spiderman

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Nov 23, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) .......... PLEASE don't even suggest leaving the team as it's currently structured. It seriously aggrivates even to think about such a scenario. Why exactly would Williams find it necessary to rearrange his ballclub after winning a World Series, yet the following season - when his team misses a playoff birth- leave everything as is? I understand the 2005 Chicago White Sox were unlikely to repeat if no changes occured, but similarily, neither will this ballclub. It's lazy general managing to pat himself on the back and suggest, "well, this team just didn't click. I'm going to set back and revel in the beauty of my creation. No further moves are necessary." Williams decides not to tamper with the offense? Fine. It's understandable. But this pitching staff needs McCarthy within it and someone removed; preferably for a generous package including SP prospects. It's just no reasonable to expect Williams to sign contracts to every upcoming FA. For example - If a team were seriously considering overpaying for Dye, I'd pull the trigger in a heartbeat. No way in hell he's signing another contract here if his numbers are anywhere close to last seasons. I appreciate what he's done in White Sox uniform; but considering his performance last year, his impending FA, and what he could provide in a trade - I'd be open to discussions. Although, to be clear, I wouldn't move him for anything less than an absolute killing. Tizzle - I am not opposed to making changes, and I'm sure Kenny is going to do something here in the weeks before Christmas, but they don't need a makeover - they can use another relief pitcher, another veteran OF would be nice, and some resolution on the starting pitching - besides that, I'm not really in favor of overspending on the free agent market. Would you agree that they don't need to make drastic moves ? Would you agree that they need to improve their bullpen still ? As far as the offense is concerned, the reliance on the home run is bothersome, and I'm hoping they can find another leadoff hitter, as well as get the bottom of the order more consistent. I don't want Dave Roberts for what he's asking, I love C.Figgins's versitility, but he a definite upgrade over what we have in LF ? As far as trading a starting pitcher, I can deal with that to some extent - what I'm not sure I'd be interested in doing is trading a proven MLB pitcher for prospects - yeah, I know prospects are young, full of potential, and that's great, but I want to win next season, not lessen my chances by trading a Garcia for someone who may/may not help in a year or two. If that means McCarthy has one more year in the pen, he'll have to deal with it. Saying all this, I do believe Kenny will move one of these guys for the prospect deal you mention with the possibility of keeping at least one of the players they get back on the roster to hopefully upgrade the bullpen. As far as Dye is concerned, and I've said this before concerning Crede, let's act like the large market team we are, and get them locked up before they leave. We're not the Pirates, and yeah, we're not the Yankees either, but there's no reason our best offensive player should be leaving. (Note - this is of course dependent of Dye asking for fair market value - not market value + a few more millions).

I am actually in favor of bring Pods' back at this point, as well as leaving the team as is. Could we use help in the OF ? Yes, but the White Sox, one year ago, were extremely high on Brian Anderson, and going into his season, love Ryan Sweeney. If Pods' can come into camp in great shape, perhaps the White Sox can rest him more often and rotate the 3 players in LF/CF. I think the biggest focus this off-season needs to be resigning Dye, Crede, and other players not far off from free agency - the White Sox don't want to get involved in the free agent market - I can't blame them for that. They also seem intent on improving their minor league depth, and that could improve by not trading away minor league talent for immediate help in the majors. This team won 90 games last season not reall clicking. We've seen what playoff runs do to pitching staffs the folowing season and we have Minny and Detroit in the division - I expect these teams to come down to earth as well.

Where does the rumors have Shannon Stewart going ? Back to Minny ? He'd be a good signing for the Sox - they could probably get him at a bargain deal (in free agent terms), he has a lot to prove considering that he can't stay healthy, but he'd get to work with Herm here, who has the good reputation for getting guys on the field. If he plays 130+ games, great, he'll do well, would be a non-HR guy who can help manufacture runs, and if we do have to rest him, or DL him once in awhile, a young guy like Sweeney could step in and get experience - I like this option.

I took the article to mean the Angels would be sending Santana, as part of a package to the White Sox for Garcia. Maybe the deal is expanded to include Figgons from the Angels, and the White Sox include one of their young of's not named Sweeney ????

QUOTE(VAfan @ Nov 17, 2006 -> 09:57 AM) So far, this offseason is not looking good for the Sox moving back to the top of the AL Central. I suppose the best news is that Liriano is out next year. But there don't appear to be good answers to any of the following questions: 1. Starting pitching. Everyone wants to trade at least one of our top 5 starters, but which one? Garcia? Well, for all his troubles, he went 17-9, and was probably our second most consistent starter behind Jon Garland. Sure, Jose had a better ERA and was lights out early, but he won only 13 games. Buehrle, on the other hand, ended with an ERA of almost 5, and Vazquez was a mental midget, breaking down in the 6th inning of EVERY game. Meanwhile, Brandon McCarthy didn't exactly give me comfort that he would be a reliable and consistent replacement. Sure, he had one nice start once we shut Jose down for the year, but he also came in and surrendered the long ball too many times to count. That's always been his weakness. Plus, we still don't know if he can pitch 200 innings in a season without breaking down. 2. Left field. The universal opinion around here is that Scott Podsednik has to be done after last year. He couldn't hit lefties at all, couldn't get on base, and had only one decent stretch the entire season. Plus his defense, never great, went totally in the crapper. But who do we replace him with? -- Juan Pierre?? No thanks. This guy never walks, gets caught stealing a ton, and is way overpriced. -- Dave Roberts?? This guy is at the age where he's going to keep breaking down. He's not the answer. -- Alfonso Soriano?? Great option, but not at the price he's going to demand. -- Gary Matthews, Jr.?? Is he a one-year wonder? -- Josh Fields?? Not even close to being ready yet. -- Rob Mackowiak?? Should have spelled Pods last year, at least against righties. But he can't hit lefties at all. -- Carl Crawford?? Will the Rays even trade him for McCarthy/Fields?? Would you make that deal? -- Bobby Abreu?? I just put this in here b/c this is the guy we should have traded for last year. -- Ryan Sweeney?? Can we afford Uribe/Anderson/Sweeney in the lineup? I don't have the answer. Oddly enough, because the other options seem so bad to me, part of me is starting to think that with Pods' habit of alternating good/bad/good/bad seasons that next year he might put up another decent season. I'd take his World Series year again over just about any of the other options that have been put forth. 129 507 80 147 28 1 0 177 25 47 75 59 23 .290 .351 .349 .700 3. Bullpen. Neal Cotts for David Aardsma?? This doesn't exactly get me excited. What if Cotts comes anywhere close to reverting to his 2005 form?? It seems to me we will have 3 reliable arms in the bullpen -- Bobby Jenks, Mike MacDougal, and Matt Thornton. Behind them, it is a total crapshoot. I suppose Aardsma is seen as taking David Riske's spot without upgrading it. And we have a bunch of arms available: Charlie Haeger, Boone Logan, Sean Tracey, etc. But all we have right now are question marks. 4. Hitting lefties. This really killed us last year. This was our batting line against lefties last year. .262 .329 .413 .742. Against righties we hit .290 .349 .491 .841. And it wasn't just an overall problem. For most of the year, Iguchi couldn't hit lefties, yet Ozzie had Pods/Iguchi/Thome lined up so that teams could use their lefty out of the pen to mow down 3 guys in order late in ballgames. Plus, we had other right handers who couldn't hit lefties very well -- Uribe and Anderson -- and no reasonable sub for Pierzynski. By the end of the year, Thome slugged under .400 against lefties. What is the solution? Again, it is not going to be an easy fix. We could use a left fielder and lead off hitter than can hit both lefties and righties, though the choices are not good. We can hope that Brian Anderson will hit better this season, and Uribe will finally learn to hit more consistently. We could swap Ross Gload's roster spot for a DH/1B sub that can kill lefties and use him to sit Thome down for 30-40 games. We need a right handed catcher who can hit. Trouble is, the guy we have in the system, Chris Stewart, can't hit at all. I don't have any good answers here either. 5. Center field. Brian Anderson is ++ defensively. And if his were the ONLY bat that was weak, I would be happy to carry him again and hope his hitting comes around. But we also have too many other outs in the lineup, especially against lefties -- Pierzynski, Uribe, Pods, even Iguchi. And we can't afford the defensive drop-off that comes by using Rob Mackowiak to sub for him. One choice might be to bring up Sweeney and let them fight it out. At least Sweeney is less of a defensive drop off than Mack is. But can Sweeney hit big league pitching? Will platooning Anderson and Sweeney stunt both of them? Are we ready to make a trade of Anderson already, then watch him blossom as a hitter with a new team?? I'm not ready to give up on Anderson. I think a trade would be a HUGE mistake. On the other hand, if we don't fix other spots in the lineup, we can't afford to carry BA's bat every game next year either. 6. Shortstop. Today's rumor is that we've offered Alex Gonzalez $15 million for 3 years. I hope not. He's Uribe without the power. My belief is we need to keep Juan through the length of his contract and work on his hitting. Like Crede, he has shown months where he has gotten it and been off-the-charts good. It took Crede quite a few years before he gained consistency. I sure want Juan on our team if he finds that same success. Still, I recognize that another year like last season is going to hurt us. But we do have Alex Cintron, who is a decent backup. Well, that's enough for now. I think this has to be KW's most challenging offseason. Everything is overpriced again. There are a lot of tough choices, and not many good options. Good post - I don't agree with some of your points - espeically that it's been a bad off-season (one week in with one move made), but can respect a thought out post. I really hope the White Sox aren't the team interested in Gonzalez.....i know he's a stud defensively, but I don't want a guy tied up for 3 years who can't hit in an offensive league.

Given that mediorce pitchers are the free agent market are going to be getting long-term contracts for big money, I would expect Kenny Williams to be able to get a boatload of top prospects for a guy like Garland who is signed to a reasonable deal for a few more seasons.

I also don't see Toronto trading Wells for Garcia/Anderson.

I would not trade Cotts - the guy had a bad year last year, but he's a lefty, still young with a lot of upside as he showed in the World Series year.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Nov 12, 2006 -> 10:46 AM) The Rockies are in the market for a CFer who can hit leadoff. Pods isn't perfect but he could be a fit for them. The Rockies have two rooks already to step in to start 07--Jimenez and Corpas. Jimenez is similar to Morillo. To get a leadoff hitter, they may cut ties with a bullpen guy like Morillo. We'll see. Pods will be a team's property for two more years when he can become a FA. He has value in the trade market. If the Sox get a deal for Pods done soon, then they don't have to worry about offering him arb. Why let him go when the sox can get something for him? I just don't think that a team with a limited payroll is going to take on a player who struggled last season, and now is due for arbitration where he's going to get some sort of raise.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Nov 12, 2006 -> 09:54 AM) Why would we pay him 3 million to be a backup? That's the big reason why it most likely won't happen. Playing devil's advocate though, if the OF consists of Sweeney, Anderson, and Dye, you might decide to have another veteran player around, whether it be Pods or someone else, to have as insurance.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Nov 12, 2006 -> 09:44 AM) Why exactly would the Rockies do this move? Pods is a worse option than what they have. Why would they give up someone who throws that kind of heat. The Rockies are always looking for pitching. Realistically, nobody wants Pods. I don't know that a team like Colorado is going to trade for a guy who's eligible for arbitration...I think the White Sox will just wash their hands of him, and let him go. Personally, although I know they're going to allow him to become a free agent / trade him, I am still not opposed to bringing him back, and letting him compete with Sweeney/Anderson/Fields for playing time. The guy does have something to prove, and he would give provide depth at worst.

The White Sox are not going to sign JD Drew. Forget about it. As it has been mentioned, Drew is going to want more than the 3 years/33 million he walked away from, meaning a 5 year deal, and probably something starting at at least 13 million a year. No thanks! Besides adding another Dave Roberts type player, I really don't think the White Sox are going to upgrade their offense much in the OF. Scott Podsednik is probably gone as they probably won't offer him arbitration, and Brian Anderson may get another year in CF with Dye in RF. Ryan Sweeney is probably the front runner for LF, and could challenge in CF should the Sox want to get Josh Fields up on the big club.... I think most of the available money the White Sox have will be spent on the bullpen.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Nov 10, 2006 -> 08:37 AM) Renewal rates blew my mind. A week after the seaon it was 95%. Also the increase in attendance from last year makes up for missing the playoffs. I think all the other stuff will keep us at right around $115M for the year. Liriano being out I think let's KW spend a little more this offseason as the post season chances have improved on this alone. Kenny is going to be agressive no matter the health of other teams, IMO.

Do MLB teams get extra revenue from the new CBA that was just signed ? How about money earmarked to improve the team at the trade deadline - they really didn't add much payroll with MacDougle - I have no idea if they had $4 or $5 million sitting around to take on a Soriano for the rest of the season, but maybe extra money not spent could be carried over... I know they're moving the press box to down the right field line for extra seats behind the plate - that's extra revenue, not to mention higher ticket prices, and a high renewal rate, and the new 7-11 deal.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 9, 2006 -> 12:13 PM) If history is any guide we should see something around the $120 million mark. If we finished last season right around $100 million, I have to assume we'll increase it, given the attendance from last season, and expected goals for this season, ticket price increases, possibly increased $$$ from the new CBA (is this true ?) and the 7/11 deal....Why do you say that number ? I'm kind of frustrated that we're not far from the off-season starting, and we've seen Williams in the papers over the past week or so, and we haven't even seen a quote from him not answering the budget question.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Nov 9, 2006 -> 10:40 AM) Here is the Payroll with best guess estimates for the Arb players: 2007 Payroll M. Buehrle - 9.5 J. Conteras - 9.0 J. Garland - 10.0 J. Vazquez - 12.5 F. Garcia - 10.0* B. McCarthy - 0.5 M. MacDougal- 1.5 Arb M. Thornton - 1.5 Arb N. Cotts - 0.5 C. Haeger - 0.4 B. Jenks - 0.5 D. Hermanson- 0.5 Buyout Total -$56.4 A. Pierzynski- 5.50 P. Konerko -12.00 T. Iguchi - 3.25 J. Uribe - 4.15 J. Crede - 5.00 Arb J. Thome -14.00 J. Dye - 6.50 B. Anderson - 0.50 LF - ??? Total -$50.9 P. Ozuna - 0.60 R. Mackowiak - 2.75 R. Gload - 0.75 Arb A. Cintron - 2.0 Arb Backup C - ??? Total -$6.1 Team Total - $113.4 w/2 positions open (LF, Backup Catcher) Vazquez/Thome- $9 Million, estimated savings from trades applied to 2007 Final Total - $104.4 w/2 positions open (LF, Backup Catcher) *Also note that this is without moving a Starting Pitcher (Garcia $10 Million) which would bring it down to $94.4 Million. Thanks for the good information! For all practical purposes we are really at $94.4+ (+ is what salary they add back in a trade, but I'm really just expecting maybe a relief pitcher, and prospects) since a starter will be traded, and the DiamondBacks/Phillies are paying some of Thome/Vacquez. Has Kenny Williams indicated how high he will go with the payroll ?

Can someone break down the White Sox payroll for the upcoming season OR point me to a thread that's talked about this already ? The Chicago Tribune had reported that the payroll already had 12 players and $99 million committed to it - I believe this was before raises for Crede as well. Now I know that McCarthy, Sweeney, possibly Fields and Haeger, Anderson, a backup catcher, Gload won't make much money next season, but that only puts the Sox up to about 16 or 17 players. What will be a reasonable guess at the payroll to start the season ? If they ended last season right around $100, can we expect $115 ? More ? Less ? I realize that we're going to move about $9 million with a starting pitcher, and who knows if they can find a way to include Uribe ($4.5) in a deal, but if the payroll doesn't account for adding difference making players, I don't see how they are going to improve, outside of trades involving players on their roster. Given their payroll issues, I can't see them adding any impact free agents, and maybe just one reliever on their $$$ terms. Thoughts on the Payroll for the upcoming season are welcome!

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 8, 2006 -> 01:10 PM) As a repub I'd love for Newt Gingrich to run. I think he's an absolutely brilliant man and politician but I also know he'd stand absolutely no chance at winning, even though I think he'd make an oustanding president. I prefer him over McCain and Rudy. Why is Newt a better option that McCain or Rudy ?

Last second notice here, but I'm going to the U of I game this weekend with the Ohio St. Buckeyes coming to town, and need a hotel for just the one night - a friend of mine is looking but says nothing is available in Champaign.... Can anyone recommend or give me a link to some hotels in Champaign so that I can double-check or give me some hotels just outside of Champaign ? Thanks for any help!

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 22, 2006 -> 09:20 AM) A 3rd team could be involved in the deal, or the Marlins could just then on trade Garland to another team for prospects. Either way, if Willis and Cabrera are going to be moved, Beinfest will want to get the best deal possible in terms of prospects, so he may have to get creative. He'd have to get creative because I don't see anyway he'd take on the salary, even for a 1/2 season.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 22, 2006 -> 07:10 AM) Interesting read; So would you trade Garland as part of a deal for Willis, and who would a young quality SP be to make you think about dealing Jon? Why would the Marlins, with their $14 million payroll, take on J.Garland who makes $9 million a season for the next few seasons ? If we want to add Willis, we're going to have to trade McCarthy, and prospects.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 07:33 PM) Has any player in baseball fallen off more in the second half of the season than Jim Thome? He's paid to hit homers (that's all he swings for, at least) and he's done very little of that this half. I have a feeling that after the season ends (yes, no playoffs), we're going to hear that Thome's wrist was more seriously injured than let on. Still, no excuses....he still gets on base often enough to score runs, but the hitting has been pretty bad in the 2nd half. For next season, I think Ozzie has to limit Thome to about 120 games....I hate to rest the regulars as much as Ozzie has this season, but I think it's imperative to get Thome healthy this off-season, and get him 1 to 2 off days a week, especially against lefties. It turns out that as well as he played in the 1st half, he just wasn't able to contribute much in the 2nd half, and as we've seen with the struggling offense, a top performance by Thome would have been huge in the 2nd half.

Link to Chicago Tribune Article The percentage of Illinois voters who call themselves Democrats is at its highest pre-election level in more than a decade, posing a problem for Republicans trying to win the governor's mansion and key congressional seats, a Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows. The poll found 43 percent of voters identified themselves as Democrats while a little more than a quarter of the voters identified themselves as Republicans. The 17 percentage point difference ranks among the most polarized partisan spreads in more than 16 years of Tribune surveys taken prior to an election day. Chris Mooney, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said the poll findings reflected recent dissatisfaction with President Bush's administration and anti-war sentiment on top of the state's longer-term demographic trend toward the Democrats. "The population has become more and more urban, it's become more and more non-white," Mooney said. "This [national] short-term bump toward Democrats is exacerbating the long-term trend." The most recent Tribune poll found that even in longtime Republican-leaning regions, the GOP no longer might have the upper hand. In the collar counties, 31 percent of voters aligned themselves with Republicans while 29 percent identified with Democrats. Outside the Chicago metropolitan region, voters split equally at 36 percent between Democrats and Republicans. **** You'd think that with nobody really like Blago, you might see some life from the GOP ?? Guess not...

I live in Orland Park, and need to get High Speed Internet. Comcast is usually the default choice, but I hear people mention other companies that work just as well, and are cheaper. Do you guys use a different service ? Anyone companies you want to recommend is much appreciated! Thanks!

QUOTE(cgaudin @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 10:38 AM) That type of injury will shelve him for 7 to 10 days minimum. I've heard, both on WSCR/ESPN Radio, that he probably won't be back until next Tuesday vs TB