hey addison, cool illinois sig. but incidentally, has anyone ever mentioned that the guy on the far left looks like an old shemp playing the chief?

 

or maybe i've just been at work too long...

He does look like Shemp!

 

However, that was the man responsible for creating Chief in the likeness of a real Native American.

He does look like Shemp!

 

However, that was the man responsible for creating Chief in the likeness of a real Native American.

awesome. very cool.

Does anyone know any other teams that possibly want Eckstein other than us? It's pretty obvious KW wants him because he is the perfect fit for the "grinder" type thing we have going on in Chicago. Also, if we do get Eckstein, when do you suppose it'd happen. My best bet is that it'll get done before Soxfest (I hope), so the majority of fans are going to be rather calm this year, as opposed to last season. This off-season's been pleasing to me so far, if we get Eckstein I'll stand behind Kenny because that would be doing everything you can for the team. It's probably hard to find players nowaday that actually want to play for the White Sox as a first choice, gotta give it up to KW. 

The Cardinals! I always go out on a limb.

Does anyone know any other teams that possibly want Eckstein other than us? It's pretty obvious KW wants him because he is the perfect fit for the "grinder" type thing we have going on in Chicago. Also, if we do get Eckstein, when do you suppose it'd happen. My best bet is that it'll get done before Soxfest (I hope), so the majority of fans are going to be rather calm this year, as opposed to last season. This off-season's been pleasing to me so far, if we get Eckstein I'll stand behind Kenny because that would be doing everything you can for the team. It's probably hard to find players nowaday that actually want to play for the White Sox as a first choice, gotta give it up to KW. 

STL

As much as I like Eckstein, I'm glad we didn't beat the Cardinals bid. Too much money for too many years.

Well as I believe I said before, the only way we were going to get Eck was if we had traded for him with Anaheim. There were just too many teams that could've used him.

 

That's too bad as I'd really loved to have gotten him, but I'll only be upset by this if KW comes out talking s*** about how he loved him but then uses the contract he signed with the Cards as an excuse for not having got him. If you wanted him at all, all you had to do was trade for him and then take him to arb.

 

That said, I don't see us getting Cora either and I wouldn't be at all surprised if we missed out on Cairo too.

As much as I like Eckstein, I'm glad we didn't beat the Cardinals bid.  Too much money for too many years.

STL definitely overpaid. 3 yrs was too much. But they needed both a SS and a leadoff hitter.

Well as I believe I said before, the only way we were going to get Eck was if we had traded for him with Anaheim. There were just too many teams that could've used him.

 

That's too bad as I'd really loved to have gotten him, but I'll only be upset by this if KW comes out talking s*** about how he loved him but then uses the contract he signed with the Cards as an excuse for not having got him. If you wanted him at all, all you had to do was trade for him and then take him to arb.

 

That said, I don't see us getting Cora either and I wouldn't be at all surprised if we missed out on Cairo too.

Wanting Eck as FA [w/o giving up a draft pick to sign him] is a lot different than trading players to get him. If KW traded to get him people would have roasted him for giving up too much talent for a SS who would play 2b for the sox

 

As far as not getting Cora or Cairo, who knows. I think someone like Cairo should come to the sox. But KW has filled 3 holes via free agency, with solid players who were sougth after by other teams. He's done more than most people thought he'd be able to do. So I wouldn't count out the sox.

Overpaying for barely-above-average talent has been the stamp of this offseason.

Overpaying for barely-above-average talent has been the stamp of this offseason.

True. I think the sox have shown reasonable restraint in signing the 3 FA's they have to decent contracts and deserve some credit for it [OK 4 FA's but I don't count Kevin Walker ]

Wanting Eck as FA [w/o giving up a draft pick to sign him] is a lot different than trading players to get him. If KW traded to get him people would have roasted him for giving up too much talent for a SS who would play 2b for the sox

 

As far as not getting Cora or Cairo, who knows. I think someone like Cairo should come to the sox. But KW has filled 3 holes via free agency, with solid players who were sougth after by other teams. He's done more than most people thought he'd be able to do. So I wouldn't count out the sox.

What would it have costed us to have made a deal? Not much at all considering Anaheim got nothing for Eck with the non-tender.

 

For those who wanted Eck, a marginal prospect for him would've been a good deal.

 

For those who wanted Cora, there would've been some gnashing of teeth over the loss of our great marginal prospect.

 

And of course for those who think KW can do no wrong, they'd have thought it was a great move no matter what they thought before hand.

 

Anyhow, I'd be happy with Cora or Cairo. I just won't be at all surprised if we miss out on both. But then as you say, who knows.

Although this is a little disheartening, I never really thought Eck would end up on the Southside.

 

I'm sure Kenny expressed interest, but I think his main target for the middle infield is Cora; this has typical Sox signing written all over it.

 

Kenny: "Well Alex, we know you would love to play for you brother here in Chicago, but unfortunately, that will have to come at a more reasonable price. I know some other teams have offered you more money, but we hope that playing for your brother, as well as with many other latino players, is more important than getting the extra bucks. We would love for you to come to the Southside."

I don't know if i really wanted eck anyhow hes not the type of hitter that is consistent and cora might be a better fit because he can get along with everyone where eck would have to fit in

What would it have costed us to have made a deal? Not much at all considering Anaheim got nothing for Eck with the non-tender.

 

For those who wanted Eck, a marginal prospect for him would've been a good deal.

 

For those who wanted Cora, there would've been some gnashing of teeth over the loss of our great marginal prospect.

 

And of course for those who think KW can do no wrong, they'd have thought it was a great move no matter what they thought before hand.

 

Anyhow, I'd be happy with Cora or Cairo. I just won't be at all surprised if we miss out on both. But then as you say, who knows.

All the talk I heard was that if the Angels signed a SS, that tey'd move Eck to 2B because Kennedy was hurt. I was shocked when he was non-tendered and I'm sure many around baseball were too. So my question is, how would KW know the Eckstien was available? In fact, was he available before the Angels overpaid for Cabrera?

 

Kenny! Read those tea leaves every day.

All the talk I heard was that if the Angels signed a SS, that tey'd move Eck to 2B because Kennedy was hurt.  I was shocked when he was non-tendered and I'm sure many around baseball were too.  So my question is, how would KW know the Eckstien was available?  In fact, was he available before the Angels overpaid for Cabrera?

 

Kenny! Read those tea leaves every day.

There were rumors for about a month now that eckstien would be non-tendered. I really don't understand it though. Especially before they signed a shortstop.

There were rumors for about a month now that eckstien would be non-tendered. I really don't understand it though. Especially before they signed a shortstop.

Hmmmm ... How did I miss that?

Hmmmm ... How did I miss that?

I don't know. I saw it on ben maller a while back.

Honestly I couldn't see any good out of us signing Cora...

1) He weakens us defensively.

2) Just as inconsistant as our current second basemen.

3) He's the brother of our managers best friend (and our third base coach) which means I believe he could hit around the mendoza line and they still wouldn't take him out of the lineup even if Harris was hot.

 

I just don't like the idea of paying someone a mil or 2 to get someone just as inconsistant as we already have. I'd much rather have Cairo.

Honestly I couldn't see any good out of us signing Cora...

1) He weakens us defensively.

2) Just as inconsistant as our current second basemen.

3) He's the brother of our managers best friend (and our third base coach) which means I believe he could hit around the mendoza line and they still wouldn't take him out of the lineup even if Harris was hot.

 

I just don't like the idea of paying someone a mil or 2 to get someone just as inconsistant as we already have. I'd much rather have Cairo.

I wouldn't say Cora would weaken the Sox defensively vs. Harris. I'ts awfully close, Cora is very good defensively. Their fielding % were very close last year, Harris probably has a bit more range.

 

Cora handles the bat better and doesn't strike out as much as Harris. Harris stole a lot more bases, Cora provides a little more pop.

 

Cora can play SS, that's the big advantage for him. Harris can't, and his ability to play CF is minimized with Podsednik on board.

 

I have not seen Cora play a whole lot but I'd guess his baseball instincts are better than Harris.

 

I doubt this will happen but what I'd like to see now is have the Sox sign both Cora and Cairo, and trade Harris for a young catching prospect. It's very unlikely this would happen but one thing I'll stick to my guns on ... the White Sox are not thrilled with Willie Harris, on several levels.

 

As to what they could get for Harris in trade, who knows.

The problem is all the GM's around know that the organization isn't thrilled with Harris as well. Obviously they wouldn't give us anything near quality for him. He is too good of a value for what he makes.

Like I said we have much bigger holes then Harris. I'd much rather leave Harris as the 9 hitter and upgrade at C.

The problem is all the GM's around know that the organization isn't thrilled with Harris as well. Obviously they wouldn't give us anything near quality for him. He is too good of a value for what he makes.

Like I said we have much bigger holes then Harris. I'd much rather leave Harris as the 9 hitter and upgrade at C.

I would love to see Jamie get a chance...although I really do think we need to bring a catcher in.

I doubt this will happen but what I'd like to see now is have the Sox sign both Cora and Cairo, and trade Harris for a young catching prospect.  It's very unlikely this would happen but one thing I'll stick to my guns on ... the White Sox are not thrilled with Willie Harris, on several levels.

 

As to what they could get for Harris in trade, who knows.

I've been thinking the same thing for C. Get a prospect w/ offensive upside / solid defense who can play in 2005. the Sox then would have Davis and Burke as defensive replacements for the later innings.

 

I'd like to see the sox try and get C Dioneer Navarro from the Yanks, esp if the sox try to deal for Vazquez. It would be interesting what other names are out there. Kelly Shoppach from Bos comes to mind.