BFirebird

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 04:00 PM) I mean it's completely ridiculous in my eyes to not see it. Jesus I never thought of seeing Miggy as underrated when he's just a crazy beast of a hitter who happens to be also a year younger doing this now in the AL and getting better year after year. Yeah I am not sure where the Adrian Gonzalez top 5 hitter in the league is coming from. He would be a great addition, but he wouldn't even the top hitter in the AL Central. I would put Miggy, Mauer and Morneau ahead of him.

Even if this doesn't happen, I like the fact that KW sees the same bad offense that we see going into next year and is attempting to correct it.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 03:39 PM) If they truly like Konerko (his name has come up in conjunction with the Angels every year since '05) I could see them taking on his deal, it's only 1 year and they do have a substantial portion of their payroll coming off the books and not a whole lot on the open market to spend it on. We wouldn't get much out of it aside from salary relief. They sported a ~$113M and currently have ~$77M in obligations for 2010 and a nice crop of cheap young players filling a few positions, there's definitely room for Konerko. Too much for Gonzalez? I can't say for sure, it'd really hurt giving up both Hudson and Flowers but I'd do it, they wouldn't get much more from me if that were the case, however. I don't think I could pull a trigger on any deal that sends Floyd/Danks +1 or 2 to San Diego luckily I don't think they'd have much interest in either of them anyway. Hudson +3 prospects not name Flowers would be fine in my book, if they value Hudson that highly. Thanks.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 03:15 PM) He very well could with the rotation and supporting offense cast we have now. In fact I don't see how this team could possibly win a damn thing without the addition of a big bat this offseason, the offense as presently constituted is awful not to mention the fact that he's a top 3 defensive 1B and we have an error prone right side of the infield. Oh and the whole flexibility that comes from your best player making $5M a year over the next 2 seasons. Kal...what do you think would be too much for an A Gon? Also, do you really see LAA taking on PK with no contracts coming back our way?

QUOTE (striker62704 @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 01:32 PM) We'd have Gonzalez for 3 years. There is an option for 2012. Isn't the option for 2011?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 12:39 PM) The big thing is, I'd have to think the Sox have what the Pads want, however, the Sox need the Angels to take on Konerko's salary or at least a chunk of it to enable them to make this deal. Or at least that has to be what Kenny has in mind. The one thing I am struggling with is...isn't this PK's last year of his deal? Why would they trade prospects for a guy that could become a FA next year?

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 12:21 PM) an article from May http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...alez/index.html He is 27, a superstar and makes only $3 million 2009 and $4.75 2010 with a ridiculous $5.5 million club option for 2011. That is just crazy cheap.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Nov 16, 2009 -> 12:21 PM) 28 homers on the road last year. Jesus an article from May http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...alez/index.html Just imagine what he could at the Cell. If this deal could ever materialize....KW would be a genius.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 03:11 PM) In fact, the more I think about it, the more I buy the idea of going after a guy like LaRoche, who had a pretty damn solid season and did great with Atlanta this year. I can't imagine LaRoche costing a ton and he's not a significant downgrade from Paulie. If you can move Paulie you can really free up the funds to make a move for one above average offensive player and than sign LaRoche and another guy for 1st/DH. I mentioned him somewhere before on this board and I am a big fan of bringing LaRoche in.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Nov 10, 2009 -> 04:15 PM) The sox could very well be looking at this type of lineup in 2010. Can't say I'm overly impressed. But it would be an upgrade defensively. 1. [DH] Scott Podsednik 2. [2B] Gordon Beckham 3. [LF] Carlos Quentin 4. [1b] Paul Konerko 5. [C] AJ Pierzynski 6. [CF] Alex Rios 7. [3b] Mark Teahen 8. [sS] Alexei Ramirez 9. [RF] Jordan Danks Bench: Tyler Flowers Jayson Nix Mark Kotsay De Aza Please no. As much as I believe in getting some guys that hit doubles and can go 1st to 3rd...that offense would be rancid, even in the NL. The Sox will need to get at least one guy that can hit homeruns to either play DH, RF or 3B, preferably 2 guys. Despite his need for speed...KW has to know they need some pop in the lineup to win.

QUOTE (whitesox901 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 10:19 PM) Adam LaRoche (30) - Type B How much would LaRoche cost? He unfortunately seems like best lefty, power bat available.

QUOTE (SockMe @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 04:23 PM) I would love Bay, Damon, Byrd, Winn, Ankiel, Matsui or Reed Johnson. Bay would be waaay to expensive. I could see KW wanting Damon. Winn is a possibility....not sure I like the idea though. Byrd, Ankiel and Matsui (as a DH though) intrigue me the most. I don't view Reed Johnson as a starter in the AL.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 03:42 PM) Vlad is a full time DH at this point in his career. Yeah he looks to be about as slow as Dye out there in the field.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 12:31 PM) Teahen would have lead the sox in doubles last year. Translate that into a more home run friendly ball park and i agree with whomever said 20-25 home runs will be easy to reach. I say he easily puts up 25/70 Not sure about easily...but it is possible. If he could get 20 HRs and 40 doubles...that would be nice.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) Just some general thoughts on the trade: 1) All this talk about Teahen being a UT player for us is crazy. He's going to be in LF/RF and/or possibly part of a rotating DH. KW made the move to add flexibility to his offseason plans, not to improve the bench while adding another hole to the starting lineup. 2) While I'm not a huge fan of Teahen, I think his left-handed bat and ability to play several spots will make him useful to our club. Ideally he'd be a great 10th option for a team like the Yankees, but I think he can be a solid #8 or #9 on a championship team if all the other pieces are right. I also think a change of scenery might do him well. Maybe it doesn't matter, but I have to think playing for a losing team like the Royals for several years would have an effect on his performance. A negative work environment can impact anyone's job performance. 3) While I think Getz will become a solid player, I'm not going to lose sleep over him. In fact, I'm glad that we'll be upgrading at 2B this season. I think this player will come from free agency. For some reason, this trade really makes me think that KW is going to attempt a serious run at Figgins (with Beckham shifting to 2B). I believe the Sox are going to sign one big name free agent and filling a corner OF spot relatively cheaply allows this type of move. I do think the backup move is going after Hudson. Either way, opening up an IF hole allows us to get a legit leadoff hitter. Apparently, KW didn't Getz could be that guy in the long-run or just is too impatient to wait. 4) I'd be interested in hearing the organization's long-term plans with 2B/3B. We got several interesting prospects in Retherford, Viceido and Morel to fill one of these spots eventually. Wherever Beckham plays this year should be a sign of which spot may be open in the future. However, a Figgins signing would fill this hole long-term and allow us to move Retherford and Morel to fill other needs. I don't see Viceido going anywhere. Worst case scenario, he's your future 1B or DH. Should be interesting to see what happens with these guys in the future. These are some good thoughts. I am pretty in line with most of what you said. KW covers himself well by claiming Teahen starting 3B if he is unable to sign Figgins, Beltre or Hudson. This is probably not a finished product, I would guess 2-3 players still coming. We just have to be patient and let KW work his magic. Remember in KW we trust!!

QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 11:34 AM) Finding a cheap DH who can hit 20-25 homers in our park really shouldn't be too difficult. I'm not worried about our power at all, as this team would finally be able to hit a decent amount of doubles. Stole my thunder while I was typing about the doubles, but I think that is their new philosophy. I also agree finding a cheap power DH would be easy.

QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 11:25 AM) The Sox will be going after one of the 2nd basemen in the FA market. Nix will be the back-up again, and Teahen will be playing RF for the Sox next year. I think Orlando Hudson is the likely 2nd baseman for the Sox next year. I would take Hudson in a heart beat because he would be nearly 1/3rd the price of Figgins and we could probably still do more...which we need. Outside of the SBs, their numbers are similar enough for it to make sense to pay a guy 3-4 million a year for 1-2 years instead of 9-10 million a year for 4 years. Hudson .348/.431/.778 Figgins .363/.388/.751 Figgins is more of a slap hitter and actually drew over 100 walks last year, which is impressive considering he is not a power hitter. It looks like the Sox are going after guys that can hit to gaps and doubles over homers. Look at the drafting of Beckham, a doubles machine and the trade for Teahen. While Teahen won't hit close to the same number of homers as Dye, he will hit 3 times as many doubles. Dye's age must be catching up to him, after 41 doubles in 2008, he only had 19 last year. Teahen on the other hand hit 34. I agree that homers are important and in the Cell you need some 30 homer guys, but the Sox were 2nd to last in doubles last season. I believe you can generate runs more consistently with lots of players that can hit doubles. If you add 2-3 30 homer guys to a lineup that can produce a ton of doubles, you have an offensive machine. You would have more 2 hit innings that score a run instead of needing 3 hits to score, or a home run.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Nov 6, 2009 -> 11:05 AM) I suspect that Hudson and Flowers would have to be a part of that deal. Because of that, I don't see it happening. But if that did happen...they would almost be able to field 1/3 of a team with all of our farm players.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 5, 2009 -> 03:35 PM) I don't believe that the deal in its current state could be done. I just don't believe it. I am with you. While I like Teahen and his versatility possibilities, there has to be something else involved that we don't know. Like Kalapse's original post stated, there is some snag holding this up. Money coming or going, or we are not told all the players. Something is up for no official word yet.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Nov 5, 2009 -> 03:31 PM) Maybe KW can get that Olney rumor in effect, roll up his sleeves and also net Ellsbury and the bullpen shore up with Bard and Okajima. I won't doubt KW at all and only have once before really (the B.Allen trade) so that won't change. Not to try and talk bad about Allen, but I think we loved him (myself included) more on this board than is warranted. I am not sure he will ever be more than a platoon 1B.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Nov 5, 2009 -> 03:30 PM) Given that we're already doing Torres and Hudson for A-Gon won't that create something of a log-jam? Begs the question, Where would the play?

QUOTE (danman31 @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 06:55 PM) FutureSox AFL Update Good update. It is nice to see the hitters doing so well, even though like you said it is AZ. I am hoping that most of Danks late season slump last year was result of his injury.

Once again, KW in stealth mode. :-) Pretty much agree with everyone else...4th OFer or a AAA filler. A move like this only has upside. He has already taken over the Ozzie's favorite player role based on his skillset.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Oct 8, 2009 -> 09:41 PM) Since he joined the Sox Matt Thornton has had 10 save opportunities that involved him pitching in the 9th inning (the other 17 took place between the 6th and the 8th). He's only started the 9th twice, both of those were in September of this year and he allowed 1 baserunner (a BB to Carlos Guillen) in those 2 innings of work while K'ing 4. Five other times his outing began in the 8th and continued into the 9th (not an easy situation for any closer), he blew only 1 of these saves and successfully closed out the other 4. In the 5 outings he allowed a total of 8 baserunners (only 1 BB) in 7.1 innings of work (1.09 WHIP) while striking out an absurd 13 batters, that's a 15.96 K/9. The other 3 save opps were 1/3 of an inning each, he picked up the save in each. So since '06 Thornton has had 7 save opportunities in which he went at least an inning of work and pitched into the 9th. This is what his numbers look like in those 7 games: 9.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 2.89 ERA, 17 K, 2 BB, 6/7 SV/SVO He's had almost no chance to prove himself in the closers role but the little work he's gotten in those situations most common to that of a closer he's pitched very well. I love when you analyze.

I hope Beckham is ok.