TLAK

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 1, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) Iguchi is clearly missing from the 2005 version...he made a lot more than what is shown at 2nd base. I didn't update the '05 numbers from when I originally made the chart about this tme a year ago so no Iguchi and some of the other player salarys were different than we estimated at the time. It was based on a thread just like Black Betsy's. I'm sure the same will happen this year, but the story is the relative balance between the pitching and the hitters. Here's the '05 data Salary Players $26.65 Buerhle,Garcia,Garland,Hernandez,Contreras $3.25 Pierzynski, Davis $8.75 Kornerko $0.83 Harris, Valdez $0.50 Crede $2.15 Uribe $4.55 Posdednik,Everett $2.00 Rowand, Perez $4.00 Dye $8.33 Thomas,Gload $6.00 Marte,Politte,Hermanson,Vizcaino,Cotts $2.50 Takatsu $69.51 25 Players

Hopefully this thing shows up. I added 2006 to a chart I made last year to show how dramatically the White Sox had changed the structure of the team over the off season. In 2004 the pitchers accounted for only 1/3 of the payroll but in 2005 they got about half of it. That percentage holds true for 2006 with about 51% of money on the mound. So the balance of the team -after the Konerko signing and switching out Thome for Everett and Thomas- remains true to the winning formula of 2005. Pitch well and execute.

QUOTE(jenksd @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 07:18 PM) I told my friend if Konerko signed with us for less money I'd 100% buy his jersey. So who wants to lend me 115 bucks? Call Paulie

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 05:41 PM) I felt and wrote after the Thome signing that in a typical Sox move they were going to sign 35-year old + injury @ 7.2 mil *instead of* 29-year old + All-Star + Division MVP @ $12-$15 mil. I thought the chances were slimer than none that Konerko would be a Sox player in 2006. I am happy to admit I was verrrrrrry wrong. I was with you Texsox, I thought the White Sox would make the 'highest offer in the history of the team' to him but we would later find out it had deferrals and diminishing skills clauses that killed the deal. On the radio Konerko said it was a straight deal which still has me shaking my head in disbelief. The world is different than I have grown to expect. Whats next, no more Soviet Union?

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 05:38 PM) The next thing we know is the White Sox want a #2 hitter, they love speed at the top, and Florida needs bullpen help. On the surface we have a match here between the two teams. It is not just a question of the White Sox wanting a #2 hitter, they (of course) have to give up an asset or two that some other teams like. Would this Florida player be a 10 year veteran from the Dominican? A lot of salary.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 06:40 AM) On Rotoworld, they said the Angels offered 5-years at $60 million, citing the LA Times. They quote the Boston Globe who report that the Angels, Orioles and White Sox have all offered 5 year deals. ---First I've heard that the White Sox will go 5 years. I wonder what the hooks, buy outs and deferrals look like. I can't picture JR going that long without some type of escape clause.

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 09:45 PM) He has as good a shot at the HOF as Pete Rose. He was a great player and is a damn good manager and person, but he just isn't HOF caliber sadly. Rose only needs one vote, Seligs. If the gambling ban were lifted and he appeared on the ballot his credentials are inargueable. That said, for over 80 years the punishment for gambling on baseball has been banning -its written on the clubhouse wall- and Rose did the crime so he has no one to blame but himself.

Any comments on my thought that Timo and Ross Gload are gone, while Willie and JoBo stay? I thought the screen would burst into flames when you guys read that.

The candidates are Marte, Hermanson and Vizcaino. Two short men and a middle. I doubt Hernandez can do these jobs. In terms of a season, I don't think El Duque is suitable for any role other than starter. If BMac is going to take his place then Orlando has to be moved. The ramificaton of that is who becomes your 6th starter in case of injury? Sean Tracey?

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 02:34 PM) As a long reliever/spot starter. BMac is the 5th starter. Ok, who gets cut? Buehrle, Contreras, Garcia, Garland, Hermanson, Marte, Politte, Cotts, Jenks or Vizcaino.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 02:14 PM) Bmac is the 5th starter. At $4.5 million El Duque will be on the team unless his arm falls off.

Last year the White Sox opened the regular with 11 pitchers and 14 position players. This year the 11 pitchers are probably Buehrle, Contreras, Garcia, Garland, Hermanson, Marte, Politte, Cotts, Jenks and Vizcaino plus either Hernandez or McCarthy as the 5th starter. If Hernandez is healthy I would expect Bmac to start in AAA simply because he has options and would be just 24 hours away. If Konerko doesn’t re-sign, although I expect him to, I think KW will spend the earmarked money on a starter who will slide right into Paulie’s role or as the DH with Jim Thome taking over 1B. So the only regular position in play is Center Field where Brian Anderson, Jerry Owens and Chris Young are expected to contend. I think the two who lose out to go to the minors because they need to play every day. This leaves Harris, Ozuna, Perez, Widger, Borchard and Gload -plus who ever KW brings in or Ozzie sees on his satellite dish this winter- to duke it out over the final 5 spots. I view Widger and Ozuna as locks. Harris has to stick if only because you must have more than one backup infielder, he can also play the outfield and can run. Among Perez, Borchard and Gload I would pick Borchard, a switch hitter who can survive in all three OF positions. Borchard is also out of options and has such a high ceiling I doubt he could be gotten through waivers –kind of a use him or lose him situation. Perez is the odd man out because keeping him will probably lose you Borchard, and he really doesn’t do anything that Borch and Harris can’t do. The other cut is Ross Gload, having Thome on the team negates his value as a back up 1B and, even if his arm is healthy he can’t compete with JoBo in the outfield. The bottom of the roster was a great asset to the 2005 Chicago White Sox. Despite the grumbling over the ‘Sunday’ lineup it was these subs who let Ozzie avoid playing his starters into the ground. However it shakes out, the guys who stick are going to play a lot, so this is well worth watching.

Quick questions: Is Furcal done with his DUIs? He was convicted twice and I think he spent some time in jail. Will the contract include a 'keeper' to get him to the park on time like the Black Hawks tried with Theo Fluery? If they got Soriano and Todd Walker is not part of the deal, will that assure Walker a roster spot as a late inning 2B defensive replacement?

QUOTE(DABearSoX @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 08:10 PM) I would rather have willie harris start in CF then Jurassic..... If Willie was asked to become a center fielder and practiced at as hard as he does in the IF, I think he would become a very good CF, just as he has become a very good 2B. When Jerry Manuel put him out there in a string of games he got better everyday. He's got a jump and can run, he can throw. Willie Harris is a pretty good ballplayer.

Don't lose too much sleep over trading prosepects. There are a hand full of can't miss guys like Prior or Mauer who everybody knows, but the rest are a crap shoot. I have the Retrosheet dB through 2004 (2005 isn't out yet) and here is every player the Sox drafted who played for anyone in 2004. Obviously this doesn't include Latin American Fa signings but I think it shows just how much the odds are against any given young player. First Last teamIDto date draftRound James Baldwin CHA 6/4/1990 4 Rocky Biddle CHA 6/3/1997 1 Brian Boehringer CHA 6/3/1991 4 Joe Borchard CHA 6/5/2000 1 Joe Borowski CHA 6/5/1989 32 Chad Bradford CHA 6/4/1996 13 Mark Buehrle CHA 6/2/1998 38 Mike Cameron CHA 6/3/1991 18 Joe Crede CHA 6/4/1996 5 Brendan Donnelly CHA 6/1/1992 27 Ray Durham CHA 6/4/1990 5 Josh Fogg CHA 6/2/1998 3 Matt Ginter CHA 6/2/1999 1 Buddy Groom CHA 6/2/1987 12 Mark L. Johnson CHA 6/2/1994 1 Alan Levine CHA 6/3/1991 11 Jeff Liefer CHA 6/1/1995 1 Frank Menechino CHA 6/3/1993 45 Aaron Myette CHA 6/3/1997 1 Greg Norton CHA 6/3/1993 2 Josh Paul CHA 6/4/1996 2 Jon Rauch CHA 6/2/1999 3 Aaron Rowand CHA 6/2/1998 1 Bobby Seay CHA 6/4/1996 1 Frank Thomas CHA 6/5/1989 1 Chris Tremie CHA 6/1/1992 39 Robin Ventura CHA 6/1/1988 1 Kip Wells CHA 6/2/1998 1 Bob Wickman CHA 6/4/1990 2 Dan Wright CHA 6/2/1999 2 If you are not impressed I agree. But the Sox are actually pretty good, here is how many players each team drafted that played in '04 and how many played on the team that drafted them. TeamID CountOfnameLast SameTeam ANA 25 4 ARI 9 2 ATL 22 4 BAL 30 10 BOS 29 4 CHA 30 7 CHN 21 5 CIN 25 6 CLE 27 4 COL 15 5 DET 19 5 FLO 12 2 HOU 22 8 KCA 27 11 LAN 25 5 MIL 15 3 MIN 30 10 MON 28 8 NYA 26 2 NYN 24 4 OAK 22 6 PHI 22 7 PIT 19 6 SDN 17 5 SEA 27 7 SFN 23 3 SLN 29 6 TBA 11 5 TEX 30 5 TOR 33 8 Edit, some of the batters didn't show.

QUOTE(Jake @ Nov 25, 2005 -> 07:42 PM) I was at the Yorktown Mall in Lombard today. Sitting there in the food court, and this fella sitting next to me looks very familiar. I can only see him from the side, but I swear I've seen this guy before. He stands up, and this guy HAS to be Carlos Lee. I'm not 100% sure, but he was sitting there with his family. If anyone has pictures of his family, that will make me sure I saw good ol' el caballo today. Thanks. Was Elvis there too?

The big four did not miss a start last year. Only 6 different pitchers started a game. On the other end of the scale the Yankees used 14 different starters. The White Sox had 4 different guys go over 200 innings, this is an anomoly and you can't just assume it will happen again. Cleveland had 2, LAA 3, NYY 1. MB could step in a hole shagging flies again or somebody could get a sore arm or blister. In a 'normal' year there are plenty of innings for 6 guys. I would keep tem all and keep an eye peeled for more. If the big 4 make it through ST, let BMac and Dukie compete with the loser hanging around in case something happens.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:08 PM) I'd assume that with Thome here Huff is now an aftermality. Although if Paulie isn't resigned that could be Konerko's backup plan. Huff had a down year but I still think he's a good hitter. Must be early in CA. What is an aftermality? Do they do the D-Ray deal because of the Thome trade, or drop the deal because of the trade?

Wow, 12 million for a 32 year old guy 2 years after elbow surgery. Did they say if all 3 years are guaranteed? They've surely replaced Reminger, in fact, he could be their next Matt Karchner. So they've spent 23 million dollars for a kid with ADD and a guy with a funny elbow. Both these guys need to be carefully spotted, in terms of who you let them face -and who better than Dusty to do it! Remember what a great job he did with Hawkins? Brilliant!

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:03 AM) Chuck that is an excellent observation and often very accurate. Aside from potential durability issues with Gonzalez, I don't think that is the case here. The Sox were dealing with depth, having other young starters (Liotta, Broadway, Tracey) and are pretty well set at the big league level, with McCarthy ready to step in. I think the bottom line is the reason you got the players you did, is because Philly gave up so much cash in the deal. If the Phillies don't pay as much of Thome's salary, the quality of the players you get goes way down. Ding, ding, ding, ding! When I first heard the players involved I thought the Sox overpaid due to Thome's injury year and contract. When I heard about the money it made sense. This is essentially a salary dump from the Phillies side and Gillick did very well getting the players he got. Williams pulled off another of his 'thinking outside the box' deals to bring in a player the White Sox could not afford otherwise. You never know how a trade will actually work out but both GM's seem to me to have accomplished their goals, and neither traded anything he did not have a replacement on hand for.

Well, now we have a place for Ken Griffey to play.

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 06:13 PM) Jason ... put your thinking cap on .... Who else fits besides Pierre? Somebody with speed, can handle the bat, and can function in the #2 hole. I might get flamed for this, but isn't the 2 spot a nice place to break in a hitter. It makes him concentrate on plate discipline, he can help the team without a hit by sacraficing or just grounding out to the right side and he still gets some proportion of at bats where he can hit for himself. I'm thinking it might be a good spot for Anderson, giving him a specific job to do during an at bat could help him while he adjusts to the league. I wouldn't suggest this with anyone except Ozzie Guillen manageing -he puts on a play nearly every chance he gets.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 07:01 PM) To further the buffet references, a show hosted by Mike North is akin to a plate of rancid dog meat simmered in battery acid and covered with vomit. Feel free to pass on this and sample more palatable choices. I tried listening. Heard about papyland, his souveners, the results of a fan poll, and his opinion the WBC (not acknowledging that the players would be in ST anyway). Zero baseball in the first 10 minutes. I switched back to Dolgin, Don Cooper is on.

QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 05:11 PM) Today is the deadline for submitting the 40 man, no..? MLB Important Dates Yep, and Rule 5 draft is just a couple weeks away, Dec 8.

QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 08:23 AM) Do you mean Levine..?? I don't see how you can compare Rooney and Bruce to whatever s*** the Score presents us with. There is no comparison. Yes I meant Levine, I have Norm Crosby disease sometimes, if you don't get the reference you are too young. All I said was taste the sauce before you judge the dish. ESPN is also putting up a baseball show hosted by Bryan Dolgin from 10 to Noon Saturdays on AM1000. So, if we are in line together at the buffet, I'm pretty sure we will both like the Dolgin ---scoop me up a big ol' plate. But lets try a little spoon of the SCR too, just to see how it is. I have since heard it might be hosted by Mike North, if so, I don't think I will put any on my plate, I have never liked any dish made of bulls***.