103 mph screwball

Not on ESPN.com or mlb.com. Sportscenter report does not make this any closer to official in my opinion.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 11:12 PM) Gordon Beckham is definitely a top 50 prospect, or at least I know Baseball America will have him there. I like Viciedo as a prospect as well but I don't know if he is considered for the MLB.com list yet. I think the young man is gonna mash the baseball. I don't know where is going to play yet, be I feel pretty confident that he can hit based on what I've read and seen on youtube.

Crowley Twitter Cabrera Someone Else's Problem I can go to bed now. I hope Cabrera plays for the Twins.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 10:29 PM) good riddance. Sox get compensation. Don't have to overpay for an overrated hacker, and OC is going into a dead market. Make sure you f*** yourself on the way out the door you piece of s***. Easy Santo=Dorf. There is still 15 minutes left for crushing news. For some reason, Cabrera might have been my least favorite member of the White Sox since Royce Clayton.

Bad back. Furcal Injury

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 10:09 PM) Ok, here's my super-bold call-your-crazy KW prediction.. On Friday, December 12th, the White Sox will hold a giant super orgy Press Conference introducing Homer Bailey, Willy Taveras, Rafael Furcal, and one of Adam Dunn/Juan Rivera/Bobby Abreu. Booyakasha! That's CRAZY talk. Of course KW will introduce one each day so that they all feel special.

QUOTE (tommy @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 10:07 PM) 10:06pm: Walt Jocketty on the report: "Wrong. It's not even close." The Reds haven't had talks with the Sox since before Thanksgiving. from MLBtraderumors.com That's a pretty strong denial. JD will be spoken of highly for decades, but Bailey is quite an arm and I just know KW will use JD's money to improve the team with a free agent. I hope the trade goes down this week.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 09:51 PM) Rafael Furcal, your plane to Chicago is ready. Ding Ding Ding!! It's going to be a busy few days on Soxtalk!

QUOTE (scenario @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 07:45 PM) Anybody thinking we're still looking for a 3B ought to listen to the KW teleconference again. There doesn't seem to be any doubt that Fields is going to be our 3B next year. Until he gets traded. KW was set with Ben Davis and Burke as the catching duo until AJ was signed. You absolutely have a point that the press conference conveyed that there is no doubt that Fields will be the 3B. I believe that KW meant it, until he finds something better. I think KW is capable of misdirection to hide the true intention of the team to avoid a situation like when Detroit came in and stole Miggy or the Angels swooped in and dumped Fort Knox on Hunter. What you say is true and makes sense, but I think it is really smoke and mirrors. My opinion is only based on my observations of KW over the years and not what he has said this offseason. Say what you want about KW, he learns from his mistakes.

Maybe it is designed to make the players try harder to get promoted. I'm sure they will not enjoy getting made fun of because of the purple peckers on their uniforms. Makes you wonder what they would have done with the horn if they had been named the rhinos.

Will we hear this news today? Does everyone decide at the last minute? I already have Cabrera's money spent elsewhere.

Yep. It could be risky for Cabrera to accept arbitration. More on Todd Walker: SignonSanDiego.com Story

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 01:06 AM) how much would the buyout for the 4th year be? If the Sox signed him for 11, 12.5, 13 and an option for 14, the buyout could be only 1 million. This is a classic KW type contract. It would defer some of his money to later years so that he will fit better now and when Thome comes off the books, there will be no problem. To Furcal, that would in effect be a 3 year 39 million offer or if the Sox choose to keep him a fourth year it would be 4 year 52.(averages out to 13 mil per year either way) This is big money and I think it would be enough to get Furcal on the open market. It might turn out less if Furcal wants to play for the Sox and why wouldn't he. I think he is worth the money. Cabrera was making 9 and would be due for a raise via arbitration to 10 or 11. Furcal would be worth the premium because he fills a need that is hard to come by, a lead off hitter. Even with budget cuts and upcoming raises, I have a very hard time believing that the Sox could not afford 11 mil next year with 9 coming off from Cabrera alone.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 09:30 PM) After both players accept arbitration, the Sox trade Orlando Cabrera to the Angels for Jon Garland. That would be pretty cool. KW has gotten players back before like Everett and Gio, but to do the exact same deal in reverse would be fascinating.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 11:55 PM) Why...because Kenny SAID SO? Ever think that was completely a smokescreen/ploy for OC? Have you ever seen Lexi play short (besides maybe once? I'm not sold that he'd be stellar over there. Furcal does make a lot of sense on many levels. Will it happen...who actually knows. Right. I remember KW telling us that he was very comfortable with Ben Davis and Burke... right before he signed AJ.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 11:45 PM) Cantu's everythign we don't need: poor defensive corner infielder; slow; good power but low OBP. Exactly what we're trying to move away from. Yet still Cantu is an improvement over Fields in my mind. Fields will not be stellar defensively either. Cantu would be much more consistent and strike out less. I hope Viciedo can pull an Alexei and start at 3rd. If you can get Cantu for Armstrong, I think you gotta do it.

Sox have to keep Furcal from the Twins. In fact, I'd be surprised if the Sox DIDN'T sign Furcal even with all of KW's rhetoric to make it SEEM unlikely. I've been following KW closely for about 7 years now (most of you do too). Furcal just makes too much sense. This is why KW reacted to Cabrera's arbitration issue the way he did (bench?!). KW has repeatedly said that Alexei WILL be his shortstop next year. Beckham has been told that he will be playing short every day in the minors. The Sox don't need a shortstop right? BAM! Sox sign Furcal to a 11, 12.5, 13 with a 14 mil option with a buy out. I don't buy that the economy will bring down the payroll THAT drastically. The Sox biggest position need is leadoff hitter. Ozzie wants speed. Furcal is the best leadoff hitter available and he is not even a type A free agent. Alexei can move to 2nd or CF. Beckham could move to 2nd or 3rd. I don't see Fields on KW's 3 year board much longer no matter what he tells the media. The Sox have recently payed the money needed for a key piece of the puzzle before (see Dotel and Linebrink). I am attempting the impossible, predicting a KW move. Unless Cabrera throws a big wrench in the plan, Furcal will be playing short for the Sox next year and the move will happen during the winter meetings probably on Monday. He will get 3 years and an option. KW will also be adding a proven starting pitcher somehow even if it means trading JD to afford one. I have no inside info. (Don't worry Mr. Williams you don't have a leak). I just have a strong gut feeling. It is what I would do if I were KW. Should be fun next week guys.

QUOTE (Pasqua's Mailman @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 06:41 PM) Doesn't Cabrera have until Sunday to decide whether to accept arbitration? Yes. As soon as he the arbitration issue is definate, KW will set his plan in motion. Furcal. The Sox need a leadoff hitter. I do not buy for one second that Alexie is the SS next year. KW keeps saying he will be and he should. I fully expect some action Monday or Tuesday.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 01:44 PM) Besides average, how is that really any different than what Fields did in 2007? In only 100 games. Cantu in no way makes us better. Much better off just sticking with Fields. He will also strike out about 50 fewer times than Fields. I hate strike outs. That would be 50 fewer times that he could advance a runner, force an error, or get a sac fly. If the Sox can get Cantu for Armstrong then I hope KW pulls the trigger. Fields could then be part of a blockbuster trade for a starting pitcher or a leadoff hitter.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 07:36 PM) Now there's an unbiased, rational opinion. I'm not cuckoo for Cantu by any means, but I think we could do worse. He isn't Andy Gonzalez. Cuckoo for Cantu. Someone get Brooks on making some t-shirts.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 06:29 PM) http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Chris-Stewart.shtml 9 for 40 over the past two seasons with the Rangers and Yankees. Two more years in AAA, basically. Thanks Caulfield. Based on those numbers, I hope the Sox can see what Cole Armstrong can do. Armstrong Baseball Cube Stats

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 05:52 PM) It was confirmed in an e-mail that I received just now from Mark Gonzales that both Corky Miller and Chris Stewart have signed with the ChiSox. Nice of him to respond. Thanks for the info. I'm gonna have to research Stewart to see how he played after he left the Sox.

I want him to play for the Twins. There are a lot of players I don't like on the Twins.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 12:55 PM) You know, I know this kind of rumor is good for this site, but come on guys. This is 100 percent BULLs*** When does Kenny make a deal just to make a deal. With the informed folks on this site I would think we could see through this "hmmm, maybe the White Sox want a 3B to take over for Crede" BS. Something to talk about Rock. I'm so hungry for baseball, I'm hitting refresh waiting for KW's next move. I hear the MLB network is starting soon. Maybe that would feed my baseball need and I won't have to break down Cantu's splits based on a baseless rumor from Stark. Besides, haven't ever had the urge to compare third base defensive stats between Fields and Cantu during their first major league season? I need an inside source so I can have "hunches".

Dash? Wow, now Rhinos sounds like a great name. They could put horns on the helmets and wear solid gray uniforms. The hard charging Rhinos win again.