winninguglyin83

i take it that Jorge Nunez (ss at charlotte), Guillermo Reyes (Birmingham SS) and Michael Morse (SS at Winston Salem) are not viable options

My only question with Ozzie would be if he is tough enough to get on guys -- especially Frank -- if they're tanking it or refusing to move runners along. they were former teammates. Don't know what their relationship was. sox need somebody who will bring enthusiasm and energy, but also resolve to play the game the right way. Dusty Baker, Joe Torre, Jack McKeon and, especially, Grady Little, are hardly the Kings of Charisma. So you need more than personality to win. You also need to have a plan -- and the ability to get guys to follow that plan.

agreed that all teams waste picks. Every team makes bad calls, many in the first round. drafting and development is a difficult thing to do well. But the Sox big run in the early 90s was fueled, in part, by four fabulous first round picks in consecutive seasons -- McDowell, Ventura, Thomas and Fernandez. We benefitted from having some high picks. But they were still picks that were on the money. And, they were all college guys. I agree with Billy Beane's philosophy of not taking high school kids in the first round. We've been burned by several. Now, let's look at some of the recent blunders: 1996 -- drafted Bobby Seay (whom they failed to sign, thankfully because he's been an expensive bust with Tampa). Could have had Eric Milton or Gil Meche. 1997 -- Took Jason Dellaero (could have had Lance Berkman or Adam Kennedy) 1998 -- Took Kip Wells (and traded him for Alpo; could have had CC Sabathia, Brad Wilkerson or Adam Dunn.) 1999 -- Took Jason Stumm (who has been unlucky with injuries, but he was a high school kid and risky; could have had Kurt Ainsworth, Mike MacDougle, Jerome Williams or Ben Broussard) 2000 -- drafted Joe Borchard (still a prospect, but only if he cuts way down on strikeouts; could have had Chase Utley, Billy Traber or Adam Wainwright). Frank Thomas, drafted in 1989, is the only homegrown first-round pick who contributed to the 2003 team. The drafting needs to improve.

Valido? he's just out of high school and played a half-season of rookie ball. 1. He's less than 50-50 to even make the big leagues. 2. If he does make it, it won't be until 2007 or 2008 at the earliest. Andy Gonzalez was as highly rated as Valido two years ago. Then he moved into the Sally League this year and the bottom fell out on his offense. We wasted that Number One pick on Jason Dellaero. He was supposed to be The Guy at SS by now. As much as we all complained about Manuel and Koch and Konerko, scouting and development have failed the Sox as much as anything. All the draft picks burned on the Mark Johnsons, Jeff Liefers, Jason Dellaeros, Brett Caradonnas, Bobby Seays, Jasons Stumms, Rob Purvises, Joe Borchards and Wyatt Allens explain the mess we're in.

Guzman, who will only be 26 years old in March, has five years of service time. According to the official Twins' media guide, he is signed through the 2004 season. That means he will not be a free agent until the end of the 2004 season -- unless I'm missing something here. Twins might dump him to save salary. According to Baseball America, they have the 10th best SS prospect in the minors, guy named Jason Barlett who played in AA this season. But if they trade Guzman, there is no way they'll send him to the White Sox. So he's not the answer.

we are all prooundly puzzled by how this season has unfolded. we can thank Jerry Manuel, Mr. Koch and Mr. Konerko for our winter of discontent

Rowand is a HUGE bears' fan, but you've got to hope he's smarter than THAT. KW might be down on PK, but he just signed him to a three-year 24 million deal that will make him tough to trade and what position is this leadoff hitter going to play? CF? We'll are dying for Sox news so we can quit hearing about the Cubs.

let's hope it doesn't come down to that. and, then, once it's over, we can find out who the new manager is and how KW is going to re-make the club. these days it's been damn tough to find any White sox news only 144 days until the first spring training game!!!!!!!!!!!!

That would be an extremely bitter bullet to bit to watch Georgie Porgie preen around with another trophy, thinking he's smarter than everybody else when he's out there scooping up Matsui, Giambi, Mussina, Boone, Clemens and all the rest from other organizations. My best option will be to refuse to watch.

indeed. if they can beat prior, the pressure certainly shifts to the Team The Sox Beat Four of Six. Wood's sphincter will be so tight you won't be able to fit a laser beam up there. If the Fish can swim in Game Six, the Chicago media will flood the airwaves with stories about past Cubs' chokes. And, of course, how this would rate as the Biggest Choke of All. Actually, I'm looking forward to that.

Magglio Ordonez will start the 2004 season with the Chicago White Sox. Fiction: Maggs will be traded. Sox are looking to juggle the payroll. Easiest way to make room is to trade the guy who makes $14 million, especially when he is moving into his jump season. Bartolo Colon will be a member of the Yankees in 2004. Fiction: Hasn't signed yet. Would have if he was dead set on staying. He's the best pitcher available. Somebody will Cowboy Up some cash. I say it is the Yankees, because if they don't take him, the BoSox will. Jeremy Reed will make the White Sox out of spring training next season. Fiction: Rowand gets first crack to play center field. If he doesn't produce, Reed gets the call by June 1. Ozzie Guillen will be the next manager of the Chicago White Sox. Fact: The price is right, the same formula worked in KC and fans will be happy to see No. 13 return -- at least initially. Jerry Manuel will be employed (in some capacity) by a major league ballclub next season. Fiction: He'll sit a year before somebody gives him a chance to manager. Joe Borchard should no longer be considered a prospect. Fiction: For a $5.1 million bonus, he's a prospect as long as he's on the 40-man roster. Robbie Alomar will be a member of the 2004 White Sox. Fiction: Why not find out if Willie Harris or Aaron Miles can play -- especially at a reduced price. The White Sox will be the 2004 AL Central Champions. Fiction: Twins will remain the team to beat because next year they'll have Milton, Santana, Radke and Lohse in the rotation all season. --------------------

I'd settle for Castillo. Pudge will be out of our price range -- and he's going to want too many years guaranteed. But Castillo brings a number of plusses: left-handed. speed. ability to hit high in the order. Might even be able to play SS. only question would be his price.

And we played the REd Sox 4 of 9. which, of course, brings us back to the question pissing all of us off: How in the hell did this team fail to make the playoffs? Because Manuel sat there and let them lose game after game after game to dregs like Detroit, Texas, Tampa and Anaheim. It's infuriating.

not to drag it out simply rain it out forever. postpone it. cancel it. I can watch nearly any baseball. I won't be able to force myself to watch Cubs-Yankees. Just can't do it.

Yankees vs. Cubs in the Series would be unimaginably awful. I'd hope for 20 straight days of rain/snow/wind. No, make that 50 straight days of rain/snow/wind and hail. But for now, the best positive I can offer is that Jeremy Reed went 2 for 4 for Team USA in their second exhibition game yesterday. He's playing left field. Grady Sizemore, Cleveland's next stud outfielder, is playing center. And he went 4 for 4.

Somehow I can't see the national media romanticizing the White Sox. Best we'll be able to say is we beat the Cubs FOUR out of SIX. and we'll have to scream is as loud as possible for anybody to hear

Yankees versus Cubs = unwatchable.

hard to believe I'm going to have tp pull for the Yankees in the World Series. But there is no other option.

I just wonder how much head-hunting either Pedro or Clemens would do if they were in the NL -- and had to hit. Precious little. Easy to be a tough guy when you don't have to stick YOUR head in front of a fastball. It's the worst byproduct of the DH. Hell, the Yankees try to arrange their rotation so Clemens never has to pitch in Shea in the aftermath of the Piazza beaning. Also, let's not forget Pedro hit Soriano and Jeter in the hands earlier in the season. In games against the White Sox, my memory has been Pedro more likely to hit somebody. Both of those guys have enough ability they shouldn't have to pull that garbage.

I forgot about Paniagua -- and Daubach, of course My bad.

main problems I saw with Maggs in 2003 lots of dumb throws from the outfield. lots of posing at home plate. Not as much hitting the ball to RF

Anybody know if the Sox have talked Danny Wright into pitching winter ball. He needs the work after throwing few innings this year -- and maybe somebody can turn him around or into a reliever.

Unfortunately, he's not going to leave because no other team is going to pay him $6 million -- and guarantee the deal through 2007. Face it, folks, we're stuck. Have to hope the new manager has the stones to move him down to 6th or 7th in the batting order, which is where he should be hitting.

Mets won the Series in 1969, 1973 and 1986. They at least try to win by signing big-name players.

maybe Fox is waiting for him to pull down his pants in the booth. that was the highlight of his big-league career, if you can call it a career.