winninguglyin83

The more I hear about Chris Young, the more he sounds like a guy who has a chance to be special. I really like outfielders who can run and chase down balls. Like Hunter, Crawford and the other that give the Sox fits. enjoy. 8. BRANDON McCARTHY, rhp, Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) Age: 21 Ht: 6-7 Wt: 180 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: White Sox '02 (17) W: 8 L: 5 ERA: 3.64 G: 15 SV: 0 IP: 94.0 H: 80 HR: 10 BB: 21 SO: 113 AVG: .232 The only pitcher to strike out more batters in the minors than Petit this season was McCarthy, who fanned 202 in 172 innings and actually pitched better after leaving Kannapolis. At 6-foot-7 and 180 pounds, McCarthy has some filling out to do physically and should gain velocity on his solid 90-93 mph fastball. It's already an effective pitch because he stays tall in his delivery, throws it downhill and puts it where he wants it. "He was one of the elite guys for me because he could command the fastball, his curveball and his changeup," Joyce said. "His change was his third pitch, but it was effective because he knew how to use it. He knew how to use all his stuff, which was impressive." 15. CHRIS YOUNG, of, Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) Age: 21 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: White Sox '01 (16) AB: 467 R: 83 H: 122 2B: 31 3B: 5 HR: 24 RBI: 56 BB: 67 SO: 146 SB: 31 CS: 9 AVG: .261 OBP: .365 SLG: .503 Young ranks behind Anderson because he's even more raw, but he probably has a higher ceiling. The question is whether his propensity for swinging and missing will keep him from reaching it. His 146 strikeouts ranked third in the league behind two other unrefined, multitooled outfielders: Greensboro's Jai Miller and Rome's Steve Doetsch. Young still is growing into his 6-foot-2 frame, and his power is becoming his best tool. When he does make contact, it's loud, as he ranked third in the league with 60 extra-base hits. Cron compared Young to former White Sox farmhand Mike Cameron for his power-speed combination and his struggles to make contact. "He's got plus tools across the board except for arm strength, though his arm has gotten a bit better," Cron said. "He's not afraid to go deep in counts, and that leads to a lot of strikeouts too. But he plays a great center field, he's a plus runner and he has plus power. That's three major league tools, and if he's an average hitter, you've got yourself a pretty good big league center fielder."

Jose did good work with the Sox for five seasons. Key part of 2000 playoff team. Didn't b**** when Royce replaced him (Wouldn't you?) agreed to play second, third or center. Had a lot of clutch hits. It's time for him to go -- or come back for a lot less money as a reserve. But he did good work for the Sox.

i'd take him in a heart beat. But I don't believe he's a free agent yet. off the field stuff could be that he's from Florida and maybe his home has been damaged by the storms.

jose did some good things for the Sox over five seasons. gave us power, some clutch hits and decent SS play. but it's time for a change. it's that simple.

gotta go with Carlos. He can still improve. Can steal a base. probably capable of playing first as well as left, which PK cannot do. and he's a better all-around hitter. PK's value will never be higher. Now is the time to pull the plug.

you are exactly right. Other than Frank, Maggs has been the best homegrown player the Sox have produced in a long, long, long time. This ain't the way to tell him goodbye. All KW has to say NOTHING. The situation will play out on its own. Anybody who doesn't think that other players on other teams don't see this s*** and think, "What in the Hell is going on in Chicago?' is crazy.

I'd say the one factor to remember about Ulacia is that he is a left-hander. We need a lefty in middle relief. Whether it's Ulacia or Phillips or Munoz or Meaux, I dunno. But Cotts hasn't exactly been a middle innings stopper.

Wasn't Maggs' fault that we lost the last few years. We've seen how overpowering this club is without him this season. Get ready for The Kid Can Play, Part IX, as we wait for Sweeney, Anderson, Brice, Spidale, Young, Nanita and the others to develop.

smokescreen. feed the fans the folly that they're really going to try to get Beltran. Get outbid. Fall short. Cry that they tried. and then give us John Cangelosi Lite. Book it. Beltran ain't coming to Chicago. He'll be in pinstripes.

I agree. With the injuries that shut down Honel, Wing, Corwin Malone, Jason Stumm and others, take it easy with this kid. He jumped two levels in one summer. Let him chill and mature.

KW and Ozzie both need to take a break from stupid comments.

found this article on the Chicago Tribune site. seems to indicate that B Mac is not going to pitch in the AFL. Maybe the Sox have decided that 170 innings is enough in one year. If so, that's a wise decision. The Arizona Fall League starts on Oct. 5. The Cubs' and Sox's prospects are on the Mesa Solar Sox. The other teams with prospects on the Solar Sox are Colorado, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. The Sox have designated pitchers Jeff Bajenaru, Matt Smith, Dennis Ulacia, shortstop Pedro Lopez and outfielders Brian Anderson and Casey Rogowski to the team

If we could get Honel or Wing healthy, we could be on to something. congrats to our next stud right-hander.

exactly. shouldn't say a damn word about Maggs. Nothing. What is the point of pissing off a guy who played his ass for the Sox for 6-plus years. That's going to make free agents want to run to Chicago to play for the White Sox. ridiculous

Torborg or Fisk would work. So would Sandy. But it's better players we need more than better coaches. And better coaches in the minors to teach these guys how to play. Most of the teachin is over by the time they get to the big leagues.

We're going to be dog-cussing KW for the Reed trade 10 years from now. Simply flat-out stupid.

This madness isn't going to end until Maggs signs with another team. It's very disturbing that almost every player who leaves the Sox -- McDowell, Ventura, Fisk, Cameron, Foulke and many others -- leaves with hard feelings. And they are building here. An article posted on the White Sox official web site. /2004 8:29 PM ET GM 'hurt' by Ordonez's comments Williams responds to All-Star slugger's quotes By Scott Merkin / MLB.com Magglio Ordonez has 60 home runs and 590 RBIs in the last five seasons. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) CHICAGO -- Magglio Ordonez's mere presence in the White Sox's lineup draws instant notice from the South Side faithful and opposing teams, alike. Apparently, Ordonez's absence also is becoming somewhat newsworthy. For the second consecutive day, general manager Ken Williams responded to an issue surrounding the injured All-Star who has not played since bone marrow edema in his left knee ended his 2004 season on July 22. Ordonez had not talked much, if at all, to the Chicago media from his home in Florida during his prolonged absence, but two pointed comments showed up as part of a column in Thursday's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times. Ordonez took exception to an article in the Chicago Tribune the day before, based on an interview with Williams, in which there was some question as to whether he would be healthy enough to start Spring Training. There's little doubt in Ordonez's mind regarding this particular answer, as the 30-year-old seems to feel the severity of his injury is being unfairly portrayed or addressed. "I'm healthy. I'm going to be 100 percent by Spring Training," Ordonez said in the column. "I don't know why they're saying I won't be. What I read in the paper is not fair." The comments from Ordonez apparently came earlier in the day and probably prior to Williams' address to the media Wednesday afternoon. During that time, the White Sox's general manager spoke of very positive conversations he had with Ordonez and his agent, Tom Reich, that very day and how he was extremely encouraged by the progress made in Ordonez's healing process. Magglio Ordonez / RF Born: 01/28/74 Height: 6'0" Weight: 215 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Team Site Williams also went out of his way to mention Ordonez as a continuing important part of the White Sox family. That entire interaction made Thursday's column a big surprise to Williams, who thought he was on the same page as Ordonez and his camp but still chose his words carefully in response Thursday evening. "My initial reaction was anger," Williams said. "Throughout the course of the day, it was more hurt than anything, assuming that those comments were in their correct context. I had spoken with Magglio yesterday, and I thought it was a great conversation. "We got off the phone and I felt very good about it, both after talking with Tom Reich and Magglio. I felt very good about the prospects of him getting better and healthier and him fitting into our equation. I thought about calling him again today, but I don't know how much good it would do. "If that (newspaper) conversation and interview took place before I spoke with him, it seems that I would have been alerted to that at some point that this was coming forth," Williams added. "If that interview took place afterwards, then it's even a little more hurtful." The state of Ordonez's knee is a very important topic in regards to the future of Ordonez's Major League career. As a healthy contributor, there are few better than Ordonez. He hit 60 home runs and drove in 590 runs over the past five years, with his average ranging from .301 to .320. Ordonez is an accomplished base runner, who had 25 stolen bases as recently as 2001, and a very underrated right fielder in terms of his stellar defense. But as a free agent, currently earning $14 million and in search of a deal covering five years at close to $70 million, teams might be less inclined to deal with Ordonez if they don't think he's ready to play. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "As time goes on, you will understand when certain truths come out more so why we are in the position of a holding pattern (for offering Ordonez a contract), why we can't make any offers prematurely." -- Ken Williams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With that in mind, Ordonez spoke out. Ordonez claimed in the article that he had already started a daily rehabilitation program and will be able to run and swing the bat in a matter of weeks. Williams mentioned Wednesday that Ordonez hadn't even begun workouts in the pool, an early form of rehab prescribed for the ailing superstar. "That would please me if he is," Williams said of Ordonez's talk about running and swinging the bat soon. "I'm trying to take the highest road I can here." Ordonez classified his injury in the article as "a bone bruise. That's it." Williams almost suffered an injury of his own Thursday, biting his lip so as not to react to the direct comments from his right fielder From the beginning of the season, Williams refused to discuss Ordonez's contractual negotiations through the media. Out of respect for Ordonez, he might have to add his current health status to the list of unapproachable topics "I'm uncomfortable talking about anything because it's going to be spun in a controversial manner," said Williams, who did mention he would like Ordonez to return to Chicago some time in the near future for an examination by White Sox doctors. "The one thing I've learned is that sometimes in this position you have to take it in the gut in the present, knowing that down the line, some things will be explained to a greater degree. "As time goes on, you will understand when certain truths come out more so why we are in the position of a holding pattern (for offering Ordonez a contract), why we can't make any offers prematurely. I'm not willing to elaborate on that because I think that my elaboration certainly doesn't help him, and I don't want to hurt Magglio or his chances to maximize his value or our chances to re-sign him. "It's probably something that I should just allow to let die, rather than comment very much further," Williams added. "There are some definite opinions about what was said, but the toughest part about it is it was after a great conversation."

And don't forget the best thing about Valdez: THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!!!!!!!! You can be sure he'll be in the mix next season.

The only good I can see from this is that at some point somebody will get Reinsdorf's attention and say: Why in the hell did your general manager trade FIVE prospects to acquire this slug twice in 13 months? He can't run. He can't field. He can't throw. He hits a little, but sporadically. What the hell in going on? But, of course, I dream big.

I, too, have soured on Crede. Can't hit the good fastball -- and everybody in the AL knows itr. Too many swings he looks as if he is just reaching for the ball. With Everett back and Rowand established, my guess is that Carlos Lee will be traded. Be another money saving move. They'll play Carl in left, Rowand in center and either Borchard, Timo, Escobar or some cheapo free agent in right.

I also vote for a balance. It's hardly a coincidence that the As can make a go of it with guys like Hatteberg and Eric Byrnes and Chad Bradford and Mecir and Rincon while losing Giambi, Tejada, Damon, Koch (good in his year there) and Foulke. The guy knows how to put a team together. He is blessed with stud starting pitching, but he's definitely on to something by the way he forms his offense. The White Sox need more guys who know how to get on base (namely draw walks), less reliance on the HR and something to break up the heavy, slow legs in the middle of the order. They also need to fix 40-to-50 percent of the starting rotation and upgrade middle relief. My problem with KW remains the same: I think he gives up too much in trades and that he doesn't really have a plan. What kind of team is he trying to build and who are the foundation players? Does he really believe that Joe Borchard is untouchable? I'm not sure. And I don't think he is either.

I liked him better when he was in shape, healthy and able to play RF. unfortunately I didn't see any of that this season. Neither did the Expos. If he can't play RF, he can't help us as long as Frank is around -- unless the AL lets us use a designated hitter for Crede or Harris.

Yes, Rex, but is he actually coming? BWeekly just says its a rumor.

James Baldwin Kenny Lofton David Wells Mike Caruso (third in 1998 rookie of the year voting) Terry Bevington (managerial division)

USA Today Baseball weekly also reports that King Carl Everett is going to exercise his $4 million option and return to the Sox. Says he promises to come back in better shape next season. guess that means 10 pounds overweight instead of 20