29andPoplar

Yes, that's been the best news from Charlotte recently. He and Aardsma are apparantly out of options next year per a Trib article from yesterday, so it's very important the White Sox determine asap if either can contribute. I'm not so sure about Aardsma because he seems a bit of a head case to me, but I like Masset's arm, despite his disastrous showing with the Sox this year. To me, he is a decent 5th starter candidate and can make other guys like Broadway and McCullough very tradeable.

A runner in scoring position with Thome, Konerko, and Pierzynski coming up vs. a very hittable closer. All three failed to drive in the run. That's where the fault lies. If Owens had been caught stealing it would have been another complaint.

Doesn't matter, they won't be rebuilding for 2008, there's a lengthy thread about it today.

Just my opinion but I do not see Jerry Owens as a starting OF on a White Sox team that plans to contend. My hunch is, Williams and Guillen are aiming higher. Not sure how much Owens has to prove in AAA though. Lots can happen with personnel moves though so who knows. Sox need a leadoff hitter badly and there aren't that many out there.

Abreu and Dye are the same age. And Abreu does steal bases. Just saying.

I should prob. explain my comments a bit more. First on Abreu, as most here know he's tight with Guillen. Yes, he will be 34 and yes he will look for big $. As far as a pro hitter goes though, he fits the profile. He walks almost as much as he K's and he doesn't K much. The Yankees may extend him so all this may be moot. But he's a guy they like and he is an athletic guy who I'm sure could (and would, for Guillen) move to LF, or stay in RF if they don't re-up with Dye. Not to mention he can fill in for Thome when he has his inevitable nagging injuries. It fits but then again we are way ahead of ourselves here. I can also see the White Sox doing a full court press with the Phillies for Michael Bourne for CF, again the Sox have pitching to deal if they so choose. Lastly on Contreras, their main objective is to get this guy's ship righted. They do not think he's toast. They do think he is having a tough year mentally, that he needs to back off on his over-the-top conditioning, and a few other things. Namely that he will need a breather as a starter from time to time. Yes he will be available in the right deal but as kalapse has correctly stated his value isn't much right now. His value is best as a White Sox, meaning, working with him to get him better might end up being the best course of action. Now I know many or even most here want him released, DFA's, dumped, but it won't happen. Also, they launched Mackowiak which tells me they have a handful of guys they are targeting for a bench role. No I do not think it will be Andy Gonazalez. I do see Ozuna getting a chance to see if he's healthy and I see an under the radar guy being brought in for the bench. Cintron I see gone. Watch for more speed from the bench plus a guy or two who is a more patient hitter. The wild card is Uribe. If they can get a better replacement they will because that's what they want to do. The Tejada thing was no secret nor a surprise. The question is, can you get him. Or can you get someone better than Uribe in terms of defense. Yet another challenge for Williams and staff.

Notice how Guillen has been talking a lot about guys "having good at bats". Buehrle chimed in about that philosophy too, in a way. Look for more patient hitters to be brought in, not only guys who can slap the ball, bunt, and run, but good pro hitters. Not that I'm advocating it, simply speculating but I wouldn't be surprised to see Abreu here.

This article is not a surprise, the timing is interesting though. As for its content, it is the same things Williams and Guillen have been saying all along for the most part. By my count, they need two more reliable bullpen arms, a SS, 3 outfielders, and 2 bench players. 2 outfielders if they re-sign Dye. That's roughly 1/3 of the roster. That's a lot of work. The good news is, they have pitching to trade and I'm not just talking about Contreras.

Tigers are in a down period right now, no doubt about that. They have Leyland and they should get Sheffield and Rogers back for the stretch drive. I see them in it until the end, for the division. For the wild card, I see the Yankees, they are absolutely rolling and gaining more and more momentum.

The intruiging name there is Matt Clement. Not certain what his health status is but if he's recovered or appears to have recovered, he might be a bargain for someone.

He's been struggling with his release point most of the year. He's a Chicago area guy who almost signed with the White Sox before. I'd imagine a few contending teams will want him.

Most likely true. Lots of teams would want Tejada, if Baltimore really wants to move him they'll have several teams (at least) inquiring and making offers. Williams and Hahn seem to have honed in on Tejada though, they've been interested in him for a while. So I wouldn't count the White Sox out but he'd cost a lot more than nickels and dimes.

Tejada would not come cheap. Every time his name comes up, Orioles owner Peter Angelos gets involved and negotiations stall. In 2007 baseball economics his contract is reasonable. The White Sox aren't going to be able to jettison their junk to Baltimore and land Tejada. Nor will any other team. Think frontline starting pitcher and two other strong assets as a launching point.

In a division this competitive, the Sox can't afford to be sentimental. Also, most fans prefer effective use of assets vs. sentimentality. I agree with you about holding a warm spot in the heart for Crede, but time marches on.

The main thing this tells us is Williams and Guillen were telling the truth when they said they plan on competing/contending in 2008. No rebuilding. Otherwise, why claim Tejada. Even though it didn't work out, to me this is a good sign, the White Sox are trying to land top players.

I agree with you but for one item, many here questioned his stuff in addition to the intangibles. Several said his fastball is straight as an arrow, they should ask Sean Casey because the fastball he struck out on moved a good six inches. He was mixing in a two seamer and a four seamer. Gavin Floyd was impressive today but he still has hurdles to overcome. Maintain his mechanics, maintain focus, and pitch inside. I suspect he will get a good opportunity the rest of '07.

Both Gomes and Paulo Orlando were playing in the Pan American Games for Brazil.

Here is the scouting report from Baseball America before the 2004 draft: • Billy Killian, c Pardon Padres area scout Bill Killian if he pushes his team to draft the top-rated player in Michigan--his son. The younger Killian is a baseball rat with solid tools and the athleticism to play any position on the field. His game stepped up a level this spring as he hit with more power and showed a more skilled, complete package. He's an accomplished switch-hitter whose hands work well, and he hit .766-4-12 in his first 30 at-bats. He can run 60 yards in 6.7 seconds. His work behind the plate needs improvement, but his arm strength is sufficient for him to remain a catcher. He projects as a second- or third-round pick. If not for his slight 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, he might even have been a first-round candidate.

Classy of you to post this. Floyd showed a big glimpse of his talent this afternoon, let's hope he continues to progress as you stated.

Nice article, one question, what did they give up to get Billy Killian (the catcher) from Texas?

I suspect they will work out a one year deal with Crede, let him play in the spring and see if he's healthy and then aggressively try to trade him for the best package they can get. If they end up keeping him for all of 2008 and he walks, I presume they get draft picks so it's not all bad. Personally I doubt they non tender him but who knows.

I would agree, there's no better option right now. As rockraines said they have to find out for sure if this guy has it or not. Certainly I would agree with those who have posted Floyd hasn't shown much and has disappointed. The Sox are giving this guy a legit shot and he needs to start progressing. I actually like this 6 man rotation idea, not sure if Buehrle and Vazquez and Garland will like it, but it gives Danks a breather which to me is huge. They need to figure things out with Contreras too, I have felt all along he needs a physical and mental breather and since he's signed for two more years the Sox have to do everything they can to rebuild his value, either for the team or as trade bait this winter. The other thing is, if the Sox plan on competing in 2008, why not save a little wear and tear on the proven guy's arms - Buehrle, Vazquez, Garland.

May I also add this, Sox pro scouting will be a huge factor. Sox are well known for picking guys up during the down periods of their careers (buying low). It didn't work last winter with Masset, Aardsma and a few more. Not to say those guys won't contribute but they didn't this year. Big disappointments. They will need to find 1-2 pieces that are undervalued that can contribute. Some guys who've been buried or blocked.

Hey good post beck. I tend to agree, the Sox need to target a potential leadoff guy and make it happen. Williams and Hahn can't seem to sync up with Tampa mgmt. though. Not sure why, Tampa has been making trades. Personally I would like to see better players than Owens. Jerry is a decent player but I don't see winning a championship with him as a key piece. Philly has several CF prospects, maybe they can pry one from there. Also I agree on the SS situation, I hope they aren't backed into a corner and forced to bring back Uribe. They need more speed, on base skills, and most of all consistency.

They will monitor Crede's rehab very closely and with Fields showing he can be a major leaguer, they have a dilemna. Crede's value is at an all time low on the trade market. Back surgery, one year away from free agency, Boras client. Who wants him? Boras' goal is to get these guys to FA. So the Sox have to hope for the best on several levels. First, Crede gets healthy and shows he can play in spring training. Two, someone else needs a 3B and will give you something good for Crede. I suspect they will let this play out in spring. If Crede is healthy and nothing materializes in the trade market, there is nothing wrong with Fields playing in AAA for a couple of months. They are saying they want a competitive team next year, not a rebuild. This suggests established players, it does not suggest taking a rookie, changing his position, and relying on him for a drive to win the division. I don't see it. If Fields is starting in 2008, it will be at 3B. The other thought (unpopular with fans) is you keep him as a backup 3B, backup DH, pinch hitter, etc. To me though, if he's got an option left which I believe he does, another few months in AAA won't hurt him, he still has things to learn.