witesoxfan

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jul 16, 2008 -> 08:57 AM) Joe Crede is best the best 3B this team has seen since Robin Ventura. Good 3B's don't grow on trees. If we can keep him, we need to ... even with the uncharacteristic defensive lapses he'd had this year. I disagree completely. I seem to recall our own resident doctor saying that it's not a matter of "if" his back gives out but rather "when" his back gives out again (and it could happen at any time, as I understand it, be it tomorrow or 10 years from now); people want to consider giving a Paul Konerko type contract to a 3Bman who is not that good offensively overall but on top of it all has major back concerns? I'll take my chance with Josh Fields/Wes Helms/Juan Uribe on a short term deal and struggle rather than give a monster deal to Crede, compete next year, and then 2 years from now see him essentially ruined as a player and be stuck with that albatross of a contract.

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 04:13 PM) i agree that we often over value our prospects, but to say we will not re-sign any of those guys might be a bit much. thome will probably be here next year, assuming he turns it around, javy i think will be re-signed as well. if fields is traded you never know what the sox might do to keep crede. I'll tell you what the Sox might do to try and "keep" Crede. They'll open the door, VannaWhite-motion towards said door, and say "Thanks for the 6 years, please GTFO n00b."

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 09:18 PM) They sort of are contending, Jackie. They are only 8 out in the loss column. Not exactly contending, but if they got red hot, they certainly aren't out of it yet. They're also in last place and have to leapfrog 4 teams. They're dead.

QUOTE (Jeremy @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 05:44 PM) I don't understand what's risky about Fields; it seemed we nearly had him penned in as our starting third basemen for the next several years entering spring training. Is it just that he's a high strikeout player and has had a down year so far this season? Neither seems like a huge concern to me. My next question would be, what type of player are we looking at as our next 3B? Fields has looked like a rock solid young player much of the time IMO and will make something like $400,000 next season. Do you really want to pay someone else $8 million or $12 million (if that's even in the budget) next season? I'd much rather spend it on a different position. I want nothing to do with Crede next year; that said, I have my fears about Josh Fields and I just get a sort of vibe from the White Sox organization that they are not a huge fan of his looking towards the future. A high strikeout rate, a low average, and an inability to hit a fastball to go along with a hitch in his swing that is probably the biggest reason why he can't catch up to the fastball leave me thinking that Fields is more likely to be a bust than a #5 hitter. Sure, if that hitch is ever fixed and he can catch up to the fastball while recognizing the breaking ball and only striking out 150 times, he could be a Ryan Howard type prescence in the lineup, but I see a Rob Deer prescence in the lineup far more likely at this point in time. That said, if any and every option for 3B outside of Fields runs out (because I won't even consider Crede at this point...World Series experience, "clutch" player, Silver Slugger, and now All-Star appearance to go with 25-30 homer power and "gold glove" defense at 3B...it's Boras's dream come true and Crede could quite possibly become Bobby Higginson part deux), then Fields becomes the 3Bman and it's not a huge issue...he should be a league average player over there, he's just not ideal at this point. Not really...I'll take Tex or Dunn at 1 year and $15 mill over Thome at 1 year and $13 mill, but not 6 years and $105 mill or something like that with either Dunn or Tex...then I'll take Thome at 1 year and $16 mill before that, and Thome will cost $10 mill less than that. I've never said the organization is infallible or that they can't do anything wrong; they aren't being terribly inefficient with their money though either. There are like 2 out of 25 players on this roster that are making a considerable amount of money and aren't performing the way they should - PK and Uribe. I don't consider Contreras because he's been just slightly worse than a league average pitcher this year, and he's more than likely just ready for this rest he's gotten now or a minimum DL stint if that's not good enough for him. Compare him to the extreme - Miguel Batista making $9 mill and putting up a 6.22 ERA or Mike Hampton who's thrown like 3 pitches or something like that - and his salary looks pretty damn reasonable. Meanwhile, they've gotten pennies on the dollar for like 10+ players on this roster right now, are in first place, and, atleast to me, are in a prime position to go on a huge run during the second half and win 92-95 games and make their way into the playoffs. If I'm the only one that sees it this way, then I'll just merely disagree with anyone else. They could also try and pump the minor league system full of more talent, but KW has been trying to do that for 3-4 years now and he has apparently gotten to the source of the problem and is attempting to deal with it. It's on the rise, and I'd say that at some point within the next 5 years, the White Sox will have a top 10 minor league system again.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 01:42 PM) You're right. Jesus is agreed I also would have no problem with a corked bat...who the f*** cares, it's a goddamn home run derby. If anything, it should be a friggin requirement so that way I don't have to deal with players hitting 2 homers in a round...make it so you HAVE to hit 10 to advance to the 2nd round

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 10:59 AM) ...this is exactly where I didn't want this to go. However, since you brought it up, Manning lost his #1 wideout for most of 2007, and still somewhat effortlessly put up another 4000 yard, 30 TD season. It's almost like Harrison didn't even matter. He also had Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne, and to a lesser extent, Ben Utecht, Anthony Gonzalez, and Joseph Addai...it's not like he lost the only legitimate receiving threat he had on his entire roster. It's not exactly Reche Caldwell, Deion Branch, David Givens, and whoever else the Patriots have had, outside of this previous season. And, relevant or not, it was the first time since 2003 that his passer rating was under 100, most sacks since 2002, and most interceptions since 2002.

because it's the greatest game that has ever and will ever be played

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 02:52 AM) The Konerko hate is so disappointing. We know Konerko haters ... you want him gone. And if for some reason he gets hot you haters will just be all happy and forget the venom you spouted. A lot of us were pissed at Thome. He's been pretty hot of late. So everybody's happy and has already forgotten how they bagged on Thome. I doubted Thome; I admit it. But I didn't bury him. Why bury Paulie? How do you know he's not going to rebound?? Brian Anderson:Vladimir Lenin::Paul Konerko:Joseph Stalin Darin Erstad is tied into this somewhere, but I'm not sure exactly where

QUOTE (earthshiner @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 11:39 PM) other than the WS grand slam what else has konerko done for the sox? I mean besides the inning ending double plays of course. your surrounding Cubs fans have apparently influenced your every thought. I mean, he's only been at 1B for 10 years, been apart of two division championships, one World Series championship, hit 285 homers, and only one below average season in his entire career (probably on his way to two, but we'll see how the second half goes). Yeah, get f***ing real.

I'm among those that don't think that the 3Bman will be either Crede or Fields, though Fields definitely is the most likely to be within the organization. I just don't think there's any way the money will be allowed to be spent on such a risky player in Crede, and Fields is far too much of an uncertainty to take over at the hot corner. I don't see Fields within the organization come 2009. Cabrera walking is a near a lock to leave the Sox as Crede is...you'll get two picks for him and you get the rest of the season out of him. I also don't see any choice in Thome...you can't sit one of your best hitters, and his option will vest by the end of the year. But yeah, they're spending money efficiently enough for me...first place come the all star break without much of a hole anywhere in the entire lineup.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 11:29 PM) No, I will continue to say the return of Konerko is the worst thing to happen to this team. And I'll continue to say that if Paul Konerko plays like he should - .850-.900 OPS - it will be the best offensive addition to any team in the majors, barring a superstar being traded.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 05:38 PM) Is Mass Effect a solid game to rent and just hammer out in a few days? I said above I haven't gotten much into it, but if it's anything like Knights of the Old Republic, you'll be playing it for atleast a week, and that's if you are the most hardcore of gamers. Probably 2-4 weeks will get it done.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 08:33 PM) Right now the Orioles have absolutely NO reason to deal away Cabrera unless they're completely overwhelmed. He's 27 years old, is under their control for 2 more seasons following this one and has shown some major progress this season. They're not just going to give him away, it's going to take a substantial package of players. (assuming Angelos/MacPhail will even entertain offers) I haven't seen major progress yet. His ERA has improved by over a point thus far, but there hasn't been anything drastic that has changed amongst any of his peripherals. He could end the year with an ERA below 5, but I would bet a good amount of money that it's closer to 5 than it is to 4. Mediocre K/9, BB/9, H/9, his GO/AO isn't anything special at 1.65 (opposed to 1.56 last season), HR/9 has stayed about the same...I'd suggest he's been lucky to have his ERA where it is rather than a pitcher progressing. Splitting hairs aside, I agree with you - the Orioles have no reason to give him up whatsoever. If they were flat out sick of him, I could understand it, but he has put up a good ERA this year (whether it sticks remains to be seen). The Sox really shouldn't have much interest in him outside of the phone call in to see what they're looking for.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 08:03 PM) They were probably just as sick of watching Konerko totally suck. Yeah his Saturday performance was just pitiful...GTFO They were probably pissed off about the fact that they lost a game they should have won; when you score 11 runs, you will win 19 out of 20 games. So yeah, I'd be pissed, and I hope they come out in the second half with a bang and pound the piss out of some people.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 07:34 PM) Cooper is the best in the business of taking a pitcher who has lots of physical talent and getting the most of him. whereas Mazzone is the best at taking your average s***ty pitcher and getting something out of him; that's the type of pitcher Cooper will generally struggle with. agreed completely...he'd have him take a couple mph off that fastball to further harness the control and perhaps get a bit of movement on the fastball. I could see Cabrera being a damn good closer, but considering the fact that he has shown a bit of durability, you have to give him every shot possible to start.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 08:42 AM) The Twins will not pay him, that's all I know. He's not a FA until the end of 2009. There's around $20 million the Twins will have to pay for him. They'll pay him...if they'll pay Livan Hernandez and Sidney Ponson and Ramon Ortiz any amount of money, they'll pay a legitimate 3Bman money too.

Josh Hamilton 4 MVP

I really hope there's another team out there that would surrender more than the Sox for Duchscherer. Not a fan of his at all, and it's been touched on too: injury concerns, the park adjustment, and what it would cost. If you are going to acquire another starter, make it Blanton, but I'm not sure I even want that. And further, if you do acquire a starter, do you just automatically move Contreras to the bullpen or what, exactly? I'm a bit confused in that regard too. As of right now, the only move or two I would make would be to add another powerful bat to the bench - Casey Blake sounds wonderful - and acquire a 6th starter type (and that's merely if you don't trust Broadway/Egbert/Haeger/Richard...I don't, so I'd acquire one). Miguel Batista has the numbers and game to do so, but he has a terribly ugly contract ($9 mill this year, $9 mill next year), Bronson Arroyo might be OK if it doesn't cost too much, and Odalis Perez could be a nice pick up. Regardless, someone like that would be my addition and I'd keep the ship going strong. This team doesn't need a big pickup at all to keep the ship rolling.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 12:44 PM) Anybody here playing or played Mass Effect? if so what achievements are you working on? I'm trying to get into the game...I've loved everything BioWare has done in the past, so it's a matter of getting into the storyline, but the beginning of the game always just drags out so long. When I figure it out, I'll let you know.

AJ's walk-off homer was pretty sweet too; I just love it when AJ walks off with a homer to left-center field.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 03:02 PM) I think my comments were not outlandish. Does anybody out there think the Cubs will not cruise?? As much as I love the Sox, this team is highly dysfunctional and no, I do not think we'll cruise. I think Detroit will be right there as well as Minnie. I hope we roll, but I don't see anything wrong with my analysis. The Brewers and Cards do not have what it takes. Also the Cubs picked up Harden. Sabathia is not god. That's pretty much a wash there, as long as harden stays healthy. And I do not like the Cubs. I don't think the Cubs are gonna cruise...their bullpen has been falling apart since June 1st and Kerry Wood is a slip in the shower away from throwing towels for the rest of the year too. Detroit is one of the most overrated teams I've ever seen anybody give much credit to. I mean, for Christ's sake greg, the Tigers are 47-47, and 7 games back; meanwhile, the Cardinals are 53-43 and 4.5 games back while the Brewers are 52-43 and 5 games back, yet it's the Tigers who are more in the race than either of those two teams? Harden is overrated as hell; when he can pitch, he goes 5-6 innings, generally dominates, but then turns it over to the bullpen and only god knows what happens. On top of that, he's just about as injury prone as the Pavano/Hampton/Prior crowd too. Meanwhile, CC Sabathia really hasn't been injured in like 2 seasons, generally works deep into games, is just as good of a pitcher as Harden is, and on top of it, is actually a pretty damn decent hitter. Milwaukee is a reliever away from joining the race and St. Louis just really needs to get completely healthy and get Carpenter back to have a legitimate chance. That race isn't over by any stretch of the imagination. I also don't like Minnesota going forward...their offense is good, but it's not as good as it's been, and their pitching staff is generally pitching over its head. Their pen isn't as good as it's been in year's past either and I see them winning about 84-87 games, unless they acquire a good bat during the next couple weeks. If the Sox make it to 90, there should be no problem whatsoever.

QUOTE (AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 02:38 PM) What a horrible idea. I agree with Dick Allen, Paulie will turn it around and Thome will be fine. I do too. I really find the overreactionists on this unbelievable at times...Paul Konerko has been a staple in the White Sox lineup for almost 10 years now, and people are willing to just give him away or beat him with a fish until his average suddenly leaps from .216 to .260 in like 2 games because of a rough half season of play...that's not going to happen. Sit down, hitch up your pants, and f***ing relax.

It's also a different era in football and its generally much easier on offenses. Just something to be considered.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 02:38 AM) If Oz thinks Swish at first and BA/Wise platoon is better for the team, then why not trade Paulie to the Mets? I love Paulie but if it is time to run him out of town, why don't we make some kind of deal? Other teams make deals during the season. I prefer keeping Paulie but it is going to grow old seeing all the rips of the Sox legend the second half of the season. He's been so good in a Sox uniform I'd think he'd be exempt from such harsh criticism. why would Paul Konerko want to go to the Mets, and why would the Mets want Paul Konerko? That doesn't make much sense for either side.

close this thread..kthx