Figgins Too Expensive For White Sox; Podsednik Talks Heat Up

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

I would target Damon for LF and solidify the top of the order. Damon despite a weak arm still has decent range.

If Rios costs the Sox Figgins then KW should be fired immediately.

Why aren't the ChiSox talking with Crisp as a backup plan? Maybe Lewis, the ex-Giant now as well?

"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.)

A bunny rabbit is a better choice than Scott Podsednik.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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