gosox41

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 03:57 PM) Coop doesn't think anything will go down, nor does 2 of Merkin's sources. They think what I think. Bmac in the bullpen., rest in the rotation. KW basically came out in the paper and said he was going to do something if Garland or Contrerars didn't want to be here long term. I still think something is up. Plus this team needs 2 relievers. Bob

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 05:08 PM) I don't want Garland on the team next year if it's a sure thing he's not coming back. Those situations can get ugly, and I'm not sure how Ozzie/Garland would publically handle the situation. I want JG back just for the simple reason that it is his free agent year and if he wants to cash in, he should have a big year. $55 mill is a great motivator. On the flip side, JG should command premium talent. We should be able to get a lot more in return for him then we gave up to get Vazquez. Vazquez is older, had a bigger contract, had worse stats, and demanded a trade as was his right. If JG is traded, it can be one of those moves where the team is strengthened (if they get say a better reliever or 2then Marte or Vizcaino) as well as fill out some areas in the farm system to add depth for the future. Like it or not KW is not done yet. McCarthy isn't going to the minors for another year, and I don't think the Sox want him in the bullpen. Bob

QUOTE(hi8is @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 04:38 AM) i wouldnt doubt a garland + low prospect for vazquez deal at all. I think the Sox should get a prospect back for trading JG for Vazquez. Bob

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 06:41 PM) GREAT article. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines Excellent commentary.

It's good to see the Sox address their offense, but they shouldn't ignore the pitching. Here are the biggest concerns I have in that area: 1. Health of the starters. El Duque will spend time on the DL next year at some point, I can almost guarantee it. That means McCarthy moves in the rotation. Fine. But what happens if one of the other guys goes down? Garcia had a tired arm last year and is pitching in that baseball thing in March. Buehrle has been healthy but has pitched a ton of innings. Jose needs to build off his strong second half and not have any set backs. Garland seems like them most likely guy to stay healthy. The Sox were lucky with injuries to their pitching staff last year. Hopefully it continues, but who wants to find out when it's too late (ie during the season) that the Sox need a pitcher and are SOL? One solution would be to have Cotts work on extending himself more and more. Something tells me the Sox will need more then 6 starters in 2006. I hope I'm wrong. 2. There's only one lefty in the pen. I assume this will be addressed by spring training. 3. Hermanson. If he's healthy it's huge. If not, then it's a big concern as he was a very good reliever. 4. Jenks-I think he needs to learn a third pitch. the fastball is great, but the league may adjust. His curveball is awesome, when he has control. It can't hurt to add to the arsenal. I've heard others say that Jenks fastball doesn't lack movement. He either needs to get more control of his curve or find a third pitch to continue his success. Bob

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 10:30 AM) I would have to say Thome because of his left handed power and the potential of Brain Anderson. If he is as good as KW says he is- its going to be a fun season in 2006. It still doesn't take away the fact that both Thomas and Rowand will be missed. Assuming everyone is healthy, I'd take Frank. He is better then Thome if healthy, IMHO. Also consider he has been with this team for 15 years, wants to retire here, and is cheaper then Thome. But there are no gauarantees either guy will be healthy in 2006. Bob

QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 11:16 PM) What we all expected was finally acknowledged by Kenny and Ozzie: Final hurt: Thomas' last day as Sox Some interesting comments by Frank. Hopefully he understands its business and doesn't hold it against the franchise. I expect him to be back in the organization in some capacity when his career is over. Best of luck to him. He will be missed. I thought Kenny acknowedged this 3 years ago. We all knew this day was coming. Kenny can get away with just about anything right now because of the World Series so it worked perfectly for him. Bob

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 10:13 AM) I'd include Garland and Cotts on the list despite the fact that the Sox didn't draft them. I would not include Foulke. I can asee maybe adding them since they did spend at least a year in the Sox minor league system (though I maintain they did rush Garland up). I don't want to beat up Kenny because, afterall, he did bring a World Series to Chicago. But I will say that it will be a lot easier for any team to win if they can deveop as much good pitching as possible. So far, under the KW regime, it's been just Brandon McCarthy. It's been 5 drafts. I hope the Sox can figure out hte minor league pitching dilemma soon. A team can never have too much pitching. Bob

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 10:19 PM) This is great. Now I won't need to take 2 vacation days that week....only 1 for the ring ceremony for game 2. Is the ring ceremony definitely happening the second game? Bob

QUOTE(phillychuck @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 09:38 PM) We'd love to hear what you WSox fans have to say about Rowand, Gonzalez, and Haigwood over at http://www.philliesphans.com/phorum/viewforum.php?f=1 . From our perspective, we hate losing probably the classiest guy in baseball and a prototypical LH power bat, but either he or Howard had to be traded, and the salary issue made Thome the expendable one. Something you guys may not have heard is that Thome's rehab regimen has been highly successful--reportedly, he's in the best shape he's been in since his mid-20s. Also, his elbow injury was related to throwing, something he may not have to do much in the AL. We hope he hits 50 HRs for you and we see you in the series. Is Rowand more likely to perform at his 2004 levels, or his 2005 ones? Did he hit many more Groundballs because Ozzie wanted him to, or was it his own idea, or simply a swing mechanics issue? We understand pretty much everyone likes Gonzalez, but Haigwood's numbers are unreal, and he's closer to the majors--is he the real thing? Congrats on a well deserved World Series win. It's good to hear from an intelligent fan of another team when a trade is made. This trade is bigger then just Thome for Rowand for the simple reason that it may mean the end of Frank Thomas in Chicago. He can do exactly what Thome can do for a lot cheaper. I've heard Thome is a classy guy and will fit in the clubhouse we. I am concerned about his elbow injury. It's his right elbow and it did effect his swing in 2005. The question is if he can handle a full season of 500+ at bats and who knows how many swings without it hurting him. Also, doesn't he have back issues? You guys will love Rowand, and I've heard Philadelphia fans are hard to please. He won't be a star but he is hard nosed. He's not afraid of sacrificing his body in CF or breaking up DP's. Hopefully he'll get more power from him then the Sox did in 2005. The 2 Sox pitchers were ranked right behind McCarthy in pitching propsects. That being said, the Sox have had a very difficult time producing productive major league pitchers the last 10 years, especially during the KW regime. Theyb oth have good stuff and hopefully the Phillies coaches will be able to get them to the next level. Bob

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ Nov 24, 2005 -> 12:32 AM) not really... Especially not when it means FT's a goner... I agree. IMHO, Frank is a more productive player then Thome when healthy. They're both coming off injuries. Frank had a broken bone, Thome had elbow surgery (along with chronic back problems). Who's to say that Frank is higher risk to suffer another injury over Thome. Can Jim's right elbow handle the stress of 500+ plate appearances in a season + batting practice (need to have timing) and who knows how many swings he's going to take. The way I see this trade for the 2006 season is Anderson can do what Rownad did in 2005 so it's break even their. If PK leaves this trade looks great. If he stays then I don't see how this team is any better unless someone can guarantee that Thome will be healthy for a full season where as Frank wasn't healthy for most of 2005. It seems like a lot of risk (including financial) for very little reward considering that Thomas can hit 40+ HR's and have a ton of walks. Bob

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 12, 2005 -> 01:33 AM) It could be the year of "no tickets available" threads. That would be great.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 12, 2005 -> 01:12 AM) Frank is exactly the type of player the Twins might go after. Someone that can really help them, but they could get cheap because of his health concerns. It's a gamble the Twins might take. As for Frank not going there, if they give him a shot at 500 HR, he gawn. It's a very smart move for the Twins (or any team) to sign Frank. He can probably be signed for $3-4 mill plus incentives. If healthy he'll out up a .400 OBP and hit 40 HR's. If not healthy, it'll cost a team about $3-4 mill. There's a lot of upside making it a good risk for most teams. On the flip side, what do I do? Frank is my all time favorite player and will always be. I have Thomas jersey and if he switches teams, I'd by his jersey even if it said Twins on it. Is that wrong? Bob

QUOTE(WinninUgly @ Nov 6, 2005 -> 09:19 AM) What do you guys think about Doug Mientkiewicz, former Gold Glove and .300 hitter, has been in a rut with the Mets, played with AJ in Minnesota, and has post season experience with Boston (kept the ball)? If Paulie goes for more money, the Sox should be able to get him fairly cheap, and he would solidify an already strong defense and add some OBP hitting. Then the Sox can pick up a power hitter to play DH (Thomas), or have JD platoon with another outfielder at DH and RF. What do you think? If Paulie goes would this even be a remote possibility? I'm not a big fan of Dougie. I think he's on the decline of his career and that there's got to be someone better out there then himt o play first. Bob

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Oct 8, 2005 -> 06:44 AM) http://whitesoxpride.mlblogs.com/ Huh? "It's not always the best team that wins, it's the team that gets the hottest." -- Tim Wakefield. Tim must have missed those 99 victories and the combined 102-63 record. We're just hot right now. It sums up why the Red Sox won in 2004. Seriously, in a shoty series, luck and hotness/coldness play a role more often then over the course of a long season. That being said, the White Sox are still better then the Red Sox. They have the regular season as well as the playoffs to prove who has a better record. Bob

QUOTE(WSoxMatt @ Oct 7, 2005 -> 06:02 PM) Reported by CHs 2 and 9 Guillen said Jon Garland Why him? Why not go with Contreras the first game? He's been the team's hottest pitcher. After that I'm all for comparing stats b/w Buerhle andGarland for Game 2. Game 3 on the road should be Freddy since he pitches so well there. There's no reason not to start your hottest pitcher on the first game of the playoffs if he has the rest. Contreras last pitched Tuesday. Let him pitch this Tuesday. Bob

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Oct 8, 2005 -> 01:10 AM) There are reports that he is looking to change his agent and ask to be traded from the Bo Sox. Independent of what happens this year with our Sox, I want to contend every year and not break this momentum. We obviously have great pitching set for next year too (Buerhle, Count, Garland, Garcia, McCarthy to start and add El Duque to bullpen as set up man), and while our O has been game all playoffs, the Boston pitching is weak and I think we need to upgrade our O in the offseason. How about trading for Manny Ramirez???? The guy would be a monster at the Cell and make us a legit contender again next year. We could play him at DH if Frank does not come back or if Frank does come back, then we play Manny at RF and put Dye either at 1B (and let Paulie go) or trade Dye away Thoughts??? http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...to_hasten_exit/ I'll pas on Manny. I want Frank back and Manny doesn't belong anywhere near the OF. Bob

QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Sep 27, 2005 -> 07:32 PM) What do you guys think this team needs next season to be successful? I can tell you what they don't need. Guys like Perez and Blum who are career nothings. Why waste money on these guys? Anderson could have grounded in to a 1-2-3 DP with the bases loaded. And Mr Clutch, Timo, has about 18 RBI's all year. What did Gload do to piss off Ozzie? Bob

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Aug 24, 2005 -> 11:48 AM) He's hurt. Remember he suffered the same injury that Frank did back in 2001? Is their a diminished skills clause Frank can exercise against KW??? Bob

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 8, 2005 -> 02:02 PM) See...this trade is as much proof as you can get as to why you shouldn't hold onto guys in the final year of their contract (ahem...Ordonez, Lee, 1 done right, 1 not). Because when you get something for them...that something is usually around for a while and does very well Definitely a good idea to follow the old adage about trading a guy a year too early then a year too late (or in this case a year too late meaning letting him walk away as a FA.) Bob

QUOTE(the People's Champ @ Aug 13, 2005 -> 08:00 PM) Although I think it would be great to beat these good teams to shut the critics up, I dont find it necessary to prove anything to anybody until October!!! I totally agree. Of course I'd feel a lot more confident about October if the Sox were having a better second half. Hopefully they end the season strong and not playing around .500. Of course another hitter might make it easier to win a few games here and there. Bob

QUOTE(VAfan @ Aug 13, 2005 -> 09:16 PM) Bringing up Adkins and going with 12 pitchers was a big mistake. Next thing we knew, Everett pulled up lame. Now Pods is lame. And Adkins gives up 2 big runs tonight in a game that could have made Boston sweat anyway. We can't afford to go with only 12 healthy fielders. Personally, I would have kept Gload and let him play. Everett can play left field, and Iguchi/Rowand can hit 1-2. The Sox don't need to worry about overworking their pitchers as much as keeping a lineup healthy. Vizcaino can use more work. It makes him sharper. And Jenks is a full member out there. I would send Adkins down and have Gload back tomorrow, even if it is a 1 pm game. I agree with you about getting Gload up here. The Sox were awfully quick to send him down. What bugs me is that when the Sox decided they needed a 12th pitcher, why was Adkins the first guy off the list? Bob

QUOTE(Steff @ Aug 6, 2005 -> 03:05 PM) As long as it doesn't turn into the asshole fest it did at the other place I wouldn't anticipate a problem. Seems to happen a lot over there. On a different note, I am thrilled to death the fans are coming. It's a lot more enjoyable to go to a full ball park then a half empty one. It's good to win back some fans, hopefully it'll continue and the team can draw like they did in the early '90's. Bob

QUOTE(Iwritecode @ Aug 5, 2005 -> 02:10 PM) Somebody posted this at WSI but since the subject is taboo over there I figured I put it up here for discussion. (BTW, you have to watch a little commercial before you get to read the article) You'll never seen anything like this in the Cubune. You mean we can actually talk about attendance here? It's good to see we're able to talk about a positive White Sox topic without retribution. Bob

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 1, 2005 -> 12:36 PM) How about McDowell for Lyle Muton? The Steve Sax Trade? Schueler was known for not making any trades until midseason, and when he did, he usually f***ed it up. Blecher was a good mid-season pick up. If he did what all the fans wanted he'd have given up Ruffcorn and/or Baldwin. At the time no one knew they'd be as bad as they were but he didn't give up the highly regarded prospects to get Belcher. Bob