caulfield12

Not to mention Marquez and Nunez being added to our depth chart as well...and this new signing (Escobar) could be the next Ed. Sierra, for better or worse, lol. Nix almost counts as a prospect in a way, fwiw. Then there's the possibility of bringing in Viciedo or a Japanese starting pitcher.

What next, Tyler Lumsden will win the Cy Young award? LHP Javy Lopez is 10X better than Boone Logan and we should have offered Riske arbitration? Ordonez/Lee/Valentin Our chances of signing Sabathia were about the same as Juan Agosto and Jerry Kutzler being added to the 40 man roster as ST invites. Contreras? Sure...we never should have traded for the guy in the first place? I mean, we gave up someone who ALMOST won the Cy Young for someone who only became the best pitcher in baseball for 4-5 months. Not to mention the Cardinals made a worse mistake with Cris Carpenter, right? I mean, there's NO possibility KW even was smart enough to think ahead and insure Jose's contract either, true? If Cortes would have come into 2009 as the favorite for the 5th starter's job and KW did NOTHING else before ST to address the back end of the rotation, you might have a SOMEWHAT legit gripe. But MacDougal has had more of an impact at the MLB level than Cortes has for the Royals. If you want to argue bad trades, then you can say Sisco/Gload was worse, but, even then, Gload HAD NO PLACE TO PLAY WITH US. WE'RE KIND OF GOOD, the Royals, kind of not so good. Lest we forget, Swisher was so good that DeWayne Wise was playing in the most critical games of the season in front of him. Oh, that's right, Ozzie has grudges against all non-Hispanic players (Anderson, Sean Tracey, Swisher, etc.)

Well, some idiots were suggesting a Lowell for Vazquez deal, but that's never going to happen on KW's watch.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 17, 2008 -> 02:43 AM) Just because a $9 hamburger tastes better than a $12 hamburger doesn't mean that there isn't a $4 hambuger that tastes best of all. Kind of an off the wall analogy, but it holds up. If KW thinks he can get an upgrade in the rotation by trading Vazquez for cheaper, he will. Vazquez is like that 2 pound hamburger (the bun always gets them) that you can get for free if you actually finish it and don't throw up. I think it's served at "R Place" along I-80 southwest of the city, where they also have "Chit Chat" Chicken.

http://www.southsidesox.com/2008/11/14/661...ockingly-low-on http://www.southsidesox.com/2008/11/13/660...-trade-transcri Gotta love those smart-a** White Sox experts who always think they know more than KW about putting a baseball team together. You would have thought we were coming off another 72-90 season with this guy's sarcastic attitude. By the way, I'm sure he has probably been there about 90% of the time to admit when he was wrong as KW's deals have usually turned out for the best, especially when there are "sleeper" players involved that are undervalued/under the radar/struggling/injured.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 17, 2008 -> 03:31 AM) It's not necessarily that they offered less but they offered packages that Kenny didn't like nearly as much. They could have offered very talented players who are in the lower minors, offered worse contracts with more talented players, or tried to get packages built up where the Sox would be including other players, but when push came to shove, this was the deal Kenny felt was best for the organization. I guess I didn't state it as clearly as I wanted to...I guess since I usually try to think from KW's perspective, that the offers were LESS or not as good, for the reasons you stated. Most of the pundits and writers/reporters are bagging on that trade already, I would be really interested to see what other offers were on the table (supposedly) and if many of the board members would have preferred those deals to the one that was made.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes a look at the sudden surplus of potentially available closers in major league baseball, a situation that certainly benefits the Mets considering their need to upgrade the bullpen this offseason. Two free agent closers that seemed destined to retire with their 2008 teams, Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, now appear to be more available than was expected in October. That pair, along with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, give the Mets and other teams several options in free agency. Other relief pitchers with experience in the 9th inning have been recently mentioned in trade rumors. The list includes Huston Street, who may move again before the 2009 season begins, along with JJ Putz, Jose Valverde, and Bobby Jenks, mentions Sherman. Sherman also provides a short list of teams, beyond the Mets, that may need a reliever with closing experience for 2009. The Texas Rangers, seemingly always short on pitching these days, may be a good fit for Kerry Wood; the Detroit Tigers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and most recently the Milwaukee Brewers, faced with the sudden retirement of Salomon Torres, are also in need of 9th inning help. Sherman suggests Fuentes may be the favorite for the Mets' closing job at this point. from mlbtraderumors.com Couple of interesting rumors...Blake to the Twins (and OC) we've heard, but also that the Twins are very interested in acquiring Street from the Rockies. That would give them a set-up guy to replace Crain/Guerrier in the 8th, and move them forward an inning or two. It's also a replacement, in a way, for the difference-maker that WAS formerly known as Joe Neshek. Who do they have to trade for him? Well, Mijares or Breslow (LHR)...to replace Fuentes. Then someone like Brendan Harris, Buscher, Ruiz or Punto. I also see a little interest in Cuddyer, although he's getting expensive. Of course, the Rockies would prefer Jason Kubel or Denard Span instead.

Which brings us back to the hilarity of Nate McLouth being in consideration for Gold Gloves when a majority of fielding metrics/matrices have him in the 2-3 worst CFers in the game. That award is as much for offense as defense. I just give voters credit for not giving it to JD simply due to his offensive numbers over the last 3-4 seasons.

Would I trade Poreda, Fields and Shelby/Allen for him? In a heartbeat. Of course, the Brewers will get a better deal somewhere if Texeira is really going to get a $200 million contract to play 1B. I just think sinking in that kind of young/affordable talent into a trade for someone not named Pujols...at a position where unless you are a huge difference maker...the ROI is marginal. Back to Moneyball, and the idea of playing the likes of Hatteberg and Dan Johnson at 1B with the big money instead going into the starting rotation and key position players like Tejada and Chavez. If you start out with the idea of having above-average performances out of catcher, SS, 2B, CF and the rotation, then you can build outwards from there. With Beckham, Ramirez and AJ, we're pretty darned solid...although AJ will need to replaced eventually or eased out (like Varitek in BOS) and the CF/leadoff position addressed as priority #1 over 3B, 2B (unless it's Roberts or Hudson) and the 5th starter's spot.

While it would tempting to bring in Fielder, I wouldn't think about it very long. You can't give up that kind of young pitcher, especially a lefty. Theoretically, you could trade Konerko and get something decent in return, but I sincerely doubt you're going to identify another Danks or Floyd so easily in another organization. Teams are going to be wary of giving up starters to KW with much more potential than Marquez from the Yankees, who's more of a Slowey/Guerrier/Fogg back of the rotation guy than a pitcher with the arm/stuff to be a 2 or 3.

Rumors are the Indians want to sign J. Cruz and Jeremy Affeldt and let them fight it out for the closer's spot. Good luck, Shapiro, on that one. Although, all things considered, a better idea than having Joe Borowski as closer, bringing in Juan Rincon or starting Jason Johnson 30+ games per year. As long as the Indians are limited budgetarily, I think our main competition will remain the Twins and Tigers (if their pitching is healthy and performs up to expectations).

No to Dunn, no to Abreu, not at the prices and amount of years they're going to be asking for. I would rather have Abreu than Dunn, simply because he still has some tools (but not like 3-5 seasons ago) and he'd give our line-up some diversity and a little more athleticism...but it's not worth in the vicinity of $15 million per season. I'd rather have Ryan Sweeney in RF at the league minimum and invest that money into other areas (CF, 3B, 2B, 5th starter, bullpen) than give 30-something/declining Abreu 3 years at that type of salary.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Nov 16, 2008 -> 09:40 PM) Sox shed salary and get nothing in return.........Glad we traded Gio for nothing now! Just give KW time...it's only a day or two into the FA signing period, for heaven's sake. Gio Gonzalez wasn't going to be a frontline starter for us, period, end of story. As far as the Swisher trade goes, it just means there were four other teams that offered KW EVEN LESS for Swisher than what we wanted to receive in return. It also tells you a bit about how desperate Kenny was to dump him on another team. Like the Pods/Vizcaino for C-Lee deal, let's wait and see the composition of the Opening Day roster before we jump to premature conclusions.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Nov 16, 2008 -> 08:05 AM) Furcal is the guy I think KW will go after because he can fill the lead off void from an infield position. Roberts will cost too much via trade. Alexei can stay at second where we know he can play well. KW will worry about making a spot for Beckham next off season after he recovers from another Grant Park Championship Ceremony. Furcal SS Getz 3B TCQ LF Big Jim DH Konerko 1b Dye RF Alexei 2b AJ C Anderson CF Still not enough speed. I think JD will be traded and the Sox will have a younger faster RF with less power. I will be shocked if Chris Getz is starting for us on Opening Day at 3B.

Just saw where the market for SS Rafael Furcal seems to be in the neighborhood of $40 million over 4 years. With Alexei moving over to SS, Betemit's acquisition and the slight possibility Beckham could end up there...I doubt KW invests money in this position. I think it has to go to 3B, 2B or CF (and a leadoff hitter from 2B/CF).

QUOTE (bighurt4life @ Nov 16, 2008 -> 02:58 AM) We've got Link, Thornton, and Dotel who could all be potential closers, even Linebrink or McDougal in a pinch. There's lots of options for us on that front so that if we get a great offer from another team for Jenks we might just jump right on it. MacDougal was the shakiest 21/24 I've seen in my life with KC one year...or half year...but his velocity isn't what it once was, consistently 95-98 MPH. I will be surprised if Link even makes the team...you have a bunch of guys like Carrasco, Russell, Wasserman, Logan, now Jhonny Nunez....all in the mix for one or two spots. Maybe they'll give Link a legit look, we'll see. I will believe it when I see him on the Opening Day roster. I don't think Linebrink should be moved out of set-up. It would be okay to try Dotel, Poreda or Link in the spring to see how they'd respond. There's a lot of conjecture and speculation about Thornton and how he'd do as a closer, but I'm not convinced yet.

QUOTE (bighurt4life @ Nov 16, 2008 -> 02:58 AM) We've got Link, Thornton, and Dotel who could all be potential closers, even Linebrink or McDougal in a pinch. There's lots of options for us on that front so that if we get a great offer from another team for Jenks we might just jump right on it. MacDougal was the shakiest 21/24 I've seen in my life with KC one year...or half year...but his velocity isn't what it once was, consistently 95-98 MPH. I will be surprised if Link even makes the team...you have a bunch of guys like Carrasco, Russell, Wasserman, Logan, now Jhonny Nunez....all in the mix for one or two spots. Maybe they'll give Link a legit look, we'll see. I will believe it when I see him on the Opening Day roster. I don't think Linebrink should be moved out of set-up. It would be okay to try Dotel, Poreda or Link in the spring to see how they'd respond. There's a lot of conjecture and speculation about Thornton and how he'd do as a closer, but I'm not convinced yet.

Doug (Dallas): Which of the recent position playing draftees makes it to big leagues first and who will be the most successful? Joe Sheehan: Yonder Alonso and Gordon Beckham seem closest to me, although the Astros may be under some pressure to rush Castro to the majors, especially if Smoak plays well. I like Beckham to have the best career. Gordon Beckham, SS, Chicago White Sox: I caught some buzz from other observers that people are concerned about his swing: they don't like the way it looks, kind of "choppy" was how one person described it to me. Scouts were also downplaying his range, and at least one person I spoke with said Beckham really didn't look like a guy who was drafted in the first round. I will admit that he did not strike me either strongly positive or strongly negative in the one game I saw him play. I wouldn't make too much of this just yet, we need to see more out of him, but some people are concerned. Jordan Danks, OF, Chicago White Sox: playing well in Arizona, and I thought he was very interesting coming out of Texas in the first place. Speed and athleticism are highly impressive, and he controls the zone well. Some scouts theorize that he may be a guy who hits better with wood than aluminum. Still some concerns about his power, but he could be a Steve Finley/Brady Anderson type, and I mean that in a good way. from baseballamerica.com and baseballprospectus.com Note: I don't have access to the specific comments from Sheehan about AFL play. The first quotes were from after the draft.

''I hit about a week ago, and it was a nonfactor. I have not felt it in my swing and doing the one-handed stuff. I like using that one-armed bat, taking everything out of the equation to make sure my wrist is fine. And it responded great.'' As Williams tinkers with the lineup this winter, Quentin's name can be penciled into the No. 3 spot of the batting order. He hit .288 with 36 home runs, 100 RBI and a .394 on-base percentage this year. And while he'll likely have to wait for an MVP award, Quentin did grab some hardware, earning a Silver Slugger Award on Thursday. ''When talking about guys around the game or who are involved in the game, when they can sit there and acknowledge you for having a good year and appreciate what you accomplished, I just can't thank them enough,'' Quentin said. ''Since the start of last season, I've set small goals of really just getting on the field and then staying on the field, and this award was never in my mind. But it's special.'' from suntimes.com/sports Quentin's always a class act and very humble when he does give quotes to reporters.

The Brewers are reversing course and apparently not going to spend big bucks on a FA closer...not even B. Lyon. They feel that they've been "relatively" successful in the past with the likes of Cordero, Turnbow, Torres. Perhaps they also feel a little burned by spending money to give Eric Gagne one more chance to prove he's not the same pitcher he once was.

Carlos Quentin has resumed swinging a bat slightly more than two months after suffering a fractured right wrist that ended his season. He still led the White Sox with 36 home runs and 100 RBIs. "I would have been ready if we had continued with the season," Quentin said. "After we finished, I took another two to three weeks off just to make sure it healed right. "It's doing great." To cap his eventful November, Quentin plans to marry college sweetheart Jeane Goff in two weeks in Palo Alto, Calif. The Sox signed backup catcher Corky Miller to a minor-league contract, a scouting source said. Miller, 32, has played parts of eight seasons in the majors. He played last season for Atlanta and Triple-A Richmond. Anyone ever seen this kid play? Does he have an outside chance to fight off Armstrong/FA acquisition/trade for the back-up position to replace Goggles? What attributes (offensive/defensive hopefully!) does he possess?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...,7270182.column Other odds and ends. Quentin is now swinging a bat. Do we know if Alexei has his bats yet? LOL. "The Saguaros' chances could be helped by the Nick Swisher trade. They get the services of right-hander Jeff Marquez, who had been with the Peoria Javelinas as a Yankees prospect before being traded to the Sox. Marquez is tentatively slated to start one of the last games. Sox first-round pick Gordon Beckham is making a run at hitting .400 with good run-production numbers, but recently he was the target of some criticism. Baseball Prospectus' Joe Sheehan questioned Beckham's fielding and effort. Minorleagueball.com's John Sickels referenced scouts criticizing Beckham's range and "choppy" swing. Tough audience." phil rogers Randy Johnson to the Cubs? Ryan Dempster to the Sox? Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says there hasn't been much interest from other teams in JJ Hardy, who could be available because of the progress of prospect Alcides Escobar. The current plan is to have Escobar work with new coach Willie Randolph at second base during the spring. … One reason you're hearing Bobby Jenks' name in trade talks is the Sox's confidence in Jon Link, who had 35 saves in Double A last year. His slider has become such a nasty pitch that some in the organization believe he will have a good career as a big-league closer. Link came to the Sox for Rob Mackowiak at the deadline in 2007 — pretty good trade. Link or no Link, though, there's no way the Sox should trade Jenks. Given Kerry Wood's relationship with Nolan Ryan, it figures Texas will make a run at him. Arizona's another good possibility. … The Pirates are hoping to sign a veteran starter, with Paul Byrd, Odalis Perez, Braden Looper and Brad Penny on their list. … Some believe Randy Johnson still will wind up re-signing with Arizona despite the ugly impasse last week. If he has another season in him like 2008, he would be a welcome addition on almost any NL team, even if he is 45. … The best pitcher in the NL? Brandon Webb has finished in the top two in Cy Young Award voting three years in a row. Hard to argue against that. … Here are four must players for Team USA in next year's World Baseball Classic: Joe Mauer, Grady Sizemore, Dustin Pedroia and David Wright. They were the only big-leaguers to win Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers. … Shortstop Julio Lugo, being shopped by Boston, hit .139 with runners in scoring position, the lowest average by a qualifier since Ron Gant hit .130 with Philadelphia-Anaheim in 2000. … Congrats to scout Mike Shirley. He signed six of the players who are listed tentatively in the White Sox's top 30 by Baseball America: Clayton Richard, John Shelby III, John Ely, Tyler Kuhn, Nate Jones and Levi Maxwell. … The hiring of Mike Arbuckle as an assistant to GM Dayton Moore counts as actual good news for the Royals. Arbuckle, as solid a scout as there is, helped build the World Series winner in Philadelphia but was passed over in favor of Ruben Amaro Jr. for the GM's job when Pat Gillick retired. … If the Cubs lose both Ryan Dempster and Wood, they will have a hatful of picks in the 2009 draft. Both are Type A free agents, bringing two high picks each as compensation. … The Sox can get that kind of compensation for Orlando Cabrera, but only if they offer him arbitration, no sure thing.[u][/u]

He also reported an aggressive market for another client, shortstop Rafael Furcal. “There’s been about five or six serious teams already on him today, and I expect that to even go up because there’s been at least eight or more that have been in contact,” Kinzer said. Commissioner Bud Selig repeatedly cautions teams to be careful in their spending, but the economic downtown doesn’t appear likely to depress salaries for top players. “We think that the time of free agents will still be recession-proof,” said Lew Wolff, owner of the low-revenue Oakland Athletics. “We think the second tier will present some opportunities.” from yahoosports.com In line with totally revamping their starting rotation, Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com reports that the New York Yankees have sold RHP Darrell Rasner to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Pacific League for $1 million. Rasner posted a 5.40 ERA in 24 games with the Yankees in 2008. The cash from this deal would provide 0.7% of the money needed for the contract that has been offered to CC Sabathia.

Top 10 List of Goofy Moves essentially forced by Cheap Carl Pohlad.... Mike Lamb Craig Monroe Adam Everett Livan Hernandez Bret Boone (looked worse than Roberto Remember the Alomar in his second tour of duty with the Sox...more like Steve Alto Sax or Cory Snyder) Ruben High Sierra Tony Batista RonDL White Phil Nevin Jeff Cirillo (once a very good player, in a Kevin Seitzerish way) In all fairness, L. Castillo wasn't a bad move by them...but they've wasted more money than the White Sox the last couple of season reaching for free agents and stopgaps while their legit prospects were in waiting. Smith...I was commenting more on his scouting ability, but holding Liriano out for so long after the first month and giving Hernandez about 5 extra starts too many and Garza/Bartlett for D. Young/Harris was enough to make the difference in giving us the division. He waited too long to fix the pen, fixated on former Twins' Hawkins and Guardado, and Steady Eddie was Steady trips to the Tums counter for Gardy and Circle Jerk Bert. Crain is/was a walking disaster, and Guerrier was out of his element as 8th inning set-up man. Smith should also TIVO Gomez's game against the White Sox (the final of the four game set that most of cost some of us a couple of years on our lifespans, along with Harrelson's priceless hypemastering) and try to get the best possible package of prospects for him.

Link=Egbert in terms of thinking him as a second/third tier prospect. KW still has a little bias in favor of the Koch/Russell/Masset/Adkins (post-Durham trade overhype) type of pitcher out of the pen. Or Aardsma. Seeing the successes of Hermanson, Takatsu and Wasserman should have given him pause to at least consider other pitching styles...in fact, too many pitchers with "stuff" and the same look/s out of the pen, that's basically the worst thing you can have. Every team needs a Chad Bradford/Neshek type.