Vance Law

QUOTE(chiguy79 @ Dec 13, 2007 -> 05:17 PM) If the feds caught more insiders supplying the roids and HGH I am sure the list of players would be five times as long. I wouldn't be surprised if the real # is >50% of players. Dusty Baker was clearly dealing the roids in SF. Yeah, it seems to me the number was huge. The majority of the info comes from only one guy (Random-ski). Look at how many of the times the only way hard evidence was found was because of some bonehead move like, so and so left a bag full of steroids in the locker room and the janitor found it. Or someone had a package delivered to the clubhouse. Juan Gonzalez duffel bag was stopped by customs in Toronto- Juan, you only go to Toronto- what, twice a year? Leave the steroids at home for a week, buddy. The only ones we know about here are the most egregious examples of boneheadery. If you were a steroid user with at least 3rd-grade level intelligence and showed just a modicum of discretion (also don't write personal checks, fellas) you would not have been found out in this unless your supplier (Radomski) testified.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 11:55 PM) That's the only mention of Cameron I'd seen -- he's really the only good CFer left, as he'll provide a league average bat and average-ish (maybe a little better) defense. He's also a fantastic baserunner. Cameron has better offensive career numbers than Hunter, same as Rowand. He'd do pretty well at Soxdome.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 13, 2007 -> 03:14 PM) I think it's interesting that nearly everyone who has posted thus far has implied a very negative reaction or stance towards the players who have used steroids. I've commented several times in this thread that the owners, upper-level execs, and managers were fully aware of exactly what was going on in most instances. And yet I've not commented positively or negatively regarding the players. And I won't, because I think this subject is enormously complex. Why are the players the one's taking such a huge hit here? Why not the rest of the baseball industry? Why so harsh to judge the players, and no one else? I totally agree with you. In addition to the players ending up with bigger contracts for the big numbers they put up, who makes money off of and otherwise benefits their enhanced performances? MLB, the owners, the networks/newsparers (Home Run Race '98! Home Run Race 03!) the GM (looks good when his player hits 12,000 home runs or goes 12-0 pitching in the second half). Who gets hurt? The players from the olden days and the steroid era players who were clean. The fans who paid higher and higher ticket prices.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 13, 2007 -> 01:49 PM) QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Dec 13, 2007 -> 11:48 AM) * It says he was OFFERED them and saw them used, no direct evidence that he used them." He said that one of the players brought the steroids to the apartment but was afraid of needles and therefore asked the second player to administer the shot. That sounds like he was asking someone else to inject him. Yes, to get it straight on Karchner. Nothing says that he used them. To the contrary, he witnessed 2 teammates in their apartment (the 3 lived together) shooting 'roids. He also says that teammate(s) offered steroids to him (Karchner) but he never accepted them. He does not name the players who he witnessed.

QUOTE(lostfan @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 11:50 AM) I just think he is. He showed flashes of what he could be his rookie year if he cut down on his strikeout numbers, and he did. He has power and crazy speed, he hits a ridiculous number of triples. Plus he's a highlight reel on defense. I'd be surprised if his numbers declined, or weren't something close to 2007. I think Sizemore = Granderson btw Granderson hit a silly # of triples- I just don't see that again. If Granderson = Sizemore, a 50 point drop in OPS is not surprising. Players have good years and great years. Beltran's .878 OPS last year is quite good, but it was a 100 point drop from the year before.

QUOTE(lostfan @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 11:28 AM) The old guys maybe, but I don't expect Granderson to go anywhere anytime soon. He is beastly. He's good. But I don't think he's as good as 2007. We'll see. Sizemore's 2006 was similar to Granderson's 2007. Sizemore's 2007 was quite good but not great. Granderson could have a good year next year where his OPS drops 50 or 60 points. Nothing tells me that he's guaranteed not to come back to Earth a little. We'll see.

Tigers with Cabrera now. But declines from last year expected from Maggs, Polanco, Renteria, and Granderson.

What time is the deadline, anyone know? Midnight tonight?

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 09:35 AM) Levine just stated that the Rangers made the best offer at over $50 million, while the Sox and Cubs both came in at 4/$48 million. Apparently, Fukudome wanted to play RF. Out of respect for Jermaine Dye, he did not want to cause Jermaine to play a different position on account of him. Basically, it sounds as if he did not want to play CF for us. Another factor was that he wanted to be the first Japanese player to play for the Cubs. Thus, he requested uniform #1. Sorry, but this actual description of events (if it is true) isn't going to sell newspapers. Let's go with "Sox swing and miss again!!- Cubs have Deepest Pockets!! (Cubs do not actually have deepest pockets)"

QUOTE(Soxfest @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 01:19 AM) I am afraid you may be right and If that happens the off season is a total disaster. The one and only thing that has been tough this offseason is Cabrera landing on a division rival. Not our not getting him- that was never expected. I have no problems with any of the moves Williams has made or not made.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 12:45 AM) Is it really necessary to list each and every one of them? Okajima is one -- if you really believe that EVERYONE is overpaid in free agency, I'd question your thinking. No I said give me a single instance, not list every one. Read the post. You say Okajima. I agree that there is potential to exploit the Japanese league and grab an under-the-radar type, particularly a reliever. Even if he's unusable from now on, the Red Sox got a very good year (or half-year, really) out of him for peanuts. Good deal. But they basically just got him to be Dice-K's pal here. Didn't target him and go into the season counting on him. He so far profiles like some other Japanese relievers that come over (Shingo, anyone?). Excellent at first because of hitters' unfamiliarity with him, then not so good once they figure him out (Aug Sept ERAs of 5.06 and 8.10). With Okajima's/Saito's success, look at the deals these Japanese relievers are getting this year. Seems like there previously was the potential to get solid, quality, league average position players from Japan for a reasonable price (Tadahito, Kenji). With this Fukudome deal , I doubt that potential is there anymore. My point (if I wasn't clear enough before), give me an instance of a free agent, an MLB vet, not getting overpaid who did not have some inury or age related concerns. Linebrink, as the top reliever on the market who was changing teams, or #2 if you consider Cordero (how do we feel about him getting $11 million a year? worth it?), is obviously going to get overpaid.

QUOTE(joeynach @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 12:36 AM) What about Matt Wise who just got DFA'd by the Brewers. Hes not lights out but hes pretty effective, a high 3 or low 4 ERA guy. Hes got pretty good numbers against lefties I think their career BA off him is just .225. Would serve well against AL central foes with the likes of Hafner, Morneau, Maur, VMart, Sizemore, etc. What is his deal? I thought I read something about him, not injury, not drugs but some other circumstance that seemed to be a reason (and perhaps not a good reason) why the Brewers were letting him go (in addition to the fact that they just signed a couple relievers. Anyway, he's a free agent now. Let's see how he makes out.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 12:47 AM) You also forgot that a team who ranks as one of the worst minor league systems might not be too keen on giving up any draft picks via signing said overpaid type A free agent. Unless it's the year in which they have the #8 pick, so getting the Type-A free agent only means losing pick #60 or so, not #20.

QUOTE(joeynach @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 11:46 PM) I dont think anyone doubted that hes overpayed. He 100% is. But what else was KW gonna do. Trot out Bukvich and Dewon Day again, go bring Riske back. I mean Linebrink might not be Joba Chamberlin what what are other options did we have to improve our pen. Thank you. Of course he's overpaid. He was a free agent. I'm still waiting for anyone to give one single instance of a free agent (without injury concerns) not getting overpaid. As overpayment goes, how much did we overpay by? A few million. 3? 4? 5? How much did Hunter get overpaid by? $20 million? 25? 30?

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 11:05 PM) It just seems like KW doesn't have a good feel for the current market that baseball is existing in. I still cringe at the thought that he believed he would outbid everyone for T. Hunter He did outbid 28/29 teams. So he was like 95% right on that one. I can't believe the Angels are paying Gary Matthews and Torii Hunter $140 million. The Angels are paying Gary Matthews and Torii Hunter $140 million.

Who moves to 1B in Charlotte? Schnurstein?

QUOTE(Chombi @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 06:46 PM) That is an interesting theory. I am not an anti-Bonds guy. I loved him when I was a kid so I really wouldn't have a problem with it. It's just something that I don't think is realistic or worth the bad PR. If KW signs him and it backfires where our fans aren't acceptive or he goes to jail, what happens? Are we the laughing stock of baseball? Does KW get fired? Are we looked at as a team who sold our souls? Just curious. Let me know what you think. Yeah, it's a bad PR move. It should be no worse a PR move than Texas getting Sosa (no real backlash from that), KC getting Guillen, Baltimore playing Gibbons or any of the others we'll find out about in a few days. But people's personal feelings about Bonds are different. On the other hand, winning is a good PR move. I've read (though I'm sure no expert on it) that Bonds wouldn't end up in jail in 2008. If he did go to jail, well, you've got Quentin to take over full time in left. All I know is, Bill Veeck would have pulled the trigger, and the team would be wearing Red, White, and Blue uniforms with glow-in-the-dark lettering. Do it, Kenny! On the day the Mitchell Report comes out.

QUOTE(Chombi @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 03:11 PM) What would we even do with Bonds? Bonds (LF DH) Quentin (LF, RF) Dye (LF, RF, DH) Thome (DH), share time at LF, RF, DH. Bonds or Quentin presumably would get the fewest at bats, but everyone would get 400 plus. More regular rest for the older 3. Built in backup in case one gets injured (if Thome goes down- Bonds becomes full-time DH). Per your question, oh, you bet, Bonds is not good in Left Field. But he's probably not the very worst. Pinto's Probabilistic Model of Range says Burrell, Manny, Ibanez, Kubel, Chris Duncan were worse last year. His bat, in our line-up, in our stadium could put up the best numbers in baseball.

Any chance that any of the guys who did 'roids, and are worried about their name coming out on Thursday sign for cheap on Wednesday?

QUOTE(ptatc @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 11:17 AM) Half of this board will rip KW whichever way it goes. He either signed him to a bad deal or was too cheap to beat the other teams. Unfortunately, yep. Same thing with what to do with Crede. I say screw Fukudome and get Rowand..........and Bonds.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 11:09 AM) Kosuke's numbers kinda look like they'll translate to Frank Catalanotto's-esque numbers, perhaps slightly better. I'd just assume the Sox stay out of that bidding. Me too. Or just bid up the price for the Cubs.

Rotoworld reports that Fukudome announces officially that he will play in the U.S. this year. No big surprise. It mentions, the Cubs, Sox, and Padres as "known to be in the running."

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 9, 2007 -> 10:25 PM) If 2nd helpings is still on this team, he will be the starting 2nd baseman. There will be a "competition" that will wind up with Uribe winning it. Won't happen. QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 9, 2007 -> 10:25 PM) On the same thought, if Crede is here Ozzie will park Fields on the bench Won't happen. QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 9, 2007 -> 10:25 PM) if Crede is here Won't happen.

Bedard with his K's and his stuff is much more "unhittable" or "impressive" than Buehrle. Totally dominant for a good stretch of last year. Also, when would this potential trade of Buehrle have been? Coming off his bad 2006? At the trade deadline in 2007 when a team only gets him for a couple months? Bedard has 2 years left on his contract.

"5. The White Sox farm system is a candidate to be ranked 29th among the 30 in baseball when Baseball America gets around to issuing its off-season ratings. Only Houston is considered worse, and one editor for BA joked that Williams might be making a run for 30 by dealing Chris Carter to Arizona for Quentin." I don't buy this, even as things stand now, having looked at many of the Baseball Prospectus team rankings. Sure we're not close to #1, but I don't think we're that close to #30. Not only that, but some things affecting this all important list have completely nothing to do with the farm system, or our "prospects." For example, if Crede doesn't get injured last year, or if he gets injured later in the season, Fields is still on our all-knowing all-powerful BA prospects list. Same thing with Richar if the Sox were closer to in contention, or simply did not trade Iguchi. Regardless, the outcome of this tardo list does not imply "the sox have no good young players" or "everyone on the White Sox is an old declining has been." 5 guys with less than a full season in MLB, John Danks, Josh Fields, Carlos Quentin, Gavin Floyd, Danny Richar are likely expected to be among the starting pitchers/position players next year.