While the Sox stunk last year (but not in '06), Thomas's replacement did pretty well, actually.

Carlos Lee's replacement has stunk on ice, though. As has Aaron Rowand's.

I wish Big Frank well in his new venture as Oakland's RF.

I wish Big Frank well in his new venture as Oakland's RF.

Monster!

all but ensuring him first-ballot Hall of Fame status

If true, a good outcome.

Thomas was interviewed on Baseball Tonight last night and sounded pretty sincere in saying, after Berman tried to seamlessly end the interview, that he wanted to make sure people understood this was a good decision and not one that was done due to whining or complaining. He understood the business side of it and it made sense; plus, this way, there didn't need to be any real benching drama. If he stayed there I would tend to think there would be some drama but it seems this was a bit more amicable than someone like Mariotti would have us believe.

Monster!

Just saying, it might be an improvement on the current state. Definitely not a best-case, though.

Hmmmm that would be interesting if Frank went back to Oakland... no room for him there, though, with Mike Sweeney and Cust on the roster.

Thomas was interviewed on Baseball Tonight last night and sounded pretty sincere in saying, after Berman tried to seamlessly end the interview, that he wanted to make sure people understood this was a good decision and not one that was done due to whining or complaining. He understood the business side of it and it made sense; plus, this way, there didn't need to be any real benching drama. If he stayed there I would tend to think there would be some drama but it seems this was a bit more amicable than someone like Mariotti would have us believe.

So, Mariotti knows Thomas is a selfish prick. What further evidence do you need?

So, I see that Mariotti's hatred of Ken Williams and the White Sox front office is stronger than his hatred of Frank Thomas.

So, I see that Mariotti's hatred of Ken Williams and the White Sox front office is stronger than his hatred of Frank Thomas.

Where do they rank compared to his (obvious) self-loathing?

Monster!

Just saying, it might be an improvement on the current state. Definitely not a best-case, though.

CarGon is coming. Patience.

What's wrong with Travis Buck? I know he's not hitting so well right now, but he'll bounce back, right?

What's wrong with Travis Buck? I know he's not hitting so well right now, but he'll bounce back, right?

I think he will, though I have no basis but fanboyism for my opinion. I think he's just a little beat up (shin splints bad enough that he has to sit a game here and there) and is struggling to adjust to the league adjusting to him. He's too talented to stay this bad for long, though.

CarGon is coming. Patience.

Ancient Chinese secret, huh?

I don't read Mariotti links, but is he saying that Williams is saving face as a GM by putting a good team on the field?

CarGon? But where?

CARGON! CARGON!

This doesn't really have anything to do with Frank Thomas or Jay Mariotti, but I'm wondering: is there anywhere at BTF to actually discuss how the White Sox are playing, their roster, etc.? I can't seem to find anyplace -- most of the articles posted relate to only a handful of teams (Red Sox, Cubs, D-Backs, A's, Yankees), or to politics, or to dumb person X (Mariotti or Shea Hillenbrand or whatever player, front office type, or sportswriter is saying something stupid), and no one seems to use the game chatters anymore.

but I'm wondering: is there anywhere at BTF to actually discuss how the White Sox are playing, their roster, etc.?

Are you attempting to hijack this thread????

oh, nevermind

CarGon? But where?

Dude, where's my CarGon?

I can't seem to find anyplace -- most of the articles posted relate to only a handful of teams (Red Sox, Cubs, D-Backs, A's, Yankees)

Ask Jim Furtado if you can start a White Sox area similar to Sox Therapy and Gonfalon Cubs.

Or go the less ambitious route, and start a White Sox area similar to The Blogpark At Arlington and It's Mets...Just Mets.

He's made some good trades, but he's also made these:

Kip Wells, Josh Fogg, and Sean Lowe to Pittsburgh for Todd Ritchie and Lee Evans

Keith Foulke, Mark L. Johnson, Joe Valentine to Oakland for Billy Koch, Neal Cotts and Daylon Holt

Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaino, and Travis Hinton

Damaso Marte to Pittsburgh for Rob Mackowiak

Jon Garland to Los Angeles (AL) for Orlando Cabrera

Fautino de los Santos, Gio Gonzalez, and Ryan Sweeney to Oakland for Nick Swisher

Supposedly, none of these trades were financially motivated. It is thus very difficult to take this General Manager seriously.

I wish the Royals blog was as active as it was last year.

I think it's a bit early to deem the Swisher trade a failure, unless you're just assuming that because the White Sox were unlikely to make the playoffs this year any trade for a veteran was more bad than good by definition.

Also, the Keith Foulke trade was bad? That was one year of Keith Foulke for two years of Billy Koch and four years of Neal Cotts. And the other two guys they traded amounted to nothing.

It's too early to judge the Cabrera and Swisher deals. Kenny Williams has been an exceptional GM since 2003, adept at taking risks and finding value where others don't. He's also good at finding freely available talent. His early career gaffes are far behind him.

Now, if only the White Sox draft better in the first round, then Kenny Williams will be one of the games top GMs, if he's not already.

Also, the Keith Foulke trade was bad? That was one year of Keith Foulke for two years of Billy Koch and four years of Neal Cotts. And the other two guys they traded amounted to nothing.

It turned out pretty lopsided.

Foulke was great for the A's. 86 IP, 2.08 ERA, 214 ERA+, 43 of 48 saves, 9-1.

Koch was pretty bad (5.77 ERA in 2003, 5.40 in 2004) for a year and a half in Chicago before being traded for Wilson Valdez. He was out of baseball with lack of velocity and Morgellons after 2004.

Cotts has a 4.55 ERA (102 ERA+) in 209 IP since the trade. He was great in 2005 and bad all the other years. He's back in AAA for the Cubs this year.

The White Sox sent the A's about $900K to even out their 2003 salaries at ~$5.1 million, and the Sox paid most of Koch's $6 million 2007 salary (the Marlins picked up some of it after the trade). The A's picked up the 24th and 36th picks of the 2004 draft when Boston signed Foulke as a FA.

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I like the Swisher deal for the Sox, but yeah, it's far too early.

the bigger issue with the Swisher trade is how likely are the Pale Hose to reach the playoffs this year?

granted, if Danks and Floyd proves that their early showings are no fluke and they have indeed figured it out. then I might be seriously underestimating this team. but if not. then this is a team that's a spinoff of the pre 05 Sox, hits dingers, do little else on offense. have some pretty good talents up top, but too many blackholes else where to be effective.

I think it's possible for the Palehose to win the division this year (espically since both of the main perceived competitiors are showing some serious bad signs. but this is a pretty big risk they're taking here. they now have a very veteran (and soon to be FA) heavy roster with some serious holes in quie a few spots both on the field and on the mound. without much of a farm left. if they don't make it this year. it could be a pretty steep fall they're in for.

they now have a very veteran (and soon to be FA) heavy roster with some serious holes in quie a few spots both on the field and on the mound. without much of a farm left. if they don't make it this year. it could be a pretty steep fall they're in for.

Fields could replace Crede and they have Anderson, Ramirez, and Richar as options in center, short, and second, moving Swisher to first if they find a taker for Konerko. That's a better plan B than the Tigers have.

Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaino, and Travis Hinton

This trade was absolutely financially motivated. It cleared $$ to sign Iguchi.

This trade was absolutely financially motivated. It cleared $$ to sign Iguchi.

Actually, the White Sox took Lee and the $8 million Lee was set to make in '05 and turned them into...

700K: Podsednik (12 win shares)
1.3M: Vizcaino (7 win shares)
2.25M: Pierzynski (11 win shares)
2.3M: Iguchi (17 win shares)
3.5M: El Duque (5 win shares)

I know you usually want to be acquiring the best player in any given deal, but that's five important parts of the '05 World Champs for one guy who was already getting expensive.

My problem with Kenny Williams isn't the trades -- he has a pretty good record, and he's entertaining in a daring way -- it's that he has been unable to give the White Sox much that's productive from the farm system.

granted, if Danks and Floyd proves that their early showings are no fluke and they have indeed figured it out. then I might be seriously underestimating this team. but if not. then this is a team that's a spinoff of the pre 05 Sox, hits dingers, do little else on offense. have some pretty good talents up top, but too many blackholes else where to be effective.

I think you are seriously discounting what Swisher (.421 OBP) and Quentin (897 OPS) bring to this offense. The '05 team was 9th in the AL in runs scored, largely because they were 11th in the AL in OBP. Right now the '08 team is 2nd in the AL in runs scored, and 6th in OBP. Last year the team had black holes at 2B, SS, 3B, LF and CF. I feel comfortable at four of those spots now. If only we could get a better second baseman.

the bigger issue with the Swisher trade is how likely are the Pale Hose to reach the playoffs this year?

We obviously don't know the answer to that question, but let me put it this way: I was glad that Kenny didn't blow up the team during the off-season, and with the Tigers choking yet again (surprise surprise) and Sabathia struggling, I'm even more glad now.