Rowand offered 4 yrs/55 million from Sox

[fathom]

Fuk? In regards to what?

 

Why I'm confident he's Cubs bound.

[fathom]

I will take a high OBP guy who can get on base regardless. They need good hitters, not necessarily guys who hit from one side or the other. You've criticized Guillen for being too appendage aware, as long as the guy is a good hitter who can get on base, what's the difference?

 

As for what Hendry might or might not have told the agent, well, maybe that's true but there's all kinds of chatter at these meetings.

 

My guess is the Cubs do get him but I hope the White Sox seal the deal on this guy. Hoping against hope.

 

But what if it's a guy that can't get on base against LHP? As our division stands right now, it's possible we'll have to face Santana, Liriano, Rogers, Robertson, Willis, Sabathia, and one or two other tough lefties in our division. We already have a 2nd baseman that can't face LHP and a DH that is below league average when facing lefties. Does anyone know how Fukudome is against LHP?

[29andPoplar]

BTW, I promise after he decides that I'll reveal what I've been told.

 

Sigh.

 

Forget it, I'm out of this thread. I'll wait it out and cross my fingers he signs with the White Sox. All this cloak and dagger smokescreen stuff on a message board is too much.

[greg775]

Rowand isnt a difference maker and we are not competing against the Tigers and Indians this year.

 

How can you say he's not a difference maker?

Put him in the lineup with Thome, Konerko, Josh, AJ, Dye and that's six pretty damn

good hitters ... on paper.

I think he is a difference maker in the big picture of our lineup.

[hitlesswonder]

BTW, I promise after he decides that I'll reveal what I've been told. Until then, I will hold out hope that the Sox get him. Hearing that mlb.com interview with Ozzie does give me a little more optimism, but I'd still put Fukudome as 90 pct likely to be playing for the Cubs.

 

BP said they thought there was one really big offer for Fukudome -- and they thought it was from the Cubs. And Hendry did say he would outbid anyone for him.

 

Plus, Fukudome strikes out. He's not the player Williams is talking about. given what he said, I'm guessing they are targeting David DeJesus or Crisp.

[Wanne]

But what if it's a guy that can't get on base against LHP? As our division stands right now, it's possible we'll have to face Santana, Liriano, Rogers, Robertson, Willis, Sabathia, and one or two other tough lefties in our division. We already have a 2nd baseman that can't face LHP and a DH that is below league average when facing lefties. Does anyone know how Fukudome is against LHP?

 

I'd never seen the dude...so I've been watchin these (scroll down):

 

http://www.armchairgm.com/Kosuke_Fukudome

 

I like the one where he throws his bat (second down on the left).

[Balta1701]

But what if it's a guy that can't get on base against LHP? As our division stands right now, it's possible we'll have to face Santana, Liriano, Rogers, Robertson, Willis, Sabathia, and one or two other tough lefties in our division. We already have a 2nd baseman that can't face LHP and a DH that is below league average when facing lefties. Does anyone know how Fukudome is against LHP?

Where exactly are you coming up with the conclusion that Richar can't face LHP? According to MLB.com's splits, and those are just his rookie numbers, his OPS against LHP last year was .696 and his OPS against RHP was .695.

[fathom]

Where exactly are you coming up with the conclusion that Richar can't face LHP? According to MLB.com's splits, and those are just his rookie numbers, his OPS against LHP last year was .696 and his OPS against RHP was .695.

 

He won't be facing lefties...I'll guarantee you that we'll platoon at 2nd base. I actually wouldn't mind a Richar/Ozuna platoon at 2nd.

[fathom]

BP said they thought there was one really big offer for Fukudome -- and they thought it was from the Cubs. And Hendry did say he would outbid anyone for him.

 

Plus, Fukudome strikes out. He's not the player Williams is talking about. given what he said, I'm guessing they are targeting David DeJesus or Crisp.

 

Crisp doesn't do much of anything offensively.

 

[fathom]

Little early to cast judgment. That hasn't stopped this site from doing it in the past, but it's still early.

 

On second thought, I should have said "won't", instead of can't.

[Balta1701]

He won't be facing lefties...I'll guarantee you that we'll platoon at 2nd base. I actually wouldn't mind a Richar/Ozuna platoon at 2nd.

Just because he "Won't" be facing lefties, which under Ozzie Guillen's "Platoon everyone no matter what the numbers say" is probably the truth, doesn't mean he "can't" face lefties or "he will never ever ever perform against lefties".

[daa84]

BP said they thought there was one really big offer for Fukudome -- and they thought it was from the Cubs. And Hendry did say he would outbid anyone for him.

 

Plus, Fukudome strikes out. He's not the player Williams is talking about. given what he said, I'm guessing they are targeting David DeJesus or Crisp.

will carroll guessed that it was from the cubs....big difference than saying htey thought it was from the cubs

[southsideirish71]

But what if it's a guy that can't get on base against LHP? As our division stands right now, it's possible we'll have to face Santana, Liriano, Rogers, Robertson, Willis, Sabathia, and one or two other tough lefties in our division. We already have a 2nd baseman that can't face LHP and a DH that is below league average when facing lefties. Does anyone know how Fukudome is against LHP?

 

There are certain lefties, such as Johan that its better to face them as a traditional lefty as it takes away their best pitch, the change up.

 

[BearSox]

as we all know Rowand is an OBP machine and rarely strikesout...

 

Does Kenny really think we are all this dumb? I really hope he gets chewed out at soxfest.

[Gregory Pratt]

Just because he "Won't" be facing lefties, which under Ozzie Guillen's "Platoon everyone no matter what the numbers say" is probably the truth, doesn't mean he "can't" face lefties or "he will never ever ever perform against lefties".

 

Umm, what? Who else has he platooned unnecessarily? If anything, he's less willing to platoon guys who maybe should be platooned.

[fathom]

There are certain lefties, such as Johan that its better to face them as a traditional lefty as it takes away their best pitch, the change up.

 

Used to be that way, but it wasn't true last year. I can't believe how bad his home run numbers were last year. I really think he's going to begin to fade sooner rather than later. I feel bad for the team that signs him to a 6 year deal (obviously, he'll be an ace for the first two years or so).

[Balta1701]

Umm, what? Who else has he platooned unnecessarily? If anything, he's less willing to platoon guys who maybe should be platooned.

Iguchi in 06 was significantly worse against left handers than right handers, yet his rest always came on days when a lefty was on the mound.

Anderson in 06 was worse against righties than against lefties, so Anderson only would start against Lefties.

[Allsox]

Hmmm, after looking at DeJesus' #'s, I wouldn't mind him here. Tough trading within the division but he's a pain in our ass. Me likey!

Batting GP AB R H 2b 3b HR RBI SB At BB K Avg OBP SLG

2004 24 KCR AL 96 363 58 104 15 3 7 39 8 11 33 53 .287 .360 .402

2005 25 KCR AL 122 461 69 135 31 6 9 56 5 5 42 76 .293 .359 .445

2006 26 KCR AL 119 491 83 145 36 7 8 56 6 3 43 70 .295 .364 .446

2007 27 KCR AL 157 605 101 157 29 9 7 58 10 4 64 83 .260 .351 .372

 

Fielding for '07 in CF GP TC A E FP%

2007 27 KCR AL CF 156 401 5 4 .990

 

Cheaper option than the Pa$$ion along with a steady improvement in the batting eye as well.

Edited December 5, 2007 by Allsox

[fathom]

Hmmm, after looking at DeJesus' #'s, I wouldn't mind him here. Tough trading within the division but he's a pain in our ass. Me likey!

Batting GP AB R H 2b 3b HR RBI SB At BB K Avg OBP SLG

2004 24 KCR AL 96 363 58 104 15 3 7 39 8 11 33 53 .287 .360 .402

2005 25 KCR AL 122 461 69 135 31 6 9 56 5 5 42 76 .293 .359 .445

2006 26 KCR AL 119 491 83 145 36 7 8 56 6 3 43 70 .295 .364 .446

2007 27 KCR AL 157 605 101 157 29 9 7 58 10 4 64 83 .260 .351 .372

 

Fielding for '07 in CF GP TC A E FP%

2007 27 KCR AL CF 156 401 5 4 .990

 

The Braves offered Chuck James, a highly touted lefty MLB starter, and I believe the Royals said no. I'm worried about what we'd have to give up to get DeJesus. I'd much rather trade for Josh Hamilton.

[BearSox]

The Braves offered Chuck James, a highly touted lefty MLB starter, and I believe the Royals said no. I'm worried about what we'd have to give up to get DeJesus. I'd much rather trade for Josh Hamilton.

From what I read, the Royals didn't say no to the Braves, but said they don't know if they want to keep him or not...

[Balta1701]

The Braves offered Chuck James, a highly touted lefty MLB starter, and I believe the Royals said no. I'm worried about what we'd have to give up to get DeJesus. I'd much rather trade for Josh Hamilton.

Things could change if they were to sign Jones or Fukudome.

[NorthSideSox72]

will carroll guessed that it was from the cubs....big difference than saying htey thought it was from the cubs

But if you look at this post over in TW, it looks more like the big offer was from the Sox.

 

[fathom]

Things could change if they were to sign Jones or Fukudome.

 

So wouldn't that mean we'd have to come up with a better offer than Chuck James? Doesn't seem like it would be in our best interest to give up something like Gio and another of our few legit prospects.

[Balta1701]

So wouldn't that mean we'd have to come up with a better offer than Chuck James? Doesn't seem like it would be in our best interest to give up something like Gio and another of our few legit prospects.

Well, all these people are jumping off a ledge because we don't have proven veterans at every position and so we can't compete for the next 4 years, so if they're demanding it then that's an option. I think it'd be stupid, but I think a lot of these desperation find a CF moves are pretty dumb as well.

[CWSGuy406]

Do you not want the hitter with the highest slugging percentage on your team to have hitters that can get on base in front of them?

 

As currently constructed, what OBP machine would be in front of Thome if we hit him third? Cabrera, of the we-should-be-pleased-with-a-.340-OBP variety?

 

Hopefully we announce a Fukodome signing so we don't have to go any further with this. That solves everything, Fukodome leads off with Cabrera second and everybody (that I can tell) is happy happy.