Dick Allen

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 10:20 AM) Wow, this will be the first time in many many years where I will have to buy some opening day tickets somewhere else. Patience. They will release some seats a couple of days before the event. I believe you have season tickets. About a week before opening day call the charge line daily. You'll get a couple in a great location.

Vazquez's ERA was higher than league average and he was below .500 on a team that won 90 games, pretty much the story of his career with a couple of years of exception. To expect any more than this in 2007 is dreaming. He's struck out a lot of people before.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 07:58 AM) GM's don't win pennants, the players and coaches (mostly the players) do. GM's have a different job - they keep the club competitive with the right talent. The GM sets the table, and its up to the guys on the field to execute. KW, this offseason, set the table so that we'd be competitive for the next 3 or 4 years. That means we get 3 or 4 good shots at a title. That is a LOT better than 1 shot. I don't see how anyone can possibly say he has set this team up for the next 3 or 4 years. I did like the Garcia trade. Hated the McCarthy move and was alright with Erstad, and liked the Sisco move. I also didn't think much of the Aardsma move, as I think Cotts will bounce back and while probably never reaching his 2005 success, (who would?) is going to be a decent LH reliever. There is no one KW acquired who could instantly be considered an impact player. Its still a crapshoot. As far as the future is concerned, as long as people are filing through the turnstiles, the payroll will be high. I don't think the White Sox will go to a full blown rebuilding unless attendance really falls. There are a lot of people making long-term committments to suites and other high priced seating. Rebuilding immediately after they make the committment would not be a wise thing to do.

Personally, I would trade Pods for a ticket stub from a Patio Party. Linebrink is probably ready to start getting lit up, but at least he's had some success before. Its amazing to me how much better of a pitcher David Aardsma has apparently become since he was traded to the White Sox, and without throwing another pitch. He is a guy who has had control issues and gives up the long ball at almost the same rate McCarthy did in 2006. The bullpen to me is still a gigantic question mark. Jenks ERA was a bit over 9.00 in September, will his new diet help him? Can MacDougal stay healthy? Was 2006 the real Matt Thornton or will he revert to his old ways? Is Sisco the pitcher he appeared to be in 2005 or is he meat like he was in 2006? And if he spends the year in Charlotte preparing to be a starter, is Logan ready to get major league hitters out? Most here were happy to see Neal Cotts go, but as bad as he was in 2006, he may have been better than Sisco, and in 2005 he was amazing. Is Masset as good as KW says he is? The division should be excellent. A couple of these guys probably won't live up to expectations and a couple will probably exceed them. I'm all for adding more if its possible. I think KW has got some cash to spend if he so desires, so I would think this may be the year he goes for some impact at the deadline if as expected the White Sox are in contention. I actually kind of like some question marks. The White Sox seem to do better when people don't think they are loaded.

He might not have the final say, but you can be assurred Brooks' imput is sought when ticket prices are being contemplated. The bottom line is if you want a team with a high payroll, its going to cost you some money to watch the games in person.

Interesting that the premium seats are no longer eligible for the half price discount on Mondays. They are pretty much sold out anyway. We really can't complain. You want a real high payroll, you are going to have to pay to get in the park.

QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 03:48 PM) Yahoo, CNN, LA Times.com, People Mag.com All "suspecting". Official statement is "cause of death is under investigation". ETA, Court TV just got on the OD train as well. Didn't the guy fighting for custody want the baby drug tested? I'd be shocked if its anything but an OD. The question would be if it was accidental or not.

Obviously Floyd is going to get every opportunity to win the job in spring training. KW is high on him and liked what he did in the AZ fall league while ignoring what he has done in the big leagues. I liked the Garcia trade. I think Freddy's ERA is about to skyrocket, and you don't want to have him signed to a long-term deal IMO. If Floyd or Gonzalez become good major leaguers, it was a great trade. I just don't think its going to happen in 2007. I still think KW has some cash to play with, so I wouldn't be surprised if the eventual 5th guy in the 2007 rotation is not yet in the organization. That said, if Buerhle doesn't bounce back, and either he, Garland or Contreras get injured for a significant amount of time, it might not matter who the fifth starter is. Hopefully everyone will remain healthy, Buerhle will be back to form, Vazquez will pitch like he pitched for the Expos and all the pitchers KW acquired will be half as good as he thinks they are. Then it won't matter who's playing SS or LF or leading off.

Cleveland's pitching staff in 2006 gave up fewer runs than the White Sox staff in 2006.

Christine I forget what her last name is now said that last year's "overselling" of Soxfest was not the Hyatt's fault, as has been previously reported, but that the White Sox kind of got lost with how many Soxfest tickets they sold with the WS and all. It was horrible last year, but I'll give them a pass. I went on Sunday, and it took a few moments to get used to the new set-up, but I thought it was pretty decent, especially considering it was the first at this hotel.

All I know was Billy Koch was supposed to throw 98 as well. KW can project all he wants. I'd rather wait until spring to see what they will bring in 2007. The bullpen could be excellent. It also could be horrendous. Most likely it will fall somewhere in between. Health will play a key factor obviously.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jan 28, 2007 -> 07:19 PM) Minny as a franchise could be in some serious trouble in the next few years. I really don't think this season looks very promising for them, however I expect them to make noise. However Nathan is going to his FA this upcoming off season or the next, Santana at the end of 2008, and this off-season it's looking more and more likely they are going to go to arb with the MVP and batting champ. They better find some money in those pockets, that team could get really expensive, really quick. Their owner is one of the richest in sports, but he's very cheap. I think their new stadium should improve their payroll dramatically. It will be interesting to see how Ryan is with extra money. He's been great watching his pennies, but sometimes when you have the extra money, you spend it on the wrong things.

What I don't understand is the White Sox now draw approx. 3 million fans. Ticket prices are rising, more premium areas are being dropped in. KW talked about a defeatist attitude he wanted to change. But now the organization has this defeatist attitude about every player near the end of a contract. The fans have stepped up. Its time the organization does and signs some of these guys.

The White Sox would be foolish to offer Buerhle a 5 or 6 year contract for $15+ million a year until they can reasonably determine last years debacle was just a temporary thing. The guy claimed he wasn't hurt, and that he wasn't tired, and he got hit around like the White Sox #5 starter pre-2005. And Buerhle, would be foolish to sign the contract the White Sox were offering if that report is accurate, as even if he has another mediocre year, would command more than that on the open market. I fully expect Buerhle to be a Cardinal in 2008. While KW should keep his mouth shut, Buerhle is actually using his poor 2006 to his advantage. He'll say all the right things but his heart is on the other side of the Mississippi River. I'm sure KW would have dealt him if he could have received anything he could find acceptable, but really who wants to pay Buerhle a lot of money and give up a lot of prospects, for one season of pitching, especially with the question marks Buerhle has going into this season.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jan 25, 2007 -> 12:12 PM) I believe that's what they in the business call a statistical anomaly. Seeing as how it happened 6 years ago and he's come nowhere near any of those numbers again in fact he was never really close to those numbers before '00. That hasn't stopped Erstad from living off that one great offensive season. I don't think he's going to put up great numbers, but if Levine is correct and they are paying him $750,000 for 2007, if he's as bad as you think he is, it won't hurt KW to release him. On the other hand, at that price, he will most likely bring you at least as much as Timo Perez did in 2005. What the move does is more than likely keeps Sweeney from rotting on the bench in Chicago, while getting him some more baseball experience in Charlotte, and really doesn't do anything to hurt the White Sox budget-wise.

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Jan 25, 2007 -> 08:14 AM) Bobby was a good suprise for me last year. His ERA was 4.00, but he only blew 4 saves. In his first full year as a closer he was clutch and impressive. I hope the "low radar gun reading" stories don't start in ST this year. The last 2 years he has built speed as the season went along, and think that's just how he does it. Shingo only blew 1 save in 2005 and he was DFA'd. Jenks was very hittable at the end of the season. It is good news to see that 300 pounds isn't acceptable to him anymore. I didn't see any 100 mph fastballs last year. Hopefully that will come back. I read a while back he does have a hip issue that the White Sox thought (and hope) is/was weight related. Hopefully getting in better shape, brings his gas back. He certainly appears to have matured.

Something you should look at.........If the White Sox would have traded a valuable piece for Aaron Rowand, (I am assumming Erstad's surgery was a success and he will be 100%) the majority of this board would be dancing on the streets. Erstad hasn't been getting on base all that much in recent years. Except for 2004, Rowand hasn't been getting on base at about the same clip. If Erstad is 100% healthy, he is just as good as Rowand except he may hit 3 or 4 less homers. What's the harm in signing him cheaply?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 23, 2007 -> 06:28 PM) Erstad's highest OBP since 2000? .346. With an average OBP about .320. Walk saw something on tape. Don't worry, Walk can fix him.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jan 23, 2007 -> 06:25 PM) Motherf***er. I agree. I kind of like the signing. His numbers are bad, and he's not all that great offensively anymore, but he does bring some intangibles with him. But an everyday leadoff hitter? I'd think Mack would make a better replacement in LF.

According to the Tribune, Pods is out 6 to 8 weeks, that could take him until the end of spring training. Considering how all those who love him used last year's sports hernia surgery and shortened spring as the reason he absolutely sucked, there isn't any reason whatsoever to think he will do anything but suck in 2007. The article also stated that Erstad may leadoff, with Ozuna and Iguchi other possibilities, and Shannon Stewart was thought about, but he wanted too much money. Considering the Sox are paying Pods $3 million to be Pods, I wonder just how much money is too much money.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 23, 2007 -> 12:57 PM) Since 1978, only two WS guys have won a gold glove, who are they? NO GOOGLE, JUST GUESS. What about Mike Squires in 1981?

A couple of Tribune writers have picked up on the Lovie to the Big D rumors. I had no idea it was his mother's dream for Lovie to coach the Cowboys.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 22, 2007 -> 03:38 PM) I think they wanted it to be in a more intimate setting due to the fiasco of last years. I heard that, but they were passing out the little notes that Soxfest would be at the Palmer House at last year's Soxfest. I doubt they would have been able to arrange it that quickly. Something must have happened before the actual event. It seems weird they would deprive a lot of people a chance of attending Soxfest because the hotel wanted a say in what was going on. It would be interesting to see what exactly the reason really was.

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Jan 22, 2007 -> 07:29 PM) Darin Erstad-OF-Angels Jan. 22 - 8:04 pm et The Marlins and White Sox are among the finalists for free agent Darin Erstad, who could pick his team this week. The Angels remain in the running, though they won't offer as much playing time as the competition. The Cubs, like the A's, appear to be out of it, as they perfer Cliff Floyd for their outfield mix. The Marlins would give Erstad a chance to be their regular center fielder if he's interested in playing in Florida. The White Sox, who nearly acquired Erstad for Jon Garland prior to the Angels' 2002 World Series run, would have him battle Brian Anderson and Ryan Sweeney this spring. I wouldn't mind Erstad at all, especially as a 4th outfielder and Anderson back up. With Gload gone, Erstad would be a pretty good defensive back-up at first base as well. Offensively, he's just not a very good player any more, but he is a "grinder" and is great with the glove no matter where you stick him. If he's willing to be a back-up or thinks he can beat Anderson out, and is willing to play on the cheap, he would be a pretty good signing IMO.

The rumor is the guy Jones wants is Lovie Smith.