Chisoxfn

He may get compensation Mario. It looks like free agent compensation still exists and won't come into play until next season. The worldwide draft and all the compensation plans wil be on hold until next year as they still have to meet and agree with all that stuff.

and all of them may just be out of here if Thomas is gone. Kw is finally seeing some things right in my opinion. I get a ton of Angel coverage where I am and everyone always talks about how they have no stars and thats really the fact. It isn't that they don't have great players cause Anderson, Percival, Glaus are all great players, its just they all see themselves as equals and don't care about what status is given. A lot of that has to do with their manager who doesn't buy into all the whoopla and just has them playing ball, not striking out and doing the little things. Jim Tracy of the Dodgers kind of does the same things and to me they are some of the top managers in all of baseball.

If it is still bothering him, then he aught to be going in for surgery right now.

In the article Michelled posted that was written by Crowley it talked about how Thomas has a lot of suitors? Where does he get this stuff considering no one can make an offer or anything like that. I think right now some teams may be intersted in them, but he's purely speculating. Still, if Frank finds a good offer then so be it.

Michelle... When Kenny says Raw talent for character he talks about guys like David Wells and how he's learned you can't bring in attitude guys just because they have talent. He now values the importance of character and chemistry. To me the key areas of character and chemistry come iwth your bench players. You want those guys knowing their role and willing to sit back and come in and make the plays, not whine about it. Liefers' whined which hurts my feelings about him. I know he wants to start, but what has he done to show he's earned it....nothing. Then look at Tony G. that guy just goes out and is all business getting things done. We need more selfless guys that will simply go out and do whats best for the team, especially when it comes to the bench.

Glanville is a solid player, but man did he suck last season.

I think he'll be here out of the gate, but if something changes then you just never know. We'll know more after free agency and stuff like that. I don't expect anything to happen, but we could end up picking up a veteran off the scrap heap. I think Rauch is ready though, but pitching in the pen out of the gate could be good for him, for at least a month to give him confidence. Plus its a good way to control his number of innings.

I tend to agree with you. Of course if Ritchie or Rauch step up that will be key too. The pen will have to play strong too. I think they will, but you never know what will happen.

Well if we suck and they can Manuel right on the spot, I wouldn't be too dissapointed. I like Jerry, but I have plenty of flaws with him too. He's got to have this team firing on all cylinders throughout the season.

Once I get to spring training, I'll be rejuvenated only to be pissed off by mid-season and then excited again near the end of the season when the Sox show some hope.

Thats becoming more obvious by the day as my optimism towards the Sox continues to be drained. Man, I can't wait for baseball season to start, so I can get my false hope up again.

I wish Sanders would of kept playing cause it would of been intersting watching Emmit and Barry near the record. Barry was obviously ahead by a good distance, but you never know what could of happened.

I can't questoin my love for the Sox, but I get so sick and tired of this crap. My dad was talking to me tonight about the Lakers and in the 42 years they have been in LA they have played in the NBA finals 21 times. Why can't we say something near as great about the Sox? Simple, we got incompetent owners. Sure, 21 times would be time near impossible, but I want some owners that at least go out and give an effort. JR doesn't do it and I'm sick of it.

2003: A Look Into the Crystal Ball - Part 1 By Matt Michel Just click on the link above, cause this article is much easier to read on the main page so you can take full advantage of the color coding breakdown. ---------------------------------------------------- A little less than a year ago White Sox fans across the world were getting revved up for the 2002 championship campaign for our beloved pale hose. The perennial division powerhouse in Cleveland had been disassembled, the Twins were coming off a dismal 2001 second half performance, and the Royals and Tigers were, well, the Royals and Tigers. It was our year. And then it all came crumbling down. But in the ashes of the 2002 White Sox (and man, did they ever crash and burn), the phoenix that is the 2003 White Sox seems poised to recapture the attention of Sox fans. The Sox feature a mix of young leadership and enthusiasm. Guided by the leadership of the superstar Magglio Ordonez, staff ace Mark Buehrle, and fan favorite/All-Star Paul Konerko; to go with young up-and-coming stars like Jon Garland, Dan Wright, D'Angelo Jimenez, Joe Crede, Miguel Olivo, and (of course) Joe Borchard the Sox have one of the most solid cores for a winning team in their laps. In retrospect, after a solid September, the Sox do look like a team on the cusp of being a contender, rather than a pretender. And as the 2002 World Series has just ended, it's only natural for Sox fans to begin to look forward to next year and hope that just maybe, "next year is our year." For space and attention span's sake, in this first installment we'll look at the position players; where people look like they may end up and what moves the Sox need to make to thrust themselves over the top. (NOTE, we will only project players who finished 2003 with the Sox, but at the end of every position subcategory, there will be an explanation as to what moves the Sox need to make). COLOR CODE: Green = Lock to make 2003 Team, Yellow = 50/50 Chance, Red = won't make team or shouldn't. These colors only indicate whether or not a player should make the team out of Spring Training. Also, 2003 predictions are only projected stats if the player in question plays for the White Sox. MARK JOHNSON (2003 Prediction: 75 G, .211 BA, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 0 SB) Johnson has been the #1 catcher on the Sox for a while (which tells you how really bad we are here), and 2003 should be no different. Like him or not, he is still the best defensive option the Sox have. Considering his competition is Josh Paul and Miguel Olivo, Johnson should have no problems getting a spot on the 2003 squad, and more than likely will be the Opening Day starter. MIGUEL OLIVO (17 Games - .219 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB) Olivo's fate lies more in the hands of GM Kenny Williams more so than manager Jerry Manuel for the simple fact that if Williams goes out and gets a rent-a-player for a year to fill in the catching duties, Olivo will more than likely get another year of development in Charlotte. If Williams sits on his hands and stays with his current catching corps, Olivo will end up in a race with Josh Paul for the second catchers spot on the roster. Either way, Olivo is the catcher of the future and should not be on the roster unless he gets plenty of playing time. JOSH PAUL (18 Games - .220, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 3 SB) Easily the worst defensive option, Paul's time as the Sox catcher has run up. Either he will be shipped to Charlotte upon arrival of a new catcher or should lose a spring training battle with Olivo to platoon with MJ. Paul may make an appearance in September or earlier if someone gets hurt, but don't expect too much out of Josh - he's just not that good. Review: The Sox have been in desperate need of a veteran catching presence for a year or so, and preferably one with stable knees. Catching is one of the key holes on this team that needs to be addressed before the Sox expect to go anywhere soon. No team will go anywhere in the postseason with a platoon of Johnson/Olivo or Johnson/Paul. PAUL KONERKO (152 Games - .308, 31 HR, 112 RBI, 0 SB) Before the start of the 2002 campaign Paul Konerko was still being thrown around as trade bait. Many argued over who the Sox should dump, Carlos Lee or Paul? Well, Paul responded with a breakout year and All-Star berth. He has established himself as the first baseman South Siders should expect to pencil in for years now. FRANK THOMAS (152 Games - .307, 30 HR, 103 RBI, 0 SB) If Frank returns to the Sox, he will of course be on the Opening Day roster as the DH. If he doesn't, he will be elsewhere. It's that simple. While it's easy to rip on Frank for his horrible first half performance, his September surge appears to be a sign that he finally began to recover from his torn triceps. Thomas is too valuable a piece of Sox history and this team to just throw away. Frank should be back and Sox fans will not be disappointed. Review: Knowing Manuel, the Sox will probably experiment by playing Jon Garland at first on his off days or something. Regardless, Konerko should be the mainstay at first for 2003 and many years to come. Minor League players to watch: Casey Rogowski D'ANGELO JIMENEZ (155 Games - .266, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 22 SB) You know, as much as I like to blame Kenny Williams for everything that has ever caused pain to mankind, it does look like he may have found a diamond in the rough when he picked up D'Angelo Jimenez from San Diego for minor leaguers Alex Fernandez and Humberto Quintero. In only a month or so of action Jimenez showed his handiness with the bat and his ability with the leather. While he can be used anywhere on the infield, it is looking likely that Jimenez will be our Opening Day second baseman. WILLIE HARRIS (27 Games - .234, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 16 SB) Make no qualms about it, Willie Harris is a solid player and may one day develop into a solid starter, but he's not there yet, and with Valentin and Jimenez in his way, there is no reason to rush Harris to the show when he's clearly not ready to face Major League pitching. A little more seasoning in Charlotte is what the doctored should order for Mr. Willie Harris. Review: If Jimenez is the real deal, then the Sox may have found a solution to replace Ray Durham. If not, then this will quickly become a weakness for the South Siders. Minor Leauge player to watch: Tim Hummel, Edwin Yan, Aaron Miles JOE CREDE (153 Games - .280, 26 HR, 87 RBI, 7 SB) All right. No more holding Joe in Charlotte. No more head scratching by Sox fans as they read their papers and see Crede mash the ball in AAA. Joe's time finally arrived and he showed he was ready for it. After starting in a bit of a slump, Crede turned it on and hit .285, 12 homers, and drove in 35 runs in his 53 games in the show last year. His little to no competition at third should help Joe in giving him the mindset that he doesn't have to be a superstar to hang onto his job. Crede may be on the cusp of becoming a star for many years for the White Sox. Review: We don't know what Williams had against Crede, but thank God that he didn't stick him in the doghouse, a la Sean Lowe. Crede can play and should finally establish himself as the replacement for Robin Ventura, something he was pegged to be so many years ago. JOSE VALENTIN (144 Games - .256, 22 HR, 78 RBI, 5 SB) Finally! The debate between Royce Clayton and Jose Valentin is no more! After being the sparkplug for the 2000 Championship squad and turning down other deals to play elsewhere to stay with the Sox, Jose Valentin was rewarded by losing his job. After two turbulent seasons with Clayton, Valentin should finally be given his job back. As for his offense, it depends on where Jose bats. When he bats #2 in the order, before the juggernaut of Thomas, Ordonez, and Konerko, he should get to feast on fastballs and hence, his production jumps. However, if Valentin bats 6th in the order, he likely won't see much as much. TONY GRAFFANINO (72 Games - .261, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 6 SB) Don't be fooled by the yellow. I whole-heartedly want Graffanino to be back with the Sox, but before we welcome him with open arms, the Sox need to ensure that Tony is fully recovered from his torn ACL injury he suffered at the end of the season. Graffanino was never much of a star to begin with, so for him to be an effective member of the 2003 White Sox he must be healthy. If Graffanino isn't ready by season's open, I do foresee him returning to the Sox when he has proven himself ready to play in the minors. He is a great addition to the team and a versatile player off the bench. Review: With no competition in sight, Valentin has at least another year or so as the Sox shortstop. Minor League players to watch: Guillermo Reyes, Andy Gonzalez MAGGLIO ORDONEZ (152 Games - .335, 36 HR, 142 RBI, 6 SB) What can I say about Magglio that hasn't been said? This is Magglio's team now. He is the brightest star that they have. While he doesn't get the media attention he deserves, Maggs has developed into a bona fide five-tool superstar. He plays on a level that few people can even comprehend. And yes, he'll be around for a long time, Sox fans. AARON ROWAND (67 Games - .260, 7 HR, 36 RBI, 11 SB) Should Aaron be on the Opening Day roster? Yes. Should Aaron be an Opening Day starter? No. While Rowand has proven himself a capable Major League player, he has yet to prove he is good enough to start everyday for a team that can compete consistently for jewelry. His skills are average at best, and while he would be quite a commodity coming off the bench, if the Sox are serious about contending they would go out and find themselves a true centerfielder/lead-off man (Juan Pierre?) CARLOS LEE (127 Games - .271, 22 HR, 92 RBI, 3 SB) The debate has raged for a few years. Should the Sox dump Carlos Lee or should they keep him? After busting out of his yearlong slump, Carlos quietly put together one of the better offensive seasons for the Sox last year. Given that, and the fact that Joe Borchard is probably another year away from being ready to play everyday for the Sox, Carlos is more than likely going to hang around the South Side for one more year. However, you never know. Maybe Kenny will surprise us, but I really hope not. JOE BORCHARD (38 Games - .278, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 0 SB) While we were teased with glimpses of Borchard last September, for anyone to realistically believe that he is ready to jump in the lineup and produce as a big leaguer day in and day out may be kidding themselves a little. With the Sox realistically not going anywhere next year, there is no need to rush Borchard to the Majors. He definitely needs to cut down on the strikeouts before he is ready to start as a big leaguer. However, like last year, Joe should make regularly scheduled appearances at Comiskey Park next September. JEFF LIEFER (82 Games - .241, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 0 SB) Oh, Jeff Liefer. If I never see you in a Sox uniform again, it will be too soon. Liefer's fate rests in the hands of GM Kenny Williams and how he handles the situation in center and left field. If Williams believes that the Sox are fine starting Carlos Lee and Aaron Rowand, Liefer will probably be kept around as a left-handed bat off the bench. However, if Williams goes out and finds a center fielder or left fielder, it will more than likely push Rowand and Lee down the ladder, and Liefer does not have the skills to compete for a 4th outfielder spot. His only benefit is that he is a lefty. Review: The Sox need a center fielder! Rowand just isn't capable of starting on a quality team. If Williams can get himself a younger, healthy center fielder who can bat lead off, he will have filled one of the two gaping holes on this team. With no great prospects near Chicago, the Sox are going to need to look elsewhere to solve their outfield questions. Minor League players to watch: Anthony Webster, Jeremy Reed

Thats no message, thats just being classless. If you don't want him back, just tell him that and let him go on his merry way.

Well I'd like to see us bring in John Van Der Wall or Todd Hollandsworth to come off our bench. I think VanDer Wall may be too expensive, but maybe we could get Todd in here cheap. Another guy I like is Lenny Harris off the bench, but he wouldn't be my first choice. Steve Finley would be a sweet guy to pick up if he doesn't think he can play everyday anymore, but I don't think he'd leave the Dbacks.

By the way good article!

I agree. I'd love picking up someone like Orlando Palmerio to come off the bench, but we still need to add a power hitter off the bench. I wonder whose out their.

I once thought he could do so, but he was terrible last season. I will say he improved later in the season, but where did his power go? I'd say he's gone. He just hasn't shown he can handle playing part time. Of course if Frank is gone, then Liefer will see more time and will be here.

Ya its a complimenet, but aren't records made to be broken. That would be like Roger Maris's family going out and saying they want to kill Mcgwire and not let him earn the record. Fact is Smith is a great running back, I don't think he's better then Walter, but he earned that record.

Does anyone know how much say the other owners have? I'm kind of curious. I mean wouldn't some of them speak up and tell Jerry to spend some more money and then maybe they'd pay a little more or are they all silent guys that let JR run the show? Also, how much of the team does Jerry own?

I think he sucks as an owner, I'm just one of those big business type guys that also sides with the fact he don't want to lose a ton of money. The fact is he could still spend some money when the team is at least a player or two of becoming world chapmionship caliber and he doesn't do it. It seems to me like he's content where he is, and all he cares about is the bottom line, and winning just don't matter. Thats what makes him a s***ty owner.

IN LA the first time they won with Kobe and Shaq people turned cars over and lit them on fire right after the win. I remember hearing how people got shot in Chicago as fans fired bullets into the air, thinking geeze, the bullets will just keep going up, they won't come down.

Remember Michelle. Thomas was dealt to the Red Sox and JR nixed the deal. You can't blame KW on this one if we get nothing for him because he tried and wanted him out of here.

That is ridiculous not having the greatest Sox of all time on that list. I think Paulie, Maggs, and Buerhle should be on their so you pub the current Sox, but I also think Thomas should be their. I wonder if KW has any say in that. I figure he has no control of the marketing decisions or at least not that much of it. Thats up to Galas.