WSFAN35

I can think of 9 million reasons why Wagner isn't coming to the Sox.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ May 14, 2005 -> 10:39 AM) Jermaine Dye is struggling but so are other big names: Angel Berroa KCR, Jason Kendall OAK, Victor Martinez CLE, Michael Cuddyer MIN, Ruben Gotay KCR, Eric Chavez OAK, & Aaron Boone CLE. COL needs RP. Particularly a closer. Shingo/Marte + Dye could probably land Wilson. I say no. Look at their RON #'s: JD 2004 .264A .341O .460S vs PW 2004 .209A .287O .309S JD 2005 .128A .196O .255S vs PW 2005 .250A .313O .467S There is a huge disparity in salary but I've read COL is willing to pick up a major portion of Wilson's $'s. But I still believe it is more likely that by season's end Dye will produce more than Wilson in RON sits. That's what matters most with this team. What matters most with this team is getting it done, and Dye ain't getting it done.

QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ May 5, 2005 -> 04:01 PM) :headshake arod is a stuck up b**** who is a cancer to any team and as long as any team has him that team will never win a world series.......period He's the hardest worker in baseball, who from what I've heard is an outstanding teammate. He's a fierce competitor with arguably the most talent in all of the major leagues. I don't view him as stuck up, but more so a little bit cocky, which he should be because he's a stud. He's not coming here, but you're telling me that you wouldn't want A-Rod on your team because that team will never win a world series with such an athlete? Give me a break. There's been plenty of teams that have won a World Series with bad apples on their team.

QUOTE(Hideaway Lights @ May 3, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) Seriously, why is this guy often the first guy out of the pen? He has a terrible ERA thus far and I don't think he's pitched that well save for a couple of games. From what I can gather, Ozzie has assigned these roles: Cotts long relief (ye olde Carlos Castillo role), Vizcaino seems to be the sixth/seventh inning guy, Politte also sixth/seventh, Marte 8th and Hermanson/Takatsu 9th. Why isn't Politte the first guy out of the pen over Luis? Last friday Ozzie went to Vizcaino first and almost immediately we were in trouble. What gives? You have to use everyone in your pen to keep them fresh for when you need them, not to mention the fact that you can't pitch Politte every single game.

QUOTE(ptatc @ Apr 26, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) Agreed. Attitude can go along way with team mates. Either positive or negative. In this case you have two califonia boys with drastically different attitudes towards others. No one knows what kinda teammates either of these guys are. And I don't know if any of you remember Garland talking s*** about us fans.

QUOTE(winodj @ Mar 22, 2005 -> 12:49 PM) Glad you reposted it. After the ninth page of a broken foot, I'd moved on. Speaking of which - it's still 4-6 weeks, right? He's expected to miss one start in spring training, and if all goes well he'll be ready for opening day.

Brandon McCarthy, RHP, A- Gio Gonzalez, LHP, B+ Brian Anderson, OF, B Ryan Sweeney, OF, B Josh D. Fields, 3B, B Francisco Hernandez, C, B Tyler Lumsden, LHP, B- Chris Young, OF, B- Ray Liotta, LHP, B- Sean Tracey, RHP, B- Jeremy Owens, OF, C+ Casey Rogowski, 1B, C+ Kris Honel, RHP, C+ Wes Whisler, LHP, C+ Mike Spidale, OF, C+ Pedro Lopez, SS, C Adam Ricks, C-2B, C Paulino Reynoso, LHP, C Dennis Ulacia, LHP, C Antoin Gray, 2B, C Some good quality at the top, but the system thins out quickly. Brandon McCarthy doesn't get the same sort of attention as other pitching prospects. But he should. The guy posted a 202/30 K/BB ratio last year, and he isn't a soft-tosser. Gio Gonzalez is a risky high school guy. He also posted a 3.03 ERA and 27/13 K/BB in 33 innings in the South Atlantic League three months out of high school. He needs to sharpen up his control, but his pro debut was very impressive and I think he will emerge as a top prospect this year. I'm less impressed with Brian Anderson than some people are. I mean, I think he's a good solid prospect. Has some power, some speed, has hit .307/.386/.494 through his first 130 pro games, although his production did tail off after his promotion to Double-A. The White Sox are high enough on him that they were more willing to trade Jeremy Reed. But there's just something about Anderson that makes me think he's as good now as he's ever going to get. I can't prove that, of course. But the feeling is there, and sometimes these "intuitive feelings" are actually subconscious pattern recognition. Sometimes. Ryan Sweeney held his own in the Carolina League at age 19. He hit .283/.342/.379, which isn't that hot. But he was VERY young for the competition, and I think he will improve significantly with more experience. Josh Fields needs to cut down on his strikeouts (74 in 66 pro games) but he has good power, and enough athleticism to be a fine defensive third baseman with more experience. I don't think he'll be ready until 2007, but by that time the Sox should be thoroughly tired of Joe Crede. Francisco Hernandez is another overlooked prospect, a Dominican catcher with a career .311/.393/.465 line in the low minors. If he continues to develop, he will be among the elite prospects in the game a year from now. Ray Liotta and Tyler Lumsden are 2004 draftees, power-armed lefties who will move quickly if their command holds up. Chris Young is a tools outfielder, producer of 24 home runs and 31 stolen bases last year in the Sally League. He also struck out 145 times in 135 games, so he is far from a sure thing. Sean Tracey owns a 95 MPH power sinker, but has struggled with his command and control. He made progress last year, but Double-A will be a challenge for him. After that you get into a big group of C+/C guys. Jeremy Owens, recently acquired from the Nationals, has potential as a leadoff man due to his speed and surprisingly good plate discipline. Rogowski has big power and plate discipline, but was a league-repeater last year and has to prove himself in Double-A. Honel was a major disappointment last season, and has to prove that he is 1) healthy and 2) confident. Both are questions. Whisler has a great arm but no refinement. Spidale projects as a useful fourth outfielder. Lefties Ulacia and Reynoso could earn LOOGY spots eventually. Lopez, Ricks, and Gray all have potential but are too far away from the Majors to be sure of at this point. Ricks has the best bat of the trio.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 26, 2005 -> 09:35 PM) Try Charlotte. Doubtful, he's been out of pro ball for two long to be sent to a AAA hitter's park. He'll be in B-Ham.

Can someone come up with accurate pitching repitoires for the Sox staff?

QUOTE(YoungstownIndians @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 11:01 AM) Look at the lineup. Look at the All Stars? I think we have you numbered there.... But yes these mean nothing. But I think my Indians will be at least 2. I have to give the Twins my #1 for now. They have it 3 years running. Pitching wins ballgames buddy. The Indians will finish in 3rd, no matter who wins this division. QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 11:01 AM) You know what I will bet any amount you can conceive the Sox will win more games than the Tribe. I'll get in on that bet too.

QUOTE(Nokona @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 10:44 AM) No way that doesnt look like Cotts at all. Take a good look, naysayer. The guy in the picture is the same height as Hermanson and Buehrle. Cotts is 6'2", so are Buehrle and Hermanson. The guy in the picture wears his cap the same way Neal does, he's left handed, and he even has the same body structure. Sure, Neal was a baby face before, but can't a guy grow a beard?

QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 08:05 AM) Buehrle and Hermanson. Don't know who the dude on the right is. That's Neal.

Can anyone give me a scouting report on this guy?

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Feb 10, 2005 -> 01:22 PM) Gload: 110 234 28 75 16 0 7 112 44 20 37 0 3 .321 .375 .479 .853 Everett Career: Has hit over .321 1 time, 1999. Has had OBP over .375 2 times, 2003, 1999 Has had OPS over .853 3 times, 1999, 2000, 2003 Gload played his first season in the Majors, Carl is 33. Outside of Slg, which Carl has a considerable edge on Gload, there just really is no reason to expect that Carl even at his best season will necessarily outproduce Gload. SB Gload has alot smaller surface from which to draw from. He simply hasn't had the at-bats that Carl has, so there's no way you can compare those numbers. Carl is a better hitter than Gload IMO.

QUOTE(ChiSoxFan @ Feb 9, 2005 -> 09:09 PM) Arow would be perfect batting 3rd. This way, you continue your emphasis on speed at the top of the order. Having speed at the top of the order is great, but speed needs to be spread evenly throughout the lineup. Dye will hit, so there's no real argument against having Dye bat third. Having Rowand at six will give us more speed towards the bottom of the order, which can help keep an inning going.

QUOTE(Brian @ Feb 9, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) Don't be shocked if the Cubs end up with Dotel before pitchers and catchers report. I thought the cubs were trying to improve their closer situation. Dotel has proven he can't get it done when thrust into that role.

QUOTE(Soxnbears01 @ Feb 8, 2005 -> 10:54 PM) Guys, where did all the pub we got in the past years get us? absolutely f***in nowhere. I like being the underdogs. We'll fly under the radar.

QUOTE(upnorthsox @ Feb 6, 2005 -> 04:54 PM) Frank will cost the Sox $12 mil to bring him back next yr, he's gone so enjoy what's left of his Sox career this yr. Frank is coming back, just because he has an option for next year at $12 mil doesn't mean he can't sign another contract at a lesser value.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Feb 6, 2005 -> 12:35 PM) 1B/DH: The name that pops out is Sweeney. I'm going to assume that's Mike. In keeping with the whole speed & D approach this is the next logical move. Maybe for both teams. He's an aggressively smart baserunner who reads pitcher's moves well. He has above average speed & with decent range & mobility. Few players bring as much emotion to the park as Sweeney. As a hitter Sweeney's situation is similar to Gonzo's but less severe. When his back his healthy he is capable of producing 120-130 RBI on a team like the Sox. At the very least a healthy Sweeney can produce 100R, 100RBI. Koney's min price realistically is 27/3. We can all fool ourselves it's not, but if he puts up 30+HR, 100+RBI that's the lowest Sox offer he's likely to except. Sweeney should cost considerably less than that. Probably a base of 21/3 w incentives up to a 27/3. The Sox should take the risk. They have other options for 1B if Sweeney should go down. But if he's healthy he should be able to make up for Koney in the RBI dept & add more to the R dept. He's a natural born team leader type. 90% sure it's Mark. QUOTE(BobDylan @ Feb 6, 2005 -> 12:39 PM) Furcal...drools. 90% sure Furcal is arbitration eligible, the Braves won't let him go.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Feb 4, 2005 -> 01:30 PM) Comparing teams position by position and then determining the better team by counting who had more advantages is stupid. Agreed. QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Feb 4, 2005 -> 01:30 PM) He 'makes plays' because he gets bad reads on the ball, and has absolutely no range, meaning he needs to make up for it by diving for the ball. But, I'm not going to convince you, nor vice versa -- so agree to disagree. At least we can agree that Uribe is the better defensive shortstop... Agreed

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Feb 4, 2005 -> 01:20 PM) Nomar is nowhere near the defensive shortstop Uribe is. Uribe has much better range, and a much, much better arm... Nomar obviously with the edge on offense, but there's no way you can say that Nomar is better than Uribe defensively. And, responding to another thread -- Timo sucks defensively. His only plus is his strong arm. That's it. I didn't say that Nomar was better than Uribe defensively. I said they were equal, which was a mistake on my part. Timo doesn't suck defensively, he's sloppy, but he makes plays.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 4, 2005 -> 01:14 PM) Based on what? AJ was a career .300 hitter before his dissapointing season in SF last year. Barrett is a career .260 hitter even after his good year with the Cubs last season. In 529 career innings playing catcher, Barrett has 44 passed balls, 31 errors, has allowed 311 stolen bases, and has thrown out 101, 24.5% CS. In 534 career in playing catcher, AJ has 23 passed balls, 20 errors, has allowed 197 stolen bases, and has thrown out 82, 29.4% CS. How much longer is Korey Patheticson going to get by on that "potential" bulls***. Take a look at this; Bad Year for Scott Podsednik: .313 OBP, 70 SB Carrer stats for Korey Patheticson: .303 OBP, 71 SB :fthecubs Barrett has been hurt for much of his career, he got better defensively as the season went on. I watched him play alot of games, and I happen to feel that he's an excellent hitter for a catcher. If he stays healthy, he and Pierz will have very similar numbers. Remember when everyone called a center fielder named Aaron Rowand pathetic, a guy who was just getting by on potential who couldn't put it together? Patterson has his problems, but just like every young player with baseball skills he can break out at any time. I'm not defending the cubs here, I'm just trying to be objective.

QUOTE(TheDybber @ Feb 4, 2005 -> 10:07 AM) 1B: Push 2B: should go to Walker if only because we have never seen Iguchi in the majors yet. 3B: Aramis until Crede does something with the bat SS: In the past, Nomar. As of right now, push. LF: Pods CF: Rowand, but if this "Potential" ever comes out, Patterson prolly will overtake Rowand on sheer talent. That's a BIG IF. RF: Dye Starting Pitching: Push. Relief Pitching: Sox, but not by as much as some people here think. Bench: Sox I've got White Sox 5, Cubs 2 and 3 push. Oh Cubune, money can't buy happiness. The Trib isn't the only one with a bias problem. We all are guilty. You have to be truly objective to compare the two teams, and there are very few of us who are capable of doing so. I'll do my best. 1B: Sox - PK > D.Lee - It's close, what D.Lee lacks in power compared to Konerko he makes up for with average, speed, and slightly better defense. 2B: Cubs - Walker > Iguchi - Although Walker isn't great, Iguchi is an unproven commodity. SS: Cubs - Nomar >> Uribe - I don't know how anyone could call Uribe equal to Nomar. They're equal defensively, and Uribe has a little bit more power, however Nomar's average, leadership qualities, and the ability to hit anywhere in the lineup puts him far above Uribe. 3B: Cubs - Ramirez >>> Crede - Ramirez is the best Cubs starter, Crede is the worst Sox starter. C: Equal - Pierz = Barrett - Pierz and Barrett are both offensive minded, defensively weaker catchers. Pierz has better RBI potential, while Barrett has higher average potential. LF: Sox - Pods > Hairston - Pods has a tool that very few baseball players have. Hairston is fast, but he doesn't have the stealing instincts. It depends on whether or not Pods can get his average back up, but since Hairston is probably going to have trouble staying healthy, Pods takes it away. CF: Sox - Rowand >> Patterson - Rowand has all the tools, Patterson has all the tools but hasn't put it all together. RF: Sox - Dye >> Burnitz - Burnitz is hack city, Dye has to stay healthy. Bench: Everett, Gload, Perez, Harris, Davis > Hollandsworth, Dubois, Blanco, Perez, Macias - Both benches are solid and deep, the Cubs have a little more versatility, but the Sox have guys on the bench that could play every day. Starting Pitching - Zambrano, Wood, Prior, Maddux, Rusch > Buerhle, Garcia, Hernandez, Contreras, Garland - Zambrano is really the only thing that makes the Cubs rotation better, Buerhle's great but Zambrano is a real number 1 guy. Wood and Prior are overrated, but you can't say that Garcia and Hernandez are better, I'd say they're pretty equal. Maddux beats out Contreras for number 4, and Garland topples Rusch for number 5. Relief Pitching - Takatsu, Marte, Hermanson, Vizcaino, Politte, Adkins > Dempster, Hawkins, Remlinger, Farnsworth, Leicester, Wellemeyer - The Cubs don't have a proven closer, and that alone makes the Sox better. If you look at it though, the rest of the bullpen is pretty close. Marte is far and above better than Remlinger, Hawkins is far and above better than Hermanson (unless he's closing). Vizcaino beats Farnsworth, Politte and Leicester are equal, and Wellemeyer and Adkins are equal. Skin me if you want for giving the Cubs some credit, but the bottom line is that they've got good players. However, good players don't win ballgames, make the playoffs, or win the world series. Good teams do. I feel that the Sox have the better team.

QUOTE(quickman @ Feb 3, 2005 -> 06:07 PM) Melissa, Dave did not leave because he couldn't critisize the sox. he left to do play by play which he once did for the Kane County Cougars. Its what he wants to do. Play by play in the MLB is a big deal. Pre and post game host is not quite as big. Pardon my ignorance, but where is Willsy doing play by play next year?

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Feb 3, 2005 -> 11:13 AM) Doesn't defensive minded mean good defense.... Timo is the worst defense CF I have ever seen. He sucked. I mean he totally sucked. TOTALLY! You must not watch a lot of baseball.