I'm interested to hear what Sox fans think about this...I almost dropped my laptop when I read it. That's a lot of money for not a lot of production.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

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"Then Darin Erstad fell down while flying out to center in the sixth and left because of cramps."

Actually, in terms of numbers, he has been one of the more consistent offensive producers behind the plate the last 3 years (this decade for that matter). Now, whether he is a clubhouse cancer or not remains to be seen. You know he is coming back next year. This is not a long term deal and if he craps out, it is not so big of a number that you will be able to move him if you have to. With the recent moves--Buehrle,Dye, Ozzie,and now AJ it appears that Kenny is going to stick with the core that was the best team in baseball for all of 05 and half of 06. Hopefully he has something up his sleeve for the middle infield, centerfield, and the bullpen. I am guessing that Garland is as good as gone and Konerko could be on his way out to. As much as people say that the division is tough, it is not unthinkable for the Sox to rebound with the right moves. I trust Kenny, giving him a do-over. But if 08 is anything like 07, Kenny should get the axe.

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"YOU GOTTA BE BLEEPING ME"

He's a solid backstop who can play a hell of a lot of games.

While not a power hitter, he seems to get the hits when needed.

Two years for him isn't bad. A bit steep on money, but prices are going up.

Garland is as good as gone, and Konerko might be moved if the deal is right. (Although, I hope Kenny is smart in not asking too too much for him. He might get stuck not moving Konerko for less.)

We'll have to see how it all goes.

6 million a year? No. That's not alot of money. Beleive me, AJ's .265 15 60 is hard to find for a catcher. Decent hitting catchers are tough to find. Plus AJ hit .300 last year and a couple times for the Twins.

He's not great at throwing guys out but our staff doesn't hold guys on either. He's good at handling our staff and he's pretty damn good at blocking balls.

I'm fine with having AJ for 3 more years. That's a resonable salary too.

Kenny Williams will not stop believin'.

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he's no jeovani sotto, but i guess we'll just have to make due.

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I guess to me, for a guy (kenny williams) who has been crying about how much money other teams spend on FA, this surprised me a bit. He seems to be willing to let Crede go and trade Garland and almost let Buerhle go as well due to finances, but he pays up for AJ?

No one else was going to even offer AJ anything near $12.5 million to catch for them in 2009 and 2010.

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"Then Darin Erstad fell down while flying out to center in the sixth and left because of cramps."

Geovany

Soto

I

make do

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Name me another catcher (who is available) you would rather have.

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You cannot make me care about the WNBA.

I think you could do with a small downgrade at catcher and spend that $12 million on 2 or 3 relief pitchers who don't throw gasoline fastballs, or put it towards a short-term deal for crede or find an actual SS or corner OF, etc etc etc.

It seems like AJ is already on his way to being a part-time guy, he just had his worst full season ever. Doesn't hit for power (400 SLG) and doesn't get on base either. He's going to be 33 at the end of this deal and making $6.5 million. It just seems like a loyalty move rather than a smart one, and that's the opposite of what kenny always talks about.

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"Then Darin Erstad fell down while flying out to center in the sixth and left because of cramps."

He was already under contract for next season, and this deal is reasonable as the White Sox don't have any minor league talent ready to step in. Hopefully, they can find a catcher in the next draft, and develop him over the next 2 or 3 seasons.

We went 72-90 this year. Barring a really young guy with alot of potential playing, we cant afford a downgrade at any position right now.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

There is no salary cap in baseball. Slightly overpaying(if they did) doesn't really matter. It's the difference of a 100 million dollar payroll and a 102 million dollar payroll. It looks like Jerry Reinsdorf will just have to use one golden toilet for the next two years.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I don't know, what alternatives would there be? He was signed next year so you're not going to go after a LoDuca or anything like that.

The part I do like is that they must trust him instead of holding the AJ "cancer" perception, work ethic/preparation must not be an issue, and I think the team likes the handling of the pitching and the intangibles. I'd trust him to call out a pitcher (in the clubhouse) if he sees something he doesn't like. Negatives, not a great bat, not a great arm (but then what, you go for Olivo who can't hit and might not be as good with the pitching?), controversy with the personality will probably come with the territory.

If this made you drop your laptop just wait for another couple of weeks when they pick up the option on Uribe at 5 million for next year.

If that's the case, I will drop my laptop and then pick up a pice of rebar and impale myself on it.

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It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.

http://www.TheCommittedIndian.com/

Ozzie pretty much said it in the paper.

$6 Mill a year because they don't have anyone else on the radar!
Same as in 2005, when they signed him.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”