caulfield12

If the White Sox were to acquire Penny, imagine the expectations that would be set? LOL. Cooper will have him looking like Loaiza Version 2003 in no time (while simultaneously adding to Poreda's arsenal and nurturing Danks/Floyd/Richard). Everyone would be saying the White Sox POTENTIALLY have the best rotation in the game of baseball...

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 09:27 PM) The name of the game was to name better 4th starters, not to name better starters likely to be traded to the Sox Fine, but Slowey is the 3rd starter for the Twins, before Perkins and Blackburn. I would rank Saunders ahead of Weaver/Garland. You could argue that he was co-number 2 with E. Santana. Kershaw hasn't proven anything at all yet...Wellemeyer was released by the Royals not so long ago.

Tim Wakefield (he's more likely to retire than to pitch for the ChiSox) Andy Sonanstine (better, but more likely to get Edwin Jackson and what do we have to give up?) Kyle Davies (definitely not better than Javier) Kevin Slowey (MN would never trade him to us, but I would take him in a heartbeat) Rich Harden/Ryan Dempster (way too expensive) Todd Wellemeyer (mehhh) Joe Saunders (would be prohibitively expensive to acquire) Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers wouldn't dream of dealing him yet)

QUOTE (dww879 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) I read it this way as well. Seems that Kenny is trying to boost Poreda's trade value as he could in fact be the one being shopped. The sox already have two lefties in the rotation who will be around for a while, and another one who looked pretty decent in September in Richard. It's odd enough to have three lefties in a rotation, and I never have heard of having four. In other words I wouldn't be surprised if Poreda was a fifth starter next year, but I would be if it was for the sox. I don't think Clayton Richard and Poreda are comparable in any way in the front office's minds...we can't keep trading away our best prospects and not face a penalty with our payroll. Some of these young, pre-arbitration players (Anderson, Fields, Getz, Nix, Owens, Richard, Poreda, Broadway) have to start making a positive impact for the Sox. We got relatively lucky with Quentin, Alexei, Danks and Floyd, but we can't count on some many question marks breaking in a positive fashion every year. KW knows this as well as anyone.

QUOTE (striker62704 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) Kenny has never been a free agent type of GM. All of his moves are via the trade. So I don't see Frucal happening. Free Agent Signings: Dotel Linebrink Ramirez Dye Pierzynski Hall Trades: Thome Quentin Swisher Cabrera Thornton MacDougal Freddy Garcia Vazquez Danks Floyd Contreras Griffey David Wells?

Ward, the Sox's hitting coach for two years before he was replaced by Greg Walker, will join Chambliss' staff in a similar capacity. Ever Magallanes left the Los Angeles Angels' organization to join the White Sox as their Double-A manager at Birmingham. Magallanes, 42, was the Arizona League manager of the year in 2006, directed Class-A Cedar Rapids to the 2007 Midwest League title and managed at Class-A Rancho Cuamonga of the California League last summer. Magallanes replaces Carlos Subero, who is now the Class-A manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Inland Empire affiliate in the California League. The new managers at the Class-A levels are Joe McEwing (Winston-Salem) and Ernie Young (Kannapolis). Ryan Newman left the Detroit organization to become the manager at Advanced Rookie-Bristol. McEwing was the Sox's hitting coach at Charlotte last year. Former Cincinnati second baseman Ron Oester joins the Sox’s organization as its infield instructor. Oester takes over for Manny Trillo, who will become the organization’s bunting/base running coordinator. Former Bristol manager Bobby Thigpen takes over as pitching coach at Winston-Salem. Hitting coaches Greg Briley (Winston-Salem) and Omedo Saenz (Advanced Rookie-Great Falls) are joining the Sox’s organization for the first time. Saenz will assist manager Chris Cron, who steered Great Falls to the 2008 Pioneer League title. Bombard, Subero and Winston-Salem manager Tim Blackwell were informed two months ago that they wouldn't be retained. Kannapolis manager Chris Jones was released in July. Well, we've gone through similar situations with Razor Shines and Wally Backman...we have no idea what was going on behind the scenes. There's often a conflict between managers' desires to win/build their resumes and their willingness to develop/incubate talent. This is especially true in organizations that our rebuilding their minor league systems or don't have a winning tradition at the major league level (like TB before this year). What I was struck by was how many former White Sox connections there are: Bobby Thigpen Cron Omedo Saenz (what next, Eddie Pearson or Mario Valdez?) Ernie Young was in our system a couple of years ago...once an A's prospect Ever Magallanes McEwing...if there was EVER a grinder in MLB, he's the definition, a little of his attitude couldn't hurt, he was once LaRussa's favorite player I think it's a good thing we are getting some more Hispanic instructors...now, hopefully, we'll actually get some more talent from the Dominican and Venezuela. The results have been mixed so far with Silverio and Jose Martinez, I won't even mention Anderson Gomes, an internet legend who never was, kind of like Toe Nash. Agree Ward will never set foot in Chicago again while KW is around. This was a Bell decision 100%, although I am sure KW was notified and could have nixed it...Chambliss brings a lot of experience, and he could be waiting in the wings to replace Walker if the team goes in the tank offensively again.

I don't think we'll see Garland back here again...and I'm not so certain he won't get more than $9 million per season and more than three years...we'll see. He's still an incredibly young (and up until this point) durable/reliable pitcher, in a similar way to Vazquez, but with a much better post-season record. Maybe he'll end up with the Giants, Padres, Dodgers, D-Backs, Rockies, Mariners...just have the sense he wants to stay close to the Left Coast. Then again, the Yankees or Mets come calling and pack your bags, it's off to Gotham City. But I don't see him really desiring to play in a place like NY, Boston or Philadelphia and dealing with the writers' persistent questions.

As with Griffey and Konerko in the first half, you really have to give Fields at least ONE more chance before you ditch him at near rock-bottom value. The guy projected to a mid 30's homer season if he played more than 100 games two years ago. That's not shabby. And, most importantly, his contract/youth makes him a player who has to succeed unless we want a $135-150 million payroll, which isn't very realistic. Anyone who's played baseball knows that your knee (especially plant or back leg) being messed up, your wrists, your hips, your ribcage (pulled rib muscles are the worst in the world for an athlete in a sport like baseball, basketball, tennis or golf) is vitally important to having a "power" swing...see Griffey/Konerko 2008...and I think they will at least give him another chance to win the job in spring training. Might be wrong, but I think KW would prefer to roll the dice with Fields and Nix/Getz than with Anderson/Owens and having no leadoff hitter against LH pitchers (certainly BA is never going to be a leadoff hitter...and there are huge doubts about his ability to be an everyday player, at least in Chicago).

He pitched about as well as any of the Sox pitchers this post-season (Dotel looked good, too)...he certainly had a couple of pretty good starts that gives SOME hope for the guy, he didn't get completely blasted and disappear into oblivion like Arnie Munoz. I think of him as Mike Porzio or Josh Stewart with better stuff, lol.

This whole idea of picking up draft picks all over the place is all fine and good, but it has never really been a key consideration (previously) because we were always "reloading" on the run and have never really taken the time to try to build depth for 2-3 years down the line, always trying to win it all each year...maybe he's starting to realize (KW) that the depth from the picks (if they are utilized by the scouting department and the money's there to sign them) gives him more ammunition to make moves for player like Roberts and Beltre, etc. We aren't that far off...if only Borchard had become a reliable player, we'd have a powerful LH bat in the middle of the line-up to go with Josh Fields and Chris Young...at least 60-65% of our problems would have been solved.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Nov 1, 2008 -> 03:56 PM) I've seen too many old washed up players in a Sox uniform to be all feel good happy about Griffey wearing it. Ron Santo, George Foster, Rocky Colavito, Steve Carlton, to name just a few. Bo Jackson Tom Seaver (although he gave us some productive years) Roberto Alomar Sandy Alomar Steve Sax Cory Snyder David Wells

In which case, KW would probably ask for some kind of verbal/gentleman's (if such a word is possible with that slimeball) agreement (like the option year on Thome being covered by Gillick...handshake deal) on an extension to be announced shortly after the trade, not unlike the Garcia midseason move. Otherwise, no deal...or the talent we give up is markedly different considering he would likely be just a one year rental or band-aid for the new hole at 3B.

Whatever you say about Vazquez, he gives you pretty much near-certainty of 200 IP, around a 4.3-4.7 ERA, lots of strikeouts (for Roto players), a .500 record, 30+ starts and maddening inconsistency...the question is where or how we get that from someone else? Can we acquire another pitcher for less than $11.5 million that will give us the same thing on the FA market? If we can do that, which is far from a certainty, then you can move Vazquez and fix some of the holes in the bullpen, 3B, 2B/SS and CF.

Well, remember his comments last offseason about DET making the moves for Willis and Cabrera to put them in a position to compete with the Sox? He always has a certain bragaddocio...that said, he's seen the likes of Julio Ramirez, Willie Harris, D'Angelo Jimenez and many other "speculative" moves on "undervalued/underachieving/injured" projects or suspects backfire. So really, what he has done is given us emergency or back-up plans (Plan C or D) on his list while he goes out and tries to improve the team going forward.

If you remember, that deal was for Taveras, Buchholz and Hirsch...I guess Taveras would give you a better arm and defense than Pods, as long as we got the expected power from the rest of the line-up and the production at 3B and 2B is AL-average, then we WOULD/SHOULD be okay... I really don't see us going into the season with an Anderson/Owens platoon in CF, Fields, and Nix/Getz at 2B.

QUOTE (knightni @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:33 PM) Atkins and Kouzmanoff would be nice, and Figgins would be better as a 2B option. But, Beltre's too expensive, & Blake and Mora seem too old. Blake would be fine for a two year contract, with Beckham slotted to take his place in mid 2010 or play 2B and then move back over to 3B in 2011 to start the season. Maybe he will be an exception to the rule (remember the days of Thomas and Ventura making more immediate impacts...or Alex Fernandez?) and play for the Sox next season, but I'm not counting on that yet.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 06:48 PM) The problem with this team isn't base-stealing speed. The problem is 1st to 3rd or 2nd to home. That's the kind of speed we need, not Owens, not Taveras, but more like Quentin or Anderson. If they steal a base, great...but taking an extra base is more important with this team. Ramirez, Wise, Ozuna (when he was here), Cabrera, Uribe (the somewhat skinnier version)

Blake, Kouzmanoff, Atkins, Mora, Figgins, Beltre

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,4417740.story Not really any "new" news in this article. Speculation about Uribe going to SF as a starter, Fields starting at 3B, Nix and Getz competing for the 2B spot...theorizes about Hall coming back or Cole Armstrong. Talks a little about the Sox probably cutting ties now with Joe Crede after a decade. Quotes from KW about Fields and trying to operate "more under the radar" this Winter Meetings.

I forgot about Colon...I guess, because like David Wells, he really didn't want to be a member of the White Sox in his heart.

Owens/Anderson platoon in CF means we deal Swisher or Konerko. It's a possible, although unlikely, scenario. I'm sure Taveras would get back twice the return on the open market that KW putting up Owens for "sale/bid" would.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 09:37 PM) Octavio is off the books after '09 and barring a total collapse next year will bring Type A compensation. Even though he gets bumped up to I believe $6M next year, he's still affordable. In order for the Sox to give up Type A comp in 2010 plus open up a hole in the bullpen and only get $6M in salary relief they would have to be bowled over, and I doubt any team is going to give up the type of talent necessary to do that when they could just sign a reliever on the open market. With Jenks it is another story because he's under control for a while still. Do you really feel confident Dotel will stay 100% healthy for another season? I'm not so sure. We shall see. Would you, as another team's GM, sign Octavio Dotel if it meant giving up two high draft picks? I wouldn't even consider it for a nano-second.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 09:25 PM) I think it's too risky to sell a star like Jenks for position prospects, but I'd do Jenks for Jackson and Morlan in a heartbeat. My original idea was to try to add Dye and work in another SP prospect too because that would allow the Sox to deal Javy for pitching. The Braves, Nats, and Mets all look like reasonable targets for Javy. JoJo Reyes + Cole Rohrbaugh, Joel Hanrahan + Josh Smoker, Jon Niese + Duaner Sanchez - those are the kinds of deals I'd like to see for Javy. If you want to send Dye elsewhere, what about to Texas for a deal centered around Eric Hurley? Again, I don't know how realistic this would be, but if the Sox could end up trading Dye, Jenks, and Javy, and bring back Edwin Jackson, Eric Hurley, and Jon Niese to compete for two SP slots, and then add a potential future closer in Morlan to the front of the pen, and in the process drop about $26M off of payroll, deepen the farm, and get younger in the future, why not? I'm sure there are other places Dye can go to hit just as well. He is better at home than on the road, but he still hit 16 HR's away compared to 18 at home last year. The average and SLG% is down away, but that's like that with a lot of players. If you're saying Dye can't get the ball over the fence in other parks I think you're wrong and understating his power. I don't want Baldelli. If he was perfectly healthy I'd love to pencil him in CF every day, but only playing a few days per week and sometimes not even full games is just waaaay too much hassle. Every spot on the 25-man roster is important, and I'd want the comfort of knowing that my fourth OF can play a full 9 innings three or four days in a row if necessary without collapsing on the field. Yeah we're not getting BJ or CC but everybody knows that. Besides I wouldn't want to target players like that anyway. We need to take our few valuable but aging assets and continue to exchange them for a younger core. Targeting a Crawford or Upton type would require us to deal our core from several areas to become significantly better in one, and then we'd have to fill the new holes we've opened with older players again. Not having a legit closer can really hurt, but it helps to have a pitcher who is 1) not a headcase, 2) has at least pretty good control, 3) is generally healthy over an entire season, and 4) has good enough stuff to get hitters out. Thornton fits that criteria and many of the guys that teams like the Tigs and Indians have trotted out there do not. When you put garbage on the mound you should at some point expect garbage results, and thankfully Thornton isn't garbage. Actually, Zumaya and Rodney have very good stuff, they just don't always execute...even Dolsi to a lesser extent. Now the Indians are a different story...they deserved the problems they got going into last season as they did what THAT pen.

Well, now its Chone Figgins/Brian Roberts talk. Which I guess is better than Alex Cintron, Mackowiak, Daubach, Julio Ramirez or Armando Rios talk. I kind of miss D'Angelo Jimenez and Royce Clayton, they gave Sox posters so much deep and rich material to work with. FWIW, I don't think Edwin Jackson is close to being on the radar of young/inconsistent starters the Sox would target in a theoretical Jenks deal...it would have to be someone with legit potential to be a 3 starter or above (Danks/Floyd/Matt Garza, etc.)

Peavy makes little or no sense. We would have to give up Poreda, Fields and Swisher probably. They won't be interested in Dye or Konerko as much. As mentioned, the White Sox have been better off during the Williams regime finding pitchers on the scrap heap (Loaiza, Eldred, Jenks, Hermanson and Thornton) and prospects (Danks/Floyd) rather than spending money/talent on a big acquisition. David Wells and Todd Ritchie were the only really big/splashy moves he made...and those moves came early in his tenure. I think he really learned from the Ritchie move about overprojecting "decent" NL pitchers who pitch under little or no pressure for depth/quantity in the pitching department. In fact, it wasn't until 3 seasons later that the organization was able to recover from trades and injuries to put a decent 5th starter on the mound.