Milkman delivers

Just watched it. It was decent, but I'm sure it will get much better.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Feb 16, 2009 -> 06:51 AM) Yeah I could see that too. He really doesn't seem like the kind of guy that changes by money at all, he's still basically a regular guy. I remember an article about him and another player I forget (Crede I think, someone from MO) that dropped him off somewhere in some gas station or something so his wife can pick him up for the all star break. The player wanted to drive him further but Mark insisted on staying there like he was nobody. Cotts.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Feb 16, 2009 -> 02:19 AM) haha. I'm going to say Andruw Jones. Hawk will name drop Carl Yastrzemski's name 17 times this season. Hawk will yell STRETCH on a ball that doesnt leave the infield. In midst of a 14-0 loss, Hawk will disappear in the 7th inning and not return. Robin Ventura will fill in for a 4 week stint while Hawk is in rehab. AJP will have 4 ABs in a game and only see 4 pitches. Hawk will say "Show me a _____ and I'll show you a winner/loser" over 100 times this season. Hawk will have double eye surgey and sport Sox eye patches on both eyes at the same time this season. Only 17 times? That is bold. QUOTE (zenryan @ Feb 16, 2009 -> 02:19 AM) Walker is fired after 60 games and Ron Karkovice is named new hitting coach. Hawk raves about the selection. That would be awesome!

QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 11:42 PM) You answered your own question. It's wrestling. I assume he is taking the belt to SD and we'll go from there. Who knows. If you thought the PPV was boring, i really don't know what you expected. It was unpredictable. Unpredictable, yes. And I do like to see that in wrestling, but I think that the chamber matches just don't do it for me. I don't find them all that interesting.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 10:42 PM) Post 'em. Merkin: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws So Merkin mentions an "open competition" in CF, I assume this is his own speculation. Though spring training competitions may be f***ing retarded I hope if they do hold one for CF they actually stand by it unlike that sham they held in 2007. I have two thoughts. How many pounds is Contreras able to lose? Hasn't he lost a bunch of weight the last few offseasons? And there will be no competition for CF. Brian Anderson will not receive the starting job. Jerry Owens will receive the starting job. That might as well be etched in stone and laminated.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 09:42 PM) We'll see. I think it's very likely that could be the case, but at the same time, either players could step up or the Sox could be out of contention and won't be major players on the trade market. I won't call it a certainty that it will happen. I was saying that we'd have a mediocre to bad team, or a gaping hole somewhere. You said that is something this team hasn't ever really had.

I don't understand how Edge was just allowed to do that. Was it because Stephanie was gone because of Shane's injury? I know it's wrestling and all, but I don't understand how Edge was just allowed to beat up a guy and take his place, and then have him be the legal man. Also, I thought the PPV was kind of boring, Brian.

It took me a minute to realize that was John Travolta.

I had to DVR it, as I watched the WWE PPV tonight.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 06:03 PM) Also, when has Kenny had either A.) the financial flexibility to make such a deal, something he might have this season or B.) the young talent in the minors to make such a move, something he definitely has now. The last time was probably 2004 when he had a couple million dollars and Jeremy Reed at his disposal and he went ahead and made that BIG move. The problem has been expending all of his limited minor league/financial resources in the offseason then having nothing to offer come the deadline with this past season being a prime example of this. Very true, so I guess we'll see what he does this year with the money. I'm not confident that that move will be made, though.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:52 PM) Ok but as for the 2005 season. Shouldn't they only make trades at the break if the general manager feels it's a necessity? In 2007 they had no need to acquire an impact player because the team was awful and in 2005 there was no need for an major acquisition because the club felt it was not a necessity, a belief that later proved to be correct when they went on to win the World Series with the same team they had as of July 31st. So since 2003 when they've needed to make some sort of deal they've made one, sans 2008. The only thing I was saying is that this team does not make that big deadline move. I saw a few people already talking about "having money for the deadline" to add that last piece we'll inevitably need (starter, most likely). I was just trying to stop that needless banter before it even started. Once the deadline approaches, we'll see more and more threads tying us to this guy and that guy, and we'll end up getting a former star in his twilight. I wasn't making a comment on whether or not these moves are necessary or correct, just that we don't make them.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:41 PM) Ok then. Your original point was that the White Sox don't trade for impact players at the break. Considering how they've picked up at least 1 impact player in 3 out of the last 5 contending seasons (2008 depends on how you view Griffey, personally I won't make the argument that he had a great impact on last year's team) and won the World Series in one of the seasons in which they didn't, I'd say your original point was incorrect. I definitely won't count Griffey, as he was mediocre when we got him, and he added little. I also don't think MacDougal was an impact player when we picked him up, but we just happened to strike gold for half of a season. And winning the World Series has nothing to do with my point, as I was talking about making moves for players at the deadline and not the results.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:35 PM) He fits the "more than mediocre" requirement for his 2005 season and talent as a pitcher. And regardless of what you thought of him before we acquired him, KW saw something in him and he turned out to be a great acquisition for the 2006 season. Tons of mediocre players have a nice season or two. That still doesn't change the fact that they're nothing more than "meh" in the long run.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:34 PM) http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/riskeda01.shtml Riske had always been mediocre? I don't buy that. I also don't understand the need to go out and get a big name player. If you have to do that, it likely means you have a mediocre to bad team, or you have a gaping hole somewhere on your roster. The Sox almost never have that type of team. Well, that'll certainly change this year.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:32 PM) MacDougal had a very good 2005 season but suffered an injury at the beginning of '06, we acquired him after he threw 4 scoreless innings for the Royals that season and he went on to be by far our best reliever down the stretch. Whether you though little of him before we acquired him or not he was still an impact player for that 2006 team, there's no denying that. I'm not denying that.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:27 PM) Well then MacDougal (performed incredibly well for the remainder of the '06 season), Garcia and Everett (the first time around when he was having and continued to have a well above average offensive season) would all qualify. So of the last 5 seasons in which we were contenders we've picked up an impact player at the break in 3 of them and won the World Series in one of the other 2. I already admitted Garcia and Everett in the very first post. I will never accept that MacDougal was more than mediocre before he had his nice half season with us.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 05:24 PM) Griffey was having a solid season last year when the Sox dealt for him, Riske had always been a solid pitcher even though he was pretty mediocre for the Sox, and MacDougal was absolutely fantastic for the Sox down the stretch in 2006. I'd say those are all above mediocre acquisitions. Griffey was mediocre. Riske always has been mediocre. MacDougal was hardly more than mediocre before we got him, and then we happened to get a good half of a season out of him.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 04:36 PM) He's on the 40 man roster so if the Sox want to send him down at any time this year (including March) they'd have to use an option, since he's out of options he'd have to pass through waivers which he's done twice in his career already. And people expect him to be a factor.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 03:16 PM) And how many "upper echelon" players are dealt every July? Normally the trade deadline is used to add complimentary pieces to fill a few holes for the stretch run, only a few star players have even been dealt at the deadline since KW took over How about players that are just more than mediocre instead of upper echelon?

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 02:52 PM) Tonite at 10:30 eastern I am surprised you liked Hot Rod, I thought it was funny but I thought i was one of the few I saw it at the theater and then recommended it to a lot of friends. They all liked it.

When is it on? And McBride is in quite a few other movies. He's hilarious in all of them. I suggest people see Hot Rod, starring Andy Samberg. The movie is great, and so is McBride.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 12:44 PM) Why do people keep adding an n to Dayan's last name? I'd love to see what would happen if Wise and Owens completely tank and BA and some other NRI tear the cover off the ball. Brian Anderson will not get the starting job again this year, although he'll likely win it in spring training.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 12:43 PM) 2008-Griffey 2007-Sox sucked, but still traded Gooch and Mack 2006-Riske,Alomar Jr., Macdougal 2005-Blum 2004-Contreras,Robbie actually after the 31st, and Garica in late June. 2003-Robbie,Everett, Schoenewise I have to assume that was a joke, right? I knew someone would list off the garbage. I should have mentioned we haven't made a significant move for an upper echelon player since Garcia, and who knows before that. I guess a case can be made for Everett the first time.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 12:22 PM) John Turturro was solid as well. I was going to say that, but then I didn't want to just mention that I thought the white actors were good.

QUOTE (Pumpkin Escobar @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 02:22 AM) I didn't get to read everyone's comments but I wanted to throw my two cents in on this issue and the upcoming season. I have been a supporter of a firesale since 2007. In 2007, my opinions were proven right. In 2008, they weren't. This year, I would prefer a firesale for the same reason that I don't mind not having one. That reason being that the division is somewhat wideopen. In saying that, I think the Tigers last year were a bit of a fluke. I think theyre pitching will be better but I also think they are older and losing steam offensively. Guys like Sheff, Maggs, Guillen and Polanco didn't have huge years last season and it's tough to expect them to do much better this year just because of how old theyre getting. I do think guys like Verlander and Bonderman will bounce back a bit and I don't think Gallaraga or Jackson will repeat their moderate success in 08'. So basically, I think last year was a fluke yes but this year I don't think they're a lock to repeat 07' and see them as around a .500+ team. Cleveland to me is in an interesting situation. Last year, we knew they had one great pitcher, no bullpen and some offense. This year, I feel like it's the same thing. They have Cliff Lee, a better bullpen and possibly some offense. If Carmona can bounce back, Reyes live up to his STL hype, and someone like LaPorta can step in and provide the power bat that Hafner has left vacant in that lineup, then I think theyll be a decent team and maybe a very good team. The Twins will be the Twins. It's cliche and whatever you want to say but I can't describe how they manage to do it each year. They just do and I can only discribe it as hatred. The Royals will be better. I love some of the pieces they have. I think Grienke is coming into his own. Gordon needs to break out this year. Jacobs was a nice power addition and one of my favorite people theyve added is Alberto Callapso. I think he has a chance to be their version of Placido Polanco and be a real catalyst for that lineup. So that sums up the division but all I've told you is that everyone is mediocre it seems. To me, last year was a perfect time to firesale because no one thought we'd have a chance. Look what happened? This year, I'd like to firesale because guys are getting old and I think we should get some other good young pieces while our old men have value but the division is wideopen. So at the same time, it's a perfect chance to keep those guys and try to develop some of your own. Hoping those kids will learn from the veterans and while hoping the veterans can carry us. Do I expect to win it this year? No. Part of me thinks that is the problem with Kenny Williams approach. He has put this team together to have a potential shot at winning the AL central. A bad bad AL central and I think most of us want him to build a WS contender. Some people say that is enough, others say we just need to get in and anything can happen...i agree with that sentiment but during the preseason, you can't bank on it. You want to bank on a legit team, legit prospects or potential in positions...you dont want to be relying on "last chance" kind of players. Which I feel is what we are doing. If Anderson doesnt win it, I don't think he'll ever do it. Same with Fields. Same with Owens. Same with Getz and some of our pitchers. I'm very skeptical (not quite concerned) but skeptical on whether or not we'll see a repeat performance out of Alexi/Quentin/Danks. I know we won't see it out of Floyd. This is what makes this year a little tougher to swallow because we aren't banking on the usual Paulie/Dye/Thome thing because theyre slipping a bit (maybe not Dye). We are hoping theyll not fall off but we seem to be relying on guys who have only had one good year, and then on top of that, adding in so many other unreliable/unproven guys. Very Dangerous and possibly very stupid. Only time will tell I guess. I am hoping for Konerko to bounce back and see our young guys continue to develop but if not, I think Kenny will need to do some serious damage control at the deadline and make some big moves to change the culture of this club. He'll need to acquire lots of prospects and use the money to sign some FA's or he'll need to deal for a superstar like a Holliday and look to lock them up and continue building. Not sure what it will be but I am getting very excited for baseball. I'd like to point out that Anderson has won the job at least once in spring training. He's just been f***ed over a few times. Also, if anyone thinks we're adding pieces, or even a single piece, at the deadline, you're sadly mistaken. This team does not do that.