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QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 16, 2005 -> 04:24 PM) I don't "want" to see Marte traded if at all possible. I was just thinking what player could the fish want that would fit in while saving them some money in salary. But in order to get a player of Castillo's talent, it'll take a lot of talent to get him. IMO, a guy like CAstillo who's a lock to hit .300 and can hit leadoff or #2, and play gold glove defense up the middle, is worth the cost of talent like Marte +. I don't think nobody here is underappreciate what Marte has done and meant for the Sox; however, in order to get a player the caliber of Luis Castillo, I am in agreement with Beck72. Nevertheless, I don't think the Fish is willing to trade Castillo straight up for Marte. It has to be Harris & Marte for Castillo, and if this is the case, I will do it in a heartbeat. Acquiring Castillo will solidify our infield. Cotts or Vizcaino can certainly take over Marte's role. Look at the lineup and tell me how terrific it is: 1) Podsednik CF 2) Castillo 2B 3) Thomas/Everett DH 4) Konerko 1B 5) Rowand LF 6) Dye RF 7) Uribe SS 8) Pierzynski C 9) Crede I could die to have this hitting lineup!

QUOTE(upnorthsox @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 09:01 PM) Red Sox interested in Tadahito Iguchi by William Bragg Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Tadahito Iguchi has generated interest on the part of the Red Sox. Iguchi appeared in 124 regular-season games and hit over .300 for the second straight year with a .333 batting average along with 24 homers and 89 RBIs. Richard Moss, the agent of Tadahito Iguchi, is set to begin contract negotiations with the Boston Red Sox, the management company of the former Daiei Hawks infielder said Sunday. Iguchi is a second baseman who also spent time as a shortstop earlier in his career. According to a company official, Moss is scheduled to meet Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein shortly as the American League team was quick to contact the agent about a possible deal with Iguchi. There is also mention that the Yankees are also interested (of course). Until today, the White Sox were expected to sign Japanese second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. Now, that agreement has come apart, and the Mariners are listed among suitors for Iguchi, alongside the Red Sox and Yankees. The southsiders were very interested, but are taking a pass. Word out of Boston is that they’re going to demur as well. The Mariners should, too. That’s not because Iguchi isn’t intriguing, although I doubt he’ll be an impact player in the states. It’s because they have other needs, and because he’s already rejected a two year, $4 million deal from the Pale Hose. Rumor had it that he was asking for Kazuo Matsui type money (3/$21 million), but even if he’s not, he’s likely to be prohibitively expensive anyway. Iguchi’s deal with the Fukuoka Hawks pays him 240 million yen a year, about $2.3 million. He’s not coming for the states for less than that. And that’s too much to pay without knowing which version you’re going to get. A converted shortstop (he made the switch before the 2001 season, after he had shoulder surgery), Iguchi’s production has been enigmatic. The past two seasons, he’s experienced a Bret Boone-like late bloom, blowing away his previous numbers. In his eight seasons in Japan, Iguchi has a career .271 average, .471 SLG and .349 OBP. Compare those numbers to his 2003 and 2004 seasons, which are rolled into the career stats: Avg OBP SLG 2003 .340 .438 .573 2004 .333 .394 .549Some of the ups and downs can be explained by a shoulder flareup that hampered him in 2002, but that’s also a cause for added concern. The 250 million yen question is about plate discipline: can a guy who posted OBPs of .310, .317, .346, and .317 in four straight years have figured out later in his career how to get on base two out of five times? Whoever signs Iguchi will be betting on three things: that the last two years are the real Iguchi, not the guy who hit .259/.317/.423 at age 27; that his skills will translate to the U.S.; and that his shoulder stays together. That’s a lot of ifs for a team that may or not be competitive next year, and I think Bill Bavasi knows that, having signed Pokey Reese. For another team, rolling the dice on Iguchi might make sense, but not this one. Upnorthsox: Stop the bs. This is December 05, 2004 article. This is old news!

QUOTE(chisox2334 @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 11:30 PM) The results of Hernandez's physical were better than expected, as strong of a testing as general manager Ken Williams or trainer Herm Schneider had seen in years. Hernandez downplayed the tired arm problem Thursday, stating that he not only feels healthy, but that his velocity was up a couple of miles per hour upon his return. If there's any doubt as to Hernandez's big-game capabilities, Guillen received some first-person reassurances on his flight from Venezuela this week. Scouts from Pittsburgh and Toronto who were on the flight with Guillen told the manager that Hernandez would be his No. 1 starter if the White Sox eventually make the playoffs. "I saw him in the postseason twice against Atlanta, and this is a cold-blooded pitcher. He's a big-game pitcher," said Guillen of Hernandez, who reminds the White Sox manager of Jack McDowell and Andy Pettitte. "Duque is so strong mentally that he likes those tough situations. "Our rotation is stronger because now we have a real No. 5 starter in Jon Garland. If Hernandez stays healthy, our pitching staff should take us all the way to the playoffs." For those who have doubt about El Duque. I have such good karma about this great signing. Still can't believe we signed the Duke!

Heck, I say we forget Castillo and sign Iguchi and be done for this offseason. With Iguchi aboard, our team is all set and ready for 2005.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 12, 2005 -> 11:25 AM) Where did you hear this? I've been looking around and haven't heard anything like this? If true, no one would prob. top that offer. In the Marlins forum, one guy wrote that WFAN Radio has mentioned that. In addition, according to NY Times, Beltran has called Delgado in trying to lure Delgado to the Mets. According to Jayson Start, the Mets GM Minaya and Mets owner Fred Wilpon will meet with him. If the Mets want Delgado, they WILL get him.

If someone can go to this site: http://search.iwon.com/commerce/cached.jsp...hfor=alta+vista Then put in the link: http://www.major.jp/news/news20050109-4858.html in the Translate A Web Page section. Select Japanese to English and click Translate. I'm being blocked at work. Thanks.

QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jan 12, 2005 -> 10:50 AM) yeah wed be amazing but we have to give something up and that could be an awful lot for such a good player, dont think it will happen though Folks, don't get your hope too high. Mets just offer Delgado 4years/$52 mils. Delgado is heading to NY! And if that's the case, Luis Castillo is heading nowhere except staying with the Marlins.

Found this on the MLB White Sox forum: "BostonDirtdogs.com It seems like the Chicago Whitesox are about to aquire another former twin in Doug Mien----- there is a deal between the the redsox and whitesox that would send the whitesox Doug Mien--- and Byun ----- for Carl Everett, Ross Gload and Prospect they are supposed to get from Brewers it is suppose to go down by Wednesday" Has anyone heard anything about this?

Can we have AJ Pierzynski's picture at top along with this offseason's newly signed players: Vizcaino, Podsednik, El Duque, Dye, Hermanson? What an offseason: Podsednik, Vizcaino, Dye, Hermanson, El Duque and Pierzynski! If only I can add Iguchi to the above list!

Looking at this offseason with so many free agent pitchers getting big bucks, I just feel that Kenny has done a hell of a job. Lowe is getting $9 mil/year!!! If El Duque can stay healthy, we would have the best bargained pitcher of this offseason. Well, the second best if Wade Miller do the same for Boston. With such a tight and restricted budget, Kenny is still able to fill all of the holes with potentially good players. What a guy! I was against Carlos Lee trade at first, but after seeing what we get out of it, I am just soooo happy. Lee = Podsednik, Vizcaino, Pierzynski, El Duque and PTBNL. What a steal!

I got this from the Sox MLB Forum: "Bruce Levine said that too. Today on ESPN 1000 he said all the talk of being $300k/year apart are lies because his agent is dead set on somewhere around the 5-7 mil per year range. Way too much of a risk for that kind of money." This is the true reason why Kenny has been unable to sign Iguchi. NOT the $300K difference, IMHO. If this is the case, forget Iguchi and go after Cora or Cairo.

Is it possible to trade Garland and Konerko for Vazquez, then turn around and sign Delgado to play 1st base? Sentimentally, I do not want to trade away Garland and Konerko. But if this is the step to take the Sox to win the division and pennant, I'll reluctantly do it. Of course, the scenario can only take place if JR is willing to move up payroll a little bit!

In addition, after looking at the catchers who are currently on the Sox, AJ knows should everything pan out, he would be the primary catcher for the Sox for a long time. How sweet it is for the Sox to finally have a real catcher!

As I have stated, if it comes down to $300K a year, Kenny would sign Iguchi in a heartbeat. There has to be something else that is causing a delay. After the signing of AJ, Kenny no longer is the underhand. I think it comes down to how much Iguchi wants to play for the Chicago White Sox. If he does, he has to somewhat meet Kenny on the negotiating line.

Everyone, please calm down. Kenny still has three more moves to be made: 1) Sign Iguchi 2) Sign Rob Nenn to a minor league contract 3) Trade Garland, Burke and Brian Anderson for Vazquez Only then Kenny will be done with this offseason. Heck, even without the above signings and trade, I still bow to Kenny.

Let me ask you guys one question. If you are Wade Miller, and you know that your pitching ability is better than those free-agent pitchers who have had contracts of $7 mil/year and above, and you know that your pitching shoulder is not DAMAGED GOOD, would you have signed for 1.5 mil/year with any club? Hermanson got 2.5 mil/year from our team! Miller knows his shoulder is done. He's damaged good! I'm sorry to say. The Red Sox knows it too, and that's the reason why they gave him small change (to them) in hoping they might get lucky. And I really think Kenny also knows it, and that's why he did not go after Miller. Do you really think Miller will abandon the $8 mil/2 years contract to pitch for the Red Sox for 1.5 mil? Stop being so naive! We got a good pitcher in El Duque!

How can anyone rate this offseason below GOOD? First of all, if the Sox indeed resign Ordonez, that would be $12 mil/a year. With Lee on this team, he would have cost us $8.5 mil next year. Those two players alone combine for $20.5 mil, 27% of the team's payroll (assuming payroll is at $75 mil). Do you know what that MEANS? We would have had the same old slow boring team again that has not won anything since the year of 2000. That would have meant we can NOT sign any other players to better our club. That would have meant the frustrating dejavu situtation of lacking 5th starting pitcher all over again. No Thanks. The concept of having Thomas, Ordonez, Lee and Konerko on the team is not working. And I compliment KW for going out and accomplish his goal of changing the team philosophy even with the budget constraint. In all honesty, I'll take Kenny over Schueler anytime! I rate this offseason VERY GOOD. With the addition of Eckstein or the trade of Garland for Vazquez, I would give it EXCELLENT.

That's what I meant. It seems to me that the El Duque critics are just bypassing the fact that after the Duke came back from his injury, the first eight games he was very good. Look at Mark Prior after he came back from his injury last season with the Cubs, how had he panned out? I'll tell you one thing. If the Duke is as good as he was after he came back from his injury last season, the Sox will have the BEST 3rd or 5th starting pitcher in the AL, and that would make the Sox a formidable team. If we get Eckstein and sign Pierzynski (I know Kenny said no, but you never know), I would grade this offseason a big fat A+.

Before everyone gets upset over Boston's signing of Wade Miller, go over to the MLB Houston Astros forum and read some of the posts regarding Miller's arm. According to people over there: "paying a pitcher who has a frayed rotator cuff and did not have surgery to repair it probably close to five million is WAY to high risk. Especially when doctors say the more stress he puts on it could cause it to become completely torn and cause him to miss at least a whole season if not longer." No thanks. Kenny did the right move to sign El Duque. IMHO, it's much safer. A dead arm like Buehrle has experienced is much DIFFERENT than "a frayed rotator cuff." Let's just say Kenny signs Miller, and he turns out to be injured for the rest of the season, what's then? MANY of you would automatically and unfairly jump on Kenny. Do, you'll be damned. Don't, you'll be damned. Someone can just never be satisfied no matter what moves or non-moves Kenny makes!

If KW made the above deal, he should be BANNED from the White Sox for the rest of his life, let alone being FIRED. No GM is that stupid. Now that we have the leverage with the addition of El Duque, the most we should offer for Vazquez are Garland and Anderson, and the Yankees have to eat half of Vazquez's salary.

What the hell are you guys talking about? We acted as if players want to come here and play for the Sox. First Vizquel, then Jaret Wright, then Clement, and now El Duque. Many of us have stated that we should not overpay Vizquel, Wright and Clement. And look at their recent contracts with their new teams. Now that we get the Duke for $8 mil/2 years, we still are complaining. Do you SERIOUSLY think that you know more about players' market values than KW? We know JACK about it! If we continue to b**** and moan about how overpaid Kenny has signed the acquired players, the Sox will end up with NOBODY. There has to be a REASON why Kenny opted for the Duke rather than Miller, in which all of us know nothing about. Relax and enjoy this offseason. Gosh, this is one of the busiest season for the Sox, and all we could do is keep on complaining at every move Kenny makes!

WSCR just reported that the Sox has contacted Eckstein's agent. No other further news. If we get Eckstein, the Carlos Lee's trade has truly panned out for the Sox. Trade Carlos Lee and we get money for: 1) Podsednik 2) Vizcaino 3) El Duque 4) Eckstein 5) A minor league prospect (PTBNL) Wow!!!

Man, how I wish this will materialize! 1) Bring in Eckstein 2) Trade Garland along w/ couple prospects for Vazquez 3) Bring in AJ Pierzynski (I know KW said AJ will not fit well with the Sox, but...) In any event, KW has done well this offseason, IMHO.

Can't you believe this! The Carlos Lee trade has really panned out for the Sox. We traded away Carlos Lee ($8 mils), and got back: 1) Podsednik CF ($750,000) 2) Vizcaino Relief Pitcher ($1 mil) 3) A Minor League Prospect (PTBNL) (Not worth to mention) 4) El Duque ($4 mils) 5) Eckstein or Cora (Remain to be seen) ($2 mils) Which means just to trade away Carlos Lee, KW has filled quite a few holes. Good job Kenny!

The best thing about the signing of O. Hernandez is if Kenny goes out and trades Garland along with others for Vazquez, the Sox is still going to have a true 5-SPs rotation. I am very happy about this move since it will leave us some money left to sign Cora or Eckstein. The offseason isn't done yet. We still need to get help for the infielders. I would be estatic if we land Eckstein. Great job, KW! Starting Pitchers (in order of rotation): 1) Buehrle 2) Garcia 3) Contreras 4) Garland 5) Hernandez Starting Hitters (in batting order): 1) Pedsednik CF 2) Eckstein SS 3) Rowand LF 4) Thomas/Everett DH 5) Konerko 1B 6) Dye RF 7) Uribe/Harris 2B 8) Crede 3B 9) Davis/Burke C And a solid bullpen. GET Eckstein and I will be more than satisfied.