Dick Allen

Broadway is not nearly as good as Richard right now and Richard can get better. Broadway peeked in college. If KW took offers on these 2, they would be a lot better for Richard.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 10:58 AM) A leadoff hitter leads off once a game for sure, then the same % likelihood as everyone else. You don't dictate your roster by spot in the order. You get the best 9 guys you can, then put them in the order that makes the most sense. The leadoff hitter also bats in front of your best hitters and comes to the plate as much as anyone on your team. It should be a priority that that person is someone who gets on base more frequently, and probably in scoring position whether its hitting for extra bases or stealing, than most.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 03:26 PM) It reminds me of tall people getting into basketball even without talent. Apparently in baseball if you throw hard, you're in. MacDougal has a ton of talent, and he's been very good before. He was an All Star one year and even though you have to take 1 Royal, he was deserving. I think he had 25 saves at the All Star Break. His motion is messed up and he's a head case. Throwing strikes has been impossible for him for a couple of years unless he serves it on a platter. The feeling most with the White Sox have is he has no idea how good his stuff is. If he trusted it a little more, he could be elite. Chances are, it will never happen, but maybe he has an unbelievable year out of nowhere like Cliff Politte in 2005.

LeBrun (2:15 p.m. ET): Just a quick note on Martin Havlat. He's close to signing a multiyear deal, but it won't be completed today. But they're close enough where the Hawks are not going to move him today.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 12:10 PM) that was an interesting blurb about Viciedo: Have to keep in mind that he's still very young. They have correct it immediately. Apparently, the rap against him in Cuba was he became disinterested. If he's blowing things off the first week of his first spring training, it doesn't bode well moving on. I'm sure KW and Ozzie have made a point to him this morning.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 10:06 AM) You're thinking of the Kiss Demon from WCW wrestling, Dale Torborg. Regier was one of Wilder's guys who has since been reassigned to a scouting role. Considering one of the accusations against Wilder was providing PEDs to the overvalued prospects, and Regier was linked, maybe he wasn't mistaken.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 09:59 AM) May the best player win. May the second best player be versatile enough to be the utility man. May the next best guy be ripping the cover off of the ball in Charlotte chomping at the bit to get a shot if someone stumbles. I'm no longer worried about second base. I'm more worried about Fields and the CF battle. So far, I think it will end up with Nix starting, Getz at utility, and Lillibridge heading to the minors. Beckham will get some time in the minors even if he has a great spring. If Ramirez is as good of SS defensively as the White Sox believe he is, Beckham is going to be the 2B eventually and maybe even very soon, unless the two 3B candidates totally flame out. Getz, I think, is the best bet to start the season at 2B if Beckham doesn't play his way on the team. He is the type of offensive player the Sox need. A guy who can handle the bat and get on base. Nix and Lillibridge, while better defensively, strikeout an awful lot. Lillibridge can run, but as they say, no one has figured out how to steal first base. We'll know more in a few weeks. Results now really mean little although if you're fighting for a job, its probably not good to feel that way.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 07:45 AM) I'm actually hoping that he wins the position. Getz will always be around in Charlotte, and I like Lillibridge as the utilityman that can play CF, SS and 2B with Betemit at 3B and 1B. With Ramirez and Lillibridge, we have two more players that can fill in for CF, so there's no reason at all to keep Owens or Wise. I'm not sure we really need EITHER player, but it seems like we will end up keeping one or the other. That also provides you a nice balance of speed on the bench (with Lillibridge and/or Wise/Owens). I'm starting to think they really knew (once again) what they were doing with Nix, and also the rationale for signing him to a major league contract. This has happened time and time again when the White Sox identified something in a player that almost everyone else (scouts/GM's) missed. I don't think they expect Nix to make the team. Why would they not have claimed him on waivers if they saw so much potential?

According to Cowley, Viciedo left early yesterday: Viciedo — The bat is as good as advertised, maybe even better. Defensively, Viciedo has a lot of work to do. Leaving the facility Monday, when he was scheduled for extra work in the weight room, didn’t help. The kid can be a star in the next few years, but don’t be surprised if it happens at left field or first base. I'm sure it will be addressed. Unless he really has a desire to spend a lot of time in Birmingham or Charlotte, he probably wants to stay out of Ozzie's doghouse.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 3, 2009 -> 02:29 PM) Playing half of his games in that ballpark will hurt his offensive numbers, even if he stays healthy and even with consideration to the fact they have the fans blowing out when Minnesota bats. It wasn't that long ago when the Metrodome was known as a bandbox. It just goes to show how all the new parks are small.

QUOTE (Pumpkin Escobar @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 12:31 PM) Haven't gone through the whole thread but I saw this a couple minutes on the internet of Toronto getting involved in O.Cab. I don't think they'll deal a top prospect, although it should be what we require noting Cabrera's type-a status. I'd assume they'd bite on a pretty good player depending on how we play this, if we kick in something, if Oakland raises their stakes. This idea of Wells isn't a bad one. I know he is dramatically overpaid since he never quite repeated his big season(s) where he was given the money. The Jays do have an overstock in the OF. With Lind, Snider, Rios (another overrated player IMO) and Wells, you'd hope one of them could be had. I'd say the Cabrera deal and something decent from our end. If it is to be Wells, they'd have to eat it but I doubt we'll get him. I'd like to get Cecil, but with the loss of Burnett/health concerns with other arms/and Halladay most likely out the door, I don't see them dealing young, cheap arms. Our ceiling may be a guy like Luis Perez and another quality young arm. If I were Kenny though, I don't help O.Cab out unless I am getting a nice haul for him. Problem is, Kenny hasn't exactly been landing hauls for our players lately. I can't believe I'm defending KW, but,Carlos Quentin was a pretty good haul for a A ball firstbaseman. Freddy Garcia's haul was better than keeping Freddy. Even though I'm not very high on the minor leaguers, the "haul" for Swisher wasn't bad. Now teams are leary of assuming his contract. If Flowers and Lillibridge are half as good as KW says the "haul" for Vazquez, a guy who in reality is no more than an overpaid 4th or 5th starter, is a pretty good one. The White Sox get a first rounder and a supplemental if OC signs with Toronto. You can bet KW won't settle for scraps instead of those picks especially if he will be picking up some payroll.

Considering how much he gets slammed on this board, the new Contreras love is interesting.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 12:37 PM) I modified my post before you posted yours. I am well aware of all those things you mentioned. It seems that you are the one making excuses for other Major Leaguers bad plays. I have mentioned what have happened so far. It was painfull to watch Betemit yesterday. This type of play should not happen in MLB even in ST. Veteran players should have free pass even they look sorry in the field. Let's make excuses for them. Players usually do not change much. You are who you are. If Betemit can not catch in SS in ST, he won't be good there in July. Alexei may struggle for the first two month though he has a year playing in cold weather. Errors happen. Even the greatest fielders of all time screw up plays. Obviously Betimet should have made a couple of more plays yesterday, but these games do not count. I am not worried. He's never been known as a Gold Glove type fielder, but he's certainly not as bad as what he appeared yesterday. Its one game on March 1st.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 11:55 AM) Haven't I critized Viciedo's AB? Haven't I mentioned his swings out of the strike zone? Alexei hitted below 200 for two month as a part time player and during cold weather. Guillen panicked with him. Its going to cold again the first 2 months this season, should Alexei go to rookie ball until it warms up? As for Viciedo, you make every excuse in the book. He doesn't know the pitchers. Its spring training, the pitchers don't have their best stuff yet either. These games, while entertaining, mean very little. There are tons of players who hit .400 in spring training and then stink when the season starts. There are also tons who can't do anything right in spring training and once the games count are pretty good. To put much weight in results this early during spring training, good or bad, especially for veteran players is nuts.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 11:35 AM) I am not being vias guys. It may seem that way for some of you. I have mentioned what happened and what I see. If Viciedo does not do good, then he needs to go to the minors. I have expressed these thoughts before. Let's rewind Viciedo's two AB. First AB: Swing an slider outside the strike zone. He missed a fastball around the middle of the plate. He fouled that pitch. Kuroda threw another slider outside to put him away and he did not bait. That was pitch recognition and making adjustments. He ran the count 2 and 2 or 1 and 2 before flying to short CF. Second AB vs Milton this time. Swang at a low ball for strike one and swang a slightly high fastball for strike three. Guillen said the pitchers do not know him. It goes both ways too. If Beckham will be move to second, why is he playing SS now. Are we going to bring him without playing significant time at 2B and hand him that position? So the Sox critized certain players for having a shaking defense and are willing to bring up a guy with very little experience at 2B. I am assuming this will happen. Viciedo had a bad game, maybe he should go to rookie ball. The point is everyone is going to have a bad game. Everyone is going to have several bad games. A veteran kicking a couple balls in an exibition game on March 1 is no reason to get your blood pressure at stroke levels. He's been a big leaguer for several years, he is obviously better than what he showed Sunday. Maybe its just me, but I have the feeling if Betimet was Cuban you wouldn't be jumping all over him. You seem to make excuses for Viciedo's failures but have no patience for anyone else's. Alexei Ramirez was hitting below .200 a month and a half into the 2008 season, was rookie ball the place for him? I've no problem with you being proud of your fellow Cubans, I'm glad you are, but I think you should be fair to the others.

Parking in an unmarked field and getting a ticket shouldn't be shocking. Unless there is something there that says you can park there, I don't know why you would assume it isn't private property. If you're driving around USCF and see a driveway wide open you wouldn't park your car there.

Its not only Toronto's pick the Sox would lose, but the supplemental as well. You would have to figure that's at least $2 million in signing bonuses. If they want OC bad enough either make them give up a guy like League (who I would rather have than pay the picks who chances are won't pan out) or make them give up their pick or let OC rot on the sidelines. He had his chance to accept arb and screwed up.

Considering all the bargains that were available in free agency, I can't see the Sox taking any of the Blue Jays high priced players. It would be absurd to take Rolen's contract and pass on guys like Hudson and Cruz even Furcal who probably makes less than Rolen. I think if the Sox make a trade with Toronto, they will go after a reliever or minor leaguers.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 03:21 PM) He's your next Jon Garland. I don't think anyone will call him Judy.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 03:15 PM) Utility players must caught the ball if they are in the Majors. These are not rockets guys. These connections are very catchable. I bet you that Betemit played in the Winter League. I have to check though. Its March 1. He's a veteran player. Rookie ball is a bit of an overreaction at this point. Quentin doesn't have a hit this spring. Should he join him?

Well it is March 1. 92 k in 67 IP with a .208 BAA in 2008. Yeah, he's really bad.

I'd imagine KW actually has money invested in this venture. Most celebrity bars have zero invested by the celebrity. Harry Caray had no money in his restaurant but he got paid to give it some pub and make appearances. Its funny 11 years after his death most of the Cubs still go there and all Harry had into it was hanging out there. McMahon had nothing in his place. Ditka had nothing in his first place, but actually does in his most recent. KW doesn't live in the area anymore so they couldn't have him make appearances, his name isn't on the bar, plus he's kind of busy with his job. So he's probably just an investor who they could throw a little bit higher of pct. of profit to compared to his investment by throwing his name out there. If I lived in the West Loop, I'd probably check it out. At least it isn't in Wrigleyville.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 28, 2009 -> 06:36 PM) Good move for the Royals. Wow, haven't said that in a long time. One of these years, the Royals are going to be pretty good. Maybe not Tampa good, but capable of winning 90 games or so. I still wonder if its possible they will be able to sustain it for any length of time.

Farnsworth got $9.5 million for 2 years. Cruz is only guaranteed to make $6 million total in 2 years. It shows how much the market changed from the WS until now. Farnsworth's agent should be agent of the year.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 26, 2009 -> 02:10 PM) He apparently had been in failing health. I had no idea, he has been in the studio with Kendall Gill most of the season, and even very recently, seeming to be fine. I was talking to a guy at work a couple of days ago and we were remarking about how Norm really hadn't been looking good lately.