spiderman

And there has been talk of the Sox acquiring Florida Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera -- a move that could mean dealing Fields. Could someone other than Crede or Fields play third base for the Sox in 2008? ''Is there a chance? Hell, that's what we're all here for, to explore possibilities,'' Williams said. ''But I wouldn't bet on it.''

I was hoping that SS may be a position where they could find more of a contact hitter....Nope. Still have a lineup of all or nothing (mostly) home run hitters.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Nov 7, 2007 -> 07:00 AM) We need to get a 3-way deal going, involving at least one of Garland, Contreras, and/or Crede. Brian Anderson, Gio Gonzalez, Chris Carter, and perhaps another spect, depending on who we get back for Crede/Contreras/Garland. Would that work? I'd love to make a move for Cabrera, though I highly doubt the White Sox will, and then balance the payroll out some by moving Garland/Crede for younger players. I'm also interested only if we can lock him up beyond the next 2 years.

Sox interested in Cabrera GM MEETINGS | Williams has what it takes -- young starting pitchers -- to land 3B Ken Williams was sitting alone at the lobby bar of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort on Tuesday. It was the perfect place to scan the expansive room teeming with general managers, their assistants and eager agents attending the annual GM meetings. And it was the perfect spot to be seen. Williams sat chatting on his cell phone, barely going two minutes without waving hello to another club official. This is what happens when you are one of the few GMs with an abundance of starting pitching -- a nice mix of veterans and priced-to-move youngsters -- in a market demanding arms. So could Williams -- known for his gunslinger mentality -- be the first GM to pull the trigger on a big deal this week? ''Oh, I don't know,'' Williams said, glancing around the lobby. ''If one of these guys comes up and sits down and says the right deal, hell ... ''We will not act spontaneously because we have all sat around and discussed our targets for months and months. In some cases, some guys have been on our target lists for years. So if the right proposal comes our way, yeah, we're ready for it. But we're not going to act without rhyme or reason.'' One of the names that has been at the center of the Sox' talks, according to sources, is Florida Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera. The buzz on Day 2 of the meetings was the message the Marlins have sent to interested parties: They will entertain offers for Cabrera and left-hander Dontrelle Willis. It's no secret Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is fond of Cabrera. The two Venezuelans formed a tight bond in 2003, when Cabrera was a rookie outfielder and Guillen was the third-base coach during the Marlins' World Series championship season. Cabrera, 24, hit .320 with career highs in home runs (34) and RBI (119) last season. He has had at least 112 RBI in each of his four full seasons in the majors. The biggest knock against Cabrera is his work ethic, something that wouldn't figure to be a problem with Guillen riding him on a daily basis. Florida wants young arms The Marlins are said to be targeting young starting pitching, and the Sox have plenty of that. Sources say they might be willing to deal two of their top prospects, right-hander Lance Broadway and left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Landing Cabrera also might mean parting ways with Josh Fields. ''When you trade really good players, you want really good players in return,'' said Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest, who wouldn't speak specifically about Cabrera. ''[Cabrera] is an awfully good player, that's for sure. ''We have our payroll challenges that we have to meet head-on. ... We have to look at everything right now.'' Beinfest was scheduled to begin chatting with other GMs on Tuesday night, and Williams was expected to be on the list of interested parties. The Marlins are looking to deal Cabrera mainly to save money. Cabrera earned $7.4 million in 2007 and stands to earn at least $10 million in arbitration this winter. Great impersonation Aside from his close relationship with Guillen, Cabrera could bring solid credentials as a Cubs hater -- something always valued on the South Side. During a 2004 game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Cabrera re-enacted the darkest moment in Cubs history when Moises Alou fouled a ball into the left-field seats near the Cubs' bullpen. It was close to the spot where the ''Bartman Ball'' incident occurred against the Marlins during the 2003 National League Championship Series. Though the ball was deep into the seats, Cabrera -- playing left field -- did an impressive imitation of Alou's stomping temper tantrum. Sox fans had to love it. And they quickly would embrace Cabrera, making it easy to forget about Joe Crede. It's clear Williams is on a mission to upgrade a 90-loss team. ''We have a starting solid core of position players and a solid starting rotation, and you've got your closer in place, and some young guys who have come up and shown they can get the job done,'' Williams said. ''So it's just augmenting that, and how we do that will be the difficult task. We'll travel down the free-agent road as well as the trade path and see where that ultimately leads us.'' Tops on the Sox' free-agent wish list are Minnesota Twins center fielder Torii Hunter and St. Louis Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein. Landing one or both of those players, then entertaining the idea of acquiring Cabrera likely means dealing first baseman Paul Konerko. There is a feeling Konerko, who has no-trade protection, would approve a deal to the Los Angeles Angels. But Williams is working one step at a time. ''This will be a test in patience for us this offseason more than anything because we really do have to -- more than we have in the past -- let the free-agent market evolve a little bit,'' he said. ''You can't act trade-wise too quickly before you get a lay of the land there in the free-agent market.''

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 6, 2007 -> 06:10 PM) SI's Heyman: Miguel Cabrera officially on trading block. The usual suspects (at least according to the article) are after him.

QUOTE(Lemon_44 @ Nov 6, 2007 -> 06:46 PM) If the Sox sign Eckstien and trade for Damon, they may be the most un-watchable team in the league. You would think KW knows better than to rely on old speed, grinder types,with no arms after the year Pods and Erstad just had. Damon is worthless. Hell, they might as well re-sign Pods since he'd cost about 9 million less and you'll be getting the same production out there. I still can't believe there's any interest at all in Eckstein. I've neve seen a SS have to wind up to get the ball to 1b until i stumbled upon a Cardinals game. Last year's team was pretty unwatchable after May.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 5, 2007 -> 08:38 PM) Why? With the inflation in contracts lately, his contract has gone from being relatively expensive at the time he was signed to relatively cheap for the numbers he puts up. Money doesn't strike me as being the best reason not to go after Tejada; i can think of quite a few better ones. He's owed $26 million over the next 2 seasons. I don't think the White Sox take him unless Baltimore throws about 8 million into a deal.

Tejada is clearly on the block in Baltimore, but the Orioles would have to pick up a ton of $$$ for the White Sox to acquire him.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 5, 2007 -> 03:21 PM) Duh. I guess they got the Sunday Trib? When Jesse Rogers is one of your baseball insiders, I think the answer to your question is 'Yes'

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 5, 2007 -> 06:46 PM) Laurence Holmes mentioned Emil Brown as a guy the Sox are targeting in free agency. The only problem is; from what I can figure Emil Brown is not a free agent, he still has 1 year of arb eligibility remaining. I suppose KW could be looking to make a trade for the 33 year old Brown. Not exactly an exciting proposition. I think Holmes got that from the Chicago Tribune.

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Nov 5, 2007 -> 04:16 PM) Bruce Levine reports from GM meetings that White Sox have made Torii Hunter their #1 priority. This means either that: 1) This info was disseminated to Levine in order to help negotiations in acquiring a different CF (Rowand, Damon, Crisp, Jones, Cameron). or 2) Getting Torii Hunter is their #1 priority. Nothing really new with the Chicago Tribune also reporting this last week. I think they are going to hard after him, but within limits since I don't think view Aaron Rowand as a bad 2nd option.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Nov 3, 2007 -> 08:30 AM) Musharraf declares state of emergency. With all this talk about Iran we are dropping the ball on Pakistan, a country that already has nuclear weapons. What else was Biden right about ?

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 3, 2007 -> 06:25 PM) I completely agree with this. I'll be surprised if he's with the organization at this point next week. Hopefully he's traded for Pat Burrell or Damon, and not some AAAA pitcher. What are the contractual status' of both Burrell and Damon ? I have little interest in either guy....Burrell strikes out way too often, and Damon seems to be breaking down and both make in excess of 10 million dollars. I am in favor of keeping Crede for next season at 3B, but if we do move him, I'm hoping it's for a possible starting pitcher and/or a dependable relief pitcher.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 30, 2007 -> 08:34 PM) Wow. Hahn is staying, Erstad and Myers are going, Geoff Jenkins is available... good day for the Sox! Why do you want Jenkins ?

Williams: Forget deal for A-Rod WHITE SOX | GM knows economics don't allow it Alex Rodriguez is ready to hit the free-agent market after revealing Sunday that he was opting out of his Yankees contract. And don't think for one second that the hair on the back of Ken Williams' neck didn't stand up for a brief moment as the White Sox general manager once again had visions of pursing the all-world infielder. Rodriguez was on Williams' radar as far back as the 2000-01 offseason, the GM's first months on the job, and again when Rodriguez was traded by the Texas Rangers before the '04 season. He wound up with the Yankees and is walking out on the final three years of his 10-year, $252 million contract. This time around, it didn't take long for Williams to come back down to earth. ''When I heard the number ... put it this way: I heard that number, and I haven't spent one minute thinking about it,'' Williams said. ''For our purposes, we would very quickly run the average fan out of our ballpark ... our economic situation wouldn't allow for something like that.'' Passing on Rodriguez doesn't mean that Williams won't be looking at other big-name free agents. With the conclusion of the World Series, he was awaiting the early list of free agents who already have filed, with the recruiting process about to begin. ''Full go,'' Williams said when asked about his offseason mind-set. ''As we speak, I'm waiting for contact from [assistant GM] Rick [Hahn] on the list of free agents. As they start to trickle in, I'll start making some visits to people.'' The postseason was a painful one for Williams. He watched most of it from his sofa, flipping channels when the anxiety grew to a point of intolerance. ''We have unfinished business,'' Williams said. ''I didn't like the taste I had in my mouth watching from my couch.'' The first order of business is expected to come swiftly, with the club having to make decisions on the contract options of outfielder Darin Erstad, reliever Mike Myers and shortstop Juan Uribe. Williams expects to inform Erstad and Myers quickly of the decision. The call on Uribe could come next week, with the deadline looming

Trickle-down could affect Crede, Fields Chicago Tribune Link Alex Rodriguez probably is too costly for Ken Williams' off-season wish list, but the White Sox general manager just might benefit from Rodriguez's free agency. If Rodriguez leaves, the Yankees could seek a third baseman unless they stick with perennial prospect Wilson Betemit, and the Sox may need to move one of their third basemen—Joe Crede or even Josh Fields—to shore up a shoddy bullpen in addition to fortifying the top of the lineup and stabilizing the outfield. The Yankees have a surplus of young power arms, and the Sox's evaluation of the Yankees' prospects started last summer and continues into the Arizona Fall League. Here's a look at whom Williams may consider buying and/or selling: David Eckstein This could be a case of one-stop shopping, with free agent Eckstein fulfilling the leadoff and shortstop duties. Eckstein provides a perfect fit with his bunting and hit-and-run capabilities. But Eckstein will turn 33 in January and has been nagged by back problems. Juan Uribe In a conference call with reporters, manager Ozzie Guillen said the team was undecided whether to stick with Uribe or get "someone else." The Sox could give Uribe a $300,000 buyout within 15 days of the end of the World Series and try to re-sign him for less if they can't upgrade. With no prospects ahead of 16-year-old Juan Silverio, the Sox could trade for a younger shortstop until Silverio is ready. For all the criticism levied at Uribe's lack of patience at the plate, his 34 walks were fifth best on the Sox in 2007. The Sox may need a veteran to play second base and help mentor Danny Richar. Uribe helped Richar acclimate to the majors in the final two months of the 2007. Aaron Rowand Rowand's unselfish play would help spark a team lacking a vocal leader as well as help regain the fans' faith, and his willingness to bat anywhere would give Guillen some flexibility in a pedestrian lineup. But Eric Byrnes' three-year, $30 million contract helped raise Rowand's value after a career-best season. Torii Hunter In an interview with Fox Sports North, Hunter, 32, confirmed he was seeking a longer deal than the three-year, $45 million offer from Minnesota he rejected late last season. The $21.3 million that Texas saves by Rodriguez opting out of his contract with the Yankees (stemming from a 2004 trade) could be applied toward Hunter. Finances to acquire a marquee free agent might not be a problem, but the Sox already have seven players 30 or order signed through 2009. That doesn't include Jim Thome, 37, whose $13 million option for 2009 will become vested if he stays healthy next season. Carl Crawford It's hard to believe Crawford batted leadoff in only seven games for Tampa Bay. Teammate Rocco Baldelli would be a cheaper alternative who can fill the Sox's needs in center and leadoff, but he has played only 127 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. Tampa Bay, however, could be enticed by some of the Sox's struggling relievers who may need a change of scenery. Boston's Coco Crisp, who haunted the Sox during his Cleveland days, could be expendable with the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury. Boston and the Sox are familiar with each organization's talent because of trade talks last summer involving Mark Buehrle and Jermaine Dye. Jon Garland Aside from Paul Konerko, whose full no-trade rights go into effect next May, Garland would bring back the most value. Philadelphia, in the market for starting pitching, was among the teams that scouted Garland in late September. He will earn $12 million next season and is one of the most durable pitchers in the majors. Garland has grown accustomed to trade talks, and getting a Willy Taveras-style player, a serviceable reliever and a major-league-ready position player could move Williams' off-season in the right direction.

Is it worth a shot to give him a 1 year deal with incentives and give Richar some compeititon ?

Why is John Denks considered to be a prize prospect ? He doesn't blow people away, and while I think he'll get better, am I wrong to think he's, at best, a #3 starter a few seasons down the road ? What am I missing - why is Denks considered a prized pitcher when acquired by the White Sox ?

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Oct 24, 2007 -> 04:29 PM) I have an innocent yet what I feel is valid question. Why doesn't Hahn get any of the blame for the failing of the team. Was he not the Asst GM of a terrible $100M payroll...... BTW, I like Hahn and think he did/does a great job. For those 80's/90's Bears fans, Hahn seems to be the Ted Phillips of this organization more than the Jerry Vanisi (sp?) but I could be very wrong. It's a valid question - I don't think anyone has answered the key question - "Why is he a good candidate for a GM job - what has he done to become a major candidate ?" I'm not against Hahn at all - obviously St. Louis feels he's qualified, but it's hard to find concrete answers to this question.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Oct 20, 2007 -> 07:56 AM) I really think when and if Hahn gets another job, its really going to hurt the White Sox more than you would think an assitant GM leaving would hurt. I would rank Hahn the second brightest individual in the organization, second to JR. What moves have Hahn made to make you think this ? Why is he so bright in your opinion - please provide examples.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 19, 2007 -> 08:37 AM) There really isn't much substance in that article. Its kind of disappointing from Rozner. That has more a Kotex-boy feel to it, with a lot of "should"'s and not a lot of real depth. Hopefully he knows something, but it sure didn't seem like it. You are correct - just pure speculation with no evidence of this being correct.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 07:14 AM) First of all, how do you know that he made it up? Second, early in this thread some people thought that Stoneman's refusal to trade younger players for older players was the reason this trade would not be made. If that fact is true, then his leaving would make it more likely that it would be made. But, who knows - time will tell. Because it's Terry Boers and he all of the key components of the trade named so he was leading us to believe that this was a deal that could be likely done fast early on in the off-season.

Considering that Stoneman made the decisions for the Angels, I would assume that this is the puts to rest that Terry Boers has any inside knowledge on this rumor he made up ?

Do we know how much money has been contributed by MoveOn to each of the Democratic Candidates ?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 29, 2007 -> 12:50 PM) All I have to say to that is: .288 .355 .385 .740 .229 .302 .301 .603 Those are the splits of the 2 guys in question this season against left handers. Myers, 38, has limited left-handed hitters to a .222 batting average (6-for-27). In his 55 games with the New York Yankees, left-handers batted .312 against him before he was released. The White Sox only care about what Myers has done for them as a lefty specialist. I think his performance here will outweigh his struggles with the Yankees this season.