iamshack

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:31 AM) KW's Soxfest get togethers are covered by print and on air media. I would imagine his comments in those settings reach far more than the amount of people listening to Ricciardi's radio show before anything goes national, or international. When they say something newsworthy, it will reach the masses. I don't buy how its OK to say something at Soxfest, when the media is present, but not OK to say something on a radio show. I didn't say it was "ok" or "not ok." I think the settings are different. I think Soxfest is a special event that occurs one weekend a year which gives Sox fans a chance to come together with players and the FO and to ask questions. Debates and discussions occur there. From what I understand, KW is not disrespectful or rude during these conversations. On the other hand, JP has mouthed-off to fans on a freaking weekly radio show. Do you honestly consider these two forums to be comparable?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:22 AM) A friend told me that Scott Merkin said that this claim is to keep Rios away from the Tigers. This was posted on his Facebook. I haven't bothered to check and befriend him on there, so can anybody confirm this? I simply don't see how this could be possible. What if the Jays were desperate to dump his salary (which they may be), and just said "fine, here, take him." You're telling me we were ready to assume a $60 million commitment just to block the Tigers? Not buying it.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:18 AM) KW gets into arguments with fans at Soxfest, he called Frank Thomas an idiot when Frank was with the A's. I know KW is an egomaniac, but would that also make him a loose cannon? There is a massive difference between having a debate in a closed environment designed for fans - a "town hall" meeting, if you will, and randomly acosting fans on a radio show, where everything is broadcasted to a much larger audience and recorded for posterity. Secondly, Adam Dunn never played for JP Ricciardi. Adam Dunn never did a thing to him. JP just went off on him because a fan suggested they trade for him. Frank Thomas and KW have a history. That is not a good analogy at all. Kenny does have a big mouth, and a big ego. But when Kenny has gotten controversial in the past, he has done it to protect this organization, not because he wanted to prove he is some sort of genius. The situations aren't particularly comparable.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 10:01 AM) I've read where he is really a very smart and nice guy. There's nothing wrong with popping off about leaks. KW doesn't like anything leaked either. He gets into arguments with fans on radio shows. He insulted Adam Dunn on a radio show. The guy is an egomaniac and a loose cannon.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:53 AM) Ricciardi is already complaining about the leak of Rios waiver claim. http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/678271 He complained all the way through the July 31st deadline and he is already b****ing about what is happening now. I dont think he gets anything done because all he wants to do is complain He's a little b****. The only positive things I have ever heard about him were in Moneyball.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:42 AM) The other thing to consider is Rios has a full NTC this year and next. He can block a waiver claim. I don't think he has any reason to want to stay there.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:40 AM) I just wanted my 1000th post to be in praise of Gordon Beckham. Oh, Gordon Beckham, I offer this 1000th post in praise to you. Your doubles that hopefully will turn into homers. Your wild throws trying to make great plays that in time you will learn to stick in your back pocket. Your tendency to come through in the clutch. The fact that you chose a number that will be cool enough looking on the outfield wall when the Sox retire it. Gordon bless Soxtalk. And Gordon Bless the United States of America. Congrats!

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 09:02 AM) Any concrete evidence that it actually is the White Sox? The ESPN article says that it's "likely" the Sox. The teams cannot confirm it. So any concrete evidence would have to be leaked, and therefore, probably still characterized as "likely." Seems like it would be in KW's character to deny this if it wasn't true, however.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 08:41 AM) The problem is, the Sox could end up with too many RHBs by 2010 and not enough lefties. Yeah, that is the one issue that concerns me here. This would excite me a lot more if he was a left handed bat.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Aug 8, 2009 -> 08:30 AM) I agree with you. The odds are fairly long. Teams put multiple players on the waiver list, which keys them into who might have interest at a later date. Then, you also have the no trade clause that Rios would have to waive. Toronto may just want to get out from the contract. If that's the case, Rios would have to approve it. Odds are, they'll pull him back off of waivers. The only reason there are any odds at all is because this is JP Ricciardi. Any GM in his right mind, under these particular circumstances, would take advantage of this unique opportunity and get rid of Rios. It is not going to be easy trying to deal a kid in the offseason who is coming off a down year, a rapidly increasing salary, and is rumored to be a malcontent - all in a poor economy. My guess is if he waits until the offseason, the best JP is going to do is receive some marginal prospects, all while paying $20 million of that salary just to move him.

I honestly think there are plenty of ways to fit the guy in for the rest of the season, and it gives us some insurance in case Q just can't get right. Then in the offseason we can settle things out and see what our options are...

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 08:44 PM) It's a matter of good faith and mending relationships in bargaining. The Sox know that Toronto is in dire straits, but they don't want to totally take Rios without giving something in return. Think of it as an "I'm sorry for Sirotka." I agree. Throw them a bone.

QUOTE (AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 09:36 PM) WHITE SOX CLAIM ALEX RIOS http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4384253 Sources indicate, not confirm.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 08:03 PM) I agree with this Hey, good to see you again!

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) Because he plays a corner spot now. Vernon Wells is actually not that good in CF, but yet he plays CF over Rios. He'd be better than Pods, and that's about it. I don't think the numbers back you up there... And there are quite a few reasons Wells plays center over Rios, first and foremost being the Jays are trying to justify that monstrous contract by leaving Wells there even though he is declining. I think Rios is probably better at this point in his career defensively than Wells.

QUOTE (AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 08:27 PM) If we claimed him, I think it is just to block the Tigers. You can't take the risk "just to block the Tigers." If the Jays want to unload him, we have to take him at that point. Even if it is for nothing. You don't assume a $60 million contract just to prevent the Tigers from possibly claiming him.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 08:06 PM) Kenny doesn't need patience. He has ALL the leverage here. If the Sox got the claim, and Jays ownership wants that salary off the books ASAP, then Ricciardi is the one who has to break. Otherwise, Kenny can just go into the offseason with lots of payroll flexibility and be an immediate target for any team forced to dump a good player because of payroll concerns. I agree that is probably what would happen should he refuse to give up anyone of substance. However, JP has to know KW is looking at this as an opportunity to solve a long-term problem for the White Sox. Does Kenny just sacrifice a prospect to assure the deal gets done? I would be tempted... However, you're absolutely correct, if he holds firm, he probably gets his man nonetheless.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 08:03 PM) Low OBP centerfielder who really should be playing a corner spot? We have that one covered pretty well for a lot cheaper, thank you very much. Why do you suggest he should be playing a corner spot?

Well, if we did claim Rios, Kenny has to be ready to walk away. My guess is Ricciardi understands the situation we're in going forward, understands KW's motivation, and will try and ask for Jordan Danks. Personally, I would let them have Jordan if that is what it takes....but I don't know what the politics are behind that and the promises that may have been made behind the scenes... Do we think KW has the patience to call Ricciardi's bluff?

QUOTE (SHIPPS @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 07:15 PM) Bernstein was saying the Sox would be on the books to pay him 12 mil a year after next year for 3 seasons after that. This guy is not worth that kind of annual money. Well, not so fast. Over the past three years he has averaged close to an .850 OPS with excellent defense and 25 stolen base potential. He certainly could be worth it.

What Kalapse said. And if they Rios got claimed by a team the Jays simply do not want to trade Rios to, they can pull him back off of waivers. However, the penalty for doing so, is, as Kalapse said, they cannot trade him until the offseason. This is to prevent a team from continuing to put a player on waivers and then pull him off until the team of their choice happens to win the claim.

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 06:55 PM) So if I have this correct we should hear something by Monday or Tuesday. My guess is we'll have a pretty good idea who claimed him by the end of the night...

QUOTE (beck72 @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 06:54 PM) Correct me if I'm wrong, but can the sox basically acquire Rios for no prospects, just the $60 mill, remaining on his contract, if Toronto wants to shed payroll? Yes, if they were the team that actually won the claim.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 7, 2009 -> 06:32 PM) 48 hours from the point that Rios was placed on waivers. I don't the exact procedure, but I am sure it is at a standardized time each day (maybe 3 pm CST, because that is the deadline for trades?). I thought I read the term "2 business days." So maybe not until next Tuesday afternoon?

Wow. Again, this would be a move that would solidify the team more for the next few years, rather than this year. He would be a long-term answer to our CF problem, while allowing us to move Dye to DH or not bring back Podsednik. It is definitely risky, but it would continue to increase our athleticism and versatility. I would not be entirely opposed to it unless we actually had to give up something significant in return.