http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws

Even though the offense didnt do that great last year, you have to like a guy like Walker who only cares about the team and is willing to tell his employer to fire him if they can find some one better.

Edited October 26, 200718 yr by Soxbadger

In other news....

 

BUKVICH

 

Bukvich elects free agency; Crede, Ozuna reinstated

Mark Gonzales, 2:32 p.m.

 

The White Sox took a step toward retooling their bullpen Friday by outrighting reliever Ryan Bukvich to Triple-A Charlotte. Bukvich, 29, who had a 5.05 ERA in 45 appearances, elected to become a free agent rather than accept his assignment.

 

The Sox also reinstated third baseman Joe Crede and utility player Pablo Ozuna from the 60-day disabled list.

 

With the moves, the Sox's 40-man roster stands at 39.

 

Crede played in only 47 games last season because of lower back surgery, and Ozuna missed the final four months after fracturing his right leg.

I also noticed this statement from the Herald:

Don't expect any major player moves for a few more weeks. And before the Sox bring in some much-needed younger legs, look for them to officially cut ties with left fielder Scott Podsednik, shortstop Juan Uribe and center fielder Darin Erstad, unless Erstad agrees to a reserve role.

So Pods, Uribe, and possibly Erstad gone? Wow, wouldn't that be nice.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=63462

I also noticed this statement from the Herald:

 

So Pods, Uribe, and possibly Erstad gone? Wow, wouldn't that be nice.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=63462

 

 

For the love of all that is humanly holy and righteous....Make that SO!!!

KW said that Uribe was probably the only option at SS that made sense. He is a very good defensive SS. Erstad maybe but remember Ozzie likes his style. I would think though he would be more reserve in the OF and sub at 1B. Pods can be replaced and so long Bukvich. We need better than a 5.00 ERA out of the pen.

Uribe will be back.

 

There's really no one out there much better or as young.

 

ARod's merely the fevered dream of a midlevel franchise.

Uribe will be back.

 

There's really no one out there much better or as young.

 

ARod's merely the fevered dream of a midlevel franchise.

Jon Garland would be a better shortstop.

 

Assuming that is you're smart enough to trade Jon Garland for a better shortstop.

 

And if you're dealing pitching...better shortstops should and will be available.

Uribe will be back.

 

There's really no one out there much better or as young.

 

ARod's merely the fevered dream of a midlevel franchise.

Maybe. I don't think he's the worst option.

 

But do we exercise the option? Who else will give him $5 mil?

Maybe. I don't think he's the worst option.

 

But do we exercise the option? Who else will give him $5 mil?

 

Well, is there a decent backup plan in house immediately available if he is a free agent?

 

 

Jason Bourgeois is a 2B/OF spect, but only a SS in a pinch.

 

 

Well, is there a decent backup plan in house immediately available if he is a free agent?

Jason Bourgeois is a 2B/OF spect, but only a SS in a pinch.

I don't think there's anyone in-house. But that doesn't mean you bring a guy back at just any price. You can always bring in someone, even if its not the best option.

 

Is it worth exercising the option just to avoid the risk of having (say) Eckstein or Vizquel at short next year? And what team would really give Uribe $5 mil next year?

I have no faith in Vizquel offensively and Eckstein is not much better than Uribe and plays D worse.

 

I'd say give him his option and look for SS trade options mid/late 2008.

 

 

 

 

You don't have to exercise the option, KW could just buy him out for $300k and bring him back on a 1 year deal worth less than $5M with an option for '09. That's if Juan can't find a decent multi-year deal elsewhere.

 

SS really shouldn't be a huge problem to fill though, there will be 3-5 pretty good SS available for trade this offseason and the Sox actually have a decent trading chip in Garland.

You don't have to exercise the option, KW could just buy him out for $300k and bring him back on a 1 year deal worth less than $5M with an option for '09. That's if Juan can't find a decent multi-year deal elsewhere.

 

 

Very true - I just have no confidence in KW during free agency.

 

SS really shouldn't be a huge problem to fill though, there will be 3-5 pretty good SS available for trade this offseason and the Sox actually have a decent trading chip in Garland.

 

Well, if there are better SS trade options in the offseason, I'd have no problem with that. Perhaps we could take a flyer on Clint Barmes.

 

 

Clint Barmes will be lucky to start another game in the big leagues. He's older than Uribe, oft-injured, a mediocre defender and an awful hitter. His rookie season was a pretty cut and dry case of Coors inflation.

Well, if there are better SS trade options in the offseason, I'd have no problem with that. Perhaps we could take a flyer on Clint Barmes.

If you are willing to trade Jon Garland...and with his FA status and contract it'd be insane not to be willing to do that, then you have several SS options available, depending on where guys end up. Even if all you're willing to move is Contreras, Bill Hall might still make sense. There have to be better options out there. Garland straight up for Furcal or Renteria is literally the Sox taking less value than Jon is worth in order to fill that hole, and either of those guys would cover that need.

I see Kenny Williams keeping and perhaps even signing Garland to an extension, and that KW will shop Contreras instead.

any chance the Dodgers decide to keep Furcal and trade Hu? I doubt it, but I have a man crush on Hu.

any chance the Dodgers decide to keep Furcal and trade Hu? I doubt it, but I have a man crush on Hu.

I think there's a non-trivial chance of that. The Dodgers clearly need another starter, and I think they'll do what it takes to find one this year with their money. Unless they hit on Silva or Schilling, I don't see anyone who obviously solves their problems other than a trade, and if Hu is ready, they may have to pick which guy to move. The only question is how high they are on Hu, and what you're willing to give up.

 

Personally, I think it's more likely they'll try to move Furcal, but seriously, who knows how Coletti feels about each guy. He comes from that Sabean system where they've moved most of their young guys to try to get to the top, and Hu isn't nearly as highly ranked as guys like Kemp or Ethier...guys who they've picked up veteran FA's who block them.

The fact Uribe won't alter his style of hitting proves Walker is rendered helpless by today's

millionaire athletes.

The guy has all the talent in the world, everybody says in media reports, yet simply

won't adjust.

Does the guy want to hit sub .250 all his life??

Then listen to somebody, Uribe, and learn to work the count and hit to right field as

well you mope.

I still think Vizquel can give you a .330-.350 OBP and excellent defense from down lower in the order for about $2M.

 

And do the Sox want to run the risk of not picking up Uribe's option, and then seeing a team like the Cards sign him? Personally I don't think they would, which much to my chagrin, means Uribe is probably coming back for $5M, a vast overpayment based on his declining offensive numbers.

Well, is there a decent backup plan in house immediately available if he is a free agent?

Jason Bourgeois is a 2B/OF spect, but only a SS in a pinch.

He also will be 26 years old and is minor league free agent.

Edited October 27, 200718 yr by Dick Allen

I still think Vizquel can give you a .330-.350 OBP and excellent defense from down lower in the order for about $2M.

Only put up a .305 OBP last year.

Very true - I just have no confidence in KW during free agency.

 

Uh, why?

Uh, why?

 

Who was the last US free agent of any consequence that the Sox brought in from another team? Dye?

 

They never get involved in free agency for any big names like the consistantly successful teams do.