controversy. I would be excited about a legit set-up man though.

A good rotation that eats a lot of innings (the Cards this year) can make a solid bullpen into a very good one. Just to clarify, Bank One in AZ is a hitter's park. I think that someone made the point about 3-4 easy outs he will lose out on, but the flip side is that without the pitcher hitting he will not be pulled for a ph like he was in all of those tied and one run games. At this point, I believe the parameters of the trade will change. I anticipate the Cardinals putting together a package around the likes of Haren, Ankiel, and Gall or Haren, Wainright, and Gall. I believe our package will have to include only one of Konerko or Garland and then 2 of our top prospects. I say that if we trade for RJ, we try not to include Garland. If you are going to trade for RJ then you are obviously trying to make a run at the whole thing so deal the prospects to get it done. We should take our shot this year and then rebuild afterwards. I think while we aren't in the greatest shape, we could be close enough to try for it all.

The A's talk is relatively absurd because there are MANY teams that match up better including Toronto, Boston, Cleveland, and several national league teams. The A's will not be interested in Jon Garland(who costs around what the Big 3 costs while expiring at the same time) and Konerko and Lee are bad fits because of the money they make. The A's will retool with young pitching prospects and young hitters that fit their organizational philosophy. I don't even believe that Rowand walks enough for their tastes.

I think that injury prone comment is one of the dumbest I've ever heard. Injured once makes you injury prone?

Do you remember the Saturday Sub game at the Cell where Shingo got the save and Hawk screamed "IT'S SHINGO TIIIIIIME!" Like Hawk or not, it was a great call. That was around the apex of Shingo-mania, great times indeed.

I just don't see how any scenario under which we increae payroll 25 million is worth fathoming. No offense, but we might as well speculate what we could do with a $130 million dollar payroll because it's strictly fantasy to think about RJ and Beltran.

no he was victim of that goofy rule where time on the DL counts as service time, thus taking away rookie elgibility (unless I'm thinking of Morneau)

Regardless of your feeling son foreign-born players being up for ROY (let's not turn this thread into that direction), today's vote is a reminder of what a terrific season it was for Shingo. For those of you who get to go to the home games, the electricity was amazing when he came out to his theme song. A true fan favorite getting a little national dap today.

Will Robert Person be back from his Achilles' to get an invitation to Spring Training in 05? I know they were fairly stoked about him last year.

I think this trade proposal reminds me of the Garcia deal, you would be thrilled with what you get while disappointed with what you have to give up. Here's why I like the deal, this team needs a direction. We need to s*** or get off the pot. LEt's make a run in 05 and maybe 06 and when Lee and Thomas' contracts expire after 06, it's time to legitimately rebuild. I can't see the Sox extending RJ's deal, but I bet they like the deferred aspect of his current deal (pending the aforementioned CBA's take on that). The worst part of this deal to me isn't giving up a good prospect, but the fact that we need to find yet another starter. Also, is we go after RJ, we will be fighting for a WS shot so expect to give up more prospects in July to shroe up needs that are sure to come. I don't know if this trade will work out (nobody does and if they tell you they know-they are full of it) but it's sure exciting to be active this offseason isn't it?

I think revisionist history is being used to say that the Yanks fixed Loaiza, he was awful with them. I think we give Coop this year to see if he can turn Contreras and Garland around and then we move from there. I can't see KW getting fired even if the team only wins 75-80 games. I think his leash is a tad longer.

I think the Giants will be players in the Alou and Steve Finley sweepstakes. I think them adding a bat will prevent them from adding a guy like Pavano. However, Sabean is a good gm and I don't follow them too closely so I could be wrong

if people don't like it , change the damn rule. Shing should finish in the top 3 no question about it.

I think if you read between the lines, I think Boston will be willing to take on more than half of his salary. I just think he'd be an intriguing option. I know Kim's been kind of a recluse in past clubhouses but with a fellow asian and a town where there is a significant population, he might fit in better here. Hey, maybe we could go after Hasegawa and nickname our bullpen "the Orient Express"

my mistake on that

Here's a name that you rarely hear: B. Kim from Boston. He is in the last year of his deal and will make $5 million, most of which I believe Boston would be willing to eat. Kim apparently has no interest in being traded to Japan and since we have Shingo here, it could be a decent fit. You could use Kim as a set-up man or as a fifth-starter. Again, I'm not saying that he should be our top option with his makeup and health issues, but he is a guy who is in his mid-20's and gives a staff unique flexibility.

well said

Why would you trade Oliver Perez if you are Pittsburgh? Cash strapped teams don't trade away pitchers who are good and make no money. I've read where the Pirates would consider it in order for someone to swallow Kendall's deal whole, but I don't buy it.

I look at guys like Willie, Garland, Crede, and Big Ben Davis and I say that this is theri shot in 05. If any of them don't produce, it might be moving time before 06. I think that all of them are capable of turning their respective corners but who knows if they will. You would have to assume that Davis has the most breating room as long as his defense is solid. If Willie doesn't start running more then he is not much of an asset. Hopefully the mental block that made him so tentative will be behind him.

I sorta like the idea of signing Omar. There will be no adjustment period for the pitching he faces since he is staying in the division which is sometimes a problem for a FA. Worst case, it becomses a Steve Sax situation where he hits .250. I don't think he will fall apart on us. Also, as it was pointed out earlier, while the money may seem steep, it wouldn't be a crippling amount should an injury arise.

Well given his $2 million dollar buyout, the Yankees cannot offer him more than $6 unless they go multi-year. Of course they could offer more than $6 but it would be idiotic to pay over $8 in the end. If I'm Lieber I btter get 3 or more years from somebody.

Just thought I would share draft guru/minor league guru Jim Callis' WHite Sox portion of today's chat. Andrew from TN asks: Is Josh Fields going to be a better hitter than Joe Crede? I'm guessing the White Sox drafted him as Crede's replacement to hopefully get more offense at the position. A: Jim Callis: I thought Crede would be a better hitter than he has been, but Fields has more offensive potential than Crede showed on the way up. Crede has been a major reason why the White Sox have underachieved in recent years, and he's running out of time. Fields could be ready by mid-2006.

I wouldn't mind Nomar on a one year deal, although a lot of teams would be interested in him too. Kenny has watned him for a year so it wouldn't shock me to see the Sox at least inquire. If we could get him at 7-8 for a one year, I wouldn't hesitate. I, however, assume that he will come in at 10 though.