Special K

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:33 PM) I wouldn't touch Hamilton with a 10 foot pole. Way too much baggage, always good for a hot month and then a bunch of meh. He was AWFUL the last few months of last season too. Not to mention it's fair to ask how much damage he did to his body in his 20's. He could be a much "older" 31 if that makes any sense. The baggage argument is a terrible reason for not signing one of the best players in baseball. I hate to analogize other sports, but brandon marshall had a ton of "baggage" and he's been an mvp type player this year. Also, for someone who was "AWFUL" the last few months of the season he still managed to hit 43 HR, with a .930 ops. Hamilton's last 3 seasons have been incredible. He would be the best player to wear a sox uniform since Thomas. I would take him in a heartbeat.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 07:31 AM) I'm sure most of Soxtalk will hate him soon enough because he isn't the classic home run hitting 3B. My hope is that Morel is really healthy, can unlearn all of the bad habits he picked up trying to save his back, and can actually become a decent starter. Keppinger would be a platoon/super-sub type of guy, which would really be ideal for this team. Morel is the worst starting positional player I have seen on the Sox in the past decade. This includes a list of Josh Fields, Brian Anderson, Juan Pierre and I'm sure many others of whom I can't remember due to selective memory loss. That being said, this is a solid move; I am happy we did not overpay for Youkilis whose numbers I'm sure will not be overwhelmingly better. If we do end up signing AJ back, the question, in my opinion, is how do you significantly upgrade this team with seemingly all of the positions set right now. We could use Floyd as a trade chip, but what do we go after?

Saw the Red Sox are willing to deal Jacoby Elsbury on Mlbtraderumors... Given that he is coming of an injury plagued season, and given the fact that he is a free agent in 2014 and they just signed Victorino, I could believe it. Any chance the Sox could pry him away for Gavin and a reliever? Would the Sox even want to do that? Thoughts?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 13, 2012 -> 02:01 PM) +1. Dayan was a terrible 3B. He actually is a serviceable LF. Leave him where he is at. I'd rather see Morel or some random scrub signed to play 3B than to see Dayan there again. If nothing else, this is a team that needs its defense, as a lot of its pitchers pitch to contact, and not for strike outs. The fact that you would consider Morel there again troubles me. He may have been the worst starting position player for the Sox I have seen this past decade. I would rather give him a second shot at 3b. You would wave had the same assessment about him as a terrible LF before giving him a chance to play there.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 13, 2012 -> 01:49 PM) The Sox moved him off 3rd for a reason. Moving him back reeks of desperation. Usually moves of desperation fail. I hope this is not really being considered. Alternatives ideas?

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Nov 13, 2012 -> 12:24 PM) Because Cabrera was a triple crown winner who can't play defense at 3b. That's like comparing Andre the Giant to Peter Dinklage. There are no other realistic options at 3b besides resigning Youkilis who is expensive. Viciedo is extremely young and can learn the position of which he already has some experience. I'd rather see him move to 3rd and find a left fielder. OFs are much easier to find. I don't want to march some mediocre to most likely below mediocre bat with an average glove out there so everyone you can be comfortable in saying that we have a "true" 3rd baseman.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 2, 2012 -> 08:33 AM) Absolutely? Are you the Royals GM or something? Its all speculation. No one can speak in absolutes on this, unless you are telling us you have inside knowledge of the Royals high front office. And there are indications the Royals are dangling a position player or two for pitching, so... the only thing you can say absolutely is that it is possible. What are "the indications."

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 31, 2012 -> 03:37 PM) From all prior reports I had seen, it had seemed that Youkilis was a giant horse's ass off the field, so everything you say sounds about right. I don't know if I even want him back... not much was made of this but in the middle of an important stretch run in the last 2 weeks (i believe) youkilis missed 3 straight games due to the birth of his child. I understand 1 game, but come on, you got a job and it's the MOST IMPORTANT time to do your job. Not to mention you get paid $13M a year to do your job... No excuses and I don't want to hear any sympathy. Anyone else who tries to compare their job, please dont forget he gets significant off time while the season is over, which ended even earlier due in part to his absence from those games.

Is there any chance we get A-Rod or is this all pure speculation off of that article?

Wait... is trading him for Adrian Gonzalez no longer an option?

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 10:31 PM) Keep Reed at top of totem pole, but prioritize matchups. Do what is possible to prevent Reed from facing lefties in a 1 run ballgame. How many more games until Meyers $10 M option vests and what does it take to do so, simply close out one more game?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 18, 2012 -> 10:19 AM) There is no specific date, you just have to keep your eyes/ears open when it gets announced. Doing a quick Google search, in 2005 playoff tickets went on sale Sept. 15, but obviously that team was in a different position. Tigers playoff tickets actually went on sale last Thursday, so it just depends on the team. many thanks

Does anyone know when they will start selling playoff tickets? Not meaning go on Stubhub and buy a season ticket holders anticipated tickets.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 8, 2012 -> 10:05 PM) Dyson accidentally made contact to his face on a grounder last night. I'm sure greg will suggest a lie detector test for Dyson. Not only does Bruce Chen and Guthrie shut us down for 3 runs in 18 innings, these scumbag Royals knock our best player out of the game. It seems like every year the Sox choose some miserable team to get owned by. The past few years it has been KC or Baltimore. What is the explanation? Coincidence, dumb luck, ? I don't know but it always hurts us in the division. What makes it worse is that we just took 2 of 3 from the angels and swept Texas and took 2 of 3 earlier in the season. Guess I'm just venting.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Aug 6, 2012 -> 06:07 PM) I think it's ridiculous to make any concrete statements right now on the future of the White Sox. I doubt Kenny Williams knows much of anything right now - he probably will have a payroll in the area where it's at now, and he'll have a lot of key free agents so he'll have to see what salary he can clear to keep the pieces that are going to hit in free agency. He may prefer one player over another, but the market may dictate the cheaper option. A lot will happen here, and for players like Youkalis and Peavy, with their player options, we also can't rule out signing one or both to a 2 year deal before deciding on the options that gives them financial certainty in return for less money per year. Agreed. That article says nothing and winning changes everything. Not surprised it came from Boston also.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 30, 2012 -> 01:49 AM) Is amazing how much the Sox rotation has changed cause of stuff. Who would have thought Quintana, Sale, Liriano, Floyd, Peavy and Humber would be the rotation? And with Sale apparently needing rest even he will probably not finish the season. Wow. Is this just speculation that Sale won't finish the season? I think we're overreacting about Sale. The Sox are going to go with a 6 man rotation to give Sale more rest between starts, but I have not seen any indication he will miss time.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 29, 2012 -> 11:20 AM) The Twins scouts haven't been right very much recently. This was a salary dump and Escobar was the tallest midget they were offered. He strikes out more than 1 in 4 AB. Hits .159 against RHP with a .190 slugging pct. He's a back up at best, and the Twins, a last place team playing for nothing, are sending him to AAA. Please stop with the dramatics. He's an easily replaceable piece. Didn't the Twins recently switch back to their old GM whom typically got it right? I think they see something in Escobar. Also, I don't know much about Hernandez, but his numbers look pretty good. Why is he considered so expendable. I like the Liriano move, but I don't think we robbed the Twins blind. Liriano is a free agent at the end of the year, we are paying $2M remaining on his salary, and his numbers are not that impressive this year, although, he has been better as of late.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jul 26, 2012 -> 11:18 PM) Ricky is 29 here is last year and this year and career lines: Year G AB R H HR RBI BA OBP SLG OPS+ BB SO SB CS 2011 118 453 77 122 20 49 .269 .350 .468 120 50 107 9 2 2012 93 340 39 68 10 34 .200 .313 .350 77 50 114 7 0 Car 853 3206 562 800 119 348 .250 .350 .426 105 403 869 107 22 Best part is if we do in fact trade him to Milwaukee we can still root for him and watch him rather regularly. And drive up and see him in person whenever. Why does heyman say Gavin is out? Is he that out of the loop? http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heym...els-dodgers-etc

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 26, 2012 -> 03:37 PM) Chris Carter Michael Morse I think KW is a decent GM, but that's pretty brutal if that's who Kenny is hanging is hat on offensively. BTW, did he draft Rowand? Speaking of which, KW has also been a phenomenal GM at selling high on players. The only player that truly hurts that I can think of that KW let get away is Gio Gonzalez.

Roy Halladay

QUOTE (Special K @ Jul 18, 2012 -> 08:33 AM) Danks plays catch, says shoulder is making progress July 16, 2012, 6:12 pm BOSTON -- John Danks had a wide smile on his face Monday afternoon after he successfully played catch from 90 feet. The White Sox pitcher has been on the disabled list since May 20 with a left shoulder strain and hasn’t attempted to hide his frustration with his lack of progress. But Danks finally saw positive signs before the team’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox. Even though he’s uncertain what it means for his immediate future, Danks is just happy to finally receive good news. “I’m giddy right now and it’s still sore,” Danks said. “Just to go out there and throw and feel like we are making progress again, it’s definitely huge. I needed something positive to happen. It was getting kind of tough there for a little bit. I don’t know how much longer we have. But for sure we are moving in the right direction.” Danks couldn’t recall how long it had been since he had last played catch, but knew it was prior to the All-Star break. Though several MRIs have shown no structural damage to Danks’ left shoulder, his return has been halted several times even after long rest periods. For now, Danks will only look at the short-term. He plans to play catch at 90 feet again on Tuesday and, after he takes Wednesday off, hopes to move to 120 feet on Thursday. “I’m not ready to go and pitch tomorrow but you know, it was good,” Danks said. “It was sore in all the right places, which was good. I don’t know, do it again tomorrow. But it’s definitely kind of a relief to be out there and throw and actually feel the improvement for sure. … It’s all based on how I’m feeling. Definitely encouraged after today and tomorrow will tell us a lot.” http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago...mp;feedID=10338 Sorry old article. Thought that said the 18th, not 16th.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 02:31 PM) When he gets to the towel drill, I'll get excited. I hope he's OK, but I really wonder. Danks plays catch, says shoulder is making progress July 16, 2012, 6:12 pm BOSTON -- John Danks had a wide smile on his face Monday afternoon after he successfully played catch from 90 feet. The White Sox pitcher has been on the disabled list since May 20 with a left shoulder strain and hasn’t attempted to hide his frustration with his lack of progress. But Danks finally saw positive signs before the team’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox. Even though he’s uncertain what it means for his immediate future, Danks is just happy to finally receive good news. “I’m giddy right now and it’s still sore,” Danks said. “Just to go out there and throw and feel like we are making progress again, it’s definitely huge. I needed something positive to happen. It was getting kind of tough there for a little bit. I don’t know how much longer we have. But for sure we are moving in the right direction.” Danks couldn’t recall how long it had been since he had last played catch, but knew it was prior to the All-Star break. Though several MRIs have shown no structural damage to Danks’ left shoulder, his return has been halted several times even after long rest periods. For now, Danks will only look at the short-term. He plans to play catch at 90 feet again on Tuesday and, after he takes Wednesday off, hopes to move to 120 feet on Thursday. “I’m not ready to go and pitch tomorrow but you know, it was good,” Danks said. “It was sore in all the right places, which was good. I don’t know, do it again tomorrow. But it’s definitely kind of a relief to be out there and throw and actually feel the improvement for sure. … It’s all based on how I’m feeling. Definitely encouraged after today and tomorrow will tell us a lot.” http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago...mp;feedID=10338

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 09:38 PM) De Aza Youk Dunn Rios AJP PK Viciedo Alexei Beckham You put two high OBP guys in front of your hottest hitter. Konerko has a higher on base perct. Than both guys. That being said he's killing us as of late, I think he's hurt

QUOTE (northside sawx @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 06:02 PM) Long time lurker, 1st time poster: Shocked at how many of you would give up Viciedo for a 3 month rental. Tank is the future, he will be mashing homeruns long after PK14 and donkey are gone, hopefully for the pale hose. Unless its a blockbuster with a prospect or two coming back our way (severely unlikely), if I'm KW I'm laughing at other GMs insisting on Tank. I'm with this. Viciedo is in his first full year. You guys are nuts to even think about trading him for 3 mos. of Greinke. We could get a guy like Dempster for less, and I think the difference of 3 mos. would be minimal. Also, Dempster isn't a headcase.

What would it take to pry Johan Santana from the Mets, besides, obviously, the Mets falling out of contention. He's got a year left on his deal I believe. Sox could probably afford that since Peavy is coming off the books. I imagine we don't have the pieces for that, and he might have a no trade clause. Clearly this is all speculation.