Winnin Ugly

He doesnt think Pods should be in the all-star game f*** you Jimmy

Daily Southtown

For all its offense, Boston may not have an ace or a closer, what with Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke in limbo. The New York Yankees have turned soft — since when does owner George Steinbrenner congratulate his third-place team after a birthday victory? The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have three more words in their name than quality starters. Does Minnesota still have a team? If ever there were a time for White Sox general manager Ken Williams to put the pedal to the metal and acquire the one or two pieces it takes to complete the championship puzzle, then the 24 days that remain before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline are it. Because the South Side may never have a better chance to witness a World Series for the first time in 46 years than the present. "What may be able to change minds in this city is for us to win it all," said Williams, who knows blood when he smells it. "That's what I care about. I've been in this city for 20 years, so I know what it's all about. For our fans and for us, the big picture is what we look at." As Chet Coppock reported on Sporting News Radio last Sunday, a Sox investor indicated the team was on the verge of a deal with San Francisco that would send pitcher Jason Schmidt to the South Side, a report another team executive would not deny. If healthy — and that's a big if — Schmidt would join Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Freddy Garcia in the deepest rotation in the big leagues. "I want a top-of-line starter," K-Will said. "You know me better than to want anything less than that." Indications are that Schmidt or any other newly acquired fourth starter would also pitch out of the bullpen in the postseason. (Remember what starter-turned-reliever Josh Beckett did for Florida against the Cubs in Game 7 of the NLCS two years ago? Then in the World Series, Beckett started Game 6 and threw a two-hit shutout against the Yankees as the Marlins clinched the title.) The deal could be expanded to include shortstop Omar Vizquel, who, like Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, is a Venezuela native. Vizquel wasn't yet available, according to a team source, but that could change if and when the fourth-place Giants decide to call it a season before the end of the month. "I prefer to fly stealth," was all Williams would say Wednesday about the trade speculation. The Sox had Vizquel at the top of their wish list last winter, only to have the Giants step in with a better offer. Shortstop Juan Uribe has been a disappointment thus far, while Omar the Playmaker remains as consistent as ever at 38. Indeed, Sox Nation should have complete faith in whatever Williams does in the next three weeks, because the guy has turned chopped steak into filet mignon for two years now. Start with free-agent pitcher Shingo Takatsu, who was signed for a mere $1 million. All he did was save 19 games. After a couple of down months this season, Takatsu appears to have his frisbee back in order again. Garcia was acquired in return for catcher Miguel Olivo and outfielder Jeremy Reed, a pair of prospects. Reed turned out to be a keeper, but Garcia would be the staff ace on almost any other team except this one. Esteban Loaiza for Jose Contreras? Call it no worse than a wash. Last offseason it was more of the same. Free agent A.J. Pierzynski was signed for $2.25 million. What? Two million bucks? For a catcher who is on pace to hit 20-plus homers and calls one of the best games around? Free agent Tadahito Iguchi arrived as a virtual unknown. Now Iguchi rates one of the best second baseman in the AL, a $2.3 million bargain. Yet another free-agent steal, pitcher Dustin Hermanson, has converted 21 of 22 save opportunities at last check. Not bad for $2 million, huh? Then there's outfielder Jermaine Dye, whose $4 million salary is one-third that of Magglio Ordonez, the guy he replaced. The critics who screamed that Ordonez should be re-signed at all costs have been very quiet lately. The only significant move that can be even remotely questioned is the one that sent slugger Carlos Lee to Milwaukee in return for outfielder Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino. Yet, as dominant as Lee has been for the Brewers, Podsednik has been hell on wheels, a symbol of the speed-and-defense makeover that took place last winter. Where would the Sox be without Sco-Po to wreak havoc at the top of the order? That K-Will has pulled this off on a $75 million payroll tells me he's misplaced as a baseball general manager. The guy should be in charge of the national budget. Yet for all his success, Williams finds himself in a prickly situation at the moment. His team has a fairly comfortable 10½-game lead in the AL Central, not to mention the best record in the bigs. But while Williams keeps one eye on the next pitch, he has to focus the other on the postseason. Problem is, as much as Williams wants to tweak the roster, he has to be careful not to disrupt team chemistry, which ranks on the short list of reasons for team success this season. For instance, the Sox could make a pitch for Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., who at last check was on a pace for 30 home runs and 100-plus RBI and appears to be over his injury problems. Griffey is a left-handed swinger and has loads of postseason experience, both of which the Sox lack. But if you acquire Griffey, what do you tell Aaron Rowand, a guy who has run through the wall for you the last three seasons? Well, it's like this, Aaron: We really do appreciate all you've done for us, but we have a chance to acquire a future Hall of Famer who can make us better. So why don't you grab some bench for a while? "We have to be careful here, but nothing will change the fact that we've set our sights on the playoffs," K-Will said. "If we're fortunate enough to get there, then we'll focus on even greater things." It's time for Ken Williams to work some more of his magic.

Would anyone of you trade Jenks as part of a package to get a starting pitcher or do you think he should be untouchable...

Jenks look so dam awesome..

It is so f***in awesome to be a Sox fan been waiting 20 years for a magical season like this... Congrats to Pods and Go Sox

Go to their message board and browse the threads. Everyone appears to believe Red Sox fans are responsible for this win. Apparently, no one lives outside of Boston and New York these days. There are NO cities outside of the east coast responsible for voting Podsednik in.

I just voted about 700 times for Pods. Everyone keep voting

It sounded like Cowly had no f***in clue what Coppock said today and if he thinks Sox are going to get Clemens he is on crack

has it been reported anyone else that the Sox are getting Schmidt...

at the all-stark break

I heard it on the sports radio station here in LA... If we did trade Carl to LA just curious who the Sox want in return

Dont know if this has been mention but the Dodgers are looking to making a trade with the Sox for Carl E..

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jun 30, 2005 -> 05:40 PM) In AA and at age 25. We shall see how he does in AAA. He has never been this good in his minor league career... http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/leo_daigle.shtml Jamie Burke was over 30 when he got his shot with the Sox and alot of people on this site and I believe you were one of them that wanted the Sox to keep him

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jun 30, 2005 -> 05:33 PM) you have something aganist Daigle getting a shot... The guy is hitting around 350 with 24 Hr's and 85 rbi's

Leo Daigle should get a shot next year

Bluejays

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jun 30, 2005 -> 04:40 PM) Listening to Ed Farmer before the start of the game, he said he believed the astros would put Roy Oswalt on the market. They certainly need help in a lot of spots. Brian Anderson would have to look good for them Maybe Farmer was giving us a hint that the Sox have been talking to Houston about Oswalt

Lofton would be a very nice pick up..

1) Jeremy Reed 2) Kris Honel 3) Neal Cotts 4) Joe Borchard 5) Ryan Wing 6) Brian Anderson 7) Arnie Munoz 8) Jon Rauch 9) Robert Valido 10) Ricardo Nanita Just missed the cut: Ryan Sweeney, Chris Young, Ruddy Yan, Enemencio Pachecho

steroids HR derby on ESPN McGwire Vs Bonds

I like to see the Sox go out and get Ron Villone...

Steff you still havent gave me your anwser of who you think is the best sox mgr

Steff- you must care if you called your dad about it

Leyland did a great job in pittusburgh