Dick Allen

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 06:35 PM) In 2004, Contreras gave up less hits (166) than IP (170.1) but he still issued a ton of walks (84) for a 1.47 WHIP on the season. If he keeps his walks down like he did last season (75 BB in 204.2 IP), I will believe that he's the real deal. But he's still very old so he may not keep up this level of performance anyways. I know he has to be older than his listed age, but I don't think his advanced age will be a factor in 2006. He still throws very hard, and his forkball is unhittable. His problem in 2004 and part of 2005 was he relied on his forkball way too much, and it is a hard pitch to throw consistently for strikes. If someone hit his fastball hard, be it over the wall, right at someone, or even foul, he would not throw them another fastball again. His slider is also above average, but he wouldn't throw that at all either. If he struggles, it will be because of injury or it will be something mental. The guy still has the best stuff on the White Sox, and has some of the best stuff in baseball.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 06:30 PM) They Hyatt sucks. Would have been way more enjoyable for people had they not over sold the event by 4000 tickets.... idiots. The whole ticketing for Soxfest this year was different. They put the tickets up for sale to the general public before the season ticketholders got their $25 offers. I remember when they said it was sold out wondering if it meant I was out, but sure enough my order form was emailed, and with all the new accounts, unless they changed venues, it was going to be trouble. I am guessing the Palmer House, which by the way is a s***ty hotel, can handle a larger group, although I'm sure enough people were turned off by the huge crowds and are probably pissed they paid $100 a day on ebay, and have no plans to ever return.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 06:18 PM) Yankees' run support will tend to help a pitcher's record. He wen't 13-9 overall in 2004 with a whopping 5.50 ERA. Yes, but he pitched a few great games. He wasn't a typical pitcher with a 5.50 ERA. You don't see many guys with an ERA that high that gave up less hits than innings pitched. I became a Contreras fan in 2003 when he made the White Sox look like 3 year olds. He didn't get credit for the shutout because he didn't go all the way, but he blew a great offensive team away. Considering his history in Cuba, he was the star of their team, considering the Yankees gave him a $32 million contract, he obviously is a very talented pitcher. For whatever reason, it took him a while to put it together, but he certainly did last season. I don't know how his success could be called a fluke. I would think there's a far better chance he pitches like he did in 2005 than in 2004.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 06:07 PM) He also has a career 4.28 ERA (league average ERA of 4.53 during that time) and 1.31 WHIP, which doesn't look like one of the best pitchers in the league to me. And the reason I find a lot wrong with him is because there is a lot wrong with him. Its a good thing the Sox were able to overcome his second half last year, and his team leading 4 playoff starts to win the WS.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 04:53 PM) It takes consistancy to be one of the best pitchers in the league, which is what everything here seems to think Contreras is. Considering Contreras is 35-18 for his career, you sure do find a lot wrong with him.

QUOTE(wilmot825 @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 04:42 PM) What a trooper. I bet Lisa gave him some "home treatment" I think just about any guy dating her would probably have a hernia problem.

QUOTE(Whitewashed in '05 @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 01:58 PM) I definitley agree with you about making it to the playoffs lots of times gives you more chances to win it all, but KW is making a big run again at it this year. I do believe in Bmac, but he has not proven he can do what Count did for us last season. Which is why I think you don't deal him unless someone overpays. That's another thing I don't understand. Some people say Contreras only pitched well for half a season, the Sox should get something for him and put BMac into the rotation. BMac didn't pitch well on the big league level for half a season, what makes these people so sure BMac is a sure thing but Contreras is not? Its all a mute point, KW said he isn't trading any of the starters.

Didn't Crede hit around .330 while batting ninth in 2005?

QUOTE(kman @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 01:20 PM) I seriously doubt this will stick. If we as fans know pods sucks at left management has to know cf is a no no. Its not going to stick. The Score is wrong. KW said Anderson was a CF and said Owens was a CF.

QUOTE(Beastly @ Jan 28, 2006 -> 08:26 PM) Did anyone ask about the following at Q&A or, would anyone bright enough please enlighten me about what was said in that interview? How is Crede's back? Who will compete in ST for the last spot in the pen? How is Thome's back? Or just any questions about our White Sox that were important, like our veteran players, because I could care less about prospects. They don't mean a s*** to me. I hope this Anderson kid does better than when I last saw him. They really didn't mention Crede's back, but KW said Thome's back is a non-issue, that he was a lot more concerned about a couple of other guys backs which I guess would be Crede and Hermanson. As to the bullpen, KW seems to like the minor league free agents he signed, thinking one of them may be the next Kelly Wunsch, or Marte. Ozzie did say Munoz has good stuff, but no guts.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jan 28, 2006 -> 04:43 PM) Talking ot BHAM, we had a better CF in Chris Young (duh) there daily. But when he took days off, it be Blakely in center, not Owens. Someone asked Ozzie yesterday whether Anderson would play LF or CF. KW piped right in and said CF. I think his attitude towards Owens playing CF may be a case of him wanting no part of Pods in CF. If Anderson and Owens played at the same time, I'm sure Anderson would be in CF.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jan 28, 2006 -> 04:24 PM) The first step would be to have him actually play center. Today he expanded on it and said Owens had some sort of arm injury that has or will soon heal. They are supposedly going to stretch his arm out in spring training. KW said today that Jerry Owens is ready to play in the big leagues.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jan 28, 2006 -> 10:07 AM) Seeing how Kenny WIlliams disliked Frank so much, it doesn't surprise me that he didn't issue THomas a courtesy call According to Kenny, he did give Frank a curteousy call. He had to leave a message, because Frank wouldn't answer his phone. Isn't it odd how Frank has found the time to attend the A's fanfest this weekend, but often had excuses to skip out of Soxfest. If he had re-signed with the Sox, chances are he would have used his current injury or recent marriage or some other excuse not to attend Soxfest. He may be a nice guy, but good riddance.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jan 28, 2006 -> 07:57 AM) Yeah, on that "Friday Football" garbage on ESPNEWS (which I was only watching because I was at home sick as a dog), Merril Hoge said "once people see the tape on Vince Young, he will fall and fall fast.....and come April, be a 4th round, 2nd day pick". Afterwards, he had a 10 minute discussion on it too, so he was obviously serious. Comments? :headshake :rolly Young won't drop that much, but Hoge knows the game pretty well. I wouldn't be surprised if Young wound up being a guy who should have been a 4th round pick.

The other thing KW mentioned was Jerry Owens as a CF.

I was at Soxfest and can tell you KW reiterated he is not going to trade Contreras for a position player. KW also seems satisfied by the dopes he has competing for the 2nd LH reliever role. I'm going back tomorrow and may ask him if Urbina gets out of jail, if he would be interested in bringing him in. For all those wondering about a potential upper deck in RF, the so-called "home-run porch", that idea has been put to rest. Other than that, the q and a's where pretty much thank you's and softball questions, which is very understandable.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:05 AM) Something tells me that the only 1 of the Marlins who had to actually "Pass" his physical in that deal was Beckett. I think Lowell and Mota were basically Salary dumps, and Boston was willing to take them to get Beckett. The story was Boston didn't do any physical exams on any of the players it acquired.

QUOTE(UC76 @ Jan 27, 2006 -> 08:43 PM) I drove past the Cell today on the Dan Ryan for the first time since the green seats have been put in place. They look most excellent. It also looks like more "stuff" has been painted black (Rolling Stones pun intended) on the outfield area. All I know is that it looks friggin' sweet. I think they should paint the facades of the club level and upper deck green, and get rid of those ridiculous pinwheels they have lining the facade of the club level. They look like mints.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 27, 2006 -> 08:16 AM) The thing is, he made so many comments at the wedding that clearly indicated that he knew he was done and that it was going to be HIS CHOICE was to walk away with the ring. I haven't seen him since mid November.. but at that time he was still in a ton of pain while walking without the boot... The injury isn't healed. And I think he'll crash and burn. I'm sad to say it, but that''s my prediction. I assumed everyone in the world knew Frank was done with the White Sox when the Thome trade was made and Konerko was re-signed. Apparently everyone in the world knew except Frank. Considering all JR has done for Frank, and he could have blown him off after the diminished skills clause was invoked, it was a cheap shot to lash out at him yesterday as well.

What's he complaining about when KW told him he wouldn't activate him at the end of the season? Doesn't he realize that was 4 months ago and he isn't healed yet? Doesn't he realize the White Sox won it all? Part of me really wanted to feel sorry for him that his career, at least with the White Sox, wasn't going to end how he wanted it to. But after all the comments he made, I just think he's out of line, and making a fool out of himself. I am glad he's gone. The kicker is he should be happy he's not here anymore considering he doesn't think this current team has a chance. He also complains that KW left him a voice mail instead of talking to him. Remember when he wouldn't answer KW's calls a couple of years ago? It was the offseason, and that was his right, but KW obviously called him. Hey Frank, if a talk is what you want, answer your phone.

At least they finally figured out the reason they have sucked for so long.

If a miracle occurs and Frank is able to play most of the season and puts up big numbers, when do you think he'll start b****ing about his contract?

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 27, 2006 -> 12:27 AM) A lot of people think Thome isn't one of the best clubhouse guys in the majors, he is the best. Him and Ellis Burks have always been considered two of the best team players. Yeah, I know there's a lot of love for Frank on these boards recently, but his comments today really make me feel like telling Frank... :finger Thome has had a better year than Frank 4 out of the last 5 seasons. The only exception was last season, which wasn't stellar for either one of them. Thome has 18 less homers than Frank in 200 less games. Thome could actually go in and play first base if you needed him to. I don't see what Frank is thinking popping off about Thome. Frank better hope that his ankle holds up and Thome doesn't dominate, or he'll look like a sad fool.

KW was a jagoff when it came to Frank, but I must say he did treat him with class and respect at least publicly this year. Frank's comments are out of line, and to bring Thome into it is unfair. Frank has played 108 games the last 2 seasons combined. The White Sox medical staff obviously doesn't feel he's a good bet to play very much anymore, if he plays at all. Frank should be talking about the A's, not crying about the end with the White Sox.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 09:37 PM) Several points. e.) Once the season starts...teams may discover that they don't need as much pitching. The Orioles might trade a ton for a pitcher right now...but let's say once the season starts they discover that Mazzone is as good as advertised and somehow their staff turns into a Leo Mazzone staff. Then all of a sudden...they have no interest in pitching, and the market declines. of events. Teams ALWAYS need pitching. I really doubt the Sox would trade Contreras at the deadline if they are contending, unless he's really struggling, it would make no sense. KW already said they have to get pitching back and equal value for Contreras. This most likely eliminates any deal with the Mets.