Rowand44

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:37 AM) I don't remember if him and I ever agreed on one, but we kept talking and I said the Sox bullpen was one of the best and he disagreed. I remember saying it would be in the 3's. I think yours was similar right Rowand? Of course qwerty and I never did agree to terms. Plus there is a lot of season left. When Neal's era was around or over 7 at the beginning of the season and Sox R Us started that thread bashing Neal, I said I'd be anyone that Neal would finish the season with an era under 4 and qwerty took me up on the offer. EDIT: There's obviously still a ton of time left but I've always had a ton of faith in Neal so in my mind there is no way he gets his era above 4 by the end of the season.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:26 AM) Friendly bet is cool, since I already have the sig bet with qwerty. What was your sig bet with him? Cause he's definitely going to lose the one I had with him.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:11 AM) Schmidt is the guy I'm falling back in love with. AJ has stellar stuff too, but I think he costs major league parts and quite frankly, I'm not dealing more then one or two guys, definately not Contreras. Duque can go, but Contreras is and should stay on the south side. As far as VA suggested deal of Contreras/Uribe for Schmidt/Vizquel. Thats a pretty fair deal straight up, especially if the Giants are looking towards the future. Throw in a mid-level prospect and it gets the deal done. Problem is I don't gie up Contreras or Uribe. However, I'd be more then willing to throw two of the Sox top prospects, a middle infield prospect (Valido/Gonzo/Lopez), a mid tier guy, and Willie Harris. Did anyone watch Schmidt pitch tonight?? I left and went out after the sox game so I didn't watch him pitch tonight but I'm still of hte opinion that he'll get better every start cause his stuff is there it's just the fact of him getting healthy which will allow his control to get better.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:02 AM) I don't think that's gonna happen at all. The lineup is hot as hell right now, that's a given. But it was the worst in baseball early on. It will find a happy medium somewhere in between there, and be solid the rest of the year. That pitching staff is unbelievable though. Rotation 1-5 is solid up and down, Calero and Rincon are both very solid middle relievers, and Duchscherer and Street are lights out. What you seem to be suggesting to me is that a team can't find themselves at some point during the year and turn it around. However, it happens all the time. The Braves have done it numerous times over the years, the Marlins did it in the 03 season, the Astros last year, the Sox and Twins in 03(IIRC, they were the 2 best teams in atleast the AL in the second half of 2003), the Red Sox last year, and those are just off the top of my head without much research. The A's starting pitching finally started to pitch up to its potential, the bullpen has been strong all year, and the offense is clicking...why can't they continue at an 85-90 win pace? I see no reason why they can't, especially knowing teams under Beane of recent years, and how they have very strong second halves. They also completely manhandled the best team in the league, as the entire board is well aware of, so it's not like they are beating up on scrub teams. I said it before the year started that either I thought they were going to win the West of that they were going to be a surprise team. I took s*** for it early on. I don't think I'm gonna be taking much more s*** for it. They are for real, and I see them taking the Wild Card, which would almost undoubtedly pair them with the Sox in the ALDS, due to the fact that no one in the East will probably win more than 95 games, unless they get carazy hot, and that would leave the A's with only one other team they can face. Hella crazy test if the Sox wanna win it all, eh? Of course a team can find itself but right now Oakland's just riding a hot streak even if they are a good team, what they've done the last couple weeks is just ridiculous. I think they're right around a .500 team this year, they do have a nice core for the next few years but we'll see how that works. By the way I did pitck them to finish 2nd in that division so I thought they were going to be decent. I'd make a friendly bet on them winning the wild card, I'll take the Twins and you can have them. IMO they aren't getting in, they'll finish around 82-85 wins but that's jmo.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 11:46 PM) This of course not mentioning Blanton minus May... 5-4, 2.44 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, .89 HR/9, 4.56 K/9, 2 K/BB Like I said...subtracting his awful May. So maybe Hawk's argument will be that it's even easier to win with 4 aces. (of course, need I mention how good Blanton would look right now in the White Sox system) Wite, they're two games over .500 kind of where everyone expected them to be, it's not like they're ripping people apart. Well, actually right now they are but they're hot and after all is set and done they'll probably be a .500 team and miss the playoffs this year.

QUOTE(ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 03:20 PM) I agree, shootouts suck. Theres nothing wrong with having a tie in hockey, IMO. Well they're trying to bring in a new group of fans right now and a shootout is a good way to do that. I'm not a hockey fan and I personally think it's a good idea but that being said I understand fully where you die hard hockey fans are coming from because as Pauly8509 said I wanted want Baseball game decided by a HR derby or a bball game decided by a dunk contest.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 09:06 PM) Just got home, but seems like I missed a very well pitched game. Very big win tonight by Contreras, as it gets us started off well for the 2nd half. fathom, as impressive as Contreras was, Damaso looked fantastic. I'm excited about both of them but if we can get the Damaso of 03 back, look out.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 09:07 PM) This team has 58 wins in mid July, and im really get worried about sending away 3 pretty big position players for one or two brand new ones. I really think a Ted Lilly is what this team might need, I really do. This is such a good point. I really do like Burnett but no matter how good he is, it would be hard to give up 3 players who have had roles in our success this season. Lilly would be great as you mentioned because he brings some versatility to this club in case of injuries. If Damaso is fully healthy and can throw the ball the way he did today the bullpen should be fine.

Game Time

Rain delay with no tarp on the field

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 05:01 PM) If there's this many teams still involved, and Burnett has a wicked start tonight, the package for him will be insane. Especially now that Wang is on the DL for the Yankees (although if Pavano can't get it done on Sunday the Yankees might have to realize they have zero shot this year without those two) they might be major players in this with a ton of $$$ going to the Marlins. I'll guarantee you the yanks aren't even a player for Burnett.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 02:41 PM) I think I heard it on the way home from the Friday game against the Cubs, although I'm not entirely sure. No offense zoom but if that was said it would have been all over these boards.

Good to have Dam back Can't wait for Ross to come back. And the Duke will be back as well, 3 pretty solid additions there, hopefully they can all stay healthy and produce the 2nd half of the year.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 02:20 PM) No, the reason I think most are mad at Magglio is that he turned down a very very very good contract offer (as good as the one the Tigers gave him). Paulie has yet to do that with the Sox. Plus if Paulie went on the open market he'll get a contract along the lines of Richie Sexson (12 mill a year). Or at least I think he'd get close to it. My guess is the Sox will offer Paulie a deal somewhere between 8-10 mill a year for about 3 years. It's not going to be an easy decision to let Pauly walk because it will be a huge PR hit because he is really loved in Chicago which he has earned with his stick and what kind of person he seems to be. The thing also is Pauly isn't an as like Maggs. As much as Pauly has aggrivated me this year and as much as I think we need to let him move on it will be hard to see him in another uni for me if he's let go. But sometimes you just have to make those kind of decisions for the betterment of the team.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 02:17 PM) One of Konerko and Thomas will be gone, plus Carl Everett. So if the Sox payroll does in fact go up to say 100 mill (25 mill increase). Hell even if the Sox keep Thomas and Konerko, they would be letting Everett go. Konerko makes 8 mill right now (or so) and gets a fat contract worth 11 mill a year. Thomas will make roughly the same. Basically put, Everett and his 4.5 mill would pay for Thomas and Konerko's raises, meaning even after Thomas and Konerko are resigned, the Sox payroll would stand at 75 mill. The team would have jumps to a few players (namely Garland) and would have to ink up someone like AJ long term. Realistically speaking though, if the club set 7 mill aside for all that (raises to Garl, inking AJP, and than just generic contract raises) that would mean the club is at 83 mill with 17 million to spend in free agency. If they let Konerko or Thomas walk...you could put that figure into the 25-28 mill range. This is all assuming a very high payroll, which may or may not happen, although I think you could see the payroll hit the 90 mill range (at the very least it will be 85 next year, imo). Simply put, regardless of Frank and Paulie's situation, if the Sox are willing to up payroll, the Sox will have some money to add FA's or make a trade for a guy making good money. That's why I've been saying that I think if Burnett is traded here a deal would get done with him quickly because they aren't going to need much next year and they'll be able to throw some money at him. Think of it this way, you add Burnett lets say let Pauly walk(which I think is far from a sure thing) rework Thomas's deal which I believe most of us think'll happen, Dye to first base and you basically have your lineup, rotation and most of hte bullpen intact with our top 4 arms back for next year(Cliff has an option that will be picked up) plus Jenks. So with that done you can probably add one more arm and a bench player maybe and there ya go.

Watch fill turn Kwame into an allstar.

Garland won't make 8 mil considering arbitrators will look at the whole picture and not this year, look for him to recieve about 5-6 mill I would think. Pauly needs to be let go, he's going to make a ton of money during the offseason and he's just not having that great of a year, hopefully he can right himself for the 2nd half because it'd be huge for this team if he can get hot like last year, I'm definitely hoping that happens. First priorities in the offseason imo should be signing Jon and AJ long term.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 09:20 AM) Here's a better idea; why don't you take a look at the Jays' payroll compared to the two other monsters you mentioned? It also didn't hurt the Red Sox that they had Pedro, Schilling, and Lowe pitching out of his mind last October. Ironically they stayed alive in the playoffs because of a stolen base.

I don't know where to put this put anyways some cub fan on Silvy and Carmen called in and proposed this trade: Cubs trade Jason Dubois, Sergio Mitre and Felix Diaz for Griffey.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 08:22 AM) He does this every single year. Joe Borchard will never be good, and I don't need a crystal ball to see that. The one thing I will say about Borch is that when I saw him in Spring Training I thought he'd have a good year. His swing is much shorter and compact then it has been in years past. I wouldn't bet on Borch being an effective major leaguer anytime soon but it's still possible in my mind.

QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 08:22 AM) While the Giants won't blow up the roster — they plan to field a contending team in'06 — it's possible they could soon make the decision to move forward to next year. That means, for starters, unburdening themselves of the $7 million player option Durham has for next season. And perhaps cutting ties with longtime franchise stars such as Snow and Kirk Rueter. It also might mean trading Jason Schmidt, though the Giants would require two major leagueready pitchers in return. That means Jon Garland from the White Sox, Erik Bedard from the Orioles or John Patterson from the Nationals — trades that would be counterproductive for contenders looking to bolster their staff. Giants GM Brian Sabean said he continues to be "as active as we could be" about adding a starting pitcher. He continued to assert that he has not discussed any "premium players" on the 25-man roster, and that picking up Schmidt's $10.5 million option remains a strong possibility. If that's what they're asking for then Schimdt is staying in San Fran.

I'll post something in ATH when I know all the details but it looks like Shawn Chacon has been traded to the yankees.

QUOTE(Yossarian @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 07:57 AM) Since Reinsdorf and co bought the team the Dodgers, Cardinals, Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Mets, Twins, A's, Reds, Blue Jays, Braves, Yankees, Marlins, Diamondbacks, Angels, and Red Sox have all won at least one World Series. Additionally the Brewers, Phillies, Padres, Giants and Indians have all appeared in at least one World Series. White Sox fans have earned the right to be both cynical and skeptical. The team is doing well because A Ozzie wanted to remake the team and B KW did a hell of a job getting him the players despite the financial constraints he has to work under. Now I will cross my fingers and hold my breath in the second half, hoping this is not just a mirage. Making the playoffs is great, but succeeding in them is like navigating a minefield, and having the best record in the regular season sometimes means diddly squat. This team has the best chance of any White Sox team since 1983 to actually WIN a World Series. I'm having heart palpations just typing this. White Sox fans have been battered and beaten over the years and have stayed loyal without getting all childish and syruppy like fans of that OTHER team on the North Side. Here's hoping for a great second half. 1959 was a long time ago, but it seems like yesterday. 1917 even I don't remember. It's fine to have your doubts whether the sox will do anything in the offseason but what's ridiculous about this thread is that this guy went nuts in freakin November. NOVEMBER. Nobody makes moves in November, plus this guy made himself look and seem like a fair weather fan. As far as JR goes within the next 2 or so years our payroll is probably going to be around 90 mill, so he's putting money into the team, that argument is starting to get worn out.

Thank god, these last 3 days sucked. Anyways, hopefully Contreras can throw some strikes and start the 2nd half off on a good note. GO SOX!!!!!!!

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 12:02 AM) Bulls***. Konerko has not been terrible. He has not lived up to hopes and expectations, but he hasn't been terrible. I don't care how undeserved some may think it is, you do not make the All Star team as the third player from your team without being somewhat deserving. He's been very bad imo. The guy is our cleanup hitter and he's batting under .250. That's not the thing that bothers me the most, the thing that has bothered me with Pauly is the fact he makes big out, he has rarely came through when we have needed him. As far as making the allstar team, as has been said the AL first basemen have been very weak this year, also he got in due to some name recognition.