Chisoxfn

Just remember this, Josh Fogg would never of made it out of the bullpen with the Sox if that. I just don't think this organizatoin thought much of him and I don't think he would of gotten the shot. The trade gave him an opportunity and he has made his best out of it. I still don't think Fogg is all that great, Wells was the only one to really miss in the deal. I never thought Ritchie would do as bad as he did, although I was never a huge fan of the trade.

Yep, the new draft picks are included. Hopefully it will be up really soon. The final portion of the draft preview will be up tomorrow morning. Were shooting for next week for the Top 50, but thats a rough estimate.

I think thats hereditary.

I actually think its a good move. Franks biggest problem that I've noticed is his bat speed is slower to the point that he can no longer over think things. Frank has always overthought at the plate, but in his younger days he could make up for it with much quicker hands. With all the talent Frank has, I think we'll see his numbers shoot up with a more agressive approach. He has a great eye and I don't see that going away. I just see him going up at the plate thinking about hitting the ball hard, instead of worrying about all the other stuff when he is up at the plate.

Plus the Sox drafted King, Nanita, Anderson and Sweeney all talented outfielders.

Ya, someone brought it up. Don't know where it is, I'm sure someone can find it.

I noticed that, but I think it still works.

The only thing that should almost guarnatee fans is winning. And their are exceptions to that too, just look at Oakland. Now Mix a winning team with a nice stadium and then you have a way to make a ton fo money.

I've learned to like Gammons. Ya he talks about his favorite team, but he also writes about them (as spiff mentioned) and the Red Sox fan base is huge so he needs to talk about them anyway. I'd do the same but for the Sox. That isn't to say he doesn't know whats going on. Ya he is off at times and such, but I do think he hears a lot of things and I like hearing whats going on.

Why do you want Benson? He's going on the DL with a bad shoulder,. They can't give Kendall away, he makes too much, and is owed too much. That proposal is a steep price to pay for Giles and the financial burden of the others. No way to that trade. The green in that offer stands for sarcasm. And your right, no way would I touch Kris Benson.

I'd take David Kelton. He's gonna be a good player.

It also shows that new stadiums don't guarantee squat.

If Forbes numbers show a profit, then I'm guessing the real profit is a bit more then that. Probably around 4 mill or so. I won't gripe though, I want JR to make money, but I want him to do it because the Cell is sold out game after game with the Sox as a freaking dynasty

The truth is those two are available and that the Sox have had interest in Giles in the past. Everything else is speculation and hope

Vin Scully is awesome.

I'd love to see what Williams could do if he had a decent size payroll. I really think the Sox could have a fantastic team. Oh ya, Yanks payroll is 180 million. For cripes sake that is freaking ridiculous. They are like two small market teams more then the New York Mets (2nd Highest). This is absolutely ridiculous. Its unfair for fans of every other team. Somehow they need to get a cap when the next bargaining agreement comes up. There's almost no way they'll ever be a hard cap IMO The luxury tax just has to be ridiculously large for every dollar over a certain amount I'd just want a Soft Cap, ala the NBA. And a Dollar for Dollar Luxury Tax. Their should also be a minimum cap at around 45 mill. And its based on an avg salary, so teams could unload and go young for a few years, but they'd eventually have to get it back up.

San Diego is probably the front runner in this sweepstakes cause they can add the payroll of those two. If the Pads make this deal, then it means someone in that outfield is gone. Possibly both Klesko and Nevin or Kotsay and I know they have all said they want to stay with the Pads and be part of the rebuilding and move into the new stadium. If the Pads acquired those two, they may just spend the money on someone like Alomar to go along side Khalil Greene temporarily until their 2nd base prospect develops.

I'd cream my pants...thats all i could say. Could you imagine this lineup Alomar Kendall Thomas Maggs Giles Konerko Everett Crede Jose Next year (Lets say the Sox lose Everett) Alomar Kendall (LF) Thomas Maggs Giles Konerko Jose (I'm guessing they resign him for less money) Crede Olivo If they also lose Aloamr then you have Harris at 2nd or can make a signing of some sort. Plus you have Reed and Borchard close to being ready in the outfield (I love Reed).

Kendall is one of my favorite guys to watch hit, because he's a line drive hitter that sprays the ball to all parts of the field. He also has very good speed and a great attitude. The best thing is he can bunt and with his steady bat (So few strikeouts) you have a perfect guy to move guys over and 1st and 3rd a lot of guys. Also I could see a ton of hit and runs, etc. You could do the same with Giles who almost never strikes out. You'd deal Lee and Olivo who probably combine for 120 K's and get 60 K's in return and gain so many points in the AVG column and the OBP column. Also remember, PIRATES PAY HALF OF KENDALLS CONTRACT. No way do you make this deal if they dont' pay part of Kendalls contract. From what I've heard they are willing to do so. Right now this deal definately makes sense from the Sox perspective. Lets say the Pirates don't take Lee, just something like Ginter, Rauch, and Yan (3 solid prospects) then the Sox can move Lee's salary for a relief pitcher or a starting pitcher (Maybe to the Dodgers who would play him at 1st for a reliever, who knows). Then in the offseason the Sox lose Colon (Try to sign Ponson for a few mill less). Sox lose Everett, move Kendall to LF while Borchard/Reed are right there too and you have Giles in center and Maggs in right. Salary wise if you move Lee and add Giles and Kendall at half of Kendalls salary (They add 12 mill a year over the long haul). Thats not all that bad, especially when you have Jose's salary off the books and Bartolo at 9 mill a year off the books. Thats 13.5 mill right there. Your right though, Maggs, Buehrle's and Thomas will go up a bit. But I think with the team on the field the Sox have to be willing to spend a bit more. Also think that in the next year you may lose Maggs or resign him (And it won't be for 14.5 mill, I guarantee that). I see Maggs getting something like 9 mill a year. I know many have laughed at me for suggesting a low rate, but the financial scene has changed and people will see that when Vladdy gets around 14-15 mill a year instead of the 20 he would of made had it been a few years ago. Oh ya, if they make this trade then the odds are very good at the playoffs and even the World Series and if the Sox go into the playoffs, you can add quite a bit of extra revenue, plus a ton of extra revenue next year from increased season ticket sales. KW better be pitching it like this.

I dunno, in a lot of areas on that list I would rank Wrigley pretty low, although overall I think its a nice park to see a game, mainly because you sit so close to the field. Well as long as your not stuck behind a poll.

Well if they took Webster and Malone I'd be just fine with that. Sox keep Rupe and Pacheco.

Pirates are giving up everyone and anyone. Lyon is a solid pitcher though. Move makes sense for both teams. Don't know why the Yanks need another old player in Orosco, but oh well. Heck of a player though.

Ok Think of next year. Giles and Kendall are signed long term. Lee and Everett aren't. Kendall moves to LF next season (If they are paying him 4-5 mill a year its doable; plus he's a great athlete). Then the Sox keep the outfield going next year and move Olivo back into the rotation. They get picks for Everett (hopefully), even if they dont' its no biggie. Then if you get Ponson. Sox can let Colon walk (or sign him to a deal if he's willing to sign for 6 mill or so; If Sox win the series, I could see them resigning a lot of the players). They reup with Ponson and still have Loaiza, Buehrle, Ponson, and Garland and if they keep Colon they have him. Pen stays the same with a couple vets or whatever. Team is able to stay built for the next year. Sox can do this a few years and keep moving things around to get younger in certain areas and continue to win, while guys like Reed, Honel, etc replace others.

Sox would be more then willing to do that, imo. Heck, if they asked for Borchard I think they may get surprised and get a YES answer at this point in time, although I don't really see him getting dealt. I think the Pirates would pay half of Kendalls salary or right around that (25 mill). Sox take on the other half over 4 yrs while they save the Pirates like another 20 some odd million in Giles contract (Not sure what he's owed, but I think its like 2 or 3 more years) and they get a good outfielder and a pitcher and if they want one more guy, fine.

And I'd buy ya a beer at the Series (Using your ID) Cause I'll definately be flying out to Chitown if they make it and if they made these deals, they better make the series