White Sox to cut payroll next year? Or the year after next year?

From Cowley’s A.J. article:

The White Sox … organization is set to cut some payroll before adding to the roster for the 2011 run. There had been growing speculation that the Sox were looking to do next year’s product on the cheap and hope for the best, but according to one member of the organization, general manager Ken Williams might have a few tricks up his sleeve – and a few more bucks than first thought – going after a division title in ’11 before they feel like they may have to take a step back and go younger in 2012.

UPDATE: Padilla @ ESPN:

Despite reports that the White Sox won’t be in cost-cutting mode next season, it remains uncertain if there will be enough money to reach Pierzynski’s pockets.

B-R says the White Sox payroll for this year is $105.7M and they have committed $73.4M for next year (2011). Cot’s has it at $103.1M and $75.4M respectively.

‘Carlos being Carlos’ in 2011?

Carlos Quentin will try to have fun next year:

Yet, this young talent, who can be quite thoughtful and humorous with his comments, walks around with a semi-permanent scowl. He doesn’t seem to be enjoying a game where he has excelled, and that problem has become one Quentin said he will address in the offseason.

“I want to make sure, I need to do all I can to make sure my efforts on the field are in the right direction,” said Quentin, carefully choosing his words while addressing this topic on Tuesday. “When I say that, I mean in a sense of right direction as always positive, always directed toward enjoying this game.”

… “That’s basically what I have to say about that,” said Quentin, without going into specific detail of his plans. “I have to take steps to do that in the offseason, and I will.”

Take it easy Carlos, you’ll bite someone while telling them you want to have fun!

Joey Cora one of two finalists for the Seattle Mariners’ manager job?

Levine:

Doug (Chicago): Do you think everyone from Ozzie’s coaching staff will be back or will someone like Cora get a mgr’s job and Walker potentially resigning?

Bruce Levine: Walker I believe will be back. He and Ozzie occasionaly go back and forth with each other but they have a good understanding these days. Walker is also a close personal friend of Reinsdorf and they have an understanding with each other as well. Joey Cora has a real good shot at the job in Seattle. He interviewed there two years ago before Wakamatsu got the job. I’m hearing it’s between Joey and San Diego bench coach Ted Simmons.

A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko are still on track to be Type-A free-agents after this season

MLBTR crunches the numbers. Here’s the AL catchers section:

Name	Team	Type	Score
Joe Mauer	Minnesota	A	92.411
Victor Martinez	Boston	A	87.946
A.J. Pierzynski	Chicago A	A	80.804
Jorge Posada	New York A	A	77.679
Kurt Suzuki	Oakland	A	77.679
Matt Wieters	Baltimore	A	72.768
Mike Napoli	Los Angeles A	B	71.875

September 19 numbers:

Name	Team	Type	Score
Joe Mauer	Minnesota	A	92.857
Victor Martinez	Boston	A	87.054
A.J. Pierzynski	Chicago A	A	80.580
Jorge Posada	New York A	A	77.679
Kurt Suzuki	Oakland	A	77.232
Matt Wieters	Baltimore	A	74.777
Mike Napoli	Los Angeles A	B	72.321

Paul Konerko and Manny Ramirez are also on track to be Type-As. Konerko was on track to be a Type-B until the 8/27 update. J.J. Putz is on track to be a Type-B. Alexei Ramirez is on track to be a Type-A but he isn’t a free-agent after this season.

Spreadsheets at the link.