103 mph screwball

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Sep 3, 2011 -> 12:55 PM) NO, enough chances; Williams is done. Everyone stop coming up with these scenarios that give anyone currently in a coaching/managing position one more chance. Everyone has been here for long enough that we know what they've done, and what they're capable of. The time has come to start over. And what exactly is "improvement" in your eyes? If I was a Williams fan, I'd say that exact line too and then when the team wins 85 games next year I'd come up with some other excuse to justify holding onto him. There will always be a million. Improvement in my eyes would be Gordon playing at a level below what we expected but a solid hitter. It would be Dunn hitting .240 with 30+ HR. Rios could get his head out of his behind and play somewhat close to his career averages with some defense. Improvement would be whichever young guys that do end up sticking with the club next year do NOT REGRESS! Have we had a young hitter that did not get worse? KW needs to stick because despite the major mistakes with Dunn, Rios, and Peavy, they seemed like good moves that were made to take the Sox to a higher level. Bold moves! They did not work out and that is a problem. However, KW continuously pulls guys out of nowhere like Humber, Thornton, Alexie, and TCQ which helps to average out the times when he swings for the fences and fails. I contend that KW's "guys" would be better with new coaches. Why? Because almost everyone that comes here that swings a stick tends to get worse. Is that always KW's bad judgement? Swisher seems OK now. I'd be willing to bet my Sox cap that Dunn would find his swing if he went somewhere else. We are stuck with those guys whatever guy we bring in for GM. Let's see what new coaching can do.

Walker is a class act. That said, I have wanted a new hitting coach since 2006. Even in 2005 Dye and Konerko had long slumps. The way he handled those questions was excellent. Team first. I try to never wish another person to lose their job. Perhaps Walker can have a different role in the organization or maybe they add a second hitting coach which Hawk always suggests. The Sox can not dump Rios and Dunn and would be crazy to dump Bacon until another coach tries to fix him. The Sox would be foolish to risk Viciedo, De Aza, Flowers future as hitters as well. 1. Replace the manager and coaches 2. See if team improves 3. If they don't improve, KW has to be accountable

QUOTE (buhbuhburrrrlz @ Jul 30, 2011 -> 02:54 PM) CSN: Texas doesn't appear inclined to trade Holland, as they countered the White Sox offer by asking for John Danks to be included in any deal involving Holland. Given the White Sox's asking price for Thornton and Carlos Quentin appears to be sky-high, it could be a fairly quiet deadline for Kenny Williams after he dealt Mark Teahen and Edwin Jackson earlier in the week. This could be true and Kenny is standing pat. Or this could be misinformation so that other teams sweat it out until the last minute and give KW what he wants.

Gotta showcase Rios before the trade deadline.

QUOTE (kapzk @ Jul 29, 2011 -> 01:03 AM) maybe thats why the Sox are hesitant to deal Quentin cuz of Viciedo's injury, if the Rios deal is pretty much complete according to that guy, they wouldn't have any1 to replace RF besides Lillibridge. If Rios can be traded, KW would play RF himself if he had to.

QUOTE (gatnom @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 11:33 PM) I think it also depends on whether or not the casual fan thinks we are in this race, too. Most I know think they suck and have no chance. I'm sure our good friend Joe would be more than happy to spin it into KW and JR giving up on the fans. Agreed. Which part would give them confidence to buy those tickets, the April bullpen debacle, the HISTORICALLY bad season for Dunn, the lazy mediocrity of Rios, the Peavy injury updates, the Ozzie being Ozzie, the complete lack of a winning streak? There are a lot of Sox fans that are disgusted and not just casual ones. Guys on message boards at midnight on a Thursday want to see changes too. There is tons of talent on the roster. Try something to change it up and hope for a spark. Joe is the only guy I unfollowed on twitter for being generally annoying.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 11:14 PM) The Sox are in the unfortunate position of not being able to pack the house without a good team on the field. So it's ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that they give the impression that they're TRYING to win. And this is exactly what they've done over the past five years. They haven't won a playoff series since 2005 and they haven't had a playoff appearance since 2008, but they've still drawn over 2 million each year because they've put quality players on the field. Even though the playoff appearances/victories aren't there, the fans understand that they're trying to win. They respect that and they buy tickets. What fans will NOT respect is the front office cutting the legs off of a team that has a legit shot of winning the division. This would be the THIRD TIME in just 17 years, and the fallout would destroy season ticket sales and inhibit their ability to compete with the big-spending teams down the road. I think Sox fans are smarter than that. Keeping this same team is NOT trying to win in my opinion. It was just a few weeks ago that Viciedo was the talk of the town. It is not like they are trading Paully, Mark, or even AJ. It's a lateral move that saves money and builds for the future. No legs being cut off here. If the Sox dump payroll back to 58 million then we have big problems. If they retool and come back next year with more talent and a payroll of 110+, I will be excited again.

We are not talking about a rebuild. It's a retool that may not even prevent winning THIS year and in fact may make this team better depending on the players involved. You would in effect be replacing TCQ with Viciedo and have Dominic Brown ready to replace Pierre next year. Plus money would be saved to bring back MB56 or trade for a third baseman. I do not call that a white flag, I call that a good plan. I call this selling high. You know what really hurting attendance, this team was not fun to watch. Light a fire. I still want to win this year, but if the offers are good as reported, I hope KW pulls the trigger.

QUOTE (heirdog @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 10:54 PM) I call BS on this rumor. You don't trade a key component of your team ( thorrnton) who could get you a hell of a lot more talent just to salary dump Rios. And worst of all you trade him for a mark teahan type who you just dumped. If brewers are even remotely interested in Rios, just waive him and let them put in a claim and have him. Unless you are salary dumping to sign Pujols in the offseason to play for the Sox new manager Tony La Russa. This rumor has to be BS. I wish there was some truth to it.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 10:36 PM) If KW does send Quentin and Thornton or other veterans packing, it is imperative the return works out. If its garbage, he needs to be shown the door. There seems to be a bit of a bidding war which helps to make sure he doesn't get garbage. Besides, if garbage is offered, there is no pressure to trade them. I'm hoping for a nice return that helps the future and changes somehow spark this years team. This has been the most frustrating team I can remember in that they were so good on paper and just stunk. A buddy of mine said it best. After the KC wild pitch loss, he said that he loved the Sox and always will, but he hates this team. I knew how he felt. July 28th and not even a 500 club. If TCQ can be traded to get Dominic Brown plus prospects and the Sox Q's allocated money to spend next year, that sounds good to me.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 08:39 PM) He's already in the majors. Wow. I want.

How long would it take Dominic Brown to be ready to start for the Sox? How many years away? Is he a raw talent?

QUOTE (SpainSOXfan09 @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 02:09 PM) Very tricky situation with D1 but you almost are guaranteed of a better haul with 1.5 years of him left than 0.5. It would look bad, but if the Sox truly know that Danks will be gone after 1.5 years, getting a king's ransom for him might not be a bad idea. I like Danks a lot, but this team has had me so frustrated and ready for change that I'm open any moves that make the team better.

The Yankees can afford Rios. KW could package them to get Gardner and prospects. I'd have to be blown away to get rid of Danks. However, KW may know that we will only have Danks for another year and a half. That would put a big old dent in the payroll and MB56 would be back. Can't blame teams for asking.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 28, 2011 -> 09:49 AM) I think KW could have had Rasmus had he really wanted him. Clearly, after the experience they had with Swisher and the same issue, they were steering clear of bringing the same type of distraction into the clubhouse again. Doesn't seem like the player you want on your team when things are going bad for him personally. I wonder if the possibility of La Russa managing the Sox again had anything to do with it as well?

I like TCQ, but he is streaky, has had injury problems, and is about to get really expensive. If the Sox can get a kings ransom for him, then trade him now! It is not a white flag move, it would be a retool move if a stud like Brown was involved. The Sox put Rios in right and keep De Aza in center. If Rios continues to play poorly, Viciedo comes up when his thumb gets better. If the Sox are sensitive to white flag stuff, spin it as getting money for resigning MB56 or trade for Ramirez to play 3b.

QUOTE (daggins @ Jul 27, 2011 -> 05:05 PM) In, while attempting to future proof the team a bit. Get some new, young starters and an OF or 3B while not totally disintegrating the team. I'm in too. I think changes like these will help change things up. KW's Rios to the bench comments gave me hope. Let's get some young hungry players in the mix and hope for strong pitching. Dunn is looking less bad since the break even if his number have not radically improved...yet.

What will happen to the Teahen money? Who is the prospect? Who else does KW have in mind? There are too many questions to be answered before I judge. Pods for Lee was stupid lopsided until the cash was considered. That money paid for Iguchi and AJ. A lot of people (including me) flipped out over the Garcia for Floyd deal. How the hell could we even think of trading Brandon McCarthy! I will wait and see. KW still has my confidence.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 26, 2011 -> 03:30 PM) If I were in his chair right now I wouldn't have a clue what to do with this team. I would trade Buehrle or Danks, Quentin, and Thornton if the return was right. I would trade Pierre and Jackson to the highest bidder. I would unload Rios, Dunn, and Peavey if there was a team crazy enough to take on those salaries. In my opinion, this team is broken. I have seen enough. I would have replaced Walker 3 years ago and I would have fired Ozzie months ago. Since that didn't happen, you have to get new blood in the clubhouse and maybe some different personalities and a new mix of talent would spark something this year. I'm all for an outfield of Rasmus, Rios, Viciedo. Get a young starter, and save money to use later. Get Ozzie to Florida in the off season and pray Rios and Dunn return to career averages in 2012. I have a feeling with Ozzie in Florida and some new coaches, Beckham and Morel may suddenly figure it out. For the record, I don't want Buehrle traded. I just think the Sox and him will be too far apart and he may end up elsewhere anyway. I'll bet the agent has talked with the Sox and opened with 5 years 70 million. The Sox counter with 3 years 33. I'm sure the numbers will be disputed as unrealistic by someone, but my point is that he will end up being more expensive than the Sox are willing to spend. The Sox won't want to let him go for nothing and St. Louis will already have been scouted. That said, I hope this team wins 15 in a row and makes me look like a fool. Please make me look like a fool. Go Sox!

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jul 26, 2011 -> 03:19 PM) KW has no idea what he wants to do in between is the worst place to be ever! KW knows exactly what he wants to do and what he says in the media is for the fans, to motivate players, and for negotiation disinformation purposes only. KW has plan A, B, C, D.... He has made some moves that have not turned out well the past few years, but he is the most aggressive GM in baseball.

Sounds like St. Louis is trying to up the price on KW with some media help. Don't fall for it Mr. Williams.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 26, 2011 -> 12:24 PM) When he sold Iguchi & Thome & Contreras? Nobody really wanted those guys anyway, he did it more as a favor to them. True. He was trying to get Big Jim a ring. Iguchi was a gift to Philly to make them feel a bit better about how the Sox got the better end of the Garcia/Floyd deal.

Retooling a roster that is just not living up to expectations would be great news to me. I wouldn't see it as a white flag. Anyone who has watched this team (including KW) has to be frustrated. Would trades like the rumored Jackson for Rasmus and the Quentin for Beachy really make the Sox that much worse? Just a change for change's sake might spark something in the rest of the roster. At the very least, shedding some salary will help make up for empty seats and make the Sox a younger group going forward. Just don't trade Konerko. Everyone else can go for the right offer in my opinion. I'm not talking about rebuilding for five years, just a KW style retool like he did when he acquired Danks and Floyd or like when he replaced Lee and Magglio with Pods and Dye.

Odd that this story pops up from Merkin just days before the trade deadline and the Sox reportedly talking trade with St. Louis. Buehrle's future on South Side not certain Why bring this up before the trade deadline? I think something is up.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Jul 25, 2011 -> 08:44 PM) from olney... White Sox GM Kenny Williams is talking about turning over entire roster. On the other hand,Twins holding firm. And Chicago is ahead of Minn. Good! I think KW can retool and the underachieving Sox get BETTER! Now turn over the coaching staff.