Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 12:54 PM) Oh I know and 3/4 of them will have the Sox landing Matt Kemp. If not more than 3/4ths. If I see the Dodgers beat reporters talking about Kemp for Wilson than I read that as meaning Kemp for OC could happen. Therefor, I will not rest until it does I see the Sox two long-term needs, which they will not be able to fill from within, being a top notch CF (which I think is a very important position) and a front-line type starter. The Sox will be losing significant contracts and if they could get that CF now (Kemp) they could than focus there off-season on getting a front line starter to team up with Vaz/Buehrle (with Danks/Floyd being able to continue to master there craft and develop into future front line guys). I'm very excited right now about the possibilities of putting together a young up and coming team that is already very good (which still has that right mix of vets).

In the Futures Game he was a bit more wild than typical. He relies heavily on using his command and strong sinking action (you'll notice he uses all parts of the plate) and will throw the ocassional elevated pitch but when he throws it, it will be letter high and above. Otherwise everything should be down down down in the zone.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:36 AM) Hence why I hate this time of year, any idiot thinks he formulate a realistic trade scenario but it seems no one has any clue as to the value of these players. It won't stop me from throwing out trade scenario after trade scenario.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:19 AM) Think they are looking to move Weeks for a closer/bullpen arm like Street. I can't see Weeks being really positive about this move. Oakland just acquired there 2B of the future so they'd have no interest in Weeks. They'd probably laugh at a Weeks for Street offer. I was listening to the radio yesterday and they were talking about Weeks and it sounded as if they would have trouble getting anything of significant value for him. The best shot for the Brewers would be to get a solid reliever and maybe a C prospect for him. Another option would be for them to trade him to another team who has a former highly touted prospect in need of a change of scenery. I guarantee you the Brewers would not get an actual top prospect for Weeks in a deal (unless the Brewers were giving something else up). In fact, I think you could look at this past off-season that a best case scenario type of deal for the Brewers and Weeks would be similar to what happened with Quentin (ie, they got Carter who was a good prospect with upside, but not the same caliber as the player they gave up).

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 10:44 AM) Indeed this website doesn't make enough money to sign a major league pitcher. Were you at the Sox game on Saturday in the OF bleachers? I was sitting in the same section as Mike (southsider) and than my buddy I was at the game with mentioned that the person in group in front of us mentioned the Soxtalk/WSI softball game.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 10:55 AM) I doubt KW makes any sort of push for Bedard before the July 31st deadline especially with Erik currently on the DL and unable to pitch until August. If the Mariners want to get ANY sort of value back for Erik Bedard they'll wait until the offseason after he's able to make a few starts in August and September proving he's at least capable of pitching. Bedard not being able to make a start before the deadline should kill any chance of him being dealt. In terms of acquiring an ace, I was referring to over the off-season, not this season.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:40 AM) CC will be in SF, AZ or LAD probably. He wants to be on the west coast, in the NL. I can't see the Giants throwing out another 7 year deal to a pitcher.

QUOTE (SoxPride56 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:34 AM) I would LOVE that lineup, but what are the odds we can put that together? The Sox have enough to acquire Kemp (as long as OC is the main bait) and should have enough to acquire Roberts. The question is if you make both of those deals Konerko becomes the odd-man out since the acquisition of Kemp would lead to Swisher moving to 1B. The club could obviously hold onto Konerko and basically keep him as an insurance policy to anyone going down (and also be ensured that they will be able to give everyone rest down the stretch). Keeping Konerko could turn into a good thing because if he is healthy and puts up numbers you would actually be able to trade him for value in the off-season (getting 2 B type prospects in return). However, if he isn't healthy than you'd potentially have a hard time trading him period. The only logic in acquiring Roberts occurs if you move OC so basically put any deal for Roberts hinges on OC going to the Dodgers (as that is the one team in desperate need for a SS that also has top talent to deal). Either of this trades would be ballsy though as it would significantly impact the clubhouse. In fact, if you keep Paulie you would be impacting the club-house less, essentially removing OC (someone who hasn't fit in with all) and one of the fringe roster players (to make room for Roberts).

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:16 AM) What Ace quality starters will be available (you can even push it a bit here) on teams that would be interested in a Josh Fields as the centerpiece of a trade? We all now who the Aces are which of them are you talking about here? Well by ace, I should say more likely front of the rotation starter. Dan Haren/Brandon Webb/Carlos Zambrano/Beckett/Peavy will not be available (CC is the only legit ace that will be available and the Sox will have the money to go after CC but CC will likely get 6 plus years and the Sox won't do that). The one guy that I think the Sox might target is Erik Bedard. It would be a risky deal and the M's will likely want a decent amount, however, they'll have a need at 3B (assuming they are going to deal Beltre, which means Fields could be an attractive option) and are probably not going to be competing next year. That said there is a lot of risk involved with Bedard (health) and the Sox tend to stay away from acquiring injury prone starters.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:22 AM) If some team were willing to give up a #1 or #2 pitcher for Fields, KW would be insane not to do it, unless the contract coming back is just ridiculous. If its a legit #1 or #2 than assuming its not like a 7 year contract coming back the Sox should have no issues. They should have all kinds of money to play with this off-season (given the contracts which are coming off the books).

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:14 AM) The 35 year old Casey Blake will be a free agent following this season. Adrian Beltre is a Boras client. Which means Beltre won't extend. Blake would be the guy I target. Hopefully whomever has him doesn't offer him arbitration because that would prevent such club from receiving draft pick compensation (I assume he'd at least qualify as a Type B FA). I have no problem giving a 35 year old like Blake a 2 year 14M deal (money shouldn't be a concern for the Sox, especially short-term), if it meant they could use Fields as bait to get a legit 5 tool CF (obviously not Fields by himself). This could mean an unproven guy or even some sort of ridiculous deal to get a guy like Kemp (whose a 5 tool guy already at the major league level). The problem is to get Kemp you'd have to make that deal now (ie, OC) or get a 3rd team involved (or have Paulie re-establish himself as the Sox don't have the necessary components the Dodgers will want come the off-season). I can't say it enough just how good Matt Kemp is and the fact that the Dodgers have reportedly been dangling him for a SS means the Sox should show some fore-sight and make the risky move. The Dodgers would do Kemp for OC (I'm damn near sure of this) and that would enable the Sox in the long-term to move Swisher to 1B and Ramirez to SS. The issue is this season you'd have to find a taker for Konerko. The next question is could you convince Paulie to waive his 10/5 rights to go back to the Dodgers and would the Dodgers be willing to take him. At this point in time, any team getting Paulie would obviously be giving up nothing in terms of talent to get him (given the large risk they are taking and his current contract, which is perfectly fine when producing, but given his season totals this wouldn't be the case). The only real horrid contract the Dodgers have (aside from Jason Schmidt) would be Andruw Jones (or Juan Pierre) and if the Sox got Kemp they would have no need for Jones (who has had a 4K and 5K game since coming off the DL). So would the Sox make an in-season move where they give up more talent to get better long-term (they don't get better short-term, unless they have another move up there sleeves) by trading Konerko and OC to the Dodgers for Kemp. And do the Dodgers make this move, given the significant amount of contracts they would be taking on (OC's isn't an issue, but Konerko's is a long term deal). The move fills the Dodgers significant void (SS) and actually could fill another void (there lack of power and Paulie (if healthy) would become there best power hitter). Loney is capable of playing the OF (as is Ethier) and the Dodgers had too many OF'ers so while the loss of Kemp would be big (talent wise) you could make a case that the Dodgers could afford such a loss. The Sox would now have Ramirez at SS and a void at 2B (Uribe would either play SS or 2B) and a serious void at the top of the order. However, Brian Roberts is on the market and if the Sox wanted to dangle Josh Fields they could acquire Roberts and at that point you could argue that despite trading Konerko/OC/Josh Fields that the Sox are actually better. Brian Roberts AJP CQ Dye Thome Kemp Swisher Crede Ramirez Next season, the roster essentially stays the same with Crede being the guy you have to replace and the farm system is not decimated as the only top prospect the club gave up would be Fields (although you could bet your ass that one of Richar/Getz plus one pitching prospect would be involved in the Roberts deal). So I don't know how realistic the idea is of the Konerko portion of the deal but I do think the Sox could acquire Kemp & Roberts this season (which helps the Sox not just this year and next year). Also, financially the Sox would be big winners because they'd now have a large chunk of there lineup filled with younger/cheaper players.

Garret Atkins would likely be too expensive (in terms of prospects). He's 28 and I'm always scared about getting guys coming from Coors because there is an obvious crap-shoot as to how they will perform. The good news is his power has been consistent whether he's playing at home or away over the past 3 years (although his average deeps to the .270 range).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:08 AM) In a similar amount of AAA ABs this year and last, his walk rate is down significantly, and his strikeouts are higher. He'll be 26 years old next year. Something has to happen fairly soon. I'd much rather have Casey Blake at 3B with Fields being traded in a package that gets the Sox an ace pitcher or a 5 tool CFer (Kemp would be included in this group).

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 11:03 AM) So what third baseman are there out on the FA or trade market this off-season that could give you a better OBP and defense than what Josh Fields could offer you in 2009? Garrett Atkins? Casey Blake? If Blake gets moved, I would have zero problem picking him up. He's a solid veteran who can handle a bat way and play decent enough D. He's clearly nothing special but I don't think there would be significant costs in getting him (he'd just have to be on another team cause the Tribe won't be dealing with the Sox). Beltre would be an actual upgrade and the Sox could afford to acquire him and extend him another year or two (which would be smart because he will put up above average 3B numbers while playing at the Cell). But the Sox can't afford to deal there top notch prospects for a 3Bman, imo as those prospects have to be kept for the major league squad or to fill key holes (ie, CF). With Blake you know your gonna get a league average OBP, average, and 20 HR power. Is he a UFA this off-season or still under contract?

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 10:04 AM) Well considering he hit what about 22-25HR's in 2/3'rds of his first major league season, and that he would hit in argubly the best ballpark for HR's in all of baseball, I can see why people would think as he progresses that he could certainly hit that. The thing is, can he cut down on the K's enough to raise that OBP? 40-50 HR power is a rare feat. I saw very few HR's which were absolute bombs which leads me to believe that his upside is more in the 30-40 range than the 40-50 range.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 10:01 AM) It would all depend on what was available for him. I think a lot of people are going to be pretty dissappointed if they think Fields is going to be a 40-50 home run guy. I think my post pretty much states his upside and where he'll most likely fall. The one thing he could do to significantly increase his value is improve defensively (he has the skill-set to do such) as well as to continue to improve his eye (if he walks more, than you can put up more with his k's). However, if he walks at his current clip you are talking about a guy who not only hits for a low average, but also gets on base at a below average clip and strikes out at a pace similar to Ryan Howard. At that point you are talking about a guy who would really only have one strength (POWER).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 09:57 AM) Its amazing how guys like Konerko, who have done loads for the White Sox and have played hurt all year gets so much s*** on this board, but guys like Fields who continues to strike out at even higher rates than last year just get excuse after excuse. Just remember, on September 14 last year, Fields was hitting .229 with a .284 OBP. In other words, Juan Uribe-like. I think you know how much crap he gets on this board. He gets his numbers up in some of the most meaningless games the White Sox have played since the 80s and his continued inability to make contact is still ignored. Reggie Jackson and Jim Thome are both well over 500 homers. I'd bet my houses (I currently have 2 for some stupid reason) that Fields won't get halfway there. There is no denying that Fields has flaws to his game. I've long said that. However, that was his initial call-up and he's deserving of a trial/adjustment period. Juan Uribe earned himself a multiple year period as well where he proved that the type of player he is was the guy we saw over the past couple of seasons (low average, low OBP, good pop, stellar D). I can't see how you can compare Fields with Konerko/Uribe or anyone else who has played a good number of seasons in the major leagues (in the sense that you can expect a rookie to develop and improve on his weaknesses, where as 10 years into a guys career, those weaknesses are typically something you just have to live with). Personally I don't think you can really evaluate Fields or Konerko based upon there numbers since they were impacted significantly by injuries.

Fields clearly has 30-40 HR power and the upside to be a .275 hitter. I wouldn't think he'd ever hit higher than that and the more likely scenario puts him in the .240-.255 range with significant power. Defensively he should get better and better and at one point be at least a league average defensive 3rd baseman. I think my issue is that last year he played over his head and the Sox could have moved him at his peak value and made a mistake by not doing such. If he still has that sort of value than I think they should move him, if not, I don't have an issue going with Fields/Ramirez/(Getz/Richar or trade for Roberts) at 3b/SS/2B. Financially you are talking about being able to afford it and I do believe the Sox would have the resources to trade for Roberts in the off-season (if they don't believe one of Getz/Richar is ready). It also gives the Sox the financial freedom to use there resources to upgrade CF and the rotation (I still think the Sox could use a legit front of the rotation starter). The problem is the franchise probably doesn't have the chips (prospect wise) to go out and get both a front-line starter and Cfer (plus Roberts), however, when you factor in cash they could potentially find a way.

Ozuna is a tremendous fit in the NL and an even better fit for the Dodgers. I'm happy he joined a team that I've been pulling for in the NL.

Remember last year when people said the Brewers wouldn't trade Weeks straight up for Buehrle. Well, I bet you could offer two solid prospects for Weeks right now. In fact, If I were the Sox, I'd try to buy low on Weeks and put him in as one of the many guys battling it out for the 2nd base position next year (With Ramirez moving to SS).

Josh Byrnes and Cashman should be on the list, imo. I also think Kevin Towers could be considered for the list (long term he's done a very good job in San Diego, even if they currently stink). Based on whose on the list, I would list my order: Epstein Beane Williams Epstein wins because he's got two rings, has done a great job putting together a roster (using FA and player development). I realize he has more to work with than the rest of these guys but you still have to tip your cap. Beane beats out Kenny because he's done so much with so little. I've long said Beane is overrated and its hard for me to put a guy this high who has not won a World Series but he has put together one hell of a run with limited resources and finds a way to consistently reload and rebuild. Williams has done a very good job. However, this is heavily based on what he's done at the major league level. I believe he has a good vision for his ML roster but the minor league system has completely suffered under his helm and I could make a case for ranking Williams farther because of that. Jocketty, Shapiro, and Dombrowski all rank closely with Williams.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 17, 2008 -> 02:55 PM) It's an acronym. Except when I say your name on Soxtalk on the Air. I'll never call you "Collapse".

Irvine, CA #4. I couldn't agree more too. I f***ing love Irvine. Great community, tons of parks, clean air, not horrid traffic, nice houses, awesome police force, tremendous schools. Its got it all.

I want to get the Tetris ring tone on my phone. Anyone know how I can get it for free and transfer it onto my Treo?

QUOTE (Soxy @ Jul 19, 2008 -> 10:39 AM) Has anyone else tried Pandora ( http://www.pandora.com/ )? It basically plays music that it will think that you like based your preferences. It's pretty cool. Everytime you listen to a song and rate it, it will update your preferences, so that the more you listen the less errors in anticipating what you will like will be. It's a cool little learning algorithm. I like it. Works great to play while I'm at work.