Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 04:30 PM) Yah thats way too much, but I'm scared to death to be losing 2 of our better offensive players from last year off of an atrocious offense. KW better have some real nice tricks up his sleeve. Pods was solid last year but you can't expect that same production again. Honestly, Pods asking for $7.5 million is the best news of the day. I was worried sick that KW was going to sign to some sort of 2 year deal. Now, let's spend a little money and get a better, more complete outfielder.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 04:04 PM) A few things struck me reading that article. 1] Jordan Danks may be closer than most people think. But he still shouldn't be counted on for the top of the order. If he comes to Chi. in 2010, it will be to hit near the bottom of the order. Thus, the sox need to acquire a leadoff hitter, as they don't have one in the system. 2] Getting a guy like Orlando Hudson makes a lot of sense to play 2b and hit leadoff. I don't buy into the sox moving Beckham to 2b and learning another new position. Gordon's bat is going to be critical to the sox success on offense. 3] If Teahan is better at 3b than Gordon, then I could see Gordon moving back to his natural spot at SS. 4] Gordon at SS means Alexei could be dealt. Alexei could then bring back a key bat and pitching help. IMO, the next big move is Alexei being dealt. That would pave the way for Gordon to move to SS. Then the sox could sign Hudson or less likely, Figgins. The sox would have to move a salary like Konerko's for them to afford Figgins. I'll never understand your desire to get rid of Alexei. Simply put, he's worth so much more than he's making that you'd have to get a ton back in a trade to move him. I don't see anyone, including the Red Sox, paying the price KW would be looking for. Also, I think 2B is where Beckham belongs. IMO, that's where he's best suited to play and offers the best value to the club. Moving Konerko would be great, but why would anyone want him at $12 million? Yes, he had a solid season but there are so many 1B/DH type players on the market that he seems somewhat untradeable without giving some cash or taking back some contract (not necessarily bad) back. Finally, while I think Danks has a great future ahead of himself, I don't think you can start the season with him in your lineup. We already have enough question marks throughout the lineup. If some things do go wrong, you don't want Danks struggling in the #9 spot to add fuel to the fire.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 03:30 PM) What do you think of LaRoche? I definitely think he's a guy who could be available for cheap near the end of the offseason who has some nice upside. He should give you at least 20 homeruns, 35 doubles and a solid AVG/OBP. The fact that he's a lefty is huge, since it allows you to get the best OF possible for the other spot. Also, being able to play 1B would protect us in case of a Konerko injury. One other thing I like about him is how he played for ATL down the stretch. He's another guy like Teahen who might thrive in a competitive environment. How much do you think he'll get on the open market?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 03:04 PM) I'm telling you guys, the Sox brass loves Danks. He's a phenomenal athlete and a tremendous defensive player. Offensively he has flaws to his game, but quite a bit of overall upside. I think it might be a bit early, but the Sox could do far worse than going with Danks. The problem is if you get Danks, you need to get a pretty big time bat as your DH, imo. I don't think that Danks is ready yet offensively and needs at least half a season in AA/AAA. IMO, the Sox need to sign a legit RF to fill one of the holes in the lineup and then sign a cheap, high-upside guy for the DH spot towards the end of the offseason. If the second guy doesn't work out, Danks might be ready for a mid-summer call-up. Then you shift Carlos to DH and hopefully would have spectacular defense at all 3 spots. I just don't think counting on Danks at the beginning of the season makes sense.

Just some general thoughts on the trade: 1) All this talk about Teahen being a UT player for us is crazy. He's going to be in LF/RF and/or possibly part of a rotating DH. KW made the move to add flexibility to his offseason plans, not to improve the bench while adding another hole to the starting lineup. 2) While I'm not a huge fan of Teahen, I think his left-handed bat and ability to play several spots will make him useful to our club. Ideally he'd be a great 10th option for a team like the Yankees, but I think he can be a solid #8 or #9 on a championship team if all the other pieces are right. I also think a change of scenery might do him well. Maybe it doesn't matter, but I have to think playing for a losing team like the Royals for several years would have an effect on his performance. A negative work environment can impact anyone's job performance. 3) While I think Getz will become a solid player, I'm not going to lose sleep over him. In fact, I'm glad that we'll be upgrading at 2B this season. I think this player will come from free agency. For some reason, this trade really makes me think that KW is going to attempt a serious run at Figgins (with Beckham shifting to 2B). I believe the Sox are going to sign one big name free agent and filling a corner OF spot relatively cheaply allows this type of move. I do think the backup move is going after Hudson. Either way, opening up an IF hole allows us to get a legit leadoff hitter. Apparently, KW didn't Getz could be that guy in the long-run or just is too impatient to wait. 4) I'd be interested in hearing the organization's long-term plans with 2B/3B. We got several interesting prospects in Retherford, Viceido and Morel to fill one of these spots eventually. Wherever Beckham plays this year should be a sign of which spot may be open in the future. However, a Figgins signing would fill this hole long-term and allow us to move Retherford and Morel to fill other needs. I don't see Viceido going anywhere. Worst case scenario, he's your future 1B or DH. Should be interesting to see what happens with these guys in the future.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Oct 29, 2009 -> 08:45 AM) This is an excellent debate. Would you rather wait for Getz to develop, or would you rather sign an aging vet like Polanco? I'm torn... Unfortunately, I don't think you even have the choice. IMO, the Sox need to use their financial resources to fill an OF spot, find a DH, and hopefully bring in a 2nd lefty. I just don't see us having the money to upgrade 2B, especially when we have three cheap options in Getz, Nix and Retherford. Having said that, I can see the value of bringing in a veteran as a stopgap at 2B. However, I think the Sox would have to be pretty sure that Retherford will be the 2B of the future. Otherwise, you have to give Getz the starting spot for development sake.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 11:31 PM) No. I mean there are 3 pieces there that I have penciled into my lineup for practically nothing and I don't know that we can afford to move those with the current condition of our system. If we move all those pieces, there is not really another wave of cheap, talented players in our system coming anytime soon. Agreed. I don't get why people are so eager to trade the farm or a cheap, young, productive player like Alexei. We will need some cost-certainty in the future if we want to keep guys like Floyd, Danks and Quentin long-term. Plus, you're only getting Gonzalez for two years. The chance of resigning him would be near impossible. Also, you're trading your starting shortstop, a setup man, and a possible backup catcher. They will make rougly $2 million next season. We already have limited funds to fill several needs for 2010 and making this trade would increase payroll and create more holes. You'd really have to roll the dice on cheap, less-talented players filling some of these holes. I don't see it working out.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 19, 2009 -> 11:53 PM) It's basically just reading between the lines, using past history as a guide, the personalities of our FO as well as the attendance this year, etc...it doesn't take a rocket scientist... Not that I'm trying to doubt you, but I guess I'll wait and see what happens. I just think it's too difficult right now to predict next season's payroll using past history. The club lowered payroll last year in preparation of the economic crisis. If they think the economy will be better next year, at least for baseball, maybe they will put more money back into the team. On the other hand, I know that the contracts of several big advertisers were up after this season. Honestly, I could see the payroll heading in either direction. I think it's a bit premature to automatically assume payroll will remain static or go down. Not that I'm expecting any significant changes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 19, 2009 -> 09:02 PM) Are people willing to offer than and realize you have to trade at least one big contract to get that, and oh yeah, he might be playing the field? Can I ask how you know we'd have to trade a big contract in order to add one? I really don't have too much insight about the Sox's projected payroll for 2010. I just keep reading people's posts saying we're pretty much maxed out. I'm curious if people have heard something I haven't.

QUOTE (qwerty @ Oct 11, 2009 -> 12:54 AM) I am not the biggest believer that a certain position requires a certain amount of production... but... You simply do not dh a hitter as poor as podsednik or any player of his ilk for any signifigant amount of plate appearances. And this is the problem with Podsednik. He's just been too inconsistent offensively in his career to be relied on to be our DH. If I thought he could match his 2009 numbers in terms of OBP and SLG, while improving his baserunning a little bit, then I'd take him back in a heartbeat at a $5 million / 1 year deal to be our DH. Unfortunately, I see his AVG falling back in line with his career norms which woudl cripple any value he might have. Plus you know Ozzie would keep penciling him in the lineup day-in-day-out. I just don't see how Podsednik being our DH will work out again. Let's be happy he filled in nicely this year and move on to greener pastures.

That's a pretty good list, but I think a couple names are missing. Santos Rodriguez and David Holmberg are definitely top 25 prospects. I understand they are less advanced, but so is Upchurch and he made the list. Can I ask why Upchurch was selected over the two of them?

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Sep 24, 2009 -> 12:23 PM) And what do you mean there is no way Kenny would give up that much for someone? Kenny offered the farm for Miguel Cabrera but the Marlins took Detroit's offer. Kenny offered a s***load for Freddy Garcia when Freddy was in Seattle. Kenny gave up a boatload for Bartolo Colon and Carl Everett. Kenny has given up a lot of talent for lesser players than Adrian Gonzalez and he went all out trying to get another elite guy in Cabrera. If there is one GM in the game who isn't afraid to sell the farm it is Kenny Williams. Notice my username. First off, the farm system was much, much weaker when he was pursuing Cabrera. Second, KW gave up Rocky Biddle, Jeff Liefer and El Duque for Bartolo Colon. I would not call that a "boatload" of talent. Finally, who did he give up for Everett that was of so much value? KW has traded lots of s***ty minor leaguers in his time because that's all we had. Now, we finally have some nice prospects in our system. Trading the farm for one impact player would be completely irresponsible. I just can't comprehend giving up all the cost certainty that these young players offer. I love Adrian Gonzalez as much as the next guy, but he is not worth our top four prospects. Not when we are in the situation we are in.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Sep 23, 2009 -> 07:27 PM) OMG KW didnt reveal his plan on twitter and made some nonsensical remark, woe is me. Personally Im fine with this team if they make 0 additions. Please share your 25 man roster for 2010 then. I don't see how we could possibly have a strong enough offense and a deep enough pen without adding some talent.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 21, 2009 -> 07:49 PM) Who in the world would want Milton Bradley poisoning their team? Well something major has to be done to add some fire to the clubhouse. This team has absolutely no heart right now. I'm getting really sick of all these quiet/silent personalities we have. That's why Everett was so important in 05. He added a completely different element to the clubhouse. I'm not saying Bradley is the answer, but having a player with a little craziness could help mix things up. If the Cubs were willing to eat 75% of his contract, then I'd take a flier on him. Worst case scenario you release him if he starts causing problems and make Flowers your full-time DH.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 04:18 PM) Can he catch too? QUOTE (JPN366 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 04:45 PM) Yes, he can catch the ball at 1st, LF and RF. I think he meant play catcher (which I don't think he can). Marrero is definitely becoming an interesting prospect. He hasn't done enough to make me believe he will ever be a starter, but I really think he could become a great backup at LF, RF and 1B at the major league level. He seems to have the perfect blend of average and power you'd want in a corner bench player. I'm sure the Sox will keep a close eye on him because of his left-handed bat.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 08:25 AM) His numbers remind me a bit of Micah Schnurstein. And look where he's at now. A lot of things will have to go right for Loman to ever enter the prospect picture IMO.

I can't believe no one has listed this trade yet: El Duque, Rocky Biddle and Jeff Liefer for Bartolo Colon. KW completely fleeced Minaya with this trade. Definitely one of his best.

QUOTE (Pumpkin Escobar @ Aug 5, 2009 -> 09:54 AM) I know this thread is about Dye's extension but I have seen a few posts touching on Alexi. I'm all for bringing Dye back and letting him play RF/DH. Depending on what we find to replace Thome as a LH Power bat or Dye in Rf. I know the idea has been tossed around a lot with how well Beckham is playing but I don't think we should be looking into moving Alexi unless it is basically straight up for a very good MLB player. I think it is his 2nd year here and his first playing short. He is still learning the game a bit with regards to how it is played here and his defense, among other things I like to think will improve. He has a great contract, a world of talent and unless you're bringing back another beast - I just don't think he is worth moving. I’m in complete agreement with you on Alexei. I can’t believe how many people on this site want to get rid of him. I think a lot of people are just upset with his defense, but I feel like some are overvaluing our current middle infield depth. Alexei is already an above-average shortstop with all the tools needed to become an elite one. He’s under contract for the next two seasons at $1.1 million per and then will eligible for arbitration the following two. You don’t move Alexei unless you are getting back a young, inexpensive MLB player who fits another need. I’m talking about a guy like Matt Kemp for example. Otherwise, you at least hold on to him for the next two seasons while he’s still so cheap. I understand Chris Getz is a nice player, but you don’t move a cheap, talented player like Alexei to keep a ‘grinder’ in the lineup.

QUOTE (Pumpkin Escobar @ Aug 4, 2009 -> 11:08 AM) Crawford will command good players. 3 of them. One top 50 kind of prospect. Flowers is who I see it as. Then I'll say two arms in single-A with good upside. They dont have multiple years on his contract and if they dont deal him in the offseason, his value is only going to go down just that much mroe by the deadline. No way the Rays accept that package. It will take at least two top 100 prospects (one top 50) and possibly another high-upside guy to get him IMO. We're talking about two advanced players (AA/AAA) who will be able to contribute in the next two years. Something like Flowers and Hudson. The last guy would be probably need to be a high-upside arm like Leesman or Infante who's farther away from helping. I would not trade that kind of talent for one year of Crawford, especially with Mitchell in the system.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 09:11 AM) Lost in this walk off is going to be how great Beckham was defensively last night. I am in NYC so the YES network is showing the game over and over and over, and I dont think alot of people are going to remember how dominant he was in the early innings at 3B. Definitely, Beckham keeps looking better and better at 3B. Stone made a comment about this last night and it was right on the button. I really think our infield defense could be really solid these last two months. The outfield defense is another story.

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 05:35 PM) I would much rather trade Alexei, Poreda, Richard, Fields, and Shelby. Flowers is our catcher of the future, and he looks like he will be a good one. Imo, Hudson is our best pitching prospect in our system. Flowers and Hudson are both great prospects who have the talent to become above average major leaguers. Alexei is already an above average major league shortstop and Richard is showing signs of being at worse a solid left-handed back of the rotation starter. The value they add to the team not only from a production standpoint but also a cost certainty perspective is immense. Alexei and Richard have shown they won’t succumb to the pressures of playing for and against major league baseball teams. Flowers and Hudson simply have not. At this point in time, Alexei and Richard are more valuable to the team now and in the future than Flowers and Hudson. A couple years from now that could all change. Looking just at this season, trading Alexei and Richard for Halladay is counter-productive to trying to win it all. If you are going to try to improve your team by acquiring an impact player, you can’t trade important pieces off your major league roster unless you have the depth to replace it. Unfortunately, the Sox do not have solid replacements waiting in the wings so it makes much more sense to trade Flowers and Hudson IMO.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 04:05 PM) And if he walks a year from now, you will expect to get 2 picks as compensation. I don’t make this trade. The Sox are giving up too much for a guy who’s under contact for only one more season. I understand the picks are nice to have, but it will take several years for them to become valuable if at all. Plus you’re giving up two key pieces to our major-league team in Richard and Ramirez. Who replaces Alexei? Nix? That’s a huge drop-off offensively IMO. Not to mention you’ve traded away your best two options for a second left-hander in the pen come playoff time. If you’re serious about competing, then you need to acquire a legitimate 3B or SS to replace Alexei and a lefty for the pen. That’s going to cost us even more young talent. Considering how old our current core, it doesn’t seem like wise to trade it all. I’d make one last offer to the Blue Jays. Flowers, Poreda, Hudson and Fields for Halladay. That’s three of our top 5 prospects plus an intriguing throw-in. There is very little chance the Jays accept that trade, but I doubt they’ll get a better one. This Halladay situation reminds me of the Mark Teixeira scenario. Two deadlines ago, the Rangers had tons of leverage since Mark was locked up for another season and demanded a huge package for him. The Braves eventually gave their top 4 prospects to acquire him. The next season when the Braves faded out of contention, they traded Teixeira for Casey f***ing Kotchman. Texas played it smart by taking the best offer knowing Mark’s value would only decrease. If the Jays don’t move Halladay by tomorrow, I really think they’re going to regret it for a long time.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 01:56 PM) Would you guys do Richard/Poreda/Hudson/Flowers/Shelby (or Fields or Anderson) for Haren? Yes in a heartbeat. QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 02:48 PM) You let them pick any four players in the organization. Buehrle-Old Danks-Floyd-Quentin-Beckham are totally off the table. They want someone like Lexi, obviously the package changes a bit, but again, those five are totally off the table, everyone else is fair game for Haren, If you can have a 1-4 of Haren-Buehrle-Floyd-Danks(R-L-R-L) for the next two-three years, you make it happen. I might move Alexei in a package for Haren. In fact, he’s one of the few players in baseball I’d actually consider moving Alexei for. However, I would not make such a trade until after the season for two reasons. First, I don’t like our options at 3B if we lose Alexei and shift Beckham back to SS. Sure we could acquire someone, but it’s going to cost a lot to get someone of Alexei’s caliber who’s not a base-clogger at 3B. Second, I don’t like moving any significant major league pieces for Haren right now. He’s got a bad history of falling off in the 2nd half. That doesn’t automatically mean he won’t be successful with us, but there is still some inherent risk. If it only costs minor league talent, then I’m totally down with making the move now.

I can't believe he made this catch the same day my authentic Wise jersey got delivered!?!

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 09:11 PM) I think Buchholz is a bit overrated, and I wouldn't trade Gordon for him... but I'd definitely be tempted to trade Alexei for him (if the BoSox would agree to the deal). What is with you wanting to trading Alexei? He's a huge piece of our future. Also, his defense has been a lot better lately. He might just be the complete package at SS. KW should only trade him in a huge package.