Loaiza21

Exactly, we're cutting payroll with this deal.

I still love this deal. Just as long as it's not Reed, I doubt we'd trade Reed. I have a feeling we could get 2 years out of Nomar, the Red Sox really want that top prospect from the looks of it. And is it just me, or is deal seriously going to go through? I really don't see anything that could hold back either side. We'll see.

Good things aren't happening for White Sox BY PHIL ROGERS Chicago Tribune CHICAGO - (KRT) - When the Chicago White Sox said their farewells at the end of September, they controlled pitchers who had combined for 91 victories in 2003. Look at them now. Having failed to replace Bartolo Colon, Tom Gordon and Scott Sullivan with proven options, the Sox are down to 62 victories among the pitchers scheduled to begin spring training in a month. This is not a good thing. Unless Ken Williams stops spinning his tires and finds a way to pull off a trade or significant signing - and Greg Maddux, Sidney Ponson and Kenny Rogers are about the only reliable winners still unsigned - the Sox are going to have to count on a comeback from Dan Wright while giving guys like Jon Rauch, Enemencio Pacheco and Francisco Campos a chance to win spots in the rotation. That is not a good thing either. It's telling how badly the Sox's talent drain has been_and how little they have done to address it compared to other teams. With pitchers who won only 62 games in 2003 under their control, the Sox rank below all but four American League teams_Detroit (51), Texas (49), Cleveland (46) and Baltimore (30). Even Tampa Bay has built a staff with more victories (65). Kansas City outscored both the Sox and Minnesota last season but fell from first place in the AL Central because of a thin pitching staff. The Royals now appear deeper than the White Sox and Twins. The current Kansas City staff has pitchers coming off years in which they won 80 games; the Minnesota staff (minus Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins, Eric Milton and Kenny Rogers) is at 68. At the moment the Sox have the following options behind Esteban Loaiza, Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland: Wright, who won 14 games in 2002 but went 1-7 with a 6.15 earned-run average last year after encountering elbow problems in spring training. He could be moved to the bullpen. Scott Schoeneweis, who has a 5.28 ERA after 74 big-league starts. Rauch, who has been bothered by injuries but enjoyed a productive season at Triple-A (7-1, 4.11 ERA in 1242/3 innings) after losing the fifth starter's job to Loaiza in spring training. Neal Cotts, who was a stud in Double-A last year but got whacked around in two of his four big-league starts, including a costly meltdown at Yankee Stadium. Pacheco, a hard-throwing right-hander who was a huge surprise at Double-A last year. Birmingham was 20-4 in his regular-season starts and he threw 13 shutout innings in the Southern League playoffs. Campos, a 31-year-old right-hander from Mexico who was selected from Milwaukee in the minor-league portion of the Rule 5 draft. He has pitched great in winter ball, leading the Mexican Pacific League in victories (10), innings (90) and strikeouts (68) and twice has held his own in playoff matchups with Elmer Dessens. In their wildest dreams, some in the Sox system see him using that success as a springboard to big-league success, as Rodrigo Lopez did with Baltimore after leading Mexico to a Caribbean World Series title in 2002. The other side: Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley go into the Hall of Fame in large part because they conquered their personal demons, which were cocaine and alcohol, respectively. Molitor wasn't amused to read Pete Rose's insinuation that he would have been in the Hall long ago if Major League Baseball was as forgiving about betting as those other vices. "I understand what he's trying to say, if you want to call it a double standard," Molitor told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "But the point is, the one rule that everyone is read specifically every spring training is the rule regarding gambling on baseball and how it specifically talks about lifetime bans. That's very clear." Molitor said he visited with Eckersley about their substance-abuse problems. "We talked a little bit about that with each other," he said. "At different stages of your life, you encounter different battles. A lot about who you end up becoming and the character you develop is how you handle some of the things that maybe you're not so proud of, poor decisions, failures and mistakes. For me, getting involved in that area at that time in my life, dabbling into drugs and the party scenes as a youngster at the major-league level, it's hard for me to imagine it has been 25 years ago. "It was real and problematic and could have easily cut short my career if I didn't get a grip on it quickly. But you learn from it and try to use your experiences to help other people. And it makes you appreciate things that are good." Blindsided: Joe Carter remains in a state of shock after being knocked off the Hall of Fame ballot in his first year of eligibility. A reliable run-producer who wrapped up Toronto's World Series victory in 1993 with a homer off Mitch Williams, Carter received only 19 of 506 votes, giving him fewer than the 5-percent total required to remain on the ballot. He joins Lou Whitaker and Kirk Gibson among the really good players shown the door in their first year on the ballot in recent years. "Total disbelief," said Carter, a career .259 hitter with 396 homers and 1,445 RBIs in 16 seasons. "Total shock, just wake me if I'm dreaming. Not even to receive 26 votes_it just befuddles me and probably will befuddle me all the way to my grave." Fernando Valenzuela and Keith Hernandez also fell off the ballot this year. They join Dave Stewart and Ron Guidry among the notables who have fallen off the ballot in recent years. Dale Murphy and Dave Parker are inching their way downward. Bang for the buck: New Devil Rays closer Danys Baez is guaranteed $6.5 million for two years and an option but gets only $2 million in 2004. That's typical of the creative deals that have allowed general manager Chuck LaMar to add 13 big-leaguers for only about $11 million in `04 dollars (it doesn't hurt that St. Louis is paying $7 million of Tino Martinez's $7.5 million salary). In addition to Martinez and Baez, Tampa Bay has added Jose Cruz Jr., Rey Sanchez, Geoff Blum, Eduardo Perez, Brook Fordyce, Paul Abbott, Trever Miller, John Halama, Mark Hendrickson, Deivi Cruz and Robert Fick. "With the money we had to spend, we addressed a lot of issues," LaMar said. "It may not be as big of an off-season as some of the other clubs with more money, but for a team still developing young players it was a very productive off-season." Even manager Lou Piniella seems satisfied, saying the `04 Devil Rays should be "a nice little ballclub." The optimist's club: If Cory Lidle lived for Skyline chili or the chance to be an Opening Day starter, we could understand his enthusiasm over the one-year deal he signed last week with the Reds. But he went over the top in talking about the move. "I did my homework and was excited," Lidle said about getting an offer from Cincinnati. "When I found out about how good that bullpen is and how that team hits, this is the place I want to be." Perhaps no one told Lidle the Reds have parted ways with Sullivan, Scott Williamson, Gabe White, Kent Mercker and Felix Heredia since last July. Nor that the Cincinnati hitters led the National League in strikeouts while hitting .245, better than only Los Angeles. Being a sinkerballer, Lidle might have wanted to research the Reds' fielding. They made the most errors in the majors last year. One-sided stockpile: Montreal has 11 outfielders on its 40-man roster, including eight who hit left-handed and switch-hitter Carl Everett. The Expos' latest left-handed-hitting outfielder is Ryan Church, acquired from Cleveland in the Scott Stewart trade. Sticking with the plan: The Texas Rangers insist on being old as well as bad. They have signed two 37-year-olds this winter_Brian Jordan and Eric Young. That gives them five players born in the 1960s, which is two more than the World Series champion Florida Marlins. Last word: "I think the last two years, I didn't work hard enough, and I want to put my game in the high level where I used to be two years ago."_new Arizona Diamondback Robbie Alomar, who has seen his career batting average drop from .306 to .301.

Yeah, I put 100% because I want it to happen. So take it for what it's worth.

Actually, I see no reason for KW not to pull the trigger. He wants to "cut" salary. He never said he didn't want to improve and he never said how he was going to cut it. We're sitting around 5-7 M over out 58 M budget. So the only way to cut salary is through trades, and this would be a smart one.

Wow. Could this be our Soxfest suprise of 04? I sure hope it is!!!

Then Uribe stars?

Scouting Report from ESPN.com: Pitching & Defense Politte could mature into a closer. He has excellent command of an overpowering four-seam fastball that is clocked regularly at 96 MPH and goes up to 98. He hits both sides of the plate, up and down. His slider runs 88-90 MPH, and he works in a two-seam fastball and a changeup. In his few chances, he showed well as a fielder. He is quick to the plate with a simple delivery and can get the ball home in 1.2 seconds, which should make him difficult to run on.

You guys really didn't have any idea on how this guy pitches, but it sounds nice. "Pitching & Defense Politte could mature into a closer. He has excellent command of an overpowering four-seam fastball that is clocked regularly at 96 MPH and goes up to 98. He hits both sides of the plate, up and down. His slider runs 88-90 MPH, and he works in a two-seam fastball and a changeup. In his few chances, he showed well as a fielder. He is quick to the plate with a simple delivery and can get the ball home in 1.2 seconds, which should make him difficult to run on." -ESPN PLAYER PROFILE I like the 98 MPH fastball.

From MLB.com....FINALLY CHICAGO -- There were a number of bonuses for Cliff Politte to derive by signing a contract with the Chicago White Sox. For starters, the 29-year-old right-hander could return to a setup role after struggling as the closer for Toronto at the end of the 2003 season. He also will be playing only five or six hours from home, currently residing with his family in St. Louis. But as an individual who makes his living throwing the baseball by some of the game’s toughest hitters with the final outcome on the line, the biggest plus for Politte might be switching divisions from the American League East to the Central. He now avoids facing the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox 18 or 19 times per season. “The biggest key is not seeing Boston and New York once per week,” said Politte after signing a one-year contract worth $800,000 Wednesday with a club option set at $1.3 million for 2005. “That can ruin anyone’s career. “I’ve been in a tough division with Boston and New York, and you can throw in Baltimore -- especially if they sign (Vladimir) Guerrero. It’s pretty tough from top to bottom. “You look at the papers (last season) and you also see how well Minnesota, Chicago and Kansas City played in the Central,” Politte added. “It’s intriguing and should be a fun year. I’m excited to make a fresh start with the White Sox and be part of a good team.” Politte was in Chicago on Wednesday afternoon taking his physical and the signing was announced later in the day. The seven-year veteran, who has also played for St. Louis and Philadelphia, mentioned that four or five other teams had expressed interest to his Chicago-based agent, Barry Meister, with the Colorado Rockies making a late push. Most of the teams were looking to use Politte as a seventh- or eighth-inning reliever, where he excelled for the Phillies and Blue Jays in 2002. Politte struck out 72 and allowed 57 hits in 73 2/3 innings between the two teams, posting a 3-3 record and a 3.67 earned run average. When Kelvim Escobar was moved into the Toronto starting rotation on May 2 of last season, Politte assumed the closer’s role and converted nine of his first 10 save opportunities. But he had a 13.03 ERA in June, a 9.64 ERA in September and finished 12-for-18 closing out games. Politte’s final numbers for 2003 were a 1-5 record with a 5.66 ERA. The chance to work in front of Damaso Marte and Billy Koch in the late innings, in a role that he excelled, helped seal the deal with the White Sox. “That had a lot to do with it,” said Politte of getting the chance to move back into a setup slot. “They have a good closer in Billy, and I’m excited to get into a role where they will rely on me setting up again.” Politte relates to the closing struggles suffered in 2003 by Koch, who went from 44 saves and 11 victories with Oakland in 2002 to 11 saves and a 5.77 ERA with the White Sox. Politte mentioned that there’s a completely different mindset between pitching in the eighth and the ninth, as different as a hitter taking a first-pitch fastball in the eighth in an attempt to get on base vs. swinging at that same pitch in a possible last at-bat situation in the ninth, trying to tie or win a game. During his struggles as the Toronto closer, Politte picked up a reputation as being too emotional or taking losses too hard. The well-spoken Politte agreed with the tag on a competitive level but disputed the label as more germane to his switch in roles. “It’s kind of hard to say exactly, but it (stinks) to get that label,” Politte said. “I’m not emotional. I want to win, and when I fail, I beat myself up. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. “That never put my career in jeopardy, and I didn’t have that problem in 2002. I tried to let people understand that my reaction was better than an approach of, ‘Oh, well. I’ll get them tomorrow.’” Politte, who is 13-17 lifetime with a 4.52 ERA, has held right-handed hitters to a .238 career average. He earned $845,000 last season, but Toronto non-tendered him for 2004. There was some concern over inflammation in his right shoulder that put Politte on the disabled list from June 29 to July 25. But Politte feels healthy now and ready to go. “The right shoulder is great,” Politte said. “I had a little tendinitis and was weak in that area and probably went on the disabled list for too long. “But I’ve been throwing since one week before Thanksgiving, and the shoulder has no problems. I’m looking forward to getting off the mound at the end of the week or the beginning of next week.” Politte’s career experience at U.S. Cellular covers two innings, including a blown save on May 21 in a 6-5 loss to the White Sox last season when Carlos Lee launched a two-out, two-run, game-winning home run in the eighth inning. Politte took that loss in stride, although he did point out that Lee appeared to strike out on a checked swing with the two-strike pitch before the home run. Now, Politte will only face Lee during intrasquad games in Tucson in February. It’s another bonus earned by signing with the White Sox. “From my understanding, the White Sox were interested from the first day when they found out I was not tendered a contract,” Politte said. “It makes you feel good when you know a team is pushing to get you on the team.”

Player signed Player lost DH Frank Thomas (mutual option) RHP Tom Gordon (Yankees) RHP Esteban Loaiza (option picked up) RHP Scott Sullivan (Royals) SS Jose Valentin (option picked up) RHP Bartolo Colon (Angels) RHP Jon Garland (re-signed) 1B Brian Daubach (waived) C Sandy Alomar Jr. (re-signed) INF Tony Graffanino (Royals) OF Carlos Lee (re-signed) OF Carl Everett (Expos) LHP Kelly Wunsch (re-signed) 2B Roberto Alomar (Diamondbacks) Acquired via trade Players traded INF Juan Uribe (Rockies) INF Aaron Miles *Minor-league deal

Hey, I'll take Ponson over Schoeneweis anyday. At least this shows that they're trying.

Dunno if this has been posted, it was Uribe's pre-2003 scouting report on ESPN.com:

The Sox have been cheap but, Grilli, Campos, Santiago, Hopefully we get Politte. They could end up comin out of nowhere like the Royals pitchers last season...

Here's another I took today

No idea. What time was he on? My Dad may know.

Hell I'd put us last.

Ouch. Didn't really see that.

I love Yellow Labs! This is mine

Great game. I was in the End Zone and saw that beautiful game winning FG, but I also saw all of Edinger's misses.

Lol thanks.

They offered $18 mil with like $17 mil deferred most likely.

I can't believe he hit 14 HR. Sound pretty good.

You like?

It was pretty cool, if you like Tupac. Which I do. Here's a better image though. I made it.