striker

I don't know why everyone is so ancy to get a different 2B. Harris has speed, good range and a good glove. He finished with a .262 average, which is respectable for his first full year. Yes he was inconsistent but who wasn't on this team? I really think he has potential and will prove naysayers wrong this year.

I don't see why everyone rips on Harris. Not alot of player kick butt their first full year. I still think Harris has potential and I don't think Cora would be a huge upgrade like everyone talks about. Cora has only had one year that I would call good in his career and he was given alot more opportunities than Harris. I say stick with Harris and see how he steps up after his first full year. He got a taste of what it's like to start so give him another year. Lets just compare the two stat wise: Cora Age: 29 MLB Experience: 7 yrs Career BA: .246 Career OBP: .314 Career Fielding Pct: .975 Career High SB: 7 Last Year BA: .264 Last Year SB: 3 Last Year OBP: .364 Last Year Fielding Pct: .987 Harris Age: 26 MLB Experience: 4 yrs Career BA: .240 Career OBP: .305 Career Fielding Pct: .988 Career High SB: 19 Last Year BA: .262 Last Year SB: 19 Last Year OBP: .343 Last Year Fielding Pct: .983 Stats are similar but I still think Harris can turn it around.

I agree with KW that we shouldn't just sign someone to spend the money we have. It has to be the right fit. If you compare our rotation to the rest of the Central and even the AL it is pretty good. Only problem is the inconsistency of Garland and Contreras. I really don't care to see another fielder join us. If we add any players they should be pitchers.

Agreed. Trade for Hudson and give him a $12-13/year extension.

KipWellsFan - Boondock Saints, niiiiice!

Welcome aboard. I agree that Grilli and Schoe will be given chances before we look back at Loaiza. I think we need to give Davis a chance to catch (he showed some potential last year) and if he faulters let Burke catch. Burke is a good hitter and a good fielder. Contrary to other posters I like the team we have together. I'd feel more comfortable if we had another good starter, but the team we do have can definitely compete in our division. Then we can go get a rent-a-player after the All Star break if needed. Ben Sheets is one pitcher I know that will be a free agent after 2005.

I really want to see Gload start. All I remember is his clutch hit off probably the best reliever in the american league, Francisco Rodriguez. The guy batted .397 with runners in scoring position. He can field. You got to let him play.

I'm tired of everyone crying about power. We don't need power!!!!!! The team that has beat us the last 3-4 years has had NO POWER. They had 3 guys with over 20 HRS last year, one of which is supposedly gone now. And they had NO ONE with over 100 RBIs. But they win cause they know how to play the game right.

Agreed

I hate to see a good player go but let's face it, Lee was a big part of our 2nd place tradition over the years. I am all for change. We may question KW moves but he wants to see a winning team out there as much as we do. I wouldn't be suprised if Kornerko was dealt too. I, like the rest of you, hope for a stud pitcher. If Ginter was at all a part of these deal then maybe we turn around and send him to Oakland with Garland for Hudson. Just a thought.

If that's true then there's another $12mil off the payroll.

I'll fight you for her.

http://www.espnradio1000.com

General managers spend other peoples money. People only spend money wisely when it's their own money.

His contract gave him option years that he took. He could have been a free agent a couple years ago but took his option instead. He probably wouldn't accept a trade anywhere either. I personally couldn't imagine Thomas in another uniform. It would be as bad as seeing Jordan with a Wizards jersey on.

KW has said he has a team lined up on his board for the next three years. He only has room for 3 outfielders, we know Dye is one and probably Rowand so that just leaves room for Sweeney. Anderson is apparently the odd man out.

3E8 - who is that in your avatar?

A leadoff hitter typically only leads off once and that is in the beginning of the game. He could end up being the 4th batter in the bottom of the 5th inning, therefore hitting cleanup????

We weren't one of the 5 teams flying "through the radar"

Greetings and Salutations Indywallin!! Glad to have you aboard. One other thing I like about the Sox is the diversity. The fans and the players are real diverse. From rich to poor, black, white, hispanic, asian. I've been to about 10 different MLB stadiums and it doesn't get as diverse as the Southsiders. Being a beginning Sox fan I also suggest you research famous Sox quotes and study up. You will constantly hear and see quotes like "He gawn" and "Grab some bench" and "You can put it on the boooooooaaard yyyyyyyeeeeesss" and "Pick to click". It's very important that you know these and use them often. For example, if one of you daughters wants to go to the park you should respond by saying: "You can go to the paaaaaarrrrkkkk yyyyyyyeeeeessss!" or if they want pizza for dinner you can say: "You can order a pizzaaaaaaa yyyyyyyeeeeeesssss!"

Vazquez wasn't a free agent. He had one year left and the Expos traded him, then the Yankees gave him an extension. Yankees overpaid for Gordon and could possibly throw in some $$$ with the trade to offset costs.

Please see my previous post about the Twins and their lack of "Power Hitters".

Just keep in mind that the Twins have made the playoffs the last 4 years with 1 maybe 2 players with over 80 RBIs. Our hitting still would not be bad just vulnerable to injuries.

Power wouldn't be as good and we would have to keep a stretcher in the dugout at all times BUT MAN THAT PITCHING WOULD BE LIGHTS OUT!

Harris would have been included in the Oakland trade. We could sign Polanco or try for another 2B. CF Rowand 2B Polanco DH Thomas RF Dye LF Everett 1B Gload 3B Crede CA Davis That lineup is not the Yankees but good enough to get the job done. Scariest part is the number of games Thomas, Dye and Everett all missed last year.