Dick Allen

QUOTE (Rex Hudler @ Dec 7, 2012 -> 08:17 AM) If I read "three straight Rose Bowls" again, I'm going to throw something!! Wisky was 4-4 in the B1G this year and finished 3rd in their division. They only had a chance to play in the CG this year because of PSU and OSU's f*ck ups. Yes, he beat Nebraska, but let's not compare this season with the last two, please. On that note, I'm off to Vegas for the weekend to catch the Pacquiao - Marquez fight. Hold down the fort. If Wisconsin thinks one 4-4 season in the Big 10 after 2 legit Rose Bowl appearances is grounds for firing, good luck to them. They will be going through more coaches than Al Davis. Reminds me of when Self left Illinois. All of a sudden Illini fans said he wasn't a very good coach, couldn't win big games, slept with cheerleaders, good riddance. I think Self is a better coach than Bielema, but like him or not, his record at Wisconsin speaks for itself. His successor will have his work cut out for him just to match.

If the Sox trade De Aza, they are going to need a leadoff hitter.

I wonder if the Sox would trade De Aza, Floyd and a reliever to Boston for Ellsbury. Granted there is a 99.999999% chance you only have Ellsbury for a year, but you would only have Floyd for a year. The Sox have several interchangable relievers and probably will sign another one or 2 anyway. You would basically be giving up controlled years of De Aza for one year of Ellsbury. I don't know if Boston would do it, but I would think the correct color would consider it.

Tribune says the Sox are dangling De Aza and Viciedo.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 10:51 AM) Granderson's due for a huge contract soon. He's probably my favorite non-White Sox player, but I don't think it would be a good fit. Paulie is coming off the books next year. TV money is increasing and Granderson may be inclined to give a hometown discount.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 10:34 AM) I think Granderson would hit a ton of homers at the Cell Plus he is a guy the Sox wanted really bad when the Yankees got him. They noticed a flaw in his swing.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 10:31 AM) Headley or Logan Morrison? Not sure where LoMo would fit or if he's even an upgrade at this point. Granderson and Kubel are available.

He sucks, but maybe he will run to 1B.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:52 AM) Greinke and Hamilton are holding up the whole offseason, and they probably would have had more action if the Winter Meetings were next week and not this week. It would probably just delay the free agent action a week. I do agree the free agents are holding up trades. I just wish there was a way they could get the major guys out of the way before the winter meetings began. I think it would make a real nice offseason event for MLB, but with contracts what they are, and only going higher, it probably will never happen. Also, the days of baseball trades with contracts not playing the leading role for either side, are probably over as well.

Has there ever been a Winter Meetings with so few trades?

Maybe this guy is like Wimpy and blooming late. If he hits anywhere near what he did in 2012, I'm sure everyone will be happy. If he plays like a guy who gets non tendered, like he was in 2011, I'm sure he will be hated.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:35 AM) Dick Allen, the defender of lost causes... No lost cause, your post that JJ Putz would be quoted saying nice things in an article about AJ because he is afraid AJ will come back after him is garbage and you know it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:23 AM) Plus if he really is that big of a asshole, he'd be the type of person you'd say nice stuff about publicly, just so you don't become one of his targets. BS. Who has AJ ever targeted publicly? He was the target of a coward in SF who wouldn't use his name. Even when Barrett punched him, he didn't fight back.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:17 AM) You notice these are comments from players who have limited time with him. There are always a few guys who get along with everyone for a night out. The fact that players need to go out of their way to defend him says alot. He's a really good player and they want him on their side. Putz was with AZ when he said it, so I don't understand why he would say anything if he just hated the guy. David Ortiz loves him and has known him since the minor leagues. I've seen him out with Paulie and Jermaine Dye, they played with him for years. Maybe you or someone you know had a bad experience with him. It doesn't mean everyone hates him. He plays in a matter that agitates the opponent. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I've never met him and maybe I would hate him if I knew him, but there are plenty of people who do apparently like him and liked having him as a teammate.

Greinke is married to a former Cowboys cheerleader. Maybe she is pushing for Texas.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 07:36 AM) 2013-$10m 2014-$16m 2015-$22m 2016-$22m 2017-$22m 2018-$22m or $4m buyout. That means at least $96 million over 5 years. It doesn't make sense for the White Sox either. Looks like Loria's original plan was to hold on to him for one more season.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:03 AM) Jake Peavy ‏@JakePeavy_44 “@thereezmeister: What do u think about AJ possibly signing with the Yankees?” Wish him well if that's the case! The Yankees can't get Keppinger or Chavez. I wonder if they are even willing to pay AJ what he made in 2012. His has been the most quiet market. And now the Yankees are rumored to have offered Youk $12 million for 1 year.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 07:52 AM) PTATC; as others here have expressed I really appreciated your knowledge of injuries, rehab, etc. You seem to have some inside knowledge of players as well and I'm just wondering if you actually treat Sox players in your practice, or do you have friends within the Sox organization who share with you some of the personalities involved. The AJ hatred is overblown. I've seen AJ out on the town with teammates several times. In the same SI article I am posting Adam Dunn said he is no more a d--- than anyone else. Here's what JJ Putz had to say: Playing against him for so long, he was probably one of my least liked guys," said Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz, of his mindset prior to signing with the White Sox for the 2010 season. "Then my locker was right next to his, and after that he became one of my favorite teammates ever. He's not a baby, but just a guy who is so passionate that he doesn't hold anything back. Until you play with him, you have a misperception of what he is."

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 05:14 AM) How does Upton solve the problem of having a lineup that is too right handed? That contract will be expensive in 2014 and 2015, at over $14 million per year. Then you still don't have a true center fielder. De Aza wants to be moved to LF, and probably should be. He'd be a nice piece, but would you really want to give up a lot to get him? Wouldn't mind a LH hitter, but I'll take am Upton over the supposed balance any day. I would rather have a good righty than a mediocre lefty just for balance.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 08:38 PM) My other friend also said the 5 year guys is probably Greinke. No thanks, not with that kind numbers being thrown around his name. No chance

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 08:24 PM) In reference to this post... Someone I follow on twitter said Heyman was on MLB Networks and said: White Sox tossing around "pie in the sky" ideas. "somebody that they've loved for 5 years" Also he just tossed Justin Upton's name into the White Sox possibility bin. Don't know if that's based on anything but he said it. Can anyone vouch? I have no doubt if they haven't made arun at Upton, they have considered it, but I heard Heyman on TV and he was speaking in generalities. He never mentioned Upton , did say they were throwing ideas around and wondering if there was someone they have longed for 5 years they could make a run it. It was not a specific player.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 07:33 PM) I have it on pretty good authority that Alvarez will coach the Rose Bowl and there will be a press announcement tomorrow. Espn.com has had it for a while.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 07:17 PM) Don't you think he'll be fine coming off the surgery? Most pitchers come back from that now, don't they? He was not very good in 2011 and has not retired anyone in over a year. I would imagine his workload will be monitored early. Joe Nathan took a little while to come back.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 07:10 PM) This thread begs the question of "what do the Sox need the most?" I would say it's not just in acquiring bodies. This is what we need the most in order to be a team that could finish 20 games over .500. Because of Flowers' great arm I won't say the Sox's biggest need is catcher. 1.) we need a third baseman who can hit and is able to field better than Youk, who was no Brent Morel with the glove. 2.) We need Floyd and Danks to be healthy all year long. The re-signing of Peavy means we do not have to acquire another starter if my first sentence comes true. 3.) We need Viciedo to emerge as a special hitter while repeating the year he had with the glove. We won't win anything with him being the Viciedo of last year. 4.) We need a reliable righthanded reliever, somebody named Joaquim Soria, although I realize that ship has sailed. Somebody just like Soria. Gotta get one. We also could use a reliever NOT NAMED Crain and Thornton, to become RELIABLE. 5.) We need Beckham to hit better. There are too many nights our big boppers have pop-up-itis or strikeout itis. We just have to have a decent hitting second baseman to be legitimate contenders. Those are my list of needs for the team. I think they are fair. Greg I really have no idea how you can call Soria reliable at this point.

I wonder if ultimately BB just overplayed his hand. College coaches often use offers from other schools to get a new deal where they are at. Maybe he or his agent thought Wisconsin would never let a guy with 3 straight Rose Bowl teams go, and they would bump him up a bit.