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QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 05:00 PM) Marquez has had injury concerns as well. Obviously not as serious as Penny's issues. I also read the Dodgers weren't too pleased with Penny's attitute. He blew the team off in the playoffs (Texsox?) and that was supposedly the final straw. So he might be a bad guy. Does Ozzie know him from the Marlins? Weren't his injuries in the lower extremity? Penny's were in the shoulder/elbow as I recall. I don't mind the elbow injuries, those are easily taken care of. It's the repeated shoulder injuries that scare me. Once the joint capsule loosens up and the global degeneration starts, it's rare to come back and pitch full seasons again.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:34 PM) In a way, I agree with you, but at least Penny has had success in the major leagues before, and as recently as 2007. Why should we be excited about a guy with a 4.70 ERA in AAA that was 1/3 of a package for a guy who hit .219? I guess what I'm saying is I agree something must be up with Penny for the Dodgers to let him go, but I would think he's a far better bet to be good in the AL in 2009 than Marquez who apparently is penciled in now. I think the key issue here is he had success but due to various injuries and other issues he hasn't been successful lately. I would rather go with a guy with potential to be good and very cheap than with a guy with various problems and will be more expensive. I realize that Maquez's numbers out there but I rend to believe a little more in the scouting than straight numbers (although there are some very good stats to look at). I have not seen him pitch personally so that does worry me, although if KW really likes him I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

QUOTE (1399 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:25 PM) Thanks man. I appreciate it and really didnt mean to stir the pot but someone said it best earlier when they said there should be breathalizers on the puters. Yes I was hammered with the old lady last night so my angst over last seasons offensive troubles were a bit magnafied. So my appologies to those who were offended. Any more to this rumor? If you look at the latest from the reporter who started it (McCOY), he states that he got it from a reliable source from the White Sox. This tells me KW planted it to drive up/determine the interest from other clubs. The talks may be in the works but he is looking for what he wants.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 03:53 PM) Again, we need less grinders with good speed and little offensive skill, and get some actual quality MLB hitters if we do trade Dye. I swear some people would be happy with a pitching staff full of projects and and a lineup with all grinders. Well Minnesota has won more division championships thanwe have lately. Just kidding, I think.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 01:17 PM) interesting if this wasn't a rebuilding year/fire sale, why would we be trading jermaine for young unproven pitchers and not keep him (he could obviously help the team compete in 2009), and resign him as the DH in 2010 since Thome will be gone? because pitching is more important than hitting and Dye is only signed for 2 years while we will have the young pitchers under contract for at least 6.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 12:58 PM) I'm going to be a little cryptic. But if this was a smokescreen, what other teams are interested in Dye, and why does KW want to make them think they need to up their offer to beat the Reds? Is there a team in the NL that MAY be losing a very good corner OF'er, and would benefit from having a vet both in the field, and in the clubhouse? A team located in Orange county. There have been rumors of that as well.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 07:48 AM) This trade will probably go through. Then KW moves on to his next moves and fills all the remaining holes in the lineup. First off,he signs Furcal.Then, he trades Broadway for Tavares. Finally,in his last move,he swaps Jenks to the Brewers for Corey Hart. The Sox just got younger, cheaper, and better. THe lineup looks like: SS-Furcal 2b-Ramirez LF-Quentin DH-Thome RF-Hart 1b-Konerko C-AJ 3b-Fields CF-Tavares bench:Betemit, Getz,BA, Wise/Owens,backup C SP:MB,Floyd, Danks, Bailey, Marquez/Poreda RP:Marquez/Poreda,Russel/Carasco,Dotel, Thornton, Linebrink,Link(??) Don't forget the added pieces to Colorado to get Street along with Tavares. He would be the closer in your scenario.

I think a lot of people don't realize that KW has already told us that Marquez will be on the starting staff. I know alot of people don't like it but it follows KW's pattern. He traded a veteran not specatacular pitcher (Garland earlier, Vazquez this year). He acqured a pitcher who was once highly regarded but who regressed but who KW saw in the AFL and stated was MLB ready (Floyd then Marquez now). KW may look for one pitcher but I think he has 4 inked for the rotation. Arguements about how GF showed better numbers than Marquez and BLah blah blah do not need to fly. I'm not necessarily agreeing with it just reading KW tea leaves.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2008 -> 07:59 PM) If he's only going to get a one year deal, arbitration is the way to go. If KW really plans on sitting him,(although we've always been told the line-up is the manager's decision) there will be grievances filed. It really makes no sense offering a player arbitration, and paying him $11-12 million and sitting him for guys making $400k who haven't proven anything on the major league level. Hopefully he just refuses, but I've said all along, I don't think its as cut and dried as most think. i don't think a grievance would hold up. The manager can play whomever he wishes. If they fine him for complaining about it or don't allow him in the dugout he would have a case. I don't think not playing a player is a grievable (I don't think that's a word but you get the point) offense.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 3, 2008 -> 09:15 AM) If that happens, the tumbleweeds will return to USCF. That's what alot of people said when I said before last year that Floyd would be our fith starter.

Marquez will be the 5th starter. KW likes his AFL guys and was impressed by him.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 07:51 PM) Well, lets hope his power is a result of working hard in the weight room, and not finding a new PED that, as of now, is undetacble by urine tests. this type of thing is usually only available to monied people (Bonds, Sheffield, Marion Jones, Tim montgomery etc.). So unless he has personal connection I would doubt it but in today's sports world, I hope KW did the due diligence. Unless of course he just uses this guy in a package to trade for Peavy then who cares!!!!!!

QUOTE (BearSox @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 07:44 PM) I don't know if it has been mentioned, but I guess Flowers got busted for PED's in 2006. I really hope that his positive test results are from him taking some sort of supplement that he didn't realize was on the banned list. If it's Lillibridge, Flowers, and Morton, that's a great deal. If it's Lillibridge, Flowers, Morton, and another player, damn this was a hell of a deal. As most people know, I have been in favor of keeping Vazquez, but when you practically get 4 for 1 (I don't count Boone, he was as good as gone), and 3 of those 4 are players like Lillibridge, Flowers, and Morton, that's a good ass deal. Anyone ever think we might see a platoon of Getz and Lillibridge at 2B? He showed very good power this year in the AFL so I don't think it's much of an issue.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 01:05 PM) And individual game ticket prices will increase, which will decrease the number of walk-ups as well. All we hear is 95% renewel rate. To raise prices when you have everyone's non-refundable playoff money and then state you are trimming payroll is pretty bold. Sticking it to your season ticketholders is a very slippery slope. That said, I don't care if the payroll is $10 million as long as they win. Just don't cry poor when you raise prices and claim a 95% renewel rate. Thanks for agreeing. I think they are hoping that the increase in ticket price by 11% won't scare away the die hards and will offset the decrease in attendance from the casual fan. This way the income doesn't decrease too much.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) Logical if they didn't hike up ticket prices. This only applies to season ticket holders. The increases in price coupled with the economy will create a decrease in walk up and individual ticket sales. It would be smart to budget for that.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 06:31 PM) If I can't solve the political crisis here in Thailand, at least I can defend Willy Taveras, lol. It makes me feel a little better...I have a flight on December 21st to Manila for Christmas, looks like the odds are about 75% I will make it. Right now, there are approximately 350,000 stranded foreigners, the possibility of heightened violence in the upcoming days, or a military coup like 2006. Almost anything is possible. Good Luck. A friend of mine is in Cambodia and was supposed to fly out yesterday ending her research. However she is not sure when she can leave. Her lease was up and she was lucky to be able to stay with some other archaeologists. She isn't very optimistic about being able to return any time soon.

QUOTE (BoogeyBaby04 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 04:59 PM) I want to congratulate the new Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Quentin (Jeane) who were married this past weekend. May you have many happy, wonderful years together. Best wishes to both of you! In Chicago.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 04:47 PM) I think if we acquire Bailey we’ll have enough pitching depth to make any Vasquez deal be about acquiring young OF talent rather than more young arms. you can never have enough young pitching. Any deal should revolve around acquiring mlb or near mlb pitching with up the middle players as the secondary piece

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 11:01 AM) Someone tell me why/how Brian Anderson would be a BETTER leadoff hitter than Taveras? How we will magically acquire Figgins or Roberts without giving up any "core" players, or sign Orlando Hudson for 4-5 years without blocking Beckham's path to the major leagues? I've seen one poster suggest Chris Getz be our leadoff hitter because where you bat in the line-up isn't statistically significant. Does anyone else have a better solution than Owens or Alexei "Soriano" Ramirez, whose OBP will probably be lower than Taveras'? Maybe Beckham moves to third? I don't think the organization has decided where he will play. He played SS in the brief minors stint. He played 2B in the AFL because it's where they had an opening for a late addition player. My guess is they play him at SS in AA next year and make a decision after a full year in the minors.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 07:07 PM) What I don't understand is if a baseball player uses steroids he's marked for life and many are just shunned. If you get caught juicing in the NFL, its a 4 week vacation, and then back to normal. Fans expect the football players to be mean nasty and help them win their bets or football pools. Also there are no sacred records like the HR record in football. Baseball is supposed to be for the normal people, has the sacred records and is difficult to bet on.

If you've ever done any shooting and been to the site, you would know it would take a great shooter to hit JFK from that vantage point while he was moving down range. LHO was at best a good shot from his Military records. There are two choices: 1) Multiple shooters, 2) It was the lucky shot of the century.

QUOTE (CWSOX45 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 04:17 PM) That's not necessarily a bad thing. Heilman can be one of the best relievers in the game. In 2006 he was downright filthy. If we get Heilman in this deal I love this even more. He makes his home in Chicago, and is an Indiana native. Some players just aren't meant to play in New York, Heilman may be one of them. The Mets haven't been able to figure out what is wrong with Heilman, which to me just screams that the man needs a change of scenery and a fresh start. However, he wants out of NY because he wants to be a starter. I wouldn't trade for him if you plan on putting him in the pen.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 03:51 PM) Orlando Hudson is another FA possibility, but it might take a bit of time because there is no way the Sox are going to give him the 5/50 he's asking for. I've been saying all along, this is the guy KW will sign.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 03:48 PM) Manny on a three year deal would be interesting and I'd be down with that. Manny on his last contract, I'm not. Matter of fact, I'd love to have Manny on his next to last contract. I just doubt he will sign less than a 5 and more likely a 6. manny will never ever be on the White Sox. If Guillen had a problem with anderson and Swisher's attitudes, what do you think he will say a bout Manny. You can dream all you want but Manny will never be on this team.

I think the money is being saved to make a run at Orlando Hudson. A 2B guy that will bring defense and a leadoff hitter. You can then go with fields at third and look for a CF or give it to defense and Anderson.