southsideirish

Wow could the starter of this thread have been any further off? I love to see pessimism shot down.

My confidence grew a bit with him after watching him behind the plate tonight. He looked very sound behind the plate and seemed to call a good game. I was a little bit angered by his awful bunt attempt, but besides that I think he was alright. I think we can get by with he, Sandy, and Davis. If it is at all possible to get Schneider from Montreal then I would do that in a heartbeat. If not then I think we will be just fine. Any opinions on Burke tonight?

Im with you, I highly doubt we gave up too much.

This was brought up a long time ago. I believe the Angels caleld Kenny asking if he would be interested and he offered Jose. This was at the beginning of the season when Ortiz was pissed off at being demoted to the bullpen. There is no way we trade Jose for Ortiz at this point. The LA Times are reporting old news that is no longer even in the works anymore. INSANE!

f*** no!

How often did Miguel face left handed pitching? How many at bats. Some of these stats people spew out or worthless.

Shoe to take over Marte's spot? :puke I will keep Alomar/Burke/Davis thank you very much.

Then I would rather take my chances on Alomar/Burke/Davis. No need to create another huge hole in the bullpen. Pitching first.

Who is going to fill Marte's hole? No one! Alomar, Burke, or Davis will suffice. No need to give up Marte for a 28 year old catcher who is having his first decent year with only 4 home runs so far.

Why is that? What makes you think that? I highly doubt Marte is going anywhere. A dominant lefty reliever is just too valuable.

Most likely Rowand. They are interested in him big time. He is cheap too. Maybe Rauch. Fergosi scouted him for the Braves recently so that must mean something. I think either of those 2 plus Konerko should get Jones here. Maybe even Rowand and Rauch for Jones. I know you are high on Rowand and like him a lot, but if that is what it took to get Jones would you do it?

believe it will be something like Rowand/Rauch/Diaz/Davis for Jones/Ortiz/Estrada. The Braves get good young talented prospects while at the same time cutting payroll drastically. We get all star caliber talent add a bunch of payroll and it allows us to move Shoew or Garland into the bullpen. How about that team? Imagine that lineup 2B Harris/Uribe LF Carlos Lee RF Magglio DH Big Frank 1B Konerko SS Valentin CF Andruw Jones C Johnny Estrada 3B Joe Crede Rotation Garcia Buehrle Loaiza Ortiz Shoew/Garland Bullpen Shingo Marte Politte Garland/Shoew Adkins Cotts Jackson We could add a bullpen arm later maybe? Cut Jackson loose? A man can dream can't he?

I believe it will be something like Rowand/Rauch/Diaz/Davis for Jones/Ortiz/Estrada. The Braves get good young talented prospects while at the same time cutting payroll drastically. We get all star caliber talent add a bunch of payroll and it allows us to move Shoew or Garland into the bullpen. Imagine that lineup 2B Harris/Uribe LF Carlos Lee RF Magglio DH Big Frank 1B Konerko SS Valentin CF Andruw Jones C Johnny Estrada 3B Joe Crede DAMN!!!!! Rotation Garcia Buehrle Loaiza Ortiz Shoew/Garland Bullpen Shingo Marte Politte Garland/Shoew Adkins Cotts Jackson Nice damn team!

I agree with you. I doubt the Sox move Maggs. There is just no way to explain moving Maggs when you are "going for it." That really doesn't make sense. The only reason they move Estrada is if they are so desperate to move payroll. In this way they can get rid of 2 huge salaries in Ortiz and Jones. If they MUST include a 28 year old catcher who is having his first good year, well then so be it. If that is what it takes to move all that payroll and be able to get good young players in return such as Rauch/Diaz/Rowand/Davis then that is what they will do. If they don't want to decrease their payroll that badly then they won't include him and I don't think a deal will get done.

I thought that it was one of two things. The one you mentioned and mentioning the Sox going after Ortiz to make the Mariners pull the trigger on the Garcia deal a little faster.

But he is not so much a prospect and not so much a player that you would consider untouchable. Especially if you were able to dump a couple salaries like Ortiz's and Jones' and get a player back such as Maggs in return. If that is what it takes to do all that then I am sure the Braves would not mind doing it.

You are correct, 2 wins does not turn this into a Sox town. Two wins over the beloved Chicago Cubs and a trade for the best pitcher available creates a lot of excitement and changes it into a Sox town. Turn on the radio or read the paper. All you will hear and read are people wanting to talk Sox baseball. Everyone has lost their interest in the Cubbies. They are 5 out and the bandwagon jumpers see a winner in this town. They are jumping over to the Southside and they are jumping off the Cubbie ship. If you don't recognize this then I don't know what to tell you. It may not change it long term, but for right now, this town is a Sox town!

you consider 28 years old young for a catcher?

I couldn't agree more and I see a deal of Rowand/Rauch/Davis going to the Braves for Jones/Estrada and I don't see a bullpen guy with the Braves making much money at all besides John Smoltz and I know we are not getting him. The next highest paid guy is Alfonseca and he is just at about a mil and a half. Not much a dump there.

I don't think Olivo becomes this type of catcher at 30-32 years of age. I also highly doubt he becomes a 20 20 guy. Ivan Rodriguez was this type of catcher at age 19. That isn't really comparable. By the time a catcher is 30-32 he is pretty much done from all the damage to the knees. Ivan Rodrigues is an exception to that rule. I would definately not compare Miguel Olivo to him. I don't think Olivo would want you comparing him to Ivan Rodriguez. It is not a fair comparison. That said I love Olivo and wish we didn't have to give him up. If thats what it takes then that is what it takes. We can get another part time catcher. I am not worried about that at all.

What did you ay about Paulie for Jones?

I agree wtih everything you say here except that Estrada is not that young of a player. He is 28. I know it seems like he is younger, but he isn't. However, he is cheap and he is good. That Millwood trade doesn't look so lopsided anymore.

I agree with you Jim. Everything I have read has stated that they wanted a young cather in return. That is why the Yankees and Dodgers were in it until the end. Olivo was just better and more major league ready than those two team's catching prospects. We threw in Reed so we didn't have to give up Crede, which is who they were asking for, and we had a deal. I don't know why everyone thinks that they would have ever settled for anything less than Olivo. You are right on the money with your post.

Click your heels some more Ronny! OOps! I mean um oops. Um, stop worrying about Timo Perez, you did the same thing in 69 and everyone still hates you for it you crotchity old bastard.