"The White Sox are seeking a few smart moves that will lighten their payroll, perhaps allowing them to afford Sabathia."

Quentin back to hitting

By Mark Gonzales

White Sox slugger Carlos Quentin said he resumed taking batting practice last week and has felt no effects from the right wrist fracture that ended his season on Sept. 2.

Quentin's off-season plans include getting married in two weeks in Palo Alto, Calif.

In his attempt to field a younger and quicker team for the future, White Sox general manager Ken Williams and high-level staff members currently are evaluating talent at the Arizona Fall League.

Williams' standard method is acquiring at least two prospects for any front-line major-league player, such as John Danks and Nick Masset in the Brandon McCarthy trade, and Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez for Freddy Garcia two years ago.

That procedure apparently remains in effect, as Williams is scrutinizing prospects for deals that include right fielder Jermaine Dye, according to two National League scouts. ...

... Regarding Javier Vazquez, one scout doubted any talks involving him and the New York Mets would crystallize until the Mets resolve their closer issues. ...

... SI.com reported Williams was listening to offers for closer Bobby Jenks as well as Dye and Vazquez.

Lots of Homers, not Enough Fear

In 1961 Roger Maris hit 61 homeruns without being intentionally walked. Since then only 1 player has hit more homeruns with being intentionally walked than Carlos Quentin did in 2008. Here are the leaders since 1961.

1 Roger Maris 61 0 1961 26 NYY AL 161 698 590 132 159 16 4 142 94 67 7 0 7 16 0 0 .269 .372 .620 .992 *98
2 Alex Rodriguez 42 0 1998 22 SEA AL 161 748 686 123 213 35 5 124 45 121 10 3 4 12 46 13 .310 .360 .560 .920 *6/D
3 Carlos Quentin 36 0 2008 25 CHW AL 130 569 480 96 138 26 1 100 66 80 20 0 3 16 7 3 .288 .394 .571 .965 *7
4 Andruw Jones 36 0 2000 23 ATL NL 161 729 656 122 199 36 6 104 59 100 9 0 5 12 21 6 .303 .366 .541 .907 *8
5 Geronimo Berroa 36 0 1996 31 OAK AL 153 643 586 101 170 32 1 106 47 122 4 0 6 16 0 3 .290 .344 .532 .876 *D97
6 Tony Armas 36 0 1983 29 BOS AL 145 613 574 77 125 23 2 107 29 131 2 0 8 31 0 1 .218 .254 .453 .707 *8D
7 Eric Karros 34 0 1999 31 LAD NL 153 639 578 74 176 40 0 112 53 119 2 0 6 18 8 5 .304 .362 .550 .912 *3
8 Vernon Wells 32 0 2006 27 TOR AL 154 677 611 91 185 40 5 106 54 90 3 0 9 13 17 4 .303 .357 .542 .899 *8/D
9 Ellis Burks 32 0 1997 32 COL NL 119 477 424 91 123 19 2 82 47 75 3 1 2 17 7 2 .290 .363 .571 .934 *8*7
10 Ron Gant 32 0 1990 25 ATL NL 152 631 575 107 174 34 3 84 50 86 1 1 4 8 33 16 .303 .357 .539 .896 *87/9

"The ever aggressive White Sox are said to be willing to accept trade offers on closer Bobby Jenks, which could spice up the market for relievers. But to acquire Jenks would "take quite a bit,'' said a source familiar with the White Sox's thinking."

The phrase "going young" in the world of Major League Baseball usually translates into "rebuilding" to fans following that particular team.

Judging by comments made by White Sox general manager Ken Williams to MLB.com on Thursday, White Sox supporters just might have to grow accustomed to that youthful approach in 2009. In the mind of the aggressive White Sox GM, though, this change doesn't mean giving up on the goal he sets every year for his team.

"There's nothing wrong with going young if you are good," Williams said. "If there's one thing that I hope doesn't get lost in translation, it's that we still expect to compete for a championship. We might be doing it to a younger degree, with a team that's more athletic and potentially more exciting."

Times are tough, friends, and our nation sits at a mighty crossroads. The economy is falling apart, partisanship has turned us against each other, and the future looks bleaker with each passing day. What this country needs is a leader. A uniter. A carrier and a motivator. A visionary.

What this country needs is Paul Konerko for president. We could speak incessantly about Paulie’s Plan for America, but instead let the man’s career speak for itself:

The Chicago White Sox have declined the club options for 2009 on the contracts of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and catcher Toby Hall. Griffey and Hall will be eligible for free agency.