Chisoxfn

Joel Pineiro and Randy Wynn would make some sense. The question is whether Pineiro is healthy and I'd rather make the offer around Paul Konerko. Also Seattle is supposedly one of the front-runners for Pavano. Carlos Lee is so underrated and if Kenny doesn't get full value for him (which in my mind is a hell of a lot) then I'll be worried. He's way more capable of filling for Maggs then Konerko or Thomas or anyone else on this offense.

I am nervous when Lee's name comes up in trade talks cause I think he's an All Star. If they get Hudson they better be serious about locking him up.

Both Everett or Gload can play LF.

Who knows, but they are making some foolish moves. ESPN said 3yr 27 million. WOWZERS

Interesting, the only problem is I see the terms a package of players. Personally I think Lee should be good enough to get the Sox Tim Hudson.

I just want to quickly point something out. Sec, who posted that rumor, is one of the original posters from Soxtalk so their could potentially be something to it. The Sox are looking for a 2nd baseman, and their could be some logic to the deal. Especially since I remember reading Texas was talking with a few 1st baseman/DH.

Good story.

Hey Sec...long time no see. You hear this somewhere or are you simply speculating? Personally I'm a Soriano fan. Its also kind of intriguing at the very least cause it gives the Sox a 2 hole hitter. Only flaw is the Rangers seem pretty set with Tex and Blalock, plus they have a very very good first base propect in the minors in Adrian Gonzalez (I think thats his name). However, I guess Konerko could technically DH and I know I read somewhere that the Rangers were negotiating with a couple first baseman.

I guess we'll see what happens in this mornings edition. But the Dye move deserves to be a front page move, especially since the Cubs had their news a couple days ago. But then again I don't usually pay much attention to the headlines. I figure if the Sox do things right, the Trib won't be able to hold them back cause they'll finally make the series.

I dunno, Yankee stadium can be really nice for left handed hitters. But that beauty is cancelled out by the deep power alleys for righties.

Haha, we sure read that the same way

I still say part of the horrid numbers this past season stem from the Sox pitching staff being lousy and the offense containing a lot of power.

Ya, Maggs is trying ot win back the fans, but at this point I know the offer that was on the table and Its quite obvious the relationship the Sox and Boras have, so its quite obvious Maggs had no desire of coming back to the Sox. From the sounds of it, it all stems from the botched Nomar deal from the offseason. Seems like after that he figured the Sox didn't want him. I don't think that was ever the case, until he rejected a more then fair proposal (one of which would be close to being able to land Beltran right now; other then it would have to be about 2 years longer).

Remember though, their is some talk of the fences moving back by as early as the start of this season.

Its what makes him so intriguing. Then again look how long it took the Yanks to get rid of Weaver who turned things right back around in LA. He just got better and better for the Dodgers (I always was a fan of Weaver though). Problem is the Yanks get these guys, somehow they fail (whether its poor arm slots or all mental from the pressure) but the Yanks give them such huge contracts that you take such a huge risk on them. We can only hope Contreras turns out like Weaver did for the Dodgers. If Jose can put up the numbers Weaver did in LA this past season, I'll be exstatic. Both have similar styles, imo. However, Vazquez always looked to have major upside, but part of me thinks he could really have a messed up arm cause the Expos overworked him quite a bit. It does help that he put up good numbers for half a season in New York.

Just to add to this a bit. Todd Walker said he received a fair offer from the White Sox on the radio. But said something along the lines that he couldn't join the Sox. I think he was referring that he didn't want to leave and have Cub fans absolutely hate him or something. That or he was taking a stab at the organization. Its odd how Walker complained about his lack of playing time at one point last season and now Grudz is the one being shown the door. Grudz has had some health issues, but when healthy he's a pretty good top of the order hitter. His only flaw being the lack of speed. Also a good character guy. Will do whatever is asked of him.

Odd, I still heard he was supposed to be at the Winter Meetings (pavano that is) and that the teams were gonna meet near the end of them if not the next day. But who knows, I know they really wanted him. Of course he seems very intrigued with the idea of playing in Boston. If the Mets have upped the offer to 4 years they might as well turn their focus to Pavano and lock him up and then say goodbye to Pedro and collect the draft picks.

The funny thing is, if I recall, earlier in his career he had at least a few seasons where he was more of a groundball pitcher.

Personally I could care less if he goes to the Cubs. Atlhough it will add to the rivarly when the teams meet up. Welcome aboard

My dad mentioned to me that the Angels are sleepers in the whole thing. I guess if Pavano goes elsewhere they will quickly enter the fray. Not sure how valid it is, cause despite other reports from what I heard Pavano would love to play in Anaheim and the feelings are mutual (ie the Angels are gonna make a very lucrative offer when they meet).

I'm assuming the Sox are going to make an acquistion, whether via free agency or trade, to add another starter. But if for whatever reason they don't I think Nomo could be a pretty good guy to look at. This past season he was awful, but he also pitched hurt the entire year. Just look at his previous two seasons and he put up dynamite numbers. A 3.09 ERA in 2003 as well as roughly 220 innings and far fewer hits. Really good periphals as well. I'm assuming he's just looking for a shot at making a club. 2003 16-13, 3.09 ERA, 218.1 INN, 175 H, 177 K, 24 HR 2002 16-6, 3.39 ERA, 220.1 INN, 189 H, 193 K, 26 HR Just to make note this was the first time I can remember him having any type of injury that truly hampered him. Dodgers execs said he pitched through his injury most of the way this year because its not his way to make mention of pain. I think its kind of one of those things Japanes pitchers are expected to do in Japan (pitch through pain). He's 36 years old and hasn't lived on velocity in a long time. If he's around 88 MPH he'll put up at least good numbers.

Ya, I've been shocked at how Selig is allowing things to go down their. They have absolutely trashed and bankrupted the team. They were one of the teams that bounced payroll checks a while back to the players (or whatever you call them). Arizona is a seriously screwed up franchise and they still are throwing around money like water. I would think Selig would be able to step in and say get your budgets in order before you do stuff like this. Also, what a horrible deal to sign Ortiz. Only thing that helps is the park is decent for pitching. I'm assuming they are signing Clayton and not giving him that type of deal. I'm also curious as to what other then Vazquez the Sox would be getting. However, that deal would free up payroll for the Sox regardless so they could sign Vazquez and Perez if the Yanks sent cash their way. But I just don't see the Sox being THAT agressive on the FA market. That would mean 3 FA signings, a big trade acquisition and then still a pickup to replace Konerko as well as a middle infielder (just a smaller signing). So a total of 5 FA signings and one big trade. I don't know.

I tend to agree with you, plus their are some major questionmarks in what Vazquez you get. I could see why the Yanks would do it. If they can't get RJ then they could deal Vazquez and free up some room to sign Pavano (I know, realistically they probably could just keep both, but it seems like they want to dump some contracts). Realistically though I was just looking through some teams pitching staffs and it doesn't seem like many pitchers are on the block this year. Hudson and Vazquez are about the only two decent pitchers on the trade block. I still think Joel Pineiro could be had but he's also a questionmark, but he's pretty damn good when not injured. Odalis Perez sounds like a really good fit the more I think about it. His name has been growing on me day by day over the last 3 days or so. Then if the Sox really needed to free up payroll somehow, they could move Konerko or even move Everett and just take on a contract or send cash cause I bet someone takes a shot. However, just watch, if Everett produces you could see the Sox get some offers for him during the season.

Padres and Mariners were discussing a trade that would send Ryan Klesko and Sean Burroughs to Seattle in exchange for Randy Wynn, Scott Spiezo and potentially Jerremy Reed. The major holdup is that Seattle seems quite reluctant to give up Reed. Personally I think thats a great deal by the Mariners, especially if they didn't give up Reed. Klesko, even with his semi bad contract >>>> Spiezo and Burroughs has a ton of upside and is already good.

Right now I find it highly unlikely that Kenny deals Garland unless he can get back two starters somehow. Like him dealing Garland for one starter and then Konerko for another starter. I'm with you Yasny and I'd like to see Garland pitching for the Sox this year. Hell, part of me would be exstatic if the Sox stood pat on the free agent market, and signed Odalis Perez at 5 mill a year and then tried their darnest to ink Alex Cora at 2 million per. That would put the Sox payroll right around 76 million which may just be doable. Right now while Vazquez could be really nice, I think you may be better off looking at Odalis Perez at 5 million a year, which is doable. Although a 3 yr 18 mill deal and I'd really guess he'd join the club. I say if the Sox have to give up Garland and PK for their ace then they better damn well be getting somone better then Vazquez or be getting something else pretty damn good with it. Personally I'm thinking we may see the Sox look at a guy none of us are expecting via trade.