justBLAZE

and some more from Cowley: Josh Fields has requested to work out with Ozzie and Joey Cora starting in Jan. down in Miami. The goal is to improve his defense.

From Cowley: Guillen on the youth movement: "I'd rather be too young than too old. I can work with kids."

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 08:32 PM) He really doesn't anymore with the stockpile of 2nd basemen Williams has assembled. Furcal makes sense because of the HUGE hole still in CF. I'm not following, simply because Furcal is a SS and Alexei is playing SS for us this year. (If we believe what Kenny says) I'm fine with infield Konerko, Getz/Lilibridge, Alexei, Fields only if we invest in a true leadoff CF and SP, I'm not sure who's still available.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 09:23 AM) Guys, In Cuba, I did not have candies. In Cuba, I did not have good bread nor pastries. In Cuba, eating lobsters, crabs, shrimps is almost impossible. In Cuba, you do not eat beef steak often. Those are for tourists. In Cuba, I did not have ice creams any time I wanted it. In Cuba, I could not eat many things you have here. When we come to the states or other country, we eat things we have not eaten before or have not eaten in a while. Therefore, Viciedo just discovered lots of food he never seen before. Mexican, lebanese, moroccan, american, italian, peruvian, etc. I will be concern if after a few months, Viciedo keeps gaining weight. Enjoy what you have in USA. For those that burn your own flag expressing your freedoms and rights, I advise you to live in Cuba where we have little freedoms and rights. Even with the current Cuba situation, I will never burn my cuban flag. Tell that to Alexei! But I understand completely where you are coming from as my parents came from ex-soviet communist country, and tell me similar stories.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 08:26 PM) I don't know why anyone's surprised we are not going after Furcal. Alexei Ramirez is younger than Furcal and will be making little over $1 million for year to play that "premium" position for three more seasons. Alas, Alexei is not a leadoff hitter (at this point, and probably ever), but KW still has 2-3 months to work on CF and the rotation. I'm "pretty" convinced KW will actually go with Fields at 3B (at least to start the season) and our 2B-by-committee approach instead of trading away any of our top prospects for a one-year Roberts rental (theoretically with Type A draft pick compensation). The wild card in this entire situation is Viciedo, and the possible early breakthrough of Beckham as well. It's not that I'm surprised I just would love Furcal in our lineup, kinda playing GM here. Roberts makes sense but I don't think Orioles want anything from us for him, then again they don't know what they want.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 08:16 PM) According to his agent, we're not an option for Furcal http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8916168...winter-meetings You're ruining my Xmass. But seriously Chicago seems like a good fit for Furcal, he should definitely consider it, unless we really don't want him.

From Cowley: Dayan Viciedo has received his visa and will be heading to Chicago this week, according to agent Jamie Torres. He doesn't look that overweight in that video, I was positively surprised as I was expecting worse.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 10:43 PM) Since I'm lazier than s*** tonight, how old is Lillibridge? 25.

Baseball America updated White Sox top 10 prospects and now they placed Brent Lillibridge right above Chris Getz. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...008/267292.html

If it's a short-term (two years max) deal I like Bobby Abreu, or Raul Ibanez or let's just keep Dye for another year and unload on starting pitching. Long term I'll take Jeremy Hermida or Milton Bradley. No thanks to Dunn, Junior, or Rivera. Let's hope Kenny can make something happen here.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:42 AM) We need starting pitching more than we need Furcal or Abreu at this point. Or are you assuming the Dye deal has or will go through with this post? Yes, I already had Bailey penciled in as number 4 starter. If deal doesn't go through we should still shop for Furcal, Taveras and starting pitcher.

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 04:26 AM) Then what the hell are you doing spending your time on a message board? Just kiddin... I'm right there with ya. It's 4:30am and instead of continuing my studying for exams, I'm on Soxtalk. Something is not right about that. In regards to O-Cab not accepting arbitration, great news for us on the free agent market. Accepting would have been bad for both sides and he knew that. I didn't hate Cabrera as much as many seemed to, but I'm still glad he's gone. I want Furcal now. I know exactly what you're saying, I'm only on SoxTalk in between studying and this week I probably won't sleep much. Furcal, Taveras, Abreu and we can compete. My Christmas wishlist is very similar to SoxFan1

It would be awesome if someone figured out where our payroll stands as of right now, with the departure of Orlando Cabrera, and possibly Jermaine Dye. I'd do it but I'm so busy with finals and school I simply have no time!

10:06pm: Walt Jocketty on the report: "Wrong. It's not even close." The Reds haven't had talks with the Sox since before Thanksgiving. from MLBtraderumors.com

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2008 -> 10:58 PM) THANK QUENTIN! Care to explain?

Joe Cowley via twitter: cst_sox Reports are that Jermaine Dye has been traded to the Reds for pitcher Homer Bailey. Dye's agent hasn't heard and KW is remaining quiet.

C AJP 1B Paulie 2B HOLE 3B Fields/Viciedo SS Alexei LF HOLE CF HOLE RF Quentin DH Thome Rotation: Buehrle Danks Floyd Bailey CR/AP

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 6, 2008 -> 07:27 PM) How can we possibly be in on Furcal if we don't know if OC will accept arbitration? I mean, we COULD be a player there, but everything has been so public about his (Furcal's) viable options...how would it be possible for KW to stay totally under the radar? Lots of conflicting stories, that he turned down a solid offer for 3/$39, but then rumors that the other teams were balking at adding a fourth year and that a deal offering 4 years for $35-40 million was about the best he could possibly do. With Cabrera slated to make $9-11 million next season, I don't see how we're not at least waiting. As another Phil Rogers article that speculates about Cabrera's destination and competition amongst the remaining SS's for those teams, there aren't very many viable options left for OC. Maybe the Dodgers, maybe the A's, maybe the Twins. But do we see Minnesota signing anyone to a 2 year/$20 million contract as a FA? By the way, it also looks like the Twins are shopping Delmon Young, who would be a "cheaper" player most teams would probably prefer to one year (or maybe two) of Jermaine Dye for $23 million. I still there is no way Cabrera accepts arbitration and I think Kenny knows.

So does this mean, Alexei plays 2B ?

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 08:44 PM) Paul White of USA Today was on XM radio and he mentioned that the Sox and Brewers are in some heavy talks about Jenks... With our IF set who would the Sox be asking for from the Brewers RYAN BRAUN.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 4, 2008 -> 07:46 PM) When does OC have to decide to accept by? Is it this weekend? I believe its Sunday at midnight.

I think they are both bluffing. Cabrera says he will accept... he won't. Kenny says he will bench him... he won't if Ocab accepts.

If he comes back we have a SS and #2 hitter. Then trade for a Starting pitcher and leadoff CF.

So how do we know he didn't 'sign' with the MLB NETWORK?

per chicagowhitesox.com