Sun - Times Article

[DBAHO]

Thought this was an interesting read, I'll just post the snippets that concern the White Sox;

 

First Omar Vizquel, then Troy Percival. Chicago's baseball teams are suffering some big losses -- and it's only November.

 

The Cubs reportedly had lined up a visit with Percival this week but were stunned when the offseason's most prized closer got overwhelmed by a two-year, $12 million offer from the Tigers.

 

The White Sox were expecting to come out winners in the derby for Vizquel, the top fielding shortstop in major-league history, but were shocked when the Giants swooped in Saturday to steal him away.

 

The World Series champion Red Sox were supposed to end all baseball curses, but recent events make you wonder.

 

Already in the hot-stove loss column, the Cubs and White Sox need to regroup -- fast.

 

As for the White Sox, their offseason got off to a bad start when Vizquel spurned them for the Giants. Then free-agent shortstop Cristian Guzman signed with the Expos, leaving general manager Ken Williams to say he is comfortable with holdovers Juan Uribe at short and Willie Harris at second -- despite manager Ozzie Guillen expressing a completely different view toward the end of the season.

 

The Sox still like to think of themselves as players in the chase for veteran left-hander Randy Johnson, who is expected to be traded by the Diamondbacks before next month's winter meetings. It will be a tough battle, with the Yankees reportedly stepping up their efforts to land Johnson.

 

Here's a look at five big stars dazzling Chicago's baseball teams.

 

Carlos Beltran

 

Background: At 27, he's the jewel in this year's free-agent market. Already an attractive switch-hitting center fielder with a .267 batting average, 38 home runs and 104 RBI for the Royals and Astros in 2004, Beltran emerged as an October star, hitting .435 with eight homers and 14 RBI in 12 playoff games.

 

Who's interested: Yankees, Cubs, Astros, Mets, Phillies and Angels.

 

Prediction: Yankees. Beltran had his first taste of the postseason last October and enjoyed it. He knows the Yankees will at least reach the playoffs most seasons. But a 10-year deal? Beltran will have to settle for five, and the Cubs won't be able to outbid the Yankees.

 

Randy Johnson

 

Background: He boasts five Cy Young Awards. He's a 10-time All-Star. And he pitched a perfect game last season at 40 years old. The left-hander is the best pitcher available. He went 16-14 with a 2.60 ERA for a team that lost 111 games and no longer can afford his $16.5 million salary.

 

Who's interested: White Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, Angels and Dodgers.

 

Prediction: Yankees. New York didn't have the young prospects to pull off a deal last season, but GM Brian Cashman is searching for a third team to provide the young talent that would help land the Big Unit. Cashman's job is on the line if he doesn't get Johnson.

 

Ugueth Urbina

 

Background: After shopping himself around in spring training to get a contract, Urbina, 30, went 4-6 with a 4.50 ERA and 21 saves in 24 chances with the Tigers.

 

Who's interested: Cubs, White Sox, Giants.

 

Prediction: Cubs. Hendry was close to acquiring Urbina before last season's trade deadline, but the Tigers didn't want to trade a strong closer knowing they would have to pay him only $4 million in 2005. The Cubs could offer some of their young pitching -- Todd Wellemeyer, Sergio Mitre or Farnsworth -- to swing a deal.

 

Edgar Renteria

 

Background: Solid offensively and defensively, Renteria's edge over Garciaparra at short is simple: He stays healthy. In each of his six seasons with the Cards, Renteria played in at least 141 games. He hit .287 with 10 homers and 72 RBI last season.

 

Who's interested: Cubs, Cardinals, White Sox.

 

Prediction: Cubs. Losing out on Percival frees up extra money to throw at Renteria, 29, who is seeking an average annual salary of $10 million and is a better all-around player than Orlando Cabrera. That figure might push him out of the Sox' and Cards' range.

 

Jermaine Dye

 

Background: Injuries held Dye, 30, to 65 games in 2003, but the center fielder bounced back in 2004, hitting .265 with 23 homers and 80 RBI in 137 games for the Athletics.

 

Who's interested: White Sox, Giants, Rangers.

 

Prediction: Sox. Williams loves to make an offseason splash, and this might be the best the Sox can do -- considering Dye's agent isn't Scott Boras. The Giants are interested in Steve Finley first and might be too late to land Dye. The Rangers have more pressing needs.

[DBAHO]

Also this about Reinsdorf, Boras, Steve Stone and Guzman;

 

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said Wednesday he has no problem with agent Scott Boras, despite a published report that Sox GM Kenny Williams doesn't expect to sign any of Boras' clients.

 

''I think what Kenny was trying to say was that Boras has some grand ideas about what his players should be making, and it's going to drag out a long time,'' Reinsdorf told WSCR (670-AM). ''And we're not going to sit around and wait.''

 

Reinsdorf pointed out that current Sox players Juan Uribe and Joe Crede are represented by Boras. He did not mention free agent Magglio Ordonez, who's not expected to return to the Sox. Carlos Beltran and Adrian Beltre also are among Boras' high-profile clients.

 

''Boras is no different than any other agent during his players' first five or six years, when they're not free agents,'' Reinsdorf told the station. ''When it comes to free agency, he tries to squeeze the last dollar out, and that's fine. Most of the time he doesn't get what he's looking for, except for some of his big guys.

 

''But sometimes you have to wait a long time, sometimes to the start of spring training. We're not prepared to sit around and wait. But if Scott Boras has a client who's reasonably priced, we'll sign him. I have no problems with Scott Boras.''

 

Reinsdorf also told the station he doubts former Cubs and Sox announcer Steve Stone will be joining the Sox booth.

 

''He's a great baseball guy,'' Reinsdorf said. ''But we have plenty of broadcasters. I don't think it's going to happen.''

 

Reinsdorf said the team's top priorities are another starting pitcher and late-inning reliever.

 

Reinsdorf also told the station the Sox didn't go after shortstop Cristian Guzman because his offensive numbers outside of the Metrodome were ''pathetic,'' and the team thought offering a three-year deal to Omar Vizquel was too big of a risk.

[southsider2k5]

Wow. I am glad Guzman is out of the AL now. He'll have some bulletion board material with the "pathetic" comment.

[3E8]

Dye is considered an offseason splash? More like a dribble.

[AnthraxFan93]

NO dye, we don't need another season of Joe B and with Dye recent health issues...no thanks.

[HoosierSox]

Dye could put up monster offensive numbers at the cell if healthy. 30+homers100+rbi. Im afraid were gonna be stuck with Everett in right field though.

[AnthraxFan93]

Dye could put up monster offensive numbers at the cell if healthy. 30+homers100+rbi. Im afraid were gonna be stuck with Everett in right field though.

Thats a biG IF.. I don't trust his health, the only way I sign him is have is contract loaded with incentives to make it worth something.

[Wise Master Buehrle]

I hope it's true we're showing interest in Renteria. f*** the Cubs, get Renteria!!

[AngelasDaddy0427]

I think we need to start all praying Alex Escobar starts to live up to the hype because so far that looks like the only thing that might salvage out outfield...

[thelatinoheat_30]

diito

[AngelasDaddy0427]

I hope it's true we're showing interest in Renteria. f*** the Cubs, get Renteria!!

That would be a kick in the face to the Cardinal fans if he signed with the Cubs.

Definately worse then if Maggs became a Cub because at least Maggs has built a recent history of lying and secrecy. Plus he'll doubtfully be 100% for 05'

[Punch and Judy Garland]

That's pretty unprofessional to say pathetic. My jaw dropped when he said that. Must be trying to soften the perception tha they are being outbid.

[sox-r-us]

If we can get Dye, then we can trade Paulie + Garland to AZ for RJ and platoon Car + Frank at 1B/DH

 

Dye, Rowand and Lee will make a very good OF

 

We could have a line up of:

 

Willie H 2B

Rowand OF

Frank DH/1B

Everett 1B/DH

Carlos Lee

Dye OF

Uribe SS

Crede 3B

Catcher

 

SPs

 

RJ

Garcia

Buerhle

Contreras

Grilli/cheap vet FA

[AngelasDaddy0427]

I don't want Grilli anywhere near this team next year. I don't even think he had one quality start. At least Diaz but up good numbers in AAA and at least showed some promise of improving at the major league level (though it was in a long relief role). I just can't imagine Grilli even being able to beat Diaz in spring training.

That being said I don't want either in the rotation. I want a sure thing not another maybe.

Grilli=04' Danny Wright

[Guest JimH]

I don't want Grilli anywhere near this team next year. I don't even think he had one quality start. At least Diaz but up good numbers in AAA and at least showed some promise of improving at the major league level (though it was in a long relief role). I just can't imagine Grilli even being able to beat Diaz in spring training.

That being said I don't want either in the rotation. I want a sure thing not another maybe.

Grilli=04' Danny Wright

I tend to agree with you on Grilli.

 

If there is a small sense of optimism with Jason, it's that he's finally healthy and his velocity was excellent.

 

He has talent, there was a reason he was picked #4 overall even though that was a long time ago.

 

I can't live with his control issues though, and neither he or the Sox pitching coaches could straighten that out.

 

One thing I like about Grilli, he's a bulldog. He competes. I would keep him, let him show his stuff in Tucson now that he's healthy and if they can't keep him when the season starts, hopefully they get something in trade.

 

He's out of options I believe.

[SoxAce]

If there was a choise, I'd rather have Diaz than Grilli.

[Chisoxfn]

I could see Dye or even Urbina happening, although I think their are other options that the Sox will pursue before looking at Ugeth.

 

However, no way do I see the Sox picking up Edgar Renteria, especially since he's looking for 8-10 million a year. Thats drastically overpaying for him.

 

I don't get it, this offense, especially the middle of the order is fine. Minus that one stretch when Maggs/Frank went down and the Sox panicked this offense was fantastic.

 

The only upgrades the Sox should be looking for (if their is one) is a left handed bat or a top of the order guy. Thats it and it isn't a worse case if the Sox miss out. However, if the Sox move one of Lee/Konerko then they will need to find a bat to replace them.

 

Luckily JR and KW seem to be talking about pitching, both a starter and a reliever and to me thats exactly what this team needs.

[AngelasDaddy0427]

I tend to agree with you on Grilli.

 

If there is a small sense of optimism with Jason, it's that he's finally healthy and his velocity was excellent.

 

He has talent, there was a reason he was picked #4 overall even though that was a long time ago.

 

I can't live with his control issues though, and neither he or the Sox pitching coaches could straighten that out.

 

One thing I like about Grilli, he's a bulldog.  He competes.  I would keep him, let him show his stuff in Tucson now that he's healthy and if they can't keep him when the season starts, hopefully they get something in trade.

 

He's out of options I believe.

Perfectly put!

[Chisoxfn]

I tend to agree with you on Grilli.

 

If there is a small sense of optimism with Jason, it's that he's finally healthy and his velocity was excellent.

 

He has talent, there was a reason he was picked #4 overall even though that was a long time ago.

 

I can't live with his control issues though, and neither he or the Sox pitching coaches could straighten that out.

 

One thing I like about Grilli, he's a bulldog.  He competes.  I would keep him, let him show his stuff in Tucson now that he's healthy and if they can't keep him when the season starts, hopefully they get something in trade.

 

He's out of options I believe.

I still think Grilli could work out fine in the bullpen, but thats about as far as it goes. He has to improve his control, but I'm with you Jim in the fact that I like his competitiveness.

[CanOfCorn]

I could see Dye or even Urbina happening, although I think their are other options that the Sox will pursue before looking at Ugeth. 

 

However, no way do I see the Sox picking up Edgar Renteria, especially since he's looking for 8-10 million a year.  Thats drastically overpaying for him.

 

I don't get it, this offense, especially the middle of the order is fine.  Minus that one stretch when Maggs/Frank went down and the Sox panicked this offense was fantastic. 

 

The only upgrades the Sox should be looking for (if their is one) is a left handed bat or a top of the order guy.  Thats it and it isn't a worse case if the Sox miss out.  However, if the Sox move one of Lee/Konerko then they will need to find a bat to replace them. 

 

Luckily JR and KW seem to be talking about pitching, both a starter and a reliever and to me thats exactly what this team needs.

I agree with you except for replacing the bat if we trade Lee or PK. What we don't need is more home run hitters. With Jurassic, Frank, either Lee or PK, Rowand, Uribe hitting 15 and Crede hitting 15-20...we should be fine. And if Dye comes here, that's another 25. Should be fine in that area. Let's go get those pitchers.

[Guest JimH]

I still think Grilli could work out fine in the bullpen, but thats about as far as it goes.  He has to improve his control, but I'm with you Jim in the fact that I like his competitiveness.

Jason, totally unrelated, but you should see Grilli's wife.

 

Very nice person, and WOW good looking.

[witesoxfan]

I hope it's true we're showing interest in Renteria. f*** the Cubs, get Renteria!!

I really do not want to spend $8-10 mill on a guy that has hit .300 or better twice in his career along with his best OPS ever being .874(with his second highest OPs ever being .804).

[Chisoxfn]

Jason, totally unrelated, but you should see Grilli's wife.

 

Very nice person, and WOW good looking.

Maybe thats the upside to having Grilli

[qwerty]

I still think Grilli could work out fine in the bullpen, but thats about as far as it goes.  He has to improve his control, but I'm with you Jim in the fact that I like his competitiveness.

I wouldn't even want him in the pen. I like to have good control guys out of the pen and he is the total opposite of that. His 1.60 whip makes me want to. :puke

[elrockinMT]

Dye is considered an offseason splash?  More like a dribble.

Remember Dye is being put out there by a reporter who is zero for every possible scenario. I don't see Dye as being on the Sox needs list. I would much rather go with one of our own and that includes Borchard in th mix. We need a reliever (middle or closer) and another starter.