Dick Allen

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 3, 2007 -> 01:02 PM) The fact that it is season holders is exactly what I am talking about. People are buying tickets, seasons particularly. They ate through a pretty substantial waiting list after a 90 win season. If this team finishes with 70-75 wins, I'm not sure how many of those people in rows in the double figures in the upper deck are going to want to re-up for another 81 games. I think the season ticketbase is a house of cards, and one big reason why the White Sox want to win as many games as possible the rest of this season. I'd rather they pick up some young players and try to make a big splash with free agents, but I don't think thats going to happen.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 3, 2007 -> 12:27 PM) Well, keep in mind that two things were driving last night's attendance: 1) pre-sold season tickets; and 2) the possibility of it being Mark's final start on the southside. Don't forget one of the few half price Mondays.

QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ Jul 3, 2007 -> 10:24 AM) I know it wasn't exactly close, but didn't we "try" to sign ARod before the Rangers blew everybody out of the water in 2001? They were never permitted to make an offer. JR and KW wanted to talk to ARod without Boras present. This didn't happen. KW would love to have ARod on the White Sox. I think he wants him more than Buerhle, but may be coming to the conclusion that it isn't going to happen so he might as well keep Buerhle.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 3, 2007 -> 09:38 AM) 1 year and 1 mill per year is nothing by today's standards. 5/75 is still a fair deal for both sides. $19 million in guaranteed money is still a lot. Considering JR and his buddies bought the White Sox and Comiskey Park, and land around it less than 30 years ago for about $20 million it may put things into perspective. If Buerhle wants to set generations of Buerhles up for life or maybe he has other aspirations 20 or 30 years from now, a few million can become an awful lot in that time span.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Jul 3, 2007 -> 12:39 AM) I have nothing against Jenks, but that 93 mph straight as an arrow fastball doesn't scare a lot of hitters. Unless he hits his spots perfectly, or close to, what happened tonight will happen a lot more. With that being said, I have been impressed with Jenks command this season and really surprised he has done this well. And if anyone said put Vazquez in as the closer, lmao, that is one of the worst ideas I have heard in a while. No offense, but that is horrible. Oh god, lol, yeah, lets pay a closer, who is a much better starter, 10-something million a year! If the Sox had someone from the minors making minimum taking his spot in the rotation, what difference would it be having someone making minimum starting and someone making $11.5 million closing or vice versa? Laugh all you want, Dennis Eckersley was a good starter until he became a mediocre one and look what happened to him. Vazquez was considered a good starter, have you seen the scouts' quotes on him? They think he's become mediocre. I think he would be great if he was programmed to go 1 inning. He throws too many types of pitches. Closers don't do that. Plus Vazquez is usually pretty good the first time through the order.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 11:00 PM) Vazquez a closer. He has more value as a starter. The I dont know, someone will be available is bulls***. Jenks is cheap, dirt freaking cheap. He is under control for a long time. So the risk is minimal. Who is this mysterious golden arm that will come in here, and be our closer. Mind you for dirt cheap because rebuilding teams dont spend a ton of money on their closer. After this year of crap in the pen, people should be looking to keep what is good in our pen, and jettison what is bad. Yet it seems that we want to get rid of our good closer, because of bad memories of past players. I don't know where this board gets it, but there isn't a chance in hell KW goes into a total rebuilding mode this offseason. Not with Konerko, Thome, Vazquez, Contreras, Garland and/or Buerhle on the roster. You want me to give you a name, how could I? I don't talk to GMs. What's BS is thinking Bobby Jenks is a lock to be good for a long time. I agree with you, he's one of the few guys in the bullpen that deserves a major league check. I stated that above. I also stated I wouldn't just trade him to get rid of him. It would depend on what I got back. And with his declining velocity and human being's natural tendency to gain weight as they get older, and the fact that there is a screw in his right elbow, I don't think the return on him is what anyone would be looking for. Vazquez is a mediocre starter IMO. I think he would be a great closer and I'm one of his biggest critics. But I realize it won't happen, as I have already stated. Let the season end, and let me see who's available, and I'll give you a couple of names.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 10:46 PM) Who is going to close the games next year. Give me a name. Just saying, it needs to be blown up. Sure thats easy. Who is his replacement. I don't know. Someone will be available. KW should have some starters to dangle around. As I said, I would need to know the return before dealing Jenks, who still is effective, but a guy who they run ads about boasting about his ability to throw a ball really hard. I'm very concerned. He reminds me of Bob James. They both threw very hard, both had some weight problems, and James went from great to horrible very quickly. I'd even think about making Vazquez a closer although I'm sure KW wouldn't consider it considering his salary. I'd think he could be excellent going 1 inning a night and cutting down on the number of different pitches he throws.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 10:35 PM) Well praytell, who should we put in if we get rid of Bobby. Trading him sure, teams would jump at it. But if you get frustrated with him, wait till his replacement toes with rubber. As I said above, I would wait until the offseason to trade him, or the Sox could lose 100 games the way the rest of the bullpen performs. The current bullpen is horrible. It needs to be blown up. I thought last year was bad. Considering Jenks has 20 less strikeouts in 5 2/3 less innings than his rookie year though, you would have to admit his stuff isn't as intimidating, and not on the curve you would find ideal.

QUOTE(max power @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 10:30 PM) It wasn't even like he got beat up out there either. A lucky fisted double and a high chopper single cost him. Sometimes luck isn't on your side. These things probably don't happen if he's got his good gas.

I'd trade him, but not until the offseason. He is one of only 2 or 3 guys in the bullpen that actually should be getting a major league check. As much as I know its useless to people who know better, its much better for the Sox to win 80-84 games this season than 70-75. The season tickebase is a house of cards IMO. A 90 win season and the so-called season ticket waiting list is long gone. There will be a lot of cancellations this year if no playoffs. But a team thats well below .500 could mean box office disaster. This offseason, if KW can acquire someone who can close or make someone a closer, I'm all for trading him, depending of course on the return. FWIW save percentage is a little overrated. Jenks probably leads the league in coming in with a 3 run lead. Shingo was 8 for 9 in saves when he lost his job.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:58 PM) totally especially since hes been one of the best closers in the league this season. But yeah, good point He has a lot of saves, but he hasn't been as dominating. His second half of 2006 wasn't very good. I hope we aren't seeing the beginning of a rerun. He never would have become the folk hero he became if he was throwing 93 in 2005.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:56 PM) The infielder that plays left misplays a ball he should of caught that. Listening to Hawk and DJ gush about him, you think everyone strives to be like him and Grinerstad.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:56 PM) Well in the last two off seasons, he has been quoted about getting in shape, and doing some weight lifting. If he is doing anything up top, benching or such he needs to cut it. You can really mess up your velocity by doing heavy lifting. Shouldn't the team be monitoring his every move? What ever happened to Allen Thomas?

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:54 PM) I love his current pitch speed just as much as I love your avatar. Paris told me its hot

QUOTE(greg775 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:54 PM) are we blowing the lead? i don't have it on tv here I'll give you a hint. Ozzie went to the bullpen.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2007 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:53 PM) I have to go back a while to remember a Sox bullpen this pathetic. I can't remember one ever.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:52 PM) It's sad to see Jenks turn into a slider/curve pitcher now. If you go back and watch the 2005 DVD, it's a completely different pitcher. The confrontation with Bagwell in the WS was epic. He was just throwing gas.

QUOTE(Linnwood @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) Awesome job Bobby. Does anyone think Bobby doesn't miss the 98-100 mph gas?

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) A high chopper, and the range of a mouse in a wheelchair over at 2nd and its a tie game. I've never seen a mouse in a wheelchair. I'm guessing they don't move so well.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 09:49 PM) What is this a picture of, the stands down the LF line at USCF prior to 2005?

QUOTE(29thandPoplar @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 07:07 PM) Can't disagree with you on that. Thome gets on base though, the White Sox usually end up getting, what, 5-6 hits vs. Bedard? Put Hall in for Pierzynski, he's a catcher. No wait, the Orioles have Brian Roberts and Hall can't throw. I am just saying why Guillen is doing what he's doing. AJ can't throw either. If Hall plays, Buerhle is a good one for him to catch because of his move. I think Toby would be in the line-up if he had a hit the last month or so. Of course it is hard to hit getting 2 ABs a week.

The White Sox are crying about losing their speed. Pods and Erstad. Have they not been paying attention the last several years? Why would it shock anyone they are injured? Its the reason they don't get huge contracts.

QUOTE(Soxfest @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 06:25 PM) Pods can stay on DL make it 60 days he will get hurt again anyway! It won't be long before he will get injured while on the DL. I see no conceivable way KW brings Barbaro (good one fathom) back next year. If he does, at any price, he should be looking for another job.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 06:22 PM) Do you suppose it's accurate to say that Jerry Owens is a poor man's Nook Logan? He's like a homeless man's Omar Moreno.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 2, 2007 -> 06:21 PM) I'd so rather see Sweeney up than Owens. I think he may actually turn into something eventually, but I certainly would rather see Sweeney up here than Owens again. Too bad the designated runner didn't fly with MLB. He's perfectly suited for that.