Chisoxfn

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.

I sense that the days are twindling for both Manuel and White. I can see a move happening for either of them on Friday. Heres a question who goes first? Will it be White to get released/traded or will Manuel be canned first?

Shapiro did a heck of a job. They may be playing like crap right now, but they are going to be pretty good.

Not saying I agree with ya, but it definately sounds like the JR way. You don't spend a time and now JR knows he'll have at least one fan in favor of it. I just think this team is in need of some serious retooling. The question is if they start retooling can the team be saved. Like I have said in the past, I can't think back of a team that completely retooled a club (With 2 to 3 trades) during the season and was able to pick themselves up. Beane seems like the type of manager willing to do it, and he semi did it, but without a major move and it was pretty easy for him knowing he's gonna get the pitching. This team needs to get faster, better defensively and more balanced. Rotation wise and bullpen I still like it, but White has worn out his welcome. Use him as an extra player in a deal. To me I think the Red Sox would have some serious interest in Flash Gordon and if we package him with Konerko we could get some serious help. I'd love to get Nixon and I'd love it even more if they could lure Freddy Sanchez and Nixon out of Beantown. Then bring Almonte up instead of Flash. Trade Jose Valentin to San Diego for Ramon Vazquez (At least make an offer for it - IF you can't get Sanchez). Most will ream me on that idea but I think Vazquez could have a bright future. If we have a shortstop, then we can either keep him and just use him in a utility role and have him play some DH or trade him for bullpen help. I'd like to bring Kyle Farnsworth in from the northside, I'm convinced the Cubs are going to have to move one of their relievers and he's the one they will move and I think his value is down and I really trust Cooper to make a few minor adjustments. We still have some strong guys in the pen, but will have to count on some younger arms, but I love and trust Coop. Defense is way better, offense is much less one dimensional. Vazquez and Nixon can steal and now Daubach can play almost everyday. The big thing I think of is shed some salary because we got to think like JR and I know one thing I don't want Colon going anywhere, so shed some money here and there and find a way to give him his contract. Losing Jose and Konerko would easily be more then enough to sign Colon and Buehrle long term.

I hope that was a joke Michelle cause Nixon is one of the more heads up players in the majors as is Larry Walker, the last player I can remember to make that kind of mistake. Damn, wheres Baggs when you need him; I know he was with me last year when I was pushing a Nixon trade. I think at that time it involved Konerko or Lee and then a reliever.

Heh. Maybe that was a bit harsh -- Sox rage syndrome is infecting me. then direct your issues to the right people.... call jr and give him hell.......... Give me Reinsdorfs or someone higher ups number and I'll be glad to call them and give them a little advice. I'll list some players that I think have talent and help do their job

Well, I'm usually in agreement with Phil and as always I think he's right on the money. Think, have I not been calling for this things for a while. I think that the next step would be to find a shortstop candidate and then platoon Jose at DH and let him play the infield on ocassions and of course NEVER have him face a LEFTY. I am loving my Nixon for Konerko deal, but I also doubt that the Red Sox would do it, unless we threw in a pitcher of some sort to help their pen (Which is improving). I'd just love to get them to take the salary off the hook and Nixon is a type of player this team could really use. I also think that Manuel can sense the end and he is trying anything and everything to get things righted. Its just nothing is working. I don't blame him whatsoever, but sometimes you just have to make a change to try and see if a new approach can do something to change the team. Backman or V, fine by me. It was interesting to here everyones comments on a hitting coach midseason. I also think that one of those guys (I forget the name, but the guy on the left that didn't play baseball) should of shutup in terms of Walker fails in his first day. He was probably joking but what the hell is a coach going to change in a day. It will take at the minimum two weeks or so before you start noticing some changes and we can only hope they are for the better. Interesting how Valentine said having one of his coaches fired midseason pissed him off. I doubt this is the case with Manuel, cause if i think back Ward was always KW's guy. My theory is let the damn manager hire his coaches, if you can't trust him with that then you can't trust him with the team, imo.

Well theres Ryan Wing, Bullard, Arnie Munoz and I know I'm missing a few others.

Family Guy rules. I'm finally on Disc 2 of the Family Guy DVD. Also WU, went to the Padre game yesterday and finally tried one of those hot dogs at Randy Jones bbq and they are the best hotdog I ever had at a ball game. Too bad the Pads lost yesterday. I was dissapointed in the size of the crowd.

Happy Birthday. Damn, there sure are a ton of May birthdays.

O-E-O MAGGLIO