buckweaver

Thanks for posting this. For being two years removed from a World Championship, the overall tone on this site is so anti-organization it makes it hard to read. Perhaps it's simply all the negativity that comes out when people write, but you'd think by regularly reading Soxtalk that everyone in the Sox organization (especially Kenny Williams) is a numbnut and that a team of Joes from Bridgeport could certainly do a heck of a lot better job. The reality is that Kenny Williams is a smart guy and is willing to take a risk and Jerry Reinsdorf is a terrific owner who will spend wisely. I'd choose Kenny over most other general managers/Jerry over most other owners and give him the benefit of the duubt more often than most people on this site. It's absolutely everyone's right to post whatever they wish, but I question a lot of the venom, particularly when couched in terms of "What the hell...these guys don't know squat..." kind of writing. While Soxtalk is usually first with breaking Sox news, it's generally depressing to read because of the abundance of Chickens Little posting around here.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 1, 2007 -> 05:49 AM) Find me two equal players in the White Sox sytem for Milledge; you can't without naming DLS. The Mets got a good deal, and they can counter until everything works I think you're wrong, here. This is the equivalent of the Sox giving Toby Hall and Jerry Owens. Schneider is the 2000s Jamie Quirk--a good backup catcher that finds a new team every year or two that needs a backup catcher. And as the Mets are offering every available catcher a contract these days, he certainly was expendable. Church is the second coming of Rob Mackowiak with, possibly, a little more upside. I'm thinking the Mets really just thought Church could occupy left field/fourth OFer spot serviceably while being a lot less of a headache.

Perhaps they just listed all prospects alphabetically.

Mods: Please change title to "...too cheap..." so this site comes across as being literate (while, admittedly, that might be over promising, under delivering).

Two things to add to this thread: 1. Patterson hasn't had a single good full year, so I don't endorse the "he's as good as Hunter or Rowand" thought. 2. That said, he does offer one very nice intangible: If the Sox were to sign him and he has his one great year (a la Podsednik) that brings us another World Series appearance and/or win...how great is it that he was the Cubs phenom they finally gave up on? (And wouldn't that be made even sweeter if Soriano hits .212 6 HR 38 RBI and the Cubs finish 3rd or 4th in MLB's worst division).

QUOTE(WCSox @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 03:26 PM) Yeah, there's no way that the Angels are giving us Cabrera and $9 million. I imagine that it's probably half that, at most. If that's the truth, then the writing is misleading. To me, trading a $12M guy for a $9M guy takes $3M "off the books." To get $12M "off the books," you'd need to give $12M and take back $0...$9M in salary and a big honkin' $9M check. But I'm no math whiz. Still, I'm guessing you are probably right...it's just bad writing.

To those asking about the $$, here's what the report says: "Cabrera, 33, earns $9 million in 2008, marking the final year of his current four-year deal. He has 112 career playoff at-bats, including hitting .200 against the White Sox during the 2005 American League Championship Series, and was part of the Red Sox 2004 World Series championship squad. By moving Garland, the White Sox took $12 million off the books for 2008, while also seemingly opening a rotation spot for both John Danks and Gavin Floyd -- assuming general manager Ken Williams does not add another veteran arm to the rotation. " If I recall, Garland is on for $12 M in '08. Presuming that...to take $12M "off the books," wouldn't that mean the Halos are sending about $9M in cash with this deal? Recall, too, that for a good hitting, defensive pro like Cabrara, 33 isn't that old. For Chrissake, Vizquel is still playing...and playing well. This might turn out to be one grerat deal. And for the doofus that was clamoring the Tejada...plan on seeing that 'roid ragers name front and center in the Mitchell report. Why do you think NO ONE is willing to touch him?

whitesox.com story says: "By moving Garland, the White Sox took $12 million off the books for 2008, while also seemingly opening a rotation spot for both John Danks and Gavin Floyd -- assuming general manager Ken Williams does not add another veteran arm to the rotation." $12M is a lot...this is the Carlos Lee trade, and Jon Garland is no Carlos Lee talent-wise, imho. Of course, Carlos was a clubhouse tool...but didn't it seem as though Garland never quite enjoyed his time here anyway? Remember the "Judy Garland" references. Plus, all said and done, we just got a .300 hitting gold glove shortstop for Matt Friggin' Karchner. So lighten up, fellas. Give Kenny some slack. It's NOVEMBER 19, not MARCH 19.

And this same Dan Pasqua was, I believe, the first player to hit a home run to the concourse at the New Comiskey Park. To further illustrate what a great trade that was, that palindromatic catcher acquired by the Pale Hose returned to the Chicago organization this year as bullpen coach.

[/color]I've heard they are close to signing him but his agent is balking at what his agent's calling the "Cheeto's Clause" that Kenny wants to include in the contract. It reads something like, "If Mr. Colon (hereafter referred to as "Fat Ass") is found during the season (meaning: from the date pitchers and catchers report to spring training until the last day of the World Series) consuming, inhaling or even touching a product made by the Frito-Lay or Hostess companies, the entire amount of his salary for that year (minus the cost of the product in question) must be donated to a charitable organization whose mission it is to fight obesity among major league pitchers and/or American children.

I am right with you on this. In fact, in the MLB "tracker" contest, I have Jones coming to the White Sox. I think Torii is 1st choice but Jones, not Rowand, is #2. Though Jones and Rowand 's best work is in the NL, I believe the upside on Jones (and the potential for all five tools to work together) is higher than Rowand's. Take note that Rowand's career year came in the NL, and as much as I like him, I'm afraid he will not be worth the final price tag (and good for him for getting it). The most likely to be "worth the price" among these three is Jones.

Anyone who retains Boras as his agent, to me, has questionable character. Time to trade Crede is now; Yankees know he's a good player--that's why they want him. But why not combine this entire thread and pull off a trade that fills a lot of the Sox holes. Yankees get Crede and Garland. White Sox get Betemit, Cabrera and Farnsworth (or other reliever). Not a bad beginning to the hot stove, Kenny.