Molto

you mean reds baggs. Dempster has lost some of his value too. we can probably get him for a harris and ML pitcher. I doubt it though.

I don't know if he would've told them jas. either way, it doesn't make a difference. if you are dumb enough to make a trade and not make sure the player is healthy, you are the idiot. kinda like KW was the idiot in the barry/berry deal. he could've probably reworked that deal with Evans, but he f***ed up so he deserved which ever one they got.

have you noticed how great mark johnson as become? Beane gets him and he is dubbed this great backup catcher. hell, a year ago ESPN couldn't even produce the right picture of Johnson on his own profile page, now he's this great backup catcher. hell, I wish Beane would sign me, I'm sure I can an easy cy young a canididate then. the trade was Foulke for Koch. Mark Johnson was dealt for Niel Cotte (or whoever it will be) so that is what I meant by baseball prospectus and other articles. there was actually one who ripped the deal and noted the two minor leaguers we are getting are nobody's? how can two guys that have not be identified automatically be considered nobody's? people are labeling the two minor leaugers are PTBNL. when we deal Valentine, everyone cries like babies that we traded a prospect, but when we acquire two minor league guys, everyone covers their eyes and ears and just focus on the main guy we got and the guys we gave up. I don't consider Koch better than Foulke, Rivera or Hoffman, but I think Koch is on the verge of being an elite closer in teh league. as opposed to Foulke who is too concerned with starting and will be a FA after next year. I'm simply saying Koch and Foulke are similar but Koch has more upside, you are saying that Foulke is great and Koch is average. please be reasonable in your analysis. Koch is a lot better than you think and is similar to Foulke. when I say it won't help us in the immediate future, it doesn't mean we have gotten worse for now (actually I think we may have improved slightly) it means that we have a SET closer for a few years. and as jason said, KW is looking to sign him, which will end up being for 6 mil a year or so. I don't think anyone should hate nor love this trade, so I don't just have a problem with the critics. Koch and Foulke was an even trade. the other two minor leaguers is what will determine the deal. let's wait for them. no need in comparing Foulke and Koch because some people like Koch and others like Foulke (excluding the numbers).

if I wasn't such a lazy ass I would drive the two blocks and take a closer look lol I see the park everyday, but I never pay much attention to the development. all I know is that the upper deck canapy is gonna be lowered shortly and thye already set up the white panels, which look like tarp.

you mean better as in a starting pitcher? position player?

I haven't taken notice to the left field ramp. gonna check tomorrow.

let me say this. the people who thinks this trade sucks, or who thinks this trade is great really aren't looking at this at all. Look at Koch and look at Foulke Three things enter the picture: how the guy has pitched in his career, where will he be in a few years, and money/contract status. Foulke has put up better numbers. Koch may have been the better close last year, but Foulke has been considered the best reliever outside of Rivera for a few years now. HOWEVER, if you look at the two, Koch is clearly the more talented of the two. he has more pitches and once he learns how to control his fastball, which will come with time, he will be an elite closer. I could see him being like a Percival. Foulke, despite being good, I don't think has the ability Koch has and doesn't even want to start. Finally, contract. salary is identical considering the Sox gave cash in it, BUT Koch will be here for 3 years, while Foulke will be gone after this coming year. I don't think this trade has made us better in the immediate future, but Koch is someone who will only get better and will become a top closer in teh game. once again, it depends on the minor leaguers. it looks to be two solid ones, which will then make this trade even. you guys are comparing this trade based on what baseballprospectus says? c'mon. everyone is baseball is soo fond of Beane that every trade will work out for him. this trade wasn't a steal for either side. plus, you guys are comparing Foulke and Koch by the numbers. look at ability and Koch wins pretty easily. this has nothing to do with Foulke not getting saves by the way. Foulke is gonna put up big numbers next year, there is no doubt about that.

if you guys look at that first pic you will see those white sheets right underneath the upperdeck canapy. those sheets were installed a week or two ago, so apparently the black canapy up top will be installed. that and the painted black steal in the outfield. I know they will be adding an entrance in left field. will it look like that? I don't know. the walkway down the first baseline and the added deck in right won't happen I'm assuming, but good ideas nontheless.

Vining is on another team. not sure which one, but he isn't on the sox. at least from what i heard.

that park looks great though, and if they were to do it, and fans still don't show up, that would be sad.

is that legit? because those white flaps on the outside part of the upper deck were put up a week or two ago. if those are legit, the park looks AWESOME.

ummm.....what? how can you guys say KW overpaid in a trade that isn't even done yet? we still don't know who the two guys are, so how can we say we gave too much again?

I'm confused. I thought everyone would hate this trade. either way I like Koch and think he has a good upside over Foulke, but I still want to know who the other two minor leaguers are. that is the key. whether they are good or bad though, the point is this trade is over with, we have Billy Koch as our closer, and now have to direct our attention to four other scenarios. #1. Frank Thomas #2. Mark Buehrle #3. a starting pitcher #4. a third catcher for ST

we should sign a veteran lefty like Krueter now. someone who can battle with Paul for the backup stop. we can't go into ST with two catcher

LOL, I just noticed your signature. as far as that deal, good one for Cubs. Hundley is a bust out and the Dodgers are dumb. you not only see how bad Hundley, but the fact that he's making 6 mil a year and is the third catcher on the Cubs. good move by the cubs though, IF IT HAPPENS. I think the cubs are trying to win, but their offense are bullpen are still people away. they need a closer and 2 more hitters. right now, they'll compete for the division.

lol, yeah. I knew that was coming.

lol one of the few people who call on the radio who know what they're talking about.

cool, I'm listening

okay, I heard two guys. one was for it, the other against it. which one was you?

I can't see why people wouldn't believe them in the first place. they have been big sox fans and known around the board world for years now, any rumor they say should have some merit to it.

well, let us look at this way. we gave up three guys, and got three guys. so compare Keith Foulke VS. Billy Koch Both have put up similiar numbers. Only difference is Koch not only wants to be a closer, but is more of a typical closer. He will also be here for 2-3 more years as opposed to Foulke who would've been gone to venture onto his starting career. Foulke is good, but we are getting a closer. before this, we weren't sure on who it was. Mark Johnson VS ????? Joe Valentine VS ????? Now obviously Valentine is a top prospect and we more than likely aren't getting anyone who will be similiar or better. But the key hopefully is to get two solid guys, where one is clearly better than MJ. because then we would've traded a top prospect closer and a weak hitting backup catcher for two minor leaguers are worse than Valentine, but better than Johnson. that make sense? cause what i'm trying to say is we didn't win nor lose on this deal. I can't compliment KW on this though, because we didn't solve any big problem. it'll be interesting what will happen next, because we won't go into ST with two catchers.

you know what is weird. the reaction the rumor and actually trade have gotten different reactions from both teams. The A's fans for the most part seem to not like the trade, and so do we. it all depends on those two minor leaguers. HOPEFULLY they are AA and above, relitively young, and perferebly position players. if we got an outfielder and shortstop in the deal, even if they are just midlevel prospects, I could feel better about this.

I do agree, but it depends on those two minor leaguers. but if they aren't special, and you throw in the fact taht we paid cash, we may ahve gotten ripped.

http://www.soxnet.net/snreport/373-12.3.html

as far as Osuna. if we are out of the playoff hunt, there is no doubt he will be traded, but pending how he plays is what we will get. people refer back to that Durham trade, which was terrible, but we got some decent guys in the Howry, Lofton, and Alomar deals. I'm sure we can get something decent for Osuna if he performs.