Frank_Thomas

Just read Werths contract is the third largerst EVER for outfielders. A lot of GMs disliked Rizzo before, now the rest of the MLB know how KW feels abkut him. 8/175 sounds about right, amazing what one year does to the contracts. There really isn't anything better than this week. And there is no doubt it's going to be an action pack week. Harold Renoylds made a great point by saying teams are being extra aggressive this year knowing there willb e an extra Wild card spot starting next year 12'. I hope KW once again shows his fortitude.

Since it's early and slow. Anyone want to pick crawfords contract after Werth signed for crazy high? Also KW looks like a genious now signing Dunn when he did with the Werth contract we may have paid more for waiting.

This should be a great week, most insiders claim a ton of trades and free agents will be signed. I'll start us out with some of the latest tweets about JR's golden son, Paulie. SI_JonHeyman #chisox exec rick hahn meets with konerko agent craig landis today to negotiate. reinsdorf & konerko been chatting amiably by phone about 1 hour ago Ken_Rosenthal Konerko, Putz have same agent, Craig Landis. Both names sure to come up in Landis' meeting with #WhiteSox, who need closer, setup help. #MLB 36 minutes ago didn't know that but that is promising news on the JJ front.

At work.. Fan anyone summarize what cowley says at four on the score. Much appreciated.

cst_sox Sox could announce Dunn deal by tomorrow - physical pending. Cough Adam, cough! 1 minute ago

Alexei Ramirez Opts Out Of $1.1MM Salary By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 1 at 10:51am CST] Alexei Ramirez opted out of his $1.1MM salary for 2011 and will go to arbitration with the White Sox unless the team exercises a $2.5MM option within a week, according to Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune. The shortstop had until today to decline a set $1.1MM salary for next year. The White Sox now have a week to choose between their $2.5MM option and taking the 2010 Silver Slugger winner to arbitration. Ramirez batted .282/.313/.431 with 18 homers, 29 doubles and 13 steals in 626 plate appearances last year. In three big league seasons, all with the White Sox, the Cuba native has a .283/.321/.430 batting line. Ramirez, 29, would be “very willing to discuss” a multiyear extension, agent Jaime Torres told van Dyck.

Great article. I really hope we resign this guy. We haven't had a sox great retire in a sox uni in a while. Konerko deserves it he is nothing but a class act. I still also think of when he surised JR with the world series ball. JR loves him oz loves him. I see a 2/3 year deal with decent money and then he'll retire. He deserves it from the team as do the fans

Ken Rosenthal is pretty good at his Job and is almost always on with the sox.

By everything I've read the past few days it looks like KW is trying to get Matsui and a Dunn/or fielder. Matsui probably DHing and looking for a lefty first basemen. I like how KW says he's listening but is out there waitin to pounce . Today has been a great day for the hot stove.

Updated Nov 17, 2010 8:02 PM ET The White Sox soon could reach a crossroads. The team's immediate goals are to add left-handed power, rework the bullpen and compete for the AL Central title in 2011. White Sox at a glance Looking for the latest on the White Sox? Get the inside slant, stats, scores, schedules and more scoops right here. But if the Sox fail to get the bats they desire, it is conceivable — not likely, but conceivable — that they could go retool on the run, sort of like the Tigers did last season. Remember? The Tigers traded two 2009 All-Stars, outfielder Curtis Granderson and right-hander Edwin Jackson, in a three-way deal that landed them two younger players, outfielder Austin Jackson and left-hander Phil Coke. At the time, the trade was perceived as almost a concession of the 2010 season. But the Tigers later signed free agent Johnny Damon and enjoyed a big first half before fading in the second. One year later, they figure to be one of the most active teams in free agency. For the White Sox to follow a similar path — and a case can be made that they should follow a similar path — they likely would need to strike out on Plans A, B, C and D, whatever they might be. Not likely, considering that the trade and free-agent markets are flush with left-handed hitting first basemen, designated hitters and even catchers. Not likely, given the fierce competitiveness of general manager Ken Williams, who is not about to trade a veteran such as right-hander Gavin Floyd for prospects in the low minors. HOT STOVE REPORT Is an MVP-caliber trade in store for your team? Follow every offseason move. Read MLB Buzz Blog. The White Sox still boast one of the game’s better rotations — Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, John Danks, Floyd and Edwin Jackson. Peavy, coming off shoulder surgery, might not be ready at the start of the season. But the Sox have a ready replacement — lefty Chris Sale, their No. 1 draft pick in ‘10 who went almost immediately to the majors and excelled in a relief role. A team that assembles such a rotation in a division as modest as the AL Central has every reason to be aggressive. Still, the White Sox face the possibility of losing three significant free agents — first baseman Paul Konerko, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and setup man J.J. Putz. They also could part with their closer, Bobby Jenks, rather than give him a raise from $7.5 million in arbitration. Even if Konerko and Pierzynski return, the White Sox still would need another left-handed slugger. Then again, if a top free agent such as Adam Dunn was too pricey, perhaps Williams could sign a switch-hitter such as Lance Berkman. Or, perhaps he could trade Floyd for a hitter at a similar age with a similar contract. Floyd, who turns 28 on Jan. 27, will earn $5 million next season and $7 million in 2012 with a $9.5 million option in '13. He would be expendable if the White Sox were confident enough in Peavy’s health and the depth of their bullpen to move Sale to the rotation. But there is that other path, too. The White Sox could seek the rough equivalent of the Tigers’ Jackson and Coke, obtaining additional major-league ready talent to go with their considerable young core. Come to think of it, Plan E — if that’s what it is — might not be such a bad idea. The White Sox could stand to replenish. While they have developed players such as shortstop Alexei Ramirez, second baseman Gordon Beckham and third baseman Brent Morel in recent years, they also have traded a number of other promising youngsters — pitchers Clayton Richard and Dan Hudson, and first baseman Brandon Allen. Williams does not concede. But he does surprise. A rapid, dramatic transition would be just his style.

Rival teams believe the White Sox will listen to offers for Gordon Beckham, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. Let's take a look around the league to determine which teams could become suitors for the infielder. The 24-year-old has a career .260/.331/.416 line and extensive big league experience at second and third. It seems likely that more than half the teams in baseball would have some interest in the former first rounder, despite the extended slow start he had in 2010. Here's a list of teams with potential interest: Orioles - Josh Bell didn't do much in his 2010 debut, so Beckham could play third and Bell could become trade bait. Blue Jays - The Blue Jays could non-tender Edwin Encarnacion and play Beckham at third. He strikes me as the sort of player the Blue Jays would have serious interest in. Red Sox - The Red Sox could play Beckham at third and let Adrian Beltre walk as a free agent. Indians - The Indians are considering options for third base, but would GM Kenny Williams deal Beckham to a division rival? Tigers - It seems unlikely that the Tigers could pry Beckham from the White Sox, but it's fun to imagine him at second base. Twins - Orlando Hudson will probably sign elsewhere, but the Twins face the same problem the Tigers and Indians do. Royals - The Royals aren't an immediate threat to the White Sox and I bet they'd love to add Beckham to their organization. A's - The A's could non-tender or trade Kevin Kouzmanoff and play Beckham at third. Angels - The Angels could insert Beckham at third if they don't land Beltre. Marlins - Chris Coghlan will likely play third for Florida next year and Dan Uggla is under team control, but Coghlan could also play in the outfield and Uggla may become a trade candidate. Mets - The Mets would have to create space by trading Luis Castillo. Cardinals - Beckham would be a nice fit at second base. Cubs - The Cubs could have interest in working out a deal with their cross-town rivals and handing Beckham the second base job. Astros - It wouldn't be shocking if the Astros had some interest in Beckham. Dodgers - GM Ned Colletti might like the idea of making Beckham his second baseman. Padres - Beckham would be a great fit for the Padres, since he's cheap and David Eckstein is a free agent. Giants - Pablo Sandoval is falling out of favor in San Francisco. D'Backs - Beckham does strike out a fair amount, but he could be a consideration if the D'Backs move Mark Reynolds. Rockies - If the Rockies non-tender Clint Barmes, they could have interest in Beckham. The Yankees (Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano), Rays (Evan Longoria, Sean Rodriguez, Ben Zobrist), Mariners (Chone Figgins, Dustin Ackley), Rangers (Michael Young, Ian Kinsler), Braves (Chipper Jones, Martin Prado, Omar Infante), Phillies (Placido Polanco, Chase Utley), Nationals (Ryan Zimmerman, Danny Espinosa), Reds (Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips), Brewers (Casey McGehee, Rickie Weeks) and Pirates (Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker) have long-term options at third and second. Beckham's promise, affordability and versatility would likely make him one of the most highly coveted players on the trade market if the White Sox do make him available.

As Daniel Hudson improves to 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA as a Diamondback tonight, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets that Hudson "probably" could have been a Brewer had Milwaukee accepted a one-for-one offer from Chicago for Prince Fielder. The problem at the time was that the Brewers projected Hudson as only a third or fourth starter and wanted more for their slugger. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 on any missed trade, but if Hudson continues to pitch well in Arizona, it will put even more pressure on the Brewers to get a big return back if they do end up dealing Fielder. Seeing huddy s numbers alone hurt but getiing prince would have been great, though I doubt hudson for prince straight up wouldn't happen. Still intrestinf post.

I was wrong but boy does this guy work a count. He truly is a professional hitter and a fun guy to watch at the plate. Good day for Mannypalooza.

ManRams going yard

What a cool summer for Sale to be drafted, go through double and triple A to the bigs. Now pitching in Fenway. pretty cool.

Me too. That was the lowest point for me this season and in a long time. He kilt that walk off.

Believing.....

Manny is flying his barber into Boston in order to get his dreads cut. Apparently his barber is a MLB player favorite and was in Minny the last two days. Will have hair cut before tomorrows game. Who knows how short. Per ESPN Chicago http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?w=19ujc...P&topslot=1

Really this is BS. There is absolutely no reason for him not to be in the lineup. He had 5 days off in a row and we have an off day thurs. This is Ozzies decision, looks like he is Pouting because KW didn't let him have his shotty offense with Kotsay in it. This is a piss poor mistake by the sox when we need every win we can. In excusable and this just adds to the reasons I'm coming around with Ozzie being canned after this year. I'm sick of these embarrassing choices a MLB manager makes.

cst_sox Manny not in the lineup. 18 minutes ago

cst_sox Manny's flight from L.A. leaves at 6 a.m. - so expect him into Cleveland in the late afternoon. about 9 hours ago

cst_sox Manny's flight from L.A. leaves at 6 a.m. - so expect him into Cleveland in the late afternoon. about 9 hours ago

I can't fing wait. I hope he is as hungry as he was when he got traded from Boston. If he Can be ManRam of old for 30 games I think we make the playoffs, then who knows. If his desire is there, Mannypalooza will be successful on the SouthSide. (He better play tomorrow, not too tired BS. He has had 5 days off.)

Manny Eve Miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cst_sox Beckham hand is a bruise. X-rays were negative. less than a minute ago