heirdog

I don't think Wise makes the team this year. If he does, the other teams will have a strong scouting report on him and he'll be demoted quickly. He hit what .206 in Sept last season and the only reason he played was because our other option was hitting .175 or worse and was pouting about it... Even if Wise slightly outhits BA this spring, BA and his elite defense make the team as that is what will win us games, not a few points more on the batting average.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Feb 9, 2009 -> 08:40 AM) And every other position in the IF except P and C. I read something of note a couple weeks ago on whitesox.com, I think that quoted either Kenny or Ozzie as saying that Betemit could also play catcher. Anyone else have any recollection of that? In any event, I think Betemit will be an outstanding supersub for this club this year and even more of a spark than Pablo was in '05. Marquez may take some time and he may be a serviceable player down the road in our ballpark and Nunez may end up being the best player in the deal but I really like what Betemit brings to the table.

New entry for "Thread of the Year" A 14-yr-old "bleacher reporter" breaks the story on a mega deal.

QUOTE (sircaffey @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 12:04 PM) Where does everyone play in that example? Thome-DH, Viciedo/Allen/Betemit-1B, Quentin-LF, Dye-RF, Abreu-? Dye plays 1B and Figgins in CF, Quentin RF and Abreu LF Viciedo and Betemit battle Fields for 3B and Allen plays in AAA

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 10:58 AM) How could someone be bad at RF. That's where they stuck me in little league because I sucked. Most hitters in little league are righties and not too many have oppo power so RF is prime wasteland where dandelions grow. It all changes when you get into the higher levels...

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jan 30, 2009 -> 02:50 PM) Well one thing's for sure, the Sox will have the worst defensive OF in the game for much of 2009. 3 below average defenders with Dye and Wise being well below average. Toss in Fields at 3B, Pierzynski behind the plate and Konerko at 1B, should be fun. Maybe we can break some records. Exactly, that's why I think Anderson sticks with the team for defensive/platoon purposes. I also think Viciedo has a better shot at making the club as a RF with Fields at 3B, thus facilitating a Dye trade. Doesn't necessarily help the defense much but gives the team an opportunity to bring in more young pitching/prospects.

Along with Beckham at 36, Flowers was 51 and Poreda 57. Viciedo was named as one of 10 players that "just missed" the top 100, more to do with his conditioning and declining performance in Cuba as opposed to skill set.

I would rather have Betemit than Swisher. Every time I watched him play (granted, not very often), he did something good that helped his team score a run. In that way, he was like Pablo Ozuna in '05. I would also rather have Marquez and Nunez over Heilman so all in all, I think we made out better than standing pat or trading with the Mets.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 11:02 AM) Figgins/Anderson/Abreu or Dunn is better than Fields/Owens/Dye.........that I think is the question here. You can also put Figgins in center and play Fields at third if defense is not a big thing. I also wouldn't mind bringing Cabrera back on a one year deal if Figgins is brought in.......well I have gone to long now and probably ruined any credabiltiy of my baseball knowledge with that line. I do believe a certain Carlos Quentin is a lock in our OF.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 11:21 PM) IF the Sox want to go cheaper in 2009 that is fine, but the 11% increase in ticket price is a bit hard to swallow. Only 10 teams increased prices for 2009. That's a signal...JR is a smart business man. If you lower payroll and cry "recession" and then increase ticket prices, well, then you lose your fanbase as they cry "recession." So for a product that has been gaining momentum from 2005 on, you don't cut off the fans at this time. That would be suicide for the club and would set them back for years. I really think we are trimming payroll in order to reinvest it into more players. I'm not saying we will top last year's payroll or equal it but it won't be substantially less. I think the hold up in the Dye-Bailey deal is that we are looking to have a contract worked out with Abreu first so that we don't have a gaping hole after trading Dye. The "financial" matters in that deal is that we are looking for Bobby to come down to about $9-10 million per for a max 2 yr deal, maybe an option on a third year. I also think we'll sign Brad Penny on the cheap...just a gut feeling, no source. At that point in time, we may look to acquire Brian Roberts for a package of our young talent (Fields, BA, Poreda). 2009: 2B: Roberts LF: Abreu RF: CQ DH: Thome 1B: Konerko SS: Ramirez 3B: Betemit/Viciedo C: AJP CF: Owens/Tavares Bench: Back-up Catcher, Wise, Lillibridge, Getz LHP: Buehrle RHP: Floyd LHP: Danks RHP: Penny L/RHP: Richard, Marquez, Broadway CL: Jenks RHSU: Linebrink LHSU: Thornton RH: Dotel RH: Russell LH: Richard or FA RH: Marquez/Broadway

I lost all faith in "mechanics" arguments with Mark Prior.

I think we're gonna sign Brad Penny...live arm, coming off a bad season while dealing with an injury. Fits Kenny's MO of a bargain signing for a guy who used to have great stuff but can now be penciled in as the 4th/5th starter. Based off Kenny's history, he could end up winning 20 games and being our go-to pitcher down the stretch.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 09:49 PM) Garland burned some bridges leaving the first time. I doubt he'd be on the top of KW's list of people to bring back. I trying to figure out what bridges he burned? He signed the KW/JR 3 yr/$28-32 million discount deal offered to all pitchers to stay with the Sox. He heard his name bantered about in a Tavares, Hirsch, Bucholz deal with Houston but didn't make waves. He was traded for Cabrera when KW felt Floyd/Danks were ready to step up their games...so what exactly did he do to burn a bridge?

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 15, 2008 -> 10:42 AM) You guys must read very slow. And you must have missed the adverb lesson in third grade..."slowly."

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 07:40 AM) 1) Proven record of playoff success 2) Also proved he was healthy (finally) the last six weeks of the aeason and got his "normal" power back 3) Is a comparative bargain with TEX at $20 million PLUS 4) Has been targeted for years by Angels 5) Has rededicated himself this offseason to better training, conditioning and nutrition for the first time in his big league career 6) Good "buy lower" candidate...wouldn't have to give up as much in return 7) Two year contract not as scary as 3-7 year deals for certain big-name FA's I think you just basically summed up why the White Sox should keep him...

QUOTE (MO2005 @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 02:50 PM) Look at the past 5 seasons when Kenny has made serious moves: 2007 No moves (unless you count Erstad) finished basically last 2008 Dotel, Linebrink, Swisher, Cabrera won division Wait, I'm confused. Didn't we get Danks and Floyd in 2007? Didn't we get CQ and Ramirez in 2008? I think these moves had a significant impact on our 2008 success moreso than the guys you named above. Maybe, you and I have different definitions of "significant" moves.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 02:40 PM) If true, KW must really believe the Free Agent dominos are going to fall very slowly. Brad Penny will still be around for awhile. There's no rush. We're not getting the top dogs for 3 yrs/ $24 million and that's probably our budget.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 12:48 PM) Of course the Sox made probably the greatest Rule 5 pick in history in 1985 with Bobby Bonilla. Johan Santana was a Rule V pick of the Twins (from the Astros via the Marlins). Josh Hamilton may end up better than Bonilla too (we'll have to wait and see). Was Roberto Clemente considered a Rule V pick by the Pirates?

Love CQ but HR provides what he does and more...A Ramirez, Ramirez SS/2B combo would be sweet.

I think CBS sportsline or ESPN (can't remember which) said it was 7 yrs, $160MM

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 08:57 PM) Lillibridge has more than "moderate" speed. Dude should be able to "fly" with those ears...

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 04:22 PM) I think the Sox have a couple preliminary guys in Vegas. I think Hahn might be doing that right now. I read where KW gave his "guys" strategies for their discussions. I think Hahn wants to be a GM someday. Just negotiating contracts isn't going to get him a job. I'm sure he's been involved in trade discussions before. That's a good point. As a good boss, KW has to give his guys and opportunity to experience different opportunities.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 04:16 PM) Hahn could be discussing trades. Seems counterintuitive as KW is the "scout" and wheeler and dealer while Hahn is more of the numbers guy. I would think Hahn would be talking to player agents and KW working the GM route in "listening mode."

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 04:11 PM) I hear that Kenny hasnt even been discussing trades with other GM's and has spent most of his time on the phone with a small number of agents for FA's. Brad Penny and Brian Anderson preparing to reunite and have another night out on the town. I think we're looking at Abreu (LF) and Penny (4th starter, with Richard/Marquez 5th) in the FA market. When he does get around to trades, I think if KW can flip Fields and a low level spect to the Marlins for Hermida, he will, especially if Dye is dealt. He'll also explore a trade for Brian Roberts but the price will be too high...he may still pull the trigger. As a last resort, if he doesn't get Roberts, he'll look to get Tavares for Broadway and he'll start in CF and lead-off (ugh!).

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:26 PM) You want to make a deal with the braves and it starts with Shaffer or Hansen and potentially includes another guy or two. Agreed. We absolutely do not have to trade Dye (as he could be worth a lot at the trade deadline too. If we are trading him, we better get a king's ransom...or at least one top 5 prospect or else, we can just keep him for now.