Dick Allen

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.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 06:09 PM) I haven't followed Widger's career, but he must have been a decent catcher throughout his career, how else would you stick around the bigs for 11 years despite hitting .222?? At one time, he was a very highly thought of prospect. That he could hit a little bit, with some power, he did have a couple of fairly solid seasons with the Expos, and being a catcher gets you a long career, sort of like a very mediocre left handed reliever. They last forever.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 06:08 PM) Pitch selection isn't the same as calling out somebody's game preparation. I believe it definitely is part of game preparation.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 06:00 PM) This sure wasn't the case last year. Everybody raved about his pre-game preparation last year. I guess a lot can change in a year. Actually, the Sox were quite livid at Widger's pitch selection several times last year. Especially with Jenks on the mound. He's never been known for his defense or his game-calling, and when it gets to the point where he can't hit anymore, he's pretty worthless. Last year he had been out of the game, so he may have appreciated it more. I think veterans that become back-ups tend to take shortcuts preparing to play. This may have happened to Widger, but either way, he really is most likely at the end of the road.

Whoever it is, they have to be here for tomorrow night's game. I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart is flown to Chicago just in case Alomar or whomever else they are bringing in doesn't get here on time.

I don't know why Rongy would say Alomar is coming if he isn't. While I was hoping that it wasn't true, it most likely is.

When is the last time Pods drove in runs in 3 different ABs in one game?

QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:41 PM) No, I always thought Rongey was an idiot. I personally can't stand him, and I think he is one of the worst pre/post game guys the sox have had. I wish we could bring back the guy from last year. His names escapes me right now... I liked that guy too. The Dodge people gave him a car to drive around during the season, and he always gave them airtime and a lot of pub. With all the mentions, he deserved better than the Neon they let him use.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:36 PM) Alomar's last start was in June. 6/28: Odalis Perez, 6 runs in 4.1 innings (no other runs allowed) 6/18: Aaron Sele gave up 5 runs in 4 innings (no other runs allowed) 6/2: Seo started and gave up 3 runs in 4 innings (making a start for Perez who was just demoted); Baez gave up 5 runs in the 9th inning of that game 5/26: Brett Tomko gave up 6 runs in 4.2 innings (pen gave up 4 runs, but the relievers of that game are both no longer with the DOdgers and had ERA's over 6). 5/13: Sele gives up 2 runs in 7 innings, but Baez gives up 4 runs (2 earned) 5/4: Tomko throws 7 shutout innings with Saito coming in and giving up 3 runs in relief 5/1: Penny gives up 3 runs in 6 innings (no other runs given up) I want to point out that Alomar has caught just once since May 1st for one of the Dodgers front line starters and most of his starters came from a combo of Perez (whose awful), Tomko (who has pitched surprisingly decent and was alright in Alomar's starts) and Sele (who had one good and one bad with Alomar Jr). Most of the runs allowed came from Baez who has been terrible with whoever caught up. Just trying to show kind of why he's catcher ERA is so high. Back-up catcher ERA;s can be deceiving no question. Sandy's has generally been higher than the team's ERA for his entire career however. The White Sox have always thought very highly of him, and think he's a future major league manager. IIRC they tried to get him to retire a couple years ago, and make him a coach or manager somewhere in the organization.

I would be so happy if this report were erroneous. It just seems like a move that makes no sense to me.