Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 19, 2009 -> 09:02 PM) Are people willing to offer than and realize you have to trade at least one big contract to get that, and oh yeah, he might be playing the field? Can I ask how you know we'd have to trade a big contract in order to add one? I really don't have too much insight about the Sox's projected payroll for 2010. I just keep reading people's posts saying we're pretty much maxed out. I'm curious if people have heard something I haven't.

QUOTE (qwerty @ Oct 11, 2009 -> 12:54 AM) I am not the biggest believer that a certain position requires a certain amount of production... but... You simply do not dh a hitter as poor as podsednik or any player of his ilk for any signifigant amount of plate appearances. And this is the problem with Podsednik. He's just been too inconsistent offensively in his career to be relied on to be our DH. If I thought he could match his 2009 numbers in terms of OBP and SLG, while improving his baserunning a little bit, then I'd take him back in a heartbeat at a $5 million / 1 year deal to be our DH. Unfortunately, I see his AVG falling back in line with his career norms which woudl cripple any value he might have. Plus you know Ozzie would keep penciling him in the lineup day-in-day-out. I just don't see how Podsednik being our DH will work out again. Let's be happy he filled in nicely this year and move on to greener pastures.

That's a pretty good list, but I think a couple names are missing. Santos Rodriguez and David Holmberg are definitely top 25 prospects. I understand they are less advanced, but so is Upchurch and he made the list. Can I ask why Upchurch was selected over the two of them?

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Sep 24, 2009 -> 12:23 PM) And what do you mean there is no way Kenny would give up that much for someone? Kenny offered the farm for Miguel Cabrera but the Marlins took Detroit's offer. Kenny offered a s***load for Freddy Garcia when Freddy was in Seattle. Kenny gave up a boatload for Bartolo Colon and Carl Everett. Kenny has given up a lot of talent for lesser players than Adrian Gonzalez and he went all out trying to get another elite guy in Cabrera. If there is one GM in the game who isn't afraid to sell the farm it is Kenny Williams. Notice my username. First off, the farm system was much, much weaker when he was pursuing Cabrera. Second, KW gave up Rocky Biddle, Jeff Liefer and El Duque for Bartolo Colon. I would not call that a "boatload" of talent. Finally, who did he give up for Everett that was of so much value? KW has traded lots of s***ty minor leaguers in his time because that's all we had. Now, we finally have some nice prospects in our system. Trading the farm for one impact player would be completely irresponsible. I just can't comprehend giving up all the cost certainty that these young players offer. I love Adrian Gonzalez as much as the next guy, but he is not worth our top four prospects. Not when we are in the situation we are in.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Sep 23, 2009 -> 07:27 PM) OMG KW didnt reveal his plan on twitter and made some nonsensical remark, woe is me. Personally Im fine with this team if they make 0 additions. Please share your 25 man roster for 2010 then. I don't see how we could possibly have a strong enough offense and a deep enough pen without adding some talent.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 21, 2009 -> 07:49 PM) Who in the world would want Milton Bradley poisoning their team? Well something major has to be done to add some fire to the clubhouse. This team has absolutely no heart right now. I'm getting really sick of all these quiet/silent personalities we have. That's why Everett was so important in 05. He added a completely different element to the clubhouse. I'm not saying Bradley is the answer, but having a player with a little craziness could help mix things up. If the Cubs were willing to eat 75% of his contract, then I'd take a flier on him. Worst case scenario you release him if he starts causing problems and make Flowers your full-time DH.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 04:18 PM) Can he catch too? QUOTE (JPN366 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 04:45 PM) Yes, he can catch the ball at 1st, LF and RF. I think he meant play catcher (which I don't think he can). Marrero is definitely becoming an interesting prospect. He hasn't done enough to make me believe he will ever be a starter, but I really think he could become a great backup at LF, RF and 1B at the major league level. He seems to have the perfect blend of average and power you'd want in a corner bench player. I'm sure the Sox will keep a close eye on him because of his left-handed bat.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 08:25 AM) His numbers remind me a bit of Micah Schnurstein. And look where he's at now. A lot of things will have to go right for Loman to ever enter the prospect picture IMO.

I can't believe no one has listed this trade yet: El Duque, Rocky Biddle and Jeff Liefer for Bartolo Colon. KW completely fleeced Minaya with this trade. Definitely one of his best.

QUOTE (Pumpkin Escobar @ Aug 5, 2009 -> 09:54 AM) I know this thread is about Dye's extension but I have seen a few posts touching on Alexi. I'm all for bringing Dye back and letting him play RF/DH. Depending on what we find to replace Thome as a LH Power bat or Dye in Rf. I know the idea has been tossed around a lot with how well Beckham is playing but I don't think we should be looking into moving Alexi unless it is basically straight up for a very good MLB player. I think it is his 2nd year here and his first playing short. He is still learning the game a bit with regards to how it is played here and his defense, among other things I like to think will improve. He has a great contract, a world of talent and unless you're bringing back another beast - I just don't think he is worth moving. I’m in complete agreement with you on Alexei. I can’t believe how many people on this site want to get rid of him. I think a lot of people are just upset with his defense, but I feel like some are overvaluing our current middle infield depth. Alexei is already an above-average shortstop with all the tools needed to become an elite one. He’s under contract for the next two seasons at $1.1 million per and then will eligible for arbitration the following two. You don’t move Alexei unless you are getting back a young, inexpensive MLB player who fits another need. I’m talking about a guy like Matt Kemp for example. Otherwise, you at least hold on to him for the next two seasons while he’s still so cheap. I understand Chris Getz is a nice player, but you don’t move a cheap, talented player like Alexei to keep a ‘grinder’ in the lineup.

QUOTE (Pumpkin Escobar @ Aug 4, 2009 -> 11:08 AM) Crawford will command good players. 3 of them. One top 50 kind of prospect. Flowers is who I see it as. Then I'll say two arms in single-A with good upside. They dont have multiple years on his contract and if they dont deal him in the offseason, his value is only going to go down just that much mroe by the deadline. No way the Rays accept that package. It will take at least two top 100 prospects (one top 50) and possibly another high-upside guy to get him IMO. We're talking about two advanced players (AA/AAA) who will be able to contribute in the next two years. Something like Flowers and Hudson. The last guy would be probably need to be a high-upside arm like Leesman or Infante who's farther away from helping. I would not trade that kind of talent for one year of Crawford, especially with Mitchell in the system.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 09:11 AM) Lost in this walk off is going to be how great Beckham was defensively last night. I am in NYC so the YES network is showing the game over and over and over, and I dont think alot of people are going to remember how dominant he was in the early innings at 3B. Definitely, Beckham keeps looking better and better at 3B. Stone made a comment about this last night and it was right on the button. I really think our infield defense could be really solid these last two months. The outfield defense is another story.

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 05:35 PM) I would much rather trade Alexei, Poreda, Richard, Fields, and Shelby. Flowers is our catcher of the future, and he looks like he will be a good one. Imo, Hudson is our best pitching prospect in our system. Flowers and Hudson are both great prospects who have the talent to become above average major leaguers. Alexei is already an above average major league shortstop and Richard is showing signs of being at worse a solid left-handed back of the rotation starter. The value they add to the team not only from a production standpoint but also a cost certainty perspective is immense. Alexei and Richard have shown they won’t succumb to the pressures of playing for and against major league baseball teams. Flowers and Hudson simply have not. At this point in time, Alexei and Richard are more valuable to the team now and in the future than Flowers and Hudson. A couple years from now that could all change. Looking just at this season, trading Alexei and Richard for Halladay is counter-productive to trying to win it all. If you are going to try to improve your team by acquiring an impact player, you can’t trade important pieces off your major league roster unless you have the depth to replace it. Unfortunately, the Sox do not have solid replacements waiting in the wings so it makes much more sense to trade Flowers and Hudson IMO.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 04:05 PM) And if he walks a year from now, you will expect to get 2 picks as compensation. I don’t make this trade. The Sox are giving up too much for a guy who’s under contact for only one more season. I understand the picks are nice to have, but it will take several years for them to become valuable if at all. Plus you’re giving up two key pieces to our major-league team in Richard and Ramirez. Who replaces Alexei? Nix? That’s a huge drop-off offensively IMO. Not to mention you’ve traded away your best two options for a second left-hander in the pen come playoff time. If you’re serious about competing, then you need to acquire a legitimate 3B or SS to replace Alexei and a lefty for the pen. That’s going to cost us even more young talent. Considering how old our current core, it doesn’t seem like wise to trade it all. I’d make one last offer to the Blue Jays. Flowers, Poreda, Hudson and Fields for Halladay. That’s three of our top 5 prospects plus an intriguing throw-in. There is very little chance the Jays accept that trade, but I doubt they’ll get a better one. This Halladay situation reminds me of the Mark Teixeira scenario. Two deadlines ago, the Rangers had tons of leverage since Mark was locked up for another season and demanded a huge package for him. The Braves eventually gave their top 4 prospects to acquire him. The next season when the Braves faded out of contention, they traded Teixeira for Casey f***ing Kotchman. Texas played it smart by taking the best offer knowing Mark’s value would only decrease. If the Jays don’t move Halladay by tomorrow, I really think they’re going to regret it for a long time.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 01:56 PM) Would you guys do Richard/Poreda/Hudson/Flowers/Shelby (or Fields or Anderson) for Haren? Yes in a heartbeat. QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 02:48 PM) You let them pick any four players in the organization. Buehrle-Old Danks-Floyd-Quentin-Beckham are totally off the table. They want someone like Lexi, obviously the package changes a bit, but again, those five are totally off the table, everyone else is fair game for Haren, If you can have a 1-4 of Haren-Buehrle-Floyd-Danks(R-L-R-L) for the next two-three years, you make it happen. I might move Alexei in a package for Haren. In fact, he’s one of the few players in baseball I’d actually consider moving Alexei for. However, I would not make such a trade until after the season for two reasons. First, I don’t like our options at 3B if we lose Alexei and shift Beckham back to SS. Sure we could acquire someone, but it’s going to cost a lot to get someone of Alexei’s caliber who’s not a base-clogger at 3B. Second, I don’t like moving any significant major league pieces for Haren right now. He’s got a bad history of falling off in the 2nd half. That doesn’t automatically mean he won’t be successful with us, but there is still some inherent risk. If it only costs minor league talent, then I’m totally down with making the move now.

I can't believe he made this catch the same day my authentic Wise jersey got delivered!?!

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 09:11 PM) I think Buchholz is a bit overrated, and I wouldn't trade Gordon for him... but I'd definitely be tempted to trade Alexei for him (if the BoSox would agree to the deal). What is with you wanting to trading Alexei? He's a huge piece of our future. Also, his defense has been a lot better lately. He might just be the complete package at SS. KW should only trade him in a huge package.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) So this means we'll have Richard, Colon, and Torres all starting in the same week? Wow... And I bet we somehow go 2-1 in those three games.

No offense to all the haters, but this move makes sense for the time-being. Wise is our only lefty on the bench. Based on the current structure of the team, he holds more value than Anderson does both as a pinch-hitter and as a backup for Dye and Quentin against some righties. Additionally, Nix can play left field against tough lefties (moving Quentin to DH) further diminishing Anderson’s value. Yes, I would love to keep Anderson around for his defense, but there is no room for him at this time. And trust me I despise Wise just as much as the next guy. IMO, the real crime here is keeping Josh Fields on the 25 man roster. He can only play 3B (so can Nix) and 1B. He’s a right-handed hitter backing up right-handed hitters. He doesn’t bring any exceptional qualities as a bench player either. This team desperately needs a left-handed corner infielder who can also play some LF and possibly RF on the bench. If the Royals would take Fields and a low-level minor leaguer for Mark Teahan I’d do that in a heartbeat. He would get plenty of playing time between 1B, 3B, LF and RF and add a nice bat off the bench when not starting. Plus, then you could dump Wise and bring up Anderson again for defensive purposes. I don’t even care if it’s Teahan, but I’m fairly certain KW will add a guy like him. Hopefully with this s***ty economy, we can get a player like this fairly cheap.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 19, 2009 -> 02:05 PM) I like the idea that has been mentioned before on this board where the Sox work in another team in a Jenks deal. But still, dealing for Halladay now could definitely hurt us. With Allen gone, Flowers is our only 1B in the system IMO. Even though he's a catcher, he could be moved there, and with Phegley in the system and Flowers in Charlotte already that might end up happening. Dealing Flowers would then leave us with nothing after Paulie. Dealing Hudson and any pitching prospects is no problem for me because we're talking about Halladay. But that's not going to be enough either, and I don't like the idea of parting with Alexei, Floyd, Danks, or D2 (for reasons related to D1). What about: Sox trade: Bobby Jenks + cash to TB, Viciedo, Richard, any 3 eligible MiLB players except D2 or Flowers Sox get: Roy Halladay Rays trade: Reid Brignac, prospect(s) Rays get: Bobby Jenks, cash from Sox in '09 Jays trade: Roy Halladay Jays get: Reid Brignac + Rays prospect(s), Viciedo, Richard, 3 more Sox prospects That's probably not enough unless we include Flowers, but I wouldn't do that unless we got a 1B prospect back. If Kenny doesn't make the Allen deal and Flowers is added, and if the TB part is realistic, that would be very competitive package IMO. Are you really proposing trading 6 players for Halladay? One who is a major league closer worth probably 3 solid prospects. You're essentially trading 8 players for a year and a half of Halladay. Why are you so hell bent on gutting the system to acquire Halladay?

QUOTE (longshot7 @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 05:09 PM) Maybe I am crazy, but I'd trade Beckham. Straight up only tho - no one else. I wouldn't deal Beckham straight up for Halladay. Beckham is about as close to a guaranteed future star as you’re ever going to see. Six more seasons of Beckham for a total cost of roughly $20 million is insanely more valuable than a year and a half of Halladay.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 13, 2009 -> 12:42 PM) If Fields gets dealt, he'd be a good replacement for backup 3rd/1st/corner OF You're 100% correct. It would be great to have a left-handed corner infielder/outfielder on our bench. I don't see the value Fields provides when Konerko, Beckham, Dye and Quentin are all righties. However, I wouldn't trade much to get him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 04:36 PM) Brian Anderson's hitting over the last 1.5 months is the only bad sign Brian Anderson should care about. I don't disagree. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think we have to keep Wise over Anderson. We still need a lefty off the bench and he's essentially the only option when Getz is starting at 2B. I think it's very likely we'll see Brian get sent down when Quentin gets called up and possibly even sooner if they decide to go with Colon as the 6th starter.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 04:26 PM) Linebrink probably wouldn't go anywhere anyway. Who would take that contract? If someone would, I'd move him. I wouldn't care how absurd you or anyone else thought that move was. The fact is, in this economy, we can get a lot more out of $4-5M than Linebrink. Linebrink was market value when we signed him, but now it's a bad contract. I'm speaking as if we could deal him, which I'd try to do. Yes, I'd look at dealing Richard because I see him as a lefty reliever, and with Thornton and Poreda, we don't need 3 of them. Dotel gets us nothing beyond this year as it is. If the choice is Dotel for the rest of this year or no Dotel for the rest of this year and pieces for 2010 and beyond, then I choose to trade Dotel. The same reason I trade Dotel now is the same reason I don't trade for a short-term upgrade over Chris Getz right now. 6 roster moves? I'm talking about trading one player, trying to trade another, and then taking offers on a 3rd. Kenny brought in Pena for the future, and now our pen is packed with guys who will struggle to get work if the starters are going deep into games. If Richard loses his rotation spot and goes to the pen it becomes even more packed with guys who need work. And Poreda should stay where he is and up his workload, not go to the rotation. If we were able to unload Linebrink, then since we can take on salary, ideally I'd look for a veteran in the last year of his contract available in mostly a salary dump where we would give up negligible talent. I don't care if we'd get negligible talent from Linebrink as long as his contract was gone. Dotel would get us something nice, as would Richard, so I'm actually talking about adding value to the organization going forward even if it means weakening the pen as it stands. You talk about Carlos Torres' stuff being underwhelming, and by all accounts it is. And Poreda has a developing slider and a fastball, and that's not enough either. Richard has not been the answer. So, I don't know why trading Richard would make us so much worse off than we are now. I wouldn't trade him just to trade him, but I'd see what we could get for him. As for the 5th starter spot, maybe Colon or Freddy step up. Until then, and if we can't cheaply acquire a 5th starter, then I try Torres. If he doesn't work I try someone else. When we can, I'd skip the 5th spot. Like I said, I wasn’t trying to offend you. I just don’t think your idea is possible if we plan on contending. Here is my feedback. Now that we have Pena, I might let someone take Linebrink off our hand before the trading deadline. I would need to be certain that Pena can be an effective setup man in the AL this year. However, I doubt we find a buyer and if we do, he has to agree to go to that team. I don’t see it happening. I don’t like dealing Richard because I think he at worst has great value out of the bullpen later this season and hopefully as a starter by next. If we do make the playoffs, I’d love to have Thornton, Poreda and Richard coming from the left-side. They could cause a lot of problems for other teams late in games. You’re probably right that Dotel will get us nothing after this season. If we really want to compete this year, I still can’t see letting him go. He’s one of our best pure strikeout pitchers and there will certain situations that will call for him specifically. I also think KW will try to extend him to a minor discount in the off-season. If he doesn’t come to terms, he’ll let him walk for nothing. Here’s what I meant by six roster moves. We’ve already traded for Pena (1). You proposed trading Linebrink (2) and Dotel (3). By trading Richard (4a), I assumed you would be moving Poreda (4b) to the rotation. You want to trade for a cheaper, replacement reliever (5) as well as call up someone from our minor leagues (6). That’s an insane amount of activity, even if you keep Poreda in the pen. IMO, it seems extremely stupid when dealing with one of the best bullpens in baseball. I don’t disagree that we have a ton of guys that will need to get work. It’s now on Ozzie to use frequently and effectively. As for replacing Richard in the 5th sparter spot, I don’t think I ever want to see Colon pitch on this team again. I was at the game when he gave up like 5 or 6 home runs and I wanted to vomit just watching him. I haven’t heard any reports on Garcia so I won’t comment on him. I’m not saying Torres can’t make in the MLB either, I just have no reason to expect him to at this time. I wouldn’t be completely against giving him a chance, but I strongly feel Poreda deserves a shot first. I also agree that skipping the 5th starter spot as often as possible makes a lot of sense.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 04:25 PM) If Wise is starting in LF, that's gotta be a good sign in regards to Carlos, doesn't it? I think you're right. But it also might be a bad sign for Brian Anderson.