Chisoxfn

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 23, 2008 -> 12:09 AM) so, largely because ESPN hasn't been shoving it down my throat, ramming it up my ass, and trying to shoot it into my bloodstream all at the same time, I had no idea that Daisuke Matsuzaka has an ERA of 2.63 this year. Aside from absolutely horrendous control, he has been money this year. Maybe I've just taught myself how to zone myself out of ESPN at the right times now a days, because I was actually surprised to see that. Just weird Were you listening to Cowherd this morning? Cause he was mentioning that exact thing.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 23, 2008 -> 12:04 PM) The only value I see Cabrera has to the O's is the draft picks at the end of the season. The way I understood it, we would send the Dodgers Cabrera, the Dodgers would send over prospects to the O's, and we would get back Roberts(and probably send over a prospect of our own). I understand that. The O's weren't going to be getting OC, but somehow there was talk that the Sox would have to give up more than OC in order to acquire Roberts in a 3 way. That just doesn't make sense to me. I realize Roberts isn't a FA at the end of the year but I still think OC is more valuable. Now if the Sox were making two seperate deals (which could be the case based on some of the wording I saw) than I could see the Sox not having enough to get Roberts (especially if they are hesitant with giving up Fields).

So the O's seriously think an above average offensive 2nd baseman is more valuable than a gold glove SS who is also a very solid hitter.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Jul 23, 2008 -> 08:04 AM) Latest from Rosenthal via MLBTradeRumors: I would think the Sox would be getting something more than just Roberts in a deal involving OC. I don't know if that would mean someone like Daniel Cabrera or someone on the Dodgers. Either way I wouldn't be opposed to those three teams working something out.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 03:24 PM) And if he wants to go. Thats a given, but if the Sox force his hand I can't see Paulie stepping in the path of a trade (assuming he's getting dealt to a potential contender). The most likely fits are obviously the Dodgers and Diamondbacks (two teams that could be interested in adding some pop to there lineup).

Paulie should be fine and the Sox are probably best off letting Paulie play the 2nd half because he will produce. Given that production the Sox will than be able to trade Paulie in the off-season (if they want to) and not only be able to get rid of his contract but also be able to get at least 2 good prospects in return (what I would call B to B+ prospects).

Geeze, I liked the strikeouts but the rest of his numbers are downright atrocious.

Wolf actually could have been a solid pick-up as a 5th starter to replace Contreras. He has some solid looking periph's. The risk is that his actual ERA isn't that good, especially when you factor that he'd be going from PETCO to the CELL and the NL to the AL. This would have been a solid pick-up for any team actually in contention (ie, not Houston).

I should also point out that if Danks/Floyd don't tire than I really don't see why the club has to make another move. Bottom line tihs team has very few big holes (aside from the rotation that I see tiring out and its not as if you are going to bench Floyd/Danks). If Paulie gets going and Thome keeps producing at the clip he has the past month (and the rest of the offense stays consistent) you should see this team have at least one or two more good winning streaks in them.

I honestly hope there aren't any changes. I would love to see the Sox pick up another starter but the reality is the price to get such starter is too steep. Plus I just don't see such a move making the Sox a World Series contender. I think the Sox have a playoff caliber team but given the reliance on two extremely young pitchers (who will see there numbers trend upwards as the season progresses) I just don't see them being able to beat out the Angels/BoSox. I would only make moves if they are the type of moves that help the Sox long-term and I don't think Kenny has the guts to make those deals (as they could potentially make the club worse or even less experienced right now). The reality is the best thing this franchise could likely do is stand pat and prepare to make additional moves over the off-season (unless a good ML for ML swap opens up which helps the Sox). Parting with Crede or OC could be both be legitimate options if it gets the Sox pieces to help the club this year and beyond, otherwise moving them is foolish given the picks we will be getting as compensation for there depatures as FA's in the off-season.

The Dodgers aren't going to move Kemp unless they get better this year and that means they are either getting a freaking stud 3Bman or more preferably (from the Dodgers perspective) an all star type of shortstop. Nowhere in that deal do they get it. Had the Sox offered up Konerko/OC/Poreda for Laroche and Kemp you'd possibly get them to bite (and them to be willing to actually take on Paulie's contract).

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 11:32 AM) We always talk about Kemp. Are the Dodgers willing to trade that guy? Yep, If you are to believe the LA Times which has indicated the Dodgers offering Kemp to upgrade SS.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 10:08 AM) Personally, I would like them to try to turn Cabrera into Brian Roberts. A 3 way with the Dodgers mak be able to do that. Why when the Dodgers are offering a superior player in Kemp. The Sox should be able to acquire Roberts without giving up one current major leaguer (Package involving Fields, SP prospect, Richar). If you want to trade OC you better be getting a very good young player in return (otherwise I'll take the 2 picks). The Sox should not trade OC for an aging ball-player. Now if you could hypothetically make a 3 way trade with the O's in which: Sox: Kemp, Roberts Dodgers: OC, Crede (I don't know if they want Joe and if they don't the deal could obviously still work, Sox would just have to give up more) Orioles: Fields (or LaRoche, depending on there preference), Richar (or Getz), Broadway/Egbert (one of those guys as I'd hold out on giving up Poreda unless the Sox were getting a solid prospect in return or a Daniel Cabrera type pitcher).

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 10:44 AM) Kemp and LaRoche would be a nice package to go after. Fields + Konerko + Poreda maybe. The Dodgers could always move Loney back to a corner OF spot. The Dodgers do need power hitters in the worst way possible. If you want to make an interesting offer to the Dodgers, throw Crede and Cabrera at them and see if they bite. You'd be able to get Kemp and another prospect or two (which you could use to target a starting pitcher the club would have interest in).

I don't think Crede will get Type A compensation but I could be wrong.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 09:47 AM) At the time he was a cheap closer. Those usually don't get traded either, and that happened. He was injury prone and due a significant raise. There was absolutely no way the Royals were going to keep him, especially when the Sox made the offer they did (it was a significant offer to acquire an oft injured closer).

DeJesus would be a very good acquisition. However, the Royals are in no need to acquire him and I don't know if I'd give up an A type of prospect to get him (Fields is probably the only guy, along with potentially Poreda who could even come close to being graded A prospects; Note: Neither of them are as of this moment in time). Would I trade Broadway, Anderson and Richar...sure I would. Would the Royals take that, I doubt it considering they don't have to trade him.

That right there is great. I completely agree with Ozzie. I would absolutely under no way shape or form deal Fields for a rent-a-player, unless such rent-a-player would for sure net you two top picks (again, I have no problem stocking up on picks now to help rebuild what is an absolute barren farm system, however, people should realize those picks are probably 3-5 years away from truly helping the major league team and 2-3 years from helping re-establish the minor league system. I think the better alternative is to consider moving Crede if possible, however, I must say that whomever the Sox get in return (if its a rental) should be able to net them draft pick compensation (as we should get at least one pick from Crede). Also, I'm not going to lie, I don't think this team is quite ready to win a series. I expect Floyd/Danks to tire and considering this team is built around the strength of pitching as those guys tire this teams chances will also tire. I think Kenny should be on the phone looking to make deals which could help the team get into the playoffs this year, but more importantly, help set things up for a World Series run 1-3 years from now (again, not at all saying wave the white flag, rather saying I wouldn't be opposed to making deals to make the club better next year while staying roughly the same this year).

Clearly 2k and Kap didn't realize that Pratt and I at SS were doing our best impressions of Jose Valentin.

Great team to play the game against since I'm sure the people at Assembly will be lining up to see Deron!!!

Good deal, glad this is done. Now sign Williams and than try and work something out with Hester (still think the Bears won't be able to come to terms with Hester until he shows more as a WR).

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 01:17 PM) How many closers have been on the DL this year? And how many other relievers do you trust to step in and be a closer? I actually do have faith in a few guys in house to close if necessary. I certainly won't be trading top prospects to get a closer just in case Jenks went down. The club has depth and I'm confident if Jenks was down for an extended time someone would step up (and at that point, Kenny would just have to acquire a solid guy middle reliever to fill the void for whomever the new closer is (or hope that Masset/Russel could fill that void).

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 02:07 PM) How many closers did the Sox use in 2005? How many of those closers did they trade for during the season?

Trading for closers when you already have a closer is an even worse idea.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 01:24 PM) I agree with the notion of getting a top of the line CF, but in that proposed plan, does that include getting rid of one of Thome/Konerko in the off-season? The logic is that you could get your CF in the future today if you dangle Orlando Cabrera (this than means Ken Williams would have to pull out all the stops to acquire Brian Roberts to replace Cabrera at the top of the order with Ramirez sliding over to SS defensively). By acquiring Kemp to play CF, you now have freed up Swisher to either be (this year): 1. If you can trade Paulie today, he would be your full-time first baseman, but also able to sub in at other OF positions in the case of an injury. However, the only way you can move Konerko now is if the Dodgers are that desperate to get a SS that they would also be willing to take a chance at Paulie and take his contract. 2. Ultimate Rover - He essentially plays as a full-time player but as a fill-in at other positions (all 3 OF spots helping Kemp/Dye/Q rest) as well as 1B for Paulie (or you play him in one of those OF spots with the OF DH'ing and giving Thome a day off). Swisher is also there for depth if any starter goes down. This gives you a lot of depth down the stretch and considering Swisher would be able to play all 3 OF spots, plus 1B and DH you could essentially play him 5 days a week while resting each of those positions once a week (plus you could play him more for someone who is struggling, ie, Paulie). In 2009, Swisher would for sure fit into #1 as the Sox would have traded Paul Konerko (ideally, if scenario 2 happened for the 08 season, Konerko would produce in the 2nd half, thus increasing his trade value and enabling the Sox to actually improve there system by getting 2 B prospects for Paulie) and hopefully have Thome back for one more season (if both Thome and Paulie are gone, you offer Dunn a 4 year 60M deal to replace the lost power). Your 09 lineup would essentially be this (I'm using the assumption that the Sox would acquire a legit leadoff hitter to replace OC and Roberts is the ideal fit and Fields and potentially more would be the cost): Roberts AJP Q Dye Thome Kemp Swisher Insert 3B (FA or Trade, Casey Blake could be a cheap fit here, regardless we are talking about the 8th spot in the lineup) Ramirez - SS You look at that lineup and you have 3 guys whose best years are ahead of them (Ramirez/Q/Kemp), 1 guy entering his prime (Swisher) and a few solid vets that are still productive (Roberts/Thome/AJP/Vet 3B). That isn't a bad mix of youth and veterans. If you can acquire Roberts without giving up Fields than he would be plugged in and you'd be talking about 4 guys whose best years are ahead of them. The farm system would not have been destroyed with the moves either (as Roberts will at most cost one of Fields/Poreda plus a starting prospect and one of Richar/Getz).