Chisoxfn

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

Well if anyone thinks their is any truth to it, maybe Reinsdorf is on his way out as owner and Einhorn is really taking over (I know Michelle and Steff mentioned Einhorn being more involved) maybe he'll really get more involved. All I'm saying is they add 10 million this year, but lose Lee's 4.5 or so making it only a 5.5 mill addition and could easily make that back in playoff games (Or I'm assuming they could). Plus think of all the extra season tickets that get sold. If the Sox go deep and show commitment to winning, I could see a season ticket base of 30,000 or so, which ensures avg attendance around 35,000. THINK OF THAT ONE JR

No way the Pirates make that deal. Rauch, Harris, Bullpen pitching prospect (maybe Dan Wright), and a top 5 prospect. For Kendall and Giles, I'd make that deal. EDIT: I'm assuming they won't want Carlos. I'd still make that deal. Then the Sox unload Lee for a reliever or starter (if they can get Ponson great). I think the Pirates would take Lee though. Still young and productive. He can semi fill in for Giles.

Ponson is an ace on some teams, a #2 on others. He'd be the #4 of this staff, but the rotation the Sox would have would be absolutely awesome. In a dream scenario Ponson, GIles and Kendal would be coming over. Then in the offseason you try to move Kendall and let Colon walk. Ponson replaces Colon, Olivo back into the starting lineup. Get Kendall for 4-5 mill a year (Pirates paying the rest; they still save 20 mill over the long haul). I think Kendall is marketable at 4-5 mill a year.

Do whatever it takes to get JR to sign off on this deal. I mean anything. KW - get hire a marketing guy (a real one) to tell him all the money he'd make if he made this deal and the Sox won the series. Can you say sold out US Cellular for the next few years. Look what the series did for the Angels.

i don't know about kip, as much as i like him, he may take a spot for one our prospect coming up. you make one trade and not lose too much prospect, then you have a surplus for another poss trade. how do you think this will affect the clubhouse? Only heard great things about Giles and I've never heard anything bad about Kendall. Was supposed to be a good guy and a hard worker. SI is the resident Pirate expert, so we'll see what he thinks. Pirates won't give up Kip, he's cheap for the time being.

The whole reason why the Pirates team is available is because they are losing money. Don't look for Pittsburgh to deal anyone they'd have to pay the salary of anyway. I think that they will have to pay salary for Kendall, at least to the point where the Sox pay Kendall like 4-5 mill a year. Still, thats a good deal for what he can do and the Pirates are happy cause you take on a ton of salary and give them Lee who they can either keep long term or move to someone like the Dodgers for more prospects. Rauch is a solid pitching prospect who is ready for the show. If they ask for anyone else give them Yan back, but don't give them anymore pitching unless its a marginal guy.

Well, I think we know the deal I'd pull of if I were GM. The key is convincing JR to add payroll. I'd find some really hot twins for him and see if that makes him more lose with the pockets. Come on Kenny, be on the same wavelength as me. Kendall and Giles for Lee and Rauch and a PTBNL. Pirates pay most of Kendalls salary, Sox take on Giles entire salary. New Lineup Alomar (S) Kendall ® Thomas ® Ordonez ® Giles (L) Konerko ® Everett (S) Crede ® Jose (S) Bench Graffy ® Daubbie (L) Harris (L) Rowand ® Alomar ® Minors Olivo Damn I'm drooling over this one

I was just talking to Mario and he mentioned that the Pirates are willing to unload Giles for not too much if a team is willing to take on Jason Kendall. Think, the Sox could take on Kendall and send Olivo to AAA. The key is the Sox get Giles to play center and wouldn't have to give up much. I'm sure the Pirates would have to pay a lot of the salaries though, but taking on Kendall means they could do it for less. Kendall is hitting .308 and could definately hit in the 2 hole. He has a .386 OBP Acquiring those two would give the Sox all the bats they need. And the rotatoin is there, although acquiring Ponson or an additional reliever would be great. The best part about this deal is its a long term thing. I'd freaking hug JR if he were willing to add the payroll.

That would be highway robbery if we get pull out the Giles trade you just suggested... But i doubt that will happen..there's gonna be another team outthere who can probably offer up better players.. IT wouldn't be all that bad if the Sox gave them Lee and Rauch. Rauch may develop but I don't see it happening with the Sox, especially with Honel, Wing, Cotts, Pacheco and Rupe their. Of course this trade is easier to make if the Sox only lose one arm in the Everett deal. The Pirates get a potential solid starter and a solid outfielder that is younger then Giles. Sox get a stud outfielder that will be an all star and is signed for the next couple years. Pirates also have Jeff Suppan on the block and I think you could even pry him if the Sox wanted an additional starter. I know HSC wanted the Sox to sign Suppan in the offseason. This is all assuming that the Pirates pay Lee's salary and the Sox pay all of Giles and Suppan's salary. I'd do the trade even if Suppan wasn't a part of it. But KW better not make the deal if its only Suppan Giles is signed for a few more years at like 6 or 8 mill a season. This season he's hitting .301 with 10 hr's and 48 RBI. He has a .438 OBP. This season he's struck out 34 times while walking 61. That would be an awesome addition to the lineup.

Talk is the Braves are going to acquire Kris Benson for Jason Marquis and Wilson Betemeit. I think that would be too much for Benson. Benson has too much of a history with injuries.

24 and hitting .280. I wouldn't complain about that. Especially since they had Lenny Freaking Harris playing 3rd. Lofton is also a huge upgrade over Goodwin. I will give the Cubs credit; Hendry made what looks to be an exceptional deal. If those guys blow up, so what, they tried and at the time the deal was made it definately made sense.

I think picking up Giles would be really nice if all the Pirates are doing is looking to dump salary. Sox could move Lee and a prospect to them and the Sox can use Everett in left with Giles in center. If that offense can't produce then who knows. I'd hit Everett in the 2 hole and Giles in the 5 hole behind Maggs with Konerko in the 6 hole, Jose in the 7, Crede in the 8 and Olivo/Alomar in the 9 hole. Then if the Sox want they can use one of their bench bats not named Graffy to acquire a reliever.

All I will say is if Kobe did it, then he can rot in hell (aka Prison). I"d never root for him.

Bruback is solid if I recall. Great move by the Cubs, especially since I don't think Cruz would be a PTBNL.

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.