Sox Fest, Abreu, and Other Thoughts of ’09

I attended Sox Fest on Saturday with a season ticket holder friend of mine.  We had a great time attending seminars, meeting some players past and present, and talking with fellow fans about the chances for the Chicago White Sox on the upcoming 2009 season.  I was happy to shake Jerry Reinsdorf’s hand, and meet Harold Baines, Bill Melton, Steve Stone, and Ken Harrelson. 

The garage sale was cool too.  When I saw some of the broken bats going for $300, it made me smile at the thought of something worth $30 new can be later worth $300 used and broken.  I enjoyed the seminar with 12-year old Ethan Ellis emerging as a GM-in-training with his intelligent, thoughful responses and input.  I thought it was really cool when Kenny invited him up to the table with him, and later invited him and Ethan’s dad up to Kenny’s office.  As a kid, I would have loved that opportunity.  Heck, at my age I would love the opportunity.  I also enjoyed the ‘Game Face’ seminar with Steve Stone, Carlos Quentin, Jeff Cox, and Gavin Floyd.  Stone’s comments on what made him successful during his best years pitching were striking.  He spoke of the need for routine and repetition on what works, analysis on what does not work, and striving to repeat good habits while eliminating bad ones.  In a way it was common sense on the surface, but Stoney has a way with words that for me are inspiring in my everyday life, as my baseball playing days are long behind me.  That is what’s great about Stone’s advice.  It applies to most anything else in life, not just baseball. 

As for the new rumors on a trade for Abreu with the counter move of trading Dye, I have to scratch my head.  The Sox would save a few bucks, but for me, it is essentially a parallel move.  I don’t entirely understand.  Dye is plenty good offensively.  I like him better offensively than Abreu, and his defense is serviceable.  If the Sox want to get Abreu, move Quentin to center and put Dye in left, I could see that, but getting Abreu while moving Dye makes little sense to me.  If the Sox offered Abreu only one year at 8 mil, it’s doubtful he will come here anyways.  I don’t think that’s quite enough coin for Abreu to move out of the Bronx.  I understand he was looking for a longer-term deal, and the Sox are at their limit budget-wise, and are not going any higher as far as I can tell.  I like Dye, and see him as our DH next year.  And while he is our most tradeable commodity, I don’t like the idea of moving him for prospects.