The_Godfather

Glad to see they took care of MB 3 years 18mil isnt all that bad. There may be a trade in the works since were so straped for cash it only make sense that a trade is upon us soon maybe the long rumored dodgers trade will fall through.

2. Kevin Brown-Odalis Perez As you may have heard, the Dodgers could use a thumper. No wait. Check that. The Dodgers could use about four thumpers. And they've been actively trying to trade Perez to get one of those thumpers. But they could also use a little wiggle room in their checking account. Which is where Brown comes in. He has $30 million coming to him the next two years. And it doesn't help his marketability that he's had everything but the bubonic plague over the last few years, missing time because of problems with his back, elbow, groin, neck, Achilles tendon, finger and abdominal muscles. That won't stop the Yankees from ratcheting up their interest in a guy who could theoretically replace Andy Pettitte. But common financial sense says it's still more likely the Dodgers will deal Perez. And the White Sox, Cardinals, Yankees and Red Sox have all been on his trail for weeks. 4. Magglio Ordonez-Paul Konerko-Carlos Lee-Frank Thomas Bartolo Colon is now officially off to Orange County. So if the White Sox were spitting sparks trying to trade for starting pitching before losing Colon, they're installing that new turbo now. They could move Lee with their eyes shut. But they would prefer to move Ordonez's $14-million paycheck, Thomas' long and complicated contract and/or Konerko's $18.75 million over the next two years. Whether that's doable -- and so far it hasn't been -- is a question they might not be able to answer by the time they check out of the New Orleans Marriott. But it won't be for lack of dangling those names -- particularly to the Dodgers and Mariners. 5. Freddy Garcia Garcia couldn't be any more available this week if the Mariners painted his face on a billboard on Bourbon Street. Now that they've signed Guardado and Shigetoshi Hasegawa, they're set to move Rafael Soriano into the rotation. And that figures to mean bye-bye Freddy, one way or another. True, Garcia is only 27. And he has a higher career winning percentage (72-43, .626) than Bartolo Colon, Kevin Millwood or Curt Schilling. But he stands to make $8 million to $9 million in arbitration. He's coming off a 12-14 season in which he won only three of his last 17 starts. And clubs we've spoken to aren't sure about either his physical conditioning or his dedication to duty. Nevertheless, we're hearing the White Sox are thinking seriously about him. On the other hand, it's also possible the Mariners will nontender him if they can't trade him. Also mentions Koch as possible trade bait

Sox looking to deal at winter meetings E-mail this story Printer-friendly format Search archives More Headlines -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- White Sox batting .000 Colon signs with Angels Sox name Wilder as director of player development Alomar's agent doesn't expect arbitration offer Arbitration offer likely for Colon By Teddy Greenstein Tribune staff reporter December 10, 2003, 10:29 PM CST White Sox general manager Ken Williams plans to do something at this year's winter meetings that he never has done before—leave the hotel. Williams has plans to take officials from the club's minor-league affiliates to dinner Saturday night at one of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants in New Orleans. Other than that, Williams figures to be holed up in his hotel suite, talking trades with other teams and discussing offers with agents. Williams will try to address some or all of these six questions: 1 Does anyone want to play for the White Sox? The Sox have taken a big public-relations hit after losing free agents Bartolo Colon, Roberto Alomar, Tom Gordon, Scott Sullivan, Tony Graffanino and Carl Everett. But perhaps it's not as bad as it seems. Williams is not about to hang a "Help Wanted" sign at U.S. Cellular Field. "People are overlooking the fact we're a pretty good team as it is," Williams said Wednesday. "A lot of the players we lost were added for the [2003] stretch run. "Are there some things we'd like to do? Absolutely. But what should not be overlooked is that the nucleus is pretty darn good." Williams still sees a 1-2 combination of starting pitchers Mark Buerhle and Esteban Loaiza that combined for 35 victories last season. He sees a formidable lineup headlined by Magglio Ordonez, Frank Thomas and Carlos Lee. And he sees a farm system ready to bear more fruit. He also is thrilled to have acquired infielder Juan Uribe, whom he considers the Sox's shortstop of the future. "Just because we don't make a move now to satisfy the public perception, understand this: Three years ago when we traded [Chad Bradford] for Miguel Olivo, that was part of our three- or four-year planning," he said. "We did the same when we traded Chris Singleton for Willie Harris, whom we think will blossom this year." 2 So are the Sox forsaking the present for the future? No way. Williams is knee-deep in a jigsaw puzzle, trying to find parts that fit for a projected budget of $58 million. The problem is that the Sox's priciest 10 players will earn more than about $57 million next year, so someone has to go. Here are those 10: Ordonez ($14 million), Paul Konerko ($8 million), Billy Koch ($6.375 million), Thomas ($6 million), Jose Valentin ($5 million), Loaiza ($4 million) and Jon Garland ($2.3 million), plus arbitration-eligible Lee (about $6.5 million), Buehrle (about $3.25 million) and Scott Schoeneweis (about $1.8 million). 3 Who's the most likely to depart? Konerko had a lousy season—actually a lousy first half—but both the Dodgers and Orioles are looking for a first baseman and have money to burn. Valentin also is drawing interest from several teams after producing big power numbers (28 homers, 74 RBIs) at a position that has mostly superstars or duds. Koch continues to draw interest from the Mets, who reportedly view him as a fallback if they fail to sign closer Ugueth Urbina. Ordonez is very unlikely to go. Teams such as the Yankees, Dodgers and Braves are believed to have inquired, but sources say the Sox would complete a deal only if it improved the club immediately. It's hard to picture a team giving up significant talent for a $14 million-a-year player in his walk year. Williams could make a deal for Lee in a minute, but he's loath to trade the Sox's most productive player (.291, 31 homer, 113 RBIs). Considering the Sox were willing to pay Bartolo Colon the equivalent of $11 million next season, it's clear Williams has a salary-cutting trade or two in his back pocket. "There are some interesting possibilities," he said. 4 Which pitchers do the Sox have their eyes on? The Sox long have coveted free agent Sidney Ponson, but it's highly unlikely they'll be able to afford the 27-year-old right-hander, who turned down a three-year, $21 million extension from Baltimore in July. The Dodgers' Odalis Perez, who sparred orally with his teammates last season, could come in a deal with Los Angeles. There's a large pool of free-agent starters who have roughly the same promise as Loaiza did at this time last year. The group includes right-hander Cory Lidle, another former Blue Jay who slumped to 12-15 last year after showing promise in Oakland from 2001-02. There are also Brett Tomko, Rick Reed and former Sox lefty Wilson Alvarez, who revived his career with the Dodgers last year (6-2, 2.37). The pool of pitchers will get deeper after Dec. 20, when perhaps another 40-45 players will not be tendered contracts. Among those could be Seattle's erratic right-hander Freddy Garcia, who stands to make as much as $8 million through arbitration if the Mariners decide to keep him or trade him. 5 What else should we know? Ozzie Guillen has been trying to get in touch with Thomas. The two haven't spoken since Guillen, upon being named manager Nov. 3, said: "I want him to be great in the clubhouse and play the game the way it's supposed to be played." The Sox released Brian Daubach on Wednesday. They weren't going to re-sign the veteran first baseman, so they wanted to give him ample time to sign with another team. The fact Scott Sullivan signed a two-year, $5 million deal with Kansas City doesn't mean the Sox couldn't afford him. Sullivan held out hope the Sox would offer arbitration, which would have given him leverage to command $3 million for 2004. 6 What does Williams like about the winter meetings? Williams likes the social aspect of the winter meetings. Last year he recalled hanging out with four or five other GMs after hours in a hotel suite. "It was a chance to let our hair down and talk baseball," he said. "You can lay groundwork [for future deals] and cultivate friendships, and that can help." Williams said that when he left the suite at 4:15 a.m., he was the first GM to bail.

I think Koch bounces back this year IMHO

I agree 100% Nick Johnson is nothing special thats for sure. Also the expos traded Vasquez for payroll relief and now their gonna take on 22 million LOL give me a break!!!!!

Our Cf needs to be a Leadoff or #2 hole type of player not Maggs If we have willie Harris batting leadoff i think we may have some problems. If not wille then you tell me who. We need a leadoff hitter and maybe put willie in the 2 hole he may roduce due to the fact that he would more then likely see good pitches with Mags or Thomas batting 3rd

Now that would be one hell of a deal only one problem with it , what does the Dodgers do then for pitching??? Their not going to trade their entire pitching staff.

I would like to see June Gone here no doubt about it but I think we need to focus on either getting the Konerko trade done Or Thomas trade ( per Gammons ) done then we could make a move on Juan. But playing Maggs in CF would be a huge mistake we would have the worst range in the OF period. We need a CF who can complement our weaker corner OFers not another slow defensive liability roaming around at The Cell.

The sox would never have the balls to add brown 2 reasons he is owed 30 million dollars over the next two season , and number two he has been to injury prone for the sox liken. That being said I would love to have brown here he is a great pitcher and would make us a hell of alot better. One way I see this trade going through would be if the dodgers or yankees were to eat some of his salary. For the yanks to eat his salary they might as well take him for themselves dont you think??

I wouldnt mind having Herbert back he was a solid player when he was here a few years ago.

Im not to sure that weaver is that bad of a gmble I know the history we have with the guy and all but before he went to the Yank these he was having a decent year for the tigers. All im saying is it is something we should explore if the compensation isn't to overwhelming

If anyone recalls Daubach was added to the roster at spring trianing last year Im confident that we can find someone that will more then easily fill the void. Let us not forget there are always alot of good ball players around for the Vets Min. come that time of the year.

That was more of a rant directed towards those of you who feel that they no longer can support the team the " Love " not directed at any one person.

Did you really want Daubach back?!?!?!?!

Sorry to say but anyone who is considering spiltting allegiance isn't a real Sox fan plain as that. Trust me all of us are frustrated by the lack of moves done by our beloved Sox and the fact that they haven't really tried to keep some of their own FA. Come on though, last year what major moves did the sox make before the winter meetings???? If i recall correctly none, I'm so tired of listening to everyone whinning about oh were not doing anything blah blah blah. KWHas always done whatever he can to try and put a good product on the field somtimes it just takes time. We do not have the revenue of the Yankkes, redsox or scrubs to be out there trying to buy up all the talent right out of the gate instead we have very limited resources to spend very wisely lets just wait and see what happens instead of jumping ship. If you must jump ship then go ahead we dont need to have fans like you. Sox fans are the smartest fans out there and that being said I would think that all of you would know our situation and sit tight and see what comes of it. Iwill tell you know by this time next week we will know alot more about the team that we will have just relax a little and let kenny do his thing.

Why would you want Raffy he has an below average BA his power numbers are down and he's like 38 years old. I see the pluses in having him gold glover. lefthanded power + run producer. How about the downside a .240 avg ( maybe he hits better next year ) another slow ass base runner which means more DP. plus we still have thomas, konerko who currently fill the DH and 1B roles on this team. Until and IF they trade Paulie raffy is not an option. We need to worry more about the things we need rather then what players are out there. Needs 2 SP Bullpen Help Starting 2B Starting CF Until we get these holes filled we really shouldnt worry about other spots on the roster.

Only reason Mike williams was an all-star was cause MLB mandates one player from every team and he was their one. His era was something like 6.50. I definetly dont want this guy either

Until we either trade Mags or Lee I find it pointless to even discuss who we would want, cause as of right now we have two very good corner OF's if anything we need a cf and IMHO there isn't one out there that would be able to do the job we would need him to do which is set the table for our big guns. ( Leadoff hitter )

As for lima no thanks I dont think we need that nut case in our locker room I personally never liked the guy He is not our Anwser

Maddux at 10 mil a year!!! Im glad your not our GM his market is currently sitting around 3-5 million per year nobody is will to offer more then that for his services.

I also agree with putting frank out there. His production is so much better when he plays the field that I would consider playing him there on the daily bais. His D didnt look so horrible when he was out there last year. And his average was nearly 70 points higher. It would seem like a no brainer

Batista and Maddux may be a possibilty but I would like to see us pick up Ponson and Maddux. Ponson would eat up innings and maddux is still a very good pitcher. I feel we can get both of these guys for the money we offered Colon maybe a little bit more but not much. Maddux 4-5 mil and Ponson 5-8 mil would be nice. MB SP EL GM JG would be a nice looking rotation IMHO

I wouldnt mind having Urbina But Flopseco no thanks the guy is a bad pitcher a change of teams would mean he will become a good pitcher I stay as far away from this freak as possible

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Anaheim Angels took one of the top pitchers off the free-agent market, agreeing Tuesday to a four-year contract with Bartolo Colon. Anaheim had offered a deal worth about $48 million, four-year contract, one baseball official familiar with the negotiations had said Monday. This might not be Anaheim's only blockbuster deal. If the Alex Rodriguez-Manny Ramirez deal goes through, five-time All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra would be out of a job. It's believed the Red Sox might try to trade him to the Angels for a pitcher, possibly Jarrod Washburn, or second baseman Adam Kennedy. The Chicago White Sox badly wanted Colon back, with general manager Ken Williams offering a three-year contract worth a reported $36 million -- the largest ever for a White Sox pitcher. But Colon rejected the offer in October. Though the White Sox offered Colon salary arbitration Sunday night, Williams seemed resigned Monday to losing the 20-game winner. Colon was only 15-13 with a 3.87 ERA this year, but he's coveted for his durability and consistency. He's a 20-game winner who has reached double-digit victories in six straight seasons. He pitched a career-high nine complete games this year, and was second in the AL with 242 innings. His 173 strikeouts also ranked in the top 10. In seven seasons with Cleveland, Montreal and Chicago, the 30-year-old Colon is 100-62 with a 3.86 ERA.

God I hope this isnt true I hate that dam guy :fyou