Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 03:55 PM) Nate Silvers take from cheats blog. That's exactly what I believe as well. We'll find ourselves bad to mediocre the next several seasons, all the while Williams will resist doing the right thing and rebuilding because of his ego and job security. Williams needed to trade someone with value to receive a generous package of young talent. He needed to take a risk. He didn't, and from that, we're no better today than yesterday. Am I supposed to believe the offseason will be any different concerning the value of any of our players? Garland won't magically command more with only one season until free agency. The next several seasons won't be pretty. I look at it like this -- if we're not going to have a legitimate chance of winning a division title (which I don't believe is very reasonable in this division), it won't matter one bit whether the team finishes at .500 or 20 games below. I'm not worried about a season ticket base, either. I'm more concerned with assembling talent form within than being just good enough to draw fans and continue a train of mediocrity such as 2001-2004.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 03:45 PM) They could designated them both for assignment as of today, if they really where in a lets see what the kids are doing. Hell they could even bench them. But that isnt going to happen. This is exactly my problem. If Williams is intent on judging the performance of younger players for next season, why are those two f***ing bums (Podsednik and Erstad) still on this ballclub? Are we in contention for a division title that I'm unaware of? I just want someone to answer this for me -- how have the trades of Mackowiak and Iguchi helped this team for next season. And I'm talking about the return value of both, not whether younger players such as Richar are given playing time. How do either of the relievers we acquired help us in future seasons? I'm tired of trades where people say, "oh, this move is good because it frees up room for (x) or frees up money for (x)." No. I want a move which benefits us ballclub and that doesn't depend upon some other outside force such as free agency moves. Cmon, #1 draft pick! Our only hope of receiving talent.

Does anyone know what happened to Mackowiak in two years that his value declined from a lefthanded reliever with previous seasons of domination to a high A, 23 year old reliever? It sure wasn't due to poor performance. For everyone who says, "what did you expect," well, I expect more than this. Someone should find the Mackowiak/Marte thread from several years ago and browse through it. I'm sure people were saying, "Marte is a headcase," "Mackowiak is the best utilityman in the league" and other assorted excuses. Another quesiton I have is how exactly the trades of Iguchi and Mackowiak have helped this team prepare for the future? Sure, Richar is now given an extended look at second base, but I'm refering to the value of both players. Garland needed to go. We needed an influx of talent. Williams failed, plain and simple. He should be embarrased with himself. I want to hear him talk to the media and explain how this team has improved entering next season. The only way we're acquiring talent is with a high draft pick at this point. And even there I'm scared we'll f*** it up.

I'm glad Williams has decided to help our future move in the right direction by acquiring one A, one high A reliever. We're bound to cotend next season with these shrewd moves. He's really done an horrific job. We're no better today than yesterday. Our future hasn't improved one bit.

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Jul 31, 2007 -> 02:36 AM) Rotoworld is saying the Red Sox have the best bid for Gagne, although he can veto a trade to them. Rotoworld also cites a Sports Illustrated article suggesting Garland won't be traded because Williams demands young players, and teams are unwilling to surrender such a price. I'm sure 'young players' refers to those currently in the majors, and not prospects. Regardless, I'm still expecting Garland to be dealt. If not, well, I'll openly cheer for this team to lose enough games ot earn the #1 draft selection. I don't know how else this team acquires legitimate talent to compete within the American League central if not for trades or a high draft pick.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 10:38 PM) The ESPN article summarized by roto: That suggests Garland was their first option. If Blanton is traded to the Dodgers and the "starting pitching prospect" referenced by Rotoworld is Kershaw, that'll be about it with my confidence in Williams. Well, that's until he meets the high expectations I've set for Garland and his departure by midafternoon tomorrow.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 09:29 PM) You are going to be disappointed when we have Dye signed to a 3 year deal, Uribes option picked up, and pods and erstad as our dynamic 1-2 punch. Remember we get our MVP Ozuna back. Wait till you get a load of our trade net next year. Our top 10 pick will be signable guy, who just either started to put it together this year(making sure he isnt on anyones radar, or has new found velocity), but we will be the first to sign them. I am getting myself ready for worst case so I can be pleasantly surprised, hopefully. I bet you though, Pods and Erstad will be here haunting us next year. Those players may very well find themselves back. Yet, I'm just going to create a signature assuming Williams realizes the state of our farm system, and the possible package Garland could receive, and just wish him farwell right now. That way, when I wake up tomorrow afternoon I can just add in the name of whichever players were acquired. No doubt a tremendous package. How's that for high expectations?

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 09:20 PM) Blanton to the Dodgers. I was going to quote Balta but his post has since disappeared. Williams would be an absolute moron if he doesn't step into this discussion. Beane, according to that article, is asking for three premier prospects. Williams asks for two (including either Kershaw or Hu) and I'd be elated. Don't f*** this up, Kenny.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 09:13 PM) Beane is going to beat us to the punch on this. Unlike Williams, Beane doesnt have distaste for spinning a pitcher for some prospects. KW will balk at it, or try to get one major league ready guy who doesnt have the ceiling of a few AA/AAA guys that might be a year away. We have a need at SS, and we have a team that has a block with Furcal over Hu. And we will get the privilege of watching him, and a few others Oakland A us to death when we go out that way. I have a bad feeling, that KW will lack the guts to pull the trigger enough to do this right. It will be half assed and we will be out of this for a long while. The right moves, and you have to give up talent to get it, will allow us to rebuild quicker. Garland must go. If Garland doesnt go, then KW better sign him to a long term deal. Because if he is just going to dump him for peanuts next year because garland wont go for the hometown discount. According to another post I came across on the Dodgers official website it's common for pitchers to last only one inning. Atleast for the lower level affiliates. It may be nothing. If Blanton were traded for either Hu or Kershaw, and Williams had an opportunity but balked, then he'll have to be certified baseball retarded. I agree with you that Garland must go. I'm just going to assume he's traded when I wake up tomorrow morning (which will be around 3 in the afternoon) and anything else will be a huge disappointment. I love setting high expectations for Williams.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 08:59 PM) I still doubt Kershaw gets dealt. Just a hunch I guess. If it weren't the night before the trading deadline, I probably would have agreed. What sense would it make -- if an organization was concerned with Kershaw -- to have him projected as the starter, go through the entire routine to prepare, pitch one inning, then remove him without a high pitch count or being hit around? And, then soon after, suggest injuries weren't related to the removal? I guess we'll find out fairly soon. The Dodgers just can't sit on this all night.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 08:49 PM) Dodgers want Blanton right now....and I'd love to get Kershaw for anyone on our team. Blanton is cheap and producing in the American League. If it's bewteen him and Garland, Kershaw will be in Oakland. I guess it's up to Williams to make sure that doesn't happen.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 08:42 PM) It'd be too convienent for you to get your high cieling lefty prospect. Learn to embrace the Egbert. I just fear whos else would be involved. I'm never really happy; that's the problem, here. Williams may feel with Gonzalez, Egbert, DLS all producing one is expendable, and include them with Garland to receive one of LA's positional prospects in addition to Kershaw.

I'm reading through a Los Angeles Dodgers message board (MLB.com) and one fan said, "It would be tough to see Kershaw go, but for someone like Jon Garland, I'll do it." Also, there was no mention of injuries leading to his removal from those following the game.

QUOTE(michelangelosmonkey @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 08:04 PM) Remember how awful the offense was in 2005? Scratch and claw for every run. In that year we had Cotts and Polite pitch lights out in middle relief. Good starting pitching, good middle relief and a good closer...with just enough offense to win. That formula can work in 2008 or 09. Remember the Contreas of 17 wins in a row? What if that is Vaz next year? What if Danks is 20% better next year. What if Gio is rookie of the year. A team needs a bit of luck to win...and a some talent. Sox HAVE talent...it just didn't work this year. We'll get them next year (while we sit back and polish our WS trophy) Ask yourself this -- if the Sox have talent, why aren't they winning? Answer is, even with the potential of our players, there are other teams within the division with better teams. Oh, another is this supposed talent really isn't very talented. It's that simple. It's difficult to say, "oh, this worked in 2005," when you're discounting the strength of the American League central; particularly the Tigers. What makes me believe the same formula that worked in 2005 will miraculously reinvent itself in 2008, despite the fact this team has become progressively worse since the championship? Yourself, among others, have to provide a room-full of "ifs" to argue for a winning season in 2008.

QUOTE(WSoxMatt @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 07:28 PM) ESPN 1000 was saying that the Sox are going to negotiate a 2-3 yr extension with Dye now I'm so glad our minor league system is capable of producing talent once every 10 years.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 07:29 PM) Sorry Flash, but the biggest albatross on this team right now is that 20 million he's owed over the next two years. I'd rather have that money free and available on major league talent than get a bunch of prospects. Yet, if Garland is traded 12 million is free to pursue major league talent. In addition to whichever package of prospects/MLB players are collected. I don't regard Contreras' salary as an albatross next season. We'll still have a payroll around 90 million. I much rather have 12 million available + players from Garland deal rather than 10 million available + box of crap from Contreras deal. What exactly are we doing the next several seasons that it matters whether Contreras is gone? I'm still extremely pessimistic about our immediate future. If we're looking for talent, we'll have to surrender talent. And even though Williams is too proud to ever begin a complete rebuilding process, we can't rebuild our farm system with Tadahito Iguchi and Jermaine Dye trades. He'll have to take a risk, eventually.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 06:17 PM) So Haeger hasn't pitched in 5 days, almost like he could be available for a spot start tomorrow. Fingers crossed. I'd still rather trade someone with value than Contreras. At worst, he'll be placed on the DL or moved into the bullpen. Considering his value, it'd be better to let him remain a member of the White Sox until the end of the season. Perhaps he'll marginally improve.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 05:08 PM) And then who would close out games? MacDougal, Boonito, Aardsma; whichever combination works. If Williams were offered an unbelievable package for Jenks -- one which couldn't be ignored -- then you have to reevaluate his placement on this team. Either fill several positions (perhaps SS, OF, C), or hold onto Jenks to preserve the rare time his team is actually leading a ballgame. We're not winning anything this season, and I'm not exactly looking forward to 2008 and 2009 either. If losing Jenks destroys our bullpen but strengthens another two parts of our ballclub I'll except the tradeoff.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 04:01 PM) Fred McGriff, too. I was talking to Wite last night about Hudson and I've been talking to people about McGriff and Hudson and Marte. John Schuerholz is so handsome. Is Schuerholz breast feeding you? Jesus, you've been hanging on him for about a week now.

QUOTE(kane0730 @ Jul 30, 2007 -> 04:27 PM) I think 2 or 3pm. Good. Garland should be gone by then.

It was phenomenal. Best concert I've ever seen. Anyone else attend?

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 29, 2007 -> 03:10 PM) TRADE JD NOW! Will one 21 year old A reliever be enough? Regardless of Dye's overall statistics from this season, his second half surge has atleast assured this team of a B level prospect. For all the excuses people made of why Linebrick cost Milwaukee what it did, Dye has been tremendous of late, is the top available OF bat, and will assure whatever team trades for him Class A compensation.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 29, 2007 -> 03:04 PM) Not like it really mattered. Vazquez let up 2 hits in 7.1 IP, then lets up 3 hits and a walk out of the next 5 batters. Why not pull him after there is 2 on and 1 out, or even 3 on and 1 out. Ozzie always waits until the damage is so great that the team has no chance of making a comeback. It didn't matter? Two additional runs crossed homeplate on a play Podsednik should have made. There's a reason pitchers are left out too long -- Guillen doesn't trust the bullpen.

Another embarrassing miscue by Podsednik in left field cost his pitcher two runs. Please, get him off this ballclub.

QUOTE(max power @ Jul 29, 2007 -> 02:42 PM) Why isnt paulie playing again? He's about to be traded.