Dick Allen

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 19, 2010 -> 06:59 AM) Kenny Williams is apparently focused upon finding a potent left handed bat. I must admit that I have been almost myopically obsessed with the same quest. I just looked at last season's split stats for the Sox, assuming that I would see corroborating evidence of their ineffectiveness versus right handed pitching, due to the total lack of a left handed threat. I was shocked to discover that they actually hit right handers better than southpaws!! Among all Big League teams vs left handers, they ranked 16th in runs, while posting a .251 avg. .331 OBP, .419 SLG and .750 OPS However, vs right handers they were 5th in the Majors in runs scored, while posting a .271 avg. .332 OBP, .420 SLG and .752 OPS Maybe some of you knew that, but it should give pause to reconsider KW's off season agenda. While the offense was nothing special, it does appear that facing right handed pitching, without a potent left handed bat, was not the problem. The Sox still need a left handed presence in the middle of the order, but let's hope that it's someone who can also hit left handed pitching. They can't afford to do any worse vs southpaws. While a lefty hitter would be nice to balance things out, the spots are best filled by the best hitters you can find. Besides, Quentin basically hits like a typical left handed hitter.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Nov 18, 2010 -> 06:02 PM) Well at this point he's a better hitter and much better at throwing runners out than AJ. I guess the two questions would be the price tag and how well he can handle a pitching staff. Better hitter? 2010 was the first time his OBP was over .300. If you don't like AJ, you won't like Olivo.

Floyd will cost another team a lot and it could be a good time to deal him. Maybe you get burned and he puts it all together like he does 2 months a season, or maybe he is what he is with potential injury ramifications. He finished 2009 hurt. He finished 2010 with a sore shoulder and out. If you trade him, chances are on June 1, 2011 you will think you robbed the other team as his ERA will probably be hovering around 6.00. Then the next 2 months he'll look like they should just put in in the HOF right then and you'll be pissed they moved him. Then he will get fairly mediocre again and perhaps come up lame with something finishing with fairly respectable numbers.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 16, 2010 -> 10:16 PM) Because using RBIs in a less than 100 plate appearance span is meaningful, especially when said player had just gotten off of the DL like 2 weeks before. Argue that he might get hurt or that you have a moral objection to bringing in roiders, but I really don't think you can argue effectiveness. Manny's recent history? 2008 - 1.031 OPS, 654 PAs, 6.2 WAR 2009 - .949 OPS, 431 PAs, 2.5 WAR 2010 - .870 OPS, 320 PAs, 1.6 WAR I think it should be expected to see some decline, but much of that decline in WAR has to do with lack of plate appearances and performance in the outfield, and theoretically speaking, the Sox superb training staff while allowing him to remain a DH will keep him healthier at the very least. Sure wasn't for Jim Thome. Using Manny's performace with only 2 RBI is very fair. He failed several times to drive in runs when they were sitting on the pond. If you want to use his injury as an excuse, how come you didn't speak up that he probably would be ineffective with the Sox because of a lack of playing time previously? And how can you know that he won't just get hurt again? He also has a history of taking time off anyway. Manny being Manny always ends poorly. He was a roider, whether I have a moral objection is irrelavant. What is relavant is if he's off the steroids, chances are that, in addition to age and injury will also lead to declining performance. Notice a pattern in Manny's performance. He's not juiced anymore (supposedly) and is getting older. The Sox training staff may be superb, but to say they will keep him on the field and productive is a reach. When you get to be 39 and have abused your body, there's things that happen that Herm can do nothing about. But just for s***s and giggles, lets say you sign Manny to a contract guaranteeing him $5 million with incentives that take that up to $10 million. Say he goes on a tear. What do you think happens next? He's going to cry for an extension and remember if he didn't get busted, $22 million a year wasn't enough. What happens when he doesn't get what he wants? It happened in Boston and in LA, he suddenly gets hurt or gets sick and has to sit out games. The guy was worth the headache when he was in his prime, but not now. The only way Manny stays happy with a Vlad like contract is if he doesn't perform very well.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Nov 16, 2010 -> 11:54 PM) Does anyone remember what 1990 did for the white sox organization for years to come. In 1990 we saw three young impact players make their arrivals, Robin Ventura, Frank Thomas, and Jack Mcdowell and they would help provide the core of the sox team for years to come. I still believe that having a good team starts at the bottom, you need to produce your own young impact players and bring them up. Its the same thing the Phillies have done, though now their young core has gotten a bit older (Rollins, Howard, Hamels, Utley, Werth). If the White Sox are going to be a successful franchise they have to develop talent, get them to the majors, and build around them for years. If that process takes a couple years in the AL Central doghouse than so be it. If I remember correctly the Phillies sucked from like 1998 to around 2003. That also took a lot of losing, 4 years, to be in a position for those guys, something that will not be tolerated. Also, losing, even picking #1 in the draft for 4 years isn't going to guarantee you picks that pan out like those 4. There's no question the White Sox have to do a lot better developing players, but to go into full rebuild mode right now eventually won't be popular with anyone. In fact, back to those losing days, those were the last days White Sox owners were given cash calls, and that was with a payroll less than what Bobby Jenks makes. You can trade your current veterans for prospects but that doesn't mean they will pan out. The Marlins have had a pretty good recent history at selecting and developing players, yet look at the haul they receu=ived for Miguel Cabrera. Basically nothing. KW says he doesn't want to be "in between" which is exactly where the Sox have been most of the past 15 seasons. In fact they have used that as a reason to believe they have been such a successful franchise, counting their victory totals against everyone else over that span and stacking up fairly well. I personally don't think "in between" is a bad thing. Its no man's land in the NBA, but in MLB, you can still win and go to the playoffs. You can still draft impact players. Its almost as if KW is setting everyone up with some pain.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Nov 16, 2010 -> 04:48 PM) Ooops, I missed where he said Sale. Well I'd definitely give up one of Danks/Sale, Viciedo and Morel for Upton and another piece. I don't think the Sox could trade Sale now even if they wanted to. And if AZ wanted him as a PTBNL, they certainly wouldn't want him pitching for the White Sox risking injury before he was eligible to be dealt. I'm also against trading Danks. Morel may be OK eventually but he's easily and cheaply replaceable for the immediate future. Viciedo doesn't seem to be the manager's favorite guy. I really doubt they trade Upton, although his contract does call for a decent sum of money. I wouldn't be shocked if KW goes after his brother. He's been after him before and his price has probably never been lower.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Nov 16, 2010 -> 07:30 PM) Because Manny Ramirez and Donny Lucy don't have different histories or anything But you're ignoring Manny's recent history. He's pushing 40 now, getting hurt, always going to have some sort of controversy sometime, and just isn't the same hitter when he's not juiced up. These guys fade quickly. See Sosa, Sammy, McGwire, Mark, Canseco, Jose. Besides Boras is talking full time DH. Isn't that supposed to be very bad?

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Nov 16, 2010 -> 04:08 PM) Look at it this way, AJ would cost more than Manny if offered arbitration (which many here are clamoring for in false hopes of getting draft picks), Linebrink makes essentially what Manny would, Teahen is close. Manny's production at DH at that salary would be huge for the Sox. Manny drove in as many runs as Donny Lucy for the White Sox in 2010. Lucy batted 15 times and was basically released. Just because Vlad came back doesn't mean Manny will.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 16, 2010 -> 06:04 PM) It is also why I would accept deals for Beckham if we were able to get a talented guy that can play a premium position. Bottom line, solid 2nd baseman can be had/found with relative ease compared to most other positions. It is also probably one of the cheapest starting positions on the diamond, if not the cheapest. Except Uggla turned down $48 million for 4 years and Beckham isn't even eligible for arbitration for 2 years. Uggla wants $14 million a year for 5 years.

QUOTE (beckham15 @ Nov 14, 2010 -> 08:36 PM) hopefully we'll be seeing alot less of those this upcoming season.....it seemed like they wore them every game this past year 115 times. Personally, I don't mind the slight change. Its a patch. I really believe had they had the Sox logo all along and switched to the diamond and sock, people wouldn't have cared for it either. They will still have the diamond on the blacks which they seem to wear a lot more anyway.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 14, 2010 -> 03:57 PM) LOL iowa. Maybe think about not fielding a bball team moving forward. It doesn't help when you have an awful team to begin with, to play without your best player. They will be better than last year, but not a good start for the new regime. Lickliter screwed this team up about as much as you can screw them up.

So far, we have reports of the Sox interest in Soriano, a top FA, repped by Boras, and of the possible availability of Gordon Beckham. KW had his leakers get everyone on the wrong scent it appears.

QUOTE (soxfan-kwman @ Nov 12, 2010 -> 02:00 PM) Anyone read what Morneau said about the new Target Field. Coming to our ballpark is a relief to him, Kubel, Mauer, & now Thome. Any thoughts!! Especially with the good pitching staff that we have on the Southside. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5796135 Apparently it didn't prevent the Twins from beating the Sox like ragdolls at Target Field in 2010. Considering its a "relief" when they don't have to play there, isn't it at least a little strange they had the best home record in the AL in 2010?

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 11, 2010 -> 08:32 PM) Or he wanted to play for a team that was a contender and would have accepted less. Not everyone works for the high bidder like a whore. Its a nice theory. The problem is JD WAS complaining about the money last year. $3 million was "insulting"".

QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 11, 2010 -> 05:20 PM) Beckham's metal issues about his swing/success in the majors took place prior to last season, and as soon as he got off to a slow start, seemed to spiral more out of control. He hit .310 the second half. I think he'll be fine.

The Cubs want some state aid for Wrigley Field renovations. Good luck with that.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 11, 2010 -> 03:06 PM) The football field actually fits pretty well at Yankee Stadium for ND/Army. I wonder if they took out any seats near home or in CF. Although this way there arent as many good 50-yard line seats as there are at Wrigley. Link My dad used to go to all the Bears games when they played at Wrigley. It was configured a little differently than it will be for NU/ILL, and only had 7 yard endzones. He said it was a great place to watch a game.

Frank tried to be a music exec back when he was destroying AL pitching. He lost a boatload of money. Hopefully this works out better for him.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Nov 11, 2010 -> 04:21 PM) I want Miranda Cosgrove. Until JD realizes he's a DH and only a DH he will stay unemployed. Yeah, I don't think sitting out a season is going to improve his range in the OF.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Nov 11, 2010 -> 04:17 PM) So he turned down a $3 million deal from the Cubs? Was he saying he didn't want to play for the Cubs or didn't want to play for "only" $3 million? He might be worth a $1 million signing as long as he doesn't mind playing a lot of DH. It was so predictable, its sad. He was offended at playing for $3 million last year so he sits out and now money isn't a concern. Maybe he has a greater appreciation for how lucky he is to be able to play baseball and make that kind of cabbage. I still think he's Paulie's replacement if Paulie leaves.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Nov 11, 2010 -> 02:09 PM) Let's just say he's a lot less 'untouchable' now than he was last year. Doubt it. He's available for a crazy price. KW isn't going to get rid of him unless a team overpays. Techinically he's available, because as Hawk correctly states, every player is or has been tradeable except one. Michael Jordan. Beckham is going nowhere unless some team is willing to grossly overpay. The White Sox aren't going to let a guy with his talent, tied up cheaply for years, unless they are getting the same thing back multiple times. He's going nowhere.

5 years ago, Wilder was the "hot" guy. He was the guy other teams were interviewing for open GM positions. He was the guy KW "knew he would lose". He just never imagined losing him the way he lost him. Just taking bits and pieces of the information that has been provided by this story and making presumptions, I woud imagine this guy had weights on him that not many feel. That doesn't excuse what he did. Who knows really what kind of damage he did to the organization, but probably plenty. KW actually gave this guy a promotion.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 7, 2010 -> 04:28 PM) Sure, and if you can find me a prime Frank Thomas, than we can talk. What does that have to do with defense? The poster was concerned about the arm in CF. There have been a lot of CF's great with the glove with zero arm through the years. I pointed out Lance Johnson, as he was a White Sox. I could point out Aaron Rowand who had a better arm, but he wasn't very accurate and looked like he was hunting for rattlesnakes often and his throws went straight into the ground. How did the Sox win games in 1990 before Frank Thomas arrived with Lance Johnson in CF and Ivan Calderon their big bat? Your desire for a smart ass comment after almost everything I post I actually enjoy.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Nov 7, 2010 -> 09:03 PM) Are you really gonna be that upset with Castro over AJ at catcher next year. If Ramon Castro is the White Sox regular catcher next year, and I give it about a zero percent chance, eventually everyone who wants the Sox to win will be upset.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Nov 7, 2010 -> 03:34 PM) It is changed for the playoffs. see attached: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5022064 If they change it for the playoffs, why wouldn't they change it for the regular season? I can understand hockey having 2 different sets of rules, but its not like its adding potentially hours to the game.