Dick Allen

QUOTE (SockMe @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) does anyone know for sure if we got him. Buster Olney said that it was speculation that the Sox claimed him. Probably won't hear much until Tuesday. I'm sure if the Sox claimed him Ricciardi is acting like he'll pull him back if the Sox really want him, in an effort to get something via trade. Tuesday is the day he has to s*** or get off the pot, so if KW doesn't offer anything, that's the day the Blue Jays have to decide if they wouldn't mind just ridding themselves of the contract. Of course this could all be wrong, and the White Sox may not be the team that claimed him.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 11:54 AM) The Sox aren't going to take a chance on this type of contract because they are blocking the Tigers. Heck, the Tigers really don't have room to add this type of contract so if the Sox put in a waiver request, as has been reported, they've clearly decided that he'd fit in perfectly on this team next year and the next couple of years. And if you think about it, he's a younger version of Figgins that plays plus defense out in CF (not as good of a base-stealer as Figgins but he has more pop) and if the Sox were to go after Figgins this off-season it will probably cost a signficant chunk of money (you also have to contend with other teams) and you'll be losing a draft pick. This makes sense if the Sox had initially intended on Figgins. You get Rios, whose a quality player that would be unique to the Sox (they don't have many guys like Rios) and I think he'll really help this team. I've really liked Figgins in the past, but I'd be afraid to give him a big deal this coming offseason. Getting older, coming off a big contract year. A lot of injuries. I think some team may give him a ton of money and by 2011 will regret it.

There was another rumor that said the Blue Jays also might be interested in Jason Bay this offseason as he is Canadian and a pretty good player. Swapping out Rios for him would probably please their fanbase if that plays into it at all. It would be interesting to see what kind of contract Bay could command. 5 years $60 million, 6 years $73.5 million? That's what Rios has.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:03 AM) He can move to the bullpen. He's done it before. He wasn't 42 coming off surgery. I read where the bullpen is not an option for him at this point.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 11:34 AM) You could also argue that TB have shown in that division, that unless you have a payroll over $100M, the only way you can win in that division is to have a great young core that can offer a lot of payroll flexibility. IMO, he should have traded Halladay and rebuilt around the likes of Lind and Snider going forward, but then again, Toronto is trying to remain competitive with the attendance / payroll issues they have, so I can see why Riccardi did what he did even though a lot of people don't agree with it. Ricciardi is responsible for allowing the Halladay situation to become a circus, and he even contributed to it becoming even a bigger one, for that, he is wrong. But keeping him, although I agree his value will go down, isn't a bad thing. At the very least, they will have one more year of Cy Young-quality performance and a couple of draft picks, and then perhaps some cash to spend. Wells, he's stuck with. If he unloads Rios, and Halladay is gone after next year, and some of these injured pitchers come back, he's setting himself or his replacement up exactly how you described they pretty much have to be and I agree with you.

Here's something interesting I just looked up. Remember last season when the Twins claimed Jerrod Washburn on waivers? There were many who speculated Seattle would just let him go, but they pulled him back after a trade couldn't be agreed upon. Washburn comes back this season and has a real nice year, and is traded at the deadline for 2 pitchers without much major league experience. Luke French and some A ball guy. Was this wait worth it for Seattle? Contending really was a pipedream. Although they did get 2 pitchers, wouldn't they have been better off saving or reinvesting the almost $10 million they wound up paying Washburn? Considering Rios is owed a lot more than that, I think if the White Sox claimed him, they are going to get him.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) Why do you always do this? Why do you always take statements I make in regards to other teams, or other players, or other FO members or managers, and claim as though simply because I made a negative comment about one of them, I must also be endorsing a similar (or what you believe to be a similar) behavior or occurrence from someone within the White Sox organization? Not once did I claim Ozzie is perfect, or not a big mouth, or not an asshole. Not once did I endorse or encourage KW to speak in regards to other players. And yet, because I am a fan of this team, you assume as though that must means I endorse every breath any member of the organization takes, and therefore, I am further disqualifed from criticizing or commenting on what I believe are the missteps of others. Regardless of what Kenny, Jerry, or Ozzie have done, that does not somehow prevent JP Ricciardi of being a ridiculously arrogant prick. Where you heard he was "a nice guy in private, and very smart," I don't know. I am certain the guy is very smart. You don't get to his position in life by not being very smart. And yeah, maybe he doesn't kick his kid or his dog, or beat his wife, but that doesn't dismiss the fact that from most everything the media writes or says about him, he comes off as a total jerk. As for your comments on him being the Blue Jays' GM, this is what the arrogant ass promised in order to get the job - this is just the kind of over-the-top nonsense this guy spews: "You are spending too much money," Ricciardi reportedly told Godfrey. "I can make you cheaper and better. It'll take a couple of months to make you cheaper and a couple of years to make you better. But you'll be a lot better." Whatever. Considering they play 1/3 of their schedule against TB, NYY, and BOS, and have been decimated by pitching injuries, 6 games under is a lot better than they used to be. They have some pretty good players on that team. I suppose not showing any confidence in your ability would be the way you would suggest a guy approach a GM job. Maybe your way can work. Ricciardi's did.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 11:06 AM) You're right. The contracts that he gave to Wells and Rios, and his refusal to deal Halladay at his peak value, make him a bad GM. Well, he can get out of the Rios contract if he wishes right here, and if not trading the best pitcher in baseball makes you a bad GM, it may be one of the more difficult jobs ever created. The Wells deal was bad, but every GM has given bad contracts. Maybe not 9 figures bad, but as I said earlier, if Toronto was in the AL Central, they would be right in the race right now, if not out in front.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 11:01 AM) Are you sure about that? What I've read explains it a little differently... Unless Rios has been pulled back once already this month, he can be placed back on waivers again. It also sounds like Kenny is running the risk of getting stuck with all $60 million of that contract. Uggh. But if they can't pull him back a second time, whoever claimed him the second time would get him for nothing, so I don't see what that would accomplish for Toronto other than having to pay Rios a few more weeks to play meaningless games. I would imagine if all that has been speculated is true, Rios either winds up a White Sox or spends the rest of the year at the very least, in Toronto. Even if Detroit wanted to trade for him, what would they give up for a guy owed at least $60 million? It can't be much, and if they are looking for Toronto to provide salary relief, wouldn't just letting the team that claimed Rios assume the entire contract be more attractive than eating $10-20 million just to acquire some middle of the road prospects?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:51 AM) Are you kidding? Do you not see how much he stepped over the line there? That could be considered slanderous. That information could have hurt Adam Dunn's employment opportunities elsewhere. It could have damaged him financially. And god knows what Ricciardi's source even is. Because for a guy who doesn't particularly care for playing baseball, he sure as hell does put up numbers. Why do you think Ricciardi had to call Dunn and apologize if those comments weren't a "big deal"? Probably why KW called to aplogize to Frank and Ozzie called to apologize to ARod and Magglio, but when White Sox personnel pop off about other teams players its fine. It almost becomes a Jerry Springer Show. Look, I don't think Ricciardi should have said anything, and whether a player has or has not played for you in the past, commenting on other teams' property isn't right. I also feel there are a lot more people in baseball with a lot more inside info than we all have, who agreed with Ricciardi's assessment of Dunn at the time than disagreed. It doesn't make it right and he apologized. It doesn't make him a bad guy. This whole thing started when I said I read he was a very nice guy privately and very smart. It doesn't make him a bad GM, but these days, being the GM of the Blue Jays is almost masochistic. You're setting yourself up to fail.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:35 AM) I didn't say it was "ok" or "not ok." I think the settings are different. I think Soxfest is a special event that occurs one weekend a year which gives Sox fans a chance to come together with players and the FO and to ask questions. Debates and discussions occur there. From what I understand, KW is not disrespectful or rude during these conversations. On the other hand, JP has mouthed-off to fans on a freaking weekly radio show. Do you honestly consider these two forums to be comparable? If KW had a radio show, which he does not, if fans called ripping him, he would fire back. Its the one time of the year where fans can ask KW questions, and he always has said if fans fire on him, he's ready to fire right back. Its the same thing, fans asking a GM questions. Mostly stupid questions or they have crazy opinions. If firing on fans is wrong on a radio show, its wrong in a Soxfest setting. BTW, his Dunn comments may make him the world's biggest jerk to you, but I don't see the big deal. "Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much?" Ricciardi said to the caller. "Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player? "There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here ... "We've done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there's a reason why we don't want Adam Dunn. I don't want to get into specifics." J.P. then said "He's a lifetime .230, .240 hitter that strikes out a ton and hits home runs."

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:36 AM) I don't think you can block a straight waiver claim, can you? Yes.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:25 AM) There is a massive difference between having a debate in a closed environment designed for fans - a "town hall" meeting, if you will, and randomly acosting fans on a radio show, where everything is broadcasted to a much larger audience and recorded for posterity. Secondly, Adam Dunn never played for JP Ricciardi. Adam Dunn never did a thing to him. JP just went off on him because a fan suggested they trade for him. Frank Thomas and KW have a history. That is not a good analogy at all. Kenny does have a big mouth, and a big ego. But when Kenny has gotten controversial in the past, he has done it to protect this organization, not because he wanted to prove he is some sort of genius. The situations aren't particularly comparable. KW's Soxfest get togethers are covered by print and on air media. I would imagine his comments in those settings reach far more than the amount of people listening to Ricciardi's radio show before anything goes national, or international. When they say something newsworthy, it will reach the masses. I don't buy how its OK to say something at Soxfest, when the media is present, but not OK to say something on a radio show.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:15 AM) He gets into arguments with fans on radio shows. He insulted Adam Dunn on a radio show. The guy is an egomaniac and a loose cannon. KW gets into arguments with fans at Soxfest, he called Frank Thomas an idiot when Frank was with the A's. I know KW is an egomaniac, but would that also make him a loose cannon? If fans ask stupid questions or are blasting you with bad info, why can't you fire back. Frank Thomas is an idiot, and what Ricciardi said about Dunn isn't a unique JP Ricciardi thought. Both have big egos, but loose cannons, I dissagree.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:10 AM) Rios has more extra base hits (40) than everyone on our team except PK (42) and Dye (41). Also 19 SB (Getz is our leader with 18) compared to 3 CS. He has a lot of talent, and does fit with KW's plan to get faster, younger and more athletic. I think KW sees the White Sox defense, and sees it just like we all do, they need a massive upgrade, and he fits the bill. Whether you really want to owe him $60 million is the big question.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:56 AM) He's a little b****. The only positive things I have ever heard about him were in Moneyball. I've read where he is really a very smart and nice guy. There's nothing wrong with popping off about leaks. KW doesn't like anything leaked either.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:55 AM) That's a good point. If he's trying to save his job, getting the Jays back into a semi-healthy financial condition, at least enough to be able to afford to re-sign Roy Halladay, is a good start. It may not be enough to save him. But it could only help. I'm not so impressed with him as a GM, but if you put the Blue Jays in the AL Central at the beginning of this year and they didn't have to face TB,NY and Boston 18 or 19 times a season, they probably would be competing for the division title. He didn't handle the Halladay fiasco very well, and while I don't blame him neccesarily for not trading him, allowing it to become the circus it became was on him, and from what I've read, the people he reports to weren't very thrilled with it.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:43 AM) That's a s***ton of money for a not very good player. I swear if Pods got benched I'd be pissed off. He hasn't been very good for almost 2 years now and is 28, a time when he should be starting to peak. Whether a change of scenery can help get him on track is a big question. The upside is he's Carlos Beltran Jr. for a reasonable sum for quite a while. The downside is that he plays like he has been and you are stuck paying him what you pay far more productive players for several years and probably won't have an opportunity to move him.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:26 AM) if the Sox do trade for him,couldn't they just say a player to be named later and then that player wouldn't have to pass through waivers? I really think Ricciardi is an idiot an will pull him back. Ricciardi is also probably in his last couple months as Toronto's GM. I wonder how that will play into it. He may be desperate to save his job, and getting $60 million or so off the books would be a pretty good start.

The other thing to consider is Rios has a full NTC this year and next. He can block a waiver claim.

QUOTE (SoxnGiants @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 08:59 AM) Speculation up here in Canada is that BJ ownership needs to reduce payroll. This would be an easy way - especially since Rios has really become public enemy #1 to a degree with his poor performance and public issues. I'd expect the Jays to move him to us - and if it's by trade I'd be shocked if Rios wasn't overjoyed to leave. It makes a lot of sense for Riccardi to try to work a trade for Rios and if that fails just pass along his contract if the Blue Jays don't want to pay it. Rios hasn't played up to the hype for almost 2 years now, they might want out of that contract. I don't think their fanbase would be too opposed to it, I'm not there, but it never has appeared to me Rios was a cult-like figure in Toronto. If the team has any budget concerns at all, if I was Riccardi, I think I would move him on whether its the White Sox making the claim or some other team. The Blue Jays have been criticized for giving him that contract, and this is a Get out of Jail Free card being handed to him, although I'm sure they still see the talent and it would be kind of hard to let it go for nothing.

I hope the Tigers pick him up. What is there anywhere to say he's not done? A 42 year old pitcher, who now cannot pitch multiple days, so no bullpen, all sorts of surgeries, and a guy who was pretty much lit up every time he took the mound. Its not like something is going to click pretty soon. He's done.

QUOTE (Dizzy Sox @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 09:54 PM) It took Flowers a a few weeks to adjust to AAA, but it looks like he's on the road to figuring it out there. I wonder how long it will take Fields to adjust to AAA.

QUOTE (b-Rye @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 12:04 AM) Dye will be the DH... he is younger and can still play the field... KW has no problem letting aging DH's go (Frank Thomas) I don't know why everyone just assumes Dye is the DH next year. First off, except for average, Thome's numbers are better. The 20 points in average is 1 less hit every 50 AB. Secondly, no one knows if Dye would agree to become a full time DH and even if he did, if he would be effective as one. Many players struggle in that role. Thome being older is probably a bigger gamble, but he'll also probably come much cheaper. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Perhaps both are gone.

Here's a couple things to ponder. Rios makes a ton of money, really starting next year. If he were a free agent this year, he would certainly not get the contract he currently holds. On the other hand, if, and its about as gigantic of an if as there is, he can play to his ability, if Toronto just wants to give him to the White Sox, its quite a deal for KW. If he plays like he has this season and most of last, KW is left holding the bag. Financially, this works because Rios is owed a couple of million the rest of the seaon, which is about the same or even a little less the extra money they would have paid Peavy had he agreed to come when the initial trade was made. Personally, if I were a GM, this would be a tough call. Its a very real possibility whoever claimed him will get him for the waiver fee, and it may be the White Sox. I would most likely not have claimed him, but if KW did, and I do criticize him from time to time, I would not at this time. If he plays anywhere near his potential, he's an excellent pick-up, and with all the money coming off the books, probably a decent gamble. My only qualm would be if he were to become a free agent at the end of this year, would I give him his current contract? The answer would be no, so the waiver claim for me would be no.