Randar68

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Oct 12, 2005 -> 11:23 AM) If Rowand is back (and I think he will be), I'd much prefer that the Sox keep Anderson at the MLB level instead of having a stiff like Timo on the roster as the 4th OF. If you can upgrade over Timo, fine, keep Anderson at Charlotte. But if it's Anderson/Timo for the 4th OF spot, I'll pick Anderson every time, even if the 200 scattered at bats don't allow for his best development. IMO, you can't build an effective organization if you keep stunting prospect growth by puting them in unwinnable situations or diminishing their trade value. If Anderson isn't going to start, trade him now. If Rowand isn't going to start, try to trade him. If you can't get anything of value, then hold onto him as your 4th OF'er. You ALWAYS have to keep looking at the future, and easing young guys into the league one or 2 at a time is the way to keep that turnover happenning without hurting your team. If Anderson and Rowand project to have even similar production, even if Rowand might slightly be expected to produce better in 2006, you have to play Anderson. That puts you in a position to know what you have heading into 2007 when you may be looking at 3 other OF'ers being MLB-ready. You absolutely must, IMO, find out what you have in Brian Anderson, by playing him every day, before Spring Training 2007 rolls around. And again, while I don't really advocate it, look at Hermida and Francouer... Young could make that jump next spring...

QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 12, 2005 -> 11:15 AM) With both Pods and Dye having their contracts done after next season (I might be wrong on that), I think it's very important that the Sox find out if Anderson can contribute at the MLB level. With it being very unlikely that he starts next year, that's why I think it's important he's on the team as the 4th outfielder (like how Wily Mo has been with the Reds the last two years prior to injuries). Sox have a team option on Dye for 2007 and Pods will only have about 3 years of service time after this season, meaning he is not eligible for FA until after the 2008 season.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Oct 12, 2005 -> 10:10 AM) Wouldn't it be better for Anderson to get a full season of at-bats in the minors instead of limited playing time here? I wouldn't mind the Sox trading an overrated Rowand and giving the job to Anderson but how realistic is that? very. Anderson ain't gonna be a 4th OF'er getting 200 AB's... that's almost useless. Need to have consistency and REGULAR playing time. Some people haven't come to grips with this yet. Some of these same people are thinking Young will be the starting CF'er in 2007 and Anderson will then be a full-time player, meaning you're breaking in 2 guys at once... I guess they don't see the value in rebuilding the outfield incrementally?

QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 12, 2005 -> 08:45 AM) PLEASE, No more Carl Everett. I'd be fine with Carl if he replaced Timo as the "Bat off the bench" and emergency OF'er at ~$1-2 million per year... Otherwise... HE GONE!

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Oct 12, 2005 -> 08:26 AM) I'm surprised about the level of interest in Furcal. He's an improvement over Uribe hitting-wise, but more erratic in the field. I don't think a carreer .348 OBP is anything special, especially when he's likely to demand Jimmy Rollins money. And I agree with the need to acquire a #3 hitter, and perhaps a #4 hitter depending on what happens with Konerko. But after Giles and Matsui, there's really not much available. If we can't get either of those guys (likely), I'd just pick-up Everett's option and attempt to work something at the trade deadline. I would not touch our pitching for any trades. Frucal steals a TON of bases and teaming him with a healthy Pods at the top of the order is what REALLy makes him attractive. It also allows you to use Iguchi in a more productive role in the #5 or #6 hole, where he can drive in runs. I agree he'll probably be overpaid, but we have to look at the positions on the field where we have a chance, through FA, to upgrade. Bill Mueller at 3rd? Furcal at SS? Not much of anything out there for CF or 1B other than Pauly. The other major issues to address, #3 and #4 hitters, will have to be addressed through resigning Pauly, signing a DH, and/or trades. Very limited by what this FA market provides and who we have returning next year.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 03:46 PM) Giles OPS+ (148) also ranks better than Konerko's (136, IIRC). More than anything, though -- 119 walks. That's amazing. Look at the long run of 30+ HR seasons he put up in Pittsburg... Petco has insane dimensions unless you hit it right down the line... The wall is like 375 just 15-20 yards from the found pole in RF, if that...

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 02:49 PM) I'd agree the chances are slim, but what do you think are the reasons why the chances are slim? (1) Giles won't leave Cali; (2) The Sox won't let Konerko go; (3) The Sox wouldn't spend $40 million on a 35 year old (4) The Sox won't spend that money on anyone? Just curious. I actually see #1 as the biggest reason, followed by #2. I'd also agree with you that Giles' 36-38 year old seasons at the Cell would likely be better (sabremetrically, at least) than Konerko's 31-33 seasons. The Sox need 1B and DH help, and IMO Konerko returning is not necessarily exclusive of signing another guy. In addition, this team badly needs a legit #3 hitter, and Giles would be one of only a few options who would not interfere with Konerko remaining at 1B, while also providing a great source of rotating guys for rest days. Heck, Giles could play CF in a park as small as USCF, although I'd prefer him at DH or a corner OF spot. I think #1 will just be the overwhelming reason why he won't be interested in the Sox. The Sox tried badly to get him when Pittsburg wanted to get rid of him, and he wouldn't even waive his no-trade clause to come here to get out of Pittsburg! I just don't see him as a realistic option based on those external factors...

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 11:19 AM) Would it be that out of the question, or dumb if we traded Cotts insted of Marte, getting alot back for one of the best LHRP in the game,then signing BJ Ryan? While your payroll goes up because of Ryan, you could get alot back for Cotts, correct? A package of El Duque, Cotts and Anderson could bring us a nice bat, no? Cotts is cheap as heck, why trade him now? You might not get as much back, but you're not getting Andruw Jones for either one... Marte is an issue of clearing salary...

QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 09:33 AM) Yankees will have either Damon or Hunter in CF next season. Torii? His contract isn't up... (although contract isn't all that attractive either) Maybe you mean Brian Hunter? LOL! Damon, I could see, but the Yankees will end up at 250 million unless they trade some of those big contracts and eat a LOT of money on them too. Isn't AJ Burnett also rumored to be a Yankee target? Hell, offer them Rowand for the rights to Matsui (giving the Sox a window to sign an extension) as soon as the Sox post-season is over. Move Dye to 1B/DH, resign Konerko and sign Furcal... done deal, LOL!...

QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 09:30 AM) A team that wants to improve their defense up the middle. There are quite a few teams that could be interested in him. Who the hell the Yankees got in CF? Tony Womak? Case in point I suppose. Also would be interested in signing Matsui if the Yanks do indeed fail to negotiate a new contract by the deadline...

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 09:26 AM) I also think that Chris Young might be the guy to replace Rowand anyway. I think at this rate, Young will be the CF'er in 2007. However, nothing says Anderson can't play CF full-time now and move to RF in 2007 when Dye's contract is up...

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 08:53 AM) I heard that's what he wanted all along, but the Phillies were offering him a 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd. With Ed Wade gone now though, it'll be interesting to see where the negotiations go. They're really going to have to give Thome away if that's what they're going to pay him. 3 yrs @ 9 million per? Resign Pauly and bring on Furcal, Thome/Delgado/Helton and a lefty specialist and this will be a far-improved lineup... You can trade El Duque, Marte, Uribe and probably Rowand in any of those deals as well...

QUOTE(mwolfson @ Oct 11, 2005 -> 08:12 AM) Well honestly, I'm only thinking about increasing the salary 12-17 next year. I know both Konerko and Wagner maybe on average about 10 and 7.5 per year year and hopefully Thome's contract will be eaten up mainly by the Phillies. So we will see, doubtful but how sweet would it be to have Thome back in Chicago... PODSEDNIK IGUCHI THOME KONERKO DYE PIERZYNSKI ROWAND CREDE URIBE We have a closer... heck, if Hermanson is healthy, we have 2! I would rather spend that money that some are spending on Wagner and put it towards Furcal. I would rather sign youth at a key position like SS. I like Uribe a lot, but he just is not as good as Furcal. It also allows you to move Iguchi down into a more natural #5 or #6 hole for him, allow him to be a run-producer. That would give me: PODSEDNIK FURCAL THOME, DELGADO or HELTON, whichever they can get. KONERKO DYE IGUCHI PIERZYNSKI CREDE ANDERSON Heck, maybe move AJ into the 5 hole to break up all the righties in a row, but that would be for Ozzie to decide. For a similar price to what Wagner is going to get, the Sox could get Furcal... It also allows them to include Uribe and/or Rowand in any deals for Thome, Delgado, Helton, or bullpen help...

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Oct 4, 2005 -> 09:34 PM) One of BA's shortcomings is that they almost refuse to give up on a player. It seems once they have made a decision on a player, that opinion sticks until they have no choice to back off of it. This whole post is dead on-the-money. I think you described it perfectly, Rex.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Oct 3, 2005 -> 08:32 PM) I really figured Haigwood for one of the two leagues he played in. I thought the Carolina League was more likely, but him missing isn't a shocker. Had he thrown as well as he did for a whole season in one of the leagues, he may have made the list. Sweeney, Rogo and Tracey not making it do not surprise me. Owens being left off does a little bit. It just goes to show you that prospect lists are different. Owens makes the league post-season all-star team and Young does not. Yet Owens can't sniff the Top 20. Well, Haigwood doesn't have the "tools" that really catch the eye... he just knows how to get guys out. It's always very difficult to project how that translates as a guy moves up. For example, here's BA's list of the top 10 5 years ago... Interesting to see who has been the most productive out of that list, isn't it? Pierre and Buehrle without the eye-popping tools perhaps being the most productive major leaguers on the list... Sheets is no slouch, but the rest have underwhelmed...

BA's snippets:

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Oct 3, 2005 -> 08:53 PM) Do you think age was a large factor in that? I think it was the fact that this was the most talented league in all the minors this year. Owens is a Pods-type player, and those guys rarely rate highly on prospect lists because they don't WOW scouts with power or defensive ability (although Owens is much better defensively than Pods)... It didn't help that just by looking at the numbers, Owens didn't wow you with his success rate stealing bases, THE NUMBERS don't indicate he could carry that base-stealing ability to the next level... Sweeney has been a favorite of BA from day one, but the one thing everyone has been waiting for has yet to appear. I'm not all that concerned yet, but I can see how he might start to slip considering the lack of power. He's hit like a lead-off man this year but he plays RF... hard to rate that in a league as deep and talented as the SL this year... Here is the BA Southern League Top 20:

QUOTE(danman31 @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 12:41 AM) Since there are so few games in September I'm just going to lop August and September together. Can you post the updated and final month-by-month numbers including # of games played each month? Thanks in advance.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Sep 29, 2005 -> 11:01 AM) There are plenty of guys with Anderson's stature, minor league numbers, and more experience that couldn't reach those numbers, so your projections seem hoplessly optomistic. First, expecting the Sox to give him the starting spot outright seems a little foolish considering they should compete for the division again next year. Second, expecting a guy with 28 major league at bats to perform that well is even more hopeful. I'd be happy to make a ridiculous sig bet on this topic. My projections are not based on Anderson's numbers. They are based on his physical abilities, quick adjustments, and performance at an accelerated pace to-date. How many RBI's do Uribe, Crede and Rowand have hitting out of the 7, 8 and 9 spots? What are their averages and power numbers??? Anderson will be starting in CF on opening day 2006, Rowand is replaced. I don't know what you call "playing full-time", but sure seems to fit the bill for me. When did Ryan Howard come up? Does he play in USCF why routine fly balls turn into HR's?

Good synopsis. Smart, clutch player who plays GREAT D and is a very good #2-type of hitter.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 29, 2005 -> 10:59 AM) Is it really out of the question that one of our younger pitchers may step up in ST next year and make the team? Tracey, Haigwood, or Munoz are probably the only 3... Malone and Honel? I don't think they trust either of those guys yet... I don't think any of those guys make the team. Might be a bullpen spot or 2 up for grabs, though. Where would they pitch? Buehrle, Jose, Garcia, Garland, BMac... would have to trade someone for there to be a real opening.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Sep 28, 2005 -> 08:41 PM) Sorry, I was off by 5 points coming off the top of my head. And I should have made myself more clear...I was more or less referring to his first season starting. I have no problem with Anderson at all...and I don't ever see Rowand putting up a .900+ OPS ever again in his career, unless he winds up in Colorado or Texas, much the same way I never see Podsednik puttng up a .380 OBP ever again. That doesn't mean there isn't some happy medium between the .750 OPS Rowand and the .900 OPS Rowand that puts up .825-850. And I see no way in hell that Anderson puts up a .750 OPS in his first season. A guy can be putting up a 1.000 OPS in the minors, perhaps more, but there is still an adjustment period where they get used to MLB pitching where they will almost undoubtedly struggle. Having Anderson in role next year and perhaps another year or two after that even similar to that of Rowand from 01-03 would not bother me in the least. He's not an impact player at all, so having him as a 4th OFer that gets 70-100 games in at the MLB level would not hurt him in the least. IMO Aaron Rowand and a first-year Brian Anderson are equivalent offensively. That being said, Anderson has far greater potential, is cheaper, and is the better move looking towards the future... If you're not losing anything in the order or defensively, I don't see how you can possibly NOT play him everyday... Anderson puts up minimum of .275-20-75 numbers his first season hitting in the #7 hole... book it.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Sep 28, 2005 -> 04:23 PM) Uhh, Anderson had an .831 OPS last year at Charlotte. That really isn't very impressive for that park... Heck, in his limited time at Birmingham, he didn't even put up an .800 OPS. Frankly, I don't think he'd even come close to an .800 OPS if he played up with the Sox full time next year -- or anyone for that matter. And yet Anderson's injury-limited partial season at Birmingham still surpassed Rowand's full season there in his 3rd-straight full-season at an incremental pace moving through the system... Anderson also only had a whopping 439 professional AB's above Rookie Ball heading into Charlotte. That's the equivalent of ONE SEASON of game experience in the pros and he's in Charlotte hitting .295-.362-.469... You want to look back at his season splits? Takes an adjustment period for every player. Look at Young's first half vs. second half splits... Anderson's going to strike out (as does Rowand), but he will walk more than Aaron, play better defense, provide about equivalent power in his first year, makes the league minimum, and his potential is far superior... what the hell are we waiting for... because Rowand's "blocking him"??? BLAAA!!!!!!!!

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Sep 28, 2005 -> 04:14 PM) Well if we're talking first year, then Anderson has a hell of a hill to climb. .910 OPS? Yowza Who the heck had a .910 OPS first year? That was Rowand's 4th season with the Sox and was a .905 OPS, which is WAY out of line with any of his past or since production... Nobody has changed Rowand's role or asked him to do something he's physically not capable of, as Pods tried to do for the Brewers... I don't hate Rowand at all, you can't hate the guy, he's all heart. That said, I hate the irrational defense of him, particularly his mediocre and vastly overrated defense. Run into a couple of walls and a guy is suddenly irreplaceable. Anderson was killing AA pitching before injuring himself and his production tailed off immensely at the end of his time in Birmingham due to it. What does Aaron Rowand give you that Brian Anderson cannot provide. Please tell me. If you're hanging your hat on Rowand to come anywhere close to that .905 OPS year I have some swamp land in Florida for sale...

QUOTE(3E8 @ Sep 28, 2005 -> 03:46 PM) He spent four years in one of the nation's top collegiate baseball programs? Reed went from Kanny to the bigs in three years, tell me what his OPS is. Minor League numbers for Rowand vs. Anderson: Anderson: 2003 - age 21 - Great Falls 13G - 49AB - 2HR - 9BB - 10K - .388 .492 .592 1.084 2004 - age 22 - Winston-Salem - 69G - 254AB - 8HR - 29BB - 44K - .319 .394 .531 .925 2004 - age 22 - Birmingham 48G - 185AB - 4HR - 19BB - 30K - .270 .346 .416 .762 2005 - age 23 - Charlotte 118G - 448AB - 16HR - 44BB - 115K - .295 .362 .469 .831 Minor league totals (3 years): 248G - 936AB - 30HR - 101BB - 199K - .301 .369 .482 .851 Rowand: 1998 - age 20 - Hickory 61G - 222AB - 5HR - 21BB - 36K - .342 .402 .495 .897 1999 - age 21 - Winston-Salem 133G - 512AB - 24HR - 33BB - 94K - .279 .328 .504 .832 2000 - age 22 - Birmingham 139G - 532AB - 20HR - 38BB - 117K - .258 .312 .438 .750 2001 - age 23 - Charlotte 82G - 329AB - 16HR - 21BB - 47K - .295 .342 .526 .868 2003 - age 25 - Charlotte 32G 120G - 3HR - 11BB - 12K - .242 .316 .392 708 Minor league totals (5 years): 447G - 1715AB - 68HR - 124BB - 306K - .281 .332 .479 .811 Rowand had almost 2 times as many minor league AB's, yet Anderson was still able to put up similar if not better numbers at AA and AAA. He has a less-dramatic K:BB ratio than Rowand as well, and s***, he plays better defense too. But hey, this guy, the career .851 OPS minor league who traversed NCAA -> big leagues in 3 years couldn't possibly surpass the great Aaron Rowand's golly...