Happy New Year's ya'll, this is going to be an interesting year for
the sox, a lot of new players which is cool, also, it's going to be a
whole new team, man lee is gone, and ordonez and man i hope they can
sign schoweneiss back, but i hope frank will be ok to play, again
going to be one hell of an interesting year, we actually have base
hitters instead of home run guys, cept for like a few, and meaning
like frank, good guy, hit 42 homeruns two seasons ago, wohoot, but
any ways just wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEARS and GO SOX


MEGAN

All I can say is YES!  Let's get both of these guys signed and
delivered.  That would put the Sox clearly in front in the Central.

-Mark-

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Phillips"
<markp8867@n...> wrote:
> White Sox make Pierzynski offer
> Catcher's representative confirms South Siders' pursuit
>       By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
>
>
>             A.J. Pierzynski was placed on waivers by the Giants on
Dec. 14. (Gail Burton/AP)
>
>
>
> The on-again, off-again pursuit of A.J. Pierzynski appears on
again for the White Sox, who have made an official offer to the free
agent catcher.
> "That's true," said Steve Hilliard, Pierzynski's representative,
when asked about the South Siders' offer to his client on Thursday
morning. "That's all I'm going to say."
>
> Hilliard would not get into years or money offered by the White
Sox, although the deal figures to be worth less than the $3.5
million Pierzynski earned with the San Francisco Giants in 2004. The
Giants placed Pierzynski on waivers on Dec. 14, one day after they
inked Mike Matheny to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.
>
> Pierzynski's offense is a step above Matheny's, as well as that of
the White Sox combination of Ben Davis and Jamie Burke. But Matheny
was a better defensive player behind the plate, causing the Giants
to make Pierzynski a non-tendered free agent.
>
>
>
>
> Complete coverage >
>
> In his only season with the Giants, Pierzynski finished with
a .272 average, 11 home runs and 77 RBIs. But it was not a year
without troubles for the veteran catcher, who turned 29 on Thursday.
>
> According to an Oakland Tribune story in late April, some Giants
players criticized Pierzynski for not being prepared and refusing to
go over hitters with starter Brett Tomko before a game in order to
finish a hand of cards. One player went as far as to anonymously
refer to him as a "cancer."
>
> The article prompted a clubhouse meeting, in which the pitchers
who were quoted -- but not named -- in the article approached
Pierzynski.
>
> "They told me they were sorry it happened," Pierzynski said in the
May 1 edition of the San Jose Mercury News. "But I said to
them, 'Yeah, but now I'm branded the rest of my career as a bad
guy.'"
>
> When asked about Pierzynski's reputation, Hilliard again stated
that he only felt comfortable discussing his confirmation of the
White Sox's offer.
>
> Outfielder Dustan Mohr, who played with Pierzynski in Minnesota
and San Francisco, came to Pierzynski's defense after the early-
season accusations.
>
> "A.J. doesn't have to justify himself," Mohr told the Mercury
News. "He doesn't need to justify who he is. If A.J.'s guilty of
anything, it's that he cares too much."
>
> Pierzynski holds a .294 career average with 37 home runs and 270
RBIs. He was a particularly feisty thorn in the side of the White
Sox when he served as the Twins' starting catcher from 2001 to 2003.
>
> But when the Twins made the move to start rookie Joe Mauer in
2004, Pierzynski became expendable. He was traded to the Giants in
exchange for Joe Nathan, who quickly developed into an All-Star
closer for Minnesota.
>
> Hilliard also confirmed Thursday that the White Sox are not the
only team interested in Pierzynski.
>
> The White Sox's reported interest comes in the wake of comments
made by general manager Ken Williams' to MLB.com on Dec. 21.
>
> At that point, Williams said the White Sox had not offered
Pierzynski a contract. More important, Williams sounded as if an
offer would not be on the horizon, especially with his focus on a
united, cohesive clubhouse.
>
> "We were doing some background work, some research on him, and
determined he was not a fit with the White Sox," said Williams of
Pierzynski.
>
> Williams was unavailable for comment Thursday morning.
>
> The signing of Orlando Hernandez last week left the White Sox with
a couple of million dollars to work with in this offseason. The team
also is interested in adding a middle infielder, with an offer to
Japanese All-Star second baseman Tadahito Iguchi on the table at two
years, $4 million.
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------

A very Happy New Year to one and all!

-Mark-

Actually that was first base coach Tom Gamboa who had his hearing
impaired, not the ump this guy attacked.  At least the judge
actually gave him some jail time, unlike the other two.  Still, 90
days seems kind of light to me for something like that.  That lady
is nuts for letting him marry her daughter too.

Not too bad.  I like the idea of this Japanese signing more than the
Nakamura one discussed a couple of weeks ago.

Mark.

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, markp8867@n... wrote:
>
> In other Japanese baseball news Sunday:
>
> --Infielder Tadahito Iguchi, who has said he wants to move to the
> major leagues, said that the Chicago White Sox are among the major
> league teams interested in acquiring his services.
>
> Iguchi said his agent, Richard Moss, has received offers from
> several major league teams hoping to sign the 30-year-old,
including
> the White Sox.
>
> ===================================================================
>
> Basically he is a 2B now but he has played SS in the past too.  He
> is a pretty good fielder, hits for average and power, and has some
> speed too.  He strikes out too much to be a leadoff hitter but
could
> fit in well at #2 in the order.  What does everyone else think?
> Here are his stats:
>
> http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=970

In other Japanese baseball news Sunday:

--Infielder Tadahito Iguchi, who has said he wants to move to the
major leagues, said that the Chicago White Sox are among the major
league teams interested in acquiring his services.

Iguchi said his agent, Richard Moss, has received offers from
several major league teams hoping to sign the 30-year-old, including
the White Sox.

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

Basically he is a 2B now but he has played SS in the past too.  He
is a pretty good fielder, hits for average and power, and has some
speed too.  He strikes out too much to be a leadoff hitter but could
fit in well at #2 in the order.  What does everyone else think?
Here are his stats:

http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=970

I think they have the talent to get to the playoffs, even to win
their division. The problem is that sometimes all the talent in the
world doesn't seem to work. We were favored to win the AL Central
last year, but we had a series of injuries to Maggilo and Frank, and
the rest of the team couldn't pick up the slack. The Yankees had the
talent to win the ALCS and the World Series, but their talent didn't
perform, and the Red Sox came back to win both the ALCS and World
Series. If the White Sox's best talent players, play to the greatest
ammount possible that their talent can achieve, we'll dominate the
AL Central, but I doubt the Twins or Indians will make it easy.

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "alexisasoxfan"
<alexisasoxfan@y...> wrote:
>
>
> I think the Whitesox have the talent to make the playoffs. Who
> agrees????

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "alexisasoxfan"
<alexisasoxfan@y...> wrote:
>
>
> I think the Whitesox have the talent to make the playoffs. Who
> agrees????

*I agree.  I think the direction we're headed in (more speed and
better fundamentals, less reliance on power, better and deeper
pitching) is the right course.  But we still have work to do to make
us a honest to goodness world series contender and not just a
pretender.
Bill

Yes...Happy Holidays to all!!!

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "(*) -Mark- (*)"
<mjv54935@y...> wrote:
>
> Merry Christmas to one and all.  May you all find that you've been
> good boys and girls; and that Santa has left what you want under
> your tree.  Or around your Festivus pole.
>
> -Mark-
>
> P.S.  What I want is a power hitting outfielder and/or a speedy,
> good-hitting defensive second baseman.  ;-)

Hi Alexis and welcome to the group!  I think the Sox have the talent
to make the playoffs.  However, I don't want the Sox to just make
the playoffs, I want the Sox to win the playoffs too.  Teams like
New York, Boston, and Anaheim definitely seem to have a bit more
depth than our White Sox.  But first the Sox need to beat the Twins
and win the Central before we can talk about the playoffs just
yet. :-)

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "alexisasoxfan"
<alexisasoxfan@y...> wrote:
>
>
> I think the Whitesox have the talent to make the playoffs. Who
> agrees????

I think the Whitesox have the talent to make the playoffs. Who
agrees????

Merry Christmas to one and all.  May you all find that you've been
good boys and girls; and that Santa has left what you want under
your tree.  Or around your Festivus pole.

-Mark-

P.S.  What I want is a power hitting outfielder and/or a speedy,
good-hitting defensive second baseman.  ;-)

That's way too much for Eckstein.  The Cardinals were clearly
desperate to sign anyone after Renteria blew them off for Boston.

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "William Lai"
<william_lai@y...> wrote:
>
> Eckstein agreed to a $10.25 million, three-year contract with the
NL champion St. Louis
> Cardinals. He was a grinder that would've fit in nicely with the
White Sox. Oh well, I guess
> $3.4M per year would've been too much $ for Kenny. We'll see if we
cn at least get Cora.

I'd agree, especially because with the Yankees and Red Sox in the
same league, while speed and defense matter, if you can't match them
for power(because the Yankees have lead the AL East and Boston has
led the Wild Card Race), they're going to beat you. The Twins are
entirely built for speed, and the Yankees have beaten them twice in
a row with the long ball in the divisional series, although this
year was close. From the talk that has gone on about some of the
guys we've picked up that have speed and defensive ability will help
in that fashion, we need Konerko to be the backbone of the power
portion of our lineup, especially if Thomas isn't 100% healthy by
opening day.

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, Jim Hekel
<jhekelcubs@y...> wrote:
> I think talks should be opened now on an extension for
> Paulie.
>
> jim in indiana
>
>
> --- "(*) -Mark- (*)" <mjv54935@y...> wrote:
>
> >
> > Konerko a cornerstone or trade bait?
> >
> > Phil Rogers
> > Published December 23, 2004
> >
> > Provided he's willing to roll the dice on Ross
> > Gload, Ken Williams
> > has found himself in the right spot at the right
> > time.
> >
> > With Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta blowing
> > up the Randy
> > Johnson trade at the last minute--or several days
> > after the last
> > minute, from the Yankees' perspective--the White
> > Sox's GM is
> > positioned to throw his weight around for once. This
> > is provided he
> > trusts Gload to get at least twice as many at-bats
> > as he did in his
> > 10th-man role last season.
> >
> > Paul Konerko, it says here, can decide whether he
> > stays in Chicago
> > or is shopped to Arizona in an attempt to broker the
> > three-way deal
> > sending Johnson from the Diamondbacks to the
> > Yankees.
> >
> > Just last week, when there was a rumor the Dodgers
> > were interested
> > in moving Javier Vazquez to the White Sox, Williams
> > all but said
> > Konerko has become untouchable with Magglio Ordonez
> > a free agent and
> > Carlos Lee a Milwaukee Brewer. Somebody, after all,
> > is going to have
> > to drive in runs.
> >
> > But what hasn't been discussed is Konerko, who
> > appears to be worth
> > every penny of his $8.75 million salary coming off a
> > 41-homer, 117-
> > RBI season, is eligible for free agency after 2005.
> > With the market
> > going up, what kind of a deal will he be looking at
> > if he comes near
> > those numbers again?
> >
> > So here's my unsolicited suggestion (which probably
> > has crossed the
> > minds of Williams and his assistant, Rick Hahn):
> > Give Konerko a very
> > short window to consider a two-year extension at
> > perhaps $9 million
> > a year--so you would have him signed through 2007,
> > perhaps with a
> > club option for '08--and hope he takes it.
> >
> > Konerko is reliable both in the middle of the
> > lineup--can you
> > remember when Jerry Manuel stopped playing him?--and
> > the middle of
> > the clubhouse. He fits the mold of a cornerstone.
> > But he can't be
> > one if he doesn't want to be one. So make the offer
> > and find out
> > what's on his mind.
> >
> > If Konerko flinches, picturing himself with one of
> > those Adrian
> > Beltre/J.D. Drew deals, then Williams should
> > acknowledge the reality
> > of the White Sox's financial situation and move
> > fast. There's a
> > reasonable chance Konerko (and probably Jon Garland)
> > could be used
> > to revive the Johnson-to-the-Yankees deal.
> >
> > In return for their services, the White Sox should
> > want the much-
> > discussed Vazquez and about $15 million from the
> > Yankees.
> >
> > That would get the Sox's commitment to Vazquez down
> > to about $6
> > million a year over the next three years--and maybe
> > Arizona and the
> > Yankees would put in a prospect apiece.
> >
> > Vazquez is a good bet to bounce back from last
> > season, when he went
> > 14-10 despite a 4.91 earned-run average. The
> > addition of Vazquez
> > would give the Sox a potential rotation of Mark
> > Buehrle, Freddy
> > Garcia, Vazquez, Jose Contreras and Orlando "El
> > Duque" Hernandez in
> > 2005, with everyone except Hernandez under their
> > control through '07.
> >
> > And the lineup?
> >
> > With Gload at first base, Ozzie Guillen would have
> > the National
> > League-style "speed-and-defense" team he has talked
> > about. He also
> > would have a little more balance, especially if he
> > finds a way to
> > get Carl Everett into the lineup alongside Gload and
> > left-handed-
> > hitting leadoff man Scott Podsednik.
> >
> > Gload will be 29 for most of next season and never
> > has been a big-
> > league regular. He probably is not going to develop
> > into an All-
> > Star, but he could be a poor man's Mark Grace or
> > J.T. Snow. He has a
> > short swing and good strike-zone judgment. He won't
> > drive in as many
> > runs as Konerko but could score more.
> >
> > Gload was one of the AL's best extra men last year.
> > His .375 on-base
> > percentage was second to Thomas' among White Sox
> > players with more
> > than 120 at-bats.
> >
> > Konerko is a better hitter, no question. But with
> > Gload in his
> > place, Williams can put more money toward pitching,
> > which he
> > correctly has decided should be the emphasis.
> >
> > Vazquez is a good guy who has endured much in his
> > seven big-league
> > seasons. He got almost the full, wild ride in
> > Montreal, including
> > the first two of the three seasons that Major League
> > Baseball
> > orphaned the franchise, and then came to be treated
> > like he had a
> > disease in New York even though he tied Jon Lieber
> > for the staff
> > lead in victories. Because of a woeful second half,
> > he was deemed
> > too "soft" for the Yankee Stadium pressure cooker.
> >
> > If a Konerko-for-Vazquez trade is a possibility,
> > especially with the
> > Yankees picking up part of the bill, Williams needs
> > to find out
> > whether Konerko wants to be history or a
> > cornerstone.
> >
> > Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search.
> http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250

Eckstein agreed to a $10.25 million, three-year contract with the NL champion
St. Louis
Cardinals. He was a grinder that would've fit in nicely with the White Sox. Oh
well, I guess
$3.4M per year would've been too much $ for Kenny. We'll see if we cn at least
get Cora.

Many people think our offense is gonna suck this year, but I don't.
I mean, as long as nothing like our top two guys go down like they
did last year, we should be good.  We're getting Thomas back, plus
the addition of Dye, Podseinik, and hopefully Ecktein.  So our
batting order would look something like this:
1. Podsednik
2. Uribe
3. Thomas
4. Konerko
5. Rowand
6. Dye
7. Everret? i don't know how that would work, if not him then I
guess Harris
8. Crede- supposed to have a breakout year this year
9. Burke, Davis

Plus, we still have awesome backups and clutch hitters like Perez
and Gload, and we also have Valdez, he showed that he has potential
at the end of last season, and if we do get Eckstein, we'll be even
better offensively.
Obviously our pitching is good, especially our bullpen, and our
defense is actually going to be really good this year, every
position has a good defender it seems.
I think this could be the year we finally snatch the division away
from the twins.  Hopefully, I'm right.  Only 3 months till the
season starts! Go Sox! And Merry Christmas!

Steve

I think talks should be opened now on an extension for
Paulie.

jim in indiana


--- "(*) -Mark- (*)" <mjv54935@...> wrote:

>
> Konerko a cornerstone or trade bait?
>
> Phil Rogers
> Published December 23, 2004
>
> Provided he's willing to roll the dice on Ross
> Gload, Ken Williams
> has found himself in the right spot at the right
> time.
>
> With Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta blowing
> up the Randy
> Johnson trade at the last minute--or several days
> after the last
> minute, from the Yankees' perspective--the White
> Sox's GM is
> positioned to throw his weight around for once. This
> is provided he
> trusts Gload to get at least twice as many at-bats
> as he did in his
> 10th-man role last season.
>
> Paul Konerko, it says here, can decide whether he
> stays in Chicago
> or is shopped to Arizona in an attempt to broker the
> three-way deal
> sending Johnson from the Diamondbacks to the
> Yankees.
>
> Just last week, when there was a rumor the Dodgers
> were interested
> in moving Javier Vazquez to the White Sox, Williams
> all but said
> Konerko has become untouchable with Magglio Ordonez
> a free agent and
> Carlos Lee a Milwaukee Brewer. Somebody, after all,
> is going to have
> to drive in runs.
>
> But what hasn't been discussed is Konerko, who
> appears to be worth
> every penny of his $8.75 million salary coming off a
> 41-homer, 117-
> RBI season, is eligible for free agency after 2005.
> With the market
> going up, what kind of a deal will he be looking at
> if he comes near
> those numbers again?
>
> So here's my unsolicited suggestion (which probably
> has crossed the
> minds of Williams and his assistant, Rick Hahn):
> Give Konerko a very
> short window to consider a two-year extension at
> perhaps $9 million
> a year--so you would have him signed through 2007,
> perhaps with a
> club option for '08--and hope he takes it.
>
> Konerko is reliable both in the middle of the
> lineup--can you
> remember when Jerry Manuel stopped playing him?--and
> the middle of
> the clubhouse. He fits the mold of a cornerstone.
> But he can't be
> one if he doesn't want to be one. So make the offer
> and find out
> what's on his mind.
>
> If Konerko flinches, picturing himself with one of
> those Adrian
> Beltre/J.D. Drew deals, then Williams should
> acknowledge the reality
> of the White Sox's financial situation and move
> fast. There's a
> reasonable chance Konerko (and probably Jon Garland)
> could be used
> to revive the Johnson-to-the-Yankees deal.
>
> In return for their services, the White Sox should
> want the much-
> discussed Vazquez and about $15 million from the
> Yankees.
>
> That would get the Sox's commitment to Vazquez down
> to about $6
> million a year over the next three years--and maybe
> Arizona and the
> Yankees would put in a prospect apiece.
>
> Vazquez is a good bet to bounce back from last
> season, when he went
> 14-10 despite a 4.91 earned-run average. The
> addition of Vazquez
> would give the Sox a potential rotation of Mark
> Buehrle, Freddy
> Garcia, Vazquez, Jose Contreras and Orlando "El
> Duque" Hernandez in
> 2005, with everyone except Hernandez under their
> control through '07.
>
> And the lineup?
>
> With Gload at first base, Ozzie Guillen would have
> the National
> League-style "speed-and-defense" team he has talked
> about. He also
> would have a little more balance, especially if he
> finds a way to
> get Carl Everett into the lineup alongside Gload and
> left-handed-
> hitting leadoff man Scott Podsednik.
>
> Gload will be 29 for most of next season and never
> has been a big-
> league regular. He probably is not going to develop
> into an All-
> Star, but he could be a poor man's Mark Grace or
> J.T. Snow. He has a
> short swing and good strike-zone judgment. He won't
> drive in as many
> runs as Konerko but could score more.
>
> Gload was one of the AL's best extra men last year.
> His .375 on-base
> percentage was second to Thomas' among White Sox
> players with more
> than 120 at-bats.
>
> Konerko is a better hitter, no question. But with
> Gload in his
> place, Williams can put more money toward pitching,
> which he
> correctly has decided should be the emphasis.
>
> Vazquez is a good guy who has endured much in his
> seven big-league
> seasons. He got almost the full, wild ride in
> Montreal, including
> the first two of the three seasons that Major League
> Baseball
> orphaned the franchise, and then came to be treated
> like he had a
> disease in New York even though he tied Jon Lieber
> for the staff
> lead in victories. Because of a woeful second half,
> he was deemed
> too "soft" for the Yankee Stadium pressure cooker.
>
> If a Konerko-for-Vazquez trade is a possibility,
> especially with the
> Yankees picking up part of the bill, Williams needs
> to find out
> whether Konerko wants to be history or a
> cornerstone.
>
> Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune
>
>
>
>




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search.
http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250

I really hope that Kenny isn't considering this.  Not unless he's
planning on using some of the 'savings' on a good offensive weapon
like Carlos Delgado.

-Mark-

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "(*) -Mark- (*)"
<mjv54935@y...> wrote:
>
> Konerko a cornerstone or trade bait?
>
> Phil Rogers
> Published December 23, 2004
>
> Provided he's willing to roll the dice on Ross Gload, Ken Williams
> has found himself in the right spot at the right time.
>
> With Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta blowing up the Randy
> Johnson trade at the last minute--or several days after the last
> minute, from the Yankees' perspective--the White Sox's GM is
> positioned to throw his weight around for once. This is provided
he
> trusts Gload to get at least twice as many at-bats as he did in
his
> 10th-man role last season.
>
> Paul Konerko, it says here, can decide whether he stays in Chicago
> or is shopped to Arizona in an attempt to broker the three-way
deal
> sending Johnson from the Diamondbacks to the Yankees.
>
> Just last week, when there was a rumor the Dodgers were interested
> in moving Javier Vazquez to the White Sox, Williams all but said
> Konerko has become untouchable with Magglio Ordonez a free agent
and
> Carlos Lee a Milwaukee Brewer. Somebody, after all, is going to
have
> to drive in runs.
>
> But what hasn't been discussed is Konerko, who appears to be worth
> every penny of his $8.75 million salary coming off a 41-homer, 117-
> RBI season, is eligible for free agency after 2005. With the
market
> going up, what kind of a deal will he be looking at if he comes
near
> those numbers again?
>
> So here's my unsolicited suggestion (which probably has crossed
the
> minds of Williams and his assistant, Rick Hahn): Give Konerko a
very
> short window to consider a two-year extension at perhaps $9
million
> a year--so you would have him signed through 2007, perhaps with a
> club option for '08--and hope he takes it.
>
> Konerko is reliable both in the middle of the lineup--can you
> remember when Jerry Manuel stopped playing him?--and the middle of
> the clubhouse. He fits the mold of a cornerstone. But he can't be
> one if he doesn't want to be one. So make the offer and find out
> what's on his mind.
>
> If Konerko flinches, picturing himself with one of those Adrian
> Beltre/J.D. Drew deals, then Williams should acknowledge the
reality
> of the White Sox's financial situation and move fast. There's a
> reasonable chance Konerko (and probably Jon Garland) could be used
> to revive the Johnson-to-the-Yankees deal.
>
> In return for their services, the White Sox should want the much-
> discussed Vazquez and about $15 million from the Yankees.
>
> That would get the Sox's commitment to Vazquez down to about $6
> million a year over the next three years--and maybe Arizona and
the
> Yankees would put in a prospect apiece.
>
> Vazquez is a good bet to bounce back from last season, when he
went
> 14-10 despite a 4.91 earned-run average. The addition of Vazquez
> would give the Sox a potential rotation of Mark Buehrle, Freddy
> Garcia, Vazquez, Jose Contreras and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez
in
> 2005, with everyone except Hernandez under their control
through '07.
>
> And the lineup?
>
> With Gload at first base, Ozzie Guillen would have the National
> League-style "speed-and-defense" team he has talked about. He also
> would have a little more balance, especially if he finds a way to
> get Carl Everett into the lineup alongside Gload and left-handed-
> hitting leadoff man Scott Podsednik.
>
> Gload will be 29 for most of next season and never has been a big-
> league regular. He probably is not going to develop into an All-
> Star, but he could be a poor man's Mark Grace or J.T. Snow. He has
a
> short swing and good strike-zone judgment. He won't drive in as
many
> runs as Konerko but could score more.
>
> Gload was one of the AL's best extra men last year. His .375 on-
base
> percentage was second to Thomas' among White Sox players with more
> than 120 at-bats.
>
> Konerko is a better hitter, no question. But with Gload in his
> place, Williams can put more money toward pitching, which he
> correctly has decided should be the emphasis.
>
> Vazquez is a good guy who has endured much in his seven big-league
> seasons. He got almost the full, wild ride in Montreal, including
> the first two of the three seasons that Major League Baseball
> orphaned the franchise, and then came to be treated like he had a
> disease in New York even though he tied Jon Lieber for the staff
> lead in victories. Because of a woeful second half, he was deemed
> too "soft" for the Yankee Stadium pressure cooker.
>
> If a Konerko-for-Vazquez trade is a possibility, especially with
the
> Yankees picking up part of the bill, Williams needs to find out
> whether Konerko wants to be history or a cornerstone.
>
> Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune

Konerko a cornerstone or trade bait?

Phil Rogers
Published December 23, 2004

Provided he's willing to roll the dice on Ross Gload, Ken Williams
has found himself in the right spot at the right time.

With Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta blowing up the Randy
Johnson trade at the last minute--or several days after the last
minute, from the Yankees' perspective--the White Sox's GM is
positioned to throw his weight around for once. This is provided he
trusts Gload to get at least twice as many at-bats as he did in his
10th-man role last season.

Paul Konerko, it says here, can decide whether he stays in Chicago
or is shopped to Arizona in an attempt to broker the three-way deal
sending Johnson from the Diamondbacks to the Yankees.

Just last week, when there was a rumor the Dodgers were interested
in moving Javier Vazquez to the White Sox, Williams all but said
Konerko has become untouchable with Magglio Ordonez a free agent and
Carlos Lee a Milwaukee Brewer. Somebody, after all, is going to have
to drive in runs.

But what hasn't been discussed is Konerko, who appears to be worth
every penny of his $8.75 million salary coming off a 41-homer, 117-
RBI season, is eligible for free agency after 2005. With the market
going up, what kind of a deal will he be looking at if he comes near
those numbers again?

So here's my unsolicited suggestion (which probably has crossed the
minds of Williams and his assistant, Rick Hahn): Give Konerko a very
short window to consider a two-year extension at perhaps $9 million
a year--so you would have him signed through 2007, perhaps with a
club option for '08--and hope he takes it.

Konerko is reliable both in the middle of the lineup--can you
remember when Jerry Manuel stopped playing him?--and the middle of
the clubhouse. He fits the mold of a cornerstone. But he can't be
one if he doesn't want to be one. So make the offer and find out
what's on his mind.

If Konerko flinches, picturing himself with one of those Adrian
Beltre/J.D. Drew deals, then Williams should acknowledge the reality
of the White Sox's financial situation and move fast. There's a
reasonable chance Konerko (and probably Jon Garland) could be used
to revive the Johnson-to-the-Yankees deal.

In return for their services, the White Sox should want the much-
discussed Vazquez and about $15 million from the Yankees.

That would get the Sox's commitment to Vazquez down to about $6
million a year over the next three years--and maybe Arizona and the
Yankees would put in a prospect apiece.

Vazquez is a good bet to bounce back from last season, when he went
14-10 despite a 4.91 earned-run average. The addition of Vazquez
would give the Sox a potential rotation of Mark Buehrle, Freddy
Garcia, Vazquez, Jose Contreras and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez in
2005, with everyone except Hernandez under their control through '07.

And the lineup?

With Gload at first base, Ozzie Guillen would have the National
League-style "speed-and-defense" team he has talked about. He also
would have a little more balance, especially if he finds a way to
get Carl Everett into the lineup alongside Gload and left-handed-
hitting leadoff man Scott Podsednik.

Gload will be 29 for most of next season and never has been a big-
league regular. He probably is not going to develop into an All-
Star, but he could be a poor man's Mark Grace or J.T. Snow. He has a
short swing and good strike-zone judgment. He won't drive in as many
runs as Konerko but could score more.

Gload was one of the AL's best extra men last year. His .375 on-base
percentage was second to Thomas' among White Sox players with more
than 120 at-bats.

Konerko is a better hitter, no question. But with Gload in his
place, Williams can put more money toward pitching, which he
correctly has decided should be the emphasis.

Vazquez is a good guy who has endured much in his seven big-league
seasons. He got almost the full, wild ride in Montreal, including
the first two of the three seasons that Major League Baseball
orphaned the franchise, and then came to be treated like he had a
disease in New York even though he tied Jon Lieber for the staff
lead in victories. Because of a woeful second half, he was deemed
too "soft" for the Yankee Stadium pressure cooker.

If a Konerko-for-Vazquez trade is a possibility, especially with the
Yankees picking up part of the bill, Williams needs to find out
whether Konerko wants to be history or a cornerstone.

Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune

He would be perfect for the Sox. Of course, he would
be great in Minnesota and St. Louis as well. Hopefully
he will sign with the Sox.

jim in indiana


--- markp8867@... wrote:

>
> Yes I think Eckstein would fit in perfectly with the
> team Kenny is
> trying to build now.  He has a good attitude and is
> a proven
> winner.  He plays with a lot of spirit like Jose
> Valentin did when
> he was here.  Eckstein would have no problems
> running over the Twins
> catcher whether it was necessary or not.
>
> --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com,
> "William Lai"
> <william_lai@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Kenny should have $2M left from that CLee trade.
> We basically
> traded CLee for El Duque
> > (SP), Posednick (OF), Luis Vizcaino (RP) and a
> player to be named
> later (?)... and still have
> > $2M left over. I agree with getting either
> Eckstein and Cora.
> >
> > --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "(*)
> -Mark- (*)"
> <mjv54935@y...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Thanks Mark.
> > >
> > > As for my thoughts, Willie has had his chance
> and he hasn't
> shown
> > > enough.  A full season would be a waste of
> lineup space if there
> is
> > > someone better out there that the Sox can get
> relatively cheap.
> > > Eckstein and Cora both meet that requirement;
> and the Sox still
> have
> > > a few $$$s of the C. Lee 6 million left to do
> some signing, even
> > > after getting El Duque.
> > >
> > > -Mark-
> > >
> > > --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com,
> markp8867@n...
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > lklrlolnlilkl -
> > > >
> > > > Do not talk like that to other members of this
> group.  That
> kind
> > > of
> > > > flaming is not allowed on these message
> boards.  We are all
> Sox
> > > fans
> > > > and are on the same side here.  This is a
> friendly place to
> > > discuss
> > > > the White Sox and baseball in general.  Of
> course, this rule
> goes
> > > > for everyone, not just this message poster.
> > > >
> > > > From now on lklrlolnlilkl, all of your posts
> will be moderated
> and
> > > > will not go through until they are approved by
> a moderator of
> this
> > > > group.  Also making fun of handicapped people
> isn't very cool
> > > > either.  This is your first and only warning.
> > > >
> > > > - Mark
>
>
>
>




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do?
http://my.yahoo.com

OK, confession time. As you could prolly tell from my
email addy, I am a Cubs fan first, but a baseball fan
second. I just love talking baseball, and since I have
never lived in Chicago, I can root for both teams, as
long as they are not playing each other. I think the
best thing in the world would be an all-Chicago World
Series. Hey, a guy can dream.

As for Harris, I agree that he is a great guy to have
around. He did not excel in his playing ops last year,
of course, Rowand did not excel in his first time
around either. But I think Harris just has to wait for
his opportunity when injury or ineffectiveness will
get his some at bats and make the most of it. I
expected more steals and aggressive baserunning.

jim in indiana


--- markp8867@... wrote:

>
> Don't worry...HE GONE.  It's sad to think there are
> actually White
> Sox fans out there like that.  Usually those types
> of so-
> called "fans" root for the other team in town.
>
> I think Willie makes a good utility player.  He is a
> positive
> influence in the clubhouse, he can be a great pinch
> runner, and he
> can play both IF and OF.
>
> --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "(*)
> -Mark- (*)"
> <mjv54935@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks Mark.
> >
> > As for my thoughts, Willie has had his chance and
> he hasn't shown
> > enough.  A full season would be a waste of lineup
> space if there
> is
> > someone better out there that the Sox can get
> relatively cheap.
> > Eckstein and Cora both meet that requirement; and
> the Sox still
> have
> > a few $$$s of the C. Lee 6 million left to do some
> signing, even
> > after getting El Duque.
> >
> > -Mark-
> >
> > --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com,
> markp8867@n... wrote:
> > >
> > > lklrlolnlilkl -
> > >
> > > Do not talk like that to other members of this
> group.  That kind
> > of
> > > flaming is not allowed on these message boards.
> We are all Sox
> > fans
> > > and are on the same side here.  This is a
> friendly place to
> > discuss
> > > the White Sox and baseball in general.  Of
> course, this rule
> goes
> > > for everyone, not just this message poster.
> > >
> > > From now on lklrlolnlilkl, all of your posts
> will be moderated
> and
> > > will not go through until they are approved by a
> moderator of
> this
> > > group.  Also making fun of handicapped people
> isn't very cool
> > > either.  This is your first and only warning.
> > >
> > > - Mark
>
>
>
>




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search.
http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250

Yes I think Eckstein would fit in perfectly with the team Kenny is
trying to build now.  He has a good attitude and is a proven
winner.  He plays with a lot of spirit like Jose Valentin did when
he was here.  Eckstein would have no problems running over the Twins
catcher whether it was necessary or not.

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "William Lai"
<william_lai@y...> wrote:
>
> Kenny should have $2M left from that CLee trade. We basically
traded CLee for El Duque
> (SP), Posednick (OF), Luis Vizcaino (RP) and a player to be named
later (?)... and still have
> $2M left over. I agree with getting either Eckstein and Cora.
>
> --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "(*) -Mark- (*)"
<mjv54935@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks Mark.
> >
> > As for my thoughts, Willie has had his chance and he hasn't
shown
> > enough.  A full season would be a waste of lineup space if there
is
> > someone better out there that the Sox can get relatively cheap.
> > Eckstein and Cora both meet that requirement; and the Sox still
have
> > a few $$$s of the C. Lee 6 million left to do some signing, even
> > after getting El Duque.
> >
> > -Mark-
> >
> > --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, markp8867@n...
wrote:
> > >
> > > lklrlolnlilkl -
> > >
> > > Do not talk like that to other members of this group.  That
kind
> > of
> > > flaming is not allowed on these message boards.  We are all
Sox
> > fans
> > > and are on the same side here.  This is a friendly place to
> > discuss
> > > the White Sox and baseball in general.  Of course, this rule
goes
> > > for everyone, not just this message poster.
> > >
> > > From now on lklrlolnlilkl, all of your posts will be moderated
and
> > > will not go through until they are approved by a moderator of
this
> > > group.  Also making fun of handicapped people isn't very cool
> > > either.  This is your first and only warning.
> > >
> > > - Mark

Don't worry...HE GONE.  It's sad to think there are actually White
Sox fans out there like that.  Usually those types of so-
called "fans" root for the other team in town.

I think Willie makes a good utility player.  He is a positive
influence in the clubhouse, he can be a great pinch runner, and he
can play both IF and OF.

--- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, "(*) -Mark- (*)"
<mjv54935@y...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Mark.
>
> As for my thoughts, Willie has had his chance and he hasn't shown
> enough.  A full season would be a waste of lineup space if there
is
> someone better out there that the Sox can get relatively cheap.
> Eckstein and Cora both meet that requirement; and the Sox still
have
> a few $$$s of the C. Lee 6 million left to do some signing, even
> after getting El Duque.
>
> -Mark-
>
> --- In youcanputitontheboard@yahoogroups.com, markp8867@n... wrote:
> >
> > lklrlolnlilkl -
> >
> > Do not talk like that to other members of this group.  That kind
> of
> > flaming is not allowed on these message boards.  We are all Sox
> fans
> > and are on the same side here.  This is a friendly place to
> discuss
> > the White Sox and baseball in general.  Of course, this rule
goes
> > for everyone, not just this message poster.
> >
> > From now on lklrlolnlilkl, all of your posts will be moderated
and
> > will not go through until they are approved by a moderator of
this
> > group.  Also making fun of handicapped people isn't very cool
> > either.  This is your first and only warning.
> >
> > - Mark