Offseason Outlook: Chicago White Sox

I would think Furcal would be a very nice addition to this team. Adds speed, a true leadoff guy etc. Keep Alexi at 2nd and I think you are good. I think they should see what is out there for Dye...but have a feeling that trading him isn't going to improve the team for next year.

How about the Mets trying to unload castillo( and money of course) to them for Swisher & Macdougal ..maybe add a minor leaguer or two..Then turn Delgado back to Toronto for
BJ Ryan

A relatively healthy castillo would add some speed, plus lets them move ramirez, and get rid of some extra players

This is all made under the assumption that the White Sox will try to contend next year.

1. No way the White Sox give Getz, Fields, AND Anderson starting jobs. Never never happening. I'm guessing out of the three, Fields keeps his starting job because of the scarcity in the 3B market.

Then, there's one of 2B/SS. Obviously, with Gordon Beckham in the wings, there will be no long term contracts given out to either. I could see either the Sox picking up a 1-yr rental like Brian Roberts or taking another team's bad contract (even the worst SS's are better than Getz at 2B).

2. Aaron Poreda is made untouchable. I don't see the White Sox as having nearly enough pitching depth to be trading their most promising pitching prospect. Exception would be if it were in a package for a frontline starter, and I don't see enough other top prospects around to make such a package happen.

3. Don't trade Jenks. Having pen depth is always a good thing, and it is never a good sign when Logan and Wassermann both have spots.

4. I would like to move Vazquez, but I don't think Poreda is ready. Thus, he stays.

5. Speed, speed, speed. I'm extremely big on speed. I really could see Juan Pierre fitting in, especially if the Dodgers resign Manny. And, it wouldn't cost any premium prospects.

MetsFans5_7- No way the White Sox give up Swisher for Castillo. Not happening.

Also, I'd like to move both Dye and Vazquez for a starting pitcher and some prospects, rebuild the minor leagues a little bit and upgrade on Javy.

I mentioned this in a Rockies Rumors post. I would love to see Vazquez shipped to Colorado for Atkins. Although, I doubt that will happen because of his no-trade clause. Both, Clayton Richard and Lance Broadway have shown that they are ready to pitch in the big leagues, making Vazquez and Contreras expendable. However, I do not care to see Fields as the everyday 3B.

Second, I would love them to sign Furcal to play SS and give Getz 2B. Now, people are going to read this and ask, "What about Ramirez?" Stick with me. Furcal SS, Getz 2B, and instead of BA in CF, pencil in Ramirez in CF. People easily forget that CF is his 2nd position and 2B is his 3rd. Ramirez was Ozzie's Opening Day CF, too. That is the old school, "speed up the middle, power at the corners" mentality.

Third, Jenks won't be put on the market, unless a Brandon McCarthy for Johnny Danks deal pops up again (which, by the way, he's looking like a genius in).

Fourth, if a 3B (like Atkins) can't be aquired, a CF like Pierre or Crisp would be good to aquire. Ramirez played some 3B this year and looked good. The combination for LA at the top of the order of Furcal and Pierre worked out real well (while Furcal was healthy).

I think the Sox needs are 3 of the following: CF, SS, 2B, 3B. The versatility of Ramirez allows you to play him at any of those. Bullpen arms are always welcome and you can never have to much pitching (as long as its name isn't Javier Vazquez or Jose Contreras).

I could definitely see the White Sox going after Figgins. The Angels might be reticent to throw his name out there after his stellar postseason numbers, but Moreno is going to want to shake things up. His name has been mentioned in trade rumor for the past few years with the Sox. It seems Kenny always pursues until he gets the man he wants. We saw this happen with years of rumors before acquiring Contreras, Vazquez, Griffey Jr., and Quentin.

Vazquez has clearly worn out his welcome and hasn't exactly enhanced his trade value with his "big game" chokes. Still with the starting pitching market the way it is, it shouldn't be that hard to unload him for something useful. Dye, Fields and Vasquez to the Reds for Encarnacion, Bailey and 1 or 2 lesser prospects?

tsizzle, do you think Vazquez would have the same Yankee-like numbers in a Mets uniform? 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA, 195 hits and 108 earned runs in 198 innings, and his lowest strikeout total since 1999? Plus his proven inability to bust during big games?
Do you honestly think the Mets want that?

BTW, pageian...

Most of Kenny Williams mistakes came early in his tenure. I don't understand how the Junior trade was bad. He wasn't terrible in a Sox uniform, and we gave up garbage to acquire him.

And you know nothing about the White Sox if you think Ozzie Guillen should be fired.

"I'm not sure if any of the $22MM received from the Phillies will go toward Thome's 2009 salary."

$5.5 mil is picked up by the Phils as a result of the option kicking in. $7.5 mil for a lefty who will hit 30/90? Wow, thats a bargain.

"Well, one of Swisher, Konerko, Dye, or Thome IS going to have to go. There's just not enough room for all of them."

Agreed. You basically have 4 guys who are the same type of player( obviously with differing productivity), one of them will be used as bait. Sox fans might not like it, but I think Dye will be the one shopped simply because he will bring you back the most in return. He's still a guy who will hit 30/90 and his $11.5mil in '09 and his $12mil option in '10 are bargains. I think the guy is a DH but he can still play adequately in RF if you need him to.

You gotta believe Swisher is better than his '08 numbers. Despite the off year, he still did manage to hit 24Hr's and drive in 69RBI's. You have a guy in Swisher who can step in the RF position if Dye is moved.

I agree it's a near impossibility for Swisher to be traded away, but he was awful this year. Regardless of his power numbers, I've NEVER seen any ball player watch three strikes down the heart of the plate in as many later inning at-bats as him.

To call it frustrating would be a massive understatement. In a more perfect world, I'd take the aging of Paulie, Jim and Dye over Swish; that's just my opinion, from a guy who was very excited when Swish arrived.

ChiSox fans, would Pierre and cash for MacDougal work?

Then flip Swish and a prospect to the rays for Sonny or EJ?

Your 2009 Line-up:
CF Pierre
SS Ramirez
RF Dye
DH Thome
LF Quentin
1B Konerko
C Pierzynski
3B Fields
2B Getz

2009 Rotation
Danks
Floyd
Buerhle
EJ or Sonny
Vazquez

I like your 2nd proposal better :)

Not sure you would even need to include McDougal. Pierre can be had for nothing and the Dodgers should still kick in some cash.

After hearing all of these stupid possiblities, that make me laugh. Konerko is one of 3 captians in mlb hes not going anywhere. Trade dye, for prosects or something, then put swisher in left or right. Brian Anderson, is our best defensive outfielder. so he starts, getz can hit, and play defense he starts, fields, just need regular playing time he starts. looks like a good team, get another pitcher and playoff caliber.

Dye will go nowhere people... it doesn't make sense to trade that when it isn't a long term commitment, he has really good production and is a team leader AND he has a NTC. Thome won't leave, and Konerko won't bring back enough to justify it, so I don't see why they don't just ride out Swisher's glove in center(hopefully he has what it takes to bounce back offensively, I'm worried about him) for another year until they have a ton of money coming off the books after 09. It isn't like outfield defense is a big factor when your outfield is so small, as it is in U.S. Cellular.

"Mick & Melonis -
Depending on the money, it would give them salary relief, and decent prospects. CWS have no spot for Swisher, he isnt really a CF, and all his other positions are filled with better players. I'll even throw in Hielman!"

"Luis Castillo + Cash/low level prospect for Brian Anderson? White Sox get a 2nd baseman who always has a good OBP, Mets get an everyday left field candidate for next year."

First off if Luis Castillo is so good keep him. Secondly Swisher is signed dirt cheap. Lastly no team looking for "salary relief" is trading for Castillo.

Alright everyone...Thome, Konerko, and Dye are not going anywhere. They all have No-Trade Clauses in one way or another (Konerko's is 10/5). Dye took less money, twice, to play for the White Sox, why would he OK a trade since this is obviously where he wants to be?

Vazquez's No-Trade Clause only has him not going to the 9 West Coast teams.

Fields' defense is not 3B worthy. Maybe give him another year in the minors learning 1B and DH Konerko after Thome leaves next in 2010?

Even if you "deal" with Swisher's glove in CF, you still need to go out an aquire a lead off hitter. With the loss of Orlando Cabrera, the Sox don't even have that as an option. Williams has had one of his love affairs (like Griffey [5 years too late], Quentin, Cabrera) with Orlando Hudson. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sox as the front runners for Hudson.

Is Nick Swisher a trade candidate?

Yeah, his BA stunk this year, but he has strung together 4 consecutive 20+ HR seasons and can play any position in the OF, plus 1B.

Maybe the Braves can attempt a trade.

uggla is someone the white soxs should target, he fits in there "hammering like a porn star" offense. second base should be open with cabrera withing to shortstop. the marlins are looking for a young pitching and corner outfield. i love for the marlins to get a hand on john danks or gavin floyd (i dont know if there available though). actually chichago is the best place for uggla.

Here's my take on the Nick Swisher trade candidacy. I would put the odds of him being traded at 15%, but that doesn't mean its a smart idea to trade him.

1. He is DEFINITELY capable of better numbers than he put up this year. Look at what he did last year with limited protection, in that pitcher's paradise.

3. Swisher is more movable than Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, and Javier Vazquez, and Jermaine Dye. IF the Sox HAVE to move one of them, Swish is the man.

4. bigbaddbobbyjenks (who probably doesn't want Jenks moved) is right on the prospects. Yes, the prospects' value did mitigate a bit with DLS having TJ surgery, Sweeney not developing much power (although improving since last year--and he REALLY shouldn't be batting 3rd), and Gio having major control issues in the bigs (but still has great upside). That's the big bar to trading, trying to recover equal/decent value as was given up for him. Poreda is a better prospect than any of them, hands down.

"Instead of Swisher, MetsFan5_7, how about taking Little Game Javy Vazquez off our hands? Eh?"

What do you want for him? Vazquez definitely seems like an Omar type trade, especially coming off a down year when his value is low. Mostly salary relief? I would love to have Vazquez if the price for him (in terms of prospects) is cheap. He hasn't pitched in the NL East since 03, and in 01, 02, and 03 he had his best years. Lets see what getting him back into the NL in a pitchers park could do for him. If Javy Vazquez is my 4/5 starter, that is fine by me.

#1. I don't see a long term SS or 2B signing w/ Alexei and Beckham in the wings. How long of a deal is Ellis likely seeking?

#2. I think the starting third baseman for the 2009 WSox will or at least should be ADRIAN BELTRE.

#3. Brian Anderson should, but WILL NOT be the starting CF.

#4. Jermaine Dye is the worst defensive RF in baseball and should (but most likely won't) be moved to DH or another team.

#5. Unless the White Sox unload at least one of the following: Konerko/Thome/Dye, the last thing they need is one speedy player for the top of the lineup. If the Sox are going to go with the "slug it out" lineup they need OBP, not one guy who can run.

Does it really matter if Willy Taveras is standing on second or first base when Thome either strikes out or homers?

#6. Despite the fact that Gio Gonzalez and De Los Santos seem to have regressed a bit, Kenny Williams gave up a ton for Nick Swisher; He isn't going anywhere.

#7. Bobby Jenks is not being traded.

#8. Mets fan you are on crack. Luis Castillo is available essentially for his contract. Kenny will not give you anything of value in return for him. Same goes for Pierre, you will get a oouple low ceiling, low level minor leaguers just so it doesn't look bad.

#9. I wouldn't be shocked if Kenny made a FA starting pitcher splash. The Sox had over $100 million waiting to go to Hunter last year that never really got spent...

#10. You have most likely stopped reading by now.

"#7. Bobby Jenks is not being traded."

Agree. The White Sox won the division, meaning theoretically their window is open, especially if Quentin continues to mature as a hitter. Add an interesting young core of Floyd, Danks, Ramirez, etc and this is a team that can probably continue to compete. Meaning without a real successor, Jenks is staying.

#1- I'm guessing Ellis accepts arbitration and stays an A due to his injuries this season. If he doesn't, I say 2 years.

"#3- Brian Anderson should, but WILL NOT be the starting CF"

I did say earlier that Anderson, Fields, and Getz wouldn't all be starting, but out of the three, Anderson has warranted the most merit.

I could see Mark Kotsay fitting in with the White Sox though. Hits for average, although OBP is not *that* high (.337). Very good defense, something that is necessary.

Anderson does NOT deserve to be the everyday CF. No way, not with a career .221 average. And that includes when the Sox handed him CF on a silver plater after the traded Rowand. His career .277 OBP says even more than that. He has no patience at the plate. He has 154 career strike outs in just under 600 ABs. A "Mark Kotsay"-Like player seems more likely to be patroling CF next year leaving Anderson to be traded or used as a 4th OF again.

The only way Uggla fits in with is team is if he can be switched to 3B. This season I can really see KW and Ozzie trying the Power at the corners, Speed up the middle mentality. Uggla's 3 errors in the All-Star game were rediculous, and should be a warning sign in it of themselves. And I agree, Fields needs a change of scenery.

Fields sucks. There is no duobt they need to bring someone else in. They can trade Getz and sign a speedy guy like furcal for a year becasue Beckam is coming up anyway, so what is the point of keepin getz.

I would try and dump konerko to the angels for figgins head up. I would add hudson to compliment at 2nd. Vazquez and contreras both need to go, try and trade them away, or dump them. Sign Derek lowe, and maybe Braden looper or bring garland back or maybe someone like wolf. Maybe go get baldelli to play center, and hope he recovers from chronic fatigue syndrome. Or try and make a trade maybe with tampa bay for that outfielder perez. he looks promising or maybe scratch the surface with colorado on maybe holliday idea, or how about possibly trading for pierre or andruw jones from L.A. for some minor league talent? Very crowded outfield and pierre could play left and leadoff and you could move quentin to center