South Side Fireworks Man

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 08:29 PM) He goes by the name Bourgeois. Or something like that. I heard he is terrible at SS.

QUOTE(rockren @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 02:55 PM) I'm happy to see all of the positive feedback on this deal. I couldn't believe the amount of bad mouthing KW got on the OC deal. I'm surprised those same people aren't upset we didn't pull down Upton for Carter. Me too. When I heard about this trade on my way home from work I figured when I logged on to Soxtalk all I'd see is wailing on how KW was a fool for trading away the great Chris Carter. I'm happy to see people here understand this move. Any word on when Quentin will be ready to play? I've read that after his shoulder surgery in October the expected rehab time was around six months. If true, he may not be on the opening day roster.

This part is of particular interest: Leaving behind Greg Walker, a man Rowand refers to as "not only the best hitting coach in baseball, hands down, but also one of my best friends," Rowand was forced to rely more on his own knowledge to make corrections with his swing. This bit of personal growth should help answer critics who point to 2007 as a spectacular anomaly compared to his past solid seasons. "During the last couple of years, I learned a lot about myself and my swing," said Rowand, who hit .309 in 2007, with 27 home runs, 45 doubles, 89 RBIs and 105 runs scored. "[in Chicago] I depended on [Walker] to watch and break down every one of my swings, and I leaned on him and depended on him too much, instead of learning a feel. "Milt Thompson is Philadelphia's hitting coach, and I have nothing bad to say about Milt whatsoever. But he doesn't break down your swing mechanically the way that Walker does. He's more of a feel guy than about mechanics with the swing. "So it's almost like I became my own hitting coach and had to make adjustments myself," Rowand added. "I'm already out swinging right now. Two months have gone by, and normally when I start hitting, I feel like I don't know what I'm doing. This year, I feel like I'm right there still."

ESPN reports the deal is done. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?i...e=ESPNHeadlines

QUOTE(BaseballNick @ Nov 28, 2007 -> 10:18 PM) Why is everyone having a hissy fit? It's November; not April. The second round of GM meetings hasn't even started yet! If you really think we should have outbid LAA and given Hunter somewhere around $100million then there's exhibit A as to why you're not the GM of this team. KW already added two pretty good players at the expense of a pitcher who was unspectacular (10-13) last year, in the walk year of his contract, and who publicly admitted that he has a knot in his shoulder which bothers him when he throws. Pitchers who have shoulder issues and who have logged 850IPs over the last four seasons are an extended DL stint waiting to happen. ^^^^^

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Nov 28, 2007 -> 08:01 AM) Its not out of the realm of possibility that Rowand's price will come down from what he wanted earlier, but I'd prefer Crisp myself. Besides being a lot cheaper, if he regains his Cleveland offensive form, the guy is only 1 year older than Owens, he could be a .300 hitter with a .340 OBP with 15 homers and 25 steals while playing solid defense. Is Torii Hunter a real good bet to put up similar numbers the next 5 years ? The White Sox apparently were willing to pay him $15 million a year. Crisp has been banged up in Boston, and some people aren't comfortable there either. See Edgar Renteria. For the money they were going to give Hunter, they can pay Crisp and Fukodome should he decide to come over. Seems to me it would be a much better plan. Crisp is only "cheaper" money-wise. He's more costly than Rowand in that the Sox would have to trade away talent to get him. The Sox are short on talent as it is.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Nov 27, 2007 -> 11:27 AM) Frankly I don't much care about 2011, the whole baseball world could be different by then and likely will be. If they say they want to win in 2008, then go with that mindset and further, act like it. Go get some players and fill your holes with guys that are available and are proven. Amen!

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Nov 26, 2007 -> 11:19 PM) That doesn't really paint much of a positive light for the Sox clubhouse does it. And really, losing 1 guy in Rowand shouldn't make THAT much of an impact IMHO. They lost two on-field leaders--Rowand and Carl. That's why Hunter would have been nice, he's kind of like a combination of Rowand and Everett.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 02:25 PM) And like I said I have zero problem with an outfield of Fields/Crawford/Dye A third baseman in LF, a left fielder in CF and an aging slow Dye in RF.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 02:45 PM) If we go with a 12 man pitching staff, which I think is likely at this point, here's how the bench seems to shape up. We basically have 4 bench slots to give out with a 12 man staff. Things I wouldn't mind seeing: Pablo, who can back up a couple of positions (None terribly well defensively) who's main job will probably be a platoon in LF with Owens. Bourgeois - right hand hitting, IF utility guy Backup Catcher - Hall Those are the 3 guys we currently have. That leaves me seeing 2 potential needs; a guy who can play CF, and/or a lefty. Can Bourgeois play CF? Anyone know? We already know Mack can't. He's not a terrible option, but even if we sign him, it still leaves a bench that doesn't look complete to my eyes. They need a backup RFer. Someone with a good arm.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 08:42 PM) Sooooo...who plays 3B if Crede's back gets all sketchy or he can't come back at all? No Fields. I don't think the Sox have the horses to get Crawford, unless the Rays REALLY want to deal him. His proposal was for M Cabrera not Crawford. If Crede got injured again, either Cabrera plays 3B or Uribe.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 08:37 PM) You honestly don't think that is a better deal than Willits/Mathis/Kendrick? Kendrick is the best player in either offer- and we can't change that- but Fields is no slouch himself, and I think those other pieces are far more valuable than Mathis/Willits....enough to make up for the difference between Kendrick and Fields and then some. All I said was, "Sold!" I'd make that deal right now.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 08:35 PM) Of course Boras will try to do that. But if you called up and offered 5/80, that the offer was good for 48 hours, I think they would at least consider it. I wouldn't be surprised if KW didn't already do something like that, and It probably was just about 48 hours ago.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 08:34 PM) Fields/Gio/DLS/Anderson Fields/Danks/DLS/Anderson Sold!

Because of the way Boras operates, I highly doubt the Sox will sign Jones. Even if KW were to pick up the phone right now and tell Boras he's offering Jones 16M per year for six years (which would be overpaying by too much for Jones), Boras still would not advise Jones to sign right away. Boras would take that offer around to other GM's and stall for time, stringing KW along until Rowand signs somewhere. Then, when Jones is the only CF free agent left on the market, he'll demand a contract that beats what Hunter got. Some other GM will be foolish enough to pay it. By then the Sox are way behind on making other deals to trade for what they need. KW should offer Rowand $75M for 6 years and see if he can get the deal done right away.

QUOTE(CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 11:11 AM) If you read the article this is what was in it ... Does that include getting two outfielders or one? "If we get the right guy, just one," Williams said. As far as Owens not being very good defensively , I disagree. He showed good range , good reads , and seemed very good at making diving catches. We all know his arm sucks. The "right guy" in the outfield Williams was talking about was probably Miguel Cabrera. With his bat in the lineup the Sox could afford to take a chance on Owens in CF. They'd have to anyway, because they would most likely have to spend all their trading chits to get him.

Read it again. It's Linebrink. The context was the bullpen.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 11:05 PM) question... could Crawford be our starting CF, or is he best at LF? LF

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 10:53 PM) That maybe so.. but this team already has like 3 #3 hitters.. The Sox have zero true number three hitters. They have three great cleanup/fifth hitters.

QUOTE(StatManDu @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 01:30 AM) Attached are a few facts I dug up on Orlando Cabrera using various internet sites ... I pasted it on here or you can click on the attachment and enjoy StatManDu www.whitesoxalmanac.com HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY! Great post! Happy Thanksgiving!

QUOTE(NCsoxfan @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 11:23 PM) Center fielder Jerry Owens and third baseman Josh Fields would be a good fit for Florida's needs, but the Sox might be short on the arms the Marlins are looking for, especially after dealing away Jon Garland this week. Add Gio and DLS and throw in Anderson. I doubt they would take it, but that's five young players.....

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 07:30 PM) We don't want to lock this thread. The bickering is over. Everyone stop. Are you stating that you know for a fact that the bickering is over or is that just your opinion?

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 06:24 PM) There is no meeting. Oh???

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 06:17 PM) You can quote me on this. The deal is done. Torii Hunter is a Chicago White Sox. It will be announced between now and next Monday. There is no doubt about it. I hope you're correct but...Why would he be meeting with Tom Hicks tonight if he already signed with the Sox?

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Nov 15, 2007 -> 06:58 PM) Yup. Deal apparently agreed to: $275 million over 10 years. Nice. Now that the figures have apparently been agreed upon, and assuming he hasn't actually inked the contract yet-- I wonder if another team swooped in and offered to match that offer would A-Rod accept? Supposedly he really wanted out of NY but nobody wanted to deal with Borass and his tactics (asking for 30-40M). Now that the terms are set, what's to stop another GM from telling A-Rod he'll match that offer and get him out of NY?