29andPoplar

It's been in the newspapers and the site mlbtraderumors.com has encapsulated all of those newspaper reports into a big thread about Fukudome. You can do a search at that site and it has all the info of all the recent media reports. The White Sox were connected, i.e. interested in Fukudome as far back as early last year. They have a well respected scout names Ray Poitevent (whose actual title is Special Asst. to the GM) and that's all he does, he scouts the Far East for the White Sox. Dollar amounts have just been speculation so far. It appears the market price is probably $12M per year. Newspaper accounts say Fukudome wants only a 3 yr. deal, no more and no less. There you have it. As for your Bruce Levine comment, he does not make stuff up. He reports on what he hears. When he goes out on a limb and makes assurances of what will happen, that's when he gets in trouble. But he does not make stuff up, he would be out of a job if he did. Actually he is a well respected guy within the baseball industry, with agents and players and front office types. It's many of the fans on message boards who hate him because he'll report on what he's heard and if it doesn't come true in 24 hours, people call him a liar. So now you are up to date.

I think this is a very good post iamshack but also feel most on this site don't want to hear about it. So I see both sides. First, I think KW's comments to the media were unnecessary. He knows how the media works by now, it's part of the territory, things will leak out. It's the nature of baseball. He needs to get over that stuff and work around it. Further I believe he is extremely frustrated on many levels. He's frustrated his core players had lousy years last year. He's frustrated it took him so long to get rid of Duane Shaffer. He's frustrated he has to manage to a certain budget number and he can't blow guys away with offers (Hunter, LAA). He's frustrated with other organizations doling out what he believes to be insane contracts. Well, it's ok to be frustrated but he will have to work around it, which is what he's said he plans to do. I am convinced he's working hard and trying to make stuff happen. But the reality is these winter meetings were a big disappointment to everyone. Getting Carlos Quentin was a decent move but they need much more. He likes to move quickly and get things done ... that didn't happen and it makes him even more frustrated. White Sox fans do not play well to their highly paid GM to be frustrated. They don't want to hear it. While some of the name calling and keyboard lynching of Williams on this site today is more than a bit much, it is what it is. We are the fans and he is the GM, he is held to a higher standard than fans are. The bottom line is he will have to get stuff done. So far he hasn't. I don't hold the brave front against him, he is simply not going to come out to the media and say "woe is us, we are bad, we will continue to be bad". For people expecting that, get a clue. It doesn't work that way. But Williams will have to get more done than he has thus far. Trying is great, but trying doesn't get the job done. If other GM's are jerking him around as he intimates, go elsewhere, there are 29 other teams and it's his job to seal the deal.

Sigh. Forget it, I'm out of this thread. I'll wait it out and cross my fingers he signs with the White Sox. All this cloak and dagger smokescreen stuff on a message board is too much.

I will take a high OBP guy who can get on base regardless. They need good hitters, not necessarily guys who hit from one side or the other. You've criticized Guillen for being too appendage aware, as long as the guy is a good hitter who can get on base, what's the difference? As for what Hendry might or might not have told the agent, well, maybe that's true but there's all kinds of chatter at these meetings. My guess is the Cubs do get him but I hope the White Sox seal the deal on this guy. Hoping against hope.

The Sox have been courting him too and it goes back to last summer before he got hurt.

Why? Fukudome appears to be exactly what the White Sox need. You're bothered by everything else, but it wouldn't bother you if he turns down the Sox and goes to the Cubs, or any other team?

They have a guy names Luis Pena I would like to have. A fireballer. Somehow I doubt it but I will wait and see. Crede to the Brewers for a year makes sense for the Crew.

Meanwhile Yahoo Sports reports Milwaukee is close to landing Crede. The possible return is not mentioned. I will hunt up the link. Crede to Brew Crew?

As I mentioned yesterday I think this is a real possibility. Also it's my take the Sox would add something along with Crede to get something back they like.

4 guys on a roll in August and Sept. and also Oct. And a fresh, battle tested lockdown bullpen for the most part.

Actually I go a step further if you are indeed "going for it". It is ok to have faith in this Quentin guy but have a backup plan. That's where a multiposition guy like Freel makes sense. Also if you're going for it then go and add a backend starter just in case Danks and Floyd don't win 12-14 each. Which means go get a veteran. That is, if you're going for it.

To me it means LAA is damn the torpedoes full speed ahead. The White Sox don't operate that way, they operate under fiscal boundaries first. Not a criticism, just reality. Meaning, the White Sox could have come in with an initial offer of 5/95 to make 100% sure they got him, to state it in hyperbole. The dumb/smart debate would then ensue. But it's the White Sox, they don't operate that way. Again, just an observation.

Actually you identify him in one of your other posts "drunk Freel". That is why I mentioned about the 2B situation not being resolved. Who knows on this Chris Burke so called pending acquisition. As said in another thread, it's a Steve Phillips special and he dresses sharp but misses the mark. My solution is Freel but basically it's just someone on a message board proposing a solution. Means nothing. Supposedly he is available if you believe the media. However I see no connect with him to the White Sox. Due to the scarcity of decent leadoff hitters who can actually get on base and do other things for your club, if this is a guy they overpay for well then fine by me. Reds want young arms and we can send them 1-2. That's how you do it if you're going for it. Identify the hole, identify a proven player to fill the hole, and get him. For all this aggresiveness of KW, I would like to see him land a productive leadoff hitter vs. banking on a maybe. Before the yeah buts come out, to me he is the best out there at a position the Sox arguably aren't settled at. Once again just my take on it.

Nowhere near enough for Fuentes, I am reading the same sites as you, supposedly they don't match up otherwise.

Uribe will get moved regardless, but let's remember this rumor is from Steve Phillips. Wears nice suits but doesn't always know what he's talking about.

If you believe him (BL), what does that tell you?

I understand your viewpoint and it has merit. Things have not gone smoothly the last two years so I get it. On your Owens comment I'm baffled. If they get Rowand I doubt you will see Jerry Owens starting over the potential high impact guy they just traded for. They will let Quentin play, as they should. Maybe if he isn't healthy then Owens plays. I will still hold to my prediction they are aiming higher than Owens. Owens as a 4th Of, maybe. Owens as a starter, I don't believe they will do that. They are not settled at 2B (entirely) so the leadoff hitter situation may get resolved there. Which is why I am of the reserve judgement mode right now.

That he can play the OF is a plus. Why worry about it? It's depth and versatility. (assuming they get this guy)

Back to Joe Crede. Joe contributed little if anything in 2007. At this point, getting a useful major league piece for him is bettering the team, if we are comparing 2007 to 2008. Keeping him until July is a gamble. Yes he may come back strong or he may hurt his back in April just like last year. Yes some team may have a need for a 3B in July, maybe they won't. One thing we know quikman is there is a 3B market right now. Not a lot but there is a market. Trade him and let's be done with it. On the other comparisons - I am not an apologist but Cabrera will improve the team and those around him. I feel they will get Rowand. Is he Hunter, no he isn't. Is he better than what they have, yes he is. All I can say is basically no one saw the Cabrera move coming, nor the Linebrink move, nor the trade yesterday. Anyone can judge at any given time but I prefer to judge when they're done making moves as they don't play baseball in December. Just my take. Also I think they will add more pitching. Another relief guy. Again just my take on it.

The time to trade him is now and not in spring. They need to move him before other team's 3B situation are settled. Strike fast while there's somewhat of a market. Yes Crede is a stop gap for whomever gets him, the key is to package some young pitching with him. Hopefully that allows you to get something good in return. Either way you'll be getting back some player who is a "buy low". Of course so is Crede. All of a sudden Boras checks in with Hahn, telling him Crede's rehab is coming along great. Sounds like an imminent trade to me, why else does Boras even bother? Boras is not known for reaching out to anyone, let alone the White Sox.

The only way Fields goes anywhere is if the White Sox deal with Florida for Cabrera. Even then I'm thinking no. MLB.com says the Sox are definitely sniffing around and talking to Florida. As for Crede, my guess is to the Brewers with a young pitcher, in exchange for more proven pitching.

Yes. You said it better than me, that's exactly where I was going. I believe they're aiming higher.

Completely agree but not thinking of either Iguchi or Loretta. I believe the Sox like Richar and will give him a good shot to prove he can handle the job and not be overwhelmed at the plate. But it's just a guess on my part that they want some good veteran insurance, a guy who can play multiple positions and can handle 2B in case he doesn't. Maybe it's Pablo but my take on Pablo is they like him off the bench only. I hate to speculate on specific names with no knowledge of the situation but I keep coming back to how well Freel fits. Assuming of course his head is relatively straight. He could help.

Everything I've seen is Guillen is not in love with Owens ... not at all. He specifically made a comment about being fast meaning nothing as far as a leadoff hitter is concerned. He badly wants an OBP guy up top and right now he doesn't have one.

It will be interesting, that's for sure. In his media briefing Williams said some interesting things. As usual, with some things you have to read between the lines. Clearly he says he's not done looking to upgrade the OF. He says Anderson and Sweeney are still "on their list" but he very strongly hints he is not counting on either for 2008. I have said for a while now he is aiming higher and I think acquiring Quentin shows he's aiming higher. Agree on Rowand, I have always felt they will get him back. If so, you still need a leadoff hitter. Don't forget they can still do an upgrade at 2B.