WCSox

QUOTE (Baines3 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 08:32 PM) A plus for the bullpen, although I wouldn't have put Linebrink in for the top of the 9th. I don't have much faith in him. I imagine that Linebrink wouldn't have been sent out there to protect a one- or two-run lead.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 08:29 PM) Would KW dare to give Contreras a one year, incentive-laden contract for $3-5 million plus incentives to be the 5th starter (and keep him around Viciedo and Ramirez)? Are Torres or Hudson ready? Should they bring in a Jon Garland/D. Davis/Paul Byrd type for one year, like they tried with Colon this season as a low-risk roll of the dice. I think that Contreras is gone for good this winter. The Sox are already set 1-4 for next season so, barring an injury to one of them, I don't see any money being spent on a veteran (unless it's somebody really cheap, like Colon). I don't see Garland getting just a one-year deal. Given that the economy probably won't improve next year, my guess is that the #5 spot will initially go to somebody young and cheap like Torres. If that young pitcher doesn't get it done, a deal for an aging vet might be made mid-season.

Interesting how the team's two weaknesses (scoring runs and bullpen) became strengths in the wake of the Peavy deal. Even if Peavy doesn't pitch for another two months, that confidence boost from Kenny may have completely changed this team's morale.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 08:08 PM) Bold moves like this may energize the team and the fan base. That alone can help them win this year even if Peavy doesn't pitch until September. Looks like the Sox had some moxy tonight. When was the last time that they scored 10 runs?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 07:57 PM) The most likely scenario is Konerko plays 1st, Dye DH's, and a replacement is brought into play one, if not two of the outfield positions. Quentin will be there for sure, my guess is Scottie will be back, and then one of Jordan Danks, or Free Agent A, or Trade Acquisition A, whomever. My guess is they will bring back Dye at a reduced rate and the real $ they will have to play with will be around 8 - 10 Million. Dotel will come off the books too. Then PK comes off in 2010. I agree with most of this. I could see Kenny keeping Pods as a cheap and temporary LF option and moving Quentin to RF (and Dye to DH, after Thome is let go this winter). I imagine that Kenny will go after a relatively inexpensive free agent CF, and maybe some bullpen help to help with Dotel's loss and Linebrink's suckiness. It seemed that Jenks had a good chance of being dealt this winter, but I don't think so now. The Sox are definitely not in retooling mode right now. Paulie is the real wildcard in all of this. If he were any other player, I'm sure that they'd let him walk. But given what he's meant to this organization, I'm not so sure. I'm not too concerned about Peavy's contract inhibiting payroll flexibility. Paulie's and AJ are FAs next winter, Mark has indicated that he might not pitch after 2011, and Linebrink's albatross of a contract is also up after 2011. They're going to get Dotel, Contreras, and (likely) Thome off the books this winter and, even if JD is re-signed, he's tradeable down the road. Jenks is also arb-eligible through 2011, and they'd be able to unload $8-10 million by dealing him, if need be. There are a lot of highly-paid veterans on their way out over the next two years.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 04:24 AM) I could see the sox signing Dye to a 3 yr deal, in the neighborhood of $21-24 mill. Re-work his deal, like they did with AJ. I agree. One of Dye or Thome should get a new deal, and I'm in favor of the former. Move JD to DH, move Quentin to RF, and find a cheap FA fit for LF.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 07:36 PM) Until we see how Buchholz, Porcello, Hughes develop, on paper it's us. If the Sox even stumble into the playoffs, their opponents are going to have to face Peavy, Buehrle, Danks, and Floyd. Ouch.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 05:45 PM) I honestly feel comfortable enough bringing Torres up and letting him anchor the 5-man. Torres pitched OK in his one ML appearance, but left a lot of pitches up in the zone and got away with a lot. I liked the way that he attacked the plate and he very well may have a future with this team, but who knows if he'll be able to handle the 5th spot this year. That said, I'm so freaking psyched about Peavy that I'm not too concerned about it right now.

QUOTE (T R U @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 05:37 PM) Not a fan only because hes not going to help us THIS year Kenny expects him to make his first start at the end of August.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 05:19 PM) Am I the only one who still can't really fathom that Jake Peavy is a member of the White Sox? What a huge trade. I know. F'n crazy, isn't it?

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 04:44 PM) That's how it's going to be until Mark leaves or his arm falls off. He'll start Opening Day in front of Peavy, that's for sure. Peavy could well be our ace, but Mark's going to be our #1. It would also make sense to stagger Peavy (a righty) between Buehrle and Danks (lefties).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 03:16 PM) I don't know about that yet. Obviously, if Peavy returns to form, this is an absolute steal personnel-wise, but who knows when that will be. He has always wanted an ace, that's what he goes for. Wells, Colon, Garcia, Peavy twice. Those are just the ones he got done. He's probably asked about every ace in baseball. Well sure, but name one other GM that has landed that many impact players via trade. He's right up there with Cashman and Epstein, despite the glaring financial disadvantage. I don't see why Peavy wouldn't return to form. His ankle injury is just a tendon, and he made multiple starts on it, so it's not like it's completely torn. I'd be a lot more concerned if he blew out his elbow or shoulder.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) hopefully that's changing too Richard suggests that it is. I really like Richard and think that he'll be a #3 at some point (just no Jake Peavy).

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 02:44 PM) yeah, but I'm definitely on the "scrap this year" bandwagon if there's any remote concern about it Yeah, and it's not like trading Richard and Poreda is tantamount to throwing in the towel this season anyway. And I'd be shocked if one of JD/Thome isn't re-signed this winter.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 01:32 PM) Unbelievable. Kenny haters need to retire 4 life. This changes the entire complexion of the division. Absolutely. Say what you want about his player development, but the dude is second-to-none when it comes to getting outstanding value in trades.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 11:54 AM) I honestly don't get why it's difficult for some to understand how it's better for the team with Beckham at a middle infield position than at 3B. The statement "the Sox need to sign a 3B first" is irrelevant because it's a given and it's actually a separate point entirely. Simply put, it's much easier to find a decent bat at 3B than it is to find a decent bat in the middle infield. This is true of any team. Well, that's great. But until the Sox actually go out and DO that, all of the talk about moving Beckham to 2B is premature. This may shock some people who've been spoiled by Crede and Ventura, but good bats who can field 3B well don't exactly grow on trees either. Beckham and Nix are the only two people on the roster who can play 3B competently. And until Nix raises his laughably-bad .632 OPS dramatically, he's nothing more than a utility player. And building on Rock and NNS72's discussion about the long-term viability of Alexei at SS, what if he ends up moving back to 2B? I completely understand the idea that Beckham should ideally play 2B. But the makeup of the rest of the roster is ultimately going to determine where he ends up.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 07:30 AM) As for the strike zone, it was a little lagre, but you're right in that it was consistent. I have no problem with those zones as long as they stay the same. Complain in the first few innings, but if it doesnt change adjust and STFU about it The strike zone that I saw last night was large, but inconsistent. Pettitte got a lot of high strikes early on that Floyd didn't get, and I also recall Pettitte not getting some calls that Floyd got. It got more consistent as the game went on, but those first three or four innings were not well-called, IMO.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 09:03 PM) Ok nvm now I heard it was family problems. If that's the truth, it may explain a lot. I hope that everything's OK.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 09:00 PM) No Jenks at the game tonight . Sick or part of a trade ? Allegedly sick, but the timing is laughably suspicious.

QUOTE (League @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) Slayer does enough scoring for the entire team But he still needed the assist from Cano.

Great job by Gavin and Beckham tonight. Almost a great job by Thornton, and it's nice to see Wise do something at the plate. That said, the lack of run support and the inability of the 'pen to hold leads is still problematic. I'm happy for the win and all, but the fundamental problems are still there. This was also the most inconsistently-called strike zone I've seen in a long time. Pathetic.

QUOTE (Friend of Nordhagen @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 08:48 PM) I do think I will remember this as the Year of Dewayne Wise. One way or the other...

QUOTE (JDsDirtySox @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 08:42 PM) Oh wow... Gonzalez twitter... Jenks is not at the park tonight... no explanation as to why. So are we supposed to believe that this mystery illness is completely legit, despite the fact that it coincides with him sucking and that his presence would force Ozzie into an uncomfortable position?

Maybe Ozzie decided to throw Soxtalk a bone tonight. Oops...

We haven't been scoring runs WITH him in the lineup, so my guess is that we'd still be in 3rd place.