striker

They must be smoking and I'm not joking...

QUOTE (beck72 @ Dec 20, 2008 -> 03:32 PM) The more I look at Jeff Marquez's writeups and numbers, the more I like him. It's not just the latest young arm Kenny has acquired after giving us Danks and Floyd. [Though the sox do seem to target and follow certain pitchers and see if they can acquire them. Like the sox had been targeting Booby Parnell and Kunz from the Mets, in trade talks.] It's the way he seems to fit into the sox rotation. He'd give the sox a different look from the current 1-3, esp. with his sinker and changeup from the RH side. • Classic sinker ball pitcher, though w/ above avg. velocity and plus movement; • Power change up • Yanks expected him in ’07 to pitch in the bigs; http://mariners.scout.com/a.z?s=318&p=2&c=347065 • Comparison to Chien-Ming Wang; but should get higher K rate http://thenewyorkyankeesbaseball.blogspot....ey-marquez.html Add in this nugget from the Trib. when the trade went down: "Sox scouts William Young and Gary Pellant scouted Marquez, 24, for the last two years". These are the same guys who gave us Danks. At the time, that was controversial, giving up a pretty solid #3 SP in BMac for a guy a year or two away from the bigs. [Of course, they also like Masset. But the key was Danks]. Kenny made the deal based on their work. I haven't seen who were the scouts who gave us Floyd. Marquez was on target in 2008 to throw in AAA a mid 3's ERA with solid k and BB rates after having success in each level prior last year. The only blip was last year, when he had a shoulder strain. With the Yanks, you can't experience failure. As the sox had scouted Marquez previously, when he was available, they landed him. Make no mistake, Marquez was the key to the Swisher deal. Betemit is a UTL guy and Nunez is a wildcard. It lands on Marquez to make the Swisher for Gio, DLS and Sweeney a wash. So, I'm looking at Marquez to at least give the sox in 2009 what Vazquez did in 2008--ERA wise. Marquez won't go 200+ innings, as the sox will make sure he's pulled early from games. I'd expect 170-180 innings, with a 4.50 ERA. For 2010 and beyond, I could see Marquez being a sub 4.00 ERA pitcher. Projections, thoughts? I like your optimism but when you ask fans for their opinions 90% of the time it's going to be pessimistic. I think Marquez seems to have good tools for success. Whether that happens in 2009 or 2010 I'll reserve judgement for spring training. Remember that Floyd had good tools but spent a full year in AAA with the White Sox before he contributed at the major league level. Of course Danks impressed right away and made the jump to the major league level. I think the tools are there, the opportunity is there, now it's up to Marquez to take advantage.

don't they also get a cut of MLB's contracts with Fox, ESPN, XM Radio and MLBMedia?

When I first read this I got it confused with Scott Ruffcorn.

I wonder why Dye hates the east coast so much. Is it one of those rapper west coast vs. east coast things?

QUOTE (Sec101Row1 @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 09:13 PM) Here is a summary of the Josh Fields surgery this offseason from an article by Scott Merkin. "There turned out to be a lot more cartilage damage then what was initially expected," said Fields, who added that the knee soreness came to a head through a handful of collisions at home plate and hard slides breaking up double plays for Triple-A Charlotte in 2008. "It turns out that this has been needed for a while. "For a couple of years, I actually felt tightness, but you go out and play through things," said Fields, who credited White Sox athletic trainer Herm Schneider and his staff and the Charlotte training staff for doing everything possible to avoid surgery. "The pain would come and go. I could have gone in and played late in the game like I was, but we were going to have to get at it to play every day." Fields mentioned how doctors were surprised by the strength he was able to maintain in his legs through the knee problem, with 2007 serving as a prime example. While Fields felt the pain most while running, it also was prevalent while hitting. Another by-product of the surgery is that Fields will have greater flexibility in the field. That flexibility should contribute to improved defense at third base, a weaker area of Fields' game targeted by manager Ozzie Guillen during the 2008 season, which led to Juan Uribe taking the starting reigns when Joe Crede went down with back issues. Back in August, Fields told MLB.com how he would put in the necessary offseason work to make sure these defensive shortcomings would not be held against him again. Going at the task completely healthy only will help his cause. "Knowing my flexibility will be almost 100 percent, I'll be back where I used to be when I got drafted," said Fields, the White Sox top pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. "I felt better fielding out of college then where I've been lately. The best news they told me was that there will be a dramatic improvement in my flexibility." This explains Field's decline in stolen bases the past two years. I'm personally excited to see what the young guys have to offer. Let them duke it out in Spring Training and if none of them step up then go get someone.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 07:24 PM) you must enjoy mediocrity. I'd love to have 8 all stars take the field and 5 all stars pitching for us but that's not realistic. If you look at our 2005 team it was full of mediocrity. Rowand hit .270 with a .339 obp, Crede hit .252, we had 1 hitter with over 90 rbis, nobody hit .300. http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/2005.shtml That team SUCKED on paper. So mediocrity is fine as long as we win. And in 2005 mediocrity won it all.

I not sure why everyone hates Owens. I'm sure he can bat better than Swisher did last year .219/.332. I'm fine with him and Anderson duking it out for CF and the 9th spot in the lineup next year. If not then we might as well trade them.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 05:18 PM) Abreu would be a great asset offensively, though he has seemingly regressed the last couple of years. If the trade and signing happen, and barring other moves, the opening day lineup will probably look like CF Owens/Lilli RF Abreu LF Quentin DH Thome 1B Konerko C AJ SS Ramirez 2b Getz/Lilli/Nix/Betemit 3B Fields Not a bopping roster like we have had, but more athletic and better able to manufacture runs. Hopefully the top spot can be upgraded, but it sounds like a lot of people are attempting to do that. I'm not a fan of Owens leading off. I'm fine with him in CF batting 9th but I'd prefer Getz over Owens leading off. Getz, Abreu then Quentin could give you three straight guys with OBP over .370. Owens has speed but doesn't have the OBP capabilities Getz has. I think this one reason we were in the top 5 in HRs and bottom 5 in runs scored (or something like that) because with Swisher/Cabrera leading off and Wise/Pierzynski batting second, we had terrible OBP out of our first two spots in the lineup. I realize you don't write the lineup I'm just commenting for arguments sake.

I like the top 5 of Getz Abreu Quentin Konerko Thome And a rotation of Buehrle Danks Floyd Richard/Bailey/Marquez/Poreda We may even be able to sign a bargain pitcher or trade some of the pitching prospects for someone more legit.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 03:16 AM) Good thinking... Maybe even a John Danks extension? I don't see any of the young pitchers getting extensions until they are at least arbitration eligible. Most youngsters that get long term contracts early are position players, they are a lower injury risk.

Dodgers are in the market for a reliever. Would anyone do Jenks for Kemp straight up?

I'm sure nothing would happen until after Sheets, Sabathia and possibly even Frucal sign somewhere, especially Sheets and Sabathia. Until they sign the Brewers don't really know where their rotation stands. If the Sox are in the running for Frucal, then they'll have to wait that out.

QUOTE (striker62704 @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 08:03 PM) Jenks to the Cardinals for Rasmus. Of course I could also see the Cardinals holding onto Rasmus and letting Ankiel walk after 2009 opening a spot for Rasmus. They still have a bullpen need though.

Jenks to the Cardinals for Rasmus.

I still think Dye, Konerko or Thome could be dealt. Remember the 2005 team that won it all? We won with Everett as our DH and I think Konerko was the only 100+ RBI guy. Pitching and timely hitting is all it takes.

I would take him and bat him 8th or 9th. I don't think his OBP is good enough for leadoff but I could see him starting rallies at the bottom of the order.

I'm a big Javy supporter too. The guy can be lights out and on a consistent basis. He always seems to have that 2 run or 3 run inning that kills him. I do like the idea of trading some of our older players. We have to restock at some point and CLE, MIN, KC have younger teams than us.

I am all for a Dye/Bailey trade as long as we get another prospect. I think some people over value prospects. Even if Bailey does turn out to be good what would be considered good? 12-15 wins? You have to look at what is expected of a player and what are the odds you will get what is expected. I would expect 30hrs and 100rbi from Dye and you could say there is a 90% chance you get that. I would expect 12-15 wins from Bailey but the odds of getting that next year are probably 10%, 2010 25%, 2011 60%. You get my drift? Sure Bailey has talent but that doesn't mean he'll pan out. Fans also need to look at their team in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The Reds appear to have alot of pitching prospects (http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/12/7/16485/6608), which means they don't necessarily have to wait for Bailey to pan out. But they do have an immediate need for an OF run producer. I guess I just sick of fans on some sites crying about trading away the future when their teams sucks now.

I like Javy but I like hot stove even more so I'd love to see him traded for that reason If I recall correctly, Javy had a couple games in either August or September where he took a no-no into the 5th. The guy can really be lights out but he always has that bad inning where he gives up 3-4 runs.

I'm all for a youth movement. Youth was a huge reason we made it to the playoffs this year anyways (Quentin, Ramirez, Danks, Floyd). I'd hate to see Jenks and Dye leave but it would make things real interesting. I know there aren't alot of BA fans or Jerry Owens fans but I think those guys deserve a shot at some point. The Twins outplay us every year with 1/2 the talent our team has. It's time to see what they are made of. We can always plug holes later in the season.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 11:53 PM) If I understand correctly, this is real life and not MLB 2k7. Sorry for the asshole comment, but for something like you suggested were to happen, this would be MLB 2k7. Don't pay attention to the players I mentioned other than the fact that we would get promising prospects and free up money to bring in possible free agents. The point I was trying to make is if you can turn 3 good players into 5 or 6 good players then you should do it. I think it would be worth it for the Mets too.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 11:39 PM) That's not just highway robbery; that is Kenny Williams driving into the worst neighborhood in town, finding a thug on the side of the road, stopping, getting out, offering the keys, presenting him with the title to the car, then sucking off the guy in the back seat and waving good-bye to him as he pulls off. How do you figure? Sox free up $30mil from the books. They sign, say, Frucal and Lowe. So you are looking at Dye, Jenks, Vazquez for Frucal, Lowe, Pelfrey, Heilman and Murphy. Not bad if you ask me.

I wonder if we will see a long term contract for Quentin come out of any major free up of money. Makes sense.

How about... TB Gets: Jenks Dye Sox Get: Davis Crawford Another prospect Sox trade Vazquez. That frees up about $20mil in 2009 salaries. Rotation: Buehrle Danks Floyd Free Agent: Lowe? Davis/Richard/Marquez Lineup: LF Crawford SS Ramirez RF Quentin DH Thome 1B Konerko CA Pierzynski 3B Fields 2B Getz/Nix CF Owens