WCSox

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 09:56 PM) Jenks is under team control for 3 more seasons, he's no where near free agency. This isn't a good time to start talking extension, guaranteeing him 3 years worth of salary just to get a bit of a discount during his arbitration years and maybe buy out a year of free agency with an option. Given the fickle nature of the closer position and Bobby's specific shortcomings and possible red flags it's probably not worth the gamble. Well said. If I were KW, I'd probably also let Bobby walk when he hits free agency. Unless he morphs into the next Trevor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera, he won't be worth the guaranteed $40 million or so he'll command. My feeling is that his best years are right now... Omar Minaya can over-pay for him in 2012.

Given that Thome and PK are going to be incredibly difficult to trade, I wouldn't mind unloading Dye IF Kenny used that money on a leadoff hitter who can steal bases and play either middle infield or CF. Otherwise, I'd rather stick with JD, who is still highly-productive and isn't a defensive liability in RF.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Dec 3, 2008 -> 08:24 AM) I think the Sox can be seen to be "rebuilding on the fly" if they dealt JD and Bobby from here. I'd deal JD before I dealt Bobby. JD's entering the downslope of his career and the Sox don't have anybody ready to step up into the closer role. Plus, that would allow Quentin to move to RF and Swish to play LF. They could get by with Anderson in CF, or possibly go after somebody like Taveras. Unless Thome re-structures his deal, he won't be moved. Too few options with that NTC.

I have mixed feelings about this. With all of the flack that Javy takes, the truth is that a guy who can anchor the back of the rotation and win games against the Royals and Rangers in May has significant value. Those wins get teams to the playoffs, and the Sox are better off with a sometimes-dominant vet like Javy than somebody like Clayton Richard in this role. With Contreras' return (and effectiveness) still up in the air, having Javy in the #4 slot is a big plus. On the other hand, Javy has a long history of crapping his pants in pressure situations. He simply can't be trusted down the stretch. After Ozzie called him out through the media and Javy failed to respond, I got the feeling that he would be shopped aggressively this winter. Add that to the fact that the Sox owe him $23 million over the next two years, and it's not surprising that Kenny dumped him. Nor is it surprising that the Braves didn't give up much for him. I'd like to believe that the 'spects that Kenny got from Atlanta will be used in a deal for Peavy, but I don't see it.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) I want to point out that Ichiro is probably one of the most overpaid players in the game. Sure he's solid but given everything, including the cost factor to get him (ie players given up) there is absolutely no way the Sox could acquire Ichiro. I wouldn't trade Danks straight up for Ichiro and it would cost the Sox a lot more than that just to get him. I agree with this. Kenny acquiring Ichiro from Japan back in '01 would've been a steal. But now, forget it.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 05:06 AM) Still a dumb move on their part for not sticking around. QUOTE (YASNY @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 05:54 AM) What these guys are showing by leaving is a lack of the concept of "Team". Or another way it can be interpretted is "f*** you guys, I'm going home." For a young player like Broadway to take a stance that can possibly be interpretted in either of these ways is a huge mistake. Logan probably doesn't have a future with the Sox, but as of that moment, the Sox were his best chance and what kind of message does that send to other organizations? MacDougal? Who gives a s***? I can agree that the effect on the starters is disputable, but completely agree with the above. Sticking around at work when you don't have to speaks volumes about one's priorities and degree of commitment.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 01:44 PM) So Buerhle does pitch better if he knows Broadway is on the clubhouse couch watching him and not on his couch at home? If that is the case, then those guys should be there, I agree. I just don't think Buerhle really cares where Logan or Broadway are. Given that Broadway and Logan share the same clubhouse as Buehrle before and after the game, and likely speak to him there as well, having that extra support is certainly helpful. It may not be enough to get Mark to throw another no-hitter, but there are positives to teammates demonstrating that they care about more than just their paycheck. If the support that teammates gave each other didn't matter, they wouldn't be high-fiving each other after home runs and giving shaving cream pies to guys who make game-winning plays. Showing up to the clubhouse on your day off is simply an extension of that philosophy.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 08:46 AM) Yeah. those 30,000 fans at the game were not enough. I'm certain it totally ruined Buehrle's night when he went to high five Logan and he wasn't there. Or needed a pat on the ass from Broadway and he was gone. I'm certain Junior missed that ball over his head because there wasn't enough guys on the clubhouse couch rooting for him. Comparing professional players to little league players needing their moms and dads is silly. No, what's "silly" (and that's putting it nicely) is your comparison of Joe Sixpack in the upper deck to a young player who wears the same uniform, has a locker in the clubhouse, and has been in the same starting lineup as Buehrle and Junior. Like mom and dad (and unlike Joe Sixpack in Section 534), the players in the starting lineup actually KNOW these young players and benefit from their support. They often spend six days a week fighting with them for a common goal. Support from those close to us (in one way or the other) makes all the difference.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 04:11 AM) I think being there would and should be an honor for these guys, especially because none have ever experienced a playoff game at the major league level. You can work out with your teammates before the game, its just gametime when you can't be in the dugout. I just find it wrong that any player would rather just go home than experience that. Agreed and, on a more basic level, I find it just wrong that these guys didn't want to stick around and support their teammates. I'm sure that most of our parents showed up at our little league and high school games. They weren't handing us water in the dugout, but I'm sure that we appreciated the fact that they were there cheering for us.

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 6, 2008 -> 04:43 PM) It's almost a surreal feeling right now, but I am not in the slightest bit mad about the Sox losing today and losing the season. This year has been nothing but a positive I completely agree. Winning 89 games and the division after a 72-90 season is a significant accomplishment. And it's kind of hard to win a WS (or even a pennant) when your would-be League MVP, starting 3B, and fourth-best (playoff) pitcher all go down with season-ending injuries. I'm proud of what they accomplished this year and my only regret is that I won't be able to watch/listen to another Sox game until March. I'm really excited about the way that Quentin, Alexei, Danks, and Floyd developed this year and the fact that these are the type of guys that Kenny can build another championship around. Back in May, I thought that this year was our "last hurrah", but I don't feel that way at all now. I'm really excited about 2009.

Go to the game, don't drink (I know, it'll be difficult), make a pot of coffee when you get home, and pull an all-nighter.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Oct 6, 2008 -> 09:52 AM) No. Where did I say that? Bringing him back as a middle reliver should be our last option. Option 1. Try to trade him for a bag of baseballs to a team desperate for pitching (even if it means throwing cash from our end) Option 2. See what he can do as a starter Option 3. We go with the 10 million dollar reliever. I'm all for relegating Javy to the bullpen if we happen to win today, but who replaces him AND Contreras in the rotation next season? Richard *might* be ready, but who pitches in the #5 spot? I'll take another year of Javy in the #4 spot. He wins regular-season games and eats innings, which are pretty helpful when you're trying to GET into the playoffs.

QUOTE (watchtower41 @ Oct 3, 2008 -> 01:55 PM) At least we aren't resorting to lame cowbells or God forbid, thundersticks. Then again, we are not the side of town that lacks noise at baseball games. The excessively loud, crappy techno music is annoying enough over the radio. I couldn't imagine having to be there in person.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 10:24 PM) That's a strong comment to suggest that Vazquez can't pitch for the White Sox again. Not to mention an incorrect one. Vazquez has value eating innings in the regular season. Given that Jose probably won't be ready to go on Opening Day (and may very well be forced to call it quits) and that the Sox have no decent ML-ready starters in the minors, Javy will almost certainly pitch for the Sox next season. That said, I doubt that Javy will ever start a post-season game for the Sox again.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 3, 2008 -> 09:10 AM) There are probably 2 areas KW will focus on most this offseason: A leadoff hitter and a SP. I do not think he thinks there is a problem in CF. So the OF is fairly set. 3B could be filled with Fields in KW's mind, you better believe that. So most likely he will look at a project pitcher like Freddy for a SP and sign whatever big name middle IF'er that falls to his price range. I would say he probably does that, signs a fringe pen guy and calls it an offseason. There will be ZERO overhauls this offseason folks. This team almost won 90 games and made the playoffs without a 5th starter and our best offensive weapon. KW has no reason to think he needs a lineup overhaul. I tend to agree with that. Richard will get a shot at the 25-man roster in ST, but I agree that Kenny will likely sign a veteran. If Richard does well, he'll probably take the long relief role. And I imagine that Kenny goes after a 2B/SS whose OBP is decent enough to lead off. Outside of that, I agree that he probably won't do much.

With a lineup of Quentin, Dye, Thome, Konerko, Swisher, and Griffey, my answer would be no. The Sox don't struggle to score run. While Young would certainly be a nice addition, they're not in desperate need of a player like him. After Freddy fell apart and Jose's myriad of injuries, a veteran middle-of-the-rotation pitcher was a necessity. Even if the guy bites it in pressure situations, he solidifies the rotation during the regular season and helps them GET to the playoffs.

QUOTE (Shamrock4Life @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 02:22 PM) the answer (even before the game today) was clayton richard. and Hawk called it. thats all i am saying. That's why Hawk lasted one season as a GM and would never make it as a manager. You don't start a rookie who went 2-5 with an ERA over 6 in the first game of a playoff series. Even if your other option has had a history of not pitching well in big games.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 03:08 PM) Bring Back Jon Garland. At least he knows how to win. There will be about a $50-60 million commitment to bring Jon back to the South Side, as he's a FA this winter.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 02:49 PM) I don't want Javy on this team after this season, and considering how Marte was traded, I guarantee you Vazquez is gone. I disagree. Contreras is never healthy, meaning that the Sox would have massive holes in the #4 and #5 spots. Richard *might* be able to step up in one of those next season, but that still leaves one open. Vazquez is a pretty good #4 and an excellent #5 starter. A guy like that is useful in *getting* to the postseason. The key here is to use him out of the bullpen if the Sox make the post-season again next year.

QUOTE (RME JICO @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 02:42 PM) They also felt better after OC made a complete arse of himself in the 7th with the bases loaded. I listened to it over the web and didn't see the specifics. What set OC off? QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 02:42 PM) f*** Javier Vazquez, and Ozzie Guillen, total dumb s***s. I'm furious right now, we could've won that f***ing game as surprising as it may be, the neutralizer was Javier Vazquez starting With a number of starters already having pitched on short rest recently, Ozzie pretty much had to use Javy today.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 02:04 PM) Not Carlos. He's there on the bench QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 02:07 PM) I swore I saw Jose as well. Glad to hear that. Especially CQ.

That doesn't reflect well on them.

QUOTE (That funky motion @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 10:10 AM) What's weak is everyone thinking he is selfish because of a phone call. Every home run he is congratulating in the dugout. That is so selfish! No, what's weak is the sophomoric argument that you're presenting. Do you think that sulking in the dugout when a teammate homers would do anything positive for him? Perhaps you forgot about Cabrera throwing his teammates under the bus last week. You know, the comments about everybody goofing off and not focusing (except for him, apparently). Does that sound like a good teammate to you? I'm not arguing that Cabrera isn't a team player AT ALL, but I've seen enough this season to conclude that he's most interested in looking out for himself.

QUOTE (That funky motion @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 10:39 AM) Him and his me first attitude were going crazy when the Ramirez hit that grand slam. He cares about the team! Weak sauce

QUOTE (sox1844 @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:29 AM) And I still don't see what this guy has done that was so selfish For starters, there was the in-game call to the official scorer whining about being charged with an error. And then there were the recent comments about how the rest of the team isn't serious or focused enough (but apparently he is). I'll root for Cabrera as long as he's in a Sox uniform, but I'll be happy when he leaves as a FA. It's become obvious that he cares more about his value on the FA market than anything else.