Chisoxfn

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 05:17 PM) I just can't see anyone on the market who fits this bill. Schmidt and Burnett are the only names that I've heard so far, and both carry too steep a price tag for me, and are unpredictable. These are the two moves that need to be made. Solidify the pen. Shorten the game. Add a player who takes pressure off of Crede/Uribe. (Vizquel & Freel are the 2 guys I pursue hard) I'd give up anyone(except Young) on the farm to make these to moves work. -- McCarthy can go to San Fran. He'd be more likely to succeed there. I'd be happy for him. My ideal line-up for the stretch run would subtract Willie and add Vizquel; or Subtract Timo and (Willie or Ozuna) adding Freel and Gload. In the pen, I'd trim the dead weight of Shingo and Viz, and add Jenks (if he's ready) and Wagner. That's a playoff ready roster... Can you imagine a pen of Cotts/Marte/Wagner/Pollitte/Hermanson/Jenks? I definately like the way you think. Freel is definately another very good option. Great versatility and he's a good top of the order type guy. Plus I think the bottom of the order gets so much stronger with Guchi sliding on down. As far as starters go, I think your right on both Schmidt and Burnett. It seems highly unlikely that they could be had without giving up guys that I think are integral parts of the club (ie, Contreras, Crede and Marte). If a package of Bmac, Anderson, Valido, Shingo and a mid-level guy got the club Schmidt and Vizquel, I'd do it. But I can't see that happening. But like you say, just don't give up Chris Young. I'll part with any of the rest of the outfield prospects. Who knows though, maybe another starter will go up on the market. However, if Duque stays healthy (big indicator will be how he pitches his next few starts up until the deadline) than I could see the Sox staying put with the rotation and making the moves you hinted at. Wagner in the pen (without losing any of our other key cogs) is a major major addition that helps make the games even shorter, while a guy like Freel or Vizquel makes the offense better and gives the Sox so much versality and insurance (in the case of Crede's back). If getting a guy like Free/Vizquel and than Wagner cost the Sox a few of their top prospects, so be it.

QUOTE(daa84 @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 05:06 PM) i know everyone has heard that burnett was traded to boston, but there has been no other info besides that. this is what i read on the marlins websites message board tho...it actually includes names ESPN radio is reporting that the red sox get AJ in a three way deal with san diego involved. They said BOS gets: AJ Burnett and Mike Lowell SD gets: Abe Alvarez FLA gets: Sean Burroughs, Kelly Shoppach, and Bronson Arroyo I tend to bleieve this since Lowell and Burroughs both didn't play today... i know you guys dont put trust in mlb.com message boards, but i thought this sounded legit enough to at least deserve some credit If thats were the deal, I'd say the BoSox did a hell of a job. Of course they would have some other areas to address. But I don't think anything is done, maybe close, but not done.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 04:57 PM) Jason I agree with your thought process, it's obvious management is high on Jenks and want to see what he can do. They're probably thinking they want to see how much this guy can contribute and if he falls on his face, they feel they can land another bullpen arm in Aug. when more teams fall out of it. Jenks is a totally different look vs. anyone they have in the pen, huge power arm, etc. but he will need to calm down in a hurry. His first two outings he was majorly geeked up and overthrowing. Exactly, I tend to think the Sox will hold on bullpen help. If Jenks can dominate than they won't make a move. If he can't, than they'll be able to swing a deal after the non-waiver deadline passes. Relievers tend to pass through waivers. Than again, even if they give him the shot now, there is at least a decent amoutn of time to evaluate Jenks before July 31st.

First off, I think the Sox have a few areas they should possibly address. One would be a starter to help get this team through the post-season, not necessarily into it. The key being, I wnat a guy that can be one of the main gogs during the playoffs and be one of those contributing guys that puts the team over the top (not just gets us to the playoffs). The Sox also have a need for a backup infielder or in my opinion a starting shortstop which allows Uribe to start about 4 days a week in the backup role. The key for the infielder the Sox acquire is for him to be good defensively (as good as Juan) and to be a better hitter who could slide into the 2 hole (give the Sox more steals). Next, there could always be the addition of another quality reliever. As far as how the Sox get any of these needs, there is only one requirement from me. If they want to trade for a front of the rotation pitcher, do not include Jose Contreras in any trade (unless they are getting two starters in return). The point of trading is to sure up the rotation and that weakness is Duque, not Jose. If the Sox want to deal from the major leaguer roster...El Duque (if the Sox get another starter), Luis Vizcaino/Shingo (if the Sox are willing to get another reliever), Willie Harris, and Timo Perez are the only guys I'm willing to deal. If the opponents want someone else, I tell them thanks but no thanks. When it comes to prospects, if the Sox are getting a non-rental player, I'll give up some of those guys that may be deemed untouchable, however, if its a rental player I'd rather give lower level guys and the better rated prospects that may not be as good as the others (kind of a guess though). As far as who I'd like. Burnett would definately be nice, but if they want more than El Duque and prospects, piss off (unless the Sox want to make it a 3 way and deal some prospects for Redman or someone else). Schmidt would be really nice, but once again, if they want more than Duque, Shingo or Viz, and prospects (i'm talking good ones in both instances) they can piss off. Omar would look really nice. Personally speaking, I'd be willing to deal Valido and a mid level guy or even Valido and Shingo for Omar. Valido is the best shortstop in the org but Omar is the type of guy that could really help this team down the stretch and even in the next year or two. In terms of bullpen help....the names are quite obvious. From Ron Villone/Scott Eyre to the bigger names like Billy Wagner, Eddie Guardado, and Brad Lidge. Once again, especially in regards to Lidge, I'd be willing to deal some damn good prospects. For Lidge, Jenks could be one of those chips.

I think the Sox want to move Shingo to open up the roster spot for Jenks to stay. The Sox are very high on this kid. The only thing I can't figure out is why Ozzie has failed to use him. I'm not sure if Ozzie and Kenny see eye to eye on this point when it comes to Jenks. I'm not saying Ozzie doesn't like Jenks, but I don't think he has the confidence in him as of yet and would prefer a veteran. In regards to Gload, his rehab stint ended today so they got till tomorrow to do something. I swear he would be out of options but he must have one left cause everything I've heard has him being put on the Charlotte roster. The Sox can't get rid of Willie due to Crede's back.

QUOTE(SuperSteve @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 02:08 PM) I don't know what kind of girls you hang out with, but none of the girls I know have a beard... Your just not meeting the right kind of girls

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 12:37 PM) Somehow I'm beginning to think the attendance issue is behind us. This team should draw a minimum of 2.5 mil this season. If they win, fans will come

Sweet sweep. Jonny boy wins #14 and the Sox cruise to victory

I'm sure its a total bs thing. Someone from herewould of heard Gammons say it.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 10:07 AM) Especially with Duque going. Don't forget that Hermanson might not be available today. I'm beginning to think it might be in our best interest that if this delay goes for another hour or so, we'd rather it just get cancelled. No, not that a pitch has been thrown it was a 38 minute delay, which isn't too bad at all. Garland should be alright (thats just like a long inning). But I would probably have him on a shorter rope (pitch count wise). Now if the Sox go on to pound out hits or something the rest of the inning and it turns into an even longer delay, that would be another story.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 10:06 AM) And we're back. The tarps are off? I'm still getting a rain delay screen on my xtra innings.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 10:03 AM) When Elarton was in the bullpen with the Astros, he was awesome. He looked better than Oswalt did when Oswalt pitched out of their pen. We're in a bad situation if this rains lasts too long. No reason to risk putting Garland back into the game. I'm trying to think what they can do. Cotts pitched again yesterday if I think right (so two games for him and he's one guy than can go multiple innings, but probably wouldn't be able to go too much today). Viz would be available or so I'd assume (but he also has worked 2 straight games). Regardless, if the delay is much more over an hour I'd probably tell Jon to sit down and wait for his next start. Hell, if Duque was activated I'd consider rolling him out for the rest of the game and opting to call up someone to start tomorrow. The thing I fear is the team having to use the pen for 8 innings and than they'll have nothing left in the tank for tomorrow's game against Detroit.

So have they announced a start time?

Good stuff R&W I have to think AJ is going. There is way too much smoke for there not to be too something going on in terms of Burnett (not only the Sox, but with the other teams). Whether its the BoSox (they should be looking at a reliver or two, imo), Orioles (makes a lot of sense), Blue Jays (can't see it, depsite them being rumored as potential front-runners), or White Sox (not if it costs Jose C, Marte, and more) taking part. Howver, if the BoSox acquire AJB and Lowell, than I want Kenny on the phone with Epstein talking about a trade for Bill Mueller. He'd be a real nice role player for the team and could easily start if Crede's back really flared up. Regardless he could fill in at 3rd and 2nd (don't know if he could do ss...leave that to Pablo).

I just hope its not too long. Cause than it puts the pitcher in an awkard position. Either he has to go after being sat for a while or you really beat up your bullpen.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 09:55 AM) I have not seen Anderson play center field at all but Rowand has become to good of a centerfielder to kick him out of that position. If Anderson were ever going to be the centerfielder over Aaron, Aaron would have to lose that job or Brian would have to earn it, not have it just given to him. It would be like that talk early in the off-season of Pods replacing Rowand in CF. I was throwing up at the thought of that.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 09:52 AM) Ive seen the 2 play and I think your are overating Rowand a bit and underating Anderson.... I love Rowand... and no way in hell would I want to lose him like some posters think... but defensively Id rather have Anderson in CF and Rowand in RF than the other way around. I'm not under-valuing him. Rowand gets as good of jump as any centerfielder in baseball. He has the strongest arm in the organization (well Dye may have something to say), and he flat out is balls out all the time. Anderson is very smooth out in the field and I do think he could be an above average cf, but he'll be the one playing RF, not Rowand. Thats if Anderson is in the organization next year too.

Indians announcers said they'd be back in half an hour with an update and that was 23 minutes ago.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 09:44 AM) You notice that Hawk has ridden umpires much more this year? I agree that those Garland pitches were strikes but winning makes Hawk a little too pompous for my tastes. Also, saying Elarton had among the best stuff in baseball while with Houston is laughable. No, back when Elarton was healthy I think there were quite a few people who thought that of him. I know I was one of them. Elarton had some nasty stuff in his early years. Arm injuries got the best of him though.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 09:49 AM) Brian Anderson is every bit as good as Rowand and has a better arm in CF.... also add in the fact Rowand is a natural corner fielder and Anderson a natural CF.... Short answer...no, not even close. I've seen the two play and quite frankly, Rowand is basically as good as it gets out there.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 09:12 AM) His ops is great, he can get on base and when he hits, he hits the ball hard, problem is he doesn't hit to much. I know some people think batting average is overrated but you have to be able to hit your way on base at times and Dunn's average with runners in scoring position is just brutal. Dunn's good but I personally don't think he's great.

If the Sox get Burnett or Schmidt without giving up one of the other starters, than I'd definately deal Duque to the Yanks.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 01:29 AM) IT should say Eight Men Out. Wait, now I'm confused cause I know he was in Field of Dreams. And they are actually distant cousins (un-related blood wise) but Ray was adopted into the family.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 08:45 AM) If Ozzie doesn't mind having Pods in CF, and Everett in LF.....then I don't think he'd mind having Pods in CF, and Dunn in LF. As much as I like Rowand, if you could get Dunn for him, you do it in a heartbeat. Dunn at the Cell would be a monster, and he'd had no problem maintaining his power with the new steroid testing policy. So we trade Rowand and go for a power hitter that can't hit for any average. The team also weakens there defense. So essentially we go from the type of style that helped the club win 60 games this early in the season, back to the style that choked down the stretch the past couple years? Now I go a little over the top knocking Dunn cause I do realize he has a great eye, but he needs to hit .250-.260 and not in the .230 range which he was doing for most of the year. Right now he's just a better version of Konerko from the left side (I'll let people decide if thats good or bad).

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 17, 2005 -> 08:39 AM) The only two players that have been discussed that I wouldn't mind the Sox trading Rowand for would be Dunn or Brad Lidge. If we were to trade Rowand, it better be for someone that will be here after this season. I don't think Rowand is going anywhere though. I'm not a big fan of B. Anderson, as he didn't overly impress me much in Spring Training, and his K numbers are quite poor. Even if Anderson isn't ready next year, and PK doesn't come back to the Sox, a cheap alternative would be move Dye to 1b (I'm confident he could do well there), and sign a cheap corner outfielder. Just like Dye this year, you can find solid outfielders at fairly cheap prices. You could get much greater value for the same price at RF than you could for a 1b (the list of 1b FA is awful this year). Screw Dunn...thats all I got to say. I can't believe how people under-value some guys on the Sox. Its ludicrous. Teams would freaking love to get their hands on Aaron Rowand. He's not even gotten hot this year and he's still putting up very very solid numbers (OPS be damned) while playing as close to gold glove defense as possible (he'll never win it with Torri in his league though).