beck72

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 04:16 PM) Damon would sell some tickets. If KW was saying with a straight face when he offered Torii Hunter all that cheddar that they were stretching the budget but Hunter t-shirt and jersey sales along with the expected increase in ticket sales would cover the deficit, then Damon is in the same boat although he wouldn't have to sell as many. Its not a long term committment. Its nothing that would be a burden for seasons to come. Maybe they are secretly negotiating with him. Maybe Boras is throwing out all these other teams in order to create a fake market. It just seems right now no team is going to offer Damon a big contract. I have wanted Damon from day 1 and in the back of my mind, I always thought the Yankees would be the biggest threat to screw it up if the White Sox did go after him. They have to be out now. I really doubt Damon wants to go to Oakland. He had a bad year in that park when he was in his prime. If it happened again, he probably would be done. He might take less to play near home in Tampa, but how much are they going to really offer him? Detroit? I think you give him a contract he can save some face on and Boras could spin into a good situation, he can be had. I would think hitting at the Cell for 1 year wouldn't be a bad place to up his value. Seeing what Abreu did in 2009, htting at his norms for a playoff contending team, and he then got a decent 2 yr deal, would have to be in Damon's mind now, as the big contract isn't happening for him, this offseason

QUOTE (Springfield SoxFan @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 02:26 PM) I think the chances of getting Damon are remote, but at least Levine's sources are not saying NO. I'm very happy about the bullpen talk, I hate Randy Williams and we need an upgrade, reminder last season at Yankee stadium. If either one comes true, it would make for a nice offseason.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 02:23 PM) According to Joel Sherman, Damon would be willing to play for $7 million with part of that being deferred, so I would imagine since he hasn't signed, the $7 million he turned down, if he did get an offer, is not available anymore. Supposedly the Yankees were willing to give him 2 years $14 million if they didn't sign Nick Johnson, but they did. Then supposedly before they signed Winn, the offered him one year $6 million with half of it being deferred, he said no. The A's were interested, but they just spent $10 million on Sheets. I doubt they would go $7 million for Damon. I think $4-5 million with another $1-2 million in incentives could get it done right now, maybe even cheaper if you wait a while but run the risk of losing him. Johnny Damon is this year's Bobby Abreu, and the Sox do have a spot for him. If you're willing to spend $4 million on Downs, a guy who will pitch about 50 innings, I can't see why you wouldn't go after Damon at his current price tag. I forget the exact quote, but Kenny did say that bargains would be out there late in the offseason, ala Abreu. Damon at $5, 6 mill would qualify as a bargain.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 03:08 PM) Well considering that Damon supposedly has a 6 and a 7 million dollar offer, there isn't much point in getting excited about this. True about Damon. But he isn't signed yet, though he should be signed in the $5-7 mill range. The talk [even if it's Bruce L.] of the Sox looking to add a bullpen arm does sounds intriguing, no?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 01:17 PM) Assuming this is even vaguely accurate... it makes no sense. Middle Relief? When they could have had Carrasco for less than this? I like the idea of Damon, but, HE'S A LEFTY BAT. The article says they aren't adding one? Just seems like a steaming pile of nonsense to me. It seems from the article to me that if Damon's price drops to a level they "can't say no to", the sox might bite. Otherwise, they'll stand pat and won't add anyone, no matter the price.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 01:10 PM) Well, I'd much rather pay Damon $4-5 million and try the "audition by committee" bullpen approach that failed so miserably before than spend that money on Downs. No way do I spend that money on Scott. Ever since David Riske, we've been failing to offer arbitration to most of our veteran players at the end of their contracts. I just don't see how you spend that kind of money on the last roster spot compared to investing it in Johnny Damon, who very well could be an impact bat and the last piece of the puzzle in our roster construction. I agree, it doesn't make sense that the sox may look to add a Heath Bell or Scott Downs, but not Damon at a similar price tag, provided this is true from Levine. I can see the argument [though I don't agree] of not spending $5, 6 mill on Damon and waiting to add via trade later in the year. But I would think Damon + an extra $2 million in salary >>> than a Heath Bell/ Scott Downs type bullpen arm would help the sox more, esp. given how poor the offense in 2009 was.

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 12:23 PM) If they couldn't afford Nick Johnson, I doubt that they have 4 million for Damon. I'm all for improving the pen, but if they got Downs, I doubt that they'd offer arbitration down the road for picks; we don't seem to do that a whole lot around here. Would Damon at $5 mill., be a better get than Downs at $4 mill.? If the sox are looking to add a bullpen piece, those available might be vets who are making money, such as Downs. As far as offering arb. goes, the Sox haven't had many players that were making a reasonable salary going into their free agency, that they would want back at deal close to their previous year's salary. Esp. as the market has dropped in recent years. Dotel and Dye weren't worth it. Downs might not either, but it may be close. $4 mill. for a 2nd LHP [though he could be the first LHP option for many teams] might be a bit steep.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?name=levine TIFWIW, Bruce Levine added yesterday that the sox weren't looking to add a lefty bat. That they passed on Delgado because they didn't think he could play the field. But they are watching the Damon situation to see if his price drops to a bargain level. Very interesting is that he said the sox are looking at middle relief. Of the names he mentions as being available [not that the sox have talked specifically to these teams], is Scott Downs. That he's due to make $4 mill for a bad Toronto team doesn't make a lot of sense, unless they plan on having him close. He'd be nice upgrade over Randy Williams. And if they traded for him, Downs might be a good candidate to yield draft picks, as the Sox would prob. offer arbitration after 2010. Yet that $4 mill. might be better spent on Damon, IMO. I do like the idea of possibly building onto the existing bullpen [esp. another lefty], making the rotation and bullpen both one of the best in the AL [at least on paper]. I'm just not sure what LHP's are out there that might be available. Thoughts?

It would make sense for the sox to keep 12 pitchers. If they carried 11, then no long man would be around. Add a long man like Torres or Hynick, with Hudson at AAA, and it makes 12 pitchers. If the Sox added Thome, it would have to be at the expense of Nix. That would make the sox have 13 position players. Nix can only play 2b and the Sox have Vizquel to fill in at 3b, SS and 2b. The more I look at it, I don't see the sox taking up a key roster spot on Thome, who will see 3 games a week, at best. Even if KW takes a PR hit by Thome signing with a rival and doing well. Yet a backup in the OF or IF, who could also see DH time, could be added, though again at the expense of Nix.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 11:50 PM) Yeah. We're good on backup OF's. If anything, the only other position available is backup IF. It's why I come back to either Blalock or Hudson as worthy thoughts if we decide not to go with Thome. They can hit Left Handed (Hudson is switch), Hudson is really good with the glove and could take up serious IF time, Blalock could at least be an emergency situation backup IF. The sox still thin in the OF though. Jones just plays CF, IIRC. No one else plays LF besides Pierre. I don't think they'll move Quentin back to LF for a day here or there. Kotsay and Rios can both play RF.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 11:50 PM) Yeah. We're good on backup OF's. If anything, the only other position available is backup IF. It's why I come back to either Blalock or Hudson as worthy thoughts if we decide not to go with Thome. They can hit Left Handed (Hudson is switch), Hudson is really good with the glove and could take up serious IF time, Blalock could at least be an emergency situation backup IF. Blalock isn't bad. Esp. as he could play 2 spots in the IF, 3b and 1b, as well as DH. Hudson only plays 2b--like Nix.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 24, 2010 -> 11:31 PM) Andruw Jones? My bad. I guess my roster math is off.

The sox need another hitter, period. A power bat would be nice. But of the remaining names out there [that would have to be less than Nick Johnson's $5.5 mill.], tell me Randy Winn wouldn't give Ozzie some flexibility, as he could also play RF and LF, and DH. The sox don't have a 4th OFer besides Kotsay. De Aza may count but that remains to be seen.

With the Twins interest, KW is almost forced to sign Thome-no matter what Ozzie wants. It would be a PR nightmare for KW if the Sox were a hitter short at DH, and Thome puts up good numbers for a division winning Twins club. Signing Thome puts that "I told you so" from fans to bed. The upside is it'll be a good faith signing to both the fans and players, no matter what Thome does during the season. This could only lead to better ticket sales, not worse, while a Thome doing well on the Twins/ Sox needing a power bat could lead to fans staying at home griping about being a hiiter short. I would have liked the sox to add a lefty bat that could play the field--which would have given Ozzie flexibility and guys time off. But Thome does give them the power lefty bat they are currently lacking.

QUOTE (Real @ Jan 22, 2010 -> 09:00 PM) Cowley reporting that Jenks looks "at least" 25 pounds lighter as of today. If anyone here is at Soxfest, post about how Jenks looks physically compared to last year please, I'd be interested in hearing about it The tribune also reported Jenks was 30 pounds lighter, and lost it the "right" way. I do hand it to Ozzie-he isn't afraid to call out some players by telling the truth to them and the media. Preferably them first, in private.

With the addition of Putz, Hudson should be starting in AAA. Torres likely has the inside track in LR, though someone like Hynick or Marquez could surprise if they throw strikes. Jenks Putz Thornton Linebrink Randy Williams Carlos Torres A surprise arm from one of Threets, Santos, Santeliz, Hynick, Marquez, or Dolsi

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jan 17, 2010 -> 01:40 PM) Danks will be after significantly more than Gavin. He rejected a contract similar to Gavin's last year so there no way he'd take that now. I'd expect him to get more of a Jon Lester type deal, something like 4/$30m with a club option for a 5th year. I was thinking more than Gavin, yet less than Lester. The Sox aren't going to make Gavin's deal look like peanuts and cause a rift salary wise.

Danks should be locked up. I'm sure the numbers can be worked out between the two sides on a deal similar to Gavin's.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 07:29 PM) I'm seriously pissed we couldn't have outbid Texas on a one year contract for Vlad. I just don't understand why we couldn't overpay for a one year deal. There are bargains out there for DH. Vlad could have been one. I'm still thinking the sox will sign someone else

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 03:04 PM) You know as well as anyone there is zero chance Konerko gets platooned. It's that he should though. But it is the last year of his contract...PK could sulk for only so long. And the sox could bring in Kotsay for "defensive purposes" starting as soon as they get a lead, even if it's the 1st inning I do believe the sox in 2010 won't be as hesitant to sit PK if he tanks-provided they have a decent alternative. It's his last year with the Sox, and the feel-good days of 2005 are a distant memory, as the Thome and Dye exits show. The sox should be more concerned about winning and getting production out of all their players--esp. their key power guys. Pk has hit poorly for 3 straight years off RHP. If they don't have a contingency plan for a continued drop off from him, the Sox are idiots. Right now, they don't.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 02:34 PM) How does anyone know Delgado can play a position at this point? Supposedly he's not moving around so well in Winter Ball. Delgado was terrific in 2008, but he wasn't even hitting .230 on July 1 that year, and was only another bad week or two from being released before he heated up. I'd prefer Thome, you know what you're going to get, and even if Delgado can play the field, its firstbase or bust. Paulie is capable of playing there most of the time. I don't see the big advantage Delgado brings over Thome other than what was stated earlier, he's someone new. Konerko should really be looking at a platoon situation, as his dismal numbers vs RHP in recent years are at that kind of level. Yet right now, the alternative at 1b is Kotsay, who should only be a reserve and late inning defensive replacement. If Delgado wouldn't be a huge drop off at 1b from PK [and numbers suggest he wouldn't, but health may] the advantage of Delgado over Thome would be big, as he can provide the power and OBP splits vs RHP that PK at 1b has not in years. PK hasn't hit well vs RHP since 2006. The last 3 years he's hit .247/.335/.442 vs RHP, and .293/.386/.560 vs LHP. Since the majority of AB's will come off RHP, I want someone at 1b who can mash off them. Kotsay isn't going to provide that. And neither is Vizquel or Jones off RHP. Delgado has hit esp. well off RHP. PK and Delgado would seem to compliment each other at 1b and DH. http://espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?play...p;type=batting3

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 12:44 PM) Carlos Delgado makes sense, a player the Sox front office attempted to acquire but was turned down by said player because he refused to play for an American team - until it was necessary when the Jays wouldn't resign him - yet Jim Thome, who has spent the past 4 seasons here putting up perfectly good numbers doesn't make sense. Makes sense to me. Or, seems to me, you are coming up with names the White Sox haven't had before and you just don't want to say "Jim Thome makes sense" even though you know he does. It's not exciting and not someone new, right? BTW, I consider Carlos Delgado washed up and old, and the Mets do too. The Mets were his former team, and the Sox have absolutely no interest. At this point in time, I'm believing it's Thome or bust. What makes sense is getting a guy for DH who can also play a position--something the sox have said all off-season so they can move people around and give them time off, have favorable match ups/ etc. The sox seem to want that flexibility, as they did with the Rios addition last year, which gave guys days off late in the year. Delgado plays 1b, with fielding UZR numbers similar to Konerko. Thome is strictly a DH. If the sox don't add a DH who can also play the field, IMO, they'll stand pat. I wouldn't be against the Sox adding Thome [they need a power bat vs RHP, and I hate the idea of Jones/ Kotsay/ Omar at that spot] But I don't see it, as all the talk from the sox seems to indicate they've moved on from Jim. Delgado at this point in his career, should see most of his time as a DH. But his 2008 year hitting .271/.353/.518 with 38 Hr's in 598 AB's, playing 159 games in the field would seem to suggest he's got something left. As far is his refusal to accept a trade to the sox, situations change. See Peavy. Delgado's situation re: the Sox, was over 5 yrs ago. And Delgado refused a mid season trade to all teams in 2004, as he had his 5 and 10 yr. rights. I can see why Delgado would refuse a trade when he was going to be a Free agent in the offseason anyway.

The Sox need someone who can get on base and hit for power vs RHP at DH. Esp. seeing how PK can't hit RHP, the sox can't afford to have a power vacuum at DH 3/4 of the time. It's idiotic the sox say they are considering Jones/ Kotsay/ Vizquel for that spot. Carlos Delgado makes sense. He'd be cheap, and mashes RHP. He also is a 2nd half hitter--something the sox could use in the months of July and Aug. As Delgado is coming back from injury and may need some extra time to come back, the could use their "rotating DH" and get Delgado some rest as well early in the season

Johnny Damon at $7 mill. would be a nice fit. But I'm not paying the bills.

Ozzie would know a thing or two about Vlad, having coached the Expos in 2001 when Vlad was, IIRC, 26 yrs old. The sox haven't been mentioned with Vlad-Not that I'd expect the Sox to be advertising their interest in a DH at this point. With the glut of surplus bats out there, any team could swoop in and make a deal in a relatively short time. Kenny did say a player might become available and hence, more affordable later in the offseason. It's now later in the offseason.