caulfield12

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 08:03 PM) If the Sox were to trade Jenks, I doubt Thornton would be the closer. If they didn't acquire anyone, I think it would be Dotel. Don't laugh. For the majority of his outings in 2008 he was unhittable. For several he was meat. He hadn't pitched that much in several years. I think he'll be more consistent in 2009. With Poreda on the horizon and Contreras when and if he comes back moving to the bullpen, I think if KW can get a huge return, he would deal Jenks. There are too many things pointing against KW wanting to risk huge money on Jenks, who is suddenly going to start making money. Screw in the elbow, declining K rate, expanding waistline. While he still gets things done at a great clip, he seems to make it more interesting now. To get 3.5 years like he pitched out of a waiver claim and then turn that into a nice package before you really had to pay him anything isn't all bad. KW has done a good job getting rid of pitchers. The only one to really bite him in the ass was Foulke. Hawk always talks about how Ozzie might have had another WS title if Maggs and Frank stayed healthy in 2003. Ozzie may never have been the White Sox manager had Manuel had Foulke closing games instead of Koch for most of 2003 Are you sure you're not confusing years? Weren't Thomas and Ordonez out for most of 2004 and not 2003? I'm not sure...at one point around mid-season, after we'd chased down KC, we looked really good for about 2-3 weeks, but it's not like we were much over 10-15 games above .500. Maybe we had the most "talented" team in the majors then, but not the best overall. Cotts was getting some starts. Loiaza really wore down in the second half...and Colon was never really 100% motivated to pitch for us except when he felt like it. But yes, Koch was a huge issue, too. I don't think you can assume Contreras will come back into the bullpen...maybe. It seems with the way he prepares and needs time to get warmed up (like El Duque), it wouldn't be the best idea. Yeah, theoretically, his stuff would be even better over an inning or two. He could really let go of that fastball, and throwing everyday could actually have the affect of getting him not to overthrow the forkball. Then again, that forkball would lead to a lot of WP's in late-inning situations. As we know, he would be absolutely atrocious holding on runners. Then again, hard to be be worse than Gavin and Jenks in this area. Maybe it's something he could improve upon...but he's always had a pretty slow overall delivery to the plate, and that won't change, unless he fundamentally changes something with his delivery to compensate for the achilles', in which case he'll probably end up with an arm or shoulder problem and be done. Somebody mentioned Teixeira...haven't seen him pitch. I know Link did well but really isn't under any serious consideration internally. I think you have to look at Thornton, Dotel and Adam Russell. That's where I would begin the search at least.

The option for 2010 makes him a lot more attractive IMO. If he has a really good season and is basically injury-free, why wouldn't another team want to keep him? There are quite a few outfielders making more money that are much less productive than JD, and he comes with the added bonus of being great in the community, with kids and is a quiet/understated clubhouse leader/veteran presence. While Jenks, Buerhle and the Big 4 would be more valuable on the open market (maybe even Vazquez), I don't think we'll see him traded. KW knows that his leading the majors in homers since 2005 from his position gives him a net "plus" at that position every year. Unless he gets injured or his defense/range become so atrocious he's a problem, which certainly wasn't the case in 2008.

But they do get a bigger share of the pool (overall) if they're selling a higher percentage of caps than say, every team but the Yankees, Cubs and Red Sox? It's split exactly evenly? I can't remember. I do know they of course don't have to share the profits of merchandise/hats sold at US Cellular, but those in-stadium purchases now probably amount to a tiny overall percentage of the worldwide sales of White Sox hats/caps. It's a small world these days. I bought my last fitted New Era Sox cap in Hong Kong.

Brooks Boyer is salivating right now. Every time Obama is photographed wearing White Sox gear, it means purchases will be made in Africa, Asia, South America...all around the world, for those who see his presidency as a beacon of hope and fresh start for the US in the world again after 9/11. I wouldn't be surprised if the upswing meant additional millions over the next four-eight years in additional revenue streams...and even more and more rap stars, hip hop artists will be wearing Sox gear again. Just imagine all the young kids in Africa/Asia growing up with White Sox gear, like they have Michael Jordan jerseys now. Pretty cool.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Nov 6, 2008 -> 09:09 AM) Who is going to fix Penny's shoulder? Coop? Why Dr. James Andrews, of course. Or Dr. Frank Jobe.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 6, 2008 -> 12:27 AM) You worked for Arthur Marshall? That's cool. Nicest guy I worked with: Herschel Walker (he donated his own time to be a keynote speaker, flew down at his own cost to Augusta....) Worst: Tie, Deion Snaders and Michael Irvin Unexpected: Jose Guillen. He helped lead us (GreenJackets) the 1995 SAL Championship. He was already kind of a legend in the system in his teens because of his arm from RF. He could do everything but run well. He almost got kicked out of the system before he ever made it out of extended spring training and DSL ball. Not a bad guy at all, he wants to win, I got along with him really well because I was able to help him out a little bit and I speak Spanish.

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 5, 2008 -> 08:18 PM) His Facebook status... I worked for an African-American NFL football player (wide receiver from UGA who played for the Broncos and Giants from 92-97) and he was VERY much a Republican. Most of them wouldn't admit to not voting for Obama, but I would guess 75% of them vote Republican because the main issue they care about is taxes. Especially this last election, when Obama was very open/honest about taxing those in the $250K and above bracket at a higher rate. It would be interesting to see which players (NFL, NBA, MLB) voted, and for whom.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Nov 5, 2008 -> 11:22 PM) I think definitely replace Q with Swisher. Hopefully Q's learned his lesson with what happened. Other than that I love the intensity...just control the outbursts that could cause yourself and physical harm (thus hurting the team). But Swish...I think he mentally had his head so far up has arse with a lack of self-confidence...it effected his overall game. Another prime candidate...Logan. If everybody recalls at the beginning of the year he was lights out...had a few bad outings and it was all downhill from there. Logan's a good call...just not sure if KW and Ozzie have thrown in the towel with him yet. Still, he can be showcased in the spring. He's not Sean Tracey...lots of teams are on the lookout for lefties who throw 92-94 mph out of the pen. Brian Anderson and Josh Fields also come to mind. I think Josh lets things outside of his control get to him too much, and he really seems affected by the media and perception. Didn't Thornton go to a sports psychologist? MacDougal, with his arm and stuff, would be yet another candidate.

We would be lucky to get EITHER Kennedy/Hughes OR Cabrera for Konerko IMO. Konerko has to prove he's healthy for an entire season to get the package you're discussing. The Yankees know how important pitching is to their future, they're shedding Pavano and possibly Mussina, so they can't afford to deal guys like Kennedy or Hughes yet. It's just too soon to give up on them. I think many teams are looking at the two years and $20+ million and taking a wait and see attitude with Paulie...he's in his 30's now, the "degenerative" hip rumors have been there since the Cameron deal. The last 6 weeks made it easier to trade Konerko, but still not at his optimum value. The rib cage injury really messed him up, then the hand, then the knee...he was beaten up and he's rededicated himself to getting into better shape and working out earnestly for the first time in his big league career. I think we keep Paulie. Dye/Swisher are the more logical moves. Wouldn't it be funny if we traded Swisher/Konerko and Giambi ended up playing 1B for the Sox? I think the only thing more unlikely would be Wil Cordero, Julio Franco or Albert Belle coming back to the Sox at 1B/DH.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Nov 5, 2008 -> 05:11 PM) I don't think anybody's questioning Javy's stuff...I think they're questioning his mental fortitude. This year it was giving back runs the next inning or giving up a big inning...as well as not coming through in the big games. Last year was he'd have a meltdown in either the 5th or 6th inning and taxing the bullpen every outing. I think with Javy...it's just mental. I honestly think Kenny would be spending good money to have an onstaff sports psychologist with some of the guys on the roster. Like some have said...if the return is good...sure. But I wouldn't deal him just to deal him. See the following, Doctor. Konerko Quentin Vazquez Just to name the three most susceptible to fighting themselves. Maybe Swisher, too. And one for KW and Ozzie.

While we're at it, whatever happened to Leo Mazzone? Maybe his influence in ATL was overrated, because he didn't do very much to turn around those Baltimore hurlers (well, he did get some results from Bedard before he flaked out). Daniel Cabrera is another intimidating physical presence that would/could be a Cooper project...as long as he still has his 94-98 MPH fastball. I'm starting to think the White Sox should pay Cooper more than Guillen or Barack Obama. He seems to be responsible for fixing almost every problem with our pitchers, not only at the MLB level, but also our top pitching prospects.

QUOTE (scenario @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 09:12 PM) Nah... It's Liriano, Baker, Blackburn, Slowey, with Perkins last. In fact, the Twins skipped Perkins a couple of times late in the year. Blackburn was very shaky down the stretch as well...it was a "lesser of two evils argument" to see who they'd skip over the final week, and they moved back Perkins who waited about one week to start in the infamous Friday-Sunday series against the Royals that doomed the Twins' chances ultimately. Baker might end up being the best pitcher on that staff unless Liriano's 94-96 MPH heater comes back along with a high 80's (not lower 80's) slider. Slowey is what Matt Guerrier was supposed to be when he was coming up with the Sox...Greg Maddux-Lite. The problem with Wakefield is he doesn't seem overly concerned about earning a high salary. He took well below market value (for a "reliable" innings eater) to stay in Boston so they could spend their money in other areas. IMO, he will probably retire, that's what the indications are...who knows...maybe watching Haeger for the last 5 years and Charlie Hough before him, KW will get the idea to at least make an inquiry. Wakefield would be adequate I guess, in a Paul Byrdish way...and probably put up better numbers than C. Richard over a full season as a starter. That said, having Vazquez and Wakefield at the back of the rotation puts a little more pressure on Danks, Buehrle and Floyd. Overall, not the worse scenario (with Poreda also waiting in the wings), but there are better ones out there (I hope). Brad Penny was mentioned in the other section. I'd rather take a risk on fixing Penny than one year of Wakefield at US Cellular.

We need to find a bonafide High A/AA catching prospect to step in 2010 or 2011 for AJ...or at least take about 40% of the playing time and then become a regular the following season. Francisco Hernandez looks about as close as this guy. Might have more confidence in Merullo or Karkovice.

If the White Sox were to acquire Penny, imagine the expectations that would be set? LOL. Cooper will have him looking like Loaiza Version 2003 in no time (while simultaneously adding to Poreda's arsenal and nurturing Danks/Floyd/Richard). Everyone would be saying the White Sox POTENTIALLY have the best rotation in the game of baseball...

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 09:27 PM) The name of the game was to name better 4th starters, not to name better starters likely to be traded to the Sox Fine, but Slowey is the 3rd starter for the Twins, before Perkins and Blackburn. I would rank Saunders ahead of Weaver/Garland. You could argue that he was co-number 2 with E. Santana. Kershaw hasn't proven anything at all yet...Wellemeyer was released by the Royals not so long ago.

Tim Wakefield (he's more likely to retire than to pitch for the ChiSox) Andy Sonanstine (better, but more likely to get Edwin Jackson and what do we have to give up?) Kyle Davies (definitely not better than Javier) Kevin Slowey (MN would never trade him to us, but I would take him in a heartbeat) Rich Harden/Ryan Dempster (way too expensive) Todd Wellemeyer (mehhh) Joe Saunders (would be prohibitively expensive to acquire) Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers wouldn't dream of dealing him yet)

QUOTE (dww879 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) I read it this way as well. Seems that Kenny is trying to boost Poreda's trade value as he could in fact be the one being shopped. The sox already have two lefties in the rotation who will be around for a while, and another one who looked pretty decent in September in Richard. It's odd enough to have three lefties in a rotation, and I never have heard of having four. In other words I wouldn't be surprised if Poreda was a fifth starter next year, but I would be if it was for the sox. I don't think Clayton Richard and Poreda are comparable in any way in the front office's minds...we can't keep trading away our best prospects and not face a penalty with our payroll. Some of these young, pre-arbitration players (Anderson, Fields, Getz, Nix, Owens, Richard, Poreda, Broadway) have to start making a positive impact for the Sox. We got relatively lucky with Quentin, Alexei, Danks and Floyd, but we can't count on some many question marks breaking in a positive fashion every year. KW knows this as well as anyone.

QUOTE (striker62704 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) Kenny has never been a free agent type of GM. All of his moves are via the trade. So I don't see Frucal happening. Free Agent Signings: Dotel Linebrink Ramirez Dye Pierzynski Hall Trades: Thome Quentin Swisher Cabrera Thornton MacDougal Freddy Garcia Vazquez Danks Floyd Contreras Griffey David Wells?

Ward, the Sox's hitting coach for two years before he was replaced by Greg Walker, will join Chambliss' staff in a similar capacity. Ever Magallanes left the Los Angeles Angels' organization to join the White Sox as their Double-A manager at Birmingham. Magallanes, 42, was the Arizona League manager of the year in 2006, directed Class-A Cedar Rapids to the 2007 Midwest League title and managed at Class-A Rancho Cuamonga of the California League last summer. Magallanes replaces Carlos Subero, who is now the Class-A manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Inland Empire affiliate in the California League. The new managers at the Class-A levels are Joe McEwing (Winston-Salem) and Ernie Young (Kannapolis). Ryan Newman left the Detroit organization to become the manager at Advanced Rookie-Bristol. McEwing was the Sox's hitting coach at Charlotte last year. Former Cincinnati second baseman Ron Oester joins the Sox’s organization as its infield instructor. Oester takes over for Manny Trillo, who will become the organization’s bunting/base running coordinator. Former Bristol manager Bobby Thigpen takes over as pitching coach at Winston-Salem. Hitting coaches Greg Briley (Winston-Salem) and Omedo Saenz (Advanced Rookie-Great Falls) are joining the Sox’s organization for the first time. Saenz will assist manager Chris Cron, who steered Great Falls to the 2008 Pioneer League title. Bombard, Subero and Winston-Salem manager Tim Blackwell were informed two months ago that they wouldn't be retained. Kannapolis manager Chris Jones was released in July. Well, we've gone through similar situations with Razor Shines and Wally Backman...we have no idea what was going on behind the scenes. There's often a conflict between managers' desires to win/build their resumes and their willingness to develop/incubate talent. This is especially true in organizations that our rebuilding their minor league systems or don't have a winning tradition at the major league level (like TB before this year). What I was struck by was how many former White Sox connections there are: Bobby Thigpen Cron Omedo Saenz (what next, Eddie Pearson or Mario Valdez?) Ernie Young was in our system a couple of years ago...once an A's prospect Ever Magallanes McEwing...if there was EVER a grinder in MLB, he's the definition, a little of his attitude couldn't hurt, he was once LaRussa's favorite player I think it's a good thing we are getting some more Hispanic instructors...now, hopefully, we'll actually get some more talent from the Dominican and Venezuela. The results have been mixed so far with Silverio and Jose Martinez, I won't even mention Anderson Gomes, an internet legend who never was, kind of like Toe Nash. Agree Ward will never set foot in Chicago again while KW is around. This was a Bell decision 100%, although I am sure KW was notified and could have nixed it...Chambliss brings a lot of experience, and he could be waiting in the wings to replace Walker if the team goes in the tank offensively again.

I don't think we'll see Garland back here again...and I'm not so certain he won't get more than $9 million per season and more than three years...we'll see. He's still an incredibly young (and up until this point) durable/reliable pitcher, in a similar way to Vazquez, but with a much better post-season record. Maybe he'll end up with the Giants, Padres, Dodgers, D-Backs, Rockies, Mariners...just have the sense he wants to stay close to the Left Coast. Then again, the Yankees or Mets come calling and pack your bags, it's off to Gotham City. But I don't see him really desiring to play in a place like NY, Boston or Philadelphia and dealing with the writers' persistent questions.

As with Griffey and Konerko in the first half, you really have to give Fields at least ONE more chance before you ditch him at near rock-bottom value. The guy projected to a mid 30's homer season if he played more than 100 games two years ago. That's not shabby. And, most importantly, his contract/youth makes him a player who has to succeed unless we want a $135-150 million payroll, which isn't very realistic. Anyone who's played baseball knows that your knee (especially plant or back leg) being messed up, your wrists, your hips, your ribcage (pulled rib muscles are the worst in the world for an athlete in a sport like baseball, basketball, tennis or golf) is vitally important to having a "power" swing...see Griffey/Konerko 2008...and I think they will at least give him another chance to win the job in spring training. Might be wrong, but I think KW would prefer to roll the dice with Fields and Nix/Getz than with Anderson/Owens and having no leadoff hitter against LH pitchers (certainly BA is never going to be a leadoff hitter...and there are huge doubts about his ability to be an everyday player, at least in Chicago).

He pitched about as well as any of the Sox pitchers this post-season (Dotel looked good, too)...he certainly had a couple of pretty good starts that gives SOME hope for the guy, he didn't get completely blasted and disappear into oblivion like Arnie Munoz. I think of him as Mike Porzio or Josh Stewart with better stuff, lol.

This whole idea of picking up draft picks all over the place is all fine and good, but it has never really been a key consideration (previously) because we were always "reloading" on the run and have never really taken the time to try to build depth for 2-3 years down the line, always trying to win it all each year...maybe he's starting to realize (KW) that the depth from the picks (if they are utilized by the scouting department and the money's there to sign them) gives him more ammunition to make moves for player like Roberts and Beltre, etc. We aren't that far off...if only Borchard had become a reliable player, we'd have a powerful LH bat in the middle of the line-up to go with Josh Fields and Chris Young...at least 60-65% of our problems would have been solved.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Nov 1, 2008 -> 03:56 PM) I've seen too many old washed up players in a Sox uniform to be all feel good happy about Griffey wearing it. Ron Santo, George Foster, Rocky Colavito, Steve Carlton, to name just a few. Bo Jackson Tom Seaver (although he gave us some productive years) Roberto Alomar Sandy Alomar Steve Sax Cory Snyder David Wells

In which case, KW would probably ask for some kind of verbal/gentleman's (if such a word is possible with that slimeball) agreement (like the option year on Thome being covered by Gillick...handshake deal) on an extension to be announced shortly after the trade, not unlike the Garcia midseason move. Otherwise, no deal...or the talent we give up is markedly different considering he would likely be just a one year rental or band-aid for the new hole at 3B.