Sox sign Alexei Ramirez to 4-year contract; DFA David Aardsma

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 12:44 PM CST in News Comment 141 comments

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a four-year, $4.75-million contract with free agent infielder/outfielder Alexei Ramirez. Under terms of the deal, Ramirez will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and be paid $950,000 in 2008 and $1.10 million each season from 2009-11. Ramirez, 26, played seven seasons with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban League from 2001-07, hitting .334 (680-2,048) with 73 home runs and 328 RBI in 521 games. He added 105 doubles, 23 triples, 381 runs scored and a .513 slugging percentage while playing both second base and the outfield. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Ramirez batted .335 (114-340) with 20 home runs and 68 RBI in 2007, setting career bests in each category. He led the league in average and home runs and walked more than he struck out (48 to 37) for the third consecutive season. Ramirez hit .300 or better in each of his six full seasons with Pinar del Rio, including a career best of .342 in 2002, and recorded just eight fewer walks than strikeouts (219 to 227). Ramirez played center field in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, going 6-16 (.375) with two doubles and two RBI as Cuba lost in the finals to Japan. He also played for Cuba in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Ramirez will wear uniform No. 10.

[whitesox.com]:

The Chicago White Sox have agreed with veteran free-agent pitcher Octavio Dotel on a two-year, $11-million contract and have designated pitcher David Aardsma for assignment. Under terms of the deal, Dotel will receive $5.0 million in 2008 and $6.0 million in 2009. ... The White Sox 40-man roster now stands at 40.

These two items surely have been covered. I just logged on and saw the previous thread was kinda full!

***** In other news,

Jim's thoughts on how the Dotel deal makes the Linebrink deal look.
Coop blessed the youngsters at the Cayman islands with his pearls of wisdom.
Kenny is in no rush to resolve the 3rd base situation. BTW, Phil Rogers puts the Sox payroll at $118 million.
Jamie Shields should receive a 6/7-year extension tonight from the Rays.
Video/Audio links: Kenny on Dotel (21:43 audio), Dotel on the Sox (11:49 audio), Merkin on Dotel (14:54 video).

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Just so I say something positive...

for a change, the Ramirez signing is very nice.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 1:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And, I would agree.

I've come around on the whole offseason. I thought Linebrink was the biggest mistake, but, in the end, all things considered, far from crippling. I overreacted at first to the Swisher deal. I even called Kenny incompetent. But, after seeing Swisher's contract and having it sit for about a day, I accepted and could see Williams' perspective. At the end of the day, I am so passionate about the White Sox how can I not accept it on some level, know what I mean?
I really do, now, see us as having an outside shot at the playoffs.....somewhere in the 20% range.

by dantesox on Jan 22, 2008 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some gems from KW

``I think we have some of the most balance in the division,'' said Williams when asked if he thought the Sox were legitimately a playoff team. ``We have some stiff competition, but if you look player-by-player, position-by-position, we stack up against anyone. Now, I will grant you that the Detroit Tigers will prove to be one of the best offensive teams in baseball. But we feel we have the balance to battle for 162 games.

``One thing that is being underestimated is we had an awful lot of guys perform below their levels. We don't need them to perform above their level this year, but at their level.

``Anyone that thinks you can anoint a division winner in January, this is the game of baseball and you would be mistaken. We were anointed in '06 and you saw where that got us.''

``The one thing we wanted to make sure we did was, yes, put together a club that can compete for a championship,'' Williams added, ``but do so with the swagger-type, grinder-type of player, and also get younger and athletic at the same time. We feel we did that.

by BoKnows on Jan 22, 2008 1:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's an interesting statement.

Who performed below their level in 2007?

Jose Contreras, maybe. Anyone else? I can't think of anyone.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

More than 1 person underperformed offensively no matter what projection system you used last year.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Jan 22, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Thome, Konerko, Dye, Uribe and even Iguchi before he was traded.

MacDougal

Contreras and Garland.

But, I just see the trend continuing.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 22, 2008 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see it.

Jim Thome? Performed almost exactly the same in 2007 as he did in 2006. In what way did he perform below established levels?

Konerko? Dye? Both performed almost exactly to their career averages, which is to be expected for sluggers in their early thirties.

Uribe? Slightly below career average, but not enough to really affect the outcome of the season.

Iguchi? Again, slightly worse than 2006, but not significantly so.

MacDougal? Okay, that's one. MacDougal was a disappointment.

Contreras I conceded.

Garland? Actually had a pretty good season, better than his 2006.

I think this is an important question - of the players who were on the 2007 White Sox and will be on the 2008 White Sox, who can we reasonably expect to do a lot better in 2008 than he did in 2007?

Clearly, Ken Williams thinks that several guys are in this category. He's certainly making moves as if this were the case.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I am just going to think of staying away

from your threads. There is a such thing as being reasonable. For some reason JRE that goes out the window with you. Really in the context of the statements and discussion what do career avgs have to do with projections for the 07 year?

Career avgs can be jaded by many things positive and negative. And career avgs can obviously differ from a players short term production at given moments in their career.

Dye and Konerko underperformed under every major projection system last year. I really don't see how that is debatable.

Your outlook used to irritate me. (I know thats my problem) now I just chuckle.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Jan 22, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

let's say that Konerko and Dye were disappointments in 2007. I wasn't expecting 2006-type performances from them, but let's say they were.

Do you really think that both Konerko and Dye will hit much better in 2008 than they did in 2007? Because that's really what Williams is talking about - he is expecting multiple bounceback seasons. Do we have the right to expect that?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Konerko yes, Dye I don't know

I covered Konerko a few weeks ago. He does seem likely to rebound somewhat. Dye is more tricky. He definitely had a good 2nd half but how healthy will he be in 08?

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Jan 22, 2008 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All right then...

Now we're getting somewhere.

If Konerko returns to his 2004-2006 production levels with the bat, things start looking a bit different. Not "this team can compete with Cleveland and Detroit" different, but a bit different. I don't really see that happening at 32, but stranger things have happened.

As for Dye, 2006 looks like the outlier, not 2007. 2007 looks like 2005 to me.

The feeling I'm get from Kenny Williams, though, is that "everything went wrong", that the 2007 White Sox were a good team that had some bad breaks. I don't see that that's the case. The Sox had many things go well for them. Buehrle and Vazquez were both great, Jon Garland was above-average, Bobby Jenks really impressed, Jim Thome was his normal self. We were even spared Erstad and Podsednik for most of the season.

On balance, the good and the bad balanced out in 2007.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 4:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

JRE, you have this habit

of taking lemons and making lemon juice.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jan 22, 2008 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Letting the

lemon juice ferment and turn to acid.

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

by ballyb on Jan 22, 2008 1:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

according to ZiPS

konerko, dye, crede, iguchi, uribe, macdougal, contreras

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 22, 2008 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want to sound too much

like a "company guy," but people forget that we played pretty well against our Central Division rivals last year. If we at least show-up against the NL this year (unlike last year), I still think the Sox will be competitive. And since I was asked a couple weeks ago what competitive means, I mean that the Sox will be "in" most games (hopefully the revamped bullpen will eliminate a lot of blow-outs) and generally play .500 ball.

by palehose67 on Jan 22, 2008 1:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gee, ya think Wiz?

I just logged on and saw the previous thread was kinda full!

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jan 22, 2008 1:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

Doing what I can!

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 1:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well,

I guess one thing I can so for sure is that the 08 team should be a lot better than the 07 one. That makes a better 08, we'll see what happens from 09 on. Who knows, things might work out. For now, I'll be excited about 08.

With that said, I'm kind of stuck. I have Dish Network and I don't think they'll have MLB Extra Innings, anyone know this for sure?

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Jan 22, 2008 1:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You didn't get the memo:

No optimism for '08!

Go to your room.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jan 22, 2008 1:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

is the Sox fan AJ?

[Tom McNamee]:

A group of Chicago sports fans are out hiking. One is a Blackhawks fan, one a Bulls fan, one a Bears fan, one a Sox fan, and one a Cubs fan.

They get to the top of a cliff and behold a majestic sunset. It is breathtaking.

Soon, though, they get to arguing about Chicago sports and who among them is the most dedicated fan.

The Hawks fan cries, "This is for Bobby Hull and the Hawks of the '60s!" and throws himself off the cliff.

The remaining fans are impressed by his dedication, but the Bears fan shouts, "Oh yeah? Well, this is for Ditka and the '85 Bears!" and throws himself off the cliff.

The Bulls fan is not about to be outdone. He shouts, "This is for Michael Jordan and the Bulls of the '90s!" and also leaps into the abyss.

This leaves just the Cubs fan and the Sox fan. At which point, the Sox fan says, "This is for the South Side!" and pushes the Cubs fan off the cliff.

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 1:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bringing last thread's conversation

about the win total and defense (among other things) to this thread:

I don't disagree that defense won't be a problem -- it will be. It'll be a huge problem. I see two above average defenders as of today (Cabrera and Quentin -- and if Quentin is in LF, that limits his 'goodness' on defense). If they go with Crede that's a third 'plus' defender, but then you're taking away a guy who might be our third or fourth best hitter.

My issue was with the statement that there were more downgrades on defense. I'd say the downgrades at RF and C will be minimal. One year isn't going to make Dye a whole lot worse than he was last year (a year in which he was already pretty terrible). As far as Richar, I don't feel comfortable projecting based on a half-season's worth of data. Based on aesthetics -- how he 'looked' -- he seemed a bit below average but not terrible. In any case, Iguchi was never great at second -- probably passable or average (although I'll admit that I don't have the defensive stats on Iguchi). Plus, if Uribe is playing a third to a fourth of the games there, I can't see that being a whole lot worse than last year.

And with third-base last season, I was talking about defense only. We were terrible there last year and if they go with Fields, it figures to be terrible again -- that's where my "more of the same" comment came from.

So what I'm trying to say is -- defense was already terrible last year (Team DER ranked 22nd in baseball -- so maybe not terrible, but below average) and it doesn't figure to get a whole lot better.

Addressing Uribe vs Cabrera, Uribe wasn't nearly as good at SS (defensively) last season as he was in 2005 and 2006, and I'm 99% sure the defensive statistics agreed with that. I'm pretty content with my statement that Uribe to Cabrera isn't a defensive downgrade.

by CWSKeith on Jan 22, 2008 2:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

a couple issues

We had the best defense in baseball at 3B for the first two months of last season. It was amazing that the back injury which was killing Crede at the plate had no effect on his defensive game. He was great there in limited time. Even if Fields improves over his own defense in '08, thanks to Crede's stellar 2 months, he'll fall below that of the aggregate 3B last season.
We probably have a better RFer than we did last year. Dead cat bounce, as they say. JD was never hurt enough to go on the DL, but had just enough persistent leg issues (hammy, knee) to turn routine outs into singles and routine singles into triples. While he has an increased risk to once again have leg issues (which would make him a better fit for LF), he should be healthy on opening day and figures to either be healthier than last season. Because if he's any less healthy, he's on the DL. In other words, I don't think there is any way possible we will get as poor of play from our RFers in '08.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jan 22, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"U to C isn't a defensive downgrade".

More likely an upgrade, right? It's ok to be optimistic once in a while, especially if the naysayers aren't looking!

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jan 22, 2008 2:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

meant for CWSK.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jan 22, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Best case scenario...

it's a neutral move. Cabrera's an average defensive shortstop. Even if Uribe's not as good as he was three years ago, he's still as good as Cabrera.

Whatever upgrade Cabrera provides over Uribe will be whatever he provides with the stick.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You're not only underrating the D....

..that Cabrera will provide, but also the enormous upgrade of having a legit bat at SS. Looking back at the numbers Uribe put up last season are truly remarkable.

by Tony82087 on Jan 22, 2008 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess it depends...

on how you define "legit bat". Cabrera's an average hitter for a shortstop.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, he's not

what are you going by that says he's average? Tango's Fan Scouting Report had him as the best defender on the Angels by a pretty wide margin, and the agreement level was (relatively) high too.

I'd imagine you're going by ZiPS which certainly could never be wrong, especially concerning defense.

But without getting too snarky, that's the only place I've seen him rated as "Average". Did I miss the Fielding Bible giving him a negative rating, or...?

by CWSKeith on Jan 22, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going by...

what I've seen. I don't like any defensive stats.

Feel free to disagree - that's just my feeling.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW, ZiPS also has...

Uribe as an average defensive shortstop. So any way you want to dice it -- both of them are average, both of them are a little better than average -- the defensive drop at SS will be minimal (more like nonexistant).

by CWSKeith on Jan 22, 2008 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All right then...

let's concede the point then. No downgrade at shortstop.

They can only expect less defense in center, in right, at second, and at third, then. Probably at catcher and at first, too, but I'll give Konerko and Pierzynski the benefit of the doubt and say they'll be no worse than they were last year.

They've only clearly upgraded (defensively) in one place - left field.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 22, 2008 4:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Again...

you haven't shown the defensive drop at a lot of these positions will be much. Center is a given, and I'll concede third do to Cheat's nugget, but I'd say the drops at other spots will be very marginal.

Whatever. We're debating semantics at this point.

by CWSKeith on Jan 22, 2008 4:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

O Canada

Hey Keith, how did the fans treat you at the Blackhawks game north of the border? Was at the game last night in San Jose and the only thing anybody said was, "Where is Toews?" They were almost too considerate. And boy did Kane serve them a shorthanded breakaway goal on a platter. Oh well, five in a row was probably too much to ask.

"On the run from Johnny Law...ain't no trip to Cleveland."

by Toonderstrook on Jan 23, 2008 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hawks were in SJ!?!!!

I need to start paying attention.

Lately, this work thing has started to really crimp my style! ;)

That's a piece of crap. We stopped selling that six months ago. Nice gesture, though. - Beanie

by rhythm on Jan 23, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Game in Montreal

We were treated pretty well -- we got some odd looks but otherwise no 'shit-slinging' from the Hab fans. We engaged in coversation with the folks next to us for about the whole second intermission, and the lady in front of us -- when seeing that we had on Hawk sweaters -- promised to 'tone down' her celebrations when Montreal netted one.

Great, great experience -- the atmosphere was wonderful.

As far as last night's game... yeah, it definitely looked like Kane wasn't busting his ass to that puck. He also should've buried that one he had on the doorstep in the first, although to San Jose's credit, Nabakov made a fantastic kick-save. Certainly not one of Kaner's best performances, though... I'm not terribly pissed -- their short road trip went very well -- but getting (at least) a point last night was definitely attainable. What did you think about Sharp not getting a penalty shot? It certainly looked like he was hooked from behind on a clear and distinct breakaway...

by CWSKeith on Jan 23, 2008 11:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sharpie

Happened right in front of us and everybody, including the season ticketholders to our right and ex-49er Harris Barton on our left, was positive that a penalty shot was coming.

It was amazing how the energy changed so dramatically when the Sharks scored in the first 30 seconds of their first PP in the first. Hawks had dominated to that point.

It's hard to stay too mad at Kane...he's only 19 after all, but it's just so brutal to give up shorthanded goals like that one.

By the way, did you see Byfuglien absolutely destroy that poor guy into the boards? Everybody was screaming for a cross penalty. I told them that the officials can't see around him because he's so damn big.

"On the run from Johnny Law...ain't no trip to Cleveland."

by Toonderstrook on Jan 23, 2008 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Was that when he pounded Mitchell?

The camera angle was coming off of those two so I didn't get a great look, but I did see Byfuglien skating away as Mitchell lay there on the ground. It cracks me up... these guys are constantly trying to take runs at Byfuglien, thinking they'll pound him into the boards, and they always end up with their ass on the ice. I've never seen anyone knock him off his feet. In fact, a forward on LA -- Ivanans, I want to say -- tried taking a run at Byfuglien at center ice and he -- like everyone else -- got knocked on his ass. That may not seem all that special, but Ivanans is listed at 6'3", 263 (!) on LA's website.

by CWSKeith on Jan 23, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Autumn Wind is a South Sider!

The Autumn Wind is not only a Raider says Kenny!

"The one thing we wanted to make sure we did was, yes, put together a club that can compete for a championship, but do so with the swagger-type, grinder-type of player, and also get younger and athletic at the same time. We feel we did that."

and don't expect any changes in the rotation says kenny:

The other reason for paying a pretty penny for both Linebrink and Dotel this offseason was also to add a safety net to a starting rotation that will have youngsters Gavin Floyd and John Danks in it.

``I don't anticipate a change in the rotation [before spring training],'' Williams said of his starting unit. ``As a matter of fact, one of the things you do to balance out your club is when you have a young guy or two in rotation you strengthen the bullpen.''

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 2:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to suggest

that in addition to the real upgrades, we might well see a large psychological upgrade. Between the hitting slump early in the year (one of epic proportions, per Larry) and the debacle bullpen, this team had no confidence, no swagger - NONE, NONE, NONE.

It's big in sports and we have to have a large uptick.

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

by ballyb on Jan 22, 2008 2:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And the swagger

needs to start right out of the gate. If this team doesn't start out well, God help us.

by palehose67 on Jan 22, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

games are already sold out

for the opener here in cleveland... i think im gonna have to stub hub at least one game.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 22, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, yes, yes.

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

by ballyb on Jan 22, 2008 2:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

to Palehose

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

by ballyb on Jan 22, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

First 12 games

are against Clev, Det. and Minn. I feel sorry for them.

Now I know what Kenny Williams was talking about.........

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

by ballyb on Jan 22, 2008 2:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

39-33 vs.

the Central last year. I would take that again in a second.

by palehose67 on Jan 22, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you feel sorry for det and clev?

the optimist of all optimists returns!

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!

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

by ballyb on Jan 22, 2008 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hee.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jan 22, 2008 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So Heath Ledger died...

Doesn't really have much to do with anything, but news is news.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Jan 22, 2008 4:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Apparent

Sleeping pills were found next to his body.

"I'm not a 6-year-old." -Brian Nikola "Ungrindy" Anderson

by omnipotent grab on Jan 22, 2008 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Apparent suicide*

"I'm not a 6-year-old." -Brian Nikola "Ungrindy" Anderson

by omnipotent grab on Jan 22, 2008 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My guess is that he did a massive 8-ball.

by SSH2005 on Jan 22, 2008 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's going to be even odder now

seeing him as the Joker.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 22, 2008 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just makes it that much better

like Brandon Lee in The Crow.

"I'm not a 6-year-old." -Brian Nikola "Ungrindy" Anderson

by omnipotent grab on Jan 22, 2008 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta be tough

being a young, rich, handsome celebrity.

Yep, my first thought would be to piss it all away with a bottle of pills.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 22, 2008 10:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Have you ever had chronic sleep anxiety issues???

Be glad if you haven't. That's all I'm going to say.

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jan 23, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

heard

having those type of disorders with sleep will drive you absolutely mad.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 9:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

just to point out

he may have just died. those of us who follow sports see guys and gals die relatively frequently from heart issues. happens in the general population, too. i know we all like to jump to conclusions but let's not close off the other possibilities just yet.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And if it were an OD,

or suicide (to respond to tailgater's post), just because you are young and rich doesn't mean you can't be troubled. What's to say Ledger wouldn't have met a similar fate had he been a truck driver or an IT tech? I always struggle with those who believe that people who "have it all" (money, notoriety, etc...) can't also be miserable, depressed, or in despair.

by HulkSmash on Jan 23, 2008 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

saw an interesting book

geography of bliss. talks some about happiness and money. a little bit of money makes you a lot happier (we're talking basically the difference between poverty and getting by okay, the "dollar" amount obviously depends upon where you are in the world). after that, a more money doesn't really do much to make you happier, though it helps some. one of those diminishing returns things.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds interesting...

I read a similar article about general 'happiness' in USA Today (probably about two years ago by now). It made a similar point through case study and research: holistically speaking, more money doesn't really make people more happy.

I'm going to look up that book though, Larry. Thanks for pointing that out.

by HulkSmash on Jan 23, 2008 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe larry is the expert on staring

into the abyss, being a lawyer and all...

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Larry is the abyss,

and you, Winning, are the walrus.

by HulkSmash on Jan 23, 2008 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coo coo ca choo.

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pynchon v. larry: round 1

"A number of frail girls... prisoners in the top room of a circular tower, embroidering a kind of tapestry which spilled out the slit windows and into a void, seeking hopelessly to fill the void: for all the other buildings and creatures, all the waves, ships and forests of the earth were contained in this tapestry, and the tapestry was the world."

His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Jan 23, 2008 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Saw or Read an interesting book?

That's a piece of crap. We stopped selling that six months ago. Nice gesture, though. - Beanie

by rhythm on Jan 23, 2008 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it has to be something real intriguing to me

to actually read it. i don't have time for it otherwise. read about it in the economist. saw the author on the colbert report. flipped through it at the bookstore. if you're interested, looked like it was worth the read to me.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent, thank you

Wasn't sure exactly what you meant by saw the book. I'll see if the library has a copy.

That's a piece of crap. We stopped selling that six months ago. Nice gesture, though. - Beanie

by rhythm on Jan 23, 2008 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As larry said...

the author was on The Colbert Report just the other night. I'm pretty sure they have all of the interviews archived on their (his?) website, but then again, that might just be for The Daily Show.

by CWSKeith on Jan 23, 2008 11:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Mo money, Mo problems

Not that this necessarily applies to the Heath, but when you have so many people telling you how great you are for so long, it has to be hard to keep your screwed head on straight.

Thankfully, I don't have such problems ;)

That's a piece of crap. We stopped selling that six months ago. Nice gesture, though. - Beanie

by rhythm on Jan 23, 2008 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well stated.

I think that its the most plausible explanation as of now.

Anyway, my criticism of the previous comment was directed towards general ignorance. Why do rich and handsome celebrities have to be impervious to mental health and illness?

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jan 23, 2008 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's the fantasy - first you get the

money, then you get the power, then you get the women. And who can imagine not being able to deal with that?

Personally, I think it was the cognitive dissonace of being straight, yet playing "not", in Brokeback Mountain, that drove him over the edge/abyss.

larry, please don't become an actor. I would worry for you.

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dig the Scarface ref

but IMO, I can get by without the money, power, and men. ;)

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jan 23, 2008 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I am not ignorant

with regard to the concept of mental illness affecting the wealthy and famous. Even I, a tailgating fool, did a few spins on a therapist's couch several years ago. In other words, I felt I had issues and did something about it.

I just have a hard time finding compassion for someone with the means to seek the best treatment available and turns to the easy way out via a bottle of pills instead.

And since life is tough on rich and poor alike, I'd like to try "rich" on for size and see if I can deal with it. Scout Seats here I come!

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 23, 2008 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

tailgater is tom cruise

you've done the research, eh? ;)

i'm not sure that "best treatment available" and "bottle of pills" are mutually exclusive.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i see

you're talking about suicide. at any rate, it seems like people are jumping to conclusions regarding this guy.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 12:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought this was a Sox blog

Where we talk about the White Sox, baseball, and other things that matter.

by BoKnows on Jan 23, 2008 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i didn't realize you were the arbiter

of what gets discussed. sorry. i'm sure cheat or wiz will delete the posts. until then, it's probably best that you just ignore posts you don't care about. you know, like how everyone else does.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Talk about what you want...

But when I check the site, see 7 new posts, then find out they are about Heath Ledger, I'm greatly disappointed.

by BoKnows on Jan 23, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thats probably a time

to keep your disappointment to yourself then... just a suggestion.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 12:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bo, don't you realize,

such as when Freud postulates that every representation in a dream is about the dreamer, that every post on this site is actually about the poster?

Thus, YOU have become Heath Ledger. Deal with it.

(Inhales hukka smoke.)

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Inhales hukka smoke again

Breathe deep the gathering gloom
Watch lights fade from every room
Bed sitter people look back and lament
Another day's useless energy is spent
Impassioned lovers wrestle as one
Lonely man cries for love and has none
New mother picks up and suckles her son
Senior citizens wish they were young
Cold-hearted orb that rules the night
Removes the colors from our sight
Red is grey and yellow white
But we decide which is right
And which is an illusion

("Late Lament" - Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge - 1967)

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 23, 2008 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

(Cue the sitar music.)

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry again

that we're not living up to expecations. i know i'll be sure to consider everyone else's potential disappointment with my posts.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

NOW you are taking others

into consideration? It took the expiration of Heath Ledger's mortal coil? I would've offed him myself had I know THIS was the tipping point.

;)

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

man...

ST can't get here soon enough

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, read ther diary

if you want to talk baseball.

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

Some of you guys take yourselves way too seriously.

Does a discussion about suicide belong on SSS? Probably not. There really is no point in arguing about content, so I will rest my case.

by BoKnows on Jan 23, 2008 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

pot meet...

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

or we just dont think

anyone should tell anyone what or how to post. like we've said before, if you dont like somethin, ignore it and move along.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Deac, you a member of the Cato

Institute too?

Live free or die, mofo's!

;)

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no doubt, hahaa

sure there are some things that arent sox related posted on here, and sure some of them dont interest me, but i could care less about them unless they are offensive.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's okay to tell people "how" to post

to a degree. keep the insults out, profanity should be used judiciously (don't need a tirade with 'fuck' every other word), think for a second before you post, etc. content is a different story. if two people want to talk about it, seems fair game. this has developed into a community that shares a common interest (white sox baseball) but doesn't just stick to that sole topic. just today i've seen posts/diaries about finances, hockey, heath ledger, and the wire. i'll note that i've never opened the diary about the wire (or the one about shingo). and if i see a post that i don't care about, i stop reading it and move on.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"How", not "what"

Hmmmm.

(Inhales deeply.)

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

PS Speaking of finance,

you get whiplash yet, lar? 600 pt. turnaround is nothing to sneeze at. (Head feint - sell the rally.)

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

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

powder is dry

i've been in my defensive position for a while. turbulence was expected, it's delivering, and there's more to come. a guy like me needs to stay out of this sort of stuff - out of my league. i'm sure the traders are loving it.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 3:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We need the press report on this site.

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

by ballyb on Jan 23, 2008 12:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yo

As Larry pointed out in previous posts, there's no information out there to conclude he committed suicide. As an alternative, he could have simply died because of heart related issues in relation to normal dosage of prescription meds for sleep/anxiety.

You can have those Scout Seats, but be careful what you wish for ;-)

I'm surprised with all the discussion that was generated (which is fine), but perhaps I'm getting anxious for spring training.

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jan 23, 2008 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Phil Rogers' tutorial on fuzzy math

He wants to "clear up a misunderstanding on the plus/minus totals" :)

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jan 22, 2008 6:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

His defense

still doesn't make me think his system is worth a damn. He mentions a comment that showed a team could lose A-Rod, add Eckstein and be even. His response to said comment was that it is a simple system (paraphrasing).

Yeah. Simple and useless.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 22, 2008 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I

Posted a comment for him to read lmao!

Toonderstrook's myspace page http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=67492521

by Soulja Boy on Jan 22, 2008 10:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lamenting the Aardsma DFA

He was SO good last April....I know he sucked thereafter and did not do much down at Charlotte, but could there not have anyone else to DFA? Why not Sisco or Masset? Somebody set me straight with this....

by stanchar on Jan 22, 2008 7:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

See the 200+ comments last thread

And no he shouldnt be kept instead of Sisco.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Jan 22, 2008 7:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is Cole Armstrong on the 40 man roster?

by stanchar on Jan 22, 2008 7:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

to piss wiz off

there's no other rational explanation.

by larry on Jan 22, 2008 8:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Aren't piss and wiz redundant?

;)

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

by winningugly on Jan 22, 2008 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I resemble that remark!

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no shit!

look at the guys on our 40-man roster they kept while DFA'ing Aardsma: Carlos Vasquez, Nick Masset, Cole Armstrong, Donny Lucy

what a stupid move...

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 9:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What about the other bums...

that Kenny could have DFA'ed?

It was a stupid decision when you have losers like Cole Armstrong still on your roster.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 7:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Williams is much more knowledgeable

of his players' talents (and his plans) than us. Give him the benefit of the doubt.

You could have saved yourself a lot of pain and frustration if you had since about August, huh?

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

by ballyb on Jan 23, 2008 8:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

post updated

hear kenny's conference call!

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 9:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

some quick notes

dotel will help take some weight off bobby's shoulder

what you saw on dotel to give him 11 mil? tommy john takes its time,
he passed our mris and physicals with flying colors

macdougal is still in the plan, will have less workload now

kenny's high on dewon day who'll have opportunity to develop now

bullpen is done, team is not done till april 1

rotation: will continue to look but don't anticipate anything and that's one reason he strengthened the bullpen

what convinces you you are a playoff team? good balance, stack up against anybody in division, you don't annoint division winners in january

pablo is ready to go

steroids: you can point fingers in many directions, you must be responsible for what happens in your organization

alexei's best position? he likes ss, says he's good cf, won't lock him to a position this year

grinder team bla-bla-bla...

who's the leadoff hitter now? too soon, that's for ozzie

by The Wizard on Jan 22, 2008 10:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pablo is ready to go?

Break out the champagne then. We are going all the way!

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 7:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Someone asked who

underperformed last year. I'll go with Ryan Bukvich (R.I.P.) and his 6.12 lifetime ERA.

Whether I was sitting at home in my Lazy Boy or at the park in Sec. 103, my initial reaction when I saw him get the call was, "Awwwww crap."

I guess he actually did better than average since he carried a 5.05 ERA in '07. Yeesh.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 22, 2008 10:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

we said something like Bukvich (pronounced with a seinfeldian "Newman" tone). When said in that manner it appropriately sounds like a curse word!

by bhoov on Jan 22, 2008 10:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah. I just said fukbitch.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 7:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

25 man roster guesses....

C AJ
C Hall
IF Konerko, Richar, Uribe, Fields, Crede, Cabrera, Ozuna
OF Swisher, Dye, Owens, Quentin,
DH Thome

SP Buehrle, Vazquez, Contreras, Danks, Floyd
RP MacDougal, Thornton, Dotel, Jenks, B. Logan, Linebrink

I guess this wasn't that hard....Crede/Fields gone=Anderson? What about Ehren Wasserman? What about a long man in the pen? Thoughts?

by stanchar on Jan 23, 2008 6:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Crede Out

Crede dealt, Wasserman or Haeger in, unless Crede is dealt for a major league player, then that changes everything again of course.

by Grinder in Training on Jan 23, 2008 7:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the idea of a

7 man bullpen.

That means one of Fields/Crede is gone, as having both on the 25 man makes one of them redundant.

I expect Ramirez to spend most of the year in AAA. The only way I see him joining the team is if Ozuna starts sucking or is hurt again, Richar continues to struggle, or Owens sucks and/or gets hurt.

In my eyes, Quentin stays, Uribe stays, Ozuna stays.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 9:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty close to what I would guess

I'm guessing a 7-man pen with Masset being #7.

I think Fields and Wasserman start the season in AAA.

by hitlesswonder on Jan 23, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crede for Noah Lowry?

Mark Gonzales wrote:

Crede's $5.15 million contract is very affordable to teams seeking a sure-handed third baseman with run-producing ability. Negotiations between San Francisco and Pedro Feliz has stagnated, and new Giants senior adviser of player personnel Ron Schueler was the Sox's GM during Crede's first five minor-league seasons (1996-2000).

The Giants are listening to offers for left-hander Noah Lowry, who is signed through 2009 at $6.75 million for the two seasons with a club option for 2010 worth $6.25 million. He has 100 major-league starts, so he clearly has an experience edge over the 55 combined career starts of Sox Nos. 4-5 starters John Danks and Gavin Floyd.

"I don't anticipate that there will be a change in the rotation," Williams said. "As I say that, we're continuing to look."

Lowry's walk-to-strikeout ratio is so putrid that it makes me yearn for Garland's. Lowry would likely get crushed in the A.L. But one year of Crede can't be worth too much so I wouldn't be surprised by a trade like this.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 9:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lowry used to be hot shizzle

And I thought he really had promise. Now I think he's garbage. He would be redundant on this team, as I think we have several AAA/AAAA guys that can step in and do just as well.

Lowry? Nah. Go Fish.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 9:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

lowry's stats

here

look at the drastic decline in K/9. Last year his BB/K were 1:1. The only good thing I can see is that he reduced his HR total last year.

I think he's a risky bet, at best. He was never a real big strikeout guy in the minors either. (less than 1 K per inning)

I think in the AL central he puts up a high 4, low 5 ERA.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

injury issues since 2005

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yep. that too.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lowry would be a pretty great return...

for a year of Joe Crede, I would think.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 23, 2008 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you think so?

I think we can do better than Lowry. Egbert, I think, might put up a similar ERA to Lowry. Course, Egbert has never pitched in the majors before, and I only have his minor stats to suggest it, but Lowry just appears to be struggling with injuries and not as good as he was when he first came up. Maybe he needs TJ. Just a thought.

Later this evening I may go through the teams in MLB that need a 3B and see what starters they may have to offer and post a diary.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, looking at the giants lineup

will make someone nauseous. What a crappy, crappy lineup. Rowand is the team's best hitter.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 23, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'd be very surprised

if KW finds a deal for major league level talent for crede before spring training. Crede is really going to have to tear it up in ST if we expect to get someone that is going to really help the club in a deal. other teams arent blind to our situation and know that the sox would prefer to deal crede asap.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Off the top of my head...

the Giants and the Phillies should have the most interest in Crede because they both currently have absolute trash at 3B. The Giants had Pedro Feliz at 3B but he is a free agent. Feliz sucks anyways. The Phillies have Wes Helms at 3B right now. Kenny trades with the Phillies a ton so that seems like the most likely destination for Crede.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

other teams

that dont make sense, but could still deal for crede are the dodgers (dont want to play laroche for some reason), angels(not sold on figgins or izturis to couple with Kotchman for a powerless corner infield?)
none of these are likely, but still could pop up.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

report on colon from DR finals

This wasn't the power pitcher we're used to seeing. Colon mainly threw two-seam fastballs in the 88-91 MPH range on the ESPN Deportes gun, touching 94 once in the fourth inning. Colon held Licey scoreless through four innings, retiring 11 in a row and 12 of his first 13 batters faced. The only hit he allowed to that point was a flare single. Despite the results, he hardly looked dominating. Both his strikeouts were called, and he wasn't missing bats much. And in the fifth inning, Colon looked gassed-his fastball, after a velocity spike in the fourth, dropped into the mid-80s-and he was pulled after allowing two singles, a walk and a hit by pitch without retiring a batter. All four of those runners came around to score as Colon took the loss in Licey's 5-1 victory.

The x-factor in any assessment of that performance is Colon's conditioning. Colon, who's always been more Chris Farley than Joe Piscopo, didn't look any leaner than he was at the end of last season.

link

this pretty much confirms my thoughts on him from prior to the offseason. he doesn't have the same stuff and his conditioning is awful. i realize this is the "offseason" and colon is, to a degree, working himself back into pitching shape. but all you need to know about his attitude is that he couldn't get himself into decent physical shape during october, november, and december - all when he's trying to get a team to sign him. stay away.

by the way, espn deportes is awesome. i've been watching some of these winter league games (didn't see this one). not real high quality stuff but it certainly has been getting me through the offseason.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 10:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Shocked to hear his conditioning is awful.

Absolutely shocked.

by palehose67 on Jan 23, 2008 10:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not surprised, i guess

but it's a pretty dumb move - one that you would think someone who is basically begging for a two year guaranteed deal wouldn't make. i mean, a guy like colon could easily drop ten pounds over a month and a half and that's all he'd really need to do to sell a team on him "turning the corner" on his poor conditioning. i seriously think if he'd done that, even if his stuff looked exactly the same, he'd have the deal he wants already.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 10:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand

he's training with David Wells.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 23, 2008 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs