Flash Tizzle

What's unfortanute about the payroll disparity present in MLB is this same scneario will occur following every prized FA pitcher. Our only hopes of obtaining Ben Sheets (for example) is midseason by trading away prized prospects. You sure as hell can't expect Reinsdorf to outbid other organizations for high priced FA's. My hope is eventually, whether its next year or five years from now, teams with high payrolls will be so emersed in long term/high priced contracts the market will finally be leveled.

Forget about this. I'm disappointed, but Piercynski should be the key acquisition right now. Second base and an additional starter are less important at this moment.

Hardly a revelation here. Clement to Boston is finalized: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb...s_mlb&fext=.jsp

If true, Williams shouldn't give up anyone not named Jon Garland and Paul Konerko.

I wouldn't doubt it. If Clement doesn't sign with our club, Williams moves to Plan F and includes White Sox in this RJ trade.

Correct. For Johnson, Diamondbacks were seeking the following from the White Sox: http://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-randy17.html

Sign Matt Clement -or- Sign FA 5th starter, 2b, C. Offseason over. DONE.

Neither did I. Only reference to Clement was the headline. What's the purpose of mentioning 'White Sox making Offer to Clement' as a top news story, and not including further information? The actual offer, and perhaps recent information, would help.

ESPN News. I'll be sure to include any useful information, CWS.

ESPN will discuss this segment within the next 20 minutes.

Did anyone know Uribe dumped Scott Boras in place of Marte's agent? Looks as if the White Sox stance on negotiating with Scott Boras influenced this decision. Perhaps Uribe was doing his part to ensuring his place on this team for a long time. http://www.suntimes.com/output/baseball/cst-spt-randy17.html

:headshake Even if he were to change his business approach following an illness, Reinsdorf would have to convince shareholders the benefit of investing more money into this club. Convincing shareholders to increase their investments without any proof of equal (at the least) returns is useless. His direct role is limited to minority share holder and chairman of the board.

I'd love to hear Williams convince fans holding 6 million until midseason, when they might not even be in contention, is worth it. He'll be reminded EVERY game following a Grilli loss, or a Willie Harris/Ben Davis slump that replacements were available; but blatantly ignored. It's certaintly not Williams fault the market has inflated, but no one can convince me Lee's departure wasn't designed to free up money for this offseason. I simply don't understand what message Williams is sending by signing Dye/Hermanson and trading for Podsednik/Vizcaino, but holding onto 6 million for a phantom July trade. It doesn't make sense, and I honestly don't believe he'll do this. Baseball is an odd sport; there's no telling which teams or players are available. I could imagine, in the grand scheme of Williams mind, absolutely no suitable starters available on the mid-season market. There are available players out there which fit well with this club. If Williams has other plans, he might as well tell us now and save 3 months of speculation. It'll give me sufficient time to write a speech for Soxfest. One question: July approaches, and Sox are limping 10 games behind first place. Now, how exactly does Williams explain his inactivity the previous offseason? Does he decide to spend money and go for it, or pack it in and prepare for 06? Brilliant factor related to the offseason is every team is 0-0. Spend now, worry later; not the other way around.

I don't understand why this is neccesary unless bidding for Clement is simply a ploy to suggest White Sox have considered other options. If Williams is confident his package might land Clement, it shouldn't matter what happens with Unit. Unless...signing Clement and trading for Unit (or Vazquez) is actually a serious consideration.

I was thinking maybe this was a purposeful leak from the Yankee organization to pressure Dodgers into accepting the deal. The recent revelation Dodgers may hold off discussions (due to Beltre's availability) may have irritated Steinbrenner. Perhaps Yankees (and most importantly Arizona) felt this deal is the best for their clubs and weren't looking forward to the Dodgers backing out. /prepares for tin-foil reference

Now faced with the impending signing of Clement to Anaheim/Boston, Williams must concede Perez. Lose out on Perez, which is likely, we're set back however many days it takes for the bidding process to complete. Move quickly, stealthy, under the radar and sign El-Duque, Piercynski, Cairo or Polanco. Piercynski is the most valuable of these three and needs to be signed quickly as possible. There, I've officially conceeded my quest for the Sox to acquire a top tier pitcher. I feel dirty and confused. :puke

It's a fair offer, but unfortunately Sox will fall short. Home-town discount may be the determining factor when competing clubs offer matching contracts, and its a decision of which team is a better fit, but three million is a huge difference. Clement and Perez will find themselves in either Boston or Anaheim next season.

I'd say Podsednik's arrival was directly responsible for the recent spike. Browsing the 'Join Date' of the members on this site, 33 members registered from December 13th until December 16th (today). Prior to this, it took 22 days for 33 to join. I'm sure the pattern is consistent among big signings/trades.

I've only heard him mention saving money for the deadline twice; once in an article (MLB, IIRC), and during a radio interview. I assume the comment was stated as a worst case scenario, not as an indication he'd follow through. Visualizing Clement on the Sox was not a figment of our imaginations. White Sox are currently listed as a team which has placed a bid for his services, in addition to a ESPN Insider article in which we're listed as a "mystery team." We're not competing with the Yankees in this instance. Angels and Boston definitely have the upper hand, but until Clement's decision is known we're not out of it.

End this f***ing deal. Please. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! I believe now, more than ever, Steinbrenner will do everything within his power to land Johnson. Unit will not escape the clutches of The Boss.

Cheat, you can't honestly suggest these pitchers aren't valuable to our club because none of them are "impact players." Where is Grilli on this ERA+ chart? Or is his 5-9 wins acceptable because he's cheap? When this ideal impact player is available next offseason, do you suppose his market valuelwill fall within our price range? I'm not intending to put you on the spot, but what are we to do if market trends continue to favor players? Sit back and pick the cheap solution because there's a "low risk, high reward" clause?

This entire organization deserves the wrath of fans and Chicago media outlets alike if this nightmare scenario unfolds.

No, he doesn't! If a general manager assembles a club capable of winning a division, and that group fails to perform, the GM has immunity because he tried. That's how it works in the business world! If Williams misses out on Perez/Clement, will this begin the campaign to assure Sox fans our rotation doesn't need further improvements? I'm placing money on the following KW quotes: -"We feel comfortable with our current rotation." -"Grilli has shown promise in the 5th starters role." -"Ultimately, we felt this rotation is more than capable of winning the division and advancing far into the playoffs." -"If our team is in contention come July, I'll create the proper trades I ignored the previous offseason. "

I can't settle down. Blame society; everyone else uses it as a scapegoat. Our technological, fast paced world has led me to believe demands are to be met immediately. Seriously, I can wait, but my expecations for this club will not waiver. Several months ago I was expecting a top tier starter pitching for the White Sox, and this will not change. Personally, I feel signing a FA is the easiest method of improving a club without giving up much in return. While its obvious the market is ridiculously slanted towards the players, and no one is willing to overpay money for a questionable starter, two viable options remain: Perez and Clement. If not either of those two, what then? Have you seen how many teams are bidding for Clement's services? We're not the only clubs which will be looking for Millwood, Lowe after other options are exhausted. Eventually, whether it be Piercynski, Perez, or Polanco, we'll have to pay considerable costs. Would you rather pay now; complain later, or do nothing and look forward to possible scrap-heap acquisitions.

Please, let's not draw the "long off-season" card. Longer Williams holds out, the less likely we are to substantially improve our rotation. Do you believe Odalis Perez will hold out until Spring Training? No, Shawn Chacon is the type of player which is achieved from waiting.