GREEDY

I am surprised all of these retired veterans are commenting on Big Mac so freely; I understand they are being asked to comment, but most sure aren't exactly side-stepping it. It is painfully clear that a handful of guys were on something that the rest of the league wasn't using, or at the very least were using a "quantity" of something that wasn't embraced league wide. BUT I can't imagine there are that many Major Leaguers, that in my lifetime (28 years), were clean of ALL amphetamines, PEDS, banned substances etc. And at the VERY least, most of these guys weren't exactly preaching from a pulpit about all of the drug use that was going on during this period; Now in 2010 they seem to have found their voice. Lots of stones being cast by players that played or are playing in a glass ballpark.

With what circumstances? Both equal one year deals? Then the answer is JD without a doubt.

The Mariners are rumored to be acquiring Casey Kotchman. That will mean that arguably the very best defensive 1B, SS, 3B, CF and RF are all on the same team. Coupled with an above average defensive LF and 2B, Seattle is going to field the hell out of the ball this year. Last season I watched the Dodgers late west coast starts in bed most nights, this year I am definitely going to be following Seattle instead. I don't know much about this guy, but I certaintly like what he is doing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Zduriencik In 2008 the M's lost 100 games... I bet they win 95 in 2010, that is one hell of a turn around.

I didn't want to bring in other names to clutter up my original post, but since most of you didn't get it anyways I will try it this way. I like Alex Rios, I would have claimed Alex Rios. I would not have paired him with Juan Pierre. To get the most value out of Rios he needs to play CF, and you need power hitters in both LF and RF. For far less risk, and far less money KW could have Crisp in CF and Matsui in LF, and get rougnly the same offensive production (and most likely better defense, with little to no committment). This sums up my "first reason" for signing Alex Rios.

QUOTE (Fingish @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 11:07 AM) So, all in all, I'd say that KW knew he was gambling a bit when he put in the claim. I don't think that there is that much mystery in Kenny's move. Sometimes you gamble on a big upside guy, and I think he did it with the right kind of player. One who has upside, but whose downside is at least limited. I don't think that he thinks he knows something more about Rios than anyone else, he just knows when to put some chips out on the table. But doesn't Rios' value lie in the fact that he is a CF with corner outfielder pop? So why trade for a corner outfielder that offensively is a prototypical CF?

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 10:59 AM) Alex Rios is on this team, because he's a good baseball player. One bad year does not make a player bad. Especially, a guy with the tools and track record that Rios has. QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 11:00 AM) I would have picked up Rios too. KW had the opportunity to add an extremely athletic all-star to his midseason club and give up nothing because he was having an off year. Is he expensive? Yeah, but if he plays like we should be able to expect him to play, he's worth it. especially considering how much we needed to fill CF. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Rios had a bad year. There's no reason to think he won't bounce back. Please do not turn this thread into whether or not Alex Rios is any good.... if you bothered to read my post you would clearly see that is not what I am discussing.

I guess the main point I would like taken from my post is that Rios' strengths are: #1 A good defensive CF with pop. #2 A great defensive RF. So either pair him with with two mashers in the corners, or a good defensive CF, not a speedy coner outfielder. It seems like Kenny Williams in wasting Rios' strengths and that could not have been the plan.

The mystery behind Kenny Williams’ acquisition of Alex Rios last summer has grown even more enigmatic with the recent trade for Juan Pierre. I can only see two good reasons and one terrible reason why a general manager would be willing to take on Rios’ 60 million dollar contract: #1 Rios is an above average defensive centerfielder, who has 25+ home run pop. With Rios in CF it would be fairly reasonable to expect 90 home runs out of Sox’outfield in 2010, without any major sacrifices in outfield defense. #2 Rios is a fantastic rightfielder, who in the past has produced offensive numbers that would be considered acceptable of corner outfielder. Coupled with a good defensive centerfielder, the White Sox could have a very good defensive outfield. - In my opinion, it was worth the risk of claiming a floundering Rios, because of the dangerous offensive or strong defensive lineup that could be created using either of these instances. #3 (The terrible reason) When the news of Rios’ being claimed by the White Sox first leaked, Scott Podsednik was smack dab in the midst of picking up a clutch hit every time he walked into the batter’s box. I wondered if Kenny found himself in a situation where he felt he wouldn’t have any choice but to resign Pods this offseason, and realized that he would need to find a CF that had some pop to make up for starting a horrible defensive corner outfielder, that slapped at the ball like a grandma in a wiffle ball game. Well if this was the plan, it sure seems to have backfired; because Williams is going to upset the average fan by not bringing back their favorite grinder; and in turn Kenny has replaced Podsednik with a faster, healthier, and slightly better anti-grinder in Juan Pierre. Juan Pierre is definitely an upgrade both offensively and defensively in left field, but his acquisition certainly does not help shed any light on why Alex Rios and his sixty million came to US Cellular Field.

As of 12/18, I guarantee the only thing Coop is interested in fixin' is some Egg Nog and Captain concoctions.

Outside of the Yanks and Red Sox (because they have seemingly unlimited funds), I truly believe all AL teams should employ a "DH by Committee" strategy. 1. Spend the $$$ elsewhere. 2. Play the matchups. 3. Provide more depth in case of an injury to an everyday position player. 4. Reduce the average age of an MLB player by two years, thus lowering health and life insurance costs. 5. Help support local farmers (cowhide).

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Dec 16, 2009 -> 09:08 PM) We have so many scrap heap guys and guys we traded for......it just makes me doubt that we can bring cream of the crop guys here ever via FA. Joey Belle is insulted.

Brace yourself, there will be all kinds of old white men yelling at the TV this season: "Turn that damn hat straight".

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 13, 2009 -> 05:58 PM) It actually makes a bit of sense because versatility can be a bad thing if said player's defense is that bad Are you serious??????????????? Two of you guys??? C'mon Now! Cust is comparable to Dye in RF and would be a better LF than Pods. Do I want him playing ANY position other than DH? No chance. BUT Saying that Thome is a more versatile DH than Cust is downright proposterous.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 13, 2009 -> 03:23 PM) Thome is better than Cust and at least he won't hurt you in the field. This statement is pure genius.

If we are going the Yankees discarded outfielder route, I'd rather Melky. I like them both more than Pods though....

At this point I do not want the White Sox to sacrifice production in favor of a "prototypical leadoff hitter"; especially one that isn't a plus defender. IMHO this lineup looks much more dangerous with 25+ HR pop in RF and Rios in CF, than it does with someone "speedy" at the top of the order.

Cust: - Crushes on the Road - Crushes RHP and coupled with Anrdruw Jones they could really put up some numbers - Can play a corner outfield in a pinch - There is a chance there is some upside left - Crushes all-you-can-eat buffets and coupled with Andruw Jones they could really hurt local businesses Thome: - Crushes at The Cell - Crushes RHP but might not accept a platoon - Doesn't even own a glove anymore - It is all downhill from here, the question is snow bunny or skydive? - Jiim told me that he no plans to even run out base hits in 2010, it is 600 or nuttin' - My downstate inlaws can only name one player in White Sox history... and it isn't Ron Karkovice If the $$$ is equal, and all that matters is winning..... Cust is the no brainer choice; But with that being said, if you made me bet which one was more likely to be on the roster....

I have decided that the only way this trade is even plausible is if it included Danks squared. Any chance KW/JR have some policy and or belief about only having long-term commitments to three starting pitchers at a time?

I have posted this take before, and I really don't want to beat a dead horse but... I really do not see the Chicago White Sox acquiring a CF this offseason. Even before Alex Rios proceeded to have a horrible end of the year with the Sox, his claiming was a major gamble; But it was a risk worth taking for KW, because center fielders do not grow on trees. Especially center fielders that will play average or better defense and have major offensive upside for the position. While I love defense more than the next guy... hell, more than any guy: Alex Rios has 3X the value as a CF, that he has as a RF. There will likely be a plethora of inexpensive corner outfielder options, so I cannot imagine the Sox would need to break the proverbial prospect bank to acquire another outfielder. Especially considering KW could acquire a really inexpenssive RH outfielder, platoon him with Teahen or Kotsay and get great production for a fraction of what JD made in '09. I just cannot see Rios playing anywhere but CF for the 2010 Chicago White Sox.

Body Slam or Flying Body Slam.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Nov 17, 2009 -> 03:14 AM) Konerko is a nice hitter to have... I don't want to pick on you but: That is Cub fan talk! A declining/slow/white/fan favorite is a "nice player".... For a guy that can only play 1B and DH, Paul is not "nice"; he is below average and will either remain steady or decline, there is little to no chance for improvement.

I am having a hard time understanding how PK has value, when there are so many designated hitters available, for seemingly half of the 12 million Paul is owed?

I can't blame Dye for claiming he isn't a DH.... There are only a half a dozen openings at DH and plenty of applicants.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 01:14 PM) Why do you think Coco is greater than Pods? -The two are nearly identical offensively -Both had and have health issues -Crisp is a better base runner -Crisp is three years younger -Pods is a Chicago fan favorite (not sure if it is to the point that he sells tickets though) -In '09 Pods had more clutch knocks than a blind grandmother trying to drive a 5Speed -Coco's name is cooler -Pod's wife is hotter (I will admit to never seeing Mrs. Crisp) -Both will demand roughly the same salary in '09 And the big one: -Crisp is the FAR superior defender and the only one capable of playing acceptable everyday major league baseball

CF do not grow on trees, so prior to the Sox signing Rios, Carl was a decent idea. Now the positives to Crawford (LF Defense, Prototypical Leadoff Hitter, Speed) are great, but he does not come free and will not be cheap, especially moving forward. What made the idea of Rios special was that he can play CF and out-produce almost center fielders offensively, while still playing average or better defense. If you put a player with typical CF stats in LF, this pretty much negates the advantage to Rios and makes his contract seem even more ridiculous. I live, eat, sleep and breathe defense, but I feel the White Sox need big power/obp in both the corner outfield spots to get their value out of Rios. The only problem is that with KW penciling Teahen in at 3B this makes for a either no prototyipical leadoff hitter or having to find a spot for one in the OF.