Chisoxfn

He's down in extended spring training and will be until short season begins.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 12, 2009 -> 05:47 AM) Wow, where did Stefan Gartrell come from all of a sudden? Not sure if its the protection he gets in that lineup, but... he's now got a 1.016 OPS, and he's hit 7 home runs in just 92 at bats in a tough HR ballpark (that's about twice his rate from last year). OBP over .400. I realize he's 25 and repeating AA (sounds a bit like Cook a couple years ago), but he was highly touted at one time. Maybe he's ready for that kind of consideration again? Gartrell came from the same college as Poreda and always was thought of as a rather toolsy player. He's starting to put things together.

Remember, minor league Dl is just 7 days as opposed to the 15 day DL that the major leagues is.

Guys, Danks is not a leadoff hitter. Get that idea out of your heads. He strikes out far more than a leadoff hitter should. He's a much better fit to be an ideal #3 hitter. Ie, good speed, average, hopefully a good OBP, solid power (not amazing, but 20HR power). Maybe a two hole hitter as well, but not a leadoff hitter. He'll always strike out a good amount, we just have to hope he learns to draw walks at a high rate

IT doesn't matter, offensively he has a pretty good idea and he'll be a very solid, Twins like ball-player.

Evan, you interested in doing any interviews or anything? If so, I could probably set something up for you.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 11, 2009 -> 05:04 PM) I believe Manny's deal next year is a player option right? Yep, he might not opt out anymore but the initial thought was that he was going to probably opt out at the end of the season. He probably won't have that sort of leverage though.

So what is going on?

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ May 11, 2009 -> 04:13 PM) I stated the Angels as a team that could get desperate, and the Dodgers still have Manny for another year, so unless he gets traded (doubtful) I dont see them looking for a OF for another year. Hendry would have to perform another miracle to get rid of those two and their contracts. Giants are a viable team. I was talking more from the Sox perspective anyways, and what I would offer with the current economy and makeup of our team. Could my suggestion be ridiculous? Yup. Could it be what they are willing to pay? Yup. Could the Red Sox resign him for 5 years 75 mill? Pretty possible because they can afford it. My point as I said earlier, with the down market and the needs of the Sox I would offer him that much maybe a bit more, basically replacing one of Dye or Thomes contracts and a bit more, if he takes it then great. If not, we have alot of options to play around with. Oh, I would definately consider making 5yrs 75M and stated that much in an earlier post. I thought you were indicating that he'd be had for a deal similar to that of Dunn or Abreu's and that would be shocking since at the very least you'll have the Red Sox interested in bringing him back.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:58 PM) The Sox just don't deal with Boras, PERIOD. They've already released their first Boras signing in forever, Ben Broussard, and that was just a minor league deal. The Sox and other teams wouldn't sign Porcello for what, $12 million? The Sox have a hard enough time trying to give out $50 million to their established players. But I won't lie, Porcello looks legit. He's still got a lot to learn, but his pure stuff is good enough that he'll be able to hang and develop at the major league level and it appears as if the Tigers are going to handle him right (ie, heavily limit his workload). You'll probably see them even piggy back him with Dontrelle or another starter from time to time this year to make sure he throws no more than 160-170IP's and I mean NO MORE than that.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ May 11, 2009 -> 04:04 PM) Tex: NYY CC: NYY Burnett: NYY Now he may have the suitors to get such a deal, but right now I dont see it. You can count on the Yanks, Mets, and Red Sox to be able to afford and be willing to offer larger contracts, but I still dont see many teams WILLING to spend that type of money. I could be wrong, but right now I dont see alot of teams offering that type of money, unless a team like the Angels get desperate to replace Vlad or something. And I could be wrong but I believe Bay has flaws too, he isnt a huge power machine, has had years where scouts were really down on him, and I believe his defense his shaky (again, this is off the top of my head, and could be wrong) Lets see. The Angels are still realing after losing out on Texeira and Vladdy is older, struggling and well not exactly the Vladdy of old. So clearly the Angels would be a team that would go balls out for Bay. Than you don't have to go much more North to identify the Dodgers as another option. Manny will probably be gone and the Dodgers could replace Manny's production with Bay. Plus the Red Sox would clearly be interested as well. So that right there is three large market teams that would be intersted in Bay. You also have to figure some other teams will come out of the wood-work as well and I could even see the Cubs having interset if they could find a way to get rid of Bradley/Fukodome's contracts. Giants could be looking for pop as well as they have a great young pitching staff and little offense whatsoever.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ May 11, 2009 -> 04:01 PM) Wait, I thought Swisher's contract was a deal for such a young player who put up a 120 OPS+ in a pitcher's park. The fact is we could've receieved a lot more for Swisher and would've still benefited if he was still on the team. I'm falling into that camp. I hate Swisher but the Sox got little value in that trade and that is coming from someone that doesn't like Betemeit a whole ton since he can't play defense and the Sox already have a zillion jurassic so called Dh's. Albeit, I don't exactly like our DH's, haha (but we won't debate that Santo). The Sox clearly wanted to dump Swishers contract this off-season but I think they could have gotten better value prospect wise. That said I loved getting Swisher and don't really miss him either but he'd be a s***ton better than what the Sox have been putting out in CF.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:58 PM) The Sox just don't deal with Boras, PERIOD. They've already released their first Boras signing in forever, Ben Broussard, and that was just a minor league deal. The Sox and other teams wouldn't sign Porcello for what, $12 million? The Sox have a hard enough time trying to give out $50 million to their established players. I think its hard to compare Porcello and Strasburg, although I agree in theory that it works since Porcello fell strictly because of his demands but Porcello also had a lot more question-marks than Strasberg who is for the most part regarded as the top collegiate player ever available in the modern day version of the MLB amateur draft. Some would argue the best pitcher available. Obviously that puts a lot of pressure on Strasburg, but pure talent wise, I don't think there has ever been a pitcher entering the draft at the level he's playing at (doesn't mean he'll be the best ever, just stating that he's special).

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:52 PM) Just look what Dunn, Abreu, Hudson got last offseason, all of these guys were looking for HUGE deals before that season then the economy tanks and Dunn get what? 20 mill over 2 years from the Nationals? No contender wanted to pay him that much. Hudson could only get a 1 year incentive laden deal when he was looking for a long term deal at about 10 mill per going into the offseason. For the Sox, I actually wouldve preferred Dunn to Bay, because I think he is a great replacement for Thome, high OBP, high SLG and we can put him in the DH role. Bay is actually one or two years older than Dunn. Bay is a bigger name. Last seasons market showed us one thing, the stars got paid like stars and the good to very good players had a hard time getting paid or at least had to wait a while. Bay is starting to look like a star or at least is going to be perceived as that because of what he's doing in a large market in the prime of his career. Hudson was coming off a major injury, Abreu is old, and Dunn had flaws in his game. Now look at Tex, Burnett, CC, etc and you'll see that guys in there prime that were considered stars or had the potential to be stars still got paid and I figure Bay will get a 5 year deal in the neighborhood of between 12-15M per season (probably much closer to 15M and if there were enough suitors I wouldn't be shocked to see him get a little more).

QUOTE (scenario @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:37 PM) Even if he signs a major league contract? Yep, 99.9% sure of that.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:38 PM) Also depends on Viciedo and Fields. I really hope Fields figures things out, but I have major doubts about him.

Is anyone a bit worried about how bad fields looks most of the time? I'm hoping its just a slump, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire since his hot start.

The Sox will have money, but there is absolutely no way the Red Sox let him walk. He's been huge for them and could very well be a new face of the franchise for them. However, the Red Sox weren't planning on bringing him back or blowing him away with an offer, I'd go for him as a replacement for Dye. The Sox could use a 2nd quality corner hitting outfielder, but in general, I expect the Sox to put there money in other places, most likely internally where they'll resign some young guys and probably (or hopefully) throw some good bonuses into some more international FA's and some draft picks (ie, giving a few guys above slot money like they did wtih Danksy).

QUOTE (scenario @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:34 PM) If we signed him to a major league contract right away, can we trade him right away? Imagine the package we could get from the Yankees or Red Sox in that scenario. You have to wait a year before trading him.

I thought it had to do with Frank Thomas, haha.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:29 PM) Yeah, I checked. The White Sox are picking 23rd. This thread is pointless, he isn't going to fall to 23 unless he needs arm surgery. Oh, I'm not making it about whether the Sox would draft him, much more the hypothetical because I find it to be a very curious question in general since the Nats are getting so much heat, yet there is a major question whether a large market team like the Sox would even make the move. Plus the Strausburg case totally supports the need for the ability to trade picks in baseball.

Beckham also missed the past couple games with an abdominal injury of sorts but is expected to return to the lineup tonight.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:24 PM) Where are the White Sox picking? I doubt he'd slip that far. Oh, if the Nats don't pick him he won't go very far and definately not to the Sox pick, which I believe is 23rd.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxfan1986 @ May 11, 2009 -> 03:17 PM) Everything that I've read in BA says there's no way he gets 50 million. He'll break the record for a signing bonus (I think Prior set it), but he won't get that much. I do think the Sox would take him though. I see a lot of people speculate that the Nats will go 15M and tell Boras to take it or leave it. If I were Strausburg I'd be hard pressed to accept the deal because if I were near as good as Strausburg could be than you'd be better off signing now and hitting FA a year sooner than sitting and coming back in the draft a year from now. However, I do think he'll end up signing for something between 15 and 25 million and I think the Sox would take him if they could get him for something in that range, although 25 would be the pure max (and I'd be hardpressed to say the Sox wouldn't go past 20).

QUOTE (G&T @ May 11, 2009 -> 01:48 PM) Dan stated that it was too bad Marquez wasn't coming up and Terry said he was hurt, and then stated that "his White Sox people" say that the organization doesn't see him as a major leaguer. It was not his opinion. He said it was the view of people in the organization. Again, TIFWIW. The Score posts their audio on the website. The comment should either be in the first hour of B&B or early in the second hour. It isn't posted yet, but it will be eventually. Awesome, thanks for the info on that. I personally agree and it seemed consistent with what I heard in minor league camp (not that I heard everything, but I did hear scouts talking about guys they were excited about and didn't hear Marquez name come up). Again, just because his name isn't brought up doesn't mean anything but it at least is consistent with what Boers is apparently hearing.