spiderman

This doesn't change anything - the White Sox still have 2 3B, and one, most likely Joe Crede, won't be here by the start of the season. He was going to have to sign a deal for next season at some point....

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 11:33 PM) Is Kenny ever satisfied? I'll give you that he's pretty aggressive, but I think he sees Konerko as a key, about as close to a constant as this team has under Kenny, in the middle of the lineup.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 11:31 PM) Kenny has also been yearning for a leadoff hitter for years. I think he'd love to swap some power out for one ala Pods/Lee. I think he's satisfied though with what he has.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 11:08 PM) Pauly becomes a 10/5 player in a few months. If we don't trade him before this season, we likely won't trade him period. I think Kenny is too vested in this upcoming season to trade one of his big run producers. Remember, Kenny has already addressed the top of the lineup now with Cabrera and Swisher so he's probably pretty excited with the top 5 in that lineup.

Konerko isn't going to be traded. Just the fact that it's being rumored so frequently makes me doubt any of this.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 12:25 PM) Where did you hear that? Anything we can look at? And welcome to the board! I think I heard Steve Stone say that.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 09:30 PM) NBC and the AP have called it for Clinton. Chris Matthews can't be happy about this.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 09:23 PM) That's what I've been thinking. Seems to me he is more aligned with Obama, but who knows. They are both about change, but Obama tends to be less specific and extremely positive in the speeches I've seen, and Edwards tends to be more specific, and extremely angry in his speeches that I've heard.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 09:13 PM) As bad as Giuliani is about 9/11 this and 9/11 that... both Edwards' are just as bad about working in that damn mill. Laughing at Edwards acting like he just won when he's waving, and hugging, smiling all the way up to the podium while playing 'this country is lost to folks like me and you'.... Huckabee gave a victory speech as well....must be something about finishing a distant 3rd.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 08:55 PM) Some people feel that Obama supporters may not have turned out because he was tracking so far ahead in the polls Fox News Data says: Hillary is winning in: Union workers, women, older voters (over 40), seniors, and lower income Obama is wining in: Men, younger people (under 30 by 23 points), the change theme (55-29), Independents 41-34

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 08:53 PM) I don't take anything from that. After 2000 they're not going to call a close one until they're certain, and this is clearly close. It's too close of a race, the exit polling is probably not indicating anything that can be determined, and the people crunching the numbers know what areas haven't reported yet, and which way the polling is expected to go there. A lot to take into account, and like you said, they'd rather wait it out, then make the mistake of giving incorrect information.

54% in. Hillary maintaining a 2 point lead, per Fox News.

FOX News says that a lot of the college age populations has not been reported yet so Hillary's campaign is holding their breath right now. Fox says that these college areas though aren't large populations, or enough to make the difference. Hillary has gotten a big return in downscale areas.

Boers and Bernstein, correct ? Did they ask him if he was on HGH/Steriods during his 35 HR season before getting off last season (down to 22 HR) ??? That's what they were speculating for a minute or two yesterday as well as comparing him to a slightly better version of Aaron Rowand.

One point I strongly disagree with in his column is that the Chris Young trade was a bad trade for the White Sox. Vazquez is our #2 starter, and is coming off a very solid season. We expect him to continue at that level of productivity. Yes, Young hits HR's, and he probably will end up being a good player, but I don't regret that trade for a 2nd. I only wish the White Sox would find a way to add another veteran starting pitcher before the season begins.

Chicago Tribune Link - Phil Rogers Column Sox's future takes another hit Swisher deal improves club for now, but not enough to justify its cost Is Jerry Reinsdorf selling the White Sox after 2008? Is Ken Williams planning to do his job only one more year and then move on? Or do those two guys peer into their crystal balls and see enough pitching lined up behind Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez and Bobby Jenks to put the Sox in the same league as the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians? The answer to the last of those questions must be yes. Otherwise you really have to wonder what has happened to the once-responsible managers of the 2005 World Series champions. And I don't see how you can put the Sox into the same conversation with the Tigers and Indians, the two powerhouses from the American League Central. Nothing against Nick Swisher, but on first examination I really don't like the deal that brought the dangerous 27-year-old switch-hitter to Chicago for three promising youngsters. I hate it, actually. The players going to Oakland in the Swisher trade are Gio Gonzalez, 22, and Fautino de los Santos, 21, the two most highly regarded pitchers in a thin farm system, and outfielder Ryan Sweeney, 22, who entered 2007 rated the organization's top prospect by Baseball America. That same publication was about to go to press with its 2008 rankings, which would have had Gonzalez No. 1, de los Santos No. 2 and Sweeney No. 6. That's a ton of talent to give up for one proven hitter, even if he is signed through 2011 at a reasonable salary. But that has been Williams' modus operandus as general manager, especially since 2005—using prospects to acquire veterans in the hope of getting another bite at the apple. That strategy blew up in his face when he sent center fielder Chris Young to Arizona for Vazquez, and this trade could make that one pale in its long-term cost. It's the kind of trade you make only if you have A) a deep farm system and B) a reasonably good chance to reach the playoffs in the near future. The White Sox have neither. A year ago, with the same nucleus of Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome, the Sox scored 693 runs, which ranked last in the AL. They allowed 839, more than all but three other teams. They finished 24 games behind Cleveland and 16 behind Detroit. It defies logic to believe they somehow will improve enough to make up those differences, especially with the Tigers adding Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria and Dontrelle Willis. And Minnesota may yet concede, but with Johan Santana and Joe Nathan still on the roster, the Twins cannot be overlooked either. Williams made longtime scouting director Duane Shaffer a scapegoat for the farm system's failings in recent years, firing him midway through 2007. But the work of Shaffer and his scouts had a whole lot to do with that '05 championship, and Williams' willingness to deal prospects contributed to down years for the system in '06 and '07. A month ago, Williams traded Class A first baseman Chris Carter to Arizona for outfielder Carlos Quentin. Carter had been regarded as the organization's top young hitter before he was dealt away. That distinction previously had gone to outfielder Aaron Cunningham, whom Williams traded to Arizona for second baseman Danny Richar midway through last season. Perhaps Richar and Quentin will prove to be worth the gambles. But after their early tastes of the big leagues (138 games for Quentin and 56 for Richar), they are both .230 hitters. With Gonzalez, de los Santos, Sweeney, Carter and Cunningham gone, the Sox may not have anyone who will rank among the game's top 50 prospects when those lists are compiled. If they do, it will be Cuban Alexei Ramirez, whose signing—which was a great move—might not become official until mid-January because he's having trouble entering the country for a physical. Gonzalez, who has now been in three White Sox trades, and de los Santos are both potential No. 2 starters, if not aces. I've been intrigued with Gonzalez since watching him work for Philadelphia in the spring of 2006, and I loved what I saw from de los Santos in the Futures Game in July. Gonzalez led all minor-leaguers with 185 strikeouts in 150 innings a year ago, repeating Double A, and de los Santos held Class A hitters to a .163 average while striking out 11.3 per nine innings. They're both the type of young pitcher you just don't give up—not unless you're getting a stud pitcher such as Santana or Dan Haren back. It has been almost four years since Sweeney elicited Harold Baines comparisons from Roland Hemond in spring training. But with a change of scenery, and perhaps a break from over-coaching by an undistinguished group of minor-league hitting instructors, he could blossom into a hitter like the popular Swisher, who averaged 26 homers and 82 RBIs in his three full seasons in Oakland. Along with shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for Jon Garland, Swisher is a significant upgrade for the 2008 starting lineup. The Sox won't finish last in the league with those guys replacing Juan Uribe and Scott Podsednik/Darin Erstad. Unless Williams has found a way to deal Konerko—and I wouldn't unhinge this team further by dealing Konerko, still the most stable lineup part—he will play Swisher in center or left (with some platoon involving Jerry Owens and Quentin filling the other position). The versatile Ramirez becomes something of a super utility man in 2008 before settling into center, short or second in '09, depending on Cabrera re-signing and the play of Owens and Richar. Swisher easily could hit 30-plus homers based in Chicago, benefiting from a move to U.S. Cellular Field the way A.J. Pierzynski did in 2005. His high on-base percentage (.381 in '07, .361 career) gives Ozzie Guillen the potential to stack his lineup with Cabrera and Swisher as the 1-2 guys to take pressure off the speedy Owens and Richar. Swisher makes the Sox better, no doubt about that. But Williams paid too high a price to get him. The next five years will show how much too high it was.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:42 PM) Is he running on the GOP ticket? The long hair and tats say no. Ha Ha! I was checking in here to see the conversation, and just typed what I heard. My bad.

Swisher played 60 in CF, 57 in LF, and I think a bunch at 1B (Per Murphy on the Score)... Maybe he does end up being the CF.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:23 PM) True on the system. But if you can find a way to start Quentin, Swisher and Dye in the OF, with Fields-OCab-Richar-PK on the IF, I am starting to think the Sox are going to have a pretty potent lineup. Its just that 3-4-5 of the rotation that scares me right now. The lineup and bullpen I think will be good. Bench we'll see. And I do think at this point that KW will attempt to trade Uribe (soon) and Crede (in ST) for whatever pitching prospects he can get. Agreed - the lineup, assuming that some of our hitters get back to what we thought we had, is going to put runs. The top of the lineup (Cabrera-Swisher, Swisher-Cabrera) is a little different in that there's not a ton of speed, but both can get on base. It's that rotation that scares the hell out of me.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:09 PM) I know when he was in the minors a lot of people thought he'd play center. That said, he's a bigger guy so I don't think he'd have the range for CF. Quentin would be more likely to play CF, imo. This move gives the Sox a huge OBP guy to have near the top of the order and gets them another young position player (although they obviously gave up a couple of there finest prospects). My question is does this make the Sox consider moving one of there veteran bats. So, who bats leadoff then, Swisher ?

Why is this a great trade ? Last 3 years, his batting averages are .236, .254, and .262 2 years ago, in 157 games, he had 35 HR and 95 RBI. Last season, he had 22 HR and 78 RBI. What is his contract situation ? I know he's only 27, but is he signed for a few more years ? What position does he play ? CF ? LF ? Where do we stand on a lead off hitter ?

QUOTE(The Beast @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 06:01 PM) Well, there's Patterson and Lofton available. I think Fogg, Garcia, and Colon are still out there, too. I'd like Patterson for a 1 year deal, but I doubt Boras would go for that.

75 wins here we come.....Not much is different than last year - we traded our #3 starter for a SS....the offense will be helped, the pitching staff won't be. Linebrink may help, but middle relievers have a funny way of being up and down, and he's changing leagues, so we shall find out on him.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 31, 2007 -> 11:36 AM) With all the talk about the tight 3-way race among the lefties, let's not forget that Iowa is looking very close for the GOP as well. 3 polls out in the past week (that are not Zogby or ARG and that use a decent sample size), show this (from oldest to most recent): ------------QC Times--Strat. Vision--Mason-Dixon Romney____27_______27________27 Huckabee___34_______29________23 Thompson___11_______15________14 McCain______8________14________13 Giuliani______8_________4_________5 Paul________8_________4_________5 Romney and Huckabee are very close, though Huckabee seems to be possibly be fading a bit. Thompson and McCain are both still within striking distance, at least of making some noise. Giuliani and Paul appear to be non-factors in Iowa. Hunter doesn't even register in the polls. Speaking of NH, that tells us some things about what is at stake in IA for these folks. Last 3 valid polls there... ----------Rasmussen--USA/Gallup--BG/UNH Romney____31_______34________28 McCain_____27_______27________25 Giuliani_____13_______11________14 Huckabee___11________9________10 Paul________7_________9_________8 Thompson___3_________4_________3 So, to me, here is what this does to Iowa... --Romney, if he wins Iowa, becomes the clear leader --Huckabee has to win Iowa or at least stay close, because he's well down into 4th in NH --McCain, if he can pull off an upset in Iowa and win, becomes the leader. Even if he places 2nd or 3rd, with his strong NH, he still has a shot. --Thompson must win Iowa to stay alive. --Giuliani is out of the running in IA and 3rd in NH - he is near-death at this point in the race. I don't see how he can win. --Paul and Hunter are done. Good analysis, but I do think Giuliani is alive and looking ok as long as nobody sweeps the early primaries - he probably would like Huckabee to take Iowa, and McCain NH so there's no clear momentum as the bigger states come into picture, but I do think that he has made this much more difficult by ignoring the earlier states (until he was getting massacred in Iowa/NH, and decided to campaign there some for a better showing).

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Dec 26, 2007 -> 10:14 AM) Good research on Floyd's past Skeet. However, its going to take more than Floyd to get one of these players... I think both Bedard AND Roberts will be dealt this offseason. The Cubs are still going strong for Roberts, while many of the NL west teams seem to be after Bedard... I think either of these players helps the Sox.. I would love it if KW brings in both... If KW can somehow do this, we would instantly become a contender IMO Bring it on If the White Sox had a rotation of Buerhle, Bedard and Vazquez, I wouldn't care if Jerry Owens was in CF. Of course, it would probably cost the White Sox Josh Fields, Gio Gonzalez and whatever else top talent they have in the minors....this would be a team, with 3 shut down potential players, who can keep the White Sox in contention, and maybe a divisional contender with those 3 starters, and a lineup featuring Robers, Cabrera, Thome, Konerko, Dye, AJ,..... I can dream...I see no chance of this happening in reality.