Chisoxfn

I'm still very optimistic about this season. I still believe the talent is there and I'm really liking the idea of a Maggs, Lee, and Daubach outfield - at least temporarily. I am becoming a big Daubach fan and I also tend to like the idea of Rios playing in the lineup as well, if we move Konerko. I see a lot more teams win with a more megshift type offense (Where they mix around two players or so) more then ever. It seems to be a team builds their lineup each day around matchups and it really helps the bench as everyone is fresh. With guys like Rios, Daubach and Graffy this team is meant for something like that. They could honestly move Konerko for more pitching (I know some thing we have enough already, but PITCHING is what will do it). NOt saying it has to necessarily be pitching, cause getting a shortstop is a big need in my mind. This team isn't far off. I like the idea of Jimenez, Jose, Daubs and Rios playing, giving us four lefties in the lineup, with Maggs, Carlos, one of the catchers and Frank the righties. Konerko mixes with them unless we can move them and we play more with matchups. The big issue with this is the Sox are paying too much money for PK to play part time, which is why they'd have to move him. Konerko is my favorite player and those that say he's lazy are dead wrong. This guy takes everything serious and I think its a big reason why this slump is killing him. I know he can bust out if he's healthy, but something is telling me that he's not able to get his hips to fly open and that scares the hell out of me, cause thats a sign of longterm problems and when your the Sox and you have a low payroll, you can't pay guys not to play/produce. For this reason, move him while you can and I do think if you package him with the right guy, you could get a very solid major league player in return that could help this team.

I've always been a Rickey Henderson fan. I think he could be a great teacher if he's willing to and if thats the case I'd have no probably signing him up. Play him on ocassion and you have a great guy to teach Jimenez and Harris on the art of leading off, base stealing, etc. Right now the thing I regret most about the Sox is that I wish they had more speed and played better defense as well as had a more balanced lineup (lefty righty). I still believe the talent is there. The team may be a move or two away (in terms of changing the balance, etc but I think we'll see the team bloom). I can only hope Williams doesn't give up everyone and that he is willing to make a move late in May or even now to get things fixed. i think he has a date in his mind in regards to Manuel as well as some potentail moves in mind.

I'm not sure if Harris can be cured but I kind of think Harris is going to put it together. He hits the ball hard a lot of the time and I could see improvement with him this previous time up. The tough thing is now he has to come back from a shoulder injury and get things figured out. I do think Crede is going to be a stud. I figured all along he'd finish up around .260 or so and for a rookie season that isn't a bad thing. Crede will continue to grow and develop and will become one of the best third baseman in the majors. The big question is whether he can help get Konerko and Magglio turned around. Maggs had some really good at bats yesterday and I also felt that Carlos Lee had some very impressive at bats. Thomas seems to really like the Walker hiring. Jimenez also is a Walker fan and I think the one player that won't be effected by Walker is Jose. I tend to think his swing is hopeless and his numbers will stick around what they are (They aren't horrible but for a 2 hitter I don't like them). Put him in the 6 or 7 or even 8 hole and then thats fine with me.

I can say one thing, if the Sox were to swing a deal of Lee for Ponson, then they could definately swing a deal involving Garland to the Cardinals for JD Drew. Or there is a better shot they could swing a Konerko and Jon Garland deal to the Red Sox for some talent; First and foremost Nixon and Freddy Sanchez and then there is the possibility of much more. They could also decide to hold onto Garland and deal Loaiza in that trade if they would prefer it and stick with a younger staff that will be cheaper a bit longer (even though Esteban will only make 3.5 mill if they pick up his option. Another possibility is moving Flash to Boston, St. Louis or San Fransisco. A Flash/Kelly Wunsch trade later in the season could land the Sox a heck of a prospect (One of the Giants big guns, imo) Right now I think the Sox could do some selling and buying and make the team better fundementally in the short run while strenghtening the farm system as well as making it a pretty much guarantee that they could reup with Colon and keep Maggs. Coul you imagine this rotation Colon (10 Mill) Buehrle (5 Mill) Ponson (3 Mill) Garland Wright Eventually pencil in Foppert, Williams, (one of them potentially) Lineup Jimenez Nixon (3-4 Mill) Thomas (7 mill) Magglio (14 Mill) Daubach Crede Borchard Olivo Sanchez Bullpen Koch (6 Mill) Marte Glover Munoz Sanders Ring Almonte Thats roughly something like 50 to 52 million payroll and thats assuming the high in some areas. I'm asuming the Sox would be willing to go with something along those lines. They would have Magglio, Buehrle, and Colon signed long term which is nice. Then I'd sign Magglio but for less money in his next contract, which would drop his salary. It still shocks me that the payroll would be that much, considering how few players really make money. That wouldn't be too shabby in my books. Eventually I'd look for the Sox to find a replacement for Daubach; I'd say Beltran, but Sox need to be realistic acquiring guys that they can play. I'd like an outfield of Borchard, Nixon and Magglio. That would be damn good defensively and very solid offensively. Rotation would have a good mixture of power pitchers and finesse guys and the bullpen would eventually add one of our starters with one of the Giants prospects taking over. Just throwing out some of these options. I think when it comes down to things, we will be talking with the Giants, Cards, Orioles, and Red Sox. There is some chances we talk to the Pads and then of course Oakland but I think most of us are afraid everytime we hear that name. The Cubs could also tango with us if they are interested in adding Carlos Lee (If Alou goes down).

I'm just saying I'd trade Konerko's high salary for Dreiforts, mainly because I love pitching. It would be a risky move, but having a study pitcher like that would greatly help the team. Now I admit 11 mill for him is riduclous but how many more years is he owed that (2 including this year?) Meaning the salaries match up very similar over the long haul.

I'd guess he went into a lot of full counts, but I don't think it would be over 100.

I like Sanders future. If the Sox fall out of conention they will move Wunsch who should have excellent value. Lefty relievers tend to have great value down the stretch, especially ones with minimal salaries. If the Sox fall out of contention they should be able to get some good players for Wunsch and Flash (If healthy) and if Loaiza keeps pitching it may give the Sox an interesting dillema of whether to accept the option and hope he's not a one year wonder of to deal him for a ransom of prospects (assuming he keeps it up and the Sox keep stinking). Sanders throws strikes, has a good slider and mixes his fastball and change in with it. He'll have his ups and downs in his first year, but I like him in the pen. Him, Ring, Munoz and Marte are gonna all be good relievers for the Sox.

We lost three to the Twins because they play good defense and the Sox don't. They won game two on their defense and we lost game three because of our defense. If the Sox were a fundementally sound team they win 2 of 3 and are I think one game back, maybe two.

Dang that was Cotts best outing of the season in my mind. Thats huge for him to have 0 walks.

That would be cool. Hope you have an awesome time and that the weather treats you well. Either way your gonna have a blast.

I'll still take Bartolo Colon for Rocky Biddle straight up (Thats pretty much what the trade ended up being).

I won't complain about that. Pacheco is one of the arms that is really starting to excite me. They have always done it that way, so no need to question it. Give them credit for consistency. I credit them cause it would really suck for one of the kids to blow an arm because of a rain delay. I think Jon Lieber pitching after an hour and a half rain delay or so last year was a big reason his arm went south.

Lol - at least it would mean that Yan is playing in Birmingham.

This was the first game (Todays game) with him as the hitting coach. Move happened last night I think. I'm not sure cause I wasn't paying attention, was watching the Padres; I can say one thing, they are way worse then the Sox at least for now.

I think Ring and Cotts will be on their way up (Maybe if Yetsu) with Wing, Honel, Yan and Reed coming up sometime in the near future. Yan and Reed will be the first to move up.

I won't complain about that. Pacheco is one of the arms that is really starting to excite me.

And if we got Ponson, that would then make Garland available. Lee and Garland along with a prospect or two could get us something that we possibly need. Right now....we need a GM that will put his job on the line and make several ballsy moves to help get this team into contention. I don't know many GMs that would even consider doing that. We need a very gutsy GM. With my plan....you'd already be making one move that would make or break the whole process in using Willie Harris at 2B and having him leadoff. It is either do that or trade for Luis Castillo(and that would be fine with me too). Well I'd say our GM is gutsy.

The good thing is Backman is a cheap option and he's also a very good option. In regards to hiring a gm, I want the Sox to go outside of the organization. I am hoping that Backman is one of those guys that won't be someone elses puppet and if we go outside the organization then I'm hoping we can get one of those good young minds and they won't be a puppet either. JR just has to put baseball people in charge and let them do their stuff. From what I always heard he was usually pretty good at this, he just has the final say on moves (Because of the Finances of it). I really think its KW that wants control.

Well Segui and Conine aren't long term answers. I did see in Rogers column the name Darren Dreifort and oh my goodness would I love to acquire him. I don't give a damn about his arm injuries, he's not only an awesome teammate but he has electric stuff. Last season while rehabbing he was in the Dodgers dugout for every game (He just didn't travel because of the rehab). Now thats how it should be. Thats never going to happen though. In regards to the Mets, we'd have to take on some salary, I'm assuming Roger Cedeno (don't know how long he's signed for) and then hope to get a prospect or something as well.

Nope, I think you had a good idea on that one. I made a comment about that when he made his first start hoping you'd see it. I know when to eat my crow. Right now he's the Sox best option. I hope they can find someone else, but if Berkman can play out there, so can Magglio.

Ya, somewhere down on the off topic board we had a happy birthday post for ya.

Cotts is going to be really good if he gets his stuff done. I got this really good feeling that he's gonna be a lot like a Zito/Mulder.

Lidle has never impressed me, and I'd agree with you, he left a ton of pitches up in the zone today. Crede has been putting good swings on the ball for a while now, its just a question of his eye/approach to me and they seem to be improving quickly as of late. Carlos has been steady most of the season and to be honest I'm pretty happy with him. Maggs looked a whole lot better tonight and I really think Daubach should be a starter. He's getting good swings on the ball and there is just something I like about him. Seems to hustle, have a good attitude, good eye, etc.

That could very well work as well. I love Jay Gibbons, but we ain't getting him. Ponson for Konerko. In the past I would of said are you nuts, but right now I'd be willing to do it.

Great Post and I just want to say welcome aboard. One trade I've really liked for a long time is Ponson for Carlos Lee. I know that has been brought up numerous times and I've been a big Sidney Ponson fan for a while. I think he has very good stuff and could turn into a really good #2 pitcher, but on the Sox he'd be a #3. He can throw a ton of innings, throw an ocassional gem, and keep the Sox in the game more often then not. Then with Loiaza and Wright you could move Garland or Wright to the pen which opens the possibility of dealing Konerko as well (Moving him and one of the relievers to Boston or maybe the Yankees to pick up some talent, one of which is an everyday player from the left side.