Chisoxfn

Most likely, yes...although I guess it could be natural...he's freaking huge though and an absolute steal at a mill for next year.

The only reason I could even see them making that deal is for pitching depth, which is what they need. The Sox could possibly have the prospects to get the deal done. The Dodgers reportedly balked at the Drays asking price, but who knows Rauch, Pacheco, Borchard could potentially do it...and if Jackson was in instead of Pacheco, I'd defiantely say thats enough. But if it took more, I wouldn't be against it. I'm a big Huff fan though.

I love Pacheco...but if it landed Huff, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I think Huff is an absolute stud on offense. He's just 26, will be 27 by the start of the season and is coming into a zone on offense. Quick question, how much does playing in Tampa, if any, inflate the stats. I am not too familiar with the dimensions of their park, but it always seems small. I'd much prefer a Jackson, Rauch, Borchard deal...or even Danny Wright in the deal if necessary and then move Rauch for Williamson. Of course if they could keep Jackson and give up Pacheco, Rauch, Borchard, then I wouldn't have a problem at all. I'd love to keep Jackson. Personally I think he'd instantly become our top pitching prospect. From what i saw of him with the Dodgers when he came up late in the season, he's an absolute freaking STUD.

I agree...if Kenny continues to stick by his guns, then your putting the Dodgers to fold. If in fact the Sox don't have to move Magglio, then I think they put themselves in a very good position (At least make other teams believe this). And if they sign Ponson, you gotta believe teams start to think..wait are they selling...which may be enough to force the dodgers hand. If the Dodgers lose out on Nomar (or if the deal doesn't go through) they will be much more pressed to make the deal.

If Huff is a liability in right, then Juan Gone is a big time liability in right. Plus, I think its gonna be very hard for the Sox to deal Konerko and get any type of quality in return. Odds are they are best, if they can put together a damn good team with him playing first (If the sox do as I proposed, it would be done) then they could let him play the year...if he puts up big time numbers, then the Sox could move him in for some thing good in return and free up room to give Elo, and a few others extensions (as long as they prove themselves).

Like I said, if they turn it into Magglio, Rauch/Pacheco, and Borchard into Ponson, Perez, Mota, and Aubry Huff...you won't here me crying. And if they get Williamson on top of that, once again, not a cry out of me.

Williamson for Rauch is the better deal and i'd definately do it. If the Sox get him and then Mota...add a lefty in the mix and I'd call it an offseason as far as the relief corps goes (of course I'd still say trade Koch if they could).

We won't debate this issue

Not if you can get Ponson at 6. I think 7.5 is just too much. At 6 mill over a year, it defiantely be interesting or 2 yrs at 10 mill...anything more then that and I think its a risk.

I would too..of course right now, he's still asking for 10 mill, but most people have speculated his price will fall to 5 mill or so.

I like Konerko's arm and glove....its solid for first baseman. His range does suck, but most 1st baseman's do. He's not my favorite option though, but I think it will be tough as nails to deal him.

Well, with something else on subject. Phil Rogers wrote an article regarding Scott Williamson as well as the Maggs/LA deal. In short, sources say that Williams offered a starting pitcher for Williamson - the question is whether it was Wright or Rauch (I'd hope it was Rauch). He also mentions that the big hold up in the Dodgers/Sox deal is Mota. But with the Dodgers leaving the meeting without a deal, it will make them more prone to potentially give in. You have to wonder, without Mota/Perez/Brown/Sully what will the Dodgers have for pitching. I understand they'll probably resign Alvarez and they get Dreifort back as well as getting Weaver, but it still isn't outstanding. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines It should be an interesting week. I think by Friday, Magglio could be dealt (Just my hunch).

But with Roberts, Uribe/Itzuris, Harris, and Olivo you'd still have small ball guys, wouldn't you? And Crede could be included in that as well. And defensively Roberts/Uribe/Itzuris would be a pretty damn nice up the middle combo. Crede is a stud at 3rd, Konerko is solid at first, Olivo a stud behind the plate and Harris has sick range in cf. Lee is avg, Huff a bit below avg.

Does Maddux still got it...at 5 mill a year the Sox could possibly add him. He may not be great, but come playoff time, you got to like his chances to step up. He still had the best groundball/flyball ratio in the majors. And I should add that I think a team with 5 very good starters and a great bullpen and solid position players could definately win the series. The Yanks are still beatable...thats right, they are There are very decent chances that Brown and Gordon get hurt and don't help them come playoff time and a lot of other older guys are iffy on that team, like Bernie Williams and all his injuries.

Ok, he'd definately be a better fit in left field or first...so if the Sox can move Konerko, sign someone like Jay Payton or something along those lines to play right (Instead of going after Raffy). Otherwise, just stick with the plan and suffer a bit in right. Definately go with Harris in center and let his sick range do the rest.

Is he that bad, I thought he was solid...nothing more, nothing less. Well other then Huff, they would be more then fine defensively. And their infield would be pretty sweet defensively. And could you really knock that pitching staff? Ton of innings from starters and relievers. COME ON KW...DO IT

Ya, if they could move Konerko and save a mill or two, get a prospect or some type of potentially valuable player and sign Raffy, I wouldn't have any problem with that, cause it give you two good lefty hitters (Huff/Palmeiro) and two big time right hitters (Frank/Caballo...to a lesser extent Crede). Plus, Palmerio wouldn't take up a long term type deal. If the Sox paid 2 mill this year and 2 mill next year in salary for Konerko and got Raffy for about 4 mill, they'd save 2 mill this year. I think it would be worth it. But I didn't want to put that type of thing into the scenario. This scenario is more likely cause it basically says the Sox make two moves...well 3, including signing Ponson. I'm with you though...this is one of my favorite possibilities all season. The team would have speed, power, average hitters, defense (Harris or Brian Roberts and Uribe/Itzuris up the middle would be pretty, Palmerio is still solid at first, Crede is sweet, Olivo is sweet, Lee is solid, Rowand/Harris is more then solid in center, and Huff is solid in right. Check that, this is my favorite possibility because it is possible...financially and I think the proposed deals are rather fair.

Thats the big iff. I never figured what you got for Jose Valentin in the deal, but you could acquire a middle infield type player for him. Or if the Mariners don't get Nomar, you could swing a deal for Carlos Guillen or something like that. Im' sure there are a few utility type players out there.

I'm saying 5 mill a year is probably what he'd get if people didn't over-pay. It be pretty cheap though. I do agree with most everything your saying though. Except I am not a big Brown or Schilling fan at this stage. Hudson, Zito or Mulder now that I'd take, but we ain't gonna get it. I'll settle for adding two starters like Ponson/Garcia/Perez/Washburn and two relievers, plus dealing Koch. Basically, what I want to do with the Dodgers and Devil Rays (Scott Williamson thread).

I just added salaries into it and shockingly it came out under what the Sox so called budget is. I'd give up quite a few guys to get Huff. The guy is just entering his prime and right now still has a few years before he's a free agent (I think 3 more). In all honesty, I'd try to sign him to a buehrle-esque extension, for a little less cash though). You got to like that offense. It has power, average, OBP, some speed. Slownerko, Thomas and Crede would be the slow guys, most everyone else with decent speed. Roberts, Harris, Uribe/Itzuris, Olivo would be very fast. Lee and Huff with solid speed. And pitching wise, you got to like that rotation. If Perez reverts to two years ago and Ponson pitches similar to last season, Buehrle does his thing and Elo stays similar, you'd have four pretty damn good pitchers and Garland would be a hell of a fifth with the potential to be more. And a pen with Mota, Weathers, Marte and Rhodes/Gabe White would contain 4 valuable arms. Two vet arms (Weathers/White), your two stud arms that are cheap (Marte/Mota) and then Wright (Some damn good stuff and your long) and time for a youngster to develop slowly. The bench contains Rowand, Alomar Jr, FA signings (Daubach type player), and another infielder.

The one sleeper is Tampa Bay who is supposedly looking to deal Aubrey Huff. IF thats the case, you could make a point that Huff is more valuable then Magglio. I'd take Huff over Magglio, but thats just me. And I haven't added if the Sox did a Magglio for Perez or Garcia/Mota/Top Prospect they could turn around and deal that top prospect, Rauch, and one more solid prospect...maybe Borchard for Aubrey Huff who would provide the left handed pop. The Sox would then sign Ponson as rumored and they'd basically be even on Magg's salary but would have Perez/Garcia, Mota, Ponson, and Aubrey Huff. Then they could turn and move Jose Valentin to Seattle or another interested team in exchange for a relief pitcher or possibly expand the Dodger deal and get Itzuris in return (not likely). They would then do the Koch for Weathers (add a mill) and use that difference to get one last reliever, preferably a lefty like Rhodes/Gabe White. Harris - 2nd (500 K) Carlos Lee - lf (6 mill; somewhere heard KW thinks he can get him 5 yr 15 mill) Thomas - DH (6.5 mill) Aubrey Huff - rf (1 mill) Paul Konerko - 1st (8 mill; maybe its 7, gonna go with 8) Joe Crede - 3rd - (750 K) Jeremy Reed - cf (Or Rowand or FA signing) (500 k) Miguel Olivo - (500 K) Juan Uribe - (750 K) Total Payroll without Roberts (23.75) Total Payroll with Roberts (24.75...will add one mill; he's not due much) The big flaw is the Sox have a lack of a leadoff hitter. But the Orioles are rumored to have Brian Roberts on the block...acquire him and your set, and move Harris to cf and put him in the 9 hole and leave Reed in the minors. Rotation Elo - 4 mill Buehrle - 3.5 mill Ponson - 6 mill Perez (preferably)/Garcia - 6 mill Garland - 2 mill Total Rotation Payroll = 21.5 Running Total = 46.25 mill Bullpen Mota - 1 mill - estimate Marte - 1 mill - estimate Weathers - 3 mill Rhodes/Gabe White/Wunsch - 2.5 mill (Thats if you get Rhodes/Gabe White, but I could see them signing for 2 mill) Wright - 750 K Grilli/Munoz/Sanders/Majewski - 400 K Total Bullpen Payroll = 9.75 Running Total = 56 million Add Cash Considertations of 1 mill for Koch Total Payroll = 57 million The Sox still have room to add a quality bench guy or even decide to pick up a shortstop. I never inserted the player the Sox would get in return for a trade for Jose Valentin, but I'd think the Sox would go for a reliever or a middle infielder. The potential deal breakers: Will the Dodgers deal Perez/Mota/Top Prospect for Magglio???? (If they acquire Freddy Garcia, then I think YES). Will the Devil Rays deal Huff for Edwin Jackson, Jon Rauch, and another prospect, likely Joe Borchard. If necessary insert another good pitching prospect instead of Rauch or even two. But Jackson, Borchard and another pitching prospect, I'd think would be enough. Will Ponson sign for 6 mill a year??? I'd say it be a good team and it definately fits the budget.

I won't disagree that 3 yr 18 would be good, considering, but ridiculous, no. As far as Colon your right, those were ridiculous numbers to pay and the same with Escobar. The only solice to Escobar is you could say him and Ponson are similar pitchers athough Escobar doesn't have much starting experience or as much as Ponson. But don't say Ponson's numbers in his career are as good as Colon's, that wouldn't be fair to Colon. Ponson was solid in years past, but nothing more then a 4th on a good team. This year he stepped it up, but it still very unproven and with health questionmarks (only he and doctors know if they are true or not) it could of sent his stock down a bit. Plus most teams wanting pitchers now have got them, so the next crop will kind of sit a bit.

My best guess is the Sox are going to let him fight for the 5th spot (Unless they add two starters) or a back of the end bullpen slot. If he doesn't pitch well in spring training, they'll probably let him back to Florida. If he pitches his butt off, they will either put him on the roster or try to work out a deal with the Marlins where they can keep him and let him pitch in AAA. I got a feeling Rauch is gonna get dealt this offseason, which means the Sox would need something in the upper levels. He's gonna be given a shot and he's got good stuff. It will be easier to call after he pitches a few times in Tuscon.

I couldn't figure it out. I also noticed they claim Mota is a left handed reliever. I think that the report is that the Red Sox could also be interested. I also notice the article believes that once the Arod and Nomar deals go down, you will see a flurry of trades and that very well could be the case. We know that one of LA and Seattle is going to want Magglio. The question is whether a 3rd team will jump into the picture. As long as there are two teams out there and they don't have any other options (Nomar gone; Vladdy signed) then I think it leaves the Sox with a lot of chips on the table.

Whats Millwood gotten this year? Last year he got 10 mill, but that isn't this year. This year Boras can talk out of his ass all he wants, but Millwood will probably get like 8 mill a year, unless he goes to arbitration. Also, Batista is arguably as good of a pitcher as Colon (career number wise) and he took a lot less. I know you don't want to look at it, but somehow it has to fit into things. Heck, Suppan didn't get huge bucks either and Ponson has had one good year. I think he could maybe get more, but realistically he's 5 mill a year, he could get 7, if some team is desperate 8 (Not many teams seem to fit this situation) and if he does want to come to Chicago, I could see him going from 7 to 6. I don't know if he does or doesn't, but 3 yr 18 mill is more then fair. Could it be that he turned down the 3 yr 21 rumored by the Orioles because it wasn't straight up or because he doesn't want to pitch there or maybe it wasn't reported correct? I don't know, but its a possibility.