flavum

Josh Kinney has also been rumored to be one of the NRIs. He had a decent year at AAA Memphis in 2010. 1.80 ERA in 60 innings. 51 K's and WHIP under 1.

Vizquel deserves it. Great defense, pretty good hitter-he'll have over 2800 hits and 400 stolen bases. Played for winning teams. His career is very much like Luis Aparicio, and I'm sure nobody thought he was one of the top five offensive players during his career.

Over the next four years, I expect Adam Dunn to continue what he's been doing, only in US Cellular Field. Walk 100 times and hit 40+ homers every year, and the rest should take care of itself.

I've come around on Raines. Maybe it's because he wasn't that good the last 6-7 years of his career, when he was mostly a role player. But the Montreal years were awesome, and he had some good years with the Sox, too. He belongs.

Beckham on Twitter. Don't do it, Gordon. http://twitter.com/scottmerkin/status/23075410036137984

Frank's going in on the first ballot. I have no doubt. It may be low 80's percentage because of some voting snobs, but he'll be over 75%.

Alexei doesn't start hitting until the middle of May, so if Beckham looks good in spring training, he should get another shot at the 2-hole.

I started noticing at 48 on the sauce bottle. When Barney had the thing that said 47th annual whatever, I knew something was up. It was distracting me from the actual show looking for the countdown, but it was a pretty good episode in a sub-par season.

God, this guy is dumb.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/press...sp&c_id=cws Charlotte--Joe McEwing Birmingham-Bobby Magallenes Winston Salem- Julio Vinas Kannapolis- Tommy Thompson Bristol- Peter Rose, Jr. Great Falls- Ryan Newman

Pete Rose Jr will manage Bristol. I think this is the move that will put the Sox minor league system over the top.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Dec 18, 2010 -> 02:27 AM) I'm not a naysayer, I just want him to shut up and pitch. I want him to dominate and be the ace we need him to be. I want opposing teams to fear him when he comes to the mound. I want twins, yankees and red cub fans to be like "f***, PEAVY IS GOING TONIGHT" before important games down the stretch. I couldn't care less what he says. I'm in this camp. I hope he can come back and dominate for a stretch--hopefully September and October, but I'm expecting him to come back too soon, and then hurt his shoulder even more than it probably already is. I just don't trust the guy to stay healthy.

So when's the physical so they can actually make this official?

Listened to the Crain interview: - Confirmed 3/$13 mil. - 3rd guaranteed year sealed the deal - Kenny has told him that Thornton and Sale are in the closer picture, but he'll be given opportunities in the 9th. - His velocity has gone up the last four years, and he feels like he's getting better - Working on adding a split-fingered fastball

Crain will be on Minneapolis radio in 5-10 min. http://www.kfan.com/mediaplayer/

ALL IN, BABY!!! QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 15, 2010 -> 10:25 PM) So we sign Jesse Crain and are now going after Kerry Wood? Just who are we trading to free up this money?

Echoing some of the others...I think the writing lacked this season. Glad Julia Stiles is gone. A decent season, but it could have been better. Now today, it comes out that Michael C Hall and Jennifer Carpenter are divorcing. Not sure what the contract situation is with them, but hopefully they do one more great season, and get out on top.

I just heard Rick Hahn on with Rongey. He mentioned they are tapped out on salary, and a trade is possible if they are going to beef up the bullpen. Obviously he didn't mention anyone by name, but reading between the lines, I think Quentin is a goner if they can find a trade partner.

Like the deal. Surprised it's that reasonable, and I'm optimistic they'll be able to add on without subtracting major league players.

I heard the Levine interview, and the way I heard it was that one of the teams was told they are out of it. My guess is that it's the DBacks because they were trying to get a true hometown discount and couldn't go any further with money. I'm not doubting the Sox will close this deal, but I don't think his agent is closing up shop just yet.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 09:24 AM) Bruce Levine said a few mins ago. That Konerko will agree to a new deal today. Also that other teams were told not to bid anymore. Some teams, or a team. Not all teams. I think it's probably Arizona that's completely out now.

If Reinsdorf is overpaying Konerko, I hope he in turn extends out the budget so they can actually get a bullpen, and not be forced to trade Floyd and/or Quentin. This signing won't be something to celebrate until we actually know what the roster is looking like going into February.

I think this thing ends today. I don't care either way if it's Konerko or Lee. Konerko- Happy for sentimental reasons. He's been here 12 years. Glad he'll be around for 2-3 more years. Lee- Probably the better baseball decision if it's one year. He'll be cheaper, which gives them more money for other needs, and they get two draft picks for losing Konerko. Truthfully, if given the choice, I'm leaning a lot more toward Lee, but we don't even know if that's on the table.

I hope Kenny/Jerry stay strong here. Don't do anything dumb. 3 years/$45 mil guaranteed would be beyond stupid.

So to recap the likely non-roster invitees so far: RHP- Brian Bruney, Josh Kinney, Jeff Gray 3B- Dallas McPherson OF/1B- Daryle Ward