Chisoxfn

I still assume that the Dbacks are gonna offer him arbitration regardless. He'll likely get a semi pay cut through arbitration and the Dbacks have to know he's gonna get a pretty good offer somewhere (if not from them) and they'll get two picks.

Yes, soley because over his entire career minus one season Konerko has not only been a good slugger but a good hitter. He's never been selfish and does whatever it takes for the team. Gload, while a good hitter this past year, doens't have the history of success in the major league level that gload has. However, I think Gload could turn out to be a pretty good player. Not great, but a good role player.

No, because I think in baseball you can't go on the assumption of "if" for a position as key as right field. The only reason I see right field as "key" persay is because its typically a production oriented position. Plus at Everett's age it would be too much of an assumption to assume health. The same can be said about Thomas. It isn't really the age of both, but more so their injury riddled past. Injuries add up, especially when you get up their in age (like both of them are in baseball terms) and they will only effect them more and more. If the Sox enter the start of this year with Everett projected in RF, I'm going to puke.

I'm of the approach that more good players are out on the market then usual and if the Sox can find ways to clear financial money to build a better pitching staff, then I think it would be better. I see Contreras as a major potential liability. I'd take Garland over Contreras any day of the week. If somehow the opportunity appeared, I'd dump Contreras so quick (but no one would just take his contract without giving up some contract in exchange. Alright, here's an option: - Sox deal Contreras for Jose Guillen (I really don't know if the angels would do this because of the payroll rammifactions) - Sox Sign Omar Vizquel - Sox deal Paul Konerko, Felix Diaz, and Mike Spidale to Oakland for Tim Hudson - Sox Sign Paul Wilson or Esteban Loaiza to a 1 yr 3 mill deal. - Sox Sign Troy Percival to a 4 mill deal with 2 mill in incentives (w/option year at 5 mill) Lineup: Willie Harris - 350 Omar Vizquel - 4 Carlos Lee - 8 Frank Thomas - 8 Jose Guillen - 4 Ross Gload - 500 Aaron Rowand - 1.2 Joe Crede - 750 Ben Davis - 1 Obviously the catching position isn't quite what you would want it. Total Payroll (including Everett) 33 mill. Rough estimate of course (did some rounding in my head) Pitching Staff Tim Hudson - 6 Mark Buehrle - 5 Freddy Garcia - 8 Jon Garland - 4 Paul Wilson/Elo - 3 Rotation - 26 mill Bullpen Percy - 5 mill Shingo - 2.5 Politte - 1.25 Marte - 1.25 Cotts - 500 K Adkins - 500 K Minor Leaguer - 350 11.5 (rough estimates) Total Payroll (not including bench players other then Everett) is 70.5 million. Of course this leaves the Sox with some options to actually spend a little more and maybe find a leadoff hitter via the trade front. Personally I don't think that would be too bad of a team. The lineup would be really nice if it had a leadoff hitter, but you still can't complain about a middle of the lineup with Lee/Thomas/Guillen and then Gload and Rowand just outside of that. If the Sox wanted to they could ear tag some cash and find an upgrade at catcher leaving 2nd and 3rd as the two questionmarks and I think Crede/Uribe/Harris (two of the three) should turn out just fine. I like all three.

With the latest rumors (I know, their just rumors) it would at least appear the Sox are more likely to shop Konerko over Lee. If thats the case then it means Everett would have to play RF and as far as I'm concerned that isn't an option. I realize the Sox will need him to DH for possibly a month until Thomas comes back, but you could find a much more affordable part time DH, imo.

Me, I've came to the foregone conclusion that I'd like to see the Sox move Everett and Contreras. I think both of their contracts suck and if the Sox could somehow get a player that maybe another team doesn't want and free up some finances possibly then it could be a wise thing to do.

What if the Sox offer up Jose Contreras in a deal. I know some people like him, but I consider him to have a "bad" contract and if you could get an effective player while freeing up some salary to land yourself one front line pitcher and then another FA starter then I think you'd have to look into that option. Could the Angels consider a Guillen for Contreras swap considering how they could definately use another starter. Or would the Orioles consider giving the Sox Julio and Hairston for Contreras, knowing that Baltimore could use pitching? I know the Sox won't do it, cause they seem to be in love with Contreras but Jose did nothing with the sox that he didn't do in New York. And that was show that he is an inconsistent pitcher. He's know different then Jon Garland except he gets paid more and is signed long term, plus he's on the wrong side of 30.

In 2004: 128 strikeouts. This was a little higher then his typical season, but he averages over 100 k's a year. Of course prior to his injury he had a couple high OBP years. Does anyone know if he's still quick or did he lose a lot of speed from his injury as well? I'm also assuming he still has a strong arm. I think Dye could probably be had for 2-4 mill with some incentives (heavier incentives if he gets 2 mill).

Alright, I've been thinking. Its no secret the Dodgers are trying to dump Shawn Green and to see they consider taking on CJ and Chacon in exchange for him, you'd have to think another team could get involved without giving up much in return. So I ask, what if the Sox offer Carl Everett and Ben Davis (he can compete for their starting job) for Shawn Green and cash. Make it work out to where the Sox pay roughly 7-8 million for Green. Green plays a good right field (although he wasn't as good as usual out their this year) and would provide a left handed bat in the middle of this lineup. The Sox still have the option of moving one of Konerko or Lee, while still having a bat and clearing a contract. I don't know if the Dodgers would do this deal, but its a hell of a lot better proposition then CJ/Chacon or Sammy Sosa and his albatross of a contract. Plus Green's numbers should drastically improve moving from Chavez Ravine to US Cell. He's also a tremendous clubhouse guy and is healthy. Plus lets remember what he last did when he had some serious protection around him in the lineup (although this year he did have Adrian Beltre). 2004: .266 AVG, 28 HR, 86 RBi, .352 OBP, .811 OPS

Ya, I think it further proves the fact that this writer is a fool and that their editor got caught being lazy. I mean the Williamson thing is pretty much useless with him out for the year (basically me reading between the line, tells me that most of us here know more about the Sox then this writer).

I think we can all pretty much write Pavano off, but it doens't hurt to at least inquire about him. Maybe he has this fascination for Chicago and we just don't hear it. Trust me, I think the media just knows Boston and NY are going to be involved so they just imply things and a player would be stupid not to say they wouldn't be interested cause both teams have deep pockets. The player is thinking like a GM is, when you try to get the Yanks or BoSox interested in one of your players on the block because when one is interested the other gets involved and bids the price up. However, I want Matt Clement if healthy and if the Sox are not going to trade for one of Zito, Mulder, Hudson, RJ. Their are other options like Pineiro, Jerome Williams, but those options should only be explored if the Sox are going to go another option and upgrade the offense and deepen the bullpen.

I must of missed that. I knew he was supposed to pitch right at teh end of the season with the Red Sox. Thanks for that update qwert. That really sucks, but it really makes that Daily Herald article look stupid, unless of course Kenny is thinking two years from now when he could potentially have Williamson at a very good value (personally it be one of the rare times where Kenny ever showed any foresight, because he seems like one of those one year at a time guys).

I think Mulder has been recently on record as implying that he's still a White Sox fan. Personally I think Hudson or Mulder would be the best fits, but if Zito is the one being dangled I'd take him. This was one bad year and he's just 26 and signed an extra year at an affordable rate. Its the type of contract the Sox could easily take while still having money to spend in other areas. If the A's were really interested in Konerko then send him and cash as well as a good prospect (i'd be willing to give up one of our big 3 prospects for one of the A's big 3 if necessary). I think those pitchers are all fantastic and would be well worth it. However a Konerko package for Hudson could very well be possible the more I think about it. I think all of us under-rate Konerko's value. I would make the deal nd I know that. What I do know is this, given the option of Hudson or Johnson I'd take the Unit. However, thats thinking just one season and not assuming what we give up. But I'd take a rotation of Hudson, Buehrle, Garcia, Contreras, Garland over one of RJ, Buehrle, Garcia, Contreras, Diaz. If Hudson pays off then the Sox would obviously at least attempt to resign him. I just don't see why Oakland would take Konerko when they have Durazo and Hatty in the 1b/Dh spot. But if they wanted Konerko or Lee I'd do the deal. The Sox could then go for someone like Jermaine Dye, who I'm really starting to like the idea of. He'd put up pretty damn good numbers at teh Cell if healthy and would be a nice short-term gap until Anderson/Sweeney are ready. Of course it also be nice to dump Everett somewhere.

But I don't like reading, lol. Well in that case throw my vote out, because I would quite obviously go with Paul Konerko. And I'm a huge Gload fan.

If the Sox don't go the route of one of the 1/2/3's out their. You have Paul Wilson who pitched very well for the Reds last year. Guys like Wilson Alvarez, Paul Byrd, Jaret Wright, and then David Wells (not a 4 or 5, but he's not a guy thats been mentioned and he probably wouldn' be welcome back in Chicago, but he had a good year last season with the Pads, of course it was a pitchers park). All I'm saying is, if the Sox do go the route of dealing Garland, you could pick up one of these guys. Plus of course Elo or someone else. The price tags will very on all, but you'd have to think at least a few of them will be able to signed to very affordable one year deals. Me, I'd deal Contreras before I dealt Garland.

How long is Williamson gonna be out for? I was under the assumption he would be back at one point, but I must be wrong. I wouldn' want any of the others unless it was a base minimum salary with incentives.

Gload if it means we have one of the big 3 or RJ in our starting rotation.

Ben Maller.com mentions that Sexson quite possibly already has a contract worked out with the M's but that the two sides will hold off announcing it for a while.

Technically put: Anderson, Beltran, Guerrero but ya, its still the best outfield in our generation if its healthy. I stick to what I've said and thats that Guillen will be so far out of Anaheim it isn't even funny. They may be saying one thing, but they don't want GA in CF.

Was listening to the radio just now and they had some reports from the GM Meetings (which begin tonight). - Carlos Beltran's agent informed the Angels he is looking for a 10yr 150 mill deal. Angels appear interested. If in fact he is really looking 15 mil a year for 10 yrs, Beltran may just become a little more affordable, especially if a team is able to pickup an affordable insurance on the contract. - Shawn Green for Sosa deal is now being discussed as a 3 way with Sosa ending up in Colorado in exchange for Shawn Chacon and Charles Johnson; Dodgers are also talking about a Green for Piazza swap. - Jason Kendall (rumors out their about the Sox possibly being interested) is also being pursued by the Dodgers. Dodgers are said to be offering a package involving Yhancy Brazoban. Should be an interesting Gm meetings. They also made mention of all 3 of the big 3 being on the block in Oakland. Said to not hold out the fact that Beane may move more then one, depending on how seroius he is in regards to a rebuilding project (Personaly I don't buy this one bit ,cause he'd be a freaking fool to do something like this).

I don't know, I don't think any team is going to give them prospects for Kendall unless they pay 70% of the contract and at that point they might as well just keep him. However, if they were to give the Sox Kip Wells then you may see something happen. I think the big thing is they want to do what they can to get the long term contracts off the books so they will be in a position to sign some of their younger players to contracts (ala the Indians of old) to ensure they will stay their and that the Pirates can actually begin to build a core. Like I said, 99.9% of me says Thomas isn't going anywhere, but its no secret that KW and Thomas don't get along and with all his injury issues you could at least see some type of deal making sense. Sox would be getting rid of two ugly (albeit it short term contracts). As far as the 10/5 go, I forget if this was just a myth or not, but I thought the new contract Thomas signed basically waived his 10/5 rights and allows him to be dealt anywhere (I remember this always being mentioned, but I'm guessing its probably untrue). I have no flaw with Thomas, I think if healthy he'll put up good numbers, but thats a big ???.

Well heres something I highly doubt would happen, but I'll throw it out there anyway. What if the Sox just pawned Thomas/Everett off for Kendall and the Pirates paid a good portion of the final few years of Kendalls contract. Basically the Sox give up two bad contracts, who could potentially be produtive players and get Kendall and some cash back. Obviously when Thomas is healthy he's still productive, but I think we all have doubts whether Thomas will finish his career in Chicago (personally I think this could be it). This then gives the Sox some options and you can keep Lee/Konerko. I don't know what you guys would rather do, but I think I'd rather keep Lee and Konerko then have Thomas and one of the others, soley because the other two haven't been health issues. The Sox can then find a left handed bat to go in between, stick Kendall and Vizquel at the top of the order, use Konerko/Gload as a combo 1st/DH and pick up Dye or something along those lines. And of course pick up some pitching, maybe offer up some of our best prospects for one of the big 3 or just go the FA route and make a heavy push for someone like Pavano or Clement. Anyway....just think for a second and like I said, this won't happen: Kendall Vizquel Lee Konerko - DH/1b Dye - RF Gload - 1b/DH Rowand - CF Crede Uribe/Harris Another possibility is the Sox then make a push to maybe sign someone like Delgado to DH and keep Gload as a big time bench player. Kendall Vizquel Lee Delgado Konerko Dye Rowand Crede Uribe/Harris Only real flaw is the back part of the lineup is righty dominate. This of course increases payroll, but at the same time, the Sox would have a net savings from the Everett/Thomas deal for Kendall (at least this year) which would basically give them enough to sign Dye for 3 mill or so and then Delgado at maybe 6 or 7 mill. So basically they are adding Delgado this year. You then have Vizquel's payroll added and then maybe 6-10 set aside for pitching. Who knows, maybe payroll is going to be higher then we expect. Anyway, doubt any of this crap happens, but I wouldn't necessarily be against a Thomas/Everett for Kendall deal if you get Pitt to pick up some of his final years of the contract.

He was still able to get it 95-96 on a rather consistent basis. He was flat filthy when he came back.

I'd guess you could unload Everett's contract and take Kendall and hope to convince the Pirates to pay a little more of Kendall's salary on top of that. Heck, Kendall and Omar at the top of the order would be a hell of an upgrade over last years top of the lineup. Add Dye at the right price (obviously the Sox dump one of Konerko/Lee) and find a way to get yourself a good starter and you got yourself a good off-season.