spiderman

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 13, 2007 -> 11:56 AM) I'd honestly love to sign him, but I'd be willing to bet you'd have to go way over the Padres' offer to get him to sign here. Additionally, there are some conflicting reports about his health (shocking, I know). Bruce Levine is saying the Cubs are not sure whether he'll even pitch again this year, while Dr. James Andrews is claiming he should be ready to roll by May. So I'm a little confused on whether he will even be physically able to pitch in the major leagues this season. Another thing, is that this would be one way of grabbing a little attention back from the Cubs- signing their messiah to a cheap, incentive-laden deal to pitch on the South Side. Everything I read says that while he may pitch this year, you're really looking for him to show what he has in 2009.

Here's the most important thing Kenny said, and this is something he has been saying since the all-star break in 2006. "Lost in it all is the fact that we still have a nice balance with young guys combined with All-Star-type players. We still have a pretty darn good baseball team," Williams said He honestly believes, despite the fact that they have been bad since the 2006 all star break that this team is still very good, and doesn't need an overhaul, just finetuning.

QUOTE(BigEdWalsh @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 10:35 PM) All I've got to say is it's pretty crappy being a White Sox fan these days. A feeble . Just figured out the off-season strategy.... I think Kenny's strategy was to get teams to overpay for all the "best" free agents, and then he can corner the market for all the left-overs!

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 10:32 PM) There will be plenty of grinderness on the 2008 roster. KW called Quentin a grinder. So he's a stud prospect and a grinder! We're going to love him !

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 10:30 PM) At this point I'm leery of any spin they put out there. No offense to some around here, but many overbought into the "grinder" garbage that came out in 06 and 07. I wonder if they will go back to that well once more That's the impression I'm getting as well, no all-stars, but those "grinders" could be KW's alternative plan.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 10:25 PM) I take it that's our new emphasis on working counts and getting on base? Otherwise the whole Juan Uribe era has been puuzzling Is that code for inexpensive players or a slogan like 'we may not have the names, but we'll outwork you'.

QUOTE(Want2Repeat @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 10:23 PM) I would like to send this post as a reply to the many posts that I have seen like this one. No offense, but people wake up! I keep reading comments about Owens, Quentin, Richar, et. al. These guys are all, so far, underachieving major leaguers and/or overachieving minor leaguers. What has anyone seen so far that makes you think that any of these guys will ever be any good? Was it their below .240 batting averages or their low on base percentages? Maybe it was Richar's lack of range at 2B? Maybe Quentin was a steal, but mabye he is another Luis Terrerro. This is Chicago, not Kansas City. We shouldn't have to suffer and pay good money to watch marginal players, that no one else wants, try to develop in the major leagues. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. I love the Sox and even like Kenny, but this story is getting old. We are always in the running for everyone (supposedly), but never get anyone. The Bulls tend to follow a similar path (i.e., close to getting Kobe). So, maybe it is a Reinsdorf thing and not a Kenny thing. Like many of you, I am devoted to this team and have spent a lot of money following them. I will continue to do so, win or lose. But, after '05, and the attendance boom that followed, I thought we were on the verge of being a perennial condenter, not a perennial pretender. Kenny, please tell us there is a plan to fix this. Enough talking, boasting, and posturing; it is time for action. Gotta love prospects!

White Sox running out of good options Rowand, Fukudome latest to spurn team's solid offers Chicago Tribune Link After watching the latest outfield debacle unfold, the White Sox might consider Ken Berry, Rick Reichardt or Ken Henderson. Heck, Chet Lemon looked very athletic at January's SoxFest. As creative as the Sox thought they were after getting $1.5 million from the Los Angeles Angels that was applied toward signing free agent reliever Scott Linebrink, they may be forced to stretch their minds further after Kosuke Fukudome took less money to sign with the rival Cubs and Aaron Rowand received a fifth year and $60 million to join the Giants. "When you finish in last place, you better be open-minded," San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean said during a conference call of his willingness to listen to offers for rookie pitching phenom Tim Lincecum before keeping him after signing Rowand. The Sox lost 90 games last year, but manager Ozzie Guillen has said repeatedly that second place feels as bad as last if you don't make the playoffs. If the Sox maintain their pledge to contend in 2008, radical moves should be considered after they lost out on center fielder Torii Hunter (Angels) and watched slugging third baseman Miguel Cabrera head to division rival Detroit. The Sox were expected to tender third baseman Joe Crede a contract by Wednesday night's deadline for arbitration-eligible players. They also made room on their 40-man roster by non-tendering infielder Andy Gonzalez. Crede, who can become a free agent after 2008, makes the most sense for the Sox to trade for an outfielder. But the Sox could listen to offers for first baseman Paul Konerko, who might bring the most value. Konerko, a staple of the Sox offense, will receive full no-trade rights in May by virtue of playing in the majors for at least 10 seasons, including the last five with the Sox. It shouldn't come down to that, but the failure to sign an outfielder, lack of depth in the farm system and a plethora of limited and full no-trade clauses limits flexibility to upgrade the roster. Of the remaining free agent center fielders, Mike Cameron will start the season serving a 25-game suspension for his second violation for testing positive for a stimulant. Cameron's 160 strikeouts and .328 on-base percentage don't mesh with the Sox's emphasis on working deep into counts and reaching base. Boston's Coco Crisp remains harnessed while the Red Sox try to strike a deal for Minnesota's two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. The free agent center field sweepstakes were a colossal bust for the Sox, from Hunter to Fukudome, who was offered $50 million ($2 million more than what he agreed to with the Cubs) over four years from the Sox. Fukudome wanted to play right field (a position Jermaine Dye occupies) and to become the first Japanese player on a major-league team. He also received an encouraging scouting report on Cubs manager Lou Piniella from former major-league pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa. Rowand said the five-year condition the Sox wouldn't meet was important in his decision to play for the Giants, who employed scout and former Sox general manager Ron Schueler to recruit him. "I've been traded ... [and] not had another contract option offered to me in the two places I've played," said Rowand, who likes the proximity of the Bay Area to his off-season home in Las Vegas. "The goal of every player, not just myself, is to try to get into a place, long-term, where you can feel comfortable and know you have security, not bouncing around, but being able to get involved in the community. I [got] in the charities and [did] a lot of things in Chicago before I got traded." Rowand, a Sox fan favorite who is coming off his best year, admitted it was difficult to separate his emotions before making his decision. "I enjoyed my time in Chicago," he said. "And the fans were wonderful, and the same in Philadelphia (in 2006-07). The bottom line was ... I put myself in a situation where I thought I would be there long-term." Sox GM Ken Williams, through a team executive, declined comment. Sox fans are waiting for a response—in the form of a surprising trade that once was Williams' forte—soon.

Is Joe Cowley's KW's mouthpiece ? That last line was rather stupid.

To Kenny Williams: After failing to sign T.Hunter to the 5 year, 75 million deal, you said in regards to Aaron Rowand, that you can't spend 1.00 if you only have .50 cents. Please clarify

A couple of points, taking into account that the White Sox stated goal is to win the 2008 Championship. 1) Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand were overpaid in free agency. Long-term, 3 or 4 years down the road, I'm extremely happy we won't have those players huge salaries on our budget. Saying that, if they are going to pursue premium free agents, don't you have to overpay, and sometimes go overboard if necessary to land your target ?? As much as some of us think a guy like Rowand is being way overpaid, and as much as that may be correct, isn't Kenny Williams going to be left holding his #### by his unwillingness to make the plunge ? 2) How flexible is Kenny Williams ? If you can't land a premium CF/OF (Hunter, Cabrera, Rowand, Fukadome) in free agency or trade why not just give your young CF, Jerry Owens, a chance in 2008 and focus your attention elsewhere to improve the club ? Is Juan Pierre and his $9 million salary for the next 4 seasons or Coco Crisp for a top prospect(s) really that much of an upgrade considering the money/prospects you are adding to your payroll ? Why not look for a lead-off hitter at another position, say Brian Roberts via trade ? Why not look to add another top of the rotation starter so that your offense doesn't have to be a dynamic scoring machine ? I realize that Williams/Guillen are extremely confident in the abilities of Floyd and Denks, but I believe we're much more likely to suffer through their growing pains than win a division with them, at least while they are young and inexpereinced. A rotation starting with Buerhle, Vazquez and Bedard/Haren looks pretty tough to beat. 3) Back to the OF position, where I still believe 2 spots are in question - LF/CF. As much as I was against the idea of adding a veteran player, wouldn't it be smart to add somebody like a Mench/L.Gonzalez (1 year deals) if they do end up going with an inexperienced OF, not as a crutch, but as insurance for SOME production in the OF should the younger players struggle ?

He's the kind of pitcher I can see the White Sox being interested in - a veteran looking to prove himself, get an opportunity at the bottom of a rotation. Saying that, I think Prior has an inflated opinion of his value, and any team that doesn't get him for 2 seasons (1 + an option) is crazy. He'll probably be too expensive as well since I'm guessing some team will be a sucker and pay for him potential.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:56 PM) 4/48....looks like we couldn't even make the Cubs outbid us. I think we probably were around 4/40...just guessing though.

QUOTE(jenks45monster @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:53 PM) If Nathan was included in a BoSox deal they would probably include Ellsbury and Lester/ Buchholz plus 1 or 2 mlb ready players. I hadn't heard that Nathan was involved, but yeah, they'd be getting nearly every Boston top prospects.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:53 PM) Have to disagree on this part. I think the Cabrera trade was and still is a good move, both individually and for the greater picture. With all the pitching prospects that they believe they have, specifically John Denks, Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez, it's not really surprising that they opened the spots for them and also freed up some $$$ from their starting rotation to address other areas. I just wish they hadn't resigned Juan Uribe. I still don't know what the harm was in letting him become a free agent.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:50 PM) No kidding....he really messed that up, especially considering Cabrera won't sign an extension. That's a really interesting aspect of that Cabrera trade. I'm not sure if there are better options available next off-season OR if Kenny Williams really believes that he'll get him locked up, but we could find ourselves looking for another SS next season.

QUOTE(jenks45monster @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:47 PM) They don't want to resign him for how much he wants now and its not like he would give them a discount. Plus why not get 1-2 amazing prospects and 1-2 major league ready players for him? I agree. Also consider that they will get more top minor league talent for Nathan, and this is a team that is potentially loaded once these guys get some experience in the majors, and we know their solid reputation for developing talent.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:41 PM) You think they will be keeping Santana around? Or extending him? Its possible, but it seems unlikely to me. I don't think there's any way Santana is resigned there. He has turned down a few offers already. I'm still expecting him to be traded before spring training.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:40 PM) Makes sense. If they aren't going to win in 2008, and Santana isn't going to re-sign, they might as well get players that will be there for 5 or 6 years for him. It still boggles my mind Boston was hung up on not giving up Ellsbury in a trade for him. Santana, Beckett, Dice-k and Bucholz would be tough to beat. Agreed. Barring injuries, Boston would have been nearly unstoppable, and I have no idea how a 1-2 playoff combination of Beckett/Santana would lose a series.

Phil Rogers (Chicago Tribune) says: Terms of the deal were not immediately known, though it's believed to be $50-to-$56 million. He didn't mention years, but that's probably 4 maybe, 5 years. He did say the White Sox made an offer, but I'll just speculate that it was nowhere near this and probably in the 4-40 range.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:37 PM) Who cares what place you come in if you don't make the playoffs? Just responding to another post.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:34 PM) If Liriano comes back anywhere near where he was, the Twins can still be pretty good. I don't think he'll be near that level in Year 1 after that surgery, and if they trade Santana, that's clearly a youth movement preparing for the 2010 season in their new stadium.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:30 PM) Right now: 3rd or 4th. If they can improve CF: solid for 3rd. If they can do that and improve at least one SP slot: 3rd and in shooting distance of 2nd if either CLE or DET falters. Outside shot at a playoff spot. I'd probably open it up from anywhere 3rd to 5th no matter what we do the rest of the off-season, battling with KC and Minny for these spots. I think we'll make some sort of acquistion in CF, have an open battle for LF with Quentin the likely winner, and move Crede for a prospect (hopefully Uribe too, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him open the season here).... I really don't see a serious starting pitching come here, maybe a non-roster invitee with some potential upside, but I really think that the Sox think that Floyd/Denks will be fine in the rotation (I don't).

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:19 PM) Rosenthal said it best...if Rowand wants to go to a team for 5 years that won't win, then that's his choice (and a bad one). Yeah, but signing for 4 years with the White Sox doens't mean he's any closer to winning.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 11, 2007 -> 10:03 PM) Rosenthal said Sox are still keying on Rowand, and might offer 4 years with an option. Rosenthal say the Giants and White Sox are among the teams competing for free agent Aaron Rowand. Is this a bidding war we can win, especially with SF possibly willing to go 5 years ?