iamshack

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 08:12 PM) I would rather have Getz lead off and get somebody like Randy Winn who can play excellent defense. That will be important with the pitching staff we have. I just really doubt that pods repeats what he did this year. All his stats are higher than his career average (BABIP is higher too). Being a year older, he will lose more speed and get even worse in the outfield probably. He just isnt worth it. If Wynn is available for a similar price, I am all for it. What do you think his contract demands would look like?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 07:44 PM) If its a question of being realistic, wouldn't being realistic mean thinking Scott Podsednik can match his output of this season next season, a pipedream? Considering Abreu received $5 million, Hudson was only guaranteed $3 million this past offseason, guaranteeing Pods anything near that for next year is crazy. Absolutely. But it's a better risk, in my opinion, then not signing him and going in with Chris Getz. I don't think there are going to be as many deals this offseason as there were last offseason. Last year there was an over-reaction to the economy, and I think owners and GMs this year will realize this. I have been saying for two years now that the pendulum will eventually swing back in favor of signing some veterans and getting a bit of performance certainty, instead of going with all these young kids. There will be a balance between cost certainty and performance certainty, and I think it will begin this offseason. Teams are still going to go young, but I don't think you're going to see too many more deals like Bobby Abreu or ODog got. Although ODog is going to end up costing LA more than Abreu will cost the Angels because of the incentives.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 07:23 PM) Having to chose between Scott Podsednik and Dewayne Wise is unacceptable. Those shouldn't be the only two realistic options. It's the job of the front office to find a reliable player who can bat at the top of the order on a consistent basis. No White Sox fan should just accept those options because of what we have had at the position previously. It makes no sense. It's not a question of accepting anything. It's a question of being realistic. We can all clamor for one of the top 5 leadoff men in the game, but given our starting rotation, some of our expensive players, it's unrealistic and naive to demand we get one of those guys. KW is one of the most proactive GM's (if the not most proactive) in the game. He hasn't been able to fix this problem for years. Don't you think there is a reason for that? I can sit here and demand a brand new 5000 sq foot house on a golf course too, but that doesn't mean it's in the cards. Sometimes you have to be realistic and do the best you can. For the money, Scottie is probably the best we can do.

The Tigers Hindenburg blimp is the best...

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 04:27 PM) That's not the point. It damn sure is! So Pods is league average. Do you want league average or what we've had the last two years? Do you want league average at a premium offensive spot for below average pay, or do you want Dewayne Wise? I'll take Podsednik, with all his flaws, for $3-4 million at this point. Provide me with better options (and Figgins at $40 million is not a better option, all things considered), and I will begin listening...

KHP, I have to hand it to you man, you are making this work baby! Thanks for sticking with me! If it weren't for the damn rays bullpen, the Kitties would have lost 5 in a row by now and we'd be 4.5 back.... Doom, Kitties, doom!

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Sep 9, 2009 -> 10:39 PM) In my view, as good as Jermaine was in the first half of this season, that's how as bad he's been now. -Tim McCarver That's honestly as well as it can be said. In fact, I'd go a step further and say he's been worse in the second half than he was good in the first half.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Sep 8, 2009 -> 04:14 PM) Deal Getz elsewhere then. I just would love to see Beltre's glove at third and Ross' glove in the OF. Ross should still be available. Is he going to be ok after his testicle recovers?

I think the Marlins would rather move Coghlan to 2b as a replacement for Uggla, but I could be wrong...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 8, 2009 -> 03:21 PM) I think my issue with Podsednik is that an OF of Podsednik, Rios, Quentin might not be up to snuff offensively, given Pods's lack of slugging ability for a corner OF. Of course, that depends on what we do to fill the DH slot next year too, and whether or not we're ready to legitimately put Getz at leadoff next season (he's certainly played well enough to hit there in the 2nd half this year). If you bring Pods back cheap but then invest in bringing in some LH Power at the DH position, that's perhaps tolerable if Q and Rios both play to form. I just don't know about Getzy....I like his skills...I like his smarts...I like his stealing percentage ALOT. I just don't see him as being a leadoff hitter that sets the tone for us... Of course, the entire Podsednik situation revolves around what other options are available. I'm just going off of the fact that Kenny is the most active GM in the game and this is one particular area he has been absolutely stonewalled in. I don't see a whole lot of other options out there unless you are willing to play a very premium price, and from what we have in our system, I'd rather go with the 1-2 year stopgap and hope our own talent pans out.

Half of the point of bringing back Posednik is that it isn't the risk many of you make it out to be because of the cost of doing so. Honestly, with what the team has gone through over the course of the last several years, what is $2-3 million a year for 2 years compared to having Dweezy leading off? Forcing Nick Swisher to lead off and perhaps putting him into a rut? Letting whomever the hell lead off that lead off in 2007 (I can't even remember our lineups from that year)? Sure, we can all dream about Crawford, we can argue to sign Figgins, etc. But 1) Mike Scoscia wants to KEEP Chone Figgins; and 2) there are about 5 other teams that will be in on Figgins should the Angels actually let him walk. These are options that are probably pipe dreams at this point. If you sign Podsednik it's a low-risk solution. If he winds up being terrible, then fine, you banish him to the bench or you DFA him. But given the way he has hit the fastball this season, I am not buying that he is too old or will have a huge regression next year. He has had a few slumps here and there, but he has been fairly consistent when compared to the rest of the hitters on this club this year. And for the record, sure, if someone like Crawford becomes available, of course I am all in favor of acquiring him. Signing Podsednik certainly isn't going to stop Kenny from making a move like that; but our other likely possibilities are so unsettling, I really don't know what all the resistance is about.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Sep 8, 2009 -> 01:38 PM) We went through 2007 with essentially unproben no name cheap arms in the bullpen. It was disaster, the scrubs couldnt throw strikes and couldn't be relied on for anything. Therefore in 2008 KW goes out and gets go to guys in the pen, Dotel and Linebrink, that yes cost some $$. Do you really think KW is now in 2010 going to go back to let the bullpen be "cheap no names", I dont think so. I think 2007 was so embarassing, as it should be, there is no way Kenny builds any bullpen without proven "go to" guys. The funny thing is that look where those cheap power arms that were a "disaster" for us in 2007 are now... 1) Masset - 5-1, 2.67, 1.03 WHIP 2) Aardsma - 34 Saves, 2.15, 1.20 WHIP 3) MacDougal - 15 Saves, 3.43 ERA, 1.53 WHIP (ok, still struggling a bit) Looks like maybe we had the right idea, just not the right coaching or execution....

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 8, 2009 -> 12:05 AM) and he's going to get more than $4.4 mill, because there is nothing he has done this season to deserve a pay cut; as Kalapse said, he'll go to the arbiter with $6 mill at the minimum, and he'll win, and he could even go with $6.25, and he could probably justify getting that too. With the scare Williams got last year with Cabrera, there is no shot in hell he is going to offer arbitration to Dotel. I wouldn't say there is no chance. I think if there was literally no chance, he would have been dealt after the non-waiver deadline. But that's just my opinion.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 11:07 PM) If we were to offer Dotel arbitration, and he accepted for say 4.4M would you then; Try and trade Dotel for a spect or 2 OR Keep him at that price? You're going to have to pay for him for at least half the year. If you then trade him in July, you're not going to get the picks. So the question then becomes is he worth $2.5 million through July, and then whatever assets he brings back via trade? You may have to include money in the deal to trade him, and you may not get much back for him considering many teams are concerned about the exact same thing the Sox are - paying an inflated arb price or having him walk away and leaving you with nothing. It's really a tough call.

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 08:59 PM) Anyone in the rotation can get hurt at any time. It's part of the game. Quite frankly, you worry about it then. They may have Torres in the pen next year. He could be moved into the rotation. Brandon Hynick? Ely? Harrell? Pick someone up in a trade. Who knows, maybe Freddy will be back. I'm just guessing what I think the Sox will do, and I think Hudson is a strong possibility for a spot in the rotation next year. If you bring back Freddy then you have the depth to sustain an injury. I don't think it's something you can "worry about then." Look at what happened to the Red Sox this year. I think the best move is to prepare for at least one guy missing significant time and prepare that way in any reasonable fashion available.

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 08:32 PM) I think you take the rookie because when you have Peavy, Buehrle, Floyd, and Danks, you can afford to carry a high-ceiling rookie as your 5th. Do I think Hudson can compete with the big boys? To be completely honest, I've seen the man pitch a total of two innings. I'm basing my opinion on his outstanding stats, and the fact that he rose through the entire system in one season. I think the Sox wouldn't have brought him up and added him to the 40-man unless they already had it in their minds that he's ready to compete with anyone in the league. But if it came down to Hudson in the Sox bullpen or starting at AAA, I'd rather he keep starting. And what if he fails? What if he is absolutely terrible and shows he needs to go back to Birmingham and work on things? What if he gets injured? Then what is the plan?

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 09:12 PM) I'm not going to directly respond to some of these posts, but it's an awful idea of putting Hudson in the bullpen next year. Garcia has been a nice surprise, but if your option for a 5th starter is a 34 year old on the downside of his career or a 23 year old rookie that has the possibility of being an ace, I'll take the rookie every time. In my opinion, the Sox wouldn't have brought Hudson up this September unless he's the favorite to be the 5th starter next year. It takes a special pitcher to go from Low A to the majors in the same season. I think the Sox know this guy is ready to start next season with the big club. At the very least, the Sox did Freddy a favor to get him back out there, and he can find a team that will sign him for next year. Why? Why is it that you will take the rookie every time? Do you think Hudson has the stones to go punch for punch with Jon Lester in Boston like Garcia did? Do you think Hudson has the stones to go into Yankee Stadium and get a quality start against that Yankee lineup? Do you think Hudson has the stones to pitch against the Red Sox for the second time in 10 days and quiet their bats again? Not trying to be a jerk, just trying to get you to elaborate on your opinion a bit more. I understand the desire to go with the hotshot rookie - we're all excited to see what he can do - but if Freddy wants to come back, and is willing to do so on a $1-2 million contract with some incentives, then there is no reason not to bring him back.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 07:45 PM) I just don't see how Fields has any value at all to the organization as a bench player. Insurance for injury, like Uribe for Crede? Maybe they'll give him one shot at getting AB's at DH/1B next year, but Kotsay would seem to negate some of Fields' value in that role. There's also trading Ramirez/Getz/Nix, putting Fields at 3B, Beckham at 2B and Ramirez at SS...or the other way around...with Nix/Getz out, but I think that has a 2% chance of happening now. You don't see him moving to LF again...so he will have to battle Flowers and Kotsay. If he had a great ST again (like this year), you could see him as the primary DH coming out of Arizona, but the odds of that happening are also only 5-10% I'd guess. I think we just need someone capable of playing third base to spell Beckham, but I guess Nix is capable. As for moving Gordo, I don't think it's going to happen. I think he is now entrenched as our long-term 3b of the future now. But who knows with Kenny, for all we know, KW will trade Alexei, Hudson and Jared Mitchell next year for Adrian Gonzalez and Beckham will get moved to SS.

I hear JD is there too...

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 08:35 PM) Do we have any idea how much we will need to pay him in arb? I thought it was a small enough amount where he wouldn't definitely accept it. I don't think you can offer him any less than 80% or something of what he made this year. So it's going to have to be at least $4.4 million or so. I can't see him passing that up...

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 08:33 PM) offer arb and let his ass go He'll accept it if we offer it.

Kotsay will be back, Ozzie has told KW he wants him on next year's team. As for Podsednik, I was a bit surprised to hear KW make him available last week with the other veterans. I would think that given where we are organizationally, it would be foolish to not at least try to bring back Podsednik on a 2 year deal. I feel he has earned that much, and it keeps us from having to overreach and sign a guy like Figgins for more $ and more years than is prudent. I think most of KW's work is done in regards to the offseason, but he does want to get a lefthanded power bat. From what we know of his work, KW will lift every stone and dip his toes in every pond, but my guess is we bring back Jim Thome on a 1/$5 million contract. Hopefully the org will look into moving Q to RF, and if Podsednik is brought back, Scottie to LF and Rios as our full-time CF. Thome can then share ab's with Konerko at DH while Kotsay spells Paulie at 1b from time to time. I would be all in favor of keeping the Nix/Getz platoon alive, keeping Fields around as a bench player (if he is willing), and using whatever resources remain to add some other arms to add to the pen. I could even live with having Wise on our bench, as he is a good defensive substitution and pinch runner. I guess we can only wait and see though...

I'm all for bringing back Freddy. Let Hudson start in ST, but I wouldn't even tell him he is competing for the job. I would let him know right out of the gate that he is starting the season at Charlotte. Let Freddy start out as the 5th starter. He won't be needed a ton in the first 5-6 weeks, which is fine. Meanwhile, our bullpen usuallly fares pretty well in April and Mays due to the cold weather in the Cell, so I think we can live with Hudson starting in Charlotte instead of working out of our pen. Monitor Hudson's progress in Charlotte and if he shows that he is too advanced for the league, go ahead and bring him up and throw him in the pen. Keep him there until Freddy stumbles or until 2011, when you can hopefully hand the starting job over to Hudson.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 07:37 PM) If everyone is down on Nix, isn't his being around 750 OPS for a middle infielder the equivalent of Swisher as a 1B/DH/RF/LF player at 850? How does Swisher solve anything for this team if he's not capable of playing CF on an everyday basis? Swisher can play corner OF, 1B, or obviously DH. Every team has a spot for an .850 OPS guy that can rotate amongst those positions. The problem with Swisher on the White Sox is he is a slower, home run hitting, big time strikeout guy on a team full of them already. You can only have so many of those type guys....not that I wouldn't have rather kept him than some of the guys that we did... As for Nix, his problem is the massive disparity between his effectiveness against righties versus lefties. He is very good against lefties, but can't hit righties at all. You'll face more righties over the course of a season and so he just cannot be an everyday player. His performance is such that you must platoon him and therefore his value is limited because of limited roster space.

QUOTE (scenario @ Sep 7, 2009 -> 04:17 PM) This is my impression too. He seems like he is almost holding his right foot in the air while standing in the box... just barely putting pressure on it. I understand the need for a timing mechanism, but it seems to make his base off-balance. Add on top of it that he's pulling his head off the ball when he swings. The combo makes him look pretty awkward up there. Not to be a stickler, but it's his left foot he seems to be holding in the air....if it was his right foot, I am not sure how he would be standing...