White Sox, A.J. Pierzynski agree on two-year extension

[SoxAce]

I believed that for a while, but I think I (we) have been proven wrong on that front. The organization (Kenny Williams?) fell under the belief that it needed a "leadoff man", that putting Iguchi there and being done with it wasn't a good option. Bringing Podsednik back, even at a relatively cheap price, blew up in the team's face (and they deserved it, as much as I hate to say it).

 

Then again, I think the LF spot was doomed to fail from the start. I wanted the Sox to go after one of the guys Cleveland grabbed (Delluci or Nixon) -- they've been hurt and bad -- or Alou -- he's been really good but hurt. The only feasible option would have been with the ballsy move of going after Bonds.

 

Still, the organization would've been better off just putting Mackowiak in LF to start the year.

 

Thank you and agreed. Hell The Cat, or the dude who was in Milwakee that past season would have been better options and Pods, it just the way the organization thinks what a leadoff hitter is which is of course.. different. Will they have blown up in our faces? Who knows but we would have been in better shape considering I bet anyone they would been way more productive.

[BearSox]

meh...

 

Hopefully next year we can finally draft a good catcher who will be ready by the time AJP contract is up or perhaps a year before.

 

However, I wouldn't mind this team making a trade for Taylor Teagarden.

Edited September 29, 2007 by BearSox

[Gene Honda Civic]

I was merely looking at it from the organization's point of view, and how, even as terrible as he was, Podsednik was a much better investment than Pierre.

While I agree with you on this. The Sox are spending far too much money (though I have no clue as to their '08-'10 budget) on good-but-not-great talents who are all on the wrong side of 30.

 

In '09, They're locked into about $80M to Thome (assuming his option is picked up, which it will if he doesn't die next year), Konerko, Dye, Buehrle, Vazquez, and Count. That group averages about 34 years old in '09. And that doesn't include Hunter/Eckstein, who would add another $20+M to that number.

 

This has disaster written all over it.

[bjm676]

Great signing. I see no reason why anyone would disagree with this move. Glad to have him around for a few more years.

[SoxAce]

Hopefully next year we can finally draft a good catcher who will be ready by the time AJP contract is up or perhaps a year before.

 

Personally, do you want to see us draft a catcher in the first round? (Kyle Skipworth? who would be a reach) I'm not agreeing or disagreeing just asking. I just pray that F. Hernandez is our guy or at least we address it properly.

[BearSox]

Personally, do you want to see us draft a catcher in the first round? (Kyle Skipworth? who would be a reach) I'm not agreeing or disagreeing just asking. I just pray that F. Hernandez is our guy or at least we address it properly.

not first round but perhaps a high upside guy out of high school in the 3rd round or something (a la Jarrod Saltalamacchia a couple of years ago.)

 

I still have hopes for Justin Smoak in the first round.

[Chisoxfn]

AJ is one of the better catchers in the league and another two years works for me. I am scared that they have so many guys under contract > 30 as that could get this team into trouble. However, AJ is an asset and one of the better catchers in the league.

[Gene Honda Civic]

While I agree with you on this. The Sox are spending far too much money (though I have no clue as to their '08-'10 budget) on good-but-not-great talents who are all on the wrong side of 30.

 

In '09, They're locked into about $80M to Thome (assuming his option is picked up, which it will if he doesn't die next year), Konerko, Dye, Buehrle, Vazquez, and Count. That group averages about 34 years old in '09. And that doesn't include Hunter/Eckstein, who would add another $20+M to that number.

 

This has disaster written all over it.

The numbers --- Though I expect Count to be gone, and there was some non-specific allusions to the Phillies kicking in some money if Thome's option vested

 

Name           '09 Age      '09 Salary

Mark Buehrle      30           $14.00

Jose Contreras    37           $10.00

Jemaine Dye       35           $11.50

Paul Konerko      33           $12.50

AJ Pierzynski     32            $6.25

Jim Thome         38           $13.00

Javier Vazquez    32           $11.50

======================================

        Avg. Age: 33.9         $78.75M
 

Torii Hunter      33          ~$17.50

Aaron Rowand      32          ~$11.00

David Eckstein    34           ~$6.50

======================================

                           ~$17.5-$24M

Total         9 players      ~$96-103M

[witesoxfan]

The numbers --- Though I expect Count to be gone, and there was some non-specific allusions to the Phillies kicking in some money if Thome's option vested

 

Name           '09 Age      '09 Salary

Mark Buehrle      30           $14.00

Jose Contreras    37           $10.00

Jemaine Dye       35           $11.50

Paul Konerko      33           $12.50

AJ Pierzynski     32            $6.25

Jim Thome         38           $13.00

Javier Vazquez    32           $11.50

======================================

        Avg. Age: 33.9         $78.75M
 

Torii Hunter      33          ~$17.50

Aaron Rowand      32          ~$11.00

David Eckstein    34           ~$6.50

======================================

                           ~$17.5-$24M

Total         9 players      ~$96-103M

 

that's gross

Edited September 30, 2007 by witesoxfan

[Flash Tizzle]

Great signing. I see no reason why anyone would disagree with this move. Glad to have him around for a few more years.

I'm not quesitoning you, in particular, but I hope people realize this extension takes place after 2008. He'll be here for the next three seasons. Hoping an overweight, unathletic catcher holds himself up offensively and defensively over the next several seasons isn't exactly a no-risk venture.

 

I have no problem with the extension because, honestly, what other options are there?

 

It just proves a troubling trend of having to put our faith in veteran players because the minor league system can't provide viable replacements.

 

With every high priced extension, we're only applying more pressure on the affiliates to produce talent. Fields, Richar, Danks, Floyd won't be enough.

[Gene Honda Civic]

I have no problem with the extension because, honestly, what other options are there?

Surely you'll recall the support for one Kurt Suzuki around here in June of '04?

 

We have no other options for two reasons.

 

1. The Sox failed to draft/produce a capable ML catcher the last 10 years.

2. Instead of a firesale, the Sox elected to resign any aging veteran with trade value.

 

In that respect, I would hope this extension raises your blood pressure. It highlights the poor short and long-term decisions the organization has made to back themselves into this corner.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Gene Honda Civic

[Flash Tizzle]

In that respect, I would hope this extension raises your blood pressure. It highlights the poor short and long-term decisions the organization has made to back themselves into this corner.

You just have to wonder when the breaking point will be. Will it take two, three seasons of drafting in the Top 10 for Williams to attempt a rebuilding project? And even then, will it be too late? I can't believe Dye, Konerko or Thome -- our offensive core -- will gain much value in the upcoming seasons. Vazquez and Jenks may be worth something of value, but I doubt they'll take a chance dealing either. Williams only trades players at their lowest value, not their heighest.

 

We're modeling ourself into an organization with a high payroll tied into inmovable pieces, without the benefit of a healthy minor league system to even out the salaries. No one can possibly believe our future is bright.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Flash Tizzle

[South Side Fireworks Man]

AJ is one of the better catchers in the league and another two years works for me. I am scared that they have so many guys under contract > 30 as that could get this team into trouble. However, AJ is an asset and one of the better catchers in the league.

Agreed on all counts.

[CanOfCorn]

You just have to wonder when the breaking point will be. Will it take two, three seasons of drafting in the Top 10 for Williams to attempt a rebuilding project? And even then, will it be too late? I can't believe Dye, Konerko or Thome -- our offensive core -- will gain much value in the upcoming seasons. Vazquez and Jenks may be worth something of value, but I doubt they'll take a chance dealing either. Williams only trades players at their lowest value, not their heighest.

 

We're modeling ourself into an organization with a high payroll tied into inmovable pieces, without the benefit of a healthy minor league system to even out the salaries. No one can possibly believe our future is bright.

 

I do. Why? I'll give you a couple of reasons. One, the White Sox are signing players that WANT to play with the White Sox, it's called a core, fellas. And I believe they are truly embarrassed by this season. They are OLDER, not old. Except for Thome, who really only is a part-time player, batting only. Two, they are signing these guys to BELOW MARKET contracts. If this doesn't work, in '09, I'm guessing the average salary will be higher than it is in '07.

 

I like re-signing AJ if only for continuity. And for that amount of money, he's easily tradable, if needed. They definitely need to start drafting/producing better from the minors, but since we don't have that flexibility, we gotz to pay.

[Gene Honda Civic]

Pierzynski's easily tradable like Milton Bradley. Somebody will take him, but you're not going to get much in return thanks to his post-Minnesota baggage.

[Dick Allen]

Pierzynski's easily tradable like Milton Bradley. Somebody will take him, but you're not going to get much in return thanks to his post-Minnesota baggage.

I don't think he's picked up much baggage since SF, and some of that was BS. He's not the best catcher in the league, but he's far from the worst, and he seems to pick up big hits as much as anyone on the roster. If the Sox had anyone you could reasonably expect to be able to catch 120 major league games without embarrasing themselves in the next year or so, I would be all for gambling, but AJ is not getting a huge bump so he is giving a discount. He should be fine, especially if a compentent back up is in place.

[Texsox]

I'm happy with keeping AJ around.

 

His numbers aren't spectacular, but he's not a hole for us. And before AJ, the Sox have always had a hole at catcher. We have no one waiting in the wings, and overall, I'd still consider AJ an asset to the club.

 

Not much to add. I also like having a catcher with experience around the team. Absent a huge upgrade, I'll take experience over a small performance upgrade. Something I don't value as much as in say, left field.

[Gene Honda Civic]

I don't think he's picked up much baggage since SF, and some of that was BS. He's not the best catcher in the league, but he's far from the worst, and he seems to pick up big hits as much as anyone on the roster. If the Sox had anyone you could reasonably expect to be able to catch 120 major league games without embarrasing themselves in the next year or so, I would be all for gambling, but AJ is not getting a huge bump so he is giving a discount. He should be fine, especially if a compentent back up is in place.

I don't think the baggage is that warranted, but he's perceived as a malcontent (his comments re: the Toby Hall signing support that).

 

The reputation exists regardless if it's deserved. AJ is the most hated player (by other players) in baseball. The pool of teams willing to acquire AJ is extremely limited, just like those for Bradley.

 

His tradability is not an asset.

[Linnwood]

whitesox.com article

 

thoughts?

 

 

I don't have much to add other than that I am very happy about this. AJP is an asset to the team.

 

(And his "baggage" is media bulls***, and everyone knows it.)

[NorthSideSox72]

I don't think he's picked up much baggage since SF, and some of that was BS. He's not the best catcher in the league, but he's far from the worst, and he seems to pick up big hits as much as anyone on the roster. If the Sox had anyone you could reasonably expect to be able to catch 120 major league games without embarrasing themselves in the next year or so, I would be all for gambling, but AJ is not getting a huge bump so he is giving a discount. He should be fine, especially if a compentent back up is in place.

Agreed. Any catcher who can give you 120+ games with the results AJ puts up, even with the attitude, is something most teams are willing to acquire if they have catching needs. This is especially true when he is as affordable as he is under this contract. Let's remember too that this season was not his best. In fact, both offensively and defensively, its among his worst - and at age 30, I don't think that is because of his "aging". This was a good buy-low opportunity.

 

The move was good anyway, he's still relatively young, and at times his fire and "attitude" have been big drivers for this club. And as many have said, the catching prospects in the minors leave a lot to be desired. D Lucy might be ready to be a backup in 2008, but really its more like 2009 (the only reason to even consider him in 2008 is that Hall was that bad). And while I am in the minority thinking he might be a serviceable major league starting catcher at some point, it is still a big might. More likely, he is a career backup (plays good D, handles pitchers well, hitting not so great).

 

[SkokieSox]

I don't think the baggage is that warranted, but he's perceived as a malcontent (his comments re: the Toby Hall signing support that).

 

The reputation exists regardless if it's deserved. AJ is the most hated player (by other players) in baseball. The pool of teams willing to acquire AJ is extremely limited, just like those for Bradley.

 

His tradability is not an asset.

 

Yet players like Bradley and AJ continue to find teams willing to take him. Maybe he doesn't bring in a top pitching prospect in return, but teams are always interested in helping their clubs, and both those players are able to do so for a number of teams.

[WCSox]

Meh, I wasn't too excited about this. Sure, there are no better FA options right now and there's nothing in the Sox's pipeline, so I guess that they had to do it. As much as I appreciate what AJ's done for this team, I hope that they're able to acquire a younger option with a better arm and send AJ packing before the end of his extension.

 

[CWSGuy406]

The move was good anyway, he's still relatively young

 

30 ain't young for a catcher. I think the bad thing about this deal is that it doesn't eliminate the deal for next season -- it's two years BEYOND next season. For catchers, 32-33 is when the cliff gets real, real close.

 

Sigh... f*** the scout(s) who recommended Lucy over Suzuki. He/they ought to be taken out back.

[Gregory Pratt]

30 ain't young for a catcher. I think the bad thing about this deal is that it doesn't eliminate the deal for next season -- it's two years BEYOND next season. For catchers, 32-33 is when the cliff gets real, real close.

 

Sigh... f*** the scout(s) who recommended Lucy over Suzuki. He/they ought to be taken out back.

 

We have terrible, terrible scouts. When I rip 'em, I say that they don't even have working radar guns, and I'm only half-kidding. I'm just curious if we have scouts who actually recommended Lucy over Suzuki or if that was all save-money, not "He'll be better, trust us!"

[3E8]

Lucy wasn't a matter of scouting, it was signability. Everyone knew Suzuki was better.