spiderman

Does anyone really think Konerko is going to be traded ? I don't. I'm not saying that the White Sox shouldn't look to shake things up either, but I think Kenny sees him as sort of a rock in the lineup.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 06:16 PM) How many years were we the "best team on paper" and lost? You still have to play the games. True, but we're not even in the same ballpark talent wise with these teams (Detroit, Angels, Boston and NYY).

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 06:14 PM) We'd have a couple of things in our favor though. 1 - Surely he'd put up better numbers at the Cell instead of Comerica. Would help in his HR chase of A-Rod someday. 2 - The relationship with Ozzie. The big plus for us. Obviously it's going to cost a lot, but I think we'll have some big salaries coming off the books then. 2 years down the road doesn't leave me very excited, and the White Sox aren't known for getting into bidding wars. Chances of Cabrera to the White Sox in a few years ? I'd say about 1%

Our prospects just aren't seen in the same light as other teams top prospects. Kenny may love Gio Gonzalez, but I think it's painfully obvious that teams would rather have top pitching prospects from other organizations. We have a few GOOD prospects. Other teams have more and better prospects to offer. That's the sad reality. If we're in a bidding war for a star player, and it involves minor league talent, chances are, we aren't getting that player.

I'm trying to be patient, but now I'm seeing Detroit has added Renteria and Cabrera to their offense, and Willis (who I'm not really sold on anymore) to their rotation, and the White Sox have signed their own SS (Uribe), traded an innings eater for another one (the wrong Cabrera), possibly plan on starting an unknown in LF, and paid a lot of money for a relief pitcher (Linebrink). Maybe I'm being a bit negative, but is this really the off-season Plan B after Hunter signed elsewhere ? Looking at this team, Kenny better try Plan C. We still can use another starting pitcher (you're not going anywhere but 4th place with Contreras/Floyd/Denks in your rotation), a dependable OF who can maybe lead off, and probably another hitter for the middle of the lineup. This team is not any better than when the season ended, in fact, I'd argue worse since our rotation is in really bad shape. Detroit has gotten stronger as well, and Cleveland is coming of the playoff appearance. Again, attempting to be patient here, but I'm not sure there really is an immediate fix to this mess. Looks like I just called this team a mess, guess I just answered my own question.

The Sox already have signed 14 players at $99.975 million, according to the Chicago Tribune. I'm sure we can add 6 or 7 players on to those 14 players, and we'd be at 21 players for about $101 million, but signing a Aaron Rowand or some other trade, how high can we expect the Sox to increase the payroll ? Also, keeping in mind that they were offering $15 million a season to T.Hunter as well and, as of yet, haven't spent that money.

QUOTE(NCsoxfan @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 08:48 AM) I know this is totally below market, but Rowand still seems like he is "worth" maybe a 3 year 25 mil contract... In the next few years I see him being a .280 hitter, 20ish HR's and 75 RBI's, with his defense slowly declining Just think there is NO way he's worth 10mil a year I'd love to have him back, but I think you have to be really smart. In all probabiltiy, last year was a career year. I think your offer would be great for the White Sox, but I think he'd get around $12 million somewhere else.

QUOTE(klaus kinski @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 08:33 AM) Time to get that best offer out there-quit jerking around before we lose the second best option at CF We then will have accomplished getting the outfield fixed I'm only interested if we can get him for 3 years with an option.

There's been a lot of talk that Rowand wants 5 years, and nobody is willing to go beyond 3 years.

QUOTE(spiderman @ Dec 2, 2007 -> 01:49 PM) I'm kind of thinking the same thing. I'd say one at the most, maybe a move for a LF. LF down...

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 12:30 PM) Or Rowand in CF; I really dont think KW has Owens as a starter next year. He was dumb last year, but I don't think he's that dumb. How does making Quentin our LF make us better ? I know he's cheap, but unless he's ROY, I don't see how this closes the gap with Cleveland and Detroit. What kind of numbers are realistic for him ? Does anyone see Jerry Owens platooning with him ?

Would he be our new LF next season ?

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Dec 2, 2007 -> 01:27 PM) I will say 0, but KW will "start the groundwork" for the rest of the off-season. I'm kind of thinking the same thing. I'd say one at the most, maybe a move for a LF.

If Joe Cowley is correct, and Aaron Rowand is no longer on the White Sox list of options: - The market says that Rowand is probably going to get at least $12 million in 4-5 year deal, and I am glad that the White Sox aren't willing to pay that. Rowand is a good player, but at that price, I'd expect him to be an all-star caliber player, but I think last season was a career year. Yes, he'd upgrade our current CF situation, but that's a lot of money to invest. 1) I am assuming that Kenny Williams is looking for a leadoff hitter through a trade, and CoCo Crisp is probably the leading option, should they be able to work a deal out. He's only making about $5 million for this season and next, but, assuming they do acquire a leadoff hitter in CF, do the White Sox really consider putting Jerry Owens in LF as a #9 hitter ? It would give Guillen the speedy options in his lineup at #1, #2 and #9, but this is hardly, in my opinion, a championship level lineup. 2) If the White Sox were offering Hunter $15 million a season, should we still expect this money to be eventually spent this off-season ? 3) Can the White Sox afford two trades to beef up their OF ? We've heard rumors about M.Cabrera, C.Crisp and C.Crawford. I am assuming that acquiring Crisp would make two trades hard to make, but could they acquire both Crisp and Crawford without decimating their farm system ?

Rowand out of picture Crisp a more likely target for Sox; Taveras a possibility November 28, 2007 BY JOE COWLEY [email protected] It's an easy assumption to make. Chicago SunTimes Link The White Sox watched the Los Angeles Angels nab Torii Hunter from their grasp for 90 million reasons last week, and they're still in the market for a center fielder. Meanwhile, South Side cult hero Aaron Rowand, who never has met a center-field wall that he wouldn't try to run through, is at home in Las Vegas, still a free agent. Easy, right? Wrong. According to a Sox source close to the situation, Rowand actually was Plan 1-A this offseason, and the Sox contacted him before they started talking numbers with Hunter to see if the sides were in the same neighborhood. They weren't even in the same area code. While no details were offered, preliminary talks with Rowand did not even get past the number of years. In other words, the man who patrolled center field like a Rottweiler for the Sox from 2001 to '05 likely will remain a memory in the minds of Sox fans while he entertains possible offers from the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. What that means for general manager Ken Williams is he will continue to work the phones in hopes of landing a proven center fielder in a trade. And the name that still is being whispered around U.S. Cellular Field is Boston's Coco Crisp. The Red Sox have become crowded in the outfield with the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury, and Williams is all too familiar with Crisp and his .316 batting average (62-for-196) against the White Sox since 2004. The teams know each other well, considering the Red Sox were heavily scouting the White Sox in June, when they came close to making a deal for pitcher Mark Buehrle. Another possibility for Williams could be trying to revisit a trade for speedy Willy Taveras. The Sox were in talks with Houston last winter about Taveras, whom the Astros eventually traded to Colorado. Williams could try to use third baseman Joe Crede to get a deal done with the Rockies at the winter meetings next week.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 27, 2007 -> 10:31 PM) 1.) Fuku 2.) Andruw 3.) Row Why Fuku ? Am I the only one who has some concern about giving a guy $10+ who hasn't played in the majors, and hasn't made a decision about whether he's coming or not ? Granted, I don't want to overpay for Rowand either, but why Fuku ?

No worries as Rowand waits Outfielder patient as agent handles business Chicago Tribune Link To Story Unlike Paul Konerko two years ago and Torii Hunter last week, Gold Glove center fielder Aaron Rowand isn't stressing over his free-agent status. "I'm actually enjoying it," Rowand said Tuesday via phone from his home near Las Vegas. "We'll know when the time is right. Whatever happens, happens. Right now I'm just enjoying my off-season workouts and my time with my family. I let my agent (Craig Landis) handle that other stuff." If decision time is nearing for teams such as the White Sox, Rowand is in no hurry. "I want to weigh all my options before making a decision," Rowand said. "Hopefully that team will make the decision for me." That could very well mean that for the right price, the Sox could reacquire Rowand, whom they dealt two years ago in a package for slugger Jim Thome. Rowand, 30, has the comfort of knowing fans appreciate his fearless and unselfish style, and he's familiar with the city and the ballpark where he played for his first five seasons. Plus, nine members of the 2005 World Series championship team remain. But the Sox have other issues besides landing a center fielder of Rowand's caliber. Rowand is destined to receive a multiyear deal that could rival some of the Sox's top-paid players after setting career bests with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs to go with a .309 batting average last season with Philadelphia. The Dodgers, who were interested in Hunter, could shift their focus to Rowand, who grew up not far from Dodger Stadium in Glendora. Rowand also expressed no bitterness over the Sox's heavy but unsuccessful pursuit of Hunter, who agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. "I totally understand it," Rowand said. But for now, Rowand said he isn't consumed with his destination — except when Landis calls him. "Craig informs me on a few things," Rowand said. "He lets me know what's going on, but there is no timetable." Meanwhile, center fielder Brian Anderson is in no hurry to decide whether to play for Mexicali in the Mexican Pacific League. Anderson was to take live batting practice Tuesday at the University of San Diego for the first time since he injured his left wrist July 6 with Triple-A Charlotte. "As of now, my health is good and I can't complain," Anderson said. "I just want to take this all the way to spring training." Anderson, 25, the Sox's first-round pick in 2003, said he is solely focused on preparing for 2008 and isn't thinking about whether he should play in Mexico this winter or whom the Sox will put in center. "We all know this is a business," Anderson said. "If they get a center fielder, we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out. "If they believe getting a center fielder is in their best interests, then that's their belief. My goal is to play in the bigs in 2008." Anderson said he would continue to hit in San Diego and talk to agent Terry Bross before deciding whether to play in Mexico for the second half of the winter. Anderson's health could dictate whether he could be part of a trade, perhaps for third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Florida is said to be seeking four prospects in any deal. But Anderson isn't consumed with his future. "I haven't felt this good in a while," Anderson said. "I just want to be ready."

Sox shouldn't center focus on 1 guy Return of Rowand would be big, but team has many needs Chicago Tribune Link After failing to land Edgar Renteria as far back as last summer, the White Sox were about to settle for Juan Uribe before landing Gold Glove shortstop Orlando Cabrera last week. This off-season already is mirroring the adjustment period general manager Ken Williams embarked on three years ago, at least in the sense that he swung and missed with a Uribe-like hack on Omar Vizquel as he did recently with Torii Hunter. Opting for "Plan 1B," which appears to be fan-favorite Aaron Rowand, would solve as many issues off the field as on the field. Toward the end of his five-year stint with the Sox in 2005, Rowand was known to take a subtle face-to-face poke at a teammate or reporter designed to keep everyone on the straight path. A day before hitting a grand slam against his former team in Philadelphia in June, Rowand visited the Sox's clubhouse. That prompted Darin Erstad to say he'd never seen the Sox's clubhouse so cheerful since arriving in January. And dating back to the end of the 2006 season, Rowand was aware that some Sox players were on their own program instead of adhering to the best interests of the team. A return by Rowand would fill the Sox's hole in center field, provide manager Ozzie Guillen with an unselfish player willing to hit anywhere in a lineup that resembled a slow-pitch softball team with its slow-footed sluggers and give a friendly clubhouse an edge it has lacked since the start of a 105-131 stretch that began the second half of the 2006 season. But Rowand isn't the answer to all of the Sox's problems, which still linger despite the addition of Cabrera. In fact, it wouldn't be the worst development if the Sox lose out on the Miguel Cabrera sweepstakes, especially since Florida is seeking four prospects. Williams has spoken more frequently about fielding a championship-caliber team in 2008, but the future can't be ignored unless there are talented position players to support the likes of pitchers John Danks, Gio Gonzalez and Lance Broadway. Trading Joe Crede would be tough, but the Sox already have a built-in replacement in Josh Fields, who played 79 games at third base in 2007. And at least two teams in search of a third baseman—the Dodgers and Angels—have a deep pool of young talent that could fortify the Sox's thin upper levels of their farm system. The reservoir isn't so deep in the Phillies and Giants organizations, but the chance to land a player of Crede's ability might be too tempting to pass up, especially with Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) and Mike Lowell (Red Sox) returning to their teams and Miguel Cabrera probably landing somewhere in Southern California. It also could bring the Sox results similar to when they dealt Carlos Lee on the final day of the 2004 winter meetings. They landed a healthy Scott Podsednik to hit leadoff and serviceable relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino and had enough money left over to sign catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Yet, the desire to field a title-contending team is paramount in Williams' eyes. That still requires landing a leadoff hitter and a dependable middle infielder, two valuable positions on a 25-man roster. Free agent infielder Cesar Izturis is available, but published reports indicate he is seeking a starting job. The Sox appear to have no interest in Chris Gomez, who can play all four infield positions and is attracting interest from the Yankees, Padres, Rangers and Pirates. The imminent addition of reliever Scott Linebrink is cause for scrutiny, considering he has yielded 21 homers in 146 innings over the last two seasons. Earlier this month, Williams wrote in an e-mail that he had hoped to get most of his off-season work done before the annual four-day winter meetings, which start Monday in Nashville. But if the past is any indication, Williams will be working, and likely adjusting, up to the final day.

Don't the White Sox owe Contreras $20+ over the next 2 years ? If I'm right, I'd give $5 million for him to go, but I think that's getting off cheap, plus the White Sox don't historically send cash in trades.

Chicago Tribune Link Williams may need creative solution Spurned by Hunter, Sox forced to Plan B Pie in the sky. That's what Torii Hunter was for the White Sox and their fans. It's no surprise he has signed elsewhere, although you could have gotten long odds on the Los Angeles Angels a few days ago. The Angels came from nowhere to put together the five-year, $90 million deal that makes Hunter the long-awaited bat to hit behind Vladimir Guerrero. This is a force-fit that leaves the Angels' big acquisition of last winter, Gary Matthews Jr., without a spot in what might now be baseball's best outfield. Garret Anderson, Guerrero and Hunter combined to hit .303 with 71 homers and 312 runs batted in last season. That's some serious thump, at least for the moment, as all are close to the downhill portion of their careers. But that's a problem for Tony Reagins, the Angels' new general manager, and his owner, the ambitious Arte Moreno. Hunter is 32, an age that apparently didn't stop the White Sox from offering him a five-year deal. But as badly as the Sox wanted Hunter, there was no way they could spend $18 million per year to get him. That is an inflated price based on his being the biggest name available, now that Alex Rodriguez is staying in New York. Given the contracts GM Ken Williams has negotiated or assumed since the World Series parade two years ago, the Sox don't have the payroll flexibility to compete for the most marketable free agents. The Jon Garland trade improved that flexibility some, but Williams still doesn't know for sure that he can off-load the $4.5 million contract he gave Juan Uribe only 12 days before trading for a better shortstop, Orlando Cabrera. To have been in position to land someone like Hunter—and maybe even his Plan B, Aaron Rowand—Williams might also have to find a taker for Jose Contreras. That would mean opening the season with a rotation of Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, John Danks, Gavin Floyd and a fifth starter from a group including Gio Gonzalez, Lance Broadway, Charlie Haeger, Heath Phillips, Jack Egbert and Nick Masset. If you're going to have three question marks in the rotation—probably the reality even with Contreras—you had better have a good bullpen. Williams is apparently close to making a major addition there, reportedly agreeing to a four-year deal for right-handed setup man Scott Linebrink, who helped the Padres reach the playoffs in 2005 and '06. If he signs, Linebrink would fit the role Williams believed Mike MacDougal would when he gave him a three-year contract last winter—that is, a quality setup man to work in front of Bobby Jenks. He would improve the bullpen, which could become a strength if MacDougal and Matt Thornton return to their 2006 levels and Boone Logan and Ehren Wassermann contribute. But it wasn't the bullpen that sank the Sox a year ago. It was their relative weakness in center field, in left field and at shortstop. Cabrera is a significant upgrade over Uribe, who was as bad as any regular in the big leagues except for the 20 at-bats that ended with home runs. Cabrera produced 179 runs a year ago (runs scored plus RBIs minus home runs) compared to 103 for Uribe. Jerry Owens is available to play center or left. But if the Sox are serious about contending, they shouldn't pencil him in. He picked up the pace in the second half after needing 97 at-bats to get his first big-league RBI, but he was hardly a first-division player. Owens' .666 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in the second half was less than all 36 big-league left and center fielders with enough at-bats to qualify for a batting title. That includes Juan Pierre, who checked in at .685 after getting a five-year, $44 million contract from that wacky Ned Colletti, the Dodgers' GM. So instead of throwing all their resources at Hunter, the guy who would help sell season tickets, the Sox are probably better off using the resources they have to add two outfielders, either through free agency (a thin crop after Rowand, Andruw Jones and maybe Mike Cameron) or a trade. Rowand, of course, would return to the Sox and be lavished with a big contract (call it five years, $60 million) after spending two years in Philadelphia. The Phillies want him back, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested, but he's a guy the Sox could get. Texas, which joined the Sox and Kansas City in the bidding for Hunter, doesn't appear interested. Hunter never seemed like a fit in Chicago. He hadn't heard real good things from his two Minnesota friends with Chicago experience, Jacque Jones and LaTroy Hawkins. Rowand, on the other hand, seems like someone who never should have left. In 2005, with Rowand as the primary guy, the Sox's center fielders had a .752 OPS and produced 139 runs. Those numbers dropped to .672 and 102 in 2006, with Brian Anderson as the regular, and .628 and 124 behind the likes of Owens and Darin Erstad last season. While away from Chicago, Rowand has improved his hitting. He batted .309 with an .889 OPS in 2007. Only Curtis Granderson and B.J. Upton had higher OPS numbers among regular big-league center fielders. Hunter would have been a hit with the fans. But if the idea is to win, you can get a lot more bang for your buck spreading around that $18 million per year

QUOTE(BearSox @ Nov 22, 2007 -> 08:56 PM) It makes sense to make him available, but not to just get rid of him. He's got the second best stuff in the pen, and can be a better SU man then Linebrink... but then again, he could be much worse. Now, I think mlbtraderumors.com (I know, I know) came up with this trade idea, but if the Dodgers were willing to do a Crede, MacDougal, and Massett for Ethier deal, I do that deal in a heartbeat. I'd love to move him, but I don't think anyone wants him or the conract he has.

I have to say, this only brings up more questions. Cabrera had a good season, but unless we're only paying him $4-5 million, and saving $6 or $7 million, I'm a bit confused as I expected Garland to be dealt for 2 younger players, certainly not a 33 year old SS. What does this mean for Uribe ? Are we going to pay him $4.5 million to be a backup OR does he play 2B ? Can he play 2B ? I can't imagine him after much of a trading market. In Cabrera, you'd figure he'd be a #2 type hitter so I'm assuming that we still are on the look-out for a lead-off hitter. As for the rotation, it appears they are committing to 3) Contreras 4) Denks 5) Floyd (with competition from Broadway and Gonzalez, amongst others). I really don't see the White Sox being a serious contender with that rotation. I realize there is a long way to go, and they will other moves, but their current team is probably worse than last season's without a solid #3 starter in Garland.

Chicago Tribune Link Japanese righty may provide relief Sox among the finalists for Chiba Lotte's Yabuta The White Sox are among five teams in the running for Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta. The Sox are looking for bullpen help, and Yabuta has told Japanese media the Sox, Royals, Indians, Rays and Pirates are the finalists for his services. Yabuta, a 34-year-old right-hander, had a 2.73 ERA in 58 appearances for the Chiba Lotte Marines last season. He filed for free agency last month. Yabuta helped Japan to the 2006 World Baseball Classic title. His achievements included strikeouts of Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon and Derrek Lee.

This is all coming from Barry Rozner's report in the Daily Herald in which he seemed to think the White Sox will 2 top prospects from a team like the Dodgers, and will be traded before spring training. There isn't any breaking news, and I don't think he he had any inside sources, but it's kind of dead right now, and sources like Yahoo picked the story up and gave it some legs.

QUOTE(rockren @ Nov 17, 2007 -> 02:58 PM) It isn't a bad idea, however I don't think the WSox want to give Garland an MB contract. Not that he isn't worth it to them, but I don't think they want to tie up another SP for multiple seasons at 12 mil/year. That's the going rate now though especially for someone as durable as he's been.