Dick Allen

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 09:59 AM) espn.com is backing up the 5/90m number. The numbers being thrown around yesterday were 5/70 from the sox and 6/80-85 from the Rangers. I know a lot of people will think KW got slapped around in this, but hopefully he and the higher ups have limits $$ wise of what they value players at, and instead of getting burdened by an insane contract they have a plan B. What would peoples reaction be if in response to the Angels offer KW gave Hunter a 6 year 105 million or 5 year 95 million deal? Because ultimately that may have been what it took. If you believe the early reports, A-Rod was either going to LAA or the Dodgers. Then the 180 happened with the NYY and he signed with them. Angels are in a big market like the Sox, and are a major revenue team, they need to make big splashy moves. This could have been a reaction to not getting A-Rod It's November 22nd, let's see what happens. Yes, that was my mantra last year also and nothing major really happened, but doesn't mean I think that the roster we see with the Sox will stay the same It wasn't KW who said Hunter to the White Sox was just a formality. I'm sure he knew he wouldn't be the high bidder, and that chances were Hunter would be elsewhere. Hunter is a great player, but if it was going to be $18 million a year for 5 years, there has to be a better plan for a team that just can't throw money around. There are still plenty of options available and KW has a wad of cash to spend. He said the offense would be dynamic in 2008. I don't think that entirely hinged on Torri Hunter batting 6th.

If KW now turns to Rowand, I bet it would have cost him a lot less had he wanted Rowand from the beginning. Rowand being a second choice only after failing to land Hunter most likely takes any "discount" out of the equation, and no discount for Rowand is overpaying. I'm sure losing Hunter is a blow to KW, but he probably knew he wouldn't be the high bidder, so he can't be shocked. His plan B and plan C seemed to work in 2005 a heck of a lot better than his Plan A ideas have worked other years. He will get a CF and a leadoff man IMO. I have a feeling Carl Crawford will be a White Sox. I don't know why.

From an article I read, it appears the Sox came in 3rd place in the Hunter sweepstakes. Frankly, I think it was all about money and its really not the White Sox MO to offer the most money to someone on the open market. All of their potential free agents had to take a discount to stay. But unless this was a big smokescreen, Hunter was the Sox key piece trying to fix a very broken team. The shine is definitely off the WS trophy. KW isn't going to be successful wooing players by telling him how great the team will be or by how great the city is etc. The size of the check is going to do his talking.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 10:40 PM) I doubt very much that this is true. 6 for 100 would have the Dodgers offering more years and more dollars per year than anyone else. The Rangers offered a 6 year contract at 13-14 million per year. This would be 6 years with more than 16 per. That just doesn't make sense. I have a difficult time believing it and I haven't seen it reported anywhere else. The Score beat reporters are far from reliable. I trust Bruce Levine before I would trust them and I barely trust him. After some of your quotes in this thread, its amazing you rip anyone's credibility. How were the Angels able to sign someone the White Sox already have under contract?

I can't imagine Levine would announce this unless he was absolutely sure, but it really doesn't seem like a contract the White Sox would offer. But they do have to do something with the bullpen and the going rates are getting up there.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 10:02 PM) Are you relying on Wasserman to do well? No. I think he's a flash in the pan. It wouldn't surprise me if his ERA is near 6.00 next year.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 10:01 PM) Linebrink can put down the dogs as well. Can Joey Chestnut pitch? Not only did he set a hot dog eating record, he downed 103 hamburgers in 8 minutes.

It would be nice if at least one of the guys between MacDougal, Aardsma, Masset and Sisco could actually be effective next season. I don't think you could count on it, and I'm happy it appears KW is not, but stranger things have happened. KW brings in another guy and one or 2 of these guys do what the White Sox thought they would do and the bullpen goes from total disaster to a strength. Its always nice to dream in November.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) This strikes me as KW taking the Jim Hendry route to fixing problems. It at least partially worked for Hendry, but of course he didn't need to have all that great of team to win that division. Are the Cubs the first team in MLB to get swept by a team that got swept by a team that got swept in the playoffs?

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:49 PM) I don't know how much longer I can handle your avatar. I've been searching the internet trying to find Rosie in a bikini.

Maybe not being too familiar to AL hitters will allow him to have a good season and help the Sox win, then KW can dump him off on someone else for some young guys. If he had a big year in 2008, I know I would trade him.

If this signing does become reality, Linebrink will be making more than the rest of the bullpen combined, at least for now.

This guy is mediocre, but face it, its still a huge improvement. If you can't develop your own guys, the bullpen is going to be expensive these days.

Justin Speier last year would have made more sense. There's the $3 million savings + the $1.5 million the Angels kicked in for 2008. So the trade is Cabrera and Linebrink for Garland.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 01:06 AM) Did you actually see Jones play in 07'? Because he was in the best shape he has been in in several years. He worked out like a madman at Boras' request getting in good shape for his FA season. While this seemed to improve his defense, many believe it may have been part of why he had such a down year at the plate. His poor FA season had absolutely nothing to do with him being overweight. In fact, perhaps the fact that he lost weight had something to do with his performance at the dish... The rest of baseball is concerned about his body From Jayson Stark today "The big worry on Andruw is, his body is starting to scare people," said an official of one team that went into the winter shopping for center fielders. "You look at the body type, and you wonder: What are you getting? The question we were asking a few months ago was, 'Torii or Andruw?' But now Torii has gone way by him. I go back to bodies and conditioning. And based on that alone, I'd bet on Torii as the guy more likely to give you more productive years than Andruw, even though Andruw is younger."

QUOTE(Linnwood @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:00 AM) Has he ever been correct about things like this? I may be very wrong, but I still think Hunter is all about the money. Anything else I believe is an act.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 08:58 AM) Does that mean that he likes to eat a lot of grinders? because if so, then I totally agree Im so sick of that term anymore, sorry KW referred to Cabrera as that term several times. I'm sick of it too.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 09:22 PM) Hunter is only 2 years older than Jones. Defense is equal. That is a wash and shouldn't even be a point of argument. Jones didn't look very good last year at the plate and has never played in the American League. There could be a period of adjustment while switching leagues. Torii Hunter wouldn't have this issue. I would much rather have Hunter at 15 per than have Crisp or Patterson roaming my CF. Torii is much better at the plate than either of them. I can see your points, but I think Hunter has less question marks than Jones. Boras also said that Jones won't be accepting a 1 or 2 year deal, so you will be with him for the long term. To me, Hunter is a huge upgrade over Crisp or Patterson, especially Patterson. Jones was the CF version of Juan Uribe in 2007. Fat, didn't get on base much. Struck out often. I'm amazed anyone would want to deal with Boras and give this guy 8 figures, plus the new league is another good point.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 05:17 PM) You can quote me on this. The deal is done. Torii Hunter is a Chicago White Sox. It will be announced between now and next Monday. There is no doubt about it. I'm quoting you on this. You now have egg on your face.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 05:23 PM) "If by some time you mean by next Monday you would be correct. They will announce the Torii Hunter signing Monday or sooner. Book it." Again, where do I claim sources? Where do I post it as fact? I posted this on the message board yesterday - Monday. Cowley had it the same day, not a day before - I just looked it up. Maybe we have the same sources, eh? Like I care about getting egg on my face from a message board. Who cares. You don't have to claim sources." They will announce the Torii Hunter signing Monday or sooner", is stated as a fact. You must care, you respond to everyone rebuking your claims.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 05:20 PM) Then explain to me why Torii was having dinner with Hicks last night. Is he hard up for a dinner. Don't believe everything you read. There was no dinner. All those quotes from the Texas people and from Torii are fake.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 05:03 PM) Again, believe what you want to believe. I am telling you that I believe he is already signed and an anouncement will come by Monday, but quite possibly even sooner. My guess it will either be announced tomorrow or Monday. We already have him. My opinion. My speculation. I never claimed anyone told me or I got an inside source, I am just voicing my opinion. How does that lead me with egg on my face? Now if I claimed an inside source, like others on here, and nothing happened, then I would have egg on my face. Now, it is just one person's opinion against anothers. So be it. QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 09:38 AM) If by some time you mean by next Monday you would be correct. They will announce the Torii Hunter signing Monday or sooner. Book it. That's not saying its your opinion, thats saying its a fact. If Hunter does anything but sign with the White Sox by Monday you will have egg on your face. Considering Cowley had the Hunter story a day before your post, even if he did sign by Monday, hearing it from you first wouldn't work either.

If he was already signed, he wouldn't be getting offers from other teams. It would be financially the biggest acquisition in White Sox history. He would be at a press conference in his new city.

Ding dong, Pods is gone.

He talked about him yesterday. He thinks he's great. The Angels coaching staff raved about him.