Kenny already looking for trade in july

[chisox2334]

GMs know busy time right around the corner

By Mel Antonen, USA TODAY

A couple of nights ago in Tucson, general manager Kenny Williams' sleep was disturbed at 1 a.m. when his dog, Sage, was barking at a roaming coyote.

 

Atlanta GM John Schuerholz burns the phone lines nearly all year round. His work has paid off with perennial first-place finishes.

By Ric Feld, AP

 

So, as long as he was up, he flipped on his computer and studied opposing team rosters.

 

"I couldn't help myself," the Chicago White Sox's GM said. "I went over every club. I focused on players I might be able to get in July."

 

Rosters for the 30 teams are virtually set, and spring training camps in Arizona and Florida will open next week, so, with the exception of preparing for arbitration cases, the two weeks before camps open is generally a time to relax.

 

The New York Yankees' Brian Cashman, who spent most of his offseason getting three new starting pitchers, including Randy Johnson in a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, says this is usually the quietest time of the year for GMs.

 

There is still unfinished business, with 12 arbitration cases yet to be settled. The three-time AL Central champion Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration with pitcher Carlos Silva, but they still have to work out salary differences with two other key pitchers, Johan Santana and Kyle Lohse.

 

If a salary for this season can't be worked out before a scheduled arbitration hearing, the two sides present their case before a panel of three arbitrators that will choose either the team's or player's salary for this season — a process teams like to avoid.

 

"We hope to get something accomplished with both," Twins GM Terry Ryan says.

 

Dave Dombrowski of the Detroit Tigers says GMs never stop looking for ways to improve the team, and Wednesday, he traded for Chicago Cubs reliever Kyle Farnsworth.

 

In past years, teams' rosters are usually set by the end of December, so that team promotions could start after the New Year.

 

Lately, however, big-name free agents — the last two being Carlos Delgado with the Florida Marlins and Magglio Ordonez with the Tigers — have waited until January or February to sign.

 

Atlanta Braves GM John Schuerholz doesn't worry about the sport's business side stretching deeper into the offseason. "These are big decisions involving millions of dollars that could affect the franchise for a long time," he says. "We need all the time we can get."

 

Williams can relate to that. He's already preparing for the July 31 trade deadline, another time of the year when general managers are swamped with telephone calls involving possible trades.

 

"It's not really work," Williams says. "You got to have fun. I appreciate this job every day. It's a privilege to be doing this."

 

He's done a lot of trading and signing in the past three offseasons but has lost three consecutive division titles to the Twins.

 

This offseason, Williams has reshaped the White Sox from a team that relied on power to one that has more pitching, speed and defense.

 

He said he got tired of watching his team offensively explode one night and then get shut down for two or three nights.

 

Chicago's new players include outfielders Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsednik, catcher A.J. Pierzynski, relievers Dustin Hermanson and Luis Vizcaino and starter Orlando Hernandez.

 

On Tuesday, Williams had a light day in Tucson. He came into the office, answered some e-mail and had one call, from manager Ozzie Guillen.

 

Then, Williams spent the afternoon playing golf with Dye.

 

"Ozzie wanted to talk about the practice, but I told him that was his job," Williams said. "We have been doing a lot of work. We need about a week to recoup

[WilliamTell]

Doesn't surprise me one bit. As much as I always wonder about the trade rumors going around, at least he stays active. I do believe he's trying to make a championship team here.

[Chisoxmatt]

KW makes 3 year charts... Im not very surprised he is looking ahead to the trade deadline.

[thomsonmi]

KW makes 3 year charts... Im not very surprised he is looking ahead to the trade deadline.

 

I count myself as a KW fan, but the fact is this is what he gets paid to do. I'm glad to hear he's burning the midnight oil even during a slow period but he is paid fairly well for his efforts.

 

What I wouldn't do to be in his shoes.

[T R U]

after the past few years I really think KW is a good GM

 

hes always working to improve this team the best he can is does everything possible to get the best product out on the field..

 

I applaud you KW

Edited February 11, 2005 by Man Of Steel

[Goober]

after the past few years I really think KW is a good GM

 

hes always working to improve this team the best he can is does everything possible to get the best product out on the field..

 

I applause you KW 

 

you applause him eh? i think you mean you applaud him or you give him applause

[T R U]

you applause him eh? i think you mean you applaud him or you give him applause

 

you got the point Timly

[witesoxfan]

I count myself as a KW fan, but the fact is this is what he gets paid to do.  I'm glad to hear he's burning the midnight oil even during a slow period but he is paid fairly well for his efforts.

 

What I wouldn't do to be in his shoes.

 

Yet, at the same time, what you wouldn't do to make sure you stay out of his shoes, right?

[YASNY]

One thing I like about KW is that he is more open about how he does his job. This being an example. I've learned more about how a GM thinks and what he does to attempt to accomplish his goals by reading about KW than any other GM the Sox have had through the years.

[southsider2k5]

Then, Williams spent the afternoon playing golf with Dye.

 

I like to see this. I remember when KW first got the job, all of the complaints about how he treated people. I think with him dealing face to face with these guys, it will help to make this team more cohesive, and if people leave it will tend to be on better terms.

[YASNY]

I like to see this.  I remember when KW first got the job, all of the complaints about how he treated people.  I think with him dealing face to face with these guys, it will help to make this team more cohesive, and if people leave it will tend to be on better terms.

 

Yes, but we all remember KW and Ordonez sitting together at the ballpark after the injury.

[LosMediasBlancas]

One thing I like about KW is that he is more open about how he does his job.  This being an example.  I've learned more about how a GM thinks and what he does to attempt to accomplish his goals by reading about KW than any other GM the Sox have had through the years.

 

It's called covering your ass when the loot isn't really there.

[YASNY]

It's called covering your ass when the loot isn't really there.

 

How do you figure. Schuler had the same owner. Hemond had Veeck for an owner and cash was a mirage with Wild Bill. I think the guy is just more open than his predecessors.

 

As an after thought, I'm not sure about the Hemond-Veeck duo.

[southsider2k5]

Yes, but we all remember KW and Ordonez sitting together at the ballpark after the injury.

 

Yeah, I guess you gotta start somewhere... and when Borass is involved, it usually ends badly. Just ask the Astros.

[LosMediasBlancas]

How do you figure.  Schuler had the same owner.  Hemond had Veeck for an owner and cash was a mirage with Wild Bill.  I think the guy is just more open than his predecessors.

 

As an after thought, I'm not sure about the Hemond-Veeck duo.

Maybe, but I think he is more open or vocal about the limited payroll, which deflects part of the responsibilty. He's also taken a jab at the lack of attendance as the cause of the limited payroll. It sometimes comes across to me as 'Hey, don't look at me if we can't compete, I only have so much cash to work with'. Not necessarily in this article, but my reply was about his openess in general.

[YASNY]

Maybe, but I think he is more open or vocal about the limited payroll, which deflects part of the responsibilty. He's also taken a jab at the lack of attendance as the cause of the limited payroll.  It sometimes comes across to me as  'Hey, don't look at me if we can't compete, I only have so much cash to work with'. Not necessarily in this article, but my reply was about his openess in general.

 

That may be the case. I don't know. But that wasn't what I was talking about. His openness in general is what I mean. This article being the example.

[AnthraxFan93]

KW makes 3 year charts... Im not very surprised he is looking ahead to the trade deadline.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Year 1- Fail

Year 2- Fail

Year 3- Fail

 

Maybe he should rethink his "charts"

[DBAHO]

Year 1- Fail

Year 2- Fail

Year 3- Fail

 

Maybe he should rethink his "charts"

FWIW for the good people here at SoxTalk, what year are you starting Year 1 from?

[YASNY]

FWIW for the good people here at SoxTalk, what year are you starting Year 1 from?

 

 

Oh hell ... don't ask. Nobody cares.

[AnthraxFan93]

FWIW for the good people here at SoxTalk, what year are you starting Year 1 from?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Y1 2001

Y2 2002

Y3 2003

Y4 2004.. So I guess KW just reuses the same plan even though it hasn't worked yet.

[DBAHO]

So I guess KW just reuses the same plan even though it hasn't worked yet.

What part of this off-season has made you think that KW has used the "SAME PLAN" for this team, because I'm dying to know.

[AnthraxFan93]

What part of this off-season has made you think that KW has used the "SAME PLAN" for this team, because I'm dying to know. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well this year he actually realized that the same plan hasn't worked in 4 years, maybe he might change it up?

 

I said it before I am all for the new look of this team, IMO it is 2-3 years late.

[Wise Master Buehrle]

Man, KW is such a nerd.

[shakes]

All these articles always forget Iguchi. Although, not too many people nationally know who he is yet.

[DBAHO]

Man, KW is such a nerd.

Name me one Baseball GM who isn't a nerd. Seriously, I think IIRC, I heard during a baseball broadcast that being a GM takes up at least 10 to 12 hours a day. That's some workload.