--164 days.

--Does anyone understand why THIS makes any kind of sense whatsoever? Regardless of the White Sox needing a DH and lefty power, why Thome? At this stage in his career, that is? For a guy who's tough as nails and costs nearly $10 million less? Oh, and not to mention that is a HUGE fan favorite? I honest to God just don't understand how the White Sox front office works sometimes.

You know, they'll come out and say, "Now that we won the World Series, we can go out and spend money on big-name players, so we can finally make the fans happy and bring in people they want to see." But the problem is, White Sox fans don't want you to get rid of their fan favorites just to bring in big-name guys. We want comfort. We want OUR superstars. Hell, they took us to the championship last year, so it's not as though we have to make drastic freakin' changes. We wanted you to trade the likes of Royce Clayton, Jose Valentin, etc., etc., and use their money to sign big-name guys like A-Rod years ago, just to name one. Don't get rid of the guys we like and are, by the way, pretty good value.

Plus, now where are we going to get the money to sign Konerko, unless the Phillies take on most of Thome's remaining contract? Or, is it just another attempt to make the fans feel better about the offseason, with the front office thinking there's no way we're getting Konerko? If so, that only PISSES ME OFF to no end...if they lose Konerko and try to pass off Thome as the "at least we got him" answer...ugh. The problem is that Rowand and Konerko are/were HUGE FAN FAVORITES, and Thome is not. The Sox don't seem to understand that fans would much rather they spent the money on Konerko and a mid-level DH/lefty and kept Rowand than brought in Thome.

Now, I'm not saying, mind you, that I won't root for Thome or anything silly like that. I just really don't get the Sox all that much. They really don't seem to understand their fans much--and that's aside from their customer service. They just seem to be out of touch with the fans much of the time...