Which is why I believe Vazquez will be the odd man out.

Vazquez and Ozzie are pretty close too. They aren't family, but they are pretty good friends.

I want Mark to finish his career here. He's just one of those character guys to me. I love his attitude towards the game and the fans. You know what you're gonna get with Mark. He's just a regular dude that throws the ball well every 5 days. Sustained above average consistency is as important if not more important than any other factor. He'll cost Jerry a good chunk of change, but IMO he's worth it all. Sign him now...He won't be looking to be the highest paid pitcher in the league so get it done.

 

I really believe these guys will all want to stay together as long as they could. Jose, Mark, Jon, Freddy. I don't know about Bmac or Vasquez, but I think the main four would take 3 - 5 million less to stay together on this team then go somewhere else and start over.

I do hope Kenny doesn't wind up pulling a 1990s and pushing our better players away, like Buehrle.

Buehrle is going to get his, and I bet he's looking for his last big contract--which means 4 years isn't going to get it done.

 

I see the contract being 5 years 65 million at the least. 5 years 70 million seems about right. I'd try and backload it, so that salary inflation doesn't make a 5th year at 16-18 million look so bad.

 

With the contracts signed by mediocre pitching this offseason, I expect Mark's value to be very, very high.

I do hope Kenny doesn't wind up pulling a 1990s and pushing our better players away, like Buehrle.

 

To play Devil's Advocate, Blackjack, Fernandez, and Alvarez had maybe one good season before suffernig injuries that effectively ended their careers. One of the few things that Schueler was good at was getting rid of pitchers right before they tanked.

 

That said, I'd like to see Mark retire on the South Side.

The thought of Mark Buehrle in any other uniform besides the White Sox makes my skin crawl. Jerry, Kenny and the rest of the crew better do WHATEVER it takes to see to it that Mark is a member of the White Sox for a very long time.

Alright, this stuff makes me unhappy:

 

Rumor Central

 

Unfortunately I don't have Insider, but even seeing Buehrle on that list really pisses me off!

Alright, this stuff makes me unhappy:

 

Rumor Central

 

Unfortunately I don't have Insider, but even seeing Buehrle on that list really pisses me off!

It's most likely just from this article.

kenny is ragging it right now.

 

i expect to see buehrle locked up for another 4-5 before the end of the season.

 

if not, big mistake.

C'mon guys. Kenny ain't no dummy. Mark isn't going anywhere.

Although talking baseball is always fun, I think this whole discussion has gone off on a huge tangent. I may be giving Buehrle too much credit, but this all reeks of posturing.

 

Kenny first calls Buehrle out for subtle disloyalty to his current organization. By doing so, he effectively pidgeonholes Buerhle as heading to St. Louis no matter what. It sounds like a scare tactic to any other teams that feel it would be a waste of their time to pursue Buehrle because he will likely end up in St. Louis. They may rather pursue some other lesser FA just so they don't miss out on everything. This cuts out some of the competition and creates a less perfect market for MB to maximize his earnings.

 

Meanwhile, Buehrle wants to counteract the notion that he will sign with St. Louis for equal or lesser money than other teams will provide. He also alludes that it will be tough to play for his hometown due to all the distractions, effectively encouraging the other 28 teams to make an offer and create a competitive environment and bigger contract possibilities.

 

It is classic cat and mouse negotiating through the news media.

 

With that said, I love the idea of locking MB up and trading Freddy. I think Freddy is a big game pitcher but also a day game chump. You need to win 95 games or so to have a chance at 11 more victories. Give me 5 Freddy Garcias and I will show you a third place ball club with 75-85 victories. Give me 5 Mark Buerhles and you have a much better shot at the post season. I would take my chances in the FA market to solidify the bullpen and let B-Mac step into the rotation.

Who did we refer to as Kotex boy last year? Mariotti?

 

Also, I think its ridiculous that Williams is acting like a jerk, I mean, first Thomas (understandable) and now Buehrle...I just don't see the meaning of it.

 

Its good to know Buehrle would stay here, I mean, he seems happy here, although, anyone really would be happy here.

Alright, this stuff makes me unhappy:

 

Rumor Central

 

Unfortunately I don't have Insider, but even seeing Buehrle on that list really pisses me off!

 

Uh, yeah, the Sox are going to trade Buehrle to the Cards when they're the defending champs.

 

I hate ESPN. Only they would suggest something that incredibly stupid.

 

With that said, I love the idea of locking MB up and trading Freddy. I think Freddy is a big game pitcher but also a day game chump. You need to win 95 games or so to have a chance at 11 more victories. Give me 5 Freddy Garcias and I will show you a third place ball club with 75-85 victories. Give me 5 Mark Buerhles and you have a much better shot at the post season. I would take my chances in the FA market to solidify the bullpen and let B-Mac step into the rotation.

 

Agreed. I'll always be indebted to Freddy for Game 4, but he's waaaay inconsistent. I'm not sure that a guy who never seems to pitch well at home is worth $9 million a year.

Alright, this stuff makes me unhappy:

 

Rumor Central

 

Unfortunately I don't have Insider, but even seeing Buehrle on that list really pisses me off!

Its basically just the article posted in this thread.

Kenny Williams could kick Chuck Norris's ASS.

Add me to the list of people on here who also wishes Kenny would not

be as negative regarding Mark B.

Buehrle is a stud. He can say what he wants about the Cards as far

as I am concerned.

I am sure MB will get locked up. That Cards stuff is just a joke and I am sure if the sox gave Buehrle a good offer soon he would accept it.

I will not accept any excuse regarding a contract extension and Buehlre.

 

I don't even want to hear anyone suggest bulls*** such as "Oh, he really wants to pitch for St. Louis--it's his dream!!!" Money will ultimately decide this issue. And since Buehrle is relatively young, I hope the White Sox ATLEAST negotiate one more sizable contract. Have him for 5+ years, then when he's 33/34, we can assess the situation from there. Perhaps another pitcher will come along making him expendable. Or maybe he'll slowly regress and won't warrant another extension. Who knows. But as of 2006, it's obvious his belongs on this ballclub far beyond next year. Don't screw it up, Williams/Reinsdord.

How about a "diminished skills" clause?

I've got an article on this coming out today that should give a good idea on where I stand on all of this.

 

Like no one knows where you stand on Buerhle and on Frank Thomas?

Like no one knows where you stand on Buerhle and on Frank Thomas? 

Hey, if Jason ever gets around to posting it, you could be surprised on what I have to say concerning Frank.

Money will ultimately decide this issue.

 

How true.

This is much ado about nothing. Mark is controlled by the Sox till end of next season. There is no reason for KW to "get it done" right now. The offseason will be soon enough.