GreatScott82

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jan 6, 2005 -> 05:21 PM) I'm having recurring flashbacks of 2003 .... We offered Kenny Rogers one million, the Twins offered him two million. That was difference folks. In a nutshell, we lost the 2003 AL Central division championship over a million bucks. That is why KW needs to forget Iguchi and just sign AJ. Offer A.J. 3 million and then shoot for Cora, he'll come cheaper than Iguchi.

A.J. just might be what the Sox need to finally reach the playoffs. He comes through in the clutch, he is a proven winner (with the Twins), has a solid batting avg, lowers ERA's for his pitchers while enforcing behind the plate. With the loss of Maggs and Lee, A.J. can minimize the lack of offensive production. Lets face it, Ben Davis is a solid back-up catcher, but not once has he proved he can start and be solid on consecutive days. Yes he had his few offensive spurts last season, but believe me- it won't last the entire year. KW should just consider leaving the whole Iguchi thing alone and focus on AJ. After some thought, I believe that Willie just needs a full season (like Rowand did) to show us really what he is made of. He can be the #9 hitter, in that case Willie and Pods can bat back to back in the lineup. If Willie doesn't prove himself by the All-star break, then make a trade to a non-contending team, for their 2B. (JUST NO MORE ALOMAR) So that being said KW should offer AJ the 3 million he is seeking, and look for a decent utility infielder on the market. (It's too bad Graffinino wasn't out there)

It reminds me of the Rowand in CF situation over the years. 2002 KW signed Lofton (sorry Rowand) in 2003 he was ousted in the middle of the year thanks to the Everett trade (sorry Rowand) and in 2004 he FINALLY was given the oppurtunity to play everyday and it payed off. Last season Uribe played a great deal of 2B due to Harris' struggles. And this year if KW gets Iguchi the only role I can see Harris having is a pinch runner. I still wonder what the bench would look like...

What is Iguchi's age? And how are his fielding #'s. They said back in 2001 that he was a wizard in the field, but that was 4 years ago. Even if he bats .265 has 20 steals, and 15-20 HR's thats a major upgrade over Willie. That also makes me think, if KW does some how bring home AJ and Iguchi what will our bench consist of? Willie Harris INF, Ross Gload 1B/OF, Carl Everett DH/OF, Timo Perez OF, Alex Escobar OF, Ben Davis or Jaime Burke C, Wilson Valdez INF. Now I know that is way more than the normal amount of bench players. I mean is Valdez really capable of backing up Crede and Uribe? Can Harris possibly play SS? What do you guys think the bench will look like.

Yea it has to be Alex Cora. I'm sure Joey (his older bro) is begging KW to bring him over to the Southside. I expect Alex to sign right before the New Year. It's a shame we could'nt bring Eckstien here. He would've became an instant fan favorite. But i'll take Cora, his defense is remarkable.

Remember everyone! Buerhle relied a lot on run support! A lot of the games he won were due to the Sox scoring 5-8 runs a game. I don't see that happening as often this season due to the departure of Maggs and Lee. So I say: Buerhle 14 wins (w/ a bunch of no decisions) Garcia 18 wins (expect an awesome year from him) Hernandez 13 wins (a decent year, but i expect he'll miss a few starts due to an injury) Contreras 12 wins (i agree, he'll have an up and down season) Garland 16 wins (i really think he'll finally come out of his shell this season and it will be about damn time!!!)

the sox still need a 5th starter, shortstop, second basemen, third basemen, and a catcher. why would kenny make that trade and not get a fifth starter???? if they pocket that money then we are doomed. remember our record last year in the fifth starter spot. this is no joke.

Lets make a move for burnett it wouldnt hurt

KW needs to go after ZITO!!!

I like listening to their shows, but i agree about their SCORE updates. They absolutely suck ass. They really aren't even updates, they are more just like personal opinions mixed with a little bit of an update.

yea the SCORE has not been a succesful source lately. They were the ones that said the Sox were out of the Garcia sweepskates last season. And the last SCORE update from Goerge Hoffman stated "The Sox are all but out of the Clement bidding as he will likely sign with Bo Sox or Angels." Then he rambled on about how the Sox have over $7 million left to spend from the Lee deal and KW might not spend any of it. He also mentioned names like Perez, Milton and even freakin Estes! Gimmee a break. I hope the SCORE is indeed a load of BS because if Perez and Clement sign on with other teams, we might as well get the carosel back out for the infamous 5th starter debacle- V2K5 edition. What ever happened to the starting pitching being the #1 priority?

Well sinse were out of running for Johnson and Clement whos are best guy left we could sign besides odalis perez?

What will we do if you do trade away garland for Johnson? go with Grilli at the 5 spot?

I agree if clement is most likely out of Kenny's budget then go for Perez and hes not as hot as clement right now in the market

odalis perez is our best chance for a starter....Clement will most likely sign where he can get the most money.

cool!

Clement would definately increase our chance of playoffs but we still need to look at SS and 2b im not sure if Willie and Uribe will get the job done?

Yep. The Yanks were smart and said no way! I think FOR ONCE KW should say No way! And just have patience regarding any RJ deal. Because the more time that passes the less Arizona would take in return due to desperations. I say KW should go out and sign Perez or Clement as free agents, and when the time comes and Arizona runs out of patience they'll most likely accept just a Garland, Konerko for Unit deal. That way we'll have a starting rotation that consist of: Randy Johnson Freddy Garcia Mark Buerhle Matt Clement/ Odalis Perez Jose Contreras That would be the best in baseball! The only negative is will have a HUGE void at 1B. But Gload can get the job done lol! He did well off the bench, but as a starter? But i say who cares, our rotation would be drool worthy!!!! So KW just have patience!! This might happen! Lets just hope he brings home Clement or Perez very soon!

Konerko for randy johnson straight up or NOTHING!!! screw arizona lets just sign a free agent: CLEMENT,LOWE,PEREZ?

That trade doesnt make sense. Piazza is washed up and injury prone, while V. Zambrano is just another mediocre starter. This team is waaay better off just keeping PK and CE and signing Matt Clement through the free agent market.

How old was Nolan Ryan when he retired? I can see Unit starting this season for the last time. And possibly transfering to the bullpen to extend his career even longer. Can you imagine Unit as a closer!? He would be more effective than Gagne IMO.

Yea that is what he says. But when he realizes that its probably his final season. I'm sure he wouldn't void a trade to a team that can potentially get him to the world series for a last time.

Its funny, Arizona pretty much gave away Curt Schilling for nothing. And now they want the world for Randy Johnson. If they were smart, they should've shopped Schilling around more and got a better package, then they could've traded away Unit for a solid package as well. IMO Johnson will be traded, but it wont be until the middle of the season to a playoff contender. As far as the Sox aquirering him: screw it, if he doesn't want to be here, i dont want him here. I hate how the Sox have such a bad reputation for some reason. If i was a player i would love to go to a team that hasn't won a title since 1917!! Time to focus on a free agent pitcher (Clement, Ortiz, J. Wright exe...) Or possibly a trade (Vazquez, Hudson, Zito exe...) 6 days till the Winter Meetings.... i'm expecting a few early christmas presents this year Kenny "Clause" Williams better deliver!

I agree. While having RJ on the team would be sweet as hell. Losing one of the best team leaders, and an offensive machine in Konerko, not to mention opening up that 5th starting spot "once again" just wouldn't be the best case scenario for the Sox. UNLESS! They pull that trade for RJ, and then later on sign free agent starter Clement, or Russ Ortiz. Then there still wouldn't be a 5th starter opening and they would have the best rotation in baseball. Randy Johnson Freddy Garcia Mark Buerhle Matt Clement Jose Contreas I know that probably won happen at all, so i'd just go with the signing of Clement first off, then start focussing on the bull-pen. Or maybe even a solid 2B or SS: Todd Walker, Nomar Garciaparra, Edgar Renteria exe.....