spiderman

QUOTE(G&T @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 04:24 PM) Steve Stone is on the Score right now, and I'll just throw this in here. Stone says that he had learned to trust in what KW does because the organization is great at evaluating talent both in and out of their organization. He does not believe that the Sox are done making moves. Boers just said that MB will only get Ted Lilly money ($10 mil). Dan rightfully yelled at him. I also heard that - that may have been the 1st time I've heard an actual disagreement between Boers and Bernstein. I thought Bernstein was more on the money, saying that Buerhle will probably end up in the $14 million per year range, but Stone believes there will be a market correction next off-season. I could be wrong, but I thought I had heard that next off-season, the crop of free agents is even better ???? Stone did say that he didn't think the Sox are done, but didn't really say what he thought he would do. Bernstein mentioned SS and CF (I believe that is what he said) - I don't think SS will change - Uribe/Cintron is average, and it's not like there are a plethora of SS available. CF is the one position that I could see a possible upgrade as Williams did say earlier that they are still considering their options, but I really can't see anything more than a stop gap option like a Brady Clark type player coming in. We'll see though....

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 01:36 PM) Spring Training might become a mess if the contract issues with all of our 2007 Free Agents becomes a big story. Hopefully Ozzie and KW will just shut their mouth and put the best team on the field. The free agency status of Buerhle, and Jermaine Dye will be the top story of spring training - there's so much time down there for the media to keep this story running, and I'm sure Ozzie/Kenny will add some fuel to the fire at some point.

QUOTE(G&T @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 09:05 AM) Agreed, but would have moved both if he could have. At the least, KW seems very comfortable with what he has. I also find it funny that after a long interview, the only sound the Score played of it in their update was that KW wanted Rowand but couldn't get him. We agree - I'm sure Williams went into the off-season thinking that he would have a new LF, but once the market got out of control for players not necessarily better thatn Podsednik, he decided to give him another season - I'm sure if Pods starts slowly, LF will be a position around the trade deadline for Williams to look at as well as giving younger players a shot. The Score, in particular, Mike North, has been saying the White Sox wanted Rowand back, but since this didn't happen, maybe they're just trying to save face a bit. QUOTE(klaus kinski @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 09:58 AM) So after this, is the pitching sequence Buehrle, Contreras, Garland, Vasquez, then #5? I think it's going to be subject to spring training competition, but it will most likely, IMO, be 1) Contreras 2) Buerhle 3) Garland 4) Vazquez 5) Floyd QUOTE(G&T @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 10:38 AM) Yes, and KW basically said that he is not ruling anything out. It's not that he won't sign MB, but with all his talk about contracts and years, MB would probably have to give a discount to stay and I don't see that happening. There were no mentions of trades. If anything, Willams sounds as if he's going to enter next season with the 4 veteran starters - something that I was glad to hear. I wouldn't expect Buerhle to be with the White Sox past this season though.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 08:53 AM) I like Anderson, but he is going to still struggle at least another season or so. Pods is truely one of the worst regular players in baseball. I don't understand the logic of letting a guy who doesn't get on base that much, who gets himself out a lot on the basepaths, and a guy with really horrible baserunning instincts, I have seen him not get an extra base numerous times, while guys with half his "speed" take an extra base easily, not to mention his defensive shortcomings, lead off, let alone play regularly. If Pods is leading off for the White Sox in 2007, 2007 will be dissapointing for White Sox fans. As Williams said though, did you want to give a player a ridiculous free agent contract who hasn't done much more than Podsednik or keep him for one more season ?? I'll take Podsednik for 1 year, 2.8 million over some 5 year/50 million we saw for a Gary Matthews. And yes, if there is an upgrade available for Pods in LF, I'm all for it, but I just don't want to overpay for a guy.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 08:48 AM) He definitely didn't give a glowing review of Pods and Anderson. When you start saying things like "we know they can handle playing in Chicago"....that's like saying "she has a nice personality". Guess we disagree on Pods - I never said he gave a glowing review of either, in fact, I have said now 3 times that Williams says Pods had a down year - that's not glowing. I just believe, based on Kenny's comments, that he's more down on Anderson than Podsednik. Wiliams, as you mentioned, indicated, that he could be looking for other possibilites still for CF.

With the attendance, can the White Sox compete given the market ? We have given players (Burehle, Garland, Konerko) contracts, so it's unfair to say the White Sox have no interest in signing players. The market will dictate what we do. When Mark was struggling last year, we went to him, and talked to him about an extension - it didn't work then, and it certainly won't work now. Long-term extensions historically don't work out for the club. I won't mortage the future of the franchise - I can't enter into too many long-term deals, and would lose flexibiltiy on putting together a good team. Some of the moves this off-season will go a long way in giving us flexibility. Williams on Frank Thomas: I give him credit becuase he still played in pain, obvious the way he was running. Williams on getting rid of the lefty Cotts: Neil takes the job very seriously, one of our hardest workers. He was expendable because we had Matt Thorton, Logan can get lefties (and righties) out in the back of the bullpen as time goes on. Plus, we liked who we got back, both playes, in the trade.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 3, 2007 -> 08:38 AM) Two quick thoughts: - KW mentioned that they're still looking at some guys for CF. - KW seems anything but confident in Anderson and Podsednik. I'd disagree about Podsednik - he did say that he's coming a down year, but who hasn't ? He also mentioned that Pods can deal with the Chicago landscape. As far as CF, Yes, he did say that, but I got the impression any names that could be had would be nothing more than scapegoats.

Detroit's young pitching staff, Minnesota's team, how much of these moves had to do with keeping pace ? You'd better analyze your competition. Would you take Detroit's staff over the White Sox ? No, but Williams belives their staff is going to be tired. Williams on the bullpen: People always want the veteran names, this will be one of the best bullpens in the league. ** Caller 2: Now that Ross Gload is gone, how do we fill his void (what ?): Williams: "Thome is the DH, we'll give him a break with a lefty on the mound. Toby Hall can rest Thome, Mackowiak can be the jack of all trades (LF/RF/3B/1B) and Cintron can move around the infield. The important thing is we got Cisco, another power arm, a Rule 5 guy who was tipping his pitches, and never got a chance to develop. Crede's situation: Williams: Josh Fields is ready now. Crede will need a break here and there - his condition is what it is. When a guy tells you he doesn't need surgury, Williams will be ok with that. We'll just have to see how this plays out. I'm optimstic, it will flare up, we'll just have to deal with it. I'm friendly with Boras, just not his price tags - I'm continually amazed at what he gets on the market, and I'm not going to play that game.

CF Job: Williams "We played with it a little bit. We weren't happy with the overall production, but the alternatives out there didn't fit with us. The trade's out there didn't work - ridiculous asking prices. Were the Phillies one of th teams ? Yes. Williams loves Aaron Rowand. Would he have wanted him back ? Refuses to answer the question becuase of his current players, but obviously, the answer is yes. On Brian Anderson being over-cocky: Williams has talked to him about a few things - needing to fit into the major league lifestyle, there's a growth period, he'll be all right. On Podsednik: Maybe what we have, and they've proven they can play at a championship style level, in Chicago, you'd better keep what you have, they had a down year, but who doesn't ? On the starting pitching: Burhle, Contreras, Vazquez, Garland to have rebound years because they are rested. ***** Caller 1: Thome and Buerhle's health: The stressful innings/the load pitching the extra innings (month of playoffs) hurt Buerhle tired out the staff, and that's why he traded for Vazquez. We'll be better off that he got rest...No answer on Thome's health.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 1, 2007 -> 11:37 PM) A left-handed specialist? Pitchers with his stuff really aren't ever specialists. I think they are going to put him in situations that he is likely to succeed early on - remember, despite the talent he does have, he sucked last year. I think early on, we won't see him much in late inning situations, but will be more of a 5th/6th inning guy.

So far, Williams says McCarthy will have a servicable career, and says McCarthy's public comments about his role on the team didn't bother him, and had no factor in moving him. He was simply going into camp with a big battle with Gavin Floyd who has the type of stuff to succeed in US Cellular. North gives Williams the benefit of the doubt for the moves, and has said so now about 3 times. Williams on the young pitching: We can't live (moving the young players) the way we were - in Gonzalez and Denks, the Sox have two of the best pitching prosepects in the game, and have good movement on their fastballs (key at home). In comparison to some of the pitchers he now has, McCarthy's fastball did not have that movement, but he has shown the ability to adapt - this trade was as much about Massot going in the bullpen (just a tick less than Bobb Jenks in MPH) as acquring Denks. North will now take calls from the listeners (interesting that his two co-hosts, Fred and Annie, don't get to ask questions. Let Annie ask a question, she's qualified!)

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Dec 31, 2006 -> 07:04 PM) I believe the thinking is that we'd include one of our four major league starters. Obviously not straight up for Milledge. Gotcha....Vazquez for Milledge ? If so, I'd rather keep the pitcher, and just hope that our young OF's can improve next season.

No thanks on Cordero, at least that is what I expect the White Sox to say - if you've heard Kenny Williams talk about the bullpen, they are extremely excited about what's currently down there and I think he feels that the pen is a strength of the team, and they don't need to upgrade further.

Sicso can help the White Sox most out of the bullpen as a left handed specialist. That's where he'll be IF he's on the major league roster.

We couldn't match Oakland's offer unless we were to give a package of players. Blanton would be a nice addition to the Mets starting rotation, whereas most of what we could give may not be ready to pitch at the MLB level.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 31, 2006 -> 03:04 PM) Weaver "Could be" the better pitcher, but certainly hasn't been it so far in his career. Lilly is a better pitcher, but, when he's on his game, Weaver is a more dominating one (that happens to be far and few though).

For what purpose ? How many seasons ? With the current roster, there's no way - we have 4 veteran starters, and I think Kenny wants the 5th to emerge from Gavin Floyd/Charlie Haeger/John Denks. If they were to trade another veteran starter, maybe, but I don't think Kenny would want to block the way for any of his young pitchers who he is obviously high on. So, in this scenario, where Buerhle or Vazquez is traded, it may be possible for the White Sox to add a veteran pitcher, but only as a stopgap option, meaning a 1 year deal with a club option type deal. You never know, some guys the later it gets, may jump at something like that, but give the craziness in this market, I'm guessing someone will step up and give him at least 3 years.

I love how Carroll just throws that out there but doesn't give any information. Maybe he's just throwing crap at a wall ?

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Dec 25, 2006 -> 08:23 PM) I'm assuming to a degree, but KW never made a claim to not spending money, only that he would not overpay for mediocre talent. I wouldn't include Fields, unless Crede is extended, as I would expect him to take over third base in 08. Dye is certainly a possibility to be extended, and at the right price, I'd be game. I believe Owens will be a fourth outfielder, I don't expect him to break out as a starting LF. With the money saved on pitching, I would really like to see the Sox make a run at Ichiro next year. There are other options as well, but that would be as good of an upgrade at leadoff as we could get, with the possible exception of Crawford. Although Crawford's availability is questionable, even if it weren't, the price is more than I'd be willing to pay. If they keep Dye around by signing him to a long-term extension, that's probably going to cost $15 million a season (roughly) so I'd be surprised if they wanted to offer something similar, or in the $10-15 range for Ichiro when Williams, I'm thinking, is more likely to bargain shop or look to improve via trade should the offense need outside help next offseason. Also, I'm not sure that the White Sox are going to have tons of money to spend - Don't they have to lock up Jenks soon enough as well as make decisions on Buerhle, and eventually Garland/Vasquez ? I guess we'll see, but, hopefully, Kenny will have flexibiiltiy to make moves and add some payroll.

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Dec 25, 2006 -> 07:59 PM) Agreed, next year's FA ourfielders are much more appealing, and Fields is a better long term option at third. Who are next year's free agent OF's, and what makes anyone think we're going to overpay for them, especially considering that we have our potential free agent OF with Jermaine Dye not to mention at least 3 younger OF's (Sweeney, Anderson, and Owens) plus a potential 4th in Josh Fields ?

QUOTE(greg775 @ Dec 24, 2006 -> 10:05 PM) I know NOTHING about this case. But if Uribe is involved in a murder, uh I don't want him on the team. Get rid of the bum if that is the case. That said ... I have no idea of the facts of the case. But involved in a murder?? If true, Cmon. Get rid of him. I think the Bears would scoop him up in a second!

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 23, 2006 -> 06:28 PM) You dont trade for Thome if you believe that 2005 was a one shot in the dark. You trade for a Thome because you think you can win it all again. And they, from the way it's looking, are going to take a step back next season to remain competitive 3 years down the road - by that time, Thome, who was breaking down in the 2nd half of this past season, will be done. Question for all those excited about Williams looking to load up on young pitching because he wants to have a good team in 2008 - why can't we, supposedly a big market team, just continue developing our own prospects, like McCarthy, Broadway, Haegar, Floyd, Gonzalez ? I was fine with the Garcia trade - we had 6 starters, I wouldn't have resigned Freddy either, but Williams seems overly focusing on the future at the expense of the present when players like Buerhle/Thome/Dye are in their primes, and others, including Dye/possiblly Crede, won't be here much longer.

Danks split last season between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma, where he combined to go 9-9 with a 4.24 ERA in 27 games (26 starts). He has a career minor league record of 21-30 with a 4.20 ERA in 92 games (82 starts). Question: Did Danks pitch in pitcher friendly parks ???

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Dec 23, 2006 -> 03:02 PM) Even though this trade kina blows for this year. Our rotation could be young, cheap and filthy in the next few years. 1. Danks 2. Gio 3. Floyd 4. Broadway 5. Haeger You're assuming that they develop, and also if they do develop, how long will they be here for before they restock again ?

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Dec 23, 2006 -> 01:29 PM) Honestly, does anyone see us making the playoffs with Floyd or Danks in the rotation? Don't get me wrong, I like having Danks. The guy's supposed to be amazing one day, but this is going to cost us in 2007. That's kind of how I feel. I'm sure the White Sox wouldn't have made this trade if they weren't convinced these guys are going to be potentially top of the rotation starters, but we've moved Garcia and McCarthy now, and I don't think Mark Burehle is going to be here much longer either. I think with the current team, we're going to be in the race, but the more young pitchers we count on for next season, the less chance we have of being a playoff contender.