BaseballNick

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 5, 2009 -> 03:41 PM) There aren't any competent centerfielders left in there, are there? Depends what you think of the Cuban. Outside of him - slim pickins.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) Derrek Lee and Mike Lowell both jacked 30+ homers that year... Of the top 22 HR hitters in baseball, they had zero. Of the top 90, they had two.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 03:40 PM) I want you to look at every World Champion of the last decade, and tell me that power doesn't have more to do with those wins then speed. I would also like proof that drawing walks, and letting your players try to hit the ball and drive people in is ever a bad thing. 2003 Florida Marlins come to mind. They didn't have a slugger in their line-up, but more well rounded players than anything else (and great starting pitching). Pierre and Castillo were really fun to watch that season.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 29, 2009 -> 01:54 PM) Were they more effective? They were more effective HR hitters but were they really more effective as overall players? The biggest paychecks generally go to the guys who hit HRs, so clearly they saw value in getting bigger and becoming more one dimensional.

I can't imagine KW signs anyone worth anything at this point, unless JD is shipped out. Even then, trading JD opens up another can of worms.

Good for Bobby. He's done a great job making the transition from thrower to pitcher. Keep getting it done kid.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jan 18, 2009 -> 07:03 AM) ok, i still dont understand that one. maybe i missed the explanation, but how is it that we are at our limit or where we need to be, or slighty overbudget, all things ive heard from kw and the sox? how is that considering we dropped credes uribes vazquezs halls and swishers contracts? and jrs i guess. so whats our payroll at right now 2? The Sox are expecting less in terms of attendance because of the weak economy. Kenny stated that attendance projections factor into the payroll number for the upcoming season, so it's logical to expect a cut. Also, don't forget that some players are due raises for 2009.

More from Rosenthal:

QUOTE (MO2005 @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 02:06 PM) Mark my words...Jermaine Dye will be the starting right fielder for the Whitesox in 2009! What are you basing this on? I don't think it's any secret that KW would like to trade Jermaine if the right deal came about.

Rosenthal reports Michael Young has now requested a trade. Here's the interesting part of the article:

Is Baltimore one of the teams on his NTC list? Regardless, it doesn't seem too likely.

QUOTE (NCsoxfan @ Jan 6, 2009 -> 11:14 AM) Its looking like it was worth it to suck two years ago in order to get Beckham The jury is still out. Standards are pretty low given what Broadway, Honel, McCulloch, Borchard, etc. have accomplished.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 3, 2009 -> 05:04 PM) Jones could get put on waivers and no team would touch him. The only reason the Sox would have to give up anything is because the Dodgers would be sending significant cash back to the White Sox or taking on some sort of bad contract and I can't think of any really bad contracts currently on the roster. That fact that his contract is now deferred (interest free over the next 6 seasons) makes him a lot more appealing in a trade, but I would think LAD is still going to pick up some of the cash. Scott Boras is a magician for getting Jones that deal in the first place.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 3, 2009 -> 03:41 PM) Come on Dick, stop trying to stretch Royce Ring into Gavin Floyd to make an iffy point as it is. KW has dont alot of work to collect arms like Gavin and Danks and is not going to trade them for Brian Roberts just to fill a lead off hole. I think both Ozzie and KW desperately want a legit lead off hitter, and Roberts is about as good as it gets. He's a perfect fit for this team, but at the cost of Gavin Floyd... that would make me think twice.

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ Jan 3, 2009 -> 02:54 AM) that guy is a staple at the cell. hes not going anywhere. he and the silent asian hotdog lady are by far the two best vendors Haha, love them both. Don't forget Russel the "Beer dude".

Things are so slow with the White Sox that we're talking Giants rumors... This morning on MLB radio, Ken Rosenthal said the Giants do have interest in signing Manny, however, he's heard that Manny does not want to play in San Fran (top choices being LAD and NYY). He's said to be looking for 3 years at $25MM a year.

I didn't realize Sanchez is already 26. He posted a 5.01 ERA is a bad division/league last season. I admit that I haven't seen him pitch much at all, but something tells me the AL Central would crush this guy.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Dec 27, 2008 -> 12:52 PM) Kenny said the next thing he would do was focus on the outfield. So far it has been very quite... Im guessing he will continue to be patient, see where the market is in a week or two and then pull a trigger or two. He wants to maximize what he gets in return for Dye or Konerko. With most teams taking shape heading into the new year- KW can zone into teams with specific needs. For instance, the Angels are seeking a 1B. The Giants are seeking veteran hitters, and with the aquisition of Randy Johnson, Jonathan Sanchez is likely available. The Reds are aslo looking for some offensive power... I am more than possitive KW is looking at all the possibile returns from some of those teams im sure if he can find a leadoff hitter from one of those teams within there minor league systems he is doing that... Just wait a few more weeks, than the market will be that much clearer and KW shall STRIKE! You might be right. RJ obviously isn't a long-term solution and they have a pretty formidable rotation with Lincecum, Cain, Zito, RJ, and Sanchez (not sure what Noah Lowry's situation is), but he certainly could be used to help them land a bat they desperately need. Of course, they could always keep Sanchez and sign a Dunn, Abreu, etc.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 22, 2008 -> 09:55 AM) What off-season moves? Hello! We acquired Jeff Marquez! I'm really hoping for something of substance too. It's way too quite around here lately, and we're hardly even tied to any rumors.

Sox are shopping Jenks - Cards need a closer Cards are shopping Ankiel - Sox need a CF

QUOTE (tommy @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 04:39 PM) Cabrera screwed us after all. Would you mind explaining this?

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 07:07 PM) Uribe is, without a doubt, a far better defensive SS than OC. I know OC isn't a popular guy among his teammates (or the fans), but really, these blanket statements about how terrible a ballplayer/defender he is are getting ridiculous. You don't win Gold Gloves and the Best Defensive Player of the Year Award when there's another player on your own team that is by far a better defender than you. Go ahead and reply about the calls to the official scorer and whatnot. If you can't see for yourself that OC is a great defender, then I don't know what you were watching all season.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 01:38 AM) The Sox were actually the best team in the majors last year - by a wide margin - at scoring atleast one run with one hit. That's why I said base hit. PK, Thome, JD, AJ, Crede, and maybe Juan were no guarantee to score from second on a single. My point was that the Sox are too station to station.

It's not all about attendance. I remember hearing that the Sox generate really good money from TV and radio. Whether that makes up the difference, I'm not sure, but it definitely counts for something.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 15, 2008 -> 03:36 PM) I think you'll see a signing by the Sox by thursday at the latest. Hopefully it's something of significance.