Dick Allen

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 3, 2009 -> 11:47 AM) So, are you arguing that Kenny shouldn't have signed Konerko, Dye, or Contreras to extensions back in 2005, 2007, and 2006, respectively? Because, you know, they were probably going to peter out in 2009? Should Kenny have taken a pass on Linebrink and Dotel after 2007, and given the heap of dung that comprised the 2007 bullpen a chance to develop and shine in 2009? You can complain all you want in hindsight, but any team built around veterans on the other side of 30 will decline at some point. By acquiring these guys, the Sox had a window of opportunity from '06-'08, and it's apparently shut now. But at least this team had a chance, and actually played well for two of those four years. I'll take that approach over the Ron "The Kids Can Play" Schueler approach any day. I agree that this team needs to get younger. But you're going to have down years when your veterans reach their mid-30's after giving you that window of opportunity to win. Since MLB contracts are guaranteed, it's literally impossible to put an optimal team on the field every year. All I'm saying is this year's record should not surprise anyone. There were many publications that thought it would be even worse. Its not that great of a team. Isn't it KW's responsibilty to field the best team possible? Didn't he think he had a WS contender? If he did, he was pretty wrong, wouldn't you agree?

There are more than a few scouts who don't think Brandon Allen is an everyday firstbaseman on the major league level. I guess people are willing to live with 15 k in 37 AB when a guy leaves the White Sox. If he were here, the consensus would be he sucked, but since the Sox traded him, he's can't miss. Most of the can't missed KW has traded, have missed. Badly. One thing the Sox should be good at after years of experience, is identifying busts.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 3, 2009 -> 03:50 AM) The black Ryan Sweeney also has 15 K's in 37 at-bats. Reading some of the posts, I'm shocked he's not hitting near .500 with 15 HR in 37 AB.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 2, 2009 -> 10:13 PM) Quentin, Dye, Linebrink, and Dotel played up to reasonable expectations? Not really. The middle of the Sox lineup didn't hit at all during August. Is that an example of playing up to expectations? As I pointed out, Quentin was hurt, something that shouldn't shock anyone. Dye probably should have been an all star but faded. Guess who faded last year as well? Linebrink was horrid after his injury last year. What do you expect this year? How has Dotel not pitched to expectations? What exactly were you expecting? The game is getting younger. I read somewhere where only 4 non DHs 36 years old or older will have enough AB to qualify for a batting title. Until a week ago, the White Sox were scoring more than 5 runs a game in August. When the team is constructed as it is, and we have seen it for years now, it is prone to long stretches of little scoring. Why should anyone be surprised? We have seen it for many, many years including 2005. Beckham struggling killed this team. I'm not trying to single him out, he's been great and he's a rookie so he will have more struggles than he will in the future. He's one guy as good as he is, who will only get better. Unlike so many White Sox supposed phemons, he knows how to play baseball. He's the one guy who can keep them out of something as prolonged. Once the heart of the order runs its course and is replaced with younger, swifter, players, and it doesn't always take at least 3 hits to score some of them from first, while it might not be as potent when everything is clicking, the offense will be more consistent.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 2, 2009 -> 02:54 PM) So if the vast majority of the players played relatively well, why are you trashing Kenny for putting a bad product on the field? That makes no sense. I hate to break this to you, but you can't have All-Stars at every position. The Sox were below-average at CF and 2B for the vast majority of this season. Oh, and they had below-average #4 and #5 pitchers. Big freaking deal - EVERY team has holes. The rest of the lineup was far from bad on paper. If the vast majority of your players play up to reaonable expectations and your team is still below average in a terrible division, the guy putting the team together who claims he has a WS contender deserves some grief. No? KW did say Lillibridge would steal 40 bases. His evaluations were off a bit.

Anorexei could be a real good SS, but probably will always be leaving you wanting more. If he could get it through his head to just make the plays and not try for oohs and aahhhs, and not take routine plays off, he would be outstanding. I remember going to a game earlier this year where he leaped for a ball caught in and did a little flash with his glove. It looked like one of the greatest catches of all time. Then they showed it on the board. It was a liner hit almost right at him about 7 feet in the air. He could have just stuck his glove out and caught it. I think its one reason why you hardly ever see him go a game without making Paulie scoop one in the dirt on a routine play. He's too caught up in the glitz. I don't know if its something he will overcome, but if he ever decides to just make the plays, he will be a lot better than average. I do think he's on thin ice though as the Sox really want their captain of the defense to be the SS. I don't know if Anorexei really has that capability and Beckham certainly does. Although I do agree Ramirez will most likely be at SS next year, I really think eventually Beckham will be there.

They did Thome a favor and saved $1 million. Now if the impossible happens and the Sox go on a roll and make the playoffs and play the WS vs. the Dodgers and Thome DH's against the Sox and helps the Dodgers win, KW will never be able to live it down. However, odds are pretty long that scenerio plays out.

QUOTE (elgonzo4sox @ Sep 1, 2009 -> 10:15 PM) Ground ball through the infield + ground ball through the infield + blooper over the infield and the Twins get their winning run. This perfectly illustrates the primary reason why we lose in the Metrodome. It's not a baseball stadium - it's a track meet. Visualize a track circling the field, with the fastest team winning. Speed is what counts in the Metrodome, not how hard you hit the ball. Almost any ball hit further than 200 feet that doesn't clear the outfield wall will be caught by the other team, if they have speedy outfielders. The way you score runs is to get runners on base by infield hits, ground balls through the infield, and bloopers over the infield, and an occasional home run. The Twins know this, and have shaped their roster and lineup accordingly. The Sox in the past have been way too slow to win in the Metrodome. Tonight's lineup was faster than most that we've put out their in recent years, and we came close, but still the Twins got their cheap hits and run to win. The good news is that when the Twins move to Target next year, and have to play on a cold, wet real grass field for much of the year, it will negate their speed, and their power deficiencies will become very evident. The batting averages of all their speedsters will drop by 20 to 40 points, and some of them (hopefully Gomez) will get cut. The Twins are going to have to seriously revamp their roster, or they won't be competitive at all in 2010. They will look as bad as they do when they come to US Cellular or play on the road, where they have a poor record. Meanwhile, thankfully, there's just one more game for us there, and we get them for three more games on real grass, as God intended. They have an advantage at home but not a 15-2 which is what they are vs. the White Sox the last 17 games there advantage. The entire White Sox organization has been resigned to losing there for a long time. If you think you are going to lose, you will probably lose. Most of these losses haven't been because they are playing in a dome, but because the White Sox screw up basic baseball or the Twins execute. The Twins aren't very good on the road, but they have a better road record than the White Sox. KW has a lot of work to do if he's serious about another World Series.

Well I got a laugh at the email the Sox sent me today: September 1, 2009 POSTSEASON INVOICE DEADLINE TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER 2 White Sox Fans, If you haven't already done so, we wanted to remind you that tomorrow is the last day to purchase tickets for any potential postseason games. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE A PAYMENT ONLINE OR BY FAX, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS MESSAGE. To make a payment, please log into "My White Sox Account" or fax your postseason invoice to 312-674-5140 or 312-674-5449. If you must submit your payment by fax, please remember to include both sides of the invoice so we have your intentions for 2010 on file. How to Pay Online Access My White Sox Account Manager Enter your Account Number and Password where prompted. In the Account Settings box, click the "View/Pay Invoices" link, and then follow the instructions. The White Sox truly value you as a loyal season ticket holder. Thank you, and please know that your loyalty and passion for White Sox Baseball is greatly appreciated on every level of the organization.

It wouldn't shock me if he comes back next year. He's obviously a hired gun in LA.

QUOTE (wallyburger @ Sep 1, 2009 -> 06:58 AM) Okay , I give. What or whos is a " T Flow "? Its Flowers, he has a T Flow tat.

Brandon Hynick for Contreras and Justin Fuller for Thome, with the Sox sending a lot of cash the other way.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 11:29 PM) Cowley said we got cash back for Jose. They are probably paying him the minimum for a month while the Sox assume the rest. It will pay for Flowers call up.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 11:22 PM) Starting Freddy doesn't make sense if we're rebuilding though. Get used to Freddy. He has a $1 million option for next year with another $2 million in incentives. As long as his shoulder holds out, he'll probably be back.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 11:17 PM) If Kenny actually got something for Contreras, I applaud him. If he was able to get rid of Jose, why couldn't he get rid of Linebrink...? Jose is not owed $10.5 million total for 2010 and 2011.

QUOTE (DaveBrown85 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 11:10 PM) so do we know where he is going yet? I heard Boston, but that really makes no sense. I would think it would have to be Texas or TB.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 11:01 PM) So Big Poopie is moving back to 1B then? I don't know. It really doesn't make sense for Boston IMO.

I'm hearing Boston.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 10:52 PM) Seattle, has a decent shot too. Even though they have a better record, Seattle is farther from the playoffs than the White Sox. I really doubt its them.

It has to be Texas or TB doesn't it?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 10:48 PM) Ugh. Its a little over $2 million in savings.

QUOTE (LZPride08 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 10:46 PM) i was hoping kenny would get an offer for Dye over Thome, I was hoping Thome would finish his career here The problem with trading Dye is if you do, his $12 million next year becomes guaranteed, and if you bring him back, he has a full no trade.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 10:40 PM) Damn. I'll miss Thome. Hopefully Kenny laid the groundwork for him to go to a contender, and maybe to come back next year. That's what I think it is. They probably picked up as much money as they are allowed, probably will get a PTBNL depending on his contribution and the team's success,and could still sign him in the offseason. Basically, they are throwing Thome a bone to go to a contender because it obviously isn't happening for the Sox this year.

It appears Thome may have been traded but must wave his no trade.

QUOTE (GO CHI SOX! @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 09:52 PM) Williams didn't accompany the Sox to Minneapolis. Special assistant Bill Scherrer is here, as is a Detroit scout. http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....up-for-now.html I wonder what Detroit would want from us. He's scouting the teams as the still play the Sox 6 times and probably still have Minnesota.