DBAHO

Interestin to see the Sox would rather hav Bigbie than Luis Matos who most ppl round here thought they would rather hav with Jay Gibbons. Betcha the Mariners pulled da plug on that trade cos they ain't gonna giv up Soriano.

I'll always be around Yahtzee. I mayb gettin a new job full time in da city too, so hopefully I'll still be to go on there durin work.

Congrats to ya YASNY. I've only been on here for a few months but their seems to be a lot of new ppl joinin recently. Hope da White Sox can do ya proud next year.

Looks like we're not goin to be able to get Randy Winn. From the LA Times, Evans and Seattle General Manager Bill Bavasi, formerly the Dodger farm director, are discussing a deal that would bring outfielder Randy Winn, whom Evans tried to acquire when Winn was with Tampa Bay, to Los Angeles, a Dodger source said. The club is also interested in Tampa Bay outfielder-first baseman Aubrey Huff.

From da Trib, 3 articles in 1 day in the offseason? Wats up wit dat? NEW ORLEANS -- Perhaps one day Venezuelans will look to Ozzie Guillen to help reform the country's political system. Until then, Guillen will focus on improving the White Sox. Guillen, who attained hero status when he became the first Venezuelan-born manager in the big leagues, recently visited his home country for three days. "The government has to get better," he said. "They spend so much money on elections. If we spent that [differently], we'd have a better country." With the Sox unwilling to spend enough to retain free agents Bartolo Colon, Tom Gordon and Roberto Alomar, Guillen has a bigger challenge ahead than first appeared. "Those are great players, but they won't be with me," Guillen said. "So, to me, it's like they were never here. A lot of guys are panicking because [other teams] are making moves and we haven't. "Right now I have a lineup [in mind], but I know it's not going to be the lineup in April. I have a lot of confidence that [general manager Ken Williams and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf] will put together a team that can have success. "You can't go to the Kentucky Derby with donkeys. You have to have good horses to race." Much of the focus during Guillen's 30-minute session with the media Saturday was Frank Thomas, whom Guillen has been unable to contact since making his seemingly incendiary comments about the "Big Hurt" on the day he was hired. New third-base coach Joey Cora was able to reach Thomas a few weeks ago. "He talked to him about playing first base and getting in shape," Guillen said. "Frank is excited about having me on board. I will talk to him before spring training. I thought I'd see him in Las Vegas when we had the [organizational] meetings there, but I never had the chance. I don't know if he was out of town." Then the 40-year-old Guillen said of the 35-year-old Thomas: "To me, it's a privilege to have a kid like that in the lineup." Guillen then took a conciliatory tone. "I think a lot people in Chicago misunderstood what I was saying about Frank," he said. "I haven't seen Frank in six years and I cannot judge Frank. "But the things I've heard the last two years are things I don't want to hear. It's something I worry about. Frank is our leader. I want Frank to be our leader all around. I don't want Frank to be a leader just on the field. We have a young team and a lot of kids are going to look up to Frank. So am I, and so are my coaches. I don't expect to have any problems with him, but I want Frank to play the game the right way. "I don't want any selfish [players] and I don't want 'me, me, me.' I want everybody together. I want him to show up on time, I want him to respect his teammates, respect himself and have fun. I want him to be comfortable and have an MVP year." Guillen said he views Magglio Ordonez, not Thomas, as his No. 3 hitter. That assumes Ordonez won't be traded. Guillen, who hopes to have Walt Hriniak in camp as a special hitting instructor, said he wishes spring training opened Monday. "I can't wait to stand up and talk to my players," he said. "It's easier for me because I know my coaching staff, I know the organization, the media, the players. To me it will be like I was divorced for a couple of years and now I'm back with my wife." After Rockies manager Clint Hurdle and the Twins' Ron Gardenhire told him being a big-league manager was "the best job in baseball," Guillen said: "If this is the best job in baseball, then why do you guys get gray hair and fat so quickly?"

Nice to hav lots of new articles, NEW ORLEANS -- White Sox general manager Ken Williams appeared worn down Saturday. Perhaps that's a result of running into so many brick walls. Williams has been stymied in his attempts to move one of his big-salaried hitters to improve his pitching staff and/or save money. At this point, Williams is highly skeptical he will complete a deal. "Nothing makes sense for us right now," he said. "We're not going down a road that doesn't improve our club and our chances for the '04 season." Williams indicated he has some flexibility in the payroll and if he declines to trade Magglio Ordonez (due $14 million next season), Paul Konerko ($8 million), Frank Thomas ($6 million) or Jose Valentin ($5 million), he'll need it. The Sox's projected payroll of $58 million would have to rise for them to re-sign arbitration-eligible Carlos Lee, Scott Schoeneweis and Kelly Wunsch. Keeping their top 12 players would cost the Sox about $59 million. "Here's the deal," Williams said. "We simply will not do a bad baseball deal and put this club at risk of not achieving the things we want to achieve. At some point in time, you extend yourself here or there." Williams has swapped proposals with teams that offer a good match. Baltimore, Seattle, Anaheim and Los Angeles all are looking for offense and have some payroll flexibility. The Sox and Seattle discussed a deal that would have swapped Ordonez for right-hander Freddy Garcia and lights-out reliever Rafael Soriano. It's unclear which side balked. The Mariners don't want to part with Soriano, who went 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in his second year in the majors. Although the Sox have interest in the erratic Garcia, who went 12-14 but posted a 1.97 ERA in five September starts, they know that the Mariners might not tender him a contract by the Dec. 20 deadline because he stands to earn $8 million through arbitration. Baltimore has asked about Lee and Ordonez, but its first priority is trying to sign free-agent right fielder Vladimir Guerrero. The Orioles might not have much pitching to offer, but the Sox like young outfielders Jay Gibbons (.277, 23 homers, 100 RBIs in 2003) and Larry Bigbie (.303, nine homers in 83 games). "Teams have their own agendas and there are still a number of attractive free agents," Williams said. "It's just a matter of [teams] crossing an item off their checklist. Then maybe something will present itself, [but] maybe they'll be too late." Several teams have asked the Sox about Valentin. After trading for Colorado shortstop Juan Uribe last month, the Sox might be willing to part with the veteran switch-hitter.

Good article, NEW ORLEANS -- Walt Jocketty is an excellent general manager. He didn't get much of a chance to show it in 2003 when the St. Louis Cardinals' ownership left him without funds to patch the gaping holes in his pitching staff, but he's back in the game. Jocketty demonstrated his acumen Saturday, nudging the Cardinals back toward the top of the National League Central with a trade White Sox GM Ken Williams must envy. By dealing J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero to Atlanta, Jocketty addressed the pitching shortfall that was responsible for the Cardinals finishing three games behind the Cubs last season. Not only did St. Louis land three good arms in the deal—starter Jason Marquis, left-handed reliever Ray King and Adam Wainwright, the Braves' top pitching prospect—but it also saved itself about $6 million. Warning bells should have sounded in Chicago and Houston when this trade was announced. "We're not done yet," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "We're still working to add a starter who can pitch with the two other guys on top of our rotation. What we did today gives us a chance." Hello, Greg Maddux. The financial flexibility created by trading Drew and Marrero, who are a year away from free agency, allows Jocketty to pursue the best free-agent starters still available. If Jocketty succeeds in landing Maddux to pitch alongside Matt Morris and Woody Williams, the Cardinals would be much more viable in a race against the Cubs and the improved Houston Astros. With four All-Stars in the lineup, St. Louis was second in the NL in runs scored last year, outscoring the Cubs by almost a run per game. But its thin pitching staff didn't do a good enough job of keeping opponents from scoring. "Obviously, this is a difficult trade from the Cardinals' standpoint, giving up two players the caliber of J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero—two players who have grown up in our organization and had good careers with us," Jocketty said. "But this accomplishes a big part of our off-season priority—improving the pitching depth." La Russa put it bluntly. "If we didn't improve our pitching, we weren't going to have a chance," he said. Marquis, 25, got to the big leagues quickly but never hit stride in Atlanta, where he came to clash with manager Bobby Cox. He started only two games for the Braves last year but will be counted on as a part of a St. Louis rotation that could include Chris Carpenter, Dan Haren and Jason Simontacchi. King, 30, upgrades a bullpen that previously had Steve Kline and Cal Eldred as the only veterans behind closer Jason Isringhausen. It was the inclusion the 22-year-old Wainwright, a 6-foot-6-inch right-hander with a mid-90s fastball, that sealed the deal for the Cardinals, who are running thin on pitching prospects of their own. Drew showed hints of greatness in his early days in the big leagues but never could stay healthy with the Cardinals. He goes to Atlanta as a replacement for Gary Sheffield, whose deal with the Yankees should be announced in the next few days. Marrero will play some first base, outfield and catcher for the Braves. This is the exact kind of trade that Williams has been pursuing for two months. The Cardinals dealt surplus offensive players for less expensive pitchers, filling holes and giving themselves an opportunity to take advantage of a buyer's market for free agents. Williams could have done this a month ago if he had declared Carlos Lee to be his surplus player. The Los Angeles Dodgers would have done a deal, as would Baltimore and several other teams. But Williams tried dealing Paul Konerko, Billy Koch or even Frank Thomas instead and thus remains gridlocked. It's possible he's overvaluing Lee, whose diminished patience at the plate combined with an increased number of at-bats to yield the career highs in home runs (31) and RBIs (113) in 2003. It's also possible that Williams places such a high value on Lee because he thinks he might get him signed to a four-year, $20 million contract, making him affordable over the long haul. But if you ask me, he would have a better chance to win next year if he dealt Lee and kept Magglio Ordonez, even if he is going to leave as a free agent after the season. It appears Williams has concluded his best chance to win is to spread Ordonez's $14 million salary around to four or five players—a couple of pitchers from a trade and two or three free-agent bargains. According to sources, he asked Seattle for 24-year-old right-hander Rafael Soriano, an elite prospect, along with Freddy Garcia. That's exactly the kind of deal he needs to pull off, but he is running out of potential takers who can handle an Ordonez-sized salary—perhaps Anaheim, Baltimore or the Mets, and that's about it. Williams can't say it's impossible to add arms and gain financial flexibility. The Cardinals just did it.

Yeah that was the first thing that stuck out at me too. I know the Dodgers tried to trade him to the Cards for J.D Drew, but instead Drew went to Atlanta, and they don't want to trade for Jim Edmonds cos he's on a 3 year deal very expensive. So I think Perez prob goes to us now, but I think we'll take him. Another lefty in the rotation will be a nice thing to have. Plus he's pretty young as well.

Guess this means they're not gonna sign Reggie Sanders now. Could be an option if Maggs goes mayb, but Jay Payton seems to be the guy most ppl round here want if he's non - tendered as expected.

Livan Hernandez. Get him now.

Miguel Tejada is really want to goin to play for them now!

Shows u how desperate the Rangers r for some pitchin. I remember pitchin as him in some video game and man he had a great curveball, but yeah, I don't see him pitchin in da big leagues again.

The guy I was talkin bout was is in fact Clint Nageotte, and no he's not an Aussie, he was drafted in da 5th round in 1999 from Ohio High School. If we hav to include Maggs or Carlos Lee in a deal, we should ask for Soriano or Nageotte included in a deal as a MINIMUM. Here r his numbers, Year Team Level G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO W-L SV ERA 2001 Wisconsin A 28 26 152.1 141 65 53 10 50 187 11-8 0 3.13 2002 San Bernadino A 29 29 164.2 153 101 83 10 68 214 9-6 0 4.54 2003 San Antonio AA 27 27 154.0 127 60 53 6 67 157 11-7 0 3.10 And some small tidbits, Nageotte led the minor leagues in strikeouts in 2002, and while his K-rate dropped in '03, it was still well above average, with more than one strikeout per inning. He is tough to hit, seldom giving up home runs or extra-base hits. His excellent K/IP and H/IP ratios in Double-A are strong markers for future success. His walk rate isn't bad, but it's not really good, either, and maintaining decent command as he moves up will be a key test for him. Every scouting report about Nageotte begins with his slider. He has one of the best breaking pitches in baseball. His slider has a tight break and is very overpowering. It's a definite plus major league pitch right now. Nageotte also has a solid fastball, timed as high as 95 mph. His changeup is adequate when he uses it, but will need improvement if he wants to be a successful major league starter. Nageotte's command is not awful, but it also needs sharpening. Statistically, there's a lot to like here. His high strikeout rate pegs him as a potentially dominant pitcher. In scouting terms, Nageotte has a lot of work to do in order to fulfil his potential, at least in the rotation. If he is unable to develop a changeup, he could end up as an overpowering reliever.

Hehe, it's the first positive energy I've felt all weekend too. Finally this move may lead to a deal actually gettin done for da White Sox. I can see why they want him, with the Rick Peterson factor, but he's just too much of a risk for my liking at $6.25 mill especially when otha guys like Foulke who u know r gonna put up good no's r only makin $5 mill next year. But he will put up betta numbers, I'm just not sure how much betta they'll be.

Hopefully they r stupid enough to take on Koch now. David Weathers would look very nice in our pen. I know Jason said he posted very good numbers this year I think leadin the Mets in appearances. He'd be a nice replacement for Sully.

I'm all for tradin Garcia for Valentin if that's the best we can get for Jose. I would also luv to get Rafael Soraino or their stud pitchin prospect Clint Naeole who I believe is an Aussie.

Well da Cards win this trade in my opinion. Drew is an overated hyped playa who's neva lived up to his potential cos he's always injured, and that won't change. Plus he'll be makin big bucks in arbitration this year. Marrero was just included as a backup as Catcher and on the outfield. Adam Wainwright will be a stud no. 2 or 3 guy in the Cards rotation in bout 2 years and I'm really shocked da Braves traded him when they r gonna lose Maddux in all likelihood. I also think Jason Marquis could blossom in St. Louis as he'll be given a chance in their rotation straight away if they don't sign Millwood or Maddux who LaRussa wants. Ray King is a nice Lefty reliever for da Cards to add to their bullpen as well. He'll replace Fassero.

Hmmm me thinks da Mets fans mite be cryin foul again about an overpaid playa. Cameron is a good CF, but he's not worth 19 mill ova 3 years. But still the Mets know what they want and money ain't a problem for that, until now. Hopefully now they'll go afta Koch. This is from Jayson Stark's Rumblings and Grumblings, Now that they've signed Mike Cameron, the Mets will turn to their next objective -- finding a closer. They've talked to free agent Ugueth Urbina. But indications are that they're more likely to trade for either Billy Koch or Scott Williamson. And if we were betting men, we'd bet on Koch, given his connection (from Oakland) to new pitching coach Rick Peterson. Two teams that have been speaking with the Red Sox said they came away with the clear impression that center fielder Johnny Damon is now available. The Red Sox are also prepared to trade either Williamson or Byung-Hyun Kim.

Damn my eyes must be deceivin my tonite. I was sure that was Alba 1st time I looked, but yeah it's Shannon Elizabeth.

Damn that's a lot of sports rumors there. Looks like I didn't miss much while I was away yesterday sox wise. Unfortunately the free agent pool is gettin thinner and thinner by the day so I hope KW makes a move soon hopefully by the end of the winter meetings.

That is so cool Cheat. That'll be sumthin really kickass to put in ur siggy. Great job there.

That's a very nice siggy u got there Ian. Of course any with Jess Alba is gonna look good.

Says it all in my opinion.

Oh yeah, she sure has been. The more Mandy pics, da betta!

Like da green background u got there SoxFan1.