Dick Allen

They had to do something, last year was ridiculous. Considering all the conventions they have in this huge city, its shocking they couldn't find a venue to accomodate more fans. Oh well, if you don't go, at least you won't have to hear the optimism of the starting rotation picking it up in September and building on that in 2007.

I think he will still be a good player. He'll probably fall a litttle short of this year's numbers, and someone will pay him off of this year's numbers, so I would pass. If he would take a reasonable contract, I would sign him in a heartbeat. He's a better baseball player than Aaron Rowand.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:42 PM) I think even Williams is surprised at how much work he is going to have to do this off-season. I saw KW in his box last night. He did not appear happy.

I knew something was wrong earlier in the season when everyone was getting excited about the defending world champions making huge comebacks but still losing.

I think KW is going to have a hard time ignoring the bullpen this offseason. The reason the Sox won last year was great starting pitching and a lights out bullpen. If the Sox had the lead in the fifth or sixth the game was over, contrary to some experts who think Carl Everett and Aaron Rowand are the difference.

QUOTE(TheOcho @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:35 PM) I love how people thought Boone would be good back at the start of the season. Kid needs more time in AA or A. I think he and Pods should go play for the Joliet Jackhammers.

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:32 PM) Everett and Rowand helped lead the Sox to a World Championship in 2005. Everett's talents had been slipping the past few years and by 2006 it appears he's about through as a major leaguer. Rowand was doing pretty well in Philly but suffered two major injuries, one which ended his season. It's irrelevant what they did this year, the point is last year they were key members of the Sox and a major contribution of both of them was their fire, intensity and leadership both on and off the field. The Sox are lacking those qualities this year. I can assure you 100% that their absence from the White Sox roster has nothing to do with this team finishing in 3rd place in the AL Central.

QUOTE(whitesoxmanager @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:25 PM) when it comes down to it...the player either accepts losing and goes home to the wife in his mansion...or has so much desire that winning is the only thing that matters...these days it is so difficult to find players with talent, charisma, pride, and heart. i am sure as fans we dont really understand the grind of 162 games + preseason and all the travelling...at least i guess... Its not easy, but they have it about as easy as you can make it. They don't haul luggage. They fly charter flights. They have a lot of time to kill, and they make more money then they will ever be able to spend. Sorry if violin music doesn't pop into my head when I consider their plight.

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:23 PM) A.J's been one of the few guys to come up with some clutch hits in the last few weeks. Catchers usually do have a legitimate excuse of being "banged up" around this time of year. Ozzie supposedly was good at motivating players, but it turns out it was guys like Carl and Aaron that were more responsible for that than Ozzie. Our new "Captain" sure ain't the type, either. Everett played his way off the Mariners, and the Phillies played a lot better after Rowand got hurt. Last year the pitching was awesome. This year its been bad until the last couple weeks . The offense was playing so over their heads, you knew a correction was coming at some point. QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:26 PM) Yep...I'm sure a lot of them head right home to their wife. Not right home, but they make it there eventually.

I am so glad I didn't waste my time at the game tonight. The White Sox are playing exactly how Hawk said Ozzie would never allow them to play.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:10 PM) Any thoughts on the Sox trying to trade for ARod this offseason, and make him a SS? Give the Yanks Garcia and Fields, and hope they throw some money into the deal? I think the Yankees pay about $16 million of ARod's salary. If they threw in the money they get from Texas, I think KW would be very interested.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:07 PM) I don't think his trade value is very high, and I actually think he can be better next year. I'd much rather get rid of either Garcia or Buehrle....guys who have higher trade value and contract situations coming up. I'd like to get rid of all 3.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:06 PM) Yep...he'll be back next season. Unfortunately IMO.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 09:05 PM) Well a nice outing again by Vazquez. He deserved much better in terms of run support. Its really evening out for him overall. He was getting 8 or 9 runs every time out the first 3 or 4 months of the season.

I should correct myself. Lamont didn't win 90 his last full season because of the strike year, but he had the Sox on the verge of making the playoffs 2 straight years, something they had never done. Schueler brings in dogs like Sabo and Kruk and the Sox play bad and Geno is looking for work. He got a raw deal, so raw its probably why Leyland chose to manage the Marlins over the White Sox.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 08:57 PM) Realistically is a manager going to get fired if his team wins say 90 games in a season? Gene LaMont did. Not only was he fired, he suffered the ultimate humiliation and was replaced by Bevington. The only way Ozzie gets fired is if his mouth gets him fired.

Anyone catch the little story in the Herald about BA and Bonderman? Ozzie said BA didn't play because he had trouble in the past against Bonderman. I guess a reporter pointed out BA had never batted against him.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 08:53 PM) You act like we're under .500 or something. For the last 80 games or so, we are.

Its 12 extra games. Baseball games at that. I know we hear it as an excuse, but really, its hard for me to believe. Its hard for me to beleive Jon Garland was tired the first half of the season because of last year, but kept pitching and didn't get even more tired. Forget the excuses, the White Sox had their chances and didn't get the job done. It wasn't because they were tired from playing 12 extra games last year. For the love of God a good part of the roster wasn't even here last year.

I would trade at least 2 of these guys. So many teams seem willing to pay huge for pitching, KW should take advantage of having guys with good track records who really have questionable futures. Sign a fifth starter-type to be the fifth starter. The Sox have budget problems right now. I read where they have $99 million committed to 12 players. Getting a couple of these guys off your books while having another team pay a price equivalent to their potential value is the way to go IMO.

Isn't it funny how our manager opens up his big mouth these last 2 series, first with some comments that could be taken as less than complementary to Thomas only to be burned by Thomas, and then go off on Magglio again before he realized the context of Magglio's comments, and then getting burned by him. You would think maybe just maybe someone would have the balls to tell him to shut up.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Sep 20, 2006 -> 10:11 PM) What is the record for the most GIDPs by a player in a single game? Anybody ever make more than three? CLee grounded into 3 DPs a few years ago, I think 2 times with the bases loaded in an extra inning loss to Boston.

Picking up Buerhle's option is a lock. I would also be shocked if KW traded him, but I think it probably is the best move. He's still worth a lot. Another bad year and he won't be around anyway. If I was the GM, Garcia would be gone. Vazquez or the Count would be dangled, as well as Buerhle. I read where the Sox have $99 million committed to 12 players next year. More than 1 has to go.

The White Sox team is out.

This year has been a total waste for McCarthy. He was not used properly, and may cost him a successful career. I think he would be so much better off on a roster where Ozzie Guillen doesn't call the shots.