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Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that White Sox GM Kenny Williams flatly denied that Chicago would have enough money to spend on free agent leadoff hitter Chone Figgins.
''We don't have that kind of money," Williams said. "Sometimes the minor [free-agent deals] are the major ones, in my mind. How many Novembers have you heard that line?"
De Luca does report, however, that "talks between the Sox and incumbent leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik have heated up in recent days." Podsednik obviously wouldn't command the kind of money Figgins will be seeking.
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buzz kill for the chisox fans
Posted by: JoeyE | November 09, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Just sign Pods back, then a DH (im thinking Thome), then a LH bullpen pitcher.
LF Pods
2B Beckham
RF Quentin
DH Thome or Other DH
1B Konerko
C AJ
CF Rios
SS Alexie
3B Teahen
Posted by: Rock&RollGangsta | November 09, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Also wouldn't mind Dye back.
Posted by: Rock&RollGangsta | November 09, 2009 at 09:09 PM
I would target Damon for LF and solidify the top of the order. Damon despite a weak arm still has decent range.
Posted by: WiseGuy | November 09, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Maybe the Phillies have a chance at signing Figgins.
Posted by: Chris | November 09, 2009 at 09:12 PM
If Rios costs the Sox Figgins then KW should be fired immediately.
Posted by: Svengoolie | November 09, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Sven,
I would only agree with you if Rios sucks it up this year. I doubt he will. I think he will bounce back and improve significantly. In time he will most likely be better and cheaper and Chone. But you never know when KW is trying to play i cool. I still think he is going to make something big happen.
Posted by: Bob Loblaw | November 09, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Why aren't the ChiSox talking with Crisp as a backup plan? Maybe Lewis, the ex-Giant now as well?
Posted by: johns | November 09, 2009 at 09:27 PM
The white sox has the makings of a championship team if they can sign figgins and a LF power bat.
Posted by: WiseGuy | November 09, 2009 at 09:33 PM
"I would only agree with you if Rios sucks it up this year. I doubt he will. I think he will bounce back and improve significantly. In time he will most likely be better and cheaper and Chone."
Agree. Rios is only costing 11.5MM per. Figgins will likely surpass that. And other then 2009, Rios has been the superior player. 2006-2008 Figgins was worth a total of 5.5 WAR. Rios managed a 5.5 WAR in 2008 alone, with 13.4 WAR totaled from 2006-2008. If 2009 was just an outlier season for both, and nothing really says it wasnt, then Rios can easily be as valuable at a lesser cost going forward. (especially since we are talking 28 Years Old v. 32 years old.)
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 09, 2009 at 09:37 PM
right suzysman, i don't know why everyone thinks Rios is terrible. He is a 5 tool players unlike Chone and having him on our team means we have 2 5 tool players and potentially one in the making in Gordon Beckham.
Posted by: Bob Loblaw | November 09, 2009 at 09:43 PM
A bunny rabbit is a better choice than Scott Podsednik.
Posted by: ChiSoxKilla23 | November 09, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Chone Figgins is going to be 32 and has a career .388 SLG.
He posted the highest OBP of his career in 2009 [.395] and still couldn't crack an .800 OPS [he checked in at .789].
He's probably going to want what.. $50 million or thereabouts?
I wouldn't be too optimistic about the back end of that contract.
Posted by: withpower | November 09, 2009 at 10:05 PM
People
Figgins value, like Brian Roberts value lies in the fact that they are rare quality leadoff hitters.
At 10 million per year, 90% of teams would want Figgins ... what % would want Rios?
Posted by: Svengoolie | November 09, 2009 at 10:27 PM
So, just because you can't get your prize, you go after a player who had a blatant career year in Pods?
No, Kenny, wrong idea.
Posted by: melonis rex | November 09, 2009 at 10:28 PM
No. Roberts value comes in that he is damn freaking good at everything he does. Figgins is good, and is a leadoff hitter, but his value really comes in his being available right now.
Roberts over the same 3 seasons leading up to last year (2006-2008) posted a 12.1 WAR. Again, Rios was 13.4 and Figgins was 5.5. You should easily be able to see which one doesn’t really belong with the others. And I only used 06-08 since I had previously because of the fluke 09s that Rios and Figgins saw. Roberts in 09 was right around what one would expect from Roberts.
In fact, from 06-08 Figgins was the 23rd most valuable 3B – behind Mora and Teahen and ahead of Encarnacion and Longoria (who had just one season played). Meanwhile, Roberts was #2 for 2B. Behind Utley (of course) and ahead of Uggla.
Sidenote – just because you see Teahen on there, don’t think he should really be the 3B like Williams is trying to claim. Mark is one of those guys who statistically is one of the worst everyday players in the game when he is playing Third; a position he has no business being anywhere near. Why Williams made that trade, I will never know. Getz and Fields on the bench fighting for a job with the Teahen money being used towards a DeRosa or Beltre type would have been an infinitely smarter move. Teahen is really a DH on a 4 year nosedive taking a pretty penny away from much, much better options. I dreaded the possibility he would land on the Cubs when it was rumored, only to get stuck rooting for the bum anyway when he lands on the southside.
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 09, 2009 at 11:11 PM
"A bunny rabbit is a better choice than Scott Podsednik."
Thats F*ing hysterical
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 09, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Must suck to be a Sox fan. Williams can't even TALK to Figgins yet, let alone trade figures, and he's already decided that it's too much money. Softly and slowly lowering expectations.
Posted by: gutterbumber | November 09, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Really frustrating knowing that a team that is right there on the verge of taking control of a division for a couple of years not going out and getting at least one big free agent signing. Kenny already said that hes going to wait until close to spring training to look at the DH position to get a bargain deal which was fine with me until I read this. Podsednik gave us a good year last year but still gave us headaches with his defense and base running.
If we trade Jenks I don't see how we couldnt afford Figgins. I don't mind Teahen in the outfield but putting him at 3rd is a bad idea. We could look at WAR and all that but getting Figgins gives us our leadoff hitter and a great defensive 3rd baseman. That's what the Sox are looking for right, leadoff hitter and becoming better defensively. Figgins, a bargain DH, and a relief pitcher isn't asking for to much. With the staring rotation we have, I mean look at the possible lineup:
3B- Figgins
2B- Beckham
RF- Quentin
DH- ?Thome,Guerrero,...whoever
1B- Konerko
C- Pierzynski
CF- Rios
LF- Teahen
SS- Ramirez
With rotation set and looking like one of the better one's in the league and that lineup, if we could get a reliable bullpen arm maybe in a Jenks trade, we would be set. Just reading that they won't sign a big free agent really is disappointing. We have no expensive bench players, we trade Jenks, Linebrink is really the only expensive bullpen arm, Thorton is 2.25 million but thats a bargain. This roster would still be alot less then 2008 payroll, plus look at 2011, Konerko and AJ will probably be gone. We have AJ's replacement already in Flowers who we have under control for awhile and will be cheap and with Konerko we either resign for cheaper or put Viciedo or another option there. Plus this whole defensive idea, Pods in left, Teahen at 3rd is awful. Figgins at 3rd, Teahen in the outfield is much better.
Not happy about the way Kennys "talking" about this offseason so far, hopefully it is what it is, talk, we all know Ken loves suprising us good or bad. We'll see but right now it's frustrating.
Posted by: atg26 | November 10, 2009 at 12:20 AM
As a Sox fan, I don't understand all the bad things with having Pods back. I think the team is better off keeping Jenks and Pods rather than dumping both and signing Figgins. Even if Pods regresses(which I'm sure he will), would paying Figgins 10 mil plus for the next 4 years be a smart move when we can have Pods for less than 5 for the next 2? Also, the thought of Tony Pena in the 8th inning frightens me beyond belief. Re-sign Pods, bring back Jenks, and we should be at the top of the division with the rotation we have.
Posted by: SSSox | November 10, 2009 at 12:38 AM
SuzysMan thinks that 7th/8th place hitters are more valuable than leadoff hitters.
Do you really believe that Rios is more valuable than Figgins would be on this White Sox team? No wonder you are a Cubs fan.
More proof that stats are for people who do not understand the game.
WAR WAR WAR... how about actually watching the games.
Posted by: Svengoolie | November 10, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Oh jeez. Kenny doesn't want anything he does to ever be talked about in the media. He can't afford Figgans. He doesn't want writers talking about him signing Figgins. But signing Figgins could just be a trade of Paul Konerko away.
Or Jenks salary dump would be a good start. Think about it...the White Sox had two MAJOR faults in 2009. 1. Defense. 2. Base running. Scott Podsednik is the worst base runner in the league for decision making ability. He's also a butcher in the field. Ozzie couldn't sit him because he was getting on base so much. But if he didn't get picked off or run into an out, it was news. Figgins, now, would be the perfect FA for the WSox in that his 3B defensive game has turned him into one of the best at that position in baseball. He's also perhaps one of the very best baserunners in the game. Teahen then, could be your RF, LF, CF, 3B back up to spell guys as I'm sure the Sox will leave the DH spot open. Kenny's mentioned that before. jh
Posted by: HeadFirstSlide | November 10, 2009 at 03:36 AM
Not trading for Teahan and dropping or trading Bobby Jenks would have paid for Figgins. Figgins fills a need the sox have this offseason. What did Teahan fill? All he did was raise payroll. We still have the same hole in LF, DH, bullpen arm and oh yes a leadoff type hitter.
KW was to anxious and pulled the trigger on a player we don't need and might've handcuffed us even more this offseason.
Posted by: g13 | November 10, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Kenny Williams constantly uses the media to smoke screen everyone. When are you Sox fans going to learn that everything you hear from him in the media is just KW moving a pawn to a different location. Last year he said we don't have money...guess what came next, taking on Peavy then Rios. Adding $21M to the payroll.
The Sox need some bullpen help, maybe some cheapy guys like Kiko Calero or Justin Duchscher. And also a power bat, Thome or Vlad Guerrero for DH.
Posted by: mboss | November 10, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Everybody should settle down - Williams is just laying groundwork right now.
Posted by: southsider | November 10, 2009 at 09:27 AM
IN KENNY WILLIAMS I TRUST
some of you silly sox fans need to stop listening to the Score and start having your own coherent thoughts. OMG Kenny Said something in the newspaper...when have you known Gambler Kenny to lay out all of his cards for everyone to see!!! Sit back and relax and see what happens....I would love to see Thome back on the cheap...1 year 2 mil plus incentives should do it. Vlad would be more like a 2 year 13 mil deal....I would be ok with that as well.
Posted by: nugg1785 | November 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM
"We could look at WAR and all that but getting Figgins gives us our leadoff hitter and a great defensive 3rd baseman."
Oh, dont get me wrong, I would take him on either of the Chicago teams. But when his pricetag starts going over 9-10 million a season, he just isnt really worth it - he wont be a savior or fix-all addition.
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 10, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Padres Get: Konerko, Kotsay, Jenks + whatever farm system are logical
WhiteSox Get : Adrian Gonzalez (and David Eckstein*)
Chicago signs Dye or Vlad to DH/RF
Chicago signs Figgins* (if possible $$ and we don't get Eckstein in the trade // or could resign podsednik).
No, I'm not high right now; but at some point today I will be.
Just my dream Line Up:
3B/LF/DH Figgins
SS Beckham
RF Quentin
1B Gonzalez
DH/RF Guerrero
CF Rios
LF Teahan
C Pierzynski
2B Ramirez
Posted by: MetsWhiteSoxFan | November 10, 2009 at 01:58 PM
I don't understand how people are bashing KW for going out and getting Teahen and how its keeping the Chi Sox from signing Figgins. Figgin's fielding percentage at 3rd is .958 with 57 errors in 1353 chances,358 put outs with a .291 career batting average. Teahen's numbers aren't that far off; .269 career average, .952 percentage at 3rd with only 48 errors in 1001 chances. Considering teahen is going to cost a fraction of what Figgins is, I don't see how this can be considered a bad move by KW. From what I read on this site, Pods wants to come back to Sox and negotiations with him are heating up again. If he comes back and plays like he did last year, he will be the lead of man we need playing above average in center or left field. Even if KW doesn't do anything else besides sign Pods we will be in a good position to win the central next year. However with that being said, I feel like a Bobby Jenks trade will happen and if Pods isn't resigned by then, KW could possibly bring in someone to fill the hole in the outfeild. Everyone needs to calm down and stop freaking out because an aging, overpriced Figgins won't be in a Sox uniform in 2010.
Posted by: Mustang1990 | November 11, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Scotty Pods is a fan favorite, but it all comes down to the fact that he does not score runs. Williams seems blinded by this. He is a great GM though, and will do what is right for the team.
http://csd72.blogspot.com/
Posted by: csd72.blogspot.com | November 14, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Go Sox.
Posted by: kcatlantis | November 15, 2009 at 03:17 PM