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QUOTE(michelangelosmonkey @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 02:10 PM) Why in the world is Carmona a bona fide #1? His minor league stats don't suggest it. His major league stats don't suggest it. He had one great year, last year...but look at his WHIP, K/9, BB/K BB/9...in his GREAT year and they aren't as good as what Javier's 10 year average is. I think JV tends to be dramatically under rated around here. As for Westbrook being "more consistent" than Contreas. Well consistency isn't what we need. For a season and a half Contreras was a top five pitcher in baseball...almost any measure you want to use. Westbrook has been consistently mediocre. For the Sox to make a plausible chase for the penant Contreras is one of those guys that has to pan out. If he's the sore backed sluggish pitcher of the last 18 months...Sox=doomed. If he's the ace of the previous 18 months= Sox have a shot. IF the Sox traded Contreras for Westbrook...it would not improve our chances. Westbrooks just not very good. Then you sluff off Danks and Floyd as untested...which is true...but that is versus Cleveland's other two...Paul Byrd the old, cheater and Cliff Lee who looks done at 30. I'm not ready to concede at all that Clevelands pitching is better. Sabathia is the best of either team...but as was pointed out...with all that weight? And coming off a season where he pitched 250 innings? We'll see. Your points are well taken, but I do think Carmona is on the ascent, while Javy is on the descent. And I absolutely think Westbrook is better than Contreras. Jose was a "top 5 pitcher" for two half seasons - second part of '05 and first part of '06 - which is different than "a season and a half." The guy never showed anything with the Yanks, and is now a full season and a half from the last time he was effective. He's also pushing 40. Westbrook is coming off a very solid playoffs, if I remember correctly. He is not great, but when the sinker is on, he's very solid. I think the keys to our season are two guys: Vazquez and Danks. If the former continues what he did this year, and the latter takes a step toward the potential we think he has, we'll compete. But I just have absolutely zero faith in Contreras and Floyd.

I agree that the Tribe may be slightly overrated, but starting pitching is what separates them from us right now. You can't count on injuries, and assuming Sabathia and Carmona are healthy, they are both bona fide #1's. We just have Buehrle. Vazquez is still a big question mark IMO. Westbrook is also much more consistent than Contreras. And, of course, Danks and Floyd are completely unproven. That's the difference between the teams.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 10:44 AM) Putting Swisher at 1B would really diminish his value. Agreed. Actually, if there's anything to this rumor, I'd like them to try and get Kotchman back in the deal. I really like that kid, and he immediately replaces Konerko. Hell, I'd do Konerko for Kotchman and Santana right now. I might even do it without Santana (but we really do need another SP).

I like Swisher, but despite all the over-analysis, here's the bottom line about the '08 Sox: we're not winning anything with this starting rotation. After Buehrle, we have a washed-up Contreras, an unproven Danks, an up-and-down Vazquez and a Triple A pitcher in Floyd. Jose and Gavin alone spell 2 losses every 5 games. I don't care if the Sox sign the '27 Yankees roster in its prime, we're not winning with this rotation. Period. Now, if Danks takes a step forward and we're somehow able to turn Joe Crede into a solid #3/#4 SP, maybe we have something. But as much as I like Swisher, he makes very little difference for '08 IMO.

QUOTE(joesaiditstrue @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:37 PM) i think some people here might be overvaluing DLS and Gio, No, I don't think you can ever overvalue pitching. The point is not that people think (necessarily) that Gio or DLS were guaranteed stars, the point is that we currently have major question marks in the rotation, and the more depth you have, the more chance that one of these guys will pan out. Right now we have two guaranteed losses every week in Contreras and Floyd. And what if Danks regresses? I'm somewhat high on Broadway, but not Masset or Egbert. And who else is there?

I like Swisher a lot, but you can't be giving up your top pitching prospects when we have 3 huge questions marks in the starting rotation. I mean, I hate to say this, but I think we all pretty much know that Contreras and Floyd are both utter garbage. Factor in Vazquez's inconsistency and what is left? One proven stud in Buehrle and one promising guy in Danks. Seems to me that KW has gone from stockpiling some nice pitching depth (a must, considering how much of a crapshoot pitchers can be) to having no depth at all, in just one year. This is a scary trade. And again, I like Swisher a lot.

QUOTE(Colorado Sox Fan @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 04:42 PM) Don't get me wrong, I like this deal. But what happened to the mantra of pitching and defense? Looks like you guys will be in for some long nights at US Cellular. Would they consider Cabrera for left? Didn't he used to play there? I totally agree. People keep saying Cabrera is a "legitimate star." So were Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez, and the Sox won the WS the year after dumping both of them. Pitching and defense always wins. This will be great for the box office, but in the long term not so great for winning another title. Just my opinion. EDIT: Oops, just saw the other replies about Detroit making this deal instead. Nevermind. :-) But I actually think it's better for the Sox in the long run to not make this deal. But for Detroit I think it's fine, because they bring back Willis and already had enough starting pitching. We did not.

I am surprised no one has brought up that ridiculous replay reversal on Toomer's TD. For the life of me I cannot figure out how they decided that was conclusive evidence. And it turned out to be a huge momentum shift. If the Giants get a FG there, instead of the TD, I think it may have changed things.

As with most people here, I'm a big Aaron Rowand fan. But I do not believe he is worth the money being discussed. Same with Andruw Jones. The guy I want is Coco Crisp. I believe Boston wants to move him and he could be had for a mid-level prospect or two, not to mention a salary much lower than Rowand or Jones will command. Crisp won't provide the power, but he'll give you a solid BA, pretty good OBP and speed on the bases. And with Konerko, Dye, Thome, AJ, Crede and/or Fields, do we really need more power? Plus, if Crisp is not on par with Rowand or Jones defensively, he's pretty damn close. Factor in the amount of money freed up by not going after the bigger names and we could pursue another bullpen guy, or another corner outfielder. To me it's a no-brainer.

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 09:46 AM) Crisp isn't a very good hitter. He's a .280 lifetime hitter with a .329 OBP. Compare that to Hunter's .271/.324. They're both good for around 20 steals a year. Obviously Hunter has more power, but he also strikes out more. We already have that covered with Thome, Konerko, Dye and AJ. Hunter's a better fielder, but Crisp is no slouch in the field. Crisp is 4 years younger and would come MUCH cheaper. And like I said, we have more holes to fill and not much payroll room if we sign Hunter for 5-6 years (and don't forget we need to extend Cabrera at some point).

QUOTE(quickman @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 07:01 AM) Don't forget all the rumors of Coco Crisp. Still maybe something there, Actually I love that idea. Crisp is younger than Hunter, isn't quite as good defensively but still a major upgrade over what we have, is a pretty solid hitter (we already have plenty of power and don't need Hunter for that) and would come much much cheaper. Let's not forget we still need at least one more arm for the 'pen and probably the rotation as well. If Kenny thinks this team is contending with Contreras as the #3 starter, he's a lunatic. And I'm not just going off last year. I said at the time they extended him that it was a mistake. He has basically had two good HALF seasons his entire time in MLB. And if you consider Vazquez's historic shakiness, and Danks' still-unproven'ness (yeah, i know, not a word), we are in no position (at the moment) to be "going for it" in '08. Ain't gonna happen. Just being realistic.

On the one hand, I love Cabrera. He's a huge upgrade at SS. On the other hand, I thought we'd be getting someone like Aybar, along with E. Santana and maybe something else. Cabrera is not a good fit on this team because of his age, and I really thought Garland could bring us back a CF and/or another young pitcher as well.

Did someone say Pat Burrell? Why the heck would we want another feat-or-famine, HR-or-K guy in this lineup? Enough already. Damon I can live with, but only if (as someone else suggested) the Yankees help with the contract. To be honest, I want a young CF of the future. The Mets will be in the market for a SP - probably setting their sights on Santana, but maybe willing to settle for Garland if they can't work it out. Go get Milledge.

Seems like I'm in the vast minority here, but why move Fields to LF? I would rather deal Crede and give Fields the job. He showed me enough... plus he's a few years younger and would free up some salary to fill other needs... namely CF, SS, bullpen. I have no problem with giving Owens another shot (hopefully in LF instead of CF, but it depends on what else we do). Same with Richar at 2B. I would not break the bank for Tori Hunter. I'd rather see what CF prospect we could get in a trade (for Crede? Garland? Konerko? Hell... Thome?) I'm thinking someone along the lines of Milledge (Mets). I do not want to see Uribe's bat in this lineup next year. I'm ok with bringing in a field-first guy at SS, but at least let him be capable of making contact, drawing a walk, bunting, stealing, etc. Uribe ain't that guy. The Angels definitely seem like a potential trading partner, specifically involving Garland. Between Figgins, Aybar, Izturis, Santana... there's a package in there somewhere we can work out. No to Eckstein. F A-Rod. My two cents.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 12:33 PM) where is the neither button. I'm with you. Weren't we talking to the Angels last year about Garland? I would like to keep Garland if possible, but if we're going to trade him, why not ask for Aybar or Izturis, plus something else (Santana? Kendry Morales?) from LAA? Just throwing it out there. I definitely don't want Eckstein on this team, and would rather not see Uribe back.

I honestly don't care either way, because it has nothing to do with winning. And while we're on the topic of HRs., I wonder if I am the only one getting sick and tired of the homer-fests at the Cell. How many years has our ballpark led the league? And when will something be done about it? Maybe I'm just an old-fashioned baseball purist... I'm sure most people will disagree with me... but seeing HRs fly out of there - many of which should be fly-outs - is not fun to watch. I realize the Cell has been renovated to death and there isn't much room left, but I would investigate all possibilities - whether it's raising the height of the fences, or moving back home plate a bit... but something has to be done. The Cell is an absolute launching pad. I know, off-topic a bit. Sorry, just venting after last night.

QUOTE(briguy27 @ Jul 29, 2007 -> 03:51 PM) He also looks like he could be a Luis Castillo kind of player. I'll take that in a heartbeat.

QUOTE(diegotony06 @ Jul 3, 2007 -> 04:48 PM) Teddy Greenstein made a good point on CTL, it's time for the Whitesox to start offering full no trade clauses to cetain special players. You don't have to offer it to everyone, just players that are worthy of it, especially one that is taking such a big discount. I agree with him 100%. I think the Org. needs to change the way they do business regarding NTC's. It's part of the game now. I'm not saying every player, but special players. Big time FA's. Most of the time when you hear a player has a NTC, usually they waive it if the teams asks them to. So I would give Mb the full NTC, and then KW can get on with whatever trades he has planned. You don't want to let this linger too long, cause if they fail to sign MB soon, teams are gonna know we can't sign him, and they aren't gonna offer as much as they would have earlier. It's time to either sign this guy, or trade him. I absolutely agree. It's garbage for Kenny to say he can't give a NTC because then every player will expect it. He can give Mark the NTC because Mark is giving something to the team, namely the hometown discount. It's called give and take. That is what negotiating is about. If they let Mark get away, there is simply no defending it. Don't even try.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 30, 2007 -> 01:27 PM) Well I'd hope there is more to this than just the no trade clause, cause if that was really the only sticking point then I have a huge problem with Mr. Williams. Tell me about it... I am just hearing about this now (9:15pm ET Saturday night) and I am absolutely stunned. Buehrle isn't even 30 years old yet, and you're signing him to a measly 4 year deal... why the hell would you even CONSIDER trading him anyway?!?!? That is what f**king killed this deal?!?!? As I have said before and will say this one last time... if you can't hold on to a guy like Mark Buehrle - above-average left-handed starter in his prime, model citizen... then who the F**K can you hold on to? Who are the guys we actually DO want if we DON'T want Buehrle? What a joke.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 10:58 AM) You won't get much for either one, plus doesn't Jose have a no-trade clause? Not sure if Jose has a no-trade or not. Assuming he doesn't, I don't care what you get back for him (or Javy). The bottom line is that you free up some dollars to give to Buerhle - and eventually to Garland. If you play in the 3rd biggest media market and can't keep your best pitchers, I'm not sure what to do.

I didn't see this posted here. Maybe I missed it. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/wh...T-sox24.article I just don't see how or why you trade Buehrle. Man up and pay the man what he deserves. Period. I would be contacting every team in baseball about CONTRERAS and VAZQUEZ right now. Everyone talks about how they were signed so cheaply... well we know the reason for that, but maybe there's two sucker GMs out there so desperate for starting pitching that they'll take these medicore guys and their salaries off our hands. Then we'll have plenty more cash to put toward Buehrle... and Garland after that. You build around young pitching and with those guys and Danks, we have some good ones.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 22, 2007 -> 01:50 PM) I've said it before and I'll say it again, a Darrin Jackson/Chris Singleton booth would be the most entertaining announcing team in baseball. I think you may be on to something. I have thought before that switching up the booths - making it Hawk/Farmer on TV and Jackson/Singleton on radio - might be a good idea. Farmer, while pro-Sox, isn't as shamelessly so as Hawk and he could provide a nice balance. Having Jackson outside Hawk's shadow would give him a chance to establish his own personality.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ May 17, 2007 -> 04:56 PM) Kind of like the billboard they put up outside wrigley. Not sure if it is the one you are referring to... but I was up by Wrigley last Sunday (on Clark a few blocks south of the stadium) and saw the billboard of Contreras ("Anyone can habla a good game... We are Chicago baseball... etc.) and thought wow, that is ballsy. But on the other hand... Even though it made me smile, I don't really like it. Kind of makes the Sox look small. I mean, if you have to say "we are Chicago baseball" then maybe you aren't. I mean, obviously I think they are, but I'm just saying that's how the ad came across to me. Just my opinion.

Sorry if I missed this earlier, but can someone tell me why we wore the black uni's tonight? Don't they usually switch after a loss?

QUOTE(smalls2598 @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 02:52 PM) I'm heading to New York this summer to see a Mets/Nationals game (on Sunday July 29th), then to see the Sox play the Yanks on July 31st and August 1st. I've never been to New York before, so I was wondering if someone who is familiar with the area can recommend where to stay? Somewhere in the $100-130 a night range preferably, and within a close distance to the Stadium (we won't have a car) I agree with the guy who said to use Priceline. Look for somewhere in midtown Manhattan, preferably the East side, so you can take the #4 train to Yankee Stadium and grab the #7 over to Shea.