spiderman

QUOTE(ceffa2000 @ Aug 1, 2005 -> 09:51 AM) Out of curiosity (and I suppose planning purposes), does anybody know the dates of the first playoff series? The season ends in Cleveland on October 2nd, so I figure the playoffs would probably start on the Tuesday/Wednesday, October 4th/5th....

I think the demotion of Gload definitely highlights one area that Kenny Williams will look to upgrade during August, and that's the lefty hitter - I think Adkins is, more or less, filling a roster spot (and will be much needed) until Williams can add another hitter. Come September 1st, Adkins will be back.....

QUOTE(RyGuy22 @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 07:03 PM) It's not likely that the Pirates will ask for anything too demanding for Mackowiak. Most likely 2 mid-level prospects from what I have heard. The only person from the MLB roster that could even be considered would be Harris. I'm not sure what the Red Sox gave up for Graffinino, but I would imagine it was probably mid-level players - I agree that a trade for Mackowiak would be similar.

QUOTE(AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 06:39 PM) anything new on the score with this rumor? Nope..

QUOTE(Soxpranos @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 06:28 PM) Neither It's either going to be Willie Harris or some other utility player not yet acquired....If it's Mackowiak, I'm fine with that.

QUOTE(Antonio Osuna @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 06:17 PM) We've already played the Cubs this year. This trade is worthless. Who would you rather have on the roster - Willie Harris or Rob Mackowiak?

QUOTE(daa84 @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 05:20 PM) i would guess tomorrow before the game. if you remember contreras for loaiza was finalized 1 minute before teh deadline last year I'd also have to say that a trade is probably more likely closer to the trade deadline simply because at that point there is no more bluffing from either side.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 04:32 PM) Welcome to soxtalk What ozzie has done [or the sox big lead has allowed him to do] is keep his regulars fresh. They'll need to be for the playoffs. now's the time to give them days off. In September, they'll be playing regularly, and will be in the lineup getting ready for the playoffs that's a positive, not a negative. The sox are winning games while resting their better players. What's not to like? Thanks Beck72! I've been a lurker for a few weeks now, and wanted to offer some of my thoughs, so here I am!. I know where you're coming from with your thoughts...Sure, it can be frustrating, but it's definitely hard to argue with the success he's had.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 04:29 PM) wow, sounds like plans a,b,c and d have died if they've resorted to this. I think that's probably true. I believe Williams probably does want to add an impact player to the roster, but the price is so outrageous to do so that maybe he's looking now to try to shore up the bench, maybe add another reliever instead of give up the farm for some of the bigger names out there. Then again, I'm sure KW is still trying to get whoever's he's targeted.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 04:17 PM) Besides the pen, where in the hell has Ozzie overused people???? 1) Iguchi is Ozzie's self-described team MVP - yet he plays Willie Harris 2-3x a week to rest him. I understand Guillen doesn't want to tire out Iguchi, but let's keep this down to 1-2x a week, tops. 2) Podnesnik has also been rested quite often.... (Note: Some of this is due to Ozzie having 1 extra regular on his bench due to Frank Thomas (at the time)...Now that Thomas is gone, I expect Pods to get less rest).

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 04:02 PM) But you know if we get Mackowiack, it will not be Timo that goes.....it will be Willie Harris (which is fine too IMO though Timo deserves to go first) Which is exactly why this would be a good trade. He could play multiple positions, and send Willie Harris back to the minors where he belongs. He doesn't have to be a great player - remember his value would be providing a bat off the bench, and to be insurance for Crede. Only concern here is that Guillen would overuse him....Hopefully, down the strech Guillen will stick with what's gotten us here.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 04:09 PM) I was thinking the same thing. Definitely a valid point, and Sweeney does miss quite a few games each season....I guess the only counter to that would be we could DH him at times, putting Gload at 1B, but I'd understand if health issues took the Sox in a different direction.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 03:45 PM) Right now KW has to decide what our biggest priority is. Right now our #1 priority is the bullpen- and it looks like either Baez or Wagner appear to be on KW's wish list. After that his 2nd priority is a hot stick. And to tell you the truth Sweeney makes sense- but Sweeney is the face of that organization and it would take ALOT to bring him over here. So KW will look at other options- Huff, Overbay, Griffey, Kearns, exe... His last priority will be a starting pitcher- do we need Schmidt or Burnett? Can we aqcuire Burnett then trade him for Wagner? It will be interesting in the next 2 days to see what KW does. I agree with your thoughts. It sounds like the Baez trade possibility is heating up....I'm not really sold on him, but we could use another reliever....

QUOTE(scotty22hotty @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 03:47 PM) lock this thread (or move it) WE NEED BULLPEN HELP, KONG IS OUR 1B Feel free to join if you have some intelligent thoughts. :finger

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 03:27 PM) Oh god, if KC wouldn't trade a damn utility player to the their division rival what makes you think they would trade Mike Sweeney? How do you know that Boston didn't make a better offer ? If the White Sox were to offer a better deal (say McCarthy and one of their top minor league OF prospects) than the Angels, and were willing to pick up the entire Sweeney contract, are you saying that the Royals would take a lesser offer from anther team just so the White Sox, already up by 28 games, couldn't acquire him ? Like I said, it's a longshot to happen, but Konerko is a free agent after the season, and Thomas' career is in jeopardy (not to mention he probably won't play 1B again). Having Sweeney under contract would not only help this season, but for next as well. The White Sox probably have the players to make a good offer, but the Sweeney contract probably wouldn't work out for any trade between these two. More than likely, the Sox do nothing, or acquire a lefty power hitter like A.Huff.....

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 03:17 PM) and you just further proved my point about acquiring Sweeney, good job. :headshake In case you didn't realize it, I was using dry humor in answering you Graffy example. KC trails the White Sox by 28 games - they've already lost the division, or any chance of competing within it so I'm not sure that they would be worried about how much better they make the White Sox - if the Sox were to meet their asking price/get rid of the large contract - but I doubt that will happen.

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 02:52 PM) If they wouldn't trade Graffy to us what made you think they would trade Sweeney to us? I'm sure the Royals were concerned that the White Sox would run away with the division had they acquired Graffy!

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 02:16 PM) Yes, KC is going to sell there franchise player to there in-divison rival. We will get Sweeney. How did the Cubs acquire A.Ramirez from the inner-division rival Pirates ? In fact, the Cubs are rumored to be after Austin Kearns as well. I am not suggesting that those types of trades happen very often, but if a team is motivated to get rid of a big money $$$$, you never know..... Again, getting Sweeney is a long-shot....

From today's KC Star: The Angels are among other teams to express interest in Sweeney, but all balk at the Royals’ terms: a top prospect or a proven hitter while eating no portion of Sweeney’s salary, which jumps to $12.5 million a season if traded for 2006 and 2007. The Royals say their price reflects an unwillingness to trade Sweeney. I agree it's a long-shot, but I think he'd be a great fit for the White Sox lineup.

QUOTE(Soxnbears01 @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 02:05 PM) sweeney isn't going anywhere Has the KC GM (Baird) actually said that the Royals won't be moving him or is just your take?

Is KC still interested in moving Mike Sweeney by the trade deadline ??? I think he'd be the perfect #3 hitter for the rest of the season (a +.300 hitter with 25 HR + power) should the Royals trade him. The only team I've heard rumored to be interested for a Sweeney trade is the Angels..... What say YOu?