What I've Learned From Winter Meetings About My Sox

Almost a year ago, I started my MLBlog.  My first entry was about Winter Meetings.  It was...quite short.  Now Winter Meetings have rolled back around, and somehow I think the White Sox won't do much, just like last year.

So far, this is what I've learned about the White Sox from a Joe Cowley article, a Scott Merkin article and blog, and a Mark Gonzales article, all linked at the end.  Some info is also from their Twitter accounts.  Included is my own commentary since I know.  Enjoy.

1) The White Sox are still talking to Scott Podsednik, but the Sox work on their own timetable and not his.

Kenny said if Scottie is "sincere about fit and about dollars, then it's time to get serious."  I believe I read that Scottie wants a multi-year deal and the Sox were a little reluctant, but I would love to have Scottie back.  He was very effective this year, and if he stays that way, we have a great leadoff hitter.  And I really like Pods in general, so there's always the "make Jen happy" aspect.  Not like this is considered in contract negotiations, but it's worth mentioning in my blog where I can do what I want.  :)

2) The Sox are potentially linked to Juan Pierre.

I'm really not a fan of this.  But I don't know why.  But per Scott Merkin's Twitter, the Dodgers would want starting pitching in return, and the Sox aren't giving it up.  I don't blame them.  In all honesty, would you give up Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, John Danks, or Gavin Floyd?  I didn't think so.  I'm super excited for that pitching staff.

Back to Juan Pierre.  Can someone tell me why I don't like this link?  I know I have a good reason for not liking it, but I can't place it right now.  Probably because I have no desire to refresh my memory on Pierre's stats.  Does he suck?  I don't remember, probably because I chose not to.

3) Andruw Jones wants to be an everyday starter, and Ozzie said if he hits, he will be.

OK.  I'm fine with that.  If Andruw can hit, then let him play.  So hit, Andruw, hit.  :)

4) Kenny has "no comment" on Roy Halladay.

Would Hallady be a great addition?  Of course.  But what would we have to give up in order to get him?  I don't think that's worth it.

5) Per Joe Cowley's article, Kenny talked to Jake Peavy a couple weeks ago.  Here's the full quote cuz it makes me happy, and because I need to point out a sliiiight grammatical error.

"I talked to him a couple of weeks ago and he was fired up already. He got my juices going a little bit, and I told him, 'This is way too early for that, so take it easy.' Listen, there's a reason we went out and were as aggressive as we were, and gave up some good ballplayers to get him, and that's because we believe in him. Even though I would have preferred he didn't pitch at the end of the season, he wanted to. And I think it was good for all of our fans to see and for his teammates to see, because there's a different kind of energy behind him and in that dugout when he's pitching. As well as showing what he can do on the field, he's also going to be a positive role model for what we think our guys - like Gavin Floyd and John Danks - that can be No. 1 guys. Mark Buehrle is Mark Buehrle, and he's a No. 1 on any given day. But he goes about his business in a different way and you can't immolate what Mark Buehrle does. For these type of guys that are more high-intensity-type guys, to see that and push the limits of that intensity, but yet have a controlled aggression is something they can learn from Jake Peavy."

Oh Jake Peavy.  I love you for being so pumped already.  Just don't overdo it.  I don't want you to get hurt.  But keep that fire.  I'll see you in about six and a half weeks.

Now for that grammatical error.  I know your job is to be a reporter, so I don't blame you, Joe.  But your copy editor, however.  What's wrong with this sentence from the above quote: "you can't immolate what Mark Buehrle does."  Answer: the wrong word was used, I think.  Unless Kenny Williams is saying you can't sacrific, kill, or destroy by fire what Mark Buehrle does, the word should be "emulate," as in you can't try to equal what Mark Buehrle does.  Although "immolate" is a lot funnier.

6) If the season started today, Ozzie would have Alex Rios in center, Carlos Quentin in right, and Andruw Jones in left with Mark Kotsay on the bench.

Sounds fine to me.  Unless you re-sign Pods.  Then let's see what happens.  As I've said, I'm partial to Pods, but if Andruw does better, than give me Andruw.  I want a winning team, and if a winning team is set up with that outfield, I'm all for it.

7) Ozzie likes Hideki Matsui, but there's only one person he asked Kenny to sign and that was Kotsay.

However, there are people he told Kenny he didn't want at the park.  They weren't mentioned, however.  Back to Matsui.  Ozzie liked what he saw in the World Series, but he wants Matsui to play the outfield for a little while.  Cowley mentioned that the Japanese media say Matsui is looking for $10 million next year.  I think we should pass if that's the case.

8) Presently it seems as though Gordon Beckham would be the leadoff man, although Ozzie would rather have him hit sixth or seventh.

Ozzie likes that Gordon takes a lot of pitches and doesn't panic, but he doesn't think he can steal bases the way the Sox want him to.  However, he said that he doesn't care how many bases you can steal.  He'd rather have his leadoff hitter get on base.  Gordon's pretty good at that, I think.

9) Ozzie would like to go with a lefty-righty alternating batting order, with AJ possibly hitting second.

I believe AJ hit second for a while in 2008.  And he did quite well there.  If it works, then do it.  I want whatever's best for my team.  If AJ in the two-spot is best, then do it!  :)  I'd like a shiny trophy with 30 little flags on it hoisted above my manager's head in 10-ish months.

10) Ozzie kinda likes the DH-by-committee option.

I'm kinda feeling it too.  If it gives us an opportunity to have a lot of good outfielders or bench players or whatever, then do it.  At the same time, if Jim Thome comes back, I'd be OK with that too.  While sometimes I wonder why Kenny does what he does, he's usually right and I trust him.  If Kenny doesn't sign a full-time DH, then so be it.  I trust him.

11) Freddy Garcia's working hard to be the fifth starter.

Go, Freddy, go!  :)  Freddy wasn't too bad when he came back last season.  If he's working to get better again, and he earns the fifth starter position, then that's freaking awesome.  I'm ready for Sweaty Freddy!

12) Tyler Flowers looks to be AJ's backup.

I've heard good things about Flowers.  If he's the backup this season, he'll get more mentoring from AJ, I'd think.  Then when it's time for AJ to retire or when the Sox decide to move on (I'd prefer the first option), Flowers will be ready to take over and not suck at catching.



All that from Day One.  Last year, I said Winter Meetings make my head explode.  That's still pretty much true, but it gets me through the winter.  Usually I can survive the offseason with the Bears, but my football team is full of fail this season.  Luckily I'm learning hockey, and I root for an awesome hockey team in the Blackhawks.  But baseball owns my heart.

No baseball for these few months is like not seeing my friends for a long time.  I talk to most of my friends daily in some way.  Facebook, phone, texts, Twitter, AIM.  But I don't get to see most of them often.  It's similar with baseball.  I talk about baseball on Facebook, via texts, on Twitter, on AIM, and rarely on the phone.  But it's not right there in front of me.  And I hate it.  For a few months, I don't ask myself "when do the Sox play today?"  For a few months, I don't get to see my favorite athletes EVER on a pretty much daily basis.  (No, my desktop picture doesn't count.  It helps, but it doesn't count.)  I have nothing to cheer for.  I have nothing that guarantees a smile on my face on a daily basis.  Even when the Sox lose, something makes me smile.  It's baseball.  How can I not smile?

Pitchers and catchers report in about two months.  While I've always been excited for baseball season to start, this offseason is so much harder to get through for me because of all the wonderful people on MLBlogs and Twitter who talk baseball every day.  It should go faster, but it doesn't.  Luckily, I'm not the only one suffering through it.

Credits
Articles
Joe Cowley
Mark Gonzales
Scott Merkin
Scott Merkin (blog)

Photos
Photobucket
AP
Unknown