KW always makes a point of mentioning how they consult with many players, ex-players, GM's, "eyes and ears" around the leagues before they make a move, and they've done this even with Iguchi, Rios, Peavy and Alexei. Harrelson, Stone, DJ, Farmer, Singleton, etc., do the same and pass on information. Obviously, with Swisher and Cabrera, there was a ton of info out there. Look at AJ and Everett, Jenks, we've brought in more "questionable" (but talented) headcases than any other organization out there, and they've usually "blended" fairly well. Of course there were cliques like AJ, Crede, Rowand, etc. That happens in every clubhouse, plus the ethnic divides along ethnic lines (Uribe was one of the few that was universally liked by everyone, the glue that held everything together).

 

Swisher and O-Cab are as much on KW as anyone. I honestly don't believe Konerko or the likes of Thome would deliberately alienate anyone. Dye, that's another question, he has always been much more sensitive (see his tailspin after Rios was acquired).

 

We have 4 players (Jenks and AJ, too) still remaining from 2005, btw.

 

But seriously, you have to question the ego of anyone who has their initials on the side of their cap like it's a "brand." Unless you're Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant or Lebron James....

Edited May 1, 201015 yr by caulfield12

Oh, yeah, that's right I almost forgot to mention yet another great KW move...Scott Linebrink. How long are we stuck with him? And for how much?

$4.5 or $5 million this year and next, something like that...I didn't bother to look it up, just guessing.

Kenny's not going anywhere. He's easily in the top half of GMs in the league, and arguably in the Top 10. Outside of Linebrink, he hasn't given out any truly bad contracts in recent memory. And he's gotten some absolute steals since over that time (Danks, Floyd, Thornton, Quentin, etc.) The teams that he's put together over the past five years have, for the most part, been heavy on established talent, but simply haven't produced. That blame for that goes on the coaching staff, not the GM.

 

The one weak aspect of Kenny's tenure in Chicago (the farm system) has improved considerably over the past few years.

 

Edited May 1, 201015 yr by WCSox

Quentin who is not on a big deal and Beckham who is on a 2nd year rookie contract have really crippled this line-up as much as Pierre, and I don't think there's very many people on this board who would have predicted that, especially since only one late scratch, Q has been healthy.

 

Also, is the 16m washout Peavy? For christ sake he's had 4 or 5 starts, let's not banish him yet like everyone was all over Rios.