Ranger wrote:
BD, I don't mind criticism at all. I criticize, so then it's fair for me to receive it as well. I just ask for specifics instead of an ad hominem to invalidate something I've said. "You work for the Sox, you're an apologist." That sort of thing. Besides, they don't even pay me.
Ranger - I don't care about the soap opera going on in here, so let's get some baseball info from you.
This is looking like a quiet trading month with not a lot of starting pitching available, and teams unwilling to trade their top prospects. I'm seeing guys like Gagne going somewhere, but do you see the White Sox moving Jermaine Dye or just taking the draft picks ? Any up names on the White Sox (Iguchi, etc.) who could be moved over the next few weeks ?
Also, with the payroll probably expected to be around $100 million next season, how do the Sox build a team that can compete with Detroit, Cleveland, and Minnesota if nearly $45-50 million is tied up with Buerhle, Garland, Contreras, and Vazquez, along with Konerko and Thome also tied up to big money ? Right there is probably about $75 million which doesn't leave a lot left for the remainder of ther roster.
I think we're going to see Garland/Contreras (mainly for the cash, not for much help back) moved this winter for players who can
contribute immediately at positions that we lack in.
Any chance of the White Sox increasing their payroll by a significant increase to pay ARod big bucks ? That's a rumor that's been out there, and I don't really want that to happen (because of the % of money going to one player) or exepct it to happen, but Reinsdorf did pay Jordan $30 million in the 90's, and will make the occasional free agent splash (Albert Belle). So, in short, I don't think something like this would happen, but do you completely rule this out ?
As far the future is concerned what is your 3 biggest positions you would look to address either this deadline or off-season ?? Looking at next season, I think we have holes in LF/CF/RF/SS/2B, and then in the bullpen obviously.