Chisoxfn

Fixed for ya Yahtzee

Cal State University of Fullerton. I'm in my 3rd year and am a Business Major with accounting as my focus. Once I graduate, hopefully next June, I plan on getting a joint MBA/Law degree. My top choices are University of Michigan, University of Washington, and Northwestern. If I got into all 3, my choice would probably come down to Michigan or Northwestern. The odd thing is both Michigan and Washington would cost me the same price as it would for me to go to UCLA, which is in state (Tuition wise). And cost of living would be much much cheaper in Washington or Michigan. NU is incredibly expensive, but they offer the program I want to do in 3 years instead of the 4 yrs it would take if I went to UW or UM, which ends up making total tuition and living like 45,000 more at Northwestern but at the same time I am out on the job force a year early and I anticipate that I should be able to get much more then that.

Mario, for me standing pat isn't an option. The Sox should either push to make the playoffs and once you get in there anything can happen. Plus if the team is playing and looks like they are making the playoffs, you have the deadline to fill some of your holes to better ensure you get to the playoffs as well as ensure how far you go once in the playoffs. If they don't want to do that, then get rid of Konerko's contract so Gload can play, dump Maggs for young players that have bright futures, and you could even argue to move Lee for prospects. If this is the case they should also move Loiaza. Basically get as much good near ready talent as you can get and put it out there and cut all your salary and then let those guys develop and piece together free agents the following year or two. I am not a big proponent of option 2 because I strongly feel the Sox can compete with their current salary.

Well if the Angels were forced to take on Jose Valentin, then the Sox could ask for Kennedy in return, but then the Sox would be in tough position having to depend on Uribe as their shortstop. At the same time, they would have freed up a lot of money, but if the Angels were willing to take on this type of salary then they would just go after Nomar or Tejada, imo.

Angles and Padres are my other favorite teams. Used to be the Cubs and Angels, but for whatever reason each season I get less and less interested in the cubs. Part of it has to do with Sammy Sosa.

LMAO...he is definately the buffest player in the majors. Him and Glenallen Hill have always been monsters.

Palmerio would be great if we are talking under 4 mill. Otherwise I'd just as well see the Sox go after Fullmer. The guy is coming off an injury, but last season he was hitting over .300 and he has a career ops above that of Konerko. He also has similar power numbers and is a more patient hitter. And Fullmer was playing for very cheap last year and likely would get the same if not a little less this year. You could get Fullmer for about a mill a year, maybe even 750K with incentives that could push it up to 1.5 To me he's the best answer because he puts up good numbers, has a great attitude, good work ethic and allows the Sox to spend money in other areas.

Or they could do all those things and instead of dealing Magglio, trade for Washburn which would save them roughly another 3-4 mill which should be enough to get you a replacement for Carlos Lee. So basically moving Lee, Koch and Konerko you could get Washburn, Perez, and Weathers, plus 10-11 mill to bring in two more relievers (4-5 mill), a replacement for Lee (2-4 mill), and a 2nd and 1st baseman (This is where it gets tough..but if they could move Jose, then they'd have luxuries here otherwise they could just let Harris play 2nd, go with Reed and spend the money left-over on someone like Fullmer (I'd rather have him then Spiezo in this sitaution because he's a far far far superior hitter). This leaves you with this: Buehrle Loaiza Washburn Garland Perez Bullpen Weathers Benitez (2-2.5) Rhodes (2.5) Marte Wright Munoz/Sanders/Majewski/Rauch Thats a hell of a rotation and a very very strong bullpen. You don't necessarily have a set closer, but all 4 guys have some experience closing. The Sox would also non tender Scho, which would save some money. Lineup Harris/Spivey (if you could acquire him to play 2nd...depends on financial constraints) Jay Payton/Juan Encarnacion - lf Magglio Ordonez - rf Frank Thomas - Dh/1st Brad Fullmer - 1st/dh (1-2 mill) Joe Crede - 3rd Jose Valentin - ss (unless you could deal him) Jeremy Reed/Joe Borchard/Aaron Rowand (if you get Spivey then enter Harris into this picture) Miguel Olivo - c The lineup is balanced and the only real weaknesses would be the top of the order if you have to depend on Willie; as well as your cf and catcher in Olivo, but they are strong everywhere else. If the Sox could get someone like Randy Wynn to handle the leadoff duties then I'd say use Harris in the 2 hole and shift everyone else down in the lineup a bit or keep payton in the 2 hole and shift Harris to the 9 hole with Rowand as your 4th outfielder. This means you only have 2 weaknesses, 2nd and catcher.

Ok, going on right now

Yep. But if they got Weathers they would save roughly 4 mill as he's due a little over 3 mill this year. But just check out his stats, since 2000 he's been fantastic. Last year he was 1-6 with 7 svs and a 3.08 ERA. Best of all he pitched in 77 games and threw 87.2 innings. Now thats a horse. So if they were able to do the Konerko for Perez and Koch for weathers deal they would save roughly 7 million but they'd also have Perez and Weathers. Of course they would probably have to pick up some salary, but if they did that, they could still save overall 3-4 mill which is enough to add 1-2 good relievers...thats basically 2 relievers at 2 mill a year each, which should get you some talent. Then if they move Magglio, you have money for another starter and to fill your other needs.

Solid move by the Astros.

I think the Sox will bring in one player that was an experienced closer if they can move Koch, until then I think they will kind of sit back. That being said, Koch for Weathers will happen in my opinion. And it will be a solid move for both teams. Mets think they can fix him, so go for it and the Sox get a guy that pitches in a lot of games and is very very solid as well as durable. I'd love to add Weathers and then pick up Benitez and Rhodes. Doubt it would happen, but that would be about 8-9 mill between the 3 players which would be a huge upgrade to paying Koch 6-7 mill. The big thing is the Sox are somehow going to have to clear some salary.

Supposedly the Angels aren't the frontrunners in getting Nomar. They don't want their payroll over 100 mill, although it could simply be their angle to get better value for Nomar. I think the Dodgers in the end will make a huge huge push for Nomar. I wouldn't even look past him coming to the Southside if the Red Sox were willing to take on one or two of the Sox contracts (Doubt they would be willing).

I don't like Eckstein, not a big fan of his. Never really have been. He grossly overachieved that one year, but he's a really weak hitter. I'd much rather have Willie Harris.

If in fact the Angels are looking to dump Washburn then I think the Sox would make a good match. He isn't like Buerhle in the sense that his focal point is a fastball. He would be a 2nd lefty in the rotation and at 29 still has room to grow. He threw over 200 innings last year and it was his worse season as a starter with a 4.43 ERA, but the yaer before that he had a 3.15 ERA and the only real stat that changed was he gave up 34 homers compared to 19 the year before. Remember, Anaheim is one of the 3 or 4 best hitters parks in the majors, especially when it comes to the long balls. Over the past few seasons a ton of homers have been hit there. His price tag will likely be 4.5 mill or so in arbitration and I think thats very affordable with what he can do. Two years ago he was an 18 game winner and was the Angels ace. Screw the talk about getting Ortiz, he's a bum if your talking about getting him for Carlos Lee. Now if were talking Ortiz for Konerko, then I'd say thats a fair deal. Odalis Perez is better then Ramon Ortiz. While it would cost the Sox Carlos Lee, lets remember Lee will likely make 6-8 mill this year. Now I'd prefer to just move Magglio and Konerko, but it may not be possible to move Paulie. While it would suck seeing Carlos go somewhere there are going to be some guys out there that are valid replacements like Juan Encarnacion (Going to be Non Tendered by the Fish), Jay Payton (Likely non tender) and Juan Gonzalez. All of these guys would put up similar numbers to Carlos. While it would suck, you could spend roughly the same amount on Washburn and one of these guys as you would simply on Carlos Lee. Now if the Sox instead wanted to part with Ordonez, then I could see a Washburn and Erstad or Percival deal plus Adam Kennedy, but I don't really think thats as good as simply moving Lee for Washburn because I don't see how getting stuck with Erstad's contract will help the Sox. If there is truth to this rumor, then I wouldn't have any problem with the Sox getting Washburn for Carlos Lee. Pitching is more valuable then hitting and Washburn is a frontline pitcher and the Sox would be asking him to be a #3 and while Bud Black is good, I think Coop is better, plus he will be moving to a better pitchers park (Simply because its cold in the Cell for the first few months while Anaheim is warm year round ..and if anyone thinks Washburn isn't used to the cold, he came from Wisconsin or Michigan and is an avid hunter during the winter and loves the cold). To go with that, on the road last year opponents hit .234 compared to .278 at home. And the year before that he had a 2.65 ERA on the road and went 13-3. I also remember him pitching pretty good against the White Sox. Over the past 3 years against the Sox he is: 8 Starts 3-3 3.91 ERA 50.2 INN .220 OPP AVG 21 K 14 BB In short, I think this would be a good trade and it would be a fair trade.

Everything I've read hints that the Angels won't be keeping him and they will likely non-tender him on the 20th. He is young, plays solid defense, is a left handed hitter and has put up quite a few solid numbers. Last year was a bit down for him, but he still had a .344 OBP and he has some pop and the year before in the 2nd half of the season he hit like .350 or some ridiculous number like that. Since he's not on the market till the 20th, it gives the Sox time to clear some payroll. He posted a .743 OPS last year and a .794 OPS the year before. I'd say the Sox should go with either Kennedy or Spivey. Both shouldn't cost a lot and are very productive players.

I pay 12 bucks or something like that. If I could find it for cheaper, I'd do it. When I used to buzz my hair, then it was free

Glaus is so gone, he is an absolute bum. All the potential, no desire to do the little things that would make him a great player. Instead he's a .245-.255 home run hitting, strike out machine. Angels would dump him in a heart beat. I should add that the Angels clear 20 mill next year simply by losing Appier and Sele's contracts (They are paying Appier 12.5 this year). I also think they have one of or two other kind of bust players coming off contracts so they will have a lot of financial flexibility next year, even after this signings.

Ya, its been reported that most likely Payton will be non tendered so the Sox could go after him if they move Lee or Magglio. I still think that the Weathers-Koch deal will go down.

I wouldn't do it for Carlos Lee, although I wouldn't be shocked if there was some sort of deal with the Angels where the Sox took on one of the Angels bad contracts and the Angels took on one of the Sox bad contracts but a productive hitter which is what they are looking for. Konerko could fit in with them, but for that to happen the Sox would have to take on one of their bad deals. It would need some creativity and right now I can't think of a good match. I know Erstad would fit here, but the Angels wouldn't do Konerko for Erstad straight up but I could see something centering on those two.

Well a Soriano for Maggs deal would be great for the Sox...but who knows.

Well the Konerko/Perez trade has been out there from the start, although that may or may not happen and its definately not as big as getting Colon, but everything helps.

I've kind of assumed their plans is to get the pitcher for Konerko and then use Maggs to add a few younger players and some prospects as well as payroll flexibility. I think the Sox will look for 1-2 young productive playesr for Magglio and then a high ceiling prospect and then just go with the payroll relief on him. I wonder if they go for Ponson. I think now they are gonna wait and see which pitchers the price goes down on, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. With guys like Pavano and Garcia possibly joining the market, prices will go down, which is good if the Sox have freed money by then. My guess is thats Kenny's main plan during the winter meetings, cut payroll and add a back of the rotation pitcher.

I think Konerko and Thomas are the only players under contract then for something like 15 mill. If they can move Konerko then you only have one contract. Of course all the arbitration eligible guys aren't figured into this, but it will be a vast difference from this year where like 5 or 6 players make up 53 mill of a supposed 58 mill payroll.

Is Francona really talking about the BoSox?