White Sox GM Kenny Williams: Money? What money?

by The Wizard on Dec 21, 2007 12:28 PM CST in Quotes

Seems like the "Hunter" money pulled a disappearing act:

Some disgruntled fans wanted Williams to offer more money to Hunter or at least spend the $75 million earmarked over five years for the potential free-agent signing. But Williams explained how this money wasn't a hard-and-fast part of the overall 2008 budget, and he has to keep an eye on the White Sox future, while spending in the present.

"You are assuming we had $75 million," said Williams, when asked about the Hunter offer. "We were hoping to get that along the way, and ultimately, [the move] would pay for itself to a large degree. [Chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] authorized it, and I appreciate him having the faith in me to go out on a limb, because it took us well above break even.

"This is like your personal finances. There has to be a certain amount of fiscal responsibility, otherwise you will put yourself in a situation where you have to do without something that's very vital to the functioning of the house.

"Going a couple of years back, if I made some decisions on some of the players people were urging -- it goes back three, four, five years ago -- if I made those decisions in the fashion the public wanted me to do," Williams added, "we would not have been in position years later to extend [an offer to] Konerko or Garland, the first time, or Mark Buehrle.

"People say to look at today and only today, but I have to look at where we were and where we are going. You can't take one action and have it prevent you from doing something that might be important to the overall picture. I have not found a way to articulate that point in a way that people understand or accept."

***** In other news,

The Sox bought the contract of 21-year old reliever Brian Logan (2-1, 3.26 ERA, 35/26 K/BB) (2006).
Mike Veeck will teach at The Citadel.
Hot Stove: Dombrowski wants to sign Miguel Cabrera to an extension. -- The Rangers are out of the Prior chase due to their "big concern" about the medical issues.
Carl's latest comic strips: Visions of Sugar Plum, Lovie's Wish.

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reading that once

i also have no idea what KW is trying to articulate so he's right. seems like gibberish so i'm not reading it again.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 12:30 PM CST reply actions

seems to me like kenny says

there are no $75 mil for an OFer (not that I want kenny to spent such money)

"Some disgruntled fans wanted Williams to ... or at least spend the $75 million earmarked over five years for the potential free-agent signing."

"But Williams explained how this money wasn't a hard-and-fast part of the overall 2008 budget, and he has to keep an eye on the White Sox future, while spending in the present."

by The Wizard on Dec 21, 2007 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

To me it sounded like...

"WAAAAAHHHH!"

I really hoped the World Series victory would mark the end of crying poor days. We still drew 2.68 million fans last year...

But kudos though to Kenny for catching himself, "Garland, the first time."

Caulk the wagon.

by rebstock on Dec 21, 2007 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

Lol

What I take out of it is the Hunter move, flanked by others, would guarantee a happy fan base and pre fill the park (much like this year). It becomes a whole lot easier to justify the budget then. As opposed to this year if they do indeed suck and the stadium is half full and the payroll straddles 100 million.

And before you say it I know the teams are flush with cash so there is a bit of double talk in there.

I would think many of you would be happy, he at least seems to acknowledge some of your concerns about the future and fiscal restraint. (Insert Linebrick joke here...)

"Find out what you are doing wrong and STOP doing that."

by Tdogg on Dec 21, 2007 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

what you're missing

is that baseball teams are like a house. no, wait, they're more like a woman. sometimes you have $75 million dollars. but then she goes out and spends $19 million on shoes. shoes represent a middle reliever. so then you go out and dress up the woman all pretty and you've got like $50 million and you try to get the asian guy. but asian guys are funny - they don't necessarily like the hottest chick out there. they want someone like their mom. their mom represents the chicago cubs. so then you gotta tell the woman that she can't have anything else. she'll bitch and moan about having to wear that shitty old dress but you gotta have fiscal responsibility. that shitty old dress represents jerry owens.

you see what i'm saying, right?

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

effective, albeit not your best work.

SB: "Dog shit tastes awful. I thought so the first two times I ate it; the third time was the worst. I can't believe I wasted so much time eating dog shit."

by Toonderstrook on Dec 21, 2007 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

i know, it's challenging

it's difficult to relate the confusion and desperation that KW is experiencing as he tries to articulate his point in a way that people understand or accept.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

The shoes will only last two years though...

but still be taking up space in our closet for four.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Dec 21, 2007 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

Umm I thinkkkk I understand.

Yes Im sure most of us want a new outfit. And yes it doesnt make sense to buy shoes if you won't complete the makeover. I just thinks he means it won't be completed at Nordstorm.

My head hurts.

"Find out what you are doing wrong and STOP doing that."

by Tdogg on Dec 21, 2007 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

you're close, grasshopper

you must ask yourself: where have we been? where are we now? where are we going? once you've answered these questions, you will know.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Wherever you go, there you are

But if you started off with fifty cents, you still don't have a dollar when get there. Unless you sign Torii Hunter along the way. Then you might have a dollar.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 21, 2007 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

Except...

When I tell Mrs. Joe "no" because we don't have the money, she usually "withholds affection" until she gets what she wants. Then I'm still out the money, PLUS there is only a slight improvement in going from an stingy a-hole to a stingy a-hole who had to be browbeaten into getting her what she wanted in the first place.

Needless to say, I've learned to stop saying "no."

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 21, 2007 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

right

withholds affection is represented by the bullpen.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

bwahaha

I almost ruined my monitor, and my mouthful of coffee, on that one.

by coffeepac on Dec 22, 2007 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

I disagree

The shitty old dress is either Pods/Erstad. JO is the shitty new dress that was given to you as a present by a crazy relative. So you gave away the old dress because it can't possibly be worse.

Or he's like the Microsoft Vista. You bought him, even trading away Linux, which was possibly cheaper and better, thinking he was a great new deal but were severely disappointed right away, and now are stuck with him and have to make the best of him.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 21, 2007 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

You can still switch back to Linux

but you'll have to download the OS and repartition again.

This amounts to a salary dump and rebuilding, to continue the feel of the thread.

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

by rhythm on Dec 22, 2007 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

you run linux wu?

by The Wizard on Dec 22, 2007 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

No, not that savvy

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 22, 2007 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

you're not helping yourself, kenny.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Dec 21, 2007 12:39 PM CST reply actions

Sounds to me

like a man who offered Hunter a dollar when he didn't even have a god damn 50 cents in his pocket. I wonder who was on the chopping block if Hunter accepted?

"We can stay with Jerry Owens in center field...So we've got a lot of flexibility" - Kenny Williams

by ChicagoPete on Dec 21, 2007 12:43 PM CST reply actions

HA!

Right on!

Fella's looks to me like we are going to have one JO in CF next year with a possible platoon of Pablo out there.

Gonna be a long season.

by BobbySouthSide on Dec 21, 2007 12:44 PM CST up reply actions

Yep

Sure looks like $100mm is his payroll. Probably no major changes unless he can dump Contreras.

"We can stay with Jerry Owens in center field...So we've got a lot of flexibility" - Kenny Williams

by ChicagoPete on Dec 21, 2007 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

Get Mackowiak back in the mix.

I think the summer of '06 was an aberation.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Dec 21, 2007 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

any cause for optimism here?

Looks like JR cut his visa card in half.

"We can stay with Jerry Owens in center field...So we've got a lot of flexibility" - Kenny Williams

by ChicagoPete on Dec 21, 2007 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

gibberish

he analogized a baseball team to a house in there. i can imagine merkin just sitting there nodding and staring off while KW is doing this.

here's my all-house team:

jenks: refrigerator
owens: that screen door which never closes right
guillen: entertainment system
macdougal: stove
uribe: dishwasher
crede: chair with broken back

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 12:44 PM CST reply actions

Richar: Toaster

Thome: Old, comfortable couch.
Uribe: La-Z-Boy (dishwasher is too stereotypic) with unpredictable spring action
Paulie: Old, comfortable mattress
Dye: Old, comfortable pillow that is losing feathers
Cabrera: Old microwave

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 21, 2007 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

so a lazy latino

is less sterotypical than a dishwashing one, huh.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

Silly larry,

I was looking at his expanding waistline, and the lack of work required for that to come to pass.

You are a prisoner of your own prejudice, my man.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 21, 2007 7:04 PM CST up reply actions

It actually makes sense to me.

I completely respect that KW has a limited budget, and I'm thankful that he didn't spend that kind of money on Hunter. I think the criticism about money and KW is generally unfair. I look forward to the "Kenny, is that you?" replies...

by palehose67 on Dec 21, 2007 12:46 PM CST reply actions

Kenny?

I didn't know you could type...

by BobbySouthSide on Dec 21, 2007 12:51 PM CST up reply actions

he started out by saying

you're assuming we had $75 million. he made an offer for $75 million so, yeah, i think it's a safe assumption that the white sox thought they had $75 million to spend over that time. denying that the white sox had this money to spend is ridiculous. if he wants to tell us that the $75 million shouldn't be spent on horseshit players, fine. but don't pretend like you don't have $75 million to spend.

he's spinning this so much that he's got himself all confused.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

kenny is a stealth ninja

the money just disappeared!

by The Wizard on Dec 21, 2007 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Sounds like I was right...

http://www.southsidesox.com/comments/2007/11/30/20029/209/40#40

Tony82087 is now in hiding.

by SSH2005 on Dec 21, 2007 12:54 PM CST reply actions

you're assuming

we have an objective truth. you're also assuming that we can know that objective truth. you're further assuming that [chairman] jerry [reinsdorf] authorized it. i appreciate you having faith in your ability to find and know that objective truth. you see, truth is like darin erstad. everyone looks at erstad and sees something a little different. some see a football player. others sees his chin. still others see a baseball player, which we all know from hawk and dj is the highest compliment anyone can give. some see a player with a lifetime OPS+ of 95. they're all right. and they're all wrong. just like you.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

I refuse to believe...

you are doing this all from the memory of one read-through... you had to have read that quote a second time... also that's probably why you're going insane

by CatBrains on Dec 21, 2007 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

photographic memories are fun

or a curse. take your pick.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

Going, going, GONE

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 21, 2007 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

Nope, still here, smiling

by Tony82087 on Dec 21, 2007 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

Only one 'd' in Citadel Wiz.

;-)

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Dec 21, 2007 1:26 PM CST reply actions

fixed it!

by The Wizard on Dec 21, 2007 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

and The Legend continues

Gerry Fraley:

In two seasons without center fielder Aaron Rowand, the Chicago White Sox are a .500 team and heading south.

Philadelphia is about to experience the same sinking sensation that overcomes a team that goes on without Rowand.

...

Rowand is an NFL free safety masquerading as a center fielder.

by The Wizard on Dec 21, 2007 2:08 PM CST reply actions

Kenny Williams, the time has come....

And now, the end is near (2008);
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain (Not talking to Reporters though - B*stards!).

Ive lived a life thats full (Sox 2005 Baby!).
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, Ive had a few (Todd Ritchie, David Wells, Ersty);
But then again, too few to mention (I am a baseball genius).
I did what I had to do (Trade Rowand (cry))
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course (Plans A-QQ);
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way (Not the fans, reporters, Ozzie's, or my wife's).

Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew (southsidesox.com maybe knew)
When I bit off more than I could chew (Tori Hunter is satan).
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall (Like Hawkaroo);
And did it my way (2005 Baby!).

Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried (Rowand (cry)).
Ive had my fill; my share of losing (entire playing career, plus 2000-2004 & 2006-07).
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing (wait till you see plan QZ - HA!).

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way (2005 Baby!).

For what is a man, what has he got? (Duane Schaefer's got nothing!)
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels (Jerry Owens is going to be a special player for us);
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows (entire playing career, plus 2000-2004 & 2006-07) -
And did it my way (Remember 2005??)!

by BobbySouthSide on Dec 21, 2007 2:08 PM CST reply actions

Boy, you have lots of free time.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Dec 21, 2007 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

KW's no longer drinkin' coffee

Too expensive.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 21, 2007 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

Man

I love that song

by 3E8 on Dec 21, 2007 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

the seattle paradox

[uss mariner]:

the Mariners are signing Carlos Silva because they believe that his combination of no walks, no strikeouts, and some groundballs will lead to him not giving up many runs.

At the exact same time, the Mariners have built an offense that doesn't walk, doesn't strike out, and hits a lot of groundballs, believing that having a bunch of guys with that skillset will lead to the team scoring a lot of runs.

by The Wizard on Dec 21, 2007 2:52 PM CST reply actions

god this guy whines a lot

seattle's offense has improved each of the past three seasons. they scored 794 runs last year. how many runs did their 2003 division championship team score? 795. it's their pitching, stupid.

by larry on Dec 21, 2007 3:00 PM CST up reply actions