What is Kenny Williams Up To?

[HoopsCubs]

I don't like the team, I don't like the guy, but I admire his boldness and creativity.

 

He dumped $10M in salary by trading Garcia. He could dump another $10M if the Garland deal does go through.

 

If so, he could suddenly have $20M and some good young arms. And his weak links are SS, CF and LF. He's up to something. You have to wonder if something big is about to happen with any of the usual suspects: Manny, ARod, Tejada, Burrell, Vernon Wells, Andruw Jones, etc...

 

As a baseball fan, it's intriguing to watch. There could be 2 deals or a 3-way deal in the works.

[baseball7897]

He is probably my favorite GM in baseball. Always trying to improve his team, always making a big trade, I love his creativity, and I love the way he takes risks.

[AAApittsburgh]

Would people still call him "creative" if the White Sox didn't win the WS in 05?

[UMFan83]

That was great how he took a risk on Carl Everett, then let him go and then traded for him again the next season instead of just resigning him in the first place. The Robbie Alomar trade was good too.

 

 

Before 2005, it was the general consensus that he was a bad GM. But then again, before 2005 it was the general consensus that Hendry was a good one.

 

But your right, the White Sox are going to be picking up a marquee player in this offseason. My bets are on ARod.

[RynoRules]

Would people still call him "creative" if the White Sox didn't win the WS in 05?

 

That sort of question bugs the hell out of me. Suspension of reality.

 

"Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?"

[seanhopper]

Williams is a pretty smart GM. It appears (as you mention) that he's making deals to possibly have some cash available and/or he's looking for a bigger deal down the road to fill a need.

 

He could be after Vernon Wells--but with Toronto losing out on Meche and Lilly, they may now want a #3 starting pitcher rather than prospects in return. It would appear that the Garland to Stros deal was put in place to stockpile prospects and low-income players, i.e. Tavarez. Williams could have then put a good mix of players together for Wells. Now that Toronto has missed out on any of the free agent pitchers than it may not have worked out. Garland for Wells may make some sense, but it would appear that the Sox would be really decimating their starting pitching.

[Derwood]

yes, the everett/alomar stuff was comedy. Then suddenly he got Garcia, Contreras, Thome, etc. He defied critics by winning the WS AFTER getting rid of Thomas, Magglio and Lee.

 

Plus you have to like a guy who would step over Scott Boras if he was dying in the street.

[RynoRules]

yes, the everett/alomar stuff was comedy. Then suddenly he got Garcia, Contreras, Thome, etc. He defied critics by winning the WS AFTER getting rid of Thomas, Magglio and Lee.

 

Plus you have to like a guy who would step over Scott Boras if he was dying in the street.

 

yeah, I don't know any GM who is batting 1.000 on his deals. Everyone has a few dogs if they hang around long enough. Williams has his share, but they are eclipsed by his more recent succeses, IMO.

[CuseCubFan69]

IMO he's going to go after ARod.

[YearofDaCubs]

yes, the everett/alomar stuff was comedy. Then suddenly he got Garcia, Contreras, Thome, etc. He defied critics by winning the WS AFTER getting rid of Thomas, Magglio and Lee.

 

Plus you have to like a guy who would step over Scott Boras if he was dying in the street.

 

yeah, I don't know any GM who is batting 1.000 on his deals. Everyone has a few dogs if they hang around long enough. Williams has his share, but they are eclipsed by his more recent succeses, IMO.

Agreed.

[LuvChicagoSports]

yes, the everett/alomar stuff was comedy. Then suddenly he got Garcia, Contreras, Thome, etc. He defied critics by winning the WS AFTER getting rid of Thomas, Magglio and Lee.

 

Plus you have to like a guy who would step over Scott Boras if he was dying in the street.

 

Thomas was there for the World Series and Thome was not, so your a little off, but I am with you in the respect for what he has done.

[Derwood]

IMO he's going to go after ARod.

 

Interesting. Yankees M.O. usually isn't to trade a marquee player for prospects. Big risk by KW here, as he's left with some serious holes on the team if he can't get something done by April. Of course, one would think that he wouldn't have pulled the trigger on these deals without something in the hopper

[C.C.]

IMO he's going to go after ARod.

 

Yankee's aren't going to give up AROD...And quite honestly AROD is not going to go to the W.Sox.

[TheDude]

He could be after Vernon Wells--but with Toronto losing out on Meche and Lilly, they may now want a #3 starting pitcher rather than prospects in return.

 

I'd be willing to bet LA is hot after Vernon Wells, with Brad Penny at the center of the deal. You can never have too many OFs!

[cubweiser03]

I dont know. IF he's trading guys to bring in a high profile guy thats risky. Is this really the market to be dumping SP with now good contracts? Garcia or Meche? Garcia is $1M cheaper, id waay much rather have Garcia. Garland is good value too nowadays. Don't you make these moves after you get your high prized player, not before? Kenny sure seems like a wildman to me.

[CuseCubFan69]

IMO he's going to go after ARod.

 

Interesting. Yankees M.O. usually isn't to trade a marquee player for prospects. Big risk by KW here, as he's left with some serious holes on the team if he can't get something done by April. Of course, one would think that he wouldn't have pulled the trigger on these deals without something in the hopper

 

I was thinking they'd add Crede too and take Pavano.

[Abe Frohman]

I still think Hendry is a good GM. Last year there wasn't much of a FA buffet, much like this year. After losing out on Beltran and Furcal, he made sure he got Soriano. Yeah, it was a ridiculous contract - but the Cubs have money to spend and he stepped up to the plate after MacPhail left.

 

Neifi Perez is a great guy to have on a team for his glove and occasional clutch hits, but he was GREATLY misused by Dusty Baker. You can't blame Hendry entirely for mismanagement of the team.

 

The Cubs have had some HORRIBLE luck (Wood, Prior, and Lee injuries), but if you look at what Hendry has done, we really do have a good GM.

 

That being said (and it is just my opinion), I think Kenny Williams rolled the dice with Thome and other players, and it worked out great for the Sox. Even though they didn't make the playoffs, they had a playoff team two years in a row - and you can't ask for much more than that.

 

Concerning AROD, I would be willing to bet that KW IS going after him. Not many baseball players will up your attendance like ARod would for the Sox. It would really be a brilliant move for the South Siders.

 

Kudos to the Sox and the way they work, but screw em too.

Edited December 7, 2006 by Abe Frohman

[PrimeTime]

Id cry if they got ARod or some other superstar...I couldnt stand to hear about it from all the trashy sox fans

[Backtobanks]

I don't like the team, I don't like the guy, but I admire his boldness and creativity.

 

He dumped $10M in salary by trading Garcia. He could dump another $10M if the Garland deal does go through.

 

If so, he could suddenly have $20M and some good young arms. And his weak links are SS, CF and LF. He's up to something. You have to wonder if something big is about to happen with any of the usual suspects: Manny, ARod, Tejada, Burrell, Vernon Wells, Andruw Jones, etc...

 

As a baseball fan, it's intriguing to watch. There could be 2 deals or a 3-way deal in the works.

 

My question is who is going to pitch for the WS NEXT year. Trading for the usual suspects (many of whom are free agents to be) won't do much good if you don't have the pitching to compete. Don't forget Dye will be leaving after 2007 and Thome is getting older and injury prone.

[abuck1220]

I still think Hendry is a good GM. Last year there wasn't much of a FA buffet, much like this year. After losing out on Beltran and Furcal, he made sure he got Soriano. Yeah, it was a ridiculous contract - but the Cubs have money to spend and he stepped up to the plate after MacPhail left.

 

Neifi Perez is a great guy to have on a team for his glove and occasional clutch hits, but he was GREATLY misused by Dusty Baker. You can't blame Hendry entirely for mismanagement of the team.

 

The Cubs have had some HORRIBLE luck (Wood, Prior, and Lee injuries), but if you look at what Hendry has done, we really do have a good GM.

 

 

sorry, but building a 90+ loss team with a $95 mil payroll means you're not a good gm, bad luck or not.

 

and neifi perez is not a great guy to have on a team. unless your team is a junior college team.

[Soul]

Would people still call him "creative" if the White Sox didn't win the WS in 05?

 

I don't know. Would people revere Babe Ruth if he didn't hit all those home runs?

[Outshined_One]

I think he's stocking up to make a threeway trade for A-Rod. I don't see the Yankees letting go of A-Rod unless they get some one like Cabrera, Willis, Bay, or some comparable hotshot young player in return. I don't think the White Sox have anyone who fits the bill.

[Abe Frohman]

I still think Hendry is a good GM. Last year there wasn't much of a FA buffet, much like this year. After losing out on Beltran and Furcal, he made sure he got Soriano. Yeah, it was a ridiculous contract - but the Cubs have money to spend and he stepped up to the plate after MacPhail left.

 

Neifi Perez is a great guy to have on a team for his glove and occasional clutch hits, but he was GREATLY misused by Dusty Baker. You can't blame Hendry entirely for mismanagement of the team.

 

The Cubs have had some HORRIBLE luck (Wood, Prior, and Lee injuries), but if you look at what Hendry has done, we really do have a good GM.

 

 

sorry, but building a 90+ loss team with a $95 mil payroll means you're not a good gm, bad luck or not.

 

and neifi perez is not a great guy to have on a team. unless your team is a junior college team.

 

Well, I'll be more than happy to argue.

 

I guarantee that if Prior, Wood, and DLee were healthy last season, this team would have been in contention and probably would have won at least 80-85 games. Hendry had little to do with that. He also had little to do with Juan Pierre & Jacque Jones swinging rubber bats during the first half.

 

In addition, if used properly, Neifi Perez could have been a huge help to this team in late inning close games with his glove. As a starter, we all knew what to expect.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I still think Hendry is a good GM. Last year there wasn't much of a FA buffet, much like this year. After losing out on Beltran and Furcal, he made sure he got Soriano. Yeah, it was a ridiculous contract - but the Cubs have money to spend and he stepped up to the plate after MacPhail left.

 

Neifi Perez is a great guy to have on a team for his glove and occasional clutch hits, but he was GREATLY misused by Dusty Baker. You can't blame Hendry entirely for mismanagement of the team.

 

The Cubs have had some HORRIBLE luck (Wood, Prior, and Lee injuries), but if you look at what Hendry has done, we really do have a good GM.

 

 

sorry, but building a 90+ loss team with a $95 mil payroll means you're not a good gm, bad luck or not.

 

and neifi perez is not a great guy to have on a team. unless your team is a junior college team.

 

Well, I'll be more than happy to argue.

 

I guarantee that if Prior, Wood, and DLee were healthy last season, this team would have been in contention and probably would have won at least 80-85 games. Hendry had little to do with that. He also had little to do with Juan Pierre & Jacque Jones swinging rubber bats during the first half.

 

In addition, if used properly, Neifi Perez could have been a huge help to this team in late inning close games with his glove. As a starter, we all knew what to expect.

 

And how about going into the season knowing Prior and Wood weren't ready and not having a backup plan? How about acquiring Pierre and Jones knowing their bats weren't all that solid in the first place? Neifi Perez is as overrated as they come defensively. He's solid but no savior, around average last I knew. There aren't enough late inning close games where Neifi's glove would have saved the team over anyone else's to give him a roster spot in the first place, let alone at 2.5 million.

[rawaction]

I still think Hendry is a good GM. Last year there wasn't much of a FA buffet, much like this year. After losing out on Beltran and Furcal, he made sure he got Soriano. Yeah, it was a ridiculous contract - but the Cubs have money to spend and he stepped up to the plate after MacPhail left.

 

Neifi Perez is a great guy to have on a team for his glove and occasional clutch hits, but he was GREATLY misused by Dusty Baker. You can't blame Hendry entirely for mismanagement of the team.

 

The Cubs have had some HORRIBLE luck (Wood, Prior, and Lee injuries), but if you look at what Hendry has done, we really do have a good GM.

 

 

sorry, but building a 90+ loss team with a $95 mil payroll means you're not a good gm, bad luck or not.

 

and neifi perez is not a great guy to have on a team. unless your team is a junior college team.

 

Well, I'll be more than happy to argue.

 

I guarantee that if Prior, Wood, and DLee were healthy last season, this team would have been in contention and probably would have won at least 80-85 games. Hendry had little to do with that. He also had little to do with Juan Pierre & Jacque Jones swinging rubber bats during the first half.

 

In addition, if used properly, Neifi Perez could have been a huge help to this team in late inning close games with his glove. As a starter, we all knew what to expect.

 

How can you not fault a GM when the only 2 players he brought in new to the team sucked in the first half?