Chisoxfn

I'll tell you one thing I guarantee, he is the best defensive first baseman in baseball. Their is absolutely zero doubt in my mind about that. The guy is a great athlete and has that tough attitude to get everything done. He's definately the type of guy that adds a little more then just stats, just like I think Omar does. Erstie is also an absolutely leader in the clubhouse.

Becuase he can not play in the outfield anymore. His hamstrings can't take it. Whether he plays left, center or right he's going to be running to much and bang into way too many walls. Erstad only knows one speed. The Angels are looking for a CF, if they thought Erstad could play CF they wouldn't be looking for it cause he's a gold glover out there. He can not play in the outfield, it is too much of a health laibility.

Everyone will regret not taking Big Ben. I remember from day one I said he was the best qb in the draft.

Ya, problem is he hit .278 this past season and is an absolute doubles machine. His OPS was only 30 worse then Konerko too. Plus 32 homers is nothing too shabby. I think their is a pretty good debate on who would be better and to be honest, I think I could see going with Lee, especially since he's produced in pitcher parks like Florida.

Oh hell ya I'd do that.

Ummm, Derek Lee is a pretty damn good first baseman. He hits for power, a solid average and is a very good baserunner. Plus he is great defensively.

Because the Sox want Willie and Juan battling, but I think the most likely outcome will be Willie in the 9 hole and Juan spelling Crede, Willie, and Omar. I guarantee you Uribe will start against most left handed pitchers. I don't think the Sox have given up on Willie, they just know between Willie, Juan, and Crede their are some questionmarks, although all 3 have the capabailities, so this way you have a few options if one of them doesn't work out.

I'd rather deal Konerko and Munoz/Diaz for Erstad/Guillen then have Moises Alou. Then the Sox have a ton of other options avaialable. I think their are a lot of options better then Moises Alou. IF the Sox are going to spend 6-7 million on a FA, then they should be looking at Matt Clement/Brad Radke, etc or look at giving Percy 4 mill a year. To me both are more important needs.

George W. Bush

I just don't want Moises Alou. He's a freaking prick. I'd rather get Jose Guillen cause at least he's a more affordable prick and is also an asset in the field.

He can learn to play first, plus he should be DH'ing early in the season. He's the backup plan if Frank is hurt or if Gload struggles as a starter. And I agree Pineiro and Wynn for Konerko would work for me. I don't know if the Mariners would do it, I'd assume they wouldn't think Konerko would put up the numbers he did this year in Seattle. Of course I think they would for Carlos Lee. I just think I'd rather move Konerko then Lee.

No, but everyone else essentially is to a point. And Ted Lilly, while solid, is nothing special. If your gonna give up Lee, get something very good in return.

At 4 mill a year I'd be all over Darin Erstad. He plays gold glove first base and is a great top of the order hitter. As he progressed this past year he was just getting better and better. And no, while he's an awesome outfielder I wouldn't move him there. If the Sox deal Lee, going after Erstad may not be a bad option, if in fact he goes on the market. We all know they have Kochman. I read in the Register that the Angels were thinking about cutting payroll. Then I saw Gammons say they are going to increase it to 95 million and go after Pedro/Beltran. Now, I don't know what to think, but I do think Erstad is on the block. At the same time he's a mega fan favorite so I highly doubt they'd trade him for nothing. But if they would pick up 4 mill a year for 2 years, I'd give up a guy like Munoz or Diaz. Of course I don't quite think the Angels would do that. Erstad Omar Frank Lee Everett Rowand Crede Catcher Harris/Uribe Wouldn't be too shabby, especially if they opted to go after a RF via free agency...a left handed hitting one at that. That lineup would still have power but it would also have speed and Darin and Omar would give the Sox a totally different top of the order. Heck, come to think of it, I could see the Angels having interest in Konerko. Maybe they would do a Konerko for Erstad (partially paid salary) and Jose Guillen. I could see a package like that working. Konerko's salary is basically filled by Erstad and Guillen. Your lineup: Erstad Vizquel Thomas Lee Guillen Rowand Ben Davis Crede Uribe/Harris Only flaw with that lineup is you have a right handed stretch, but its still what I would call a potent top and middle of the order. Who knows, maybe its a possibility.

I completely agree. I mean in the perfect world you have a great 1 and 2 hole hitter and you can let Aaron hit back in the lineup. But right now with the true lack of a two hole hitter, that Aaron would be a good fit there. Hell, he puts up these kind of numbers over a full year (project his last couple months) and I'll stick his ass in the 3 spot. As far as a new CF goes, unless its Andruw Jones or Carlos Beltran, I'll take Rowand cause he plays a damn good CF and has one of the best CF arms in all of baseball. But Cheat, I pretty much agree completely with ya.

Personally I think Carlos Lee, if on the market, is one of the most valuable players on the trade block. And no, I wouldn't trade him. I'd trade Paul Konerko first. Their is no reason to trade Carlos Lee, imo. He does more things better then Konerko. And I'm a huge Konerko fan. For example, I'll throw this out there. Joel Piniero and Eddie Guardado for Carlos Lee and a prospect. Mariners seem to want to retool their offense and they have been shopping Every Day Eddie for a while and it appears they are willing to trade a hitter. They've always been interested in Lee and frankly he'd be a good fit. Now that deal, thats the type of deal I'd make for Lee. But as much of a fan of prospects I am, I ain't trading Lee for prospects, screw that. The Sox are playing to win now, especially with all these starters under contract.

Cabrerra has tools and is a fantastic defensive player. I think he has the talent to be a good offensive player too, but this is a guy thats yet to put it all together and 7 plus a year...YA RIGHT. I'm with you completely and I'm a Cabrerra fan. Had he not gone to Boston he probably would of gotten 4 mill a year.

I guarantee he is a Cub next year.

No way in hell would I make that trade, imo. Look at what Jimenez did. One good year from a closer guarantees absolutely nothing. Their are a lot of closers that had one or two good seasons and then completely dissapeared. If the Sox have actually shortened Crede's swing and corrected his flaw, then I will instill my faith in the man. I know a few stories referenced to this fact that he got it fixed right near the end of the season and they expect him to do good next year. Plus he provides defense and at his price it doesn't make sense to give him up.

Percival has been nothing but consistently great his entire career. The guy was amazing in the 2nd half of this season with the Angels. Had an ERA in the low 1's if not below that (I calculated it a while back, but don't have it with me and blew I think one save after coming back from his injury...while finishing like 21 games or something).

The same article quotes Cabrerra in the the 4 yr 30 mill range, which would be ridiculous to offer, imo.

He was one of the better bunters on the team and imo, I thought he did a good job when necessary. I'll take him in the two hole any day of the week if he produces like he did this year. Especially with Frank, CLee and Konerko as power hitters. Aaron Rowand in the 2 hole >>>>>> Aaron Rowand in the 6hole, imo. He gets tons of extra base hits and uses the entire field. His whiffs are a little higher then I'd like from a 2 hole hitter and his walks are low, but he gets tons of extra base hits and still does a solid job handling the bat. However, I think Omar will be in the 2 hole.

I just through it out there, who knows whats going to happen. Maybe Konerko goes instead and Gload will play 1st. I mean Everett is gonna be DH'ing at the start of the season anyway.

I fully expect Lee to be moved, so I'm assuming we'd have an outfield of Jurassic/Gload-Rowand-Gibbons (or someone else). I know it wouldn't be the best outfield in the world. If its the case you sign him. However, maybe if they deal Lee then they could add a reliever. Who knows to be honest, but thats a good point. IF htey were able to get another starter, Omar, and sign Gibbons then I'd be happy.

First off, if were looking for an outfielder and Gibbons gets non-tendered, I think he would be a good option at 1.5 mill or so and I think you could get him at a very very reasonable price if he is non-tendered. He had a very down year and he isn't amazing, but he's solid defensively and has very good left handed power. He always seemed like he had potential to be a pretty good offensive player. Anyway, I think if the Sox add a shortstop, starter, and outfielder (Gibbons maybe) then this team would have most of their holes filled. I do think it would be nice to get a good reliever, but at the same time Marte should be better next year and I guess we'll have to hope Shingo will be great in a full season as closer. If we don't add another reliever, Politte and Cotts are really going to have to step it up.

Right now, I'd give Percival about 4 million a year for 2 years. Basically the same offer given to Vizquel because I Think he would accept it and I think it would be a great move for the White Sox. The Angels haven't contacted Percival and he claims he's going to be elsewhere. He also has said he wants to pitch another 3 or 4 years.