creak, creak, creak...

[whitesox61382]

thats the sound of the white flag being pulled up the flagstaff. Watching these losers with no heart or determination makes me sick. I can stand losing if the players are giving 100% and leaving it all on the field, but what this team is currently doing is down right terrible. I would much rather see a bunch or youngsters/rookies/prospects struggle, but give it their all trying to win a permanent roster spot. Here are the following people that need to go.

 

Manuel - The manager can only take so much blame, but in my eyes he has never proven himself to be a good manager. He lacks heart, emotion, and the ability to motivate. Management has given him enough talent to contend for the divison, and they are underachieving, so why not start at the top and get rid of Manuel.

 

Colon - I would leave to keep this guy and sign him long term, but lets face it, its not going to happen. Front of the rotation starting pitching is always in demand by contenders. He could probably net the Sox at least 2 solid prospects.

 

Loaiza - The guy has been amazing so far, but like a stock you have to sell high. The way he is currently pitching with his salary will probably interest quite a few teams and net the Sox a couple of solid prospects. He really has no place to go but down and I think it is inevitable that he will struggle sooner or later this season, so trade him now while his value is high.

 

Koch - When you only have a mid-90's fastball that you can consistantly throw for strikes you will struggle some. I always felt that he was an overrated closer, unntil he came to the Sox of course. There are usually a couple of contenders looking for a closer/bullpen help and since he is singed for next year the Sox might be able to get a good prospect or 2 for him.

 

Gordon - At 35 he is not a part of the future. He is realitively cheap and has been decent(although he blew yet another game). He wont net the Sox a lot, but they might be able to get a decent prospect for him.

 

Wunsch - The Sox have a ton of reliever prospects, especially left handed relievers. Lefty relievers are always in demand at the deadline and the Sox could probably get a decent prospect or 2 for him. Thomas - He is having a decent year(at least what I expected from him), but at 35 is not a part of the future. It is obvious that he has a slider speed bat now, and because of his contract, age, and inability to really play a defensive position it will be hard to move him. If the Sox can get a decent prospect for him, than take it.

 

Konerko - He is too one-dimensional to keep. The Sox need to get better athletes that have more tools. Konerko does nothing well besides hit and he isn't even doing that. I would like to wait a little bit for him to heat up a little to get his value up. He won't get the Sox much in return, but I am sure there is a team out there that would be willing to take a chance on him.

 

Valentin - All the guy consistantly does is hit for power. He does nothing else well and isn't a key part of the future. He won't net the Sox much, because he only does 1 thing about average.

 

Get rid of these guys and start to rebuild. The Sox should try and get prospects in the upper minors because their is still a young core. I think pitching prospects should be the key to most of these trades. With the recent draft the SOx stockpiled outfielders to add to the list of Borchard, Reed, and Webster. The Sox should also get catcher, SS, and 3B prospects to add depth at those positions. I have defended this team till I am blue in the face, but the fact is that this team doesn't deserve to be defended. That is how terrible their play has been. Look out Sox fans here come the trolls to tell us that the Sox s@ck in hope of finding meaning in their pathetic lives.

[witesoxfan]

We'll get very, very, very little for Thomas, so the smart thing to do would be to keep him. If he ever gets going again, he can carry a team by himself.

 

I say we keep one of Loazia and Colon....one is relatively cheap for next year, and will probably put up solid stats, and one is going to cost a bit more, but is a workhorse and a stud. There is no wrong choice....and both will net some very good prospects. I say take the best offer that gets rid of one....and do no more.

 

Get rid of not only Gordon, Koch, and Wunsch, but see if anyone wants to take a shot on Rick White. He's been a piece of s*** for us....but maybe he'll turn it around with another team. I'd take anything for him.

 

Unless we can get a good offer for Jose....I'd keep him. He doesn't have a good glove....but he's got good range....and I really don't want to see Jimenez anywhere but 2B, and we don't have another SS(though I believe Neifi Perez is a FA after this year....he might be worth a shot). Also....don't exclude the intangibles. Even the biggest Jose bashers will tell you he is a good leader.

 

If we can get anything for Konerko....you do that move immeadiately. If you don't get anything, send him down to the minors to figure s*** out....he'd have to clear waivers, but I don't think anyone wants to take him....and if they do, so be it. He's too damn expensive to keep around while he hits below the Karkovice/K-layton line.

 

I'd also trade Daubach. If a team has a guy that gets injured for a long period of time, Daubach is the perfect guy for them(assuming the guy is a LF/RF/1B/DH). If, for example, Erubiel Durazo gets hurt in Oakland, a guy like Daubach could get us another Jon Adkins.....OK, bad example, but I think you get my point.

 

If a team needs a good, clutch, util IF....I'd also trade Tony G. It'd actually be kind of sad to see him go....but if he could get us a prospect or two, that'd be great. One of Tim Hummel and Jorge Nunez(or whatever that guys name was that we got from Montreal in the Colon deal) will be ready to take over as util IF.

 

And if you can, trade Josh Paul....please. I'd take a wet rag and a bowl of soup for that piece of s***....just get us a real catcher, please.

[Chisoxfn]

I'm with you 100%. Its been past time to clean house. I like the ideas I came up with my article about a week ago.

 

Of course since then numerous reports have broken about Bobby Jenks and what a nut he is. I just heard something on the radio and he's had some minor arm troubles, but they also talked about how he read at a 3rd grade level, was a drunk, and a few other things. I hope the kid can figure things out, cause he's got an unbelievable arm.

 

Still, Sox should have some HUGE possibilities when it comes to trades. I do think if they trade Loaiza, Colon, and Buehrle, they should be looking for AAA/Major league pitchers with the exception being some super super talented AA or even A ball pitchers.

 

They should also look to fill the shortstop position and centerfield. Of course I'm less worried about the outfield now after the draft, I do realize that those guys are still a ways off, and before all that, they also have to prove themselves in the professional ranks.

 

Reed, Webster, Borchard, Anderson, King, and Sweeney. Me LIKEY. I do think that Sweeney moves to first, but I'm starting to read more and more things about how he's a better athlete and should be able to handle the outfield. Either way he's got a heck of a bat.

[IndySoxFan]

I'm with you 100%.  Its been past time to clean house.  I like the ideas I came up with my article about a week ago.

 

Of course since then numerous reports have broken about Bobby Jenks and what a nut he is.  I just heard something on the radio and he's had some minor arm troubles, but they also talked about how he read at a 3rd grade level, was a drunk, and a few other things.  I hope the kid can figure things out, cause he's got an unbelievable arm. 

 

Still, Sox should have some HUGE possibilities when it comes to trades.  I do think if they trade Loaiza, Colon, and Buehrle, they should be looking for AAA/Major league pitchers with the exception being some super super talented AA or even A ball pitchers. 

 

They should also look to fill the shortstop position and centerfield.  Of course I'm less worried about the outfield now after the draft, I do realize that those guys are still a ways off, and before all that, they also have to prove themselves in the professional ranks. 

 

Reed, Webster, Borchard, Anderson, King, and Sweeney.  Me LIKEY.  I do think that Sweeney moves to first, but I'm starting to read more and more things about how he's a better athlete and should be able to handle the outfield.  Either way he's got a heck of a bat.

i read your business plan last week..... there is alot of optimism involved here, however, at least its focused on the future... we need more long-term planning... i like your thinking.... reinsdorf is a schemer.... not a planner

[whitesox61382]

"We'll get very, very, very little for Thomas, so the smart thing to do would be to keep him. If he ever gets going again, he can carry a team by himself."

 

While I agree that the Sox might not get much in return for Thomas and it might be better to keep, thinking that he is going to get going again is blind optimism. He is 35 and it is extremely clear that he bat speed has decreased significantly. I saw him swing through at least 2 90 MPH fastballs right down the middle today. He simply isn't the same player he was 6 or 7 years ago and will probably never be.

 

"I say we keep one of Loazia and Colon....one is relatively cheap for next year, and will probably put up solid stats, and one is going to cost a bit more, but is a workhorse and a stud. There is no wrong choice....and both will net some very good prospects. I say take the best offer that gets rid of one....and do no more."

 

I would love to keep both of them, but lets be realistic for a minute. There is almost no chance that the Sox are going to resign Colon, so you may as well trade him and get a couple of solid prospects for him. As far as Loaiza goes, I still think he is in for some struggles in the near future. Its rare for a 31 year old pitcher with a career ERA of 4.88 coming into this season to all of a sudden pitch like Loaiza is. Like I mentioned before his value isn't going to get much higher, especially at his price, so why not trade him and get a couple of solid prospects to rebuild with. I think his option is around 4 million for next year and that might be to rich for JR's blood, especially if he decides to cut payroll even further, which is likely.

 

"but see if anyone wants to take a shot on Rick White. He's been a piece of s*** for us....but maybe he'll turn it around with another team. I'd take anything for him."

 

I agree. I didn't even mention White because I just want to release him. No one is going to give up anything for him.

 

"Unless we can get a good offer for Jose....I'd keep him. He doesn't have a good glove....but he's got good range....and I really don't want to see Jimenez anywhere but 2B, and we don't have another SS(though I believe Neifi Perez is a FA after this year....he might be worth a shot). Also....don't exclude the intangibles. Even the biggest Jose bashers will tell you he is a good leader."

 

Valentin does nothing good besides hit for power. Don't give me this range BS. He is down right terrible defensively no matter which way you cut it. At 32 his range has also slipped some. Jimenez might not be much better, but it is worth a shot. One thing the Sox have a lot of is 2nd base prospects near the majors. There is no reason to pay 5+ million for a guy like Valentin. Don't give me this leadership BS either. That is just a excuse to make him appear more valuable then he is. What evidence do you have that he is a great leader or any better of a leader then anyone else in the clubhouse? Unless you are personally in the clubhouse I don't think you can say either way whether he is a great leader or not. Perez might be an interesting stopgap.

 

"I'd also trade Daubach. If a team has a guy that gets injured for a long period of time, Daubach is the perfect guy for them(assuming the guy is a LF/RF/1B/DH). If, for example, Erubiel Durazo gets hurt in Oakland, a guy like Daubach could get us another Jon Adkins.....OK, bad example, but I think you get my point."

 

I agree that Daubach is expendable, but if the Sox are able to get rid of Thomas and/or Konerko then Daubach might be a reasonable cheap stopgap until a better option comes avaliable.

 

"If a team needs a good, clutch, util IF....I'd also trade Tony G. It'd actually be kind of sad to see him go....but if he could get us a prospect or two, that'd be great. One of Tim Hummel and Jorge Nunez(or whatever that guys name was that we got from Montreal in the Colon deal) will be ready to take over as util IF."

 

I agree as well. If Graffy could only learn to play D he could be a solid everyday player. There might be a team or two interested in him, but he wont net that much. Hummel is a solid option to replace him.

 

"And if you can, trade Josh Paul....please. I'd take a wet rag and a bowl of soup for that piece of s***....just get us a real catcher, please."

 

Once again I agree, but you aren't going to get much besides a bag of BP balls for him.

[Chisoxfn]

In regards to only trading one of Colon and Loaiza.

 

I think the only reason you hold onto one of them is if you plan on having them around after the rebuilding process is over. Since its very unlikely that you could trade away all those guys and have this team rebuilt fully next year, your best of trading the two of them.

 

Its obvious that Colon is going to gone. Reinsdorf isn't going to add payroll after this dissapointing season, especially considering how many major changes need to be made. IF he was willing to spend an extra 15 or 20 million to patch up the lineup and bullpen a bit more (If its needed) then it could be different. But the fact is that isn't happening.

 

With Loaiza, you could keep him for relatively cheap next year, but my theory is whats the point if your not gonna compete next year. He's rather old and is pitching the best he ever has. He's got an affordable contract, which makes him EXTREMELY attractive to a team looking to add a front of the line starter. The Sox could deal him at his peak in value, which would be a great thing to do.

 

Konerko and Thomas should go. I don't think they can unload Thomas without cutting him or without him doing something. Otherwise they'll have to trade him for someone else that has a rather high priced contract.