SoxFan562004

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 11:38 PM) You don't have a 6 man rotation where 5 of the starters will likely all being making at least 7.5 million per season. There are still so many possibilities that KW can look at if they do acquire Vazquez without trading one of our main starters, but I would believe that when I see it. However, as of now, I would much rather see KW just sit back, relax, and be pleased with how this offseason went. KW may be willing to have all that money on the payroll because I know he's been as outspoken as he can be about his dislike for the World Baseball Classic. (It seems MLB has basically told the clubs not to complain about it publicly). He could be looking at a rotation that pitched a ton of innings last year, now he's going to have MB and FG pitching in the World Classic. He may just keep BMac in AAA and if any of these guys complain a little he will shut them down for awhile and have a backup plan.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 11:36 PM) Baj perhaps? If we can keep Garland from going to ARZ then I like the deal. However, what happens to BMac. You know KW loves to have a backup plan in case there is an injury. I can't see KW then moving Garland without getting a 6th SP option back. Is it possible that KW still keeps BMac down for one last year? Also, the possibilities of what Garland could bring if not included in the Vazquez deal, intrigues me. What could KW be looking for? I would imagine a veteran CF. Maybe someone with a year or two on his contract left to let BA or the others develop more. I just don't know who is out there.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 11:28 PM) That article mentions a reliever going their way. s***, we don't need to lose a reliever when we've already lost Marte and possibly Hermanson. I think it says minor league reliever Baj possibly? What veteran CF is out there in a trade possibility, because if they decide to move Garland if this article is true, I imagine it would be for a CF

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 12:29 PM) Jon had a career year because he drastically improved his control. Not only did he walk fewer batters, but he also didn't leave as many meatballs over the heart of the plate. IMO he also didn't let things rattle him as much as they use to. If something questionable happened behind him defensively he would totally lose it for an inning or two. This year he didn't do that. However, with his and Jose's contract status I could understand why KW would make this deal

I want nothing to do with Milton Bradley on the Sox. The guy is nothing but pure trouble, and I don't see any signs of it slowing down. The guy threw a bottle at a fan and has had the cops called numerous times to his house for domestic problems. Personally, for pure comedic value, I hope he goes to the Cubs, that guy with Dusty Baker as his manager may likely have a complete mental breakdown

OK, the Baltimore guy is on, he basically said he really thinks it's a possibility that Tejada could get traded, but right now they're still trying to work it out. He said that the O's will want a ton and be overwhelmed, he said something that said that the O's might only want young players and Jessie Rogers asked if only Rich Hill would be OK? and the guy was like, no, they need a young front of the line starer and he thought it would have to be Prior or Zambrano. He basically said the Manny deal would also have to include a young pitcher.

QUOTE(Frank the Tank 35 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 12:16 PM) I'd rather NOT see Tejada going to the Cubs. Tejada is no Nomar, he would put up scary, ridiculous stats batting between DLee and Aram. That said, the Cubs don't have the ML talent, at least that they'd be willing to trade, to get a deal done. I think a trade that makes a lot of sense would be for some team to make a 3-way with Arizona. Baltimore SHOULD want a great pitcher like Vazquez and could fill their hole at 1B with Glaus. They at least would get back the power numbers from the loss of Tejada. I just can't recall if Vazquez' no-trade clause includes Baltimore, but it would be a lot closer to his native land. Arizona doesn't have a lot of immediate needs for their ML roster, so some top prospects plus a good ML SP would be grounds for a trade. So what would that mean for the Cubs? The best ML pitcher they'd be willing to part with would be Jerome Williams, definitely not a great replacement for Vazquez. They'd have to include a couple of their best prospects to even it out like Pie or Hill + other(s). The D'backs saw a lot of Williams from his days as a Giant, so they'd probably be hesitant knowing of his up and down struggles. They'd probably have to flip Cedeno to the O's as well. It seems to me the Sox, if they wanted, could make an equally, if not better, offer if they decided they'd let Garland go a year early. Flip Uribe to the O's as well. Either way I think a package of Vazquez, Glaus, and Cedeno/Uribe would be a fair offer that O's would accept in the event that they have to move Tejada. Right, like I said in an earlier post, the O's have to compete with the Nats for ticket sales now, so a pure rebuilding/prospects trade won't work for them, they have to get a headline name back. However, Levine basically had Tejada as a Cub by monday morning... O's haven't even talked to Tejada, so there's a chance this goes away for awhile, WSCR is going to have a Baltimore writer on this afternoon, maybe he can shed some light on the situation.

QUOTE(MurcieOne @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 02:46 AM) Ramierz, Lee, Tejada... thats a scary 3-4-5... especially if Pierre can get on base for them. Rich Hill, Ronny Cedeno, Guzman, Pie, Walker these would have to be some of the names heading east if they wanted to talk turkey with the orioles. the National ESPN Radio is saying Red Sox/O's have talked about the obvious Manny for Tejada swap... I really think that if any team wants Tejada it would have to be ML names, and if they're going to have to go against the Red Sox I imagine the names would have to be Lee, Ramirez, Zambrano or Prior.

QUOTE(bulokis @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 10:31 AM) Is anybody else listening to baseball 365 on ESPN radio 1000. He is reporting that the Cubs has initial talk with the O's. Bruce is so giddy about the possibility and its so funny to listen to. are there any names mentioned? Never mind, I flipped it on a second ago and Levine said there are no names out there yet. I would think that about every team that realistically could afford Tejada has had those talks.

QUOTE(White Sox Josh @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 12:01 AM) how much do you want to bet that he comes out and says he was misquoted. Yeah, in the Trade Winds thread I posted that I think they're going to patch this up, at least until the trade deadline... imagine what he might be worth then

QUOTE(White Sox Josh @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:58 PM) no it doesn't. well that only jacks his value up a ton since he can't cherry pick teams and handcuff the O's. I don't know though, this will be interesting, but I wouldn't be shocked if they kind of kiss and make up for awhile then trade him at the deadline.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:50 PM) If they were getting back a Manny Ramirez...I bet they'd do it. Ditto Boston. Does Tejada have a no trade clause? Because he can really be a pain in the ass if he wants to stay on the east coast and void anything else

QUOTE(KWs OK for Me @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 09:10 PM) Not good? That's a pretty good hitting infield. Walker can handle the bat well, Mueller is a .300 hitter, Kent although getting old is still a great hitter with some pop left in him, and Furcal is a pretty good lead off guy with some pop and a lot of speed. The defense however is a little iffy. Furcal is great, only one with a better arm than Uribe at SS. Mueller handles 3rd well, but would only say hes average there. Kent is getting old and has limited range, along with Walker having no range. Than if JD Drew can learn to hit again, I don't know who their other two starting OFs will be? right, but hitting is 1/2 the game, the Sox infield, minus PK didn't but up spectacular hitting numbers, but they still won the World Series. The fielding won't be that great, it will be average overall.

Rotoworld does make a great point though... don't the O's now have Leo Mazonne (sp?) as their pitching coach? That guy is f***ing magical with pitchers.

There's now talk that the Milton Bradley to the Cubs deal would involve Todd Walker... so their infield would be Mueller, Furcal, Walker, Kent? eh, not horrible but not awesome (well, in that division it might get it done)

I bet KW inquires. These are the type of deals KW always tries to get in. However, this is just a first report, there's a chance that the O's brass will talk to him and he'll retract it, but it definitely is an interesting development in this crazy offseason.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 07:30 PM) The Orioles shouldn't, and better not, trade Tejada unless they absolutely rip off another team. Tell Tejada to shut up and play. They would have to get a lot, I agree. Don't forget, they now have the Nationals as regional competition, they are not the only game in town. They have to stay somewhat competitve to sell tickets. I don't see them being able to trade him for prospects only, they have to either get a phenom prospect or a top of the line player. LOL, as a side note, I was talking to my Cubs fan about something and brought this up just to hear what he would say, and he said Patterson and Wood should get it done. I laughed. I did post elsewhere that the Cubs will go hard after him, but it's going to cost a lot.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 07:07 PM) I really hope the Cubs don't try to get him. Well there's no doubt in my mind they'll try and get him, and the numbers left on his contract are about 3m a more a year than they offered Furcal. They can get him if they're willing to match whatever the O's might ask for him, however, I don't think the O's are going to try and rebuild, so it would have to be top level Cubs prospects or a major leaguer of an all-star calliber, I don't know if Hendry is willing to do that, but it wouldn't shock me if he ended up there.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 05:09 PM) Please......that would be great news if we OMIT TIMO! Would that mean Borchard would be a backup OF? I know Rob could do it, but he would also have to be a backup IF

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 04:46 PM) Very true, even though his wife claims she was yelling it. yeah, that's what I heard, but I still think if the other facts are correct, he did the right thing. You never know if the wife is in on a potential conspiracy or not. Also, it's being reported this guy was manic depressive and not on his meds, but again, I side with the marshall if all other facts are correct. I have an undergrad degree in psychology and I know in one of our classes our professor told us that many mental health professionals tell their manic depressive patients and their families that they shouldn't fly. The theory is that the stress of traveling can set off people, even if medicated, and it is such a dangerous thing to mess with that mistakes aren't tolerated, as they shouldn't be. (note to Balta, I don't want to make it sound like i think your opinion is they shouldn't have shot, I know you were just forwarding some facts along)

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 04:38 PM) How old would he be at the end of that deal? i'm pretty sure "officially" he would be 49 or 50, but really who knows... it's awesome to see him play though, with TBS I saw a good amount of Braves games, and the guy can still contribute

George Offman who was at the winter meetings and has a good relationship with Furcal's agent said that after the Dodgers came in with their offer to Furcal, his agents went back to the Cubs and sources say all cubs had to do was raise their offer by a "mere pittance". Supposedly Cubs offer was 5 years at 47.5. Interesting thing is this was squashed by those above Hendry and they refused to raise the offer (Speculation was it was McPhail (sp?). They are comparing it to the botched Maddux negotiations. Basically Hendry would have gotten both Furcal and Pierre and Furcal was their #1 target. This makes me believe the Cubs will never win while being owned by the Tribune Co. They make a ton of money off that team, the fans show up, and they can't pony up a little more money to sign their #1 free agent target.

Just announced on Dan Patrick

QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 11:23 PM) IMO they have the best young INF in the game with Weeks, Hardy, and Feilder, 3b well I guess they can work on that. They should try and aquire Marte from Atlanta, not like they are going to use him anytime soon. But I am sure ATL would ass rape them. You could possibly be on to something, according to reports ATL was ready to move Marte for Edgar via Tampa Bay and Lugo, but it was Tampa Bay that wanted more for Lugo, so ATL is willing to part with him, and actually that deal in some form may still be alive.

Soriano is one of those players I never liked very much. Obviously looking at his numbers I can completely understand why people would like him, but I just was never thrilled with him. This is pure speculation by me, but if it is a salary dump, maybe the Rangers think they actually have a shot to get Clemens to pitch for them for one year, I know Gammons on BBTN said that if he left the Astros he never thought he would pitch for anyone else, but now he thinks it's slightly possible he could pitch for Red Sox, Yankees or Rangers