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Winter Meetings Chit-Chat


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QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 10:02 PM)
Except Joyce isn't exactly highly touted nor has he ever shown anything too special at the minor league level.

Yeah, it doesn't look like the Rays got back great value for Jackson but given what their asking price appears to have been the Sox weren't a good fit.

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QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 10:08 PM)
Doesn't mean you have to settle for a likely bench player.

They probably shopped him around and were unhappy with what they were offered, maybe they like Joyce's power potential.

I'm just glad we won't see JD traded for him.

Edited by Jimmywins1
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http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2008/1...er-ball-tuneup/

 

by Patrick Saunders on December 10, 2008

 

. . . Footnotes. The Rockies have expressed interest in right-handed reliever Luis Ayala, who went 2-10 with a 5.71 ERA last year. … With a trade to the Nationals dead, all signs point to center fielder Willy Taveras being non-tendered at Friday’s deadline.

Apparently they feel Podsednik is a better bet/value as their 4th/5th OF in 2009 given the current condition of Taveras' leg (stress fracture he suffered in the final week of the season) and $2M price-tag.

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QUOTE (DBAHO @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 09:41 PM)
I wouldn't mind Taveras as a FA.

 

Doesn't mean you guarantee him a starting job though.

 

Ozzie is the manager. If he can run, he will start. Owens if not for injury would of started over Q last year. If he is on this team, he is our leadoff hitter and starter.

 

 

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LAS VEGAS -- The words "slow day" rarely, if ever, have been attached to describing any sort of time period spent in the city of Las Vegas.

 

But that precise phrase was how general manager Ken Williams referred to the White Sox itinerary on Wednesday at the Bellagio during the final stages of the 2008 Winter Meetings.

 

No trades or signings in the immediate future. No meetings with other teams for the White Sox, but also no worries seemingly coming from a relaxed Williams when he spoke to the Chicago media.

 

"We're a club that is very proactive during the season ... there really isn't an offseason for us," Williams said. "We don't have to come to these meetings to schedule meetings because we've had those conversations with people through the course of the year, and as soon as the offseason starts, through the General Managers Meetings, so there is no script that we have to follow. I don't take meetings simply because. I don't take meetings that haven't already produced some substance in conversation.

 

"Give me an idea on what you want to do, and I will tell you if there is a need for us to sit down. I think it's false hustle."

 

With no plans to select a player in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, at least as of Wednesday evening, Williams will depart for home Thursday with his words from Monday's first interview session trailing behind him. On that opening day, Williams stated how he would be surprised if there were any surprises on the horizon in regard to possible deals.

 

Instead, Williams had a little fun in talking about his day's worth of activities.

 

He avoided the gaming tables but did watch a movie earlier, followed by the viewing of CNN and the WGN News, catching up on the trials and travails of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Reports of the White Sox and Reds once again talking about a Jermaine Dye-Homer Bailey swap were dismissed as nothing more than Williams talking to Walt Jocketty, the Reds general manager and Williams' friend, at a social gathering on Tuesday night.

 

One more question did pop up regarding Dye, using an apropos betting theme to ask if Williams thought Dye would be his right fielder at the start of the 2009 campaign.

 

"I thought I was going to escape that question today," said Williams with a laugh. "Jermaine is still on the club and on the board and in the lineup. I don't have anything different to tell you guys than anything I told you yesterday."

 

Earlier offseason trades involving Nick Swisher and Javier Vazquez, along with the free-agent signing of Dayan Viciedo probably set to be announced at the end of this week, have Williams excited with the necessary blend of youthful talent and dependable veterans he now has in place. He also has infused speed and aggressiveness into a previously home run-based attack.

 

These deals might not have brought a high-profile return such as Cleveland's apparent signing of free-agent closer Kerry Wood, as an example. Yet, Williams feels comfortable with having the right overall blend to defend the team's 2008 American League Central title and beyond, not to mention putting himself in position to add valuable pieces down the line.

 

"Obviously, the plan was to fortify our Minor League system. We were well on our way with the last two Drafts [White Sox scouting director] Doug Laumann and his crew have put together," Williams said. "We just added nine guys to our system, whether it be trade or Viciedo, we added nine guys, nine plus-type, high-ceiling type guys.

 

"Part of the plan with that is the extra two picks we're getting in next year's Draft for [Orlando] Cabrera's free agency. That was a necessity, that had to be done, and was part of the plan. Now, as you sit, take a step back and look at the Major League team, you say, 'OK, what now do we have to do that's consistent with our long-term plan, what can we do for the short-term to make sure we are leaning in a better way toward a championship?' That's kind of where we are right now."

 

Manager Ozzie Guillen expressed the same sort of optimism in Williams' work before departing for Venezuela on Wednesday night. In past Winter Meetings, Guillen's exit somehow has translated into big White Sox moves to follow. But if Wednesday's silence was any indication, that trend will not continue on in Las Vegas.

 

"Some of that is by design, but no, I can't remember ... I was commenting to my staff upstairs that I can't remember this little dialogue," Williams said. "It's just a departure to a certain degree of what we're used to. It doesn't stop us from playing the games internally about who is out there, what can we potentially do to make an impact. It will be a little bit of a later offseason, maybe."

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QUOTE (chunk23 @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 10:45 PM)
None of that is reassuring at all.

 

No selections in the rule V draft?

 

The only type of player they could really even consider is a pitcher, and it seems the team feels pretty confident in that right now. I don't see any way possible that they could pick up a position player.

 

They generally always pick someone up in the minor league portion...Cole Armstrong and Dewon Day have been apart of that, among others too.

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Couch agrees with KW on "rebuilding" project...worth reading

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/couch/13255...-greg11.article

 

 

DeRosa to Twins as part of Peavy deal?

 

A list of prospects would be given to the Cubs for the Padres approval before a deal would be made. DeRosa would likely play second in Minnesota, with young second baseman Alexi Casilla moving to short. DeRosa could also play third or the outfield for the Twins, who would use his versatility the same the Cubs have.

 

Why is DeRosa being shopped after being such a valuable piece of a 97-win season?

 

First of all, he's going to be a free agent after this season and figures to command a much larger contract than the three-year, $13 million deal he signed after the 2006 season. DeRosa was arguably the Cubs' biggest bargain last year at $4.75 million, and will make a relatively modest $5.5 million in '09. chicagotribune.com/sports

Edited by caulfield12
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Folks as I ahve stated in a number of posts in this and other threads. This is truly a rebuilding year. The economy is helping this cause. I thought for sure most people around here would love that. Everyone is so infatuated with minor league players that I thought this would bring alot of excitement. Now, I am not a minor league guy, but this is actually a great move. The team is getting old and slow and payroll has been bloated since the world series as it should have been. Now its time to rebuild again. I do not think we will get a big free agent name unless that guy is part of a 5 year plan. They are building around Carlos and lexi, and the young pitchers. When they gell in two years they will add the right pieces. With Tex most likley going to Boston, I would explore the figgins/ Konerko thing again. Figgins fits for the next five years. What people really seem to be missing here is the Economic element that most people have never seen before. The economy is shot. By the way I also feel bad for those people graduating college last year and this year. They will never have of tougher time fiondign a job than what they are about to experience.

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QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 10:13 PM)
.842 OPS against righties last year with very good power numbers. It's not a great deal for Tampa, but I wouldn't write it off as a brutal trade quite yet.

The thought is, Joyce makes the minimum, they'll use him against RHP as a corner OF, and they'll non - tender Gabe Gross, so they'll have an extra 3M to throw at either Bradley or Giambi for a DH spot.

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QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 07:55 AM)
KW has the best job in the world and he spends the afternoon watching tv.

 

Ever been to Vegas?

 

TVs are everywhere in the hotels/casinos.

 

Makes perfect sense that he would be in one of the main seating areas downstairs that are organized around big screen TVs.

 

That's where you would go if you wanted to be seen and make it easy for people to find you.

Edited by scenario
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QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 10:09 AM)
General manager Ken Williams spent Wednesday watching television and conducting personnel meetings with White Sox staff members in his hotel suite.

 

From this morning's Tribune.

 

Don't get all feisty. It was just an observation.

 

And considering all the goings on in Illinois...I'm not surprised. I'm sure it affects the Sox in some ways.

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