Can this team compete in 2008?

[Flash Tizzle]

What bothers me though, is that upper management doesn't.

If we're intent on competing next season, and the team performs similarily to 2007, there can't possibly be any other option but for Williams to rebuild. At its worst, next year should be a definining moment in the direction of this franchise. Williams will have to do quite a bit of spinning over the offseason to assure fans next season's team has an opportunity to compete. If the 2008 team fails to improve, what excuse could he possibly have to give hope for 2009? Even injuries won't be enough, in my mind.

 

The problem here, if such a scenario were to unfold, is we're hoping upon hope those with value (such as Vazquez, Konerko, Jenks) still have it. And Williams is capable of obtaining legitimate talent in a trade. This upcoming offseason he'll need to receive a lot in my mind for foolishly holding onto Garland leading up to the trade deadline.

Edited September 22, 2007 by Flash Tizzle

[Jack Parkman]

If we're intent on competing next season, and the team performs similarily to 2007, there can't possibly be any other option but for Williams to rebuild. At its worst, next year should be a definining moment in the direction of this franchise. Williams will have to do quite a bit of spinning over the offseason to assure fans next season's team has an opportunity to compete. If the 2008 team fails to improve, what excuse could he possibly have to give hope for 2009? Even injuries won't be enough, in my mind.

 

The problem here, if such a scenario were to unfold, is we're hoping upon hope those with value (such as Vazquez, Konerko, Jenks) still have it. And Williams is capable of obtaining legitimate talent in a trade. This upcoming offseason he'll need to receive a lot in my mind for foolishly holding onto Garland leading up to the trade deadline.

I 100% agree that not trading Garland at the deadline was an enormous error by Ken Williams. We could have received twice as much for him then than we will this offseason. I have no clue what is going on in KW's mind that makes him think that a few FA signings and minor trades will help this team reach the playoffs in 2008. That thinking is delusional, IMO. This team needs to be broken up now, and a firesale looking for prospects similar to what the Marlins received in the 05-06 offseason is necessary NOW. Jenks can stay, though, unless someone offers a king's ransom in return. But Javy, Garland, Konerko, Contreras(for whatever), and possibly Thome need to go this offseason. Dye can go at the trade deadline next season(if that's possible), and Mark can go in the offseason between 08-09. Everyone must go for the best package, and the only reason to keep them is if we are lowballed. The organizational philosophy about the draft needs to change as well. They must go after the best available talent at the spot that they are picking. Not dealing with Scott Boras puts an organization at a disadvantage because a large percentage of the best talent in each draft is represented by him. Go above slot a few times, for pete's sake! If the team is not headed in the right direction by the allstar break in 2009, then KW needs to be canned. He can take Ozzie with him.

 

[kwolf68]

 

The trouble with 'rebuilding' after next year is this franchise will be baron, ....our tradeable pieces will be one year older , closer to free agency or proven to be not major league players.

 

I find it laughable that people think bringing in Torri Hunter and 2 relief pitchers will put this team back in the race. LOOK AT THIS TEAM...it SUCKS. There are some good pieces to it, but the freaking Devil Rays have some "good pieces", the Royals have some "good pieces", the Reds have some "good pieces", and the Bux have some "good pieces."

 

Lets s***can this joke team and bring in 6-10 new players for next year...90 losses again? possible, but also with a better look at 2009.

[WCSox]

1. At the end of May, a dreadful offense nonwithstanding, the team had a 24-25 record and was 7.5 games out of the division; 4 behind the wildcard leader. The team wasn't quit dead, yet.

 

They were on their way there, with a badly-slumping offense that couldn't build a lead and a God-awful bullpen that couldn't hold one. Only the starting pitching (which would later take a hit when Jose and Jon pitched like crap for a while) saved them from being absolutely dreadful.

 

2. What's so young and inexperienced about MacDougal, Thornton and Aardsma? They were key contributers to our past (and ongoing) bullpen woes.

 

You're right, I should've just said "inexperienced" or, better yet, "unproven." Except for MacDougal, who just had a terrible season.

 

3. If they collectively quit trying in June then there should be a large amount of roster changes, right? I take it this is exactly how you feel, since no one would possibly root for a group of similar people entering next season. Maybe they didn't have that killer extinct, or the guidance of Rowand to push them forward. Oh, but wait -- according to Hawk they've never given up.

 

Yeah, let's just hold a massive fire sale. Everybody goes! :oldrolleyes

 

Have you ever half-assed it at a bad job? I know many people who have, and it doesn't make them incapable workers. It's difficult to feel inspired at work when you're no longer in a position to succeed, as the Sox were by about early July. Merely brining everybody back to 0-0 next April will give them ample incentive bring their "A games" to the ballpark.

 

Sometimes talented teams just don't get it done. Look at last year's Indians team. They certainly didn't "suck" from a talent standpoint, they just didn't execute. I'm not saying that the Sox have as much talent as the Indians, but they're not exactly the Royals either.

 

If I were a betting man, I wouldn't bet on the Sox competing for a playoff spot next year. But if Kenny goes out and address CF and SS, brings in a couple of veteran bullpen arms, Crede is healthy enough to play, and they can get out of the gate reasonably fast, I think that they have a legitimate chance. Their starting pitching is probably going to be above average, they have good power in the middle of the lineup, and the have a rock-solid closer. Many areas still need to be addressed, but that's a good starting point. Their window of opportunity is closing quickly (next year is probably their last opportunity before rebuilding), but you never know what's going to happen. This team is A LOT better off than the '99 team and, well, we all know what happened in 2000.

 

Call me overly-optimistic, but I just think it's silly to call next year's team dead in the water when nobody even knows what the freaking Opening Day starting lineup will be.

Edited September 22, 2007 by WCSox

[greg775]

I would think season ticket sales would take a major hit, but maybe the Sox have developed a loyal following of 30,000 or so who will come every night regardless.

I would think tickets would be a hard sell for next season unless chicago is full of people with lots of disposable income who have learned to love going to the games since the magical season of 05.

[Rowand44]

They haven't. They probably have a base of around 15,000, but certainly not 30,000, and I'm in that group. I am a college student that has season tickets right now, but can't afford to spend my money on a bad product. When I'm older, and if I'm still in the Chicagoland area, I will have seats no matter what, but as it stands, I won't pay that much for a lousy product.

That's the thing for a lot of us. You know how many games I usually go to but I simply can't afford to waste all my money(and I literally wasted ALL my money on the Sox in 05 and 06) on a team that sucks ass.