Chisoxfn

Glad to know KW is in the Dominican scouting out his players and probably getting a look at some other players.

Why would they want a starting outfielder? Anderson in LF is pretty good defensively and their DH is filled...his bat is too valuable to their offense to not have him in. Erstad is a gold glover in CF...why would they move him? And Salmon is pretty good too...he has a great arm...he's getting older, so he may be slowing down, but he's their best all around RFer right now...that is a move I don't understand....another starter I can understand, somewhat...they got Washburn, Ortiz, Appier, and Lackey and then they have Mickey Callaway and Scott Schowenweis as their other starters, though Schow looks to be staying in the bullpen...don't they have faith in their minor league starters? If that's the case, look for Callaway to be moved in a deal somewhere...that'd be my guess anyways. They also have Aaron Sele. Mickey Callaway ain't going to be their and Schoenweis will stay in the pen. I'm not sure why. I don't think they are going to pick anyone up to be honest. They aren't sure whether Salmon is going to be able to do it, so they are looking for an outfielder so Salmon can DH and they will then move Fullmer or consider it.

IT sucks to see that Ray Ray isn't here, but hey, good luck to him.

I've been looking all over the place and yesterday was the deadline. I'm curious to know if he was offered it or not. I know Parque wasn't, but what about Ritchie? If Ritchie's gone then the Sox will save like 3 mill a year, from what they'd have to pay him if he was arbitration eligible. Maybe the Sox now go sign Daal at like 2.5 mill a year and then Byrd at 4 mill a year.

You are probably right. The question is do the Braves reup with Maddux and if thats the question then who do the Phillies go. Maybe the Phils go for Maddux and then the Braves go for Byrd or simply continue dumping salary.

Ya it is stealing from him. I think a lot of things are ridiculous, but I won't get started on that cause this will turn into a 10 page thread on politics

I know he would've had to be on it, I don't know for how long. Well, if he was drafted in the Rule 5, then he'd of had to be on it or the disabled list the entire season. Still, they can have him in the minors now.

I like the idea of Mendoza, but I don't know if we want to put all our eggs in one basket cause if he can't start, then we really are no better off in the rotation. I think he can start, but you never know what happens over a full season. Then again, you never know anyway. I think Byrd is my top choice as long as it isn't too expensive. I dont' mind Helling, but I don't really like him that much, and to be honest, I see Dan Wright putting numbers like Helling can do, and he's actually on the rise, so I say forget about 2, just go with one starter.

Frank Thomas seems to be thrilled about that and its supposedly one of the reasons he's coming back. Although their is no guarantee he will finish his career here. Ray Ray never wanted to get dealt either.

Thats really cool WSC.

Ya, I got a ton of things I need to do. Typically I have some time during the day, its just I've been pulling a lot of overtime this week and then selling the car was a pain in the ass, but well worth it now that I have a Honda that actually gets good mileage.

Thanks for informing me of this. I'll put it on the large list of things I need to do. I'm really falling behind this week on the boards cause I've been so swamped with other stuff. I keep thinking I'm going to have time and I keep having to work overtime at work.

Just plain old sweet to have Frank back at the DH slot. He is going to do real good.

This is a good deal for both parties. Each party has stability in this, while Thomas gets more money up front, the Sox save a bit, especially if he turns out to be a bust. If he turns out to be a bust, Thomas can still keep coming back, but from what I know the Sox can also consider to move him and their will be no serious trade kicker, like their was in his old contract.

Am I the only one who liked these quotes. To me it looks like KW is inserting himself and actually being a man. I don't know if he actually will follow what he's preaching, but he's basically saying we may not be best friends, but that doesn't mean we can't have a good professional relationship, and thats what its all about. Thomas is going to have a monster season, I don't doubt it, and I'm exstatict that we have him back. I always said I'd like to see a way for the Sox to get Frank back, but not necessarily, keeping him for a ton of years, while we wait and see what we have in Lee as well as Borchard. Hopefully Lee doesn't go anywhere. Right now, he's our best option in left, cause with Rowand a big ?(Mainly cause he never has started a full season) then its good to have some consistency in guys like Frank and Caballo, PK, and Maggs, even Manos, cause you don't know what you get out of Crede, Rowand, Jimenez, and Olivo. You can only have so many young guys playing together and compete and right now I think the Sox have that perfect mix.

Matt I thought this was a good article. You brought up some good points. Of course, I liked the deal, but I do like your point about not having a true catcher that can handle the pitchers and it will bite the Sox in the butt, if they don't pick up a veteran catcher. Still, I fail to recognize what some see in Mark Johnson.

Sorry I've taken so long. I'm at work right now, but I'm leaving in like 10 minutes to my mom's house. I've been swamped and finals are coming up. For the sig, I'm gonna resize it so it fits, but I can't do the old roman part(I don't know how to edit graphics, but I'm giong to give that to Mark and see if he can do it, but that takes a bit longer)

Ya, and then he can opt out of the contract next year if he wants. This seems like a great deal for both parties.

We need to pick up Byrd or Maddux.

Ya, thats KW's very wise theory, but I don't see mid relievers getting 3-5 mill with the new salary structure, especially considering a stud like Remlinger gets just a bit over 3 mill a year.

Basically if Frank wants to come back, then the contract is for less money, I think 6 million next year and then whatever the next year and the year following. If Thomas declines the option, then the So can accept it, but for a little more money each year. I'm really sorry I haven't written something up on the main page, but I think I've sold my truck, so I've been on the phone haggling the past hour with the person I'm getting my other car from. Lets just say I'm no KW, their ain't no playe to be named later with me. I'm like the US, I don't negotiate

Glover is a stud. He ain't going anywhere. I love him in the pen.

Mike, we are agreeing on that. Thomas is going to step it up and have a huge year.

I'm not too worried about 2 or 3 yrs from now cause I think were in great shape. I worry about now. I know this farm system is stacked and were gonna have a great staff. I don't doubt it. To win this year, Jimenez will have to play, and our players will have to improve over last year. I also think having a huge yaer out of Frank will help and then as longas Garland and Wright improve and become more consistent and Buerhle stays the same and the pen does what I think, we'll be set.

Well, if in fact the Sox have reupped with Thomas and they no longer have to worry about the deferred money, then maybe just maybe they'll keep everyone together and acquire Paul Byrd.