Daily Herald / Scot Gregor Article

[fathom]

ARod is not a possibility for the Sox. He's going to get 5-125/130 this offseason, and Boras is his agent. I don't even want the Sox to consider him. They have so many other holes to fill than what he would provide.

[Kyyle23]

ARod is not a possibility for the Sox. He's going to get 5-125/130 this offseason, and Boras is his agent. I don't even want the Sox to consider him. They have so many other holes to fill than what he would provide.

 

I am not going to argue with you about it, but I do agree with Striker about Arod being a possibility. The way i look at it is this:

 

Arod is going to generate a lot of money for the Sox, in ticket revenue, coverage, ads, etc. If Reinsdorf feels that the player is worth the money he is spending, and if anyone is than Arod is, then I feel that JR will make a play. He isnt above paying the best player in the league more money than anyone else, he has done it with Jordan and with Belle, and he will go for it if he sees the ending result as playoffs and more revenue. I understand that Boras is his agent, but I do feel something could get done.

 

 

And I also feel that if Arod were to come aboard, it doesnt mean that the other holes will not be filled with competent players. If KW and JR are going to go for it, they arent going to make one big splash and then acquire 8 small frys.

 

JM2cents

 

[DBAHO]

The relief pitcher that was mentioned in that article Iwase, if I was the Sox I would make every effort to sign him this off-season.

 

If you look at the impact Japanese relievers have had in their 1st season such as Otsuka, Takatsu and Hideki Okajima (think that's his name from Boston), if Iwase is as good as those pitchers and because major league hitters won't have faced him before, he could really make a big impact for this pen.

 

You sign him instead of a Scott Linebrink for probably a cheaper contract and you wouldn't have to give up draft picks either.

 

I honestly think if you can bring in 2 relievers who can have seasons that Cotts and Politte had in 2005, that is what is going to improve the team the most next season in terms of wins and losses.

[santo=dorf]

Don't forget Saito for the Dodgers, but that Mori dude scammed the D-Rays

[jackie hayes]

I dunno, he's getting hot...

 

I hate him and think he's a horrible player, but I wouldn't put it past this club to pick up that option.

Even if you want him (or can't find anyone better), you still buy him out, then try to resign him at a lower price. He's not worth $5 mil, and he won't get that anywhere else.

[nitetrain8601]

Depending on the price, I'd be surprised if Iguchi came back. I imagine he could get somewhere close to $5 mill a year, and that, atleast in my mind, is not the most efficient way of spending. A name you've brought up before, Mark Loretta, really makes a lot of sense for the White Sox, as he can play all around the infield, he puts the ball in play a lot and gets on base at a solid rate, and rakes against lefties (.800 OPS this year, .798 for his career). That would allow the Sox the ability to have Richar start next year, and if he struggles, the Sox have an insurance plan in Loretta and perhaps even Bourgeois.

 

Also, reassuring our beliefs...

The way I take it, one of JC and JG is gone (though I'd honestly probably prefer both), and they'll only have one less worry if Gavin pitches well. If he doesn't, it's just another hole.

 

And it's kind of intriguing how many Japanese names the Sox may be pursuing...a shortstop and reliever along with Kosuke...and it also addresses many of the Sox needs. Japan has worked fairly well for the Sox before, so I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them go that route again.

 

Why would you prefer both? We don't have anyone ready to take one spot in the rotation, much less two. You want to be crap next year as well? I could understand wanting JC gone because he's underperformed, has a big contract, and it doesn't look like he'll be getting better any soon. JG is signed for below market value, is an innings eater, and is a very solid #3 IMHO.

[BearSox]

My short list of what needs to be done:

 

1. Rid ourselves of Contreras. Perhaps we can trade him plus prospect(s) for someone better with a similar contract or just rid ourselves of most of his salary, somehow.

2. Sign one of Rowand/Fukodome to play CF. Preferably Fukodome -> more upside and is a lefty.

3. Get a new SS in here somehow.

4. Get at least 1 GOOD veteran bullpen arm.

[DBAHO]

Don't forget Saito for the Dodgers, but that Mori dude scammed the D-Rays

That's still an above success rate of 50% though at least, so recent history shows that Japanese relievers can be very successful out here.

 

And considering the state of our bullpen this season, we need to explore all avenues and leave no stone unturned when it comes to bringing in the best talent to make that pen a whole lot better than it was this season.

[CWSGuy406]

Why would you prefer both? We don't have anyone ready to take one spot in the rotation, much less two. You want to be crap next year as well? I could understand wanting JC gone because he's underperformed, has a big contract, and it doesn't look like he'll be getting better any soon. JG is signed for below market value, is an innings eater, and is a very solid #3 IMHO.

 

Contreras is, as you mentioned, pretty obvious -- he's the one 'black hole' contract the Sox are carrying right now, and while there is a chance he bounces back to average-ness, you can't like his odds given his age and his back's/sciatic nerve's creakiness.

 

With Garland, the package the Sox would be getting back would have to better than what (should be expected) Garland will give the Sox -- another year of 200 innings at a league average ERA plus the two draft picks at the end of the season. Right now I think the Sox should be in a position to ask for two prospects similar to what Gio Gonzalez was coming into this season (a good but not elite prospect -- say a 'B' grade prospect). Or, if the Sox are insistent on 'going for it' next season, the Sox better be getting back a pretty good shortstop (Furcal, Tejada) -- the deal might not work straight up as things would need to be added on either side, but that's how I'm looking at it.

 

I prefer the prospect route. As has been mentioned 'ad nautium' (?), I'm really hoping for Balentin and/or Clement from Seattle. The two teams (seemingly) match up for a multitude of reasons.

[santo=dorf]

Why would you prefer both? We don't have anyone ready to take one spot in the rotation, much less two. You want to be crap next year as well? I could understand wanting JC gone because he's underperformed, has a big contract, and it doesn't look like he'll be getting better any soon. JG is signed for below market value, is an innings eater, and is a very solid #3 IMHO.

So who's the #2 for the Sox, Vazquez? How many #3 starters are making $12 million a year, and there have to be plenty because you say Garland is signed for below the market value.

[infohawk]

I may be alone, but I thought the most interesting part of the article was this:

 

Even as the White Sox were moving toward the World Series championship in 2005, Williams had a trade lined up that eventually landed Jim Thome from the Philadelphia Phillies for Aaron Rowand.

 

I didn't realize this trade discussion had already begun prior to the end of the 2005 season. It appears Gregor is hinting that, knowing KW, he's already trying to line things up now that will be consumated later and not just identifying potential targets.

Edited September 14, 2007 by infohawk

[Balta1701]

I may be alone, but I thought the most interesting part of the article was this:

I didn't realize this trade discussion had already begun prior to the end of the 2005 season. It appears Gregor is hinting that, knowing KW, he's already trying to line things up now that will be consumated later and not just identifying potential targets.

It would probably be insane for him not to be on the phones right now. The 20 GM's not going to the playoffs don't just take this month off because they're not allowed to make a deal...you're lining up what you might be able to do now so that you can decide things like "Who's option do I pick up" during the 10 days or so after the series you have to make those decisions.

[elrockinMT]

You find me one instance where a sane person called Iguchi and bum and I'll give you 50 bucks.

 

Iguchi did a good job for the Sox and actually I was quite surprised he was sent to the Phils. I wouldn't have a problem with him being back in a Sox uniform. As far as other Japanese players are concerned it will be interesting to see just how aggressive the Sox are in that market.

[Harry Chappas]

It would probably be insane for him not to be on the phones right now. The 20 GM's not going to the playoffs don't just take this month off because they're not allowed to make a deal...you're lining up what you might be able to do now so that you can decide things like "Who's option do I pick up" during the 10 days or so after the series you have to make those decisions.

 

I would bet all GM's even those in contention are talking as much now as ever. KW was working to deal while the playoff run was going on. I would guess July laid some groundwork and things are known, hence the Dye extension. I think it would be foolish to not stop working and hope things work out in the offseason.

[SoxFan562004]

I may be way over simplifying this, but Bullpen better be on #1 on KWs offseason list

[NorthSideSox72]

I may be way over simplifying this, but Bullpen better be on #1 on KWs offseason list

I'd say it should be about #3, after shortstop and center field. And even then, given how few reliable relievers there are available in all of baseball, I'd say it makes more sense to stick mostly with in-house talent in the pen. Maybe pick up one reliever. The back of the pen (Jenks, Wassermann, Logan) is pretty well set, and even Thornton and MacDougal have a good chance of being good next year.

 

[LVSoxFan]

I salivate at the idea of A-Rod on the Sox. That would be like a shot in the arm to this franchise. Yeah, he's expensive, but he'd be worth it.

 

As far as the Boras thing, how long is that going to drag out? Are we really going to deny ourselves all Boras clients from now until whenever because of some personal feud? That's cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[witesoxfan]

I salivate at the idea of A-Rod on the Sox. That would be like a shot in the arm to this franchise. Yeah, he's expensive, but he'd be worth it.

 

No one is worth $30 mill a year, except maybe Johan Santana.

[NorthSideSox72]

No one is worth $30 mill a year, except maybe Johan Santana.

I wouldn't even say Santana. For most teams, $30M is at least a third of their payroll if not more. For this team, probably just under a third. Having one player be 30%+ of your payroll is inviting disaster - like putting your retirement funds in a single, volatile stock. So unless you have a $200M payroll, I don't think ANY player is worth $30M.

 

[RockRaines]

I would say the whole middle of the field with the exception of Catcher should be addressed. CF, SS, 2B, Lead off hitter, more contact, bullpen.

 

One of the positions, ss and cf have to solve the leadoff problem as well.

[Wanne]

I salivate at the idea of A-Rod on the Sox. That would be like a shot in the arm to this franchise. Yeah, he's expensive, but he'd be worth it.

 

As far as the Boras thing, how long is that going to drag out? Are we really going to deny ourselves all Boras clients from now until whenever because of some personal feud? That's cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

I'm actually looking forward to ARod having a miserable playoff (again)...Yankee fans start booing him relentlessly...and he simply wants out of NY.

I personally think he'd be well worth the money...plus...don't you think just having him on your roster would push (from an ego standpoint to do better) guys like Pauly...Dye...and infuse some of the youngsters like Fields. The only guy I could see having a problem with ARod is AJ...not sure why though. If ARod's available...I sure as hell hope JR goes after him hard. Like someone said earlier...it's not like JR hasn't paid for the best player in the game before. I also think ARod would LOVE the move back to short.

[Wanne]

Thats fine, but you have to look at from the view of Alex, not the White Sox.

Why would Rodriguez want to come to the White Sox? Alex has been slammed repeatedly in the media for not being a winner, and not being able to take the pressures of high intensity situations. How would the image of A-Rod look if he left NY, and signed with a last place team? The fans, and more importantly, the media, would never let him live it down. On top of it, if NY were to win the series this year, why would Rodriguez leave? He would be loved in NY, and I have to believe at that point George would pay just about anything to keep him around.

 

With the ego A-Rod seems to have(not a bad thing) I just can't see him ducking out of NY to sign with a last place team.

 

I see what you're sayin....but it's not like he's signing with the friggin Royals or something. Your scenerio is based on ARod and the Yanks winning the series. Mine was if he had another subpar ALCS or whatever and typical NY fans would turn on him in a heartbeat. Why'd he go to Texas?

[Wanne]

I know, the Sox are in 5th place, not 4th.....

 

For once. Usually they are the doormats of the division year in and year out. The Sox are 2 years removed from a Series title with good (supposedly good) talent.

 

Lets say the Yanks bomb in the playoffs, lose in the ALCS. Once again, its going to be on A-Rod, he isn't a winner, blah blah blah. Do you really believe that A-Rod would then leave NY, and sign with a last place team??? How would that look to his image?

The $$. I don't think there was anyone even close to the 252 that was offered. He would have been stupid to turn it down.

 

I really think you're fixated on the fact...sure the Sox are in last place now. Has that EVER happened in the past 10-15 years or more. This year could be writtin off as an aberration. Why wouldn't he leave? Last I knew...NY wasn't Tahiti.

 

 

You really think the Sox are going to blow the Yanks-RedSox-Dodgers-Halos out of the water with an offer? Me either.

 

Why not? Kenny wants to make a big splash IMO.

[Gregory Pratt]

The White Sox won't blow anyone out of the water for Alex Rodriguez and he probably won't be coming here. That's about the long and short of it.

[witesoxfan]

The White Sox won't blow anyone out of the water for Alex Rodriguez and he probably won't be coming here. That's about the long and short of it.

 

"probably" is not a strong enough word; that leaves open a solid possibility it does. "Likely" or "almost assuredly" are better.