Chombi

Yea that is what I have been getting at when I say competition. It's just scary how many of the fans in chicago seem to be writing him off before we have even seen him. He may be healthy, motivated, in great shape, developed an ephus...who knows. Let's be careful we don't fuel his fire more then it may already be.

Wow. I agree but I wasn't expecting that. haha. Good stuff. I love the passion.

Saw that the Drays are selling their first pick again. Why don't we get in on this? 100k? u serious? i'd pay it if KW would do it. Padres appear to have it.

It isn't that simple though. I'd love both but not at the cost. Also we are a restricted franchise. Acquiring those guys needs to be followed by others being moved and them being signed long-term or dealt as well. If getting them means Paulie or something can go for the restocking of our farm...do it. I'd bet the Mariners would jump all over us with a similar offer they have put out there for most players this offseason. 2, if not 3, of Morrow, Jones, Balentin and Clement. We aren't the Yanks and we don't have the right prospects it seems. So we can't afford guys we get and lots of times, can't get them. That is why it isnt simple.

Haha well I am wondering if my tickets were purchased yet. Usually my sister and brother-in-law get me sox fest and a room. Tell your buddy to hook up some sort of comp at the hotel since it's sounding like it may only be me and the hotel staff at Soxfest. Definately excited for it because the huge session with KW will be fun. Not to mention with no lines I can get some signatures other then Gene Hondo and Man-Soo Lee. I loved Man-Soo (prolly spelled it wrong as I say that I love the guy). True story. post 05 I was there and told him that I will be in KC opening weekend right next to the pen and I wanted the rosenbag that I had been asking for since high school. He claimed he'd give it to me. Sure as s***, I was right where I claimed to be but he wouldn't give me the bag. I think he recognized me though cuz he flipped the ball up at me and gave me a thumbs up. I asked if he knew and he said yea. I loved the guy. He played catch with like a 5 year old kid in the stands next to me for warmups. Nice guy. I miss him in our pen.

I do not want my opinion towards Willis to be misconstrued. I am not expecting much on him succeeding in the AL next season. What I am saying is that it is foolish to write this guy off because of one bad season where it clearly was a reflection of stuff. It's hard to just up and lose stuff at his age. Usually it can be fixed. If its health, mechanics or just pressure. These things can be fixed. I think we are making a mistake by expecting him to bomb instead of expecting a minimum of him settling somewhere between 06 and 07. No question our division is tough but we have seen weirded things than a Cy Young caliber arm regaining his form. This may have been more a product of switching leagues but take a look at Beckett a couple years back. He got bombed in Boston and rebounded with a Cy Young this season. Something to think about. I agree it was more of a dump but again, another parallel is the Lowell dump. He was something they used another player for him being dealt. Beckett we know in his case and Cabrera in Dontrelle's. That kind of thing is motivation sometimes and also being put on a contender with less pressure could help. Just don't rule him out yet and don't draft him for your fantasy team if you can avoid it.

So I should take the experts opinions who routinely pick the winners, don't they? We finished in 2nd in 04', just so I can refresh your history. We did it without Maggs for most of the season. Without Frank for the most part. Acquired Freddy and finally got rid of E.LO and the fluke he was, Scott Schoenweis, I think even Felix Diaz and Grilli started for us that season. We also lost 7 of 9 (I checked) to the Twins in the last 5 weeks. That was the division right there. We were within striking distance ain the middle of August. 2 games out I believe and got swept by the twins. They swept us again in September and finally won the first of 3 in the last week or 2 of the season. So from someone who watched the Sox be in it with all that against them. Make some interesting moves in season and out. Im soorry the dealing of Carlos Lee lost all this hope in our team. I mean the fact we were anticipating the return of Tank potentiall, JD, and Pods. I mean that shouldve just sent us into the s***ter right? Maggs was minor because his health was a big issue in 05. We finished in 2nd and had Maggs for like 40-50 games I recall. Dye, if healthy, wasn't going to be a big drop off from Maggs in 04 or even 03'. I bought into the Pods catalyst hype. Remember he was coming off an 03' where he had a like ridiculous .380 obp or something and in 04' his contact took a dip to try and give the Brewers more power. He also stole like 70 bases so to me...I was excited cuz we didnt need him to hit for power. We had a lot of question marks but most of those I had optimism towards. Maybe I shouldn't have but I was naive and a freshman who had nothing but high hopes and a desire to buy into my team because I couldn't stand the Cardinal fans whom I lived with. I was drinking the kool-aid big time. Also, I am fairly certain we may have been predicted to finish 4th several times. Furthering your ridiculous "experts" nonsense...How many of them picked us to finish 72-90 last season? I am not saying I expected us to win the World Series but I saw no reason why we couldnt beat the Twins. Cleveland wasn't ready and were picked to win that division or be close for years. And come on Detroit or KC? So you may be a casual fan to the extent where you need the columnists to make your mind up for you but I like to approach things the way I see them. It's not an uncommon thing. Try it, and you may want to check my history on some of that stuff. edit: O yah...I think Billy Koch and his dominance was our closer in 04'. The fact that team was over .500 with all those issues shows how bad the division was and how easily it could be had.

Hilarious. Thank you for that.

Wow. Just wow. Ok the problem isnt what he did last year. I pointed out his performance and more important his issues with his stuff. Next Prior was good and got hurt...a lot. Wood, sorry I have never bought into his hype. The guy k'd 20 guys as a rookie and he could never be looked at for anything less then Nolan Ryan in chicago following. He was decent. Not great. Outside of k's, he never put together a season near Willi's 05 campaign. Next, your fantasy team sums it up. You look at players based on numbers for fantasy baseball. And 2 years ago, his numbers outside of your precious wins...were pretty solid. sub 4 era. His whip was too high for me but I watched him and he was leaving the ball up a lot. His stuff hadn't hit the wall like it did last season but it didn't have the bite and he gave up a lot of homers I believe. I want to say like 20-30. That range. He just psyched himself out a lot and couldnt get that "out pitch" workin for him. Inturn he walked a lot of guys, hit a lot of guys and like I said...gave up some bombs. His k's were still good and he still threw well over 200 innings I think. So like I said...05' is out of the question as for being a bad season since he almost won the Cy Young. 06' showed some bad trends but it still all in all was a season ANY TEAM WOULD'VE GLADLY TAKEN. 07' was awful and there is more to it then just him suddenly becoming a bad pitcher. There is something wrong and it could be fixed for all we know. Last year is it. Say he has been for one year. not "years" because you're implying something that is totally false and clearly something you haven't looked into other then ur depression from selecting willis in the 2nd round of a fantasy draft and him underperforming by that standard.

How has Willis sucked for "Years"? Hae you followed the Marlins or are you just assuming he has because he isn't getting the same press as he once was? Maybe he has regressed a little prior to last season and then he imploded but he has not "sucked for years". 3 seasons ago he was final 2 for Cy Young. Should've won it IMO. 2 seasons ago he had a pretty good season despite his record. Name any team who wouldn't have taken that contribution he gave that season on their squad...I'd be shocked if you could name one. Last season I will give you. Bad season. His stuff was missing velocity and bite. Things to make you weary but it doesn't reflect his ability when it's on or he is full strength. Crede and Fields own the Tigers? Perhaps true but Josh Fields has had one season against them, hardly enough to make a solid case for and Crede is probably going to be gone. Then Jenks is only useful if we are winning and need him. So that whole statement is arbitrary.

Perez will win a spot. I love how he just gets the job done. Something to be said about guys like that.

I said this in another thread. We lost like 8 of 9 to the Twins down the stretch in 04'. Came in second in the division and had bad bad teams at the bottom in Detroit and KC. Going into 05' I am pretty sure a lot of people saw us as contenders to win the division. It's natural, we came in 2nd the previous year and made some good moves in the offseason. This is much different. We are one of those bad teams and Tigers basically took our role from 04. They finished behind Cleveland and made some great moves (better then ours) and have to be the frontrunners. We need to stop looking at this team for it's past success and look at it for what it is now. In 05 this team had better, younger stars, healthier players, and career years out of everyone. We stumbled in the 2nd half. 06 was the same deal and the team regressed and showed its aging a bit. All this time the other teams WERE IMPROVING. They could've knocked us off in 05' and maybe people would realize that it's not like we dominated wire to wire. We were not great in the 2nd half and really just caught fire in the playoffs. We also got some breaks. Now all those teams are younger, better, and hungrier. We are not. Why is he so confident you ask? Cuz he is obsessed with himself and what he accomplished. It was great, he will never be forgotten but he needs to move on and not be content. Look at Theo. He won in 04' and made moves. Beloved Pedro in no longer there. Millar is gone. Damon is gone. Several bullpen or rotation guys. He dealt for a great young arm Josh Beckett and got a gift in Mike Lowell. Sure he kept a few guys around but that team is a lot different. Had we approached business the same way, maybe this team would be in the same position. Our guys are somewhat older in some cases or if not older, they aren't the same caliber or players. He may be right, I'll give you that but his chances are like about 3% as opposed to the Tigers who I'd imagine have hurdled the Red Sox as favorites for the time being.

Anderson is a "mental midget".

That sums up my feelings. Especially the firesale should've occured in May or june and the Rick Hahn part. Quality. Not many other words able to describe that. I will probably print this out and bring it to SoxFest.

Why would they want Cabrera back for one? And we get less while giving up more? Paulie could get a lot more if we do it individually for prospects. Well the kendrick part is questionable I guess but the Angels would consider it I'd imagine. They have a lot of talent in the middle infield. Thome has a full NT clause I believe.

I dont think he expected to bring Garland back. I agree I don't think Cabrera was the right move but it helped us a little. His unwillingness to sign here is what will help us have him decline arbitration and get those 2 type A picks as opposed to 1 from JG. Without his whole plan working though, the deal isn't a good as before. He clearly jumped the gun on that one and I think the signing of Uribe prior to it kind of shows it.

This could be real bad for KW. IDk, I shouldn't speak for evberyone but it seems a lot of people are unhappy with him. Some were willing to wait until the season but even some of those have already given up hope. I'd assume it's prevelant in the media as well and calling them out as the goat here could spell disaster for him.

I can't wait for Soxfest. I am wondering if ticket sales have gone up since all this has occured. I wouldnt be surprised to see an 05-06 like Soxfest and watch people try to tear KW limb from limb.

It's cuz now he is feeling the heat. Fans and I would assume people tied to the organization went from...ok Kenny let's play this out and are now in some cases questioning his ability to gm. 05 was magical but not many places in the business world can you have a record year and follow it up with poor performances or letdowns. I think he may truly be upset but come on...rumors are what makes this time of year pass by. He needs to let it go and have a better, more realistic plan. Here is an idea...Firesale.

True but even Marshall, Gallager and more is a lot. Cedeno or Soto I have heard as other possible names. I am missing one other one but that is still a lot. Was Veal the other guy? Anyone know, I think that is accurate. A combination of the 3 of those 5 is a nice snag for Brian Roberts IMO. The Orioles can go sign a decent 2 bagger in tadahito and hardly miss a sub .500 beat.

Acquiring Bedard only to flip him may may work but it could also backfire. Idk why we just don't do a three-way and make sure it happens. Plus I have seen that the Blue Jays do not want to do the pitching for pitching deals anymore. We may be able to deal Bedard for Rios, or Bedard for Travis Snider and someother helpful things. Billy Koch anyone?

I've only seen Rolen for Capuano + Hall rumors today.

I really don't think that some poor pitching in the NL East is what gave him those numbers. The guy deserves the credit, don't spew crazy things like that unless you plan on showing some evidence that he is like 0-50 against Smoltz, Johan, Beckett, etc....That;s just crazy talk. The guy is a good. And idk if our pitching is better then other divisions anymore. If Johan goes. It's what Sabathia, Carmona, Buehrle, Javy and maybe Liriano? Tough to say it's better than Hamels, Smoltz, Hudson, Pedro of years past. Top to bottom maybe it's true but it's not the most logical thing I've heard. Too many elements and highly unlikely his numbers change to where that is even something that would make sense. Not to mention, Sabathia is gone by the break if they aren't contending. I don't get why Detroit's staff is being hated on so much though. Rogers is decent. Bonderman looked great for half of the season. Verlander pitched very well. Willis is a question mark but if he is healthy, idk how him being a 3 or 5 starter doesnt help him out a lot. RObertson is a decent guy as well. They may not have the dominant guy but they have 3 quality lefties and 2 overpowering righties? Plus a good pen.

Good points but it's a different place now. The division was anyone's for the taking. We had a solid core and were coming off a 2nd place finish. I believe we lost like 8 of 9 to the Twins in the last month or so as well and that was basically the division. I remember that season well. I remember leaving school early for opening day and even dosing off in the 8th inning only to wake up to Beltran hitting a walkoff i believe. Anyways, we made some good moves in hopes of creating a better team in 05'. IE the Gracia move. This division was lost like I said in head to head play down the stretch. We went for some vets and all that good stuff. Those moves reflected moves of a team on the verge of winning, not a team who is coming off a 90 loss season. The division is much stronger, as is essentially the whole AL, and although I do see some moves following the meetings; it's not the moves that make us happy unless they are moves that make us winners. Very very few moves can accomplish that at this point and I hope we have a similar amount of moves in the same time period this year. I just hope they're all moves that turn this team into a 50 mil payroll that is loaded with prospects and superb young talent. The edge is close for some. I personally jumped off in April but that's my pessimism. Moves like those won't do anything for this ballclub.

We had to make moves. We weren't winning with the core of Lee, Maggs, and Rowand regardless of inexperience. They had to go, especially once Ozzie arrived and wanted "his guys". Maggs got hurt and had Boras. Those two things don't really work out for us. His injury was bad enough where Boras wouldn't give us a legit look at his medical info or Boras just didn't want us to take him back. He had to go for the 14 mil price (big money at the time). Lee's deal helped us win a title. A case could be made that Pods was a huge part of that first half in 05' which carried us essentially through the season. We got far enough ahead where even with his injury in the second half we barely held on. Don't forget that bullpen help we got from Luis. Rowand went for Thome. Anderson is a bum and needs to go. Young got us a good innings guy to replace Freddy. Vaz also had tremendous upside which we saw this season. If the division wouldn't have just gone through the roof talent wise, and our team not completely folded offensively to start the season...maybe Javy's performance is more appreciated. I still say it's not that we dealt Young for Javy, it's that we could've dealt Anderson and that is what kills in retrospect. Sweeney I still hold out a little hope on but maybe it's time to assume that .370 ba in rookie ball or whatever was a fluke? That power hasn't come so maybe the Sox were still in the HGH era and expected that development? Just kidding. Borchard hit a ball on the concourse so his job as a White Sox player is complete. I couldn't have expected him to ever do more. Owens I don't quite think was in that category but he has sure do more in proving he belongs then some of those kids. I'd be very comfortable with him in CF if it means we don't sign Rowand.