LDF

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jul 16, 2014 -> 12:56 AM) A person with knowledge of the situation told Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle that Brady Aiken has a "cut-and-dry" issue with his left ulnar collateral ligament. It sounds like Aiken might have an abnormally small UCL, and even though it's not damaged, the Astros are contending that it makes him more at risk going forward. "He may have some (of the UCL), but not much, " Drellich's source said. Aiken's advisor, Casey Close, is claiming that Aiken is perfectly healthy and worth every penny of the previously agreed to $6.5 million bonus. The Astros are willing to offer the lefty $3.16884 million. The two sides have until Friday afternoon to work things out. Source: Houston Chronicle that is little more than the amount jeff Hoffman pit - tor sign for.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 09:36 PM) At least one writer thought he could get $20 million on the open market in a place without caps or restrictions. I have a question, I asked it before in another thread and I am going to ask it again. maybe this time I phrase it better. a drafted prospect, does not sign nor goes back to school. he signs for 1 yr with an independent team (a- would Japan, mex or the DR be consider indy) he the prospect becomes a free agent. (b-without re-entry into the draft)

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 09:16 PM) What should be the general order of positions of players that Sox should target at the break? SP? C? SS? LF? 3B? RP? I think you want a simple anw but it is not that simple. I think -re- sp we need in the offseason a free agent -ss I am ok, maybe start looking for a replacement prospect of 4 yrs younger -3b same as ss -I think either a cat or an outfielder.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) Someone told me we had Wade Boggs in Conor Gillaspie so it might be worth waiting it out...right. Towards the OP's question, I just don't think Gillaspie is the type of player GM's are willing to overpay for. He has a value and will surely (in my opinion) be a MLB baseball player for years to come, but his skill set is not sexy and his defense is just passable at 3B. The one thing that sticks out to me with Gillaspie are his splits, he hits .294/.356/.457/.813 against RHP in his career. That is nothing to scoff at and obviously he sucks against LHP but looking at the team moving forward, if we start Johnson and Gillaspie at 2B/3B next year and have Marcus Semien right behind both of them we could be cooking with that platoon situation. The question is whether the offense would offset the below average defense. Not to get to far off topic, discussing any of the Sox infielders/prospects just brings light to the multitude of options and scenarios Hahn has going into the offseason; Davidson/Gilaspie at 3B, Ramirez/Sanchez at SS, and Semien/Johnson at 2B. If he's truly trying to compete in 2015, which he says he is, I feel that Ramirez is a necessity considering what would be trotted out at 2B/3B. BRAVO ....... what a great reply.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:45 PM) Don't go betting on this one greg. I agree, esp with Hahn at the helm, that is unless JR say different.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:48 PM) That is exactly why they are talking about a "significant anomaly" uh???? I am trying to look up the meaning and I can't find it. help? oh now I got it.................... sorry. and thank.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:42 PM) Ahh, so then it's the "injury situation" which needs to be defined more clearly. 2 hrs ago http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/15/casey-clo...t-signing-rules

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:40 PM) Only in an injury situation. Otherwise it is 90% of slot has to be offered to insure a comp pick if the player does not sign. so can that be a reason Houston is stating that it is an injury?

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:35 PM) The players association should be pushing for at least this to go to an independent arbiter. This is crazy there is no real process for this player right now. Also, flameon, but, does anyone think this would happen to a Boras client? good point, however I believe it can happen to anyone. Scott B and his rep, he would prob say sign him for this money or screw you. in this situation, as I said I feel for the player. are there an arb procedure covering this kind of problem?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) The articles are referring to Close as an "Advisor" and not an agent. it is in this situation that everyone can see flaws in the system. however on the flip side, what if the player is really hurt and trying to fool the baseball clubs...... it is a damn if you do and damn if you don't. who to believe?

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 05:39 PM) The question is whether someone will pay a price that reflects that his production this year is his norm and will continue. I don't think they will. And if they don't, keep him. He looks like he can hit and that's more valuable. We have higher trading priorities anyway- like the SS. I think the idea of trading him may be 1 season too early. let him continue to build on his success.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:16 PM) No 2014 draft picks. my bad, I misread the post before. sorry

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:16 PM) Well I think the point of Close sending him to these different doctors is to try and prove to the Astros that he is healthy. So I imagine they are getting whatever access to him that they want. I'm pretty certain they have all seen MRIs at the very least. here is an interesting question, what happen if the dr are split, who is going to make Houston pay? they make an offer and it is up to the drafted player to accept or not. \ in this case I feel for the player.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:17 PM) Well, I am obviously reading just like you are, but from what I have read, they are saying there is nothing wrong with this kid. there are many times dr don't always have it right. that is why there are second opinions involve.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:14 PM) I kinda get why you'd say that part, but almost by definition when there is a draft, that is the case. The draft takes away the power of guys to make their own decisions by definition. I agree with you, this bring to light a very unusual problem no one may have thought about. I can see Houston allowing this kid to go back to school.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 04:37 PM) Sox should have atleast 1 or 2 on this list at the worst case, the sox should at least have Rodon on it.....

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 06:04 PM) Do all of the doctors have the same information (MRI results, etc.) or are some going on different levels of investigation? pt has, IIRC, noted that with many full tears you can tell just by a physical examination and touching, whereas an MRI could show things that could someday lead to full tears that couldn't be as easily found without the high-res scan. but where is the appeal factor. at this point the power is with the baseball club.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 04:17 PM) http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/07/cuba...medium=facebook Despaigne to play in Japan when mlb caught Despaigne using a false passport or birth certificate to play in mex, I was wondering what the rules would be about him playing in the us. I figure he would go the route of Yulieski Gourriel (30), and Frederich Cepeda (34). I believe they are not too old for a mlb contract. so I ask for the ruling from this board, I figure there are many who would know the rules better than I. it still would be nice to get them, I can see them not wanting to give up there citizenship. http://www.baseballamerica.com/internation...redo-despaigne/ http://www.baseballamerica.com/internation...-play-in-japan/

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 05:04 PM) The piece that is missing is whether what they are seeing is valid or not, and whether that concern will manifest itself down the road or not. That's really it. and that is the main point or weakness in this discussion. there are no stipulation to ensure no-one is trying to create a discrepancy to avoid a problem.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 04:06 PM) Interesting how this is working out. Sounds like Aiken's camp is now openly talking to the media, which is interesting. Tough to say without info or medical training whether HOU is BS'ing. Is there any means by which Aiken's camp can contest the idea that the physical is failed? the brings up an interesting situation, what happen if a team make all sorts of wild accusations, can the player being drafted have any recourse except not to sign with the said team.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 03:57 PM) I think Snell is the interesting player regarding McDermott. Say McDermott is competent and not godawful and people want to see him play*****. He looks to be only behind MDJ on the depth at 3. But that assume Jimmy playing guard. If Snell is truly better at 3pt, ballhandling, and D, Thibs may try to take advantage of Jimmy at the 3 more often. If Snell sucks, we have horrible guard depth, for one, but for two, we still have likely game-finish lineups of rose-hinrich-butler-taj-noah (yuck). So McDermott will likely be a 2nd unit-second quarter player for quite a while unless he pushes himself out there. ******for J4L here is a question to those who are more knowledgeable than I with re to snell. is he really a prospect to play or is the bulls stuck with him b/c he was a 1 rounder? I am trying to read up on sports site and I can't get a good feel for his potential.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 03:52 PM) Would Aiken be allowed to sit out next season and then become a free agent? what was the salary of the other pitcher offered .... jeff Hoffman (sp). is the offer relatively the the same? no matter all my misgivings of Rodon, man the sox lucked out.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 02:26 PM) You are being absolutely ridiculous. His point had absolutely nothing to do with race and you know it. His entire point was that if Rodon had been an amateur free agent, he would have been paid more than the bonus the Sox gave him. Whether he be Cuban, Puerto Rican, Japanese, whatever. I'm sure the Cuban example was used because of the influx of Cuban players the past few seasons. Stop embarassing yourself by trying to start a race issue that does not exist. i am being absolutely ridiculous, try getting your facts right. I was talking about salary cap with ref to signing bonus. this post was about Rodon signing and his agent asking for what they were asking for. this has nothing to do with race ...... or free agents, which if it was there is another thread about it. I posted b/c I was admitting I was wrong. that was all. look at the timeline, it was he who was introducing the race comment. again race has nothing to do what so ever in a draft and slot allotted signing bonus. free agent is not in the initial discussion. second if you are going to make assine statement that clearly is spelled out, you are guilty of either not reading or is misreading and attacking. Balta thanks fro trying to disfuse the situation by taking the blame. peace

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jul 15, 2014 -> 07:06 AM) Actually you did enter race into the conversation. I was simply referencing one of the top debates in contemporary baseball, a debate with deep boras ties. I meant Cuban national obviously. Sorry to get your itchy trigger finger itchin. how, when and where, during this course of conversation did I bring up race. again, I was talking about the draft and money allotted salary, how does race plays into it???

1 thing I learned watching the blackhawks and how management, esp the gm both tallan and bowman, have staggered their prospects esp true in the parent club where they don't have all their eggs in the same age bracket. now working with a clean slate I wonder if the sox will try the same thing. if you look at it, they have the beginning of the staggered needing more in the 22-24 range. the sox pitching staff is looking great esp with Rodon signing. the sox have good replacement in the middle infielders except, imho, ss. the sox have a potential for a good outfield esp when avi comes back. the sox need help in catching and relief. I am ready excited with how the team is starting to look like next yr. with this yr trade season coming or next yr off season trades..... who knows.