NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:50 PM) I'm talking about all the times we've seen Pods in CF, Mackowiak in CF, Wise in CF, etc. Except there was no starting CF-capable player on the team at those times.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:09 PM) What obvious differences are there in our lives now that there is a Dem controlled Congress and Executive branch? This argument can be made for any single year of a new Congress and/or new Presidency - that the direct and immediate effect from them is minimal.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:27 PM) Does anyone really trust Ozzie to put the correct guys in the 3 OF spots? I know I don't. Ozzie and KW already both said Quentin is likely to go to right. That puts the OF's where they should be - Pierre in LF, Rios in CF, TCQ in RF.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:57 AM) Actually, no they aren't. Not at all. There are plenty of things not to be happy about with the DNC and the Democratic leadership - but because five or six senators are holding legislation hostage and the Senate majority leader doesn't have the balls to force something through doesn't make them all corporate shills. If that were the case, any health care reform bills would have never gotten through committee. Its gray, always has been. People want to make it black and white - say things like "they're all scum". Its easier to see it that way, but its not accurate.

Let's not forget that some other move the Sox may make, isn't necessarily for a DH. They could still upgrade at an already-filled position.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:54 AM) I think he'd come back for $2 million, honestly. And I'd jump at that.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:52 AM) Bacon for 25 is way too many. Also assumes TCQ actually, you know, stays healthy. Those projections are indeed very optimistic, but I actually could see Beckham hitting 25.

Link and Ely? Sold. Fine by me. If we can get a left power bat of some degree for DH, I'll call this a pretty successful offseason. The team has improved significantly, while most of the division is treading water or worse. Pitching looks stellar. And we did that while still keeping the handful of best prospects we have - Hudson, Flowers, Danks, et al. Impressive. If KW manages to pull off a miracle for Adrian Gonzalez (which is a long shot), then it would be nothing short of masterful.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:09 AM) Son of a b****. I'm happy that the Dodgers are taking the salary, but we just replaced Pods with Pods. What happened to our new defensive philosophy? What about our need for power? I'd take Pierre over Pods defensively, from what admitedly little I know of Pierre. And I think Pierre is less of a health risk than Pods. Therefore, to me, Pierre > Pods, and probably for less money than what Pods is looking for. Not that I think Pierre is fantastic - just that he is a slightly better and younger Pods.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:01 AM) Possibly Link, Torres, Santeliz or Santos too Forgot about Santos, he is possible as well, to be on the list.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:00 AM) "The pitchers on the list are all pitchers who could pitch in the big leagues by 2010, the source said." Okay, then McCulloch and Derek Rodriguez. Neither of those guys have real value. I don't think that's the level of pitcher we are talking about here. I think its more like guys who have higher ceilings than that. I'd go with the list including guys like: Ely, Link, Shirek, Torres, Nunez, Santeliz, Harrell, Omogrosso, Hynick. But NOT Hudson, or Bellamy. I wish we knew who it was though. For $4M/year over two years, and giving up (probably) nothing huge, I like this deal. Pierre is a decent OBP and speed guy, plays OK defense except for an awful arm, and comes cheap. Now, as others have said, we just need a power bat to bolster the DH position, from the left side. I would not be surprised if it was Thome.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 11:47 PM) If we were going to trade Jenks, I think we would have paid DJ. Good point, but I don't think its ever that definite with KW. He has a Plan A, but also plans B through ZZZ. I think KW sees trading Jenks as unlikely, but possible, and also thinks that one of Hudson, Link, Nunez, etc. could be almost as good or as good, in a non-critical role, for cheaper.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 06:11 PM) Why? Is he finally dedicated to taking care of his body? Will he reverse the trend of blowing key saves against inferior lineups? Will he cease to have "medical issues" such as "kidney stones"? Reverse the trend? He had a bad year, but was still a so-so closer even in that phase. Look at his career - he's up and down, like most any reliever or closer. Also, look at his monthly splits - its not like he was collapsing, he had two bad stints, and actually finished statistically strong when he was on the field. And the minor injuries was a new thing too. They aren't long term injuries either, so everything about his career right now points to him improving in 2010. Nothing is every known for sure, but looking at his career and track record, he looks to me like a guy likely to improve a lot in 2010.

Javy at 27? There aren't enough LOL smilies.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 10:58 PM) This one's for Lostfan. I could have sworn this already existed from a few decades back, and just wasn't being enforced.

Barring a problem with that screw in his elbow, I'll bet Jenks has one of his best years in 2010.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 04:55 PM) over 2/3 all research depended on the initial temp data provided by that group and conveniently 'lost'. That is complete nonsense. The weather data is from agencies like NOAA - this school didn't create the data.

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 05:30 PM) doom and gloom seems to be coming earlier and earlier each off-season. People are just impatient and have short memories. If we haven't somehow acquired all stars at every position by thanksgiving, the offseason is a failure.

Thread in FutureSox already, where this belongs, since he'll be in Charlotte filling space.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 03:34 PM) Why would this be sarcastic? It appears we've blown our payroll room on bench players and reclamation projects. Kenny has been more under the influence than under the radar at this point. I really hope this changes because this is the most disappointing offseason I've ever experienced, given what the expectations should be knowing our starting rotation. lol wut? Worst offseason you have experienced? How many have you experienced? We've bolstered the pen, and now have a pitching staff that may be the strongest (on paper) in baseball, or close to it. We've got a bench full of guys who are exactly what you want - Vizquel's glove and tutoring of the middle infield, Kotsay being a perfect 4th OF and 1B, Jones and his high potential for uber-cheap. You have the Sox waiting on a DH with the glut hanging out there, which is exactly what they should do. The only negative I see so far, is the missing outfielder, and its still early. Seriously, you are being absurd. What's not to like here, other than the OF spot, and oh by the way its not March yet. Or February, or January, or even late December. Have you seen a whole bunch of teams signing all the good OF's? Because until the couple big trades that came up very recently, seems to me KW was moving faster than most teams were. This team, today, is better than it was on 10/1, and far better than it was on 4/1. With the OF and DH decisions yet to come. Seems to me its been a pretty good offseason so far.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 03:23 PM) Freaking right we are... I'm getting desperate. I'm starting to scour the Japanese league for lead off hitters and power hitters. Maybe we can find a poor mans Ichiro. Are you starting a baseball team?

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 03:29 PM) Cowley is probably making light of Kenny's absolute failure of an offseason so far. Every other contender is doing big things while Kenny is loading up on complimentary players. The Sox are out of money already and there's still no RF or DH, but don't worry because Jenks, Linebrink, and Konerko are all still here sucking up salary. This was supposed to be green, right?

QUOTE (Mattchoo @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 03:21 PM) Haha, don't tease! Probably just Cowley stirring crap up. It would be awesome if he could make a big splash before Christmas Welcome to the board!

QUOTE (pktmotion @ Dec 14, 2009 -> 03:18 PM) Just heard on ESPN Radio that an Adrian Gonzales trade is happening soon, they didn't talk about teams though. trying to decide if you are being sarcastic, or you are serious.

Seems like Cowley is just being sarcastic, or stirring up s*** when he has nothing to report on. He may be giving KW s*** about the Putz story.