Chisoxfn

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:57 PM) Is there a reason we arent protecting him? There have to be 1-3 guys on the 40 man that are less talented... The Sox were trying to sneak him through because the other guys on are more likely to be able to contribute this year (ie stick with us or another team via the Rule V so it was more necessary to protect them). I didn't like leaving Fabio off, but he's still very raw and I think there is a shot he comes back (unless the Royals hold onto the pick). If he goes to a good team then there is a good shot he comes back, imo.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:58 PM) Will the Brewers use Fielder at first and then use Shea at third? I agree, nice move by the Jays Thats my guess. I understand this move in a sense cause the Brewers wanted to open up a position for Fielder and Overbay is relatively close to breaking the bank (in terms of becoming a FA) but Hilly is a poor defensive player (especially at 3rd). He is a solid player though, but I just never liked him. Statistically Hilly and Overbay were similar and Bush was a solid young starter in the AL (nothing special).

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:54 PM) and Vinny Castilla. The fact that he pawned Castilla off on the Pads for Brian Lawrence was his only saving grace on that move. If Lawrence can pitch like he did a few years back it would be solid and financially it was a wash. But ya, everything he's done has been awful (except trading for Guillen), but he inherited a pretty solid team and Frank Robinson is a good mgr.

If Kolb goes back to two years ago's form that would be nice. I'll root for the Brewers, they got some good prospects and for the most part seem to be making some nice moves (since the Seligs got out)

Its going to be rough losing him. He's a guy I like in the sense of developing into a good lefty reliever in the future. But who knows if he's mature enough to stick with a team for the entire year. It definately helps that he's a lefty cause there are quite a few teams looking for one of them in the pen, especially one with solid stuff and a minimal contract (considering the market this year for relievers). I hope he ends up coming back, but I could easily see a team sticking him in the pen for an entire year and using him sparingly. I had no idea he was expected to be the 1st pick though.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:49 PM) Good points. Ok, from the Nats side of things, add more salary and are they going to throw him out in the outfield where he doesnt want to play? I think Bowden totally lucked out last year. He hasn't made any good moves since taking over and he's continually making moves that make me shake my head. Soriano is definately a bat (and they could use a bat) but they dealt a pretty good bat themselves and one that actually fit into there lineup (so really I see this as a wash for the Nats) unless they plan on moving Soriano. This is just a puzzling move by Bowden. Kind of like him offering up that big ass contract for Christian Guzman.

Wow, good deal for the Blue Jays, imo. Technically its a fair deal for each team, but I'm just not a Hilly fan (even though he puts up good numbers last year). However Lyle is cheaper and >>> than Hilly and I don't get why the Brewcrew would be interested in this move. Bush will be a starter for them, but I don't think he has middle to front of the rotation stuff (just my 2 cents). I like this deal from the Jays perspective. They get some pop in the lineup and give up a guy that was coming off a career year (Hilly) and a solid young pitcher.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:46 PM) You're right with the money factor but still, move Alf for pitching..I mean cmon now. The Rangers need pitching bad and they just wasted their major chip on Wilkerson and this is nothing against Wilk cause I actually think he's a fine hitter. If the Rangers keep Wilkerson and don't get pitching, I agree with you, they'd have been better suited straight dealing Soriano for a pitcher. However, if they are thinking that they could use the extra money on a FA pitcher and than get similar value via trade for Wilkerson for another pitcher, they may be able to get 2 quality pitchers in essence for Soriano. If they do that, bingo. However if they cut payroll and get a mediocre pitcher and keep Wilkerson than I'd call it a failure on there part. The Rangers need to find 1 good pitcher and preferablye 1 good and one solid pitcher.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:44 PM) I think he's going to put up better numbers than his 2004 season, which was pretty damn good. I'd guess something like .270/.390/.525 in that ballpark... Plus he should see his power numbers increase back to two years ago's numbers. If he stays in Texas.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:42 PM) Agreed, i really like it because wilkerson should be raking next season. I'm more confused as to why the Nats made this deal. I also think the Rangers would have been better suited dealing him for pitching. Hell, even if they had gotten Odalis Perez and a good prospect for Soriano (which I think would have been possible). But the Rangers got a good hitter that can play any OF position and thats financially cheaper than Soriano. This gives them a chip in Wilkerson (if they want to move him) to get a pitcher and they have freed up money to sign a pitcher. Right now I'm leaning towards the Rangers and A's being the top dogs in the west.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 08:39 PM) The only way this deal makes sense to me is if the Nats are going to use Soriano for pitching. Ditto with the Rangers and Wilk but ya they didn't need to be flopped for that to happen. This trade definitely confuses the hell out of me. The Rangers freed up some cash (actually my guess is that it was a considerable amount of cash) so I kind of see the reasoning for them (plus Wilkerson can play any OF position and DH and is a good hitter). He's not Soriano good, but he is a solid hitter. The problem is they seem stacked in the OF and they need pitching. They must figure now they have some financial flexibility (to sign a starter...maybe Washburn) and can than use a cheaper guy like Wilkerson to land them another starter? In terms of Washington this puzzles me cause I don't have a clue where Soriano would play. Soriano refuses to play OF and Vidro is a staple at 2nd (unless they are going to move him). The Nats could use the extra bat, maybe they plan on moving him to 3rd or something?

Angels would be glad to move Cabrerra since they plan on using Brandon Wood at SS in two years. In fact they are willing to offer him in the 3 team deal with the BoSox and Dbacks (thats been proposed). The Dbacks/BoSox want Kochman, Brandon Wood and Scott Shields. The Angels have said they will not deal Wood and they don't appear willing to move Shields. Kochman and Cabrerra would be what they'd offer (and they keep trying to pass off Finley). I got to be honest, the Angels are doing nothing that makes sense right now. They just announced that they won't offer Bengie Molina arbitration. Jose Molina is a bum and Jeff Mathis isn't ready. I don't know why they wouldn't have offered arbitration. At least they'd still be able to get a draft pick and worse case they get one more year of Molina (which is a good thing if you ask me). The market for catchers is quite low right now. It looks like Hernandez and Molina will be out there for a while.

This doesn't really make much sense to me. This is obviously a straight payroll dump by the Rangers. Wilkerson is a darn good hitter, but Soriano is better and it doesn't sound like they are getting anything else. The question is, where is Soriano going to play since the Nats have Vidro.

5.2 and I can type 120 words a minute or so. I'm not used to typing the abc's, lol.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 07:12 PM) Besides 2001, that was Wickman's best year. Expect him to fall off considerably next year, if he can even stay healthy the entire year. He will have at best a mid 3 ERA and I could easily see it baloon into the 4's when his back flares up and gives him trouble.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 07:05 PM) With the Padres losing both Loretta and Hernandez...and Bonds losing 40 pounds (hint hint), does anyone else think that the entire NL West may come out worse next season? Assuming the Dodgers stay healthy, they will be vastly improved, imo.

QUOTE(jenksd @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 06:42 PM) Pargo, Deng and Songalia carried this team. Songaila played his best game of the year (albeit still nothing incredible). Basden looked great when he was in too. I'm really shocked we won this game. Songalia really played well as did Deng (he's been rolling lately). I liked the lineup the Bulls had out there when they went small (with Deng and Noc both in along with Pargo and Duhon and Sweet). Songalia and Pargo had a nice little two man game going a few times. Every time Gordon came in he would turn it over and our lead would disinegrate.

QUOTE(jenksd @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 05:26 PM) Cry me a river Tyson. Ben the turnover machine's ankle wasn't that bad apparently. I'm glad it forced him to sit out though. Gordon blows chunks. He's a freaking turnover machine and he forces horrid shots. I'd just as well trade Gordon and use Pargo in Gordon's role. Neither can play defense and both are good (albeit streaky) shooters. I think pargo is a better ballhandler though. And yes, I probably overrate Pargo but I've been a Pargo backer since his days with the Lakers. I really don't see much difference between him and Gordon.

Matt, 3e8, was a great buyer. Real good communication back and forth and a quick payment. A total pleasure to do business with

QUOTE(3E8 @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 08:57 PM) Courtney selling Nirvana catalogue to Martha Stewart Stupid stupid Courtney love. I hate her.

The thing is I don't see the Sox going with Davannon simply because they know what they have in Timo and Borch and my guess is one of the two will be back. They are comfortable with the character and attitude of each of them (not that Davannon isn't a good guy) but Kenny is very careful who he brings in. I think we all know there are better bench guys than Timo, but he fits in well in the clubhouse and that has to be at least a little factor for why he should be kept around (although I think he'll be replaced by Borch this year). However, since the Sox are likely to be relying on a rookie like Anderson, I think its wise to have a guy like Davannon around who can (if he plays like he did two years ago) be a pretty good starter and 2 hole hitter.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 05:46 PM) You're a fan of Gathright, of players in his mold in general...? BTW -- in the coming weeks, expect to receive a PM from me. I'm not a fan of Gathright on the Sox, but yes I think Gathright has some potential. I've long said it would be dumb for the Sox to trade for him because he's about as much of a ?? as Anderson and I'd take a guy like Anderson over him. I'm just saying I have zero problem with slap hitters, as long as they are in the 1-2 or 8-9 holes. They also need to have a good eye and good speed (to steal bases) otherwise they are a little less valuable. Hell, Bill Mueller is what I'd call a slap hitter and I'd take him on my team (assuming i have enough pop at other spots).

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 05:39 PM) Jeff DaVanon? http://rotoworld.com/ He is a switch hitter, can take a walk and he always seemed to play well against us. Oh man, I'm a big Davanon fan. This would be a good move, he can play all 3 outfield positions and although he really slumped last year he has pretty good potential and would be a very valuable bench player. Plus he's a smart patient hitter with good gap power and some speed.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 03:43 PM) IF they can move Lowe, its a slightly better deal ebcause he is older, has a longer deal, and makes more money. Lowe is the perfect pitcher for the park in Philly too. IF its Penny, its still not a bad deadl but probably not quite as good. Plus, if they do Lowe, they probably odn't have to have many cash considerations. Makes sens fro both sides. What do the Phils want to do in right if they move Bobby? Jason Michaels? Only one thing, Lowe is a workhorse without any serious injuries while Brad Penny has had some injury problems. For that reason alone I'd probably part ways with Penny before I parted ways with Lowe. The sinkerballer Lowe would be a good pickup for the Phils though (considering there park).

This was a good move, imo. Two years to keep your hometown and HOF closer and than an option year. If he pitches like he did last year they will be set entering the 9th inning.