witesoxfan

Top 3 GM in the game. He's not the best trader, or the best when it comes to negotiating, but when the dust settles, he has had a great team on the field going into the season the past 2 years, with virtually no holes. He has gone the route of putting just enough offense on the field the past two years while overloading with pitching, and it worked extremely well last year, and I see no reason it will not work again next year. Lots of kudos to KW.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Jan 5, 2006 -> 10:35 PM) How great is qwerty's new handle? Amazing.

QUOTE(wilmot825 @ Jan 5, 2006 -> 04:31 PM) A GM will never tell the truth, so there is still a possibilty Tejada will join the South Siders and the dangerous line-up of Pods,Tejada,Konerko,Thome,Dye sounds like the NEW MURDERS ROW Sounds a lot like the 2000-2004 Chicago White Sox, with slightly better balance, slightly better hitters, older players, and better defense(than the 2000-2004 teams).

Would KW be lying if he said the Sox needed Tejada? Everything he's said has not only been politically correct, but it has been flat out correct too. I don't see a smokescreen at all. If Baltimore finds some sort of match, KW is willing to investigate. Tejada would be a luxury, and if the planets align, he may wear black and white pinstripes next year. If they don't, which I don't think they will, then he's not coming to the South Side. I think it's pretty easy to tell that.

To address the main topic of the thread...the thought of trading Vazquez is ludicrous in my mind. He's signed to a very affordable contract, and is signed for 3 years...as DBAH0 pointed out. Considering our best true prospect in Chris Young(though this can be misleading, as McCarthy is probably the best unproven player in the White Sox system, though he is really not considered a prospect anymore) was traded for him...as Rock pointed out...along with relief depth in Vizcaino who is also relatively affordable, thus taking away from an area where the Sox depth was not great, kind of points to the fact that Vazquez is going absolutely no where. KW had interest in him when Minaya was trying to trade him after 2002, but ended up with Colon instead, he had interest in him when he was traded to New York, and he was willing to basically give up Konerko and Garland after the '04 season when RJ was asking to be traded. He has finally landed him, and there is no way in hell he is going to give him up at this point. It would also be dumb to resign Contreras...as Cerb pointed out...due to his asking price and his age, along with uncertainty of how he will fair next year. I figure he's probably a 15-18 game winner with an ERA in the 3.00-3.50 range, but that's not a guarantee in the least. Resigning Contreras cripples any moves the Sox intend to make next season...like, for instance, negotiating a contract extension for Buehrle, which has to be a high priority on KW's list for not only this season but for the offseason too...you have to lock Buehrle up for as many years as possible. With the contracts starters are getting, MB almost has to be looking at 4-5 years in the $11-12 mill per year range...in order to be able to afford that, you must cut ties with Contreras. As for McCarthy...I have no problem with him being in a swingman type role this year for the Sox. Let him fill out his body a little bit, and don't ruin the kids arm. He has a very bright future if he can stay healthy. Try and have him pitch in the neighborhood of 100 innings this year somehow, someway...perhaps by even having him make a couple starts for the Sox throughout the year. Anything to get him innings. As it is, the Sox bullpen is not in great shape, so by having McCarthy in the pen, you basically already have one of the relievers you need, so no moves need to be made. In the end, I really see no way Contreras is traded, unless somehow the O's see something in Contreras they really like, which I don't think is a possibility at all, or some team is willing to give up two top 10 prospects for him, whoever that would be.

I personally like the Mets chances. All kinds of talent on that team up and down, really no weak spot in the lineup, very solid pitching staff, and a good pen. They appear to be back to spending tons of money, but atleast this year Minaya's bringing in good talent, with most of it being relatively young and good(as opposed to Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Roger Cedeno, Shawn Estes, and Jeff D'Amico that Steve Phillips tried to make work). I like their chances of being pretty good next year and perhaps winning a weaker NL East.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Jan 3, 2006 -> 09:18 AM) Jose Hernandez supposedly mashed against lefties too, then he came to Jacob's field last year. I imagine Perez will put up similar numbers to Jose last year. So because Jose Hernandez sucked, Eduardo Perez will suck?

QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 3, 2006 -> 03:04 PM) What's this "clause" that Contreras has? From what I could tell, it really isn't a clause so much as it is the fact that he signed as an international free agent, thus allowing him to skip over arbitration once his contract expires, thus not allowing the team controlling him to offer him arbitration. This is why the Sox won't be able to get draft picks for Iguchi if they fail to resign him after this season, and why the Yanks wouldn't have gotten draft picks for Matsui had they not resigned him. Please, someone do correct me if I'm wrong.

I figured LeCroy was all but ready to suit up in Cleveland red, white, and blue. I still of course (dis)like the signing for Cleveland...Broussard-Perez could put up very good numbers next year for Cleveland.

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 06:25 PM) Chris Young could start right off the bat if Shawn Green plays first base this year. I don't see Tony Clark starting even though he will because of last year. Their outfield right now is Byrnes, Gonzo, Green, and Young. If Green plays first base then Young should start right away because Terrero proved he isn't ready for the MLB. If Clark can play third base then Green plays first and Young starts. Who knows guess we will have to wait, their can still be some position changes that allows Young to start. Chad Tracy says hi Chris Young is starting the year off in AAA...he'd have to make a hell of an impression not to. Now, if Byrnes can move Luis Gonzalez elsewhere before the season starts, than you'll see a Byrnes-Young-Green OF in a second. I don't like Byrnes' chances of moving Gonzalez, personally.

Atleast BJ Ryan is good. What a horrible move by Pittsburgh.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 10:27 PM) I meant more along the lines that high draft picks don't always lead to top prospects. You can still draft busts like Jeff Liefer, Bobby Seay, Jason Dellaero, Jason Stumm, Joe Borchard, and Kris Honel with high draft picks. Obtaining "proven" top prospects from another team is different than trying to draft good players with high draft picks. With the recent Sox drafts, I would have all the confidence in the world with 3 picks in the top 50(in all likelyhood...1 from simple draft order, and 2 from Contreras) becoming top prospects. That being said...with Contreras's clause, it appears that wouldn't even be possible. Personally...I don't care either way. Both routes look win-win to me...having a rotation of Buehrle-Contreras-Garcia-Garland-Vazquez is disgusting, and you lose Contreras's contract after the season, so you are gaining some flexibility there. You trade Contreras now, restock the system a little, and have a rotation of Buehrle-Garcia-Garland-Vazquez-McCarthy, and you still have a very good rotation, along with money off the books and a better minor league system. I see nothing wrong with either route. KW's put himself in a wonderful position.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 09:50 PM) I don't want draft picks for Contreras. I want...top prospect(s) for him. Um... First round pick + sandwich pick = top prospects no?

Happy 19th to the resident Indian/Cub fan!

The Indians are probably better than they were last season too. I like their rotation more this year than last anyways, and their bullpen should still be just as good. It will be a fun race in the AL Central this year, there is no question about that.

Those who say no we won't...put yourself in this scenario. Anderson is hurt...for hypothetical purposes, a torn groin...and is done for the season. Jerry Owens in AAA is struggling to hit .270. While not bad, that's obviously not a good indicator of things to come. You are nearing the July 31st deadline, and the Phillies are out of the race...do you not call up Stand Pat and just see what he thinks of Rowand, having seen him for 4 months now? It's not likely...but under many circumstances it is possible.

Who in the world would want Neifi Perez? That's like suggesting Timo as part of a package for a great player.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 23, 2005 -> 03:09 AM) Am I the only one that thinks the Mariners would be nuts to deal Reed for Arroyo. Not at all. I have absolutely no idea what Bavasi would be thinking. Reed's got "great 2 hitter for 10 years" written all over him...and you're willing to give that up for a 4th starter before the season starts?

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ Dec 23, 2005 -> 11:33 AM) All they did was add washed up old guys like White and Batista. I'm not scared at all. While still playing in America, Tony Batista hit atleast 25 homers in a season from 99-04. That's not bad at all, especially for how cheaply Minnesota got him. He's not outstanding offensively, but if he hits .270, that's a huge bat down in the lower part of the order. He hits .240, and he's still hitting 25-30 homers for you. Also, with Rondell White, there have been 2 guarantees for him for the past 12 years or so, with the exception of 1997 and 2002 - putting up a .290-.300 average and a .790-.850 OPS for you, and taking atleast 1 DL stint(after all, you can't spell Rondell without DL). Those exception years are of course a full season, and his season with New York. You take out one of those factors as best as you can, and you are looking at a dangerous ass player for very cheap. I don't view him as washed up, but rather as a very good hitter who is a bit injury prone. With less pressure on Morneau and Ford(and company) lower in the lineup, a better top of the order for Minnesota, and almost an undoubtedly improved pitching staff, I view them as a very scary team next year. Include how Cleveland will not go away, and the additions the Sox have made, and I gotta imagine that atleast 100 wins will probably be what it takes to win the AL Central. Say hello to the toughest division in baseball.

Actually, my mechanic said this has a chance of happening.

97 (I hope)

QUOTE(Tmar28 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 04:41 PM) ok, find me all the strong safeties that are good in both coverage and run. I'm not arguing that. I'm arguing that a safety, no matter strong nor free, cannot be bad in coverage if he is to be considered one of the best in the league.

Last I checked, even linebackers had to be decent in coverage. So why does Roy Williams not have to be? Because he broke TO's ankle? Oh k

QUOTE(Tmar28 @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 11:18 PM) Lefty One Out GuY Are you trying to say Brandon McCarthy can't throw with his left hand?

QUOTE(jenksd @ Dec 12, 2005 -> 01:14 PM) Nothing can be bad as the Heat ones Is that...pink?