10/05/04 - A letter from Kenny Williams (unedited, originally posted in www.chisox.com)
Dear White Sox Fans - It is still pretty difficult, even painful in a way, to recap the 2004 Chicago White Sox season. When I hired Ozzie Guillen as manager, one of my reasons was that I wanted someone who took the losses just as hard as I did and just as hard as our fans do.
      While our 2004 season had its bright spots — the 40-plus home run performance of Paul Konerko, Carlos Lee's club-record, 28-game hitting streak and Shingo Takatsu's grand entrance onto the Chicago baseball stage — the overall emotion we are feeling right now is disappointment. Yes, we certainly battled injuries, and not many teams lose their three and four hitters in June and still win, but those are excuses. We were in first place on July 24 and just did not get it done.
      But rather than re-live the past six months (I do that enough in the middle of the night when I would rather be asleep), I am focused on this offseason and what we need to accomplish to make our team better in 2005. I cannot stress strongly enough my commitment to improving the 2005 White Sox. This organization's goal remains consistent — to win a World Series championship for White Sox fans and the city of Chicago.
      It is my responsibility to build a team that has a chance to win its division each season, and we began that project for 2005 well before this season ended. It is our responsibility to bring all of our energy, intellect and effort to improving this team. I promise you everyone on my staff, and everyone in the front office, is focused on this mission.
      We hope to have a team built around our pitching staff. But anyone who watched us play in 2004 realizes that we need to be more athletic, better defensively and quicker on the bases. Slugging it out night after night is just too inconsistent. You need thunder in the middle of your lineup, especially in the American League, but at the top and at the bottom, we need guys who can get on base, run, move runners along and handle the bat. I want to give Ozzie a team he can play with and really manage during games.
      Our first focus entering this offseason is pitching. We feel very confident in our top four starters, Freddy Garcia, Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras and Jon Garland, and believe each one has the potential to win 15 games and give us 200 innings. Jason Grilli showed signs he could fill the fifth starter's role, or we may decide to look toward free agency to round out our rotation.
      We also want to build our bullpen from the back forward. In Shingo and Damaso Marte, we are comfortable that we have at least two pitchers who can close out games. Cliff Politte was impressive at times this year and has a role in a dominant bullpen. Another positive for our club was how Jon Adkins and Neal Cotts matured as Major League pitchers during the season. We need to add to this mix and make it even better and deeper in 2005.
      We will see what players are available on the free agent market to fit our needs, and I also am willing to pull the trigger on a trade if I believe it will make our team better. We have been criticized for our willingness to trade young players for the chance to win now. I will never apologize for trying to win. It has been way too long since White Sox fans celebrated in October. On the wall of our board room is a chart showing our team's projected roster over the next three years. Miguel Olivo is the only player we have traded away who is on that chart from 2004 to 2007. I hated to give him up, but I felt that getting a pitcher like Freddy Garcia through 2007 was more important for this organization.
Despite his season-ending injury, we still are optimistic about re-signing Magglio Ordoñez for 2005. Of course, a lot depends upon his recovery and health. At one point in the season, we offered Magglio the largest contract ever for a White Sox player. We still hope to discuss a possible new contract with Maggs over the coming months.
      One player I truly need to commend for his 2004 season is Paul Konerko. He grabbed all kinds of deserving headlines with his 40-plus home runs, but he proves his value as a player and teammate each and every day by how he approaches the game. I am convinced that if Paul came into the last at-bat of the season with the chance for either the home run crown or the opportunity to win the game, he would willingly sacrifice his own success for the team. He is as unselfish a player as we have. I love his winning attitude. Paul cares about winning, but even more important, he cares about winning here in Chicago.
      It's way too early to map out our exact plans for 2005 and how this offseason will ultimately unfold, but I did want this letter to give you some of our thoughts on the 2004 season, but more important, to outline our early thinking as we prepare for 2005.
      Everyone in a White Sox uniform and in our front office appreciates our fans. You are there on the cold nights in April, during winning and losing streaks in June, July and August, and are there to celebrate the game-winning home runs and suffer the painful defeats. You feel it in your gut right along with us. As we finish the 2004 season, we want to say "Thank You" for your undying support and for your pride in being a White Sox fan. Sincerely, Ken Williams

10/4/04
Agreed to terms with RHP Cliff Politte on a one-year $1 million contract extension that contains a $1.2 million club option for 2006.
Analysis: Like Neal Cotts, Politte had a better 2003 season than his numbers showed (0-3. 4.38).  He did eat up 50+ quality innings of middle relief (he was practically a co-starter when the number 5 spot in the rotation came up considering the starters didn't last very long) and posted 19 holds.  He was no Tom Gordon, but he was no Rick White either.
In the long term: 

10/28/04
Magglio Ordonez filed for free agency, White Sox declined the 2005 option on catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. (no buyout), exercised the option on Shingo Takatsu ($2.5 million) for 2005. Frank Thomas ($8 million) and Carl Everett ($4 million) exercised their player options for the 2005 season.
Analysis: If the White Sox had picked up Thomas' option they would've had to pay him $11 million for the season. Either way, I can understand KW's reluctance to spend that much on someone who's coming off an injury year (he only appeared in 74 games), however Frank likes to work and prove people wrong. We all know the monster numbers Frank put up in 2000 after most people counted him out. I am concerned about Mags. The guy's a talent and will be for some time. We will see if we can find a price that works for all involved. Takatsu worked out better than most could've hoped for - great ERA and 19 for 20 in save chances for the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting. He should have a lot more chances to close out games now that he is 'the' closer and Billy Koch is gone. It would've been hard to find someone happier the first time Carl Everett came to town, but I have cooled considerably. A line of .266/5/21 in half a season with the Sox was far from what I had hoped for. In addition, his only possible position is DH. We already have a player like that in the name of Frank Thomas. His biggest upside is his contract, which should make him easy to move if someone has room for him. It'll be sad to see Sandy leave again. He did well for a backup catcher, but he brings a lot more to the game than what he does on the field.
In the long term:  Mags went out and grabbed himself a monster 5/75 deal. Detroit was able to offer than with the provision that the contract could be voided if Magglio ended up on the DL for more than 25 games. Kind of wish KW thought of that. With club options and incentives, the deal could end up at 7/108. No matter what, he's no one's getting that deal with the Sox. It's hard to imagine that Detroit did it. Magglio went on to appear in only 82 games for the Tigers in '05, but apparently showed enough promise that Detroit honored the contract. Maybe Magglio returned some money. Anyone know? He has since posted the type of number we all expected from him (.363 avg in '07), even while playing in Comerica Park. Sandy played '05 with Texas, hitting .270. He's not done yet. He came back to the Sox for a third time in '06 and played a little for the Mets in '07. He's all but retired at this point. There needs to be a special place in the Hall of Fame for guys like this. Shingo's star faded quickly. The slow, slower, slowest routine didn't last long. He did convert eight of nine saves, but his ERA exploded to nearly 6.00 before he was released. He then played nine games for the Mets, but hasn't played in the majors since. Tough to see things like that happening. Frank Thomas had what one can only call a frustrating year. Injuries limited him to a mere 34 games, but he still managed 12 home runs in that small stretch. Thomas had topped the 500 home run mark and is still killing it, returning to the big time with a deal worth potentially three years for over $28 million. Everett filled in adequately for the Sox. He became the full time DH when Frank was out with injuries and he posted 23 HRs and 87 RBI, thankfully he didn't play the field often.

11/19/04
Agreed to terms with RHP Jon Garland on a one-year ($3.4 million) contract for 2005, avoiding arbitration and the Texas Rangers claimed INF Ruddy Yan off waivers.
Analysis: His ERA was far, far from good, but he actually posted a winning season. He's still got a lot of upside and 3.4 isn't much for a high quality back of the rotation kind of guy.
In the long term:  Oh, not much, he only posted his best year - 18 wins and a 3.50 ERA. He finished 6th in Cy Young voting and made the All Star team.

11/24/04
Signed LHP Kevin Walker to a one-year contract (How much?)
Analysis: This seems like a positive low risk decent reward signing. Don't know the numbers, but it's probably around $500,000 for the year.
In the long term:  It still seems like a good signing. He posted an ERA of 9.00 over seven innings. It was worth a shot and it didn't pan out. Believe it or not, he's still kicking around in the minors in the Rockies farm system in '07.

12/8/04
Signed free agent Dustin Hermanson to a two-year $5.15 million contract with a club option for 2007.
Analysis: This signing gives the Sox a ton of options in '05. If Shingo falters or gets injured he can step into the closer role. If the fifth spot in the rotation is sickeningly bad as it was last year he can take that spot (he had 18 starts in '04). I assume his main role will be to serve as the 8th inning setup man for "Mr. Zero."
In the long term:  Dustin was a good bargain and a complete lifesaver after Shingo simply lost his stuff. He posted 34 saves in '05, which is often forgotten about because everyone remembers Jenks taking over as closer after Hermanson had to deal with his own injuries at the end of '05.

12/9/04
Signed OF Jermaine Dye to a two-year $10.15 million contract with a club option for $6 million in 2007.
Analysis: This is one of those signings that make great sense - it's incentive-laden. If Oakland picked up his option of '05 Dye would've earned $14 million and now he's signing for less than that for two years with the Sox. His price tag is low because he's still something of an injury risk. However, he did post solid numbers over a full season last year (23 HRs, 80 RBIs). I'm a little surprised Dye wasn't going for a one-year contract with an option back up to about $10 million for '06, simply to prove that he isn't the risk people think he is. Speaking of which, here's the breakdown: $4 million in '05, $5 million in '06 and a buyout of $1.15 million in '07. Best case scenario is Dye is great and the Sox end up with an All-Star caliber outfielder for $15 million over three years - WAY below the going rate. On the sentimentally sad side, this definitely brings an end to Ordonez's tenure with the Sox.
In the long term:  Another amazing signing by KW. The contract ended up being a bit more ($1 million+) expensive due to the incentives like MVP voting and a Silver Slugger Award. Still a major bargain. Also, Mags ended up only playing half of '05, which would've left a massive hole in right for far too long for a contending team. It would've forced the Sox to make a trade deadline deal of some sort and who knows how that would've ended up. Instead, Dye became the World Series MVP in '05. Over the three years this contract covered Dye hit 103 HRs and drove in 284. The Sox then signed him to an extention that could make Dye a South Sider for a total of six years. I honestly wasn't that thrilled with the signing at the time... I was wrong... sorry Kenny.

12/12/04
Released RHP Dan Wright
Analysis: I've been in Danny's corner for a while now. I don't think Jerry Manuel played him right and I would've liked to see him play under Ozzie more (only 17 2/3 innings pitched last year). Don't forget, he did post 14 wins in '02. He has accumulated more MLB service time, so maybe his price tag has gone up too much.
In the long term:  He hasn't played in the majors since '04 and the minors (for Seattle at Triple-A) since '06.

12/13/04 - Big Trade!
Sox get: OF Scott Podsednik, RHP Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named (1B Travis Hinton)
Milwaukee gets: OF Carlos Lee
Analysis: I know it's a three-for-one, but I still don't like this at all. The Sox lost one of their top hitters this off season in Mags, replacing him with a player who is an injury risk, this isn't the time to get rid of another one of their big hitters. This being said, Podsednik is the prototype of my favorite player, Lance Johnson. I love seeing guys who are significant base stealing threats on the bases - it really opens up a lot of possibilities. On the business end, Podsednik is signed through '06 and will earn $2.45 million in that time while Lee will earn $8.5 if he only plays '05, but will earn $16.5 with the Sox through '06 if they pick up his option. Signing Lee to an extension won't come cheap. My guess is that Lee is being moved to help the team keep this solid group of pitchers together. Vizcaino seems like a solid reliever. He had a good '04 and a great '02 with a pretty bad '03 in between. He eats up a lot of innings though and will likely be a regular member of the bullpen. Hinton, by the way, is in high A-ball.
In the long term:  First, the burning issue - Travis Hinton hasn't played anywhere since '05. We got ripped off. Seriously though, we couldn't have won the series in '05 had it not been for Scotty Pods. Wow, what a tremendous find! He was solid in the outfield, batted .290 stole 59 bases and ended up with exactly an OPS of .700. With the Ozzie Ball-style "just enough" offense, how often did Pods provide the one extra run that was needed to win? His production tapered off pretty quick after '05, but after 2 1/2 seasons (after injury) Pods stole 111 bases and picked up 336 hits. None were more important than the game winning home run he hit at home in the World Series. For the record, in the '05 post season he batted .286 with an OPS of .948, including two HRs (which is two more than he hit during the regular season). After '07 he was Released. Now, for Carlos Lee, he played great for the Brewers in '05, helping them go from 6th place in the NL Central in '04 to 3rd place in '05. Mid-way through '06 he and Nelson Cruz were traded to Texas for Laynce Nix, Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero and minor leaguer Julian Cordero. Had Mench continued his power hitting ways it would be very hard for me to pick a winner in this trade. In the 'end' Milwaukee did end up with a great closer in Cordero, but the Brewers still haven't made the playoffs by 2007 and the Sox did win the World Series. I almost forgot about Vizcaino! Vizcaino ended up being the most used reliever for the Sox in '05, posting an ERA in the 3s. He was later part of the deal that brought Javier Vazquez to the Sox. The trade isn't as close as I though. KW and the Sox got the better of this one.

12/17/04
Claimed RHP Bobby Jenks off waivers from the Angels
In the long term:  Who knew how big this one was gonna end up. Good eye scouts!

12/21/04
Agreed to terms with C Ben Davis on a one-year, $1 million contract and signed LHP Ryan Meaux and RHP Eduardo Villacis to minor league contracts.
Analysis: Davis didn't exactly tear it up last season, but when he hit, he did it for power (slugging .400 despite a .231 BA). Between he, Chris Widger and Jamie Burke we've got three backup catchers. Something more will happen this winter. Meaux is returning. He was in double-A last year. Villacis was with the Royals organization in high A ball last year.
In the long term:  Davis spent all of '05 in the minors, but it was good having a solid veteran a phone call away if needed. Villacis made it up to Triple-A before calling it quits after '05. Meaux's value was in being traded for Geoff Blum, World Series hero, later this year.

12/22/04
Agreed to terms with Orlando Hernandez on a two-year $8 million contract.
Analysis: Wow - El Duque pitching on the South Side. Naturally, there's always the age question when it comes to this guy, but a two-year deal for this price seems reasonable. If he does what he's capable of, he'll be worth double what he's getting. He got bashed a bunch in New York for being a flop (even though he was signed to a four year deal for just $6.6 million - cry about it New York), but he posted a 61-40 record, plus he has thrown over 100 post-season innings with a 9-3 record. His ERA was not stellar though. He'll get $3.5 million in '05 and $4.5 million in '06. He can earn incentive/bonuses fir both years.
In the long term:  Another good signing that paid off which Kenny didn't have to break the bank for. El Duque started out hot, but then cooled, ending with a 9-9 record, 5.12 ERA. In the playoffs he, in relief, got the Sox out of the toughest jam they were in all post season - bases loaded, no one out. He stopped 'em dead. After that he was part of the package that brought Javier Vasquez to town.

Confucius say click an ad and the Sox will win in '08. Thanks!

2005

1/6/05
Signed C A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year $2.25 million contract
Analysis: I haven't been crazy about all the signings, but this one seems smart. Pierzynski's gotten a rap as a bad teammate that severely limited the number of teams who were interested in him. Let's look at it though; there was all sorts of bickering in that Giants clubhouse. The guy likely won't be an All-Star again as he was in '02 but he hits better than your average catcher and is a gamer - about 130 games and 500 plate appearances for the last few years. Factor in that this year he's got a lot to prove.
In the long term:  As with Pods, the World Series would'nt have been won without AJ. Some of the most controversial this offseason stemmed from AJ's aggressive nature and they ended up in the Sox favor. He also laid out Michael Barrett during the crosstown classic in '06. He definitely found a home with Chicago that started with this signing. He's currently signed for five years (to 2010).

1/14/05
Agreed to terms with OF Aaron Rowand on a two-year $8.5 million contract with mutual options for 2007; Outrighted C Jamie Burke to Triple-A Charlotte.
Analysis: If Rowand activates his option it's worth $3.25 million while if the Sox do so it'll cost $5 million. In my opinion he's easily worth $5 million already. The rest of his contract pays him $2 million in '05 and $3.25 million in '06.
In the long term:  Rowand was a bargain, continuing to grow into THE fan favorite the likes of which haven't been seen since Harold Baines. His very difficult trade (still under this contract) resulted in bringing Jim Thome to the South Side. The next time Jamie Burke played in the majors it was '07 with the Mariners. He hit .301 in limited action.

1/18/05
Agreed to terms with RHP Luis Vizcaino on a one-year contract.
Analysis & In the long term:  To see this info, check out the 12/13/05 entry.

1/19/05
Agreed to terms with C Raul Casanova, C Chris Widger, INF Pablo Ozuna, INF Jorge Toca and OF Tony Alvarez on minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training.

1/27/05
White Sox sign Tadahito Iguchi to a two-year $4.7 million contract with a $3.25 million club option for 2007.
Analysis: Here is the signing of the off season and I base that on absolutely nothing. Well, I mean that in that I had no idea if he's any good, but KW was able to snag him after it seemed all hope was lost and for almost nothing (Iguchi was hoping for about four times as much money). He'll make $2.3 million in '05 and $2.4 million in '06. There is a $250,000 buyout for the '07 season. His signing all but ends any chance of Willie Harris growing into a starting role. I'm probably just in denial, but I still have faith in Harris.
In the long term:  Turned out to be yet another wonderful addition at a steal. I'm tellin' ya, for people that don't like KW now, it's only because he set the bar so high during this off season. Iguchi was famously frequently called Ozzie's MVP of the '05 season.

2/13/05 - Trade!
Sox get: minor league OF Jerry Owens
Washington gets: OF Alex Escobar
Analysis: Considering I completely forgot that Escobar was part of the organization, picked up off of waivers last August, can't say I'll be missing him. The bench is looking pretty solid at this point anyway. Owens was only in single A last year, so I'm not expecting to see him soon or ever, really. Escobar didn't have a place on the team, so better to get something rather than waste him in Triple-A.
In the long term:  The first time Escobar played in the majors since this trade was '06 when he was in 33 games for the Nationals. He spent all of '05 and '07 in the minors. Owens, on the other hand came up faster than expected. Over the same stretch Owens appeared in 105 major league games, picking up 33 steals in 41 attempts. He has also posted a fielding percentage of 991. Easy pick here - Sox got the better of this trade.

2/28/05
Agreed to terms with Pitchers Jon Adkins, Jeff Bajenaru, Neal Cotts, Felix Diaz, Kris Honel, Bobby Jenks, Arnie Munoz, Paulino Reynoso, Matt Smith, Sean Tracey, INFs Joe Crede, Ross Gload, Willie Harris, Pedro Lopez, Casey Rogowski, Wilson Valdez and OF Joe Borchard on one-year contracts.

4/21/05
Signed RHP John Stephens to a Minor League contract and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte.
Analysis: You can never have too much pitching, right? Stephens appeared in a handful of games with the O's in '02. If anything he may be a late season call-up.
In the long term:  Somehow Stephens ended up playing for both Boston and Baltimore's Triple-A teams this year in addition to Charlotte. Anyone know this story? My guess is he was released by the Sox. After being at the triple-A level since '02 Stephens retired after the '06 season.

Opening Day Lineup
LF	Scott Podesdnik
2B	Tadahito Iguchi
DH	Carl Everett
1B	Paul Konerko
RF	Jermine Dye
CF	Aaron Rowand
C	AJ Pierzynski
3B	Joe Crede
SS	Juan Uribe
P	Mark Buehrle
Bold = Not in last year's opening day starting lineup Opening day payroll: $75,178,000 ($9,965,500 more than last season), this works out to $759,373 spent per win

4/23/05
Signed INF Greg Norton to a Minor League contract (how much?) and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte.
Analysis: The fan favorite comes home after playing in Colorado and Detroit. He's the same player we remember, hitting around .250, but grinding it out everyday.
In the long term:  He never got called up and became a free agent after '05.

5/10/05
Signed INF Ricky Gutierrez to a Minor League contract and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte.
Analysis: Yep, that Ricky Gutierrez, with 1,100+ MLB games played and another 10 in the post season. This is what you'd call a cheap insurance policy.
In the long term:  He didn't make it back to the majors, retiring after spending '06 in the minors.

6/30/05
Claimed LHP Ryan Wing off waivers from the Texas Rangers and optioned him to Class-A Winston-Salem.
In the long term:  As of '07 he was still in the White Sox farm system.

7/31/05 - trade!
Sox get: INF Geoff Blum
San Diego gets: LHP Ryan Meaux
Analysis: When I heard the Sox made a move I became instantly nervous. There had been a lot of talk, as there always is around the trade deadline, of major moves. The Sox were winning and it seemed like KW made a move for the sake of making a move. A little note: Meaux first came over in the trade that sent Kenny Lofton to San Francisco.
In the long term:  There's not much to say. Ryan Meaux could become the next Johan Santana and it won't matter because Blum ended the marathon World Series with an amazing and very unlikely home run. Even if we had lost that game, would the Sox still have won the series? Absolutely. However, Geoff Blum is now part of the legend and lore of the champs. For good measure, here's what Meaux has been up to so far: He hasn't (as of opening day '08) appeared at the major league level. However he is still active in AAA ball. In 2007 (this is actually true) he played in the minors for the Oakland A's (at double and triple-A), the St. Louis Cardinals (at double and triple-A), and the San Francisco Giants (at the AAA level). After '05 Meaux ended up being released. Blum basically ended up being a giveaway for whatever reason. Sox are the victors in this trade.

FUN NOTE: (from baseball-reference.com) The Ex-Cub factor played perfectly in the 2005 postseason, as each team with more former Cubs managed to lose every postseason series. The White Sox were not impeded by a single player who had formerly donned a Cub uniform.

8/1/05
Requested waivers on RHP Shingo Takatsu for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.
Analysis: This one was a little sad, but more unfortunate than anything. Shingo, just a year before became the closer and picked up 19 saves and a 6-4 record while posting a 2.31 ERA. He also finished second behind Bobby Crosby in Rookie of the Year balloting (special mention: Ross Gload actually finished 7th in voting, not far behind Alexis Rios). You'd think we could at least get a double-A position player for him. After all, in about a season and a half Shingo posted a 7-6 record and recorded 27 saves in 29 opportunities.
In the long term:  The Mets picked him up about two weeks later. He appeared in nine games posting a 2.35 ERA and 1-0 record, striking out 6 in 7 2/3 innings, but he was 0 for 2 in save attempts. Surprisingly he did not sign on with a National League team in '06 and, indeed never played in the majors again.