Dick Allen

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 05:07 PM) I just dont understand why people are so behind Marte. He has had two above average seasons since 2003, and looks like a completley different pitcher than he was in 2003. On top of all that, from all reports he isnt the most well recieved player on the team. What makes you think Marte can get back to 2003 form? What has he shown you to tell you that? I think it is far more reasonable to think Damaso Marte can be a dominant LH relief pitcher again than the pipedream many around here have of Frank Thomas being able to hit 40 homers drive in 120 runs again.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 05:03 PM) Academic at this point. Ozzie and Marte can't co-exist next year for a full season. One could not but help get the impression Ozzie--despite using Marte--didn't even want him back last season after that little stunt he pulled-whether or not Ozzie fueled the flames or not is beside the point. Yes, it would appear Marte is better than Myers. Is Marte better than Myers on THIS team? Marte's value now comes in his trade-value. We've all said he won't be a part of the 2006 roster. This rumor simply re-assures that line of thinking. I am of the opinion Marte is better for the White Sox than Myers. I think Marte pitched well in the playoffs and can take that good feeling with him to spring training, and be as good as ever. I'm also of the opinion trading him won't get you a player better than Mueller or Nomar, so you would be better off keeping him and signing one of those two.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 05:00 PM) First of all, one of the reasons Myers has been on so many teams is because he's 36 years old. The other reason is because he's a situational lefty. He's great against lefties but he should not even be used against righties. This makes him less valuable for a roster spot than a reliever that can get lefties and righties out like Neal Cotts. But the way Ozzie likes to use lefties, Myers would be great addition to our bullpen. The most I see Myers making would be $1.5 million for the season. For a situational lefty who is lights out against left handed batters, his career ERA isn't very impressive. If Ozzie brings him in to face anyone but another teams top left handed hitters, they will be immediately pinch hit for and the White Sox would be in trouble.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 04:33 PM) Why should we "Just say no" to Myers? -We all know how much Oz loves his matchups. Myers has CLEARLY shown that he is great against LH hitters, and thats about it. Thats all we need him for anyway. Hell, Marte was worse against LH hitters anyway. If you bring in Myers, and ship Marte, that also will give Cotts more room to shine, which he deserves. With Marte gone, I can almost promise that you will see more Neal. -You want the Sox to try and fix Marte. At one point during the season, after Marte had left the team, Ozzie said he didnt watch to pitch Marte at home because he was worried about the fans booing him and if Marte could take it. There comes a point of no return, and I think that is it. The old baseball term " Player A needs a change of scenery" seems to apply here. -Myers is going to come cheap. I would expect maybe 1.7-2 mil a year, maybe more(could be off) You then in turn can get another piece for this team with Marte. Like many have said here, including you, that Marte can turn it around and be one of the best. You package Marte up with Sweeney or Owens, and you got yourself a nice package. Sign me up for Mike Myers. If Myers were so great, he wouldn't have modeled as many uniforms as he has. Marte can be fixed. He was hurt early in the season, and his first appearance back he was unhittable. The bicep pain returned. He didn't deal with it well. Then he comes late and is basically thrown off the team, while others who have come to the park late quietly pay their fine and nothing is said of it. Frank Thomas was booed mercilessly a few years ago, and he was able to fall back into the good graces of the fans. Marte can too. He was excellent in his World Series appearance. Eventually, Myers, even with Ozzie managing is going to have to get a right handed batter out. That is not going to be pretty. Marte is better than Myers. The Sox don't need to be trading Owens or Sweeney either. Exactly what are you going to bring in to improve the team after you have weakened the bullpen and minor league pool? I don't think its worth it. There are decent free agents who wouldn't be too expensive to fill the Sox holes. Mueller and Nomar are a couple.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 04:36 PM) Presumably there could be a risk of him being charged with something along the lines of obstruction of justice if he insists he did nothing, possibly testifies as to that point, and then takes a drug test which proves the opposite. If he's as clean as he says he would have nothing to worry about.

By July, Mike Myers would leave you longing for Damaso Marte. Just say no to Myers. I think the Sox should work on fixing Marte. When he's right, and he's been right most of the time he has been on the team, he is as good as there is .

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 11:04 AM) Excellent point. Although his advisors should have told him that "No comment" works way better than “Um, I’ll get back to you on that, first I need to check the legality of it.” Last time I checked, its perfectly legal for Irvin to take a drug test. What kind of legal issue is he checking on? This is a guy who was caught with the pipe on him. Maybe it isn't is, but his story would make anyone wonder. If he really wanted to clear his name, taking a test immediately probably would be the best thing to do, unless he just wants a few days to flush his system.

QUOTE(White Sox Josh @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) My Ideal Lineup for next season: 1. Pods LF 2. Uribe SS 3. Thome 1B 4. Thomas DH 5. Iguchi 2B 6. Dye RF 7. Crede 3B 8. Pierzynski C 9. Anderson CF I would rather spend money on Frank and strengthen the bench than pay Konerko $14 Million now that we got Thome. Sign a good bench player like LeCroy or trade for Stairs. Both of those can step in if Frank gets hurt again and they both have a lot of pop. So you would rather spend money and count on a guy who may not be able to play at all, let alone a full schedule? I can guarantee you, KW won't be counting on a full healthy season from the Big Hurt in 2006.

Signing Frank Thomas to a contract before he can prove he is 100% healthy is not an example of spending money wisely.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 02:43 PM) I think the Ordonez backlash was almost all from his lying to the team and calling the organization and its leaders liars, and cheats essentially. To me it seemed like the monetary amount didn't matter, but his dirty dealings are what pissed off people the most. No one complains about Robin Ventura taking more money from the Mets do they? I think if Ordonez hadn't tried to get down and dirty with the Sox, not many would have faulted him for taking that much more money. Ventura got lowballed by Schueler. He made him an offer that wasn't close to what he was being offered elsewhere. I agree, Ordonez was ripped for his comments, but he also was called greedy. People should bow to him. If he re-signed with the Sox, the wait would be up to 89 years now.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 02:39 PM) He would never get booed here unless he decided to bad mouth the organization upon on his departure *cough cough* I agree. The only way Paulie gets booed at USCF is if he signs with the Sox, and stinks up the joint his last couple years of the contract.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 12:40 PM) I can't blame Konerko one iota for testing the waters to see what his value is. And let's say the Angels do offer him $15M per for 5 years and the Sox offer $13 per for 4 with an option on the 5th year, I don't think Paulie's a bad guy for taking the Angels offer. The difference in guaranteed money is $23M. Does anyone really expect a guy to leave that much money on the table for the sake of loyalty? It's a business, too. Just like when Kenny Williams couldn't consider the 'loyalty' issue when he traded Rowand. I would never blame a player for taking the money. But how many on this board lit into Ordonez for taking $75 million from Detroit, and lit into him for hiring Boras, who is well known for getting his clients maximum dollars, when the White Sox offered him $60 million and he turned it down? I think the Sox are making a mistake putting a deadline on Konerko re-signing, unless they really wouldn't be all that upset he refuses their offer.

Where would he play?

Frank is going to have to show he is healthy before he gets a contract. That won't be for some time, if ever. I would think AL teams that don't get the big bats they were looking at this winter may have an interest in him right before spring training. Oakland, Baltimore, Minnesota, there will be several teams that will be willing to take a chance if the price is right and he is physically capable of playing, which is going to be the biggest question.

QUOTE(gosox41 @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 07:53 AM) I agree. IMHO, Frank is a more productive player then Thome when healthy. They're both coming off injuries. Frank had a broken bone, Thome had elbow surgery (along with chronic back problems). Who's to say that Frank is higher risk to suffer another injury over Thome. Can Jim's right elbow handle the stress of 500+ plate appearances in a season + batting practice (need to have timing) and who knows how many swings he's going to take. The way I see this trade for the 2006 season is Anderson can do what Rownad did in 2005 so it's break even their. If PK leaves this trade looks great. If he stays then I don't see how this team is any better unless someone can guarantee that Thome will be healthy for a full season where as Frank wasn't healthy for most of 2005. It seems like a lot of risk (including financial) for very little reward considering that Thomas can hit 40+ HR's and have a ton of walks. Bob The big problem is Thomas cannot be counted to be able to play at all. His foot is still not healed and it may not be healed by opening day. There is better than a 50% chance his career is over. If he is able to return, it is more than likely just a matter of time before it breaks again. Thome obviously has risk, but he is cheaper than Thomas was last year, with what the Phillies are throwing in, and if he's healthy will put up similar numbers a healthy Frank would put up, and also add a presence from the left side of the plate. Besides that, he also could play the field.

I like it. Its worth a shot. The Sox top prospects are OF's and Rowand who was great in 2004, wasn't much more than average this championship season. Even defensively where he is given so much credit, I thought with the exception of about a two week period, which included their trip to NY, he had regressed. He wasn't getting very good jumps and Ozzie was pissed with his habit of playing too deep. His throwing was very erratic. That said, what's to say he won't go back to his 2004 form both at the plate and in the field? The Sox have to start making room for their top prospects if they aren't going to deal them, so moving Rowand makes a lot of sense. Thome is a gamble, a huge gamble, but if he's healthy, they have him for a huge discount.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:38 PM) Dye was our best overall OFer. 7.5M for Thome aint' s*** and he's not oft injured. He's had one injury plagued season. Exactly. Considering the Sox paid Thomas $8.5 million last season plus a $3.5 million buyout, Thome is a bargain. He is far more likely to be able to play a full schedule.

QUOTE(scotty22hotty @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:35 PM) horrible... the sox will pay 7.5 million a year for the next 3 years for an old, injured 1b. Arow was our best OF... this trade makes no sense... If Thome is healthy, those figures are a steal. Doesn't he have 4 years left? I think his elbow will be fine, what concerns me is his 35 year old back. The other positive is Jim Thome is as high of character guy as there is in MLB.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:35 PM) IF is a huge word. Anaheim may be finalizing their offer to Konerko's agent right now? Then where would we be? Personally, I believe Williams doesn't make this trade unless he's absolutely certain signing Konerko is feasible. I wouldn't expect Konerko to promise Williams his loyalty, than in the event Anaheim adds a few more million, turn his back on Williams and accept LA's offer. I read somewhere the Angels are willing to go 5 years , $60 million for Konerko, not quite what Landis was looking for but pretty significant. The Sox have an excellent shot of re-signing him.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:28 PM) Rowand struck out 116 times last season, but only took 32 walks. Yes, Thome K's a ton, but so did Rowand...and in Thome's last 9 full seasons, he drew less than 100 walks only once. We have room for a lot of strikeouts on this team now. B.A.'s job is 2 fold...produce around what Rowand did offensively (hit .250 or better with 15 or better home runs), and catch that damn ball in CF. I have no problem getting rid of Rowand, in fact I called it about a month ago., but if Anderson plays everyday, he'll go way higher than 116 k's. Add about 170 for Thome, plus with whats left, thats a lot of strikeouts for a team wanting to play part time smallball. There are obviously other deals coming. Ozzie said he wanted more speed. He gets what he wants. I think Pierre is going to be playing CF.

I like Anderson as a prospect. The only question I have if he becomes the starter in CF is team strikeouts. Thome fans a ton, and BA is going to ring up a pretty big total himself.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 02:57 PM) You trade Hernandez because: 1) He's old. 2) He's expensive. 3) He wants to start. Who's the 6th starter? How about Cotts? Or maybe someone else in the minors will take BMAC's spot as 6th starter. You deal from strength...and what the White Sox have is an extra starter, a lot of young talent in the minors and a LHR. I've learned there is no such thing as a can't miss player. For every one of those, there is a Mike Piazza or Mark Buehrle. Saying low draft choices that end up being great. Trying to find a suitor for Duque would be pretty tough, considering he is going to be making about $5 million next season. The Sox should just keep him around for spot starts and relief appearances, and most of all his overwhelming influence on Contreras.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 09:07 AM) He's not. That's what I thought. Farmio has some crazy ideas. Last trade deadline he said Peavy and Oswalt were very available.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 08:56 AM) I posted this in the White Sox Weekly thread, but I thought it probably should have gone here. Ed Farmer during the show yesterday said he had heard from a friend that Gload was gonna sign with the Padres. Now, I won't miss him, but somebody's gotta play first for us. Unless the Sox released him, I do not believe Gload is a free agent.

QUOTE(J-MAN @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 02:09 PM) I am new to this but thought the balance due on season tickets was due in January. I went to my account on-line and saw an invoice was issued for balance of season ticket cost on 11/11 and due 12/8. No big deal since but wondered if this is earlier than it used to be - big chunk to lay out just before Christmas! Talk to your rep, but I'm 99.9% sure you need 50% by Dec 1, they may let it slide until the 8th, and the balance Jan. 20.