WHITESOXRANDY

The Sox just want to push Beckham. Last year he was an offensive machine compared to what Escobar would be like. He has no stick.

Exactly. But, if we had a top notch GM he would presumably trade Danks, Quentin, Thornton and possibly a couple more for the very best prospects available. Then, he would give the young guys all the opportunity to play in 2012 while investing in Latin American players and developing prospects in the minor league system. This would put my level of interest at a 6.5. If this team resembles anything like last year's (minus Buehrle) then my interest level will be a 2.0.

+ 1 But, Dylan Axelrod looks like he could be the next Bob Gibson.

You must mean "when next year flops". Buehrle gone, rotation takes huge hit. Detroit, Cleveland and K.C. will clearly be better than last year and their futures are far brighter than the Sox. Therefore, the Sox ain't winning anything for a long time no matter what they do so the INTELLIGENT thing to do is start a proper and long rebuilding process now. Ofcourse, the Sox will continue to try to fool the fans into thinking that they have a chance to be real good every year without rebuilding because they are petrified of a drop in ticket sales. In other words, they don't have the balls to do what's right.

A. Ken Williams does not do "complete rebuilds". B. There is very little to rebuild with. The way that this franchise goes about their business is not changing. They are not dedicating resources to sign loads of Latin players, accumulate draft picks, add the best scouts and invest lots of money in young players. They don't do that. Therefore, nothing is changing. KW is still all in for 2012 with as much as he can get Jerry to spend. And, it will be that way until he's gone. And, probably until Jerry is gone. Maybe longer. Don't expect this franchise to be run right. Savor the 2005 season all you can! Watch the videos again and again.

I love you, man. Would you please apply for the position of World Economic Leader? Your optimism could change the world. Or, at least not let me think about reality for a second.

Yeah, you're right. The Sox can probably count on a dynasty coming now that they have a minor league system consisting of possibly 1 future average middle of the rotation starter and possibly 1 future left handed relief pitcher. That's worth having 6 team affiliates, 40 coaches and a dozen scouts. The Sox system has been nothing short of disgraceful.

Why isn't Kenny Williams ever mentioned in connection with any other GM jobs or openings anywhere else in baseball ? And, is there anything that we can do about that?

You do realize that these are not All-Stars by any stretch ? The only one that MIGHT develop into anything special was an international signing. So, yeah, basically a piss poor system any way that you look at it. The Sox rate of success has to be compared against the other teams in baseball. This is where they pale by comparison. Saying that they have a few guys that might play a few years in the big leagues is nothing. Far far more is expected than that.

Unfortunately, the Sox are stuck with 3 bad contracts and that's why they have to play them out. If it was just one they could make a dump and move on. But, with these 3 they would end up paying th emajority of the contracts and not getting quality young talent in return. Odds are about 50/50 that Peavy stays healthy and picthes above league average for the year. That would be a help but not worth anywhere near the $ 21 mil. but then they can say goodbye. Rios is the big question mark because he is capable for fulfilling the contract like he did in 2010. He may play a few more good years or close to it and the Sox could be okay here- probably about 50% chance. Dunn, there's no chance that he makes his deal look even close to good during any of the next 3 years. If he managed to hit .210 with 25 home runs that would be considered a comeback and that's pathetic. This money is gone.

That's good that they realized they were able to acquire 3 difference makers in 7 years. Maybe, if they really try they could double or triple that like the other big league teams.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...lb&c_id=mlb This just shows that this organization is lost and clueless. They are going in circles with no good plan.

They are not going to overlook his $ 6 mil. contract. It's as simple as that.

I can't say that I know exactly what the Sox could get for Danks but I'm pretty darn sure that there would be about half the teams interested and I would think they could extract a pretty nice haul from a team like the Yankees or another contender deperate for starting pitching. They all know that Danks has gotten very little run support the past few years and that affects a pitcher. It's very conceivable that Danks could win 20 with the Yankees in 2012. I would think that the Sox could get 2 real nice prospects for him at the least.

Exactly. Both very likely to be here next year.

One thing is for certain; the Sox will be a more successful organization with all of the management pulling in the same direction. I've been a huge critic of KW's moves. But, I'm beginning to wonder how much of a distraction Ozzie was to Kenny over the last few years. I know that he was distracting to the players because Konerko and others have said as much.

I haven't looked at Robin's career numbers in a long time. I was blown away. In his 16 seasons he had a positive WAR defensively AND offensively every year! There are only 12 players in baseball history with higher career defensive WAR! I would say that coupled with his personality gives him as good a chance as anyone to be a successful manager. The guy has played on a lot of winnning major league teams. That means he knows what they look like and what they act like.

This is good for a number of reasons: Professionalism had to be restored to the clubhouse and manager position. Practically everyone associated with the team was sick and tired of Ozzie, his antics and his family. The players stopped listening to him about 2 years ago. Robin Ventura immediately changes that. As a long time Sox player, very successful ballplayer with experience on both NY franchises as well as LA Dodgers and last year's involvement with Sox minor leagues he's a perfect fit. He also has the right personality. People in the game know that his temperament is right for the job. Also, he loves the Sox and will continue to bring in former Sox. He knows how to win and brings playoff experience. Far better player than Ozzie with even more experience and more respect in the game. Finished 6th in MVP voting in 1999 and played as recently as 2004 will connect well with players. He clearly needs to grow into the position but there is something to be said for the young players feeling that they and the team are all growing together. Isn't this what us fans have been wanting? Some Sox pride and a Sox system? Ozzie was a part of this but Ozzie is in it too much for Ozzie. Ventura is not like that. I am quite pleased that I am not being insulted by the organization this year with the typical " we are going for it all this year even though we are a very flawed team" type of slogan. I only hope that this is a true rebuilding process throughout the organization and not just a quick speed bump before KW is back to acquiring expensive veterans that have peaked at the expense of young talent while he tries to half-ass a contender every year. Good luck Robin and Go Sox! Also, I know it hasn't been announced yet but I am pretty sure that Frank Thomas will be the new hitting coach. Okay, so he's my all-time favorite player and that excites me. Maybe, Adam Dunn would actually be willing to learn something from Frank.

Joe Cowley has become the most biased sports columnist in Chicago since Jay Mariotti.

How were they going to be in contention anyway? They could have hired Casey Stengel , Billy Martin and Earl Weaver and they wouldn't be in contention. Remember, they still have to pay Jake Peavy $ 17 mil. next year and then a $ 5 mil. buyout. They still have to pay a worthless p.o.s .160 batting DH $ 40 mil. over the next 3 years. They have to pay Alex Rios $ 38 mil. over the next 3 years. They just gave away Dan Hudson, Gio Gonzalez and David Holmberg for nothing and had no 1st round draft pick last year. Rebuilding is the only option. I do wish that another GM was leading the process.

I like the Sox being honest with this move and admitting the truth that they have no chance to win the division next year. They're future begins by developing their young talent and working through KW's mess of bad deals and bad contracts over the next few years.

It's not easy to coach a bench. They're dumb as wood.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that so many first time managers have had great success at the big league level like ....Ozzie Guillen.

This makes you want KW fired ? But, not all the ridiculous player trades and signings?

Honestly, I think that the Sox players were sick of Ozzie and his circus, his family and the whole Ozzie-Kenny thing. Especially, veterans like Konerko. I think a lot of the players will relax now and playe better like Beckham. Ventura and Frank have opposite styles than Ozzie and that's what this team needs now after the Guillen family circus. Still, the talent is what wins and no manger or coach is going to make Jake Peavy healthy or make Adam Dunn decide to have a work ethic. But, all in all, these are great moves and should pay dividends down the road as the Sox transition into a younger team.