caulfield12

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove08/c...ce=MLBHeadlines Good article on the perceived "value" of Abreu around the league. As far as TEX goes, teams like the Red Sox and Angels are making everyone wait...say he signs with the Angels, then it makes it impossible (in all likelihood) for Rivera or Garrett Anderson to stay there, due to payroll limitations. It also further dries up the market for Konerko, if there is one. Burrell, Abreu, G. Anderson, Rivera, Griffey, Bradley and Dunn (like Cabrera) are seeing their options decrease, but no team is willing to take on those salaries YET if they're still in the running for TEX or Lowe, for example. They're being told to wait. The Cubs need to move salary first before they are able to sign Milton Bradley, which probably means trading Marquis and eating part of his contract, which is also a waiting game, because every GM is now waiting for prices to continue falling, with the first sign being the closer's market with K-Rod's deal. There's pressure of the bottom tier/second tier free agents especially as they're watching a limited number of opportunities dry up.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-bl...y_be_happy.html Good article in AJC about why the Braves were fortunate NOT to end up with Furcal. Also a pointed shot at Wren for trading Vazquez for Flowers.

One day after news broke of Brian Giles being sued for more than $10 million by a former girlfriend, who also alleged he battered her, the Padres issued a statement from CEO Sandy Alderson: “The Padres have recently learned of a lawsuit filed against Brian Giles by his former girlfriend alleging, among other things, abusive behavior by Brian. While we will not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit, abusive behavior in any form, by any member of the Padres organization, against anyone, violates the basic values of the Padres organization and is not condoned. “The Padres, and its employee assistance program, are committed to the elimination of all forms of abuse, including abuse against women. We will continue to monitor the lawsuit as it proceeds.” mlbtraderumors.com Padres outfielder Brian Giles was sued by his ex-girlfriend for more than $10 million, as she alleges that he hit, slapped, shook and kicked her while she was pregnant, leading to a miscarriage, according to Padres.com. He can join in the proud tradition of Sox standouts Wil Cordero and Albert Belle.

If I had a pulled rib cage muscle/oblique, nagging hand injury as well as a knee sprain/strain in one year, I'm sure my body language wouldn't be the best either. Konerko fought through all those things and really came through in the second half when he was close to 100%, after many Sox fans had written him off (there were many "warning track" power posts) as they have 2-3 times in the past. He's basically our captain, the most popular player on our team (to many Sox fans, along with Mark) and he's always been a steadying influence, great with the media and fans, etc. I've never considered him to be one of our biggest problems or issues. Logan, Swisher and Cabrera were definitely on their way out at season's end, and Crede wore out his welcome by taking his orders from Boras and refusing to try to play through pain when the team really needed him in August and September. I know he had an epidural or two...and that back injuries are impossible to totally recover 100% from, but just some of Ozzie's barbs/comments about the Crede situation, both during the season and also after it, led me to believe that they were tired of the drama/uncertainty with him and ready to move on. Joe was always a clutch hitter (before the last 2-3 seasons) and a superb defender. Not quite Ventura's equal, but not far behind him either.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,4326573.story

1) We have absolutely no insurance right now if one of our BIG 3 starters goes down to injury or non-performance. Other teams have more viable options...for instance, the Indians have Laffey, Sowers and Zach Jackson for one spot, the Tigers have Miner, Robertson and Willis, the Twins have Bonser, etc. 2) We don't have a legitimate lead-off hitter, at least one with a proven record of MLB success. 3) Unproven players at 3B, SS (in terms of fielding and repeating rookie success), 2B and CF. 4) Dye, Thome, Konerko and AJ are all getting up there in age...we don't really have a player internally ready to step in for some of these guys at the big league level yet (Flowers and Viciedo, not to mention Cole Armstrong, are probably one year away) if one of them misses large stretches of the season. 5) Linebrink is a huge question mark to me at this point, if he can repeat his success of first half 2008 6) Marquez Mark and the CR/AP Crew

See Crede, Joe. The wise strategy with that player. I guess you could make an argument we could have extended Rowand a year or two past arbitration, but at the time, it looked like either Anderson or Young would be much cheaper/better options down the line.

Mlb.com's Scott Merkin talked to White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time. Jenks told Merkin there's been no talk of an extension to date. He sounds willing though: "For me, if the White Sox offer a fair, long-term deal, we would take it [over] arbitration. If it's not considered fair, then even as a worst-case scenario, I'm excited to go into arbitration with what I've been told is a strong case." Jenks figures to top the first-year arb figure Huston Street received a few years ago, $3.3MM. Jonathan Papelbon is also eligible for arbitration for the first time. www.chisox.com

Daniel Cabrera Tuesday night (12/16) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The game is still in progress as I type this, but Daniel Cabrera's season debut in the Dominican League is already complete. Working on a pitch count, he faced only 14 hitters and allowed eight of them to reach base. The only run charged to him came in the top of the first when Victor Diaz ripped a two-out double to score Melky Cabrera, who'd walked. Overall, Daniel's line on a 'shake the rust off' type night looked like this: 2 1/3 IP 6H 1R 2BB 2K from orioleshangout.com

According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, the Pirates top the list of suitors for Daniel Cabrera. He says the Brewers, Padres, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Nationals are also interested. We learned yesterday that the Blue Jays are interested but haven't made an offer yet. Cabrera's agent has heard from about half the teams in baseball, and one even offered a multiyear deal. mlbtraderumors.com

By not signing with the Dodgers...we're likely to get a second round or sandwich pick, because all the teams interested are between 1-15 in first round, and they can't give up such high draft picks for signing Type A's.

So now it's back down to: A's Royals Braves Blue Jays Indians Twins Orioles (cross off list, just signed Cesar I.) You also have Uribe, Eckstein, Jack Wilson trade possibility...I can't imagine BB would want to give up the draft picks. That was the whole beauty of Furcal for him, Type B compensation. Royals don't appear to have the money unless they move DeJesus or Guillen. Braves could use Escobar there. Blue Jays are in budget-consious mode. Both the Indians (A. Cabrera) and Twins (Punto/Casilla) have much cheaper options available for that position. I'm really intrigued where he will end up going, finally...as dick allen said over and over again, we got pretty lucky.

Young has one of the worst contracts in the game today going forward after 2009...why would the White Sox possibly take on that kind of commitment when they already have Ramirez, unless the Rangers ate at least 60% of it?

Assuming Rafael Furcal’s back is sound and he passes the Atlanta Braves’ physical, the next free agent shortstop to go should be Orlando Cabrera, who is sturdier and plays more often than Furcal, but is three years older and isn’t the same caliber of leadoff hitter Furcal. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics, losers on Furcal, are likely to shift their attention to Cabrera, an edgy player who quickly wore out his welcome with the Chicago White Sox. The Toronto Blue Jays, who withdrew their interest in Furcal before he agreed to terms with the Braves on Tuesday, probably will be peripheral players on Cabrera. They liked Furcal in large part because of his leadoff skills. The Kansas City Royals also are looking for a shortstop and could make a play for Cabrera, although he might be out of their price range. The Dodgers, however, are most in need of a shortstop, and of Cabrera. Omar Vizquel, still a marvel of conditioning and flexibility at age 41, can field but not hit, making him a one-year stopgap for a team that can’t land – or doesn’t want to land – Cabrera. The only other free-agent shortstop with a decent resume available is David Eckstein, who is more apt to find a job as a second baseman. yahoosports.com

I hope you're talking about Manny Ramirez in LF and not Alexei!!! The last position on the field I would want Alexei to play is either LF or 1B.

First of all, with the market falling dramatically for some of the second tier players, it's not clear that many teams could afford to take on Dye's salary...maybe 8-10 major league teams right now, at most. Second, Uribe couldn't be offered a deal for $1.3 million like Betemit is getting. His salary for this past season was $4.5 million, so the most we COULD possibly cut him down to is $3.6 million in arbitration. However, that would be NO certainty because of the fact that he got the bulk to the playing time after Crede went down, and his agent would want him treated as a starter and not as a utility player in a possible hearing. The arbitrator couldn't/wouldn't choose the lower offer simply because the White Sox didn't see him getting more than 150 at-bats when he's been a regular for pretty much five years here. We could easily end up on the hook for $4.5-5.5 million for Uribe, we wouldn't be able to trade him to another team (look at all the conjecture for the lowly Adam Everett at $1 million plus incentives, or for Jack Wilson) and that $4 million in savings with Betemit (who could certainly figure in a 3B platoon) could be more effectively invested in a starting pitcher or CFer.

I think he did play SS very early in his career....before putting on so much weight and growing into his current frame. This, I suppose, is roughly at the same time he was pitching a little and consistently throwing in the high 80's or low 90's.

The problem is that Taveras just MIGHT be the best option out of all the worst-case scenarios out there. Jerry Owens also has a better than 50/50 shot at not getting the job done or staying healthy. Anderson can't lead off. Wise isn't a CFer. Are you in the lead off with Getz/Lillibridge (2B) and put Anderson at 9th in the order camp?

For the record, KW has already mentioned he expects Nunez to contribute THIS season out of the pen. He has also talked about Jimenez being a "plus" arm and about Link as well. I haven't heard many quotes from KW counting on Russell or Wasserman to do much this season. If he does, then it's a very pleasant surprise. His presence on the roster would also "knock" Poreda/Richard back down to Charlotte if they didn't make it as fifth starter....and I think both of them would be benefitted more from remaining on the major league roster with Cooper and pitching out of the pen ala Buehrle 2000.

FWIW, Garland made $12 million last year and expects to make equal or more money. Remember, he turned down the Angels' arbitration offer, which means he expected he could make a MINIMUM of $9.6 million for one season...I think there will be AT LEAST 2-3 teams out there (like the Mets) willing to outbid us for him.

I also find it quite hard to believe that he had an OPS comparable with Royce Clayton, who I remember as the worst offensive player on the Sox over the last decade...along with catcher Mark Johnson. I still think Uribe is a better defender, even at less than ideal body weight. It's just that Uribe could never have been a leadoff hitter for us this year.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 09:25 PM) I hate Orlando but in his defense he was the best defensive SS in terms of UZR and the 5th best defensive player in baseball by UZR. Throw all that out. What did your EYES tell you from watching him play all season long?

.708 and .660=Royce Clayton OPS for the White Sox over two seasons .705=Orlando Cabrera (and only because of a late charge, he was around .650-.660 for the majority of the season) In no way, shape or form was he worth $10 million in this economy with Alexei Ramirez basically making $1 million per season behind him.

I think another problem with Haeger is holding runners, fwiw. He would be "okay" as a garbage innings pitcher, but we already have Carrasco for that role. Not to mention that whoever loses out for the fifth starter (Poreda/Richard/Marquez) would also seem to be capable of pitching in those situations, like Buehrle in 2000, as a way to get their feet wet and gain confidence. I don't see Haeger as part of any long-term plan, and his upside is pretty limited, so I think you won't see him brought back to the Sox.

Or scary bad. Lots of potential with Poreda and Bailey, but both of them could also be out of baseball in 3 years, too. Buehrle and probably Danks are the closest to "known" quantities at this point. Anything could happen with Floyd, although I'm crossing my fingers he puts up the same numbers as last season. I'd definitely take that...but not counting on it.