CWSOX45

SHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! CWSOX45

"We have a 3 man starting rotation, a weakened bullpen, terrible team defense, no team speed, etc.," No we have a 5 man rotation. Look at it this way, would you rather the Sox go with a guy like Dan Wright in that number 4 spot, or take a chance on Shoe and Robert Person? (who has had success in the major leagues) Cooper will work with these guys, and with all of our choices we have two starters worthy for the number 4 and 5 spots will emerge. Jon Rauch has done well in a couple starts at the Major League level. We'll find two guys that will get the job done. Terrible team defense? I don't think so, if I remember correctly weren't we ranked pretty highly in the American League defensively last year? Konerko is average defensively, Harris has a ton of range, Valentin could be a problem, Crede is sound defensively, Lee has matured, Rowand hustles his ass off, Maggs is sound defensively, and Olivo and Alomar are both pretty sound defensively. So I'm not quite sure where you think our weakness in our defense is... Weakend pen? So we lost Sully and Gordon.....okay, but we signed Cliff Politte, who was pretty solid in 2002. Politte will be much better off in the set-up position. As for Koch, I don't think he can have a s***ty year two years in a row if works hard. Plus who knows what guys like Santiago, Ginter, Diaz, Adkins, Darensbourg, Munoz etc could do for our pen. Not to mention the fact that everyone kind of questioned the move when Kenny signed Gordon to a one year contract last year, he turned out better than we thought didn't he? Out of all of those guys listed above one or two will contribute to our team. No team speed? Okay fine maybe. Konerko is slow as hell, I'll give you that. But Willie Harris, Rowand, Maggs, Valentin, Lee, Uribe, Olivo and others have average or above average speed. "Willie Harris will be lucky to hit .250" That may be true, but is it possible he COULD hit above .250? I think Harris has the potential to hit .270-.290 in his first year if he learns how to bunt effectively and often. "Aaron Rowand is NOT an every day CF." He isn't? How do you know? What chances has he gotten to prove himself worthy? I remember last season the reason the Sox got hot was because of two guys that get dogged constantly around here, Willie Harris and Aaron Rowand. That's when Kenny made the moves for Roberto and Carl. "Valentin will be lucky to hit .240" Alright, I have to agree. Jose has got to step it up, he was pathetic at the plate last year. I'm willing to give him a chance, but if he can't produce I'd like to see Uribe get a shot to play short. "I forgot...our bench sucks too!" To be honest with you, I have no idea what are bench even looks like yet.... Uribe? Gload? Another outfielder? Borchard? I heard we invited Marvin Benard to spring training, if that's true than he'd be a great guy on the bench. I think it's still to early to rate our bench. "I bet the Yankees, Bosox, Royals, A's, Angels, Mariners, etc., are really nervous about the Whitesox juggernaut!" Let them not be nervous, who the hell was afraid of the Florida Marlins at the beginning of 2003 last year? A lot can happen in a year. Don't take my disagreements personally, I'm glad you posted this so I could respond and contribute to this thread. I know you might think I'm an extreme optimist, or just plain insane. Well, I'm both. Here's to a central division championship in 04

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

The link you provided wasn't working for me, and if he won't take a minor league deal than the hell with him. He isn't worth 2-3 million a year. CWSOX45

Rowand has always been one of the few guys that has busted his ass off ever since he's gotten to the Big Leagues. The same goes for Willie Harris, the hard work these two put in during the off-season and during their training before and during games are only going to help the Sox. Ozzie is going to love Harris and Rowand. CWSOX45

I like that idea, with Harris and Figgins we'd have the speed to intimidate teams at the top of the order. Figgins was a pretty solid hitter the second half of the year, didn't he hit well over .300? As for Willie, I have faith he's going to show us he's capable of being a solid lead-off guy. CWSOX45

I say offer him a minor league deal. It gives us another option and will force the younger guys to be competitive during spring training. CWSOX45

If Scott can step up we'll be OKAY for the 4th spot in the rotation. I think we'll be alrite in that 5th slot too, just as long as Danny Wright isn't named the starter for the fifth spot. Wright's stuff is meant to be used in the pen, not as a starter. I'd give the spot to either: Person, Diaz, Rauch, Campos or Grilli. I don't know if anyone has brought him up, but what about Tetsu Yofu? Rex is there any chance he's got a shot at making that number 5 spot? CWSOX45

Maggsmaggs, I love Cristian Guzman. Hopefully next off-season we'll either land him or Orlando Cabrera, they're both free agents if I'm not mistaken. ( I know it's pathetic, I'm already talking about who we should sign next off-season!! ) CWSOX45

I can't recall who started that thread, the worst thing about it was that Neal actually posted on this site. We are extremely fortunate to have Neal post on these boards, Neal will make that asshole eat his words. Book it. CWSOX45

I would take Carlos over Jacque too, but that's just because I'm biased and he's in a Sox uniform. But Jacque Jones is the best defensive left fielder in the American League, he's a five tool player. Carlos is a great player, but I still think Jacque is a better overall player. Than again if Carlos reaches his full potential, who knows what he could do. CWSOX45

Oh yeah that's right. I forgot about Snyder and Greinke. Even though I thought they wanted to start him off in AAA, isn't he supposedly the number 1 pitching prospect in the minors? CWSOX45

Possibly. I hope Josh recovers and is able to play again. I for one wouldn't mind seeing Rauch or Campos get in the # 5 spot. If Cooper can help Robert Person like he did Esteban, than we still have a pretty solid rotation. CWSOX45

I forgot to mention that Joe Mays is actually out the whole season due to Tommy John Surgeory. Which makes their rotation not as strong. According to a couple of Twins fans, the Twins are looking to start Balfour, Rincon or possibly even Carlos Silva in that 5th spot. CWSOX45

Aboz, if this trade were to go down I'd like to move Frank to 1B and sign Randall Simon to DH. He's still available right? I really am not a favorite of this trade. We should get a hell of a lot more for Konerko and Maggs. CWSOX45

I feel ya Nuke, but it's not like we have anything else to be excited about. Unless Robert Person and Cliff Politte excite you........lol. CWSOX45

I'm really starting to think that this deal has to happen now. Nomar is upset at the Red Sox as reported by Otis. I still wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with Nomar and Williamson before Soxfest. (Wishful thinking.) CWSOX45

Hey everyone, I've been pretty busy and haven't had the chance to be at the site lately. Even with all the speculated trades not going through, (Nomar etc.) I still think the Sox have a pretty solid chance of winning this division. When I look at what the Twins and Royals have done, I'm not at all impressed. According to various sites, (Majorleaguebaseball.com, rotoworld, ESPN.com) here is a list of the free agents and players from trades we have acquired this off-season. (I've also included minor league deals, or most of them) Juan Uribe SS Cliff Politte RP Mike Jackson (he pitched for Cleveland a couple years back. It was reported on MLB.com as the same day we acquired Jose Santiago.) Jose Santiago RP Robert Person SP Francisco Campos (was he signed as a free agent? Or drafted?) Vic Darensbourg? ( I heard he had to pass a physical to sign, anyone know if it has been declared official yet.) Well obviously Kenny is trying to catch lightening in a bottle, as he did last year when he signed Loaiza. Most of these deals aren't bad, I actually think players like Politte, Jackson, Santiago, and Person will actually benefit the Sox in the long run. Kansas City: Key Players Lost via free agency: Raul Ibanez (biggest blow) Michael Tucker Rondell White Brent Mayne Al Levine Mike DiFelice Additions Matt Stairs (Pretty good pick-up by Baird and the Royals front office) Scott Sullivan (I was upset when the Sox did not offer him arbitration. He strenghtens their pen A LOT. Graffanino (Again I'm sad to see him go, one of the best utility guys in the game.) Kelly Stinett Juan Gonzalez (Sure it was a good signing, but he is basically their replacement for Ibanez, I think the Royals offense will put up similar numbers. If Gonzalez can stay healthy, which is obviously a huge question mark.) Benito Santiago (An excellent pick-up, calls a great game behind the plate. Should help maturing young pitchers.) Rich Thompson Minnesota Players Lost: Chris Gomez Jesse Orosco LaTroy Hawkins (big blow) Eddie Guardado (yet another big blow) Tony Fiore Denny Hocking Kenny Rogers AJ Pierzynski Dustan Mohr Eric Milton Additions Henry Blanco C Augie Ojeda INF Kevin Tolar LHP Aaron Fultz LHP Juan Diaz 1B Rick Helling RHP Boof Bonser RHP (a lock for their rotation in the near future if not this season) Joe Nathan RHP Francisco Liriano LHP Carlos Silva RHP Nick Punto INF Bobby Korecky RHP J.T. Thomas LHP As you can see no team has made drastic improvements to their club. I think the Twins have done a good job this past off-season replacing Guardado and Hawkins in their pen with guys like Nathan and Silva. Bonser is a solid youngster who I think will make the 5th spot in the rotation. Let's take a look at the teams line-up C: Olivo/Alomar, Mauer, Santiago: Advantage: KC. Santiago is a solid offensive and defensive player. I know Joe Mauer is going to be a stud, but I expect him to struggle at the Major League Level off the bat. Than again anything could happen if Miguel Olivo figures out how to hit a breaking ball. 1. KC 2. MIN 3. SOX 1B: Konerko/ Mientkiewicz/ Sweeney: Konerko and Sweeney have the potential to put up some monster numbers. Hopefully Konerko will return to his 2002 form. Mientkiewicz however is one of the best defensive first basemen in the game. However I think the advantage still goes to Royals, followed by the Twins and Sox. 2B: Harris/Rivas/ Relaford: Willie Harris and Luis Rivas have incredible range at second base. Relaford is more of a utility guy. The Twins have the edge at this position. However I am a true believer of Willie Harris and I think he will play hard every day and will give the Sox some spark. Therefore the Twins have the advantage with Rivas followed by Harris and than Relaford. SS: Valentin/Guzman/Berroa: I've never been a fan of Jose Valentin. I will just leave it at that. Berroa and Guzman are two great young shortstops. Both are great players and I think they are both deserve the top spot: 1. KC/MIN 3. SOX 3B: Crede/ Koskie/ Randa: I love Joe Crede, and I think that if he can live up to all the hype that has surrounded him I think he could easily out perform both Koskie and Randa. However Koskie is a proven hitter at the major league level. Therefore I also belive Minnesoa has the advantage at this position: 1. MIN 2. Sox 3. KC LF: Lee/ Jones/ Gueil: Carlos Lee has really improved his defense, however he still isn't close to the defensive player Jacque Jones is. 1. MIN 2. SOX 3. KC CF: Rowand/Reed, Hunter/ Beltrán: 1. Hunter (best defensive outfielder) 2. Beltrán (great all around player) 3. Rowand/Reed (Rowand is a solid player, but isn't worthy of holding Beltrán or Hunter's jock. Reed could possibly be compared to these guys later in his career if he lives up to his potential.) RF: Maggs, Gonzalez, Stewart: It's Maggs hands down. Gonzalez is a great offensive player, but isn't a great fielder. Shannon Stewart is a great lead-off hitter and will be the key to the Twin's success. 1. SOX 2. MIN 3. KC DH: Thomas, LeCroy, Harvey: I'm going with Frank on this one. I'll take those power numbers that Frank put up last year. Hopefully he can get his average up to .290-.300. 1. SOX 2. MIN 3. KC Rotation and Bullpen: SOX 1. Loaiza 2. Buehrle 3. Garland 4. Schoeneweiss 5. Rauch/Person Kansas City: 1. May 2. Anderson 3. Hernandez 4. Ascencio 5. George/Gobble/Appier Minnesota: 1. Radke 2. Santana 3.Lohse 4.Helling 5. Mays Out of the three teams Kansas City has the weakest rotation. Hernandez and Ascencio were out most of the year and Darrell May was rocked hard by the Sox and other teams in August and September. The Sox rotation is still a solid rotation if and only if Jon Garland can step it up a notch. I am not sure how Shoe will respond to starting everyday, and I hope that Rauch can finally succeed in the biggs. Minnesota's rotation is the strongest however, even after losing Milton. The only question marks will be Helling and Mays. Mays was hit hard last year and demoted to the pen. I think the Sox starting three: Loaiza, Buehrle and Garland can match up fairly well against Radke, Santana, and Lohse. Bullpen: SOX Marte (Closer) Koch Wunsch Politte Ginter Wright Grilli/Santiago/Jackson/Darensbourg/Adkins Kansas City: MacDougle (Closer) Grimsley Leskanic Carrasco Sullivan Affeldt Bukvich Minnesota: Nathan (Closer) Romero Rincón Balfour Silva Pulido Thomas When looking at the bullpens, Minnesota still has the best bullpen even after losing Guardado and Hawkins. Kansas City's pen has improved slightly with the addition of Sullivan. The Sox bullpen has the chance of being the best in the central, if Koch and Politte regains their 2002 form and if guys like Santiago, Jackson, Grilli or Ginter step it up a notch. Either way winning this division will not be IMPOSSIBLE for any of the three teams. I think the strongest team is still Minnesota followed by the Sox. Kansas City does not have the experienced starting pitching to last them all year. That is my evaluation. Please make comments and point out any thing I might have missed. CWSOX45

Everyone seems to be forgetting about Josh Stewart. I think Josh did a pretty good job in the limited action we saw from him last year. I'd prefer to see Rauch in that 5 hole, the last few games he had with us in 2002 were pretty solid. Especially that one outing against the Twins were he only surrendered 2 runs and lost 2-1. CWSOX45

Last I checked the White Sox were mentioned as one of the teams that were interested in Maels Rodriguez.....than again so were eight other teams on the ESPN Site. Than again if he's asking for Contreras type numbers there is no way we sign him. CWSOX45

I disagree. Willie Harris always seems to me that he's actually got his head in the game and not up his ass like D'Angelo Jimenez. Jimenez is a lazy piece of s***, he has all the potential in the world to be a great hitter, but his work ethic has held him back. I'll take Harris over Jimenez any day. Harris works his ass off, and has something that Jimenez will NEVER have. SPEED. CWSOX45

I thought I heard that the only way we would keep Nomar is if we have a deal already set up for Jose Valentin. I haven't heard anyone else that is interested in Valentin except for Seattle. I just wish that the damn trade would go through. CWSOX45

I will not vote in this poll, It's wayyy too early to predict who could win the division. Anything can happen, Kenny Williams has a plan in mind. Whether or not it will be successful is another story. CWSOX45

I highly doubt it will be Cotts, my feeling is that the Sox will give up Wright or Rauch if not both. CWSOX45

I don't. Who has more to offer the Red Sox than we do? Epstein wants Ordoñez playing for the Red sox this year. It would be foolish to deal Nomar elsewhere, unless he gets a better offer. (It would have to be a damn good one too.) I'm not sure what KW's intentions are once we do get Nomar, we'll just have to wait and see. CWSOX45