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The Dugout: Always Look On The South Side Of Life

Posted: Aug 30th 2009 2:30PM by B. Thompson Stroud (author feed)
Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, The Dugout

In surprisingly out of character news, Ozzie Guillen is losing his ability to remain positive in light of the unfortunate, existential things happening to the White Sox lately. They've suffered fourth walk-off losses in the last two and a half weeks, the percentages are failing, lineup changes are fruitless... basically Ozzie is standing on the dugout steps while everything else cracks and breaks and is swallowed into the Earth.

Today's Dugout takes a step back to examine the psychological reasons behind the Chicago collapse. Hey guys, it's the examined life!

Continue Reading The Dugout: Always Look On The South Side Of Life

Checking in on Gordon Beckham

Posted: May 20th 2009 12:30PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: MLB Kids Are Alright

2 COMMENTS

These Kids Are Alright is FanHouse's look at minor league prospects who could have a fantasy impact in the near future. Pay attention, we gave you Mat Gamel and Nolan Reimold the day before both were promoted.

The White Sox are scuffling right now, and one of the several reasons is the lack of production from their middle infielders. Chris Getz (.231 average, .590 OPS), Brent Lillibridge (.162, .451) and Jayson Nix (.241, .806, has been playing some outfield) aren't cutting it. Alexei Ramirez has yet to get on track (.215, .527) either, though they should be patient with him. Still, the White Sox have an option -- they can see if Gordon Beckham is ready.

Continue Reading Checking in on Gordon Beckham

Paul Konerko Is Captain Obvious

Posted: May 14th 2009 2:10PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: White Sox, AL Central

2 COMMENTS

The White Sox are off to a 15-18 start to the 2009 season, and that record is pretty misleading. The fact of the matter is that the White Sox have played a lot worse than their record would indicate. They're at or near the bottom of the American League in any significant offensive, defensive, or pitching stat that's kept. They were also shut out for an MLB-leading sixth time on Wednesday afternoon, and as Fletch mentioned it in the Starting Five on Monday, when they lose, they lose big. They've now been outscored 125-39 in their 18 losses.

So what's the reason for the team's lackluster play? Is it injuries? Maybe it's just the cold weather during the first few weeks of the season? Nope, according to Paul Konerko the answer is pretty simple. The White Sox just aren't that good.

Continue Reading Paul Konerko Is Captain Obvious

Putting On Some New Sox

Posted: Mar 6th 2009 2:00PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, FanHouse Previews

3 COMMENTS

FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Chicago White Sox.

The expectations for the Chicago White Sox weren't very high in 2008. The team was coming off of a dismal 72-90 performance in 2007, following up two consecutive 90-win seasons and they'd lost perhaps their most consistent starter in Jon Garland in a trade for Orlando Cabrera. They also acquired Nick Swisher from the Oakland Athletics, hoping he would be the glue that held the team together.

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Bartolo Colon Is Off to a Great Start

Posted: Jan 29th 2009 12:33PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: White Sox, MLB Injuries, MLB Rumors

0 COMMENTS

When the Chicago White Sox jettisoned Javier Vazquez off to the Atlanta Braves for prospects Tyler Flowers and Brent Lillibridge, Kenny Williams left a bit of a hole in the team's starting rotation. Sure, there were questions about Vazquez's ability in big games but those 15 wins and 200+ innings every year aren't easy to replace.

Which is why some thought that Williams had an ace up his sleeve and was planning on making a move for a free agent pitcher like Derek Lowe to fill the gap. He didn't, but he did make sure that he found a big man to fill that large void in Bartolo Colon. Oh, and the oft-injured Colon had just finished having surgery on his right elbow which will keep him from being available at the start of spring training. Neat!

Continue Reading Bartolo Colon Is Off to a Great Start

Brian Roberts-to-Chicago Rumors Expand to the South Side

Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 2:48PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Orioles, White Sox, AL Central, AL East, MLB Rumors

3 COMMENTS

If you are tired of hearing rumors -- whether real or conjectured -- of Brian Roberts being traded to the Cubs, you may take a deep breath. We're here to bring you another Roberts-to-Chicago scenario, but this time he is being tied to the White Sox.

Roch Kubatko of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network reported on Friday night that the White Sox have made the latest attempt to nab Roberts ... Kubatko wrote that the teams have talked about a deal that would send right-hander Gavin Floyd to Baltimore. The issue, according to the report, is that the Orioles want more.

At first glance, the move would seem to make sense for the White Sox. They are shifting Alexei Ramirez to shortstop after letting Orlando Cabrera walk in free agency. They don't have any really great options to immediately step into second base.

On the flip-side, 22-year-old Gordon Beckham -- the White Sox first round draft pick this past year -- is a star in the making and will possibly be ready as early as June to take over second base for the Sox.

Continue Reading Brian Roberts-to-Chicago Rumors Expand to the South Side

Who Needs Jake Peavy? Braves Land Javier Vazquez Via Trade from White Sox

Posted: Dec 2nd 2008 7:05PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, White Sox, AL Central, NL East, MLB Transactions

0 COMMENTS

Wait, what?

Were the Braves really this far away from landing Jake Peavy via trade that they had to settle on Javier Vazquez?

Pending a passed physical from Vazquez, that's exactly what has happened. Boone Logan is headed to Atlanta with Vazquez, while the package headed back to the White Sox includes Jo-Jo Reyes and Brent Lillibridge. Reports indicate an unnamed "top prospect" is going to Chicago as well.

The trade has been in the works for a few days, and rumors were no secret. It should be noted that neither Reyes nor Lillibridge have been the centerpieces in talks by the Braves to acquire Peavy. On the other hand, we know the Braves are interested in signing either Derek Lowe or A.J. Burnett.

I'd be pretty surprised if the Braves traded these two young players, inked a Lowe-type contract, and traded the required windfall to net Peavy.

Thus, the significance of this deal -- to me -- is that it effectively eliminates the Braves from the Peavy sweepstakes.

Continue Reading Who Needs Jake Peavy? Braves Land Javier Vazquez Via Trade from White Sox

Footprints in the Snow: Atlanta Braves

Posted: Nov 10th 2008 1:15PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, Padres, MLB Fans, MLB Media Watch, MLB Rumors, MLB Transactions

4 COMMENTS

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.

It's pretty obvious to any Braves fan that Frank Wren has to do some major retooling this offseason. Atlanta has never been a win-now-at-any-cost type of team, and they shouldn't suddenly become one; but the Braves have a loaded farm system and no major league pitching.

And frankly, there's only so long that you can allow prospects to develop without actually using them to make your team at the big league level better (that's not to say that trading blue chipper Tommy Hanson is acceptable; it's not). But the Braves, by virtue of the Peavy rumor train that's rolled through MLB gossip circles over the past few weeks, are one of the biggest teams to watch over the next few weeks: a new GM gets his chance to make a mark on a team with the chance to return to glory by pulling off a trade with his West Coast counterpart and fitting the pieces to make the Braves stop stinking up the NL East in embarrassingly anti-historical fashion.

Continue Reading Footprints in the Snow: Atlanta Braves

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 28

Posted: Jul 28th 2008 5:54PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Blue Jays, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees, MLB Rumors

6 COMMENTS

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Blue Jays are back above the .500 mark and might not even be willing to deal right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett at this point, but if they decide to move him, the Cardinals remain the most likely destination. Burnett, an Arkansas native, grew up rooting for St. Louis and Tony La Russa's club could use a pitching upgrade, particularly following Milwaukee's acquisition of CC Sabathia and Chicago's acquisition of Rich Harden.

Latest Trade Buzz

A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays
Buzz: With the Blue Jays back over the .500 mark, Toronto might decide to hold on to Burnett and re-work his contract. The Cardinals remain the leading contender for his services, should the Jays decide to deal him.

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Jason Bay, Pirates
Buzz: With Pittsburgh's asking price for Bay high, the market around the outfielder seems to have cooled. The Braves were reportedly on the verge of a deal this weekend for the outfielder, but it was nixed by Pirates ownership.

Nick Laham, Getty Images

Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
Buzz: Boston is exploring possible deals for the slugger, but it remains unlikely he'll be moved before the deadline. The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are believed to be the teams interested in the slugger.

Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Jarrod Washburn, Mariners
Buzz: The Yankees are stuck in a holding pattern as they try to acquire Washburn. New York is interested in him as a salary dump, but Seattle would prefer quality prospects. With the remaining money on his deal, the southpaw could sneak through waivers in an August trade.

Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Mark Teixeira, Braves
Buzz: Though Atlanta has denied a willingness to trade Teixeira over the last few weeks, the club appears to be moving toward becoming a seller. The Braves are looking for an immediate replacement for the slugger at first base, with Boston's Kevin Youkilis and Arizona's Conor Jackson among the names to come up.

Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images

Brian Giles, Padres
Buzz: Giles is an on-base machine and a solid defender who could give a contender looking for a corner bat a boost. The Mets are one of the teams that may have interest in the outfielder.

Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Raul Ibanez, Mariners
Buzz: Many teams that are unwilling to spring for one of the star bats on the block see Ibanez as the bargain option on the corner bat market. The Mets are reportedly honing in on Ibanez to fill their outfield void.

Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Brian Fuentes, Rockies
Buzz: The closer has reportedly been scouted by seven different clubs over the last few days, but Colorado's asking price -- rumored to be a top pitching prospect -- might be scaring potential suitors off. The Rockies also aren't certain that they are going to be sellers as they hang close in the NL West.

Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Arthur Rhodes, Mariners
Buzz: With Damaso Marte on the move and Brian Fuentes possibly off the market, Rhodes' stock could be rising. Milwaukee is a possible destination for the left-handed reliever.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Felipe Lopez, Nationals
Buzz: With the acquisition of second base prospect Emilio Bonifacio from Arizona, Lopez's days in Washington are numbered. The Nationals could move him in the next few days.

Greg Fiume, Getty Images

For now, GM John Mozeliak appears resolved to wait and see what the rehabbing Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter can provide and pursue relief help. Still, it's hard not to wonder about Burnett, particularly as the Cardinals muse about converting Wainwright back to relief for the remainder of the season. Wouldn't St. Louis look a lot tougher to beat if on Aug. 1 Burnett was in the rotation and Wainwright was closing out games as he did when the Cardinals won the World Series in 2006?

- Other than the Rockies, the Braves have been the toughest team to figure out over the last few weeks as they vacillate between punting the season and going for it in the NL East. Even as they move closer and closer to dumping Mark Teixeira, the team has apparently been working on a deal for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay, which was only nixed when Pirates' ownership stepped into the fray. Bay has long been thought to be the Bucs' best trade chip, but that's made the price tag too steep for many clubs. Still, Atlanta was close to dealing a package of four prospects, including Brent Lillibridge and Brandon Jones, for the left fielder. For a team like the Braves, with little hope of contending this year, that might seem strange, but Atlanta expects to be back in the hunt in 2009 and Bay is already under contract for next season.

Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 28

Braves Get Greg Norton from Seattle - Woo

Posted: May 6th 2008 1:10AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Atlanta, Braves, MLB Transactions

2 COMMENTS

I didn't think it was really worth writing up the Greg Norton trade when I saw it "break" this afternoon. After all, if you're a Braves fan and you heard the team made a trade, your immediate thoughts were "Ooooo, I wonder what mid-level starter we grabbed to eat innings" or "Dang! An extra middle infielder to back up Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar? I was hoping we could jerk Lillibridge back and forth a little more."

Your thought was probably not "YES! GREG _____ING NORTON! You've done it again, Wren, you sly dog! (/fist pump)" Reports actually have the swap for a PTBNL, but whatever, this team has bigger needs right now.

Smoltz is headed to the bullpen, and the starters are either dirt old, injured or young as mess, and that presents a problem. KJ hasn't been healthy all season and Yunel (who could play second as well) hasn't been a modicum of perfect health either.

So, the big question is, when is the signature Frank Wren trade coming? The guy is a protege of Schuerholz, so shouldn't he be wheeling/dealing/etc and landing the Braves some players that relate to serious roster needs? Answers: Good question, and yes, he should.

Obviously, this early in the year it's tough to pull of a starter; most teams haven't given up on their seasons yet and pitchers will be more expensive. But the Braves probably won't be the only NL East team shopping for pitching, so it doesn't hurt to get a head start.