South Side Fireworks Man

There is NO WAY Tampa is going to trade Crawford for Fields, Tracy & Anderson. They have no need for Anderson, Fields is unproven and too far away, and Tracey is not a top tier prospect.

LOL!!! I hope this trade goes through! The Cubs were rumored to have their eye on Bradley and they're also rumored to be after Zito. The Dodgers beat them out of Furcal, now they'd be trading Bradley not to the Cubs, but for Zito another player the Cubs covet! Gotta love it!!!

QUOTE(Antonio Osuna @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 09:58 PM) Mackowiak doesn't play the Cubs every day, folks, so his numbers aren't anywhere as good as Mueller's. (And even if he did, he wouldn't here in the AL, so it'd be moot). In fact, I seem to recall Daddy Mack's numbers being similar to Crede's at one point last year when we were talking about trading for him. He ended up batting in the .270's I believe. He'd be a good guy to have as a backup to Crede as well as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Since he can play so many positions, it may even allow the Sox to keep a spot open for Frank, if Frank wants to be a bench player, that is.

QUOTE(KWs OK for Me @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 09:51 PM) And a Chicago guy to boot, he's not a FA though right? Mackowiak's not a free agent, but it was rumored the Sox were after him at the trade deadline last season, just before they acquired Blum. Maybe the Sox can trade for him at the winter meetings next week. I don't know what the Pirates needs are, but KW will probably inquire about Mackowiak, I suspect.

Rob Mackowiak would be a nice pick-up for the Sox. He can play 3B, all outfield positions and a little 2b as well. Probably can play 1B also. A LH hitter with some pop and decent speed, good baserunning skill.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 08:06 PM) I can see it now. Your 2006 defending world champion Chicago WHite Sox: Stating Lineup: 1. Pods LF 2. Pierre CF 3. Dye RF 4. Konerko 1B 5. Thome DH 6. Iguchi 2B 7. Pierzynski C 8. Crede 3B 9. Uribe SS Rotation: 1. Buerhle 2. Contreras 3. Garland 4. Garcia 5. McCarthy Bullpen: Jenks CL Hermy Set up/ CL Pollite R Set up Cotts L Set up Myers L Middle El-duque R middle/ spot starter Vizcaino R long relief 2006 Version of GROUP 4: Harris INF Anderson OF Widger C Perez OF Ozuna INF Lets win it again!! You've got one player too many on that roster. Omit Timo and it's good.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Nov 21, 2005 -> 07:27 PM) I dream of Scott Podsednik leading off a game with a single. Then Juan Pierre trying to bunt him over and in the process getting a INF single while he's at it. To cap it off, with no outs, they cause the pitcher so much stress after a double steal and Thome/Dye/Thomas drive them both in with one or two outs. I dream of Pods on first and Pierre at the plate. Ozzie calls the old run & bunt play. Pods breaks for second, the SS moves over to cover, Pierre bunts down the 3B line, the third baseman runs in to field the bunt, nobody is covering third and Pods keeps running and makes third base. The play at first is very close.... Picture that scenario leading off games for the 2006 Sox. The rest of the lineup is same as last year with the exception of Tadahito batting fifth instead of Carl.

QUOTE(rowandschick33 @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 10:06 PM) THANK U!! just b/c we might get pierre doesnt mean we hafta get rid of arow I agree. Having Pierre's speed and Aaron's defense in the lineup at the cost of power from the Dh position seems to have Ozzie written all over it. And saving big bucks on the DH position by not paying a Delgado/Thome/Helton/Giles has JR written all over it. The plan is unconventional to say the least, but thinking outside the box has KW written all over it. BTW, WELCOME TO SOX TALK!

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 10:06 PM) For every clutch hit by Everett, there were also one or two other ABs with RISP where he struck out on a curve in the dirt. He's the last guy I'm worried about replacing on the Sox, to be honest. Didn't Carl lead the Sox in BA with RISP? I know he did for most of the season anyway. He also was leading the AL in driving in go-ahead runs for much of the season. But anyway, if Carl's production can easily be replaced by Iguchi in the #5 spot, then maybe Ozzie is planning on batting Pierre #2, and Iguchi #5 while keeping Aarons defense in CF. This is a cheaper option than spending big bucks on a DH, and allows for Frank to remain in the picture should it become necessary. If the Pierre/Pods at DH scenario is not working out and Frank appears healthy by June/July, KW can move one of the OF's at the trade deadline.

Maybe Ozzie wants both Pierre and Rowand. Pierre takes Iguchi's spot at #2 in the lineup and Iguchi takes Carl's #5 spot. All others remain as last year. It's unconventional for sure, as the Sox would not have a DH per se, but would alternate Pods, Pierre and others at DH to keep them all fresh and in the lineup. We lose the clutch RBI's of Carl from last year, but if Iguchi proves to be a viable middle-of-the-order type hitter in the Major Leagues, all works out well. Could this be what Ozzie & KW are thinking?

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 04:21 PM) No way. He's bad in CF. Stick Anderson in CF. Ditto

QUOTE(jenksd @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 05:29 PM) Actually, in X Box world you could get Abreu + a good lefty reliever straight up. Rowand is a stud in video games. And only in X Box would anyone trade Carlos Lee for a .240 hitting Scott Podsednik......that is, until salary comes into the equation. Look people, nowhere do I suggest that Rowand is of the same calibur of Abreu. But apparently the Phillies were willing to trade him for Vernon Wells for three reasons: one a salary dump, two they need a CF and three moving Abreu allows them to move Ryan Howard to RF. The Jays turned that trade down because they did not want to take on that contract. Now as all you know-it-alls already know, in baseball when dealing a big contract player, the less of the contract you have to eat, the less in talent you expect in return, and vice versa. What I maintain is that if the Sox are willing to take on Abreu's entire contract, they have a shot at getting him for Rowand. Rowand may not have as much power as Wells, but he's not chopped liver either. Maybe the Phillies would turn it down, but it's not as far-fetched as some here are trying to make it seem.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 10:13 AM) I didnt feel like reading through 5 pages of posts, but let me see if I picked up the summary of this thread. The Phils asked about a GG CF who was probably the best hitter on his team, who has a career OPS of .811, who almost consistantly puts up around 30 hr's and 100 RBI every year. And YOU guys assume that they would be interested in a player who has no GG's is coming off of a year in which he was a pedestrian hitter just because they happen to play the same position? Is that about right? this coming from a guy who is closing in on 5,000 posts in less than a year! No, that's not about right and if you bothered to read before you post you would know that.

QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Nov 13, 2005 -> 12:40 PM) Kenji Jojima - C - After concluding his visit with the Mariners, Kenji Jojima will leave Monday for Chicago, where he will hold a news conference on Tuesday. Chicago???

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 11, 2005 -> 10:12 PM) Before you get ripped, Rowand doesn't have same value as Wells, not even close in my opinion. Vernon also plays gold glove defense while putting up around 30 100 each season. As I said, Wells may be better but it's not that big a difference: Wells 2005: .269avg. 28HR .320OBP Salary: $3,070,000 Rowand 2005: .270.avg. 13HR 329OBP Salary: $2,000,000 The Phillies may rather have Wells, but Jays are the ones who turned the trade down. If the Sox take on the salary, the Phillies get their CF and clear up even more money.

Wells may be better, but the Jays turned that deal down. If the Sox offer Rowand and take on the salary, maybe the Phillies would consider it. Abreu would play RF/DH for the Sox, not CF. Anderson to CF and Dye to DH/RF.

If the Phillies were willing to trade Abreu for Wells, and it was the Jays who turned it down because of the salary, it means the Sox would have a good shot at Abreu for Aaron Rowand straight up if they were willing to take on the salary. I think it's worth it.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Nov 10, 2005 -> 08:42 AM) That would be Furcal. Although I think they may want to move Iguchi from second as he is an injury waiting to happen on the doubleplay. He could be a good DH option. My thoughts exactly.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 08:12 PM) Is Ozuna a FA? Cas if he is, I want him back. Timo too. Either Joe Borchard or Brian Anderson should take Timo's spot on the Sox roster next year.

As long as this is a "wish" list, Hideki Matsui would be a nice upgrade over Carl. If not, Carl is a free agent now... Also, if Ozzie really wants to move Iguchi to the middle of the order, we could use a good number two hitter. Furcal would fit the bill with Iguchi moving to DH, but he may be too overpriced which might knock the whole team payroll/team chemistry out of whack.

A "healthy Frank" no longer exists. Your point about possibly screwing up team chemistry is well taken, though.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 31, 2005 -> 03:35 PM) A bit OT.. what is Furcal's status..? Furcal would be a great pickup. He could play SS, move Uribe to 2B, and let Iguchi DH. A lineup of Pods, Furcal, Iguchi, Konerko, Dye, Pierzynski, Rowand, Crede & Uribe would be a nice balance of speed and pop, and the defense would be even better than 2005. Add a full season of BMac as the fifth starter and.....WOW!

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 30, 2005 -> 05:10 PM) Furcal is seriously not worth the money considering what position he plays. Teams like the Cubs who are in dire need of a SS and a leadoff man would be more inclined to give Furcal upwards of $10M, the White Sox in their current situation do not need him for that kind of money. I wouldn't pay him upwards of $10M either. I was thinking around $8M.

Iguchi is a decent second baseman but he is the weakest link defensively in the infield. Ozzie has already stated that he wants to add more speed next year, so Furcal would be a good addition. Uribe is a great defensive SS and he played great at 2B in 2004. Ozzie thinks Iguchi would make a good RBI man if he were moved down in the order, so putting him at DH is not a far-fetched idea. Besides, I like the idea of a DH who can also play well in the field when needed rather than a DH only butcher-in-the-field type. If not Furcal, then keep everything as it is except upgrade at DH with Hideki Matsui. He can also play some CF if needed. Point is, now is the time to add not subtract.

Well that sucked. I can't believe I actually wasted my time watching SNL. That's the first time I watched that s*** in years, maybe decades.