Chisoxfn

I think it was pretty much announced that one of the half price nights would be going away, but not both, if I recall. I thought Boyer said that during a radio interview late last year.

I'd do this deal if the Dbacks wanted major league helped, namely Konerko and Lee. Then the Sox would have to get serious in their talks about Beltran and have him as one of the key bats in the middle. However, I think the most likely possibility would be Lee/Garland and a prospect or Konerko/Garland and a prospect. Sox then take on roughly half of RJ's costs and the Dbacks get some guys that they can market and use now and that should help them in the future. One thing I want to say is the Dbacks have absolutely ZERO interest in Joe Crede. Chady Tracey (Or Tracy) is a very good prospect, one that I'd rate higher then Joe Crede. He did good last year and is also solid defensively, so don't think that they would move him to 1B. If the Sox dealt Konerko and Lee, the reason I wouldn't mind it is because you can find guys like that. However, I think the Dbacks want to also dump payroll, which is why I think only one or the other would go. Sure they'd love Arow/Garland/Bmac or Anderson or Sweeney, but if thats what it would take i'd probably tell the Dbacks to scrwe off. Of course their is the part of me that thinks..maybe Arow is a one year wonder and he won't ever produce like he did this year...maybe Garland never lives up to his hype and then its like your giving up a prospect and two maybes for RJ. If some dream way the Sox had RJ and Beltran and didn't give up Arow or Garland, I'd be hella happy.

Well right now I don't see the Sox with any pieces ready to grow into the set up spot. In another year, possibly Cotts.

Hey Ross, if they were dealing Contreras, you mentioned he'd be a good salary dump, then he wouldn't be part of the rotation. They'd probably opt to go with a youngster or wait on the market and find a cheap 5th. However, I think any deal with the Dbacks involving the unit involves Carlos Lee and at least one of the Sox top prospects, plus a good prospect. I don't want to give up Brandon McCarthy, but you can bet thats who the Dbacks would want. I'd think they would want him over Sweeney/Anderson but thats just me. If its Lee, one of Diaz and all them, then I could see the deal making sense. Or of course if they were willing to accept Lee, Contreras, and a prospect, but I don't see that happening. A package of Garland and Lee could be something the Dbacks would look at heavily.

Haha, I picked up 20 last night. Would of won 40, but my damn buddy got freaking lucky on the river.

Go see it. Freaky Flick

Good stuff. I think Baj will get things back together in the AFL. Also nice to hear he's working on yet another pitch to add to his arsenal. Go get em BAJ

Lib, but thats what I always score on these shorter tests. Problem is I took a look at Bacinek or whatever his name's site and my god I couldn't stand farther away from his policies.

[being Simpsons Joke]Pa, it wouldn't hurt to lose a few pounds [/simpsons Joke]

Seems like a fair deal. Verlander is a talented pitcher, but considering he's a college guy their was no harm in him sitting out the year after a full season of college ball.

Its quite obvious he isn't a 9 mill a year pitcher. At 4.5 mill, I Think its something worth considering.

Maybe I'm wrong in thinking this, but doesn't Philly rank up their as a hitters park, so I don't think his numbers would be that much greater, other then the adjustment to moving from the NL to the AL. But he already has every year but one in the AL, so you can pretty much see what he's gonna do. He should be better now, after undergoing one season and should be 100% at the time of spring training.

34 at bats and I'm with you, I think as he gets more at bats, he'll get back in a groove. Although he's not gonna get too many ab's in the AFL, this is just a nice way to ease him in before spring training. On a sidenote, I don't know much on his health situation, but I'm assuming he's 100% cause I don't think the Sox would chance it otherwise. At the end of the season he was suffering from what was being rumored to be a hernia as well as a groin injury. The latest I knew was he wasn't planning on having surgery on the hernia, although it may of turned out that wasn't it.

Its possible. I think its because he has a sacrifice or two and while those don't count as at bats to the average I think they count as at bats in regards to his OBP. Someone can check me on that though.

I think as just an option. He's a little short and doens't quite have the pop the average first baseman has. To be honest, I think Rogo is a good defensive first baseman and I'd leave him there, but this adds versatility and probably helps him in his path to the majors. He also is a good base runner. I'm interested in seeing how he does this year in Bham.

I also posted this in the FutureSox forum AFL 2004 Update #2 By Jason Gage October 22, 2004 FutureSox.com The Arizona Fall League is upon us and the Mesa Solar Sox, whose roster is made up of 6 Sox farm-hands, have played 13 games (6-7) thus far. Lets take a look at a closer look at how the Sox farm hands are doing: Brian Anderson, OF – R/R – March 11, 1982 .206 AVG, .303 OBP, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 BB, 6 K, 1 SB (0 CS) The good news is that Brian Anderson is playing. Anderson suffered from a hernia injury late in the 2004 season and is back getting at bats in the AFL. Anderson hasn’t put up great numbers thus far in the AFL, but is the White Sox top position prospect. The young outfielder has received glowing reviews from manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Ken Williams and will potentially get a shot to compete for a starting job this spring, although the odds are against him breaking camp as a starter. Anderson excelled in high A last year posting a .925 OPS with Winston Salem (High A) before being promoted to Birmingham (AA) where he hit .270 with 4 HR and 26 RBI’s while posting a .762 OPS in 48 games. Pedro Lopez, 2B/SS – R/R – April 28, 1984 .318 AVG, .308 OBP, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 SB Lopez, 20, replaced shortstop Andy Gonzalez on the AFL roster. This was a wise decision considering Lopez is more advanced with the bat and was less likely to struggle in the AFL. Thus far Lopez is putting up solid offensive numbers, although as usual he has an atrocious OBP (.328 with the Warthogs last year; .379 OBP in 7 games with Bham). One of the big weaknesses has been the lack of walks. And if he ever wants to be a top of an order guy, he’s going to have to improve upon this, but he does have time. Defensively Lopez has soft hands, a good arm, and good range. Him, Gonzalez and Valido have all the tools to be plus defensive middle infielders. The question with all three of them is the bat, and at this point Lopez is the most advanced in that category. Casey Rogowksi, 1B/OF – L/L – May 1, 1981 .409 AVG, .536 OBP, 4 R, 2 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 6 BB, 2 K, 1 SB (1 CS) Rogowski, 23, continues to rake the ball. He had an outstanding 2004 campaign with the Warthogs and has seen some development in the power aspect of the game (18 HR’s in 2004). Rogowski has a good eye and is able to work the counts (.401 OBP in 04, Career .380 OBP). He’s played 4 games in the OF and two at first base. Up until late last season Rogowski had only been thought of as a first baseman, but that appears to of changed and Rogowski could find himself in the Barons outfield next year, along with Ryan Sweeney. Rogowski runs well for a big man and uses all parts of the field. Jeff Bajenaru, Reliever – R/R – March 21, 1978 0-1, 10.80 ERA, 5.0 INN, 7 H, 6 R, 5 K, 1 BB Bajenaru has been mired in a mini slump ever since being called up to the big leagues. Baj pitched better then his numbers would indicate at the major league level, but is struggling again in the fall league. Baj should get a shot to compete in training camp for a position with the Sox, but with Politte signing a new contract, Takatsu’s option being picked up, and the persistent reports of the Sox looking to sign another set up man, the margin of error will be small as Felix Diaz, Arnie Munoz, Jon Adkins and him all compete for what could be the only open bullpen spot come spring training. Baj has a good fastball and slider (“slutter”) and does a nice job mixing his pitches. He had a tremendous season with Birmingham (1.34 ERA, .89 WHIP, 13.63 K/9) and Charlotte (1.80 ERA, .75 WHIP, 7.20 K/9) and is a favorite of FutureSox.com. Matt Smith, Reliever – RHP – August 14, 1978 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.1 INN, 11 H, 0 R, 4 K, 3 BB Smith has been sharp in Arizona, although his peripherals aren’t that great. Averaging about 4.5 strikeouts per 9 while giving up over a hit per inning pitch isn’t the way you succeed at the majors, but he’s got the job done thus far. Smith had a very strong campaign for the Barons (3-4, 13 SV, 70 G, 1.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP). He was the setup man for Bajenaru and then stepped into the closers spot when Bajenaru was promoted to Charlotte. Smith is a guy that’s way off the radar, but could find himself on the roster next September as a call-up. Dennis Ulacia, Starter – LHP – April 2, 1981 0-0, 6.10 ERA, 10.1 INN, 13 H, 9 R (7 ER), 8 K, 5 BB Ulacia is what you would consider a fringe prospect, but with Brandon McCarthy removed from the fall league roster Ulacia was given the opportunity to be a starter. He hasn’t pitched extremely well, but did have a solid season for Bham (8-8, 3.77 ERA, 28 G, 23 GS, 7.47 K/9) and Charlotte (1.42 ERA in 1 start). He can pitch out of both the pen and rotation. He doesn’t project to be a major league starter, but has a shot at making it with some team out of the pen.

AFL 2004 Update #2 By Jason Gage October 22, 2004 FutureSox.com The Arizona Fall League is upon us and the Mesa Solar Sox, whose roster is made up of 6 Sox farm-hands, have played 13 games (6-7) thus far. Lets take a look at a closer look at how the Sox farm hands are doing: Brian Anderson, OF – R/R – March 11, 1982 .206 AVG, .303 OBP, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 BB, 6 K, 1 SB (0 CS) The good news is that Brian Anderson is playing. Anderson suffered from a hernia injury late in the 2004 season and is back getting at bats in the AFL. Anderson hasn’t put up great numbers thus far in the AFL, but is the White Sox top position prospect. The young outfielder has received glowing reviews from manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Ken Williams and will potentially get a shot to compete for a starting job this spring, although the odds are against him breaking camp as a starter. Anderson excelled in high A last year posting a .925 OPS with Winston Salem (High A) before being promoted to Birmingham (AA) where he hit .270 with 4 HR and 26 RBI’s while posting a .762 OPS in 48 games. Pedro Lopez, 2B/SS – R/R – April 28, 1984 .318 AVG, .308 OBP, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 SB Lopez, 20, replaced shortstop Andy Gonzalez on the AFL roster. This was a wise decision considering Lopez is more advanced with the bat and was less likely to struggle in the AFL. Thus far Lopez is putting up solid offensive numbers, although as usual he has an atrocious OBP (.328 with the Warthogs last year; .379 OBP in 7 games with Bham). One of the big weaknesses has been the lack of walks. And if he ever wants to be a top of an order guy, he’s going to have to improve upon this, but he does have time. Defensively Lopez has soft hands, a good arm, and good range. Him, Gonzalez and Valido have all the tools to be plus defensive middle infielders. The question with all three of them is the bat, and at this point Lopez is the most advanced in that category. Casey Rogowksi, 1B/OF – L/L – May 1, 1981 .409 AVG, .536 OBP, 4 R, 2 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 6 BB, 2 K, 1 SB (1 CS) Rogowski, 23, continues to rake the ball. He had an outstanding 2004 campaign with the Warthogs and has seen some development in the power aspect of the game (18 HR’s in 2004). Rogowski has a good eye and is able to work the counts (.401 OBP in 04, Career .380 OBP). He’s played 4 games in the OF and two at first base. Up until late last season Rogowski had only been thought of as a first baseman, but that appears to of changed and Rogowski could find himself in the Barons outfield next year, along with Ryan Sweeney. Rogowski runs well for a big man and uses all parts of the field. Jeff Bajenaru, Reliever – R/R – March 21, 1978 0-1, 10.80 ERA, 5.0 INN, 7 H, 6 R, 5 K, 1 BB Bajenaru has been mired in a mini slump ever since being called up to the big leagues. Baj pitched better then his numbers would indicate at the major league level, but is struggling again in the fall league. Baj should get a shot to compete in training camp for a position with the Sox, but with Politte signing a new contract, Takatsu’s option being picked up, and the persistent reports of the Sox looking to sign another set up man, the margin of error will be small as Felix Diaz, Arnie Munoz, Jon Adkins and him all compete for what could be the only open bullpen spot come spring training. Baj has a good fastball and slider (“slutter”) and does a nice job mixing his pitches. He had a tremendous season with Birmingham (1.34 ERA, .89 WHIP, 13.63 K/9) and Charlotte (1.80 ERA, .75 WHIP, 7.20 K/9) and is a favorite of FutureSox.com. Matt Smith, Reliever – RHP – August 14, 1978 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.1 INN, 11 H, 0 R, 4 K, 3 BB Smith has been sharp in Arizona, although his peripherals aren’t that great. Averaging about 4.5 strikeouts per 9 while giving up over a hit per inning pitch isn’t the way you succeed at the majors, but he’s got the job done thus far. Smith had a very strong campaign for the Barons (3-4, 13 SV, 70 G, 1.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP). He was the setup man for Bajenaru and then stepped into the closers spot when Bajenaru was promoted to Charlotte. Smith is a guy that’s way off the radar, but could find himself on the roster next September as a call-up. Dennis Ulacia, Starter – LHP – April 2, 1981 0-0, 6.10 ERA, 10.1 INN, 13 H, 9 R (7 ER), 8 K, 5 BB Ulacia is what you would consider a fringe prospect, but with Brandon McCarthy removed from the fall league roster Ulacia was given the opportunity to be a starter. He hasn’t pitched extremely well, but did have a solid season for Bham (8-8, 3.77 ERA, 28 G, 23 GS, 7.47 K/9) and Charlotte (1.42 ERA in 1 start). He can pitch out of both the pen and rotation. He doesn’t project to be a major league starter, but has a shot at making it with some team out of the pen.

In fact I'm pretty confident that same deal could land you Soriano, who seems to be on his way out. Tex would be a great pickup, but I don't know where he'd play, he isn't a good 3rd baseman so unless your also moving Konerko this team makes little sense to me. I do agree with Yas that us Sox fans drastically undervalue Garland, although I'm not one of those people.

Well one thing I can tell you is Eric Milton was pathetic last year. He may of won his games but he didn't pitch too grand in my book, especially for an NL pitcher and one being paid around 9 mill a year. However, Milton at half of that wouldn't be bad at all. Plus his perephials were pretty good. 196 hits in 201 innings and 161 strikeouts, although he had 75 walks. He did give up 43 long balls but minus the home runs he was actually a pretty good pitcher and to be honest I think his periphals indicate he should of had a bit better season. Surpisingly he pitched better at home (a hitters park) then on the road. He did limit opponents to a .255 average. But remember this guy has never posted an ERA in the 3's, but at 29, for the right price, he could look good on the southside.

Because they weren't going to get an offer similar to the one they had with FSN so this was the best option because in the long term it could turn into something rather profitable. Look what the YES network has done for Steinbrenner and now the Mets are trying it. This isn't quite that, but its still a network of teams teaming up. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if the Sox made a little less out of the gates with this new deal.

The way I understood it the Sox will probably break even on it, but in the long term have a shot at making more money. I think their is a lot of uncertainty in regards to the profit breakdown of the station.

I still say Derek Lowe could be a really good fit. He's got a great sinker ball, which should help him in this park and he knows how to pitch in big games. I think next years numbers will fall somewhere in between two seasons ago and last year, meaning they'll be much lower then this years. He was playing for a contract and failed, but take a shot on his discount. The other FA I wouldn't mind getting is Matt Clement, especially if he somehow slides through the market. Him at say 5-6 mill a year would be really nice. Like I say, if they sign starting pitching, don't expect them to add a bat to replace Maggs, expect Everett/Gload to fight for RF, which could be ugly. But I think regardless they will at least take a look at SS/2b or of cousre they have the option at CF with Rowand moving to RF.

I remember Phil Rogers proposing a Chan Ho Park for Sosa swap in Texas. To me thats the only type of deal that would make sense. The Rangers get a semi productive, all be it ahole in Sosa, and the Cubs get an overpaid pitcher. Hell, maybe Sosa to the Rockies for some of their bad contracts and I think we all know they got some ugly contracts. However, it could make some sense for a small market team to land Sosa for sheer marketability. We all know he's an ass, but he's still somewhat of a fan favorite nationally, even though he's losing love in Chicago, even among northsiders.

I couldn't agree more. As a republican I try my darnest to see the other side of the issue and then make my statements. Hell, why else would I ocassionally flip the channel to CNN, lol. Alright, end of cheapshot, but I agree with you completely. Don't just read stuff you'd agree with, read the other side so you can see where they are coming from. On a sidenote, why don't u start you own website, I can see it now the 2k4 Report