103 mph screwball

Ponson mentioned at www.whitesox.com Looks like Ponson may make a decision by the end of the week.

Shhh! It's a secret. Maybe the Sox wanted to save this news until right before Soxfest so the fans wouldn't be grumpy there. Maybe he's getting a physical before it is made public.

I'd like to get 2nd baseman Brian Roberts OR Jerry Harrison Jr. from the Orioles. This would give the Sox some speed. Either one of these guys would be a better leadoff hitter than Alomar. Better yet, if the Sox can get a true leadoff hitter to play CF, they'd be a good option for #2 hitter. Roberts Stats Harrison Jr. Stats What would it take to get one of them. Do we have anything besides Ordonez they'd need?

JR should publicly say that he will come up with the money to keep the rest of the Sox team together and patch the holes. Even if he doesn't mean it or can't do it. If people know you have to sell something, they aren't going to offer you full value. All he has to say is that the Sox would raise the payroll to 65 or 70 mil if necessary in 2004 and that the Sox may have to go back to 45-50 mil in 2005 to pay for it. Then say something about the Sox players being too good and too important to him to just salary dump. Then, I think a respectable trade would come along. I thought the payroll restriction was a smoke screen for negotiating with free agents. I think it is hurting them too much in the trade market. There is still a lot of time. I still have hope.

Maybe he woundn't come to the Sox due to Boras and the AL. That does make sense. On the other hand, the Sox should give it a shot. They should at least investigate if it is true that Maddux wants to come to Chicago for either team. I live it Rockford IL. If the Sox sign Ponson (many think overrated), no one in Rockford but me would care or even notice. Maddux would be national news. People would make the 90 min drive to see Maddux. The game/games that Maddux was was pitching for #300 would be sold out. How much would the publicity be worth to the Sox? What if some of the casual baseball fans who come to a "Maddux" game really enjoy it and return to see the Sox? Ask around to people who are not White Sox Fanatics if they would rather see Ponson or Maddux pitch? They'd probably reply "who is Ponson?" Maddux at 2 years or one with an option would be a hell of a lot less risky than puting out big money for long contracts with Ponson or Millwood. Maddux will get 15 wins if given any run support. Maddux will bring professionalism and knowledge to the rest of the pitching staff. Is Maddux worth 10 million if he wins 15 games and helps Garland and MB both win a couple extra more than usual? Loiaza Buehrle Maddux Perez or Garcia via trade Garland Maybe it is a pipe dream. I hope not.

I think that is great! Get him then. If that is true and we can get Maddux for the money we would have to pay Valentin. Don't worry. When I'm Jason's assistant GM, I will not suggest we pay 10 million for a player being offered 5 mill from other clubs. I just had no idea the market for Maddux was that low. No way. I think the Yankees have 8 million in their couch cushions that they would offer Maddux.

I think the very slow starts the Sox have gotten off to have really done a lot to kill the buzz caused by getting Wells/Colon the last two years. I agree. The Sox need to win and win early to draw fans. But I do think the Wells and Colon type big moves help generate excitement that would carry over into the season if they didn't suck so bad in April. I hope Ozzie can bring the team that April intensity. JM couldn't

What about Lima as a #5 Lima Stats? I'm not sure how much he would cost. If we keep Schoeneweis, he could battle with him as well as Rauch and Wright for the fifth starter spot. Loser ends up in pen. I am intrigued by how Lima might be able to change the chemistry of the Sox. He seem like an animated emotional character who might breathe some life into the team kinda like Baldwin used to. He also seems loose and may fit into Ozzie's have fun, play hard, win idea. Does anybody know more about Lima? I've only seen him on TV a few times. He might really be a headcase cancer on a team. I don't know. I think the Sox should seriously consider Maddux. I know he is past his prime but I think he would be good for 15 wins and some leadership. Maybe a change of team and a chance to prove he is not washed up would revive him. He still has "star" value and would help put casual fans in seats. The local and national publicity from the "chase for 300" would be good for the Sox. I would make an extra effort be at the Cell for a chance to see #300. It has been mentioned on this board that he would have a postive "coach-like" impact on the young pitchers and I agree. I was young but I was excited when Tom Seaver came to the Sox. I think he could put up Seaver like numbers. Seaver Stats It will all depend on the Market for Maddux. I'd consider him for a 2 years at $10 million a year but that might not be enough. I agree that Alvarez is worth a shot and has some PR value. Previous posters have convinced me that Ponson is over valued. I'd avoid him. Millwood wants too many years and is an NL pitcher that may do a Chan Ho Park.

Link didn't work for me. Twins continue negotiations with Guardado, Stewart La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune Published December 7, 2003 TWIN1207 With a major deadline looming, the Twins should learn today if they will be able to sign closer Eddie Guardado and outfielder Shannon Stewart. The club continued negotiations with both players on Saturday and appeared to make progress in its attempts to sign Guardado to a multi-year deal. Talks were expected to continue late Saturday night. Teams have until 11 p.m. Twin Cities time today to offer arbitration to their free agents. If they don't, they can't sign that player until May 1. Those players then can sign with any other team without the penalty of compensatory picks. The Twins, according to a source familiar with negotiations, have improved their offer to Guardado from two years plus a club option to three years totaling more than $12 million. Guardado has 86 saves over the past two seasons and would be the longest-tenured player with the team if he returns. Guardado had received offers from the Cubs, Athletics, Red Sox and Mariners, and now the White Sox have entered the picture, too. He would like to remain with the Twins, but it's believed he has received some offers for around $5 million a season and would have to accept less to stay in the Twin Cities. Kevin Kohler, Guardado's agent, acknowledged the Twins had improved their offer. "At least we know now the Twins are serious in wanting Eddie back," he said. The Twins have made a three-year offer to Stewart, who has received some interest from other clubs. Jeff Moorad and Brian Peters, who represent Stewart, will respond today. "Brian Peters and I talked with [Twins assistant GM] Wayne Krivsky at some length today, a couple of times," Moorad said. "The Twins made a proposal that we appreciate and Shannon appreciates. At this point, we are studying that proposal and are considering what an appropriate response might look like. We would hope to share that response with the club [today]." Stewart, who hit .322 after joining the Twins after the All-Star break, made $6.2 million last season. "The timing of the process has been slower than we expected with the Twins," Moorad said. "At this point, we'll make the best use of the rest of the weekend that we can with the hope there might be a deal that makes sense. "At this point, I would not characterize my feelings as optimistic. On the other hand, Shannon is open-minded to returning to the Twins." The Twins and other clubs have stepped up negotiations with their free agents in recent days. The belief among agents and baseball officials is that many players will not be offered arbitration. Krivsky has been handling negotiations for Guardado and Stewart. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan spent Saturday night at a charity event with third baseman Corey Koskie but said Friday he would be prepared to move on if he couldn't sign Guardado or Stewart. "If you can't retain them, there are other alternatives," Ryan said. "There are players out there who could help us. There are a number of attractive guys who would fit the needs we have. Some of this will be defined by Monday." The door is not totally closed on Guardado and Stewart if they aren't signed by tonight. The Twins could offer arbitration to them under the agreement that the player would reject it. That would allow the Twins to continue talks. La Velle E. Neal III is at [email protected].

Jjav829 posted this link on WSI. Hope he doesn't mind me sharing it with everyone here. Sox going after Steady Eddie according to startribune. Sox interested in Guardado I'm glad they read my post.

Oh No! I want him to remain the White Sox starter in Left Field and I do not want him traded. That's what I meant when I said: What I meant when I asked if he could be Crede's back up at 3d is with Tony G probably not coming back there will not be many players on the Sox who have played 3rd. Valentin has but I'll bet he gets traded. I'll admit, I have not gone through the Sox roster to check to see if anyone else had ever played third. I want Carlos Lee to remain our left fielder. I thought he made great defensive improvements. I just wondered if Carlos had enough skill at third to play it if Crede were to get injured and not be able to play for a game or two. I realize that KW will probably add someone to our bench that will actually be Crede's backup. I was just curious if Carlos could do it. Maybe someone on this board might have seen him play 3rd and say "why yes he was a barely adequate minor league 3rd baseman but he could fill in for a few innings." Or perhaps someone on this board knows a database of scouting reports and could link us to a report that might say "Carlos Lee embarasses himself at 3rd base it would be inhumane to play him there ever again" Yes, if Carlos Lee's only roll on the White Sox was Joe Crede's backup, that would be stupid.

Wow I didn't think it was that far fetched of a deal. I can take the criticism but please give some detail why it could not happen. Kim may be an outcast in Boston like Koch is here. Bring it

He had improved so much in left field that I'd hate to move him again unless we had to. I'll bet he could do it since he has played 3rd in the minors. Can C Lee be our backup to Crede?

The article on Olivo's winterball suggested that Olivo was working on off speed pitches. Maybe Rowand is doing something like that. I like Rowand as our 4th or 5th outfielder. Olivo Winterball Link

The Twins will come up with guys we never heard of and still spank the Sox unless we revamp and spark the Sox. KW is the guy we need. He's trying to be Boston/Yankee aggressive with small market money. The next few days should be interesting.

It wouldn't hurt to add 2 mill per year incentives. How about 250K for playoffs, 250 more for advancing. 500 for winning Series if he pitches in the playoffs. How about 100 grand per win over 12. Then a 22 win world champion Colon gets 12 mil and worth every penny right?

He'll keep Lee. Or at least get more than Perez. Or forget it. Might the Cardinals, Baltimore, maybe Yankees want Konerko for the right deal?

How about we try to deal Koch to Boston for Byung-Hyun Kim? I know he was not popular at the end of the season. Wasn't he left off the roster for the playoffs? Didn't he flip off the Boston fans. I do not know the details of his contract so he might make more than Koch. This may be a stupid idea but Kim might be able to be our 5th starter or he could regain confidence and be a set-up guy. I would consider it if he made less than Koch. Kim's salary was 3.25 mil in 2003 and he is in some legal trouble in Korea for camera man assult. Would you rather have Kim AND Sullivan or Koch Well? Just a thought

I'd be interested in Reyes, Phillips, Weathers, Strickland. I agree that Reyes would be a key. Perhaps a three team deal. The more teams interested, the more value the Sox might get in return if they must trade him. .

Sorry I sign my "name". I don't have fancy pictures or an automatic phrase signature at the end. I'm new at this. I suppose it is redundant. I will stop. I've been reading everyone's ideas for months and have really enjoyed the discussion. (I'm surrounded by Scrub fans in Rockford IL). I'm just trying to add to the discussion. Peace

Perez even if he is the 5th starter on the Sox helps. We certainly needed a 5th starter. I am convinced that if Daubach had played 1b all season last year he would have had much better numbers than Konerko. We save 3-4 mil in salary to increase or chance of getting Colon or decrease our chance of having to trade Lee or Ordonez. If we do trade another player, there won't be as much leverage over the Sox salary reduction won't be as big of an emergency. The net effect of the Konerko trade will be good for both teams. Perez Splits Daubach+Perez+3 million dollars > Konerko If we get anyone in addition to Perez, it will be gravy. If it is true, Thank You Paul Konerko. I have a lot of good memories of watching you play and I wish you luck in LA. 103 mph Screwball

In addition to his weight, I think part of the perceived injury risk is his number of complete games and number of innings. I have also read rumors about arm trouble. The arm trouble might be garbage made up to scare the Yankees away. (nice job KW). I don't know if he is lazy or not but he could use a personal trainer and a dietician. So could I for that matter. I'd lose 50 pounds if they offered me a 3 year 36 mil offer. 103 mph screwball

You don't have to be good at something to be able to teach someone else how to do it well. You don't have to be good at something to motivate someone to get the most out of their ability. Ozzie may end up sucking as manager. I have no idea. World champion Florida seemed to think highly of him, he loves the Sox so much he'd probably manage for free, and he HAS to be better than Manuel. I'll give Ozzie a chance. 103 mph screwball.