Chisoxfn

I think some of you guys have Nevin ranked a bit high. I'm very curious to see what he does this season because he wasn't as good as advertised last year (albeit it was his professional debut and he's incredibly young). I assume everyone is not counting Josh Fields in the lists?

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Jun 8, 2008 -> 10:36 AM) We just really need to see Thome or Konerko go. I also would not mind seeing Thome traded for a CF. Move Dye to DH, move Swisher to LF, Q to RF (with his cannon arm), and slot in that new CF. Or Thome for a 2B. Again Dye to DH, Swish to LF, Q to RF, Alexei to CF. The thing is, no one will trade for these guys or at least give up something significant to the point that you can replace them in the lineup. Trust me, I can't stand our big cloggers in the middle more than anyone, but the best way for the Sox to compete "THIS SEASON" is for those guys to figure things out and than the club can benefit from them this season and than they'll trade value will be there to swinga deal in the off-season (in Thome's case, he may be a FA, depending on what they do with his option). Thome can only go to a team looking for a DH, so your probably talking about the Red Sox and I don't think he'll accept a deal to go to a team where he'll probably find himself on the bench once Ortiz returns. If Hafner fell apart or had another serious injury, Cleveland would be an option, but the Sox would be nuts to make a deal with the Indians at this point in time, imo (especially when it means giving a guy that if he gets hot, could carry there meager offense).

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 8, 2008 -> 09:59 AM) who would we have been trading in 05 when the trade got nixed? IIRC, Chris Young was one of the main players involved in the package. I wouldn't have a problem picking up Griffey, but it should be noted that he'd probably be worse in CFer than Swisher (whose been more than solid). Also, until Paulie starts hitting, you probably aren't going to get good value for him (you could probably get a good prospect, but nothing top notch). Heck, I would have no problem dealing Paulie, but the reality is the Sox are going to have Paulie/Thome in there lineup for at least this season and we have to hope that they can put things together and than this off-season, the Sox can look at making some adjustments in that area if they are interested in doing so.

Go Go Gavin Go!!!!

Titans, you fought and tried and fell short. The pitching just wasn't there and the bats went cold at the wrong time (or at least the bigger bats in the lineup did). Oh well, I honestly was surprised all season as to where we were ranked and overall while they didn't make it to Omaha they did have a rock solid year and they did so with very few seniors in there lineup. We'll see which of the drafted juniors signs and goes pro, but assuming a few of them stick around, next years club is looking real good (and if a couple of there incoming recruits don't sign, it could be even better).

That was a fun game....fun game.

f***....that bases clearing triple may be what breaks the Titans back. Damn Castro has been good, real good. I don't care what all the posters on here say, he's a legit top 15 pick and while some were surprised he went early (since he had such terrible numbers last season), all you have to do is watch him play and you can see why (he has a lot of ability for a catcher). Of course he is PWning the Titans which means I'm more biased, LOL.

We get to see Alexi at short for an inning. I'm surprised we didn't see Uribe at 3B (or maybe he is there and we just don't know it).

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 06:43 PM) Crede wants to accompany Carlos to the All-Star Game. He keeps it up and he will be

Nick has given up almost all of his runs against the Twins. Hopefully he can mow through them quickly and keep throwing strikes (something he's been doing lately and its why he's been so sucessful).

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 05:49 PM) Still early but Miami in trouble. Yonder Alonso has ridiculous hands. They have to be the quickest hands of anyone in the draft.

Quentin isn't staying as quiet in his stance. His hands are coming through a bit quick. Its going to be interesting to see how he pops out of this little mini slump (if you can even call it a slump).

I love ALEXI....I'm falling in love with the 08 White Sox...falling in love.

Oh My God...He GOOD...JOE CREDE is GOOD.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 04:42 PM) So OC continues this the rest of the year...you're Kenny...what do you do? Or is OC just auditioning for another team...or a probable return to LA? I still dont' think the Sox have a capable SS on the roster or at least not one of Cabrera's quality. If I can get him to sign a 2 or 3 year deal (with an option year) I'd do it. Ramirez is cheap and can play 2nd (or adjust to SS) and I still think the Sox try to adjust or move one or two of Dye/Konerko/Thome (which clears plenty of cap room) for some more guys they like (as they continue to try and transition a bit, while still trying to win (ie, retool). I really like Cabrera though so I'm a bit biased. I also like Furcal a hell of a lot, but he's going to get a lot more money (he's a better player too, but he has a much more checkered past in terms of "health").

OC is raking.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 04:38 PM) There's no chance Crede can be a Type A. I'm 99% sure thats the case, the only way possible would be if they ignored his 07 season (but I'm 99.9% sure they don't do that). He is pretty much a lock for Type B though (which is still pretty solid, assuming of course the Sox are willing to take guys slotted to go in the 2nd round as opposed to trying to get cheap if they end up having a couple early picks).

Alexi with another single, goes right back up the middle and Dye scores, Swisher to 3rd, Ramirez takes 2nd on the throw. AWESOME. I'm loving Alexi.

QUOTE (JFields27 @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 05:35 PM) I think he could get that Type A compensation, but it also depends on who else is in that compensation group does it not. I dont see a deal striked for Crede as he seems to go with Boras, no matter if he likes it here unless he can pull a Kenny Rogers. Fields has looked bad in the minors but no doubt I think he can play in between that .250-.280 range and people will look over it if hes hitting those homeruns, but thats just how people look at it. I don't think it has to do with who is FA, rather just how you rank amongst the players at your position throughout baseball. Elias is the rating agency that is used.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 05:32 PM) He is only 19 years old playing against pitchers like El Duque and Contreras. He played 3 season en Cuba not 4. Watch out for misleading facts in the american media guys! He can be a 3B. Remember, Alexei is 26 years old. This kid is only 19. His agent will sell him as a SS to exploit the fact that Yunel Escobar (utility in Cuba), Yuni Betancourt (2B in Cuba) and Alexei (CF in Cuba) are holding SS or will hold (Alexei) SS positions in MLB in a very short time after defecting. The Braves sign a lot of cuban players. The Yanks and the Mets will probably make a run at him. I hope the Nats, however, sign him. If I knew hot to upload videos to youtube, I will show him to you. Out of curiosity, how come the Nats? Is that the team you follow or do you feel that is the best place for him to make an immediate impact? In terms of Ramirez, I still think the Sox grade him out more as a 2B/CF and will consider resigning OC to a 2 or 3 year deal while Beckham (#8 overall pick in this week's Amateur Draft) develops to take over at SS. To me what makes this guy so appealing his the combination of his skills and age.

QUOTE (JFields27 @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 05:21 PM) alright im fine with that .. and i dont really feel like freaking out about Fields, but for you what would be the signs of Crede staying with the sox. Is KW and JR gonna tell their Boras messageboy to go work out a contact, or do you expect him to be traded by 8/31, or actually keep him for this run and get a draft pick for him where we have to give more money to that 1st round player(buts its not really worth getting into that) The only way the Sox would trade Joe Crede is if they got a tremendous offer (which involved players that in Kenny's eyes made the club better "this year") or if Josh Fields make some huge adjustment to his swing and just started absolutely destroying in the minors (again they would also need to get a good offer for Joe). Otherwise, assuming Joe has a good year, I think they will make a fair offer to Joe (it won't be the best offer on the table and its going to be a take it or leave it type of deal). I truly think Joe likes playing here and the Sox have a very good relationship with him and at the end of the day there is a better than average chance that they work things out. Otherwise, I anticipate the Sox offering him arbitration and getting Type B compensation for him (I find it unlikely that he'll be able to garnish Type A compensation, unless somehow they don't factor in his 07 season since it was due to injury). In terms of Fields, I really feel the Sox have soured on him and I will not be surprised if the club moves him (of course if Crede goes, obviously Fields would have a starting spot and I'd do nothing but root like hell for him to live up to his potential). Josh does have the potential to be a .280, 30-35HR 3rd baseman. However, that is dependent on him cutting down his swing and I don't know if he'll be able to do that. Which is why I project him more in the .250 range.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 04:19 PM) I was watching the Georgia game today and the announcer said Beckham was going to play in the minors as soon as Georgia is done with there season. He will report to minor league camp as soon as Georgia's season is done and the Sox sign him. The Sox have yet to sign him and while I'm sure they've had initial conversations there could be a bit of a process until he signs. He has until August 15th to sign (otherwise he goes back to Georgia and re-enters the draft next year) and he'll likely report to Kanny or Winston Salem within a couple days of signing.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 05:17 PM) If that happens, I am ready to say this is a playoff-caliber team. Yesterday, I officially decided that this team is a really good team. The offense will have its slumps (a team which is extra relient on power and has few "average" hitters will have them), but the rotation is very good as is the pen and defense and those type of teams tend to stay out of extended slumps (W/L's). Injuries can obviously effect anything but right now I feel as good about the Sox as I do any team in major league baseball and I'm convinced they are here to stay and they have the ability to make some heavy noise if they make it into the post-season and are playing good at that time.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 04:03 PM) Ratliff's homers last night = bomb Yep, Castro hit a HR too. The guy pitching for Stanford looked very good (seemed to really mix his pitches in and had a nasty breaking ball). Yanks took him in the supplemental and he looks like that prototypical lefty.

QUOTE (tommy @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 04:15 PM) Paulie showing some glove last few games too. And he's had some good swings. If he and Swisher are both on the way out of there funks, it will be huge for the offense. Swisher is really looking good too lately.