That's a lot of damn money for a guy who's thrown a grand total of 56 innings over the past three seasons.

Fun with numbers to say "56 innings the last three seasons." Tommy John surgery knocked out portions of two of those three. Still a lot of money for an injury-risk but it's not my money and the White Sox could use some strikethrowers in the bullpen after last year.

I liked Williams's plan from last year of "get a bunch of good young arms and hope they'll sort themselves out." Of course, they didn't sort themselves out -- at all. So now Williams is going with Plan B (the "known quantities" plan).

I would've preferred sticking with last year's plan. Alternatively, I can see bringing in Dotel and Linebrink and trading Jenks, as I'd think Jenks has a fair amount of value and could implode at any time. I'm not sure I see the point of paying Linebrink and Dotel $9 million or so per year to pitch the 7th and 8th innings.

That should help in the race for 4th place...

Fun with numbers to say "56 innings the last three seasons." Tommy John surgery knocked out portions of two of those three.

I think that was his point.

I would've preferred sticking with last year's plan.

Same here. The White Sox have lots of cheap relievers.

Fun with numbers to say "56 innings the last three seasons." Tommy John surgery knocked out portions of two of those three. Still a lot of money for an injury-risk but it's not my money and the White Sox could use some strikethrowers in the bullpen after last year.

So true. How can you hold the past against Dotel? He was a workhorse in 2007, with 30.7 IP!

Glad it isn't the Mets.

$11M over two years isn't going to prohibit them from making other moves. If they're not going to reduce ticket prices, parking or pay above slot for a quality draft pick, they may as well spend it on a need. Now we cross our fingers.

$11M over two years isn't going to prohibit them from making other moves.

Combine this with the Linebrink signing, and the Sox are spending $10 million on two aging middle relievers for 2009 (2008 is a lost cause, as far as I'm concerned). Give those two jobs to pre-arb pitchers, and the Sox have an extra $9 million to spend next year, perhaps enough to tack onto an offer to Adam Dunn or the like.

Stuff like this is why the Sox are a $100 million, below-.500, ballclub.

Same here. The White Sox have lots of cheap relievers.

But the White Sox do not have (or don't SEEM to have) lots of GOOD relievers. I'm hoping Sisco, etc. are a lot better this year, and I'm hoping the White Sox stick with them, but I can understand Williams changing his plan. Especially after watching a World Series played by two teams that are famous for changing their plans a lot.

What does Chicago's pen look like now?

1. Jenks
2. Linebrink
3. Dotel
4. Wassermann
5. Thornton
6-7. Two of Haeger, Aardsma, MacDougal, Masset, and Logan

MacDougal is signed long-term, so he's a lock unless he isn't traded. Aren't Masset and Aardsma out of options?

Especially after watching a World Series played by two teams that are famous for changing their plans a lot.

He also watched a World Series played by two teams with relatively cheap bullpens. I don't think either the Red Sox or the Rockies paid a reliever as much as $5 million last year.

Masset and Aardsma are indeed out of options. I wouldn't mind the team just DFA'ing Masset, but I'd like them to give Aardsma another shot.

This looks remarkably similar to the deal that his agent denied was being worked out back on Thursday.

He also watched a World Series played by two teams with relatively cheap bullpens. I don't think either the Red Sox or the Rockies paid a reliever as much as $5 million last year.

Well, I don't know about O'Dowd, but Epstein has been GM for 6 years and has had bad to horrible pens for 4 of those years. I'm not sure I'd be trying to emulate him in assembling a bullpen.

Combine this with the Linebrink signing, and the Sox are spending $10 million on two aging middle relievers for 2009 (2008 is a lost cause, as far as I'm concerned). Give those two jobs to pre-arb pitchers, and the Sox have an extra $9 million to spend next year, perhaps enough to tack onto an offer to Adam Dunn or the like.

I don't like the Linebrink signing one bit, but I don't think it makes much sense to combine two signings months apart, one before the direction of the team had been determined, and one well after.

I don't like the Linebrink signing one bit, but I don't think it makes much sense to combine two signings months apart, one before the direction of the team had been determined, and one well after.

I have no idea what direction this team is going anymore, other than "down".

Market rate deal for a previously dominant reliever who had TJ surgery and returned to dominance last year (K/9 of 12.0, average FB of 94-95). Luis Vizcaino got 2/6.75. This is the market. He is a large improvemnet over Masset/Sisco/Aardsma whose roster spot he will take.

Great signing. Dotel adds a delicious accent to ballpark nachos.

So true. How can you hold the past against Dotel? He was a workhorse in 2007, with 30.7 IP!

Glad it isn't the Mets.

Ya, what were the Cardinals thinking signing a starter in 2004 who had only 73.1ip between 2002-2003 with ZERO of them coming in 2003. Definitely should weight very heavily what a guy does coming back from TJ!

Yeah and the Cardinals signed that guy for 500k guaranteed and an OPTION for 2.4 mil. Totally comparable to this.

It's a fine comparison. The market has gotten a lot more expensive since 2003. Also, Dotel did throw 30 IP last year and showed he's back to his old self stuff-wise - Carpenter was a total black box when the Cards signed him.

Glad it isn't the Mets.

I'm not. Is it a lot of money? Sure. But every team has money, especially teams like the Mets, and it would've been nice to sign a setup man that can get you a strikeout when needed. It doesn't cost a pick either. Even when healthy, Sanchez and Heilman don't get the strikeouts like Dotel.

That should help in the race for 4th place...

Shouldn't you be celebrating the triumphant return of Shingo to Chicago, not trolling a White Sox thread?

I'm not. Is it a lot of money? Sure. But every team has money, especially teams like the Mets, and it would've been nice to sign a setup man that can get you a strikeout when needed. It doesn't cost a pick either. Even when healthy, Sanchez and Heilman don't get the strikeouts like Dotel.

That is assuming that Dotel comes back healthy. Even last year, after his return, he missed most of August and September- it isn't as if he had a strong, healthy uninterrupted second half. Why would there be any reason to think he is now completely healthy? Because he had a good September 22-28? I'll take Heilman's 2008 against Dotel's- I like the odds of Heilman's 80 IP being a lot more valuable than Dotel's 30-40.

Ya, what were the Cardinals thinking signing a starter in 2004 who had only 73.1ip between 2002-2003 with ZERO of them coming in 2003. Definitely should weight very heavily what a guy does coming back from TJ!

Good call. All teams should assume previously injury-prone pitchers will become Chris Carpenter. Likewise, against a lefty, pinch-hit Homer Simpson for Darryl Strawberry. It's called playing the percentages. It's what smart managers do to win ballgames.

Ya, what were the Cardinals thinking signing a starter in 2004 who had only 73.1ip between 2002-2003 with ZERO of them coming in 2003. Definitely should weight very heavily what a guy does coming back from TJ!

The Mets already fulfilled their "injured player on the comeback trail" quota with Dave Williams and Brian Lawrence last year.

I'll take Heilman's 2008 against Dotel's- I like the odds of Heilman's 80 IP being a lot more valuable than Dotel's 30-40.

But it isn't Heilman or Dotel. It's Heilman or Heilman and Dotel. Honestly, I can understand why you'd disagree. That is a lot of money for a guy who has been hurt a lot. But I personally wouldn't have minded if the Mets signed Dotel even at that price.

I wouldn't have minded if the Mets signed anyone at any price. Shake a leg already, Omar. Geez...

Well, the bullpen seems to be fine now, at least on paper. Assuming Ozzie goes with six relievers, Jenks, Thornton, Wasserman, Linebrink, Dotel, and one of MacDougal/Logan/Haeger/Aardsma/Sisco should be the final man out of the pen. Each of these players have specific talents/positives: MacDougal has wicked stuff; Logan kills lefties; Haeger can eat up innings; Sisco's a hard-throwing lefty; Aardsma's had some success in the majors.

I'm still concerned about the rotation. Buehrle/Vazquez is a quality 1-2 punch; I'm optimistic about Danks and think he'll have around a 100 ERA+ in about 150 innings; The final two spots will go to Contreras, Broadway, and Floyd (I suppose Egbert has an outside shot too, but I'd like to see him succeed a bit in Charlotte first). Each of these 3 pitchers have major flaws and I'm not really confident in any of them.

Would Matt Cain for Josh Fields be a fair trade? It seems a bit lopsided for the Sox, but good, young Giant pitchers seem to outnumber good, young Giant hitters. Cain seems to have the better future, and there's a decent chance Fields turns into Russ Branyan.

The more I think about it, the more I think it's not too fair. But the Sox need to do something about the corner fielder mess. Crede just got re-signed yesterday, and it would be a crime to bench either Quentin or Fields to begin the year. They may not turn into stars, but both deserve to be starting in the majors...

Well, the bullpen seems to be fine now, at least on paper. Assuming Ozzie goes with six relievers, Jenks, Thornton, Wasserman, Linebrink, Dotel, and one of MacDougal/Logan/Haeger/Aardsma/Sisco should be the final man out of the pen.

The Sox will carry seven relievers, to enable Ozzie LaRussa's passion for bullpen matchups. MacDougal will make the team (he's under contract through 2009, I believe), as will Logan.

Aardsma will probably make the team instead of Wassermann - Aardsma's out of options, and he's got too much talent to let walk.

But the Sox need to do something about the corner fielder mess. Crede just got re-signed yesterday, and it would be a crime to bench either Quentin or Fields to begin the year.

If Crede shows that he's healthy during spring training, he'll probably be dealt for whatever the Sox can get (likely a "C" prospect or two). On the off chance Crede is still with the team at the end of March, the Sox have said many times that Josh Fields will NOT be playing left field, nor will he be on the bench. He'll be the starting third baseman in Charlotte.

A good bullpen on the 2008 Sox is like a nice rack on a warthog.

Aardsma will probably make the team instead of Wassermann - Aardsma's out of options, and he's got too much talent to let walk.

I don't see how they can keep Wassermann off the team if his spring ERA is under 4.

A good bullpen on the 2008 Sox is like a nice rack on a warthog.

There's something for over your mantel.

I don't see how they can keep Wassermann off the team if his spring ERA is under 4.

You might be right - the Sox DFA'd Aardsma just now.

Keeping Nick Masset (who is not and never will be a major-league pitcher) and dumping Aardsma is stupid.

A good bullpen on the 2008 Sox is like a nice rack on a warthog.

I agree. The Dotel signing is deck chairs on the Titanic.

Aardsma DFA'ed? They really couldn't find a trading partner?

Tampa Bay should be all over that.

Aardsma DFA'ed? They really couldn't find a trading partner?

A DFA doesn't preclude a trade, but it does reduce Aardsma's trade value considerably, as the Sox now have ten days to make something happen.

it does reduce Aardsma's trade value considerably

Right. I don't think those tend to end very well.

I don't think those tend to end very well.

It won't. Aardsma will either be waived, dealt for a non-prospect, or dealt for someone else's roster problem.

The Sox are carrying a half-dozen worthless players on their 40-man. Why they choose to dump Aardsma is beyond me.

Aardsma carries the taint of the North Side. Sisco is next!

Because Aardsma is one of those worthless players. Relievers with career stats of ERA 5.16, ERA+ 90 and WHIP of 1.615 are pretty much the definition of replacement level.

His ERAs may be nothing special but I would be loathe to cut bait on a young pitcher with those K rates.

Because Aardsma is one of those worthless players.

I disagree. His peripherals point to at least a decent chance of him being a successful major-league reliever. I compare him to someone like Lance Broadway or Nick Masset or Dewon Day, and it's not even close. Aardsma is way better.

Aardsma, Masset, Sisco, Day. Pick a name any name. They're all AAAA relievers, the very definition of replacement level. Aardsma has actually had the greatest opportunity to show he's a MLB pitcher and failed. But whatever, KW could have thrown those 4 names in a hat and picked one. Deciding which AAAA pitcher to DFA is pretty much irrelevant.

Aardsma, Masset, Sisco, Day. Pick a name any name. They're all AAAA relievers, the very definition of replacement level.

I disagree. Aardsma has the potential to be a major-league pitcher.

Masset hasn't even shown the ability to dominate the minors. He's a non-prospect.

Why they choose to dump Aardsma is beyond me.

He was at the top of the list... alphabetically.

Sisco is a lefty with a mid-90's fastball. Hard throwing left handed pitchers are a prized commodity. It doesn't matter if he is similar to those other guys in raw #s.

I thought Sisco was being converted to a starter?

A good bullpen on the 2008 Sox is like a nice rack on a warthog.

There's something for over your mantel.

Well, I *do* live in a bachelor pad.

Sisco is a lefty with a mid-90's fastball.

Also, that Sisco kid was a friend of mine.

I thought Sisco was being converted to a starter?

They've been trying that, with mixed success.

He started five games for Mexicali this winter, pitching 24.2 innings with a 2.19 ERA, striking out 18, walking 18.

I love his stuff, and it would be great if he could put it together and turn into Randy Johnson, but somehow I doubt it.

Who would have thought that LaTroy Hawkins would have a "better" career after the trade then the two players the Giants gave up to get him?

I think Kenny W sorted his 40 man roster by alphabetical order and started culling. Quentin is a lucky SOB that Kenny doesn't know the "Sort Descending" function in Excel.

I think Kenny W sorted his 40 man roster by alphabetical order and started culling. Quentin is a lucky SOB that Kenny doesn't know the "Sort Descending" function in Excel.

The Uggla Affair explained... finally!

Uggla was never on the 40 man roster, but sure...

Totally random... this was the Dbacks depth at SS/2B about 2 years ago, minors only

Justin Upton (still unsigned at the time, drafted as SS)
Stephen Drew (recently signed at the time, SS)
Dan Uggla (2b, about to be lost to Marlins)
Callaspo (2b, just acquired in trade from Angels, eventually sent to Royals)
Alberto Gonzalez (SS, eventually traded to Yankee)
Dan Richar (2b, eventually traded to White Sox)
Emilio Bonifacio (2b, still around)
Mark Reynolds (SS, still around)

My position is that, if GMs have a surfeit of players at one position, they should try to keep the best of those players around, and get rid of the players who aren't as good. But maybe that's just me. If Josh Byrnes (so bright! so white! so pseudo-Ivy League!) thinks that $50,000 > Dan Uggla, or that Bonifacio > Uggla, who am I to criticize?

The Uggla Affair explained... finally!

This is quality snark.