fathom

If we sign Cora, and intend on keeping Willie, then I don't like this addition at all. What the Sox need is a right-handed hitting 2b or utility infielder that can face lefties in place of Willie. Also, Cora isn't exactly a dangerous hitter at the plate, but he can handle the bat well in terms of bunting and making contact. I would rather he start at 2b over Willie, but we all know that will never happen under this regime.

I agree with Jeckle that if KW doesn't spend this money that he saved in the lopsided trade, the Sox are going to be in for a PR nightmare.

Nationals have made it pretty clear that they won't trade him.

After having about 10 hours to think about the trade, I got more upset with the whole thing for one main reason: we took our best player, and we traded him without filling any of our holes. Not only that, the main player we received in the deal could easily prove to be a one year wonder. If KW does decide to save the money for a deadline deal in June, I will guarantee you that the money wont be spent as we'll be looking to trade guys like Konerko and Shingo instead of going out and getting someone. The team we have right now is nowhere near good enough to win the division.

I think it's safe to say that if Podsednik continues to play like the way he did last year, the Sox will be awful next year, and KW will get fired. Our only hope is that he brings a new approach this year, and reacts well to what others tell him. IIRC is that he didn't exactly take well to Brewers mgmt telling him to change stuff.

I wouldn't be so sure about hitting more with RISP. We're not exactly acquiring a lot of players with good OBP. Especially with Frank out for a while likely, we have a very below average team at reaching base.

I would like to add Clement to this staff, but I really don't like our chances going against teams with big wallets like the Red Sox and Angels. If he doesn't pick the White Sox, I hope he makes his mind up quickly so that KW doesn't put all his hopes on signing him.

No and god no! Cotts shouldn't be in the majors until he learns another pitch. And with all the additions to the relief core, Adkins might be the odd man out.

Am I the only one who just gets livid when he even mentions Grilli or Diaz starting?

The latest article by Phil Rogers on chicagosports.com says we might go after a starting pitcher with the $6 million saved, but he didnt name any names. I would have been more content if he said something along the lines of the Sox were targeted a particular name or names.

I keep thinking that we'll end up trading Konerko and a big prospect (Anderson) for Vazquez and money, and we'd end up signing Delgado possibly.

Hopefully with the money saved in this deal, KW can fill a lot of the holes that still exist on this team: SP- we need another starter, as there's no way you can rely on Grilli, Dustin H., or our minor league guys to be a competent starter 2b- I wish Willie wasn't going to start, but it looks like he will. However, we need a backup 2b that bats righty in order to face tough lhp like Santana and C.C. Catcher- With a lineup with a ton of question marks, can we settle for below average players like Ben Davis? Sure seems how KW is headed. It would be a shock to me if KW didn't make this trade to gain more resources to fill these holes. However, I am a little worried that our previous moves this offseason might have put us over budget, and this was a budget saving move.

And isn't very good. Very high ERA last year, and coming off of a disappointing season. I think a lot of us got our hopes up about the PTBNL, but it's becoming obvious that it's likely to be nothing special.

Hopefully this trade keeps Gload at the position he should stick at....lefty off the bench who can fill in at first and possibly in the outfield. Timo shouldn't be resigned now, we really have no need for him.

The heavy rumor is Mitch Stetter, relief pitcher in the minors...nothing special.

3 yrs, 21 million isn't even close to what Clement is going to get. I predict he'll get a 4 yr, 40 mil deal by the time he's signed.

The PTBNL is likely Mitch Stetter, a LHP reliever who's 24 yrs old and not exactly a top prospect.

I actually think that KW is so set on flying under the radar that that was the reason he said the June comment. There's no way that Ozzie won't pressure him to get another starting pitcher.

Don't forget that Stetter, 24, is very old for that level.

The rumor is that the PTBNL is Mitch Stetter, a 23 yr old lefty reliever who someone said was about the 42nd best propsect on Milwaukee. Also, if KW doesnt use the money saved in this deal to improve the team, I will not attend a single Sox game this year. I know people could care less what I do, but there's no way I will financially support a team that would do business like this.

I don't believe that for one second. That's basically a mixture of all the deals that have been discussed. If we did that move, we'd have even more holes...including obtaining a starting pitcher with huge injury problems.

I read on baseball primer that the ptbnl might be Mitch Stetter, a reliever who had a 1.70 era in their minors. Does anyone know anything about him or if this is true?

I saw enough "fall back" plans last year in the 5th spot to know that KW needs to sign a legit starting pitcher, and not to rely on any falls backs.

I don't think Podsednik will strikeout as much on the Sox as he did with the Brewers. The Brewers approach was swing, swing, swing...and that's why they K'd so much. Whenever I watched Pod face the Cubs, he always seemed like a tough out. In no way is he a Willie Harris type slap hitter. He has decent power and is a great bunter.

Please no Hermanson as the 5th starter! I'm afraid of the fallout among Sox fans if JR and KW pocket the money that was gained by this transaction.