CSF

Even more than the Half-Priced nights, look at Monday games in general. It seems like the Sox are off every other Monday. After the opener, the Sox don't play another Monday game until May 3 when they play at Baltimore. And another thing: It's not a matter of pinching pennies, but trying to draw more people to the park. Half-Priced Nights were a great way of doing that. Especially considering they raised the ticket prices again.

The first Monday night home game for the Sox isn't until June 21 against the Indians. That's more than 2 1/2 months into the season. And there's only 4 home Monday games, period. Did Half-Priced Night break Reinsdorf that much? At least there is still an ample amount of Half Priced Tuesday with a Pepsi product.

AL Central Preview: Chicago White Sox Season Preview Scott Miller's Take With Ozzie Guillen and bench coach Harold Baines in charge, how can they go wrong? At the very least, some of the weird clubhouse karma should disappear this summer, and that in turn might put more bounce in the Sox's step. Strengths They don't have much overpowering. Right fielder Magglio Ordonez is one of the league's most feared hitters. Lefty Mark Buehrle finally U-turned his 2003 season after getting off to a miserable start, losing nine consecutive decisions early. Frank Thomas had a nice bounce-back season, clobbering 42 homers. Weaknesses There is not much depth in the rotation, with Scott Schoeneweis and Dan Wright filling the final two spots. Those two and Jon Garland remain underachievers. The jury also remains out on closer Billy Koch, who had a disappointing season last summer. Difference Maker Esteban Loaiza. GM Kenny Williams picked him up off of the scrap heap a year ago, and he won 21 games. In the season after Bartolo Colon left, Loaiza must do it again, or it could be a very long season. Money Ball Overpaid: Jose Valentin Valentin ($5M) had his best offensive year right before signing his current deal. He has hit .258, .249 and .237 since. Underpaid: Damaso Marte A valuable bullpen member, Marte (minimum) could become the closer if Koch struggles. Give us your thoughts! Three Questions Q: Will Esteban Loaiza duplicate his 2003 success? A: Another 21-9 record might be a bit much to ask, but Loaiza's cut fastball should be good for 15-18 wins. Q: Which young starter will be under the microscope most? A: Lead-off man Harris will feel the most pressure, but the others (Crede, Rowand and Olivo) will asked to contribute in a big way, too. Q: Will clubhouse atmosphere again be an issue? A: It shouldn't. New manager Ozzie Guillen will set a good tone. Then again, with Frank Thomas present, controversy never is too far away. Give us your thoughts! He also listed the Sox top 5 prospects as: 1. Reed 2. Honel 3. Cotts 4. Wing 5. Anderson With all due respect to Wing and Anderson (who I hope have much success on the Southside in the years to come), Sweeney outperformed both of them in camp this year. It's not a slap at them, though. I'm not sure how much of the Sox these guys are really watching, if they're watching at all. BTW, Miller predicted a 3rd place finish for the Sox, with the Twins winning the division. Much props to McCarthy & Mack for picking the Sox.

I think Jackson gets the final spot, with Cotts and Adkins ready in case Jackson & Shingo struggle early on.

I don't know who ncorgbl pissed off over there, but there is some spammer posting a bunch of topics slamming on ncorgbl. Immaturity at its lowest.

Easy on the middle finger, bud! Here's your friggin' links: Original board where I saw this on Yet another And SuperSteve, I read the article too, but I wasn't referring to that.

Saw a couple of different message boards (not the greatest sources to begin with) saying the Mets have agreed, in principle to trade to KC: Scott Kazmir Mike Jacobs Orber Moreno Danny Garcia In return, the Mets will get Carlos Beltran, who would sign some 7 yr deal worth like 94 million and would also move to RF (or I guess he would stay in center and Mike Cameron would move to RF) Could be legit, could be BS. It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of it.

Rotoworld's take on Willie as of today:

The Future: :headbang

03/30/2004 7:12 PM ET The future may arrive soon Top outfield prospects take advantage of camp By Scott Merkin / MLB.com Tickets Scoreboard Fantasy SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Opposing general managers looking to work a trade with the White Sox should be warned in advance. If a young outfielder is offered to general manager Ken Williams and the South Siders as the main thrust of the deal, there's a strong possibility it will be refused. The White Sox leave Arizona in five days with more than a few questions to be answered as Opening Day approaches, ranging from how their bullpen will stack up to what kind of start they can expect with a tough first-half schedule. But one thing proven certain during the club's six weeks out west was the abundance of talent in the organization's minor league system. Most of that vast potential seems to be covering the outfield, or maybe it simply appears that way because those particular young players have been on display so much during Cactus League action. With early injuries to Joe Borchard and Magglio Ordoñez and Marvin Benard never getting on the field, the White Sox moved Brian Anderson, Ryan Sweeney and Jeremy Reed into action with the Major Leaguers. Reed was the best known of the bunch, a second-round draft pick from Long Beach St. during the 2002 First-Year Player Draft who turned in one of the best minor league seasons in recent memory during 2003. The left-hander hit .373 between stops at Single- A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham, with 11 home runs, 95 RBIs and 45 stolen bases. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Basically, I learned about discipline at the plate and being able to get your pitch and take advantage of a pitcher's mistake. I learned you have to perform on a consistent basis and can't be streaky, or you are going to get sent down. -- Brian Anderson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strangely enough, it was Reed who was the least productive during Spring Training, despite being the only one of the three with a non-roster invite. Reed hit .196 in 46 at- bats, with five RBIs and his lone home run during a final appearance Sunday before being reassigned. Talk lingered as to whether a partially-torn ligament in Reed's left wrist, suffered during the offseason, hampered him offensively or if Reed is further off from the Majors than first anticipated. But Reed said he felt no soreness, even though he opted against surgery when the problem arose. Williams believes the 22-year-old put a little too much pressure on himself after last season's Herculean numbers. "I put my arm around him in the batting cage (the other day) and told him, 'Listen, when are you going to start having some fun here? When are you going to start to relax?'" said Williams. "He has the same problem as Joe Borchard. "They are guys that really want it badly. You have to admire that. But at the same time, it's kind of a hindrance in allowing them to bring the best to the table every day in the form of their ability and production. But he's still very much in our plans." The self-imposed pressure didn't seem to be an issue for Anderson, who turned 22 on March 11 and was last year's first-round pick, or Sweeney, the 19-year-old phenom who gave the White Sox a first-round quality player late in the second round of the same draft. Anderson, a native of Tucson, hit .233 with five RBIs over 30 Cactus League at-bats, while Sweeney hit .367 in 30 at-bats with four RBIs. Both also had outfield assists. Sweeney's numbers are that much more amazing, considering he was playing high school baseball in Iowa one year ago. Now, he's ripping line-drive singles off Bartolo Colon, LaTroy Hawkins and Jeremy Affeldt. "Ryan is legit. I call him the 'golden child'," said Anderson of Sweeney. "He's that mature and shows such great poise, and he's only a kid." "He probably has the purest swing of any of the young guys in the minors, and he's only been there half of a season," added White Sox director of player development Dave Wilder of Sweeney. "He stands out and doesn't look nervous at all. But we just want to get him experience and let him have fun." Anderson and Sweeney's minor league numbers weren't quite on par with those produced by Reed, but they were nothing to gloss over. Anderson hit .388 in 49 at-bats with Great Falls before his season ended prematurely due to wrist surgery, while Sweeney hit .320 between stops at Bristol and Great Falls. The two most recent high draft picks will start their season at Winston-Salem, while Reed figures to begin at Birmingham, with a chance to move quickly on to Triple-A Charlotte. The trio can bring along the volumes of knowledge picked up during Spring Training from not only hitting and playing against Major Leaguers but also watching how their teammates prepare for a game. "Basically, I learned about discipline at the plate and being able to get your pitch and take advantage of a pitcher's mistake," said Anderson, who according to his contract, will get an invite to Spring Training in 2004. "I learned you have to perform on a consistent basis and can't be streaky, or you are going to get sent down. "(Sweeney and I) took advantage of the situation and had fun. I figured I would get in a couple of games, with a couple of at-bats, and that would be it. Not many guys where we are at get the chance to do what we did." Somewhat lost in the enthusiasm over the production from Anderson, Sweeney and Reed, not to mention Ricardo Nanita, a 22-year-old who had a 30-game hitting streak in his first season with Great Falls in 2003, is the youthfulness of the All-Star outfield already in place. Magglio Ordoñez is 30, Carlos Lee turns 28 in June and Aaron Rowand, getting his first chance to start on an everyday basis in center, hits 27 in August. There's also the 25-year-old Borchard, a first-round pick from 2000, who will begin the season in Charlotte. A great deal of uncertainty surrounds Ordoñez's future with the team, the $14 million man in his walk-away year and having already expressed interest in testing the free-agent market. But if the White Sox need an outfielder, this spring has proven they don't have to look outside the organization or wait too much longer for another front-line player to appear. "I'll be here next year," Anderson said. "Hopefully, I'll take advantage of that chance and make the team." "Spring Training was about what I thought," Reed added. "I feel like I gave everything I could. Obviously, I'm not playing up to my potential right now, but I would rather go through struggles here and now than during the season." Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Because we lost Bartolo Colon, 2 rent a players in Robbie Alomar & Carl Everett, and "awesome" relievers in Gordon and Sullivan. Not to mention Graffanino. We are sooooooooooooo doomed ESPN and the rest of the media will look so stupid in October. I can't wait.

Shingo got 3 outs on 3 pitches in the 9th. Sox are now 14-13 on the spring, Giants 9-17.

WHITE SOX WINNER! WHITE SOX WINNER! WHITE SOX WINNER!

2 run double by Carlos Maldonado. 10-3 Sox.

Mitre (their new #5 starter *snicker*) got roughed up........again. Though that's all I'm saying on the subject since the last time he faced the Sox, he shut us out for 4 innings.

8-3 Sox end of the 8th inning. Sample and McRae are horrible!!!

Listening to Mac, Jurko, & Harry on the radio with Bruce Levine, they're anticipating a mid-May return. Jurko said he should miss about 37 games which would equate to about 7 starts. Personally, I'm thinking by the ASB.

OMIGOD!!!! The guys calling this game are HORRIBLE!!!

I don't want to give up on Grilli yet. I hope the Sox can work out a trade (maybe send the Fighting Fish $50,000 to compensate them) to keep Grilli in the organization.

Add Sanders to that list. He too, was sent down (no big surprise).

Thomas could put up .325/38/120 and those dolts at ESPN would call it a subpar year. Meanwhile, Sammy puts up .247/50/108 and they would be ready to annoint him as a golden god.

14-3!!! :headbang

Read the sludge below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, March 27, 2004 SportsTicker Manager: Ozzie Guillen (first season) Key Addition: Shingo Takatsu Key Loss: Bartolo Colon 2003 Record: 86-76 Probable lineup C - Miguel Olivo 1B - Paul Konerko 2B - Willie Harris/Juan Uribe SS - Jose Valentin 3B - Joe Crede LF - Carlos Lee CF - Aaron Rowand RF - Magglio Ordonez DH - Frank Thomas Rotation Mark Buehrle, Esteban Loaiza, Jon Garland, Scott Schoeneweis, Danny Wright Closer Billy Koch/Damaso Marte Pivotal player to watch: Buehrle Buehrle's role takes on added importance with the departure of Colon. With a new three-year deal, Buehrle has the security he has sought each of the last two seasons. Even with Loaiza's success last year, the departure of Colon leaves Buehrle as the ace. At 25, he still has room to improve and that is saying something for a pitcher that has racked up 49 wins over the last three seasons. He was 7-4 after the All-Star break in 2003 and avoided the home runs that plagued him in the first half. Expect him to bounce back and win at least 17 games. Can expect to play better in 2004: Rowand Like Crede and Olivo, Rowand entered 2003 with lofty expectations. He struggled early and was sent to Class AAA Charlotte in May. After being recalled in June, Rowand batted .387 with a .629 slugging percentage. He was helped in Charlotte by hitting coach Greg Walker, who became Chicago's hitting coach last season and maintains that role under new manager Guillen. Can expect to play worse in 2004: Thomas Rebounded from consecutive sub-par seasons to hit 42 home runs and drive in 105 runs in 2003. His ability is never a question, but his relationship with Guillen could be. Although Guillen has stated that Thomas will be his No. 3 hitter, there could some uneasiness dating to the days when Thomas and his manager were teammates. Guillen was a vocal leader when he was a veteran with the White Sox and may expect the same of Thomas. The burly designated hitter has never been known to fill that role in the past and most likely will not start now. Helped themselves this spring Wright solidified his spot in the rotation and could be a pleasant surprise; Cliff Politte opened some eyes and could be very good in a setup role; Olivo, Rowand and Crede all seem like they are ready to make a statment. Hurt themselves this spring Takatsu has been terrible this month and may have earned himself a ticket to Class AAA. Even if he sticks, he likely won't sniff any save opportunities; Schoeneweis also struggled and it is beginning to appear that he will never live up to his immense potential; Neither Uribe nor Harris could do enough to win the second base job outright. Spring Notes This has been a relatively quiet spring - a bit of a surprise given the nature of Guillen and the potential power struggle with Thomas. There is some trade talk involving a pitcher for Thomas or Konerko, but the White Sox have shown this spring that they could be an offensive force. If the young players take a step forward, they could make some noise in a very weak division. Wire Index Maybe it's just me and my conspiracy theories are in high gear, but I truly think ESPN is hoping for an Ozzie-Frank shoving match. Damn all the good feelings during ST, let's see how long is it before they try to kill each other. Yet another reason of millions why I can't stand ESPN.

Looks like Joe Cowley agrees with you: Sox still pondering Grilli's fate Monday, March 29, 2004 By Joe Cowley Staff writer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TUCSON, Ariz. — White Sox general manager Ken Williams hinted Sunday that news on right-handed pitcher Jason Grilli could come in the next "24 to 48 hours." That news is expected to be the Rule 5 draft pick from Florida is no longer in the plans for the Sox's 25-man roster. "We will have more to talk about with regards to Jason Grilli in the next 24 to 48 hours," Williams said. Manager Ozzie Guillen, however, might have let the cat out of the bag when asked about Grilli after Sunday's Cactus League game. "He threw pretty good," Guillen said. "He's a kid that I want. We don't know how many pitchers we're going to carry right now. To have him not pitching with the 'A' team every day, we have to put him down there to throw a couple minor league games or 'B' games. His situation is pretty tough. Hopefully, we'll get something done to keep him here." By rule, if a Rule 5 draft pick doesn't make the 25-man roster, his new team has to offer him back to his original team. In order for the Sox to keep Grilli but put him in Triple A, they would have to work out a deal with the Marlins.

Just heard it on the Score update. Borchard and Rivera were also assigned to Charlotte.