Dick Allen

QUOTE(S720 @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 01:13 PM) Folks, Somehow I have a feelings that this signing is the prelude to a huge trade with the O's - Garland & Uribe for Tejada & prospects. Now that Garland is signed for 3 years for a measly $29 mil, Kenny just doubled up or even tripled Garland's trading value. What an exciting offseason! One thing is certain, with Kenny at the helm, there can never be tranquility. What would be interesting to find out is if the Sox and Contreras are still negotiating an extension.

QUOTE(travelinman89 @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 01:05 PM) Jeez, that's awesome we're only spending a Total of $90.05. But how are the players gonna support a family? How much you want to bet that the out of the NBA Latrell Sprewell is or at least was collecting unemployment?

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 12:57 PM) I don't get this estimate. My own estimate is about $90 million: 2006 1 Konerko $12.00 2 Buehrle $7.65 3 Garcia $9.00 4 Contreras $7.00 (Yankees pick up $2 million of $9 million salary) 5 Dye $5.00 6 Vazquez $9.00 (D-Backs pick up $2.5 million of $11.5 million salary) 7 Thome $7.50 (Phillies pick up $5.0 million of $12.5 million salary) 8 Hermanson $3.00 9 Mackowiak $2.50 (Sox agreed to pay difference in Marte/Mack contract) 10 Iguchi $2.40 11 Podsednik $1.90 12 Politte $1.20 13 Uribe $3.15 14 Widger $0.65 15 Anderson $0.35* estimate - club control 16 McCarthy $0.35* estimate - club control 17 Ozuna $0.50 18 Jenks $0.35* estimate - club control 19 Cotts $0.35 20 Crede $2.00* estimate - arbitration 21 Pierzynski $4.00 22 Garland $7.00 23 RP $1.60* estimate - free agent 24 OF $1.00* estimate - free agent 25 IF $0.60* estimate - free agent Total $90.05 They probably didn't include the cash they are getting, or the buy-outs of the Big Hurt and Everett. Including the buyouts, its probably at about $95 million.

Just think, the Sox payroll is now almost half of the Yankees.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 12:34 PM) Contreras will almost definitely get traded now. As many on here know, I was saying all along he should be the one to get traded due to having the highest value at the time. Teams look at Contreras as a potential ace, where as Garland is more of a 2-3. The Southtown reported a week or so ago that Conteras was very close to signing an extension. I wonder if talks went south.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 12:26 PM) Yeah, you guys are right. Contract extensions are different than a FA signing. While this would make Garland more attractive to other teams, it also gives us no reason to trade him now. The Sox love bargains, and at $7 million next season, Garland is a bargain. The next 2 season, maybe not. It would surprise me if they traded him now, unless it was just a huge blockbuster. Next offseason, I wouldn't be surprised if he were moved.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 12:14 PM) Sign-and-trades are not very common in baseball. As a matter of fact, I thought there's a rule about how long you have to wait before you can trade a guy after signing them. I think there is as well, but since Garland was not a free agent I don't think it would apply to him.

QUOTE(SnB @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 12:07 PM) now this is an interesting turn of events. It is, but to play devil's advocate, doesn't this make Garland more attractive to potential trading partners? Does this mean Contreras is on the hot seat? Are the Sox done negotiating with Contreras? It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

I thought Garland didn't want to be here?

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 28, 2005 -> 09:21 AM) What do you propose to do about them being several million over budget? I think they can handle it. If there was any truth to the rumor KW was looking at Tejada, the payroll was only going to go higher if he was acquired. Vazquez's acquisition only added a million or two to the payroll, and that was after they offered Garland a 3 year deal at $8 million a year, a figure at the high end of what he would get in arbitration. I don't agree with the people who say keep him and trade him at the deadline. If the Sox are in contention and Garland's pitching like he did in 2005, there is no way they could let him go then. Chances are he will be gone, and as a guy who really couldn't stand Garland until last season, I think its a mistake unless you get a package like the A's got for Mulder. I would rather have 1 season of Garland pitching for the White Sox than 3 or 4 seasons of some "tools" prospects playing for Kannapolis and Birmingham before being released.

If Anderson, Sweeney, and Owens are anywhere near as good as the Sox think they will be, Rowand can come back as a reserve. Obviously, things happen over the course of a season or 2 or 3. I wouldn't read too much into the conversation JR had with him. It appears he is just thanking him for his service, and basically saying stranger things have happened than his returning some day. Basically telling Rowand it was nothing he did that got him traded, they just thought Thome was a bigger need.

What's interesting about Weaver is KW's interest in him ever since the Sox were unable to sign him after drafting him. The interesting thing about his interest is Weaver's agent.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 23, 2005 -> 03:21 PM) Odd idea, but I love it. Sadly I really do. Reed would be a great fit for the Sox, but I think they are high on Anderson. Platoon them, and when Dye is ready to leave you have your experienced cheap replacement. I don't know why people are so down on Reed after just his rookie season. I still think he is going to be quite a player. The guy I would really like the Sox to get from Seattle and I have no idea if he's available is Matt Thornton. He throws hard, but has control problems. I know Seattle was really high on him, but don't know if that feeling has changed. He fits the mold of what KW said he was looking for to fill Marte's spot. A guy like Marte who needed to be harnessed a little bit.

Maybe the Sox should trade Garland to Seattle and get Jeremy Reed back and some bullpen help.

QUOTE(JDsDirtySox @ Dec 23, 2005 -> 12:16 PM) I obviously don't think he can either, but I am just telling you what I have heard. I am sure they will tell him that, and then just use him as a utility player, but you never know. Graffinino may be traded.

What White Sox fans have learned is pitching wins. The only reason the Cubs should trade Prior is if they think the ball off his elbow will have lingering effects on him or they have determined without a doubt he's injury prone. If he can stay healthy for the rest of his career, whether he's a Cub or not, he's a hall of famer. Its very possible they believe he has lost something, because if they don't, IMO they would be out of their minds to trade a guy like that who they have control of for the next 3 seasons.He wasn't very effective after the injury.

Fogg wouldn't be bad out of the bullpen, and it would be nice to hear the foghorn at USCF again.

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Dec 23, 2005 -> 10:10 AM) He said he finally feels healthy. It's certainly possible his poor performances the last 2 years were majorly contributed by this. Will he be lights out, probably not. However, maybe converting him to a reliever will help his cause. It has worked for many before. As stated numerous times throughout this thread, no risk. Take a shot, and see what comes of it. He wasn't that great before that. His big season he was 10-14 with a decent ERA, and the 2 years before that he was horrible, but that could be explained by youth and inexperience. Its not as if he has done anything on the major league level to think he is anything but spring training and possibly AAA filler. But, like has been mentioned in the thread, there really is no risk with this signing. Maybe he discovers something and turns into the next Loaisa. I wouldn't hold my breath.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Dec 22, 2005 -> 03:08 PM) See post above me Garland's priority is cash right now and I won't knock him for it because I would probably be the same as 90% of the world would be. Let me ask you this, when Freddy becomes a FA, how much do you think he'll receive? Keep in mind, not warrant, receive. Freddy is fully aware of the money he lost not going through free agency. I really doubt he'll give the White Sox a break his next contract.

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Dec 22, 2005 -> 01:55 PM) Oh I forgot, teams have never overextended their budgets for small periods of time where they thought they could win championships. I mean, come on, sports franchises have never had economic losses, right? Right? Give me a break. The White Sox have to be real careful. The season ticket base is almost going to double in 2006, but its a house of cards really. Many are bandwagon jumpers who will hop off at the first sign of trouble. A couple of guys get hurt and the Sox win 75 games in 2006, we may be looking at a fire sale next offseason.

QUOTE(JimH @ Dec 22, 2005 -> 01:35 PM) Again, what about the budget, why are you ignoring this aspect of reality? Do you think other teams know the White Sox are over budget as it currently stands? (let me help you, the answer to that question is "yes"). Further, do you think that possibly gives other teams a slight bit of leverage in terms of what to give up? (answer again is "yes"). Finally, do you think other teams might be conerned about Garland's arbitration award which might also factor in to what they'd give up to take on that big $$ number? ("yes"). The White Sox have known for quite a while what Garland was in line for in arbitration, and tried to sign him to a under market 3 year contract , still worth approx. $8 million for 2006, which is probably the max he will earn in arbitration. I can't see where keeping him and losing in arbitration would be blowing up the budget, keep in mind the Vazquez trade only added a million or 2 to the payroll for 2006. The good news for me is Texas and the Dodgers both have said KW is asking for too much. I don't want him to settle for some B or C prospects that turn out to be of the ilk of Adkins, Diaz, Harris etc. Garland is a huge chip, depending on whether the Cubs are serious about possibly trading Prior, and Beane being serious about keeping Zito, he has to be the most attractive non free agent pitcher available. KW cannot settle. He has to stick to his guns and get quality or hold onto him and take the draft picks.

Redding sucks. If he makes the White Sox, the Sox are in trouble.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 03:37 PM) Garland's had one good year, and he was 5-6 after the Break in 05! Esteban Loaisa got 3 years $21 million. Garland could get a lot more than 3/$24 million if he pitched anywhere near how he pitched this past season and became a free agent.

Maybe the Red Sox bite the bullet this season and then go nuts next year when the free agent class is heads and shoulders above this current one.

The Southtown is reporting the White Sox were going to tender Harris.