Chisoxfn

For those curious Eric Duncan was the Yanks 1st round pick back in 2003. He's a 3rd baseman who played for the Tampa Yanks and Battlecreek Yanks last year. Hit .254, and .260 with a combined 16 HR's. He was taken out of high school. Duncan is thought of as one of the best 3rd base prospects in baseball and is supposed to have some serious power potential. Of course based on his numbers you can see he still has a long way to go.

If the nationals give him anything near 8 mill a year, just consider it another stupid/overpaying move by Bowden. Especially since they are supposedly playing in a serious hitters park.

I still think this is Gammons hyping things before it happened. But I will re-iterate what I said earlier today that this is a horrible deal from the Dbacks perspective. Unless they are getting a ton of cash. Of cousre if they then move Vazquez for prospects and Gordon for prospects then it wouldn't be too bad. I stick to my thinking the Dbacks obviously never got that offer from the Sox. That or their GM is just a huge idiot and considering the deal he's thinking about accepting, its quite the possibility. If I were a Dback fan I'd be upset. Although if they can get a couple stud prospects out of Vazquez and Gordon then it would be a good move.

Ya, they said he really wants to go their.

Randy Johnson for Javier Vazquez, Tom Gordon, and Eric Duncan. However instead of Duncan it could be a prospect from another team if a 3rd team is involved (sounds to me like the basis is their and they are just figuring out who the prospects are). Gammons is reporting this from a source in the Dbacks organization. Its believed the deal will be completed sometime next week. ESPN News also said that Russ Ortiz is thinking very hard about signing with the Nationals.

No that was the eephus pitch or whatever its called. Great article

Good, I was hoping Bush would do something along these lines.

Agree with what the two of you said. The Sox and Bulls do an outstanding job in the community and you have to give credit to JR and the rest of the owners and the organization.

I think it would open up the potential to deal Crede elsewhere, possibly for relief pitching. As far as Uribe, as of now he's the starting SS unless the Sox add someone else and I'd assume they could maybe snag a leadoff hitter to be their 2nd baseman after all this went down. Who knows, just figured I'd throw it out their, especially since I'm probably one of the bigger Klesko fans in baseball (in the sense that I've long included him in different trade suggestions involving the Sox). I also agree with ya on Burr being in the 2 hole. The thing is Klesko is well liked in San Diego and Burroughs was the golden boy they always talked about as a prospect (like Joey B was for the Sox).

My dad and I were talking about this in the morning and realistically it makes sense. I've long thought Wall Street is a gamble and thast basically what Cuban is implying here. When you think about it, at least you pretty much know the facts in sports while in the stock world everything isn't out for you to see in the open. You have no idea whats really going on in a business and whether whats being reported is true or false. A good professional gambler, can take advantage of things and if he won 52% of the time the investors would be making a solid return, especially if htye picked up on some potential big gainers. Still, I see something preventing this whole thing from happening. I'd consider investing in it, although if I recall Hedge Funds usually require a decent amount of cash to get in (not positive on that though).

Just to beat out the Cheat Here's an exert from my article on Bryant Nelson back on July 13 Nelson feels the Japanese league has some players capable of making the jump to the majors. When asked about White Sox reliever Shingo Takatsu, he said he never faced him during his time there, but heard stories about Takatsu, saying he was “one of the most respected players” in Japan. Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Seibu Tigers was the toughest pitcher Nelson ever faced and he feels he could be a very good major league player. Matsuzaka struck out Nelson six times in eight at bats, which is a rare feat coming against a player that doesn’t strike out much. http://www.futuresox.com/modules.php?op=mo...article&sid=608 Is their still any potential of him becoming a FA this year? I saw where they could do a similar thing like with Ichiro letting teams bid just on the right to have exclusive rights to him. Obviously this isn't the type of move the Sox do often, but this guy is legit.

Nope, although I'm like you and am wondering what type of talen he is. That and the young slugger Phil Rogers mentioned from the Dominican League that the Sox think very highly of. As far as converting someone to closer though, I'd love to see Danny Wright moved to the pen once he's 100%. I've long liked Wrights stuff and think if he can get healthy he could make very productive reliever.

Oh I figured Klesko was more then happy playing left field. The only thing I thought was that Klesko still had an extra year on his contract. I think the big thing is he isn't happy playing in PETCO and has been very outspoke in regards to it. He isn't a bad defefnsive left fielder though. I think any number of possibilities would be out their with Lee going to the Pads for Klesko and one of Hernandez or Burroughs. Maybe the Sox have to include someone. But Klesko would be a close bet to replace Lee's bat and would provide left handed power whil Burroughs is a great young 3rd baseman who lacks power but does everything else well, imo or you get a good catcher in Hernandez (both offensively and defensively).

What about Ryan Klesko. The Padres are desperate to trade him so they can get a little payroll flexibility and when you look at his numbers this past season they were really quite good (especially when you take into account the fact that he's playing in PETCO have the time). .299/.391/.847 with 9 HR and 66 RBI. The power numbers were startling low for Klesko, but at the same time he's always been a good power hitter. Would anyone else do a Sean Burroughs (Who supposedly they'd deal with Klesko to make him more attractive) and Klesko for Carlos Lee deal (I doubt they'd do Konerko). I'd think it would be worth considering. Burroughs did a solid job at the top of the Pirates order and is still going to get better. Or maybe get Ramon Hernandez, whose a pretty good catcher. Remember, I've always wanted the Sox to get Ryan Klesko

If the Sox added Delucci you have to know one thing, they'd need someone to start for him when a lefty is pitching. His 3 year splits against LHP is .118 AVG, .206 OBP, .378 OPS Thats in just 93 at bats. Also here's a blurb from the ESPN Player profile of him "Dellucci is a little stretched to cover center, and his weak throwing arm is exposed in right field."

Only major flaw in Bautista, who played in 140 + games this past season is his lack of patience. Good defensive outfielder though. I like Delucci better because of his bat. Of course you do have the question of how Dellucci would handle starting cause sometimes players are just better playing a few times a week as opposed to daily. But if the Sox spent money on pitching (starting and relief) added a leadoff hitter somehow, and then signed Dellucci, I'd be more then happy. Dellucci in the 7 spot wouldn't look bad at all.

Of course in 2003 he has had a few seasons where most of his starts came in RF.

I agree with you. He would be a solid pickup, but if I recall his arm strength is a question-mark and thats why he's mainly thought of as a left fielder. However he's a left handed bat and while his average is a little low, he has a respectable .346 OBP and solid power numbers in limited at bats. If he played everyday he'd hit 25 plus homers. The question to me is whether he can play RF, cause otherwise I like Dellucci, plus he can always be a great platoon guy too. I still like Dye though. For those curious he hit .246 with 17 HR and 61 RBI in 331 at bats last season with the Rangers and he bats left handed.

Interesting. Great deal for the Yanks and if I'm the Sox I'd have some interest in finding a way to acquire Gordon. Horrible deal from the Dbacks perspective, imo, since they are getting a bad contract and not much future for their superstar.

They could sign a vet cheaply like EY or another type of cheap vet that could help teach Wilson. Thats the guy I was thinking of, he's pretty highly rated if I recall. Haven't been quite as up on prospects the past couple months though since I've been so busy with school and stuff.

I sure hope they don't. I still say Tracey has the best arm in the Sox system and one of the best in baseball, especially in regards to his ability to throw tons of pitches and still be able to throw the next day (not that the Sox are going to do that). As promising as he is, I wouldn't move him to the pen unless things didn't work out in the rotation or their wasn't a spot for him once that time comes. Tracey still has another year though and this will be a huge year cause if he gets it done in Bham and maybe even sees Charlotte this season he's gonna be right their two and all of a sudden the Sox will have two of the very best in baseball in Bmac/Tracey, imo. But I think highly of Tracey as a prospect as I think everyone has known for a while. Just like I think Chris Young is going to be a STUD. Now if Honel can figure things out, that be even more awesome. Plus I like the sleepers down in Kanny last year, mainly Haig and Rodriguez. Both of them pitched well considering they were on their way back from injury. Plus I like the looks of Orionny Lopez in terms of a reliever. Not an overpowering fastball, but he has a good looking hook that he throws for strikes.

I think Shuey retired. If he didn't he would be a great pickup. Too bad he's type A and your right some of them just don't make sense. Mantei won't be offered arb though and is another guy that could be a nice pickup for the pen.

Very cool stuff. Hopefully the three of them can continue to push each other. Hopefully they are having a blast getting ready for spring training and I'm sure BMac in particular will get some appearances with the big time during camp.

I'm assuming it was as you described Rex. But he'd be an oustanding fit for Washington. They need a good image guy who has experience recruiting on the West Coast. I think Ty and UW would be a great fit.

Also count me in on the Osuna bandwagon. He did good in San Diego and was solid with NY the year before. Should be a pretty good value too, only question is his health. I'm in shock that he's only 31.