Chisoxfn

Was Nelson injured in 2004? Cause he only pitched in 29 games, which is a sharp drop from his norm. Still he limited both lefties and righties to .224 or lower. His big flaw was a high walk total which could of been do to his injuries. I don't know what was wrong with him but I know he missed August. In April he pitched good and had an alright May but after that his numbers took off and then he stopped sometime in July until pitching again in September. Which is a clear indication of an injury. If he's a 100%, you could probably get him at a mill and it would be more then worth it.

Ya, If I recall the most you can get in arb is a doubling of your salary or something along those lines. Which would mean he'd get like 1.7 mill or so.

Actually last year was the first year he had a starting job. The year before it Harris wasn't the starter if I recall and when he started getting playing time Robbie Alomar came over in what I would call a horrible move by the Sox (not a Alomar fan) not in what they gave up, rather in the fact I think they could of done something else. However it made sense and could of really paid off if his career took back off. As far as 2nd base goes, the Marlins could look to their farm system where they are incredibly strong. I think they have a middle infielder that could come up and play but they could also look at a cheap replacement. They would probably be happy to get rid of Castillo's contract which pays him well over the next few years in exchange for offense and they could fill the position later. I don't think this 3 way is going to happen, but the pieces kind of match for a potential deal between the Sox and Marlins considering the Sox need for a top of the order presence and the Marlins need for some pop.

Thats what I figured too.

Well if the on Dec. 7th the Braves decline to offer him arbitration (or any time before then) then the Sox could sign him on Dec. 8th and not give up anything. However, I find it extremely unlikely that the Braves wouldn't offer him arbitration. The reason being if Wright accepted arbitration he would get less money then any of the teams are offering and it would only be a one year deal. Plus the Braves would be getting good value. The Braves know he won't accept anyway so this way they assure they get something for him. I pretty much guarantee the Braves offer him arbitration, so whoever signs him is gonna be giving up something. Remember, a 2nd round pick lost could mean the Sox use a 3rd rounder on a guy that slides or have more money to toss to a 1st round pick that slides (due to signing issues). And one thing you can say about JR is he seems to always give his GM's and player personel people a good budget on draft choices.

Ya, I was thinking you could almost see the basis for a Cotts and a mid-level for Farnsworth and maybe Wellmeyer or one of the Cubs other AAA relievers deal or something along those lines. Although I personally wouldn't give up Cotts. However, still, when you look at Farnsie's numbers I Think a Diaz and midlevel or Munoz and midlevel swap could make sense for both sides. Especially since it seems the Cubs want Farnie out and the change of scenery should help both.

Interesting, if he gets 13 mill a year that would be a good signing for any team.

Since the Sox pick 15th and not 16th, they will not lose their first roudn pick. Instead the Sox will give up their 2nd round pick and the Braves will get a comp pick between the 1st and 2nd round.

I'd do both, Nelson and Farnsworth would both be good pickups. Once again the names I use would be one of the fringer starters/relievers (ie Diaz, Munoz, Adkins) and a guy like Spidale. The question is how willing are the Cubs to move him cause Farnsworth would look great. Nelson or another vet would be a good pickup as well. I think one of the least talked about areas, yet probably the most important (in my mind) is for the Sox to improve their bullpen. Add Wright, add two relievers and all of a sudden (barring injury) you have one of the best staffs in baseball and stilll a good offense. Maybe not the best in the majors, but I'd say top 7 (without making any changes to last years 2nd half lineup other then adding Frank back).

Here's a question, how could the Sox get AJ. Cause I don't give a rats ass he was once a hated twin. He's good behind the plate and a solid offensive catcher. He'd be a good fit on this club and would fill a big need. Would Munoz or Diaz and a lower level guy work? I still think SF has one big signing left and thats the one where they bring in protection for Bonds.

Haha, thats exactly what I was thinking. Maybe the score was just waiting for some type of validation. I'm assuming Wright is gonna get offered arb regardless by the Braves. He was cheap so its not like he'd get a huge payraise via arb, since I think the most you can get is a doubling of your contract. Also since I Think the compensation is based on a few years play and not just one year, the Sox may not have to give up as much for signing him. Anyone know what type of player he is in the compensation picture? Also agree with that order. El Duque over Ortiz...fine by me. Ortiz is crap unless he suddenly develops control. By crap I just mean mediocre and paying big money ain't worth it.

What question would that be? Because if you were teh GM the Sox would be on the tab for Colon another 3 years at 12 mill a season which would be ludicrous. Trust me, I'm a season ticket holder in Anaheim and watching Colon pitch last season (until the very last part of the season) was sheer horror. You knew you were in for an asswhooping. His velocity was crap too. This isn't fantasy baseball, you can't just bring in 7 or 8 new players and meche right away. You also can't go back in time. Either you say the things before or when it happens or don't...thats my theory. I was for letting Colon go at that price and it turns out it was a great move. Colon at 10 mill fine, although I still hold out that he was an 8 mill a year type pitcher. When your budget is tight, the team has to be careful and that means not going for the best guys or saying hey is it worht the extra few mill for that guy or are we better of with this guy AND another guy. For example, Polanco at 4 mill for maybe 3 years (he may get more, but thats all I'd give him) or Cabrerra at 7 mill for 4 years. Thats 3 mill a year more. That means the Sox could get Polanco and a stud type set up guy for the price of Cabrerra, who isn't a fit for the Sox. Cabrerra isn't a 1 or 2 hole hitter nor is he a left handed bat. Those are the Sox needs and he doesn't fit it. Polanco is a top of the order hitter (great bat control, solid career obp). And last of all, I Don't give a s*** what gets fans excited and I sure as hell hope Ken Williams doesn't either. If a not so great name is his best thinking for the team then fine with me. If it doesn't work he'll pay for it by getting fired, but juts cause the fans call for something (and in regards to fans I mainly am talking about the casual fans cause everyone here is a different breed) doesn't mean you do it. So in conclusion, I don't give a s*** which name excites fans more, I care about which set of players gets the Sox to the series and bottom line, if this team has no superstars or 10 superstars, all that matters is winning the whole thing. Thats what I'll get excited about. I'll also get excited about moves that help the team now and down the line and moves that help the team now. Lets play things off, but no GM should make moves soley for excitation of fans, it should be to make the team better and if a not as attractive name to general fans (say Polanco) is better then a bigger name (Cabrerra) in terms of fit then thats the move you make. Personally I'm perfectly content with Harris cause I like him and I want the Sox to spend their money on the rotation and on the bullpen. In fact my key area for the Sox would be adding two GOOD relievers because a strong pen is one of the most important parts of a team.

Personally I'd stick Bradley in the 3 hole. He's got good power, can hit for average and has is an OBP guy. He'd put up fantastic numbers at the cell. The question is how much of a problem is he really. Usually I take the medias reports for clubhouse problems with a grain of salt. Everett was supposed to be a pain in the ass and he's fit in well with the Sox (clubhouse wise) or at least thats what your led to believe. Frank is made out as a real asshole and I don't know how he is in the clubhouse, but he's a nice guy.

Guys if Ozzie was the GM I would be crying. The guy is a no talent ass clown when it comes to a lot of things. In fact I have absolutely zero faith in his talent evaluation. The only thing I have faith in when it comes to Ozzie is a motivation/leadership factor. His managerial skills are lousy (so are Dusty Baker's) but if he can make it up in the leadership/getting the best out of your players then it will work out fine. However, you ever hear this guy talk about players? If it were up to him we'd have 9 ozzies in the field and one in the dugout managing and this would be the most god awful team in the history of baseball.

I'll second that. I still say the numbers were drastically inflated by the fact the Sox have tons of power hitters and they had a horrible staff/bullpen in terms of giving up the long ball.

Interesting...seems like those dollar figures and years would get it done. I wonder what moves follow this cause I would like that rotation without any more moves but the bullpen dillema still needs to be answered. Monetarily it seems a little steep, but like I said, if he's healthy for the tenure, he's a great deal. You also have to like the fact that he doesn't give up many homers.

The catch is instead of the Cubs picking up any of his contract they give the Sox a great pitcher. They wouldn't pay the Sox to get rid of him and then give the Sox a good pitcher. Regardless none of this is going to happen. I just know the only way I'd accept Sosa on this team would be if the Cubs paid all of his contract and the Sox gave up a mid level prospect or if the Cubs gave the Sox something worthwhile like Zambrono.

Supposedly the Sox and Tribe are looking at a lot of the same pitchers. When it comes to Clement the Sox would likely get him if they offered something close to what the tribe is. The question is do they really want him or is it just a backup plan if they don't get the guy they really want. Cause I'm guessing Clement won't make it past Dec 7th, but either way I figure the Cubs offer him arb.

After Bradley's latest incident he'd be available pretty cheap, especially if the rumors are true that a package with Rhodes and some others could land him (that would be a deal with the Pirates). I'll say this, Bradley the player would be an awesome fit in this lineup. Bradley the person would not and I don't know whether it would be worth it. Tracy didn't seem to have much of a problem with him and he played hard for the most part in LA. He talks about how he wants to get rid of his old image though so their are signs for improvement, but then he went out and pulled his latest stunt.

I wonder if its a true 3 year deal or some sort of optoin type stuff. I think 5 mill could be a bargain for him if he's healthy. As long as Jaret Wright is healthy I think he's a front of the rotation top pitcher, not necessarily a #1 but right up their and at 5 mill a yera that would be a bargain. The major question is the heatlh cause if he does go down your no stuck for a couple years.

They could deal him because they need power hitting and have Pierre and LoDuca pencilled in at the top of the order. I could see Castillo being available. However, if I were the Sox I wouldn't give them Lee or Konerko for Castillo straight up, as I'd be interested in picking up Mota as well. The problem is I don't know how willing the Marlins would be to do that now that they lost Benitez cause I'm assuming Mota is now going to be their closer.

Sox get one of their aces and Sosa in exchange for PK or Lee and call it a deal Cubs get rid of a horrible contract, but in return give the Sox something they could use...an ACE.

Welcome aboard Heath.

Thats what gets me. The dollar figure makes sense and the contracts seem fair in regards to Wright and Dye's seems reasonable, although a little expensive (not much though as I figure 3-4 mill would be about right for Dye). Then you have to ask yourself would Florida deal Castillo for Lee...YES and it fills a need of power hitting. Would Mil consider dealing Pos for Anderson, I'd say their is a good shot at it. Especially since Florida is helping out too.

Jim I for one know you wouldn't make stuff up and think you are one of the most credible posters here. You've earned that credibility and I think most everyone knows that. Don't let a few remarks sway ya I apprecaite it, by the way, just saw the PM from like two days ago in regards to Levine. Thanks for doing that