Dick Allen

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 7, 2009 -> 10:05 AM) Kenny is answering a question. Its not like he is going out and saying this to anyone he can corner. Reporters ask, he answers. I actually agree with KW with extensions for these guys. They have had 1 good season each. You can't get too far ahead of yourself. Generally, if they continue like they have been, a year or two of arbitration still is a decent deal. The no money talk is what has to stop.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Feb 7, 2009 -> 11:29 AM) This is surpising to me only from that fact that if someone is taking them someone in the locker rooms starts to talk and there is some rumors. I personally did not hear any od the A-Rod ones. He must have been very discrete about it. As far as Puljols goes, there has been talk about him since he was drafted ala Mike Piazza. Again I'm not saying he is for sure but you hear the talk in the locker rooms. David Kaplan was on Comcast the other day telling a story of how he went to interview Piazza one day and Piazza had to change his shirt or something. His back was completely covered with zits. Its dissappointing to hear about ARod, I really thought he was clean, but I do feel sorry for him in the sense that these tests were supposed to be confidential. I'm sure if they were not, most players wouldn't have taken them. Its dirty pool to leak the information now. I don't see how naming names 6 years later is really going to do anyone any good. Mark McGwire was right about one thing, its time to move forward. I'm just assuming most players used during the "steroid era", and for things like HOF consideration, the players who played in that era should be compared to the peers. Its probably not fair to the clean guys, but so be it. If Frank Thomas was clean, and we have every reason to believe he was, it makes his accomplishments more spectacular. I wasn't a fan of his attitude, but for a long while, he was a good as it gets offensively.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 7, 2009 -> 07:25 AM) The irony is that if you look at our expenditures over the last three years and compare that with 1) attendance and 2) wins, you'd have to agree we're getting a "so-so" return on our investment. However, if you factor in the fact that our average ticket prices, parking, concessions and souvenirs are close to the top in terms MLB rankings of cheap versus expensive...well, there's not much of a sensitivity to the plight of the fans, especially with the 11% increase for 2009. It's kind of strange, but you never hear KW say "our average payroll over the last three seasons was fifth in baseball..." You do see a few pretend-brave/courageous writers like Cowley bowing to JR, but that cheap label has been hard to get rid of since the White Flag trade, and because of the Bill Veeck Era before that. You have Albert Belle, David Wells, Navarro, keeping Buehrle/Konerko/Dye....spending a ton of money on Rodman, Pippen, Jordan, Hor. Grant, Kukoc and BJ Armstrong. But it's hard for fans to forget the way Fisk was treated, Black Jack McDowell, Ventura...Lance Johnson, Durham, Ordonez (of course KW never planned to keep him, regardless of the injuries), Carlos Lee, Rowand, Crede, etc. Then there was the nasty decade-long struggle with a diminishing Frank Thomas that lowered both sides in the process and was sad to watch. Yet our attendance was middle of the pack (mostly because of the nearly season-long disappointment of 2007) with all that money we spent, and the most successful year was the one in which we spent the least (05). I wouldn't have a problem as long as KW wouldn't walk around and tell everyone almost everytime he's interviewed that the White Sox were broke. He even joked about having to play day games because they won't be able to pay their electric bill. I also wonder why he will bring up the Forbes report which states the White Sox spend the most percentage-wise on payroll vs. net income, which is fine and dandy, but could be a little misleading considering their sweetheart lease deal and other factors, but will say Forbes has no idea what they are talking about when they state the White Sox have made over $70 million in profit from 2005-2007. If the payroll is going to be $100 million, that's fine, although as a season tickethoder I do feel a bit shafted at an increase in ticket price and a decrease in the cost of the team on the field. If they have $5 million to throw around to get out of a lease,(I don't think that $5 million should effect payroll) they should have some money to throw around to fill a couple of holes on the team. The crying poor act has become old.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Feb 7, 2009 -> 06:51 AM) The White Sox as an organization have always seemed very sensitive about the perception that they are cheap, so this doesn't surprise me. It would probably behoove KW to get off of the "I don't have any money to spend" talk if they don't like being thought of as cheap. If they think a guy making minimum is just as good as someone who would cost millions, fine. Just don't go into the "can't spend $1 when I only have $.50." He cries poor more than any executive since Bill Veeck. KW brings more attention to White Sox finances with his talk.

JR and friends make a ton of money off the Bulls. A ton, yet he won't pay a luxury tax even though he's making profit. I really wonder why its every dime that comes in supposedly goes out with the White Sox, but he won't come near that with the Bulls. Anyway, not trying to buy the NHL team has zero effect on White Sox money.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 6, 2009 -> 07:49 AM) Gord Ash had better man up and pay for the surgery for Ben Sheets. After the s***fit he through in the Sirotka/Wells deal, he would be a two face not to do so. Milwaukee looked at Sheets' medical crap and thought he was fine so they offered arbitration. The Blue Jays initially signed off on Sirotka after a physical. Gord Ash needs to find better doctors.

Ben Sheets is going to have elbow surgery. Does anyone still want KW to sign him? Funny thing is, most teams are more concerned with his shoulder than with his elbow.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 5, 2009 -> 10:53 AM) Abreu: RISP: .296 .372 .450 (169AB) Runners on: .317 .397 .541 (290 AB) RISP 2 outs: .382 .433 .618 (55AB) Dye: RISP: .269 .304 .429 (156AB) Runners on: .273 .328 .472 (267AB) RISP 2 outs: .210 .269 .306 (62AB) Maybe their total RBI numbers are dependent, but you can clearly see what each player did last year when put in the same situations, Abreu made much more of them. And BTW, they both had about the same number of chances, so Im not sure how much the players in front of them had to do with it. I agree, although JD's numbers in those situations flucuate from year to year, but RBI guys are RBI guys. There's no reason to believe Abreu wouldn't drive in 100 or close to it.

695 RCN HD.

This rumor was actually about Delmon Young. Somehow it became Quentin. Neither trade will happen.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 06:07 PM) Since when does having speed mean you have to steal bases? Stolen bases are not an indicator of speed on a team, there are plenty of players with speed that dont steal any bases. Why don't you look at that roster and tell me who can run?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 05:16 PM) Of course it has more to do with it, but name me one World Series winner since its inception that hasnt had speed on its roster. Our lineup as currently constructed is not as balanced as it could be. The 1961 Yankees had Mantle who could fly, but he was a home run guy. He stole 12 bases, the rest of the team, 16. Bobby Richardson was 9-16 in stolen base attempts, no other Yankee had more than 1 steal. Of course they had 2 guys who combined for 115 homers and a bunch more with 20+. A little more talent than the current White Sox.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 03:38 PM) God the score if awful. Murph is so biased and ignorant its ridiculous. Despite being the biggest ignoramous on radio, he's supposed to be the biggest asshole to the people working for him. They all hate him.

QUOTE (MO2005 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 03:36 PM) If the sox made him an offer, then I think they may have something in place with Jermaine Dye or Paul Konerko. Why would they make an offer for a guy who cannot play centerfield and is a right fielder??? The problem still is that this doesn't solve the leadoff issue that we have. If Kenny has something up his sleeve, then by all means please make this team better. I just don't know if this makes us a playoff team or us better? Now if Kenny trades Dye and gets maybe a Figgins, then signs Abreu. Then we are a better team. I mean look at the difference in these lineups.. Figgins Abreu Quentin Thome Konerko Pierzynski Ramirez Fields Getz or Owens Getz Quentin Thome Konerko Dye Pierzynski Ramirez Fields According to this, they really didn't make an offer, they wanted to see if it was something he would be interested in and if he was, then they trade Dye if they can. I think they will have to eat some money to trade Dye, something they normally do not do.

It doesn't appear as if he actually was offered the $8 million according to this report. It was just floated to see if there was interest. Even if Abreu would agree to the $8 million, and I think that will look pretty attractive to him in a week or so, the Sox still would have to move payroll. I think that is the hold up. There seems to be a lot of dialog between teams and agents with no offers occurring. I remember reading something earlier this offseason about a team and player in serious negotiations without an offer extended. I really don't see how anything can be serious unless there is an offer or proposal. I wish I had that kind of time to waste.

Per Jerry Crasnick espn.com: Negotiations between the Chicago White Sox and free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu stalled early this week after the team floated the possibility of a one-year, $8 million contract, said a baseball source. The source disputed a New York Daily News report that said the White Sox had made Abreu an $8 million offer but confirmed that the team has been in contact with Abreu's agent, Peter Greenberg, in an effort to gauge the outfielder's asking price. In an e-mail to ESPN.com, Chicago general manager Kenny Williams said Abreu is "a great player and will certainly help any club." But Williams declined to address whether the White Sox have any interest. According to the source, the White Sox have some interest in acquiring Abreu and adding a pitcher, but Williams can't make those moves unless he trades right fielder Jermaine Dye and his $11.5 million salary. And the team has made little or no headway in trade talks involving Dye. It's also uncertain whether the White Sox would save much money by signing Abreu and trading Dye. Abreu was initially looking for a three-year, $48 million deal this winter but then gradually downsized his expectations to $10 million to $11 million annually over three years. Last week, Greenberg told the Seattle Times that Abreu is now open to the idea of signing a one-year contract. But it's believed Abreu is still looking for a base salary of at least $10 million.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 02:31 PM) Abreu is no doubt trying to negotiate a 2nd year in any deal. If he's shocked at the discount he would have to sign for, I wonder why he would want to lock himself into another year of being underpaid. I wouldn't doubt the Sox made an offer, but I wonder if it was recently. There are a couple things that would have to happen for Abreu to play with the White Sox and while they probably would love to have him for $8 million, the other parts are probably a no go.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 02:17 PM) rumor is bs and ozzie already laughed this one off I was told it was BS from someone who knows someone, but there are Ozzie quotes?

I heard this rumor is BS.

I don't understand why Abreu is considered a perfect #2 hitter. He's a guy who takes a lot of pitches, yes, but if the White Sox don't have a protypical leadoff man who steals bases, so what? He also strikes out a lot. Why put a guy who hits 20 homers with a .300 avg, drives in 100 and gets on base at a .400 clip in a position where he undoubtedly would have to give himself up a lot? Maybe he could leadoff.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 12:30 PM) Makes me think that KW would be sending ~$3M along with JD (or $6M if it's Paulie - I can dream, and JD can play 1B, right? ), in any trade to make it more market friendly. Payroll remains the same. That sounds about right. IIRC the Reds supposedly had $7-8 million they were saving to acquire a bat. Abreu probably doesn't want to play there, he can play for the same money with the Sox and Dye goes to Cincinatti with cash for prospects and/ or the train wreck named Homer Bailey. The White Sox payroll remains the same, and in essence they trade Dye for Abreu and prospects. That's if this all is true. Levine said nothing is immenent, which probably means a press conference is about to be scheduled.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 11:53 AM) Random thought.... we all assume a Abreu signing means Dye is gone. Any chance Abreu plays center? I know he's not a wiz defensively... just throwing that out there as a crazy idea. Doubt it's even an option. He would make us pine for the days Carl Everett was patrolling CF.

QUOTE (Want2Repeat @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 11:48 AM) First off, I suspect that this is just another garbage rumor that has no merit. Also, you would have to question if Abreu would even sign such a deal. If we read "Sox sign Abreu to a 1 Year Deal", then we can get carried away. With that said, this has been such a boring offseason, that I too welcome any opportunity to speculate on Sox moves. In regards to Figgins for Dye or whoever, remember that KW would not necessarily see that as a one for one trade. At Soxfest, he preached about how he always looks at the money saved in a deal and what it leads to next. For example, he claims that they were able to sign the Cuban 3rd baseman, with money saved from trading Swisher. I don' t know how all of the salaries would net out, but he may see trading Dye for a minor leaguer, and then signing Abreu, would net $3MM to $4MM on the plus side, which would then allow us to sign the next Cuban star, or whoever else. I think adding Figgins and Abreu, then subtracting Dye, would leave the Sox with more net salary, however. So, if they were to sign Abreu, I see Dye being moved for a minor leaguer, allowing them to net a plus on the salary side. I also have this vision/fear of them thinking Abreu could play CF as well. He couldn't be much worse than Swisher out there. This certainly would be counter-intuitive to everything KW has preached over the last three months, however. IF all of this is true, and KW listens to Mully and Hanley and is able to trade Dye for Figgins, the White Sox would be picking up about $1.3 million for 2009. Figgins gets $5.8 million, Abreu at $8.0 million, Dye at $11.5 million with a $1.0 million buyout.

QUOTE (longshot7 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 11:42 AM) Does this slugger have crazy dreadlocks? No.

QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 11:07 AM) Imagine if whoever we have play CF this year put up these type of numbers... 450 at-bats 14 doubles 1 triple 1 homerun .276 BA .367 OBP .318 SLG .685 OPS 34 stolen bases Is that what we're looking for in terms of production from CF? Those are Figgins' stats from 2008. Take away his one big year in 2007 and I don't see much that excites me. Take away his one big year in 2007 and his career (offensively) isn't much different than Juan Pierre's. Scott Podsednik in 2005 when he was considered all world by many: 507AB 28 doubles 1 triple 0 home runs .290 batting average .351 on base pct. .349 slugging 700 OPS 59 SB Pretty similar to Figgins injury plaqued 2008 and the production the Sox get out of Quentin compared to what it got out of Rowand is way more than the difference here. Figgins would be a good leadoff man as long as he remained healthy. The question I have is he has had problems 2 years in a row. You would have to figure he'd get hurt again