Now that he has launched his MLBlog, the roll-out for the Ozzie Guillen Internet King empire continues with OzzieGuillen.com, which will be ready by SoxFest on Jan. 21-23. The details:
Content on the Web site will be reviewed by MLB before it is posted. Thecontent will not include any inside tips on the Sox, but promises toprovide as much current information as possible to keep fans informed.
Contentwill be provided in English and Spanish and will be handled byGuillen's sons. Although the content will be written by the sons, theopinions expressed are exclusively those of Guillen.
It's going to be interesting to watch Guillen's interactive tentacles in action, and not just because of the looming conflict with Kenny Williams.
First of all, I wonder if he's going to be able to maintain interest. He grew bored with Twitter before the All-Star break, though it was revived around September as the rest of the Guillen campaign started to take shape. Right now, he's probably only writing half of them, judging by the increased attention to correct spelling and punctuation.
The cleaner tweets have now led to an MLB-approved blog, which is living up to the interactive portion, but not in an interesting way, yet. That will be in place until Guillen's MLB-approved website is live, and that has the potential to be even more sanitary.
Following the progress of Guillen's internet ventures, I'm seeing a trend that I think could dull Guillen's edge. Guillen is a remarkable figure because he's excessively candid in a culture that threatens to deplete the world's surplus of cliches.
His usage of Twitter didn't hurt anybody. It was mainly used as a way for Guillen to get free swag, but with the random nature and the spelling/syntax issues ("Comcast come true"), it was still very much his voice.
Based on what we've seen so far with an edited approach, it's sanitary. Too sanitary.
And maybe that's good for the Guillen family's finances. Maybe it seems like it's spreading thin to me, but it could be more palatable to the public, making him an even more recognizable. It worked for Kings of Leon and Wilco.
The creative side of me thinks it's like The Who going with Kenney Jones after Keith Moon's death. Pete Townshend finally got a drummer who could play in time signatures besides 4/4 and didn't consider the hi-hat a sign of weakness, but he didn't come close to producing the combination of energy, aggression and comedy coming out of Moon's kit. The result was a band that had The Who name, but didn't sound much like them.
Either way, I think we can assume it will seemed forced. By carving out a brand name for himself, he's going from a guy who didn't care if he got attention to being a guy who gets attention because he needs it.
Whichever the case, it will only work if Guillen piles up winning seasons. If he's thrusting himself onto the public with a team that makes the postseason, he's a True Original and an Innovator. Without the success, he's just a guy who talks too much.
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Our 12th plan comes courtesy of NoNeck. I've illustrated the lack of neck to the right. If there's one theme to this one, it's faith in the incumbents. The Democrats could have used more guys like him (*golf swing*).
MUST-MAKE DECISIONS
1) Would you offer arbitration to:
- A.J. Pierzynski? (Type A)
- Paul Konerko? (Type A)
- Manny Ramirez? (Type A)
- J.J. Putz (Type B)
I would offer arbitration to A.J., Konerko and Putz. However, I would try to work out a longer deal for Paulie and Putz especially. It can’t hurt to have A.J. one more year.
2) Would you pick up Ramon Castro’s $1.2 million option for 2011, or buy him out for $200,000?
Pick up Castro’s option. I have no confidence in Tyler Flowers on either side of the ball.
CLUB CONTROL (explain if warranted)
3) One-year contract for John Danks? If not, what would you pay to extend him?
Definitely try to extend Danks. I’d go for a four-year deal for $36 million.
4) Would you tender a contract to Bobby Jenks?
Absolutely no to Big Bad Bobby. I love ya big guy; now scram.
5) Would you tender a contract to Carlos Quentin?
Yes, we have to keep Quentin. He could still come close to 2009 numbers again. He’s young and a solid team guy. He also could have decent trade value.
6) Would you tender a contract to Tony Pena?
No, I’d rather re-sign Garcia than Pena. It would be great if Freddy were open to being the long man / 6th starter.
FREE AGENCY: WHITE SOX
7) Which of the following impending White Sox free agents would you attempt to re-sign, and at what price:
*Paul Konerko: Three years, $30 million with a team option on the fourth year.
*A.J. Pierzynski: Two years, $10 million. The Sox have no good catching prospects and apparently don’t know what one looks like.
*J.J. Putz: Three years, $15 million. Install him as the closer to start the season. He could be a huge bargain.
*Manny Ramirez
*Omar Vizquel: One year, $1 million.
*Andruw Jones: One year, $3 million. He's still the second best defensive outfielder they have. Unless they trade for true right fielder, they need him.
*Freddy Garcia: Two years, $7 million. Garcia is very valuable if he is not overused. He can’t make 30 starts, but he can throw 150 innings between the pen and the rotation.
*Mark Kotsay
FREE AGENCY: OUTSIDE HELP
8) Which positions are in the most dire need of an upgrade?
DH and third base are in most dire need of upgrade. Fortunately, I believe Morel will become even better than expected. The very solid D at third will really help the staff.
9) Name three (or more) free agents you’d consider, and at what price.
The Sox have few holes. I really believe that what cost the Sox the playoffs more than anything in 2010 was signing Mark Kotsay. It wasn’t his fault. He did what he does. But, by signing him the Sox refused to sign another left-handed bat that also plays first base and the outfield such as Aubrey Huff. Signing Huff for $3 million instead of Kotsay puts the Sox in the playoffs last year. He can play third base, first base, right and left field. It would have made the difference. I say - do it now. Sign Huff for two years, $12 million.
TRADES
10) Name a couple (or more) realistic trades that could improve the Sox.
A trade that could improve the Sox would be if they could get someone to take 75 percent of Jake Peavy’s contract for a bag of balls. Oh, you said realistic. I would wait until June to make some trades. The Sox could have quite a bit of flexibility by then.
SUMMARY
And finally:
11) Sum it all up in a paragraph or nine, and give a ballpark estimate of the total payroll.
The fact is that the Sox offense was above average last year and the pitching wound up only being average as well as the defense. This offense would improve with the addition of Huff and rebound from Beckham and that assumes another subpar year from Carlos. The defense is better with Morel. However, the pitching is what will win the division for them:
John Danks, Peavy, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and Edwin Jackson
Chris Sale, Freddy Garcia, J.J. Putz, Sergio Santos, Scott Linebrink, Gregory Infante and Matt Thornton
Payroll has to rise to $ 115 million to pull this off, but the Sox need to stop trading prospects for a minute in order to both compete and develop cheaper talent. In 2012, they would be able to afford to drop payroll significantly while filling in with some quality young and ready talent.
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While NoNeck wants to retain Pierzynski, the White Sox have yet to reach out to him. MLB Trade Rumors relays Pierzynski's interview with Jim Bowden on Fox Sports Radio:
In an interview with Fox Sports Radio's Jim Bowden today, A.J. Pierzynski said that the White Sox have not made him an offer to return to the club in 2011. (Twitter link) Pierzynski doesn't specify if the club has made any contact with him at all, and it's worth noting that Chicago still has three days left of exclusive negotiating time for pending free agents. Given that Pierzynski said he would like to keep playing in Chicago "but they are going to have to want him first," however, it seems unlikely that the Sox have opened negotiations.
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Arizona Fall League:
- Peoria 8, Phoenix 0
- Eduardo Escobar hit his third triple of the season during a 3-for-5, one-RBI day.
- Jason Bour went 1-for-5 with a double, RBI and strikeout.
- Henry Mabee threw two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk.
