GreenSox

If we tried for Kendall, we didn't try very hard; probably hung up on salary as surely we could have matched the virtual nothing that Oakland gave up

How the hell is he going to get $9 mill, when Clement got 8? Clement at $8 was a steal in this market, sad to say.

Miller is a really good pitcher - but he gets injured all the time. Oswalt is the Astros' Prior - no way is he non-tendered

One thing is that it gets Johnson out of the national league. And they save a bunch of money, which they can use to sign Drew; just like we took a one-sided deal to get a bunch of money to use to sign___________, or fatten JR's wallet, whichever

Yes that is shortchanging because it was obvious the market price was higher than what we offered. We let ourselves be shortchanged by Milwaukee in terms of talent, precisely to be able to make a market offer to Clement; we failed to do so. It's a matter of opinion, but I think Clement is decidedly superior to those on your list, except for Perez. We could spend the money on "plugging holes" - the problem with that is we'd be spending money on more mediocre players who may be a bit better than the mediocre players we currently have; that doesn't win you anything. The great hitting catcher whom everyone wants, has a OBP of .320 with no power - better than Ben DAvis (offensively; not defensively) but not very good. Spending 2-3 million on players of that caliber, if overdone, is a ticket to last place. On the other hand, spending money on Clement of Perez gives us a GOOD player; plugging holes won't give us a good player

That would be the worst trade in baseball history But whenever a team is looking for a sap to take the short end of the value stick in a major deal, Kenny Williams' number is on speed dial

Indeed This extra pitcher we need? That's what free agent signings are for - we really have no excess to trade

Based upon the offer they gave to Clement, I must conclude that it was. We'll see what they do with Perez. And I would NOT suggest "filling other holes" with the money because what we fill them with will be mediocrities, with which this team is already replete. AJ for catcher? Come on, the Giants just cut him for a reason and his D is atrocious and his O isn't that great anyway (no power, mediocre OBP) Maybe a million or 2 for one of the pitchers way down on the list; but not $5 mill for a Milton or one of those - that would be ridiculous

Nothing to lament here: Az wanted a solid major league starter in return, and the best we could offer was Garland. Giving them MB would have been insane Glad we stayed on the sidelines in this one. I must say, yet another in a series of bizarre trades for the Dodgers; they made a weird one last summer giving an all-star catcher and a stud set-up man for Penny et al. And now they give up a hitter (salary dump?) and Penny for Vasquez.

That's comforting We can afford another pitcher, because we won't have to pay Mark Buerhle two years from now. We just saved $2 mill, JR is willing to raise payroll in the right situation and we can expect gradual increases anyway. I hope, when the time comes, they do everything they can to sign MB

to write this type of article, you actually have to go to games, leave the pressbox on occasion and go down to the lockerroom. ESPN Moronotti has advanced in his career, such that he doesn't have to do research anymore

Me too That is some really damning stuff in Cowley's article

When you're hell bent on dumping salary at the winter meetings, announce it to the world, this is they type of deal you end up with.

I hope you're right, but I've heard that kind of sentiment so many times, and it's always hollow when money is concernred - particularly in the millions

While everyone is concentrating on Clement, Kenny should do an end run and lock up Perez But I doubt it - he'll probably try to engineer a trade so he doesn't have to add payroll; like dump Konerko and that Dodger minor leaguer can take his place

He looks like a fair infielder (which would make him a damn sight better than his brother ever was) and we could use another infielder What's his salary? What do we have to give up to get this guy?

If we can sign Burnett, that's okay Otherwise, no more top prospects for short term rents. This team isn't WS ready yet Lowe really had a lousy year last year until the playoffs - I don't know about him. Who is B Mac by the way? He's routinely mentioned, but I don't know who he is.

My point is the ONLY player the Marlins bring to the table is going to the White Sox (if we're talking about the same deal - that 4 way deal). So we could cut them out if we want because they aren't giving the other parties anything. Which deal is better for us? Vasquez and Kotsay plus cash for Konerko and Garland OR Burnett for Konerko and Garland (and I think Burnett is unsigned past this year - is that right)? Either way, Arizona gets Konerko and Garland, NY gets Johnson but loses Vasquez and Kotsay. So we're the fulcrum here - do we benefit with Fla in the deal? Arizona and NY aren't affected either way

I think we would get him for 4 years $36 mill; I don't think we'll offer that; probably more in the 3 year, 21-25 mill range I don't think he's worth that - and the only reason I care is because it might make other pitchers' salaries disproportinate in comparison (Garcia and certainly MB); otherwise, it's time we spend some money I like the Castillo/Burnett trade idea; I'd like it a lot more WITHOUT yesterday's trade, however, because if we deal Konerko, we really have no power at all.

He had Tommy John surgery before last season - injured in 2003

Isn't Burnett's contract about up? No way is Fla taking vasquez without the yanks picking up some of that deal. the trade effectively says that Vasquez + Garland + Kotsay = Burnett. I can't see that at all; cut the marlins out, take vasquez and keep Garland

That would require 2 near impossibilities: a)The willingness to increase payroll by about $15 million from where it is right now; and b)Kenny Williams actually getting an up-front talent edge in a trade he negotiates.

But in this trade, the Sox are giving up MORE for Burnett (garland and konerko) than the Marlins are giving up for Vasquez (Burnett and getting Kartsay back). Since Konerko and Garland are going to Az, WE could cut the Marlins out and get Vasquez instead of Burnett AND get Kotsay. And since the only Marlin player in the deal is coming to the Sox, why would we want them in the trade at all?

No room for them; Kenny Williams has a plan to get us another big time starter. No way would this exceptional general manager, this keen, savvy negotiator, trade lee and get about 1/4 value in return, without a starting pitcher all locked up.

Then why did that "Best pitching in the division" give up 8 games to the twins in the space of about 3 weeks when it counted last summer? The pitching hasn't changed this offseason, except for the new middle reliever and we don't have Frank or Maggs back just like we didn't have them then. And since the Royals, Tigers and Indians have exactly zero pitching, the competition is with the Twins: maybe since they lost pitchers we may have caught them, but I doubt it.