Before I was introduced to Section 8, my family showed me that true fans take roadtrips. Since around 1999, every couple years we would plan our vacations around the White Sox schedule. I have seen the Sox @Oakland, @Cleveland, @Kansas City, @Cincinatti, and @Pittsburgh. Since I started traveling with the Fire in 2006 I have been @Columbus(2), @Toronto, @New York, @Washington DC (2), and @New England (Boston). With the new schedules out for both teams here are the roadtrips I plan this year for my team.
White Sox
Once again my family is planning another vacation around the White Sox and talks this year is to see them at Minnesota for a 3 game series. This year being the last year of Yankee stadium, I would also love to visit that stadium and will look to do so during the White Sox 4 game series there Monday September 15 - Thursday September 18.
Fire
Playoffs and US Open Cup aside, I will aim for around 4 regular season games to go to = @Columbus (Saturday July 5, drunk bus), @Kansas City (Sunday July 27), @Kansas City (Sunday October 5), and @Toronto (Saturday October 18). The only other appealing regular season game would be @Houston (Saturday May 17).
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Spring is almost here!
Groundhog day has passed. If you know the results please let me know. Tomorrow there is a storm coming in that is suppose to produce 7-10 inches of snow, but in my mind spring is 30 seconds away. White Sox pitchers and catchers report to camp in around a week and the Fire preseason camp begins in what seems like hour. This is such a fun time of the year when fans all around the USA are once again able to come out from under a rock and discuss their teams offseason moves (or lack there of) with other fans. The White Sox and Fire have both have pretty interesting offseasons so far.
The White Sox have been built to be in the top 1/4 of the MLB, and on their budget, that's not terrible. Hopes are very high surrounding Carlos Quinten. All I hope is that Quinten can become a very fun, well rounded player to watch so that I feel that we stole back a poor man's Chris Young from the D-Backs. There are still so many question marks that will be solves in the next month and a half. Who is going to win the spot for 3rd base, or the 3rd outfield spot? Where will Uribe go? Does Richar have a big spring training? If Crede proves to be healthy, if and when will he be dealt? I'm also happy with the way the White Sox have gone with their television broadcasts of spring training because I should catch around 6 telecasts.
The Fire on the other hand are now surrounded with more question marks than when I last posted. Since that time we have lost Matt Pickens to Queens Park Rangers and our rookie goalie Dominic Cervi "favors" us in signing him. There is still the presence of John Busch, and in "Busch I trust" for now. Also there is no definite answer to right mid. Right now the possibilites range from Logan...Pause, Bruno Menezes, Calen Carr, and Chris Rolfe. There is still no striker to compliment Chris Rolfe (although Pole Thomas Frankowski will train with the team). I was told by a friend that he had John Guppy (GM) tell him that these next 3 weeks will be very fun for Fire fans with new player signingsm. Well one week there has been nothing.
Regardless of these situations, I can still hold my chest out, my head high, and my stomach hasn't dropped yet over these two teams. It's almost spring and I'm loving it!
The White Sox have been built to be in the top 1/4 of the MLB, and on their budget, that's not terrible. Hopes are very high surrounding Carlos Quinten. All I hope is that Quinten can become a very fun, well rounded player to watch so that I feel that we stole back a poor man's Chris Young from the D-Backs. There are still so many question marks that will be solves in the next month and a half. Who is going to win the spot for 3rd base, or the 3rd outfield spot? Where will Uribe go? Does Richar have a big spring training? If Crede proves to be healthy, if and when will he be dealt? I'm also happy with the way the White Sox have gone with their television broadcasts of spring training because I should catch around 6 telecasts.
The Fire on the other hand are now surrounded with more question marks than when I last posted. Since that time we have lost Matt Pickens to Queens Park Rangers and our rookie goalie Dominic Cervi "favors" us in signing him. There is still the presence of John Busch, and in "Busch I trust" for now. Also there is no definite answer to right mid. Right now the possibilites range from Logan...Pause, Bruno Menezes, Calen Carr, and Chris Rolfe. There is still no striker to compliment Chris Rolfe (although Pole Thomas Frankowski will train with the team). I was told by a friend that he had John Guppy (GM) tell him that these next 3 weeks will be very fun for Fire fans with new player signingsm. Well one week there has been nothing.
Regardless of these situations, I can still hold my chest out, my head high, and my stomach hasn't dropped yet over these two teams. It's almost spring and I'm loving it!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Winter Lull
Haven't posted in a week because there has been really nothing to post on. The Fire were in talks with Paris St. Germaine (PSG) striker to fill in at left mid, but I hear that has diminished. The White Sox just had Sox fest where everyone seemed very optimistic, I wonder why. In December Thome and another player (I think Jenks, not sure) expressed their anger at the organization's lack of roster changes, and that was after the trade for Cabrera was made. Since that time, the Sox have made 2 roster moves, signed Octavio Dotel for way too much and traded 3 of the White Sox top 7 prospects for average but very fun Nick Swisher.
At SoxFest many comparisons to the 2005 team was made on how we were picked to finish in 4th and no one believed in us. The difference between 2005 and 2008 is the offseason. Keep in mind back in 2005 we signed Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski, and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. Dye and Pierzynski were huge additions, and it was clear to see that if Jose Conterars did not have El Duque by his side, he would have been a flop just like he was with the Yankees. This year the Sox have added a solid short stop, outfielder, and bullpen relief. Also, Jerry Reinsdorf made an interesting comment the other day when he said he thinks the White Sox pitching is better than Detroit, Cleveland, and Minnesota. I do not know what he is looking at, but last time I checked the Sox still had major question in the 3, 4, and 5 starters. Right now, it seems to me that White Sox are pinning their playoff hopes on Gavin Floyd and Jon Danks (now you can see why even though I am the forever optimist, I still don't have the Sox making the wild card).
Besides SoxFest, much really hasn't been done. The NHL all-star game was Sunday, or so I was told, it's Super Bowl week, but who really cares about 2 East Coast teams, and the Bulls and Hawks still suck. Thank God for the English Premier League and torrents to keep me through this long winter.
At SoxFest many comparisons to the 2005 team was made on how we were picked to finish in 4th and no one believed in us. The difference between 2005 and 2008 is the offseason. Keep in mind back in 2005 we signed Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski, and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. Dye and Pierzynski were huge additions, and it was clear to see that if Jose Conterars did not have El Duque by his side, he would have been a flop just like he was with the Yankees. This year the Sox have added a solid short stop, outfielder, and bullpen relief. Also, Jerry Reinsdorf made an interesting comment the other day when he said he thinks the White Sox pitching is better than Detroit, Cleveland, and Minnesota. I do not know what he is looking at, but last time I checked the Sox still had major question in the 3, 4, and 5 starters. Right now, it seems to me that White Sox are pinning their playoff hopes on Gavin Floyd and Jon Danks (now you can see why even though I am the forever optimist, I still don't have the Sox making the wild card).
Besides SoxFest, much really hasn't been done. The NHL all-star game was Sunday, or so I was told, it's Super Bowl week, but who really cares about 2 East Coast teams, and the Bulls and Hawks still suck. Thank God for the English Premier League and torrents to keep me through this long winter.
Monday, January 21, 2008
A Southsider's top 5 announcer list
For me there is nothing better than on a Saturday evening to sit outside and listen to a White Sox game on the radio, but in order for this to be an enjoyable thing, there has to be good announcers. Throughout the years with all the sports I have watched, I have heard some good ones, but still have looked up video and audio clips of the legends from the past. This is my list of the top 5 announcers (color or play-by-play).
5. Ray Hudson
I am pretty new to Ray Hudson's work, but he still cracks my top 5. Not caring that much about soccer in Spain, I can sit back with a beer, and Hudson's passion and enthusiasm for the game makes me even get into it. He also has some of the best one liners out there. My favorite would be, "Real Madrid is a 5 pound chicken trying to lay a 6 pound egg". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x7gu-7WXvI
4. Johnny Red Kerr
In my life, Johnny Red Kerr has been a staple for the Bulls as a color man, and at his finest when teamed up with Wayne Larrivee. Johnny had good insight from being a player and a Bulls coach, and clearly loves the Bulls. The following is not a good clip of Red Kerr but he lays a great one liner around the 30 second mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX6CinctnbQ
3. Hawk Harrelson
Whether it's his hate of Jay Mariotti or his famous home run call, Hawk is a White Sox legend. At his best when teamed up with Wimpy, the Sox were very enjoyable to watch back in the mid to late 1990s even though of their record. The Hawk lives and die White Sox and his announcing during this past year showed that. Comcast asked Hawk to be quiet when he gets mad so he doesn't say anything dumb on live television, that is why in games the Hawk would be silent for minutes at a time because he couldn't see his Sox lose.
2. Pat Foley
After being gone for 2 years, Pat Foley is still the face of the Black Hawks organization. Growing up most of my life without cable and never going to games, Pat Foley was my way of knowing what Chicago hockey is. There would be nights where I would fall asleep listening to Foley announce a Hawks game. It is a shame that the Hawks let him go, but every now and then I'll watch a Wolves game just to hear Pat Foley's play by play call.
1. John Rooney
The worst move the White Sox made after winning the world series was letting John Rooney go. Having possibly the smoothest voice to ever call the game of baseball, John Rooney doing the play-by-play was magical. He is my favorite announcer of all time because he was almost the voice of reason and kept everyone calm during the White Sox slide almost out of the playoffs in 2005. From the calls of "it's a White Sox winner" to "it's a goner", Rooney, in my opinion, is what all announcers should aspire to be.
News and Notes
The Fire have a had great draft this past Friday and continue their wheeling and dealing ways by sending Jim Curtin to the Chivas USA for a draft pick, and acquiring the signing rights to Andy Herron for a 4th round draft pick in 2010. Also there are reports that the Fire will be announcing a new player signing soon.......For pictures of what most of the MLS home jerseys will look like, go here: http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8012/allmlsna4.jpg (takes a while to load).
5. Ray Hudson
I am pretty new to Ray Hudson's work, but he still cracks my top 5. Not caring that much about soccer in Spain, I can sit back with a beer, and Hudson's passion and enthusiasm for the game makes me even get into it. He also has some of the best one liners out there. My favorite would be, "Real Madrid is a 5 pound chicken trying to lay a 6 pound egg". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x7gu-7WXvI
4. Johnny Red Kerr
In my life, Johnny Red Kerr has been a staple for the Bulls as a color man, and at his finest when teamed up with Wayne Larrivee. Johnny had good insight from being a player and a Bulls coach, and clearly loves the Bulls. The following is not a good clip of Red Kerr but he lays a great one liner around the 30 second mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX6CinctnbQ
3. Hawk Harrelson
Whether it's his hate of Jay Mariotti or his famous home run call, Hawk is a White Sox legend. At his best when teamed up with Wimpy, the Sox were very enjoyable to watch back in the mid to late 1990s even though of their record. The Hawk lives and die White Sox and his announcing during this past year showed that. Comcast asked Hawk to be quiet when he gets mad so he doesn't say anything dumb on live television, that is why in games the Hawk would be silent for minutes at a time because he couldn't see his Sox lose.
2. Pat Foley
After being gone for 2 years, Pat Foley is still the face of the Black Hawks organization. Growing up most of my life without cable and never going to games, Pat Foley was my way of knowing what Chicago hockey is. There would be nights where I would fall asleep listening to Foley announce a Hawks game. It is a shame that the Hawks let him go, but every now and then I'll watch a Wolves game just to hear Pat Foley's play by play call.
1. John Rooney
The worst move the White Sox made after winning the world series was letting John Rooney go. Having possibly the smoothest voice to ever call the game of baseball, John Rooney doing the play-by-play was magical. He is my favorite announcer of all time because he was almost the voice of reason and kept everyone calm during the White Sox slide almost out of the playoffs in 2005. From the calls of "it's a White Sox winner" to "it's a goner", Rooney, in my opinion, is what all announcers should aspire to be.
News and Notes
The Fire have a had great draft this past Friday and continue their wheeling and dealing ways by sending Jim Curtin to the Chivas USA for a draft pick, and acquiring the signing rights to Andy Herron for a 4th round draft pick in 2010. Also there are reports that the Fire will be announcing a new player signing soon.......For pictures of what most of the MLS home jerseys will look like, go here: http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8012/allmlsna4.jpg (takes a while to load).
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The United Center -- Night and Day
After attending back to back Bulls games this weekend, I observed many things that are different between the two teams at home. The first most notable difference is the ticket prices. For a 300 level corner ticket in the stadium, my tickets prices were insane. For section 331 row 13 seat 11, the price was $40, for section 315 row 2 seat 8, the price was $50 (obviously both tickets were freebies). For hawks game, end line tickets are $8 with a student ID. If I were to sit in those tickets would both be $30 respectably. In terms of a family of 4, that's a savings of $40-$80. Another big difference is the absence of Frank Pelico at Bulls game. In my opinion Frank Pelico is the Nacy Faust of the United Center and should be utilized for both teams.
One of the greatest Black Hawk traditions of clapping during the national anthem is not done for Bulls games. Even if you sing the national anthem, you feel like you're making too much noise. Once the game get started for the Bulls the crowd is very quite and subdued (even against DETROIT), and there is a lot of artificial noise to help make the stadium louder. It even took the crowd until 2 seconds left in the game to start a Detroit Sucks chant. What, a person will get that in the pregame of a Hawks game, even when the Hawks don't play the RedWings!
I also didn't see a sense of urgency or tension at Bulls fans. At the Hawks games, everything is F-this or F-that, while at Bulls games, I felt in in southern California because it seemed everyone was even oblivious to the events of Joakhim Noah from last week because when he came in, there was no applause or no boos, the crowd didn't even seem to care.
Another thing that was dissapointing at Bulls game is that people didn't respond to the chants on the big screen. When a call for defense or let's go Bulls was put up, it was almost as silent as it was before, while at BlackHawks games it won't take the crowd the big screen to get a let's go Hawks chant started.
The biggest difference for me between the games is the yuppie factor. Bulls games have become the mall of late teenagers and older, it's a social statement to go to a Bulls game. Blackhawks games on the other hand are different. Level 100 still is yuppie but once you get up to the 300 level, it's what most people call "southside scum". It's people who come, pay their $15 a ticket, take the family out, swear, drink, yell, for their Black Hawks team to win. Black Hawks have geniune heart at every game because once you leave the stadium, you're looking for a fight, while at the Bulls game on friday, it took me until the walk to the car to realize the Bulls lost.
One of the greatest Black Hawk traditions of clapping during the national anthem is not done for Bulls games. Even if you sing the national anthem, you feel like you're making too much noise. Once the game get started for the Bulls the crowd is very quite and subdued (even against DETROIT), and there is a lot of artificial noise to help make the stadium louder. It even took the crowd until 2 seconds left in the game to start a Detroit Sucks chant. What, a person will get that in the pregame of a Hawks game, even when the Hawks don't play the RedWings!
I also didn't see a sense of urgency or tension at Bulls fans. At the Hawks games, everything is F-this or F-that, while at Bulls games, I felt in in southern California because it seemed everyone was even oblivious to the events of Joakhim Noah from last week because when he came in, there was no applause or no boos, the crowd didn't even seem to care.
Another thing that was dissapointing at Bulls game is that people didn't respond to the chants on the big screen. When a call for defense or let's go Bulls was put up, it was almost as silent as it was before, while at BlackHawks games it won't take the crowd the big screen to get a let's go Hawks chant started.
The biggest difference for me between the games is the yuppie factor. Bulls games have become the mall of late teenagers and older, it's a social statement to go to a Bulls game. Blackhawks games on the other hand are different. Level 100 still is yuppie but once you get up to the 300 level, it's what most people call "southside scum". It's people who come, pay their $15 a ticket, take the family out, swear, drink, yell, for their Black Hawks team to win. Black Hawks have geniune heart at every game because once you leave the stadium, you're looking for a fight, while at the Bulls game on friday, it took me until the walk to the car to realize the Bulls lost.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Turning their season around? Probably not.
Right now the Chicago winter sports are down right ugly. The Blackhawks are going to go for their second straight win tonight after a seven game losing streak. The Bulls are trying to snap a 2 game losing streak going up against the terrible Miami Heat tonight. The question arises is there any way for these teams to turn the season around?
Bulls
No matter how bad this team looks, they still play in the Eastern Conference. Even with the record of 14-22, where fans should start to wear brown-bags over their heads at games from now on, the Bulls are still only 4 games out of the playoff race. 4 game is absolutely nothing with a little over a half of season left. I will be going to at least one Bulls game this weekend, and give a better analysis of the team, but here is a quick idea on how the Bulls can turn their season around. TRADE FOR A SUPERSTAR. In the EC where anything goes, the Bulls only need one man to carry the team on their shoulders. While this could have happened if Paxson would have traded for Kobe, but instead Kobe is leading his team on his back to the TOP RECORD IN THE WEST.
In the mean time, the Bulls have to look for a superstar, Paul Gasol comes to mind. In the long run though, I believe the Bulls have to change the face of their franchise. Right now they are a small jump shooting team that relies on streaky shooters. There is no big man that is a go to threat (Aaron Gray isn't there yet). I think Paul Gasol could help open up spots for jump shooters we have, and give the Bulls an inside presence, even though he has an outside-inside game.
Black Hawks
There isn't much the Black Hawks can do at this moment. If I were them, I would try to trade Khabibulin for an enforcer and a defender. Right now the Hawks are injury prone, just like they have been for years past. While I still can see them making the playoffs, I think top priority has to be keeping Kane and Toews from becoming Eric Daze. If Kane and Toews can stay healthy, Lalime can become an above average goalie, and get production out of Ruutu, this team can make a play off run, but also be dangerous in the future. Right now they remind me of the 2005 Milwaukee Brewers, a fun to watch team that is almost at the point of contention.
While that doesn't give a good view of how these 2 organization can turn there season around or not, I think it gives a well enough documented state of where these teams are now. Deeper analysis will come with in the next week.
Bulls
No matter how bad this team looks, they still play in the Eastern Conference. Even with the record of 14-22, where fans should start to wear brown-bags over their heads at games from now on, the Bulls are still only 4 games out of the playoff race. 4 game is absolutely nothing with a little over a half of season left. I will be going to at least one Bulls game this weekend, and give a better analysis of the team, but here is a quick idea on how the Bulls can turn their season around. TRADE FOR A SUPERSTAR. In the EC where anything goes, the Bulls only need one man to carry the team on their shoulders. While this could have happened if Paxson would have traded for Kobe, but instead Kobe is leading his team on his back to the TOP RECORD IN THE WEST.
In the mean time, the Bulls have to look for a superstar, Paul Gasol comes to mind. In the long run though, I believe the Bulls have to change the face of their franchise. Right now they are a small jump shooting team that relies on streaky shooters. There is no big man that is a go to threat (Aaron Gray isn't there yet). I think Paul Gasol could help open up spots for jump shooters we have, and give the Bulls an inside presence, even though he has an outside-inside game.
Black Hawks
There isn't much the Black Hawks can do at this moment. If I were them, I would try to trade Khabibulin for an enforcer and a defender. Right now the Hawks are injury prone, just like they have been for years past. While I still can see them making the playoffs, I think top priority has to be keeping Kane and Toews from becoming Eric Daze. If Kane and Toews can stay healthy, Lalime can become an above average goalie, and get production out of Ruutu, this team can make a play off run, but also be dangerous in the future. Right now they remind me of the 2005 Milwaukee Brewers, a fun to watch team that is almost at the point of contention.
While that doesn't give a good view of how these 2 organization can turn there season around or not, I think it gives a well enough documented state of where these teams are now. Deeper analysis will come with in the next week.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Forever Optimist
While I sounded so negative about the White Sox yesterday, I am the forever optimist. I will make my case for why this current team, barring any future trades, can make a solid run at a wild card spot.
1. The line-up
Let's say it was opening day tomorrow, and the Sox look in the field like this:
---Owens-----------Swisher----------------Dye---
--Crede----Cabrera----------Uribe-----Konerko--
-------------------Pitcher-------------------------
-------------------Pierzynski----------------------
and the batting order was
1. Cabrera
2. Swisher
3. Thome (DH)
4. Konerko
5. Dye
6. Pierzynski
7. Crede
8. Owens
9. Uribe
When you look at that batting order, that is one of the top 5 line ups, not in potential, but in having no holes. If you're banking on you're worst hitter being Uribe again, and if he could pull off a .250 average, that is a very solid line up.
2. Starting Pitching
Even with the trade of Garland and Gio Gonzalez, the White Sox still have strong starting pitching. There is a true ace in Mark Buehrle, a solid Javy Vasquez (lead the Sox in strike outs past 2 years), and Jose Contreras to round out the top 3 starters.
If Contreras can pull of an average season, where he gets that splitter working, and doesn't lose us games, he is a very dangerous starter at number 3.
The starting pitching relies in youth, the youth that I think has a great upside. In 2007, we saw Jon Danks make strides that were very impressive. The fact is, by the end of the year, he just ran out of gas. This year, he knows what it takes to go the full season, he can be a quality fourth starter. And the number 5 starter can either be Gavin Floyd or the highly touted Lance Broadway. If Broadway can hold his own in the league this year, look out majors, this guy is going to be something special.
3. Bench
In years past, if the White Sox had an injury, the year was ruined. Sure our bench boasted fellows like Ross Gload and Tony Graffanino, but they were bench players, they are not starters in this league. The White Sox bench this year, has speed with Pablo Ozuna, and young talent with Josh Fields and Danny Richar. The Sox could theorectially face a year long injury at LF, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B (keep Thome as DH) and be okay.
4. It's January
No one knows how this season is going to go, if the Sox are going to sign another starting pitcher (I hear they're in talks to sign Bartolo Colon), or who is going to get hurt during the year. Infact now is the best time for me to boast about the Sox because this could very well be a long year.
January record prediction: 85-79 just missing the wild card after a slow September
1. The line-up
Let's say it was opening day tomorrow, and the Sox look in the field like this:
---Owens-----------Swisher----------------Dye---
--Crede----Cabrera----------Uribe-----Konerko--
-------------------Pitcher-------------------------
-------------------Pierzynski----------------------
and the batting order was
1. Cabrera
2. Swisher
3. Thome (DH)
4. Konerko
5. Dye
6. Pierzynski
7. Crede
8. Owens
9. Uribe
When you look at that batting order, that is one of the top 5 line ups, not in potential, but in having no holes. If you're banking on you're worst hitter being Uribe again, and if he could pull off a .250 average, that is a very solid line up.
2. Starting Pitching
Even with the trade of Garland and Gio Gonzalez, the White Sox still have strong starting pitching. There is a true ace in Mark Buehrle, a solid Javy Vasquez (lead the Sox in strike outs past 2 years), and Jose Contreras to round out the top 3 starters.
If Contreras can pull of an average season, where he gets that splitter working, and doesn't lose us games, he is a very dangerous starter at number 3.
The starting pitching relies in youth, the youth that I think has a great upside. In 2007, we saw Jon Danks make strides that were very impressive. The fact is, by the end of the year, he just ran out of gas. This year, he knows what it takes to go the full season, he can be a quality fourth starter. And the number 5 starter can either be Gavin Floyd or the highly touted Lance Broadway. If Broadway can hold his own in the league this year, look out majors, this guy is going to be something special.
3. Bench
In years past, if the White Sox had an injury, the year was ruined. Sure our bench boasted fellows like Ross Gload and Tony Graffanino, but they were bench players, they are not starters in this league. The White Sox bench this year, has speed with Pablo Ozuna, and young talent with Josh Fields and Danny Richar. The Sox could theorectially face a year long injury at LF, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B (keep Thome as DH) and be okay.
4. It's January
No one knows how this season is going to go, if the Sox are going to sign another starting pitcher (I hear they're in talks to sign Bartolo Colon), or who is going to get hurt during the year. Infact now is the best time for me to boast about the Sox because this could very well be a long year.
January record prediction: 85-79 just missing the wild card after a slow September
Monday, January 14, 2008
Broken Chicago Sports
This winter, Chicago sports have gone down the tubes. This town has now fell inlove with a Black Hawks team that isn't even in the playoffs at this moment, and they're on atleast a 6 game winless streak. My two main loves, the White Sox and the Fire have made questionable move upon questionable move.
White Sox
Failed to sign Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand.
Drastically overpaid Scott Limebrink for 4yr/$19.5 million
Traded most consistent pitcher, Jon Garland, for 33 year old Orlando Cabrera
Traded organization's top 2 prospects for average hitter, average speed Nick Swisher
Traded for Carlos Quentin
Signed Cuban Alexei Ramirez for only $1 million per year after 5 teams scouted him (Yankees included)
Waited months for the Twins to Johan to see, just see if they could try to trade for Coco Crisp
Fire
Chris Armas retired
Left Ivan Guerrero unprotected in expansion draft and San Jose picks him up
Judas...I mean Juan Carlos Osorio leaves the head coach position at New York for "family" reasons
Took weeks upon weeks to find a coach, Denis Hamlett, who clearly wasn't first choice
Matt Pickens might leave
Still no quality personal at right-mid or forward
What to do
Well if I knew what to do in either situation, I'd be a millionaire, but here are my takes.
The White Sox pulled the exact opposite of what the Florida Marlins did to win the World Series. The Palehose traded their prospects for current players, while the Marlins win with their prospects then trade them away for more prospects. So as we speek, the White Sox have no prospects and a bunch of aging major leaguers. If it was up to me, I would do a total overhaul. Trade all my major leaguers, and start building from the bottom (minor leaguers) up. While this would put the White Sox on atleast a 5 year plan to get back to playoff contention, this is what is needed for the big picture.
I think the Fire can be more of a quick fix. Now that Denis is hired and Best Buy is sponsoring the jersey for around $3 million for year. The team has a load of cap room, along with allocation money from RBNY. The fire have to address in my opinion 3 main needs: right midfielder, forward, and central defense. Also, I would like the fire to get another man on defense, and a reliable off the bench scorer.
For the present time, I will be here every now and then, almost writing to myself what I think is wrong and right with Chicago sports.
White Sox
Failed to sign Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand.
Drastically overpaid Scott Limebrink for 4yr/$19.5 million
Traded most consistent pitcher, Jon Garland, for 33 year old Orlando Cabrera
Traded organization's top 2 prospects for average hitter, average speed Nick Swisher
Traded for Carlos Quentin
Signed Cuban Alexei Ramirez for only $1 million per year after 5 teams scouted him (Yankees included)
Waited months for the Twins to Johan to see, just see if they could try to trade for Coco Crisp
Fire
Chris Armas retired
Left Ivan Guerrero unprotected in expansion draft and San Jose picks him up
Judas...I mean Juan Carlos Osorio leaves the head coach position at New York for "family" reasons
Took weeks upon weeks to find a coach, Denis Hamlett, who clearly wasn't first choice
Matt Pickens might leave
Still no quality personal at right-mid or forward
What to do
Well if I knew what to do in either situation, I'd be a millionaire, but here are my takes.
The White Sox pulled the exact opposite of what the Florida Marlins did to win the World Series. The Palehose traded their prospects for current players, while the Marlins win with their prospects then trade them away for more prospects. So as we speek, the White Sox have no prospects and a bunch of aging major leaguers. If it was up to me, I would do a total overhaul. Trade all my major leaguers, and start building from the bottom (minor leaguers) up. While this would put the White Sox on atleast a 5 year plan to get back to playoff contention, this is what is needed for the big picture.
I think the Fire can be more of a quick fix. Now that Denis is hired and Best Buy is sponsoring the jersey for around $3 million for year. The team has a load of cap room, along with allocation money from RBNY. The fire have to address in my opinion 3 main needs: right midfielder, forward, and central defense. Also, I would like the fire to get another man on defense, and a reliable off the bench scorer.
For the present time, I will be here every now and then, almost writing to myself what I think is wrong and right with Chicago sports.
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