Chisoxfn

You will see the Sox sign a starting pitcher.

Pyrz is now more likely then ever to get non-tendered. The Giants signed Matheny to a 3 yr deal today and they didn't sign him to be the backup.

I also have to think by Friday that the Sox have inked a pitcher to a deal. I don't see them waiting till the non-tender period unless Kenny has a very good idea that cuople guys he really wants are going to get non-tendered. I'm still hoping they get Ginter cause that would give the Sox a lot of depth. If Crede struggles, bam, if Harris struggles (plus he can play vs lefties) and then you have the ability to get Pyrz and Perez. You don't know how happy I'd be if the team got Ginter and then signed Odalis and Pyrz.

Plus in between his one bad season he had a season with an ERA in the 2's. Think of it this way. 7th/8th inning you got the option of Hermy/Marte/Vizcaino. Then you have Cotts and Politte before that and Shingo in the 9th. Thats some nice depth. Especially if Shingo pitches really well.

Unless they deal him with the plan to sign Delgado

Jermaine will now be the 5 hole hitter and I don't have a problem with that. But some of the Sox younger guys will have to step up. At the same time, if the Sox sign another good starter, the staff and defense should look really good. Plus I wonder if the Sox are going to be moving the fences back a bit.

I'd say thats a decent shot. At the same time Paulie could still hit 40, Dye could do 30, Thomas (according to Herm is right on schedule) and could do 25-35, Arow could do more like 25, Uribe has 30 hr power. I mean thats all a risk. I do think Crede will hit 20 if he gets the AB's. If his swing is fixed I think he hits 25-30. However his average may be horrible (if his swing isn't fixed).

Jim, I specifically remember NOT jumping on ya But I'm also one of the few people that thinks, certain conditions given (ie picking up Perez or a good starter and hopefully a catcher or middle infielder) that this is a good deal.

Your not speaking for me because I've watched Vizcaino pitch against the Cubs for a few years. Power pitcher with good stuff. I always wondered why he wasn't their closer and if I recall he never did too well in that role, but has been a good set-up guy for a while. I figured he wasn't going to be dealt. I did always think he was a little younger (he's actually 31).

Nothing has been said yet, but its possible the Sox will send some cash for next season. I think this part still has to be worked out, just like the PTBNL part. I'm assuming if any it would be pretty minimal.

Just to add. For those that say the Sox are going to lose a lot of power. Going to make some assumptions here (I consider them conservative) Crede - 20 Uribe - 20 Konerko - 30 Thomas - 20 Dye - 25 Rowand - 20 Thats 135 homers right there. Thats between 6 players. Then you also have Scotty P who will hit 10, the catchers who combine for maybe 10 and Gload/Everett who get 10 or so. So thats 165 homers. That isn't fantastic, but lets also remember that I think thats a conservative estimate. On the high end you get more from Thomas, Dye, Uribe, Crede, and Konerko. So my guess is they hit 180 plus homers which isn't too shabby. They also will have a lot more steals with Harris, Pod, Rowand out there. The average and OBP is definately a questionmark but we'll have to see how that goes. Get me Pyrz and Perez and I'll be so so happy or Perez and Polanco or whomever. Hell get me Perez and I'll just hope for another signing after that How many of us b****ed that we wanted a team built around pitching, and defense and guys that are better fundemenatally. Well in one offseason Kenny has almost done that (still needs a good starter and I'd like to see a catcher) and the team will have a very good pitching staff, very good defense, still above average power, better speed, and probably a lesser average.

I'm assuming he talked to JR and said, I got a guy in mind for SP and I want to make this deal that will give us some good players that will help the club and give the flexibility to make this deal. But if for whatever reason I go over budget by 2-3 mill will it be alright? Thats how I'm assuming the talks went. If they go for Clement then thats probably the offseason. If they go for Perez, I think the Sox make one more signing following non-tenders. At the same time Kenny could wait for non-tenders entirely and see what starters are cut lose as well. I'm starting to get excited because with Perez or another good pickup the Sox will have one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball. It will be combined with a strong bullpen AND rotation. The defense will be very good (good OF defense) and the infield with Crede, Uribe, Harris, and Konerko (with a potential pickup like Polanco or Ginter) will be very good defensively. We know Burke calls a good game and Davis is solid defensively. The Sox are going to be a much more dynamic team, but at the same time they should have power between Crede, Uribe, Konerko, Thomas, Dye, and Rowand. All of a sudden you have a very very good fundemental ball club. One that still has the homer power but also some speed and so so much pitching (you can never have too much pitching).

Don't look at his 3 year splits, look at his 2 year splits because he's been relatively similar the past two seasons. This past season he was outstanding versus left handed pitching and will be going to a better lineup and a better hitting park. I do agree though, their is no guarantee he's a part of this deal. Odds aren't too good, but if he is this deal looks more then solid to me, especially when factoring in the money. Cause that money will give the Sox enough to fill their remaining two holes (SP and C).

I doubt he gets 5 mill, I think 4 mill max. Although the Cards could get desperate if they lose Renteria and overbid.

He puts up a .340 OBP with his speed and I'll be pleased. Thats what i'm hoping for because he's going to turn so many plays into doubles and help create so many runs. I'm assuming he's a good bunter?

Pos will play left, no reason not to. He has the weaker arm and Rowand and Dye both have plus arms. Plus Rowand is a fantastic defensive outfielder. My one fear is that Posednik turns into Tony Womack who always had so much freaking speed but never really amounted into that great of a leadoff hitter (although he did a solid job last season).

This is a wait and see deal. I need to see who the PTBNL is and what the Sox do with the money. The Sox should be able to add two more pieces now this offseason plus whomever the PTBNL is. If somehow they are getting Ginter as the PTBNL (which is a possibility), regardless I do expect another quality player coming the Sox way...and then they go Perez and Pyrz then I'd call it a hell of a deal. This is assuming that Ginter can play 2nd base and play with Willie. You could have Ginter split time amongst 3rd and 2nd depending on how those guys are doing. Could you imagine an offseason: Sox lose Lee, Maggs Gain: Dye, Hermy, SPod, Vizcaino, Ginter, O. Perez, and Pyrz They would have the holes filled at the top of the order, in the infield, behind the plate, in the pen and in the rotation. Kenny would of filled every hole with a 75 mill payroll. You'd still have question-marks and guys would still have to produce, but I'd be very very very pleased with that offseason. I doubt it goes that perfect the rest of the way, but the next step is getting a good starting pitcher and I'll be really excited if they pick up Perez.

Odalis Perez and a non-tender guy. Or Perez and Polanco. I think they have 10 mill available and that should be enough for both Perez and Placido or another non-tender guy. They need a good SP and a solid middle infielder. Of course I wouldn't complain about Perez and Pyrz either.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb...s_mlb&fext=.jsp

I only listen to it a bit and ya, your joke went way over my head

No, haven't been to the site in a while. But the guy does good stuff come draft time. I often disagree with a lot of his assessments, but overall he does a fantastic job.

Cancel that name. He's out for 2005. The other guy would be an awesome pickup though. Jones was rated very highly in the Brewers organization though.

I think Weeks is pretty much untouchable. But if the Sox got him I'd absolutely LOVE this deal. Also the one guy I suggested Jones is out for the entire season according to Brewerfan.net Its a very respectable site, I've talked to the guy that ran it once or twice a long time ago.

Well Kenny had some quotes and mentioned both Luis and Scott specifically so that tells me those two are here. The question is who the PTBNL is. Ginter could still be that guy since he hasn't played in the AL, meaning he could be a PTBNL. The Sox may want to figure some things out really quickly. Maybe if they can't sign a FA pitcher, then they don't get Ginter, but instead take a good pitching prospect from the Brewcrew. Now I think the Sox will target a picture relatively quickly and try to sign him. They are the one team (along with the Cubs) who can snag Clement away from Anaheim, imo. I don't know if monetarily its the move to make. Odalis Perez is a guy out there who could actually be signed at market value. 3 yr 17-18 million and you'll get him, imo. You could even potentially land him at near 5 mill a year and give the rest in incentives. I think you'll see Perez the next acquisition and then the Sox will use the remaining money on a non-tender guy or a middle infielder.

Just throwing out some names in the Brewers organization: Ben Hendrickson (RHP) - AA Mike Jones (RHP) - AA Both of those guys are high upside pitchers. Hendrickson has some of the best stuff in their system and is just beginning to put it together. Jones was around 20 and already in AA. Both put up good numbers their as well. I think that type of caliber prospect could be coming. Just like I think Ginter could be that guy, but the Sox would obviously have to first make a roster move. If it is an official PTBNL, thats another story cause an actual PTBNL can't be a major leaguer or on the 40 man roster (IIRC).