whitesoxmanager

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 08:34 PM) When has this ever worked <{POST_SNAPBACK}> could you please explain the REASONS that this doesnt work?

QUOTE(TLAK @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 07:28 PM) He has trash canned the best hitter I ever saw in Frank Thomas and traded the man threw the best single ½ inning a baseball I have ever seen in my life, in Orlando Hernandez. He disposed of the epitome of the World Championship team in Aaron Rowand, a guy we watched grow and regress in Marte and a guy who took one for the team in April that haunted his entire season in Vizcaino. He discarded Carl Everett who carried the offense at times. He dismissed the man who hit a game winner in the first World Series the team went to in 46 years. He is bringing in some big names to replace them but I miss my guys. I waited all my 53 years for a championship and now 6 of the 25 heroes from the playoff roster plus Frank – a quarter of them – are gone and we haven’t even gotten to spring training yet. The magic of 2005, of our guys, a team that nobody else respected but knew in its heart it could do it, a team that got great plays from the most unlikely sources is gone. The warmth I felt for the team going against all probabilities is being replaced fantasy baseball-like expected run production ratios. When Williams starts his BS about the Sox being a family all the players need to do is look how Frank, Aaron, Orlando, Damaso, Luis, Geoff and Carl were all s*** canned within 2 months of winning the ring for them -great family. When is Kenny going to stop killing the best thing that ever happened to the White Sox for a half century? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> TLAK i completely agree with your sentiment! I think that you hit every point straight on! When you win the WS and you do it by winning 11 out of 12 you simply keep the same team in tact. They come back with more attitude than before. If at the allstar break you should need to tweak the team, then I am all for it. I said it immediately after they rooted out Arow that KW is in unchartered territory of knowing "when to hold em". I can understand trying to build a winner but when you have already built the winner why mess? For those of you who disrespected TLAK a WHITESOX fan of 53 years.....SHAME ON YOU unless you are pissed that he says EVIL KW...as that he is not! He is certainly entitled to voice his opinion here! & I for one completely agree with him except for the EVIL part.

i remember the days when the whitesox would make absolutely 0 deals to make the team better. used to drive me crazy. now i wish they would make no deals and all KW does is play fantasy baseball. i will say it again, "you have to know when to hold em, know when to fold em." KW is in unchartered territery with the former. i just pray that the day doesnt come when our beloved players dont come back to beat us.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 04:21 PM) A McCarthy for Pierre swap would destroy the off-season for me. It will/wont ever happen. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> how about John Garland & Brian Anderson for Dontrell Willis & Juan Pierre?

SWEET! FAT NEWS!

Aaron Rowand is a World Series Champion center fielder. Jim Thome is a career stud that is proven yet unproven. Before we fall too much in love with KW, although we all do, lets consider what the PK & JG trade for Randy Johnson that didnt happen would have done for last years WS run. If Jerry Colangelo wouldnt have punted then KW would look very bad today....Thank Goodness!

& KW almost gave JG & PK for Randy Johnson 2 years ago only to have AZ GM say wasnt enough to deal for....

QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 04:11 PM) Got it. Well, I guess I will now give my official welcome to Mr. Thome! Nice to have you on the south side, big guy! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well I guess it is time to embrace the new addition! to Jim Thome! KW has added the perfect power lefty to the lineup and clubhouse that we seem to have needed!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 09:39 AM) Actually I have been asking myself this question... Why are you freaking out about this deal so badly? We get it, you don't like the trade. That's fine. But why act like Kenny Williams ran over your handicapped grandmother in the crosswalk of a schoolzone, and then backed up to hit her again, all of the while dragging the World Series trophy tied to his bumper. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I for one absolutely love KW. He was the first GM i can remember that actually went on a warpath trying to build a WS caliber team. He succeeded. But now I think he is unchartered territory and that is to know when to slow down and not make changes until necessary. I also know that some guys can get complacent after winning and just rest on their laurels. AROW was definitely not the kind of guy to be happy unless he was winning. He is the ultimate competitor and i dont think that money is a motivating factor for him. Now is Jim Thome going to be able to replace him in the dugout? Will A CF be able to handle the parks the way that AROW did? Health? How will Thome handle pressure situations & adversity? There are way too many "ifs" going into this deal. & to me there are no "ifs" with keeping AROW unless he jumps on a motorcycle....I trust KW. He has proven himself a winner & a champion. As a SOXFAN for 30 years I just have a really bad gut feeling that I am trying to put into words. I seem to be the only one on this board that is attempting to side with keeping AROW so i look like the ugly guy. i am not going to change my mind until we reflect back on the 06 season.

ask yourselves this question: if you just won the WS with a bunch of guys that rolled thru the division and then went 11-1 in the playoffs DO YOU NEED TO GET RID OF ANYONE THAT WAS AN INTEGRAL PART? I SAY HELL NO! I will say it again you gotta know when is the time to NOT try to make the team better and just leave things the way they are... At least wait until the all-star break!

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 01:49 PM) I'm a fan of this deal. If Thome is healthy this is a great deal. If Thome is hurt it won't be a good deal, but all in all I think it makes sense. I think in the long run this opens up a spot for a talented Centerfielder who can be as good as Rowand defensively (I don't think he's there yet, but I know a lot of people within the org and on this board that I respect think that Anderson has the ability to be a top notch defensive CFer). Anderson also has pretty good pop and speed, the only thing I don't think he'll ever do is win a batting title (nor will Aaron). Its tough to see him go though, but I am favoring this deal. If Thome is healthy, him and Konerko give the Sox one of the best 3 3-4-5's in the AL, if not the game. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My take is that KW & the White Sox got greedy & that AROW asked Kenny immediately WHY during that morning phone call. Also you gotta ask yourself when is the right time to know NOT to make a trade or acquistion to make the team better. IMO this was the time.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 01:38 PM) The key is to get better and Kenny is trying to do that. This years best isn't necessarily next year's best. The Sox had a couple key weaknesses last season that they were able to get through with, but whose to say they will next year. Plus next year anything can happen. Someone may have injury set backs or another team may just explode or the Sox may not be hot in the post-season. There are a lot of factors. I know one thing, the Angels stayed exactly put following there World Series win and they really paid for it. Your job as a GM is to do everything you can to improve your team and Kenny feels like this was that. Its tough to give up Aaron Rowand (he was a guy who has given nothing but his all and has been a part of this organization his entire professional career). That said he knows its a business. You can tell he's sad to be gone, but he has a new chapter in his life and he may end up back in Chicago in another year or two (you never know). Aaron enjoyed his time here and is thankful for that. Crede, him and AJ will be friends for life as far as I'm concerned. The two's bond wasn't just because they were teammates. Sure thats how they met each other, but they will continue to hang out and I'm sure when the Phils are in Chicago he will be spending some time with the 2 other stooges I too get sad when I think about not seeing Aaron patrol in center. He did his job so well, but from the business standpoint Brian Anderson has his tools and should be able to come in and post semi similar numbers. Thats not the key, but the key is the Sox will be able to get similar production (all around) out of CF while adding a DH thats superior to anything the Sox have had since Thomas' hay days. Who knows if it will pay out, but the move really filled a major void of last years team (DH) and a legit middle of the order bat to join Paulie. Ozzie has made it obvious he wants to find a new 2 hole hitter, that will probably be next. Aaron will never be forgotten and he'll always be thanked by Sox fans (at least myself, I will do nothing but pull for him). He isn't just a White Sox, he's an alumni of my school and I've been rooting and pulling for him since his minor league days. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jason thanks for being politically correct with your response but are you endorsing the trade or are you like me? if we dont win the WS next year i will be asking myself the why did we do it question over and over. especially if thome gets hurt before the allstar break & arow is killing it in either Philly BOS or NY.

QUOTE(hi8is @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 01:13 PM) hey, you know what ken.... your right it is thanks giving.... and i s*** you not but i GAREN-f***ING-TEE YOU that every single member of the chicago white sox is thankful for 2005 and is thank full for being able to have arow as a part of the team since 2000...... and im sure every single one of the white sox players who talk to arow will tell him that... "arron, we're all thankful that we had you to help us do what we did last year." you yourself need to be thankful for that... i know you are... but its easy to over look when something hits you below the belt also be thankful that we're getting a DH who has the potential to hit over 50 home runs and drive in 120+ runs while getting onbase at a .400 clip a lot to be happy about still in white sox world. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> this is very true and thanks for the guarantee. but how do you as a fan answer this question: That the team that just won the 2005 WS isnt good enough to win it in 2006? This is the burning question across the board in each and every player on our team right now and is definitely being discussed with those who talk to AROW today. HI8IS if someone told me that you were now a member of the cardinals fan club I would be just as outraged. I just remember all to well what happened to the Chicago Bears the year after the superbowl when Wilbur Marshall didnt get paid and left to go to the Redskins. A little different scenario but the same gut wrenching feeling!

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:50 PM) Not really, no. Aaron is a smart guy, he knows it's a business, he is a millionaire and he is probably excited to get onto the next stage in his career and life. Overachievers think that way, they are resilient and don't need anyone to feel sorry for them because they aren't feeling sorry for themselves in the slightest. This is a classic case of rooting for the player above and beyond rooting for the team. Again, it is a business. When players leave as free agents, do they care that it makes the fans depressed, I doubt it. The name on the front of the jersey is way more important than the name on the back. As for embracing Thome, I suspect he really doesn't care because he's more concerned with doing his best for his teammates and the White Sox organization. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The only analogy i can think of is the following: Is ONE satisfied with a woman who fakes her orgasm just so ONE can HAVE sex? Arow waited his turn to play the outfield in our organization. Showed us his hustle & desire every day as a SOX player. Established friends with every player in his way. Became confident as a man and player in the WhiteSox organization. Then won a WS with the guys he had shared deep emotions over this career. You expect him to just shrug off all the love and think this next stage in his life was what he & his teammates were looking forward to? They were looking forward to having the opportunity to do it again TOGETHER as the family they have become. Anything in the way of that is pure detrimental to the family we Chicago White Sox fans have are made of enjoyed.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:25 PM) Numbers-wise this is a no-brainer & a steal. @ Cell: 210AB, .286A, .382O, .600S, 43R, 8D, 2T, 18HR, 50RBI @ Jake: 630AB, .306A, .440O, .629S, 452R, 126D, 7T, 176HR, 500RBI @ Minn: 251AB, .343A, .424O, .677S, 51R, 11D, 2T, 23HR, 53RBI http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/4762/s...er&type=Batting He's got good #'s vs our nemesis (OAK) as well. Whether it's Thome-Konerko, or Thome-Thomas, Thome-Dye, or Thome-Everett the fact is any one of those combinations will significantly increase the White Sox R totals. At $7M/yr (with Philly picking up the rest of the signing bonus) the White Sox now have the $ to sign Konerko to a $52/4 + option deal. Many analysts are saying his stock has dropped with the Winter activity & this is likely to be his best deal. It pains me to say it but it looks like Thomas won't finish his career with the White Sox. At least he got a WS ring for his efforts. Probably the most important part of this deal is the keep away aspect. If you add a healthy Thome to CLE I don't think we can beat them. If Kenny did not pull the trigger on this trade there is no doubt in my mind he would have gone to CLE. That's why Kenny had to pay the price of Rowand & two promising arms. It's not always about what's best for you club. You need to keep the opposition from getting stronger as well. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Juggernaut thanks for taking the time to see the positive today. I just tend to be the guy sitting next to AROW in his home and hearing his phone ring all day long. I bet he feels like a part of him just died. I sure feel that way right now. I bet it is really hard to hang up the phone on Crede and all the fellas. Of course in the end they are all saying the right things, but deep down in their hearts, i know THIS ONE REALLY HURTS THOSE GUYS! the way that AROW says goodbye to all his fellow teammates & friends on a World Series champion team is a phone call on Thanksgiving?! THAT PART DESTROYS ME!

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:00 PM) The Dodgers set a franchise record this season in attendance, without Paul LoDuca. They had injuries galore and Steve Finley was huge for them down the stretch that year and they were able to get into the playoffs. Brad Penny is the best player that came apart of that deal, thats not even to get into the financial rammifactions of why they made the trade. Also if the Angels could they'd unload Erstad, but the problem is no one would take them and there contract. The Angels were good the world series year because of all the different guys on that club and a super strong pen. This year they were there because of Vladdy and one of the 3 best pitching staffs in all of baseball. The White Sox were there because of the team, but because they had the best pitching staff in all of baseball (which was proven in the post-season). Just my 2 cents Kent. Wishes go out to you and your wife for a great thanksgiving <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Aaron Rowand loved the Chicago White Sox. He loved Joe Crede. He loved AJP. He loved being in the uni. He loved the fans. He said he was shocked and still is. Doesnt anybody care about how he feels right now? He is sitting somewhere on Thanksgiving depressed as a MOFO! He came to this team and gave his heart & this is how we repay him? I AM PISSED! I DONT GET IT! I wouldnt trade my cat for any business reason! IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT! THIS IS THE WORST THANKSGVING EVER! I am never going to embrace Thome like i would a guy who gave his all for us from the beginning!

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 11:17 AM) Just to speak of that LoDuca deal. The Dodgers got the best of that deal. They got Brad Penny and he's the best player of that deal. LoDuca is mediocre, Mota was lousy last year, and Encarnacion is a solid player. Brad Penny is a darn good pitcher plus they got half a year of Steve Finley out of that deal. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You guys are forgetting the little things in BB. The so called intangibles that a player brings to the proverbial table. The hustle, leadership, desire, intensity, comraderie, friendship etc... You can easily build around guys like this if you have the money & GM. Look at what the Yankees did around Jeter, Angels around Erstad, White Sox around AROW. Steve Finley for any period of time is a disaster. BPenny walks the house in the important games. Lo Duca was huge for the Dodgers. I listened to the post game shows after the trade and saw the attendance drop in LA after the move. They loved him! He represents the Pete Rose in every fan!

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 10:38 AM) The heart and soul of this team was PK and Buehrle. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> To me the Heart & Soul of Chicago White Sox = Aaron Rowand! IMO this trade is exact to the Paul Lo Duca trade the Dodgers made. I am confounded! YOU SIMPLY DONT TRADE GAMERS WITH HEART & MAJOR BALLS THAT WAS CLUTCH HAD AWESOME GLOVE & JUST WON THE WS! This was a bad trade and the timing couldnt be worse!

I cant believe they did this to AROW the day before THANKSGIVING! WTF? I AM ONE PISSED OFF SOXFAN! We just blew out the heart of the team! I cant believe you guys arent outraged at the move and the timing of the move! THIS IS TOTAL CRAP BS!

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 11:33 PM) Here's Comcast's interview with Rowand: http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/m...2305-rowand.wma <{POST_SNAPBACK}> THIS INTEVIEW MAKES ME CRY!

Why do it? Why make this trade? We just won the WS with this team. I say bring em back and do it again! I would rather sign both PK & BigF and have kept Arow. THIS TRADE BLOWS! My gut says KW made a mistake. I understand what he is trying to do but still THIS TRADE SUCKSBALLS!

AROW i wouldnt have traded you for anything! YOU were the beginning to our WS run. Your heart, spirit, competitive fire, sacrifice and flat out hustle made me like you from the very first moment you showed up in a WSox uni! Your presence in Philly will be much greater than Thome! I hate to see you go! You are now compared to Wilbur Marshall in my book as the first piece to leave a champion. I am pissed at this move to be quite honest. I cant think of a better guy than you in center and a family member to the other players off the field. I hope the best for YOU! I will never forget your blast in SD off Hoffman! And all the days I told my TV...."hey you know what I wish they would play that guy everyday. he looks like the kinda guy to run thru walls. if anybody is going to win a WS for us it is going to be him!" guess what? I was right and you proved it earned it and will never be forgotten! AARON ROWAND! I HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK IN OUR UNI VERY SOON! DOG PILES! MANURE! COW PATTIES! STINKY POO POO! The note reads AROW HE GONE on the door so when the old lady gets home she is going to go what the hell is this? SHE IS GOING TO CRAP HER DRAWERS ON THIS NEWS! HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ME! We already broke up the WS team? YUCK BARF! Just promise me someSOX fan out there! Please yell like a mother to AROW in florida spring training that we all LOVE YOU!

just heard the news and man i cant believe it! AROW was the man! still is. now i have reason to attend a west coast NL game. i hope AROW kills the blasted NL! KILL EM AROW! i loved that dude! did we trade the truck too?

NO TRADES PLEASE! LETS ROLL THEM SUCKERS AGAIN WITH THE SAME TEAM DAMNIT! REMEMBER WILBUR MARSHALL?

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 09:16 AM) Well if we lose Kong. But gain a guy like overbay/tracy/huff at 1st and have Dye DH, and then put Anderson in RF I dont see how we are so worse off than we are today. Konerko got hot in the second half and had a great playoff series. But I think that saving our money for the pitching in the long run makes more sense. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> we sure think alike. i will say that it is going to be extremely weird if PK is in an Angels uni come spring training. i can see it now. i am going to yell out..."hey PK thanks for the WS winners!"? i also heard that the reason that PK is going to ANA is that his cheeks get red and it will be a perfect color match with the uni. will PK loss equal Wilbur Marshalls departure of 85?