I like Swisher but, think that they gave up a lot for him. Will Sweeney become a star? What about the two pitchers? Lot's of K's and no speed, mediocre defense. What do you guys think? Soxnole?????BeenthereIl????
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Adios Konerko!
IMO the Sox just added a quality player, no doubt. But, they also gave away 2 great pitching prospects with Gio Gonzalez considered to be very close to being ready to help the big club.
I know the A's are rebuiling and leave it to Billy Beane to know just what he's getting in a deal. Swisher will help the Sox but if they had just spent the money to sign a free agent center fielder they still would have the 3 players that they were forced to trade. It's always about money in the end. Don't they still have the $15 Million per that they supposedly offered Tori Hunter?
I know the A's are rebuiling and leave it to Billy Beane to know just what he's getting in a deal. Swisher will help the Sox but if they had just spent the money to sign a free agent center fielder they still would have the 3 players that they were forced to trade. It's always about money in the end. Don't they still have the $15 Million per that they supposedly offered Tori Hunter?
They must not be done. Maybe Tuzi is right about Konerko, because even though Swisher is a good player I don't know if he is the answer in CF so maybe it's 1B.
I really think Sweeney is on his way to stardom and the pitchers seem highly regarded, but as we all know, you have to give something to get something.
I really think Sweeney is on his way to stardom and the pitchers seem highly regarded, but as we all know, you have to give something to get something.
Not about the money?
$3.5MM in '08, $5.3MM in '09, $6.75MM in '10, $9MM in '11, and a $10.25MM club option for '12 with a $1MM buyout. The option gets a $1.75MM bump if Swisher is top five for the MVP voting during the contract. He has limited no-trade protection for 2011-12.
KW will say it allows him to spend it somewhere else. However, he never has any takers........
$3.5MM in '08, $5.3MM in '09, $6.75MM in '10, $9MM in '11, and a $10.25MM club option for '12 with a $1MM buyout. The option gets a $1.75MM bump if Swisher is top five for the MVP voting during the contract. He has limited no-trade protection for 2011-12.
KW will say it allows him to spend it somewhere else. However, he never has any takers........
I don't want to go back and look it up, but I think some of you were saying the Sox had No prospects in the farm system. Now they are giving up future superstars?
Swisher cost more than the players he gave up, but it is about the money. If he traded Swisher for prospects, you guys would say he is dumping salary.
Has anyone heard the expression, ****ed if you do and ****ed if you don't. If KW gave money to cancer research you would wonder why he didn't give more money and why not some to ALS.
Swisher cost more than the players he gave up, but it is about the money. If he traded Swisher for prospects, you guys would say he is dumping salary.
Has anyone heard the expression, ****ed if you do and ****ed if you don't. If KW gave money to cancer research you would wonder why he didn't give more money and why not some to ALS.
KW will say that when he found out that a player like Swisher was available, he had to pay up to make the deal.
Billy Beane will say that he planned on trading Swisher as he's clearly rebuilding, and that, as far as the A's are concerned, he got 3 studs who are many years from any salary issues.
Maybe I'd trade those 3 for a player that I thought would put me over the top in the coming year. But, does any level headed Sox fan think that this team is setup to win anything in 08?
Billy Beane will say that he planned on trading Swisher as he's clearly rebuilding, and that, as far as the A's are concerned, he got 3 studs who are many years from any salary issues.
Maybe I'd trade those 3 for a player that I thought would put me over the top in the coming year. But, does any level headed Sox fan think that this team is setup to win anything in 08?
Im a level headed sox fan who thinks the sox are set up to win about half of their games next year. They gave up a lot of pitching (which they dont have much of) for a guy that hits .260! Oh man...
Ballgame8-
You've said it all. If you look close they are #'s similar to Aaron Rowand without the defense, or the price tag. But we gave up the best two young pitchers we had.....ouch.
You've said it all. If you look close they are #'s similar to Aaron Rowand without the defense, or the price tag. But we gave up the best two young pitchers we had.....ouch.
If anyone out there still reads the Tribune, I think Phil Rodgers article on the front page of the sports section says it all.
Rosy, It is good to see the Sox get going and make some moves to improve. How about Swisher's bloodlines? His dad was a young Catcher for the Cubs, when you and I both had time to sit in the bleachers and hope for a "W." Triva - Who was the Cubs top Pitcher in 1977?
Corky, I admit I had to google to refresh my memory. What a great year Rick Reuschel had. 20-10, ERA of 2.79 and he threw 257 innings. How about a bullpen with Sutter, Donnie Moore and Willie Hernandez?
Good work Rosy! One more, what is the first name of Reuschel's brother who also did a stint with the Cubs?
I have been a big fan of Ryan Sweeney ever since he struck out my son (along with 8 others) in 3 innings of work during a game in Iowa a few years ago. Regardless, I think the Swisher deal is simply a wait and see situation. I do think he's the kind of player that might be the spark the lineup needs to get going and keep going. In October we can all reflect back on how KW was a genius for picking up Swisher and getting the Sox into the playoffs or we can all discuss how KW has gotta go since he has no clue.
Corky - I'll take who was Paul Reuschel for $500 please.
Corky - I'll take who was Paul Reuschel for $500 please.
KW, it seems, has no real plan.
Swisher is not a centerfielder. Simple as that. His dad was a hamburger when he "played"...bottom of the pile on any roster.
I think the Sox made a mistake on making a position player out of Sweeney. He was "lights out" as a left-handed pitcher.
Three young guys with bright futures for a .260 hitter in the big leagues? For a player without a true position.
I'm sure he'll hit .260 and hit 20-25 home runs. He'll cost you dearly, defensively, if they put him in centerfield.
What is the big deal about his walks? He walked 100 times and struck out 131...about once every three at bats. Stole 3 bases...Dream on, KW. This was a "nothing" deal that will cost you dearly with the young prospects you gave away.
We knew early on in the offseason that the WS would not do much in 2008 considering that they picked up NOBODY of any consequence. Considering that Thome will continue to hit 35-45 meaningless home runs and strike out nearly 200 times in a season. Have to play base-to-base baseball with Konerko, Dye and Thome. Confusion at 3rd base; shortstop and 2nd base. Woeful pitching, with era in the 5+ range. Cooper should have been gone after the miracle of 2005. Won't happen again in 100 years. But that is ok since the Cubbies will be on their 200th season without winning a World Series.
Sox will finished 4th in the Division.
Swisher is not a centerfielder. Simple as that. His dad was a hamburger when he "played"...bottom of the pile on any roster.
I think the Sox made a mistake on making a position player out of Sweeney. He was "lights out" as a left-handed pitcher.
Three young guys with bright futures for a .260 hitter in the big leagues? For a player without a true position.
I'm sure he'll hit .260 and hit 20-25 home runs. He'll cost you dearly, defensively, if they put him in centerfield.
What is the big deal about his walks? He walked 100 times and struck out 131...about once every three at bats. Stole 3 bases...Dream on, KW. This was a "nothing" deal that will cost you dearly with the young prospects you gave away.
We knew early on in the offseason that the WS would not do much in 2008 considering that they picked up NOBODY of any consequence. Considering that Thome will continue to hit 35-45 meaningless home runs and strike out nearly 200 times in a season. Have to play base-to-base baseball with Konerko, Dye and Thome. Confusion at 3rd base; shortstop and 2nd base. Woeful pitching, with era in the 5+ range. Cooper should have been gone after the miracle of 2005. Won't happen again in 100 years. But that is ok since the Cubbies will be on their 200th season without winning a World Series.
Sox will finished 4th in the Division.
Swisher is a keeper with a reasonable price tag. His .381 OBP is STELLAR.
Gonzalez may get to the bigs but has been inconsistent VS real talent.
Sweeney didn't look like a MLB starter to me.
The other "top prospect" had a good year in A ball, nuff said.
Writers for the most part, (especially Rodgers and Couch) are like candidates for prexy....self-important,Napoleon complexed superfulous morons.!
Bballdad1954 said it best...you can't have it both ways!
In defense of KW, this improves the team without touching any MLB players. Chicago's tribune and Sun Times are now at war with the Sox for no apparent reason other than they don't like JR and KW. The article's by both Rodgers and Couch can only be compared to Paris Hilton as actress or maybe Britney as mom. David Condon would have hired neither and is probably spinning in his grave!
The single most important issue is....KEEPING Uribe to play up the middle with Cabrera. That will end a lot of defensive innings and Uribe will still be one of the better #9 hitter's in the AL.
Gonzalez may get to the bigs but has been inconsistent VS real talent.
Sweeney didn't look like a MLB starter to me.
The other "top prospect" had a good year in A ball, nuff said.
Writers for the most part, (especially Rodgers and Couch) are like candidates for prexy....self-important,Napoleon complexed superfulous morons.!
Bballdad1954 said it best...you can't have it both ways!
In defense of KW, this improves the team without touching any MLB players. Chicago's tribune and Sun Times are now at war with the Sox for no apparent reason other than they don't like JR and KW. The article's by both Rodgers and Couch can only be compared to Paris Hilton as actress or maybe Britney as mom. David Condon would have hired neither and is probably spinning in his grave!
The single most important issue is....KEEPING Uribe to play up the middle with Cabrera. That will end a lot of defensive innings and Uribe will still be one of the better #9 hitter's in the AL.
Gio Gonzalez is an outstanding lefty who has a chance to be a superstar! This is twice they have traded him, isn't it? That alone has made him fairly valuable. All three of these guys have a chance to be more long term valuable than Swisher, but Swisher will be more of an immediate help. He's a good player.
My guess is that Gio might make his mark this year, though! This could turn out looking bad for the White Sox in a hurry, if Gio is what I think he is.
BTW, at age 21 here is what he compiled last season at AA.
W - 9
L - 7
ERA - 3.18
BB - 57
HR - 10
Now the best part...
IP - 150
H - 116
SO - 185
In 492 innings in the minor leagues he has given up 400 hits and struck out 577. That has to be near the top in those categories during that span.
My guess is that Gio might make his mark this year, though! This could turn out looking bad for the White Sox in a hurry, if Gio is what I think he is.
BTW, at age 21 here is what he compiled last season at AA.
W - 9
L - 7
ERA - 3.18
BB - 57
HR - 10
Now the best part...
IP - 150
H - 116
SO - 185
In 492 innings in the minor leagues he has given up 400 hits and struck out 577. That has to be near the top in those categories during that span.
PG-
I see discussions on another MLB website that there are "makeup" concerns on Gio. First I have ever heard that. Know anything about that? Seems odd that he would get traded so much but on that site, they didn't seem surprised.
I see discussions on another MLB website that there are "makeup" concerns on Gio. First I have ever heard that. Know anything about that? Seems odd that he would get traded so much but on that site, they didn't seem surprised.
Gio was a kid we were around a lot when he was in high school. He has unbelievable ability as most people know.
Makeup is one of the few areas I will never talk about. That is one area that you never want to be wrong about. It can cause lots of problems. Besides there are several different opinions as to what "Championship makeup" really is.
Time will tell if there are any makeup issues with Gio. I'm betting Oakland did their homework on all those guys.
Makeup is one of the few areas I will never talk about. That is one area that you never want to be wrong about. It can cause lots of problems. Besides there are several different opinions as to what "Championship makeup" really is.
Time will tell if there are any makeup issues with Gio. I'm betting Oakland did their homework on all those guys.
PG, those numbers are unreal. I don't know how you trade those away but if KW is trying to show that he's smarter than Billy Beane you know who I've got my money on. That's a no-brainer.
quote:Originally posted by itsrosy:
...I don't know how you trade those away but if KW is trying to show that he's smarter than Billy Beane you know who I've got my money on...
Me too. The guy who has actually won a World Series much less any little playoff series.