DBAHO Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 I think this is the article that got every1 so worked up about us gettin Estes. General manager Ken Williams will head south this week in an attempt to move the White Sox up in the standings, and he is ready to deal at a moment's notice. With the winter meetings set to kick off Friday in New Orleans, Williams is prepared to consummate a transaction at the airport, at his hotel, in a room full of baseball executives or on Bourbon Street. It isn't so much that a number of other teams already have added key components to their 2004 rosters. It's just the feeling surrounding the winter meetings that gets Williams ready to make deals. "It creates a sense of urgency,'' he said, "but we're always ready to do something that makes sense at any time.'' At last year's meetings in Nashville, Tenn., Williams appeared animated after a late-night and early-morning swap of ideas with a handful of other unidentified general managers. Two days later, Montreal Expos GM Omar Minaya admitted the Sox were among the teams he was in discussions with. A month after that, the Sox obtained Bartolo Colon from the Expos. Williams once again will head into the meetings searching for pitching help after Colon ended his one-year stay with the Sox by signing with the Anaheim Angels on Tuesday. The Sox' fourth-year GM could be close to adding a front-line starter as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees already have done, or he could lay the groundwork for something to happen in the near future. "Our seeds are planted long before you get to the winter meetings,'' Williams said. "You never know when you'll match up with a club. You never know when you'll match up with a free agent.'' Williams was optimistic about the 2003 club even before the midseason acquisitions of Roberto Alomar and Carl Everett. While the Sox failed to make the playoffs -- and Alomar and Everett will go the way of Colon and sign with another team -- Williams isn't about to panic. "We felt good about the team even though we didn't accomplish our season-ending goal,'' he said. "At this point, you can only spend so much time being disappointed or being discouraged. You have to move forward.'' Here are the Sox' top five priorities for the winter meetings: Starting pitching The Sox could use two new starters heading into spring training. They were in the same position a year ago and came away with Colon and Esteban Loaiza, the find of the offseason. While it might not be realistic to land a pitcher the caliber of Greg Maddux, other available free agents include Shawn Estes, Sidney Ponson and Pedro Astacio, who is coming off shoulder surgery in June. Former Sox left-hander Wilson Alvarez, who had a mini-resurgence last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, also is available. Acquiring Odalis Perez from the Dodgers no longer seems likely, despite persistent rumors. Relief pitching Billy Koch will get the first crack at the closer job with Damaso Marte waiting in the wings. Marte expressed a desire last season to eventually become a starter, but that isn't likely to happen in 2004. That leaves the Sox looking for a setup man now that Tom Gordon and Scott Sullivan have signed elsewhere. The Diamondbacks' Mike Myers, the Royals' Graeme Lloyd, the Dodgers' Paul Quantrill and the Braves' Darren Holmes are free agents who could provide the answer. Outfield help The Sox are prepared to let a healthy Aaron Rowand take over in center field, but it couldn't hurt to have somebody in waiting if he falters. Available free agents include Todd Hollandsworth, Marvin Benard and Orlando Palmeiro. Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez are expected to remain in left and right field, respectively, though both have been involved in trade rumors. The Sox hope Joe Borchard finally is ready, but he struggled offensively at Class AAA Charlotte last season. Minor-league sensation Jeremy Reed is only 22 and at least another year away. Utility infielder Recently acquired Juan Uribe is expected to take over Tony Graffanino's utility role, but he could be busy elsewhere if he beats out Willie Harris for the second-base job. Because Harris doesn't play any infield position except second, another utility player isn't a bad idea. Obtaining the Dodgers' Alex Cora via trade would unite him with brother Joey Cora, the Sox' new third-base coach. The Angels' Adam Kennedy also is rumored to be available, while free agent Todd Walker has said he is open to playing multiple positions. Bench power Power hitters eyeing a spot on the Sox bench, beware. With the team committed to Joe Crede at third, Lee in left and Ordonez in right, playing time is hard to come by. Jeff Liefer didn't like his limited action two years ago, and Brian Daubach and Armando Rios were unhappy last season. Time will tell if Ozzie Guillen can find more playing time for his bench than Jerry Manuel did. With Daubach being placed on waivers Wednesday and Rios turned loose after the season ended, the Sox again will be on the prowl for bench help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loaiza21 Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Astacio would be a better #4 than Schoeneweis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick03 Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Astacio would be a better #4 than Schoeneweis. i think he's too injury prone though....astacio that is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 i think he's too injury prone though....astacio that is Plus he'd prob be too expensive as well. If u r gonna pay a lot for pitchin, u'd expect results. He's too injury prone for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Yes but the Sox would have the rotation with their Yearly Number 1, 2... Buehrle Ponson E-Lo Garland then maybe Sho... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 Yes but the Sox would have the rotation with their Yearly Number 1, 2... Buehrle Ponson E-Lo Garland then maybe Sho... I still think we're gonna non tender Shoe though to save another $2 mill of the payroll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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