spiderman

What teams in contention need a catcher (or perhaps a left handed bat for catcher/DH) ? Texas has come up, I don't recall seeing anyone else in the mix. What is the asking price? Major league ready prospect? C+ type talent?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 9, 2010 -> 01:38 PM) If you do the math and assume the Sox will spend about $95 million next year on salary (that could be an overestimate), then the Sox have somewhere in the range of $10-$12 million to spend. They'll have holes at DH, 1b, C, all 4 bench slots, and at least 2 bullpen slots including closer (or chief LH setup man if they move Thornton to closer). Viciedo and Flowers probably will fill 2 of those spots, but that means $10-$12 million to divide amongst 6-7 players. Unless they can move some salary this year to put savings towards next year, they'll be trying to find bargains again. That's pretty much how I see it - and I think the payroll will go south of $90 million.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jun 9, 2010 -> 01:34 PM) And why wouldn't they? Read from the last page on. I just posted a couple of post up that a team can easily get a great pitcher again. Put him back in the NL (especially at a pitchers park) and you will get the same guy. Remember, sox screwed around with him with tweaking his mechanics early on, and its not like he is clearly injured (or severe lack of velocity). No doubt in my mind he would be dominate going back to the NL where he knows the hitters. If a team felt as strongly as you do about him bouncing back once he switches leagues, I'd be wrong, but given the investment, I'd think the team, even with deep pockets, would want to see more from Peavy than they have. Now, if the White Sox were willing to pick up a portion of the deal, maybe that could get talks going, but I'm guessing they wouldn't do that.

Just hard to care at all....It's pretty amazing that both teams were basically eliminated in May. I know the Cubs are still hanging around, but they aren't very good.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 9, 2010 -> 12:54 PM) Scouts are smarter than someone wanting to write him off after 2 bad months and some mechanical issues. That may be true, I don't disagree, but teams aren't going to risk trading for players making that kind of money unless they believe the results will come with it.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 9, 2010 -> 01:31 AM) If you really feel Peavy is this bad and has no value, I'm assuming you are in the fire KW camp as well as fire Oz camp. Because if Peavy is at the point scouts would be dumb to want him, then we can assume that was the worst trade in White Sox history. I still can't imagine one of the wealthy teams not thinking he could help them, just because he's Peavy. Has his value dropped that far because of his horrendous season? Peavy has been bad, but I'm not calling for anyone to be fired. It's still a trade I'd make all over again. I agree that just because wealthy teams have money to burn doesn't mean they will take on players not performing.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 09:30 PM) If the pitching staff could pull their heads out of their tails, and Beckham and Quentin could figure out what a baseball bat is used for (other than hitting themselves in the heads with it), then this team could snap out of it real quick. You'd only have a couple holes to fill, and you'd have money to do it. Sadly, beckham and Quentin seem like lost causes right now. Quentin may have been a 1 year wonder. You can't have a guy you're depending on to hit 4th in your lineup bat .200....I don't see how they can, if this continues, that he's part of the future. He may have to be for next season because this team will probably be reducing payroll even more. As for Beckham, it's been a horrible season, but you're right - he could turn it around, and then we'd have at least one building block amongst the younger players on the team. I think they have off-season holes at C, 3B, 1B, DH and RF. As I said though, Quentin could come back by default and Teahan will be in the mix as well because of his contract. Viceido is likely to fill in the 1B role assuming Konerko is traded, and hopefully they can add a MLB ready prospect than can help at 3B (really, anywhere on offense because I haven't even mentioned mediocre players like Pierre or Ramirez).

QUOTE (chisoxt @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 09:26 PM) The White Sox have no choice. How can this team win next year with the players that they have either on the parent club or in the farm system. They can't. Acquire free agents, you may suuggest? Not with the money tied up with Peavy and Rios. They aren't going to totally rebuild the team, but they will have to cut payroll, and probably depend on some of their younger offensive prospects like Viceido and Flowers. The offense does need to be rebuilt, but I do agree they are limited by what they can do financially. They are going to have a mostly veteran starting rotation next season, and will still have some stability in their bullpen (although Jenks and Putz will probably be gone).

QUOTE (knightni @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 08:46 PM) How much would the Braves/Mets/Phillies pay for Peavy? Why would they take on $16 million (not to mention, about the same for a few more years) for a pitcher who has pitched poorly this season?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 12:19 PM) Yes, because results for a half season mean more than their entire careers. Peavy is a #1 and has gone through 2 major mechanical tweaks this season alone. He will be our Ace for the next several years. If you dont believe Danks is a #2 then you havent been watching him. He is one of the better LHP in the AL. Buehrle is having a bad season, how many good ones has he had? Just because the results arent there for a few months, doesnt mean thats the type of players they are. Peavy has been #1 starter in the NL in a pitchers park, and has had some injuries in recent years. Maybe he gets back on track in July when the team is 12 games out? I hope you're right in the long-run, this year, it may make us feel better if he pitches well down the stretch, but we just lost out on a season because he (amongst others) sucked. I think Danks is a borderline #2, I'm close to calling him a #2, just want to see more. Buerhle has been bad for almost one full season now. Again, I'm not writing him off, but at some point the past is the past, and what's happening now is the reality.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 12:12 PM) Is that a new expression for something musical? Is KW taking up guitar in his spare time? KW and Billy Corgan, cutting those chords... Just using the wrong word :-)

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 12:09 PM) AJ has shown zero interest in splitting time with anyone young. Supposedly things were fairly uncomfortable when Flowers and AJ were both around in the ST. Yet another reason for Williams to cut the chord.

The White Sox are something like 4-19 the day after a win. Just awful.

QUOTE (La Marr Hoyt HOF @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 10:42 AM) It's our 2010 playoffs and they can't have it.... I'll probably watch the games, but unless the Sox suddenly do something shocking like a winning streak, this season is in the gutter. In other words, hard to care about a crappy team.

QUOTE (La Marr Hoyt HOF @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 11:51 AM) They will not get anything for him in return - that's the point. Also adds a lot of risk at the position I would understand keeping him to split time with Flowers at C/DH, but I think after this season, Williams will want to have more of a set lineup, plus we'll probably need whatever payroll flexibility we can get.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jun 8, 2010 -> 08:48 AM) Steve Stone was on CSN last night and made it very clear that he believes A.J. will be moved before Monday when he earns his 10/5 rights. He also said that he doesn't think Konerko is part of KW's future plans (not too surprising), so he'll be moved if the team doesn't improve in the near future. That would be the start of the 2010 off-season.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Jun 7, 2010 -> 01:47 PM) No it doesn't (though it definitely means that Sox fans will make that assumption) . It means whatever Williams wants it to mean, and the same players likely to go are the same players that were already likely to go at the end of the season or sooner. AJ Konerko Jenks Jones I think Putz is likely to go as well, given that he's on a 1 year deal.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jun 7, 2010 -> 01:10 PM) How is this team going to get any better by trading only the guys with little value? Open for business means that anyone is on the block, the one exception would proabably be Beckham because of his current value in relation to overall potential. This team isn't going to get much better making the same type of salary dump deals KW has made over the last few years, we need to move the big chips to get a big return that will impove this team. Let's face it, the White Sox are not going to rebuild the team, they are going to continue try to win, but we've reached a crossroads here - we need to find out whether Viceido/Flowers can be expected (not guaranteed, see Beckham) to contribute to next year's team.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Jun 7, 2010 -> 11:56 AM) The starting rotation, around which the team was built and who many predicted would be among MLB's best, has the worst ERA in the AL. I think we overated it. We expected Peavy to be a frontline starter, but in fact, has been horrible this season. The other guys - Buerhle, and Floyd - were expected to be 2 or 3 type starter pitchers, and they've been horrible. Only Danks has been consistent all season (until his last 2 starts) and lived up to pre-season expectations, but I wouldn't say he's more than a borderline #2 and probably a #3 starter. When Garcia has been as good, if not better than 3 of your starters, your team is in trouble. Realistically, this team lacks a #1 starter, and maybe a #2 starter, although Danks COULD be that.

QUOTE (TitoMB @ Jun 7, 2010 -> 11:00 AM) This is exciting news! But I'll believe it when the first trade papers hit the commissioner's desk. I think Kenny Williams, if true, is making the right decision, but I hardly am excited to know that the season is a waste, and, I really don't expect the Sox to get back any meaningful prospects.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 7, 2010 -> 10:56 AM) You dont move Floyd, Danks, Hudson or Peavy obviously. The rest can go as far as arms. You'd like to at least keep Thornton, Putz and Santos out of the pen, but I'm sure none are untouchable. As far as bats. You keep Rios, Beckham, Quentin, Alexei and thats about it. The rest can go. You'd hope to get some serious value for Konerko if you need to move him to be honest. Your entire push should be acquiring some cheaper bats so that we can free up salary to possible buy some pitching next season. C Lee should be there push although they prob wouldnt even try to afford him. Tend to agree with your thought on pitchers - I still think the team lacks a front line starter (they have a few guys who we thought could fit in the middle of the rotation, but they haven't lived up to standards, and Peavy was supposed to be the legitimate #1 starter, but that hasn't worked). As far as hitters, Rios stays, and I don't see the Sox moving Beckham. The other guys will probably be here as well as I don't see much demand for a .200 hitter or a SS who struggles to keep his head in the game.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 7, 2010 -> 10:26 AM) http://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN On his ESPN Baseball Tonight Report, he indicated that A.Jones could demand a lot of interest because he makes almost no money ($500,000 this season, obviously even less now), and has hit lefties. Konerko is still owed $8 million this season so that could hurt his market value, and Olney didn't seem to expect the Sox to move Thornton.

After that win today against Cleveland, we have to keep eveyone, and make trades for add-ons. Hawk's enthusiam at the end of this game sold me. I think a 11 game winning streak is just around the corner following this catipulting win today.

If I'm Kenny Williams, I want to see Viciedo and Flowers for at least 3 full months to make a determination whether these 2 can be counted for next season (of course, there is never any certainty - see Gordan Beckham). If they don't trade A.J, let Flowers DH 4 times a week, and then use him as a cather once or twice a week, and, to play Viciedo, obviously, Konerko would need to be moved. If the White Sox can find a young SS prospect in a trade, I'm in favor. Ramirez is just not that good, and the organization needs to have higher expectations than what they are getting out of that spot. For next season, Mark Teahan has to be a backup. Why Kenny Williams gave him a 3 year deal will go down as an unsolved mystery, he is not a starting 3B....He can have some value as a backup player, but, thanks to Williams is being overpaid for that role. In the OF, we can no longer depend on Carlos Quentin. Rios shoudl be our CF for years to come. The guy just looks so graceful as a player, and things seem to come so easily to him. Hopefully, his strong play continues. We're stuck with a mediocre hitter in Pierre. So, for next season, I expect Konerko to have been traded for a decent prospect, but Kenny Williams has 3 months to decide if Viciedo and Flowers can be counted on at C/1B, and has gaping holes to address in RF, and 3B. He needs impact players, no more of the Mark Kotsay types as this is a BAD offense. Pitching, I think the Sox should look to stay where they are for the most part. If someones comes along and wants to pay for Buehle, they have to consider that, but I don't expect that to happen. Floyd has been bad, but he's under contract, and has shown the ability to get major league hitters out. I think they need to figure out how to get him on track. Daniel Hudson hasn't been very good this season in the minors, but I'm still hopeful that he can become a starter, so that may be the one move I make - either let him come in as a starter for next season (give him time this year in the rotation), or let him start as a reliever next year. Outside of that, Putz will likely be moved because of his contract, (1 year deal) for a prospect nobody has ever heard of, and Jenks won't be back so Santos needs (if they go with him) time as a closer this season. I suspect that Thornton will be kept in his 8th inning role and I don't want to move him. So, for the pitching staff, I expect it to be relatively stable for next season, they may have to add another reliever in free agency, but I think what we have now will be here for next season despite how mediocre/bad the starting rotation has been. Given the attendance drop, I suspect Williams will have to be extremely creative in addressing holes, and it's not likely to become a drastically improved offense next season, in fact, it may be about the same, but I do think he'll make some pretty interesting changes.

They are just so hard to watch because of this offense. If they have any chance of getting back to .500, they need to make some major offensive changes - whether its cutting Kotsay, sending Beckham to the minors, you can't keep sending the same failing players out there. It's unlikely that a trade will occur so the only options now are help from the minors. Tyler Flowers is hitting in the minors. Why not DH him? Can he do any worse than what we're watching?