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Big Splash Article on ChiSox.com


Gene Honda Civic

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QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jun 27, 2005 -> 03:19 PM)
Can anybody else access the 'White Sox only want to make big splash' article on ChiSox.com??

 

If so, could you post it here, I don't know why it won't display for me.

Compltely blank for me when I click on it.

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White Sox only looking for a big splash

06/27/2005 10:00 AM ET

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

CHICAGO -- A section exists in the White Sox media guide, page No. 9, to be exact, titled "Ken Williams Notable Acquisitions as White Sox General Manager."

The gray box covers two long columns of free agent signings and trades, including some of Williams' greatest hits around the July 31 non-waiver deadline, such as the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Freddy Garcia from Seattle on June 27 of last season. But with his team basically lapping the field as the halfway point of the 2005 season approaches, Williams might not be adding many names to that extensive list.

 

Even the best of teams always could use a little fine-tuning, turning an American League Central champion into a bona fide World Series contender. Then again, this particular White Sox squad features such amazing chemistry that Williams is very cognizant of trying to fix something that isn't broken.

 

"We are finding different ways to win every game, but chemistry is the most important," said White Sox closer Dustin Hermanson of the team's close-knit fit. "We are a family over here."

 

"You can end up doing more harm than good, unless it's something that's so obvious that it's special," Williams added. "We'll go to battle every day with what we have for now. If there's an opportunity, it's my job to explore it."

 

Williams was quick to point out a mantra invoked by general managers seemingly every year since the Wild Card came to fruition: With so many squads still in contention, only a few teams will be sellers. That situation makes it tougher for the rest of the league looking to improve.

 

Rumors have targeted third base as the most clear-cut White Sox upgrade, with names such as Oakland's Eric Chavez, Cincinnati's Joe Randa and San Diego's Sean Burroughs reportedly being looked at to replace Joe Crede. Williams doesn't talk about possible moves, in deference and respect to the players who are currently giving 100 percent on a daily basis to make his team a winner. But while talking in Colorado recently about faulty trade possibilities, Williams sounded as if he had at least explored the Chavez avenue.

 

"[Chavez] is not on the block. And trust me, I know that," Williams said at the time. "Trust me."

 

complete coverage >Crede is a perfect example of maintaining the balance forged by the best team in baseball. While his offensive production has just started to come around, his defense at third appears to be virtually unparalleled in the American League. And it's defense, pitching and speed that have combined to make the White Sox so successful. Crede's understated humor also serves as a small part of the family atmosphere Hermanson described.

Adding another solid setup man to the bullpen falls as a priority for Williams. The White Sox also could be in the market for a starting pitcher if Orlando Hernandez continues to have shoulder problems that frustrate both Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen. The first chance to fill that particular void has been given to Minor League phenom Brandon McCarthy, and Williams has confidence that other spots could be filled from within the organization -- much like the Angels did a few years ago with reliever Francisco Rodriguez.

 

A few names to watch in that area, along with McCarthy, are Triple-A Charlotte outfielder Brian Anderson, Charlotte reliever Jeff Bajenaru and Double-A Birmingham closer Bobby Jenks, who was recently selected to play in the Futures Game.

 

Williams has no qualms about making a deal that will benefit both teams in the equation, talking about how he called Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin a few weeks ago and reminded Melvin of his prediction back in December that the Brewers were getting an All-Star in Carlos Lee as part of the Scott Podsednik deal.

 

"It's nice to pick up the phone and make that sort of call," Williams said. "I want to make deals to help both teams because it's that much easier to pick up the phone and the guy believes what you say the next time."

 

Williams still constantly works the phones, but in a departure from the past few years, there might not be any grandiose additions from the maverick general manager. Then again, if it means a chance to win a World Series title this season, Williams would pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

 

"If we put ourselves in position to worry about that, it would be a pleasure," Williams said. "But we aren't going to make a move just to make a move.

 

"Just because there's a big name out there, it doesn't mean we are going to like him or he will fit in here. But don't think for a second that, if I thought [a trade] gets us to the World Series, that we wouldn't aggressively pursue that move."

 

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

White Sox Homepage | MLB.com

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White Sox only looking for a big splash

Any deals must have significant impact this year

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

For now, Joe Crede's defensive skills overcome his inability to become a consistent offensive presence. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

 

CHICAGO -- A section exists in the White Sox media guide, page No. 9, to be exact, titled "Ken Williams Notable Acquisitions as White Sox General Manager."

The gray box covers two long columns of free agent signings and trades, including some of Williams' greatest hits around the July 31 non-waiver deadline, such as the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Freddy Garcia from Seattle on June 27 of last season. But with his team basically lapping the field as the halfway point of the 2005 season approaches, Williams might not be adding many names to that extensive list.

 

Even the best of teams always could use a little fine-tuning, turning an American League Central champion into a bona fide World Series contender. Then again, this particular White Sox squad features such amazing chemistry that Williams is very cognizant of trying to fix something that isn't broken.

 

"We are finding different ways to win every game, but chemistry is the most important," said White Sox closer Dustin Hermanson of the team's close-knit fit. "We are a family over here."

 

"You can end up doing more harm than good, unless it's something that's so obvious that it's special," Williams added. "We'll go to battle every day with what we have for now. If there's an opportunity, it's my job to explore it."

 

Williams was quick to point out a mantra invoked by general managers seemingly every year since the Wild Card came to fruition: With so many squads still in contention, only a few teams will be sellers. That situation makes it tougher for the rest of the league looking to improve.

 

Rumors have targeted third base as the most clear-cut White Sox upgrade, with names such as Oakland's Eric Chavez, Cincinnati's Joe Randa and San Diego's Sean Burroughs reportedly being looked at to replace Joe Crede. Williams doesn't talk about possible moves, in deference and respect to the players who are currently giving 100 percent on a daily basis to make his team a winner. But while talking in Colorado recently about faulty trade possibilities, Williams sounded as if he had at least explored the Chavez avenue.

 

"[Chavez] is not on the block. And trust me, I know that," Williams said at the time. "Trust me."

 

 

 

 

complete coverage >Crede is a perfect example of maintaining the balance forged by the best team in baseball. While his offensive production has just started to come around, his defense at third appears to be virtually unparalleled in the American League. And it's defense, pitching and speed that have combined to make the White Sox so successful. Crede's understated humor also serves as a small part of the family atmosphere Hermanson described.

Adding another solid setup man to the bullpen falls as a priority for Williams. The White Sox also could be in the market for a starting pitcher if Orlando Hernandez continues to have shoulder problems that frustrate both Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen. The first chance to fill that particular void has been given to Minor League phenom Brandon McCarthy, and Williams has confidence that other spots could be filled from within the organization -- much like the Angels did a few years ago with reliever Francisco Rodriguez.

 

A few names to watch in that area, along with McCarthy, are Triple-A Charlotte outfielder Brian Anderson, Charlotte reliever Jeff Bajenaru and Double-A Birmingham closer Bobby Jenks, who was recently selected to play in the Futures Game.

 

Williams has no qualms about making a deal that will benefit both teams in the equation, talking about how he called Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin a few weeks ago and reminded Melvin of his prediction back in December that the Brewers were getting an All-Star in Carlos Lee as part of the Scott Podsednik deal.

 

"It's nice to pick up the phone and make that sort of call," Williams said. "I want to make deals to help both teams because it's that much easier to pick up the phone and the guy believes what you say the next time."

 

Williams still constantly works the phones, but in a departure from the past few years, there might not be any grandiose additions from the maverick general manager. Then again, if it means a chance to win a World Series title this season, Williams would pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

 

"If we put ourselves in position to worry about that, it would be a pleasure," Williams said. "But we aren't going to make a move just to make a move.

 

"Just because there's a big name out there, it doesn't mean we are going to like him or he will fit in here. But don't think for a second that, if I thought [a trade] gets us to the World Series, that we wouldn't aggressively pursue that move."

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QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jun 27, 2005 -> 02:41 PM)
I thought Chavez was on the market because Beane was looking to dump salary and Oakland wasn't going anywhere.

Oakland not going anywhere? With the smartest man in the history of baseball for a GM? Something must be wrong, that can't be true.
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