Building a Snowman

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 1:07 PM CST in White Sox News

*****

White Sox Minor League director Alan Regier on leaving Fernando Hernandez unprotected and losing him to Oakland on the Rule 5 draft:

"He's a 6-foot, right-handed pitcher, who throws strikes and gets people out. There were not any hickeys with him. He's healthy. He's got good makeup. However, we felt when we looked up at our board and had to make the decision on the 40-man between the Dewon Days and the Adam Russells and the group of guys we had coming up, we felt that [Hernandez] fell short of our projections on the 40-man. He's healthy, and we wish him the best. ... We put the players on the roster as a group decision, where we felt they would bring some value back to the ballclub. We didn't have any surprises and collectively gathered our opinions leading up to this Draft, and the other teams made their decisions as such."

Jim in Maine has more on the Sox moves in the Rule 5 draft. ***** And in other news,

Jim's take at Kenny's latest comments.
BP guesses the first 10 picks in the upcoming June draft. BTB reviews the Rule 5 draft.
Royals manager Trey Hillman says, from what he saw in Japan, Kosuke Fukudome as a player is the same class with Akinori Iwamura.
Big Jim dropped the puck at yesterday's Blackhawks' game.
Hot Stove: 5-7 MLB teams are interested in Alexei Ramirez who now "can play second base or outfield" (originally he was a SS/CF) and has some residency issues to clear and isn't clear if he can field offers from MLB teams. -- Andruw Jones' deal with LAD: $9MM in '08, $15MM in '09, $12.2MM signing bonus, and a no-trade clause. The Dodgers will trade Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier in a package for a frontline starter. -- The Cardinals released So Taguchi to make room for Rule 5 draftee Brian Barton.
Which team had the best defense in 2007? BTW, BP has links to many defensive statistics. The UZR link leads to an Excel file.
THT: Anatomy of a player: Tim Lincecum.

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Comments

with the 8th pick in the 2008 draft

the chicago white sox select: eric hosmer, 1B, from american heritage high school, plantation, florida. or so says brian smith in his mock draft.

http://baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=695

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 1:11 PM CST reply actions

And here I thought I would have the first comment

You are a quick one, Larry.

Although I would find it odd that the Sox would take a 1B in the draft, I suppose the comment that he has good defense along with hitting for power would be a nice change.

I'm a firm believer in the "best player available" idea with a tie going to a position player given the Sox need position player prospects.

Do people with more knowledge of amateur players agree with BP that this is the 8th best player?

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

by rhythm on Dec 6, 2007 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

seems a little early to tell to me,

at least with regard to high school guys who are just finishing the first semester of their senior years.

Once and for all, the leadoff position is how Jenna Jameson decides to spend the first 8 minutes of video time, which has nothing to do with baseball.

by Toonderstrook on Dec 6, 2007 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

He's still deciding his sexuality,

let alone whther or not he's a first baseman. Senior year in FL is tough - the FCAT asks some pretty personal questions.

"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 6, 2007 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

yeah, it's real early

mock drafts seven months prior are pretty silly. high schoolers tend to rise and fall. i just posted it for amusement sake and because people have asked in the past what some of the top names are so they can get an idea. so here are ten to watch.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

To complete the mock draft experience

We need a BP article ripping the Sox mock draft, a THT article which declares the draftee has unfixable mechanical problems with his swing, and anonymous poster claiming that all the mock scouts involved in the Sox mock draft pick have been fired.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 6, 2007 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

Hit the nail on the head!

Once again, great work by Carl!

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

by rhythm on Dec 6, 2007 1:12 PM CST reply actions

This may be

Carl's best yet. Really great.

by HulkSmash on Dec 6, 2007 1:13 PM CST reply actions

From MLB TradeRumors.com

NOT "Our Little Secret."

5-7 Teams Interested In Alexei Ramirez

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/5-7-teams-inter.html

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 2:02 PM CST reply actions

He might make a nice...

right-handed complement to Richar at 2B or maybe even a starting 2B if Richar busts. Also, he can play the outfield.

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

No doubt, the Sox were one of the 5 teams...

Agent Jaime Torres said he met with five teams with interest in Alexei Ramirez at the meetings and is likely to talk to two more.
The Indians sent a scout to watch Ramirez in the Dominican Republic last week and could be one of the teams. It's unclear whether Ramirez, a Cuban defector, is yet eligible to field offers from MLB teams. As of last week, he still has residency issues to clear up.
Source: ESPN.com

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 2:03 PM CST reply actions

question

are there any projections out there for what type of player ramirez is? i know nothing about him.

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

at this point

utility at best. more likely a guy who would start off in the minors and work his way up to that role. nice player but not that nice. usual caveats for incomplete information - he is cuban, after all.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

IOW, starting CF material.

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

Hiroki Kuroda...

"Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes the Mariners are the favorites to land Hiroki Kuroda."

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 2:21 PM CST reply actions

According to WSCR 670 "The Score"...

Cubs' GM Jim Hendry doesn't expect a decision on Kosuke Fukudome until 24-48 hours from now.

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 2:23 PM CST reply actions

Breaking news...

there's no news to report!

Back to you for four hours of analysis of that, Mike Murphy.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 6, 2007 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

official press release?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

We're still waiting on that.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 6, 2007 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

The last thing we need

is to someone to show you guys PRWeb....

Every post will be filled with "press releases"

I can see it now. SSH2005 releases projected 2008 lineup

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Dec 6, 2007 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

Speaking of banal analysis...

I turned on ESPN this morning (the first time in months) and they had a different analyst breaking down each NBA game. Seriously guys? What, are we 20 games into the season and we need Bill Walton to dissect the Lakers/Nuggets game? Lose a netowrk ESPN, you're running a tad thin.

by HulkSmash on Dec 6, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

What's disgusting is that there's so much more

out there to cover. They don't cover any of the "out lier" or "extreme" sports that would nicely fill those time slots. Remember when you used to be able to watch surfing competitions (esp women's surfing), soccer, gymnastics, wrestling, or any other of a number very interesting and exciting sports on ESPN, ESPN2 and whatever came before fox sports net?

Who the hell would prefer that analyst dribble to watching some hot chick shredding waves at pipe masters?

I say F whoever chooses Walton and F the present state of the sports broadcasting industry.

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

by rhythm on Dec 6, 2007 4:13 PM CST up reply actions

yeah!

getting pissed off about something other than the sox! first college football then espn. now we're cookin' with gas. who doesn't like politicians? oatmeal raisin cookies? cold weather? that cross-eyed kid in the mailroom? there's a whole world out there, ripe for complaining. that george bush sure doesn't have a long-term plan for building up the farm system, does he? signing all these long-term commitments, mortgaging the future of the franchise. and those fucking oatmeal cookies that disguise themselves as chocolate chip cookies - only revealing themselves when you bite into them.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

That crossed-eyed kid from the mailroom...

I'll show him good! (as I wave an angry fist in the air)

by HulkSmash on Dec 6, 2007 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

Miggy and Willis!

"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 6, 2007 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

By the way, Lar,

what's with the cookies? You got a Freudian return to the repressed thing going on, or just a bad after lunch snack?

by HulkSmash on Dec 6, 2007 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

i don't like oatmeal raisin cookies

and there have been a couple instances where i was fooled. i was just trying to come up ridiculous stuff to be passionately pissed about. it's satire, you know - i don't get agitated about any of that stuff in reality.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, I got that...

but, let it be said, the same happens to me with banana muffins, and banana nut muffins. Now the world knows.

by HulkSmash on Dec 6, 2007 4:44 PM CST up reply actions

WHAT!?

banana nut muffins are the greatest!

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

Whoa! Cool off there, Kujo!

You sure get worked up about the little things. Perhaps you should get back on the meds?

;)

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

by rhythm on Dec 6, 2007 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

Fuku

[MLBTR]:

Cubs Willing To Pay $12-15MM Per Year For Fukudome?

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, it "sounds like the Cubs might go as high as $12-15MM per year" for outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. He adds that Fukudome would have to be willing to take less money to play on the West Coast if he is to become a Padre. Many players have before, so don't go buying those Fukudome Cubs jerseys just yet.

Krasovic also has a note on Andruw Jones. Apparently the only other concrete offer outside of the Dodgers was a two-year, $22MM one from the Royals.

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 2:33 PM CST reply actions

older

[gw]:

The Cubs remain on the inside track with the deepest pockets and the strongest early push, but the Sox suddenly are swimming in all the money they planned to pay Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera, and the pressure's on to land a bat. Texas and San Diego also are in the mix.

If Japan's top hitter looked like he would command $10 million to $12 million a year a month ago, consider that the low-budget Padres are comparing his value to Brian Giles, whom they gave a three-year, $30 million deal two years ago - comparable to $40 million or more now. If it becomes an all-Chicago bidding war, that number will be eclipsed.

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

Ken Rosenthal on Aaron Rowand...

Ken Rosenthal wrote:

The Dodgers' signing of Andruw Jones to a two-year, $36.2 million deal could alter the market for Aaron Rowand, the best free-agent center fielder remaining. The White Sox and Phillies are the teams that want Rowand on three- or four-year deals. Rowand's agent, Craig Landis, says he is drawing interest from teams that do not want to be identified. Perhaps one of those clubs could give Rowand the five-year deal he is seeking, but there is no obvious fit.

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 2:37 PM CST reply actions

i am so tired of hearing about aaron rowand

please, end my misery and just sign with someone else.

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

Who's leaking this fucking information????

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

Take it easy, Kenny.

Haha.

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

dont tell

KW or he could start beating ass!

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

I think it's Beane

He comes off as a blabbermouth in Moneyball.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 6, 2007 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

I think your onto something.

Notify Larry.

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

I probably posted this before

But I've definitely come around to hoping the Sox sign Rowand if they don't sign Fukudome. Signing one of those guys should preclude a trade of prospects for a mediocre CF. Rowand would cost the Sox a lower draft pick than a Type A next year would. And if the contract doesn't have an NTC and he doesn't revert completely to 2006 Rowand, he's a tradeable asset in a talent-starved organization. Ideally,the Sox really would be all about youth but since that's not happening I think this might be one of the better moves that could happen.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 6, 2007 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

We got Jerry.

"Apparently the only other concrete offer outside of the Dodgers was a two-year, $22MM one from the Royals."

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 2:37 PM CST reply actions

anyone

have we filled our leadoff position player yet??!

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

our world series window is open for 2 more years..

[cdl]:

It only made sense for the White Sox to make a major push this offseason to acquire power-hitting third baseman Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins. The World Series window for the current crop of proven talent is about to close -- maybe in two years, one team official predicted.

place your bets!

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 2:48 PM CST reply actions

i would love

if that window was still 2 years!

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

I believe that window was closed

as of last year. No more bets taken, please.

"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 6, 2007 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

Check out the lines...

apparently nobody is paying attention.

http://www.oddschecker.com/baseball/mlb/2008-world-series/win-market

Once and for all, the leadoff position is how Jenna Jameson decides to spend the first 8 minutes of video time, which has nothing to do with baseball.

by Toonderstrook on Dec 6, 2007 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

Know any bookies?

How can we short the White Sox? I'm all over that.

"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 6, 2007 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

protrade.com

His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 6, 2007 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

They must have

a crack room in the Sun-Times newsroom.

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

fine

if were going for it all this year, bring back fat freddy, iguchi, willie harris, timo, chris widger, politte, hermanson, vizcaino and whoever else is available out there!
get it done KW! RELIVE THE GLORY!

"We had a guy go into 2nd base as if his wife was turning a double play."

by The Deacon on Dec 6, 2007 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

Typos in the blurb

"The World Series window for the current crop of proven talent closed -- maybe two years ago, one team official observed."

All fixed!

by BridgeportJoe on Dec 6, 2007 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

I guess...

that makes sense if you think you can build a championship team around Pierzynski, Konerko, Thome, Dye, Vazquez, Jenks, and Buehrle. Of those guys, only Jenks and Buehrle are good bets to still be effective players in 2010.

But to think that the team had a realistic shot in 2008 is pretty crazy.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 6, 2007 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

haha

That's what's so absurd about all this huffing and puffing and maneuvering. This team had their organizational meetings and the conclusion they came up with after a cold and rational analysis of the facts is, "Okay...I guess we all agree we can do it. Get me Hunter's agent on the bat phone. World Series baby, woohoo!"

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

by ChicagoPete on Dec 6, 2007 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

Just picture that organizational meeting.

Wow.

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

by ballyb on Dec 6, 2007 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

What worries me

is that this is very uncharacteristic of the old CWS organization we know and love. I mean, c'mon, we're the cold-blooded executioners who pulled off the White Flag trade. We told that Venezuelan fuck Mags to hit the road after he blew out his knee. We told the immortal Frank Thomas that his services were no longer necessary when we thought he was too old and decrepit, and for good measure called him an idiot on the way out the door.

Now you're telling me that after what happened last year, they're going to look at this roster and think they have what it takes to contend in the AL and specifically within this division? KW sure sounds convinced that he can do it, and he's more than ready to continue throwing good money after bad. I don't think anyone is willing to stand up to him and tell him he's nuts, and this does not bode well for the future.

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

by ChicagoPete on Dec 6, 2007 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

"There were not any hickeys with him"

I haven't heard that expression before. Is Regier talking about Kevin Hickey? Jim Hickey? The Sox didn't lose the Hickeys in the draft?

No wonder Ozzie is confused about what FAs they are targeting, I don't understand the Sox management either

by hitlesswonder on Dec 6, 2007 2:56 PM CST reply actions

let's just say

some of the ladies down in birmingham get a little wild with the barons...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensje01.shtm

by larry on Dec 6, 2007 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

Do people still express affection

by giving a hickey? Jeez, come up with something from this millenium, anyway - "He has no chlamydia or HPV"...

"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 6, 2007 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

PS

Miggy and Willis!

(Whinney.)

;)

"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 6, 2007 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Just in case you needed an example

of the meaning of "toothless", here you go:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7532310

"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 6, 2007 4:04 PM CST reply actions

Atlanta Braves sign Joe Borchard...

Link.

by SSH2005 on Dec 6, 2007 6:46 PM CST reply actions

added a few links to the post

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 9:17 PM CST reply actions

fuku

[rotoworld]:

Padres like Fukudome in center field?

Kosuke Fukudome - OF - INT - Dec. 4 - 5:29 pm et

The Padres are pursuing Kosuke Fukudome with the idea that he could handle center field in Petco, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Seems like a stretch, as most teams in smaller ballparks are viewing him as a corner outfielder. If Fukudome could handle center, his bat could make him as $13 million-$15 million per year player. The Giants, Cubs and White Sox are also believed to be interested, though it's unclear if the White Sox are still targeting him after picking up Carlos Quentin. Dec. 4 - 5:29 pm et

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 9:19 PM CST reply actions

speaking of fuku

[link]:

The Japanese media in attendance have described the left-handed hitting Fukudome as a cross between Ichiro and Kaz Matsui, able to play center field or the corners. The problem? He is still weighing a decision on staying in Japan to play or going Prince Akeem and "Coming to America.''

it can only be one!

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 9:49 PM CST up reply actions

fernando

[rotoworld]:

Athletics selected RHP Fernando Hernandez with the ninth pick in the Rule 5 draft.

The A's also came away with the White Sox pitcher last year and carried Jay Marshall all season before losing him on waivers to Boston. Hernandez had a 3.06 ERA and an 84/23 K/BB ratio in 85 1/3 IP for Double-A Birmingham. He then went and pitched 12 2/3 scoreless innings in the AFL. The White Sox weren't thrilled about his arm strength, but he could be valuable in middle relief right away. Dec. 6 - 10:58 am et

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 9:26 PM CST reply actions

re

[bt]:

In other words, a typical A's Duchschererianistic find: a young player in another organization without impressive physical skills, but excellent statistics: 84 strikeouts, 23 walks in 85.1 IP at AA as a 22 year old. I'm sure the A's are happy with their choice.

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 9:31 PM CST up reply actions

MLBAM

[usa today]:

MLBAM was formed when, at the urging of Commissioner Bud Selig and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, baseball decided to centralize the teams' websites.

by The Wizard on Dec 6, 2007 9:45 PM CST reply actions