caulfield12

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 11:12 PM) Why on Earth would you rather have a $13 million 38.5-year-old injury-prone DH instead of a solid leadoff hitter who can hit for average, steal 40 bases a season, and play 3B (among several other positions). Jesus, we already have Dye, Quentin and Konerko in the middle of the lineup. Do we really need another slugger? And you DO realize that we're going to need a third basemen next season, right? And that we're talking about actual Major League Baseball here, where defense and manufacturing runs matters? This isn't a fantasy team. I'm happy as hell that Thome's still productive and healthy. All the more reason to deal him in the off-season, when he'll still have trade value. Look at how Frank's numbers have fallen off the table over the past couple of years. Do you want Thome having a Frank-like season next year and sucking up $13 million of our payroll? Call me crazy, but I'd rather go with the player in the prime of his career who addresses not one, but TWO of this team's needs. Agreed...it doesn't make sense to pay $13 million to a DH. When we were receiving that $22 something million subsidy from the Phillies, it was much more manageable from an economics standpoint. It's simply more logical to put millions of dollars into improving the overall team speed and defense, pitching (relief and 5th starter) and up-the-middle position players than spending money on DH's, corner infielders and corner outfielders. It's the "Hatteberg/Youkilis" theory. It's a lot easier to buy comparable production at "discount" prices at DH/1B than it is to find true difference makers (offensively or defensively) at SS, 2B, C and CF. With Dye, Quentin and Konerko, we have enough power in the middle of the order. Of course, the big assumption there is that Konerko is 100% coming into next year's campaign.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Aug 16, 2008 -> 03:46 PM) Hey everyone, new poster here, but I've been lurking since 2007. Anyway, if the Sox can get Ty Wigginton, that'd be great. I think Ty Wigginton is exactly the type of flexible player the White Sox needs. He'd be our version of Mark DeRosa. I know he's not a free agent until 2009, but if Kenny can swing some sort of trade or just sign him as a free agent after the 2009 season, then that'd be awesome. Ty Wigginton can play multiple positions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Left field, and I believe his regular position is 3rd base. I've also had him on my fantasy baseball teams since 2006, and I'd be stoked if the Sox can get him. In fact, in the past month alone, Ty Wigginton had 23 hits in 69 at-bats, scored 13 runs, 6 homers, 16 rbi's and had .333 average. Getting someone like Wigginton would give the Sox the extreme flexibility they would need, and it would be nice if the Sox can either sign Uribe as a super-utility guy for shortstop, 2nd, and 3rd, or just let Fields play 3rd while Wigginton plays other positions to give other guys a day off. Wigginton would be something of a Herbert "Milkman" Perry-esque "bridge" player to whoever ends up being the long-term solution at 3rd base for the Sox, whether it's Fields, Beckham, a FA with a long-term deal, etc.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 07:11 PM) Beckham could help the Barons in the playoffs. It would be better than Valido. It's not a bad idea at all...of course, he has experience in the CWS, but any development and assessment we can do with his game (Sox minor leagues) before February 09 is going to be extremely beneficial to KW in terms of updating the 3-5 year plan for this organization on his "big board."

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 02:40 PM) That is absolutely disgusting "Happy endings" and now this in one week, what's next? I was kind of laughing about that, because in Thailand and the Philippines (where I have been living and teaching this year), it's hard to find a massage place that doesn't offer "additional services" as they call it here.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 02:37 PM) We were spoiled...Juan is the best defensive SS in baseball. I'm not sure I would go that far...but definitely top five. He always looks a bit unorthodox with the way he catches the ball to the side...and he doesn't have superior range when he's a bit heavy, but that arm (just like with Jose Valentin) makes up for a lot of things. When you look at it, we should have the best infield defense in the majors with Swisher at 1B and three SS's playing the left side of the diamond. Ramirez has made some silly mistakes in the last month, but he makes some simply incredible plays and Uribe has saved countless runs since Crede went down...and they were "big," momentum changing plays like Crede made in 05 in the post-season. Why didn't Riggleman use Putz yesterday when that game was tied in the bottom of the 9th...too late now! Well, maybe they can get Nathan for 2, but I'm not counting on it. At least they'll face Oakland with a sense of unease, as they were really lucky to hold on these last two games. We just have to hope Justin D. can sneak out of there with at least one victory. Maybe they can start Ziegler???

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 02:26 PM) Guerrier's the one who's been awful. Nathan has been amazing, while Reyes, Crain and Breslow have been very good lately. Bonser might be getting close to being sent down or DFA'ed. Bass is similarly horrible. Guerrier's wearing down from overuse. Breslow...guy has an Ivy League education, somehow he slipped into the Twins' hands, I think he was picked up on waivers or via a small trade. Crain has lost (or not regained) his 94-96 MPH heater after his injury (reminds me of Howry's comeback)...he has had a lot of problems recently. Gardenhire has been moving him up and down (like Zumaya or Carrasco) trying to find the best places to use him in the game. It's not a surprise they were interesting in Hawkins. 10-8 now. Reyes gave up a hit to Ichiro. 1st and 2nd, one out, only down by 2. I doubt they can come back twice against Nathan in 2 weeks, but anything is possible.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 01:59 PM) Well I'll comment on this thread a little later, but I want to add that I and the rest of the mods/admins are always here if people have concerns or have ideas to make things better. What I said about not interacting with the moderators, I meant that in a positive way, actually. Mods should be like "referees" or "umpires," if they're doing a good job, you don't notice them. However, if the mods are there just to praise themselves, to pat themselves on the back or to put down posters they disagree with...it takes away from any website IMO. Of course, most websites are "private property" and inevitably "freedom of speech" issues come up...I just feel a lot more comfortable and at ease here compared to wsi. Boards fluctuate in activity all the time, based on the time of year, if it's the weekend, the opponent in that particular game...whether school is in session or not. I think there are more young posters here (compared to WSI), and August is everyone's vacation month, before school/university starts again. There are some posters over there that have a tremendous knowledge of Sox past and history, like Mark L. That guy is everywhere...when I read game stories at chicagosports.com, inevitably the postgame threads include one of his quotes. I do like a lot of the posters over there, they're very knowledgeable, I just have issues with the way the site is administered. Of course, it's a "free world" and it's all about competition and supply and demand...when things tilt too much in one direction...they will inevitably shift back and more posters will be here. It's cyclical.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 01:56 PM) I remember Sports Illustrated saying that Munoz was the talk of Winter League with his Zito-esque curve. Other examples are Jon Adkins' and Nick Masset's 95-98 MPH heat and Anderson Gomes' amazing speed and athleticism.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 01:50 PM) Am I the only in the gamethread? lol. you've apparently scared all the other gamethread posters to wsi, lol just kidding

Arnie Munoz also was "famous" in the Sox organization for having the "wipeout" curve. Sometimes I laugh, or Dewon Day's amazing slider...or Willie Harris is a miniature Ray Durham. In this case, Gio is Barry Zito with a better fastball. Well, we shall see. He pitched very well his last time out. Also, there's a big difference pitching for the White Sox in the second half of 2007 versus 2008. I guess we will never know how Gio would have done in the heat of a pennant race, because it seems Oakland will be forever rebuilding and deconstructing.

QUOTE (MAX @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 01:38 PM) I tried to go to WSI when I got suspended here and felt it was unfair. I hated it. Disagree with a mod there and they'll have a heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack and delete your posts. It's not only that, it's the "private messages" and threatening to ban you or "warnings" that are so ridiculous. I am the same poster I was there, yet I've never really had a problem with another post or mod here, I have had no interaction with them at all. Maybe because the mods there are so overly active or hyper, that's why the site seems so active, I'm not sure. All I know is that my friend and I are both lifelong Sox fans and we couldn't survive there for very long. When I tried to defend my friend from attack, then I was also deemed a "Public Enemy," lol. I also bet the post-game threads are longer over there for a White Sox loss than for a win...it's the nature of the messageboard/blog world.

The most likely scenario was Washburn for Poreda and a boatload of cash. I think after the Vazquez deal, and the fact that we would be giving up our only pitching prospect with a chance to be a 1-3 starter, and a lefthander who throws in the mid 90's and sometimes better...that really wasn't a good option for KW. He took a lot of flak for Young's 2007 season...while Rome was burning in Chicago simultaneously. I can see another Phil Rogers column (after Young's offensive resurgence) if Vazquez fades down the stretch, because we still don't have a good CFer, and because Swisher has been a disappointment.

The Twins' starters are wearing down, almost none of them are used to pitching 175-200 innings in a season consistently. I really was looking forward to seeing Swisher try to get "revenge" on Gonzalez, lol. Scared with Griffey in that huge CF. Seems like an injury waiting to happen...he should at least know the outfield there, after playing so many games against OAK in the AL West. Are the Red Sox coming back to the White Sox? I hate to think too much about the WC, but we have to consider the possibility...we're only 1 game back, 1/2 if we get the win today.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 11:46 AM) uh, the Twins would have made that deal for Bonser if the M's were paying for his salary. Outside of 2006, when he was OK, he's been an absolutely terrible pitcher and it's gotten worse over the past year. I would say the M's wanted Blackburn if they paid most if not all of Washburn's entire salary or Bonser if they did not, and the Twins didn't need/want Washburn that badly. Well...yes, of course...I guess I wasn't clear enough. Bonser has become something of a cross between Homer Bailey/Phil Hughes/Gavin Floyd and Kyle Lohse/Matt Garza. For many reasons, the Twins are frustrated with him, but they also realize he provides added depth...and they can see the results in TB with Garza (who had the reputation of something of a headcase and clubhouse problem) and Bartlett. I don't know if I would clearly/obviously pick Blackburn over Slowey or Perkins, they seem pretty interchangeable, with Baker appearing to have the best long-term potential of the young pitchers over there. I guess Blackburn has better stuff than Slowey, but perhaps not as good as Perkins. Teams are always more hesitant to deal young LH pitching. I still think D. Young might end up being the better player over the long haul, but, once again, pitching/defense trumps offense. It's one of the reasons the Rays are so mysteriously and quietly dominant this year with essentially the same offense as 07.

It's all about personal preference. I tried posting there a couple of times but it sometimes seemed the moderators there will attack you and enlist surrogates to attack in packs if you disagree with anything they say. I never liked the feeling that I had to agree with posters or I would be threatened/banned/exiled. I remember saying it was kind of like the Gestapo (of course, that went over well!)...so I asked to be banned because there are other places (like here or even the mess that is the official website) for Sox fans to post. I also think there were a ton of bandwagon fans that were around in 05 and 06 and disappeared after last year...they're still skeptical and waiting for the other shoe to drop wit this year's team. Realistically, you also have to look at the Cubs' resurgence and the fact many of those "marginal" fans probably have jumped over to that bandwagon. But hey, it's okay with me, there are still enough interesting/intelligent posters that it's worthwhile. I also noticed on their gamethreads over there that anyone who was critical (I remember the second half of 06 specifically) and wasn't believing that the White Sox were still the greatest team in the world and were going to somehow rally when they looked dead were always attacked as being "Dark Clouds" or whatever. Well, I'm a realist/pragmatist and sometimes, Sox fans have a way of whining/griping, maybe it's just our nature and also because we tend to have a chip on our shoulder/s, whether it's about the South Side's "reputation," the "dominance" of the Cubs' brand name, the more whole "blue collar" versus "white collar" thing, not sure what it is. Just my thoughts.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 14, 2008 -> 11:54 AM) Yeah, I call BS on that story. I don't know of many contenders who need pitching that wouldn't pay $2 million for Byrd's services down the stretch. Especially since the Yankees were already in the running for Washburn. Other players who've been caught purchasing PEDs aren't exactly getting black-balled around the league. Juan Rincon of the Twins got another job right away with an AL Central rival...I don't think it's the PED, it's probably more about not wanting to help another AL Central team, and the possibility he might end up staying in Minnesota/Chicago and coming back to the haunt the Indians. I guess there's any number of theories out there. I know with Washburn, the M's wanted back talent...and they were willing to subsidize his contract, like the Phils did with Thome. By the way, has anyone heard anything at all about a possible Crede return to the Charlotte line-up? I was glancing at wsi and there seems to be a lot of speculation that Crede is rehabbing expressly with the idea of coming back for next year (and getting a big FA deal) and not for the White Sox the final six weeks. I guess this makes a bit of sense, but I'm not sure how NOT playing or proving he can play after having yet another setback would possibly increase his value around the league? Maybe Boras thinks it's better not to risk something more catastrophic and that he convince another team (like the Tigers did with Ordonez) with a Top 10 budget to go out on a limb and sign him to a 3 year deal. Strange to think Joe's more concerned with his FA status than the White Sox, although how much of this is the truth and how much is speculation, I have no idea. Obviously the White Sox have been doing "okay" without him so far and are missing Linebrink and Contreras (healthy) a bit more than Joe.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 17, 2008 -> 09:56 AM) Possibly his PED use? Kenny tends to avoid those players (although we did have Canseco on our squad for a little while several seasons ago). I'm wondering if Shapiro told Kenny and Bill Smith off the record that he wouldn't agree to a deal with a divisional opponent off the record beforehand. The worst "character" guys I can remember us taking on were probably Wil Cordero and Belle. Although there were a ton of rumors about problems in the clubhouse with Royce Clayton and Lofton, and that they were a bad influence on Carlos Lee.

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/christ...n-negotiations/ Story about the Twins' attempted acquisition of Washburn...M's wanted to subsidize the contract and get back Blackburn and/or Bonser

Thanks for not using Putz. Putting in Miguel Batista is about as good as giving them the game.

Thornton has been used a lot and supposedly his back is hurting. Statistically, we have one of the best closers in the game. If we don't see Jenks to start the 9th, it will be a the biggest shocker this season, and there have been a few.

The M's better score in the top of the 9th...because Mauer, Morneau and D. Young are batting in the bottom of the 9th. I wonder if Gardenhire will go with Nathan here? He still has Guerrier and Reyes to use...but Guerrier has been REALLY shaky recently.

QUOTE (Cerbaho-WG @ Aug 16, 2008 -> 04:33 PM) Seattle blows it, nothing new. Not only that, but they had to throw through to the plate, allowing the winning run to get to 2nd. Dumb play.

Why aren't Thome or AJ pinch-hitting here for Hall? I think Toby has a couple of hits, BUT...we could use another run for insurance with Dotel and the fact that we're in Oakland. I guess we'll see Thornton with Cust/Barton...2/3 lefties. Please don't overmanage, put in Thornton/Dotel/Ramirez and make it a 20 minute inning.

Please put Anderson in CF and Swisher at 1B. Thank you.

QUOTE (tommy @ Aug 16, 2008 -> 04:17 PM) Paulie is 4 for 8 with 2 HR vs the pitcher. Casilla was throwing 97 MPH with a low 90's slider. There's no reason to take him out against Griffey...there's no way he gets around on that type of heat. Then he could have left Casilla in to get out Konerko. Kind of a weird set of decisions there, but I guess it worked.