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QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 01:31 PM) As some of you might remember, I'd ripped my knee apart in a post-practice accident (Soccer) and ripped everything up. Now that I'm almost at 100%, and have full diagnosis', I thought I'd share what was wrong and what's up. I cracked my femur bone, as well as the kneecap. Not fully, but slightly. (They're waiting to see if my cartilage falls off near the crack and then I'll require surgery.) I tore my menial meniscus. And I sprained every ligament in my knee. Not tore, but sprained them all combined. Not too bad, and the only one giving me substantial trouble is the cracked bone. It goes, Crrrrrrrrk all the time and if I move too fast, it aches like a bad ache. Fun with words. I'm almost fine, though, and I can run as hard as I used to and do all the things I enjoy. I find myself baseball sliding around on tile and merely enjoying my regained abilities. so thanks to everyone who'd been concerned and shared kind words. When did you injure the knee? The creak you are referring to usually comes from the patella. What type of program are using to rehab the patella-femoral joint? I have a great group of exercises I use for my patients if you need them. Good Luck with the rehab

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 08:18 PM) If that is the case, he needed to fool some hitters better, not relying on offense so much. I really have trouble believing that people are kicking and screaming about trading Freddy when, he is a year away from walking and getting a raise, his velocity dropped considerably, he b****ed about not getting enough run support and threw teamates under the bus for poor defense, yet people are sainting him as an untouchable. I don't think most people say he is untouchable as a matter of fact he is the one I would trade because of the impending free agency. If anything most people seems to blast and undervalue him during these discussions.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 08:07 PM) Wins mean less when your team has to score 6 and 7 runs to get you those 17 wins. But I guess that is ok since Freddy was better when it really matter in September. He owned the Angels in September. Who cares when he wins them? As long as you pitch well enough to win. Last time I checked the team with the most wins make the playoffs and go on to the World Series. While he didn't have a great year he definately "fooled" enough people to win games.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 07:49 PM) I'm glad Freddy fooled somebody in 2006. I know 17 game winners suck, they can't do anything right. The hitters bailed him out every game. All the games were 10-9.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 03:03 PM) It would have made sense if acquiring Vazquez meant trading another starter --while their value was at it's highest -- for both bullpen help and SP prospects. McCarthy could have then been inserted into the rotation. I never took to the belief often cited that holding McCarthy as insurance in the bullpen was necessary. That, in the event a starter was injured, he would be pitching in the rotation. If worse came to worse and a season ending injury occured to a starter, that's tough luck. You can't reasonably construct every team to have five solid pitchers and fully capable starting pitcher in the bullpen. I believe in maximizing a players effectiveness -- MccArthy in the bullpen doesn't solve that. Haeger would have likely been added midseason, anyways. Far as trading Reed, I'll admit I HATED the trade. Thought Olivo/Reed/Morse was too much for Garcia. Difference is, at that point in 2004, Anderson, Sweeney, Young we're still hopefuls for the future. It was reasonable to conclude atleast one would be a servicable OF. However, now -- in 2006-- with Young gone and Anderson struggling we're left with Sweeney; whom may take several more years to develop as well. Aside from Sweeney, there's little else aside from Podsednik-lite in Owens. 1. I agree about McCarthy. I believe KW and Ozzie didn't think he was quite ready and were easing him into the majors ala Santana. They were hoping he wouldn't be needed. 2. Olivo was a good catch no hit catcher, Morse was a 3 time busted steroid offender and Reed was a good OF prospect. Any trade where you can get an established good major league pitcher for a good OF prospect and two at best fringe hitters is a good deal. The team that acquires the most pitching usually gets the better of the deal.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 04:31 PM) Fact is, we all know he juiced. All of the players that Jose ratted out were Juicers. He shouldnt be in the Hall. Cheating in baseball is just as bad as Pete Rose betting on it IMO. At least when Rose played he gave it his all honestly. This is the point in question. Steroids were not against the rules of baseball at the time. He DID NOT CHEAT. Everyone on this board know how I feel about steriods. They will kill you and are ethically wrong and illegal. However, it si not cheating in baseball. I am torn about the decision to let him in the HOF. What he did was wrong and illegal but not cheating. This is simialr to Paul Molitor not getting in because of cocaine abuse. In my eyes it's wrong and illegal but not cheating. So for now

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 04:22 PM) Entertaining such a possibility, if Vazquez is going then we better damn well receive Pelfrey in return. the reports I read about Pelfrey in the AFL was that he still has a long way to go on off speed stuff. He seems to be too far away to help us by 2008 with FA pitchers. I still like the Texas and Danks deal. If nothing else this gives us another topic to bounce around. The other rumors were getting stale. Maybe KW is just doing this to entertain us

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 02:34 PM) UH OH. Looks like we'll no longer have the argument of, "well, Williams trades prospects, but how often do any of them turn into quality players? I can only assume whichever starter delt will give us a prospect comparable to Chris Young.........right? It would have made perfect sense, once Vazquez was on our ballclub, to insert McCarthy then trade a starting pitcher for a collection of bullpen arms/SP prospects. This would have solved our bulpen woes, but again, who knows if it would have made a difference? Perhaps Thornton is never saught. I didn't have forsight into the future, obviously, but I knew full well it wasn't smart placing a starting pitcher such as McCarthy into the bullpen. This deal hurts even more when you look at flailing Brian Anderson adjust to major league pitching. It's embarrassing. And there isn't exactly any OF prospects aside from Sweeney, whose hardly on Young's level, available to contribute. We're going to have Vazquez for, what, two more seasons? Young would have been a welcomed addition in CF for the next 6+ years. Lesson learned for Williams. You give up quality prospects, you better damn well hope they player obtained is more reliable than Javier Vazquez. And, preferably, around for more than three seasons. You shouldn't evaluate the trade after one year. I think you are giving up on Anderson too soon and giving Young All -Star status too soon. Let's see how Young does in his first years in the league and compare them to Anderson's. I still think prior to last year getting Vazquez made sense to win in the short term. Young still hasn't made the jump to big league regular. He wouldn't have helped us last year.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 11:32 AM) It doesnt look like there is much of a market for that unfortunately. Something needs to be done, somehow though. We need a lead off hitter, some bullpen help and possibly younger SP's. I think KW will find a good trade. You have identified the areas the Sox need but I would list them in priority as: bullpen, young SPs then lead off hitter. The bullpen needs to shut teams down after good starter performances. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a good pitching performance for 7 innings and having the lead pissed away in the final two innings. We have a good hard throwing group so far but it needs a little more help.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 11:04 AM) Crawford should be the number one target regardless of anything. Quality pitching should be.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 08:26 AM) This team will not win the best division in baseball with Uribe, Podsednik, and Anderson in the lineup. That is basically 3 free outs out of 9 everytrip through the order (33 percent, 1/3, etc). We need a minimum of 1, maybe 2 upgrades at those spots, and damn I hope the trade we make giving up a starter can help us. I think this is a little short sighted. Everyone of those players will be better this year than last year. Uribe has done it before. Pods while not great was an acceptable players for leadooff. Anderson well in case you forgot he was a rookie and will improve. I agree that if improvements can be had at a reasonable price it should be done. However, with the way rhis market is currently going I'm not sure any of that is possible. I would rather trade our starter for pitching help instead of offense. This team can win those players in the lineup if the pitching improves. I'm sure you know the stats of where our offense ranked last year. If we have the same lineup with improved seasons from those 3 and improved pitching we will be in it for the division.

QUOTE(SABR Sox @ Nov 26, 2006 -> 09:42 PM) Nobody is arguing this. Then why propose deals to revamp the offense. Stick with improving the pitching staff. The offense is effective and relatively affordable. Maybe a small move here or there but focus on the pitching.

QUOTE(SABR Sox @ Nov 26, 2006 -> 07:40 PM) I don't thake the notion that far. Usually your most productive hitters hit in the 3-5 sports and they should stay there. However a quality player should hit in the one-spot. Unfortunatley Scott Podsednik isn't (and never really was) a quality hitter. I don't want to get into the 00-04 Sox teams either. Most of those teams were good offensive teams if I recall correctly. You don't need speed and "mixture" of hitter to win. You simply need guys that are going to get on base and guys that'll hit for power. Yankees and Red Sox offenses, nothing wrong with 'em. Combine those offenses with good pitching and your chances of making it into October are pretty damn good.I agree with the first sentance, which is simply why I don't want Scott Podsednik leading off. I'd like a little bit of everything on top. Power, and even a little speed and decent walking ability. Since thier walk percentages are virtually a wash, one has to choose between a lot of speed, or power. The decision is oh so simple in my mind. Iguchi has better OBP's too. And al I'm suggesting is that they give it a shot. Who knows if an opportunity comes along to upgrade at LF and replace Pods with a more powerful type bat Iguchi could end up in the one hole next year. Doubtful, but I'd like it. Combine any offense in the top ten with good pitching and you'll be in october. Our offense is fine. We need to upgrade the pitching staff, the bullpen for this year and the rotation for the future.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Nov 26, 2006 -> 09:48 AM) Our 40-man is full. We can't pick anyone. We could in the minor league portion.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 25, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) Iowa State crushes something called Lake Superior State, 90-61. Taylor finished with 22 pts, but the walkons started playing in the first half. Great hockey team. Basketball...not so much. It's hard to play basketball on ice.

QUOTE(joeynach @ Nov 24, 2006 -> 06:26 PM) This is why Shannon stewart is becoming more and more intising. I know hes often injured but it would be a low risk if we could get him for an incentive laden deal with an option or something. If he can stay healty, which he might not playing on turf and with the best med staff in the game he could be huge for us. A .300 hitter with a .360 obp playing left field for an affordable price. If he did well I wouldn't hesistate to give him 3 years 21 mil or something. Beware of outfeilders with foot problems, it's worse than chronic hamstring problems. A DH like Thomas could get by. An outfielder cannot. Do not sign him.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Nov 24, 2006 -> 07:37 PM) It sucks that Wisconsin lost, but they went 1-15 from the 3 point line so the fact they only lost by 2 is not so bad. Also it has to be brutal to have a game the Friday after Thanksgiving before 12 in the morning. I didnt see the game at all, but most Wisconsin boards that I read said that this game would be a test. Bad news is they lost, good news is that its not even 2007 yet so might as well take a few close loses now and grow. Like I said earlier MSU was really psyched for the game. If Wisconsin took them at all lightly. (I don't know for sure) I knew they would have their hands full.

They just said on ESPN that Lee signed a 6 year deal. They didn't state the money.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 23, 2006 -> 10:23 AM) Can I ask what your nephews name is? I bet they'll play close, I don't think they'll win(certainly wouldn't shock me if they did win) but I'd bet on it being a competitive game. He is Justin Fuermeyer the Skinny white point guard

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 04:53 PM) So the next 4 days are absolutely huge for the valley: We have Arkansas tomorrow and then maybe V-Tech on Sunday if we could advance to the championship, Missouri State plays Wisconsin on Friday, Creighton plays G.Mason and Wichita State plays LSU on Saturday. My nephew plays for MSU. They are psyched for that game. I don't think they can come close to hanging with Wisconsin but it should be fun.

QUOTE(beautox @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 08:50 PM) , as long as hes not beating his wife(if he has one) or doing blow off of hookers, i could care less, so long as he plays hard on the diamond. Carl Everett says hi, twice. Better leave out Julio Lugo then.

JR will not sign a pitcher for more than 4-5 years. And I highly doubt he will do it for 5. This is why the trade for one of starting pitchers is important. You have a few established veterans and slide in a young pitcher each year and keep the rotation going. You trade for some veterans who only have a few years left on thier deal ie Vazquez. This will build a good pitching staff. I think this is the reason the recent drafts have focused on safe picks. They may not be studs but you have a much better chance of having that cheap pitcher in the rotation on a consistent basis. Whether this philosophy will be good enough to wins another WS (I still love saying another not if we can win one) remians to be seen. The White Sox will always operate on a budget so the thoery seems sound to me.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Nov 22, 2006 -> 12:30 AM) Gosh damn -- did McRoberts cry on every shot that he missed or what? Obviously, the guards played spectacular tonight, but Oose played a real good game defensively. He got beat a couple of times, but for the most part, held his own with McRoberts and the other Duke bigs down low. What more can be said about the three guards up front? Matthews didn't have a great game, but James played unbelievably well. McNeal played great, too, although I wish he had that take-it-to-the-basket attitude on every possession; I don't like him taking a dribble and a step-back shot, which he tends to do once or twice a game. I'm stoked... for about the first twenty-five minutes, it just felt like a game that Marquette would hang around in but not ever take the lead with. Duke got up five, but that little in-bounds play to James got 'em going. F'n A, Marquette! That was a fun game to watch. Hopefully we'll get to see more here.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 21, 2006 -> 07:46 PM) Please never say that one of our players is "in the clear" again. At least it didn't say he was taking the clear.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Nov 21, 2006 -> 06:00 PM) While I certainly wouldn't give him that kind of deal and I don't think anyone will, but I never thought Juan Pierre would get $45 million or the Walker LOOGY would get $3million-$4million a year. I think the way its going, the White Sox are going to have to overpay if they want to sign a free agent, or if they want to acquire good players and/or retain them. I do laugh that Boras says Zito isn't an injury risk. There is no such thing as a pitcher who isn't an injury risk. True dat!!!