Dick Allen

I also remember KW leaking the info that they didn't like the way MO called a game after he was gone, after telling the media it was the hardest thing he ever did, telling him he was traded. He couldn't just leave it at we acquired an ace and had to give up a lot to get a lot. This article makes KW look bad IMO. He told Doug Melvin Carlos would be an All Star. Did he mention the transgressions listed in the article to Melvin. Cowley has the right to write what he wants, but I think its cowardly that he writes it when the player leaves town. And if all this stuff is true, and he was such a bad teammate, I think the rest of the team would be thrilled if this story was written during the season, when it occurred. He mentioned Carlos' statistical shortcomings, but never stated that the players coming back had even more.

Rowand is not going anywhere.

I just hope KW is not counting on Willie Harris to do anything next year. It ain't happening for Willie. When Dave Wills calls you out on the radio, you know you've got a problem. Wills usually sticks up for players when fans call his show after games. If he says something about Willie, that's good enough for me.

You're probably right.

But to pop off after the guy goes away makes Cowley look like a punk. If it wasn't fit to print when it happened, then it shouldn't be fit to print now. What is the purpose of this article? How many other players does Cowley consider assholes on the Sox? I'm sure there's a few. If they get traded away will we hear about them as well?

If this is true, and we have no reason to believe it is not, then why couldn't Cowley write about it when it happened? The timing on this is weak. Its going to bring out the people with conspiracy theories, who will think the Sox put Cowley up to this to ease the pr hit they may take.

Joe Cowley is currently fighting a life-threatening illness. You'd think he would have better use of his time than to rip a guy who was just traded. I also doubt Buerhle is too happy with his reference in the article. Maybe its entirely true, Terry Boers a couple of years ago said the Sox had 2 cancers on their team, Frank and Carlos, but Joe should have just left it alone. If it was a story worthy of being printed why was it written after Carlos was gone? That said, Joe is in my thoughts and prayers.

Santo was horrible with the Sox.

The last starting pitcher that went from actually pitching for the Cubs to the Sox was Jaime Navarro, I believe.

Hey, that's higher than our new lead off hitter's!

AJ is a good hitter. He was hitting under .200 at the end of April and wound up over .270. He hit over .300 each of his last 2 seasons in Minnesota, and led NL catchers in RBI last season. Pac Bell, now SBC Park is not a hitter's park.

He actually was beaned more than he was unintentionally walked each of the last 2 seasons. He gets on the opponents nerves, I love guys like this.

I think when it comes down to it Bowden won't give ELo 3 years. ELo was very happy here and may bite on an incentive laiden deal, maybe even a one year prove yourself deal. If not, back to the drawing board. I think it doesn't matter what starter the Sox get if they don't do something about the middle infield. If Uribe struggles or gets hurt, its Harris and Valdez right now. That is scary. Davis couldn't beat out Dan Wilson last year. He had a hot streak, but reverted back to the Ben Davis scouts know later on. Burke is a journeyman who has to be a back up, and nothing more. If Clement is going to get $9 million a year for 3 years, I'd rather it not be JR signing the checks. I think he will be a dissapointment, especially if he goes to the AL. If ELo was average, KW could still swing a trade at the deadline for a guy and only have to pay him for half the season.

It doesn't help when you are trying to make him part of the trade for one of the best pitchers in baseball that your manager refers to him as "my #5 starter"

Schoenweiss is going to command at least $2 million in arbitration, and Ben Davis $1.5. I say get AJ and kiss these 2 goodbye. Use the rest of the additional money from the CLee trade and what was available to sign Cabrerra. Forget Clement, he is too pricey for a guy who's best year is 2 over .500. See if Esteban wants to come back for a bargain price to be the 5th starter. He was the 5th starter at the beginning of 2003, maybe lightning can strike twice. You'll be over budget a little, but you would have a good team.

Exactly. As much as I dislike the job KW has done thusfar in his tenure, if he was able to make this trade, he would deserve a lifetime contract. It will never happen.

Its BS. Pods is not BB's type of player. The guy at wsi says its speculation by his cousin.

This is interesting. KW did say that Vizcaino was the "key" to the deal.

Maybe making room for the ptbnl

Sandy signed with Texas. Maybe they'll start trading for him every June instead of his brother.

Wasn't he supposed to go to the Yankees last season before he was hurt, but they backed off because they would have used him in the bullpen, and they thought he wouldn't have a good attitude about it?

I still think Shoenweiss is going to be non-tendered. There is no spot for him in the bullpen now, and coming off surgery to have to count on him in the 5th starter spot is a stretch. Besides, they already said they were going to get another starter, and Ozzie said the other day that Garland was the #5 starter. IIRC, Ben Davis is also eligible for arbitration. I think he will also be non tendered, and with the savings on both these guys the Sox sign Piersinski. Maybe I'm dreaming but I also think the Sox are going to get either Renteria, Cabrerra or Polanco, or trade for a very productive middle infielder. Right now if Uribe goes down that would leave a middle infield of Harris and Valdez. That's not good. Finally, I think JR will approve a budget busting signing or trade for another starter. The roster then would be good enough to win the AL Central, and maybe even more.

Steve Phillips was just on espnnews and he thinks the Sox have a couple of deals pending. He didn't mention any names but said they are looking to add power.

That and the fact KW said on WGN tonight that they make hold the money saved for mid season acquisitions (I still think they will acquire somebody) would make this potentially KW's worst deal. KW should have his job on the line with this deal. If it works out, sign him to an extension. If it blows up, show him the door.

Maybe KW has a 2 for 1 trade he's trying to get done. That's the only thing I could think of.