Designated hitter: Lance Broadway?

A trade once considered unremarkable, the Lance Broadway-Ramon Castro deal now has a pretty … um, unique … footnote: It may be the first trade in Sox history in which both parties have been accused of assaulting women. Castro was accused of rape in 2004; the charge was dismissed in return for a no contest [...]

Two thoughts about Thome the Twin

No. 1: Here’s a list of various contracts the Sox have eaten, at least in part the past five years. 2005: Ben Davis, $1M (all) 2006: Chris Widger $650,000 (half) 2008: Pablo Ozuna: $1.05M (half) 2009: Mike MacDougal: $2.65M (almost all) 2009: Wilson Betemit: $1.3M (most) 2009: Jim Thome; ~$1.5M (total sent to Dodgers) 2009: [...]

When is flexibility constraining? When you’re Ozzie Guillen

The first rule of talking about Ozzie Guillen’s decision to pass on Jim Thome is, “Don’t talk about Jim Thome.” There are reasons on passing on the Gentleman Masher himself.  He lost something off his bat speed, he missed more fastballs, his contact rate overall dropped, his strikeout rate increased, and he lost something off [...]

Guillen passes on Thome

SoxFest: Democracy? Inaction?

Supposedly, we should know by today or Tuesday whether Jim Thome will return to the White Sox in 2010.  And I guess we should be thankful that it’s still a rumor, considering how strongly he wanted to manage a National League lineup in the quintessential American League park. Maybe the people will be heard after [...]

SoxFest open thread

SoxFest is upon us, which means it’s our last chance to fill up on unnecessary drama before everybody shows up to spring training in the best shape of their lives. (It’s also the first and only time Juan Pierre will be considered a “heavy hitter.”) For the weekend, I’ve embedded a Twitter list for everybody [...]

The Wall of Shape

Q: How many White Sox players will show up to spring training in the best shape of their lives?

Hope springs early

It feels like spring training with all the feel-good stories popping up.  On Wednesday, we had Alex Rios and his “five swings,” Scott Linebrink learning lessons, Carlos Quentin recovering from plantar fasciitis and Camp Cora in full swing. Today? Mark Buehrle’s arm-strengthening program is proceeding smoothly, and Don Cooper is “getting a lot of energy [...]

Danks, Sox bridge gap

John Danks became the last arbitration-eligible player to sign a 2010 contract, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $3.45 million. My first reaction was that there would be no long-term deal this year.  Then I realized that Tuesday was the deadline for arbitration filing, and Danks is undergoing his examination today.  Consider this a stopgap [...]

Pena on board; Danks remains

Add Tony Pena’s salary to the books.  He and the Sox agreed to a $1.2 million contract, meaning every arbitration-eligible player is set for 2010 with the exception of John Danks. Expect to wait until late Wednesday for any news on a new contract for Danks, as he’ll be undergoing an examination that day to determine [...]