White Sox Tidbits (2009)

souL · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 09:27 PM

I'm sorry you'll have to all take me at my word here, but I know some guys on the inside of the organization, and I hear from them around the holidays. I know a PR guy for the team and chief legal counsel for Jerry Reinsdorf, and this is what I hear from them combined:

They couldn't wait to run Nick Swisher out of town. They're extremely pleased to have gotten such a talent package in return, but apparently his attitude went south so quickly after being put into that utility/time share role there wasn't a chance he would return to the south side. Good thing, as his contract gets him something in the neighborhood of 30 million over the next 3. Can't have that from a guy that hits .219 and plays sub-par OF.

Jerry Reinsdorf on Javier Vazquez: "he has no sac." He's being shopped to a lot of places, anyone who'll listen basically. The Mets are the frontrunners with a package surrounding 20 year old CF Fernando Martinez (I think that's him, he's a 20 year old CF is what I'm sure on). Also, if the Braves lose in the Peavy sweepstakes, look for them to step up and come after Vazquez. Other teams the Sox have fielded calls about Vazquez: Mariners, Cardinals, Philles.

JD's a consumate pro, but he's on his way out. The rumblings are a deal with Cincinnati in a package that centers around Homer Bailey. The Phillies are still bullish on him as well. I'm not sure he'll be traded without...

...Bobby Jenks fetching a corner OF. He's the one guy that it would seem odd for the Sox to move, but the Sox have tons of faith in Jon Link to come in and be the closer of the now and future. Same sorts of teams popping up on the Jenks radar: Houston, St. Louis, NYM, Arizona, Tampa Bay.

Doing all of this will free up a lot of money for the White Sox but apparently it won't be spent this year as the deals will likely be done after all of the big free agent moves. They're interested in Raul Ibanez playing RF for them, but they're just not sure the pieces will fall into place before he signs elsewhere. They're also still very interested in acquiring Brian Roberts, but it would seem Baltimore is asking entirely too much and they're worried they couldn't get him under contract.

OSUsushichic · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 09:34 PM

We need to ban Ozzie for bashing Buckeyes.

BuckeyeNation27 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 10:14 PM

homer bailey sucks.

souL · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2008, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUsushichic

We need to ban Ozzie for bashing Buckeyes.

Don't make me choose Sox/Bucks... I might claw my eyes out. Homer Bailey is pretty brutal in the Great American Smallpark and it wouldn't get much better in the Cell. Then again look what Coop did with a guy that nearly washed out in Philly last year.

I would never have a problem stocking up young arms for veteran players on 1 year deals. JD's a productive guy still and he's a HELL of a player but the Sox are likely going to need at least 1 more starter. Contreras might not be back for the 2009 season, and I hear they're trying hard to reach a buyout agreement for him. If Vazquez goes, that's 2 spots. Granted, the back two spots are the ones looking to get filled, but if it comes from within it'll likely be a guy who's had less than 10 ML starts. I wouldn't be shocked if we see the Sox best pitching prospect, Aaron Poreda, fill one of those spots. After that if you're making me choose between Lance Broadway, Clayton Richard, and Homer Bailey I'm going to have to choose Bailey, even if he does suck.

The battle to watch in spring training if the Sox don't acquire one, is at 2b. Chris Getz and Jason Bourgeois both seem to be pretty decent players, and similar. Bourgeois is lightning and more of a prototype for a leadoff man, but Getz is steadier in the IF and has a better arm. The wild card in this race is super-prospect Gordon Beckam. The real questions are: is he a 3b or a 2b? Will he take to his new position well enough, fast enough to break camp with the team? If he shows improved plate discipline in spring training there's a good chance he'll start immediately.

souL · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2008, 08:03 PM

Braves, White Sox near Vazquez deal | MLB.com: News

Quote:

The White Sox have reportedly been shopping right-hander Javier Vazquez to other teams this offseason, and according to Foxsports.com, they are now "on the verge" of trading the pitcher to the Braves.

GoBuckeyes81 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 01:14 AM

We kept Jenks which I'm glad we did. I'm glad we got rid of Vasquez, I don't know about Nick Swisher though. I never seen the guy complain once about it and I heard Kenny Williams and Ozzie saying he took it well. Now maybe they aren't going to say that he took it horribly and is [censored]ed but Swisher has a great attitude. I've actully met him in person and have talked to him a few times via e-mail and I know he enjoyed the fans of Chicago at the very least. Anyways i'm somewhat skeptical about the White Sox this year however I think we still have the talent to make a serious run if we put it all together.

THEWOOD · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 07:41 PM

just got the season tickets in the mail today....im very ready for baseball to start up again

GO SOX!

iambrutus · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009, 09:59 AM

very excited to see what Josh Fields, Clayton Richards, Lance Broadway, and Chris Getz, can do

THEWOOD · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 06:42 AM

Getz had an inside the park homer yesterday

souL · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoBuckeyes81

We kept Jenks which I'm glad we did. I'm glad we got rid of Vasquez, I don't know about Nick Swisher though. I never seen the guy complain once about it and I heard Kenny Williams and Ozzie saying he took it well. Now maybe they aren't going to say that he took it horribly and is [censored]ed but Swisher has a great attitude. I've actully met him in person and have talked to him a few times via e-mail and I know he enjoyed the fans of Chicago at the very least. Anyways i'm somewhat skeptical about the White Sox this year however I think we still have the talent to make a serious run if we put it all together.

Trust me when I say Swish was anything BUT a professional the way he handled that benching. Kinda sad the way the former Buckeye handled himself around the clubhouse after that but oh well

Gordon Beckham is an absolute stud. Chris Getz better be all-world if he wants to hold onto the starting 2b job for longer than it takes for the Sox to avoid arbitration for another year with Beckham.

Ugh, the Sox will probably be breaking camp with 1 less Buckeye this year, and two more Michigan fags (Getz and Clayton Richard as the 5th starter).

They're dropping probably 40 million in payroll between last year and next. If Kenny Williams can successfully turn this roster over from the World Series champs in 2005 to almost a completely different team in 2010 while dropping payroll and competing, his legacy around Chicago will be that of one of the all-time great GMs.

Brutus, don't hold your breath waiting for Lance Broadway. If he ever gets a shot it won't be here. Guys like Jeff Marquez and Aaron Poreda are ahead of him, along with probable 5th starter Clayton Richard.

For as much as Sox fans love Bobby Jenks, and I do too, he just doesn't have long. The Sox have never been to hot on paying closers too much money, Jenks' contract is up, and Jon Link is supposedly ready. When your GM is Kenny "the dealer" Williams, this all spells trade.

So, do you cheer Joe Crede now and forever, do you cheer him for his first plate appearance in the cell then boo mercilessly, or do you never cheer Twins regardless of the circumstances? I have to be honest, I've got tickets to Joe Crede's first game back in the Cell, and I'm going to give him as big of a standing O as I did Big Frank. After that though, [censored] the Twins.

NFBuck · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iambrutus

very excited to see what Josh Fields, Clayton Richards, Lance Broadway, and Chris Getz, can do

scUMmers!

THEWOOD · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 06:56 PM

Thome goes yard in the bottom of the 8th with runners on 1st and 3rd. It was [censored]ing sweet, the place went crazy. Oh and it was [censored]ing cold!!!