Dick Allen

Jim Rose just said that Washington wanted too much and the Soriano to the White Sox deal is off.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 03:58 PM) Pods is weaker offensively than ANDERSON? HUH??? On top of that, Pods is a left handed bat, which gives us a killer left-right batting order if he's still around. And TWO proven base stealers. Soriano only has 4 less steals than Pods and has been thrown out 4 less times. Plus he only has 1 less homer than Thome.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 03:55 PM) Just throwing this out there: Pods and McCarthy for Soriano.... Yes or no? I really have a hard time seeing the justification of trading McCarthy for 2 months of Soriano. McCarthy is at worst a decent #5 starter under control for 5 more years, and very cheap. The more I think of this, if Pods is not included in a trade, I almost think its a lock that Soriano's stay with the White Sox would be extremely brief.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 03:53 PM) I've yet to hear an explanation of how, if it's not Soriano in LF and Pods in CF, Soriano's going to fit into the lineup. What, as a backup for Iguchi? If the Sox acquire Soriano to keep him, Pods will either get traded or become a back-up and pinch runner. The White Sox have not been happy with Pods this season, mostly because of his lack of focus defensively and inconsistent at bats.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 03:50 PM) pitching AND defense is the key part there. A Soriano-Pods-Dye outfield is pretty horrendous defensively. Balls would be landing in the gaps all over the place, making our pitching look even worse. I really doubt the Sox would make Pods the CF if Soriano was acquired. Soriano is either going to get flipped to a team like Seattle or the LAAA, or Pods is going to be dealt or ride pine.

Is McKay Christensen available to patrol CF?

QUOTE(wsdp @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 03:18 PM) Middle of the summer? Odd time for the flu... Not really. The White Sox just had a flu bug go around the team.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 03:16 PM) Here's what my buddy who's a royals fan told me about macdougal: "he hit 98 on the gun saturday night, and his slider hit 89. he struck out two of the three batters he faced. when he is on and healthy, he is very very good." The guy has a lot of potential. The problem being he's hardly ever healthy.

Score is also reporting the Soriano deal isn't as close as has been reported, although it is Offman so take it FWIW.

Score is also reporting the Soriano deal isn't as close as has been reported, although it is Offman so take it FWIW.

Score is reporting MacDougal has been acquired for 2 minor leaguers.

Sanchez was scratched from his start for "health" reasons according to Dave Dombrowski.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 02:49 PM) He just doesnt seem to fit in KW's plans, nor the attitude of this team. it doesnt make sense coming from someone who stocks up on pitching, and defense. This is either a smoke screen which was leaked by someone on KW's payroll, or we are flipping him to another division. Soriano is supposed to be a good clubhouse guy. He learned a lot coming up with the Yankees and playing with Jeter. Torre is as professional as they come, and most players fall in line when they go there.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 02:44 PM) Maybe the rumor would make the tigers offer even more for Soriano? This could be the ultimate bluff to get Detroit or Minnesota to make their highest offer. I think KW would rather just keep Soriano off either roster this season.

I would love to have Soriano on the White Sox. He's a great hitter, and will get better in the field. I don't think it would be wise to trade McCarthy for him for 2 months of his services. If KW ships McCarthy out for Soriano, either Soriano signs an extension or KW is going to ship him elsewhere, and keep him away from his closest rivals. McDougal has a lot of potential, and would be a decent piece in the pen if he can stay healthy. If BMac is shipped out, it wouldn't surprise me if next spring the White Sox try Cotts or Thornton as a starter. Hopefully what I heard was wrong or has changed and the SI guy is correct when he says Broadway and Fields. I much rather have KW move those 2 than McCarthy.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 02:23 PM) Or a prelude to a blockbuster. If this is the end of a deal someone should request KDub pee in a cup. This is true. He may be acquiring Soriano so he can place him in Seattle or somewhere out of the Central Division, and get some other pieces back. I think KW would be out of his mind picking up Soriano for 2 months at the price of McCarthy.

Soriano might not be the classic leadoff guy but his OBP is higher than Pods' and he only has 4 or 5 less steals. And he's only a couple short of Thome in the HR dept. I think he would enjoy hitting at USCF.

I have a decent source but last time I put some stuff on the board I got slammed, but I do occassionally get info, and I was told and fathom can back me up on this because I told him in a PM that Soriano's price is going to include McCarthy. I think its a mistake, but it would make the White Sox offense one of the best in major league history.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 09:43 AM) trading arod would be one of the all time worst moves in baseball. I think the Yankees would be stupid to trade him, and I also don't buy the reason a lot of "experts" think the Yankees have to trade him.......because its chic to boo him and he'll never be able to turn around the boos. Didn't Giambi turn around the boos fairly quickly? All he needs is a hot week or 2 that you know is just around the corner, and he'll be back. I do think he would be an even better player outside of NY, but the guy was the MVP last year.

I think KW was being sarcastic and just screwing around with his comments the other day. IF ARod is available, he would be an awesome addition to any team.

LA Times reports Alomar can no longer catch at the level required for a back-up at the major league level. He was the Dodgers 3rd string catcher. As bad as Widger was, this is not going to be much better, if its even better at all.

If they think so highly of him, it really makes you wonder why they ever let him go in the first place. The difference in salaries between Widger and Sandy was only $50,000 last season, and this season they were earning the same. Oh, I forgot about Ben Davis. Nevermind.

QUOTE(winninguglyin83 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 08:35 PM) This was obviously done to help the pitchers. Maybe some of them complained about Widger's game-calling. The coaches will take the hit by criticizing his preparation. But I wonder if one of the pitchers told Coop that they weren't comfortable working with Widger and the move was made. Widger's time was up. In fact this move was way overdue. I just think the Sox should have upgraded defensively. The Sox aren't pitching as well as they need to be. Making every single or walk a double isn't going to help make it better.

For all of Sandy's supposed leadership and clubhouse influence, he was here when the attitude of the team was allegedly bad, and when it improved last season, he was not here. He obviously wasn't able to get Olivo to grasp the nuances of catching in the big leagues quite like Joe Girardi has. I know he's a great guy, but at 40 years old I have the feeling KW is going to regret not bringing someone in who is more solid defensively. Its going to be like a merry-go-round the games Sandy catches.

This is just a move to make a move, Sandy will probably be just as pathetic as Roberto was the last time KW acquired him. I'll throw out the 6.09 CERA for this season, and the fact that that despite his .323 average, he's hitting .231 since April 20. He hasn't been that great for a while. Here are some comparisons since 2000, and remember he is now 40. Year Team Team ERA SAjr. CERA 2000 Cle 4.84 5.22 2001 Sox 4.55 4.49 2002 Sox 4.53 4.39 2002 Col 5.20 5.64 2003 Sox 4.17 4.70 2004 Sox 4.91 4.99 2005 Tex 4.96 4.93 Even when his CERA has been lower than the team's it isn't enough to make you think he makes much of a difference defensively behind the plate. With Garcia and Contreras on the mound and Sandy catching, there is no reason for any baserunner not to be running, its almost automatic. He's had 9 knee operations, and its zapped any power he had even though he is still a huge man. I know the organization is very high on him as a human being and leader and that's fine. I just can't see it translating into more wins. I'd rather have a solid defensive catcher who couldn't hit at all, than a guy who is going to be mediocre at best both offensively and defensively.