Sox must take chances on talented underachievers, or they’ll never succeed on a mid-market payroll. That was the reasoning behind getting Contreras, Uribe, Marte, Loaiza or even Garcia (his 2002-2003 weren’t all that hot and his splits away from Safeco – humbling and Sox still feel they can turn him into the best pitcher in AL).
Soriano’s upside is what Adrien Beltre is doing this year. But with speed. Big-time talent. His downside? What he’s doing with Texas this year. Garland? A 5th starter who’ll be looking for 4M in arbitration. Mark Mulder is making 4.3M.
Sox will still need to go after Pierre since Rowand is a #2 imo. Sox will still need to go after Odalis Perez/Matt Clement to beef up the top of the rotation and another for the #5 spot if Diaz doesn’t step up in September, WB and ST. Then go after either Beltre or Drew as Magglio’s replacement in the #4 spot. And an arm for the pen. Getting Soriano changes none of that – except now Sox could trade Konerko with a clean conscience that his run production will not be missed.
CF Pierre
RF Rowand
1B Thomas
3B Beltre
LF Lee
2B Soriano
DH Everett
SS Uribe
C Davis/Burke
Willie is a pinch-hitter, runner and defensive sub. Crede is part of Pierre trade. Works out just fine on paper. Now all JR has to do is sign off on that 80M payroll and it becomes a reality.
