doubleM23

We traded Abbot to Florida for Julio Ramirez on December 10, 2000.

8 years, 1 month

What are you talking about? Are you like the founding member of the "Jake Plummer" fan club? You're telling me you'd rather take Plummer (who's guaranteed to suck) instead of rolling the dice on a quarterback like Leftwich, Palmer, Dorsey, etc., who at least have a shot at being good?

Idn't he under contract to 2006, anyways (I heard that floating around the WSI boards), so why would he accept a deal that cuts his contract a year? I don't think this is a blatant rejection of the Sox, I think Buehrle doesn't want to cut a year off his contract (which makes sense).

There's great need for a starting centerfielder (who can lead off), regardless of whether or not Rowand is ready to go.

Colvin's gone. Plummer? s***, draft Palmer and throw him to the lions.

Who knows on Miles? It took the guy 6 years to get to AA, so at that rate, he won't make an appearance until around.. 2009 or so. Realistically, I don't know. Probably depends more on the organization he lands in and their situation at 2B as well as whether or not he repeats his amazing 2002 season. I doubt he will, so we can cut our losses with him (I still fail to see the obsession with a 27-year old AA player who's struggled, more or less, in 5 seasons and has one monster season). Hummel, depending on whether or not he really refound his swing in winter ball this year, could be here soon... Maybe next year, especially since, IIRC, Valentin's contract is over after this year. However, I'm no minor league expert. Cerb will probably have better, more informed answers for you.

ALMONTE, 2001: 54 G, 1-4, 1.49, 36 Sv, 66.1 IP, 58 H, 16 R, 11 ER, 16 BB, 62 K VALENTINE, 2002: 55 G, 4-1, 1.97, 36 Sv, 59.1, 36 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 30 BB, 63 K They're numbers from their season's in Birmingham were pretty much the same, except the fact that Ed walked about 1/2 the people Valentine did. Ask Keith Foulke, the biggest problem a soft-tossing reliever (Foulke, Almonte) can get himself into is when you walk people. Maybe one day Valentine will be a better pitcher (though, I doubt he'll be much to rave about), but there's no question Almonte (who walked only 12 batters last year, too... and put up an ERA around 2 in Charlotte's hitter's park) is much more MLB ready than Joe.

As much as Hummel regressed, I guarantee that he's still more MLB ready than Miles is.

Hopefully because he's now a crap pitcher.

Well, Fick's low BA could be as a result of being stuck in one of the worst offenses in the American League. Why pitch to Fick, who's got some skill, when you can take your chances on some of the bums the Tigers have paraded out there the last few years? Oh, and Liefer blows. If I never see him in a Sox uniform again, it'll be too soon.

Pitching-wise, the system is still pretty stacked. I don't know if we're as good as we were a few years ago, but I'd say we're still in the top 25% of all minor league systems in terms of pitching talent. But that's just me, and I really don't know other teams' systems that well. Granted, all of the "prospects" won't pan out, but with the sheer number we have right now, a few are bound to become MLB caliber pitchers. However, we're very thin in terms of position players.

Almonte's better than Valentine.

Forgot one, Cerb: 131. Miguel Olivo - C White Sox - Age 24 - ETA: Now

I don't think Fick is any sort of star in the making, however, I do see him as a solid bench player... Someone who can play nearly anywhere in a pinch and also swing the bat when needed. As for his attitude... If you were stuck on the Tigers for a couple of years, I don't think you'd be the happiest man ever, either. Why is it that players who play with passion and intensity are hounded for that? I'd rather have 9 guys who are intense and into the game (and consequently, lose their heads every now and then) instead of 9 guys who show no emotion whatsoever and have tea parties in the dugouts between innings.

I so wish the Bears had Jeremy Shockey.

Fick would have been a good pickup for us.

Nah, I don't care much for them anymore... A lot of my friends either went to St. Laurence (or dated guys from there), so I make sure I give them s*** everytime we beat them. And, I went to St. Patrick.

SUCKS! 60-59, Shamrocks Sorry, just had to say it.. I know there are some Vi-queen alums floating around here.

Uh... Suppan sucks. I don't know what you think good is, but he has a career ERA of 5.03 in just over 1,000 innings. In 2001 he was all right, at 10-14 with a 4.37, but other than that, he's been very inconsistent. Jeff Suppan

Why do you hate Boras? He's just doing his job. He gets payed to get the best deal for the clients he represents... Is it his fault that Unky Jerry is a total cheapass?

Not that we could get him, but I'd take Cuddyer in left over Lee in a heartbeat.

Uh... Is that a compliment? Doesn't versatility mean you can play those positions well? Have you seen Leifer in the field? He sucks!

Holy s***, watch out for them... They're mauling Indianapolis.

Just not in the starting lineup. Rowand's a fine 4th OF, and I would have no problems with it if the Sox kept him on in that reserve. He can play all three spots, has solid (not amazing) defense, and can use the bat. However, anyone who thinks that guy is a starting centerfielder on a championship team is fooling themselves.