spiderman

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 14, 2011 -> 03:52 PM) Would anyone object to a 2012 pitching staff like this: R: Peavy, Danks, Floyd, Humber, Sale BP: Axelrod, Stewart, Ohman, Reed, Thornton, Crain, Santos The might not win, but it's not that bad if they somehow are healthy and stay healthy. I think Axelrod/Stewart or another team's prospect will be replacing Danks or Floyd. This rotation would have a lot of struggles. There's no #1, Peavy can't be trusted, Sale will growing pains, Humber will have to show he wasn't a first half wonder, and it all boils down to Floyd and Danks having 17 win seasons, neither of whom has shown that this is likely to happen.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 14, 2011 -> 03:04 PM) Praise the lord no more Tony Pena. I thought he did a great job in 2010 with some of long relief work, last year, was a nightmare. No need to keep him anymore.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Oct 10, 2011 -> 11:30 PM) Well, when you're hired to constantly write official articles without leaking anything or speculating too heavily or making the team look bad.... I don't understand how people complain about Merkin. He's not a news guy, and he never will be as long as he's writing for the Sox official site. Reifert breaks the official news while the national guys get the scoops, and when he writes something prior to the official announcement he has to source the national guys in it. In his role however, Merkin is professional and fair; he doesn't fall in love with managers/coaches/players, nor does he look to showcase any self-perceived wit or literary capabilities. It would be nice if more of his peers were like him. I have no issues with Merkin. I just don't think he's going to provide any new information that hard core fans don't already know. He'll provide a balanced report of the team and that's fine by me.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Oct 11, 2011 -> 05:00 PM) I wonder if the Rays would have interest in AJ. I think they are too cost-conscious to take him on. The Sox would probably have to take on at least half the money if a small market team like TB wanted him which I think would lessen the desire to move him if saving money is the prime focus. I'm sure there are teams that want nothing to do with him as well because of his personality (not sure how TB feels about him).

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 11, 2011 -> 10:35 PM) What major market team needs a catcher? Six million is not outrageous, nowhere near a Rios/Dunn contract. AJ can still hit the ball. It is a problem when the team wants to cut down as much as possible. They can't do anything about Dunn/Peavy/Rios, so that means it's even more likely that they will save where they can and AJ is a prime example.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Oct 11, 2011 -> 02:26 PM) I think the Sox will keep PK. However, I can definitley see them trading AJ since Flowers showed us all that he can be a decent catcher who has a bit of power to provie the offense. When the White Sox decided to pull off the "White Flag" deal in 1997, they kept Frank Thomas to be the "key veteran piece" to the younger team. That is what PK will be. It is unfortanate we are stuck with Rios and Dunn. Hopefully they can boost up their trade value by having a good half of 2012. I think Buerhle is all but gone. Danks and Quentin are likely to be dealt for young talent. AJ can hopefully bring us back an arm for the pen. It will be an interesting few seasons on the southside. Hopefully Viciedo, Sale and Flowers can take advantage of this opporutunity. Hopefully Morel can play every day and continue to improve. Hopefully Beckham can wake up offensively! I am expecting Konerko to be back unless he specifically wants out, but AJ will be gone, provided that another team picks up most of the $6 million. I have no idea if Flowers can play a full season of MLB and hit a respectable average as well as manage the pitchers, but it's time to find out. My guess is that he'll bat .220 and hit 12-15 HR's, perhaps provide a small improvement defensively, but going young, and shedding salaries means a move like this is likely to happen. Ideally, AJ would be kept as another left-handed bat, and provide some insurance for Adam Dunn as a DH, but I doubt he'll be around.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Oct 11, 2011 -> 01:17 AM) Between Frasor being thought of as a starter and his name being botched horribly, I don't think I can handle him on the team anymore. He made me want to forget how to spell his name correctly.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 10, 2011 -> 09:27 PM) I'd agree with everybody except Frasor. He'll be a cheap starter for the team. I figure it'll be Sale, Frasor, Stewart, that guy who started in the last series, I forget his name, to go with one of Floyd/Danks, the other being traded. Relievers: I'd expect either Thornton or Crain to be dealt. Sergio's the closer. Some other bodies to fill the relief corps. Lineup: 3b-Morel. ss-Lexi (is he really 33 like the one poster said? If so he should be dealt too). 2b-Beckham. 1b-Dunn or Viciedo. LF-DeAza. CF-Rios. RF-Viciedo or Lilly C-Flowers/Castro. DH-Lilly/Milledge. Frazior is a career middle releiver. I want to say he's got an option on his deal and he's making around $3 million. He didn't pitch well for the White Sox but is considered a solid guy in the pen. I think at least one (maybe both) between Danks/Floyd are traded. I also wouldn't be shocked if they locked up one or both to new deals like they did with Santos. Sale, Peavy and Humber will be in the rotation. Axerlod/Stewart will hopefully battle for one spot, and the other spot depends on what they do with Floyd/Danks. This has all the makings of a 90 loss rotation next year.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 10, 2011 -> 05:17 PM) I'd be stunned if AJ is back. The hiring of Robin signaled the start of rebuilding (and slashing roster salary by a ton!) and loss of Buehrle for sure. AJ is definitely gone. Somebody will take him. Sox will want to free that money. AJ won't want to be on a team that has no chance of competing. I could see dealing Paulie as well. For sure. Hope the Sox have fun with maximum crowds of 20,000 cept for the big games like Yankees/Cubs/Red Sox. The Central Div. crowds should be ridiculously small. Rebuilding is not gonna be fun. Thanks, Sox millionaires for playing so s***ty the last 2 years and turning us back into a small market team. It's not going to be fun. I'm not sure what they do with Konerko, but you're right overall. This team has a bad minor league system and a underachieving team witih a bloated payroll. It's fairly obvious with the hiring of Ventura that next year's team is going to undergo a major overhaul with AJ, Danks, Floyd, Thornton, Frazior and Quentin all possible trade candidtates, along with Buerhle and Pierre gone. They are going to have to find young talent from elsewhere because they are lacking it from inside their own organization.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 10, 2011 -> 02:25 PM) I messaged Merkin to see who he thinks could even be interested. I'll post the response if I get one. Anything Merkin says would be a guess. We could look around as a forum and probably come up with an educated answer.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 10, 2011 -> 01:45 PM) AJ is definitely on the block this offseason. I mentioned it before. It makes alot of sense. Agreed. I don't think they will get much in return in terms of players, but they will get some salary relief. If he's due for about $6 million, the Sox may be on the hook for $1-$2 million, but would obviously save on most of that last year. I don't think Tyler Flowers will hit well enough to be an everyday catcher, but I think now is the time to find out. Get him out there for 4-5 days a week and resign Castro for 2-3 days a week of action.

QUOTE (sunofgold @ Oct 5, 2011 -> 03:27 PM) Any way that we keep Quentin in 2012? He really didn't increase his trade value being on the DL for the end of the season. I am looking at this team and not taking salaries in consideration..this would be our best OF combination for 2012. Viciedo in LF, De Aza in CF, and Quentin in RF. Maybe not the best defensively but I believe that Carlos improved his defense in 2011 vs 2010. Offensively however this would give us a nice middle of the order with Konerko, Viciedo, and Quentin. You could bat them in any order that you like. And De Aza would be given the chance to be the new leadoff man. But then there is Rios. I know that he has a big salary. But I hope that the White Sox make him earn a starting spot. Let him know that he isn't guaranteed a starting spot and has to go out and earn it. Same for Dunn..make them earn the playing time. Lillibridge also fits in nicely in a corner OF spot or 1B and Konerko or Viciedo or Quentin can DH a bit. The White Sox are going to cut payroll as much as they can for next season and try to add as many young prospects as possible. I think Danks will bring back 2 good prospects and Quentin can bring back something of worth, but I'm not sure what kind of return they can expect to get, besides salary relief (which is significant if you're trying to trim payroll) for guys like A.J. and Thornton. Gavin Floyd is another guy who they can land a good prospect for, being an established major league pitcher and making affordable money.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 1, 2011 -> 06:19 PM) Wow. What a post. Amazingly good stuff. No Two Brothers?

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Sep 28, 2011 -> 10:20 AM) Sox Seem Resigned to Rebuilding Kenny pretty blunt about it too with some choice quotes. I for one am looking forward to a rebuild, even though I'm not sure Kenny is the one to be in charge of it. Bring it on. It's not going to be a total rebuild, but I do expect 2 themes: 1) Save payroll whereever possible* 2) Mix in as many young players as possible. *The exception to this rule is Mark Buerhle. Do they give him a 2 or 3 year deal at $12 million or so (which is less than he's making now)? I think it's doubtful unless he takes a significant discount (say $10 millin a season for 1 year with a club option on Year 2), which is unlikely given that he'll likely find an attractive deal on the open market. C - A.J. Pierzynski: He's due to make $6 million next season. I expect the White Sox to move him to anyone who wants him. I think the White Sox will be happy to take little in return assuming the team who acquires him picks up the remainder of the deal. I'd prefer to have him come back since I'm not convinced that Tyler Flowers will hit .230 in a full season and he can also provide another left handed bat, and possibly some at-bats at DH if Dunn doesn't produce again. Still, I think there will be a few suitors for A.J., on a 1 year deal, likey saving the White Sox $6 million next season. 1B - Paul Konerko: He's getting older, and it's a shame that his last 2 seasons have gone for nothing, but he's one of the few offensive bright spots, and despite the impending age, is the least of the concerns for the White Sox. 2B - Gordon Beckham: He's been a bust. Yes, he plays pretty good defense, but he simply can't be given the 2B job next spring training without a battle. Personally, I'd love to see Brent Lillibridge get a shot here, but my guess is that the White Sox view him as a utility player. The player acquired from Florida, I believe Ozzie Martinez, is also being viewed as a possible 2B. In either case, this position will be filled internally next season. 3B - Brent Morel: Good defensive player who was a pretty bad hitter this season. He has to get on base more to be a productive player, and hopefully can keep the power stroke going next season. I'd like to think he can increase his OBP next season by drawing a few more walks, and hit about 15-20 HR. I may be aiming high here, but he's the unquestioned 3B of the future (for now). SS - Alexi Ramirez: Still hoping him to put up better offensive numbers, but this may be what he iis, and that's a pretty solid MLB SS. Not great, but will make the defensive plays, and is a good position to have settled for the long-term. LF - D.Viceido: This is the one guy from the minors who has upside and is their home grown prospect (well, sort of). I expect Juan Pierre to be allowed to walk, saving the White Sox a few million. CF / RF: De Aza and Rios: I would hope that there is somebody else involved here. It could be Lillibridge. I'd prefer to see Rios in RF going forward, maybe an occasional start in CF and I think De Aza, based on strong play this season on the White Sox, is the favorite to earn regular playing time in CF/RF next season. OF is a spot the White Sox ould still add help via trade so I leave open the possibility that another young player could be added to the mix here. Carlos Quentin will be moved via trade since Vicedio can replace him and the Sox aren't likely to pay him on a long-term deal. He can save the team another $8 million or so, and net them a good prospect (or two) in a down market for power hitting. SP: Chris Sale will be in the rotation. I think Mark Buerhle will be gone - that saves around $14 million if they let him walk. I think the White Sox will try to sign John Danks to a long-term deal, but, if not, he'll be on the market, and he's a guy they can bring back 2 good prospects for. It's unlikely both prospects could help immediately, but, if one is a young pitcher, that's another guy who could be in the mix. Gavin Floyd could also be on the market - I suspect it's either Danks or Floyd - and he can probably bring back a good prospect because he's under the teams' control for another 2 seasons and is a solid MLB starter, albeit a bit up and down. Phillip Humber had a good season - I'd love to see him have to earn a spot, but my guess is that with Zach Stewart and maybe another young guy from a trade in the mix, he'll be as high as the #2 or 3 starter. Jake Peavy probably can start no better than a #4 starter, maybe #5 early on because he can be passed on off-days. So, I think we're looking at having 1) Danks or Floyd, 2) Humber 3) Sale 4) Peavy 5) Stewart/Axelrod (with the chance of another young prospect being in the mix. Sale has top of the rotation stuff, but could take time to develop, but this is a rotation that is likely to get hit hard in the AL. RP: Will probably be strength of the team again. Jason Frazior could be moved to save a few million, but it still leaves them with a solid closer in Sergio Santos, 2 leftie relievers in Matt Thornton and Will Ohman, and Jessie Crain fron the right side. Stewart and/or Axerlrod got their feet wet so they could be in the mix here as well. It's not going to be as deep if Sale and Frazior are not in the bullpen, but it's still 4 deep, and that could be a lot worse. So, from possibly letting Buerhle and his $14 million go via free agency, trading A.J, and Frazior to save another $6-8 million depending on how the financials are worked out, plus re-tooling the OF by allowing Pierre to leave and moving Quentin (along with another starter in either Floyd or Danks), the White Sox could potentially cut payroll by around $25-$30 million. In exchange for all this payroll, the White Sox will probably acquire 3 or 4 good prospects (primarily for Danks and Quentin) although there's a reasonable assumption that at least 2 of these 4 guys wouldn't be MLB ready. Still, adding 2 guys who could compete for a spot, say one in the OF and another as a starting pitcher would provide some much needed young ntalnet and payroll relief. Bottom line, the team is likely to be down for a few seasons until they can start developing more young talent and get out from under the bad contracts on the team. I highly doubt this team spends $125 million anytime soon - we'll probably looking at a max payroll of $100 million, maybe less. If Adam Dunn and Alex Rios can provide some offense to help Konerko, then there is less dependence on the starting pitching, but will probably only allow them to hang around in a weak division.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Sep 27, 2011 -> 11:32 AM) The Cubs and the Sox are calling him for openings. Are the Cubs talking about him managing again in the majors? If it's a minor league job, he's already done that, why go back to the team that didn't think you were the best choice for manager?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Sep 27, 2011 -> 11:27 AM) I'm hearing Sandberg is on the short list. Should he be? He seems to have gained the experience required, it just depends on what the Sox are looking for.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Sep 26, 2011 -> 11:47 PM) Dave Martinez, pretty pretty please. Doubt he'd get Konerko to give up his number, though. Why Dave Martinez?

QUOTE (3 BeWareTheNewSox 5 @ Sep 26, 2011 -> 11:26 PM) Not going to happen but I'd like Bobby V or even Brenly. I don't really want Tony LaR. I'd actually even prefer some young unknown to him. We should be rebuilding anyways. Getting LaRussa says the Sox are still in denial and not completely moving forward yet If the White Sox are looking to move fast, it's not going to be La Russa.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Sep 26, 2011 -> 11:04 PM) Rotoworld: According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is expected to consider Tony La Russa and Buddy Bell for the team's managerial vacancy. Why is Buddy Bell even a candidate? Is he doing a good job with the minor league talent?

QUOTE (thedoctor @ Sep 27, 2011 -> 11:58 AM) curious. so many questions surrounding the future of the team. do they begin with a gradual deconstruction of this roster, spend more money and go all in again, or just start a massive sell-off now? who's the manager? how long of a leash does kw have? and all that's before i get to the roster and the various questions around dunn, sale, peavy, rios, morel, beckham, flowers, de aza, and other guys who's careers could take different directions going forward. should be an interesting few months, for sure. They are going to compete, or at least try to. There is too much money sunk in already to write off next season, but there will be changes geared to cutting payroll and adding some young talent.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 27, 2011 -> 11:42 AM) Have at it. Feel free to adlib if you want It's been a frustrating season. The team underachieved, some of the team's marquee players were very bad, sick of the Guillen/Williams spat, etc, etc. The off-season theme will be change, in terms of lessening payroll and adding some younger talent.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Sep 26, 2011 -> 10:59 PM) So, it's universally considered a good move by the Sox. But Victory is still right? Even though nobody knows what the compensation was...

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Sep 26, 2011 -> 07:58 PM) @dan_bernstein Dan Bernstein As we first told you this afternoon, Oz met again w/JR today. Deal will be made to send him to FLA. Probably prospects, not MLB talent. 7 minutes ago via web Actually, Berstein said the meetings were over the weekend, but weren't they today?

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Sep 25, 2011 -> 06:50 PM) As of now this team looks they have nothing but a lot #4 or #5 starters. Sale has the potential to be more than that, Danks is probably a #3 starter, Floyd is right in that territory as well though we'd all hope he would be more consistent. Humber and Stewart are #5 type of starters, and Peavy can't be seen as anything more than a #4 himself, and probably a #5. I have serious doubts that Mark Buerhle will be back considering the Sox need to cut payroll and his likely asking price of $10 million plus. So, while they don't have an ace, and maybe a #2 starter, I guess the good news is that they have at least the makings of a 5 man rotation. Of course, that's before they decide on what to do with John Danks.

If Dunn and Rios to return to their expected forms, the team won't play in 2012. Peavy is important as well, but it's unlikely he's ever going to be the ace he was in SD and he'd probably be no better than #3 or #4 in the rotation. The White Sox payroll is going to be less as well, and I wouldn't expect any veteran acquistions so next season is all veteran players carrying the load as they transition some to whatever young talent is coming in/already here (assuming either Danks or Floyd is traded, along with Quentin, with Burehle replaced in the rotation by Sale, and a guys like Stewart/Humber getting shots in the rotation as well, having Viceido up for a full season along with Morel and De Aza)....