Chisoxfn

Definately, but its a great sign that for once a lot of people seem to say good things about our manager and quietly the Sox organization seems to be getting a lot more respect as one of the more agressive organizations in baseball. With the new marketing, the new manager, and what looks to be growing fan support, there is a chance that with some good moves this year, the Sox could be making the first steps in what could be a continuous upward moves to become one of the better organizations in all of baseball.

Well, the Braves pregame also talked about the deal so its now been reported from both sides. They said Braves reps had acknowledged the possibility. The only thing that scares me in this deal is the talk of Marte's name coming up. Otherwise, I'd do Borch/Rauch/Maggs for Jones/Cruz/Ortiz. Ortiz moves into the rotation, Cruz either moves to the rotation (or Diaz stays there until Scho comes off the DL) and then once things are settled you slide either Diaz or Cruz into the pen for Mike Jackson. The pen gets a little stronger in this deal, the rotation is quite a bit stronger, and offensively we lose minimal and defensively this team is a hell of a lot better.

Just want to say I merged your thread in with this one since its about the whole Braves trade This way its easy to follow all of the updates on the rumors.

He was a good young pitcher when he came up from UCLA. He did good for the Sox and just couldn't recover from the injury. Like you say winninugly, he came up quickly and was pretty solid from the get go. I do remember how long his delivery was when he first came up. The guy pitched like he was as tall as Randy Johnson, but he always had guts on the mound.

Now Hopefully Kw is thinking alike too

We'll have to talk on aim if I can get my aim to sign on today Dan...although I think my team is about to make a push towards the top.

Sounds good to me. I do think if you put Cotts in then you should get a least some cash considerations.

Ok, I'm going to throw something out of left field. Lets suppose the Sox can land Jones/Ortiz/Cruz with a combination of minor league pitchers/hitters and Neal Cotts. Would you then deal Maggs to Arizona for Randy Johnson...would they make that deal or would the Giants give you Jason Schmidt for Maggs (protection for Bonds) or would the Dodgers give you Odalis Perez and a boatload of prospects for him. Im just curious as to what ACE pitcher the Sox could get for Maggs and if fans would be for it. I've written off to the fact that Maggs is gone and getting Jones/Ortiz/Cruz is a great return if you ask me and it makes the club better now and next year.

Here is the question, would you move Cotts for him. I think if Cotts is in the deal the Sox can get Cruz. Personally I jump all over it. I love Cotts (probably one of his bigger backers on this board) but Cruz has been very good out of the pen, is still young, and has the stuff to be a freaking frontline stud if he's ever given the chance again. I also think Coops aproach is very good with young starters. He says trust your stuff and throw strikes. Cruz has basically been doing that in Atlanta this year. Would you guys do a Maggs/Cotts for Cruz/Ortiz/Jones deal. Who knows if the Braves do it, but maybe you still have to throw in Rauch. Then the Sox can go out and look for a lefty reliever or try the Wunsch experiment again. They also could decide they've seen enough out of Darensbourg to say they like him or of course dangle another prospect to add another reliever. I do agree, no Marte, unless of course the Sox plan on adding Smoltz or Mota or Krod and I don't see that happening. I love Marte to death. You make the pen with Marte/Shingo/Cruz and now its even better, imo.

Agreed, plus if talks don't materialize into a deal, then he can always say Maggs was never a part of the picture. He's mentioned absolutely no major league players in this deal and thats probably a good thing for his sake if a deal doesn't go down. I'm really freaking intrigued right now, cause I think the Sox have a serious potential to really improve their ball club. Should I add, Jones and Ortiz both add playoff experience, something the Sox will need if they make the playoffs.

You know what, heres what it will be. Sox deal Cotts/Maggs and maybe Rauch and get Cruz, Jones, and Ortiz. I could almost say you can book it.

I'd definately agree with that. However, I love the idea of Juan Cruz. If the Sox could land Cruz, Jones and Ortiz then that would fill out the rotation. Once Scho comes back, Cruz moves into the bullpen and then competes for a starters job next spring. Cruz has dynamite stuff and has pitched well for the Braves out of the pen. However, Marte, YUCK. He is signed to an affordable deal and is a very very valuable reliever. I couldn't see giving him up. However, Maggs/Rauch/Borchard for Jones/Ortiz/Cruz and you got yourself a deal. Give them another prospect for all I care.

Funny, Nah, it was hillarious...I'll give Alex credit.

Does Walker have another year on his contract? If not, that would be a very very interesting player to take a shot on at the deadline. If somehow he is healthy, you have a RF (LHB) with a tremendous bat and you could ocassionally give him time off and what not. At that point in time the Sox could look that way. However, if he has more years left on his contract, I think a team would be nuts to acquire him unless they also had an awful contract to give up.

I'd say the Braves won't give up. They are only like 4 games out in what is a very winnable division. Yes the Phillies are good and yes the Marlins are good, but neither of them have been all that fantastic this season and whether you like it or not, the Braves just got Paul Byrd back and he's looking good. They also have good prospects and a bat like Maggs could come in and really help him, while they can replace Ortiz with Byrd or at least semi replace him with Byrd. The Sox get pitching and a good bat that will be around a few more years, something we coudln't say with Maggs. This is a deal that would be good for both teams, imo.

I need to quote one of your posts, becasue I thought you may of possibly brought up the best point in what has been a very interesting thread with lots of good discussion. I'm gonna repeat what you said, Jones will be a 3 yr deal to JR....that is a lot safer then giving a guy a 5 year deal, which is what Maggs wants at a few more mill a year. Even if the per year figures end up being 1-3 (depending on whether the Braves pick up any salary) less then what Maggs would make, the deal would still have an additional 28 mill in guaranteed money in years 4 and 5.

Also, If later in the year the Sox decide that Reed/Borch aren't ready and that they do need an everyday left handed right fielder, one would be semi easibly found. Heck, you don't think a team would be dumping a guy on an ending contract for much more then a mid level prospect. You could even use Rowand as bait if you wanted, but we all know he is a solid 4th outfielder who could always come back again in spring fighting for a job. Of course Rowand could also be the everyday right fielder.

I'd also say this deal means Rowand (who has a very good arm) could move to right and give the Sox and even better defensive outfield. You also have Borch and Reed waiting in the wings and Reed is about to go on a tear in the minors (mark Danman's and my words on that). Ortiz is a good pitcher, case closed. 21 game winner. He may not be a #1, but the Sox have Buehrle and Elo ahead of him, and Ortiz is a better then average 3. Who knows if it is enough to lead the Sox to the series, but it sure makes the club better. The Sox are scoring without Maggs right now, they aren't pitching without him. This way we add a productive bat (Jones) with a good pitcher (Ortiz) and also have something for the future. A 27 year old GG center fielder. Jones also has a little charisma, which I hate to say it, Maggs lacks, so he could be a good type of player to market in Chicago. I know fans will hate losing Maggs, but one thing Maggs lacks is the certain pazazz you like to have when your paying your superstar 15 mill a year. Of course, Vladdy lacks that pizazz as well, but you can't compare his production on the field to Maggs, You CAN'T, yet he wants the same size contract. One thing I've long said about dealing Maggs is that your risking some serious PR hits, but in this case, the PR department could actually be better off. Maggs is the better offensive player yes, but I fully believe Jones is someone you could really market. The guy will possibly hit 500 hr's and their is a possibility that sometime during his remaining years on the contract, he'll rip off for a 50 HR, .275 AVG type season while playing GG defense. Folks, that would make him possibly one of the best 3 players in the majors. Maggs is good, but SO is Jones and he plays a much harder to fill position and is the best defensive centerfielder over the last 30 years and possibly EVER.

I'd agree with that. He won't hit for the avg or get the OBP that Maggs can. However, Maggs is nothing like Jones when it comes to saving hits and runs (no one is). I can also say that I think Jones has more power then Maggs and wlil drive in similar amounts of runs. Heck, you could always move Jones to the 2 hole (he is a tremendous fastball hitter with good speed) and then let him see tons of fastballs, which he will see with Thomas hitting in the 3 hole. The only big concern is if Lee or Konerko or Jones all are slumping, then Thomas isn't going to have much protection in the lineup. The Sox also get a guy that will be in the SouthSide a few more years and is JUST ENTERING his prime. They also get a pretty good pitcher, who ya, may have a 4.2 ERA or so in the southside, but that doesn't mean he won't win. The Sox are scoring runs and in the AL that is an above average ERA. He also has big game experience and is more then capable of shutting down a good ballclub.

I fully agree and Jones is a good long term solution, plus him and Ortiz make the team better now, imo.

With Konerko playing the way he is, do we really want to deal him. He is a guy that will be on the Sox again next year while Maggs will be audios. However, having Maggs is the better player and I do recognize that. I just can't possibly see the Sox add, what would be probably 8 mill in payroll (thats about whats remaining this year) and then stlll not address the need of adding a reliever or two, which will add a little more money. Heck, whose to say the Braves wouldn't do a deal for Rauch, Sweeney, and an ace for the two of them if they are so hell bent on dumping Jones salary. Personally, I think either Maggs is part of the deal or he isn't, I don't see the Sox keeping both Maggs and Jones and if they do, it would be amazing for this year, but it would all but guarantee Maggs depature from the South Side at the end of the season. I love Andruw Jones and I want him playing CF for the Sox.

Frederico Garcia. He's young, has great stuff, playoff experience, and I'd hope the Sox would reup with him.

So your telling me, Maggs wouldn't be the major league player going in this package? So the OF after the deal would be Lee - Jones - Maggs? I'd say Lee or Konerko would have to be the guys a part of it then.