Dick Allen

Worse comes to worse, Cabrera is a type A free agent. Garland is not. Guys with mid 4 ERA's making $12 million on the last year of a contract don't net you the motherload. KW's going for it. The money saved in this deal maybe gets a huge upgrade in CF and a reclaimation project for the rotation.

QUOTE(PAUL KONERKO 14 @ Nov 18, 2007 -> 07:45 PM) Yea? He does make some spectacular plays, but is prone to blow more than his share of routine ones. If he can cut back on that, he can be better than average, but right now, I find him adequate at best defensively. To say there is no doubt he'll win mulitple GG is a reach. He's nowhere near Crede defensively and Joe has no GG.

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 18, 2007 -> 05:28 PM) I just dread having to see the same stuff coming out of KW's mouth if the market isn't "corrected". Justin Speier was too expensive at $4 million a year. I read where Luis Vizcaino is going to get $5 million to $6 million a year for 3 or 4 years. KW is going to have to call Reverend Angley to perform some miracles on the bullpen. He's the only one I know that gets the evil spirits out.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 18, 2007 -> 12:31 PM) Oh I'm all for a better option. And Juan Pierre ain't it. Owens managed a .324 OBP in his first year, a partial year. And that OBP went up every month. A .330+ OBP is probable, and I'd in fact bet he'll be significantly higher. But even if not, he is basically already comparable to Pierre, but costs less than a tenth as much. Is Pierre 10 times better than Owens? On the list of people I'd like to see in OF for the Sox (out of the players available or being discussed here), Owens is not in the Top 5, or even the Top 10. But he is well above Juan Pierre. You need to get off that he improved every month line. It isn't true. His August was horrendous. Owens sucks. Even with his .340 September making up about 33% of his season, his numbers for the year are worse than Pierre's. Pierre also makes a lot more contact which means runners can advance as well. That said, I wouldn't want Pierre for $9 million either, but if they wanted to make it $5 million, I'd take him if I didn't have to give up much.

You look at Pierre's numbers and you wonder why was 2007 so dissappointing? Its pretty much right in line with his 2006. He's not ideal in any way, shape or form, but if the Dodgers want very little for him and will eat a lot of his contract, he's really not bad. I don't think many would have complained if KW signed him after 2006 to a contract that paid him $5 million a year or so. He plays everyday, and he actually can bunt. It would be my option E or F, but its really not that horrible of an idea, again depending on how much the Dodgers want to eat of the contract.

QUOTE(wilmot825 @ Nov 16, 2007 -> 11:13 PM) The 2008 Batting Order and Line-up....odds of this happening? 2B- Marcus Giles LF- Miguel Cabrera DH- Jim Thome 1B- Paul Konerko RF- Jermaine Dye CF- Torii Hunter 3B- Josh Fields C- A.J. Pierzynski SS- Juan Uribe ADDRESSING THE MONEY ISSUE Trade Contreras, Garland, Podsednik, and Crede which will free up millions of dollars Sign Giles to a 1yr deal with a club option, and ask for Florida to pick up some of Miggy's contract Jerry isn't a poor owner the last time I checked. Just like when the Bulls dominated the 90s, Jerry shelled more money to them instead of the White Sox. It seems he is applying that technique to the White Sox since the World Series by spending, spending, spending. This line-up may cost millions of dollars but it will be made up 10 fold by national TV exposure and higher demand of ticket sales. (Just like the Boston Celtics have done by acquiring Garnett and Allen) First off, Florida is not going to pick up any of Cabrera's contract if they trade him. Pods will net you nothing. Crede may get you something half way decent but I think he will have to show he can play first. Trade Contreras and Garland. OK. Then who pitches? If the rotation is Buerhle, Vazquez, Danks, Floyd and Gio, you better start planning for 2009, and I'm sure season ticketholders would be even happier with their 2009 seat upgrades.

What's the big deal about a positive test? Its been known for years "the cream" was a steroid. Bonds has never said he didn't use the cream. The issue is whether Bonds knew what it was or not. He claims he didn't know. Maybe his trainer sings, but if they put him on the stand, Bonds' attorneys will shread him. It would seem Bonds wasn't all that truthful with the grand jury, but I really don't know how it will be proven unless they suddenly came up with some new evidence. I don't like Bonds, but its pretty plain to see the feds are out to get him. Couldn't the resources being used for all this be better spent?

So the Dodgers are going to give up the same prospects that Florida would want for Cabrera. The Sox will give those prospects to the Marlins for Cabrera. Crede is coming off back surgery. Cabrera is a 24 year old on a HOF path. I like Rozner. Somehow this scenerio makes zero sense, unless maybe Garland or another pitcher or 2 are headed to LA.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 15, 2007 -> 05:58 PM) BTW, if Lowell goes to NY, does Boston look at Crede? Or maybe they move Youk to 3rd, go after Kong?? I really can't see any team trading for Crede before they seem him play. I also now wouldn't be surprised if he gets non-tendered if KW spends a lot of money before he has to decide. I think that would be a huge mistake.

He's opted back in.

ARod is back in pinstripes. $275 million 10 years, bonus for becoming all time home run king.

The White Sox are also raising prices and they lost 90 games.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 15, 2007 -> 03:42 PM) I really do not want to beat this into the ground, but when we spend 90% of our time worrying about how a player will fit into the payroll, and 10% how they fit on the field, it seems out of whack. We really do not know how much they can spend. The payroll always feels fair, but who knows. I also think it kills the casual fans and kids from becoming avid fans. But hey, debate on. It takes armchair GMing to greater heights, and that's good. As White Sox fans, I think we are pretty used to this. Money is a big factor even though the White Sox have spent more money than most teams. One bad move makes a bigger difference for the White Sox than for other teams. Just think of Matt Clement. Many here thought he was a perfect fit for the White Sox in 2005, and supposedly the Sox made a competitive offer. If he would have accepted, chances are there wouldn't have been playoffs in 2005 let alone a title, and revenues would have been very different. This team would look a lot different just because of that one move. It does take some of the excitement out of it, but it also shows that spending the money can pay off in the long run if it brings a winner. Who would have thunk 3 years ago the White Sox could put a team on the field that lost 90 games and still drew nearly 3 million.

QUOTE(chisox2334 @ Nov 15, 2007 -> 10:05 AM) http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/304298.html Hunter wants 7 yr deal Its crazy, but I'm reading where Riske will get 3 years, and Cordero may get 4 and $40 million +. I wonder how much Jenks will make in arbitration next year.

In Buster's column today, he said an exec. told him to expect Hunter to sign a 6 year $90 million contract with Texas.

Ironically KW and JR wanted to meet with ARod without Boras in 2000 when he initially became a free agent. ARpd and Boras need either the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox bidding away to get the price up. I wouldn't be surprised if Boras is actually behind this. Since he allegedly said the Yankees couldn't talk to him unless they had $350 million on the table, Boras would look defeated if Arod agreed to take $270 million. So this way, everyone wins. ARod gets paid, either by the Yankees or someone else, and Boras doesn't get nearly what he demanded but doesn't look like he caved in.

With Cabrera, I think whether or not you give up a huge package of prospects like the Angels or Dodgers have would be dependent on signing him to an extension. You can have all the prospects you want, chances are most will be busts. Cabrera is no bust. Compare him to White Sox young players. He's younger than Floyd, younger than Fields, 2 months older than Richar, younger than Owens. He's only 2 years older than Danks. Getting him with an extension would be a coup, even if you had to get rid of 3 or 4 prospects.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 10:17 PM) With this many CF's on the market, there's no reason to get desperate. I think there will be a backlash if the White Sox don't pick up a big name this offseason whether its through free agency or trade. KW can talk about 2007 being a fluke, but the White Sox were also below .500 the second half of 2006 mostly because of the same problems they had in 2007. This team needs a couple of major changes or chances are its more of the same and probably even worse in 2008.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 10:11 PM) Or, he finally settled in and has found "it" again. I am so freaking sick of the no pressure excuse for why Vazquez did good last season. Vazquez has been the Sox best pitcher since the final 2 months+ of 06 till now. And last time I checked, the White Sox were still in contention in the final two months of 06. Hell, he pitched one hell of a game @ Boston and owned them (but to bad the offense was pitiful and he got the L). Now, are you telling me there is no pressure at Fenway, let alone when the team is trying to make a push for the playoffs? We will see in 2008. Javy has had good seasons before, and followed them up with not so good seasons. We will see if he's "found it" or if he goes back to the mediocre guy he was the previous 3 seasons. Where was he the first 4 months of 2006? His record was below .500 on a 90 win team, his ERA was higher than the league average. Pretty mediocre. He did well in 2007, but still has to be considered a wild card.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 10:06 PM) Hunter is a money whore. Remember how much he said at the all-star game how great it would be to play in SF in the steps of Willie Mays? Just about every player is. Its amazing how many talk about everything but money, but wind up taking the highest offer. Not that I blame them, I'd probably do the same thing. Its incredible the grief ARod got when he signed with Texas. For $100 million more than anyone else was willing to pony up at the time, I'm pretty sure I would have signed that contract.

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 09:59 PM) With seeing all these ridiculous contracts, can I get state that the Chris Young trade really hurt this franchise. I'll shut up now and take the criticism. With what they have to pay Vazquez, that trade is going to wind up costing them over $25 million next year alone. Vazquez had a nice season, but on a team that lost 90 games so it was a waste. If he returns to his previous form, the Sox will have a guy with good "stuff" whose performance is league average or below and a CF that may or may not be as good as Young, and they will make a combined $25 million +. That kind of money saved makes you a player for Johan Santana.

Torii Hunter's quote in a Fort Worth Star Telegram today: While it would seem like a stretch for the Rangers to be able to sign Hunter, don’t wager against it. He certainly hasn’t. “I almost bet you that the Texas Rangers have a better chance than anybody,” he said.

QUOTE(quickman @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 09:40 PM) Here is some cold water, Rangers had dinner with Hunter tonight. They have more money, a history of spending the money and he lives in Texas. Lots of math says Hunter goes to Texas, but I am sure KW is counting on making an offer so he can appease sox fans by saying the Sox stepped up. Excluding bringing Konerko back, isn't Albert Belle the last really big name free agent the White Sox signed? I know they signed other free agents, particularly Dye, but weren't they all bargain priced? I don't think KW has ever signed a big time big moneyfree agent from another team. Its why I kind of figure he will wind up trying to get Rowand to accept a lowball offer, because of familiarity. Tom Hicks also doesn't have to pay the Yankees anymore.

Dye is tight with Hunter. While the White Sox couldn't discuss money with Hunter, you know Dye could, and I'm sure KW knew what he's looking for financially when they met Sunday. If there's a bidding war, the price will rise. Hunter seemed to want to take his time, probably so he can play one offer off another. KW probably either wants to sign him fast or move on to plan B. It will be interesting. Personally, I would rather spend the money on Cabrera and trade for Crisp, but do the White Sox have the prospects to get that done? At least for next season, the dollars would be about the same, and there's your LF and CF.

Boras is Andrew Jones' agent.